553. [PICTORIAL LETTER SHEET]
The First Trial and Execution
in S. Francisco on the Night of 10th of June at 2 O'clock.
One leaf. Wood engraving and text on one page with blank verso
[del. after the nature by W. C. K.]. 8 1/8x10 5/8, printed on
gray wove paper.
San Francisco: Justh Quirot & Co., no date.
Baird 79. This scene depicts the first action of the first San
Francisco Vigilance Committee, which took place on the 10th of
June 1851. The victim was a London criminal who came to San Francisco
by way of Sydney, Australia as many others did. He was caught
stealing a safe, signed a confession and was tried by a hastily
convened court of the Vigilance Committee. After demonstrating
intransigent belligerence and disdain towards his captors and
with the revelation of his past criminal activities he was sentenced
to death by hanging. This was promptly carried out during the
night as depicted in this scene. A popular letter sheet, issued
within two days of the event, Baird located nineteen copies in
the hands of institutions and private collectors. This one in
fine condition. (400/700).
554. [PICTORIAL LETTER SHEET]
Hutching's California Scenes.
The California Indians. One leaf. Eight wood engraved illustrations
on one page with blank verso: An Indian Fandango [top, center
- then proceeding clockwise] Catching Grasshoppers; Grinding Acorns,
etc.; Cooking Food; Burning Their Dead; Mode of Traveling; Gathering
Seeds; Gathering Acorns. 11 3/8x9 1/8, printed on white wove paper.
No place: no publisher, no date.
Baird 105. This is the variant with Excelsior Print at the bottom
and without "Entered...1854...by James M. Hutchings".
All eight vignettes of Indian life have Anthony & Baker SC
or Anthony & Baker engraved in the vignettes and two have
C. Nahl, del. also engraved at the bottom of the vignettes. The
text explicitly exhibits the prevailing American immigrant's opinion
of the California Indians at that time. Some splitting at folds
with archival repairs on verso, vertical darkended streak at center,
else very good. (500/800).
Author's presentation copy to Dan DeQuille
555. SHINN, CHARLES HOWARD.
The Story of the Mine as Illustrated
by the Great Comstock Lode of Nevada. [4], v-xi, [2], 1-272,
[2] pp. Fifteen unpaginated plates with illustrations from photographs
and other sources. 7-1/2x5, brown linen with spine and cover titles
in silver. First edition. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1896.
Presentation inscription to Dan DeQuille "with the love
of the author" on front free endpaper. Shinn was considered
an authority on mining law and wrote the classic on that subject
with regard to the California Gold Rush which is one of the Zamorano
80 [see item 670, catalog #2]. This study of the Comstock Lode
is much less well known [not catalogued in Norris, Graf, Howes,
or Cowan] and just as important. Eberstadt called it a "standard
authority" and asked $25.00 for an unsigned copy in 1947
[equivalent to about $250.00 today]. This is not only signed but
a presentation copy to a fellow author and authority on the subject
of this book. Fine condition.
(200/300).
556. [SUTRO, ADOLPH] Biographies. Holmes, Eugenia Kellogg.
Adolph
Sutro: A brief Story of a Brilliant Life. [8], 9-56, [1] pp.
Frontispiece portrait and fourteen unpaginated plates with illustrations
form various sources. 6-1/2x5, brown cloth with gilt cover titles.
First edition. San Francisco: Press of San Francisco Photo-engraving
Co., 1895 * Stewart, Robert E., Jr. and M. F. Stewart. Adolph
Sutro, a Biography. [6], vii-xviii, 1-243 pp. Frontispiece
and fifty-six unpaginated plates with seventy-three illustrations
from various sources. 9x6, gray linen with spine and cover titles,
pictorial endpapers, pictorial dust jacket. Berkeley: Howell-North,
1962.
Together two volumes: second one with signed presentation inscription
to fellow author Dick Dillon with thanks [also expressed in the
acknowledgements]. The first item was a work of extravagant praise
written when Adolph Sutro was mayor of San Francisco and one cannot
help but wonder about the origin of the book. The Stewart's biography
is a work of solid scholarship and skillful writing. It is not
an easy task to write the life story of a subject as complex as
Sutro and his labyrinthine activities and make it both understandable
and exciting but they accomplished just that. Both in fine condition.
(80/120).
