The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-10
one Of the greatest tragedies ever witnessedn Cali

Mr.. Myers, the man who was shot, We are in
ormed, came from the vicinity of Columbus, Ohio,
and has left wife and several children. Fred. j.
Rowe, the man who was hung, was about twenty
two years Of age, and an Englishman by birth.
TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT IN SAN FRANCISCO.
On Saturday, March lst., two men, Stuart and
who were arrested as the persons charged
with committing the assault with the intent to kill
MIR. Janson, and who robbed him OF $2OOO, were
examined before Justice Shepherd, in the Recorders
Court room. The place was literally jammed.
Previous to this the criminals were carried before
Mr.. Janson, who testified unequlvocaly that Stuart
was the man who, with another man. spoke OF
purchasing blankets, and who was Immediately be-
hind him ut the time he was struck with the sung
shot, and that, to the best of his knowledge and
belief, MILDRED was the man who was with him.
The prisoners had their witnesses well drilled to
prove an alibi John Wilson, a Sidney bird, was
the first one brought forward by II. McAllister the
defendants attorney, to testify. He swore that
MILDRED was at the Italian Saloon, on Long Wharf,
from seven to eleven O'Clock, gambling, on the
night the assault and robbery. Justice Shepherd
to credit whatever, he contradicted himself in
every particular. Marks was another witness for
the defence. He proved that Mildred was with him
at the time the assault was committed, and for one
hour and half afterwards; and that MILDRED was
a most innocent and proper citizen. The keepers
Of the Italian ansquenet room could not testify that
Mildred was at their saloon On the evening Of the
robbery.
At this stage of the examination, there was a
strong disposition the part Of the people to seize
the prisoners and hang them; but they were de-
Tended by the military, under the order Of the
thorities, and were again removed to prison. This
act created great sensation and excitement among
the people outside, who had increased by this time
to some thousands. Before any preliminary meal
could be adopted to organize the meeting and
determine upon some plan OF action, the following
handful was circulated through the crowd
CITIZENS OF SAN FRANCISCO!
The of murders and robberies that have been
committed in this city, without the least redress from
the laws leave entirely in state anarchy
then doth the honest traveller fear each bush thief"
Law, it appears is but nonentity to be scofed at re-
failing remedy admirably laid down in the code Of
Judge Lynch. Not that we should admire this process
for redress but that il to be inevitably necessary
Are We 20 he robbed and assassnated in domicils,
and the law to let aggresor peranbuatc the streets
merely because they have furnished straw bail! If
let each man be- his executiouer.' =. fie upon
your laws they have 10 force.
All those who would rid our city If its robbers and
murterers viii assemble on Sunday, at two o'clock,
the Plaza.
The excitement now became irresistible. Many
Of our first citizens AT once stepped forward and
proposed to organize. captain w. ID. NJ. Howard
was called 10 the chair. The meeting was then adj
dressed by Judge Tiford who said he believed that
Stuart guilty. not only Of the crime for which
he was arrested, but for others; but he was not
sure as to the man Wildred-still he was ready by
any proper mode to cooperate with the citizens to
bring them to justice. Judge Gcary urged the peo-
pie to let the prisoners remain until they were more
fully tried by the courts and he would pledge his
word and honor that they should be securely
guarded. This proposition the people would not
accept. samuel Brannan urged the appointment
of committee from the people, who should have
power 10 guard the prisoners, and to examine all
the facts, with power to sead for persons and
papers, and report on Sunday. NJ 10 O'Clock, To
meeting Of the citizens. This proposition, amidst
overwhelming excitement, was finally adopted. The
following persons were appointed com nittee by
the people
Ells. IL. F. Tesehmaker, VIM II. Jones, Benz.
Ray, r. A. King 4. III. Sibley, J. l.. Folsom, F.
w. Macondray, Ralph Dorr, Theodore Payne, Tai
bot ii. Green, ]. L. HUE.
After the appointment Of this committee the
greater portion of the Ecrowd dispersed; but large
ma sses continued to hang around the court house
and the prison door, determined at all hazards to
see thst the prisoners were -ded and to prevent
any attempt at rescue. About 10 O'Clock at night,
q report was in circulation that some Of the gangs
of thieves had been heard to threaten to burn down
the city. The multtudes that filed every bar
room, and especially those who had attended the
meeting, soon spread the report. Voluntary pa
trolls Of the people continued to visit various por-
tons OF the city throughout the night. This being
in conjunction with the police, doubt prevented
many assaults, robberies and fires. During the
night, however there four attempts to rob and
murder. While Justice Shepherd was presiding, n
man entered his house but before being able to
commence operations, he became alarmed, and aed
on hearing Mrs :. coming down stairs. A young
man ON leaving the Public Balance office, ut two
o clock in the morning. was attacked in kearny,
near California street, by two ruffians. lie drew
pistol on the scoundrels when they fed There
were two Others, the particulars Of which did not
learn. That we are surrounded by strong band
Of well organized murderers and robbers there can
be no mistake-men who murder and rob, and COM
rades who stand ready to swear them through the
courts.
At half past SC ven, the above committee retired
into the Recorders Court room, and organized by
calling Captain w. ID. NJ. Howard TO the chair
and appointing Theodore Payne, Esq, as secretary.
Mr. BrsnnaR ProP1.sa to sec whether the prisoners
Mr.. Fallon, during the excitement, had removed
them to Judge Iilfords private room, where the
committee found them, and where they ordered
The Marshal to properly manaclc and secure them
Mr.. Brannan moved that patrol be selected and
nominated from among the citizens which motion
was carried, and the following mined persons were
chosen Fl. 4: Woodwork, John Syme, Cyrus
Palmer, A. Wardwell, solomon Purdy, Thomas
McCahill, Charles k. Bond, Il. Wingard, William
kettcll, j. &. Bell, j. L. Bidlcman, Gco. w. COT.
fee, John a. Mctilynn, Lloyd Mintum, joseph r.
Atwil, stephen Teschmakcr, Moses Flanagan, b.
Miner, Charles Wclch, Geo. Clifford
At this stage, considerable discussion took place
Mr.. Macondray thought that the committee should
be divided into three watches, to take turns in
guarding the prisoners Mr.. Brannan tho 1ght at
empts would be made to liberate them. He thought
he committee should be increased. Mr.. Macon
.rease its number. Mr.. Payne thought they should
proceed to try them. Mr. Tcschmaker understood
hat they were to serve as a jury. Mr..
ZONES considered that the people would OK.
beet some action on the part Of the COM
nittee. Mr.. Payne thought that they we're
bound to report in the morning. Mr.. Brannan in
listed on having the tried, and that persons
we're then ready to testify. Mr. Howard thought
hat ii the men went into court on Monday,
hey would be cleared. Mr.. Macondray thought
he time had come when we mus. act; that the com
nunty had borne these outragcs long onoagh: but
lid not think the committee had power to try them.
1r. Brannan was very much surprised to hear pco-
lie talk about grand juries recorders, or may
RS. I'm tired Of such talk. These men are muir
ercrs, well as thieves, and know IT. and will 4
lie or them hung by the neck. I'm opposed to /
ny farce in this business. We arc the Mayor and \
Recorder, the hangman and the laws. The law and 1
he courts never yet hung man in California and /
very morning We are reading fresh accounts of mar
crs and robbcrcs. lie wanted no tcchnicalities. /
such things devised to shield the guilty. JUS
lie Shepherd here made a statement. lie said /
hat an officer from Sacramento had annlicd in him