Three San Francisco Homicides
Belle Cora's Revenge -- Act 3 : The Catastrophe
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Belle Cora’s Revenge
Act 3 — The Catastrophe
James King of William in the Evening Bulletin:
The triumph of the harlots and gamblers in our City, won with the honeyed tongue of a well-paid lawyer, is an obscenity this editor will never stomach. Colonel Baker's florid oratory saved the killer Cora, but only for the present. Six jurors found for murder, two for a lesser charge of manslaughter, and four voted for acquittal.
The common view is that, with some delay to let the case drift from attention, Mr. Byrne, our district attorney, will decide against a retrial, and Cora will walk free. This was clearly Colonel Baker's plan from the beginning. But he has underestimated both this journal and this City. The Evening Bulletin will keep the pressure on our Mr. Byrne to try the case again and win that victory for law and decency which is his duty as our chosen public servant. And we will likewise keep the pressure on our citizens that they not forget the murder of our brave, beloved U.S. Marshal and demand a final, fair accounting for his life. As much as she may celebrate today, we will not rest until Belle Cora's joy has turned to mourning, and her supposed husband decorates a gallows.
* * *
Four months later in the County Jail:
Belle:
You haven't finished, Charlie! I thought you liked this dish. You always used to eat it!
Charlie:
I've lost my appetite lately, Honey. I guess I've just been here too long.
Belle:
I'm also losing patience, Colonel! You promised this would all be over months ago!
Colonel Baker:
I never promised that because I couldn't promise. But, yes, I did expect it. I didn't count on how intense the Bulletin would remain about the case. King of William's kept on hammering and Byrne is scared of him. He's got a full campaign against the prosecutor's office going on a lot of fronts aside from Charlie. Most of it's political. He's pushing Byrne to prosecute some Broderick men about election stuff. Byrne obviously can't do that, but all the pressure's keeping him from freeing Charlie and formally abandoning the prosecution. He's confessed to me as much.
Belle:
So how much longer will it take? Charlie's going crazy!
Col. Baker:
I've stopped making guesses. I still don't think that Byrne will ever retry Charlie. But he's not prepared to free him. The Bulletin will crucify him if he does. The best thing I can say is that, for now, Charlie's better off inside this jail where he stays out of sight and can't attract publicity. I know it's tough. At least you're able to provide his meals and change of clothing.
Charlie:
I'm scared that I'll be stuck in here until somebody kills this prick. I've read his stuff, and I don't think he'll ever let it go. It's a crusade with him. Almost as obsessive as the way he's hounded Broderick. The man's a lunatic.
Col. Baker:
He may be a lunatic, but he's got the public by the balls. They lick up everything he says, even if they later spit it out. I must admit I never thought that he could get this powerful. I don't know anyone who doesn't read the Bulletin. Every day he's got some other fireworks to sell his sheet. Did you read what he wrote yesterday about James Casey?
Charlie:
I read it. I don't have much to do but read the papers.
Belle:
Jim Casey? Judge McGowan's friend? What about him?
Charlie:
He wrote that Casey had done time before he came to California. Casey ran a notice in the Sunday Times that King of William has a brother with a patronage position at the Port, and that the Port's been hiding that they're brothers. In exchange, the Bulletin's been printing compliments about the Port Collector. Casey made him look a hypocrite about corruption, hiding a political appointment for his brother. I guess it must have stung him, so he hit him back by saying Casey was a yardbird.
Belle:
Did Jimmy really go to prison?
Charlie:
I'm pretty sure he did. They say he took back furniture he'd given to a woman he'd set up in an apartment, but she complained he stole it. So he served time for larceny or burglery.
Col. Baker:
Someone told me Casey visited the Bulletin to complain about the story and King of William threw him out.
Belle:
Can we please get back to Charlie?! Something's breaking down in him. He needs to be at home with me and out of jail or something's going to happen to him mentally. He wasn't doing well before this whole thing started, but now he's really getting down.
Jailer:
Hey, Charlie! Jim Casey just shot King of William! In the middle of Montgomery Street!
Col. Baker:
Is he dead?!
Jailer:
Not yet. But Casey got him in the chest. Shot him with a huge revolver! They're bringing Jim here now.
Belle:
Praise God!! Someone finally got rid of him!
Col. Baker:
Belle, this may not be good news.
Belle:
How could this not be good news?! The son of a bitch is dead, or dying! You mean he might survive?
Col. Baker:
He might survive. But dying might be worse.
Belle:
What the hell's he talking about, Charlie?
Charlie:
He's saying this might turn him into some big hero.
Col. Baker:
Or even worse. A martyr.
