The Sun. — 1852-01-16 (London, England)

JUSTICE IN CALIFORNIA.  On Saturday night, between 11 and 12 o'clock, James Wilson made a desperate attempt to escape from prison. The two prisoners condemned to die were kept in the second story of a frame building. Oa Saturday night the keeper went into the adjoining room where the other prisoners were kept, for the purpose of replacing a candle which bad burnt out, and in an instant Wilson sprang to the door, turned the key, and ran down the steps on the outside of the house. Another keeper, named John Canavan, who slept in the same room, and was awakened by the turning of the key, instantly sprang up, and gilding the prisoner gone, rushed out and jumped from the top of the stairs into the street, where he found the prisoner, who had apparently become confused and ran against a waggon. The prisoner called out to his pursuer not to shoot, and the latter, although unarmed, had little difficulty in securing him. It appeared that the prisoner bad been furnished with a small saw, with which he worked at his chain (a (heavy ox chain) whenever a favourable opportunity offered, until at length he succeeded in cutting it. The prisoners were taken to the gallows from the gaol on the 28th, at two o'clock precisely, and through a dense concourse of citizens, who lined the whole way from the gaol to the gallows, conducted to the spot where they should end their lives. The two men looked calm and collected. Wilson had a solemn countenance, while Salkmyer smoked his cigar, and seemed unconscious of the fearful trip he was taking. When on the ground, they mounted the platform with nerve, and faced the crowd without the exhibition of any emotion. Wilson stood upon the right and Salkmyer on the left. Wilson made a short exordium in so faint a voice that we could not hear, but the purport of it was to acknowledge his guilt, and warn others from a similar fate. Salktnyer made a long speech, giving his history, and requesting the public press to do him justice. He denied the offence to the last. His voice was very firm, and at times he was much excited, and raised his tone very high. Still there was no faltering. He spoke freely with those who questioned him, and at the end returned thanks to those who had done him any kindness. He said that his conduct was not dictated by irreverence, but he desired to die like a man. The Rev. Mr. Wood then addressed the crowd, and offered up a prayer. The prisoners then bade adieu to the sheriff and the crowd, and the fatal naps were drawn over their heads. After the ropes were adjusted the signal was given, and the drop fell, rendering unto justice and the grave these young and early victims. The immense crowd who witnessed the execution could not have been less than 3,000 people. Not a row has occurred during the week up to the present time. A citizen police guarded the city last night, and will continue on duty through the coming night. A gentleman, recently arrived at Coloms, from the Plains, gives the editor of the News the following account of a private hanging affair that oame off on Carson River, on the 26th of September, by an impromptu Vigilance Committee :—"John Wilson and Green Hensley, two men belonging to a train of emigrants composed of persons from Michigan and Missouri, had some slight difficulty the day before the train arrived at the Fourteen-mile Desert, which amounted merely to words. Some of the company remarked to Wilson that he had better look out, or Hensley would shoot. Nothing more was thought of the matter till the night they crossed the desert. While the party were preparing their supper, Wilson lay down and went to sleep, when Hensley approached him, drew his pistol, and deliberately shot him. Wilson lingered till about ten o'clock the next day, when he expired. While the company were engaged in interring the remains of their murdered comrade, a party of Californians, returninghe t e lut aodt eh e aSet:et easi ,ectaemd ewuipt h, atnhde oeni rieuetier it enegciene oparned. g thfoer tphreismenuerrdeare.lecAtiecgAfter hearing all the circumstances, the jury found him guilty, and Benthree and the emigrants three. cpeorsdediegtoly heav jeurlylewn ht eenv ne hhei eine et oembpel e thgeudn,thiernsmenetdeinacteely;as Part eopnacrea tcioanr as Ise Y called, tried s g ried into effect. Hensley was from Missouri. Wilson, weuandefstand, Paper.wasfrom .' Hillsdale county, Michigan: —San Francisco  COMMITTAL ---- OFFICER v OF A RELIEVING FOR MANlon, Huntley