The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-08-21

~-ON~GND 1890
rooms were nearly blockaded with anxious specta-
tors of the anticipated death scene. All business
transactions were apparently suspended, and all eyes
and attention were fixed upon the headquarters of
the Committee. From L O'Clock until two the NEST
active preparations were being made by the military
force OF the Committee, to prepare for the duty OF act
ing as escort and guard, and the entire force Of the
Committee were probably on duty, and 1t was esti-
mated that no less than 5000 men were under
arms.
Though the politeness Of the Executive Committee
we were allowed to enter the dungeon of the prisoner
from whom we gained his opinion and statement Of
the last crime charged upon him. We found him
engaged in writing, which he performed without e<-
hIbltlng the least excitement. He was apparently rs
cool and collected as the most Indifferent and uncon-
cerned could be. He remarked that he should die as
calmly as he appeared while talking to US. He con-
verscd freely Of all the acts of his life, and partica-
larry of the killing Of Dr.. Randall. He regarded it
as a very unfortunate affair, but one which he could
not avoid, as be was forced into it by the first shot
from his adversary. His version of the affair is, that
the Doctor drew first. and fired one shot before he did,
and that his first and the Doctors second were 81
multaneous. After firing twice, he says the Doctor
ran behind the counter, crouched down, rested his
pistol upon the edge Of the counter or desk, and con-
tinued his firing.
APPEARANCE OF BnAoE.-The prisoner Brace APP
peared quite the reverse of Ictherington, and mani
tested no penitence or dread Of the awful moment
that awaited him. His time was spent in cursing
and swearing, and in the use of the most revolving
language.
LIE 4 o'clock workmen commenced
the erection of the galloWs in the centre of Davis
street, between Sacramento and Commercial streets
This was the signal for an unusual gathering about
that locality, and before 5 o'clock every available
space, from which q view Of the spot could be OBJ
tanned, was occupied by persons desiring to witness
the scene. Every building and house-top, for blocks
around, were literally alive with humanity. The
gallows was simple in construction, being four up
rights to sustain the platform, with the usual cross
beam overhead to which the ropes were attached.
l1T-D or oH- VIn o-p1oI Elroo- g IL
Committee were so stationed as to command all the
approaches to the spot, and to prevent any inter
ference with the duties of the eXccutioner, were SUCH
8 design intended. IOrSemcn guarded the 0utpOSts,
or the intersections Of streets three or four blocks dis
tant from the gallows; and heavy ordinance were sta
toned at the corners Of California, sacramento and
Commercial streets, on Front and Davis streets,
which were manned by the artillery companies.
The SPECTAToRs.-It is perfectly Impossible to give
anything like a definite idea of the number of persons
that were spectators to the scene. 1t is perfectly safe
to set down the number Of those who were endeayor-
ing to become spectators OF the scene at 2O.OOO.
FALL OF BuILDINGs.-Several wooden tenenents
were so thickly covered that they gave way with a
crash carrying hundreds with them down to terra
frma, to the CONSERVATION and disnay Of those below.
THE APPROACH To THE GALLows.-At half past
) o'clock, the preparations at the galfows being COM
pleted, the Executive Committee were escorted from
their rooms to the vicinity of the galIows, where they
occupied a separate position in a body. The prison
es were then brought down from their cells, and
placed each in q carriage, accompanied by a guard
| of officers. and were driven to the execution ground.
A death like stiffness prevailed among the spectators
and the soldiers rs the carriages approached, and
many of them stood uncovered. Both of them as
cended the scaffold with Il firm step, and were to all
appearance little affected by the scene before them.
The Rev. Mr. Thomas Of the III. Z. Church also went
upon the scaffold, accompanied by two or three Off
GERS, who officiated as executioners. The arms of the
prisoners were pinioned when they assembled the gal
lows. and their lower limbs were firmly bound as
/ Oo1, u & they reached the DIltfrm. Both aided the
officers in adjusting the moose to their necks. With
great GOODNESS they took of their necktiess and loos-
ened their shirt collars as unconcernedly as though
thew were about the most ordinary affairs of life.
When the ropes were placed upon their necks, Brace
turned to his companion and extended his hand,
which was taken by Hethcringt0n, when q few words
passed, as though they were bidding adieu to each
other. and HetheringtOn addressed the asSenlblIGe.
He smoke with a strong North Of England accent, and
occasionally referred to q memorandum which he had
in his hand.
THE ExECUTIoN-While Hetherington was yet
speaking, and Brace going through with his most
wonderful and revolving performances. the caps were
drawn over their faces, a signal was given, followed
By one deep tone from the bell on the Nigiiant bull
dings, which was another signal for the eXecutloner,
who stood upon the ground, and with q 1nallet and
chisel parted the cord that sustained the drop, and at
/ once the two murdcrers were ANONYMOUSLY suspend
ed between heaven and earth to pay the penalty OF
their crimes. The moose was well adjusted upon both
and the bodies were almost instantly Itele5s. The
body of Brace was not observed to move at all, not
even a muscle, and that of Hetherington, after three
or four minutes, was seen to move slightly once or
twice, and then all was over.
judge Terry was released by the Vigilance Com
mittee on the 9th Of August, after having been tried
and acquitted by the Committee. lie went immedi-
ately to Sacramento.
b. The SrEAMER.-The crowded state Of our col
umns leaves us but little room to comment on the
news by the Yankee. The Presidential campaign had
fairly opened in the eastern States, and each party
appears to be snnguine-o of success.
Congress has been engaged discussing the Kansas
biIls-the Senate, after a protracted session, passed
the Douglas bill, and the House, by a majority ofthree,
passed u bill admitting Kansas, with her Topeaka
free State Constitution. At last dates things were
quiet, and Governor Shannon had resigned.
The affairs in Washington Territory, and the pro-
clamation of Gov. Stevens, declaring the territory I'M
der martial law, had given rise to some discussion in
the Senate, and Gen. Cass introduced a resolution
calling for information.
The news from England, by the .asfa, is of a pacif-
ic nature. The sETimes'' is very warlike, but the
nennle of ENGLAND show q GREAT deal of mnleration