The Sun. — 1856-07-14 (London, England)

EXECUTION AT SAN FRANCISCO.  James P. Casey and Charles Cora were hung on the 22d of May, by the Vigilance Committee, at half-past 1 o'clock, at the bead-quarters of the Executive Committee, in Sacramento-street, near Davis. Both prisoners bad been tried before the committee, or a portion of it, and had been found guilty. These trials were in secret, and the reporters of the press were reused admittance, and were un:.ble to acquire information from these present, who, as it appears, were sworn to secrecy. A promise had been made to Casey, before he was taken, that he shou:d have a fair trial, and be permitted to speak ten minutes. These conditions were doubtless ob,erved. Casey was informed, on Weinesday afternoon, that he had been condemned to be hung. While under charge of the Vigilance Committee his spirit appeared to be unbroken. When awakening after a sleep, he would, frequently strike the floor with his handcuffs and swear fiercely et his fate. On Wednesday afternoon, a young married woman, his cousin, was pi mated to visit him. ' They had some conversation together. He told her that he was to be executed, and she swooned on hearing i:;„ During the evening, the Right Rev. Bishop Ailemany attended Casey, who had been educated in the Catholic religion. During the night he was restless, and passed a portion of the night pacing iip and down. He was heard to exclaim, " On, my GO ! has it come to this f Must Ibe hung like a dog r Durirg the arse two or three days I might as well have escaped from the jail as not, and I only stayed there fir Scannell's sake." Casey made a will, the particulars of which are unknown to us. He had considerable property to diepose of, estimated by rumour to be worth $30,000. Casey was thin and pale, and his expression was haggard. .; His face eppeare.l coarse for the want of ,shaving, no razor having been allowed him for shaving. Cora attracted less attention, and conducted himself more quietly. Report says he was married to his former mistress, Belle Cora, but the rumour obtains but little credence. At 8 o'clock, the General Committee was notified that Casey would be executed at half-past and ordered to appear under arms. During the morning preparations were made for the execution. Beams were run out over two of the windows of the committee-room, and platforms abort three feet square extending out Under each beam. These platforms were supported 'next the house by hinges, and outside by ropes extending up s to the beams. Along the streets, for a considerable dies tance on each side of the place of execution, were ranged the committee, more than 3,000 in number, some on foot-., with muskets and others on horseback with sabres. No. outsiders wers permitted to approach within 100 yards.. Beneath the place of execution were several 'cannon and caissons ready for use if necessary. The houses in the vicinity were covered with spectators, and in the streets were collected probably not less than 8,000 or 10,400 preens. At a quarter-past one Casey and Cora were brought out upon the platforms. The former was attended by the Rev. Father Gallagher. The arms of both were pinioned at the elbows, and both wore white caps, intended to be drawn over the eyes before the drop fell. Cora walked composedly, and stood stiffly, while his companion addressed the crowd. Casey exclaimed, "Oh, God, pardon and forgive me. Oh, my mother! my mother ! I hope she will never hear of this. Oh, God, have mercy on my mother ; comfort her in her affliction. Oh, God, have mercy on my soul. Oh, my God ! my God !I am not guilty of murder—l did not intend to • commit murder." Some one here said, "It is not neces' sary to repeat that again." Casey was confused at,this, and, mentioning the name of his mother again in a low tone of voice, he drew back. As he did so, the drop • beneath Cora was withdrawn, and his body fell a distance of about five feet. He did not move—his neck was n.. doubt broken by the shock, and there was one soul less in the land of the living. The rope was adjusted around Casey's neok, and ho weakened in the ' knees so that a committeeman had to support him. He was placed on the platform • a moment afterwards it fell beneath him. He struggled a little, but at the end of about three minutes he ceased to move, and he too was dead.—California Chronicle, May 24.