Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-06
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Eyecution of John Brown,

Shortly before II o'clock the prisoner
was taken from Jail, and the funeral cort-
eye was put in motion. First came three
companies, then the criminals wagon,
drawn by two large white horses. John
Brown was seated on the coffin, accompa-
MED by the Sheriff and two other persons.
The wagon drove to the foot of the gallows
and Brown descended with alacrity and
without assistance, and assembled the steep
steps to the platform. His demeanor was
intrepid without being braggart. He made
no speech whether he desired to do so or
not do not know; even if he had desired
it, it would not have been permitted. Any
speech of his must of necessity have been
unlawful as being directed against the
peace and dignity of the commonwealth,
and as such could not be allowed by those
who were then engaged in the most solemn
and extreme yindlcation of the law.
John Browns manner gave no evidence
of timidity, but his countenance was not
free from concern, and it seemed to me to
have little cast of wildness. He stood
upon the scaffold but a short time, giving
brief adieus to those about him, when he
was properly pinioned, the white cap
drawn over his face, the moose adjusted
and attached to the hook above, and he
was moved, blindfold, few steps forward.
nature operated to make him careful in
putting out his feet, as if afraid he would
walk off the scaffold. The man who stood
unblenched on the brink of eternity was
afraid of falling a few feet 10 the ground
Every thing was now in readiness. The
Sheriff asked the prisoner if he should give
him private signal before the fatal mo-
ment. He replied, in a voice that sounded
to me unnaturally natural-so composed
was its tone. and so distinct was its articu-
lation-that it did not matter to him. if
only they would not keep him too long
waiting He was kept waiting, however;
the troops that had formed his escort had
to be put in their proper position, and
while this was going on be stood for some
ten or fifteen minutes blindfold, the rope
round his neck and his feet on the treach-
erous platform, expecting Instantly the
fatal act but he stood for this compare
lively long time upright as soldier in po-
sition, and motionless. was close to him,
and watched him narrowly, to see if l
could detect any sign of shrinking or
trembling in his person, but there was
none. Once / thought 1 saw his knees
tremble but it was only the wind blow
ing his loose trousers. His firmness was
subjected to still further trial by hearing
Colonel Smith announce to the Sheriff:
We are all ready, Mr.. Campbell" The
Sheriff did not hear or did not compre-
bend, and in louder tone the same an
nouncement was made. But the culprit
still stood steady, until the Sheriff, de-
scending the flight of steps with we'll
directed blow of sharp hatchet, severed
the rope that held up the trap DOR. lie
fell about three feet
There was pr0foundest stiffness during
the time his struggles continued, growing
feebler and feebler at each abortive attempt
to breathe. His knees were scarcely bent,
his arms were drawn up to a right angle at
the elbow, with the hands clenched; but
there was no writhing of the body, no vio-
lent heaying of the chest. At each feebler
effort at respiration his arms sank lower
and his legs hung more relaxed, until at
last, straight and lank he dangled, swaved
slightly to aud fro by the wind Southern
Bir0uac.