Piercy Vs. Showalter

The 1860 election was the most divisive in history, literally splitting the union when the results came in. However, the election also affected Marin County, where two representatives who backed different candidates decided to settle a disagreement like gentlemen – by shooting each other.

Charles Piercy and Daniel Showalter were representatives on different levels in California politics. Piercy, a state assemblyman, backed Stephen Douglas in the election. Showalter, who was a representative from Mariposa County, supported Pro-slavery Southern Democrat John Breckinridge. During the election for Assembly Speaker, Showalter insulted Piercy. As a result, Piercy challenged Showalter to a duel.

In the 1850s and 60s, politics in America often became violent. Brawls, fisticuffs, and, most famously, caning incidents cropped up every now and then in congresses and assemblies across the country. However, duels had been outlawed, and the local authorities did not want to see two politicians firing guns at one another. Despite this, the duel went ahead, and both men settled on Marin County as the site of their honorable battle.

The duel began with Showalter getting arrested for attempting a duel. Piercy hid in the county until everything was clear. After Showalter was released with a warning, the duelists and their parties went to Charles Fairfax's house, then walked to a site not too far from the estate, where today San Anselmo and Elm Avenues meet in an intersection. The weapons chosen were standard gauge rifles, and the men dressed in black. The duel would be done in front of a crowd of dozens, 200 at most.

At forty paces, the men aimed their rifles and fired. Both missed, though some in the crowd claimed Showalter's cheek was grazed. Piercy could have, and should have, declared the duel over. But Showalter had none of it, and ordered the rifles to be reloaded.

The second shots were fired. Showalter hit Piercy square in the mouth, killing him instantly with a bullet through the brain. Piercy fell dead, and Showalter was now wanted for murder.

Needless to say, Showalter fled as quickly as he could. He and some accomplices escaped to the Confederacy, where he fought as a Confederate soldier in Texas. He survived the war, traveled to Mexico, and died in 1866, either from sickness, or from getting himself shot.

Thus ended the story of the last political duel in California.

This post was created by Jason, an intern at the Marin History Museum.