New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-23
WILLIAM T. COLEMAN DEAD.
a CONSPICUOUS FIGURE IN CAIFoltNiAS
HISTORY.


VIGILANCE COMMITTEE or 1856 AND IN
CowING THE KEARNEY MoB-HEAD
OLA GREAT BUSINESS, WHICH
FAILED NINE YEARS AGO.
taY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrSE.I
San Francisco Nov. 22.-The death OF Niii'a"'
T. Coleman this morning removes one OF the most
conspicuous and picturesque figures In California
history He represented all that was pest III
California activity and enterprise foi many
years he Of the most prominent ''e
chants in this city. and the business OF 'he III Ia
finally included nearly everything which Ca" 's
bought and sold as merchandise MT. 'oiei''a'
was a pioneer in many lines OF business 'e
marked out new lines of trade In many direc-
tions. He more than a merchant In MS sue
cessful prosecution of an immense busihess'
He was leader Of men at a time wneh SAFE
and bold leaders were most needed III 'hi'
city, Mr.. Coleman's fame will rest on the "orh
which he accomplished as the leader OF 'he
great Vigilance Committee of 1856 He was
identified with the first Vigilance Committee
but did not have charge of its operations
When the second committee was formed 10 ciear
out the murderers, thieves and ballot-box stun
ers who infested San Francisco, the organizers
settled upon Mr. Coleman as the best man for
chief.
When Mr. Coleman was preparing for THE
Century Magazine" his article on THE Two
Vigilance Committees Of San Francisco, about
two years ago. he spoke freely In private anu
confidential talk. but no one could DE more
careful than he in what he allowed TO be put
into print. He had dictated an elaborate ac-
count of the history. methods and acts OF the
Vigilance Committee which contained much IN
side history of great interest and value; but
when he came to prepare his Century" article
he discarded most OF the details. because he
fancied that the general public could take little
interest in the trial and execution or the
criminals whom the committee hanged. No one
could talk with Mr. Coleman about the Vig-
lance Committee without being struck by MS
great fairness and the judicial temper Of his
mind. He insisted that every advantage was
given to the men on trial which they would
have received In regular court. and that there
was absolutely no question OF the guilt OF every
man whom the committee convicted and hanged
Mr.. Coleman spoke with much regret OF General
Sherman's attitude toward the Vigilance Com
mittee He often said that General Sherman
was not Of the right temperament To carry on
such negotiations as he entered into on behalf
Of the imprisoned Terry and others. General
Sherman was perfectly honest and sincere. but
he got wrong impressions Of what he heard
and saw He charged the committee with
bad faith when in reality he had simply mis-
construed their words.
Mr. Coleman in his last years often spoke OF
the great danger which San Francisco ran from
the Kearney mob in 1871 He was inclined To
think that the danger then was FAR graver than
in SO. as the city was older and there was not
the same alertness shown In meeting any
threatened peril. The best-iniofInea men ol
that time all agree that II II had not been Tor
Mr. ColeInans prompt measures and the ter
ror which his name inspired the sand Lot moo
that Denis kearney led up to Mob Hi thst
Julv night would have looted and burned the
palaces OF the railroad monaires. and would
have then destroyed Chinatown.
Mr. Coleman was waited upon by commit
tee OF citizens when Kearney's threats had IN
spired fear, and was asked to organize a SAFETY
committee to aid the police. lie al once
mapped out the work. and within twenty-iour
hours had several thousand men organized III
companies and drilling The companies were
to use pick handles in their encounters with
street moDs, anG 10 employ pistols only IN the
the Pacific Mail Company wharf from destruc-
ton. and taught the mob so wholesome a
lesson that when Kearney had marched MS
men TO Mob Hill he did not have the nerve
TO order them u burn the houses OF stanford
and Crocker. because he was warned that the
moment this order was given he would be ar
rested and would be tried and hanged be-
fore morning He weakened. and the mob that
mounted the hill full Of spirit went down 1t
crcstfallcn and cursing the cowardice OF their
leader.
In his later years disaster came upon Mr.
Coleman Nine years ago his firm failed. ow-
ing to the demands Of creditors. He asked
for time but IT refused. He settled at 40
cents on the dollar. but when these equitable
claims were settled he set about paying the
balance. Only a few months ago he settled
the last dollar Of his indebtedness. Mr. Cole
mans private life was always q pleasant one
He had seven children of whom only two sons
Carlton c. and X. L., are now living. Mr.. Cole
man was prominent member Of the Society
Of California Pioneers Of which he was once
i6epf nd societies.