Juanita   Juanita of Downieville died after miners prowled drunk in the night screaming and lurching, showing no pride causing Mexican citizens fright.   The mob banged on doors like an oncoming tide. Juanita grew angry at seeing the sight of people who never listened, and lied picking on others and thinking it right.   Next morning Jack Conner, their leader spoke to Juanita and behaved impolite. The reason for this was never explained but she stabbed him and tried to take flight.   Found by a mob of his friends in a rage they warned, "You won't live through the night!" A lawyer protested but his argument died this Mexican woman had killed, out of spite   The die had been cast, her hands were tied but her eyes were calm and resolved. Before the onlookers she never once cried securing the noose around her own neck tight.   She spoke to a friend in Spanish with pride as a blindfold shut out the light. then she was dropped from the bridge and died.

©Steve Dirksen