7/31/2003
7/31/2003
7/31/2003
7/31/2003
7/31/2003
Landmark information
- Location:
Near SE corner of Sierra County Courthouse, Durgan Flat Way, Downieville - Plaque:
Official State Plaque - Site:
Existing - Date First Visited:
7/31/2003 - Date Most Recently Visited:
7/31/2003 - GPS Coordinates:
N 39 33.522, W 120 49.797 - Other Designations:
National Register of Historic Places
About this landmark
Plaque text:
Sierra County Sheriff's Gallows
On November 27, 1885, 20 year-old James O'Neill was hanged from this gallows for the August 7, 1884 murder of Webber Lake dairyman John Woodward. That execution, conducted by Sheriff Samuel C. Stewart approximately 100 feet west of this site, was the last legal execution in Sierra County and the only time this gallows was used. Changes in state law in 1891 ended local executions in California and further changes in 1941 ended hanging as a means of legal execution within the state.