557. SUTRO, ADOLPH.
Closing Argument of Adolph Sutro on the
Bill before Congress to Aid the Sutro Tunnel Delivered before
the Committee on Mines and Mining of the House of Representatives
of the United States of America, Monday, April 22, 1872. [3],
4-92 pp. Frontispiece 21x14-1/2 in. folded topographic map of
the Comstock Lode in color showing the location of the Sutro Tunnel
in relation to the various mines. 10-1/2x6-1/2, blue cloth with
gilt spine and cover titles and the "honest miner" symbol
in gold on the front cover, all edges gilt. * Sutro, Adolph. Closing
Argument of Adolph Sutro on the Bill before Congress to Aid the
Sutro Tunnel Delivered before the Committee on Mines and Mining
of the House of Representatives of the United States of America,
Monday, April 22, 1872. [3], 4-96 pp. 8-3/4x5-1/2, green cloth
with cover title and "honest miner" symbol in gold.
Washington: M'Gill & Witherow, Printers and Stereotypers,
1872.
The private deluxe and economy printings of what was probably
the single most important speech made by Sutro. It won the support
of the committee to provide the financing needed to complete his
drainage tunnel for the mines of the Comstock Lode. Both of these
editions were undoubtedly published by the Sutro Tunnel Company.
The elaborate printing and binding of the first item was likely
to impress important investors. The second was the equivalent
of the "trade edition". The first is in very fine condition
with cloth and gilt as bright as new and pages clean and unscathed.
The second has a small defect in the edge of the back cover and
water stain to the upper, outer corner of the last few pages -
otherwise in very good condition. (150/250).
558. [SUTRO, ADOLPH] Ephemera. Sutro Tunnel Company stock subscription
form. One leaf printed on one side only. 14x9, laid in clear plastic
holder. San Francisco: Sutro Tunnel Company, 1867. * Wax seal
of the Sutro Tunnel Company. 2 in. diam., removed from document
and laid in clear plastic holder. * Prospectus of the Sutro Tunnel
Company in 1878. 4 pp. 11x8-1/2, laid in clear plastic holder.
* T.L.S. to Adolph Sutro from Charles Moore of San Francisco Tool
Co. regarding purchase of a "Water Tube" Feed Water
Heater. Three leaves on rectos only. All leaves on San Francisco
Tool Co. Stationery with large engraved vignette of machinery
at top of the first page only. 10-3/4x8-1/4, laid in clear plastic
holder. Dated Sept. 16, 1892. * Receipt from Tubbs & Co. San
Francisco Cordage Factory. One leaf - recto only. 4-3/4x8 12,
laid in clear plastic holder. Dated Nov. 19, 1884. * Sutro's bookplate.
3x4, glued to a marbled endpaper [presumably removed from a book].
Six ephemeral items related to Sutro: three from the Comstock
Lode tunnel half of his career and three from his later career
as one of San Francisco's most successful and distinguished citizens.
The stock subscription form was part of Sutro's initial effort
to raise money for building the drainage, ventilation and transportation
tunnel that as an engineer he felt was essential for successful
operation of the mines of the Comstock Lode. The date of 1867
was printed on the form because he had pledged to raise the full
amount of necessary capital in that year. It turned out to be
a more difficult task than he had imagined, especially after Ralston
and Sharon, who by now controlled a great deal of the mining operations
of the Comstock Lode, withdrew their support. The wax seal has
the "honest miner" figure that became a trademark of
the tunnel project. The third item is a prospectus for the tunnel
company prepared in 1878, the year that the tunnel finally made
connection with the mines. It exudes the optimism for the future
of the company that went with that accomplishment. The last item
is Sutro's famous bookplate used in the huge library of rare books
that he collected in Europe and elsewhere [most of which was destroyed
in the fire following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.] Wax
seal has many fine cracks and one small chip off the edge - otherwise
all items in fine condition. (150/250).
559. [SUTRO, ADOLPH] Ephemera.
Sutro Baths. Official Programme.
Sunday December 23, 1900. Open Daily from 7 A. M. to 6 P. M.
4 pp. 12x8-3/4, folded broadside to make 4 pages laid in clear
plastic holder. San Francisco: Sutro Baths, 1900. * Blaisdell,
Marilyn and Robert Blaisdell. San Francisciana: Photographs
of Sutro Baths. [3], 57 pp. Fifty-seven plates from photographs
in the collection of the first author. 7x7-1/2, spiral bound volume
with stiff pictorial covers [in color on front and black and white
on back]. San Francisco: Marilyn Blaisdell, 1987.
