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Superb California Gold Rush Diary by a Hangtown Druggist and Justice of the Peace:

"The Principal Incidents" in Placerville, 1850-1853: Criminality, Mob Violence, "Irish Dick" Hanged

The El Dorado Society for Relief, Cholera Epidemic in Sacramento, San Francisco a "Real, Living, Modern Babylon"

Gov. McDougal Makes a Speech at Hangtown: "Let vengeance be immediately executed on the Indians and make him feel our power"

A truly amazing manuscript journal by Josephus P. Martin, a young argonaut who crossed the plains to California in '49, whose lively journal provides ample evidence of how Placerville earned its notorious sobriquet of Hangtown.  In many ways, Martin's journal is a quintessential record of the free-wheeling early days in Placerville, encompassing the gamut of incidents and topics associated with the social life of the place and time: gold diggings, vigilante "justice," the hanging of Richard "Irish Dick" Cronin, Native American violence and resistance, the raising of a militia to fight Indians, Gov. McDougal's Hangtown speech calling for vengeance againt the Indians, cholera deaths in nearby Sacramento, Whig politics, the formation of the Masonic "El Dorado Society for Relief," and a short visit to San Francisco, styled "a real, living, modern Babylon."

Josephus Perrin ("J. P.") Martin came to California in the fall of 1849, crossing the Plains in that legendary year when the whole world seemed to rush into California. Raised on a farm in Harrison County, Kentucky, Martin settled in Placerville, or "Hangtown," where he apparently learned the profession of pharmacist. Also a justice of the peace, he presided over numerous marriages in Placerville and environs, which are recorded in the present journal. As a young man in his early 20s, Martin managed to be at the scene of the action in Placerville, recording significant "incidents" as they occurred during the exciting early days of California statehood. 

Placerville was one of the centers of vigilantism during the Gold Rush - where people took the law into their own hands, forming so-called vigilance committees, which attempted to bring criminals to justice in a fledgling state that lacked a fully developed judicial infrastructure. At the time of Martin's journal California had no state prison, and the few jails were insecure leftovers from the Mexican era located in coastal towns some distance from the bustling inland mining camps.

Whether Martin was a party to any of the extra-legal judicial proceedings that gave Hangtown its name remains an open question, but he was definitely a witness to much rowdiness and violence. In later years, Martin lived in San Jose, where he dabbled in local politics and continued in the pharmacy business. By 1879, after some thirty years in California, he had moved to Montana, eventually becoming a much-respected probate judge in Bozeman. It is clear from Martin's biography - and the journal itself - that his stint in Hangtown was the most exciting period of his life.

The volume begins on Sept. 21, 1850 with the following entry:

J. P. Martin's Journal Continued. One year has now passed and I intend to keep a journal of some of the principal incidents, &c. &c.

Despite Martin's statement that the journal is a continuation, the opening sheet is numbered page 1, indicating that the present journal is a discrete unit unto itself, separate from any of Martin's earlier writings. His entries, while brief, are written in a remarkably modern, at times tongue-in-cheek vernacular, which contributes greatly to the interest and value of the journal. Martin managed to pack an impressive amount of content into a compact volume, offering up a fresh feast for historians. He refers to more than a dozen friends and associates, some of whom were noted California pioneers, such as Albert W. Bee, a merchant in the gold fields who founded the Bee Line, one of California's first telegraph connections, across the Sierras to Nevada. 

Context of Hangtown's Vigilante "Justice"

The early 1850s in California was a time of great change and upheaval due to the Gold Rush. Thousands of people from all over the world flocked to California in search of gold, leading to rapid population growth and the formation of new settlements. Vigilante justice in Gold Rush era California, particularly in Placerville, was a form of self-policing in which citizens formed vigilante groups to enforce the law and punish criminals, often outside of the formal legal system. Such quasi-legal proceedings, at times conducted with the approval of sheriffs and local justices of the peace, was often directed towards ethnic minorities, including Mexicans, African Americans and Native Americans. These groups were often targeted because of racism and prejudice, and were seen as easy targets due to their marginalized status. It was not uncommon for innocent members of these minority groups to be falsely accused and punished. Furthermore, the hangings carried out by the vigilantes were frequently public spectacles, serving as a warning, perpetuating fear and discrimination against marginalized people. For an extended treatment of how racially motivated mob lynchings proliferated in California between 1850 and 1935, see Ken Gonzalez-Day's recent book, Lynching in the West, 1850-1835 (2006).

