William C. Getman, (1828-1858) soldier, 49er, businessman, member of the Los Angeles Rangers, Los Angeles City Marshal and Sheriff of Los Angeles County.
- "William C. Getman was an ideal example of the gunfighting western lawman. Born in Fort Plain, New York, in 1828, he was a daring soldier in the Mexican War, and was wounded in the battles of Monterrey, Cerro Gordo, and Mexico City. Billy Getman arrived in California in 1849 and soon settled in Los Angeles, where he ran the Montgomery House, a popular hotel and saloon.
- On August 1, 1853, prominent citizens organized the Los Angeles Rangers, twenty-five volunteer mounted police led by Dr. Alexander W. Hope, a physician and druggist. Getman became one of its founding members and soon was elected lieutenant. At first the Rangers were all Anglos, but within a few months Californios agreed to join. The Rangers, supported by both taxpayers and private donations, assisted the county sheriff in tracking down outlaws and policing the large county." [1] [2]
- On May 5, 1856, Billy Getman defeated four other candidates and was elected city marshal of Los Angeles for the 1856–1857 term of office. The office was also the Tax and Licence Collector of Los Angeles.[1]
- 1858
- On January 7, 1858, Sheriff William C. Getman (once Lieutenant of the Rangers), was killed, after serving only seven days in office, while attempting to arrest a "maniac." The incident was reported as follows:
- "The maniac was hiding at the Monte Pico, a pawn shop near Los Angeles and Aliso Streets. There the Sheriff found the suspect locked and barricaded in a room. While the Sheriff was endeavoring to force an entrance, the suspect threw open the door, ran out and, to the dismay of all, pulled a pistol from his pocket, discharged the weapon, and Sheriff Getman dropped on the spot. The suspect then retreated into the pawn shop and fired at the crowd which had gathered. A Deputy finally killed the desperado, but not before the desperado fired twenty or thirty shots, four or five of which passed through the Deputy's clothing. [3]
References
edit- ^ a b Dangerous Desperadoes In Los Angeles
- ^ John Boessenecker. Gold Dust and Gunsmoke: Tales of Gold Rush Outlaws, Gunfighters, Lawmen, and Vigilantes. John Wiley & Sons. March 1999.
- ^ HISTORY OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT (1849-1871)