The record-union., 1893-10-28
snecial to the RrcoRp-UNIoN.

Special to the RECORD-ONIoNs
FRESNO. oct. 27.-There was busy
time at the Jail this morning. Many anx-
ious spectators were seen hanging around
the iaiI long before 9 o'clock, and the jail
officers were besieged by numerous ap-
nlications for admission to the execution.
DIR. Vincent passed the night somewhat
restlessly. but partook of hearty break
fast at 9 o'clock and remarked. 'Who
wouldn't be hanged after such good
break fast?'
The condemned man still seemed to en-
tertain hope that Governor Markham
would grant him a Communication OF SEN
tence until the last moment.
Promptly at IL O'Clock the doors of the
inciosure were thrown open and the in
vited persons were permitted to enter.
1t was but few minutes till the space
seemed entirely occupied, but still they
came crOwding in.
Vincent appeared on the scaffold at
lI:5S and was piuiOned by Deputy Tim
minis. When asked what he wished to
say he responded that he thanked the
Sheriff and his deputies 1or their kind
treatment toward him. He further said:
ITO nay friends, God bless you. 70 my
enemies. God forgive you"
The moose and black cap were then ad-
iusted and after a short prayer by Pastor
Collins of the Congregational Church the
drop fell, exactly at u o'clock. The vic
tim never moved or quivered after the
drop fell. and at l2:093 his pulse ceased to
peat and he was publicly announced dead
by DIR. Maupin at l2:l3.
At l2:l5 the body was taken down and
Dlaced in a coffin by Hall IL Witten, un-
dertakers of this city. The black cap
and rope were both inclOsed in the coffin.
A bout 600 people witnessed the eXecu-
ton.
Vincent assembled the gallows smoking
a cigar, which he kept till just before the
drop fell.
Some people who were not invited to
attend were so anxious to witness the eX-
ecution that they took advantage OF the
tree-tops adjacent to the inclosure, and
some witnessed it from the top Of the
Courthouse, which overloOks the jail
yard.
The scaffold had already been used for
five persons, three of whom had muir
dered women, and one, an Englishman,
VINO had murdered MS wife in Los An
geles.
THE CRIME FOR WHICH HE PAID THE
PENALTY.
The crime for which Vincent to-day
most shocking ever committed in this
section, and has but few parallels in the
annals of crime.
Not content with torturing TO madness
the chosen companion of his bosom by a
life of debauchery and extreme brutality
towrrd her, and stung by the disgrace of
being cast out of his home for his un-
worthiness, he deliberately and cOwardly
murdered the woman whom he, a few
short years before, had sworn to love
and protect. The bOldness with which
this murderer executed his terrible deed
has made him a subject of much COM
ment.
on the bright afternoon of December
is. 1890, armed with two small phialS, one
containing prusslc acid and the other
water. and with a revolver in his pocket
VINCENT rode in a hack to the house
which had been closed against him. On
his arrival there he demanded an inter
view with his wife, which was granted.
Upon her refusal to withdraw the COM
plaint that she had filed against him for
divorce, he handed her the vial contain
ing the prussic acid, commanding her to
drink the contents, stating that he would
drink the contents OF the other. This
being refused. he deliberately drew his
revolver and shot her four times in quick
succession, killing her almost instantly.
An officer was near at the time and the
murderer was arrested While still bend
ing over the form of his dying wife on
the floor.
He was hurried to Jail and summary
Justice was thw arted. for in q few min
uies a mob was crying for Vincents
blood and strong guard, placed around
the Jail, was all that prevented his being
hanged that night.
The excitement soon subsidized and the
law was allowed to take its course He
was tried in Judge Holmes department
of the Superior Court in the following
March, and on the oath day of that month
the Jury brought in verdict of guilty of
murder in the first degree.
on April S, 1891, Judge Holmes passed
sentence of death upon him, and fixed
the date for his execution on May 20, 1891.
Then commenced great legal battle,
which has consumed more than two
years time, and which has incurred
much expense.
During the entire period since he COM
mitted the crime Vincent has maintained
that he would never hang. Even when
every point had gone against him he
would still insist that he would not pay
the Ideath penalty. What he based his
hopes on was more than anyone could
tell, and not until the very last days of
existence did he show signs of weak
ness and remorse.