American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-22
NEWS DEP ARTMEnT.
NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA.
Horrible Marder of the United States
observation-disclosures Excitement II,
San Eronctsco-- Threats ofthe Pop
xlacsto Lynch the Murderer.
tTrom the San Francisco He raid {,

From the Ban Francisco He reld.1
One Of the most cowardly aud heart
less acts Of murder that we have been
called upon to record was committed
Saturday evening in public thorough
fare in one Of the most fiequen,ed sec
tinns of the city. The victim, William
II. Richardson was gentleman highly
estimated by large circle of friends in
this city, and occupied high official
position in tho State. From all we are
able TO gather, il appears that MIR. Rich.
ardson had some trifling difficulty with
a man named Charles Cora. Mutual
friends interfered in the matter, and it
was supposed tina, the difficulty had been
amicabIy adjusted.
About 81 O'clock last evening Messrs.
Richardson and Cora were noticed
standing in front of McAllister's build.
ing on Clay street below Montgomery
street. Several persons to whom both
parties were known were standing near
by. and presently Mr.. Richardson was
heard TO remark: "Well it is all right 2"
Cora replied: "Ycs." They converse
III low tone for some minutes, and by
this time Cora. had taken hold of tho
coat collar ofthe other with the left hand
Richardson suddenly exclaimed what
are you going to do2 Don't shoot me:
| am unarmed." AT this Cora produ.
ced small single barrel pistol, and be-
fore he could be prevented shot Rich
ardson through the heart.
The action was so sudden and unex-
pected. that the witnesses were for a
moment paralyzed, and Cora held his
victim against tho wall of the house for
the space of a few seconds. and then
suddenly relapsed his grasp. walked a.
way, but was arrested and pl laced in
the custody fofiicer Russell who has
tened with him to the Police Station
Richardson was taken into the drug
store of Messrs, Keith & Co., at the
corner OF Montgomery and Clay streets,
where he expired almost i'm mediately.
An immense crowd Immediately con.
gregaled in that vicinity, and it was
fonnd necessary to take the body of the
murdered man to some more secluded
place. and it was finally TAX en- to the
private Office of the Clerk Of the United
States District. BY this time very
large and excited crowd had assembled
completely blocking up the passage of
Montgomery street, for distance OF
two blocks. -..... d..
At this time there could not be less
than three thousand persons present
The utmost excitement prevailed. The
fearful cry Of Hang him! hang him ="
was raised. The public pulse beat at
feverlsh rate and ii is more than proc
ably tina, if the culprit had been within
reach. he would have been executed on
the spot. Several persons addressed
The assemblage in favor of hanging Cora
at once. while others counseIIed sub
mission to the laws. and spoke in ia
vor Of the maintenance Of the law and
order. 1t was finally put to vote--a
storm of ayes and noes followed 1t
was found impossible to decide whether
there had been majority in favor or
against hanging without recourse to
law. The assembly shortly alter broke
up into little knots, in which the euormi-
~ OF the crime which had lust been
committed was discussed in very ex.
cited manner. Others rushed to the
| station-house in order to ascertain what
disposition had been made ofthe prison
er.
In the meantime Cora was conveyed
to the staiion-hon and on being se a,ch.
ed two Deringers were found on his
person, one of which had but recently
been discharged. When the crowd be.
gan to gather about the station house,
the officers became alarmed for the safe
ty OF their prisoner and determined up
on placing him in the county Jail for
greater security. He was accordingly
removed there. During the whole Of
these proceedings. Cora displayed the
utmost GOODNESS and seemed never To
have los, his presence of mind. During
the walk from the Station house to the
county jail, he appeared somewhat agi.
tated, and apprehended that he might
be taken out OF the hands of The officers
by the excited people, frequently look.
ing back to ascertain ifhe was pursued.
The Coroner's Jury which suisse
quently sat upon the body returned
verdict of premeditated murder agains.
Cora.
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