The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-03-21
BLACK FRIDAY!
DEATH UPON THE GALLOWS.
FiRNDIsH HIBALDRY IN THE JAWS or
DEATH.

From u special dispatch to the Salem
lStatesman Of last Saturday, we extract
the following account Of the execution
Of Brown and johnson ut Portland last
Friday:
The execution Of Brown, alias Archie
Avery, and James johnson, took place yes-
| terday afternoon at half past two, in the
lnclosure OF tho Jail yard built for
| that purpose. At about half past ten
| O'Clock an Immense crowd Of citizens be.
gan to collect around the court house, but
| OF course could witness nothing. Three
companies OF State infantry and ono bat
terry Of two guns marohea up - tho.court
house yard and surrounded tho entire
promises. A cannon WAS planted ut the
southeast corner commanding the front
ent rance, and ono was placed at the north.
cast corner to command the back entrance
Of tho court house. Tho infantry consist
cd OF 90. A, Washington Guards, Capt.
Cook ca. G, City Rifles, Capt. Cox; Co. q,
Emmot Guards, Capt. Hart, jst Regiment
and Battery A, Captain Mountain.
| II wnn thought that an attempt would be
made TO TcscHo tho doomed men and that
some trouble might be created. But there
was no sign or disturbance and everything
passed on quietly. James johnson was
taken with vomiting Ia tho morning anil
| Il was thought that he would have 20 be
TO DO able 70 walk unassistcd. The sheriff
read the death warrants and also the re-
pFicves, aud then asked them what they
had TO say.
, Johnson nj first said hc had nothing 10
say. Tho death paIlor had already begun
to show some in his countenance, but
Brown looked AZ fresh as hc ever did.
Brown took n stand on tho trap aud be-
+ gan % half hours hnrangue, starting in 70
recount all the incidents OF his life. The
II
- | very long, but would allow him a hall
hour. Tho prisoners speech was full d
u dino novel sentiment and showed him u
q DO "A hardened criminal. lio said, sub
stantinlly: lie had been chief OF noted
Z gang OF highway robbers In California fgi
ak years, aud had como up here 70 sc'
y what they could spot. His gang was
have robbed NcIaughlin's bank, in saf
. jose, sometime since, but his plans weri
u not carried out. Iiia word with his gam
q was law, and when lao said go. tho would
go '.you bel" lie planned several rob
:, berries in San Franchise. Ho was accuses
=, OF highway robbery once and came nea
. being caught. He took a seeming pleas
10 urc in saying that he had beon nIos
noted highwaynan, but hc hoped that al
u young men and women would turn froH
r. their bad ways, and listen to the advice {
parents. lie then sang song, "Joh
n. Rogers" u character like himself, an
then another song, Jim Fisk. or Don
go Back Oh the Poor" Ue said he b.
IN iievsd he was rcconciled 10 his fate, bnt di
not know. lie "a that he fired
~ Sprague with the intention Of killing hin
- aud that he was not one of the kind wl
~ ".akea water" lie did not fear knife, hi
ae tol or the gallows. IIe called on nympath
for his parents and those Of johnson
II when the latter broke In and said, "Yo
es hold mo In terrible suspense. Either tai
9" TO the point or quit" The sheriff tol
We johnson TO keep quiet as he would have
chance after while. Brown went on an
re referred to the O'Shca matter and charge
h. johnson with being the cause OF their d
lection, which caused johnson 10 slnil
ue Brown spoke OF Johnsou's tnfidellty m
- upbraided him for his unbclief, TO whic
"a the iaiIer made NO reply. Johnson the
in took the floor and merely said h9 had ne
or been noted highwayman, and stoe
re a victim Of judicial murder. Brown d
MED this aud the sheriff shut them bol
of. They were then hand cufIed AT
re strapped; tho black cap was pulled on at
while "A minister was praying, the trap VI
! sprung. Their necks were not broken b
- were dead In twenty minutes, amer vei
- little struggling.
81 The bodies were kept at the coroner
C. Office until Saturday when they we
H. buried at Lone Fir Cemetery.
d. From the Standard of Saturday v
'S- learn the following additional items
Up Johnson'a real name In not Taylor
it Brown seut locks OF his hair u his faI
, lly and friends at home.
ne The brother OF johnson sat up with /
vo bodies of Brown and johnson ali night.
Both men were pleased TO know ii
ar Swards VAS hot TO suffer the same fate
-, themselves.
j" At the request of johnson the mother
tho boy Joseph was prevailed upon not
witness the execution.
both men met their fate bravely,
johnson tho brayest OF the two. 7
speech made by Brown lost all sympat
by for him.