The Placer herald., 1858-02-20


ed to be acting in the character Of a leader,
and the keys Of the Jail demanded. At the
same time the Sheriff was again seized by
persons in the crowd, as we'll as each Of the
deputies who had rallied to the protection
Of the Jail, and borne back and each held so
firmly that they were unable to make any de-
fence. In the meanwhile vigorous arms broke
the padlocks of the two iron doors, with
sledges, secured Bracey took him short dis
tance out OF town and hung him upon the limb
of tree. From the time the mob bursted
into the Jail yard, until they left it with the
cuprit, did not exceed ten or fifteen minutes.
They seemed to have perfected their arrange
ments for successful foray upon the Jail,
being provided with black smith sledges,
lights, and rope for hanging. and succeed
ed in pinioning the officers before they were
able to make any successful resistance.
When the attack was made the bell of the
Court House was rung by one Of the officers
to summon assistance; but few Of our citi-
zens reached the ground before the crowd
had left.
After Bracey had been taken from the
Jail, and while on the way to the place of ex-
ecution, Father Qun, who had arrived from
Sacramento to see Mr.. Murphy, made siren
uous exertions to prevent the hanging, but
his utmost efforts proved unavailing.
Of those Immediately engaged in the at
tack upon the Jail, the numbers are estima-
ted from sixty to seventy five. Their success is
wholly attributed to the secrecy and prompt
ness Of the movement. We are informed
by the Sheriff that he did not recognize any
of our own citizens engaged in the attack,
or any person that he personally knew; but
some of the men he had seen before The
Sheriff and his deputies done all in their pow
er to prevent the taking of the prisoner
but from the above it will be seen their ef-
forts were fruitess. The only serious vio-
lence threatened the officers was by the man
who drew the pistol upon The Sheriff.
Constable Boggs gave the Sheriff every
assistance in his power in resisting the mob
and preventing their forcing the Jail, but he
was seized and held fast at the same time as
the other officers.
BY the time the preparations were made
for hanging Bracey at the place sele' ted, the
crowd had increased to upwards of hundred;
the majority of whom were spectators, taking
no part in the proceedings. Before he was
hung, the lights were blown out and it is not
known who were the executioners.
Bracey was the same negro who killed
Chinaman in the spring of 1856 in this
place, and was subsequently acquitted.
The hanging was the subject Of general
conversation on the streets yesterday, but no
excitement prevailed. While all admitted
the justness OF the fate of the criminal, many
deprecated the manner Of punishment. The
precedent is most unfortunate, and one to
be much lamented. Acts of the kind are
calculated TO weaken the respect for law,
and pave the way for most disastrous conse-
quences to society.
1t is better to trust to the faithful execution
of the laws than to the dangerous and
uncertain temper of mob violence. The
citizens of our county have generally been
content to await the action of the law, h.
ing confidence in its faithful administrati,
and this is the first time that prisoner has
ever been forcibly taken from our officers.
We earnestly hope it may be the last.
LEGIsLATIvE.-We have not taken the