Hanging of "Irish Dick"

The most famous rowdy noted by Martin was Richard "Irish Dick" Cronin - among the first to be lynched by a Hangtown mob. The 20-year old gambler who, like Martin, had come across the plains, stood out for his drinking exploits even in the rough and tumble of Gold Rush California. Cronin was also notorious for fomenting conflict via his ill treatment of local Native Americans. In October 1850 "Irish Dick" was running a monte game in Placerville's El Dorado saloon, a favorite watering hole for miners. A fracas purportedly instigated by a miner who had gambled away all his gold dust led to Dick pulling out his Bowie knife and killing one of the brawlers. A large crowd prevented Dick from escaping on horseback, but instead of seeking immediate vengeance on the murderer, a mob of over a thousand people purportedly improvised a quasi-judicial proceeding with the town's two justices of the peace presiding over Cronin's "trial." The kangaroo court sentenced Cronin to immediate execution by hanging. Martin noted the event on Oct. 25, 1850:

Last night at the Eldorado a man was stabbed by an Irishman called Dick this morning the man died. Dick was arraigned and Hung by a mob...

Martin's entry on Richard Cronin is historically valuable as a contemporary record of the hanging. Modern historians have occasionally misdated this notorious lynching. In his recent book on the history of lynching in California Ken Gonzalez-Day dated the hanging of "Irish Dick" Cronin to 1849, basing that date on a later published account, clearly not as reliable as Martin's firsthand record. It is interesting to speculate on Martin's possible role in the proceedings against Irish Dick, especially in light of his later marriage work at Hangtown, beginning in the fall of 1851. Could our J. P. Martin have been one of the justices of the peace who helped seal Cronin's fate?

Native Americans, Governor McDougal and The Second El Dorado Expedition of 1851

Martin makes several references to violence between Native Americans and white men. The death of Major McKenney (or McKinney), a leader of one of several volunteer militias organized to attack Native Americans in California during the 1850s, is recorded in an early November 1850 entry: "[Major McKenney] was killed by the Indians on the head of Weaver Creek, and was taken to Coloma for internment." This coincides with historical records cited by historian Benjamin Madley in his recent exhaustive work on the California Indian Catastrophe. Madley lists Major McKinney as having been killed by Indians before November 5, 1850, "in the neighborhood of Weaverville, some twelve miles from Coloma."  

Several of Martin's entries in May 1851 relate to the escalating conflict between the hordes of newly arrived gold seekers and the local native tribes, including a May 12 note quoting from a rabid speech made by Governor McDougal at Hangtown. Martin, who was presumably an eyewitness to this remarkable speech, records the politician's exhortation that he did not care who started the difficulties between whites and Indians, "whether it be an Indian or a white man, let vengence be immediately executed on the Indians and make him feel our power." This may be the only contemporary record of McDougal's Hangtown speech extant. The speech was a response to purported violence against miners by Indians. The date of the speech is significant as the next day McDougal authorized a sheriff to enroll state militiamen to beef up a hastily organized expedition against the Indians - it would become known as the Second El Dorado Expedition. 

John McDougal was California's second governor, serving from January 9, 1851 – January 8, 1852. He continuned his predecessor's policy of encouraging volunteer militia companies against California's Native Americans. Indeed, McDougal worked to institutionalize violence against Indians by pressuring the state legislature to pay the volunteer militiamen, suggesting that the Federal government would eventually foot the bill. According to historian Madley, McDougal used the pretext of Indian violence against miners to transform erstwhile vigilante groups into State Militias, specifically tasked with controlling the Indian population. The largest of these militias units, known as the Second El Dorado Expedition, was authorized by McDougal in May 1851, and grew to over 600 men:

The Second El Dorado Expedition killed Nisenan people and burned their villages even as it sometimes forced Nisenan leaders to sign treaties...In twelve months, California had supported six well-publicized Indian-hunting ranger militia expeditions that had killed at least 143 California Indians - Madley, page 105.

In a revealing juxtaposition immediately following the quote from McDougal's speech Martin wrote:

...there has been some friendly Indians killed on the road leading from this place [Hangtown] to Coloma.

Whether Martin sided with the earlier mob that hanged "Irish Dick" remains unclear; that he harbored misgivings about the state sanctioned militias on the brink of a killing spree against Native Americans is quite evident from the above passage.  

