Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-02
Famous Trials
TRIAL or JupGE rERRY.

When it became known that gold had
been found in large quantities in Califor-
MIA, in the latter part of the 40s, there
was mad rush from every section of the
country. This brought to the little town
of San Francisco characters from every
walk Of life, naturally more of the rough
and adventurous element. and it was not
long before a reign of terror was inaug-
urated. In order to control conditions,
the citizens were compelled to form
themselves into a vigilance committee
This body unable to control the situation,
led to the formation Of still more re-
spectacle organization known as the law
and order men.
Conditions had finally gotten to that
state where it was necessary to make
an appeal to the United States govern
ment. and finally by Governor Johnson.
himself TO the president at Washing
ton. On June 3. 1856. Johnson issued
proclamation declaring the county of
San Francisco in state of instruction.
His proclamation also ordered the vigil
lance committee to dispense. An open
collision with the state authorities seem
ed now imminent At the time the gov
ernor was much under the influence Of
Chief Justice Terry. OF the state su-
preme court. the most active OF all the
foes of the committee. The coura geous
and violent supreme judge could not bear
to see the law set at naught. On June
81, he interfered with an attempted ar
rest which some of the vigilance COM
mittee police were making. and his inter.
ference led to a personal encounter he
| tween himself and one of these police
| Hopkins by name
| In the scuff1e Judge Terry drew a knife
| and stabbed Hopkins. The alarm bel
was sounded, the whole general commit
tee was called out and Judge Terry wa.
arrested and taken to the fortress on Sa
cramento street amid tremendous popular
excitement. Hopkins. meanwhile lay Sc
riously. but not fatally wounded.
The arrest OF Judge Terry nut the Wig
4 lance committee in a very difficult posi-
| ton. If Hopkins should die would thel
hang Terry? To hang a supreme judg
is an act involving certain obviously EN-
harra ssing responsibilities. as II. az late
actually proved to be the case. Hopkin
should not die. the cas- would be a mos
complicated one. The friends of Judg
Terry dill everything in their power t
procure his release.
He was finally placed on trial At frs
he seemed suspicious that he would NJ
be fairly dealt with. but as the tria
progressed he found that his enenle
tOulu De tdlT. TOIl Ine DeElnllnE I
the end he had the benefit Of his expert
ence in conducting his case and at tn
conclusion of the testimony pleaded hi
own case and made a written Statement
Nothing could have been fairer. TER
appointed as his counsel an able attor
ney. Miers r. Truett. The attorney 70
the prosecution was Thomas J. L. SIN
ley. The trial was begun on Frida,
June 2, 1856. at which time the prisone
was charged with a deadly assault upo
a police officer. with the resisting h
violence the officers of the committee
vigilance while. in the discharge Of nut
and divers breaches Of the peace. and a
tocks on citizens
The defense was based chiefly on
, sworn right as an officer of the law
resist the act of a lawless body In Il
matter of Hopkins he claimed to ha'
! acted in self-defense. Forty Witness
were examined for the prosecution ar
: about 80 for the defense. The trial W,
? continued from day to day with session
morning and evening. The general We