Philemon T. Herbert
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
Philemon T. Herbert | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | James A. McDougall |
| Succeeded by | Charles L. Scott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1, 1825 Pine Apple, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | July 23, 1864 (aged 38) DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Kingston, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
Philemon Thomas Herbert (November 1, 1825 – July 23, 1864) was an American politician best known for killing a waiter who refused to serve him breakfast. He served as the Democratic U.S. Representative from California. He represented the California Second District in the 34th Congress from 1855 to 1857.
Early life
[edit]Herbert was born on November 1, 1825, in Pine Apple, Alabama.
Career
[edit]Herbert joined the Democratic Party. He served two terms in the California State Assembly, representing Mariposa County, California. From 1855 to 1857, he represented California's Second District in the 34th Congress of the United States House of Representatives.[1]
In 1856, when he was refused breakfast service at Willard's Hotel in Washington because it was too late in the morning, he got into a quarrel with the Irish headwaiter, and shot and killed him.[2] He was acquitted of manslaughter by a sympathetic jury, but abandoned his Congressional career.[3]
In 1859, Herbert moved to El Paso, Texas, where he practiced law.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he joined the Confederate Army. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and commanded the Arizona Cavalry and the 7th Texas Cavalry Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Mansfield on April 8, 1864.
Death
[edit]Herbert died of his wounds on July 23, 1864. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Kingston, Louisiana.
References
[edit]- ^ "HERBERT, Philemon Thomas - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
- ^ Rosenzweig, David (December 9, 1995). "Tucker Is Fourth California Congressman to Be Convicted Since 1936". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Herbert". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
Other sources
[edit]- The New York Times, July 14, 1856.
External links
[edit]- Philemon Herbert: The Colorful Life and Controversial Legacy of a 19th-Century California Congressman - Ghosts of DC history blog
- A hungry congressman didn’t get the breakfast he ordered. So he shot the waiter. - Washington Post
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
 | This article about a member of the California State Assembly is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a person of the American Civil War is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1825 births
- 1864 deaths
- American murderers
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California
- Democratic Party members of the California State Assembly
- Confederate States Army officers
- People from Wilcox County, Alabama
- People from Mariposa County, California
- Politicians from El Paso, Texas
- People of Texas in the American Civil War
- 19th-century American legislators
- Politicians killed in the American Civil War
- Military personnel from Texas
- Confederate States of America military personnel killed in the American Civil War
- 19th-century California politicians
- California State Assembly Member stubs
- American Civil War biography stubs