Vigilance Committee

MCDOWELL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/19/2013 at 21:03:35

Clinton Herald, Clinton, Iowa, April 9, 1864

Four murderers have been hanged by a Vigilance Committee at Aurora, Cal. They were confined in the County Jail and they were marched thence by an armed guard of the committee and hung in front of the Armory Hall. One of them named McDowell, before his arms were tied, addressed the crowd, and then suddenly drew a pistol and attempted to shoot himself, the cap did not explode, and he flung the piston down with a curse, being immediately after executed.