Page 2 and 3 of the first item display the day's program which
featured music by the Sutro Baths Band, races, trick and fancy
spring board diving and high diving for boys. Although construction
for the Sutro Baths was completed in 1894, Sutro did not officially
open the Baths to the public because of a dispute with the Southern
Pacific Railroad, which insisted on charging a ten cent fare to
the Baths from the city instead of five cents as Sutro thought
it should be. He finally built his own railway line to the Baths
and opened it officially in 1896. The second item documents the
history of the Sutro Baths in two pages of text and 57 plates
made from old photographs collected by Marilyn Blaisdell. Original
prospectus and order form and a section of the April 25, 1993
San Francisco Chronicle on the Sutro Baths laid in. All in fine
condition. (80/120).
560. [SUTRO, ADOLPH]
Map of Sutro Heights: Lots for Sale.
Single sheet with map on one side and text on the other. 17-1/2x21
folded to 3-1/2x10-1/2, laid in clear plastic holder. Printed
by Bosqui Eng. Co. San Francisco: Will E. Fisher & Co., [1893].
This was just one of Adolph Sutro's many San Francisco real estate
investments that made him a very wealthy man and one of the city's
most influential citizens. Although no date is printed on this
prospectus, the text states that the "Sutro Baths will open
January 1st" which establishes the date for this promotional
as either 1893 or 1895. [It was originally scheduled for opening
January 1, 1894 but was delayed two years because of Sutro's dispute
with the railroad.] The subdivision sales hype on the verso is
classic Californiana. "Sutro Heights is so well known to
every resident of San Francisco that the offering of this tract
is sure to find many buyers. A glance at the map will show its
importance either for speculation or residence...Successful operators
in real estate...follow the fixed principle of buying only in
those sections to which railroads are building and they always
make money...All the cable lines are constructing extensions to
this property and very soon the same advance will occur which
has always followed the extension of the railroads to other sections."
The lots were being sold for $25.00 down and $10.00 a month [duration
not mentioned] with the additional promise that "purchasers
of lots can make arrangments to have houses erected on a system
of easy monthly payments." Several short tears at folds skillfully
repaired with transparent archival tape - otherwise in fine condition.
(60/90).
561. [SUTRO, ADOLPH] Portrait. Neal, David. Large black and white
heliograph of Adolph Sutro. 19-3/4x15-1/4 portrait printed on
23-1/4x17-1/4 thin paper attached to 19x24-3/4 heavy paper, corner
mounted on stiff board and matted.
Munich: Dr. E. Albert & Co., 1889.
Handsome portrait of Adolph Sutro at age 59. Some waterstaining
of blank margins without affecting portrait- otherwise in fine
condition. (50/80).
562. [SUTRO, ADOLPH]
Report of the Commissioners and Evidence
Taken by the Committee on Mines and Mining of the House of Representatives
of the United States in Regard to the Sutro Tunnel Together with
the Arguments and Report of the Committee, Recommending a Loan
by the Government in Aid of the Construction of the Said Work.
[Senate Ex. Doc. No. 15, 42d Congress, 2nd Session]. [3], iv,
[5], 66, [1], 2-988 pp. Two diagrams in text. 9x5-3/4, blue cloth
with gilt spine and cover titles and cover ornament, all edges
gilt. Washington: M'Gill & Witherow Printers and Stereotypers,
1872. * Mr. Kendall from the Committee on Mines and Mining,
made the following report: [To accompany bill H. R. 2966]. House
of Representatives Report No. 94, 42d Congress, 2d Session.
[1], 2-450 pp. Twelve folded maps, plans, cross sections, elevations
etc of the Comstock Lode and the Sutro Tunnel. 9x5-3/4, disbound.
Washington: House of Representatives, 1872.
The senate and house reports of the hearings that brought success
to Sutro's monumental battle to finance the drainage tunnel for
the Comstock Lode. This battle pitted Sutro, a German-Jewish immigrant,
against the financial goliaths of California and Nevada. Just
like the story in the Jewish scriptures, the little fellow won.
More than likely, the first item was printed privately for the
Sutro Tunnel Company. The House of Representatives Report is included
because it has twelve folded maps, plans, elevations and cross
sections [many in color] that are not included in the first item.
The first is slightly frayed at top of the spine - otherwise in
fine condition. The folded maps and plans of the second item have
many linear splits at the folds - otherwise in fine condition.
(150/250).
