The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-30
WILLIAM TELL COLEMAN.
HE Leader OF San Francisco yigilant
Visits Rellfngham Bay.

Visits Beilingham Bay.
WnArcox. July 29.-Yesierday your CORES
Dnndenf met Ut the Sehome hotel . gentleman
Who llled prominent position in the vigilance
c6mmiftees which enforced Law and order in
IN Francisco In 1851 and 1856. His name IL
William 7. Coleman, now sc years of age, ro-
ooEt and well preserved He arrived In Califor-
a III in '49. was 9 leader Of men in the pioneer
11ys. and for long years Of erward cut wide
0Hxfh in polid and commerce. in the Golden
Gate city. Modest and retiring in disposition,
ulacssnt 70 dwell upon the stormy days and
! eirring incidents OF the fities. Mr.. Coleman re-
hled in running conversation something OF
pioneer days on the Pacific coast, which may be
L = Interest TO your readers
ia answer TO an Interrogation, Mr.. Coleman
nd that he was identified with the vigilance
cmmittee formed by the good citizens OF San
francisco in the years 1851 and 1856 for the pur-
poee Of enforcing law and order selim Wood
worth was chairman OF the committee OF 1851
md Mr.. Coleman was an active member. That
eommittee tried, convicted and hanged four
confessed and notorious murderen and ban
ished twenty Eight other criminals and ex-con-
sIcts from sydney, Australia In 1857 the
oourts were either indifferent to the demands Of
justice or incapable OF Furnishing criminals.
Rcbberies and murders became 30 frequent that
the best citizens banded together for protection
Of life, properly aud society. Selim Wood
Eeettie.
The vigilance committee of 1886 WIS power.
fui body Of $500 men under arms aud 900 un-
armed. William T. Coleman was chairman OF
the committee There was a strong executive
committee. OF whom A. L. ubbs. T. ]. L
Smiley, c. J. Dempster. Captain Burns and
MIXERS are still living in San Francisco The
fjecf OF the organization was TO supplement or
snpersede the mad, qnate courts in the enforce
msnt OF law and order; to mete out speedy aud
B Just punishment TO the outlaws, thieves and
muruerers who preyed upon the city of San
Francisco The committee was composed of
the better elements Of society, organized to
prevent mob violence and to carry out honestly
snd truly the course of Jaws after the manner
4 q competent courts. The vigilantes filed the
middle ground between the incompetent
authorities who failed 10 perform their duties
ana the mob which executed men without due
oeliberation. The mode OF the committee was
~ entire harmony with the judicial tribunals
q the country. The accused were tried before
eoerf and jury; they were SLOWED counsel for
defense, and the testimony OF their witnesses
Nas taken and sifted. It was a cardinal rule
mat no man should be punished unless FIRST
proven guilty, but ii found guilty there was no
oeaay in execution of sentence. no escape from
punishment None but murderers were hanged,
ana after trial they all confessed their crimes
The vlgilantes of 1856. after due trial and con-
ucfon, hanged four notorious mnrderers and
oenisned fwenry-eieht other criminals-the
ame number as did the committee OF 1851 The
work OF the first committee met no serious re-
sstance. hut the vigilantes of 1856 encountered
md overcame remarkable opposition.
N isab elections were farce; the ballot box
Vas corrupted by mobs of political rugues and
men not even mentioned as candidates before
sseftioh were elected by stuffing the ballot box.
.na class oil crimes was not provided for by
Nv. There was no available penitentiary. and
Wrapping wss neither efficient nor desirable.
therefore very large class OF such crimins
we're eanished from the state for iie-aud m st
y them gave the United States considerable
trouble afterwsrc.
uae notable case of baliot-box ssufhng was
ud Of Casey, the ex-conyfct from New York.
tno was returned as elected TO the city council
me two judges OF slection--Yankee Sullivan
eld McGowan. Casey was not known as a cam
.1ate before he was declared elected aud en-
xtxd epon his duties The respectable portion
y tae community became indignant. aud James
Alng. OF William. edi'or OF bold newspaper,
aaa the manhood to denounce the fraud ana
Pu0sish the record OF the ex-conyict Casey
aus enraged Casey, who demanded a retrac-
va which was refused, whereupon Casey shot
1e eaitor. This act precipiiated great storm,
3 Rsnfn. -
he late Judge Terry. then member Of the
sascfhis supreme be. en-, came down from
sfAne0to with the crowd who were ouposipg
- sleiisntes, and he was unfortunately present
N1sn 40 officer ei the committee enoeayoref n,
- Reuben Asicney. Terry interfered. and
80 asa aiskknife stabbed Hopkins, the officer
esssanpNng 70 make the arrest The wound in.
-ssea ey Terry was supposed 30 be fatal, aud the
kssuses arrested him and all the officers
ns oppo<lsioa who cam with him aud i'm
-. 's ss .nem Tor twenty four hours, when all
nsfe discharged except Terry. who was held -
ANsh the result OF Hopkins vuund In the
enume, however, Terry MAS tried by the Wig
me trial occupying fifteen days The
- ana the defendant Were ably REPRESENTED
!, sansei. witnesses testified on behalf OF both.
s s's eoartssiex Of a regular court were shown