Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-06
HANGED By vlGILANTEs.
Judge Lynch in Washington Territory
Murderer Executed by a Hob.

. A Murderer Executed by q HOB.
| Especial to the REcoRD-UNIoS.I
| WALLA WALLA, August 5sh.-McP hsrson,
the murderer of Cummings at New York
{, Bar. was hanged by the Vigilantes atDayton
last night, at 1890 Upon the receipt of the
news in Dayton that Mcpherson had been
granted new trial, and Of Governor
Newelrs repfieve. a feeling commenced grow
ing upon the people that something would
have to be done to defeat MePhsrson's new
lease of life, and VIXEN the oyder came from
the Judge eff the district, commanding the
Sheriff to remove the prisoner to Wslla
Walla, the determination Of the people to
hang the murderer became fixed fact, es-
pecially after they had learned that he was
TO be removed to his new quarters on Sunday
mornings train. About $50 last
night, crowds consisting Of from four
pistols and ahotguns, bsgsn assembling in
the vacant grounds close by the jail. At
$3.50 the Vigilantes were fully organized,
when they marched TO the jail yard door,
which they found unlocked. Enterisg tho
yard, they Immediately went TO the Jail door
and demanded admittanee of the guards,
which was peremptorily refused. The guard
ordered the mob to desist but finding the
Vigilantes were determined in their purpose,
the guard-2ix in number-drsw pistols end
fred six shots, but none of the assailing
party were injured With crowbars the jail
door was forced in. In the mean time the
guards, seeing that they were to be overpow-
cred, hid their keys under the stairway. On
effecting an entrance to the prison, the Vigil
laates surrounded the guards and ordered
them to throw up their hsnds. AfcPhersons
cell door was then prisd open with bars,
when Mcpherson YVES brought
FACE TO FACE WITH HIS ExEoUTIoNERs.
Mcpherson, though viaibly affected, gave
no outward sign Of his tsrribls feeling Two
Of the Yigilsntes brought files to bear on
McPherson's shaokles, and il an Incredibly
short space of time they were cut loose, and
Mcpherson was in the hands of the mob.
While all this was going on inside the jail,
the Jail yard was carefully guarded by sixty.
Eve Vigilantes, well armed who paraded
their beats in regular time, as puDctually as
if the proceedings had been performed by
regular Troops About one hundred feet from
the jail yard detail of sentries were
placed to keep back spectators. When
Mcpherson was marched cut Of the
jail yard he was clad in check shirt ard
overalls, feet bare, his hands securely
fastened behind him, and in that way he was
carried upon the scaffold prepared for Snod-
derlys execution. MePherson went up the
scaffoId steps without apparent effort. Es-
cape was made impossible by row of sent
ries outside of him. As MCPHERSON was
taken from hiz cell, the leader Of the Vigil
Isntes said, turning to Snoddarly and Oven
ley. Fellows, your time has not come yet.
the other will have to ba worked on yet"
When on the scsffold. Mcpherson, turning to
his executioners, said, 'Fellows, arn an IL
nocent msn, God knows, and die game"
He was then marched under che cross-beam,
and the rope vas brough! to the executioners.
After placing the moose around MePherson's
neck the rope was placed over the crossbeam,
and the crowd below began pulling until
Mcpherson was
DANGLING ABOUT TWO FEET OVER THE soAF-
FOLD PLATFORM.
Those stationed q short distance from the
scaffold could hardly discern a movement Of
the body, outside of the swinging motion
given it by the twisting and uutwisting of
the rope. a lantern was hung close to
the body, bringing it cut in beld relief,
with the dark mesa of masked men
on and about the death-dealing structure.
After Mcpherson had hung long enough to
make death pretty sure thing, the leader.
addressing all hands, said, Fellows, yeu
can now do as you please" The Vigilantes
then dispersed, and the crowd made rush
for the scaffold but no one offered to modest
them. The body was at thas time gently
swinging with the wind. In a few seconds
Sheriff Hoxter rushed through the crowd
upon the scsfold, quickly examined McPber-
son, and then ruphed into the jail. Locking
around the place, be quietly said TO the by
ISLANDERS, IgUess he's dsad." ACoroner's jury
was then summoned, and after u brief Gelib-
eration verdict Of died from hanging By
| the hands Of unknown persons" was rem
dered. There WIS no excitement manifested,
and in short tia.e after the verdict was ren-
dered the streets of the city resumed their
wonsed quietness. Mrs McPherson, up to
late hour Sunday morning, knew nothing of
the hanging. .On Saturday night she visited
| her husband ia his cell, and remained with
him until 9 o'clock. The unfortunate
woman seemed TO have gained considerable
spirit by tho reprisve aud new trial granted
her husband. The entire proceedings, from
the time the Vigilantes entee ed the prison
yard until The rendering of TIE Coroner's YER
dict, consumed one hour and half. The
general opinion of tie people of Dayton can
be condemned into one short sentence ::
"Wen, we are glad he's hung" Suo6derly
will follow MoPherson's footsteps on Tuss-
day, between u and P. M