USA > California > Sacramento County > History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1923 > Part 1
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CALIFORNIANA ZEFERINO DEPARTMENT
ANNEX
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1223 90156 5631
I
ISINE
MORS
ITERIS
S
BOOK NO.
ACCESSION
979.453 R251H
544988
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THE LIBRARY
FORM 3427-4500-8-44
.
١
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofsacrame00reed
HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified with Its Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY EDITED BY G. WALTER REED 1
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
× 979.4.53 R251h
544988
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Numbers refer to pages.)
INTRODUCTION
33
Sacramento County's preeminent place in the history of the state. Extraordinary Natural Ad- vantages: Alluvial soil of the lowlands-Gold deposits-Rivers-Climate. Sacramento the ohjec- tive point of the carly pioneers-The new El Dorado-The lure of gold-A tribute to the pioneer mothers (p. 34)-The rise of agriculture, and its progress from the days of the Spanish grants, the stockmen, and the wheat barons to the era of limited holdings and intensive cultivation-The growth of rural communities (p. 35).
CHAPTER I
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
35
Location and population-The county's magnificent river-Agricultural importance of the county (p. 36)-Topographical features-The abundant water-supply (p. 37)-The great dam at Folsom- The immense potential hydro-electric power of the rivers-A second Valley of the Nile-Sacramento a great fruit-shipping center-Strawberries, grapes, and pears-The tule lands now the site of orchards of deciduous fruits and fields of asparagus and celery-Rice, hemp, ramie, and hops-Early Spanish grants (p. 38)-Property values.
CHAPTER II
CLIMATE OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.
38
Ideal climate of the inland valley empire-Adaptation to horticulture-The gift of summer sun- shine-Low humidity-Modifying influence of trade winds-Infrequent frosts-Winter sports in the mountains-Comparative data (p. 39). Meteorological Data, Tables furnished by local United States Weather Bureau (p. 40)-Rainfall: Monthly, seasonal, and annual rainfall, 1849-1920 (p. 41)- Approximate Mean Rainfall: Means, seasonal, annual and by months, 1849-1911 (p. 44)-Tempera- tures in Degrees Fahrenheit: Absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, annually, 1878-1920- Relative Humidity and Percentage of Sunshine: Average conditions by months-Extreme Tempera- tures: Absolute extremes by months for period 1878-1920 (p. 45)-Maximum Extremes of Wind: Maximum velocities by months for period 1895-1920.
CHAPTER III
SACRAMENTO COUNTY CROPS
46
The "Heart of California"-Land area of county and character of soil-Leading county of state in production of pears and asparagus-Grapes, peaches, prunes, plums, olives, almonds, oranges- Acreage devoted to fruits, vines, and nuts-Fruit production and net returns for season of 1920-In- creased plantings-Erection of fruit and vegetable canneries-Sacramento the shipping headquarters for ninety per cent of nation's canned asparagus and ninety-five per cent of all deciduous fruits grown in California-The world's greatest shipping point for perishables-Unexcelled river transportation and transcontinental shipping facilities-Alfalfa, beans, hops, corn, vegetables, vegetable seeds, and flower seeds-Wheat, barley, and other cereal crops-Live stock and poultry-Crop reports-In- provements in quality of crops, and standardization of crating and grading, under direction of horti- cultural commissioner (p. 47).
CHAPTER IV
GEN. JOHN A. SUTTER
+7
The pioneer of civilization in Sacramento County-Parentage and early history-Sutter learns of Upper California-Overland trip with Captain Tripp, of the American Fur Company-Reaches Yerba Buena by ship and meets Governor Alvarado at Monterey-Secures passport with authority to explore and occupy territory on Sacramento River for colonization-Account of his exploring
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expedition-His location at the future site of Fort Sutter (p. 48)-Relations with the Indians-Sutter becomes a Mexican citizen and receives a grant for "New Helvetia"-He acquires Fort Ross and Bodega, with the accompanying Russian settlements and live stock-He obtains the sobrante or surplus, by purchase from Governor Micheltorena, in consideration of military services and supplies- His attitude during the Mexican War-Appointed alcalde by Commodore Stockton and Indian agent by General Kearney (p. 49)-His hospitality at Fort Sutter-Impoverished through the discovery of gold and rival claims of the squatters-His removal to Hock Farm-His efforts to obtain redress from congress for his wrongs-California comes to his relief. .
