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Then Coleman said "the people had no confidence in Scannell, the sheriff," who was, he said, in collusion with the rowdy element of San Francisco. Johnson then offered to be personally responsible that Casey should be safely guarded, and should be forthcoming for trial and execution at the proper time.
Coleman raised his head. "This is no mob. You know it, Governor," he answered. "We've no faith in Sheriff Scannell nor his juries." He turned to Sherman. "This committee is a deliberative body, sir; regularly organized with officers and men, an executive council. The best men in the city are its members...." "And you are its Czar," remarked Garrison, tauntingly.
"We ask that he be peaceably delivered us handcuffed, at the door, immediately." "Under existing circumstances," replied Scannell, "I shall make no resistance. The prison and its contents are yours." But Truett interrupted pointedly: "We want only the man Casey, at present," he said. "For the rest we hold you strictly accountable." Scannell bowed without reply.
Some are going up Pacific street to Kearney, some to Dupont and ... yes, a part of them on Stockton." "It's what you call an enfilading movement," said Sherman quietly. In the county jail were Sheriff Scannell, Harrison his deputy, Marshal North, Billy Mulligan the jailor, and a small guard. Some of these watched proceedings from the roof, now and then descending to report to Scannell.
Cora's in jail.... They say Cora laughed when he went to prison with Scannell.... Scannell and Mulligan!" He spat out the words with a savage distaste. "Let me show you something, Dave. A reporter from the New York Express was out here gathering data crime statistics for the year. He showed it to me. Listen to this: Four hundred and eighty-nine murders in California during ten months.
The center of public interest had shifted to Know Nothing Hall where Vigilantes were still enrolling. Sherman and Van Ness found Sheriff Scannell, Ned McGowan, Billy Mulligan and the prisoner Casey in vehement consultation. They welcomed the soldier and mayor with manifest relief. "I'm glad you came," said Mulligan, "things look bad. There'll be Hell poppin' if that d fool dies."
Sheriff Scannell does not remove Billy Mulligan from his present post as keeper of the county jail, and Mulligan lets Cora escape, hang Billy Mulligan, and if necessary to get rid of the sheriff, hang him hang the sheriff! The popular excitement gradually died. It had no leaders. Coleman and men of his stamp, who had taken command of similar crises in former times, counselled moderation.
Johnson suggested that the committee continue its labors, but permit the court to try Casey, even in the event of King's death. An impasse loomed. Finally came Coleman's ultimatum: "If Sheriff Scannell will permit ten of our members to join the guard over Casey, this committee will agree to make no overt move until our guards are withdrawn and you are notified."
Sheriff Scannell appeared. The delegation desired him to handcuff the prisoner and deliver him at the door. Without hesitation, the Sheriff repaired to the cell of Casey and informed him of the request of the Vigilantes. The Sheriff, after going through some preliminaries, brought the prisoner to the front door of the jail and delivered him into the hands of the Committee.
Five in action, with Chief Scannell and "Bummer" and "Lazarus," and perhaps Lillie Hitchcock. When we reach Washington Street we cross to make a call at the Bank Exchange in the Montgomery Block, the largest structure on the street. The "Exchange" is merely a popular saloon, but it boasts ten billiard tables and back of the bar hangs the famous picture of "Samson and Delilah."
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