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    [California Gold Rush] 1851 Gold Rush Contract, San Francisco....

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    • Western Expansion:Goldrush, [California Gold Rush] 1851 Gold Rush Contract, San Francisco....
    • Western Expansion:Goldrush, [California Gold Rush] 1851 Gold Rush Contract, San Francisco....
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    Description

    [California Gold Rush] 1851 Gold Rush Contract, San Francisco. Two pages, 8" x 12.5", July 29, 1851. Important Gold Rush contract between the California Street Wharf Company and the City of San Francisco. The wharf would be built out in the bay to accommodate unloading miners on their way to the gold fields and the supplies that they would need on their journey. James King of William is one of the signers on the document. He was a very prominent San Franciscan who was shot and killed in 1856. A May 14, 1856 newspaper account describes the shooting: "Mr. King did not draw any weapon, but was met in the middle of the street by Casey, who said, "Are you armed?" to which Mr. King made no reply but looked at Casey. Casey threw off his cloak and presented a large navy revolver saying "Draw and defend yourself," at the same time taking a deliberate aim and covering his victim with a well directed shot, the result of which is known. He then cocked his pistol again, but seeing his opponent stagger into the Pacific Express Office, did not attempt a second shot; some person caught hold of him and told him to give up his arms, which, he refused, and showed fight; but on approach of two or three officers, he remarked that he would go, but they must not take his arms, he was not going to be hung. The horrible and heart-rending occurrence, the shooting down of Mr. King in broad daylight, in the public street, has justly aroused the indignation of the entire community." The assassin, Casey was arrested but a "Citizen's Guard" stormed the jail and took him, where in front of an estimated crowd of 20,000 San Franciscans, Casey was "launched to eternity" at the end of a rope. A document touching many important aspects of San Francisco and California history, in fine condition.

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    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    Nov-Dec, 2011
    30th-1st Wednesday-Thursday
    Internet/Mail Bids: 5
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 590

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