CHAPTER V
SUTTER'S FORT RESTORED
50
Decay of the old fort and sale of its site-Gen. James G. Martine's open letter to the pioneers- Response to the appeal-The title cleared-Property deeded to the state by Native Sons (p. 51)-State appropriation for restoration of Fort Sutter-First board of trustees-Detailed description of the restoration-Planting of trees and flowers by Native Daughters-Parking and care of grounds by state-Museum and relics of early days.
CHAPTER VI
THE REVOLUTION IN CALIFORNIA
52
Early American settlements encouraged by local government-Growing animosity between American and Mexican population prior to the Mexican War-Colonel Fremont's expedition-Lieu- tenant Gillespie's despatch and Colonel Fremont's return from Oregon-Foreigners ordered by General Castro to leave the country-Castro's order to Lieutenant de Arce-Capture of de Arce's horses-Taking of town and mission of Sonoma by Bear Flag Party-William Ide's proclamation, stating the causes of the revolution and announcing the establishment of the Republic of California (p. 53)-Conflicting accounts of the making of the Bear Flag-The Bear Flag displaced by the Stars and Stripes-Dispute as to causes of the revolution-Monterey seized by Commodore John D. Sloat-Colonel Fremont hoists the American flag where Sacramento now stands, July 10, 1846 (p. 54)-Peace, and end of the revolution and Republic of California.
CHAPTER VII
STATE CAPITAL, AND CAPITOL BUILDING 5.4
California under military governor until its admission as a state-Election of delegates to con- stitutional convention in response to proclamation of General Riley-Constitutional convention at Monterey, September 3, 1849-Ratification of constitution, November 13, 1849-State officers and representatives to congress elected-Meeting of state officers-elect at San Jose, December 15, 1849- State government established and Peter H. Burnett inaugurated first governor of California-Wil- liam M. Gwin and John C. Fremont elected United States senators-State government established before admission to statehood-Text of proclamation whereby General Riley resigned his powers as military governor-Contest for the state capital (p. 55)-The Capitol Building (p. 56)-Capitol Ex- tension (p. 57)-Governors from Sacramento.
CHAPTER VIII
SACRAMENTO CITY
58
The City Today: From swaddling clothes to modern garb-Municipal improvements-Public buildings-State Capitol and grounds. Factors conducing to the City's Growth (p. 59): Geographi- cal location in the "Heart of California"-Transportation-Development of hydro-electric power. The City in Early Days: First survey of the plat of Sacramento, December, 1848-The founding of Sutterville-Bayard Taylor's account of his first visit to Sacramento, in 1849-Stores located at Sutter's Fort (p. 60)-Freighting to the mines- George McDougal and the passing of Sutterville (p. 61)-First board of commissioners-The influx of gold-seekers-Prevalence of gambling (p. 62)-The moral wave under the leadership of Rev. J. A. Benton-Business and prices-Organization of first city government (p. 63)-Early vicissitudes of the city-News of California's admission (p. 65)-The epidemic of cholera-Subsequent events (p. 67)-Early business enterprises (p. 68)- Early grocery firms (p. 70)-Early manufacturing firms (p. 72)-Flouring mills-Dramatic and musical (p. 74)-Theaters of more recent date (p. 75)-The first ball-The funded debt (p. 77).
