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

fornia.
Mr.. Myers, the man who was shot, We are in
formed, came from the vicinity Of Columbus, Ohio,
and has left wife and several children. Fred. J.
Rove, the man who was hung, was about twenty
two years Of age, and an Englishlnan by birth.
TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT IN SAN FRANCISCO.
On Saturday, March lst., two men, Stuart and
Mildred, who were arrested as the persons charged
with committing the assault with the intent to kill
MIR. Janson, and who robbed him OF 5000, were
examined before Justice Shepherd, in the Recorders
Court room. The place was literally damned.
Previous to this, the criminals carried before
Mr.. Janson, who testified unequivocaly 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, Wildred was the man who was with him
The prisoners had their witnesses well drilled to
prove an abi John Wilson, Sidney bird, was
the first one brought forward by H. McAllister, the
defendants attorney, to testify. He swore that
Wildred was ut the Italian Saloon, on Long Wharf,
from seven to eleven o'clock, gambling, on the
night the assault and robbery. Justice Shepherd
had the good to consider his testimony entitled
to no credit whatever he contradicted himself in
every particular. Marks another witness for
the defence. lie proved that Mildred was with him
at the time the assault was committed, and for one
hour and a half afterwards; and that MILDRED was
a most innocent and proper citizen. The keepers
Of the Italian ansquenet could not testify chat
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
thorties, 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 mea-
determine upon some plan of action, the following
handful was circulated through the crowd
CITIZENS OF san FRANCISCO
The series Of murders and robberies that have been
committed in this city without the least redress from
the laws seems to leave US entirely in state OF anarchy
When thieves left without control TO rob and kill,
then doth the honest traveller fear each bush thief
Law, il appears is but nonenty to be scoifed at
dress can be had for aggression but through the never
failing remedy so admirably laid down in the code Of
Judge Lynch. Not that should admire this process
for redress but that II to be inevitably necessary
Are We 70 be robbed and assassinaed in domicls
and the law to let aggresso peranbulac the streets
merely because they have furnished bail II so
let each man b. his own cXecutiouer' Fic upon
! your laws they have no force
All those who would rid city Of its robbers and
murderers 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 70 the chair. The meeting was then adj
dressed by Judge Tford, who sad he believed that
stuart was guilty not only Of the crime for which
| he was arrested but for others but he was not
sure to the man Wildred-stll he was ready by
any proper mode TO cooperate with the citizens to
bring them to justice Judge Gcary urged the peo-
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 scnd 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
| thepeople;
Ellis, H. F. Teschmaker, VIM. ii. Jones' Benz.
Ray, r.. A. King. \. III. Sibley, J. l.. Folsom, r.
w. Macondray, Ralph Dorr, Theodore Payne, Tai
bot IL. Green, j. y. Huie.
After the appointment Of this committee the
greater portion of rcrowd dispersed; but large
masses continued to hang around the court house
and the prison door, determined at all hazards to
thst the prisoners qua -ded and to prevent
any attempt at rescue. About 10 o'clock at night
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
trolls Of the people continued to visit various por
tons of the city throughout the night. This being
IN conjunction with the police, no doubt prevented
many assaults, robberles 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 Pubic Balance office, ut two
o'clock IN the morning, was attacked in kearny,
near taiforna street, by two ruffians, lie drew
pistol on the scoundrcls, when they fed. There
were two Others the particulars Of which VIC did not
learn. That we are surrounded by u strong band
Of well organized murderers and robbers there can
be no mistake-mcn 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. d. VI. Howard to the chair
nj m Theodore Pm
we're safe Mr. Nacondray seconded the p notion.
Mr.. Fallon, during the excitement, had removed
them to Judge 1ilfords 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
was carried, and the following mined persons were
chosen F. 4: Woodwork, John Syme, Cyrus
Palmer, A. Wardwell, solomon Purdy, Thomas
MeCahill, Charles K. Bond, L. Wingard, William
ke''sll, J. g. Bell J. B. Bidleman, Geo. w. COT.
fee, John A. NlcGlynn, Lloyd Mintum, Joseph +.
Atsill, stephen Tescbmakcr, Moses Flanagan, ID.
h. Miner, Charles WEIGH, Geo. Clifford.
At this stage, considerable discussion took place.
Mr.. Alacondray thought that the committee should
be divided into three watches, to take turns in
guarding the prisoners Mr.. Brannan tho 1ght at
tempts would be made to liberatc them. lie thought
the committee should be increased. Mr.. Macon
crease its number. Mr.. Payne thought they should
proceed to try them. Mr. Teschmakcr understood
that they we're to serve jury. Mr..
Jones considered that the people would cx-
pcct some action on the part Of the com
mittce Mr.. Payne thought tha. they we're
bound to report in the morning. Mr.. Brannan in
sisted on having the men tried, and that persons
were then ready TO testify. Mr.. Howard thought
that ii the men went into court on Monday
they would be cleared. Mr.. Macondray thought
the time had come when we must act; that the com
munity had borne these outragcs long cnoagh: but
did not think the committee had power TO try them.
Brauunp wag Ner m ri.pd 10 b,a
pie talk about grand juries recorders, or may
ors. I'm tired Of such talk. These men are muir
derers, as well thieves, and know il; and will
die or sec them hung by the neck. I'm opposed to
any farce in this business. We are the Mayor and |
Recorder, the hangman and the laws The law and
the courts never yet hung man in California and
every morning reading fresh accounts of muir
dcrs and robberics. lie wanted tcchnicalities.
Such things devised to shield the guilty Jus
ti,e Shepherd here made a statement. lie said |
that officer from Sacramento had applied to him