USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 18
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
as early as 1839, the land was occupied, and a house built upon it. The grantee also placed there cattle and horses, and cultivated about two hundred acres of land. He has ever since continued to occupy it.
"The authenticity of the grant is shown by proof of the genuineness of the signatures, and the production of the expediente from the archives of the former government. The claim was confirmed by the Board, and no objec- tions to it are suggested in this Court. A decree of confirmation must there- fore be entered."
We find on page 23 of the Appendix the following: "Jacob P. Leese, claimant for Huichaca, two square leagues, in Sonoma county, granted Octo- ber 26, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno, and July 6, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena, to J P. Leese; claim filed April 6, 1852, confirmed by the Commission April 18, 1853, by the District Court, April 22, 1856, and appeal dismissed December 24, 1856; containing 18,704,04 acres. Patented."
MARIANO G. VALLEJO, claiming the Rancho Yulupa, vs. THE UNITED STATES .- Claim for three leagues of land in Sonoma county, rejected by the Board, and appealed by the claimant.
" The claimant in this case has produced the original grant by Governor Micheltorena to Miguel Alvarado, dated November 23, 1844.
"This grant was approved by the Departmental Assembly on February 18, 1845.
"The genuineness of the grant is fully proved, and the occupation of and the cultivation of a portion of the land established by testimony. The claim was rejected by the Board for the reason that the tract granted was not segre- gated from the public domain.
The land is described in the grant as known by the name of Yulupa, and bounded by the ranchos of Petaluma, Cotate, Santa Rosa and Los Guilicos. Jasper O'Farrell, who was a government surveyor in 1847, and 1848, and as such surveyed several ranchos in the vicinity, states that he knows the latter well, and that the Rancho Yulupa is situated between them; that it is near the town of Sonoma, and can easily be segregated from the adjoining ranchos. Julio Carrillo testifies that he has known the lands of Yulupa since 1838; and that it lies between the ranchos of "Petaluma," "Cotate," "Santa Rosa," and "Guilicos;" that it contains about three leagues and is well known. The witness further states that Alvarado built a house on the land, and occu- pied it with cattle and horses in 1843 or 1844.
The evidence of these and other witnesses whose testimony has been taken in this Court on appeal, sufficiently, in my opinion, establishes the identity of the land, granted to Alvarado, and removes the only objection urged to a confirmation of the claim. A decree of confirmation must therefore be entered."
On page 35 of the Appendix it is recorded : " Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
claimant for Yulupa, three square leagues, in Sonoma county, granted November 23, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Miguel Alvarado; claim filed May 31, 1852, rejected by the Commission May 10, 1854; confirmed by the District Court January 21, 1857; decree reversed by the United States Supreme Court and cause remanded for further evidence.
So far unfortunately do these cases go, we are, therefore, constrained to proceed to what information can be gleaned out of the Appendix, from which the following quotations are taken :-
. Archibald A. Ritchie, claimant for Guenoc, six square leagues, in Sonoma county, granted May 8, 1845, by Pio Pico to George Roek; elaim filed Janu- ary 27, 1852; confirmed by the Commission December 18, 1852, and appeal dismissed December 15, 1856 ; containing 21,220.03 acres. Vide page 3, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Josefa Carrillo Fitch et al., claimants for Sotoyomé, eight square leagues, in Sonoma and Mendocino counties (situated in Mendocino and Russian River townships), granted September 28, 1841, by Manuel Micheltorena to Henry D. Fitch; claim filed February 2, 1852, confirmed by the Commission April 18, 1853, and appeal dismissed November 17, 1857; containing 48,836.51 acres. Patented. Vide page 3, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Stephen Smith and Manuela T. Curtis, claimants for Bodega, eight square leagues, in Sonoma county (situated in Bodega and Ocean townships), granted September 14, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Stephen Smith ; elaim filed February 9, 1852, confirmed by the Commission February 21, 1853, by the District Court July 5, 1855, and appeal dismissed April 2, 1857; containing 35,487.53 acres. Patented. Vide page 4, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Stephen Smith, claimant for Blucher, six square leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Analy township), granted October 14, 1844, by Manuel Michel- torena to Juan Vioget; claim filed February 9, 1852; confirmed by the Commission October 31, 1854, by the District Court January 26, 1857, and appeal dismissed November 24, 1856; containing 22,976.66 acres. Vide page 4, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Archibald A. Ritchie and Paul S. Forbes, elaimants for Callayome, three square leagues in Sonoma county granted January 17, 1845, by Manuel Micheltorena to Robert F. Ridley ; claim filed February 12, 1852 ; confirmed by the Commission December 22, 1852, and appeal dismissed December 8, 1856 ; containing 8,241.74 acres. Vide page 6, Appendix Hoffman's Reports Vol. 1.