563. [SUTRO, ADOLPH] [Sutro Tunnel]
Letter from the Secretary
of War Transmitting the Report of the Commission to Examine and
Report upon the Sutro Tunnel in Nevada. Senate Ex. Doc. No. 15,
42d Congress, 2d Session. [1], 2-66 pp. Two diagrams. Bound
with Cram, T. J., Report upon the Decay and Preservation of
Timber [3], 4-26 pp. 8-3/4x5-1/2, period three-quarter morocco
and pebbled cloth with gilt spine title, marbled endpapers. Washington:
Senate, 1872; Engineering Department, 1971. * The Answer of
the Sutro Tunnel Company to the Complaint of Divers Companies
Working Mines on the Comstock Lode; To which Is Attached a Copy
of the Complaints, Exhibits and an Appendix. [3], 4-68, [2]
pp. Nineteen unpaginated plates with 23 wood-engraved illustrations
and three sectional charts of the Comstock Lode. 9x5-3/4, gray
printed wrappers. Washington: M'Gill & Witherow, Printers
and Stereotypers, 1876. * Sutro, Theodore. The Sutro Tunnel
Company and the Sutro Tunnel: Property, Income, Prospects, and
Pending Litigation. Report to the Stockholders. [6], 1-198
pp. Folded plan of the Sutro Tunnel and its branches. 6-3/4x4-1/2,
red cloth with gilt spine and cover titles, all edges gilt. New
York: [Privately published], 1887.
Together three items related to the Sutro Tunnel. The first is
a copy of the first portion of Senate Ex. Doc. No. 15 [see previous
item #562] in a custom binding. The second is especially valuable
for the many wood engravings showing features of the Nevada mines
and the Sutro Tunnel. The third was written by Adolph Sutro's
youngest brother, a New York, attorney who continued to be involved
with the tunnel company even after Adolph had left Nevada and
severed all ties to the company [including ownership of stock].
Theodore Sutro reorganized the company saving it from foreclosure
[for which he received $100,000.00 in fees] [Stewart and Stewart,
Adolph Sutro, a Biography, pp. 195-6, see item #556]. The
leather binding of the first item is scuffed and has a small label
pasted to the spine, the wrappers of the second are severely chipped
and fragile; generally very good. (200/300).
564. [SUTTER, JOHN] Duke Paul Wilhelm of Wurttemberg.
Early
Sacramento. Glimpses of John Augustus Sutter, the Hok Farm and
Neighboring Indian Tribes from the Journals of Prince Paul, H.
R. H. Duke Paul Wilhelm of Wurttemberg. Translated by Louis
C. Butscher, edited and introduced by John A. Hussey. [7], 8-79
pp. Three plates with illustrations from various sources. 11-1/2x9,
linen-backed, decorated boards with paper spine label. Limited
edition of 400 copies printed by Andrew Hoyem.
Sacramento: Sacramento Book Collectors Club, 1973.
Journal of Duke Paul Wilhelm's third trip to America and his
first to California - made during the Gold Rush, never previously
published. Fine condition. (80/120).
565. [SUTTER, JOHN - MEMORIAL]
House of Representatives Report
No. 867, 46th Congress, 2nd Session. The Committee on Claims to
whom were referred the memorial and papers of John A. Sutter,
asking relief, respectfully report that they have had the same
under consideration, and find: 4 pp. 9x5-3/4, disbound, laid
in clear plastic holder. [Washington: Government Printing Office],
1880. * Sutter's Mill, 1851. Marshall's Discovery of Gold,
California, January 19th, 1848. Cabinet card with mounted
illustration of Sutter's Mill in 1851 on one side and Captain
Sutter's account of the first discovery of gold on the verso with
portrait of James Marshall and picture of Sutter's Fort. 5-1/4x8-1/2,
laid in clear plastic holder. San Francisco: A. Roman Publishing
Company, 1876.
John Sutter began petitioning Congress in 1866 for reimbursement
for his support of American emigrants, support of the American
conquest of California and his subsequent losses of property during
the Gold Rush and every year after that without success. This
memorial was no more successful than the others. Although the
committee was favorably disposed, Congress adjourned before considering
it and Sutter died before they reconvened. First item is darkened
from age, the second is in fine condition. (80/120).
566. [SUTTER, JOHN - BIOGRAPHY] Schoonover, T. J.
The Life
and Times of Gen'l John A. Sutter. [8], 2-136 pp. Frontispiece
portrait of the author and several wood engravings throughout
the text. 5-3/4x4-1/2, brown cloth with gilt cover title and illustration.
First edition. Sacramento: D. Johnston & Co., Printers, 1895.
Cowan p.572; Howes 196; Wheat 179. Wheat was only impressed by
the author's use of his own photographic portrait for the frontispiece
instead of Sutter's [relegated to a woodcut farther back in the
book]. Fine condition. (80/120).
