USA > California > Marin County > History of Marin County, California also an historical sketch of the state of California > Part 28
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Murder of Thomas Spaulding .- Thomas Spaulding was killed by S. Kenshaw in Saucelito township, May 21, 1863.
Murder of John McPhelan .- This man was murdered June 8, 1863, by an Indian in Tomales township.
Killing of John Harris .- John Harris, a native of Liverpool, England, was killed, November 7, 1863, at the house of Terence Donnelly, about two miles from San Rafael, by his partner, Fred. Blodgett. The circum- stances of the case are mainly as follows: It appears that the deceased (Harris), Blodgett (the murderer), and a man named Smith, arrived at the house of Donnelly on the night in question, and obtaining permission to
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prepare supper, set about the task, and while eating, some words arose between Smith and Blodgett, which, however, amounted to nothing. It seems that the best of feeling did not exist on the part of Blodgett toward Harris, and words of an angry nature passed; Harris got up from the table, remarking, "although I am sick, I believe I can lick you !" Blodgett at the same time arose from the table, and retreated towards the back door of the house, whilst Smith in the meantime had taken hold of Harris, said, " dont make any fuss," when Blodgett seizing a shot-gun, fired, the charge entering the right breast of Harris, about two inches below the nipple, killing him instantly. Blodgett gave himself up to the authorities in San Rafael, where he admitted that he had killed Harris, and said, if he could kill but one more man he would die satisfied.
Shooting of --- Johnson .- On January 30, 1865, an old resident of Marin county was killed on his own ranch, under the following circum- stances: A young man named Frank Taylor had been hunting upon Tamal- pais in company with another young man, and in returning home passed the house of Johnson, who was near by at work. When Taylor approached, Johnson came forward and said, "So you are in the habit of shooting cattle, are you ?" Taylor replied, "No, I am not." "D- you," said Johnson, " if you shoot any of my cows, I will blow the top of your head off." Taylor said that he was glad there was a witness present to hear the threat, and told Johnson he had better take care how he threatened to shoot men. Johnson then came nearer and said he was almost persuaded to knock his head off, and told him to put down his gun. Taylor said he would not, when Johnson sprang forward and seized the gun. A brief struggle ensued, during which a woman, with whom Johnson was living, cried out to him to come away from Taylor and let him alone. Taylor succeeded in retaining his gun-a double-barreled shot gun, and Johnson ran to the house, exclaim- ing as he went, "G- - you, I will shoot you now." Taylor ran from the house and had got about four hundred yards away, when he heard and saw Johnson running after him with his double-barreled gun. Taylor was charged with No 8 shot, but he hastily put down two charges of buck-shot as he ran, and heard Johnson cry out, "Stand, you - - cowardly --! " Taylor stopped and turning round, said: "Johnson, you may shoot me, but I will not stir a peg !" Johnson had got within a few yards and fired, shooting Taylor in the side and thigh, who instantly cocked his own gun and fired at Johnson, who instantly fell, when Taylor hastened to his house.
Murder of - Ingolls .- On May 20, 1865, one of the officers of the State Prison at Point San Quentin, discovered in the foundry some iron hooks, and inquiring for what they were intended, was told that they were made for a convict named Thurman. He was asked what they were made
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for, and replied that they were to hang his trunk on. The man who made them and Thurman were ordered to be punished. On being taken to the ladder, and while Thurman's companion was being flogged, Thurman rushed into the cooper's shop, and seizing a broad-ax, attacked another convict named Ingolls, and split his head open, killing him instantly.
