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Charles W. Piercy

Douglas Democratic

Date Party Office Votes Result
11-06-1860 Douglas Democratic AD-01 0 Win
Website: www.findagrave.com/memorial/61520513/charles-wesley-piercy
 

Candidate Biography:

Charles Wesley Piercy
Born: June 11, 1833 in Decatur County, Iowa
Killed: May 25, 1861 in Fairfax, CA

  • Legislative Altercation: Piercy was killed by Assemblyman Daniel Showalter in 1861 (with whom he had served in the 1861 Legislature) in a duel hosted by Charles S. Fairfax. The disagreement began over Showalter's request to be permitted to address the Assembly and explain a floor vote on a resolution, which Piercy objected to. In response, Showalter said "It is a right which I have always maintained, and I have nothing but contempt for any gentleman who does object." The weapon of choice was rifles at 40 paces.
  • Interred at the Laurel Hill Mound in Cypress Lawn Cemetery (Colma)

Source: History of Political Conventions in California, 1849-1892 by Winfield J. Davis (1893)