Gold Rush: 1848–1860: "I Saw the Elephant"

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Or view larger version. Justice Meted Out to “English Jim” by the Vigilantes, San Francisco Harbor. ca. 1853. John Prendergast. Oil paint on canvas. Collection of Oakland Museum of California. Gift of Concours d’Antiques, Art Guild.

This painting depicts the hanging death of James Stuart. Vigilante justice executed “English Jim” Stuart on July 11, 1851. A self-confessed habitual criminal, Stuart had been banished from England to Australia. He reached San Francisco in 1850 and joined the Sydney Ducks, a criminal group who committed vicious robberies and at least one murder. The first Vigilante Committee seized, tried, convicted and executed him.