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Sacramento California
August 26th 1851 

My Dear Parents

A month has passed since I last wrote you and although I have nothing of importance to communicate, I take it for granted that you will be interested in hearing from me again. I received no letters from any one by the last mail, but mother will accept my thanks for a nice bundle of Springfield papers which were, as they always are, full of interest and read with much pleasure.

By the "Palmyra Whig" from Joseph we hear the unpleasant news of the prevalence of cholera in a serious form at Hannibal and at other places in the vicinity. A gentleman from Hannibal, Mr. Shannon, today informed me that by a letter of the last of June he was informed that eight or ten deaths were then occurring there daily. If this be so, it has become rather alarming and I shall look with much anxiety for the next news from Palmyra. I fear that it may ere this have visited that place, and the uncertainty and eccentricity of this scourge will cause much uneasiness here until the result is fully known. I devoutly hope, however, that the "angel of death" has once more passed by leaving her citizens unscathed. The dwellers in the great valley of the Mississippi seem to be visited with unusually heavy calamities this season but probably all is for the best.

With regard to the health and prosperity of this state I can say that it has thus far this year been interrupted by neither disease nor calamities. I never in my life knew a more healthy community than Sacramento is, and has been since the disappearance of the cholera last fall. Sickness is almost entirely unknown and doctors are doing every thing except practicing their profession for a livelihood. Dr Blake of St Louis, a skillful physician and surgeon and a medical writer of considerable celebrity, is off in the mountains examining the geological for-


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mation of the "Quartz Diggings", and Dr Ellis, the son-in-law of Dr Goodrich, another skillful physician, is about to lay down the lancet and take up the Sword of Justice; that is, if the people will elect him "J.P." which I think they will do. My own health continues uninterruptedly excellent. I am not quite as heavy as I was in the cool weather of last spring, but when the winter comes on with its bracing atmosphere and freshening showers, I expect to be "O.K." once more.

A bit of news just now pops into my memory that may relieve this page of some of its dullness. As I have mentioned in some former letters, my sleeping apartments are about a mile from the heart of the city. Here I write all my letters and here I am at the moment. After sealing my letters to Homer & Rens. two weeks ago, I placed them in my hat & started for the Post Office. After passing about half a mile down "J" street I met an acquaintance who stopped me with the inquiry, "where are you going?" "To the Post Office." "Then where?" "To my own office; why do you ask?" An incredulous smile was his only reply at first. "You didn't see the fire there?" "Fire! Certainly not; what do you mean?" I was at first incredulous when he told me that the office which I had left at dark the evening previous was "non est"; but I was forced to believe when he led me to the place and I saw nothing but blackened and soaking ruins in the place of many fine and costly buildings. The Tehama Theatre, a fine structure called the "Palace", several saloons and Law Offices had all quietly disappeared as I was informed, about two o'clock in the morning. It originated in the Theatre and was undoubtedly the work of an incendiary. Our office being almost the last building attached, and there being several persons sleeping there, they had time to remove nearly all its valuable contents; -- among the rest, our books and papers. Two or three other members of the Bar were more unfortunate, -- losing all their books papers and furniture. Our inconvenience was but temporary; we soon found another office and by 12 o'clock we were "at home" again. Our only serious loss was that of our precious Shingle! 



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A great deal of excitement has prevailed here and at San Francisco within the last ten days, growing out of the delightful condition of Society in this State. You have read many accounts of the inefficiency of our courts and of the miserable and partial administration of Justice. In San Francisco six hundred of the prominent citizens have formed themselves into a "Vigilance Committee" for the detection and punishment of all sorts of offenders. They have an admirable and thorough organization, prompt and determined officers, bear all the expense themselves and act entirely independent of the courts and legalized officers of Justice. Their course has won the appreciation of every man of common sense throughout the State and they have done more good than the courts would do in twelve months. Several weeks ago they captured two noted scoundrels who had long preyed upon the country, gave them a patient & fair hearing and then condemned them to death.

John McDougal, our excellent Governor, heard of this and though he had openly approved of the objects and conduct of the Committee, now resolved to distinguish himself.  At dead of night he swore out a writ of Habeas Corpus for the bodies of the two prisoners and then led the Sheriff to the rooms of the committee where they were confined. The sentinels of the committee were outdone and the prisoners were hurried off in triumph to the county prison. Instantaneously the Committee assembled and Gov. McDougal, now becoming alarmed issued a very bloody proclamation and ordered the U.S. ship of war, Vincennes, to turn her guns upon the City! His conduct in this affair disgusted every body.
 