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CHAPTER IX
78
THE DISCOVERY AND MINING OF GOLD
Accounts of the Discovery of Gold: Existence of gold in California known long before Marshall's discovery-Gold mentioned in Hakluyt's account of the voyage of Sir Francis Drake along the coast of California, in 1579-Gold observed by Dana in southern Oregon in 1842, and also found on the Sacramento River-Intimation of gold, in report of Fremont's expedition-Mexican with bag of gold dust at Yerba Buena, in 1845-Gold said to have been found by Mormons on Mormon Island before 1848-Account of the finding of gold by the "King's orphan"-Story of block of gold-bearing quartz from California in the Paris Museum (p. 79)-Discovery of gold by Sarah A. Aram in 1846, near South Fork of the Yuba River-Marshall's discovery of gold at Coloma-Brief account of Marshall's life (p. 80)-Monument erected to Marshall's memory by the state-Effect of the discovery on the growth of Sacramento. Mining the Metal: The inrush of gold-seekers-The rich placers around Folsom-Hydraulic mining and the work of the dredgers-The Anti-Debris Association's fight against hydraulic mining.
CHAPTER
THE SQUATTER RIOT
81
Causes of the Riot: Rival claims of the squatters and those holding title by purchase from Sutter-The Squatters' association-Seizure of lots, contests, and removals-Action in the recorder's court against James J. Madden-Defendant fined and restitution ordered-Judgment sustained on ap- peal-The Squatters' poster announcing resistance by appeal to arms under plea of invalidity of state land laws not recognized by congress-Squatters' meeting on the levee, August 11, 1850 (p. 82)- Warrants for arrest-Eviction and recovery of possession. Contemporary account of the riot-Sub- sequent events, and further account of leading participants.
CHAPTER XI
POLITICS IN THE EARLY DAYS.
85
A Democratic Convention: Rise of the anti-slavery party and growing bitterness of feeling- Opening of the convention, July 18, 1854, at Fourth Street Baptist Church-Rival temporary chair- men, John McDougal and Edward McGowan-Rival vice-presidents announced by rival chairmen- Further double-header proceedings-Eviction of riotous assemblage from church by trustees-Serio- comic close of the day-Southern and Northern factions meet in separate session-Resignations and overtures-Nomination of separate tickets, and result of election (p. 86). Early Republican gather- ings-The Spittoon Convention (p. 87).
CHAPTER XII
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
88
Formal organization of Sacramento County in 1850-Accounts of first elections, held prior to admission of California, as given by Dr. John I. Morse and D. J. Thomas-Proclamation by General Riley, calling for election on August 1, 1849, of delegates to general constitutional convention, and choice of other officers (p. 89)-Meeting of July 5, 1849, and appointment of committee on organiza- tion of precincts, apportionment of representation, and nomination of candidates-Results of the clection-Representation in constitutional convention-Election of November 12, 1849-Provisions of, and subsequent changes in. election law-First county officers, elected April 1, 1850 (p. 90)-The Court of Sessions-County boards of supervisors provided for by legislature of 1852-First board of supervisors, elected June 14, 1852-Civil business of county under control of Court of Sessions, May 1853-May, 1855-Control of civil business reverts to board of supervisors, 1855-Subsequent elec- tions, and lists of officers elected-Government of city and county consolidated, and president of board made separate office, 1858 (p. 91)-Subsequent elections, and officers elected-Legislature divides city and county government, 1863-Elections and officers-Date of elections changed to November by legislature of 1882 (p. 92)-Elections and officers.
CHAPTER XIII
CITY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS
94
Account and results of first municipal election in Sacramento, April 1, 1850-First meeting of council-elect, April 4, 1850-Mayor Biglow and the flood of March, 1850 (p. 95)-Surveys made for levee-Assessor's report on property values-Inflated valuations, foreclosures, bankruptcy-Sacra-
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mento City incorporated by act of first legislature, February 27, 1850-Boundaries of the city- Further provisions of act of incorporation (p. 96)-Amendatory act of March 13, 1850-Act of April 10, 1850, providing for port warden at port of Sacramento-New charter provided for Sacramento City by act of second legislature, effective March 25, 1851-Attitude of Governor McDougal-Pro- visions of the act-Act of April 26, 1853, providing special tax for support of free common schools and establishing board of trustees-Act of March 31, 1855, and fixing of salaries-Act of April 2, 1856, regulating the fire department-Consolidation of city and county; provisions of the act of April 24, 1858. Reorganization and New Charter (p. 97): Repeal of consolidation act and adoption of new charter, April 25, 1863-Provisions of new charter-Bills providing for paid fire department, new water-works, and reorganization of police force, 1872. Mayors, Commissioners, and Council- men: Hardin Biglow-Special election of December 14, 1850-Subsequent elections for mayor, with results-Elections for presidents of board of supervisors under consolidation act, with results, 1858- 1861-Elections for mayor under charter of 1863, with results (p. 98)-Elections for mayor under. charter of 1893, with results-New charter adopted in 1911, providing for city government by com- mission-First commissioners-Succeeding annual elections for commissioners, with results-Election of board of freeholders, May 20, 1920-New charter completed and filed with city clerk, September 13. 1920-List of freeholders-Charter ratified by people and legislature-First election for council- men under new charter, May 3, 1921, with results (p. 99). First meeting of council-elect in City Hall, and choice of permanent chairman and city manager-The city manager as administrative head of the city government; his salary, term of office, powers and duties-Sacramento a leader in adoption of proportional representation in municipal elections, and the managerial form of municipal adminis- tration-The proportional system of balloting.