Manuel Torres, claimant for Muniz, four square leagues in Mendocino county (now Sonoma, situated in Ocean and Salt Point townships), granted December 4, 1845, by Pio Pico to Manuel Torres; claim filed February 17, 1852; confirmed by the Commission December 27, 1853, by the District Court, October 17, 1855, and appeal dismissed May 7, 1857; containing
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
17,760.75 acres. Patented. Vide page 7, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Bartolomé Bojorquez, claimant for Laguna de San Antonio, six square leagues in Marin county (a great part in Sonoma county, Petaluma town- ship), granted November 5, 1845, by Pio Pico to B. Bojorquez; claim filed February 17, 1852; confirmed by the Commission October 12, 1853, by the District Court September 10, 1855, and appeal dismissed November 24, 1856 ; containing 24,903.42 acres. Vide page 7, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
·
Thomas B. Valentine, claimant for Arroyo de San Antonio, three square leagues in Marin county (partly in Sonoma county, Petaluma township), granted October 8, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Juan Miranda ; claim filed February 17, 1852, and discontinued February 6, 1855. Not confirmed. Vide page 7, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1; and History of Petaluma township in this work.
José de los Santos Berryesa, claimant for Seño de Malacomes or Moristal y Plan de Agua Caliente, four leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Knight's Valley township), granted October 14, 1843, by Manuel Michel- torena to J. de los Santos Berryesa; claim filed February 20, 1852; con- firmed by the Commission June 27, 1854, by the District Court December 24, 1856, and appeal dismissed November 24, 1856; containing 12,540.22 acres. Vide page 9, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Lovett P. Rockwell and Thomas P. Knight, claimants for portion of Mala- comes or Moristal, No. 58, two square leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Knight's Valley township), granted October 14, 1843, by Manuel Michel- torena to José de los Santos Berryesa ; claim filed February 20, 1852; con- firmed by the Commission, August 29, 1854, and appeal dismissed November 24, 1856; containing 8,328.85 acres. Vide page 9, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
David Wright et al., claimant for Roblar de la Miseria, four square leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Petaluma township), granted November 21, 1845, by Pio Pico to Juan Nepomasena Padillo ; claim filed February 24, 1852 ; confirmed by the Commission February 14, 1853, by the District Court September 10, 1855, and appeal dismissed December 8, 1856; con- taining 16,887.45 acres. Patented. Vide page 10, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Jasper O'Farrell, claimant for Cañada de la Jonive, two square leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Analy and Bodega townships), granted February 5, 1845, by Pio Pico to James Black; claim filed March 2, 1852; confirmed by the Commission April 18, 1853, by the District Court, July 16, 1855, and appeal dismissed December 22, 1856; containing 10,786.51 acres. Patented. Vide page 12, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
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M. G. Vallejo, claimant for lot 150 by 130 varas, in Sonoma city, granted July 5, 1835, by José Figueroa to M. G. Vallejo; claim filed March 30, 1852; confirmed by the Commission January 17, 1854, by the District Court Feb- ruary 18, 1856, and appeal dismissed February 23, 1857; containing 3.81 acres. Vide page 19, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. The patent for this property is on record.
