James W. WOMBLE

                   James was married to Nancy Elizabeth Babcock or Loak? on 12 July 1869 in
Sacramento, California.

James was 2 years old on 1850 Census
           11 years old on 1860 Census
He was found in 1870 Census in Placer, California.
James E. Womble was born to James in May 1870

«b»Los Angeles, California 1888 Directory «/b»- James W. Womble, plasterer - E s B nr West Tenth, Pico Heights, Los Angeles, CA 1888.
Oakland, California 1876 City Directory - Pg. 135 - Womble, Jas. W. - plasterer res 84 Clay

Source of family records:
       1870 Census - Placer Co., CA (Roseville) Twp. #1 (Fam. 119)
       1880 Soundex CA - Sacramento (American Twp.) Pg. 266B
       1850 Census - Montgomery Alabama (Ward 3)
       1860 Census - Sacramento, CA (2nd Ward) #682
       1910 Census - Sacramento, CA
       1920 Census - Placer Co., CA (With Daughter E.M. Babcock)
       Sacramento Co., CA Marriage R:11, U:74, V:260
, Montgomery, Alabama, United States

«b»San Jose Mercury News - 26 Dec 1885«/b»
Foolish Threats - Womble and Weiseman of the Anti-Coolie League of San Francisco, indulged in some wild talk about dynamite bombs at the meeting of the League last Thursday night.  Weisman is said to be about 24 years of age and although he was only admitted to citizenship on the 1st inst., he is the President of one of the Leagues in San Francisco and apparently the most prominent among the agitators in that city.  This does not look as if the anti-Chinese movement is attracting much attention from the substantial citizens in the Bay City. The class of whom Womble and Weiseman are representatives, have an unfortunate way of making threats for the purpose of carrying their points.  They form an opinion and they threaten those who differ with them with dynamite bombs and general disaster.  An element of that ind is heard from occasionally in the League in this city, and it is said that at a recent meeting the word "beware" was used.  Such expressions are uncalled for,, unnecessary and decidedly unpopular in any part of the United States, and men who use them will never be successful in this country in bringing about such reform as will benefit the people.

«b»1870 US Federal Census - Township 1, P.O. Roseville, Placer County, California - page 353B - dated 13 August 1870
«/b»Womble, James W. - age 20 yrs - white - male - farmer - born AL (married august 1870
Womble, Nancy E. - age 15 yrs - white - female - born IA - married August 1870
Womble, James E. - 1 months - white - male - born CA (born May 1870)
«b»
Leg Crushed and Amputated«/b»
James Womble whose name was prominently before the public some time ago as one of the "dynamiters" sent to jail for having explosives in their possession, attempted to cross in front of a Southern Pacific train on Townsend Street between Sixth and Seventh, at about noon yesterday, and was struck by the engine, the wheels passing over his left leg above the ankle, mangling it frightfully.  The injured man was picked up and conveyed to then Receiving Hospital, where it was ascertained that he had also sustained several bruises about the head and body.  It was impossible to save the leg and Dr. Denure, assisted by Drs. Chaigneau and Blach, amputated it below the knee.  Considerable doubts are expressed as to Womble's recovery.

«b»San Francisco Bulletin - 18 December 1885«/b»
Lively Meetings Last Night - Scenes at Irish American Hall - A Committee Fails to Interview the Coroner
. . . It was announced by J.W. Womble that Deputy Coroner Charles II. Lane was deposed from the Presidency but no action was taken to supply the vacancy. . . . .

«b»Daily Alta California, Volume 41, Number 13506, 21 August 1886
Another Railroad Accident: A Dynamiter Crusher Under an Engine at Sixth and Townsend
«/b»James W. Womble, who some months ago figured conscpicuously as a local agitator during the dynamite times, met with a serious and perhaps fatal accident yesterday forenoon.  It seems that he was standing near the Southern Pacific Company's railroad track on Townsend Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets, while a switch engine was making a "fly" on one of the sidetracks leading down from Sixth Street.  The engine cut loose from a car and speeded backwards down the track just as Womble attempted to cross.  He was knocked down, the forward wheels of the tender passing over his left leg above the ankle.  Being thrown violently to the payvent, he sustained three incised scalp wounds and a lacerated wound on the forehead, from which the blood flowed freely.  Two bystanders, Joseph Hall and Fred Miller, picked up the unfortunate man, who was still conscious, and conveyed him to the Receiving Hospital.  Chloroform was administered and Police Surgeon Dennis, assisted by Dr. Chaigneau and City Physician Blach, amputated the mangled limb below the knee.  The other wounds were dressed and Womble, in his sorrowful plight was put to bed, where he soon rallied from the shock of the accident and the additional strain of the operation.  Though the occurrence is one which might terminate fatally, it is believed that the strong constitution of the injured man will enable him to pull through all right.  He is said, however, to have been somewhat addicted to the use of opium.  Police Court No. 1, a few weeks ago, was occupied with hearing his case, he having been charged with using incendiary language on the Sand-lot.  No blame has been attached to Engineer Mark Fairfield.

