Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-15

AUSTIN fNev.), December 14tb.-Between
l and 2 o'clock this morning Richard Jen-
nings, who shot and killed John A. Barrett
tie night before, was hanged in front of the
Court-house building. As near as can be
learned the facts are as follows: About half
past o'clock this morning party of masked
men, numbering about twenty-five persons.
well armed, went to the Courthouse, and
with sledge hammer
BROKE DOWN A DOOR
Leading from the main hall into room be-
tween the Sheriff s front Office and the Jail,
and on entering gun or guns were leveled in
close proximity to Jas. Parrish's head, the
Deputy Sheriff, who was lying in bed, and
held in allegiance. The key to the jail door
was then taken out of the Deputy
Sheriff IS pocket, and after an unsuccessful
search for the key to the cell in which Jen-
nings was confined, sledge-hammer was
used. Apparently one blow was struck when
the key was found. the cell door opened, and
Jennings taken therefrom. He was brought
through the Deputy Sheriff's room with a
rawhide lariet around his neck, and as he
passed by the Sheriff's bed he cast wistful
look in that direction, evidently wanting to
say something, but doubtless afraid to open
his mouth, as he saw the inevitable crisis at
hand. He was
LED TO THE FRONT DOOR BY THE LEATHER
NECKTIE,
krl ,1Ia 10 IL 10 r. he
main front entrance TO TIE Courthouse
building. The other end of the lariet was
thrown up to the portico of the second story,
and after drawing up the body Of Jennings a
short distance from tie floor on which he
stood, the lariet was securely fastened to the
iron railing above. Before he was drawn up,
Jennings was heard to say. son my God
Boys, guess deserve this" He then groaned
loudly as he was about starting upward.
Very shortly after the work was done word
was passed down Main street that Jen-
nirgs had been hanged, and quite number
of persons gathered to view the body
and listen to the story OF the Deputy Sheriff.
Coroner Laughlin was very shortly on the
after the hanging took place that officer cut
the rope and placed the body inside of the
Sheriff's Office, where it lay until this fore
noon, when it was taken to the City Hall.
The above statement embodies about
ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES
There are connected with the hanging of
| Richard Jennings So far as known to your
reporter, the act is Endorsed by all. While,
of course, all coed citizens oppose resortirg
to unlawful means in the punishment of
criminals, yet for the protection of life and
property it sometimes becomes absolutely
necessary to resort to Judge Lynch. The
crime committed by Richard Jennings, night
before last, was without cause or provocation.
Plainly speaking, he was cowardly MUIR
derer, and received the punishment last night
that he justly deserved, as was admitted by
himself in the last words uttered before he
died. The example made this morning will
draw deadly weapons on the most trivial
pretense. For number of months past the
pistol has been used too freely in
Austin. Patience has finally ceased to be a
virtue and from this time forward it will be
best for the health of bad men to go very
slow, least they, too, fall heir to Jennings
lariat. 1t is hoped that there may never
again be an occasion in Austin TO necessitate
repeating the dose.
| A Coroner's inquest was held this forenoon
over the body of jennings but your reporter
has been unable to obtain the verdict of the
jury. 1t is supposed, however, that it is,
"Came to his death by hanging by unknown
persons"
! Anfecedents of JENNINGS.
GRASS VALLEY, December 14sb.-Richard
Jennings, who was lynched at Austis, New,
this morning, has lived here from his boy.
hood, and has always been considered wild
fellow. He was one of the two men sus
picioned as being connected with the robbery
of the New York Hill Mining Company
recently, when $1,000 was taken, but the
necessary evidence was lacking. Deceased
leaves wife and FIVE children, who reside
here.