Sheriff Laird gave the signal by a dropped…
source date: 1888
availability: public-domain

least concerned of any per- son about the jail, except, possibly, the darky Wilson, who pulled the rope that let the fatal drop fall. Wilson felt honored to be allowed to pull the rope and would not have missed the opportunity to thus distinguish himself for many dollars. Sheriff Laird gave the signal by a dropped handkerchief at 9:58, and Wilson, who was inclosed in a box out of sight of the spectators, pulled the rope. The drop was nearly seven feet. Pilar’s neck was broken in the fall. Thus the law is vindicated and the death of Thomas Hall is avenged by the hanging of one of the most desperate young murderers ever known in the southwest. There was one thing remark- able about the spectators present, not a single expression of sympathy was manifested for the condemned man during the breathless moments preceding the hanging. It was evident that the murderer had no real friends among the spec- tators. The detailed history of the murder of Deputy Sheriff Hall two years ago by Pilar Perez, has been published so often of late in connection with the trial and sentence, that no extensive account will here be given. Pilar and his sweetheart were coming to Silver City, on the Pinos Altos road, when they were overtaken by Hall. Pilar and other Mexi- cans had engaged in a fatal shooting affray on the Mimbres river because of the abducting or