Dear Linda and other interested parties, Following are extracts from the book "Vigilance Committee of 1851": ...the records of criminal trials should be reviewed by the Governor before the infliction of any penalty. The method was not entirely successful....alcaldes did not always await official sanctions of their sentences. William Blackburn of Santa Cruz for instance executed a murderer convicted by a jury, and afterwards reported the case ..for aproval.... It was also reported that while under the influence of liquor Blackburn ordered a horse thief executed, and when sober wished to go on with the trial. The sheriff, who had concealed his prisoner, pretended for a time that the penalty had been inflicted. "Never mind" responded Blackburn "proceed with the trial. All orders and judgements of this court must be justified by due and legal proceedings had." Previously I have forwarded extracts from "Pioneer Register and Index" on William Blackburn, born VA 1814 Following is additional information on AlcaldeWilliam Blackburn, an intelligent, shrewd fellow, honest and straightforward...always jovial and popular, whether drunk or sober: (much like ME, his namesake !!) Served in Fautleroys dragoons, joint the California Batt. and was made 2d Lt. of Co. A artillery. Returned to Santa Cruz, but also obtaining a lot at San Francisco. Opened a store, served 1847-49 as Alclade of Santa Crux, also a county judge after a brief experience in the mines. The decisions of his court are famous for their originality, but if technically somewhat irregular they were always in accordance with commond sense and justice. He is said to have built a schooner at Santa Crux in '48, and was chosen as a member of the convention of '49 although not serving. Claimant of Atascadero ranches. After '51 gave up politics and gave his attention to agriculture, first to raising potatoes, for which he got a premium at the N>Y> fair, and later to fruit culture, his orchard being for many years one of the chief attractions of Santa Cruz. He died in '67 leaving a widow. Several of his brothers cam to Cal. after 1848. That's all I have on Judge William Blackburn !! Bill Blackburn Mt. Shasta, CA Linda Menikos wrote: > Hi Bill, > > Yes, I want the stories! Thanks for offering. > > Linda > [email protected] > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bill Blackburn <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 8:09 AM > Subject: [BLKBURN] William Blackburns > > > Dear List, > > > > There has been a lot of traffic on William Blackburn recently, and I > > thought the following extract from the California Pioneer Register might > > interest you: > > > > "William Blackburn, Virginia, cabinet maker born in 1814. Migrated > > overland in 1845 with the Swasey-Todd party. He went to work at Santa > > Cruz as a lumberman.....served as alcalde (mayor) of Santa Cruz from > > 1847 to 1849. Also county judge in 1850. The decisions of his court > > are famous for their originality....Blackburn was an intelligent, shrewd > > fellow; honest and straightforward in his dealings; always jovial and > > popular whether drunk or sober." > > > > I have more on this William Blackburn, if there is any interest. I have > > some particularly funny stories about his court cases. > > > > Good luck! > > > > William John Blackburn III , father of William John Blackburn IV, great > > grandson of William Blackburn born Ireland 1840, resided Penn Twp, > > Westmoreland PA from at least 1870 to about 1906, wife Sarah Brinton. > > > > Researching in PA and Ireland ancestry of William Blackburn born 1840 > > Ireland. > > > > > > ==== BLACKBURN Mailing List ==== > > Your donations to RootsWeb makes BLACKBURN-L possible. > > RootsWeb Gen. Data Coop. Box 6798 Frazier Park, CA 93222 > > http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html > > > > > > ==== BLACKBURN Mailing List ==== > I trace family history so I will know who to blame. > What BLACKBURN are you trying to find?