The Nevada Democrat., 1857-10-14
suicide OF Frank Moore.

A large number Of people came into town
from all parts of the county on Thursday even
ing. They all had important business to attend
to, but the most Of them designed staying on
Friday to witness the execution Of Moore. They
were doomed however, to a sad disappointment
The incorrigible criminal, having no inclina-
ton to crafty the curiosity of four or five thou
sand people, took dose of strychnine about
daylight on Friday morning, and died from its
effects a few minutes after. A crowd soon col
lected around the Jail, and as it was known that
the Sheriff had taken every precaution to pre-
vent him from obtaining the means Of self-de-
struction, it was for some time mystery as to
how he had been able to conceal the fatal drug.
The mystery was at length cleared up. A few
nights previous Mrs. Moore had been allowed to
visit her husband in bis cell, and remain with
him for day or two. On Monday she was told
that she would not be permitted to go into his
cell again, and Moore was then taken out, his
clothing entirely changed, and he was put into
another cell, which had previously been thor
oughly searched. The chair and candestick
which he had been using were taken to his new
quarters. After his death Mrs. Moore informed
the Sheriff where the poison had been concealed.
Ou turning over the chair, small wire dagger
was found stuck to the bottom with candle
grease, and the strychnine folded up in paper
had doubtless been concealed in the same man
ner. The dagger was about five inches long,
made from wire taken out of tin pan, and one
end sharpened on the rocks Of the cell. With
IL he could easily have opened an artery, which
would have accomplished his purpose, had other
means failed. Mrs. Moore says she did not fur
given him by other parties, and had been In bis
cell for some weeks 1t is the belief of the Off
GERS, however, that she supplied him with the
drug.
Moore had not given up all hopes Of escape
until few days previous to his death. In one
of the cells prisoner named Kelly has been
confined for some time, awaiting his trial on
charge of grand larceny. 1t seems that Moore
and Kelly had devised plan to escape, and
but for the thieving propensities of the latter,
it is possible they might have succeeded Kelly
pretended to be sick, and was allowed to come
out into the hall, where another prisoner was
confined for contempt of Court, in refusing to
pay a judgment when he had the money in his
pocket. Some Of the other prisoners told the
officers that it was the intention of Kelly to kill
one Of the guard who had the keys to the cells.
for the purpose of letting out all the prisoners
that wished to leave. But little attention. how
ever, was paid to this warning, as Kelly was
really believed to be sick. He aseertained by
some means that his fellow prisoner had money |
about him, and not being able to resist the
temptation, appropriated it to his own use. The
theft was discovered and Kelly put back into
his cell. He was then searched, and several
saws for cutting iron, two or three files, aud
bar of iron. found in his possession. With the
latter weapon, it is supposed he designed killing
one of the jailors. Moore then gave up all
hopes OF escaping from Jail, and nerved himself
to meet his fate.
We have endeavored, but with partial success,
to obtain sketch of Moore's career. We are
indebted to Mr.. Boring for the following par
ticulars of his early life, which were gathered
from casual conversations with him: His true
name was Francis Van Moore. He was born
in New York City, May 5th, 1926. His father
was an American, of German descent, and his
mother was native OF France. When he was
two years old his parents removed to Louisville
Kentucky, and afterwards to ST. Louis After
remaining in the latter city year or two, they
returned to Louisville His father died when
he was quite young, and at the age of twelve
years he run away from home, went to New
York, and from thence to Liverpool. From
Liverpool he went to .Havre, France where he
remained q year or&two, and then went to
Frankfort on-the-Main. He worked three years
in Frankfort as an apprentice to gunsmith,
and returned to France. He was married in
France at the age Of nineteen, and two years
after his wife died, leaving a son who is now
living with Moore's maternal uncle, Mr.. Richard
DeChamp, of New York City. He came to Cali
fornia, by the southern route, with Fremont, in
184S, and has resided in Nevada county the
most of the time since. His career in this coun-
ty. and the particulars of the shooting of Nc
Canahan, for which he was convicted of murder,
are too we'll knewn in this community to re-
quirc reference to them again.
| A DRUoGIsT SELLING PoIsoN.-An inquest was
held few days ago, in San Francisco, upon the
body of Henry Jansen who died under suspi-
oion Of naisan A viol had hnau found In Tho