The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-30

goCu ciuzen, aer he had slain an old and nofensve
genten an, ne came right down to the police Office and
gave himself 10 Dick Robinson who was then clerk in
the Marshals Office As he came into the oce, he
marked :" have shot Dr. Baldwin, and l want TO give
myself up to the authorities or course he was locked
up ana had speedy trial, after the most approved
d Ia Twitchel ellis, Baldwin, &c. which wear seems
only TO have been equalled by 1856 now fast filing up
bloody calendar by the rufany acts Of the cowardy
assassns. Lie was tried Tor murder, and acquitted.
Execution OF aetherfncton md Rr.ce hv the
vigilance Committee.
SPEECH OF HETHERINGToN-HARpIHooD OF BRACE
From the Alta Californian, July 29l
Francisco and the Vigilance Committee. II was day
whose record will be handed down from generation to
generation, to all time to come II was day that
justice meted out to two criminals of the deepest dye
which offers guaa sntee for the safety and projection Of
human lie in the future in San Francisco That the his
tory OF yesterdays transactions. which will be read
throughout the world, may be faithfully accurately
traced we have taken great pains to make the record
EXCITEMENT IN THE MORNING.
BY some means tbccame known, early in the morning,
that the execution of Joseph Hethengton the murderer
last and Phander Brace the murderer of Captain West
IN 1854, and the supposed murderer Of Marion
early hour people began to gather about
the rooms and their vicinity anticipation Of the event.
Sacramento street, from Montgomery down the rooms
was literally crowded with persons passing up and
down, who wee anxious to ascertain at what particular
moment the execution would occur.
THE TROOPS CALLED OUT.
BY IL O'Clock several Of the military companies OF the
Committee were observed on the street seemlncIy pre
pairing for duty This appeared to be additional nd
cation that some action about TO be taken of serious
nature. The gathering upon Sacramento street rapidly
increased and all the thoroughares leading to the rooms
tcpated death All business transactions were
apparently suspended and all eyes attention were
liked upon the headquarters of the Committee From IL
until the most active preparations were being made by
the military force Of the Committee prepare for the
duty OF acting as Escort and guard and the entire force of
the Committee were probably on duty and il esti-
mated that not less than h6 600 under arms
Being anxious TO know something Of the situation of the
mind and feelings OF Hetherngon under his sentence we
visited the rooms yesterday in order TO ascertain
HIS ApPEARANCE BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
Through TIE polisenees Of the Executive Committee
were allowed to enter the dungeon OF the prisoner at
O'Clock from whom we gained his opinion and statement
Of 1s The last last crime lime charges upon him
without exhibiting the least excitement He was appa
renty as cool and collected the most Indifferent and
ss calmly as he appeared while talking to He con
yersed freely Of ali the acts OF hts life particularly Of
affair, but one which he could not avoid ss he
forced into It by the first shot from his adversary
and red shc before he did, and that his first and the
Doctors second were simultaneous. After firing twice
be says the Doctor ran behind the counter crouched
down. rested his pistol upon the edge Of the
desk and continued bis firing.
This accounts for the shot which fred through the
hotel register and up the ceiling overhead One of the
balls passed his head that Il him suddenly
10 start back, as If he was stunned he docs not look
upon the affair a. a murder and thinks he acted IN self
defence he blames the Executive Committee for his
convection. and rays that he much above them as
heaven Is higher than earth. lie dehes any to say
aught against his character since he lived Francis
and added that no in this city better prepared
meet his Maker than he He felt ready and prepared
the reporters Of the press would be present and report
correctly what he bad 10 say the scaifold and he
wanted nothing added TO il. He has made written
statement Of the tragedy, which he has placed in the
hands Of attorney, who will II to be published
He entertained the opinion that his OF the affair
contained IN this written statement would convince the
world OF his innocence
MS NATIVITY AND ESTATE.
he informs US that he was born and rated In Cumber
land county, near Carlisle, England, ana thinks he IS
about thirty Ave years Of age but tell positively
He has lived much Of his life in 81 Louis and New Or
leans and has been in California since 1850 He has no
family relatives in the United States ana never was
married He Is possessed Of an estate which he says
ys,y d,In a oss 20 s,,e ~, ana waoa for want q ms
been unable 10 do lie says will probably amount 20
from $40 0c0 TO $4,000. lie leaves his bushes with
Fletcher NJ. and Henry Hag who have been his counsel
10 this city and St LOUIS He coniradcts the statement
that has been made to the eject that the Of
Randall contracted by the purchase OF judgment or
dtmards a, anst him. but was money loaned. Tnis mat
ter he will fully explain In hn written statement to tae
public
He charges upon Dr. Randaia a determ nation 10 assas
tnae him and that occasions when they have
met upon the street. Dr. Randall had dehanty placed his
band upon his pistol and apparently inviting conflict
He knew the Doctor 10 DO constantly armed with re-
Sover and also two pocket dcrrngers which latter he
visited during tie morning by several cergy men who
had been very kind to HIM, and 10 whom he felt under
obligations He, however, felt that he was fully pre-
rared for the bolr OF DEATH but regretted that must be
upon the gallows.
APPEARANCE OF BRACE.
Tie prisoner Brace appeared quite the reverse Of
Hetherrgton and manifested no penitence or dread Of
the awful moment that awaited him His time was spent
N eursDs and swearing and IN the use OF the most
yops language. HIS cell visited by Rev. Nessrs
Scott, Thomas and kipp, al Of whom he treated
mot contemptuously, uttering the most vulgar and
ened to kick them out OF his cell. Tbey succeeded,
bowevtr, about two hours before the execution quiet
ng bm. al he spent the last two hours mostly prayer
Rrace quite young man, apparently bot more than q
or - years old but possessed OF remarkable degree OF
teihgenoe, both natural and acquired. he Is native Of
ononcsga county, New York wh~e he has a father re-
cfcn been published Of late 10 San francisco papers The
pinoal charge against him appears TO be the murder OF
Capt west about year and half ago tho Mission
and the subsequent murder Of his ascompce VIII they
were pursued He, however, has confessed TO the
mise Or OF many other crimes he has been arrested
and has mentioned them In rather boastng spirit He
admits 10 having been great thief aud he stole because
be coud rot heip 4. nut little dependence could. how.
ever, DO put on AM thing he said he most J.
liar. He appeared TO be literally educated aud
eoull speak several languages husntly He possessed
tasetb OF DO ordinary character aud properly directed
he would have made man Of distinction.
THE GALLows.
AZ 4o'ciock workmen commenced the erection Of the
10 and Commercial streets This was the signal for an
Unus la gathering about ha, locality and before O'Clock
soeS sgsy ;, e%nss so view q the spot
witness the scene Every building and house top, for
block around. were literally alive with humanity. Tho
saows was simple IN construction, beng four uprights
to sustain the Platform, with the usual beam over
bead 10 which the ropes attached.
ORDER OF TIE TROOPS.
The armed forces OF the Committee were 80 sta
toned 10 command all the approaches TO the spot
and to prevent any interference with the duea Of the
guarded the outposts, the Intersections Of streets
ihree or four blocks distant from the eallsws and
heavy ordr ance was stpnone at the corners of Cali
ornia Sacramento ana Commercial streets, on Front
and Davis streets, w0u were manned by the artillery