Murder of Mrs. Rosanna Jensen .-- Rosanna Jensen, wife of Hans Jensen, living near Novato, was found in a small slough in the marsh, about a quarter of a mile from her dwelling, on June 29, 1866, where it appeared that she had been conveyed after being murdered by some person or persons unknown. The facts are these: On the Sunday morning previous (June 24th) to the finding of the body, some trifling altercation, of a family-jar char- acter, had occurred between Mrs. Jensen and her husband, but was appar- ently settled, and harmony restored. The husband left home at about ten o'clock in the morning to go to Novato for meat, stopping on the route at two of his neighbors, with each of whom he spent about an hour and a half. On returning in the evening in time to attend the milking of his cows, he found his wife absent. After looking about the premises and not finding her, he concluded that she had gone to one of the neighbors and would soon come home. She not returning that night, Jensen got a neighbor and friend to stay at his house and attend to his affairs, while he made inquiry and search in the neighborhood. Finding no trace of her, and feeling alarmed, he, on Wednesday, concluded it was best to inform the people of the neighborhood of her disappearance, and ask their help in a general and more thorough search. On Thursday morning the neighbors assembled at his house and commenced a general search through the gulches and over the hills and marsh, and on Friday the body was found as above stated. Jensen · was arrested on suspicion of having committed the deed. Upon examina- tion before Justice Haven, no evidence appearing against him, he was dis- charged. The circumstance which appeared to direct suspicion on the hus- band was, that is if the above statement, which was his, be true, she must have been murdered and the body carried to the place where found after ten o'clock, and before his return on Sunday; and the exposure of the place to view by persons passing is such that no one would have ventured to convey it there for concealment in the day time, therefore it seemed that she must have been murdered either on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Accord- ing to his statement there were three hundred and forty-six dollars concealed in the bed, of which his wife had a knowledge, which were also taken.
Murder of Mrs. Cronin .- The wife of Timothy Cronin, of Bolinas, mys- teriously disappeared from her house and family about August 12, 1866. Suspicion of foul play fell upon her husband and his brother, who were arrested and a day for examination was set. Search had been made for the missing woman for some time, and on Wednesday morning, August 15th,
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just before the examination took place, the body was found in a ravine, in which there was running water, near the house of the deceased. It appears that after the woman was murdered she was buried as above stated, and a duckpond built over her grave. The parties searching for the body, observ- ing that the duck pond was of recent construction, concluded to examine it, at which Cronin objected, stating that he did not wish it destroyed. They, however, proceeded to make the investigation, when Cronin turned from the spot and fled. About this time the body was discovered, when some of the party fired at Cronin, hoping to impede his flight, but without effect, until Jesus Briones procured a horse and succeeded in arresting him by means of a lasso. The body of the murdered woman was found wrapped in some gunny sacks, and had the appearance of having been beaten and bruised in a horrible manner. Though very much decomposed, it was easily identi- fied as that of Mrs. Cronin. It appeared that husband and wife had been leading an unhappy life. The prisoner and his brother, James Cronin, were examined before Justice Almy, and sufficient evidence of their guilt appear- ing, they were held to answer. Timothy Cronin was convicted and sentenced to death at the November term of the District Court, 1866. A new trial was applied for, but was denied; an appeal was, however, taken. He was once more sentenced to death on February 3, 1868, and suffered the extreme penalty of the law in San Rafael, May 8, 1868.
Murder of T. J. McKeon .- About 7 P. M., on the evening of Wednesday, February 13, 1867, some Indians came to the store of T. J. Mckeon, a store keeper on Tomales bay, and whilst he was drawing liquor from a barrel one of them struck him on the back of the head with an axe, killing him instantly. They continued at the store drinking liquor until about three o'clock the next morning, when they packed up such goods as they wanted-as much as they could carry -- and after setting fire to the building left the scene. They stated that there were two Spaniards with them, who instigated them to kill MeKeon, saying he had money, and if they did not kill him (Mckeon) they would kill them (the Indians), and that the Spaniards got two hundred dollars each. About one hundred and fifty dollars in coin were found upon the Indians which is thought to be all the money they found in the store. The burning building excited attention across the bay, and on Thursday morning the whole neighborhood was aroused and a party from Key's Port came up and joined in a search among the hills and ravines for something that might lead to a clue to the incendiaries and murderers. As a party was passing along a ridge above a deep ravine covered with a thick growth of brushes, they heard a voice crying out to them, " go away, or we will shoot you," at the same instant the report of three shots was heard. The party on the hill then saw the three Indians, and being armed returned the fire, killing one of the Indians instantly and wounding severely the other two. The goods they had carried from the store, and the one
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hundred and fifty dollars found on their persons were taken into possession, and the two Indians were carried into Tomales where their wounds were attended to, they being afterwards taken to San Rafael.
Killing of Williamson .- The body of a farmer named Wil- liamson, which bore evident marks of foul play, was found in Walker's creek, Tomales township, February 20, 1868.
