USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California, including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description; together with a record of the Mexican grants also, incidents of pioneer life; and biographical sketches of early and prominent settlers and representative men > Part 43
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KILLING OF MANUEL SIBRIAN .- Manuel Sibrian was shot and killed with a pistol by Narciso Miranda on Thursday, July 1, 1880, at the place of the latter's residence in the San Ramon hills, about a mile southwest of Alamo. Both men were native Californians of Mexican descent, Miranda about twenty-five and Sibrian about forty-five years of age. Both were living in the hills on adjoining claims of supposed Government land- though also claimed by Carpentier as part of the Sobrante Grant. It is said that there had been bad feeling for a long time between Miranda and the deceased, arising from disputes as to the rightful claim of the latter to the land he had been occupying. As we are informed, the land was taken up on pre-emption claim some years ago by Miranda's father, who had since died, and who permitted Sibrian to temporarily occupy it when he had nowhere to put his family, after having been obliged to leave a residence property he had previously occupied. On the part of the Miranda family it is asserted that Sibrian, since their father's death, has wrongfully claimed and insisted on retaining possession of the land as his own. On the day mentioned, at the meeting that resulted in his death, he went to Miranda's house in anger and made an attack upon him with a club, to which Miranda responded by shooting him several times in the abdomen with a revolving Derringer pistol. Miranda was duly tried, convicted of manslaughter, and, August 11th, sentenced to one year and one month's imprisonment in the State Prison.
KILLING OF LOUIS FARRERI .- A series of affrays occurred on Saturday night, March 19, 1881, at Nortonville, between Italians and persons of other nationalities employed about the coal mines there, in one of which an Italian
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named Louis Farreri received a blow upon the head from a slung-shot, club or stone, that resulted in his death a few hours after the occurrence. From what we learn in relation to the matter, it appears that a considerable num- ber of Italian laborers had been employed in the mine, cutting out coal, at less than the usual rates of compensation, thus creating an unfriendly feel- ing between them and the regular miners of other nationalities there em- ployed; but which had not, prior to this occurrence, led to any personal collisions. Recently, however, a number of miners of rough habits had ar- rived at Nortonville from the north coast mines, who had shown a disposi- tion to engage in personal affrays with the Italians, and from such evidence as has been elicited, they are presumed to have been the assailants in Sat- urday night's encounters, of which there were several prior to that in which Farreri received the fatal injury. This occurred about midnight, when, as testified by another Italian who was with the deceased, they were assailed by half a dozen or more persons and Farreri knocked down, while he, the witness, took to flight. Farreri was found shortly afterward, by a country- man, lying in a partial stupor upon the ground where he had fallen. On being roused up he complained of violent pain in the head, but was able to walk, and his countryman attended him to the gate of his residence, after seeing him enter which he left him. A little later another countryman, passing, noticed him lying upon the stoop of the house, moaning. He as- sisted him into the kitchen and urged him to go to bed; but Farreri said his head hurt him very much, and he would rest where he was. Thinking he was only affected by drink, and would soon sleep off its effects, the man left him there, without awakening the wife or children of the sufferer. Still later, another Italian passing the house and hearing groans, entered the kitchen and found Farreri upon the floor complaining that his head hurt him. Mrs. Farreri was called up, but they could not persuade the sufferer to go to bed, and both the caller and she thought he was affected by drinking. After her countrymen left, Mrs. Farreri remained in the kitchen with her husband until he fell off into a doze, and appeared to be sleeping, without suffering much pain, when she returned to her bed, about three o'clock; but on awakening about daylight and going to him she found he was dead.
In the absence of Coroner Guy, a jury was summoned, an inquest held on Sunday by Justice Wall, and a verdict found of death from " natural causes and the visitation of God."
District Attorney Chase went up on Monday, and at his instance a jury was summoned and inquest held by Coroner Guy. The testimony of Doc- tors Leffler and Wemple, given upon a post mortem examination, went to show that the skull of the deceased had been fractured by a club, stone, slung-shot, or some other heavy, dull weapon, and that death was caused thereby. Many other witnesses were examined, but no testimony found by which the act could be fixed upon any particular person or persons, although
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some six or eight had been arrested on presumption of implication in the assault, all of them recent comers in the place from the north coast, and a verdict was found that the deceased came to his death from a skull frac- ture, caused by the blow of some instrument in the hands of some unknown person.
