In the years 1851 and 1852 there was great lawlessness in San Francisco.

Bad men, who had served terms in prisons for their misdeeds, and men who wished to disorganise society, who had the spirit of anarchy in their breasts, organised themselves into bands for the purpose of stealing and killing, and good citizens stood in mortal fear of them.

Buildings were burned at pleasure, houses were broken open and robberies committed, and even murder was resorted to when the wrongdoers found it necessary in the accomplishment of their hellish purposes.

The officials of the city were careless in punishing offenders, indeed they were powerless to do so, and the lawbreakers knew this.

It is said that over a hundred persons were murdered during the period of six months; and the blood of these victims cried to Heaven for vengeance.