The El Dorado Society for Relief

Martin describes the establishment of the Eldorado Society, a group of Masons who joined together "for the purpose of relief." While it is possible "the relief" reflects a connection to the proliferation of vigilance committees in California at that time, it seems more likely that Martin's Eldorado Society was a mutual aid organization of brother masons created during the cholera outbreak in Sacramento. A. P. Reed was elected president of the group, while Martin himself shared the vice presidency with a Dr. Comstock. Mr. Foote was Secretary, and P. Murphy chosen as treasurer. Other members included P. Phipps Tyler, R. Moore, William Riley, James Frazier, and Samuel McGee.  In early February 1851 Martin himself was elected president of the El Dorado Society.

Drugs

In his work as a pharmicist Martin apparently associated with (and roomed with) a Dr. Boyd. He relates a humorous incident involving Boyd and a middle-of-the-night disturbance that the latter mistook for an intruder. At other times Martin's friends apparently "got high" on some unnamed substance (perhaps morphine, or perhaps just alcohol).  While clearly not a teetotaler, Martin proudly put himself down as "sober, myself" following an entry describing his "high" associates.  A rather mysterious page of the journal bears the single word: Chloroform. That compound, used as a powerful euphoriant as well as an anesthetic, had only recently started to be produced on a commercial basis. 

Conducting Marriages

Perhaps the most humorous entries in the journal concern the various marriages presided over by Martin in his role as a justice of the peace. These entries include his private commentary on the future prospects of the couples. For example:

On this day joined in Marriage John Gould to Francis C. Hankinson, her second husband, she is about twice as big as he is, very much affraid she will over lay him some night...

Social Life

As a young bachelor, Martin clearly had an interest in meeting women. In one somewhat cryptic entry for Sept. 26, 1850 he wrote "ball at City Hotells, three Ladies." One must assume he had the pleasure of dancing with three different women that evening.

On March 13, 1851 Martin attended a theatrical performance in San Francisco featuring the noted Sarah Kirby Stark as the star performer. The widow of J. Hudson Kirby, also an actor, Sarah debuted on February 21, 1850, using the stage name of Mrs. J. Hudson Kirby.  Kirby was also a theater manager and her biography has been included in histories of pioneer women in the west.

The best way to get the flavor of Martin's journal is to let him speak for himself though the following excerpts from the journal:

Sat. Sept. 21st 1850. Slight rain. New diggings discovered on Top of the Mountain East of the town one or two holes paid very well, ballance Humbug. Two men took out of one hole $480.

W. 25. To night established a Society of Masons called the Eldorado Society for the purpose of relief, R. Moore, Wm. Riley, James Frazier, Sam'l McGee came back from the Southern mines.

Th. 26. Day fair & beautiful at night, ball at City hotells three Ladies.

F. 27. Fair & beautiful. Jno. Minton came up from City. Lost all of his mules Ranchers [run?] of Wm. [Beleu?] Francis Barrow Thomas Hale.

S. 28. Fair, Eldorado Society met, Officers Elected. A. P. Reed, President, Dr. Comstock & J. P. Martin Vice President, Mr. Foote, Secretary. P. Murphy Treasury, P. Phipps Tyler, A Committee of Examination...

S. 29 ... Fight in Town, blood spilt, &c.

W. 2 [Oct.] G. W. Goddard and hands returned from Trinity diggings...

F. 4. Bro. Benjamin Carpenter Died through the effect of an over portion of Morphine.

M. 7 ... Election for the Attorney General, Clerk of Supreme Court, Superindendent of Public institutions, District Attorney, Assembly. G.D. Hall & J. P. Kendnak were candidates for the assembly. Several fights closed the day.

Sat. 19 Arrived at Hangtown

Wed. 23 Alarm from the Indians calling up for volunteers.

Thur. 24. Organizing the Volunteer Company

Oct. 25. Last night at the Eldorado a man was stabbed by an Irishman called Dick this morning the man died. Dick was arraigned and Hung by a mob...

Sat. 26. ... all still, excitement over, account of cholera in Sacramento City, from 4 to 8 cases dead a day.

Wedns. 6 [ Nov.] Day fair, formed procession and escorted the remains of Bro. Maj. Mackenny Through the Town, he was killed by the Indians on the head of Weaver Creek, and was taken to Coloma for internment.

Mon. 11. Called as one of a Committee to settle a difficulty between two Brothers one by the name of Furgerson as the complainant, the other by the name of Miller. The Committee consisted of Col. Willock, Capt. Wm. H. Smith, Philip Murphy, Mr. Bernstein & myself. Not knowing what to do with the case, we put it off until Saturday night next for further consideration.

Thurs. 14. Last night about one o'clock cousin Samuel Blanks died, buried in the evening.