The deceased is said to have been a generally quiet and well-disposed man, who left a widow and four children unprovided for.
KILLING OF PATRICK SULLIVAN .- Patrick Sullivan, who lived with his family on the Wild Cat branch of the San Pablo creek, left Oakland on Monday evening, March 28, 1881, in his wagon, and never reached his home. Alarmed by his protracted absence, his family and friends instituted search for him Tuesday morning, and his dead body was found riddled with buck- shot and one arm around the axletree of the wagon several hundred yards below the road near the creek-side. From appearances it was concluded that after being shot he fell forward over the front of the wagon, and grasped the axletree in an unconscious dying effort, the horse breaking from the road and running (dragging the body) to the place near the creek where the wagon was found. Firing had been heard by some of the people living in the vicinity the previous evening, and foot-tracks were found about the place in the road where it was evident the fatal shot was delivered, and from the di- rection of these tracks, and the fact that there had been a long existing feud between himself and the deceased, suspicion led to the arrest of a neighbor named Robert Lyle, in whose house was found a double-barrelled shotgun that had the appearance of having been recently fired, and several buckshot of the size of those with which Sullivan was shot. An inquest was held on the body by Deputy Coroner Livingston, and a verdict found on Thursday that the deceased came to his death from a gun-shot wound inflicted by some person unknown to the jury. Lyle was taken down from the jail on Friday, April 1st, for examination at San Pablo, on accusation of the mur- der. The deceased Sullivan left a wife and seven or eight children. Lyle was held to answer and trial set for April 11, 1881, when he was discharged.
KILLING OF - - SHERIDAN .- The circumstance of the case as related are : That the Sheridan boys, sons of John Sheridan, living in the Grizzly canon, found that one of their goats had been killed by a coyote, which had partaken of the flesh to the satisfaction of its hunger, but would probably return to feast again from the carcass, when they hoped by lying in ambush to be able to shoot the predator upon their flock. Accordingly, having in- vited a neighbor, Michael Hennessey, to join them, they went out on the evening of Wednesday, the 11th May, 1881, about dusk, and took a position behind a bush some thirty yards more or less from the carcass of the goat, John Sheridan, the elder of the brothers, having a rifle, and Daniel C., the younger, a boy of fourteen years, having no weapon. They were soon after
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ward joined by Mr. Hennessey, with a double-barreled shot gun. Mr. Hennes- sey selected an ambush position for himself some little distance from that occu- pied by the boys, and directed the younger one, who had no weapon, to go to a tree on the top of the ridge, behind and above his position, where he could have a good outlook over the ground, and if he saw the coyote to make a signal. Hennessey then took the position he had chosen, and, after lying quietly in wait for nearly half an hour, heard a rustling in the grass or brush on his left, and looking in that direction at a distance of some twenty or thirty yards saw a moving object, that he took to be the head of a coyote, that appeared to be peering warily about, as if suspicious that danger might be lurking near for him. In the belief that it was a coyote Mr. Hennessey raised his gun, but lowered it to assure himself of the posi- tion of the supposed animal, and, without the most distant thought that the boy was anywhere in that direction, raised his gun again and fired. The poor lad instantly cried, "It's me you've shot ! I'm killed !" Mr. Hennes- sey instantly exclaimed, " My God, John, I've shot Connie ! Run for help !" He ran himself immediately to the wounded boy, took him in his arms, and held him until some neighbors, called by the brother, came, and they carried the lifeless body to the house. The boy survived only ten or fifteen min- utes after Mr. Hennessey reached and took him in his arms, but never spoke again after exclaiming that he had been shot and killed. The Jury of In- quest found in accordance with the evidence that the killing was purely . accidental.