567. THOMPSON, R. A.
Conquest of California. Capture of Sonoma
by Bear Flag Men, June 14, 1846, Raising of the American Flag
in Monterey by Commodore John D. Sloat, July 7, 1846, the Part
Taken by the Bear Flag Men and Captain John C. Fremont in the
Conquest. - Commodore John D. Sloat and Commodore Robert F. Stockton.
- From the Commencement of the Trouble in Sonoma to the Close
in Los Angeles, January 10, 1847. [3], 2-33 pp. Four unpaginated
plates with illustrations from various sources. 9-1/2x6-3/4, printed
wrappers. First edition.
Santa Rosa: Sonoma Democrat Publishing Company, 1896.
Cowan p.636; Howes T199. Historical address delivered by R[obert].
A. Thompson on June 14, 1896, the fiftieth anniversary of the
"Bear Flag Revolt", in which he gave a detailed day
by day account of the American conquest of California and the
activities of the Bear Flag party. Wear and chipping of paper
spine - otherwise in fine condition. (120/180).
568. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] Ephemera.
Form of Application for
Enrollment. One leaf printed on one side only. 6x7-3/4, laid
in clear plastic holder. * Membership Certificate of the San
Francisco Vigilante Committee of 1851. [in facsimile] [4]
pp. 8-1/2x11, laid in clear plastic holder. Limited edition of
100 copies. George Whitney/ Grant Dahlstrom, 1976. * Constitution
and Address of the Vigilance Committee. One leaf printed on
one side only. 10-3/4x8-1/4, laid in clear plastic holder.
The first item is an original blank form, the second is a facsimile
of a completed membership certificate from a limited edition of
100 copies, and the third is the original fourth page of a California
Pictorial Letter-sheet, Baird # 83. All in very good to fine condition.
(200/300).
569. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] Ephemera.
Banking House of James
King of William. One Certificate of Exchange printed on one
side only with engraved vignette of a steamship on a stormy sea.
4-1/2x9 [4-1/2x12 including certificate stub], laid in clear plastic
protector.
San Francisco: Banking House of James King of William, 18___.
Like many others, James King of William came to California primarily
to find health and intially found health and wealth. He established
a banking firm in San Francisco and by 1854 was a paper millionaire.
In 1855, however, supposedly through machinations of a dishonest
partner, his business collapsed and he was financially ruined.
He then initiated a newspaper to expose all the dishonesty and
corruption which he found to be so common in San Francisco. It
was his fearless expose of Casey that cascaded into his murder,
his murder to reactivation of the Committee of Vigilance, the
Vigilance Committee to the execution of Cora and Casey, etc. This
item is a rare exchange certificate from his banking business.
Fine condition.
(100/150).
570. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] [Fargo, Frank]
A True and Minute
History of the Assassination of James King of Wm. at San Francisco
Cal. also Remarks of the Press Concerning the Outrage; An Account
of the Formation and Action of the Vigilance Committee; Meetings
and Resolutions of the Citizens of Sacramento, Marysville and
Stockton; Funeral Ceremonies of Mr. King, with the Addresses of
Rev. Messrs.Cutler and Lacey over the Body; and the Execution
of Casey and Cora Carefull Compiled from Various Sources.
[3], 4-26 pp. 9x5-1/2, printed wrappers.
San Francisco: Whitton, Towne & Co., Printers,.
Excelsior Book and Job Office, 1856.
Cowan p.202; Howes F31. Both Cowan and Howes show J. W. Sullivan
as the publisher and have the date of 1856 in brackets whereas
this date appears on the front cover of this copy published by
Whitton Towne & Co. This suggests that this may be an earlier
issue unknown to Cowan and Howes. Cowan states that this was compiled
from the columns of the Alta California. It thus provides
a valuable insight to the attitude of the press towards the Vigilantes
of that time. Paper spine perished, one small chip from lower
edge of front wrapper, dried glue on spine margins of wrappers,
lower right corners of last five leaves truncated - otherwise
in very good condition. (200/300).
571. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] Lockwood, Rufus.
Speeches of Rufus
A. Lockwood. Speech of R. A. Lockwood, Esq. Delivered in Defense
of J. H. W. Frank at the October Term of the Tippicanoe Circuit
Court, 1837. [5], 6-76 pp. 8-1/2x5-1/4, Indianapolis: Bolton
and Livingston. 1837. bound with The Vigilance Committee of
San Francisco. Metcalf vs. Argenti et al. Speeches of Rufus A.
Lockwood. [3], 4-47 pp. 8-1/2x5-1/4, San Francisco: Privately
published, 1852. bound with Argument of R. A. Lockwood, Esq.
