Year: 1861




We are asked if we know the particulars Of
the hanging Of woman in 1851, by mob,
in Downievile. We reply, by furnishing an
account which wns sent, at the time it hap
pened to the Yuba county papers


! A party Of men on a frolc, says the inform


ant of the papers alluded to, accidentally
Knocked down door with little or no fasten


ings which they put up again. and left. This
door opened into room occupied by Josefus
and her paramour, for she was a prostitute
and had been of years standing in Mazatian.
The next morning Cannon was called on by
the man to pay all damages, and SO far from
approaching her with "thc Vilest purposes,
as had been charged, his intentions were
peaceable, and he was actually holding out
his hand to settle the matter. when he was
rulblesslv murdered. This brutal murder OF
one so universally liked as Cannon was OF
conrse created an intense excitement, and she
was taken to the public square a Judge
(John Rose, man universally popular with
the citizens, was selected, jury chosen by
committee of three, one of whom at least, be-
ing a new resident could not be considered as
partial The jury was not taken from the
bystanders but from men who we're absent
attending to their business, and came at the
peoples call to do their duty. The trial lasted
five hours. A writer for the Pacific Star as
serted that the witnesses lied. Two were
boys, eye witnesses of the murder, walters in
Restaurant and were not twenty feet from
Cannon when he was struck. The others
also saw the transaction, and caught him as
he fell. All their statements agreed in the
most minute particulars, and as there was no
time for collision, they must have told the
truth. 1t was stated that an "unborn babe
perished with its mother" The only evi-
dence of this assertion came from one who
had lived with the woman openly as her
pnramour, having taken her from her Mexican
protector and then returned her after he had
lived with her certain period. lie was
contradicted by three of the best physicians
after an examination. A physician also testi
fled in her behalf, but it was charged that he
too was her paramour. A lawyer who de-
Tended the woman was ordered away, but re
maned and was unframed. His attempted
defense was made after the trial was all over.
and he foolishy excited the mob by telling
them chat no murder had been committed.
This being directly in theteeth of all the evil |
lence. he was used roughly, but not serious
y hurt


The woman was executed in quiet and
orderly mauner, except that few drunken
men made some noise, and were indecent
Her department on the trial was most singu-
lar. Several times she laughed. more par
ticularly when some Mexican blackguardisms
were used. On the way to the scaffold she
was totally unmoved. Her previous conduct
had been bad, and but the night before she
had attempted the life of another man with
her knife.


Cannon was universally known for his i'm
mense strength, his uniform god nature and
urbane department. He was foremost in
every act of kindness, and in every thing be-
tokening fun and good humor. He was cut
off in his prime


While we are on the subject of these earlier
transactions of California history, we may as
well recall an affair of violence and blood
which happened but short distance from
this city, over in Sutter county. Doubtless
there are those among us who will recolect
it. We give it in the words of letter writ
ten at the time to the Marysville Herald. 1t
is as follows.