KILLING OF CHRISTIAN SMITH .- The following article is from the Contra Costa Gazette of July 9, 1881 :-
" Last Monday morning, July 4, 1881, about eight o'clock, when the jail cells were unlocked to let the prisoners out into the corridor for breakfast, Henry Grosser, awaiting trial on charge of murder for the killing of Christian Smith, on Marsh creek, in May, did not come out with the others, and one of them looking into the cell discovered his body hanging from the center ventilating grating in the ceiling, or crown sheet. All warmth had left the body, and from facts afterward learned it is supposed to have been hanging there from about midnight. A jury of inquest was immediately organized by Deputy-Coroner Livingston, and inquiry as to circumstances of the sui-
cide proceeded with. It was ascertained by examination that the deceased had knotted a flour sack, of the fifty pound size, tightly around his neck, and, the ends being short, after first crossing, to complete the knot, had been laid back and wound with twine to fasten them. Through the collar thus formed the leg of a pair of drawers had been inserted, the ends passed up between and brought down over the grating bars and tightly knotted, the deceased standing upon an empty candle box to do this, then pushing the box away with his feet and leaving himself suspended, to die by suffo- cation, as there was no fall sufficient to break the spinal column, and,
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although the hands being free, had there not been great determination to effect the purpose, he could have reached up and unloosed the knot, as there might have been an inclination to do for relief from the choking sensation. But it is not probable that such attempt was made, or some. sound of it would have been heard by the occupant of the adjoining cell, who was awake and heard the noise made by the box when, as is supposed, it was pushed from under him upon the iron floor. On hearing this noise the prisoner called to Grosser and enquired if he was awake, but got no response and heard no further sound. When found in the morning, the arms were hanging close to the body and the feet within two or three inches of the floor.
" Grosser was a German by birth, about fifty years of age, but in appear- ance ten years or more older. After having been some years in this country he returned to Germany, where he married, and came back with his wife about twelve years ago. They have since had four children, three girls and one boy, the eldest child is about twelve, and the youngest about one year of age. They have been living upon Marsh creek some three years, and have been well thought of by their neighbors, as people of good char- acter and hard-working, industrious habits. Before moving to that neigh- borhood they had, either as share partners or employés business relations with Smith, for the killing of whom Grosser was to have been tried on charge of murder. The land upon which they lived was purchased by Smith, and a deed for one-half of it was afterwards made to Mrs. Grosser, in consideration, as the Grossers claim, of a lot of sheep sold or transferred in exchange to him. The business of farming and stock keeping on the place at Marsh creek appears to have been engaged in upon some partner- ship basis or understanding between the Grossers and Smith, and there has, within the past year, grown up difficulties about settlement of the business between them.
"Smith's family lived at Oakland, but he was frequently at Marsh creek, and spent considerable of his time at Grosser's. A short time before Smith was shot, Grosser said his wife had informed him that he had made grossly improper proposals and approaches to her, which greatly shocked and en- raged him. He then resolved to resent a repetition of such insults should they be offered, and on Smith's next visit to the ranch he armed himself with a pistol, procured for the purpose, and seeing him enter the milk cellar, he followed to find that he had seized and thrown Mrs. Grosser upon the ground ; he thereupon fired ; the shot missed, and Smith ran out, but, as he passed, he fired again, shooting him in the arm. Smith continued running until he fell on receiving another shot in the body, from the effects of which he died two days afterward. Grosser, after calling to a man near by and telling what he had done, ran to a neighboring house, which he entered in a frenzy of excitement and said he had killed Smith. Neighbors were quickly
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gathered, who removed Smith to the house, and found Mrs. Grosser upon the milk cellar floor in a swoon, with her lower limbs exposed below the knees. It was half an hour before she became conscious and was able to relate the circumstances of the assault until the moment of being thrown upon the ground, when she swooned, and became unconscious. The statements of the circumstances made by Grosser and his wife were accepted as the truth by the neighborhood generally. But rumors soon gained currency that an improper intimacy, known to Grosser, had subsisted for some time between his wife and Smith, and that the story of the assault upon her had been invented to furnish a reason for killing him in the hope of thus being able to avoid payment of what they owed him. It was upon such testimony as was offered in support of the charge or theory of such a design that Grosser was held for trial on the charge of murder, the case having been set for Tuesday next.
