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Collection: Directories and Documents > Pamphlets
Juanita - The only woman lynched in the Gold Rush days (PH 20-9)(1967) (36 pages)
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Page: of 36
was in commotion, and that Judge Lynch was about to
assume the judgment seat.’’
Under guard of three men, Josefa and José were
hustled to the town plaza and up onto the platform,
where Senator Weller had made his stirring speech on
the previous day. By nine o’clock, John Rose, a local
rancher, had been named trial judge and 12 jurors selected. At first the mobwanted to hang the two defendants onthe spot, but one of the crowd’s leaders mounted
the platform and declared, “We’ll give ’em a fair trial
first—and then hang ’em.” The spectacle of a trial
seemed to suit the mob’s fancy, and after a rousing
voice of approval the crowd settled down somewhat.
William S. Spear was selected to prosecute for
the people, and the judge stepped to the front of the platform to ask the mob if the prisoners should be allowed
counsel. On an affirmative vote from the crowd, two
lawyers, Pickett and Brocklebank, were appointed as
defense counsel.
A lawyer by the name of Thayer now mounted the
platform and made a plea to the crowd. He protested
against the trial progressing, but before he had uttered
a dozen words he was shouted down and informed that
the prisoners would definitely be tried and dealt with
in accordance with the findings of the jury. He was
further assured that if he valued his safety, he’d better
shut his mouth and get off the stand. Seeing the futility
of trying to reason with the mob, he left the platform. 7
Some accounts mention a man named Fair, who also
tried to dismiss the proceedings, but he too was told
to make himself scarce.
With the preliminaries over, the crowd now settled
down somewhat in order to enjoy the spectacle. The
first witness called was a boy named Frank, who was
12 or 13 years old. Judge Rose admonished him to tell
the truth the same as if he were in a court of law. He
testified that he had seen Josefa stab Cannon, and that
although the deceased had not seemed angry at the time
ofthe killing, the woman was very mad and determined.
The next witness was Dr. Hunter, who related the
happening as he recalled it although he hadn’t seen the
actual murder take place. He testified that he had known
12