Tue. 19. ...Bro. Ferris died at Weaver, was to be buried at four o'clock, attended, grave not finished, adjourned until 9 o'clock on Wednesday.

Wednes. 20. ...At night a caucus was held at the Empire to decide which of two Candidates should run for the vacancy of the Clerkship caused by the death of Major McKenney, he filling the office of Lucien A. Foot. W. F. Stuart & A. W. Bee were the candidates, I was elected one of President of that Caucus. A. W. Bee gained the nomination.

W. 4. [Dec] George started with stock for the ranch, also on his way down to Pueblo to get a farm.

Fri. 13. Last night Dock & Capt. Smith were playing Back Gammon, both got quite wrothy, to day high wind, and rain, heard that Lucky Bill had got shot for trying to take a purse of gold out of a man's pocket, Lucky Bill's real name is Bill Thornton. 

Sun. 15. ... During the latter part of the night I was awakened by Dr. Boyd & J. Morrison hollowing whos there. Boyd said if you don't answer I'll shoot, no answer, Bang went a billet of wood against the door, and open it came, the reason he threw the wood was because he had no Pistol to shoot. Now the Doctor and myself differ as to the cause of the disturbance, he says that their was somebody at the door coming in, and he is supported in his opinion by Morrison, I think it was the wind causing the door to creak, which awakened him up, and seeing a barrel between him and the window took it for a man.

Sun. 22. General fight up Town, in which Wm. Moore figured very conspicuously

Tue. 24. ... Some men got very high. Sober myself.

W. 25. To day is Christmas, the second one I have passed in this country, and to me rather a dry one so far, tonight there is a ball at the Empire. Shall stay at home.

January 4th, 1851 ... This is my birthday 26 years old.

Tuesday 14. This morning good deal of excitement about a claim in street: between Mr. Read and Sharp and Rallz - fight on the subject.

Thursday 30th 51. To day a difficulty took place between a Dutchman and a man by the name of Darnes, Dames, called the Dutch - a D-m Son of Bitch, the Dutch - threw a bottle at Darnes and struck him in the forehead, cutting his head severely, with returning a word went to a physician and had his wound dressed - then went off, got his Pistol walked back by the Dutchman's door, Stopt Shot and walked down the street the ball entered the back and passed through and stoped in front: Darns was taken into custody... 

Friday 31. Between four o'clock and day light this morning Darns was taken with a leaving about 10 o'clock the ball was taken out of the Dutch - in the early part of night Died. Dams has not been heard of.

Feb. 1st / 51. I was elected president of our Association. A. P. Reed, our former President was elected one of the Committee of Relief, &c.

March 12, 1851. This evening took a Steam Boat for San Francisco, arrived at place about eleven o'clock at night.

March 13. To give a description of this place would be almost impossible. Suffice to say that it is a real living modern Babylon, and no mistake, a place where the Rascals and dishonest men may become rich, the honest poor. I have stood in their gambling houses. Houses that are fit palaces for Kings, in some of them I have seen Some of the finest works of the Artist, amongst them I saw the picture of the Greek Slave, the town is built partly on the Bay, and in the course of time I think most of it will be. At night I went to the theatre, tolerable performance Mrs. Kirby was the principal actress.

March 15. Took a boat for Puebla Valley, it was one of the boats, what are boats, it could run on either side, one wheel in the water at a time. The bay was very rough the boat pitched about a great deal, we went up to the head of the Bay and thence up the Guadaloupe River to a place called Alviso, arrived there about 10 o'clock at night.

March 16. Today is Sunday, awoke very eary, took my Carpet bag on my back and started for the farm, ran over all the Country, but at last found the desired haven. The boys were all well, had two fine ducks on and we had a fine roast for Dinner in the evening, went to see other Kincaids.

March 20th, 1851, Friday, Passed by time between the farm and Kincaids, to day went up the Valley as far as San Jose as I went up I passed through the town of Santa Clara, or what was formerly called the Mission of Santa Clara, this is a beautiful town, and has a beautiful situation can be seen from all parts of the Valley. San Jose is situated near the eastern bank of the Guadaloupe River it contained but a few houses until settled by the Americans, in that portion settled by the Spanish the houses are principally Doba it was until the present time the Capitol of California. By the Present Legislature the Capitol has been changed to Vallejo, on the eastern bank of the Bay of San Francisco in what is called Napa Valley.

May the 12th 1851. To day the Governor (McDougal) in making a speech in this place (Hangtown) mad [sic] use of these words in speaking of the Indian difficulties, "I care not when it may be that is the originators of the difficulties between the whites and Ind. - whether it be an Indian or a white man, let vengence be immediately executed on the Indians and make him feel our power, and this I intend to see carried out."

