Description
The John McComb Scrapbook contains 145 pages of clippings on McComb's career, Folsom and
San Quentin prisons and general criminology in California (1881-1891). There is a subject
index. Topics include: "prison reform," "prison investigations," "prison finance,"
"prison farms," graft, laws, and crimes.
Background
John D. McComb (1830-1896) came to California on the steamer Oregon (1849). He worked as
a printer in San Francisco, being associated with the Alta California for eighteen years,
the last five of which he was managing editor. He subsequently became manager of the
State Printing Office. From 1861 McComb was also associated with the California National
Guard and was ultimately appointed a Brigadier General (1875). Governor Perkins selected
him as Warden for Folsom Prison in 1881. He served there until transferred to San Quentin
(1887) by Governor Waterman. McComb retired in 1891.