The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-10
IN DAYS OF MOB LAW.
THE STIRRING TIMES THAT SAN FRAN.
CISCO SAW IN 1856.

cuIhe ramOua pOr Ats many DtB.
perate Deeds, but which Rid the
Town of the Criminal Glass.
1t was in 1855, in San Francisco, and
law was chaos; mob law was supreme.
The judges were finally given warning
that unless they enforced the laws they
would be summarily dealt with-that Ia,
they would be taken out and hanged to
the nearest tree. 1t was stirring time.
The vigilance committee of San Fran
cisco in this year was famous for Its des.
perate deeds, but after Its self assumed
reign was over the morals of San Francis
co increased amazingly. 1t was almost o
paradise on earth. Drunkards, cutthroats,
sooundrels and others of this ilk gave the
place wide room. They knew that II they
were caught they would be hanged. An
drew ]. Kellogg Of Detroit told Of these
days:
1.-The California Of 1866 was terrible
place" began Mr.. Kellogg, at ease with
his pipe "You sec, 1t was like this: The
men who rushed to the goldfelds in the
early days never expected to remain in the
western country. Their purpose was to
mako their pile and get out. They came
to California, scrambled for gold and paid
no attention to law and order. 1t was
paradise for gamblers, thieves and cut
threats. The worst elenent 1t seems,
came to Frisco, where they were soon in
possession Of the city government and or
dered millions and millions of dollars
worth Of Improvements that were never
made. But the contracts were let, in or
der to give boodlers chance. Vice -four.
ished like green bay tree 1t was law
less, violent land, where life wasn't worth
pinch Of snuff.
"The first few weeks was there things
like this happened The United States
marshal was shot in cold blood by gam
bier; the gambler paramount put up &c.,
900 to defend him, and the lawyer was
promised $4,000 more II he got his pris-
oner off.
HE had had ono trial, but the jury dis.
agreed, and In the meantime we took him
out and hung him.
"This was tho state of California JUS
tice.
why, men convicted of murder, arson
and other foul crimes would be hauled up
before the Judge, who after listening to
the damning testimony would say:
"'The sentence Of this court is that you
pay s. fine
"On other occasions, when murderer
was brought into court, judge would
say:
"'There is no need of hearing tho wit.
nesses in this case. The prisoner is dis
charged
sand the ballot box stuff1ngI We sent
one of the boxes to the Smithsonian in
stitute after the fuss wns all over and had
1t labeled, This Is specimen of Califor-
MIA ballot box stutfing.'
"1here was trick the ballot box stuff
ers used to employ to keep tho gang in
office. You know, in those days tailors
and servants used to have small pot filled
with charcoal, used to heat flatirons.
noticed that in every election booth In GER
tain precincts there was always one of
these little heaters. The ballot boxes were
supposed to be Of inch pine rough pine
boxes, with little beading around the
edge. The top was Of inch stuff all right
enough, but the bottom was hollow, of
eight inch stuff. In this false bottom were
placed enough votes to win the day for the
gangs candidate When the polls were
closed, the little fire pot was brought into
use and tho unfavorablo votes destroyed.
The ballot box suffers said that they had
the fire there because tho room was SO cold
at was such acts Of lawlessness as these
that led to the formation of the famous
California committee of vigilance. 1t con-
sisted Of over 5000 of the most highly re.
spected people in the community, whose
sentiments Of justice had been outraged by
the long continued acts of injustice and
crime permitted by the regular judges.
1.-THE first intimation had Of the for
nation Of tho committee was when O
friend said to mo ono morning:
"'Want to SOC some fun9
"Yes.'
"'Then come down to the jail
ION arriving was astonished to find
double row Of mon drawn around the
whole square. An assault was about to
be mado on the jail by outraged citizens.
They were calling on the jailor even then
to open tho doors. In the terrible quiet
before tho storm broke I could hear the
leader say:
"'Open tho doorsr
"There was deathlike silence
"'Open the doorsI' the ringleader cried
again, 'or we will batter them down
"With that he raised his handkerchief
as a signal.
"'When this handkerchief falls he
added in a voice like thunder IN give
orders to fire the cannon. She's loaded
with solid shot
"Thore was cannon before tho door
"The man with the blazing torch stood
near by
"You should have seen the hand slowly
fall 1t was most thrilling sight. Slow
ly the hand fluterod, and at the very last
moment the Jail doors were flung open,
and tho populace entered to drag out the
prisoners.
'At first tho jailor refused to give some
Of them up.
"The two that we took out Of tho Jail
were given fair trial before tho commit
tee of SO, the executive committee, which
heard all the evidence as given. 1t requir-
ed unanimous vote ON their part to hang
a man as well as two-third majority of
the committee Of delegates numbering
$50 members.
"That night San Francisco was in
fever of excitement. What would happen
next? Where would the revenge of the
populace be shown tomorrow?
"Every one stayed indoors that night as
far as possible.
IA few days later the judges were
warned. They were told to try cases
properly orssuffer the penalty-by giving
up their lives
"Twenty irresponsible members Of the
community, ringleaders in ballot box
stuffing and murder, were taken to the
wharf, put on outgoing steamers and told
never to como back again on pain Of i'm.
mediate DEATH.
Appearances.
Briggs--Appearance you know, are
often deceptive.
Griggs-Yes. A person can mover tell
just how much it is going to cost to keep
them up.-Columbus CO., State Journal.
1t Ia said that rustics who live on q
bread and milk diet nearly always have
thick hair to All advanced age, while peo-
pie who lunch and dine on meat rarely
have thick hair after 49,
Go to II. H. Moore. gil King street. for
good butter and cheese. Also canned
goods of all kinds at prices to suit tho
Ia