The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-20
New York Press

New York Press.
 In Sierra county. California, is the market town of Downieville, in mod ern times the center Of 8 rich mining camp, rude and prosperous. But Dow melville bears the unique and unsav- ory reputation of having lynched woman. There is no other authentic case like 1t in Western history. The chivairy of the pioneers might have been seiective. It was, as rule. even and scrupulous, but in this case 1t was lost in the savagery and barbarism which actuates a mob. 7
 The victim was Mexican woman, by name Juanita. A years old. She was pretty and had the dark skin and hair of her race. It is said that her character was not of the best, and she was living in the house of a monte dealer, whose name has not come down to us, and who stepped back and let the mob take its course without pro- test
 On the evening of the Fourth of July. 1851, there was a great celebra- tion in Downfeville. John B. Weller, candidate for Congress. had made a speech from a platform raised in the center of the. town, close to the hotel. Miners had come in from camps and diggings for miles up and down the muddy length of the Tuba. and the hilarity was great. Among others who became exceedingly merry was Joe Cannon, an Australian, who to- gether with two companions ranged through the town drunk and jovial
 Cannon was one of the most popu- lar men in the district. He Is de- scribed as a cheerful, easy-going giant over six feet in height, weighing 24o pounds. In their riotous course through the camp the men arrived at the cabin of Juanita and the monte dealer. Friends of the woman declar- ed that Cannon with brutal language had attempted to break down the door of the cabin. His friends per- sisted that all he had done was to strike the door in spirit of tipsy revelry, and so powerful was the blow of the giant that he burst 1t from its frail hinges. After this the men de- parted. The next morning, when Can non had recover his senses, he, was told of the damage he had done. He at once declared his intention of going to the monte dealers cabin and pay ing for the broken door.
 It was said by the Mexicaas that, whether or not he went to the cabin for the purpose of paying. he renew ed his language of the previous night, and that Juanita, crouched In the cor ner. had listened to 1t, still and fiery7 eyed. Whatever words passed, Cam non went to the doorway. where the broken door hung loose, and, stand ing with hand on either post, look ed into the cabin. Suddenly from the corner where she sat Juanita rose and rushed upon him. Before he could move she had driven q knife hilt deep into his chest. The force of the blow, for one so small and fragile was amazing. It was given as Charlotte Corday had struck hers that ended the life of Marat-"sheer through the clavicle into the lung"
 Cannon fell where he stood, stricken to death. He lived an hour. Two thousand men stood about him as he died, and then in a body marched to the house of Juanita. She was ready for them, made no plea for mercy and showed not the least fear. There was stoical, almost a cynical calm in the manner she faced the situation that added last touch of horror to the grisly performance. She asked for few minutes delay until she arrang- ed her dress and made her will. This latter she did verbally. and then. sur
 
 walked to the platform that had been used the day before for the Fourth of July exercises. Here a travesty of a trial was had. Juanita sitting calmly and some times smiling in the midst of her judges.
 The. camp was by this time in a frenzy of excitement. Some men re- alized that one of the most barbarous acts in the history of the Far West was about to be perpetrated. and vain ly attempted to stem the tide. pr. c. D. Aiken arose and testified that the woman was not physically fit to be hanged. Before he could further ex- plain he was hauled down and thrown from the platform. A MT. Thayer. of Nevada, climbed on a barrel and at tempted to address the furious mob in the woman's behalf, but the barrel was kicked from under him and he was driven bleeding and wounded from the scene. In the hotel overlook ing the platform was Weller the candl- date for Congress, and by his side Mrs. Bryant. who afterward became Mrs. John Mackey. Some one rushed to him and begged him to address the orouyd and try to stem its anger Mrs