Plumas County, CA History

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta Jul 2009

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format 
for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or 
organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial 
purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, 
OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating 
to this site retain the rights to their own work.


Illustrated History of PLUMAS, LASSEN & SIERRA Counties
with CALIFORNIA from 1513 to 1850, Farriss & Smith , 1882, San Francisco.

Historical Reminiscences


THE FRANCIS TRIAL 
  
  
  
           Perhaps the most vigorous contested trial ever held in the courts of 
Plumas county was that of the People versus Robert Francis, in May, 1869. The 
circumstances that led to the trial are briefly related as follows: Francis, a 
Canadian, though of Irish nativity, was a miner on Sawpit flat. On one occasion, 
in the latter part of the summer of 1868, he had had a disagreement with one 
Robert Oliver, an Englishman, resulting in a pugilistic encounter, in which 
Francis got badly worsted. Much bad blood was engendered between them, and it 
needed but a favorable opportunity to produce a more serious rupture. It was not 
long before such an opportunity occurred. On the night of the twenty-sixth of  
September, a party was given by William Metcalf, the proprietor of the hotel. 
Oliver was in the dancing-hall when Francis arrived, and the latter's friends 
advised him not to go in; but he did. While the dance was going on, Oliver 
collided with Francis, and a few sharp words passed between them. Francis then 
left the house for his cabin, some distance away, and soon returned with his 
revolver. As he entered the room, Oliver was boasting that he could whip him, at 
the same time using an epithet especially provoking to a Californian. Fired by 
these words, and at the affront which had been given him, Francis raised his 
weapon and shot his opponent dead. He was brought to trial on the thirty-first 
of May, 1869. H. L. Gear, district attorney, assisted by Judge Peter Van Clief, 
appeared for the prosecution; and Creed Haymond, John R. Buckbee, G. G. Clough, 
and J. D. Goodwin, in behalf of the prisoner. Never had a more intense interest 
been manifested in a criminal trial in Plumas county. The case of the people was 
strongly and eloquently presented by Judge Van Clief, and the other side was 
equally well supported by the opposing counsel, Buckbee's plea eliciting the 
highest admiration of the bench, bar, and auditors. The main defense was 
insanity. The jury, after a retirement of many hours, brought in a verdict of 
murder in the second degree, and Francis was sentenced to fifteen years in the 
penitentiary. An appeal was taken to the supreme court, but the judgment of the 
lower court was sustained. Strong efforts were made to secure his pardon from 
Governor Haight, but without success. After a lapse of three years, Francis was 
pardoned by Governor Booth, left the state, and now resides in Dakotah.