* * *
Tom King in the Evening Bulletin:
James King of William, as all of San Francisco knows, was shot late yesterday at Washington and Montgomery Streets, in the midst of the great crowd that always jams that intersection toward evening. The assailant, County Supervisor James P. Casey, had visited the office of this journal earlier that day and, after an altercation with the editor, warned him to prepare for an impending physical attack.
As the brother of the editor, I am resigning my position at the Port of San Francisco to take charge at the Bulletin. My brother is in grave condition, and we must be prepared to mourn his passing any moment.
We've been informed that the Vigilance Committee that cleansed this City of its criminals five years ago is in the process of reactivating. Its leaders fear an outbreak of mob violence and anarchy in reaction to the murderous assault on someone who devoted every breath to the reform of San Francisco. He was shot by the epitome of evil that he warred against in print. A politician whom my brother had accused of winning office through trick ballot boxes. A convicted felon and a prison inmate that my brother had exposed to public scrutiny.
There will undoubtedly be great support for a revival of the Vigilance Committee in this present crisis. Should James King of William die, the public will demand no less than rapid final justice for the life of that courageous editor. The process cannot be entrusted to our law courts and our prosecutor's office, as we know from our experience with Charles Cora. The Vigilance Committee must itself conduct a trial of Casey and render a result untainted by even the bare suspicion of foul influence. If it does not, the public fury may be uncontrollable and all order may dissolve in a collapse of recognized authority.
For months, my brother warned each day in print that our humiliating failure to convict and execute the killer Cora could only end in more assaults on persons of integrity. That it would cultivate a feeling of impunity among our lawless class of sporting men and politicians. As one of the original citizens of San Francisco, my brother was a member of that Vigilance Committee that made war upon a vagrant horde of arsonists and hoodlums infesting our then-infant City. In my brother's name, and from the pages of this journal he established, I call upon the leaders of the Vigilance Committee now reborn, in addition to addressing Casey, to vindicate my brother's warnings by retrying and then executing Charles Cora as our law courts and our city government have so miserably failed to do. The Committee must prove to San Francisco, and the rest of the United States now watching us, that there's a limit to the power of Belle Cora and her money to protect a murderer.
Thomas King
Acting Editor
* * *
Letter to Belle Cora from Judge Edward McGowan:
Dearest Belle:
I should be telling you all this in person, but as you'll read below, I dare not venture out in public, much less visit your establishment.
They've taken Charlie from the jail. First they took out Casey and it wasn't clear if they were coming back. But an hour later they returned for Charlie. They're at the Vigilance Committee headquarters on Sacramento Street. The place looks like a fortress, fortified with sandbags.
Last night the sheriff called for law and order men to come protect the jailhouse from a lynch mob. I volunteered along with some few dozen others. Then, in the middle of last night, the sheriff suddenly admitted a large number of Vigilance Committee boys to "guard" the premises, on the pretense that there was a plan to let the prisoners escape. It seems the Governor ran down from Sacramento when he heard about the Vigilance Committee and held a conference with the leaders. He came to stop them, but it turned out they stopped him. He was intimidated by their show of force and the weakling let them send men to the jail.
The moment they came in I knew that it was over, and I left with all the other volunteers. But I stuck around outside to watch. I tell you Belle, I was never so astounded! Hundreds of armed men arrived with bayoneted rifles, all in uniform and marching in array! They say that almost half the City's joined the Vigilantes and that they're being mustered into military companies, with officers and everything. They've stolen arms and uniforms from the state militia armories. Most are joining to be part of the excitement, but some are joining to avoid the scrutiny they fear from Vigilantes by hiding in their ranks themselves.
The Committee's force has grown so huge and its actions are so dangerously bold that it can't possibly stand down quickly. They've got a wolf by the ears and can't let go. So they're trying to concoct a reason for continuing in power for some period of time. They've come up with a program of "purifying" San Francisco by destroying David Broderick and his loyalists. The Chief has always been the biggest target of the Bulletin, and the Committee figures it'll have support for a campaign against the politician King of William most despised. And Broderick was the only man who stood up to the Vigilantes years ago, so they still see him as an enemy.
Now I've learned they're coming after me! They know that I'm a friend of Casey and they know I knew that he was planning an attack, just as he told many other people. They want to tie me as an accessory to murder. (I don't know if you've heard it yet, but King of William died.) That may sound preposterous, but the purpose is to scare me into turning on The Chief and giving them the ammunition to destroy him. I've been with David Broderick's since we both reached California, so I know everything about him and the Committee knows I do. They're going to threaten me with hanging if they catch me, and the Bulletin will call out the entire City to arrest me.
So I'm in hiding, and will be fleeing San Francisco as soon as I can find a way. I don't know where I'm going, and wouldn't tell you if I did, for your own safety. I don't know when you'll hear from me again. Wish me luck, as I wish you and Charlie.