Delivered in the Supreme Court of the United States in the Case
of Edward Field, Plaintiff in Error vs. Pardon G. Seabury, et
als, Defendants in Error. [3], 2-37, [5], 3-43 pp. 8-1/2x5-3/4,
San Francisco: Omeara & Painter, Printers, 1857. All three
publications bound in full gilt-tooled morocco with gilt cover
title, laid in cloth chemise and cloth and morocco slipcase with
gilt spine title.
Cowan p.394. Rufus Lockwood was one of the more interesting characters
of a great cast of characters in San Francisco. He was a brilliant
on-again, off-again lawyer who periodically practiced his profession
with singular success and then disappeared to work as a sailor,
dockhand or janitor [see Jones, Idwal Ark of Empire item
#330, pp. 87-8] In the case of Metcalf vs. Argenti, he represented
a plaintiff whose home was illegally entered and searched by the
Vigilance Committee on the suspicion that he had stolen property.
Lockwood won the case for his client but the trivial amount of
award made it a somewhat "hollow" victory. His speech
supporting his client, however, is a classic of legal legerdemain
that deserves a prominent place in jurisprudence literature as
well as Gold Rush literature. So does his letter to the Vigilance
Committee when they requested him to withdraw the suit. Since
it is very short, it is worth quoting here. "Sundry fools
or knaves (perhaps both) styling themselves `The Vigilance Committee,'
having caused to be transmitted to the firm of Lockwood, Tilford
and Randolph, the following resolution, - "That a committee
be appointed to wait on Messrs Lockwood, Tilford and Randolph,
acting as counsel in the case of Metcalf vs. Agenti, Atkinson
and others, and they are hereby directed to request those gentlemen
to withdraw the suit, and decline further proceedings in the matter
touching the case," - as a member of the said firm, my
only answer to the aforesaid fools or knaves, (in addition to
my verbal response to the bearers of the resolution) is, I do
defy, deny, spurn, and scorn you." [At the very least, Lockwood
could not be accused of being a coward.] In the third case in
this collection [tried before the Supreme Court] Lockwood was
also successful and his brilliant conduct of the case brought
him considerable recognition from his colleagues. Shortly after,
however, he squandered his earnings in gambling and left San Francisco
on a ship to New York. When the ship foundered in heavy seas,
all the passengers were rescued except for Lockwood who locked
himself in his cabin to "enjoy his last cigar" while
the ship sank.
Included with this collection of Lockwood's trials, is Lockwood's
certificate of admission to the Circuit Court of the United States
for the Districts of California dated July 9, 1855. Also included
are photocopies of two pages of Ark of Empire by Idwal
Jones with a brief sketch of the career of Rufus Lockwood and
a photocopy of a brief news item on the verdict of the Metcalf
vs. Argenti trial appearing in the San Francisco Herald August
25, 1851 which differs from the result reported with his speech.
Morocco spine of volume cracked, - otherwise in very good condition.
(500/800).
572. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] Lyman, George
The Sponge: Its Effect
on the Martyrdom of James King of William, the Formation of the
San Francisco Vigilance Cimmittee of 1856, the Execution of Casey
and Cora for Murder and the Trial of Edward McGowan for Complicity.
[2], 460-479 pp. Seventeen illustrations from various sources.
11-3/4x8-1/4, bound in full morocco with gilt cover title. New
York: Paul B. Hoeber, Inc., 1928.
Reprinted from Annals of Medical History: Vol. 10, Number 4,
1928. Although a bit overdrawn and dramatized, this is nevertheless
an interesting perspective on the murder of James King of William
that provides information not easily found elsewhere. Dr. Lyman
provides the insight of a physician on the medical management
of the wound sustained by James King from Casey's pistol and the
lively controversy it stimulated in the courtroom [during the
trial of Edward McGowan] as well as in the profession. In the
trial of McGowan for complicity in the death of King, the defense
attempted to prove that King did not die from the pistol shot
but from medical mismanagement of the resulting wound that otherwise
would not have been fatal. This same controversy raged in the
press between members of the profession. In the last analysis,
of course, it was an unresolvable question [it bears resemblance
to many medicolegal cases of today]. A very scarce vigilante,
San Francisco, medical, and George Lyman collectible in fine condition.
(100/150).
573. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE]
Message of the President of the
United States in Compliance with a Resolution of the Senate of
the 28th Ultimo, Calling for Information Respecting Any Correspondence
or Proceedings in Relation to the Self-Styled Vigilance Committee
in California. Senate Ex. Doc. No. 101. 34th Congress, 1st Session.
