The Nevada journal., 1858-03-05
.xGCUTIoN
DAVID BUTLER.

alias NJ. c. Bolin, at half past one o'clock
on Friday, 26th inst, in the presence of
about two thousand five hundred people,
including, we regret to say, several fe-
males. The crime for which he suffered
was the murder of Robert Moffat, at
Downieville, in September, 1855. But
Ter had been incarcerated and in irons
thirteen months and eleven days prior
to his execution.
For long time previous to the fatal
day he was calm, composed, uncomplain-
ing and apparently prepared for the
final hour. He always preferred diff
ferent form of death, but of late has ex-
hibited perfect willingness to die. He
spoke of his great troubles, of the wea
riness of life they begat, and expressed
his joy that they were to end and at
last he would rest in peace. His bear
ing to his keepers and to the numerous
oJ PaluiAiIS llIcHuS WIZ flSlteu HlIH III
his cell was most exemplary, and Gre
ated lasting impression in his favor.
His conduct and conversation to his spir-
itual adviser was such as to satisfy the
man of God of his fitness for death and
it's account.
On the morning of his execution he
was aroused from a sound sleep at 7
o'clock, when he partook of hearty
breakfast and sat down to smoke his
pipe as deliberately as ever before.
Many came in to see and converse with
him for the last time and bid him last
farewell. All were struck with his calm
ness and cheerfulness
Twelve o'clock was the time named
by the doomed man to be led out to die.
At that hour, Sheriff Richard Irwin, of
Sierra, and his Deputy, Frank Proctor,
rode up in front of the Jail door, where
large crowd had assembled. Ex-Sher-
iff Butterfeld and Deputy Sheriff Van
Hagan, mounted, soon joined them. A
close barouche Immediately drove thro'
the throng and took its station in front
of the Jail door. The Nevada Rifles, in
four divisions, surrounded the carriage
The prisoner then came forth in charge
of Sheriff Boring, of this county. He
was dressed in a new suit of plain black.
He entered the carriage with light
step. Revs. Messrs. Dryden and War
rem, with one of his keepers then enter
ed, the doors were closed, and the pro-
cession commenced.
Arriving at the gallows, a half mile
westward of the town on Lost Hill it
was with some difficulty the Rife com
pany and Sheriff's posse succeeded in
forcing the dense crowd surrounding the
gallows to respectful distance. The
doomed man got out of the carriage
nimbly, and ascended to the platform
accompanied by Sheriffs Boring and II
win, Deputy Sheriff Van Hagan, Revs.
Dryden and Warren, and his counsel,
A. A. Sargent, Esq, with quick but
firm step. The death warrant was
read, as also the respite of the Governor
postponihg the sentence to that day
The prisoner then spoke few words in
a low tone of voice to the Sheriff, and
Immediately turned to the vast assem-
blage and addressed it Cor the larger
part of an hour
He spoke of his resignation and will
lingness to die, of his lively hope of
future life, his sufferings which had been
to him worse than the stings of death,
and the prospect of at last resting in
peace. He said he was as innocent of
murder as any man who ever went to
his death. In his heart and conscience
he felt that he was not murderer. He
confessed his faults, and warned others
within hearing of the dangerous tenden-
cies of the course of life he formerly pur-
sued. He said he had been wronged in
this world, but rejoiced that he was 60
ing to place where all would be right
ed. He feelingly spoke of home, of
sisters and brother who were dear to
him, whom it seemed he had left but
as yesterday. He spoke of his friends
he was about to leave behind him, to
part with whom was his bitterest pang.
He prayed God to be merciful to them
all, as he could say He had been to him.
He alluded to the little girls and boys,
and ladies who had visited him in his
confinement, in grateful manner. He
calledupon all to protect such innocence
The compliments Of a dying man were
bestowed with much feeling upon the
officers under whose charge he had
long been.