My best regards,
Ned McGowan
* * *
Note from Charlie Cora to Belle Cora:
Belle,
They held our trials. Me and Casey will be hung tomorrow at this place at noon. Some voted to acquit me, but the majority convicted, and they go by the majority.
Charlie
* * *
At the Vigilance Committee headquarters on Sacramento Street
Belle:
Let me in! I've brought a priest for Charlie!
Sentry:
It's Belle Cora, sir. She's brought a priest.
Officer:
Let them up.
Sentry:
Go ahead. Up the stairs, then to the right.
Belle:
This way, Father.
Officer:
He's in that room.
Belle:
Charlie!
Charlie:
You shouldn't come here, Honey.
Belle:
Who could stop me?! I brought a priest.
Charlie:
I haven't been to Church in twenty years.
Belle:
Don't listen to him, Father. Do your job.
Charlie:
I feel silly.
Priest:
There's nothing silly about acknowledging your God at such a moment. It might be the most important thing you've ever done on Earth. Are you prepared to make confession?
Charlie:
I know that I'm a sinner because everybody is. But I don't feel like one right now.
Priest:
Don't worry how you feel. Confess anything you wish and I will grant you absolution. It's a great sin to depart this life without seeking absolution where it's possible.
Belle:
Please don't give the Father a hard time! Make confession. Do it for me! I need to know you've done it!
Charlie:
If it will give you any peace.
Belle:
Nothing's going to give me peace. But do it anyway. While there's still time.
Guard:
He's still got fifteen minutes.
Belle:
Fifteen minutes. Use it, Charlie!
Guard:
I can't leave the room.
Priest:
We can go over to that corner. I'm sure our friend will let us have a little privacy.
Guard:
I'll be standing by the doorway.
Priest:
Thank you very much. I'll sit on that bench and you can kneel beside me. Nobody will hear us. Belle, please give us room.
* * *
Priest:
He's confessed and I have given absolution. Christ is merciful.
Belle:
If only I believed that! But thank you, Father. Thank you very much. Now get up, Charlie. Don't stay on your knees. Here, let me brush you off. Your clothes look terrible! Guard! Get me a brush! We can't have Charlie look like this. I've got a comb here in my bag somewhere.
Charlie:
This is stupid, Belle.
Belle:
It's not to me! You're going to look like Charlie Cora! The Charlie they remember. When we met, you were the best dressed man in New Orleans. We made a handsome couple, didn't we?
Charlie:
We were a pair of aces, Honey. Pretty as an inside straight. Don't cry, Belle.
Belle:
I'm not crying. I'll never let these bastards see me cry.
Charlie:
That's my baby.
Priest:
I'm going to visit Jimmy Casey for a minute. He should see a priest.
Belle:
You'll be coming back here, Father?
Priest:
I'll be back in time, Belle. I'll be right next door.
Belle:
You know that I've done everything I could for you. Even things I maybe shouldn't have.
Charlie:
You did everything, Honey. Nothing matters anymore. And it's time for me to go in any case. The future kind of slipped away on me and I've been tired of fighting it for quite a while. Guess I thought that I was smarter than I really was. But that's a common fault.
Belle:
I'm going to be alone, Charlie. I don't know how to be alone. I don't know how to be without you.
Charlie:
Oh, I suppose that I'll be out there somewhere. Maybe we can talk when you're asleep.
Belle:
I haven't slept in months. Don't think I'll ever sleep again.
Charlie:
After a while, you'll start to sleep again. This has been very hard on you. Harder on you, I think, than me. I knew that it was over when that drunk was chasing me. There was only one way that this business could turn out. Like a falling rock. It's got to hit the ground at some point.
Officer:
Time to get ready Charlie.
Belle:
You said fifteen minutes!
Officer:
It's been that long. Anyway, you'll have to leave now, Belle.
Belle:
I'm not leaving! I'm his wife! I have a right to be with him up to the very end! Only death can separate us!
Officer:
Don't make this any harder. Guard, escort the lady out the back. That's how you came in? You have a hack out in the alley waiting?
Belle:
Take your hands off me you piece of shit! Don't touch me! Father! Good, you're back! They're trying to throw me out!
Priest:
Maybe it's better if you didn't stay.
Belle:
I'm never leaving Charlie! I'll be right beside him to the bitter end! He's got to know I'm with him and I've got to know I never left his side! I'm his wife and he's my husband. Father, can you marry us right now?
Priest:
Will they let me?
Belle:
It won't take long. They'll let you.
Officer:
I don't know. We've only got five minutes. This must go off on time.
Belle:
Father, tell him that he'll burn in Hell if he keeps us from a sacrament. If he won't let a dying man get married!
Officer:
I'm not Catholic.
Priest:
Please, sir. It's the Christian thing to do. Let these people's union have God's blessing. It's not asking much.
Officer:
Then make it quick. I'll be in trouble if there's any long delay.