Homicide of Harry Jones .- On the night of March 15, 1872, the body of Harry Jones, a resident of Novato for seventeen years, was found in the horse trough in front of his house under circumstances which led many to believe that he had been foully dealt with. The following particulars were adduced before the jury upon holding the inquest: It appears that his wife last saw him alive some half or three-quarters of an hour before the body was found. Jones was at his store in the evening, with Bill Webb, Andrew Lawson, a blacksmith residing at Novato named Brown, Chris. Bannon, a son of Webb's, aged eleven or twelve years, a boy who lived with the deceased, and a stranger whose name was unknown. Mr. Lawson stated that Brown had some difficulty with Jones, both being under the influence of liquor, during which the former knocked the deceased down and kicked him about the face and head. Webb left the store about ten o'clock, leav- ing Brown, Bannon and Mrs. Jones, wife of deceased, there, the latter being behind the counter. Mrs. Jones subsequently closed the store and went to her residence a few yards distant, accompanied by deceased. Deceased went out of the house, and was gone probably about ten minutes when his wife sent a boy to look for him, who, however, could not find him. Mrs. Jones- thereupon went out a short time after and found him in the trough, as above described, dead. About half-past ten o'clock Mrs. Cornell, who lived near the place heard two screams, one loud the other faint. Half an hour later Mrs. Jones went to Mrs. Cornell and informed her that her husband was found dead as above described. The body when found was afloat in the water in the trough, which was deep; it had the appearance about the neck of being choked, and showed a severe cut in the upper lip.
Murder of Charles Taylor .- On March 22, 1872, a tragedy occurred in the State Prison, wherein one Charles Taylor, a convict, lost his life at the hands of José Serrano, also a convict.
Murder of Emma Spohrs .- On May 23, 1872, a terrible tragedy was enacted in Angel Island, in which a soldier named Fritz Kimmel shot and instantly killed Emma Spohrs, a girl of fourteen years of age, in a fit of jealousy. There was a ball given at Camp Reynolds for the benefit of the non- commissioned officers and privates of Company H, Twelfth Infantry. While the guests were at the supper table, Kimmel arose from his seat, and going to Emma, put a pistol to her head and fired. She fell dead, and before the horror-stricken guests could prevent it, the murderer placed the weapon to.
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nis own head and fired, killing himself instantly. A military Court of Inquiry was held, which developed the following facts: Kimmel was leader of the Twelfth Infantry Band, a young German, who was accounted a fine musician. Miss Spohrs, his victim, was the daughter of a member of the band. Kimmel was a constant visitor in the family of Mr. Spohrs, and it was evident that he admired the daughter, Emma. On the night of the 23d, an entertainment was given by the Hackett Dramatic Club (composed of enlisted men of the island), to Company H, Twelfth Infantry, which was about to leave the island. During the early part of the ball, Kimmel played a violin, occasionally promenading the floor alone, but speaking to no one. Miss Spohrs saluted him pleasantly, but his responses were cold and dis- tant; Miss Spohrs accompanied Sergeant Sheehan to supper. Kimmel seated himself on the opposite side of the table and at some distance. After watching them for some time, he abruptly left the table and went to his room, but soon returned and advanced directly to the seat of Miss Spohrs, presented a pistol to her temple and fired, killing her instantly. The mur- derer stepped back a few paces, placed the pistol to his own head and fired. He fell backward to the floor and died instantly.
Murder of Senora Garcia .- On April. 17, 1873, Senora Loretta Garcia, relict of the late Don Rafael Garcia, a lady about sixty years of age, of high character, wealth and social position, and of blameless life, was foully mur- dered with a navy pistol in her own house, by a low fellow named Ambrosia Correra. At the time of the commission of the murder, the only third person present was a little adopted daughter of Senora Garcia, about six years of age. Her testimony was to the effect that the villain entered the house and spent some fifteen minutes in conversation with the old lady, marriage forming a large part, if not the only topic in the talk, after which he drew a large navy pistol and shot her, the charge entering the left side, above and near the heart .. She fell upon her face and was trying to rise when he went up close to her and shot her again in the side of the head, producing almost instantaneous death. He then endeavored to fire the house. He poured burning fluid on the walls, which were papered, and tried to light it with matches, but it would not burn. Meantime the little girl ran away screaming for help, and the villain began to fear he could not conceal his ghastly crime, and that retribution would overtake him. He ran down to the nearest house, and asked the lady, "Do I look pale ? I have killed Senora Garcia, and now I will kill myself !" This lady seeing his pistol and his fiendish expression, was frightened and started to run, but quickly heard a report, and turned in time to see him fall and almost' instantly expire, having shot himself through the liead in precisely the same spot as that in which he shot his defenseless victim.