«b»Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 33, Number 5041, 24 May 1867
«/b»From the Reform School. - J.W. Wamble a boy who was about two years ago sent from this city to the Reform School at Marysville for a term of two years, has recently returned home, having completed his term at that institution. He seems to have greatly improved in appearance and demeanor during his residence at the Reform School, and speaks of it in very favorable terms. The thirty boys now there are taught by the Superintendent the ordinary branches of education, and generally are contented with their position. The Marysville Appeal contains a farewell letter from young Wamble, read by him to his companions before leaving them. The following is an extract : " I will write occasionally to some of the boys I leave behind, and hope and expect to receive answers to all my letters. I want to be remembered by every boy now in the Reform School. I wish you had all been better boys than I have been, and then we would have given our dear and good Superintendent a great deal less trouble. Boys, you are aware of the fact that I came from a very bad place for good boys, or boys who intend to do what's right, but, nevertheless, I intend to lead a good and holy life, and never give up praying that I may not be led into temptation. I am going to try to set the boys of a good example and try to do them some good. I remember a couple of lines which a good friend once recited to me, and the substance is this : ' The little pebble which is thrown up by the great ocean to-day is washed back again by the waves of to-morrow.' I mean by this I am "not going to give up trying to do good and be good. Now, boys, I must say good-bye. Good bless you all and make you better."
«b»
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 24, Number 3612, 25 October 1862 - Page 6 Advertisements Column 1
«/b»LOST AND FOUND. «b»
«/b»Enticed Away - On or about the 14«sup»th«/sup» last,  James Willson Wamble left his home, on G street between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets of this city, since which time he has not been heard from. The boy is twelve years old, has a thin face, pale blue eyes, brown hair, and has a small white lump on his lower lip and when last seen he had on a black jacket, cap and pants. When last heard from he was on his way to Washoe. Any tidings from the lost boy will be most thankfully received by his distressed parents.
«b»
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 24, Number 3607, 20 October 1862«/b»
Enticed Away- Wilson Wamble, aged twelve years, son of John R. Wamble, G street near Thirteenth, has been absent from home for a week or more. When last heard from him was at Diamond Springs, El Dorado county. It is supposed that he has been enticed off to Washoe. His parents are anxious for information concerning him.

«b»Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 29, Number 4406, 5 May 1865 - CITY INTELLIGENCE.
«/b»In the case of Alexander Polese, charged with buying stolen chickens, eggs, etc., from boys who had stolen them, a jury of six was impanneled, and several witnesses were examined. Frank Powell testified that he had recently lost a number of Spanish fowls, which had been stolen, but that he had not sold any to any one. J. W. «b»Wamble«/b» testified that he knew of four Spanish fowls having been stolen from Powell and sold to Polese. Witness and other boys had sold fowls to defendant, sometimes in daytime and sometimes at night, about fifteen in all. Several other witnesses were examined for the prosecution, and when testimony was introduced by the defense to show that he had, on several occasions, refused to purchase chickens of boys because they could not tell where they procured them, the jury retired, and after a short absence returned with a verdict of not guilty.

«b»Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 28, Number 4356, 8 March 1865
«/b»Sing Chong, charged with petit larceny in stealing fifty cents from a boy named J. «b»Wamble«/b», was found guilty and fine $25.00.

«b»Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 29, Number 4403, 2 May 1865
«/b»In the chicken stealing case, Judge Holl sentenced the boy James Wamble to two years and Henry Mayo and C. Harkins to one year each at the Reform School.  The other three boys were detained for further consideration.  It is a matter of complaint in this city with public officers and others that but  little information reaches the public through the press concerning the management and workings of the Reform School.  How are the boys treated?  At what are they employed?  What provision is made for their education?  What is the practical effect on those who have been confined there? Etc., etc. We have a large number of boys in Sacramento who might be spared if their condition is likely to be improved by the change.