"All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent by Mrs. Grosser at the jail in company with her husband, and she seemed deeply distressed by the reports reflecting upon her character and the charges of plotting the murder of Smith.
"About ten o'clock Sunday night Grosser called to Robert Lyle, in an adjoining cell on one side of his, and asked if he could lend him a pencil. Lyle replied that he could, and threw his pencil up through the ventilating grating in such a way that it fell through the grating of Grosser's cell. With this pencil he is supposed to have concluded a writing, covering four or five sheets of note paper, commencing with a date of 'July 1.' This writing was found between the pages of a magazine or pamphlet in the cell. It is somewhat disconnectedly written, and is without signature. In sub- stance, with immaterial omissions, it is as follows :
""'I herewith make a statement. From what I hear, they are making numerous charges against me and my wife. About the larceny of sheep, when under attachment, I had no reason to suppose I was doing wrong in moving them over the county line. Mr. White and others knew all about that matter. I was attending to the sheep for Smith, and always thought he was a respectable man until of late. The horses and stock were assessed to me and my wife by Smith's request, as he said it would be better to have the taxes all paid together. A year ago last Fall Smith requested me to sell the cattle if I could get $25 per head for them all round. I told him it would be impossible, they were too poor, and he then told me to do the best I could with them. When he came back from Europe he was well satisfied with what I had done. I told him about the crop and everything. He thought it best not to sell the grain until it would bring a better price. I gave him an order on Charles Clayton to sell, and understood him to say he had sold, but don't know as yet what he got, but told me he had the account.
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""' When we undertook to settle I knew I owed him. I proposed to let him have the growing crop. He said he would rather not take it, as there was no telling what it would be. I know he has paid out money for lum- ber and other things. I would have settled with him but he would not pay half the store bill as he had agreed. He had boarded with us most the time last Winter, and I had kept no account of it. I had also boarded all the men chopping wood, and had hauled it for him to Brentwood.
"'When we commenced farming together I was to have half his horses, two of them valued at $150 and three others at $60. I had two cows, one died, and the other was with calf. I let him have that one for another from which I raised a calf until it was a cow. I let them run with his. He had a great many and I was to have the pick of two from the lot, but he took away all the calves and said he would make it all right. When we first started with sheep I had $700 coming to me for which I and my wife had worked and which I took in lambs at $2 a head. I then turned them over to him and went to work for him at. $30 per month. My wife was cooking for herders and shearers when the sheep were sheared at the place where we lived, and sometimes at other places. I worked for him until I moved over to Marsh creek.
"' In regard to this affair, most any other man would have done the same. I am satisfied my wife never had any improper intercourse with Smith or any other man. I was never inside a jail until now. I never spent money unnecessarily. All I had I got honestly. I hear they are trying to make out that my wife is a prostitute, which I can't listen to no more-that hurts my feelings so much that I am tired of living.'"
Then follows a statement of small sums due, from Smith and himself together, to various individuals, and the writing concludes as follows :
"'I never, never thought of getting in this trouble a day or two before it happened. I often walked from place to place. I did not know what I was looking for. I am indebted to Mr. Welch $12 for that pistol. I think I am going to a better world. I forgive everybody the same I would take myself. I was too easy (or accommodating) for my own good.'"
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TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.
Geography .- Township Number One is bounded on the north by Suisun Bay and the Straits of Carquinez ; on the east by Township Number Three; on the south by Township Number Two and the line of Alameda county ; and on the west by San Pablo Bay and the Bay of San Francisco.
Topography .- Like most of the others in the county the topography of this township is varied, ranges of foot-hills being varied with fertile val- leys lying in between, while, along its western shore is a strip of the most fertile land in the State. The western coast-line is much indented, Point Pinole and the peninsula of San Pablo jutting for a considerable distance into the sea and forming the Contra Costa side of the San Pablo straits. The northern extremity of the latter is named Point San Pablo, the south- ern, Point Potrero, while immediately north of the line dividing the coun- ties of Contra Costa and Alameda is Point Isabel, off which there is Brooks Island, northwest therefrom lies Red Rock, and off Point San Pablo, are the islets known as Whiting's Rock and The Brothers, where there is a light- house to guide the sailor into San Pablo Bay. Of the streams, we have El Hambre creek, flowing in a northerly direction through the town of Mar- tinez, and falling into the Straits of Carquinez; the Rodeo and Pinole creeks flowing northwesterly into San Pablo Bay, and the San Pablo and Wild Cat creeks flowing westerly into the straits of that name.