Homicide of John Messina .- John Messina, an Italian fisherman, living
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on Tomales bay, near Marshall, but in Bolinas township, gave a birthday party on June 24, 1875, to which he invited a number of friends. The festivities were prolonged far into the morning of the 25th, and the friends- had a merry time of it, but the occasion had a sad and tragic ending, and it- was the last earthly jubilee for John Messina. Just as the gray dawn began to appear in the eastern sky, a dispute arose between a man named Lothario Mesado and one Joseph Cargatch, which culminated in Mesado draw- ing a murderous knife on Cargatch, who started to run, Mesado giving chase. Cargatch drew a pistol and discharged it in the air to intimidate his foe, but as it had no effect, he fired behind him, and the ball struck Messina in the heart, killing him instantly. The presiding Justice of the Peace decided. that the killing was accidental.
Killing of Patrick Monehan .- On Thursday evening of November 4, 1875, a row occurred at the Indian rancheria in Nicasio, which culminated on Sunday evening in the sudden and violent death of a white man. An Indian known by the name of Big José Salvador, made an assault on his sister, the widow of Calistro, with a knife. He had the woman down, when a lad, her son, seized his pistol from his hip pocket, and ran away with it. José gave chase to the boy, and the woman improved the opportunity to escape. She swore out a warrant for the arrest of her assailant, before Justice Rodgers, charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon, with intent to kill. The Justice put the warrant in the hands of John R. Foulks, who, with Louis Demsey, went on Sunday evening to the rancherie, to arrest the Indian.
The officers searched through several cabins, and at last came to one in which Patrick Monehan was sleeping, to whom they told their errand. He said he also had a warrant for José, but they could not arrest him. Foulks said he had a warrant for the Indian, and he intended to try to serve it. Monehan and Dempsey (who is known as John Igo) then had some words, during which the former got hold of the officer, and the two had a little scuffle, though there was a picket fence between them. Monehan was a large and very powerful man. Just then, a young man from Mrs. Irvine's came up and told Foulks that the Indian was in such a cabin, pointing to it. Foulks started for it, calling Dempsey to go with him. It seems that Monehan then got hold of Foulks, who drew his pistol, but the cylinder fell out. Dempsey, seeing that Foulks' weapon was not available, drew his pistol, and cocked it so that Monehan could hear it. The latter then walked toward Dempsey, saying, " You would not shoot me."
Dempsey retreated, and told Monehan to stop. Monehan advanced, saying, " You would not shoot me."
Dempsey finally said he would go back no further, and Monehan still
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going towards him, he fired, his ball entering Monehan's forehead, and pro- ducing instant death.
This tragedy seems to have ended the Indian crusade, as nothing further was heard about the arrest of the Indian.
Dempsey immediately gave himself up to await examination.
A Coroner's jury was impaneled on Sunday evening, consisting of E. R. Cornwell, Frank Nason, H. Thies, A. J. Winslow, David Taylor, E. M. Welch, P. Fox and one other, to investigate Monehan's death. Their verdict simply declared the facts, and neither condemned nor justified the act.
Dempsey was examined before Justice Rodgers on Tuesday afternoon. The Justice telegraphed for District Attorney Bowers to attend and repre- sent the people, but prior engagements prevented. E. B. Mahon, Esq., appeared and defended Dempsey, who was acquitted of all blame in the premises, and released from custody.
Monehan seems to have had the reputation of being quiet and good natured when sober, but when intoxicated a pretty rough customer to handle.
Murder of John McKnight .- John McKnight, aged sixty-seven years, living near Tomales bay, was murdered in his own house on the night of the 15th or morning of the 16th. The murderer broke the door open with the poll of an ax. McKnight had evidently been wakened by the noise, and sprang out of bed making towards the door, when, as is supposed from brusies on his face, he was knocked down, and then stabbed twice- once superficially in the right side of the neck, in the location of the jugular vein, and once to the depth of about five inches in the left breast-the knife passing entirely through the apex of the heart. Mr. McKnight owned thirteen acres of land which he had improved and fixed up very nicely for the poultry business, in which he had there been engaged for years. He was a harmless old man, lived entirely alone, kept no money in the house, and, as booty could not have been the object of the murder, it is a mystery what was. This is the seventh, eighth or ninth man that has been mur- dered on Tomales bay during the last few years, the author of the deed in each instance escaping punishment.
