The morning call., 1893-12-09

more to boasting and braggadocio than to
action requiring nerve and manfuness,
McGowan attained a queer place among
politicians of that day. Suspicious rather
than direct allegations or positive knowl-
edge haunted him until at last he became
fugitive from the vigilantes and an
outlaw.
The quality Of picturesqueness was that
OF the border adventureT, although Nc
Gowan is wall remembered for redeeming
personal characteristics and some virtues.
McG0wan was Sc years of age He came
OF a good family In Pennsylvania. His
brother fired the first gun of the civil war
at Fort Sumter. After receiving a liberal
education MCGOWAN entered political life
in 1887. Next year he was elected clerk of
a district near Philadelphia. to which po-
sltion he was reelected five times. In
1S42 be was elected 10 the Pennsylvania
Legislature. and in 1S43 was appointed by
Governor Porter Superintendent of the
State magazine for the eastern district.
Two years later be was elected Supern-
teDdent of Police for a district in Phila-
delphia, and he left that office to come to
California in 1S49. In his early days here
he filled political Offices of trust and prided
himself that not dollar went astray un-
der his management
After bis arrival in San Francisco he
became Justice Of the Peace, and went a
step higher as Associate Justice of the
Court of Sessions. Then he was ready
for favors from the Government, and gave
up the law for a good Federal office. he
remained In politics anu carried things
with high hand in his own estimation.
Money was nothing to him then. except
as medium for pleasures and the accom-
plishmeEt Of ambitions. Naturally bright,
possessing a good education. and In addi-
ton to these qualities vigorous constiiu-
ton and restless temperament. he occupied
a prominent place in politics if he did not
lead. With his desire TO be leader he be-
came involved in minor duels and esca-
pades.
The salient incident in McGowan's his
tory is his connection with James p.
Casey. the murderer of James King of
William. This alliance lifted him from
the plane OF common politician and as
sociate Of the rowdy element into the
prominence of leading character. James
King Of William, banker and merchant
Of San francisco, having abandoned that
business founded the Evening Bulletin.
He edited his young journal with fear
lessness that at this far day appears as
tonishing. His pen was listed against
vice and the rottenness that men aced the
growing community. In pursuance of his
high aim this editor incurred the hatred of
Casey, who was then McGnwan's in tim ate
friend. Casey was exposed as an inmate
of Sing Sing Prison, New York, and for
that he called at the Bulletin editorial
rooms and asked the editor not to rake up
the events of his past life in New York.
He threatened King of William. The fear
less writer only held on his way, correcting
abuses and incidentally referring person.
ally TO the ugly characters. He was as
sailed on the street. in 1856, by Casey and
shot, receiving wound which proved
fatal.
This was period of terror almost when
law-abiding men gathered together and
organized the Vigilance Committee that
law. order and decency might be respected
and preserved. The murderer was taken
from Jail and after trial was taken be-
fore the Vigilance Committee. was hanged
by that co inmiltee. and simultaneously an
indictment was found by the Grand Jury
against McGowan for completely in the
murder. 1t was said that McGowan was
informed by Casey that be would kill
King of William, and that he (McGowan)
waited to see the tragedy. Then it was
the indicted man became fugitive.
I'm his cunning. tact ana agility he
avoided the Vigilance Committee" said
prominent member of that body when
reviewing McGowan's career. while
others stood 10 fight lie got up and ran.
While the lawless element was dominant
he was very important factor in this
county. Ii was generally accepted by
them that he would hesitate a. nothing and
sacrihce ANYTHING and everybody to carry
his ends. Personally the Vigilance Com
mittee bad no ennity toward him. They
were not personal in their enmities-row-
dies were personal enemies. Well, as for
what they did and tried to do. I'm not
thrashIng out old straws.
III the committee had found MCGOWAN
be would have been deported. That was
all he was wanted for. He would not have
been hanged. He never took life on the
highway as the other four men who were
hCn nnd hut he yfotl
wanted solely to be shipped away from
this community with a caution never to
return. The committee would probably
have given him a first-class cabin passage
to New York, but he would not risk ap-
bearing. because he feared he would be
hanged. Often he had show he had no
mercy for his enemies when in his power.
and ne supposed that would be the action
of the committee in regard to him, in
which he was egregiously mistaken. They