CHAPTER XIV
CITY OFFICERS
100
Officers prior to adoption of charter of 1850-Mayors and other city officers (1850-1857) elected under city charter-Presidents of the board and other city and county officers (1858-1862) elected under the consolidation act of 1858-Trustees and other city officers (1863-1893) elected under charter of 1863 (p. 101)-Mayors, trustees and other city officers (1894-1912) elected under charter of 1893 (p. 103)-Commissioners and other city officers (1912-1921) elected under charter of 1911 (p. 104)-City manager, councilmen and other city officials elected under present charter.
CHAPTER XV
SACRAMENTO COUNTY SENATORS.
105
Representation of Sacramento District in first legislature under constitution of 1849-Sacra- mento County made twelfth senatorial district, April 4, 1850; representation-County made eleventh senatorial district, May 1, 1851; representation-State reapportioned and county constituted six- teenth senatorial district, May 18, 1861; representation-Apportionment of county under Political Code of March 2, 1874-Reapportionment of May 16, 1874; county becomes eighteenth senatorial district-Reapportionment of March 8, 1883; county made thirteenth senatorial district-Apportion- ment of assembly districts in city and county. March 13, 1883-County senators. 1849-1923, their terms of office, and brief account of their lives.
CHAPTER XVI
SACRAMENTO COUNTY ASSEMBLYMEN
108
Representation of Sacramento District, and territory represented, prior to division of state into counties. Chronological List of County Assemblymen (1849-1921), with Brief Account of Their Lives, Including, among Others: P. B. Cornwall (1849-1850), pioneer of 1848, one of the founders of the trading post at the Sutter Embarcadero-T. J. Henley (1849-1850), thrice congressman from Indiana, pioneer of 1849, Presidential elector, postmaster in San Francisco, superintendent of Indian affairs-E. W. Mckinstry (1849-1850), pioneer of 1849, judge of District Court, justice of Supreme Court-John Bigler (1849-1850), pioneer of 1849, speaker of first assembly, twice governor, United States minister to Chile-George B. Tingley (1849-1850) (p. 109), lawyer, formerly member of Indiana legislature-Thomas John White (1849-1850), speaker of assembly, city councilman-Dr. Charles Robinson (1851), implicated in Squatter Riot, afterwards twice governor of Kansas-J. Neely Johnson (1853), district attorney, governor-Charles Crocker (1861)' (p. 110), one of the builders of the Central Pacific Railroad-M. M. Estee (1863), district attorney, chairman national Republican
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convention, Presidential elector, United States district judge of Hawaiian Territory-Bruce B. Lee (1867-1868) (p. 111), prominent Mason-Isaac F. Freeman (1869-1870), pioneer of 1852, "Uncle Isaac" -- R. D. Stephens (1869-1870), pioneer of 1849, prominent viticulturist and horticulturist, dele- gate to constitutional convention of 1879, postmaster of Sacramento-James N. Barton (1873-1874), member of second constitutional convention-Thomas J. Clunie (1875-1876), lawyer, afterwards state senator and congressman from San Francisco, delegate to national Democratic convention- Grove L. Johnson (1877-1878) (p. 112), state senator-\V. C. Van Fleet (1881), justice of the Supreme Court, code commissioner, judge of United States District Court-Hugh M. LaRue (1883), pioneer of 1849, member of second constitutional convention, speaker of assembly, delegate to national Demo- cratic convention, railroad commissioner-H. W. Carroll (1887), prominent Mason, lieutenant-colonel and aide-de-camp on staff of Governors Stoneman and Bartlett-Judson C. Brusie (1891) (p. 113), secretary of railroad commissioners, versatile writer-W. A. Anderson (1893), prominent attorney- Hugh B. Bradford (1913), district attorney-J. M. Inman (1913), state senator.