«b»Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 29, Number 4402, 1 May 1865
«/b»Some eight or nine boys were arraigned for trial on a charge of petit larceny  in stealing chickens and eggs.  These boys reside in the eastern part of the city, range in age from ten to fifteen years. It appeals from the evidence adduced in Court and from the confessions of the boys, that they have been engaged for some time in stealing chickens, ducks and eggs, and selling them for whatever they could get. It has been their habit in many instances to knock over chickens in the day time and gather them up, to strip and go into ponds to drive out ducks for the purpose of running them down, to take setting hens from their nests, and their eggs also, and convert all into cash. Judge. Holl dismissed the charge as to several of the boys, but as to James «b»Wamble«/b», Henry Mayo, Richard Butler, George Butler, Andrew Warner and Cornelius Harkins,-he took the matter under advisement until today. Several of them will undoubtedly be sent to the Reform School at Marysville  where, it is to be hoped, they will be placed under more favorable influences than they have been at home.

«b»Sacramento Historic Churches Index - 1852-1910«/b»
Womble, Alexander M.                     St. Paul
Womble, James                                lst Methodist
Womble, James W.                          1st Methodist
Womble, Mrs. Jennie                        1st Eng
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~npmelton/chur228.htmw

«b»San Francisco Chronicle 28 July 1882: ProQuest Historical Newspapers:  San Francisco Chronicle (1865-1922) pg. 4
«/b»Marriages - Womble-Hand - In this city, 26 July, James W. Womble to Lowrena Hand«b»
«/b»
«b»San Francisco Chronicle - 5 February 1886; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: San Francisco Chronicle (1865-1922) pg. 3
Sandlotter Womble's Sentence«/b» - James W. Womble, the sandlotter convicted of using vulgar and obscene language during a harangue, was sentenced by Judge Rix yesterday to fifteen days' imprisonment in the County Jail in default of the payment of a $15 fine.  In passing sentence Judge Rix took into consideration the facts that Womble promised to not offend again and that his wife is sick.

«b»San Francisco Chronicle 8 January 1886; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: San Francisco Chronicle (1865-1922) Pg. 2.
Womble's Confessions:  The Autobiography of a Reform Schools Graduate
«/b»The Anti-Coolie League, started by O'Donnell and continued by weisman and his associates, is apparently in the throes of dissolution.  Last night, instead of the usual crowd who have been in the habit of howling themselves hoarse while Weisman was trying to posed as a martyr to free thought, free speech and free dynamite, there were only about 250 persons present.  It was evident that internal dissensions had been thinning the ranks of the league and disturbing the harmony supposed to exist among the self-elected club presidents.  It was announced that Club Presidents McCormick and Cunningham had seceded from the movement, and a great portion of the evening was devoited by Club President J.W. Womble to vindicating his character from accusations of "crookedness" which he said  had been made against him in the press and by members of the league.  For this purpose, he favored his hearers with a brief biographical sketch.  Said he:
"When I was a boy you bet yer life I was a young hellion.  i was just as tough as they made 'em.  All the policemen in Sacramento knew me and don't you forget it; but I never stole no chickents.  Now about that chicken racket.  When I was about 14 i was just full of devilish meanness, but it was just boy fun.  I'd be walking along, and may be if I'd see a chicken and I had a stick in my hand I'd break its legs or hit it with a brick, or something of that kind, but I wouldn't take it away; I'd just leve it there.  I just did it for fun.  Well, a neighbor went to my father and got him to send me to the Reform School because he couldn't do anything with me.  I made a record in the Reform School as was never beat by any boy that ever came out of that school.  Why, the last eleven months, I seved as Chief of the Police in the institute.  The first thing I ever stole in my life, it was the policeman that made the charge against me in Sacramento that got me to do it.  He got me to steal tobacco from my father and give it to him when he was driving a dump-wagon, but that was all I ever stole.  And afterward, he wanted to get at me because he killed the Poundkeeper with a brick and I was the only one that saw him do it.

Womble then went into a detailed account of his relations with various women, including his own account of what he described as an attempt to blackmail him on the part of the father of a girl in Alameda.  Continuing, he said he had been accused of keeping an opium joint.  His story was that he had procured a license to sell opium, and with $1280 had bought $3600 worth of opium, most of it being smuggled, and his partner in the transaction being a Deputy Sheriff in this city.  After a long tirade against the police and other municipal authorities, and threats of libel suits against the papers, he concluded by saying:  "Now, it ain't what I done when I was a boy, but what I am since I've joined the Anti-Coolie League that you've got to do with, and if any dirty blackguard has got any charge to make against me, let him come out with it and I'll answer him, and if the league wants my resignation it's ready for them."

At this challenge a thin-faced young woman, who has been a constant attendant at all the meeti