Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-09
CITY AND DISTRICT.
AssAssINATED IN CALIFORNIA.
Tragic End Of n Citizen OF This District
on the Pacific Coast.


TIE DEATH on MRS VIM, A GEORGETOWN LADY. IN
SAN FRANCISCO RECALLS STIRRING EVENTS IN TIE
CAREER IN THAT CITY or HER FIRST HUSBAND,
JAMES KING, FORMERLY wELL-KSowS HIRE.
Mrs Charlotte NJ VIM, who died in san Fran
cisco on the 9th ult-, as heretofore briefly men
toned in The STAR, was the daughter OF the late
Joseph LIBBY. the well-known lumber dealer OF
Georgetown, ID. G.. where she was born April 20,
ls,6 and was married there TO James King OF
william June 20. Is43 He was assassinated in
San Francisco In 1856 and In September 1854, she
became the wife OF Gen. A. VI. Winn the first
mayor OF sacramento who died In Issl san
Francisco paper says: "Her children, all OF them
OF her first husband, are Charles James King a
merchant OF this city; Joseph L King. member OF
the san Francisco stock and Exchange Board;
George W. King. Mrs. :. E DuttOn. and Mrs. Rus
sell J. wilson Mrs. King was all her life de-
voted Christian woman. and had been for many
years an active member OF the First Congrega-
tiOnal Church"
PIONEER CALIFORNIA BANKER
James King OF William. the first husband OF the
deceased lady, was also born In Georgetown. JAN
uary ., lsso- To the name OF James King he
added the frst name OF his father to distinguish
him from other James Kings OF whom there were
several In the District The san Francisco Eren-
ING Bulletin, which paper he founded, says:
"He arrived at san Francisco on the 10th OF No
vember, In 1s4S, and after some mercantile
u II,
1s4s. old Caifornians still remember his estab-
lshment on the southwest corner OF Montgomery
ana Commercial streets, and the enigmatical sign
over the door, James King OF VIM He was very
successful at nrst and made a large fortune. but
afterward lost IL all by bad speculation. He was
afterward employed In the banking department OF
Adams Co.'S Express. and upon the failure OF
that firm he made another effort to establish him
sell In the banking business on LIS own account,
but was not successful lie was noted for purity
and probiJy and his fearless hostility TO the law
less classes whose dominance in public affairs
caused the organization and regime OF the visi-
lance committee In 1853 he was foreman OF the
grand jury that indicted the city treasurer, and
he was then
WARNED OF DESIGNS AGAINST HIS LIFE,
but this did not cause him TO finch from duty. On
July IL, 1856, Mr. King was assaulted on Mont
gomery street by person who since became one OF
San Francisco's wealthiest citizens. He punished
his assailant severely on the spot, and was then
challenged TO mortal combat by the latter. Mr..
King replied In an open letter In most dignlfied
and courageous manner, refus ng to accept the
challenge and characteriZing his adversary as a
contemplate coward, engaged in silly attempt
To manufacture for himself a reputation for
chivary.' on the Sth OF october, 1850, Mr.. King
started the Erenin0 Bulletin which suddenly rose
into unbounded popularity. He waged a vigorous
and unrelenting war against the professional
gamblers, duelists, rowd1es, and assassins who had
managed TO occupy the Federal and local offices.
de did not m1nce words or Use gentle sentences In
referring TO them. The consequence that
conspiracy was formed. which mad for Its end his
assassination, and It was accomplished
''Mr. King was taken unawares and deliberately
shot down near the northwest corner OF Mont
gomery and Washington streets by James p.
Casey, about O'Clock on the afternoon Of Wed
nesday. May IA, 1856 The fatal missile was
ball from a navy revolver, which struck his left
breast, passing entirely through his body. He
fingered until O'Clock on Tuesday, May 20. He
wasin his thirty-ffth year when he died His re-
mains were deposited in Lone Mountain cemetery.
In the appalling list OF asSaSsinatiOnS and crimes
that olackened that period, none excited such an
Intense feeling or Indignation against the perpe-
traitors, and 50 much sympathy for the bereaved as
this murder. The issue or the Bulletin on the fol-
lowing morning contained the most impressive not
ice OF his death In perfectly blank space, where
Mr.. Kings trenchant editorials were wont TO ap-
pear. IL was the eloquent absence OF a hand
palsied by DEATH The murderer, Casey, was
hanged by the vigilance committee on the after
noon OF Thursday, May D., In the presence OF
vast multitude and while the funeral services
were being said over the body OF his victim at the
Old Unitarian church on the west side of stockton
street. between Clay and Sacramento. Mr.. King
lett widow and six children, and, In testimony OF
the high estimation in which he was universally
regarded, the people OF San Francisco and the
state presented his widow and family with a sum
raised oy voluntary contributions amounting to
$4,000.