The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-03
THE GALLONS IN CALIFORNIA.
End OF IL Despcr ndo --Execution 81 John h.
Resr fer the Murder Of Michael Flynn.

ResT Ter the Murder Of Michael Flynn.
SAN FRANCISCO. Der. %, 1870.
Yesterday the 91at INST, John X Best was nung
at Stockton for the crime OF murder. The criminal
was an Englishman ana came 10 New York with
his parents when quite young. There he grew up
without any education and assocIating with the
worst class OF rufiians which abounds IN that city
When about twenty years OF age he removed. with
his family, 10 Kentucky, where he committed his
first murder, and escaped justice by fleeing to Texas
where he continued To lead lawless life. ono
night in saloon playing cards dispute arose
between the parties playing, OF whom Bes, was one
Knives and rey0lvers were drawn In q twink
ling. Bests brother-ln-law threw himself between
the conbatanis and received his death wound from
bowie knife in the hands OF Best. Again the MUIR
derer became refugee ana fed to the new Territory
OF Montana, where he again committed deeds Of
blood, escaping the penalty by emigraung. From
Montana he came 10 California and for some time
engaged in mining In Of the northern counties.
After remaining there for some time he removed to
San Joaquin county, where ne committed his fourth
and last murder, for which he Yesterday suffered the
penalty.
On the aIst VI October. 1869 Best shot and killed
Michael Flynn IN a saloon about three miles from
Stockton on account OF dispute about score which
Flynn claimed Best owed him. After tho murder
Best mounted his horse ana rode on. That night he
scene Of the murder. On the following morning
having drank 10 excess, he fell In attempting 10
mount HIS horse ana cut his face severely. Tue ami.
NAL running away Best was forced To proceed on
1Oo and being AFRAID OF pursuit took 70 the woods.
In the meantime the citizens OF Stockton, Mortified
al the bloody deed perpetrated In their very midst
assembled en- iR1sse and determined 10 pursue the
murderer. reward OF $500 was offered by the
proprietor Of the saloon In which the murder was
committed. The pursuit tasted several days, but
days after the murder Best was traced TO a
1hnut
miles from stockton. Two officers gained
admission to the house. and pointing Henry
resistance. He WAS conveyed TO Stockton, tried and
convicted. On the 18TH Of February Beat was sem
fenced But his counsel obtained a stay OF pro-
ceedlngs pending an appeal 10 the Supreme Court.
court below. Az FIVE minutes past twelve on Friday,
the 2Ist inst Best was led forth for execution. Upon
being asked by the Sheriff II ne had anything 10 say,
he took roll Of manuscript from MS pocket and
read his last declaration. His statement was
rambling and ncoherent. denying the murder and
asserted that the jury had been Dribed To find hmm
guilty. He denounced his counsel in severe terms,
and attacked the parties VINO had been Instrumental
in his capture. During his harangne,
she'd On the roof OF which great
iured several persons. Afser the reading OF the
paper Rests neck was adjusted in the Moose thu
signal was gwen ana the rope Was cut. ais neck
was broken by tho fall. The body was allowed to
examination TO the surgeons Best was about
thirtynve years OF age about i've feet five inches in
height ana weighed $50 pounds. Hia com ole xion
was dark and swurLhy. He had lost his lert eye In
some one Of his bloody struggles and wore a glass
one In It's place. lie had no relatives on this coast
nor even friend TO claim his dead body. such
was the career or one OF the most hardened crimi-
nas TITS state WAS ever cursed with.