Black List
From the book entitled “San Francisco Vigilance Committee of ’56,” by F. W. Smith, I quote the following, with some corrections and alterations:
“I am informed by an ex-Vigilante that the Committee roll call of ’56, just before its disbandment, numbered between eight and nine thousand.
In concluding our history of this society, we will give the names and penalties inflicted on those who came under its eye during the latter year; whose conduct was so irreparably bad that it could not be excused.
Those who suffered the death penalty did so in expiation for lives they had taken. The names of these culprits are familiar to the reader. We also give the names of those who were required to leave the State; all of whom, in the archives of the Vigilantes, fall under the head of the black list:”
James P. Casey, executed May 22nd, 1856. Charles Cora, executed May 22nd, 1856. Joseph Hetherington, executed July 29th, 1856. Philander Brace, executed July 29th, 1856. Yankee Sullivan (Francis Murray), suicided May 31st, 1856. Chas. P. Duane, shipped on “Golden Age,” June 5th, 1856. William Mulligan, shipped on “Golden Age,” June 5th, 1856. Woolley Kearney, shipped on “Golden Age,” June 5th, 1856. Bill Carr, sent to Sandwich Islands, June 5th, 1856, bark “Yankee.” Martin Gallagher, sent to Sandwich Island, June 5th, 1856, bark “Yankee.” Edward Bulger, sent to Sandwich Islands, June 5th, 1856, bark “Yankee.” Peter Wightman, ran away about June 1st, 1856. Ned McGowan, ran away about June 1st, 1856. John Crow, left on “Sonora,” June 20th, 1856. Bill Lewis, shipped on “Sierra Nevada,”—June 20th, 1856. Terrence Kelley, shipped on “Sierra Nevada,” June 20, 1856. John Lowler, shipped on “Sierra Nevada,” June 20th, 1856. William Hamilton, shipped on “Sierra Nevada,” June 20th, 1856. James Cusick, ordered to leave but refused to go, and fled into the interior. James Hennessey, ordered to leave, but fled to the interior. T. B. Cunningham, shipped July 5th, 1856, on “John L. Stephens.” Alex. H. Purple, shipped July 5th, 1856, on “John L. Stephens.” Torn Mulloy, shipped July 5th, 18,56, on “John L. Stephens.” Lewis Mahoney, shipped July 5, 1856, on “John L. Stephen,.” J. R. Maloney, shipped July 5th, 1856, on “John L. Stephens.” Dan’l Aldrich, shipped July 5th, 1856, on “John L. Stephens.” James White, Shipped July 21st, 1856, on “Golden Age.” James Burke, alias “Activity,” shipped July 21st, 1856, on “Golden Age.” Wm. F. McLean, shipped July 21st, 1856, on “Golden Age.” Abraham Kraft, shipped July 21st, 1856, on “Golden Age.” John Stephens, shipped September 5, 1856, on “Golden Age.” James Thompson, alias “Liverpool Jack,” shipped September 5, 1856, on “Golden Age.”
Many others either left of their own volition or under orders to leave the state.
Bulger and Gallagher who had been shipped out of the country on June 5th returned to San Francisco. In their haste the Committee had failed to read their sentences to them and they were not aware of the penalty of returning. They were again shipped out of the country and ordered not to return under penalty of death.
There were 489 persons killed during the first 10 months of 1856. Six of these were hanged by the Sheriff, and forty-six by the mobs, and the balance were killed by various means by the lawless element.