The herald., 1893-10-28
V|NCENT'S DOOM SEALED.
The Fresno Wife Murderer
Executed.
He Hoped for a Respite to the
Last.
The Hanging Was Successful from
Every Point of View.
Six Hundred People witnessed the
Tragic Affsir-The Culprit Did
Not Break Down on
tho Gellows.

BY the Associated Press.
FRESNO, Oct. 27.-There was busy
time at the Jail this morning. Many
anxious spectators were seen hanging
around the Jail long before 9 O'Clock,
and the Jail officers were besieged by
numerous applicants for admission to
the execution.
DR.. Vincent passed the night some-
what restlessly. but partook of hearty
breR kfast at O'Clock and remarked ::
"Wtao wouldn't be hanged after having
such q good breakfast ?'
HOPEFUL TO THE LAST.
The condemned man still seemed to
entertain the hope that Governor Mark
ham would grant him a Communication OF
his sentence, until the last moment.
Promptly at II O'Clock the doors to the
enclosure were thrown open and the
invited persons were permitted to enter.
1t was but few minutes till the space
seemed entirely occupied, but still they
came crowding in.
ON THE sCAFFoLD.
Vincent appeared on the scaffold at
1853, and was pinioned by Deputy
Timmins. He was smoking a cigar,
which he retained till just before the
drop fell.
When asked what he wished to say he
responded, thanking the sheriff aud
deputies for their kind treatment Of
him. He further said: "To my
friends, God bless you; to my enemies,
God forgive you"
THE MURDERER SWUNG Off.
The moose and black cap were then
adjusted and after o short prayer by
Pastor Collins of the Congregational
church the drop fell at exactly IL
O'Clock.
The victim never moved or quivered
after the drop fell and at u .091s his
pulse ceased to beat. He was formally
announced dead by DR.. Maupin at
1918.
s At 1915 he was taken down and
placed in a. coffin by Hall s. Witssp.
undertakers of this city. The black cap
and rope were both enclosed in the
coffin.
WITNESSES OF THE EXECUTION.
About 600 people witnessed the execu-
tion. Some who we're not invited to at
tend were no anxious to see the execu-
tion that they took advantage of tree
tops adjacent to the enclosure. and some
witnessed it from the top OF the court
houee, which overlooks the Jail yard.
The scaffold on Which Vincent was
hanged had already been used for five
persons, three OF whom had murdered
women; one, an EnglishmaD, had MUIR
dered his wife in Los Angeles.
vINcENT's BRUTAL CRIME.
The crime for which Vincent today
paid the death penalty was one OF the
most shocking ever. committed in this
section. and has but few parallels in the
annals of crime. Not content with tor
turing to madness the chosen companion
of his bosom by a life of debauchery
and extreme brutality toward her, be
deliberately and cowardly murdered
the woman whom he few short years
before had SWORD to love and protect.
The boldness with which this murderer
executed his terrible deed has made him
thu subject of much comment.
THE DEED OF BLOOD.
On bright afternoon, December is,
1890. armed with two small vials, one
containing prussic acid, the other water,
and with q revolver in his pocket, Vim
cent rode in hack to the house, which
had been closed against him. On his
arrival there he demanded an interview
with his wife, which was granted. U non
her refusal to withdraw a complaint
she had filed against him ior o divorce.
he handed her the vial containing prus-
sic acid, commanding her to drink it,
stating that he would drink the con-
tents of the other. This being refused,
l. IL; \
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 bending over
the dying form OF his wife on the floor.
He was hurried to Jail and summary
justice was thwarted. for in few
minutes mob was crying for Vincent's
blood, and strong guard placed around
the Jail was all that prevented his being
hanged that night,
LONG LEGAL BATTLE.
The excitement soon subsidized and the
law was allowed to take its couree. He
was tried in Judge Holmes department
OF the superior court in the following
March, and on the Oath dayof the month
The jury brought in verdict. of guilty OF
murder in the fret degree. On April s,
1891. Judge Holmes passed the sentence
of death upon him and fixed the date for
his execution May 30, 1891. Then com-
menced legal battle which consumed
more than two years time, and which
incurred much expense.
HIS UNAvAILING HOPE.
During the entire period since he COM
mitted the crime Vincent maintained
that he would never hang. Even when
every point had gone against him he
would still insist that he would not pay