Priest:
It's just a blessing, really. It will only take a moment. Would you kneel for me, my children?
Second Officer:
What's going on here?
Priest:
Please be quiet so I can bless this couple.
Officer:
He's marrying them. He says he'll make it quick.
Second Officer:
Then get it done. It's almost time. We're getting Casey ready now.
Priest:
Arabella Ryan, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, until death do you part?
Belle:
I do.
Priest:
Charles Cora, do you take this woman for your lawful wedded wife, until death do you part?
Charlie:
I do.
Priest:
Then in the presence of these witnesses, and in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss.
Belle:
A bitter, bitter kiss.
Charlie:
You promised that you wouldn't cry.
Belle:
I'm not crying. But I'm frightened, Charlie.
Charlie:
Fear's no good, Honey. Fear won't change a thing.
Belle:
I'm scared of being alone.
Charlie:
If it were up to me, we'd stay together til the end of time. Oh, I almost forgot. I never told you, but I've got a little piece of real estate. Not worth much. An empty lot. I guess that now we're married, it will go to you. That will save some trouble.
Officer:
Okay, Charlie. Time to go. Jim's already out there.
Belle:
Where are they taking you, Charlie?!
Charlie:
If you came up the back way through the alley, then you didn't see. There's ten thousand people waiting out in front. In that big open space across the street. They're going to hang us from the beams above the windows. Through that door.
Officer:
Come on, Charlie. Let's get going. I guess you can come too, Belle.
Belle:
Oh my God! You're going to murder him in front of all those people?! Look at that crowd! How horrible!
Charlie:
Don't worry, Belle. I always dreamed of going on the stage, but didn't have the talent. This is my only chance to have an audience.
Officer:
Take off your coat. We've got to tie your hands behind you. Guard, raise up the window sash as high as possible.
Belle:
Is this the executioner?
Officer:
That's right.
Executioner:
I got Casey ready, but he kept demanding to address the crowd. We're going to let him. I don't know why. He's incoherent. Almost pissing in his pants. I took his blindfold off, and he's been pushed back on the plank. But let's get Cora ready now. I'll bind his feet and blindfold him, and get him out while Casey's jabbering. I want to stay on schedule. The cortege of King of William will be starting for the cemetery right at noon, and I promised that they'd drop by then.
Charlie:
This will be the last time that I'll ever see you, Honey. Give me a moment before you tie the blindfold. Okay. That's enough. I've got the image in my mind. The only thing I ever saw in life worth seeing. A perfect beauty, like a perfect rose. Goodbye, Honey. I'll be heading out the window.
Belle:
No!
Executioner:
Move carefully. The platform's right in front of you. I'll guide you.
Officer:
Stay back, Belle.
Belle:
It's Mrs. Cora, you foul piece of garbage! And I won't stay back! We need to share this with each other. I need to feel it just like him. My God! So many people!
Executioner:
That's far enough, Charlie. Stand right where you are. I'm stepping out behind you to adjust the noose. Don't move.
James Casey:
Listen to me people! This has been a terrible mistake! I warned him I was coming after him! He was armed! I don't know why he didn't draw his own revolver? I called out to him before I fired! He must have heard me! It was a fair fight, not a murder! I can't stop you killing me, but please don't put it in the papers! If it gets back to my mother in New York it’s going to kill her! Please! Don't let this get back to my mother!
Executioner:
Charlie's ready. I'm going to cut off Casey now. I swore that they would swing on time. You'll have to pull the drop here. I'll drop a handkerchief above the other window. That's the signal. I'll drop Casey. You do Charlie. Pull this cord here hard so that the plank releases. Got that?
Guard:
Got it.
Belle:
Charlie! I know you can still hear me! I'm right behind you at the window. I'm still with you! I'm looking at your hands!
Guard:
I can't see over there. Is Casey ready?
Officer:
He's still ranting but the blindfold's on. Any second now.
Belle:
I'll revenge you, Charlie! I'll revenge you if it takes the last breath of my life! I'll revenge us both! Oh God! Charlie! He's hanging!
Officer:
He had a solid drop. His neck is broke. He's not struggling.
Belle:
Charlie! Charlie!
Officer:
He's probably unconscious. He can't hear you.
Belle:
He's just hanging like a side of beef!
Executioner:
How'd it go here? Casey was a little difficult. He's still twitching. Will be for a while.
Officer:
This went fine. Charlie made no trouble. Dropped like a stone.
Executioner:
Best you leave now, Belle. Send a wagon over for the body around evening, after the crowd's completely gone. Ten thousand people. That's what they're telling me. Ten thousand people out there watching. Don't think I've ever seen so many people in one place.
Belle:
I swear before God, Charlie. I'll revenge you.
Officer:
What's that, Belle?
Belle:
I said I'll get revenge.