Year: 2000

Daily Vedette

Daily Vedette

by Justin Durand

Excerpts from the The Daily Union Vedette (1863-1864), a Civil War newspaper published at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City. 

These excerpts describe the murder of Samuel R. Bunting by Jason Luce, an associate of Bill Hickman, and Luce’s subsequent trial and execution.

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Murder.—On Monday morning last the prevalent quiet and monotony of city life in Salt Lake, was startled by a most wanton and brutal murder. One Jason Luce, a resident of Salt Lake City, was latterly engaged in running the express to Bannack, in broad daylight, on the most frequented thoroughfare, in the door of Townsend’s Hotel, attacked Samuel R. Bunting with a large bowie knife, and stabbed his unresisting victim to death. He finally gave himself up to the police; but not ‘till after he had brandished his bloody weapon in the air for nearly a quarter of an hour, acknowledging the deed, and apparently gloating over his triumph. On Tuesday, Luce had his examination, before Justice Miner, who committed him to answer at the next term of the Probate court of this county. The testimony adduced on the examination, showed that about 1 o’clock of the day mentioned, Luce met Bunting and after a few words, as the latter turned to pass into the hotel, dealt him a deadly blow in the neck, from behind, nearly severing the head from the body, and followed it up with at least two stabs in the back, driving his bloody weapon to the hilt, and while the victim was prostrate on the floor. The wounded man expired within a few minutes after the first blow was struck, and never spoke, save feebly to cry “murder.”

When asked by the Justice if he had any defence to offer, Luce replied that his only witness was at Bannack, and gave his own version of the matter. He says that some weeks since, while at the mines, he was invited by deceased to go home with him to supper; that while at supper deceased asked him if he was a Mormon? Upon replying in the affirmative, deceased jumped upon, beat and stamped him, until he was taken home by some friends. That afterwards he met deceased, when the latter drew a knife and threatened to kill him, and again maltreated him. Seeing the deceased in this city last Monday, Luce approached and asked if his name was Bunting. He replied “yes.” “Samuel R. Bunting?” “Yes,” again. “Well,” said Luce, “we have an account to settle, and may as well settle it right here.” The deceased then “went for his pistol,” says Luce, “but whether he got it out I don’t know; at all events he didn’t hurt me much with it.” This is the substance of defendant’s statement, and almost his exact language. He takes the thing quite cooly, and apparently thinks himself in very little danger of punishment. If every word were true, as Justice Miner remarked, it would not reduce the grade of the offence from murder in the first degree. The assault was wanton, brutal and unjustified in any sense, and it is to be hoped that strict and impartial justice may be meted out to the offender. It struck us as not a little remarkable that the Justice should have bound Luce over to appear before an inferior court, when there will sit in this City in so short a time a court of higher power having jurisdiction of the offence—we mean the U.S. District Court.

The deceased (Bunting) was about 36 years old, recently from Bannack, and lately a Lieutenant in the service of the United States, but was on his way to Missouri to see his aged parents, from whom he had been separated upwards of 14 years. He is represented to have been a quiet, peaceable man, and those who know him cannot place full faith in the story of Luce about the beating and threats while at Bannack.

–Union Vedette, Fri Dec 11 1863

EXECUTION TO-DAY.

To-day, between the hours of 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., unless His Excellency, Governor Reed, shall interfere, Jason R. Luce will suffer the extreme penalty of the law, for the murder of Samuel Bunton, some weeks since. On the 7th of December the murder was committed, in broad day light, on the steps leading to the Salt Lake House. The Grand Jury, the next week, found a true bill against Luce; he was tried almost immediately before the Probate Judge of the county, a verdict of guilty brought in by the Jury, and the Judge, on the 22d of December, sentenced him to be shot to death on Tuesday, the 12th of January following. We understand that a petition for commutation of sentence has been presented to the Governor, but His Excellency replied in substance, that he had made it a rule in view of the obligations resting upon him under the law, never to interfere with the finding of a Jury or the judgement of the law, except in cases of manifest injustice, or where circumstances or proofs altering the phase of the affair were discovered after the sentence was imposed. As this case came not within this highly proper limitation the Governor declined any intervention, and to-day Jason R. Luce will look the last time upon the scenes of this world.

–The Daily Vedette, Tues Jan 12 1864

THE EXECUTION OF LUCE—HIS LAST SPEECH, ETC.

