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Philemon Thomas Herbert (November 1, 1825 – July 23, 1864) was an American politician best known for killing a waiter who refused to serve him breakfast. He served as the Democratic U.S. Representative from California. He represented the California Second District in the 34th Congress from 1855 to 1857.
Philemon T. Herbert | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | James A. McDougall |
| Succeeded by | Charles L. Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1, 1825 Pine Apple, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | July 23, 1864 (aged 38) DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Kingston, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
Early life
editHerbert was born on November 1, 1825, in Pine Apple, Alabama.
Career
editHerbert joined the Democratic Party. He served two terms in the California State Assembly, representing Mariposa County, California. From 1855 to 1857, he represented California's Second District in the 34th Congress of the United States House of Representatives.[1]
In 1856, when he was refused breakfast service at Willard's Hotel in Washington because it was too late in the morning, he got into a quarrel with the Irish headwaiter, and shot and killed him.[2] He was acquitted of manslaughter by a sympathetic jury, but abandoned his Congressional career.[3]
In 1859, Herbert moved to El Paso, Texas, where he practiced law.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he joined the Confederate Army. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and commanded the Arizona Cavalry and the 7th Texas Cavalry Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Mansfield on April 8, 1864.
Death
editHerbert died of his wounds on July 23, 1864. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Kingston, Louisiana.
References
edit- ^ "HERBERT, Philemon Thomas - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
- ^ Rosenzweig, David (December 9, 1995). "Tucker Is Fourth California Congressman to Be Convicted Since 1936". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Herbert". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
Other sources
edit- The New York Times, July 14, 1856.
External links
edit- Philemon Herbert: The Colorful Life and Controversial Legacy of a 19th-Century California Congressman - Ghosts of DC history blog
- A hungry congressman didn’t get the breakfast he ordered. So he shot the waiter. - Washington Post
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