Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-11-03
Hanging at Pixies Peak-The Execu-
ton and Confession of Gordon the
Murderer.

Hanging at Pixies Peak-The Execu-
ton and Confession of Gordon the
Murderer.
James A. Gordon, the murderer OF John
Giants, who hanged at Denver City on the
9th instant, confessed his guilt. but alleged
that he committed the deed while intoxicated
and was not sinsible of what he was doing at
the time. The circumstance Of the murder
and subsequent arrest and execution OF the
culprit, created unparalleled excitement in
the mountains. On the morning of the exc
cution Gordon expressed himself several
times as willing to be shot, and hoped some
friend would shoot him: he did not want to
be dragged to the gallows and there hung up
like dog "lf some one will shoot me can
die content" he said, the clergy called upon
him during the morning, and religious services
were performed in the room in which the
condemned was confined, in which he appear
ed to take deep interest.
At three o'clock Sheriff Middaugh entered
the room, and told Gordon that all was ready
and that he must put on his coat and CO.
The prisoner said he preferred to ride to the
gallows in his shirt sleeves, and then asked
the sheriff if he had personally examined the
gallows, as to ascertain if it was rightly con.
structed and strong, for be wanted to die
quick. The official assured him that oil was
right They then decended the stairs into
the street together unassisted. Gordon en-
tered the buggy, stood up in it moment,
gazing around upon the crowd, and then sat
down. There were no manacles upon his
| limbs The sheriff seated himself beside the
prisoner, the order was given, and the guard
formed u line, and moved on towards the
| place of execution at q slow pace. On the
way Gordon recognized friend on the street
waving his hands towards him, and, attempt
| ing to smile, burst into tears. When he
came in sight Of the gallows, with the rope
swinging from it, he asked the sheriff if he
was going to attend to the hanging himself.
Middaugh an wered in the negative say
ing be had appointed deputy to do it
Gordon then insisted upon his doing it
"Stand by me now this is my last hour on
earth. | prefer that you should hang me
don't leave it for another, a German, or
anybody that hates me. Moved by his
earnest supplcations, the sheriff finally con.
sented to perform the unpleasant duty
| The prisoner mounted the platform with q
hurried step. accompanied by the clergy ;
all knelt in prayer.
The condemned then addressed the people
thanking his friends for their kindness, and
hoped they would take lesson from his
dreadful fate, and abstain from the use of all
intoxicating drinks, assuring them that be
was a reformed man, and if he could have
lived he would have proven it to them ;
but as it was, they could only have his word
for it. Then turning to the sheriff be begged
of him to be sure and fix the rope so It
would dislocate bis neck Immediately, ex.
claiming, "Oh my God my Goa that
some friend would shoot me-" The rope was
adjusted, the drop fell, and Jas. A Gordon
was no more. For twenty-five minutes the
body hung it was then cut down aud de-
livered to his friends, and the crowd quietly
dispersed.