Yesterday at 12 o’clock, Jason R. Luce suffered the extreme penalty of the law, for the murder of Samuel Brunton. At the hour named, a large number of invited persons (specially notified under the law) were admitted to the Court House, the windows of which opened upon the back yard on the scene of execution. In the yard, attended by Sheriff Burton, the unhappy criminal was seated in a chair, his feet being manacled. His demeanor throughout was cool, calm and collected, evincing the utmost steadiness of nerve. The prisoner briefly addressed the persons present in clear unmingled tones, but with some little emotion. He warned those present to beware of evil associates, as to such influences he laid his present fearful position. In reference to the crime of which he had been convicted, Luce said that his heart was right in the matter, if not his head, and he had evidently impressed himself with the idea, so contrary to all the evidence in the case, that he acted in self-defence. He indulged in some sever remarks concerning those who had professed to be his friends, but who, he said, “had betrayed him.” (As it would serve no good purpose, we refrain from specifying the party named by Luce as his betrayer, and whom he said he “desired to brand before the world.”) Having concluded his remarks, the cap was drawn over his eyes, and five musket shots were heard at a given signal. The executioners were concealed from view, being stationed in the basement of the Court House, where they fired through the windows. The unfortunate man died without a struggle, each of the five shots having probably entered a vital part. The militia company of the city was posted around the Jail and Court House, to prevent even an attempt at escape, and also to keep off the large crowd whose curiosity to witness such a scent led them to the spot.

The law of this Territory provides that a person convicted of murder in the first degree, may have a choice of deaths, whether by hanging, shooting or being beheaded. As Luce, at the time of sentence, declined to make any choice, it was incumbent on the Judge to determine the means of execution. Judge Smith, therefore, sentenced him to be shot.

It is to be hoped that the awful doom of Luce will have a beneficial effect upon the community, and that the blood-thirsty will restrain their arm when passion, or still more unworthy motives, may impel to deeds of violence and crime. Truly, “the way of the transgressor is hard.” –The Daily Vedette, Wed Jan 13 1864

THE CONFESSION OF JASON LUCE.

We are reliably informed that Luce, who was executed on Tuesday last, made a full confession as well in regard to the murder for which he was shot, as also to other eventful scenes in his most eventful life. We have made some efforts to obtain this confession or statement, but hitherto in vain. There are many rumors current in the community as to its contents, but we refrain from publishing them at present, trusting that those who have charge of the document will see the propriety of publishing it to the world. If what is freely stated be true, the parties having it in charge have no right to supress it. By so doing they give color to the most exaggerated stories floating about, and only lengthen “rumors lying tongue.” We hope the paper will be furnished us for publication, as well in justice to the dead as to the reputation of the living.

THE COUNSEL FOR JASON LUCE.

Yesterday in publishing the remarks of Luce before his execution, we refrained, for manifest reasons, from mentioning the name of the person referred to by Luce as one “who betrayed him unto death.”

Mr. Wm. A. Hickman, one of his counsel, however, has called and placed in our hands a copy of the proceedings of the Court and other documents which he thinks fully attest the sincerity and propriety of his action throughout. We have not space to reprint these papers, nor do we deem it necessary, but will give place to any statement which Mr. Hickman desires to make. We understand from him that he purposes to publish a card on the subject in a few days, in response to the strictures of Luce on the day of his execution. Hickman refers all interested to the prior counsel in the case—Judge Appleby.

[Noticed on the same page in an article on the proceedings of the Utah Legislature, 11 Jan 1864:] Councilor Lyman, to whom was referred the petition of Wm. A. Hickman, for a toll road in Tooele county, reported unfavorably to the same. On motion of Councilor Spencer, the report was accepted, and the Committee discharged.

[Elsewhere in the same issue:] We learn that a petition is in circulation in this City for the purpose of raising funds for the destitute family of Jason R. Luce, the unfortunate man who was executed on the 12th inst.