Murder of William Brown .- On October 21, 1876, William Brown, a well-to-do farmer of Chileno valley, was in Petaluma, collecting money and attending to some business matters. He left town for his home, about ten miles distant, in the afternoon. He stopped at a saloon in the valley and there met Salazar and Yguerra. He invited them to drink several times, and while so doing exhibited some money, about sixty dollars in all. Near evening he left the saloon for his home, a few miles distant. He was fol- lowed by Salazar and Yguerra, both intent upon robbing him for the money they knew he possessed. When near him, Salazar threw his lariat over Mr Brown and dragged him from his buggy. The horses immediately ran off,
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and Yguerra followed, caught them and tied them to a fence. When Brown was dragged out he made some little resistance, but Salazar stabbed him fatally several times and proceeded to rob him of his money, watch and ring. They left him dead and traveled back to the saloon. The cries of Mr. Brown were distinctly heard at his home, but little thought was given to them. Being expected home long before that hour, his absence caused a little anxiety, and a member of his family went out upon the road to watch for him. His team was then discovered tied to the fence, further search revealing his body lying on the road. He was found dead, having been stabbed several times. After killing him the murderers went back to Spanish town, where they remained until arrested. They were then brought to Petaluma, where Sheriff Tunstead had great trouble in keeping them safe from a mob, who were about to make an effort to capture the prisoners and hang them immediately. They were conveyed to San Rafael, com- nitted to await the action of the Grand Jury, indicted for murder in the first degree, and were tried in the March term of the District Court. The Indian was sentenced to the State Prison for twenty years. Salazar was defended by H. Wilkins of San Rafael, had a fair and impartial trial, was convicted and sentenced to be hanged. He desired a new trial, motion was made and denied. The murderer expiated his crime on the scaffold, May 31, 1877.
Killing of Aleyer Hubert-The victim of this atrocity was a peddler aged seventeen years, and was coldly murdered for money and to cover the crime of taking it. From a small beginning of a few pieces of cheap lace, which he packed upon his back, he had grown to that of carrying his goods upon a horse, riding or walking, as he chose. He had a widowed mother and orphan sister in San Francisco, who were largely supported by his per- severing efforts. By strictly temperate habits, economy and untiring industry, he had given comfort to his loved and loving mother. Having on a trip about the Christmas holidays got together a few dollars-probably about fifty-some one bearing the image of man, gangrened with avarice, and reckless of all consequences, in cold blood, and with no provocation other than a desire of possessing Hubert's little stock, took his innocent life by shooting him with a shot gun loaded with buck-shot, which took effect in the neck and upper part of the left breast, producing almost instant death. His body was afterwards dragged with a riata to a culvert over a deep but narrow cut in the Bolinas and Olema road, near the head of Olema creek. The body was discovered by the merest accident on December 31 1876, fully two days after the deed had veen committed. Suspicion fell upon Joseph Bernal, who was arrested and tried, but was released on account of the insufficiency of evidence.
Murder of Carl Peter Rush .- On June 1, 1877, Peter Rush, an old farmer
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of Novato, went out to his field to work, taking his luncheon. He left at the house his wife and an Indian boy. A man employed by Rush on the place started for Petaluma that morning, leaving the house first. The man returned about five o'clock. Rush was expected in early to do the chores, and as he did not come, the boy was sent out for him, but could not find him. The man finished up his chores, and then, taking a lantern he and the boy went out to look for Rush. About half an hour after they had left, as Mrs. Rush was sitting at the window reading, a gun was discharged through it, large shot perforating her book, the flying glass scratching her neck, and the shot lodging in a bed, the wad setting fire to it. After searching about an hour, the man and boy returned to the house, and reported that they had found nothing of Rush, and there the search was dropped for that night. No notice was given to the neighbors of the extraordinary events. The next morning word was sent to Sweetser & De Long's, and a force of fifteen or twenty men visited the premises, and commenced an active search for the missing man. All that day was spent in the hunt, but no clue was obtained to the whereabouts of Rush. The search was resumed on the 3rd, and in the afternoon, the murdered body of Peter Rush was found, in the field adjoining where he had been at work. He had been shot in the back, and his upper jaw was broken as if by a heavy blow. The body had been dragged by hand to a fence, and under it, and on the opposite side of the fence from where he had been at work, and there covered up with grass and brush. The appearance of the body indicated that he had been dead several days. The victim of this murder was formerly a sailor, a native of Denmark, aged fifty years. He had lived in Novato about twenty years, and his estate was estimated at from twenty to thirty thousand dollars. The murderer was never found.
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