Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...a month. "In 1854 an entirely new life was opened to me by my election to the office of town constable. San Francisco at that time was divided into four townships, each having its own constable. I was elected constable of the first township on the Democratic ticket. In 1855 I was the only nominee elected on the same ticket. After 1856 I was reelected every two years on the old People's party ticket, and held the office of constahle till 1866, when I was elected Chief of Police. The duties of the constables were similar to the duties of the sheriff at present, only he was the officer of the justice, instead of the Superior Court. It was a moneyed office and the fees ran very high. There were months when I received over $1500.00 in fees. It cost $12.00 to serve a writ of attachment or a writ of replevin in those days. The officers wore no uniforms then, but along about 1860 gray uniforms came in. "In 1866 I was elected Chief of Police, that office being elective till 1878. I succeeded Dr. Burke, who had held the office nine years. When I took hold of the force there were but two police stations, one at the old City Hall, and the other at the corner of Pacific and Drumm streets, known as the Harbor Police Station. "The first matter of any great importance that I handled as Chief of Police was the quelling of the Potrero riots. It was in '66 and the cut was being made for the railroad in that locality. The contractors, Weed & Anderson, brought out a great number of Chinese one day and set them to work. That was the inauguration of the Chinese troubles in this city. The whites quit work immediately, and a few hours afterwards cars were upset, shanties were burning, men were raging, and law and order were thrown to the winds....