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Description
Portrait of Giles McDougall in 3/4 view, wearing black suit and tie, Masonic button on lapel, watch chain with bar. Displayed in 1978 as part of the "19th Century San Jose Portraits" exhibit at Pacific Hotel, History Park, with the following label: Giles McDougall's experience as Sheriff of Santa Clara County was to have a lasting effect on the criminal justice system of California. Born and raised in Sandy Hook, New York, McDougall learned the carpentry trade before coming to San Jose in 1858. He spent his first years here as a building contractor. Several large downtown buildings such as the Hensley Block and the Bank of San Jose were constructed by McDougall as well as many of the buildings at New Almaden. In 1884 he ran on the Greenback Ticket for County Sheriff but received only 152 votes, losing by several thousand. By 1890 he had gained enough support to try again, this time successfully. While Sheriff he became concerned that the responsibility for carrying out hangings should not lie within county jurisdiction. He felt that something as serious as hangings should not be delegated to many different counties but that the decision should be made by one agency. McDougall went to Sacremento to lobby for legislation that would change jurisdiction for hangings. The legislature passed such a law in direct response to McDougall's urgings.
Type
image
Identifier
5CCA4D6E-2068-4803-B577-277317211900 1974-658
Subject
Sheriffs Carpenters Portrait paintings Men Nineteenth century (LCSH) McDougall, Giles E
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