The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-03-05


tied, said, 'Adios, senorse The signal
was the firing of q pistol. Two tnen
stood with axes to cut the rope and let
fall the Fcantling upon which the
woman stood. In his ttepidation, one
of them missed his aim, and failed 10
cut the rope, so that only one end o.
the timber fell and the poor creature
lodged IN her fall. There was cry OF
horror from the crowd with fierce oaths
at the awkwardness OF the accnrsed
hangman; but another blow dropped
the timber and the body swung. The
rope was new and commenced untwist-
ing the body whirling arounduntil many
turned away deathiy sick at heart.
But in lew momenis.~J Juanita was
dead.
This terrible scene was witnessed by
most of the few women WHO had then
come to the place, and two of them had
their children in their arms /, and it is
not long since read the marriage
notice of those infant spectators. now
beautiful and accomplished young
women.
The body was at length taken down
and carried to her poor abode, where it
was hoped to revive her. a clapboard
was torn off to give air; but when it
was given out that she was not dead,
the brutal crowd rushed in surrounded
the house and swore that if not dead
she should be hanged again! But
Juanita was beyond the reach of their
vengence. Dark came on, aud still
tiger-like many of the savage wretches
stayed round the house all night. On
the following day Cannon and his elay-
er were buried near together on the hill
side, aud their halt obliterated and for
gotten graves may still be found, if,
indeed, the god diggers have not dis
em6owled and washed away that prim-
tive cemetery. l saw the graves and
their faded inscription ss late as 1862.
About fifteen years ago, when as
cendinG the Feather river to Marysvi!le,
/ heard that man was dying on the
lower deck OF the boat and ON going
to see, at once recognized the sman with
the white baEdage on his head,' WHO
had been leader OF the mob thirteen
years before, when the woman was
bung IN Downieyille. He was dying
miserably and friendIess, and his re-
mains were LETT at Ylba. l had for
gotten his name, but he was the identi-
cal leader OF the lynch court, as was
afterwards ascertained. The young
lawyer who led the prosecution AFTER
wards ran for the Legislature, but was
beaten because of his participation in
that shameful affair, and, about eigh.
teen years ago, he was killed by Indians
in Nevada Territory. Nearly all the
pfomineht actors in the tragedy are in
San Francisco and will recognize the
accuracy of this sketch.
1t has been said that Major Jack
StrattIian took part in and urged on
the mob; but, having beon an eye wit
ness of the whole affair. from first to
last, l hereby certify that Jack had no
band it, but on the contrary tried to
save the woman from death. To have
ofefed to do more than he did, would
have produced his foTcibie expulsion
from the town, aud the destruction OF
his place.
Thia, / believe ia the onf5 accuta,e
and circumftantial account OF that tragic
affair that has ever been given to the
public by an eye witness. For many
years it was regarded Is q stigma on
he character OF. Downiesiile but the
,i,iet actors and most of the spectators