January 5th, 2013 Louise Boyd Calendar Blog Post

Louise Boyd 'Honored' by Hometown of San Rafael

Louise A. Boyd, only woman explorer to receive the Cullum Medal of the American Geographical Society, will be welcomed home at a reception by the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and civic officials. Miss Boyd was awarded the Cullum Medal in New York on December 20, 1938. She has been decorated for her arctic explorations by the Swedish Geographical Society, The King of Norway and the French government.
   -- S.F. Chronicle - Jan. 5, 1939



Louise Arner Boyd, famed Arctic explorer, came home last night to receive, not a medal or ribbon or "honor", but the acclaim of her friends and neighbors and the highest honor in the power of the city to bestow, the title of "honorary citizen". It was a gay and happy party of Marinites, a group drawn into one family by affection and admiration for Louise Boyd, which gathered at the Marin Golf & Country Club to attend the homecoming reception and dinner given by San Rafael to honor the intrepid woman explorer. It was Mayor William S. Nock of San Rafael, who expressed the city's deep regard for Miss Boyd, who by harvesting rare honors in scientific fields by her explorations into the far north has brought great honor to the city which is her home...The city council at its recent meeting passed formal resolutions proclaiming Miss Boyd an honorary citizen. Mayor Nock made formal presentation of this proclamation to Miss Boyd as cameras clicked a permanent record of the impressive ceremony.

Dr. Lynn T. White... who has known her for so many years said: "She might have stayed home, enjoyed the comforts of her fine home, enjoyed the company of her friends, but she could not. There was no choice left to her....Miss Boyd has the disposition which makes idleness impossible, that she must always be doing "...He concluded: "Our hands are empty but our hearts are filled with affection. Our most distinguised citizen, we ask you to accept these gifts"

Speaking as though she were talking to a small group of friends in the drawing room of her own home, Miss Boyd made her gracious response. "No recognition from any foreign country of the world could bring me the happiness that this (referring to the standing ovation in her honor) does." Of her work, Miss Boyd said: "It has not been a hobby. It has been a fascinating and delightful, sometimes hazardous delving for material of scientific value...I hope that Fate will allow me to continue my work and that in 1940 or 1941 I will be back in the polar region again"
   -- Marin Independent Newspaper - Jan. 5, 1939

 

The 2013 Louise Boyd Calendar is a re-launching of the Museums historic calendar series. This years 2013 calendar is themed around arctic explorer and San Rafael heiress Louise Arner Boyd. MHM Calendars are available at the Museum Store locations (at the Boyd Gate House - 1125 B Street, and the History Center - 1026 Court Street) or to order online and ship click here.

This post was created by Scott Fletcher, volunteer at the Marin History Museum.

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.