–The Daily Vedette, Thurs Jan 14 1864

CARD FROM WM. A. HICKMAN

Editor Daily Vedette: Allow me briefly to reply to the scurrilous allegations made by Jason Luce against me at the time of his execution, on the 12th instant. I should, perhaps, regard it as beneath my notice to reply to any such unjustifiable and unfounded statements. What I have done for Jason Luce, is known to hundreds, and when I say that every effort on my part was exerted in his behalf, I state what many in this community know to be the truth. The record of the Court shows my efforts during the trial. After the verdict, I made application to Chief Justice Titus for a writ of habeas corpus, basing the same on the fact that the Probate Court had no legal existance, and certainly had no jurisdiction in criminal cases such as this one, with eight other points fully stated in the application signed by Luce’s father. Judge Titus, contrary to my expectations, refused to grant the writ, and then I prepared and circulated a petition to the Governor as a last resort. This too, was refused, and there was no help and nothing further that could be done by me. These facts and bona fide efforts are patent to all, and were known to Luce. The question arises, what worked upon Luce to change his mind and suspect me of unfairness. He was confined in his cell and could know nothing of the matter-except from other parties. Were his suspicions roused by fair means, or by some miserable, sneaking, villifying scoundrel, who thus sought to arouse the hate of the prisoner, and the vindictive passions of his brothers? Was it a mean, grovelling attempt to stigmatize my character, by some whispering, cowardly enemy, or was it the just indignation of a man who had in reality been betrayed? I leave it to the public to judge, conscious of the sincerity of my actions in behalf of Luce, whom I endeavored faithfully to serve, and believe that I did. Were it at all necessary I would refer to the records in the case, to the Governor, to the hundreds whom I brought to sign the petition for commutation of sentence, and to the junior counsel, Judge Appleby. But the whole thing is a fabrication, a mean effort to injure me by men who have not the manliness to openly charge me with what they whispered covertly in Luce’s ears. Should a day of reckoning come with these villains, as I hope it may, the whole truth will be exposed, and I will brand them in public as their acts so richly merit.

Whether Luce has made any confession, I do not know. I have tried to find it out, but in vain, and am inclined to think he made no confession, as intimated in your paper.
WM. A. HICKMAN.

[Mr. Hickman may be very honest in that last paragraph, but we happen to know that Luce did make a confession, and also to whom he made it. We hope yet to publish it, when the parties who hold the confession come to appreciate the fact that they are wronging both the dead and the living by withholding it.—Editor Vedette.]

–The Daily Vedette, Sat Jan 16 1864

Haurie Families in France

Haurie Families in France

by Justin Durand

Many French families bear names similar to the Swiss Hauris, but they have a different origin. Noms de Famille, an amateur effort, lists the following:

Arouet, a name immortalized by Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire, 1694-1778), but now extinct. It might be a variant of Arrouet, which is undoubtedly a diminutive of arrou, which means a watering or feeding trough.

Auer, a German or Alsatian name that might indicate the aurochs, a wild ox present in central Europe (the nickname of a hard man, according to M.T. Morlet). But, it is more likely a designation for a person who lived in a locality with that name, which meant a meadow at the edge of a river, or a willow planation.

Auray, a name found in Rhône, Puy-de-Dôme and Allier, and also in Loire-Atlantique. In Brittany, it might originate from the place name Auray. Elsewhere, it might also be a toponym. There is an Auray à Molles in Allier, and it is possible that in Rhône, Auray is a corruption of Avray (the commune of Saint-Just-d’Avray). Also worth considering is the personal name Aureil (Latin, Aurelius), borne by a Bishop of Puy.

Auré, found especially in Vendée. The name indicates an origin in Auré, the name of several localities in Poitou-Charentes (as well as the name of a commune in the form of Auray). Without the accented e, it should be a place swept by the wind (ancien French aure, haure).

Haori, an Arabic name more frequently found as El Haouri. It is a variant of Hawri, El Hawri (”dweller near a lake”), from a place called (el) Hawr, a place name found in Egypt and lakes in Iraq.

Harari, originally from North Africa, this name is associated with Sephardic Jews. It comes from the Arabic Harrâr, a trade name meaning one who weaves or embroiders silk. Variants: Harar, Harrar, Harrari, El Harrar, Elharrar.

Haré, a Norman name. It might correspond to the cry “Haré,” by which sergeants marked the end of a fair. More generally, it was also used for calling dogs.

Harroué, a name found in Lorraine. It originally designated someone from Haroué, a commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle.

Haure, Diminutive of Haur, Haure. It is the Gascon form of Faure (=blacksmith).

Haurou, sometimes written Haürou, it is a derivative of the Gascon haure (= blacksmith). Note that there is locality Haurou near Arthez-de-Béarn.

Oriez, a name found especially in Belfort. Variant: Oriet. Other forms include Horiet or Horiot, Horriot, in which M.T. Morlet sees the nickname of one dischanged (Ancient French, holier, horier, horlier). Perhaps also related to the oriole.

Oroy, the oldest mentions locate the name in Marne and Aisne. It should be a toponym indicating oratory (Latin, oratorium). It might derive from the hamlet of Auroir à Foreste, or from the communes of Oroër, Orroire et Orrouy, in Oise, all of which have the same origin.

Ourry, common in La Manche, this name is an alternative of Oury. The two forms were employed interchangeably in Côtes-d’Armor in the 17th century.

