Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-03-29
A Full Report Of AL the Incidents
Of the Execution by . Special
Reporter Of the Herald.

W su0 0A0SusAoA W OPeSAoi
Reporter Of the Herald.
A Brief Resume of the Details
Of the Tragedy.
Another murder has beens avenged;
and the wheels Of justice, though clogged
by the austere delays Of law, have final
ly rolled around to the execution Of
William r. Mcdowell, who committed
one Of the most atrocious snd inhuman
crimes ever enacted in this locality.
More than year ago the whole State
was shocked by the horrible details Of
this most heinous act, and the sensation
1t created is almost unparalleled. Speedy
expiation was loudly demanded by an
outraged public. and attention has been
intensely riveted upon the course pur-
sued toward the murderer, and the de-
velopments brought out in connection
with his arraignment for trial and the
events which followed.
After languishing in jail for weeks,
preparations were made for trial; but,
with the usual quibbles Of law, q post
ponement was secured, on trivial plea,
in which it was endeavored to prove Nc
Dowell an accessory, and not the prin-
cipal Of the crime. Again and again the
prisoner escaped, ON these tech zeal
points. the principal objection being the
question as to the legality Of the trial.
The case was finally
CARRIED TO THE SUPREME COURT,
Which affirmed the action of the lower
court. Satisfaction was expressed at
this turn of affairs by the public. that all
the time had in their minds the terrible
crime which merited no suspension Of
punishment. Considerable sympathy
was felt. however, for McDowells
friends, who were jealous in their efforts
to save him. il possible, from the gallows;
especially as to his mother, an estima-
BILE lady, whose grief was pitiable at the
sad plight in which she found her erring
son. For months she labored faithfully
10 save the murderer. Jastice had no
exponent in her; the law of "a life for .
life" could not be realized In the mother q
heart. overlooking with love and sorrow.
Despite all these influences the criminal
was in due time convicted and sentenced
to be hanged. Public interest did not
abate here, though there was every indi-
cation that Mcdowell must meet the
fate he 20 richly deserved. The sensa-
tion WAS as profound as at the day of its
origin. and the indignation was simulta
neous throughout the lower counties
when the announcement came that,
through the carelessness of his keepers,
Mcdowell had
ESCAPED FROM THE SAN BERNARDISe JAIL.
Not alone did the officers in pursuit
watch for sight of the fugitive; every
locality was alert and ready to capture
the villain who could so ruthlessly take
the life Of woman. Unfortunately for
the fugitive, he was reoaptured at San
Pedro and again lodged in his murderer's
cell.
Az the day set for execution ap.
preached, his mother. aided by sympa.
thixing friends. not for the murderer, but
for herself, suecesded in securing
| RKPRIRvE OF FOUR DAYS
From the Governor This peculiar sen.
timent Of mediation became prevalent,
and from its oircumscribed origin in Ne.
Dowell's family. spread to Los Angeles.
And some Of our people saw fit to inter
fere with the decisions Of the courts Of
an adjoining county, and even doubt the
legality Of the verdict Of the jury or the
right Of the Judge to pass the death
sentence. Surprise and chagrin were
expressed in San Bernardino county a
this unwarranted interference, especially
when it became known that some cf our
leading attorneys had signed petition
addressed to tbs Governor, which was
considered On affront to the bar and ia
the courts of . neighboring county.
Those who took this matter into person.
al consideration, no doubt believed that
they were JUSTIFIED in temporarily block
ing the wheels Of justice, though il in.
volved the breaking of faith in that taci
and comity Of counties which should ex.
ist uninterruptedly not only from legal
aspect, but from all others. Up to
THE LAST DAT or THE REpRrKvr
A bold attempt was made to prolong the
prisoners life, and many people believed
the execution would be again postponed.
The final day dawned upon the con.
demned man, however. and, as the fatal
hour drew near, hope deserted him and
his soul was prepared to meet that God
whose holy laws he bad so foully out.
ragged.
HIs LAST NIGHT ON KAsrH.
Billy Mcdowell wss visited by mum.
Der Of psople on Wednesday night in his
cell, some OF whom told him anecdotes
In order 10 keep his mind away from thu
terrible ordeal through which he was
shortly 70 20. After the departure Of
Mrs. Bell, his another, at half past 10,
he remained listening to his visitors, un.
til Suddenly he called to Deputy Sheriff
Allsu and sAid: ITO show you that l
was prepared and able to do away with
myself q any time l wanted to. give
you these" handing to the deputy two
ANAL pointed pieces Of white glass,
either one Of which would have been
sufficient to produce fatal hsmorrhags.
Mr.. Allen, in great alarm, at once sent
word Of this discovery to Chief Deputy
Brown, who ordered 4 search of the csll,
This incensed Mcdowell very much, and
he manfred Whether thew did NOT think