The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-04-24
Lynch Law in California -scenes in,
sacramento City--Onc Man Hanged. u

Sacramento City~-Onc Nan IIansed.
A fearful trnge,ly has been enacted In
On Tuesday, February a5ih,
at two O'Clock, George Myers, a respeeta-
bic citizen Of Sacramento, following the oc-
cupalion of a CARAVAN OF teaa,ster, was, shat
down and mertally wounded hy Frederick
}. hoe, u gambler. The event took place
opposite the Mansion House, corner of j
stree, aud the Ievee. difficulty had oc-
Cured at French Monte table, which re-
suited IN q personal scuffle between TWO or
three parties. Mr.. Meyers, who happened
to he near at the time, emieavored to- sepa-
rate the combatants, aud succeeded ~ ia
king away Roe from Il man whom he had
most cruelty beaten, when the latter drew
his revoI.er and discharged it, the ball en-
teriDg his head at the ear, and creating a
mortal wound. tii't nr iHifrt Z"
Roe was Immediately arrested by the City
Marshal and placed in the lookup. An
immense crowd speedily congregated, filed
with Indignation, and determined TO infict
Immediate punishment. The meeting hav-
ing been organized. aud chairman appoint
ed, twenty-five persons were deputeti to aid
in guarding the prisoner, and alter several
Intellectual attempts, by various citizens, to
dissuatie the people from their evident pur-
pose, a committee was appointed to inves-
tIgate the facts. Myers was sober, indus
trious citizen from Columbia, Ohio, where
he leaves family.
THE TRIAL.
The following jury Cor committee of in
vesigation) was selected:
}. II. Scranton, J. L. Bayley, w. F.
Prc.tyman, DIR. V. Spal,ling. Ogden Mills,
}. B. Starr, ID. b. Milne, ii. 6. Langly,
DR.. Cronin, P. u. Cornwall, Levi Her
nance, General VIM, and G. G. Wright.
The jury met At the Orleans House at 5
p. Nj. Levi Hermance was chosen Judge,
and Mr.. John CeaI, sheriff Col Kcwen
appeared as counsel for the prisoner.
Several witnesses were examined for and
against Roe-,hoSe for him being mainly
gamblers.
The procs edings Of The committee were
frequently interrupted 10y messages from the
crowd without, demanding despatch; and
that the lawyers should he "husiled out !"
rs they were only making delay. The wit
nesses having concluded, Col Kewen, Roe's
COUNSEL, said if the committee Judged it a
case of murder, the law would not.
The room was then closed for the Jury to
deliberate. The evidence was then sum-
med up, and vote wns taken as TO wheth-
er f J. Roe shot c. Fl. Meyers? 1t was
decided unanimously in the Affirmative
The committee then agreed upon and sign
ed a report, simply setting forth the facts
of the affair (as we have above stated them. J
SCENE OUTSIDE.
While the committee was taking testimo-
ny, various scenes were enacted outside.
Mr.. Cunningham, the Marshal, address,
ell the crowd, protesting against the course
they were pursuing, and insisting that the
prisoner should not he taken from his Gus
He called on all good citizens to aid him.
He was listened TO with great Impotence,
however and only three or four gentlemen
answered his call, who were greeted with
loud cries of diSapprobation, and calls for
vengeance upon the prisoner.
A committee having been appointed to
see to the safe keeping of the prisoner,
MIR. Right,nire addressed the assentIage,
calling for vengeance on the prisoner, and
stating that Meyers had left a wifi: and four
children. He saidi'' He had killed an inno-
cent, inoflenSivc man, Cd d--n him;
hang him" (Nociicrous applause.)
The crowd, which had greatly increased,
showing symptoms Of Impotence at the
length Of time occupied by the jury, and
Mr.. Clymer having SAID that some thought
the prisoner was not safe, and the Jury a
sham, committee of three, consisting of
Mr.. Rish,nirs, Dir. Taylor, and Mr.
Woodward, were appointed to see that the
prisoner was safe, AMI wait on the jury and
see what kept them so long. ....
The committee reported that the prison.
err was safe, and the jury were doing their
duty, aud requested that the lawyers who
were interfering might be taken OUT, ns the
jury were capable OF getting at the testimo-
ny without them. The meeting resolved
that the lawyers should he removed; AMI
amid intense excitement, committee of
some fiiiy, headed by DR.. Tayl"r, left the
meeting for that purpose. They shortly
returned and reported that the jury bad re-
moved the lawyers. DR.. Taylor recon-
mended The crowd to wait half an hour, and
il The jury did not by that time decide, he
would head party TO take the prisoner out
and hang him. These remarks were greet
ed with loud cheers.
Then MIR. Clymer said he believed the
committee of citizens appointed to guard
the prisoner had been turned out of the room
where he was.
This, of course, created great fermens
and il committee was Immediately appoint
ed, with Dr.. Tay lor at their head, 10 ex-
anime into the matter. DR.. Taylor soon re
ported that the prisoner was safe, and that
"a committee Of three was sufficient guard.
Addresses from Mr.. Queen aud other cit
liens followed, one gentleman, whose name
was not known, saying: "Fellow citizens,
the man who has been shot has a wife and
family. The deed was deliberate, cold
biooded-the prisoner should be hung. Let
Let those who are in favor Of hanging him
say nye. (rhe very air was rent with the
loud aye.)
Again the crowd grew tired Of waiting,
and Mr.. Righrmire and two others, were
again deputed TO wait on the jury. Mr.. X.
reported that the jary would probably give
their verdict in fifteen minutes. He was
satisfied decision would be made.
Voices-Huw!
MIR. Rightmre-On the right side.
VOices-W hich is thati
The crowd-To hang him-to hang up
the murderer.
MIR. Clymer believed the jury would find
verdict of guilty, and advised them to pre-
pare for the denouement, while DR.. Tay-