CHAPTER XVII
TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS.
114
Alabama Township: Established October 20, 1856-Boundaries-Early settlers-First school- Industries. American Township: Established July 30, 1851-Boundaries-Formerly nearly all was overflowed land-Early settlers. Brighton Township (p. 115): Established February 4, 1851- Boundaries-Town of Brighton, started in 1849-Other towns-Early settlers. Center Township (p. 116): Established in 1851-Boundaries-Composed of Spanish grants-Attempt to get artesian water on Norris Grant (p. 117)-Oak Grove House, and the Denver-Gilbert duel-First store started at Antelope in 1877-Arcade. Cosumnes Township: Established in 1856-Towns included in its boundaries-Much gold mined in early days-First ditch built in 1851-Beginning of hydraulic min- ing, 1858-Early population of Michigan Bar-Other mining towns (p. 118)-Tragic death of Jared Sheldon-Early settlers-Industries (p. 119)-First school opened in 1853. Dry Creek Township: Established in August, 1853-Boundaries-Dr. McIntyre settled in township in 1851-Other early set- tlers and stockmen-Grain-farming-Galt laid out in 1869-Village schools, churches, lodges-"Uncle Billy" Hicks, who came in 1847 (p. 120)-New colonies started in later years. Franklin Township: Established October 20, 1856-Very productive soil-Grain, vegetables, orchards, alfalfa, berries, etc. -Joseph Sims, pioneer settler here in 1849-Other early settlers-Towns and villages. Georgiana Township: Established August 14, 1854-Composed of the island section-Over 100 miles of levee- Wonderful fruit and vegetable lands-Pierson Reclamation District (p. 121)-Description of the River Islands. Lee Township: Established October 20. 1856-Boundaries-First settlers, Daylor and Sheldon-Brief account of their lives (p. 122)-Other settlers-Early instance of mob law (p. 123). Mississippi Township (p. 124): Established February 24, 1851-Boundaries-Orangevale, Fairoaks, and the Carmichael Colony-Gold found along the banks of the American River in 1849-Early min- ing and mining companies-Colonel Russ, of Russville (Ashland) (p. 125)-First water-power mill in county, built by James Smith in 1851-Granite quarries. Natoma Township: Established February 24, 1851-Boundaries (p. 126)-Industries-Early settlers-Mormon miners-Early stage lines, hotels and business enterprises-First ball in county given on Mormon Island in 1849 (p. 127). San Joaquin Township: Established October 20, 1856-Boundaries-Earliest settlers, Martin Murphy Jr., and wife, in 1844-Other early settlers-Elk Grove and other towns (p. 128); community enter- prises, schools, churches, lodges. Sutter Township (p. 129): Established in 1851-Boundaries- New suburban district of Sacramento City. Riverside Township: Established in 1909-Now large- ly included in city-Smith's Gardens-The Tivoli House, a pioneer resort (p. 130)-East Park. Granite Township: Created October 20, 1856-Boundaries-Land mostly mineral-Folsom the prin- cipal city-Operations of the Natoma Water and Mining Company-The Natoma Vineyard-Mem- ories of Folsom by Judge W. A. Anderson-The Folsom dam (p. 132)-Further history of Folsom- Other towns (p. 133)-Origin of names (p. 134)-Townships reduced and renamed.
