The hanging of a woman at Downievile - July 1851

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What follows are the original news articles from the Marysville Daily Herald about the hanging of Josefa, for the murder of ' a man by the name of Cannon.' She is often referred to as 'Juanita,' in later tellings. Wikipedia names her Josefa Segovia. I am a big fan of Downieville, CA, where I first heard about Juanita. Some of this is apparently in the referenced works below, but nowhere else.

A WOMAN HUNG AT DOWNIEVILLE.— We are informed by Deputy Sheriff Gray, that on Saturday afternoon a Spanish woman was hung for stabbing to the heart a man by the name of Cannan, killing him instantly. Mr. Gray informs us that the deceased, in company with some others, had the night previously entered the house of the woman, and created a riot and disturbance, which so outraged her, that when he presented himself the next morning to apologize for his behavior, he was met at the door by the female, who had in her hand a large bowie knife, which she instantly drove into his heart. She was immediately arrested, tried, sentenced, and hung at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. She did not exhibit the least fear, walking up a small ladder to the scaffold, and placing the rope round her neck with her own hands, first gracefully removing two plaits of raven black hair from her shoulders to make room for the fatal cord. Some five or six hundred witnessed the execution. On being asked if she had anything to say, she replied "Nothing; but I would do the same again, if I was so provoked" - and that she wished her remains to be decently taken care of.

Marysville Daily Herald, Volume I, Number 114, 8 July 1851

The correctness of the account we gave in a former number, of the hanging of a woman at Downievile seems to be doubted by some of the papers below, we therefore publish the following letter from our regular correspondent. 

[ED. HERALD. 

DOWNIEVILLE, July 9, 1851. 

MESSRS. EDITORS:—Having promised to inform you of all the stirring events which may have stirred up this "pretty little town" (as the Democratic candidate for District Attorney calls us,) I most cheerfully comply with the promise. 

"Imprimis," there comes the Loco Foco Convention. They met, they nominated, they dissolved, as I doubt not you have already heard. I need not send you the ticket, but suffice it to say that they have nominated the strongest men they could find, paying, as I must say, a deserved compliment to Downieville, by admitting more delegates from this town than from any other in the county. It was rumored during the day that certain "Hon." from the lower country had got into "personal affairs"' with another member to the convention, but with how much truth I cannot say, not having seen the 'rencontre.' The Whigs of Marysville will have to work hard, for Mr. McKibbon (for State Senate) has many warm friends here; and Mr. Brian, District Attorney, has lost nothing by his visit to this place. Mr. Lindley, for County Clerk, also, can name many warm admirers here, but Mr. Spear will "hurry up his cakes" awful fast. 

"Secundus." Early upon the morning of the 5th of July a most awful murder was perpetrated here. Immediately upon its perpetration the people arose to avenge it. The inhabitants were requested to meet at the Plaza, and runners were dispatched in all directions to collect the miners. Upon a Judge being chosen (Mr. John Rose,) and a jury empaneled, the evidence went to show that a man by the name of Cannon had been stabbed to the heart that morning between 7 and 8 o'clock, and that the woman Josefa, and the man Jose, were in custody for the murder. Both the prisoners are Spanish. After a long hearing the jury found a verdict in these words: 

"That the woman Josefa is guilty of the murder of Cannon, and that she suffer death in two hours. 

"The man Jose is found not guilty: but the jury earnestly request that Judge Rose advise him to leave town within twenty-four hours. 

AMOS L. BROWN, Foreman." 

An awful excitement prevailed during the whole trial, and in fact until late at night. The jury returned their verdict at 2 o'clock, and at a quarter to 4 the Judge, accompanied by the counsel for the prosecution, (W. S. Spear, Esq.,) and the foreman of the jury, headed the procession to the gallows. The gallows were the ties of the bridge. Josefa walked with a firm step onto the bridge, and after bidding adieu to those who stood near her, ascended the ladder perfectly unconcerned, threw her hat to one on the bridge, put the rope around her own neck, and at 6 minutes to 4 o'clock the beam fell. She hung twenty-two minutes and was lowered and given to her friends. On Sunday the 6th, she was buried, at 9 A. M., and Mr Cannon was buried on the same day at 10 A. M , and thus ended the most awful tragedy that Downierille has ever witnessed. 

Our miners here are as successful as in almost any other place, and the rich flat still holds out. Water in the ravines is falling very fast, and flumes are going in as lively as they can. 

Yours, B.

Marysville Daily Herald, Volume I, Number 116, 12 July 1851

The Tragedy at Downieville. — Mr. Hubbs, who has just come down from this place, informs us that there were some extenuating circumstances connected with the execution of the woman at Downieville, which have not yet been published. He states that the party who entered the house on the night of the transaction, were intoxicated, and that deeply regreting the mischief they had done, sent one of their number in the morning to apologise to the woman. He knocked at the door, and the woman opened it. He then made his apology, with which she appeared satisfied, and turning to leave, she inflicted the injury which resulted in his death. 

We hope that a full and explicit account of all the circumstances connected with this unprecedented transaction, may be made public.

Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 1, Number 103, 17 July 1851

The Hanging at Downieville. Some three or four days ago we noticed a case of hanging at a mining town above Marysville, the report of which we copied from the Marysville Herald, and we expressed some doubt as to the genuineness of the statement. We now learn that a murder was committed at the time and place stated in the extract, and that a woman, one Josefa, a Mexican, was tried, sentenced and hung by the authorities, precisely as reported in the first instance.

The paper from which we copied the account has endeavored to satisfy public sentiment regarding this extraordinary affair, by dispelling the doubts raised by this and other papers as to the authenticity of its first statement, and to this end publishes a correspondence simply corroborative of the report of a murder and execution at Downieville. Now will not that journal so far accommodate the wants of its readers as to collect and present the particulars of the crime committed and the testimony by which a woman was convicted and hung, within the circuit of its home or district affairs ? Unless the hanging of a woman is a matter not unusual in its province, it would be well worthy a place in its columns, if so much room might be set aside from its ordinary requirements as a California newspaper. Until these particulars are furnished by some portion of the press of the State. the following article, from the last number of the .Sacramento Times & Transcript, must stand as evidence against the execution at Downieville:

Hanging a Woman — The occurrence which was published a few days ago, as having taken place at Downieville, proves to be no notion as several papers supposed - John S. Fowler Esq., who witnessed the frightful scene, describes the affair as reflecting infinite disgrace upon all engaged in it. The act for which the victim suffered, was one entirely justifiable under the provocation. She had stabbed a man who persisted in making a disturbance in her house, and had greatly outraged her rights. The violent proceedings of an indignant and excited mob, led on by the enemies of the unfortunate woman, are a blot upon the history of the State. Had she committed a crime of really heinous character, a real American would have revolted at such a course as was pursued towards this friendless and unprotected foreigner. We had hoped that the story was fabricated. As it is the perpetrators of the deed have shamed themselves and their race. The Mexican woman is said to have borne herself with the utmost fortitude and composure through the fearful ordeal, meeting her fate without flinching. 

Daily Alta California, Volume 2, Number 215, 14 July 1851

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