The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-03
EXECUTION BY A VIGILANCE Committee.


From the Virginia Enterprise, March 2el
About one O'Clock yesterday morning Arthur Per-
jail in this city for the murder OF William smith. In
the International Saloon street. three weeks ago
by Vigilance Committee and summarily hung by
the neck till he was dead. The night was dark,
with blasterv colo winds anu an occasional n nan
old Mount Davidson, and the streets were nearly
deserted, most people having sought their com.
Portable homes and resting places for the night
THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE
assembled at Armory Hall, on b street, about mid
night, and quietly was this done that very few OF
even persons about town. who are generally sup
posed to keep posted, knew what was going on A
WAS =, At ss door, and al who en-
viduals who happened to be passing, or on their
way nomeward at that late hour. were confronted
by the armed sentinels and turned away with the
admonion to go along quietly about their business
and have nothing TO say As near as We can learn
lantes assembled, and al were armed with pistols,
snotguns aud the muskets OF the Emmett Guard,
which they found and took possession OF at the hail.
ALARM BELL STOPPED.
Not long after midnight, sam Wyckenham,
steward OF Young American Engine Company, No. 2,
on South street. sleeping IN the engine house,
was aroused by man who came there asking II he
was the steward. sam replied that he was and then
noticed That this man was masked. "well, II you
are the ward" said he. stake this pistol and go
up into the belfry and II ANYBODY comes TO ring the
up, there. quick sam realized that there was no
nonsense In this matter, so, making virtue OF
necessity he put on MS coat and went, taking the
pistol along, the masked man, with shot gun,
following 10 see that he did so. He kept poor Sam
there in the cold and storm for about an hour and
O half when he was permitted to come down, and
the masked man, taking the pistol from HIM, left
THE ATTACK ON THE JAIL.
Sheriff Atkinson and Under Sheriff Stoner inform
MS that they were IN bed In their private room.
which is at the rear or the Sherff's ONCE, with
wooden partition between them and the room where
the prisoners cells are, wnen about one O'CLOCK as
near as they can judge they were awakened by
knocking at their room door. Atkinson got out CT
bed and Slid back the bolt OF the door, when, as ne
dad so, the door was pushed open and about dozen
men rushed In, one OF them having lighted candle
in his hand. They levelled guns and pistols at the
officers, and their spokesman said they haG come
Tor Perkins and wanted the keys OF the cells forth
with. Both peremptorily refused as sworn officers
OF bed ana somewhat roughly handled, bu. ne per-
sisted in his refusal: and It was after several
desk in the corner OF the room. the Sheriff
Of these men in the JAIL all masked apparently with
handkerche!s across Their faces and holes cut for
their eyes. and all armed with guns or pistols. A
OF the building from street, and others from
the 'front.' the outside iron doors not being closed.
They forced the sash door at the entrance to the
Sherlf's Office with a crOwbar. and subsequently
that leading into the interior OF the jail similar
THE PRISONER TAKEN OUT.
After getting possession OF the keys guard OF half
dozen men were lett IN the room with the officers,
Perkins was confined. together with Moses Reming-
tom who shot his wife week or so ago. They told
dress himself and go aiong with them to be hanged.
While dressing he protested thar they were doing
XII smiin~that lit was an accident" &C.
Some questions were asked him relative 10
his grimes n but me- denied them
Hose house, asserting that when The fire occurred
he was PLAYING a. billiards with Others IN the
ABOUT getting his boots on. and was told that he
woud not need them SO he went without them or
with pair sf slippers on. Meanwhile there was
party OF some 1orty yiylantes in front OF the Jail
and patr0ling streec between Union and Taylor
streets while similar detachment was at tue rear
OF the IAN and occupying street. between the points
mentioned. by this time quite number OF spec
tators were gathered on street, curiOusy watch
ing the proceedings and evidently expecting TO see
the prisoner brought out. But IN tins they were dis
appointed, for Perkins was taken out the back way
from the time the Vigilan.es pa ssed out with
Perkins before some OF them came back, and, speak
then went 10 Perkins, CELL locked it and got the Keys
again. Remington was much frightened.
THE GALLOwS.
The Vigilantcs, with their prisoner allowing no
one TO follow them. marched along street to SUIT
ton avenue. and thence up to the Ophir mine, where
stands small building over one OF the shafts Of
that company. From the front OF TINS building,
some twelve feet from the ground, beam projects,
beneath which Is cut or car way, some six or seven
feet IN Depth with car track at the surface. for
merlv used in running out cars or tubs loaded with
ore from the shaft TO be dumped into the cars IN the
cut beneath. A piece OF board was placed across
this upper car track, and on tins Arthur Perkins
was made TO stand while rope they had brought
moose at The end adjusted about the neck OF
the doomed man. All this was evident to
any who like OurseI visited the scene a
few hours later We are told that Perkins appeared
firm ana collected ana did not make any confession
merely mentioning something about his relatives.
We hear also that when the small board upon which
he stood was removed he gave a spring upward
the same time, making MS fall still greater In fact
there are various versions and rum0rS OF this part
OF the AFFAIR." which we have no room Ia repeat This
was the last OF II, however
THE BODY.
About four O'Clock policemen Potter and
McCready and John Stout searching Tor the
body. found II stu suspended where the vigiianes
bound the eyes, anu pinned TO the left lapel
OF the coat was a small placard, on which was
written the following
"ARTHUR PERKINs-CoMMITTRE no. 60l.'
These officers came away leaving the body as they
found Il ana no WsG Coroner symGns that ha oser
O'Clock, taking coffin along. ana brought The
body to Wilson Il Browns undertaking establish
ment. on street, where II was visited by hundreds
OF people curious to gaze upon the face OF who
came 10 such summary aud mysterious death.
The BODY was afterwards allowed to be taken away
by some women 10 house farther south on d street.
where with the assistance OF some male friends Of
deceased, the body was properly washed and pre-
Keyes undertaking establishment on street, where
it now is. the funeral Will take place from there at
two O'Clock z. NJ. TODAY.
CoIosER's INQUEST.
Coroner Symons held an inquest In the matter
Yesterday afternoon and the testimony elected we
examination oil the body he found the neck not
broken therefore deceased must have died from
strangulatlon. lin hanging the fall was evidently SIX
or seven feet.l Another witness testified tnat de-
ceased was born on loard the ship Arthur Perkins,
at sea, between Panama AMI san Francisco, while
on the way TO California.
THE VERDICT
The verdict or the coroners jury was 10 the eject
that deceased was born at sea, was aged twcny our
years, aud that he came TO hs death the 25l day
OF March, 1871 from strangulation by hands nm
known, In tue city OF Virginia, Storey county, New
THE HyEyIyG OF THE OPERA uOySE N