Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-10
The Pioneers Of 10
VERSUS
The Hounds Of San Francisco.
BY HENRY LYLES,

VERSUS
The Hounds Of San Francisco.
BY HENRY LYLEs.
Editor SaT:-Seeing several accounts In re
gard TO the Hounds of San Francisco" con
tanning errors In point of time, &C., and as
was one of the pioneers of 49," and have dis
tinct recollection In regard to the suppression
of this gang by the pioneers, / will give you
different version OF the story, from that now
going the round Of the press:
I first heard of the existence of this forrnid
able body OF men In Valparaiso Chill from the
natives who desired to go to California, but
were afraid on account OF the known enmity OF
the Hounds against the Spanish race. This
was attributed to the fact that many of the
Hounds were disbanded Mexican volunteers
and had carried their aEimosit1eS into the body
OF which they were now members, which con-
sisted mainly OF convictS from Van DeimaDs
Land. and other British colonies We again
heard or them when within three days sailing
OF San Francisco; for on speaking an outward
ship. they informed US In very graphic terms
that they were just from Hades and were id
glad to get away.
On our arrival IN the harbOr we were boarded
by several men wearing the Hounds distinctive
uniform, the round crowned chinese hat. One
or them engaged to take my luggage ashore
AFTER had made my agreement, i was informed
that the man was one OF the Hounds. Not
caring TO make an enemy OF a member OF so for
mldaDle an organization, / adhered to my con-
tract, and had no cause to complain. so that /
came TO the conclusion that the devil is not
always black. But soon had cause to change
nv opinion, as / found that a more peStieDt
body OF thieves and murderers never existed
They were terror to the community as the
authorities were paralized to such an extent
that the gang were privileged to do as they
pleased Having perfect organization under
their captain and neutenantS no man In San
francisco had the nerve to stand up and de-
nOunce them.
This state OF affairs continued until Sunday,
the 18th OF July, 1S49, when the Hounds"
having ON the Chinese hat as their distinctive
nv q hor Of
states flags. paraded under the command OF
samuel Roberts as captain and VIVA. Saunders
as first lieutenant, with other officers all in full
regimental uniform, and marched out to the
Catholic Mission, some three miles from San
Francisco where they became drunk, and In
their orgies insulted many Of the Chiline and
Mexican women In such gross manner that
finally young married CHILEAN, stung to mad
ness by an insult offered his wife, shot one OF
the gang by the name of Beatty, when the
Hounds" perfectly Infatuated, tore down their
tents, and after beating and maltreattne the
men and women until they became tired. re-
formed and marched back to the city.
terrible excitement In the city, and by nightfaiI
some fifteen OF the best citizens had assembled
In Col sam Brannan'S house to deliberate on
Inc n 9est manner OF SURPRISING this formidable
tee, consisting OF Col Sam Brannan Capt Bear
summons and Major ID. M. Howard should In the
morning make demand on the alcalde TO issue
proclamation calling on the people TO assem-
PIE In town meeting on the plaza. This was
duly attended to, and the result was the Issuing
OF the following
whereas t9ere exists in this city an organized
band band Of desperate men. known as the "kegula-
sors or Hounds, whose acts of wantOn cruelty
and ro66erie. are DISGRACE and q terror to the
Dpesent ana whereas sne aushorties as at
formidable body of lawiess men Therefore, re-
Sness all we'll disposed citizens to assemble the
70 consult together and determine the best mode to
suppress this formidable organization.
Witness hand and seal this 18th day of JuIy
A. D. 1849.
lsEAL.I T. NJ. LEAvExwoRrH,
Acalde City OF San Francisco.
Accordingly, the citizens to the number OF
four hundred assembled In the Plaza, I'm com
pany with fifty or sixty OF the Hounds" who
as usual, wore the Chinese hat In open brayado.
