Against the vigilantes
Subtitle: the recollections of Dutch Charley Duane
By: edited, with an introduction and notes, by John Boessenecker.
Contributors: Boessenecker, John, 1953-
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Published: 1999
Place of publication: Norman
Language: eng
Number of pages: 225
Subjects: Duane, Dutch Charley.; San Francisco Committee of Vigilance of 1856.; Outlaws -- California -- San Francisco -- Biography.; Politicians -- California -- San Francisco -- Biography.; Frontier and pioneer life -- California -- San Francisco.; Criminal justice, Administration of -- California -- San Francisco -- History -- 19th century.; San Francisco (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 19th century.; San Francisco (Calif.) -- Biography.; California -- Gold discoveries.
Genres: Biography.
Description: "The California Gold Rush spawned many colorful characters but none more controversial than Charles P. "Dutch Charley" Duane. As chief enforcer for political boss David C. Broderick, Dutch Charley enjoyed power and prestige in San Francisco until his downfall at the hands of the vigilantes. In fact, the irascible Irishman attracted so much trouble in San Francisco during the 1850s that the Committee of Vigilance outlawed him - twice."--BOOK JACKET.

"His memoir, originally printed in the San Francisco Examiner in 1881, was located and edited by John Boessenecker. Now published for the first time in book form, it reveals a charismatic ruffian who played many roles: gunfighter, fire chief, politician, shoulder-striker, bare-knuckle boxer, gambler, saloon keeper, and land squatter."--BOOK JACKET.

"Boessenecker's introduction provides information that is crucial in judging the actions of the vigilantes who moved against Duane and his cohorts. At the same time, Against the Vigilantes is cultural history, filled with details about the fires that swept early San Francisco, prizefighting, dueling, and urban machine politics in the decade before the Civil War."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-215) and index.