Scarface and The Weasel Dance One Last Time Eighty Three Years Ago

In 1927, Folsom played host to The Thanksgiving Day Riots that left 10 convicts and 1 guard dead. For those considered to be the ringleaders, the riot earned them certain nicknames.  Forger, Albert Stewart was called “The Penman” but after turning states’ evidence against his fellow rioters, he is forever known as “The Squealer.”  Squealer does not have a number following his name because he successfully ratted out his fellow inmates.   By testifying against them he was spared his last meal and trip to the gallows and instead stayed in Folsom for the next ten years, paroled and disappeared to history. 

Scarface became the Sixty Third person hanged at Folsom and Weasel Gregg was the Sixty Fourth, continuing the Twofor special of the week at Folsom.   They became respectively the 430th and 431st legally executed criminals in California history when they died quickly on Folsom Prison's gallows Friday January 10, 1930, three years and three months after their participation in the terrible Folsom Prison riot. 

His co-conspirators: Walter E. Burke became “Scarface,” and James Gregg became “The Weasel,”.   #65, James Gleason was “The Rat” as he was expected to “squeal” at trial and did not.  The Rat kept his honor and jerked once when the trap opened and he dropped, dying almost instantly a week later after Scarface and Weasel danced for the last time.

Thirty four year old convicted murderer James Gregg ordered bacon and eggs for his final meal.  Walter Burke, one year younger and also a convicted murderer called for chicken croquettes and received them.   Reportedly they both slept well and were ready and raring to go.   Both passed up their breakfast at 6 AM.

Promptly at 11:00 AM Scarface Burke walked under escort from his cell twenty paces to his mark on the trap of the gallows.   The warden read his death warrant, asked for last words and young Scarface declined.   The black hood was placed over his head followed quickly by the noose.   The trap was sprung and Scarface was dead.   A quick and final twist and he was cut down at 11:25.  

The trustees were assembled and quickly mopped up the urine and liquid feces from the ground.   The sour smell was mixed with bleach and dried quickly with borax and water, mopped and the ground prepared for the drop.  At 5 minutes after noon out stepped Weasel Gregg who followed directly upon the younger Scarface's trail.  He too listened to the death warrant, declined any final words, accepted the offered hood.  Perhaps he flinched as the noose was adjusted behind his left ear.   No one knows.   A brief second later he dropped from sight and died cleanly.