Brace was a young man, almost a boy.  He had killed a man miles away from the City, but within the county.  I have forgotten the circumstances of the crime.  The Committee had custody of him, however, and condemned him, as well as Hetherington.  Notice was publicly given that the two would be hanged the afternoon Of July 29th.  The gallows was erected on a vacant half block on Front street, as I remember, between California and Sacramento streets, west side.  It was at least twenty feet high, with a ladder from the ground to the platform.  From the top cross-beam dangled the ropes.  The platform afforded standing space for half a dozen men.  A large crowd had gathered to witness the execution.  From a cart on the California corner, B. B. Redding and myself were onlookers.  The condemned men were brought to the place under strong guard.  Each of them mounted to the scaffold.  Brace with quick-step; Hetherington with composure.  The hangman, named Dixon, was dressed in long black gown; a black hood completely concealed his face; a clergyman, and two or three of the Vigilance officers or guards followed.  A strong guard under arms was stationed about the foot of the gallows.  Permission was given the two to say anything they wished.  Brace broke forth in a loud rant, profane and obscene, and danced about like one demented.  The clergyman felt obliged to stop his blasphemous harangue by cramming his handkerchief over his mouth.  He broke away, nevertheless, and again poured forth a tirade, declaring that he was being murdered.  At length he became exhausted and ceased speaking.  All this time — and it was fully five minutes — Hetherington stood composed and with dignified mien, looking down upon the immense crowd, occasionally glancing at Bruce, who was to his right, and manifested horror at his ravings.  When Bruce became silent he spoke.  His manner was deliberate and his voice low, clear and firm.  He protested against the action of he Committee in his case; in taking his life they were more guilty of murder than he was, for it was in violation of the law.  He asserted that he had not committed murder.  Then declaring he should die without malice or enmity toward any, he courteously bowed and indicated to the officers that he was ready for the ordeal.  The nooses were adjusted, the caps drawn over their heads, the signal given.  The hangman cut the rope which held the traps in place, and down plunged the pinioned bodies of the pair.  Bruce writhed and struggled a few moments; then hung as lifeless until his body was taken down.  He was of medium stature, slight figure and light in weight.  Hetherington’s body swayed, but there was no perceptible motion of his limbs.  He met death with placid firmness, without bravado.  Henry H. Haight, his attorney for years, stated that he was one of the most upright and honorable men in his dealings and general conduct that he had ever known.  These were the last that suffered death by sentence of the Vigilance Committee.