Career
Was a Republican who became the ninth Lieutenant Governor of California from 1862 to 1863. Because the state had recently taken control of the prison system, his position carried a dual role placing him as warden of San Quentin State Prison. On the evening of July 23, 1862, there was a prison breakout by up to 300 inmates, later regarded as one of the biggest and bloodiest in American history, with being taken hostage.
The previous few years had seen an increasing number of prison escapes with the resulting manhunts ending in violence.
This escape was no exception and a large posse tracked down the escapees. Was released relatively unharmed in the process. died September 17, 1883 in Oregon.
