The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-06-26

MURDER OF An EDITOR.
He.ivai OF the Old vigilance Committee

the l4,h inst the following account 81 The
recent terihll excitement IN ~an Francesca, /
growing out of the murder al .IAVg, kING. 7
Editor OF the Butein', hy J,NEs T.. CAsSrY,
Editor Of the Sunday Time The letter TO
thu Neg York TINES IS dated May 10th. Mr.
KING, ii appears, was greatly beloved aud res
pected by all the people Of san Frauci'c" cy
cept the gambler. rowdie, and shouder-,Iri-
kers" lie had devoted large space IN his
paper to the exposition Of the clllainle> OF the
officials and Others who have lived by Plunder
and fraud, aud which drew upon him the wrath
OF these gentry. The immediate cause OF his
assassination was an article charging Ct,rY
With being a Sing Sing convict
THE MURDER.
TN Wednesday afternoon last, a, about I've
clock. the whole city was reused by thc re-
port that James King of William, bad been
shot dead in the greatest bushes, thorough
fare of the city, by james j. Casey Sing
Sing convict. Casey was known AS q bal
lot-box stufier--also as a man who bad been
engaged 10 murderous ARRAY, growing ont OF
one Of these political operations. His name
was prominent one among the many hundreds
OF gamblers and shoulder strikers that have
always ruled this city, and the house OF every
harot opened Us II by magic, when his well
known knock echoed through il, balls. james
| L. Casey was also known US the ostensiblc cd
itor OF Sunday paper the Inss which had
| hundred ave perhaps thousands of influential
supporter
| Ii can scarcely be said that there was any
excitement among the people At least, there
was no sudden outbreak--no cbulition Of feel
| ing that would naturally follow such mon
strous outrage on a citizen 50 deep in the alice
tons of the people. Bat every mans eve
I flashed when he spoke Of it, and every man ;
countenance expressed settled determination
/ TO avengc Mr.. Kings wrongs and the wrongs
that have been hoaped upon this devoted city
Every man felt that the time had come for nc
! tion-all acknowledged that there were bu,
two questions at issue Shall We iorsakc this
iair city and deliver il up 10 the gamblers,
| thieves and murderers or shall We drive them
TO the wall
The day after the assassination the honest
men Of the city met in Council An EYecu-
tive Committee was appointed and the names
Of citizens were enrolled for public protection.
On Friday evening. several thousand names
we're on the list 1t was well known that the
Sheriff had refused to deliver up the criminal
to the Committeeman the jeil was filed and
the adjoining houses covered with armed mea
/ to protect Gim--ihat holes had been pierced in
the walls of the jau for musketry and cannon.
to bear upon the citizens who were organizing
10 take him out OF prison and execute him
Saturday evening the enrolling of names was
still going on, but out OF the many thousands
who signed none knew, save the Executive
what was to he done. They only knew that
they were good men who composed this Com
mittee. and that their part was TO obey orders
Tn Sunday morning, at nine O'Clock the di-
visions began to assemble at their armoros AT
halt past eleven o'clock. lines OF citizen imam
try were marching from different points toward
Broadway. in which the Jail was situated. The
force numbered 1900 bayOnets. Presently
followed a company Of rltlen,en 100 strong.
then the artillery aud part OF company OF
horse. Five hundred men, armed with rcvol-
vers also passed into broadway Eight hun
dred men remained in the armores as reserve
The spectacle was a most solemn and imposing
one. No buglo'S blast or beat of drum was
heard--nothng but the heavy tread of masses
OF armed men.
Scarcely word was spoken hy the thou
sands OF spectators who choaked up the streets.
The people in few minutes covered all the
stoples, houses, aud hills in the vicinity Of the
jail.
The two thousand armed men were drawn
up on every side of the building "a il for
sege The rifles were posted on the roots oi
the houses, overlooking the prison. \ heavy
piece of ordnance was planted pointed dead
at the great iron door, and loaded on the spot
A man stood beside it with lighted match
Stones were deliberately carried mp the Steps.
and placed in the gun-ports Of the prison.
When all was ready the demand was made
The city military and the guard Of the sheriff
having refused TO act, there was no remedy hut
submission.
Casey was taken from the prison, placed in a
carriage and guarded bv detachment OF horse
and infantry to the head quarters Of the Com.
mittee. The major part Of the military re-
manned in position around the jail. In one
hour the Committee again entered the Jail. de-
mandcd and obtained possession o! Charles Co
IA, the murder of L. ;. Marshal Richardson
At O'Clock +, NJ. notice was given that no
more proceedings would be had by the ON
mlttee until the morrow. The ciiizou- mostly
retired to their homes Three hundred armed
men. who we're relieved every three hours. kept
guard over the city all night, 10 prevent rows
or vengelul fires.
On Monday, every thing was quiet The
streets in front OF the Committee rooms were
tiled with people, who were evidently expect.
ing every moment the announcement that the
prisoners were 10 he executed that ,ay. But
rumors were in circulation that Casey was max
ing confessions which would implicate several
well-known mcu IN the conspiracy and thu
opinion finally gained ground that the eyocu
ton would he immediate
Knots OF people werc collected in Montgom-
cry, Sacramento. and other principal strrSts
reading the announcements OF Mr. Kings stu
alton. which werc hourly posted on the bulletin
boards. and discussing tbs all-at,-orbing topic
of the resolution. Al night the guards wrre
posted about the city and strong detacbmcnts
para,iei in front IT the door If tbs military
dpots
tine oi the most remarkable thing. coOrci,d
with this assassination was it, Bearing upon the
Press Of this city Mr.. kncs great success
IN the newspaper line had doubtess,y created
goo'! dial OF jealousy against him on the part
Of some OF his brother editors Ii va, InoSD
that 6e,Nsn hun and Jchn Nacent. editor Of
thc Herald, there Was 20 love lost. Mr. King
had often charged M. Nugcn, with bcing ,he
friend Of every t-cly who vas the enemy 81 the
B,'tgef'n. and lnpucniy spoke Of tbs H,rali
with Contempt The Hcraid with tin exoer.
tior OF tbs B.lid's was the host snprntt,,l Of
any Press. The suciion,crS. who occupy six
or eight columns daily with their advertise
ments. only pGtronizs! III, Heyalg. The morn