# @sachistorymuseum on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DbjckdOhqYX
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68554541-sachistorymuseum-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/833714adfb.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-02T22:08:58.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Sacramento History Museum (@sachistorymuseum) — https://gondola.cc/sachistorymuseum

## Caption

On August 2, 1852, CA State Senator James Denver killed Alta California newspaper senior editor Edward Gilbert in a duel near the Oak Grove House, which is believed to be located within the present-day Haggin Oaks Golf Course in Sacramento, California. Gilbert had criticized Governor John Bigler in the Alta California for “grandstanding” while helping a caravan try to rescue travelers stranded in the Sierra (not the Donner Party). Gilbert also referred to the rescue as a cheap political stunt. 

Denver was the leader of that caravan and took offense to Gilbert’s criticism of Governor Bigler. The two exchanged written insults until Gilbert challenged Denver to a duel on August 2nd. Neither had met in person prior and 60 witnesses attended to see the duel take place. As the challenged party, Denver chose Wesson Rifles at 40 paces (about 100 feet).

Both missed on the first round. Gilbert was not a good shot and Denver shot at the ground as he tried to call off the duel. Gilbert refused to end the duel and was shot in the abdomen in the second round, dying within 5 minutes. 

James Denver was later appointed Secretary of State of California and in 1854 he was elected to Congress. In 1857, Denver was appointed Governor of the Kansas Territory and the city of Denver, Colorado is named after him. He was a brigadier general during the Civil War. 

Despite all his success in politics, the duel was a stain on his career. James Denver lost three chances at nomination for the Democratic Party to the presidency in 1876, 1880, and 1884 because popular sentiment had shifted over dueling and was viewed as an archaic custom of the past. 

Portrait of Edward Gilbert (top) and portrait of James Denver ca. 1855 (bottom), courtesy of the California State Library. Newspaper clipping from the August 3, 1852 edition of the Sacramento Daily Union newspaper.

#TodayInHistory #OnThisDay #sacramento #SacramentoHistory #sachistorymuseum

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sacramentohistory, sacramento, todayinhistory, onthisday, sachistorymuseum

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