The Placer herald., 1857-09-19
Execution of Joseph Bradley.

rying into effect the sentence Of the Court
upon Joseph Bradley, for the murder of
Jacob Bakeman. Throughout the morning,
small parties Of persons in wagons, Oh horse
back, ard on foot, arrived in town from the
surrounding country, and the neighboring
villages. Tn, number, however, was not as
great as might have been expected on an oc-
casion of the kind. By noon the arrivals
ceased aud those present waited patiently
for the event of the day.
At fifteen minutes before two o'clock, the
Placer Rifles, under the command Of Capt.
Anderson, left their armory and marched
TO the Jail, where the Sheriff and his Deputies
were in waiting with the prisoner to proceed
to the place of execution. The coffin was
placed in light two-horse spring wagon
Sheriff King, Uunder Sheriff Bullock, and
Deputy Sheriff Sherman, having Bradley in
charge, then got in and seated themselves
upon it. Mr. Zentmyer, who drove, and a
gentleman who conducted the religious cere-
monies, occupied the front seat. The pro-
cession was then formed, by placing four
files Of the Rifles in advance, these followed
by the wagon containing the officers and
the criminal. Four files Of the Rifles, and a
large body Of horsemen brought up the rear.
Many persons accompanied the procession on
foot. The place selected for the execu
ton was mile and quarter above
town, near the junction OF the Nevada
Illinostown and Yankee jim roads. Thith-
CT the procession marched, arriving upon
the ground at half past two o'clock, when
Capt. Anderson formed his company in
square around the scatfold. Sheriff King
assisted Bradley from the wagon and walked
with him upon the platform followed By
his assistant officers. The coffin was placed
upon the platform and Bradley seating
himself upon it. listened with composure
to the reading Of the death warrant by Mr..
Bullock. This over at request he rose, took
off his hat, coat and neck handkerchief. On
being asked if lie desired TO say ANYTHING,
he made some remarks but in so low a
tone that We could not catch them; but
understand that he thanked the officers for
their kindness to him while in prison. Hav-
ing finished speaking, he was placed upon
the trap, his hands and feet were tied, a
black robe put over his person, the moose
adjusted around his neck and black cap
drawn over his head by the Sheriff This
done, prayer was offered by the gentle
man officiating, and as the solemn Amen
announced its conclusion, tie Sheriff drew
the lever, the trap fell, and the spirit OF
Joseph Bradley winged its was to the
realms of eternity. a slight, tremelors
motion Of the body could be observed for
a short time-nothing more. After remain
ing suspended until life was pronounced ex-
tnct, the body was taken down and bur
lied near the foot Of the gallows. A lit
to mound Of earth alone marks the resting
place of the poor, misguided negro, aud
the passer-by as Re points hereafter to that
lone grave, will only say there is the grave
of murderer
Throughout the whole Of the solemn scene
Bradley conducted himself with frmness
Qndeed, ever since his sentence, he has de
cared himself ready to die) While on hi
way to the galows he conversed with tn,
officers reey-wthout Wanting or brayado
We do not learn, however that he re
regretted his crime. Arriving at the scat
fold, he went upon the platform with (
firm and unfaltering step, and seemed tc
take an interest in the arrangement of tht
officers for his execution. We though
that at times he wore troubled lock
but he never quailed before the dreadful fate
that awaited him. He recognized few
in the crowd by slight inclinations of tn,
head from time to time, before the cap wa
drawn over his eyes.
The crowd was smaller than might hav
been expected not being more tha,
500 persons present. Good order prevailed
we heard but one exceptionable remarl
III the whole assemblage and we do that in
divldua tho justice to believe that he wa
too drunk TO know what he was saying. :
10 the credit Of those present, be it said
there were but few parsons under the in
'lucnce Of liquor.
Bradley was born in Mary near til,
District OF Columbia; and now las a wifi
aud three cl'lldren in Washington CITY. IL,
lived u Boston previous to coming TO Cali
;oruia. He ssid he was 80 years Of aae
but did not look to be over SO
Bradley has made short confession. !,