Year: 1862




EDS. STATESMAN: My long silence may be ac-
counted for from the fact that nothing of impor-
tance has, until lately, occurred in our midst But
for the last few days the people of Auburn have
been in quite commoton in reference to the
murder of two men lately from Boise.


The particulars of the affair as nearly as 1 can
learn are as follows: A certain Spaniard called
"Tom," learning of their arrival set out on search
ofthem, being previously acquainted After max
ing several inquiries for them he late in the even
ing met them in a saloon, and bantered them to
play, "poker," to which they replied by present
ing dime and asking him if that would do for
an "ante." This apparently enraged the Spaniard
and hard words ensued, until the Spaniard drew
his knife and stabbed one Of them to the heart.
The other making an effort to assist his friend re-
ceived similar stroke and both lay dead on the
floor. He then took both of their revolvers and
attempted to make his escape, and travelled in
the direction of Mormon Basin, where he was
overtaken, and on Friday last brought back to this
place, and as l Think unfortunately delivered up
the officers of the law. Not that | think this
was not the proper duty of the persons who ar
rested him, but that if the people were deter min
ed to execute the offender they should have done
so before the officers were in charge of him, other
wise let the law have its course. Everything went
on quiet during the night, and the next morning
good many persons gathered around to learn
the probable fate Of the murderer. Some were
in favor o hanging him Immediately, others were
fer letting the law have its course-and made
many appealing speeches insisting on the people
remaining quiet but other more excteable per-
sons insisted, by the most exciting speeches to
urge the people to immediate acuon-alludng to
the expense on a newly organized county, togeth
er with the liability of the material evidence being
gone from the country before the trial would
come on, &c.


During this time the prisoner was taken before
Justic Able for examination The Justices office
was opened in a shed on the side of the hill at
the upper end of the principle street. A mob as
sembled around the place. The Sheriff Mr.. Hall.
with his posse guarded the prisoner. An organ
lied party assembled on the hill and mingled in
the crowd. Efforts were made 20 take the pris-
oner away pistols, shot guns, rifles, kniys, &C.
were displayed


The Judge picked up his docket and left-de
claTng his life was worth a dozen "greaSerS.
The crowd still continued to surge to and fro,
crying hang BIN, &C. The Sheriff with his guard
stood firm


A twenty-five man jury, learn, was empanneled;
evidence was pesented before them. They could
not agree. 1t was then read to the crowd; a
vote was called for they could not agree.
Thus matters continued until about O'Clock, p
NJ, when by some means they got rope around
the Spanard's foot-of they started The Sheriff
and others holding on to him until they were
dragged down and uampled on.


will here say that as nearly as l can learn not
shot was fired by any respectable member Of
the guard but it was all done by outside ruffans
who seized upon this opportunity to get shot
into crowd. This is much to the credit of the
Sheriff and guard, that when they found they
were overpowered, they did not take revenge by
firing into the mob. On went the Spaniard down
the street, followed by an immense crowd, horse
men and footmen. about three-fourths Of a mile,
until they arrived at suitable tree, and then hung
him. dead dead, dead but he was dead, dead
long before they arrived at the tree. Thus the
affair ended, and hope it may be the end of it.


1t is much to be regretted that our prosperous
city should be dsgraced by such scenes; yet such
men must find some other abiding place. l said
this affair ended, not exactly, either for the ex-
cited crowd being exasperated at the frequent
firing of a certain Kanaka, or Spanard, and they
followed him and overlook him. and on his re-
sistng their arresting him, they shot him.


Never since | can recollect, have | seen the
people so excited so desperate, so infuriated, as
this have before me the record of a more bru-
tai execution than this done in fine little city in
the States but l must say that l hope such cases
are and will remain to be seldom seen.


Promising you some mining items soon, l re-
main yours, as ever.


NWTrA TVArrA