McGowan vs. California Vigilantes

Oakland: Biobooks, 1946 Book. Fine. Hardcover. Foreword by Joseph A. Sullivan. Small quarto. 10 x 7 inches. 205pp. Folding facsimile broadside, facsimiles of 2 newspapers in rear pocket. Gilt-lettered red and black cloth. A fine copy. Reprint of the rare 1857 first edition. One of 675 copies. While the colophon indicates that the book is supposed to be hand-numbered and signed by the editor, this copy is lacking both. Narrative of one who was persecuted by the Vigilantes of 1856. This work provides an unusual view of the Vigilance Committee. McGowan, a justice of the peace and ex-convict from Pennsylvania, was accused of complicity in the murder of James King of William. He absconded, and published this narrative to vindicate his conduct. Graff remarks that McGowan was, "a prime rascal, one of the truly colorful characters in California." [Howes I: M-103; Howes II: M-104; Wheat: 132n]. .