lic buildings and many private dwellings were, in an
incredibly short time draped in mourning; and mourning badges were
assumed by a large portion of the population. The bells of the
churches and engine houses were tolled until a late hour. The different
flagstaffs, and the shipping at the wharves and in the harbor displayed
their colors at half-mast. Never did a more general, spontaneous,
heartfelt sadness oppress a whole people, or manifest itself in a more
touching manner. The news was telegraphed in all directions, and from
every part of the State came back responses showing that the whole
people felt as deeply as the citizens of San Francisco, the loss
they had sustained: But sorrow was not suffered to expend itself
in respectful but unsubstantial mourning emblems; and while a great
multiture, from five o'clock in the afternoon to a late hour in the
night, were slowly and sadly passing through the room in Montgomery
Block in which their friend lay cold in death, taking a last look at
that face long so familiar upon the streets, but soon to be seen no
more on earth; a Committee was appointed by the citizens, consisting of
Messrs Macondry, Park and Patterson, to receive subscriptions for
the benefit of the widow and six young children of Mr. King, left but
slenderly provided for. The object was nobly accomplished, and the sum
of thirty thousand dollars placed in trust for them. The claim for
the widow and the fatherless having been thus met; a sterner duty
was believed to rest upon the citizens of San Francisco. Formal and
deliberate trials of the two prisoners in the hands of the Vigilance
Committee were held by the Executive Committee as provided by the
Constitution; and the evidence introduced and the result arrived at were
laid before the Board of Delegates for its concurrence or disapproval.
Extraordinary precautions were adopted in and about Head Quarters. The
number of men on duty within and outside of the building was largely
increased. A full company of horse patrolled Sacramento Street day and
night. At a block or two above the Rooms, a company of infantry was
drawn up in double rank across the street. Any one wishing to visit the
Rooms for any purpose, was required to pass to the centre of the company
where two soldiers with crossed muskets barred the way until he had
given the password. Everywhere evidence was presented that the measures
to be adopted had been thoroughly matured; the means abundantly
provi