[1], 2-30 pp. 9x5-3/4, disbound. Washington: U.S. Senate, 1856
Cowan p.660. Important and interesting correspondence between
the Governor of the State of California and the U. S. Executive
branch, and military regarding the state of affairs in San Francisco
with the advent of the Committee of Vigilance and the difficult
debate as to the proper response. Fine condition. (100/150).
574. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] McGowan, Edward.
Narrative of Edward
McGowan Including a Full Account of of the Author's Adventures
and Perils while Persecuted by the San Francisco Vigilance Committee
of 1856. Together with a Report of His Trial Which Resulted in
His Acquittal. [14], viii, 9-240 pp. Facsimiles of pictorial
front wrapper, title page, dedication page, and nine illustrations
from the original edition. 8x5, brown pebbled cloth with paper
spine label. Limited edition of 200 copies. San Francisco: Thomas
C. Russell, 1917.
Cowan p.407; Howes M103; Zamorano 80 #54. This is an exact reprint
of the original 1857 edition. "Ned" McGowan was accused
of being an accomplice in the murder of James King of William
by the 1856 Committee of Vigilance. He managed to elude the Committee
but was finally brought to trial in Napa in 1857. After acquittal,
in an American tradition still flourishing today, he took advantage
of his notoriety to publish this account of his story. It apparently
was never very popular because few copies have survived. J. Gregg
Layne in his description of this edition in the Zamorano 80 made
the statement that "this reprint is now almost as scarce
as the original." Fine condition. (150/250).
575. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] Meyers, John Meyers.
San Francisco's
Reign of Terror. [12], 3-301 pp. Eight plates with sixteen
illustrations from a variety of sources. 8-1/4x5-1/2, gray cloth
with printed spine title, pictorial dust jacket. First edition.
Garden City: Doubleday & Co., Inc. 1966. * Senkewicz, Robert
M. Vigilantes in Gold Rush San Francisco. [7], viii-ix,
[9], 3-272 pp. Double-page map and twelve paginated plates with
eighteen illustrations from various sources. 8-1/2x5-1/2, red
cloth with printed spine title, pictorial endpapers, pictorial
dust jacket. First edition. Stanford: Stanford University Press,
1985. * Stewart, George. Committee of Vigilance. Revolution
in San Francisco, 1851. An Account of The Hundred Days When Certain
Citizens Undertook the Suppression of the Criminal Activities
of the Sydney Ducks. [5], vi, [5] 2-339 pp. One map and fifteen
illustrations reproduced from the Annals of San Francisco.
8-1/4x5-1/2, brown cloth with spine and cover titles, pictorial
dust jacket. First printing. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company,
1964.
The first volume covers the second Committee of Vigilance, the
third volume covers the first Committee of Vigilance and the second
volume covers both. Each author presents the material from a different
perspective. Together three items, all first editions, all in
fine condition. (50/80).
576. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] News.
The Herald. One leaf,
two printed pages. 21x15-1/4, unbound, laid in clear plastic holder.
San Francisco: The Herald, August 25, 1851.
This issue of the Herald gives news of Vigilance Committee activities
and editorial comment in separate columns. The news was dominated
by the "recapture of Whittaker and McKenzie" and their
execution by the Vigilance Committee. The entire story is told
in detail in Mary Floyd William's book but may be summarized as
follows: Whittaker and McKenzie were English criminals who, after
deportation to Australia, were able to make their way to California
during the Gold Rush. Both quickly fell into their previous pattern
of supporting themselves by theft and wile or by selling their
services to corrupt politicians and other criminals. Neither was
accused of murder or other violent crimes. Whittaker and McKenzie
were eventually apprehended by the duly constituted authorities
but by error fell into the hands of the Vigilance Committee. On
learning this, the sheriff, by fortuitous timing, was able to
retrieve the prisoners from the Vigilantes without resistance.
The next acts in this real life drama, i.e. the recapture of the
two criminals by the Vigilantes, their confessions and their summary
execution are reported in the columns of this newspaper with considerable
sympathy for the actions of the Committee of Vigilance. In fact,
this reaction towards the Vigilantes was quite typical of the
majority of the San Francisco press and was one of the important
factors in the Vigilante's successful prosecution of their cause.
Paper modestly darkened from age - otherwise in fine condition.
(100/150).
577. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] News
The San Francisco Herald. Vol.
