The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-12
THE SCAFFOLD.

ANOTHER EXECUTION IN cALHoRNLA-WuLIAM
DoNA HANGED FOR ArURDER-nPoRTANT DE-
cIsIoN or THE GOVERNOR IN REGARD TO
CAPITAL OFFENCES.
Modesto (Cal) dispatches april p to San Fran
cisco papers.
William Dona was hanged at one O'Clock to-day
for the murder OF John Connolly on tue 2lst OF last
December. According 70 the original sentence ne
was 10 have been hanged on the 10th Of March,
and the gallows was erected for that purpose. But
Just an hour the fatal leap was 10 nave been
taken respite OF two weeks was granted by Gov
ernor Pacneco. In the meantime an applcatio n
for a Communication or the sentence to lmprlson-
ment Tor life was presented 10 the Governor. No
news came from MIN until three p. NJ yesterday,
when the pubic were surprised at the following
DECISION OF GOVERNOR PAcHEco.
To john ROGERS. Sheriff; oToRGS W scnrII, County
Judge; j. =. scRiySKR, District Attorney H. r. LuTHER
have made the most careful and CONSCIENTIOUS ex-
animation within my power ali the evidence
the trial OF William Dona Tor the murder OF John Con-
tiers, aindavs anu petitions for Communication OF his
Admitting every assertion made in mis- behalf
ana gsiaS aa value ana mere 70 saS IN % S
facts ana @ me erime under the grave
4 conmulsuon Of his sentence is petitioned for and
la Inat ne has constantly borne good character
Seoond-Ihat his victim was commonly quarrelsome,
and reputed 10 be n bad man nnd DANGEROUS ell
Iaird-That he Is by weak ignorant and SEEM
ingly inonensiye -, ,..-,., q. ,;, ,h nan
whom he killed because there was constant danger TO
F1ih-Ihat the un fortunate act of shooting resulted
from his reasonable fear Of man VINO had threatened
The lrsl Of these pleas fall properly wi bout the
Of man. however bad. cannot nnd jusnneation, or
plantation even, in the character OF his slayer.
he ne leam b
gree, Il the alleged umids had found expression in
Of his nature had impressed the ordinary effect
The Remaining CONSIDERATIONS forced aside and
vaucless by the testimony given At the trial Of
bona the precise moment OF the shooting having
cured might justly alarm reasonable man,
il Dona feared violence there ample opportunity
70 avoid y y !; not an aet o. sede h 70 shoot
u da S ne Is anu might become
That provision recently adopted in our criminal jurs-
ing the penalty tor the crime Of murder makes II
pronoancea aSa warns the Executive 10 duly consider
verdict upon and have rendered. under
the solemn oega lions q t1sr oaths s ne aT must
clear painful The obligations OF my office per-
sions o. my regret that such should be
auenti this state Very respectfully your o6eaent
THE EXECUTION
! II had been conceded that Communication was
certain. But few people were Ia town. Shei IN
4 Meany, or MERGED was the only OUTSIDE oticer
present. the priests were with the prisoner all
night. At halI-past twelve O'Clock some thirty
persons had assembled in the jail, with quite
crowd OUTSIDE trying 10 gain admission. Two
Catholic priests were with the prisoner in his
last moments. At one O'Clock he was called rom
MS cell, wnere he was seated between his spirit
ual advisers, and sheriff Rogers read the death
warrant. During the reading the prisoner
showed no emotion whatever, only sllght
trembling observable. At three minutes
past one the prisoner ascended the scaffold
escorted by Deputy Sheriff Stlnson, followed Dy
toe Two Catholic clergymen. sherlns Rogers and
b nd H.
ing the scafold the priests recited The Atany and
prayers Tor the dead, and Deputies Stinson and
Howell strapped the arms and legs OF the prisoner
A black Gao was drawn over mis- head, the moose
adjusted and at seven minutes past one Dona
was hurled into eternity, cropping nve ieet. At
rwenty-three minu es past one Drs. Jacks n aud
Marks pronounced Lille extinct the remains were
cut down anu placed In the comm whlcn had been
prepared. The neck or the condemned was broken
and he made no struggle after dropping. Dona
Lad remarks 10 MAKE before dying, but nanoed
the sheriff letter which was 10 DE read after MS
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