A day or two after this the time arrived for the execution of three men in this city who had been condemned for highway robbery, committed in the city in broad day-light. The guilt of the three was established beyond doubt; and yet on the morning of the execution a paper was received from the Gov. respiting the most guilty one for about a month. When the Sheriff read it to the thousands who had gathered round the Station House to see the robbers brought out, the murmurs of dissatisfaction were loud and universal. The two whose hour had arrived were hurried off to the gallows and a 



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strong body of military with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets formed a hollow square in front of the door of the Station House to protect the respited robber within from the vengeance of the populace. After a confession in which thy complained of the partiality shown to the third, whom they charged with being equally guilty, the two first were hung in the presence of about ten thousand spectators. The drop had scarcely fallen before terrific shouts of "Robinson! Robinson! bring him out; hang him too!" arose on every side. The scene was absolutely appalling. Ten thousand men burning with indignation at the uncalled-for and improper interference of the Gov. and crying for vengeance composed no ordinary scene.

Instantly a rush was made to tear down the Station House but it was found that the military had already surrendered to a small select party and that the third robber was on the ground in their possession.

A meeting was called under a large oak and a president chosen. The question was put to the people, "Is it your will that Robinson be also executed today?" A voice "like the sound of many waters thundering" the terrific monosyllable "Aye", was the fearful and solemn response. The few faint "Nays" were unnoticed. The prisoner's doom was sealed. Even the authority of the Governor could not save him for no one respected that official after his conduct at San Francisco. Still guarded by the military, Robinson was now conducted to the scaffold & then after making a long confession, and exhibiting the most dauntless fortitude he was launched into eternity by a select committee of The People. I imagine History contains the records of but few such scenes as Sacramento witnessed on the 22nd of August 1851.

But this was not the end. The San Francisco "Vigilance committee" taking courage from the conduct of the Sacramentians, determined to be even with the Gov.; and laying their plans with consummate skill about 30 of the V.C. went to the County Jail in broad day-light (unlike the Governor) took out the two condemned criminals, conveyed them back to their rooms and then executed them in accordance with their previous sentence. So, matters now stand.

[Postmarked:] Sacramento City Cal.
30 Aug

[Addressed:] Col. Elias Winchell P. Master
West Springfield
Shelby County
Missouri



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No. 2.
Such a state of things is much to be deplored. What the final result will be, no one can tell. Some prophesy the overthrow of all government, and predict universal anarchy. But I think differently. I have more confidence than ever in the ability and willingness of the American people to govern themselves. I believe they are most essentially, a law-loving and law abiding people, when it is possible to abide by the Laws. And I believe they will give up "Vigilance Committees" and all Extra Judicial Laws, just as soon as they can get along without them.

No Land was ever scourged so awfully by villains of the blackest dye as California has been. The ease with which English Convicts from her South Sea Colonies have found their way hither, and the utter recklessness of all human obligations which has marked their conduct has rendered it indisputably necessary for the people to take the Law into their own hands for the sake of Self preservation. The pious loving citizens of old and orderly communities look perhaps upon all Californians as semi-devils in human shapes; but it is unjust to judge them so. There are many here who would do honor to any society on earth, but who are bound from a conviction of the necessity of the case to uphold the actions in these deeds of violence as they are probably styled. Even the ministers of the gospel of peace openly do it in their pulpits.

It is impossible to apply any remedy which will remove these evils entirely, at once. The general influences of Time and the sure operation of the great principles of Christianity will finally accomplish it. Till then Patience and Hope furnish the only means of alleviation. 



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A year ago today I was descending the Sierra Nevada. Next Sunday will be the anniversary of my arrival at this city. To look back it seems but a few days.

Occasional clouds begin to flit across this sky and the breezes are gradually becoming more chilly, - denoting the approach of the rainy season. Many predict an unusually wet season on account of the light rains last winter, but they may be mistaken. We have had no rain since March save half a dozen drops which fell about two weeks ago, - creating quite an excitement among all classes. I could wish for a little snow instead of so much rain, but we cannot have every thing we wish. People are generally well prepared to meet the rainy season now, and they can pass the winter in comparative comfort. The rag houses which appeared in all parts of the city last year have now vanished and given place to substantial wooden buildings.

All the "boys" from Shelby are well so far I hear of them. Many of them will return home this fall. Monroe Co. will also receive a large delegation of her sons during the course of the winter. Marion, also a few among the rest, "Maj. Wm McDaniel/the Buster", will return on account of the gross immorality and lawlessness which prevails in this State and which is very disgusting to a man of his high and refined ideas of profanity and social order.

I hope to hear from West Springfield often. For the letters and papers already rcd. please accept many thanks. Give my love to all and believe me to be As Ever

Most affectionately, Your Son
E. C. Winchell