The record-union., 1894-09-15
THE EXECUTION DONE UNDER MIL
TPARY RULES
Stage Held Up IN Mendocino County
by a Masked Highwayman-Some-
one Likely to be Badly Cinched in
the Wheat Deal at San Francisco.
Special to the REcoRD-UNroS.

erS. Inelr identity TO the puDllc is uH-
known. The shooting took place in Dry
Hollow, six miles north of Lehi.
Davis was conveyed to the fatal spot
from the penitentiary under the escort OF
armed United States officials in double
seated vehicle. 1t is seen, therefore, that
the announcement of the Marshal in Salt
Lake yesterday that he would be brought
South on a Union Pacific train this
morning was only ruse resorted TO for
the purpose OF keeping the morbidly
curious part of the public in ignorance as
to the exact time and place of the execu-
tion. 1t was only with the utmost vigil
lance that at 2 o'clock this morning Dep
uty Marshal Fowler got the executioners
out of town unseen by the curious throng
that kept their eyes upon him. The men
were driven out of the city by circuit
Gus route in a closed carriage and pitched
a tent in the foothills about mile east OF
the railroad.
There was great scramble and furry
of excitement among them about sun
rise. The cause of the commotion was
the sudden appearance on the brow of the
hill above them of a venturesome news
paper man. The agility with which they
got beneath the canvas covering was re-
markable. When they appeared outside
again they were completely enveloped in
black alpaca shrouds, in which they pre-
sented most Omber appearance.
An extraordinary feature in connec-
ton with the employment of these men
is the fact that Deputy Marshal Fowler
number Of men away who were anxious
to do the work simply for the privilege
OF witnessing the execution.
1t was just Ii O'Clock when the Marshal
and his men arrived with Davis. The
brother of the prisoner, James, who lives
al Wallsburg, and two sons, Archie and
Belden, aged 10 and IL years, respect
lively, had arrived from Provo few min
utes Before. Attorney Warner, who de-
Tended Davis, was the first to apprise
them of his presence. Davis was silent,
but only for a moment, and from that on
until the enc came he talked freely and
continuously.
Warner said to him: "Davis, all the
boys ask is that the old man will die
game; will you do it,"
''No," he replied. 81 am going to wilt'
''I guess not" was Warmers response
''Yes, l know well that will, but say,
Warner, won't you catch me if l fall?'
Certainly / WILL"
"And you will hold me up?u
"Yes, and stand behind you if you
want me to-"
''No, don't stand behind me. Warner.
old fellow" said Davis, with a smile that
developed into low, mocking laugh.
''Get in front of me.''
Attorney Warner explained that he
would soon be Oft the stage of action-in
tact he would die within an hour. Then
with an oath, that broke the awful still
ness, Davis said: $50 You are GOING to
kill me within an hour, are you? Even
before you give me meal of victuals?''
Say, Davis" again interrupted War
hax- l.,
your opportunity. The reporters are
here and will take down your last
words"
Tell the reporters for me-" he said.
THAT have nothing more to give them.
/ could only tell them what 1 have told
them many times before. No, sir; | have
no additional statement to make beyond
that. l have made up my mind TO die
game"
Then, glancing about, he continued:
"But L don't like the idea of being run
into ambush. This is regular trick,
and begins to look like an Indian tu-
neral"
The Marshal requested the officers and
newspaper men, who numbered in all
about thirty-tive or forty men, to step
back from the carriage in which Davis
was seated to allow him to consult with
his two sons and his brother. Then, with
an effort, he braced up and said: "Boys,
/ am told that you want to see me die
game. That's just the way Pm going to
die.''
The boys then asked series of uues-
tions, which were not plainly heard, and
ii they got any intelligent answers they
did no. reach the ears of the bystanders
Their consultation over, Marshal Brig
ham approached and read the death war
rant to Davis, who listened attentively
without moving muscle. His only re-
sponse was: Il will die like man, for
am a man amongst men," His next
words were to the effect that he was hun
cry, and did not want TO die in that con-
dition.
a chicken sandwich was handed to
him, and he commenced to eat it. He
asked for cup of coffee, and on being
informed that there was none on hand
he seemed disappointed, and said: "Then
give me whisky, | like that better, any
way.p de was given drink of brandy,
after which ne was assisted from his seat
in the carriage by DIR. Wilcher and An
drew ]. Burt, who escorted him to the
fatal chair, back of the tent, in which he
was placed at 1885 A. NJ. He adjusted
himself firmly in his new position, and
said: Marshal, have only one more
request TO make of you, and that is that
you won't put cap over my face. want
to look straight at that tent in which
those towards are hidden who are going
to shoot me down like dog"
DIR. Wilcher then performed the task of
Ginning piece Of white paper about 6x6
inces above his heart. In the center was
a blue circle an inch and half in diam
eter. This was intended as a target for
the executioners 10 shoot at. Davis
glanced down at it frequently, and it ap-
peared to make him nervous, and ne
asked for another drink of liquor. The
Marshal was 10th to give IL 10 him. but
he finally persuaded DIR. Nilcher to give
him another glass. But instead of get
ting calmer, Davis began TO grow ex>
ciled<,nd irritable. 1t was necessary to
cover his eyes with q handkerchief.
Five seconds later Marshal brigham
stepped TO the edge of the tent, and a
siioht move of the hand was the signal
which caused the muZZles OF six Win
chester carbines to be thrust through as
many holes in the tent. MAKE ready"
was the first command be gave, ana the
rifles were brought To level. he sus-
pense at this moment was terrible, and
the order to fire was awaited IN GREATNESS
silence. When it came 1t was accompa-
nied by report that sounded IKE the
discharge of but a single gun. All eyes
were riveted firmly upon Davis, Who
scarcely moved ia his chair.
hasty examination was maze, anu
six bullet-holes were found iii his ciofhes
in the region Of his heart. -FOUR OF the
leaden messengers had perforated tbe
1oaner. one had barely broken the edge o.
fhe circle, and one had missed the paper
altogether. Death was instantaneous