VI, No. 356 4 pp. 21x14, unbound as issued, laid in clear
plastic holder. San Francisco: The San Francisco Herald, May 22,
1856. * The San Francisco Herald. Vol. VI, No. 358 4 pp.
21x14, unbound as issued, laid in clear plastic holder. San Francisco:
The San Francisco Herald, May 24, 1856. * Daily Evening Bulletin.
Vol. II, No. 24. 4 pp. 27x20, disbound and laid in clear plastic
holder. San Francisco: Daily Evening Bulletin, May 5, 1856. *
Daily Evening Bulletin. Vol. II, No. 105. 4 pp. 27x20,
disbound and laid in clear plastic holder. San Francisco: Daily
Evening Bulletin, August 9, 1856.
Two issues of the second most successful newspaper in San Francisco
8 and 10 days after the murder of the editor of the Daily Evening
Bulletin, James King of William and two issues of the Daily Evening
Bulletin 9 days before the murder and three months later. The
difference in editorial viewpoint of the Herald between the first
Committee of Vigilance [see previous item] and this one is very
obvious. Quite sympathetic to the cause of the Vigilantes in 1851,
the Herald was now violently opposed. Edward Kemble in A History
of California Newspapers, 1846-1858. [see item #535] suggested
that the reason for the new attitude was that the editor [feisty
John Nugent who was almost killed in two duels resulting from
his vitriolic editorials] was a bitter enemy of James King of
William. Whatever the reason, it cost the paper dearly in circulation
as the majority of the San Francisco population supported the
Committee of Vigilance. These two issues contain the latest news
of Vigilante activities and editorials roundly condemning them.
The May 5, 1856 issue of the Daily Evening Bulletin bears the
name of James King of William as editor on the masthead and has
a number of significant news items such as the plans for constructing
a bulkhead for the city, a report of ethnic-related conflicts
in Mariposa County, murder in Monterey, Indian hostilities in
Tulare County, massacre of the Wilkes surveying crew in Mojave
by Indians and apprehension of a key witness to the slaying of
Captain Richardson by Cora. The August 9th issue no longer has
James King of William on the masthead and contains news of the
release of Judge Terry by the Committee of Vigilance with a long
analysis of the merits and errors of that decision. Aside from
slight scattered foxing and a few artifacts of the left margins
of the Daily Evening Bulletins from previous binding, they are
in very good condition. (200/300).
578. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] News.
The Wide West. Fourth of July
Illustrated Edition. 4 pp. Many wood-engraved illustrations
scattered throughout text. 28-1/2x20-1/2, disbound and laid in
clear plastic holder. San Francisco: W. W. Kurtz & Co. July
4, 1856.
Dramatic issue of this weekly literary newspaper published on
Sundays from 1854-1858 [under various publishers as it was never
profitable]. Illustrated with many fine woodcuts, it was similar
in style to Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. This issue was
preoccupied with the activities of the 1856 Committee of Vigilance
which it praised in extravagant rhetoric and illustrated lavishly
with wood engravings. There is a large portrait of James King
and illustrations of his residence, his assassination and his
funeral, illustrations of Fort Vigilance, the seal of the Committee
of Vigilance, the delivery of Cora and Casey to the Vigilantes,
and the execution of Cora and Casey. The paper has browned from
age and is brittle with many tears and chips but with all illustrations
intact and text legible. (100/150).
579. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEE] [O'Meara, James]
The Vigilance Committee
of 1856 by a Pioneer California Journalist. [3], 4-57 pp.
7-1/4x5, pink, printed wrappers.
San Francisco: James H. Barry, Publisher, 1887.
Cowan p.464; Howes O84; Norris 2904. This copy dated 1887 on
the title page and 1890 on the front wrapper. Howes claims this
is a reprint, however, the copies used by Cowan for his bibliography
and the Norris copy all had 1890 printed on the front wrapper
and Norris stated that all copies were issued that way. This is
a personal account of the activities of the Committee of Vigilance
from the perspective of an opponent published many years after
the events. Exceptionally fine copy. (200/300).
580. [VIGILANCE COMMITTEES] Williams, Mary Floyd, Ph.D.
History
of the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance of 1851. A Study of
Social Control on the California Frontier in the Days of the Gold
Rush. [8], ix-xii, [1], 2-543 pp. Four unpaginated plates
with two portraits, one facsimile and two illustrations. 9-1/2x6-1/4,
blue cloth with gilt spine title, partially unopened. First edition.
Berkeley: University of California Press, 1921.
Cowan p.687; Wheat 231. Cowan described this as the best work
on the subject in 1933 and it remains so today. Fine condition.
(80/120).