The Placer herald., 1856-08-02
The Execution of Hetherington and Brace
by the Vigilance Committee.
SAN FRANCISCO. july 29-S

Az CLOCK To-Day, tne Military cOmpa-
nies of the Vigilance Committee com
menced issuing from the Committee Rooms,
and marched and countermarched all around
neighboring blocks. At o'clock there were
five companies stationed opposite the Com
mittee Rooms, three at the corner Of Sacra-
mento and Davis Streets and the cross streets
leading to the locality were occupied by com
panies Of dragons. 1t was the general expec-
tation Of the public that 5 o'clock was the
hour of execution. Every house top having
a view of Sacramento and Davis streets was
covered, and also every spot commanding a
view. Fifteen thousand people witnessed the
tragedy. At this time, the roofs of the
houses in the vicinity fell precipitating all of
them into the houses; five persons were in
iured.
The scaffold was erected on Davis street,
between Sacramento and Commercial streets
The dimensions were ten feet square, with an
upright beam seven feet above the scaffold.
At 5:35, two carriages proceeded to the
building, and Brace and Hetherington were
placed in them, and conveyed to the place of
execution, Brace, assisted by two persons
assembled to the fatal platform. Next came
Hetherington; he refused all assistance, and
though his arms were pinioned, he walked up
the narrow stairway firmly, and with unquiv-
ering nerve.
The prisoners then took their places on
the trap-door Hetherington next to Com
mercial street. They both faced the west
When they reached the drop each had on a
light straw hat, but Braces blew of, and his
head was left exposed to the wind. The ropes
were then adjusted. An attendant united
the neckcloth Of Brace, but Hetherington
performed that office for himself
The appearance of the prisoners on the
scaffold was characteristic of each. Brace
acted like drunken man, and declared that
he was drunk. He appeared so. Hethering-
ton to the last, stood firm and spoke firmly.
What he said was to this effect.
"You may, and probably do think me a
hardened criminal but am not. | have
never lived day at the end of which was
not willing to meet my Maker, as I am now
about to do, in few moments. have not
had fair trial by the Vigilance Committee.
In shooting Baldwin, acted in sef-defense
was acquitted, yet find that that act bears
on me in my present position"
Ilclo anu dC various CiIIleS, Ho WIS lHIci- =
rupted by Brace, who spoke in an incoherent
manner, and wanted him to get done and
through with it.
"In the difficulty with DR.. Randall" said
Hetherington, 81 only drew to defend myself.
l only wanted to settle difficulty with him
and so told Mr.. McCorkle. He drew his pis-
tol, and was obliged to draw mine in self
defense. | know | am about to be launched
into eternity. I have had a long conversa-
ton with Bishop Kip, to-day, on religious
subjects. am not afraid of eternity"
Hetherington was frequently interrupted
by Brace, and it was impossible to follow
him fully.
81 forgive all my enemies. God have mer-
cy on all; and forgive you as hope to be
forgiven"
These were his last words. When Hether-
ington had got nearly through speaking,
Brace said, turning to his companion:
"Dry up, old fellow; you have talked
enough, don't keep me here any longer.
Damn it, dry up"
He died with an oath on his tongue
The bell of the Committee rooms toled
when Brace and Hetherington were launched
into eternity. Neither suffered much. Brace
scarcely moved. Hetherington moved but
once.
The bodies hung thirty-fve minutes, and
we're taken down by Coroner Kent.