The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1856-07-02
Great Excitement in San Francisco
Reorganization Of the Vigilance Commit


San Francisco thrown into great excitement on
the 15th OF May. By attempt assassinate James
King of William Editor of the Evening Bulletin by
James P Casey, discharged Convict from Sing Sing
prison.
The cause of this trouble was the publication in
the Bulletin by Mr.. King that Casey had been in
above prison During the afternoon of the above day
Casey met Mr. King the corner. of Washington
and MontgoTne streets, and Casey drew q revolver
and shot Mr. King through the left breast near the
srm-pit. Mr.. King exclaimed Il shot. - and
into the Pacific Express Office, supported by
friends who approached him. the twinkling
of eye Mr. Casey of to the Station house
and locked up In less time than writing this
account. the street filed with persons and the
air Immediately filed with cries OF hang him hang
him, where is he, where is he, " run him up
the lamp post In less than three minutes the
street. about the above mentioned.
densey packed with human beings, who were in
wild OF excitement running in every direction
inquiring the of The assault the condition of
the wounded man. and the location of the prisoner
Mr.. Casey Immediately arrested and carried
10 the county jail. where it supposed he would
remain safe But the Jail was soon surrounded by a
great crowd. and the sheriff called several
panies of military guard the JAIL who refused
serve longer than the first day.
So excited the people by this murder that
they demanded the reorganization of the Vigilance
Committee which existed years since, and which
was terror to dens which exist in that city.
During the da of the murder and the following day
5000 people enrolled themselves the Vigilance
Committee books. and bound themselves ready TO
execute viii people. This Committee held
meetings every day, and on the 18th OF May it was
determined ty them take possession of Casey and
a named Cora who had also committed murder
months before but who had not been executed
to try them and if guilty hang them
All the members of the Committee who
spectacle merchants residents of San Francisco,
cd
some on horseback and foot.
II clock the 18th of May. the Vigilance
Committee 10 the number OF 5000, all armed with
guns and having several also, assembled INF
Montgomery street. to proceed 10 @he Jail and DEF
mand the bodies of Casey and Cora.
The whole neighborhood aboss the block embrac-
ing the Jail completely appropriated by specta
tors long before the arrival of the but at
their approach room made for them, and the
armed force went 10 work and cleared
away the lockers and drew up the different com
panies so that they commanded the entire square
A deputaticn of the Committee vas delegated
call at the door OF the jail and request the Sheriff
place them possession of the prisoner. Casey
On arriving the door, three Were made, up
on which Sheriff Scannen from the inside opened
the wicket and Mr.. Myers F. Truett, behalf OF f
the Committee. informed the officers of their err /
rand and wished the prisoner handeuffed and de-
1iyered to them at the jail door. Without any hest
tation the Sheriff repaired to the cell Of the prs-
ener and informed him that the Vigilance Commit +
tee were waiting at the door and demanded his
person and that he compelled 10 yield nm
mp: and that they wished him to be handcufed-
Casey was delivered mp by the Sheriff who saw II i
was useless TO resist the demand. and was taken
handcufFed from the jail in a carriage to the room
of the Vigilance Committee After securing Casey
as above the Committee proceeded back TO the jan
and renewed their demand for Cora The Sheriff
declined 10 deliver the prisoner up and asked for
thirty minutes longer which was granted hIn ana
then he declined saying that they had the power
they could take the whole Jail if they wished They
informed him that they regarded him as Sheriff and
thew would hold him responsible for the safe keep
ing of the rest of the prisoners. They only asked
for the person of Charles Cora. and they must nave
it, Their requests finally complied WITH ana
be was delivered up. and removed to the rooms
in the same manner and with quite as large
crowd attended Casey
On the 18Th and Goth of May the two prisoners
were tried before the Vigilance Committee and both
we're fopnd ruitv of murder and sentenced to be
hung
On the same day, the goth. Nj King died. hav-
ne lived FIVE days since he shot by Casey
The announcement of his death made and
he news went through the city like an electro
shock Tt passed from 10 man, ana street 10
street. until in few moments 1t was known al
,ver the city The first impulse of the masses was
n -,xb towards the rooms Of the Vigilance Com
nittaa m Sacramento street. impression
seemed 70 prevail that they would at once proceed
o execute the prisoner Casey, the reception OF
his
Almost SIS soon as the news OF the death OF Mr.
King had spread throughout the city, enolems OF
mourning were Immediately put on by our ei'lzens
nd hung out upon all the principal buildings ana
residences in The CITY The stores OF merchants the