The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10
Execution Of PanchO Valencia fer the
Murder Of Joseph W. Hewitt.
The Murdered Man Also
a Murderer.
A Driving Rain and Hail Storm Beat Upon
the Criminal While He Stood
Upon the Gallows.
ne DIED PROTESTING HIS INNOCENCE.

uE UifU ThutCO,iisu MO iNNVVLNVI'
On Friday, the 31st OF January, Pancho valencia
was hanged in the Court House yard at falrheid'
Solano county, in the presence OF about h'y Peo-
ple for the murder OF Joseph W. Hewitt, committeo
upon the Sd Of March, 1871. correspondent Oh the
San Franclsco chronicle was present at the execu-
-ion and furnished the following report
PARTICULARS OF THE CRIME.
Some mont tins before the murder Of Hewitt he had
n quarrel with a man named Parker Adams and
killed him. He was tried for the killing and &C
quilted From this time q series Of malicious per-
secutioDs were instigated against Hewitt. Upon
enc occasion the tmoers OF bridge near ms
sawed in such manner that team belonging 10
Hewitt broke through and three horses were
killed. Hewitt escaped, as he was walking behind
the team at the time Soon afterwards his barn
was set on fire and burned. 1t now became evil
by SOME secret foe through revenge for the killing
SHOT DEAD AT HIS OWN DOOR.
On the night OF the Sd OF March two men came
to his door and demanded admittance. He went
to the door, and not liking their appearance went
into the yard to order them away. Just alter
stepping outside the door he was shot dead, the
ball entering near the nipple OF the left breast and
passing through his body. Fancho Valencia and
his brother Guadalupe were arrested on suspicion
OF the crime, tried and found guilty, chiefly on the
for a new trial was granted, and such light was
thrown on the case as led TO the abandonment OF
the prosecution against Guadalupe, while PanchO
hanged. A third trial was granted, and Panch0
was convicted and sentenced to be hanged on the
Slst OF January. Every effort was made to secure
another trial or at least q stay Of proceedings
THE LAST HOPE.
The only hope which now stood between Valencia
and the grave was the interference of the Cover.
nor, and efforts made in that direction.
Meanwhile the scahold was being built and the
prisoners cOn1essOr was admOnishing him OF his
coming end. Every effort was made by Father
Anger to induce him to confess, but the prisoner
drmly protested his innocence.
THE MORNING OF EXECUTION.
Yesterday at the little village Of Fairfield was, as
ing" The morning was cold and gloomy and as
the day advanced the clouds thckened in the sky.
while thick mist hung over the place. which soon
developed into q drizzlng rain. 1t was acknow-
ledsed by everybody to be the most disagreeable
day which had been experienced during the
Winter.
INTERVIEWING THE PRISONER.
Two hours before the execution Chronicle re-
comfortable room in the County Jail, having been
removed that morning from the cell which he had
with the priest who acted as Interpreter during
she interview, the prisoner being unable to talk,
new suit Of ine broadcIoth had been shaved an
hour before and his appearance scrupulously
neat and clean. He was small in stature and light
OF build. Ills hair was coal black, cut, brushed
and oiled with great care. His eye was full and
black, looking each man about him full in the face.
His features were very pale, but COMPOSED ana did
Not have the appearance Of belonging to criminal.
RBPORTER-What is your agc9
PRIsONER-I am about iorty, think. was but
m infant when my parents died.
REP0RTER-Where were you born2
PRIsoNER-In Santa Clara, California.
REPoRTER-Have you any relatlonsY
PRIsONER-l have three brothe Is and four sisters
AL mar1ieS expect TO be hanged today but
been kindly treated here, and have no nl-will
was built In the Court House yard small en-
closure In the rear OF the Court House, surrounded
lows. The gallows itself was substantial, well
built affair, firmly secured with belts and cross
{rom the ground and the plato rm midway be-
tween. The trap was SO secured that the cutting
Of a small cord liberated a lever which commu-
nicated with supports beneath 1t, that the trap
could be drawn back under the platform by rope,
50 which weights were attached thus preventing
al interference with the struggles OF the prisoner
after the drop had ialen. The yard was filed with
men who manifested the greatest curiosity to
aud understand the peculiar arrangement OF the
drop Many assembled the ladder and remained
upon the trap lew seconds, In the spot where the
doomed man was soon to stand. Knots OF men
probability OF reprieve reaching the Snerin for
the prisoner. As
approached the excitement IN tue Court House han
became intense. me place was hlled with men,
all eager TO witness the work of death; yet many
appeared TO be so ashamed OF their presence at
sucn time that they asserted that they came up
TO pay their taxes at The county seat. AS the time
drew near several set their watches by the sher-
lbs 30 as to know exactly when the execution was
TO take place. At fifteen minutes TO twelve O'Clock
the Sheriff assembled the ladder, and, tying the
moose to the cr0ssbeam left It swaying in the wind
with the lower end wrapped In piece OF cotton to
conceal the knot from sight. After this q coffin
was brought out and placed beneath the gallows.
Orders were now given to close the doors OF the
Court House and admit nobody. For some minutes
the crowd waited in the hail, speaking in low
whispers and awaiting the entrance OF Valencia,
who was during this time receiving the admin is
tration OF the Holy sacrament at the hands of the
priests.
end OF the hall opened ana Valencia, supported on
each side by the priests toftered across the thres
old. The crowd pressed back each side as If q
" N lCtn anAf hn taxn fN
the room Of the County Sheriff. Here he took o
seat and bent over the stove, warming his hands,
upon table at his left. After warming his hands
ne asked Tor cup OF warm tea, which was
one OF the priests placed the crueiix In his hand.
he grasped IT FIRMLY and solemnly protested his
Innocence OF the crime Tor which he was SO soon
20 suffer the penalty OF death. Having finished his
pretestations OF innocence he gazed intently upon
the crucfx Tor several minutes, and then handed
IL, Win seeming reluctance, to the priest
LED OUT TO DIE.
1t now being twenty minutes past twelve the
6herifls ordered the doomed man to be led to his
execution. In q few moments Valencia appeared
At the door Of the room leading to the hail. walking
expression, and his step was drm and deliberate,
although ne was very pale, When he nrst saw the
Ealows through the open door leading to the Court
pended moose and then fixed them calmly on his
comm. While passing threugh the hall the priests
the psalm, dDe prorladis damori al te Donafne.n
"Out OF the deep have called unto Thee y Lord"
Whue tue prisoner aScended me steps OF the seal
fold with the nrmest tread Of all, the lugubrious
chanting OF the priests sounded she opening OF the
Mserere, "MfSereye met Deus Gectfs1diin ndgnd2n
snisev1coTdfdm tudu,n Have mercy upon me. o
Lord, after Thy great goodness.)
Having reached the platform the prisoner walked
composedly 10 the drop, and the Sheriff read the
aeath warrant.
STANDING UPON THE DR0e.
stoSa ipg tine reading q me waant the arivTa
ram, mingled with hail and sleet, drove down upon
tne uncovered head OF the prisoner wiis the wind
40 nerce gusts shook the boards OF the high fenoc
eLected 10 screen the work Of death, pntn they
tnIeatened to fall upon the seaffold. Amid the
soSl oi tns storm and the peltng rain the doomed
HIM. 80 VA" S
THE DOOMED MANS LAST WORDS
vssncs W az row asked IL he had any statement
~ mnxe oe.oIe nls death Clasping the cruci6x
"a MS thin attennated fingers he held IL before his