(CALIFORNIA) Trial of David S Terry by the Committee of Vigi

Sale 2615 - Lot 37

Price Realized: $ 594

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750

(CALIFORNIA.) Trial of David S. Terry by the Committee of Vigilance, San Francisco. 75 pages. 8vo. original printed wrappers, moderate wear to spine; title page slightly trimmed and partially restored, light vertical fold throughout, minor foxing. San Francisco, CA: R.C. Moore, 1856

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Terry was a justice on the California Supreme Court. When the Vigilance Committee lynched two accused murderers held at the city jail, Terry came to San Francisco to help restore order. The Vigilance Committee attempted to arrest Justice Terry, who stabbed one of them and escaped. He was then tried in absentia by the Vigilance Committee. Terry dignified the proceedings with a written defense (page 24-28). "One of the few printed examples of an extra-legal murder trial in the United States"--Greenwood, California Imprints 772 (crediting Charles S. Case as the likely author). Cowan 1933, page 633; Howes T106 ("aa"--"most famous vigilante trial"); Sabin 94889; Streeter sale V:2814.