Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-07-05
Execution Of Casey and Cora.

Execution Of Casey and Cora.
We give on our first page a synopsis Of the
news from California per Steamer Illinois. =
Below wsgivo sonetprther and more detailed
particulars
II had been determined TO postpone the exc
| cution Of these persons until Friday, but a Ie-
| ror Of such character az led The COMMITTEES 10
believe that an attempt TO rescue the prisoners
would be made by an organization al the
time OF tho funeral, when they thought the
rooms would only be partially guarded, gain .
ed circulation, and it was fna ly detsrmin-
OF 10 complete the work, and relieve themselves
OF their anxiety and suspense by ,arrying out
tho judgment which had already been pro-
bounced.
| Notwithstanding the great gathering al the
funeral the rooms Of the committee were sur
rounded by about 20, 900 people, who had got an
inlimaiion Of the proposed execution, and hur-
ried TO the spot.
The mos, formidable guard was arranged,
which embraced oil the arms o! the committee,
consisting Of about 1000 stand of mnskets aud
two field pieces. The streets in the imme.
date vicinity oil the rooms were cleared BY the
soldiers, and the bristling bayonets that were
displayed ini every direction made the scene
one OF great solemnity. One Of the field pieces
was planted so as TO command From, street. AT
about ! o'clock workmen were seen preparing
tho gallews in front of the commiite room, and
this preparation drew together an immense
throDg
About one o'clock the prisoners wore brosgh,
| 10 the windows, in view Of the multitude, dress
cd in their usual costume, and mounted the plat.
FORM having their arms pinioned. They both
appeared firm, and but little affected py the
dereadful fate tha, awaited them. Before placing
the rope upon their necks an opportunity was
given them 10 speak to the people assembled,
whom Casey said;
| "GeniIeman--i hope this will be forever en-
eraved on your minds and On your hearts. am
DO murderer. Let no man call me murderer,
or an assassin. Let not the community pro-
aounce me to be murderer. Let no! the Alta,
the Chronicle and the Globe, " hich papers have
so bitterly denounced me let them not stigma.
tise me murderer in their daily and weekly
| papers, nor send my name 10 the States ~ q
murderer; for never did murder, nor attempt 10
commit murder. Let no editor dare TO SANDER
my name or memory. Gentlemen, | am no
murderer. My faults are because Of my early
education. Where belonged l was taught TO
| fight, and tina, to resent my own wrong was my
province. If you see funeral train tomorrow
let no one dare say that there goes the body o. q
murderer. This have done, but am no mur-
derer. When have departed hence, dare not
you OF any Of YOU call me muderer, nor send
| my name to the world as one. have an aged
mother, ane lei her not hear me called a mur-
derer or an assassin. | have always resented
| wrong ard have done il now.
"Oh! my poor mother, my poor mother; how
her heart will bleed al this news. II Usher pain
feel now. This will wiring her heart, but she
holf l / h,,tt "A
an injury, my poor mother Oh, my mothe:,
God bless you.
aGentIeiaen, pardon you, as | hope God
will forgive you, as hope he will forgive me
Amen! Oh nay poor mother On God have
mercy upon me. My Jesus take care Of me-
Oh God with accumulated guilt OF % or 20
years, have mercy dpon me-my poor mother!'
Al The conclusion OF these remarks he seemed
to grow weak and vas ,nabio 20 stand without
sufpor, from those standing by him. Father
Gallagher was by his side as his spiritual ad-
wiser, and constantly telling him 10 stop speak-
ing and pray. He ais offered him the Cross,
which he kissed several times. When the moose
was placed. about his neck, he was deeply al
fected and nearly tainted away, and would have
fallen from the scaAold but for those who sup
ported him.
Cora did not say word, or desire 10. He
stood upon the scafiold during Casey's speech
perfectly unmoved, aud when the rope was pu,
around his neck he was as unconcerncd as be-
fore. He alse pressed the cross 10 his lips dur
ing his last moments.
Al 20 minutes past one O'Clock everything be-
ing ready 10 carry out the design of the execu-
TONERS, the signal was given, and the cord thai
held up the outer end Of the scafolds, or plat
forms; was cut upon the roof Of the building, and
the doomed men men were both launched into
.l<~.t k-N.~
earth. They were dropped about six feet, and
few motions Of the lower limbs
The bodies were allowed 10 hang until s mi
nutes past o'clock. or SIS minutes in all. when
they were cut down and taken into the lower
room. Of the building, and afterwards handed
over 10 The coroner, who will hold an inquest
Previous 10 the execution, Bell Cora was sen.
for at the request Of the spiri, ua adviser Of Cora,
and they :xsfe formally married by the priest
about thirty minutes before the execution. This
was done al the request Of his spiritual adviser,
who would not grant him absoiuaicn until this
ceremony had beer performed.
The work Of death being ended, the body Of
armed men wi.o acted as guards on the occa-
sion were all drawn up in line on Sacremenss
street, extending from Davis street TO Sansome
Street double file, and were reviewed by the su-
perior officers. After this review iiey counter
marched down 10 the rooms, and entering At one
door stacked their arms, filed out at anoiesr
door and mingled with the citizens.
After the execution, -ihe bodies were taken
possession Of by the coroner, and an inquest
held, the Jury returning the following verdict
"'rhe undersigned jurors convened,a at the cor
oner's Office on The ED Of May, 1856. to inquire
into tho cause Of the death Of Charles Cora and
James p. Casey, found dead at the rooms Of the
Vigilance Committee on the 23d inst, do find
that they came 10 their death from hanging by
the neck, which hanging was done by body Of
men styling themselves Vigilance Committee
Of San francisco"
The bodies were then given up TO their friends.
That Of Casey was taken charge Of by Engine
Company No. 10. Of which he had been fore
man, and that Of Cora by his widow.
DEATH OF YANKEE SULLIVAN.
A new flame was added 10 he excitement
about II O'Clock by The announcement that
James, alias Yankee Sullivan had committed
suicide in his cell at the commiiiee rooms, where
he was confined. Soon after the death Of
the prisoner we were waited upon by
4 couple Of gentlemen Of the committee, who
were endorsed BY the seal Of that body, which
they bore upon o written document from it's
officers, who gave Va u statements of The facts