CHAPTER XVIII
135
NOTABLE FLOODS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY
Efforts of aborigines to provide safety from floods-Flood of January, 1850-Morse's account of the flood-Hardin Biglow and the flood of March, 1850 (p. 136)-Flood of March 7, 1852-"Daily Union's" account of the flood (p. 137)-Duration of flood-Preparations for construction of levees- Levee break on American River, December 19, 1852-Flood of January 1, 1853-New Year calls made by boat-Destruction in county heavy-Flood of March 28, 1861 (p. 138)-Flood of December 9, 1861-The Howard Benevolent Society's humane work of relief at the Pavilion-Estimated loss
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$1,500,000 (p. 139)-Flood of December 23, 1861-Flood of January 9, 1862-Work of rescue and re- lief-Fires in "Daily Union" office extinguished (p. 140)-Description of flood in "Daily Union"- Relief sent from San Francisco and Folsom (p. 141)-Break in levee at Rabel's tannery and floods of January 23 and February 24, 1862-Measures adopted for protection from floods-The raising of J and K Streets-The Lovdal break, February 1, 1878-The Edwards break, February 26, 1904-The Levees: Detailed account of progress of levee protection since 1850.
CHAPTER XIX
LOCAL JUDICIARY AND ATTORNEYS
144
Influence of Bench and Bar of Sacramento on legal system of California-Government and judicial organization under Mexican laws of 1837-Act of March 16, 1850; judicial districts estab- lished-County Courts and Court of Sessions-Reorganization under present state constitution. Local Judiciary: Judge James S. Thomas, judge of the Court of First Instance (1849); clerks of the court-Judge Shannon (1849) ; organization of his court-Judge R. A. Wilson (1849) (p. 145): his courts at Sacramento and Marysville-Stephen J. Field-Reorganization of judiciary under state con- stitution. May 30, 1850-The first district judges-Resignations from and successions to office from 1850 until the abolishment of the court under the constitution of 1879-Later personal history of the district judges. The Court of Sessions: Composition of court-Resignations and successions from 1850 to August 14. 1851-List of subsequent judges up to the abolishment of the court in 1862-Judge Clark, county judge until abolishment of County Court in 1879-Subsequent personal history of judges of Court of Sessions (p. 146). Superior Court of the County of Sacramento: Judges, elective and appointive, 1879 to the present. Crudity of the courts in early days-Crimes punishable by death- A novel civil case (p. 147). The County's Lawyers: Important place of the lawyer in society- Brief mention of prominent representatives of the county Bar-Attorneys now practicing in Sacra- mento (p. 151)-Attorneys now deceased (p. 152).
CHAPTER X X
CRIMINAL RECORDS
152
Comparative freedom from crime prior to 1850-Influx of criminal element. and ineffective legal restraint. Early Lynchings: Detailed account of the lynching of Frederick J. Roe-The lynching of William H. Robinson (p. 154). Early Crimes and Hangings: Murder of John Carroll and triple hanging near Sutter's Fort-The hanging of Ah Chung for the murder of Ah Let-Conviction and hanging of Samuel Garrett for the murder of Amiel Bricknell-Brutal murder of Daniel C. Howe, and execution of William S. Kelly-Execution of Peter Lundberg for the murder of John Peter Ritz- The case of William Weils (p. 155). Other Murders and Executions: Execution of Louis Kahl for murder of Catherine Gerken-The case of William Williams-Trial and Execution of George Nelson Symonds for the murder of B. F. Russell (p. 156)-Murder of Lieut. Webster Levergood and court martial and hanging of Corporal Frank Hodson-The case of "Tip" Mclaughlin-Execution of "Charles Mortimer" for the murder of Mary Gibson-Triple hanging of convicts for the murder of John Cruse (p. 157)-Trial and defense of David Turley for murder under influence of liquor; con- vietion and execution-A murder mystery-Strange murder of A. M. Tullis-A tragedy and near- lynching (p. 158)-Legal technicalities in the cases of Raten and Hurtado-Triple hanging for the murder of John Lowell-The brutal murder of F. H. Weber-Tong war and murder in Chinatown (p. 159)-More recent executions at Folsom-Brutal murder of Joseph Piraino. The jail-break at Folsom Prison-Later desperate attempt at jail-break.
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