Soil .- The soil of this township differs in different locations, the portion along its western border being a sandy loam and easily worked; in the small valleys it is most prolific and requires much less rain than in many other portions of the county.
Products .- The products of this township are diversified, comprising fruit, vegetables, cereals, berries and grapes. The soil is so varied in its nature that it is capable of producing almost all varieties of things that grow out of the ground to very good advantage indeed. Its orchards are a marvel to behold and its vineyards are a wonder. Its miles of grain fields teem with abundance, while its gardens show a rich return of vegetables and rare flowers.
Timber .- Of this commodity there is not much to boast in Township Number One. The ordinary oaks grow to their usual size and add much to the beauty of the scene, especially in the vicinity of Martinez.
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Climate .- There is no healthier climate in the State. The portions of the township bordering on the bays are subject to the influences of the strong Summer winds that sweep through the Golden Gate and over the San Francisco hills, but are free from its fogs; while inland, the cooling influences of these breezes are felt, and add much to the healthfulness of the district.
Early Settlement .- The first settlement in Township Number One was made about sixty years ago. In 1823 Francisco Castro and Ignacio Mar- tinez made application for and received grants of land each, the first mentioned obtaining the San Pablo tract and the latter that known as Pi- nole. Each of them built an adobe residence, erected corrals for their stock, and planted the first fruit trees and vines in the township. Their nearest neighbors at this time were the Peraltas and Castros of San Antonio and San Lorenzo. Up to this period the two Ranchos just named were very different from what they are to-day. At that time these broad acres were one vast field of waving corn, in the months of March and April look- ing like and emerald sea, dotted with islands, as it were, formed from the clumps of oaks, among the many perishable land marks which still remain, and limited on one hand by the noble bays and inlets, on the other by a bold outline of hills clothed with luxuriant verdure. Roads there were none, save the divergent trails which twisted through the growth of wild oats, that reached, on every side, as high as the head of the passing eques- trian. Fences there were none, therefore the prospect was unbroken, save by those objects already noted. The low-lying land teemed with game of every kind, both four-footed and feathered, that had scarcely known the meaning of death save by natural means; the creeks were stocked with finny gambolers, whose numbers had been lessened by none, except the aboriginal, while the cañons and mountain sides gave shelter to the puma and the grizzly bear. Around, the vista was variegated with flowers of the richest perfumes, lending a pleasing sensation of sweet repose ; the slightest sounds were heard in the vast solitude, and each in concert-the hard, gra- ting noise of the cicada, the hum of bees, the chirping of gorgeously plumed songsters-all the signs of animation made the solitude still more profound and oppressive, until it became a relief to watch for the obstruction of the path by an infuriated beeve, or gaze in expectation for the rapid stampede of a drove of elk or deer.
With these two families to take the lead others followed as a matter of course, not so much to labor in their own interests and toil for their more fortunate fellows, but that they loved the dolce far niente mode of living to be found on the haciendas of the rich. A certain amount of state was maintained by the rancheros of those days, which they had inherited from the splendor-loving cavaliers of old Spain ; they seldom moved abroad ; but, when they did, it was upon a handsomely caparisoned horse, with attendant
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outriders, armed, to protect their lord from wild animals. The earlier locators of land brought with them herds of cattle, which, in the natural sequence of things, became roving bands of untamed animals that provided the Spanish master and his servitors with meat ; while enough grain was not so much cultivated as grown, to keep them in food, as it were, from day to day. Their mode of traveling was entirely on horseback; hostelries there were none; when halting for the night, an umbrageous oak was their roof ; the fertile valleys their stable and pasture ; while, were food required, to slay an ox or a deer was the matter of a few moments.
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