The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1880-07-20
THF VI0ILANTs 81 OF 81.
How They Suppressed the Des-
perate Sydney Coves."
The HanGipG Of John Jenkius
James Stuart and Whitaker
and HcKenSie-Quick
Work IN Early Times.

san Francisco Globe.
There is probably no portion of the
history Of San Francisco which has
more excited the attention. tine
mingled wonder aud applause. scnrn
and Indignation. Of the civilized
world than the proceedings Of the
famous vigilance committee. To law
loving. peaceful and worthy peoPle
in the ssist and Europe it did certain
" seemed surprising that city Of
thirty Thousand Neutrality-suspicious.. IN
it represented virtually the riches.
business AMI character OF n city of
twice that number-should patiently
submit tn the improved law xnd ar
bitrary will of a secret society among
however numerous and
the members might he
reputed. Few people abroad could
Of such state Of things ~
would justify tine fhrmsiion and indie
pendent action of an association which
set Itself above all formal law; there
fore, in other lands the term "vigi.
lance committee" often became term
of reproacl,. In San Francisco itself,
proceedings OF that body, the great
nunber cordially Approved Of them.
We have already mentioned the
affair Of Hounds" in 1919. The
summary measures taken ut tina,
period had the effect for a while Of
keeping lawless characters within
bounds. But the great immigration
in the fall III that year naturally IN
Outraged new depre,iations, which, in
the hustle of the time AMI place. were
unteit nv any hat the sctual victim.
In 1850 = vast immigration took
place. and among them were some al
the mus, daring AMI clever Iascils IL,
the world. When any particular
kcaliiy becsue too hot to- hoiI them
another Of the mining ree'"as VA.
really tn receive and shelter the
iugiiives. Wherever they went they
knew they would find hauats for
fellows like them selves, upon whuse
aid they could always rely t. execute
new ou,rsg.s or give any kind Ut tes-
timony that might b. needed tn &c,
them out Il .crape Thus there wa,
gradually tirn,'! a secret combination
among the thieves. burglars and
murderers Of the country.
America supplied a number ii these
plunderers. while the different coun.
tries Of Europe likewise contributed q
proportion. But the most daring,
and probably the INST numerous
class. had come from Van Diemau's
Land and Australia. These sydney
ducks" were comparatively safe in
their attacks ON society. They did
not lose the opportunity, and during
the fall of 1S49, the whole Of 1850
and the early part of 1851. reaPe,i
q large harvest. Their headquarters
lay around Ciark's Point, IN Broad.
way and Pacific streets and the i'm.
mediate vicinity. 1t was the notoriou,
Sydneytown Of San Francisco. There
might be found low drinking and
.,--..~~ ."~-~-s s~'s.;-e II ~---Ll:-s.
houses, and constant scenes al
drunkenness. lewdness aud STRIFE
abounied. The occupants Of this
section were all more or less addicted
tn crime. and many Of them were
always ready for a irife To kill man
or burn town. During the early
hours Of the night it was dangerous
for single person Z, venture within
its bounds, and when an arrest was
to be made . numerous, strongly.
armed force was necessary. The muir
derer, incendiary AMI burglar had
full sway, and they defisd detection.
arrest or conviction. They ridiculed
the law. which was impotent 50 far
as they were concerned; the prisons
we're small and insecure. and they
that many Of the persons in
various high and low departments Of
the executive belonged TO their body.
San Francisco had just been de-
stroyed.a fifth time. by FIRE; the cities
Of stockton and Nevada had shsled the
same fate. That part Of i, was the
doing Of incendisries. M one doubted,
and. too. no one doubted that this
terrible state Of things would continue
anil grow worse until q new and very
different executive should rise up in
against Those pests that
worried society and preyed upon It's
vitals. 1t was at this time the vigi-
ance Committee was organized. This
was in June, 1851. In their con-
they stated:
"Whsress it has became apparent
% the citizens Of San Francisco that
here is no security for life and pro-
'erty either under the regulations If
ociety as it at present exists. or under
he law as now administered; there
ore the citizens whose names are
lereunto attached do unite them
elves into an association for the
Of the peace and gnod
rider Of society and the preservation
4 the lives and property Of the citizens
{ San Francisco, and do bind our
elves each unto the other to do and
q Perform every lawful act for the |
Of law and order when |
and property administered /;
ut We are determined that M thief,
urglar. incendiary or assassin shall
scape punishment. either by the
uibblee Of the law. the insecurity Of
risons. the carelessness or corrup-
on Of the police or laxity Of those
tho pretend to administer Justice
An occasion soon happened to test
he character Of this extraordinary as-
On the evening If June
D, 1851, q man named John jenkins
ntered store on Long Wharf and
ole safe. He Was seen to get into
boat With a large bundle slung on ,
IS back. He vas followed and soon
hut before heinv cantnred