Ory, perhaps a variant of Oury, but perhaps also originating from the toponym, Orry-la-Ville, a suburb of Paris.

Oury, a name found simultaneously in Brittany and in the east. It denotes someone of Germanic origin, from the personal name Odalric (odal = patrimony + ric = rich).

In the Gascon dialect of southwestern France, haure means a forge, and haury means a blacksmith. The Horrys of South Carolina probably derive from one such family. Elias Horry (1664-1736), of Charentin, France immigrated to South Carolina about 1691. His father Jean Horry had been an elder in the Protestant church in Paris. Horry County, South Carolina was named for that family.

Symbolism of Swans

Symbolism of Swans

by Justin Durand

In the ancient world, it was widely believed that swans sing only once in their lifetimes, just before they die. Socrates and Plato both mentioned this belief. Geoffrey Chaucer alluded to it about 1374. Hence, the phrase swan song, meaning a person’s final labor. This belief led to an association between swans and prophecy, because swans were thought to predict their own deaths.

The swan is associated with poetry (because the bard Orpheus is said to have become a swan), and with music (because swans were sacred to Apollo, the Greek god of music). The poet Greek Homer (fl. 950 BCE) was called the Swan of Meander. The Roman poet Vergil (70-29 BCE) was called the Swan of Mantua. The English playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was called The Swan of Avon. The Swan of Cambray was Fenelon (1651-1715), Archbishop of Cambray and author of Telemachus. The Swan of Padua was Count Francesco Algarotti (1712-1764).

The swan is also associated with philosophy. On the night before Plato became his student, Socrates dreamt that a swan flew into his bosom (Pausanius, Description of Greece 1.30.1).

Swans symbolize power, because of their size and high flight. Because they are associated with water, they have become associated with fertility. They combine the attributes of water and air, so they have come to be birds of life, representing both the dawn and solar powers.

Swans are also linked with thunder gods. According to tradition, a swan’s eggs will only hatch during a thunder storm, and then only when lightening strikes the shell. If a swan stretches its head and neck over its wings, a thunderstorm is brewing.

These attributes point to an identification of the swan as the symbol of “the powers of poetry and of the poet himself.” The swan, therefore, is the image of the divinely inspired poet, of the sacred priesthood, of the white-robed druid, of the Norse skald and of every type of poetically inspired priest.

In European folklore, swans were often messengers from the world of faerie, who appeared to mortals as swan knights and swan maidens. Mortal kings, princes, princesses, knights and ladies are often turned into swans. Faeries and mortals in the form of swans can always be recognized by the chains around their necks. The chains might be symbol of their link to the great mother goddess. Such chains were the badge of office of Celtic bards, who rattled the chains to command silence.

Until comparatively recently, there was a widespread story that babies were born of earth and water, and brought by swans. In contemporary Europe and America, the swans have been changed to storks.

Hauri Family in Freiburg

Hauri Family in Freiburg

by Justin Durand

There was a Hauri family at Freiburg-im-Breisgau, in Baden-Württemberg in the 13th century. The city belonged to the von Urach family, who were Counts of Freiburg. In 1299 a war broke out between the city and Count Egino II over the issue of taxes. The burghers fired on Schlossberg with catapults. The Count called upon his brother-in-law, Konrad von Lichtenberg, Bishop of Strasbourg, for help. In the ensuing battle, on 29 July 1299, the Bishop was stabbed and killed by Metzger Hauri (”Butcher” Hauri). He became a local hero, even though the city was fined a ruinous amount for the murder, and was required to set a cross to mark the site. A monument in the town square and a city street (Hauriweg) memorialize the butcher, and the Butchers’ Guild has since had the honor of marching first in the Fronleichnamsprozession.

Weight

Weight

by Justin Durand

Heinrich Vecht (c1773-c1822) was living in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in 1820. He was a German, but his ancestry is otherwise unknown. He might have been a son of Peter Weicht, who immigrated from Silesia in 1753. His descendants anglicized their surname to Weight.

Lineal Genealogy

  1. Heinrich (Henry) Vecht (c1773-c1822), a farmer in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
  2. Henry Weight (1811-1896), a farmer in Huntingdon County, Pennsylavnaia. He married Hannah Deck (1815-1885), daughter of Henry and Anna Maria (Pfeiffer) Deck.
  3. John Henry Weight (1840-1902), a miller in Nishnabotna, Missouri. He married Anna Elizabeth Hockenbery (1838-1910), daughter of Harmon and Mary (Linn) Hockenberry.
  4. Clara Etta Weight (1869-1940). She married James Robert Quillen (1853-1940).