The Bloody Eighteen-Fifties: Law and Order in Early San Luis Obispo County
Local History from Historian Manny Silva, Morro Bay, Los Osos, CA
A shortcut to this page is http://morro-bay.com/go/1858

Manny Silva The Bloody Eighteen-Fifties: Law and Order in Early San Luis Obispo County was the title of a presentation given by Manny Silva (contact Manny Silva at vigilante1858 [at aol d o t com)  on February 20, 2006 10:15AM - Noon.
View a slide show of photos taken at the Feb. 20, 2006 presentation
Description:  We all know San Luis Obispo as a peaceful place to live, but such wasn’t always the case!  The first decade of the county’s existence was quite lawless, and violence was commonplace.  Come hear the history of early county lawmen, the infamous Jack Powers Gang, and the San Luis Obispo Vigilance Committee. Firearms and other implements of the period will be displayed and explained.
Biography:
Manny Silva was the Historical Preservation Committee Chairman, of Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor Number 290, San Luis Obispo.  A native of San Luis Obispo, he became interested in local Outlaw-Lawman folklore at a young age. He is available for speaking presentations to community groups and schools.

Manny has graciously volunteered to let us publish his supporting materials in the following sections.
If you do not have Microsoft Office's Word, you can simply download the free Microsoft Word Viewer 2003 to view, print, or copy the Word documents referred to below (i.e., those that end in ".doc" or  ".rft" )   Depending on how your computer and Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox) are configured, you may be asked to open or save the files linked to.  It is your choice.  If you are presented with a login/password dialog box, just click cancel and continue.  It you have trouble opening any of the linked-to documents, try clicking to the "alternative" pages where the same material is rendered as a simple web page.  For your viewing ease, Adobe PDF versions of all the below documents have now been added.  If you need, get the free Adobe Reader here.

San Luis Obispo County 19th Century Outlaw-Lawman History Timetable
Word Version  (
HTML Version) (.pdf version)
9 pages -- Prepared by Manny Silva 2006.  All rights reserved.
San Luis Obispo County History  
Word Version (
HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
2 pages -- Sources: “”1883 history of San Luis Obispo” by Myron Angel and “Journey of Justice” by Gary Hoving
The Mission San Miguel Murders 
Word Version (HTML Version
)  (.pdf version)
2 pages -- Sources: "1883 History of San Luis Obispo County" by Myron Angel;  "1917 History of San Luis Obispo County" by Mrs. Annie L. Morrison and John H. Haydon; "Our Violent Past", New Times magazine, Sept. 9, 2004 issue. Written by Manny Silva, 2004.  All rights reserved.
The 1892 Cayucos Bank Hold-up  
Word Version (
HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
2 pages -- Adapted from an article in "History of San Luis Obispo and Environs"  [1917] by Mrs. Annie L. Morrison and John H. Haydon.  Written by Manny Silva, 2004.  All rights reserved.
Dana Adobe (flyer) 
Word Version (
HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
2 pages -- Sources:  "Blonde Ranchero”, by Don Juan Dana and "1883 History of San Luis Obispo County", by Myron Angel.  Written by Manny Silva, 2004.  All rights reserved
History of the Bowie Knife 
Word Version (HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
6 pages -- Manny Silva  2003.  All Rights Reserved.
California Rangers 
Word Version (HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
2 pages -- Manny Silva, August 2004.  All Rights Reserved.
Colt's Paterson and Walker Revolvers 
Word Version (
HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
2 pages -- Manny Silva. All Rights Reserved.
The Ranger Pistol  
Word Version (HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
2 pages --  Prepared by Manny Silva, 2006.  All rights reserved.
The Springfield Rifle 
Word Version (HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
3 pages -- Prepared by Manny Silva, 2006.  All rights reserved.

List of Recommended Books and Websites
Word Version (.rtf version) (HTML Version)  (.pdf version)
A good source for Old West Clip Art is http://members.memlane.com/gromboug/
Check out the Santa Lucia Sportsmen's website in Atascadero  http://www.santaluciasportsmen.org/ They held a black powder rendezvous in April 2006.  Manny said "This is a good opportunity to see the old charcoal burners in action... There should be some mortars and cannon's there too."
7th Annual Rancho Nipomo Heritage Day -- May 20, 2006
(description and related photos)
Native Indians & The Gold Rush:  A California Holocaust
WordPerfect Version  Word Version  HTML Version .pdf Version 

 rev: 02/18/2008 05:09:28 PM
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