The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-14
A REMARKABLE HANG
 ING.
A Dramatic Execution by a Vigilance
 Committee.
Complied from Hubert Howe Bancrojrs Popu
 tdr Tribunals.

tdf Tribunals.
 One of the most dramatic executions that ever took place in California was that of Brace and Hetherington by the great Vigilance committee of San Francisco. Both men, after a fair trial, had been condemned to death. At the time of the hanging, the con- mittee building presented the appear ance of fortress. Cannon presented their black muzzles through the strong breastwork of earth filled sacks that extended across the front of the build- ing. On the roof of the structure were other loaded pieces.
 It had become known generally about the city that two men at least were to be executed by the Vigilants, and impelled by morbid love of the horrible, an immense concourse of spectators assembled, filling the streets, balconies, windows, and roofs for four or five squares around. But they were unable to approach nearer than square of the place of execu- tion. The thoroughly drilled and equipped infantry of the Vigilants, numbering some six thousand men, were out in full force. Companies marched from the building with heavy tread, and took their places at various points commanding every ap- proach to the committee building, Beyond these cavalry was stationed. Loaded brass cannon were planted at every corner of the square, and the gunners stood by with torches ready lighted.
 In front of the building a scaffold was erected in the open street, rising high above the dense square ot sol diers, four or five deep, that sur rounded it. It consisted of plat form eight feet square, elevated ten feet above the street on four heavy posts. Seven and halt feet above the platform was the heavy crosstie, from which hung two noosed ropes. Nearly all the platform was trap, held in position by a rope that was waiting for the executioner's knife.
 Everything was in readiness by about half past five in the afternoon. The two prisoners were brought out and placed in separate closed carriages, although they merely had to be taken around the corner. A procession was then formed in front of the committee rooms, consisting of the executive committee, company of pistol men, and the prisoners and their guards. One of the carriages then drove up to the scaffold stairs, and out of it stepped Brace, fine looking man of about twenty -one, dressed in black coat, dark vest, checkered cashmere pants, and Panama hat. He was man of talent and education. His arms were tied behind at his elbows his hands were in his pantaloons pock- cts; his eyes were nearly closed and every muscle of his pale excited face seemed stretched to it's utmost tension in the desperate effort of the young man to nerve himself up for death of | bravado. He was led up to the scaf- fold steps by the guard and placed on the south side of the scaffold. From the other carriage Hetherington was taken and placed beside him. Hether- ington was tall man, dressed in black, with a sum- burned, full whis- kered face, earnest and serious. His head was covered with a straw hat, and his arms were bound like those of | his companion.
 Hetherington attempted to make a dying speech, but was constantly in- terrupted by Brace. At his first pause Brace cried: ''Oh, go on! go on! Say what you have to say! Here am l, Brace, murdered by the Vigilance committee, so and so, like a."
 'I am not more penitent today" continued the heavenly minded Heth- erington, ethan I have ever been."
 "Go on, old fellow, go onw here chimed in Brace, "Hetherington, in less than an hour you and I will be in hell, and the boys will be singing out l in the streets, Brace and Hether- ington's dying speech and we shall be roasting in hell! Ha, hap
 This raving was soon cut short by the executioner, who approached and covered the heads of the condemned men with white caps. Finally, the signal was given; the bell on the Wig ilance building was struck, and with its solemn tones ringing in their ears, the two criminals were sent into | eternity.
 Happy Homes.