The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-25
JAMES HAYES.

Tho science and PHILOSOPHY OF Death and
Future Life.
Editor Rutladd GLo6s In your refer
ence to the execution of James Hayes,
will now give q succint description Of
what saw and learned Of the tragedy,
enacted in Kern county, California, this
spring. Although more than one hundred
persons have, within the last fifteen years,
lost their lives by human violet ce in said
district, the hanging of Hayes was the
first legalized murder committed in that
county. His real name was only known to
one person living in California. He claim
ed to have emigrated from Boston, in youth,
having seen many ups and downs, during
the 29 years Of his lite. While in Jail he
cited many instances of volunteering to save
human life, while about his native home
five persons in Boston harbor, and in San
Francisco two, from the capszing of boats.
lie deserted under the name of Charles
Sweeney, and was fearful of arrest, and
never let his family friends know of his do
ings, or whereabouts. By nature reckless
Hills county to find his victim, whom he
met at the Mountain house in Tehachapi,
and as soon as he entered the saloon said,
''Tom Goodwin, you are my meat !" drew
pistol and Ared, while lad was holding his
horse at the door. The frightened boy let
90 the horse and ran away. Hayes was
compelled to make his escape on foot, but
was captured on the sea coast where he was
waiting for schooner that was about to
weigh anchor, in which he had engaged
passage some two hundred miles from the
place of assault and murder. When dressed
in his usual costume he assumed the proto-
type of "bowery boy" During his con-
fnement at Bakersfield, he did not encour-
age visits from those who would give him
religious counsel Rev. Mr. Wood of that
town, called once, soon after he was SEN
fenced. The day previous to his death, he
consented to see priest-Father Aquillar
from Vlsalia came, and remained in bis
Cell some hours. Hayes prayed before the
cruciix, and got into bed. Before this, he
told the guard, he would cheat the gallows.
Having eccomplices outside, around the
jail, who were discovered in time to defeat
well land plans. Then his heart, for ihr
fret and only time, failed him. On the
fatal Friday he arose aud eat two meals.
The first card of admttance to the hang
ing, was forwarded the day previous, cut to
me, in our country home, through courtesy
as a reporter. The 30 day Of March at
. p. m, the time was fixed, and long before
the hour, crowd of Mexicans, Chinese,
profigate men and women began TO flock
towards the court house, outside of the Jail
yard. Besides the officials, a few profess
sional men were admitted, by tckets,
through the gate, to witness the sad affair.
And when the iron jaws Of the Jail opened,
the condemned man was seen TO "walk the
plank" beside the officers and priest. With
a finn step to the scaffold. After the death
warrant was read, the prisoner stepped for
ward to the front, with apparent firmness,
and said, "Gentlemen, l may be accused
Of many murders, after 1 am gone. Know
| ing that am soon to be launched into eter
nifty, before my Judge, assure you, that
| the only murder, in which | have been i'm
| plicated. Is the one tor which L am about 10
| de-" Then after looking, very intently, at
| a small metallic crucifx, which he held out,
| firmly, before him, for moment, he gave
| 1t up, and looked around, bidding all fare
we'll, and while he watched with care the
adjustment of the straps, looking toward
yonng man, his last waiter, he said. Good
bye joe" He took deep interest in all
the works, twisting his head, to be assured
that the rope was rightly adjusted. The
black cap came on next small string waH
| cut, and down went Hayes, who tell about
six feet, with "thug." Thus persisted
James Hayes, in the flower aud vigor of
manhood. Throughout the ordeal be ex-
hIbited perfect GOODNESS of demeanor. No
shudder ran over his limbs, when the fatal
| moose was placed around his neck, no tire.
| NOR IN his voice, no moisture dimmed his
eye, and yet nothing of the bravado in his
manner, cool and rational to the last He
| died as a bad, but brave man. Under no
stimulant, other than that of his own will.
In death, no struggle. Not muscle of his
body was seen to move. AT the first shock,
his pulse denoted 1926. gradually it fell, af-
ter the neck was broke, until it ceased
beating during this period of ten minutes,
and according 10 the couree of events, b 8
L
ment, never to return. but "born" into fu-
ture life. During this public exhibition, |
grasped his hand, which continued warm.
But was no more touched, in feeling.
than when nave witnessed the life and
death scenes of high order of animals
To see throats cut, and then look upon their
bodies. while dangling in the ali. From
what the writer has often heard repeated
by others, witnesses to those awful scenes,
he expected to be depressed. while standing
under the gallows-or the first monument
usually found erected on the borders of civ
illzation. Therefore, he made preparations
as best he could, by placing IN the crown
of his hat fresh, deep-Rreen Eucalyptus
leaves, and wetting the crown of his head
with cold water. The execution transpired
under burning sunlight. Since that event,
We have heard nothing further from the
doomed Esprit In the body" or tout Of the
body until the evening of Sunduy week,
while meeting with circle OF Spiritualists,
held Ia the southwest corner Of this village
and "a spirit came also In our midst" AZ
ter much difficulty took control of trance
medium, right before the "two or three
witnesses 'thertd together" for spirit
communion Firstly announcing his name,
known, as James Hayes, and said, she