Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-07
Execution of the Slayer of Alexander
Martin-His Bitter Speech.

Execution cf the Slayer OF Alexander
MartIn-His Bitter Speech.
OAKLAND, January 6th.-Nathan B. Sut-
ton was hanged to-day for the murder of
Alexander Martin, which occurred near
Liyermore. on the 10Th of November. The
circumstances of the crime briefly stated,
are as follows: " While Alexander Martin
was driving some of his stock of of the
ranch of his neighbor, Nathan B. Sutton.
nine miles from Livermore, the latter came
out of his house and shot him with Win
chester rife. He then went and informed
the dead mans sister, and went back and
stood guard over the body until Deputy
Sheriff Schaffer and the Town Marshal of
Lvermore went ont to the ranch, when he
delivered himself up to them"
At9A. N. Sheriff Hale read the death
warrant to Sutton, who took the reading
eoolly and did not betray the slightest emo
ton.
on THE scAFFoLD.
AZ 1905 P N. the condemned man came
out of the rear door of the jail on the arm
of Sheriff Hale. He was cool and collected
and walked to the foot of the scaffold and
up to the platform with firm step. The
Sheriff and Sutton were followed by Under
Sheriff w. s. Harlow, Deputies Woosey,
Jameson, Irwin, Trefry and Prowse, Cap
ain John Rodgers Chief Deputy Sheriff of
san Francisco, Sheriff Gardner of Marin
county, ard exDeputy Sheriff Wilson of
San Francisco.
HIS STATEMENT.
At sign from the Sheriff that ne could
proceed with his statement, Sutton, who
seemed TO be suffering from cold in the
head, drew out his handkerchief wiped his
face and deliberately drew forth his state
ment from an inside pocket, stepped for
orH orNh g4a do 81. i
distinctly read from four papes of closely
written note paper.
The statement consisted of his version of
the difficulty with deceased, and went to
show that he (Sutton) had been continu-
ously imposed upon. He wound up as fol-
lows:
My idea was at the time OF the trial and
at the refusal to grant a new trial. that the
Judge and jury were influenced more by
the crocodile tears shed by Mrs. Martin,
she-deyil than they were by a spirit of ius-
tice, end feel that l will be able to bring
down a swift and horrible vengeance on
the heads of the Martins who have caused
me so much trouble; on that black. hearted
perjurer. Ed. Connell, of Livermore, and
on the heads of the jury that convicted
me, and on the head of the Judge that de-
MED me a continuance of my case when he
knew that ! had been unfortunate enough
70 employ what proves 10 be a drunken
brute for an attorney. l will bring down a
vengeance that will be a warning to all
Judges and juries for century to come,
and l will now take the liberty TO predict
that the people of Alameda county Will
bitterly regret the day that they put the
rope around my neck
Sutton made a written request to Sheriff
Hale that his body be turned over TO the
Medical College of the University, and that
his bones be set up so that if any of his
relatives should visit California they might,
if they wished, see what was once n. B.
Sutton.
THE EXECUTION.
AT the conclusion of the address, which
occupied about eight minutes reading, he
bowed to those assembled in the jail-yard
and stepped back on the trap, where the
straps were adjusted by Deputies Trefry
and Jameson. Deputy Woolsey put the
moose over Suttons head. As he did SO
Sutton said TO him, with smile, that he
would have q better chance if he would
take his collar off. Deputy Trefry then
put on the black cap. Sutton shook hands
with Sheriff Hale and jailer Woolsey, after
which the Sheriff sprung the trap-at 1916
P. The fall was feet inches. The
neck of the condemned man was broken
and the head almost torn from the body
Both carotid arteries were severed, and the
blood spouted out.
The sight was q sickening one, and
saused most OF the spectators to turn their
backs and leave the Courtyard.