Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-06-16
THE CALIFORNIA TRAGEDY.

The California papers are occupied almost
exclusively with details Of the murder Of
James King, and of the subsequent proceed
ings of the Vigilance Committee. The Alta
Californian of May 81, says:
Up to Sunday night, the 18th inst the con-
dition of Mr.. King was satisfactory to his ply
clans, and hopes were entertained of his sur
viving, but during the night he complained
much of his left shoulder and the seat of the
wound.
LAST MOMENTS OF THE SUFFERER.
At o'clock on Tuesday morning, he began
to complain Of sickness at the stomach, which
unfavorable symptom increased against all
efforts to control it, and he soon after COM
menced to vomit. His stomach would not re.
tain anything, and he continued getting worse,
he breathed his last.
THE EFFECT OF THE NEWS.
About 80 minutes past o'clock, the dread
ed announcement Of his death was made, and
the news went through the city like an electric
shock. 1t passed from man to man, and street
to street, until in a few moments it was known
all over the city. The first impulse of the
masses was to rush toward the ROOMS of the
Vigilance Committee, on Sacramento street, as
an impression seemed to prevail that they
would at once proceed to execute the prisoner
VIEW OF THE BODY.
At about FIVE o'clock the body of the de.
ceased was exposed at the room where he died
in Montgomery Block, and an opportunity was
afforded for persons to view the corpse. The
broad hall and stairway leading into the front
of Montgomery Block was soon blocked up by
body of persons who were anxious to see the
remains of one so much endeared to them In
life. continual line Of persons was passing
to and from the rooms for this purpose until
late hour at night, and thousands looked upon
the features of a man they only knew through
the columns Of the Evening Bulletin. At
eight o'clock this line extended to Clay street,
or two blocks along Montgomery street.
Mr.. KINGS FAMILY.
Mr.. King leaves a very interesting family
of wife and six children, all Of whom are
less than fourteen years Of age. Mrs. King
had been by his side almost constantly since
be was injured, and was with him at his death.
She has borne up under this great bereave-
ment with no ordinary fortitude She came
down last evening to view the corpse again.
and the crowded column that was pressing to-
ward the room was stopped by the police, and
she spent few moments over the corpse, af-
ter which the waiting multitude were again
admitted to the chamber of death A curious
individual, who stood at the entrance to the
building where the people were going in,
counted those who went in until he got six
thousand, and estimated that there must have
been not less than ten thousand persons that
saw the corpse after o'clock last evening.
THE EFFECT UPON CASEY.
1t is said that when the news Of the death
deeply affected, and trembled more than on
any previous occasion. If he had any hopes
of escape before, they must have vanished at
the knowledge of this intelligence. He was
called upon yesterday by Charles Gallagher,
with whom he will finally arrange his bust
ness affairs. He is possessed of some valuable
real estate here, beside other interests which
will probably be transferred to Mr.. Gallagher
Casey eats or sleeps but little, but walks his
room almost constantly, and keeps US his cour-
age most remarkably. Ho is possessed of a
powerful nervous system, and capable of great
endurance. lie is just such man as would
naturally 60 to the gallows with firm step.
THE POST MoRTEN
An examination of the body was made this
morning by the attending physicians, when it
was found that the artery was not injured
nor was there much internal bleeding, the
death being occasioned principally by the
shock to the nervous system, which was so
great that reaction could not be produced
sufficient to obtain any benefit from remedial
agents.
Various accounts are given OF the shoOting
and it is difficult to say how il was done
There were several persons standing about,
among whom were ex-Mayor Webb and Gen.
Estell. The most authentic account that we
can get seems to be that Casey saw Mr. King
approaching, and at proper time he started
suddenly at him, threw his cloak from his
shoulders, and taking his pistol in his hand,
deliberately fired at his opponent. 1t is said
that Mr.. King drew pistol as soon as he saw
that he was to be attacked, but he did not
have time to use it, and it was taken from his
hands by VIM Nicely johnson, who aided him
into the house.
There were about a dozen talented physi-
slams who stood over him, and did everything
that science, skill, and practice could suggest
Among those active in his relief were Drs
Gray, Cole, Harris, Nuttall, and Hammond.
For some structures which the San Francisco
Herald published on the action of the Vigi-
lance Committee, q large number of mer
chants withdrew their patronage, and the pa
per was accordingly reduced in size about one
half, with loss to their circulation of two
thousand subscribers.