There has been some friendly Indians killed on the road leading from this place to Coloma.

May the 15th / 51. The Volunteers are now encamped at Johnson's Rancho.

May 22d. To day a skirmish with the Indians above Johnsons, supposed some four or five Indians killed.

25th. Expect to have a general engagement with the Indians.

June 2d / 51. To day some of the soldiers passed through this place two companies.

December 13th 1851. Great excitement in Town to night several Women came in who play a game called Lansquenett, some of the Actors on the Stage came in and amongst them Fairchild.

Returns made to the Clerk of the Court made before me for the month of January A.D. 1852 beginning on page 31st. The Case of State of California vs. M. Carrol, and ending with the case of Joseph M. Loy & Co. vs. John R. Ayres on page 48.

Placerville, November 13th / 51. One this day I joined in Marriage Milton R. Elstner to Miss Melissa Woody, a match that I do not much admire. Elstner is from Crittenden Grant County, Ky, Miss Woody, does not bear as good a character as some Ladies I have seen.

November 17th / 51. This day I tied together Amos C. Adams and Miss Naoma Armilla Aldrich a couple just suited to each other (cousins) after the marriage I talked a while with the sister of the bride a very lively pretty girl.

December 20th / 51. To day in the town of Weaver, joined in marriage Eli A. Pullen to Mrs. Mary Sheilhaver, he is her third husband, she is about 24 years of age he 28. She a Native of Baden Europe, he of Kentucky, nad a nephew of Jacob Doan's. I predict a long and happy life.

July 15th 1852. On this day joined in marriage Robert Rankin (relation of the Rankin's of Harrison) to Eliza Carpenter, her second husband, divorced a short time ago from her first husband. Don't go much on the match.

August 22d / 52. About 11 o'clock in the night joined in marriage I. Banker Herbert (yankee) to Miss Isabella Lance of Canada they stay one year at Salt Lake. Should not be surprized if they knew some of the joys of matrimonial life. (can't say) she was dressed in a light colored lawn dress and by the by a very pretty girl, he was dressed in a shirt pants. And shoes, no vest or coat. Joy be with them.

Dec. 10th / 52. On this day joined in Marriage John Gould to Francis C. Hankinson, her second husband, she is about twice as big as he is, very much affraid she will over lay him some night. I think they are a very worthy couple and wish them a long and happy life.

January 30th A.D. 1853. On this day Walter W. Vaughn to Adeline Brown wouldn't like to be in his place. If I am any Judge of the human Phiz I would say that he has caught a tartar, and no mistake. Joy be with him.

March 15th A.D. 1853. On this day joined in marriage in White Rock Valley Peter Davis to Susan Amden he is a young man and a Gentleman, she a Gross Widow, a couple that may do well.

Undated entries

Travelling Expenses - 

Stage to Sac- 8.00

Break at El Dora 1.00

Dinner 1.00

Boat to Benecia 4.00

Lodging at Be- 3.00

Stage to Valejo 2.00

Board at Valejo 2.00

Stage to Benecia 2.00

Supper 1.00

Passage to Sac 8.00

Breakfast .50

Stage to Plac 10.00

Dinner 1.00

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45.75

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Committees

- On Ordinances. Martin, Pomeroy & Edwards

- Fire & Water. Edwards, Pfister & Pomeroy

-Streets. Pfister & Edwards

-Finance. Pomeroy, Martin & Edwards

-Claims. Martin, Pomeroy & Edwards

-Health. Edwards, Martin & Pomeroy

-Schools & School Houses. Pomeroy, Edwards & Martin

-Public buildings. Pfister, Pomeroy & Martin

Conclusion

J. P. Martin's journal is a concentrated record of the rampant human drama that was Placerville in the early 1850s. With 20-20 hindsight we can concur that he indeed succeeded in recording many of the "Principal Incidents" of Hangtown in the years 1850-1853. In the space of 47 pages Martin managed to convey a sense of the excitement of life in Placerville during the early years of the Gold Rush, distilling the violence and allure of one of the roughest places in the annals of western history. His entries concerning Indian troubles, especially the record of Gov. McDougal's Hangtown speech calling for vengeance against Native Americans adds to our overall understanding of the conflict between the forces of western expansion and native tribes in California. Despite its compact size, or perhaps partly because of its succinct quality, the journal stands as a significant historical source for Placerville during the Gold Rush.