Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-22
HISTORY.
The San francisco Vigilance Co1mststee
of 1896.


Committee of Safety" Of '56, San
Francisco was in q desperate condition.
The worst elements Of society had pos
session Of the Government, and respect
ability was at discount. Taxes were
1874 on the 500, with an ever-increas-
ing and alarming Indebtedness. Elec-
tons began after the polls were closed.
The Judges of the courts were elected
by the people, and the candidates who
put out the most money were returned
as elected. There was no remedy but
in revolution.
James King, banker, had commenced
the publication of the Evening Bulletin,
devoted to reform. Clear-headed, brave
even to rashness, he did not hesitate to
speak Of things as they deserved, and
his paper at once leaped into popularity
and success. Having an ample field,
he exposed corruption whereverhe found
it. The Government Of the city was q
dual one-that is, there was city Board
Of Aldermen and Council, and also a
county Board Of Supervisors, for the
city embraced the entire county. This
form Of government was originated for
the purpose Of doubling the Offices, so
that "the boys" could have good pick
ings. An election had just been held.
James Casey was Inspector of Elections
in district No. 6 in the city. "Yankee"
Sullivan was Inspector of Elections in
district No. IL, outside the city proper.
Not being able to read and write, Sulli-
van, after the polls were closed, sought
the assistance Of Casey in making up his
return. Casey, on taking possession Of
the ballot-box, remarked: There has
been some big cheating here, land, toss
ing the ballots upon the floor, deliber-
ately proceeded to make his returns to
suit himself, returning himself elected
as Supervisor from the Twelfth district,
when there had been no ballots cast for
him, and he was serving as Inspector in
the Sixth district. In commenting up
on the fact, the editor Of the Bulletin
took occasion to speak of Casey's convic-
ton, in New York, of criminal oAense.
Casey, Ned MCGOWAN and two others
shook dice to see who should shoot
Mr.. King. The lot fell to Casey.
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, on
the corner Of Montgomery and Wash
ington streets, Casey met King, and,
with a navy revolver in his hand, ad-
vanced and fred. King was fatally
wounded, and Casey was glad to find
refuge in the jail, under charge Of his
friend, Sheriff Scannen. The city was
in commotion. In the evening, the ex
element had subsidized to that calm
which precedes storm. The citizens
quietly entered door Of warehouse,
registered their names and retired.
When they registered they were given
their number, which they were en-
joined to remember. Before midnight
600 had registered. The next evening
they were called to meet in Turn
Verein Hall, where they were
told that each 100 would constitute a
company or division. From No. l to
No. 100 would be known as the first di-
vision. From No. 101 to No. 200 would
be known as the second division, etc.
Places Of meeting for the respective d.
visions were appointed, and they were
ordered to elect Captain and Lieuten-
ants. They were afterward organized
as regiments, etc. The organization
was simple and easy, and proved very
effective. Cora, who had shot and
killed United States Marshal Richard
son, was confined in jail with Casey. It
was Sunday mornings bright, sun
shiny day. The alarm bell sounded.
&c Vigilantes" hurried to the rendezvous.
Four detachments, numbering over 1000
men in all, took up the line of march,
and surrounded the jail. The Sheriff
held a short parley with the President
of the committee, and surrendered
the prisoners, who were removed
to the quarters Of the committee. They
were tried by the Executive Committee,
which consisted Of twenty-six members.
For sentence of death the verdict must
be unanuimos. Then there was Board
Of Delegates, consisting Of three repre-
sentatives from each division Of 100 men,
a board which. in the aggregate, num-
bered over 200 men, who, by majority
vote, had to ratify or annul the sentence
Of the Executive Committee. Prisoners
were allowed counsel, and all witnesses
whom they desired were summoned. It
was not lynch law. A man had fairer
show for his life than before an average
jury Of twelve men, but there was no
appeal. Casey and Cora were hanged.
Chilly Muligan," "Dutch Charley"
and many others (the names of some OF
whom it would astound many readers to
hear), were shipped out Of the country.
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