While we were waiting In expectancy OF what
next was to happen, Colonel Sam Brannan.
captain simmons, Colonel Stevenson Major
Howard and other prominent citizens. all heaU-
ly armed, arrived, and going up the steps OF the
old adobe building, then standing on the Plaza
and coming TO the front on the porch Captain
simmons said, Gentlemen, you have been re-
queSted Dy the Alcalde OF the city 10 convene In
toWn meeting Tor purpose that VIII more fully
develop Itself as We proceed. and as IL is proper
That we should proceed In order l nominate as
president OF the meeting Colonel Sam Brannan
tCries OF '.Brannan," "Brannan.1 Col Bran
nan said In response: Captain Simmons. for
the honor you have done me in proposing my
name as president, and my friends so warmly
seconding my nomination, / return nv most
sincere thanks. While i most respectfully de-
cline the honor, and with the permission of
captain simmons, nominate my friend Major
ID. n. Howard as gentleman well Qualified to
preside On this occasion" Immediately there
was great excitement. the Hounds" laughing
and shouting bOlSterOuSly. There were cries OF
bah. i knew that cock wouldn { light he
crows too loud" ''Get down. Brannan: get
down: you're dunghill; get out you lubbsr,1
The crowd swayed to and fro, plsto Is were
drawn, and the excitement ran high. Several
persons recollected that they had important
business TO attend TO and took their leave.)
Inn l(r mn thkAf
as are In favor OF Major Howard acting as presi-
dent OF this meeting will say aye; those opposed
VIII say no. The motion is carried. Major
Howard you VIII please take the chair"
Major Howard said: Gentlemen thank Won
for the honor conferred upon me, which is at
THIS time OF grave responsibility; but with your
aid there Is no doubt that will be able to carry
out all your requirements, even TO the hanging
or the ScoundrelS who. by their conduct. have
caused US 10 assemble here today. now await
goose cacfle.' '.He talks htph h0yS " s.Ve;II
go for him presently."l
Captain Sir1mons.-'.I propose as secretary OF
this meeting Col. L VI. Stevenson
Major Howard -''Col. Stevenson is propoSed
as secretary. Arc there any objectionse hear
none; colonel pie: e take your seat
Major Howard Gentlemen the meeting fs
now organized and, rs the object Is fully stated
In the proclamation OF the Aicalde, the chair
VIII hear any proposition bearing upon the OBJ
jectS or this meeting"
Captain SimmonS.-'I move the appointment
OF a committee TO report, at future meeting,
what course TO pursue In order TO put down thfS
band OF thieves and murdererS'
Colonel Brannan--'A committee hill, sir.
We want no committee; We want men, right
here and now, and nothing but men In this ter
rfole crisis when we have to deal with thieves
and lmurdererS, who In open defiance OF Law
commit crime for sport and murder as pas
time until they have been led to believe that
our forDearance is cowardice. Sir, the men as
sembled here to-day have too long tolerated this
incubus upon their prosperity; yes, sir and
upon their manhood: As If any such band of
villains could intimidate any man who has dealt
with ,human. hrutes, for all such brutes are
towards! Look, sir, at my house in sight OF
this meeting, which these demons have
threatened TO burn. Let them try 1t. They
dare not; for they know me well
enough 10 know that l detest and deSpiSe
apd do not fear them (ThiS was received with
dertsiye laughter by the Hounds, with cries OF
Bah" shut upl' You're gassing,' and an In
sulting sheer from Saunders.) Yes, laug!s while
you Can, You poor, miserable tools OF more
SlNeo villain. And you, you Sneerfng ScOun-
ofel, are next In command of this damnab,e
Crowd Yes, sir, this fellow Saunders, lust
below me, Is one; here, my friends Is another;
marx them, men, as point them out; and here
"A your very midst, stands their Captain
Lnat porty VILLAIN with smiling face, who is
ready TO run like whipped cur at your firSt
manly effort TO take him. Now, then. men Ia
your time. Go for them. D5,cn 10Th he
Rounds, Kill II necessary; but, at all hazards
take them. Men, seize them! BIZ TIE efeTnGi
seize them" Colonel Brannan iumned from
the platform, followed by the rest: the excite
Inent was intense, and amid pistol shots null.
ing and hauling, knocking down with hind.
geonS, 6c.-Such scene as firSt-class Riot