Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-04-17
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, APRIL H. $780,
A Memorable Scene.

A Memorable Scene.
The Vigilance Committee Of 1865 In
San Francisco was not the first one
organized IN San Francisco, but the
second. IL 1850 u much greater ex-
element prevailed, caused BY the sum
mary execution Of Whitaker and
McKensie, two members Of the
"hounds' association, the predeces-
sors Of the present "Iloodlums." IN
that year the frequent assassinations,
murders aud audacions violations Of
law perpetrated by these villains,
who went unwhipped Of justice, the
ministers Of which, IN well ~ juiies
were shamelessly bribed In the most
open manner by these scoundrcls at
lust caused the citizens to invoke the
aid Of Judge Lynch. The discoveries
Of gold had brought to California tho
scum Of every country under the sun,
as well as many Legitimate and hon.
0rable adventures, nnd among the
former were tho ticket-of-leave men
British convicts from Australia known
in the country as Botany Bay men,
These members Of the "swell mob"
lost no time In taking advantage Of
the peculiar circumstances Of the new
country, which offered such very
tempting opportunities TO practice
their netarious operations, and organ
lied at once u fraternity with signs,
passwords, and MI the cohesive rules
of other secret societies.
The "hounds" extended themselves
all over the territory, and their crimes
became notorious every where, cspc-
cially in the mining districts. From
their perfect organization these nets
OF lawlcssness remained for some time
secret. especially rs the law-abiding
portion of the community was thrown
Oft the scent by their skill in warding
off suspicion from themselves to the
unfortunate Mexicans and Chinese,
some Of whom were actually put to
death for the sins Of the Botany Bay
men. Encouraged by this immunity
from punishment these Gcnds became
bolder, and finally threw off all dis
guisc, encouraged by the fact that
they possessed u large fund to use in
lavish brides Of Judges, juries, coun-
sci, and even to persons still higher
in authority, and who shared the
spoils with them, ~ was confidently
asserted at the time. A Jail had been
erected, and the notorious Jack Hays,
formerly Of Texas, was Sheriff and
had the prisoners in his custody there,
~ well ~ in n prison brig in the har-
Dor, where they were supposed to be
secure by their affiliated friends until
the time of their trial, at which they
took care to be present provided with
the "sincws of war; to grease the
etching palms" Of the so-callcd off,
GERS of Justice. The citizens, how
ever, had in the present case, been
carefully organizing aud arminytllem-
selves, and ut the tapofa bell mounted
at their headquarters in Montgomery
street, more than four hundred men.
And, although the "llounds" knew
Of this organization, they despised it,
thinking that it could be deted by
their superior craft aud more extend
ed influence, rs well rs the dread al
ready inspired by their threats
of vengeance on those who thwart
their wcll-laid plans.
In September 1880, in tho after
noon, the repeated strokes Of the bell
summoned the Vigilantes to their
headquarters in couple Of frame
houses, with gables on the street, in
the lofts Of which their meetings were
held, and which were furnished with
two projecting beams over the walk
below iorhoisting goods. In thiscasc
the meeting was called to consider the
foul murder of u peaceful merchant
whose store on tho wharf had been
entered, his throat cut, and n safe
containing u large amount Of gold
had been carried off, at the hour of 2
o'clock, p. M, one week previously.
Although the robbers and murderers,
had been arrested, and were in prison,
it was well known that from measures
whicl, had been taken, they would
escape unframed from the grip of the
law. After the proceedings Of the
meeting held in the loft, u finer battal-
ion than that which assembled and
formed in the street below, could not
have been seen on this coast ut the
time. The march to the Jail, the Sc
curing of the two Botany Bay men,
despite the bravad0 OF the Sheriff and
his myrmidons, occupied scarcely half
an hour, and the culprits, Whitaker
and Mckenzie, were brought before
Judge Lynch vt the headquarters Of
the Vigilantcs. The trial occupied
about two hours more, and they were
then deliberately sentenced to be
hanged within twenty minutes. 1t
was all done formally and without
passion or heat, by the authorities ap-
pointed BY the meeting. In the pres
ence of the vast throng assembled, the
culprits confessed their guilt of the
murder and robbery. Then came the
execution. A suitable rope was pro-
cured and rove through the sleaves
in the projecting beams, in the open
doors of the loft, and fore and aft,
the latter through leading blocks, so
that the whole crowd could tail on,
and none present were suffered to be
exempt from his share in the condign
punishment to be melted out to the