Jasper O'Farrell, claimant for Estero Americano, two square leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Bodega township), granted September 4, 1839 by Manuel Jimeno to Edward Manuel McIntosh; claim filed March 30, 1852 ; confirmed by the Commission April 11, 1853, and appeal dismissed February 2, 1857 ; containing 8,849.13 acres. Patented. Vide page 19, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Charles Mayer et al., claimants for German, five square leagues in Mendo- cino county (now Sonoma county, and situated in Salt Point township), granted April 8, 1846, by Pio Pico to Ernest Rufus; claim filed April 27, 1852, confirmed by the commission December 22, 1852, by the District Court, September 10, 1855, and by the United States Supreme Court; con- taining 17,580.01 acres. Vide page 28, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Mayor and Common Council of Sonoma, claimants for Pueblo of Sonoma, four square leagues, granted June 24, 1835, by M. G. Vallejo to Pueblo of Sonoma; claim filed May 21. 1852, and confirmed by the Commission Jan- uary 22, 1856. Vide page 33, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, claimant for Petaluma, ten square leagues, in Sonoma county (situated in Vallejo and Sonoma townships), granted Octo- ber 22, 1843, by Manuel Micheltorena to M. G. Vallejo, (grant) and five square leagues, June 22, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to M. G. Vallejo (sale by Government); claim filed May 31, 1852, confirmed by the Com- mission, May 22, 1855, by the District Court, March 16, 1857, and appeal dismissed July 3, 1857; containing 66,622.17 acres. Vide page 35, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. Patented.
Guadalupe Vasquez de West et al., claimants for San Miguel, six square leagues, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township), granted Nov- vember 2, 1840, by Juan B. Alvarado, and October 14, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Marcus West; claim filed May 31, 1852, rejected by the Commission April 24, 1855, confirmed by the District Court, June 2, 1857, and decree confirmed by the United States Supreme Court for one league and a half. Vide page 35, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
J. Jesus Peña et al., heirs of J. G. Peña, claimants for Tzabaco, four square leagues, in Sonoma county (situated in Mendocino and Washington townships), granted October 14, 1843, by Manuel Micheltorena to Jose Ger- man Peña; claim filed August 5, 1852, confirmed by the Commission June 26, 1855, by the District Court, March 9, 1857, and appeal dismissed Apr
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2, 1857; containing 15,439.32 acres. Patented. Vide page 41, Appendix Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1
William Forbes, claimant for La Laguna de los Gentiles or Caslamayome, eight square leagues in Sonoma county (situated in Cloverdale and Wash- ington townships), granted March 20, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Eugenio Montenegro; claim filed September 7, 1852, and rejected by the Commission, September 26, 1854. Vide page 45, App. Hoffman's Reports Vol. 1.
John Hendley et al., claimants for Llano de Santa Rosa, one square league, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township), granted March 20, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Joaquin Carrillo ; claim filed December 24, 1852, rejected by the Commission January 23, 1855, and appeal dismissed for failure of prosecution April 21, 1856. Vide page 68, App. Hoffinan's Reports, Vol. 1.
Jacob P. Leese, claimant for Lac, 1,000 varas square, in Sonoma county, granted July 25, 1844, by Manuel Micheltorena to Damaso Rodriguez ; claim filed February 21, 1853, confirmed by the Commission December 12, 1854, and by the District Court December 28, 1857, and appeal dismissed Decem- ber 28, 1857. Vide page 84, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. Patented.
Julio Carrillo, claimant for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township), granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853; con- firmed by the Commission April 4, 1854; by the District Court, March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857; containing 4,500.42 acres. Vide page 88, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. Patented.
Jacob R. Mayer et al., claimants for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township), granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno, to Maria Ygnacia Lopez ; claim filed February 28, 1853 ; confirmed by the Commission April 4, 1854, by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857; containing 1,484.82 acres. Vide page 88, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
James Eldridge, claimant for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township); granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno, to Maria Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853; confirmed by the Commission April 4, 1854; by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857 ; containing 1,667.68 acres. Vide page 88, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Felicidad Carrillo, claimant for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township) ; granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853 ; confirmed by the Commission, April 4, 1854, and by the District Court, March 2. 1857. Vide page 88, App. Hoffinan's Reports, Vol. 1.
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Juan de Jesus Mallagh, claimant for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county, (situated in Santa Rosa township); granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853; confirmed by the Commission April 4, 1854, and by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857; containing 256.16 acres. Vide page 88, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Martin E. Cook et al., claimants for part of Malacomes or Moristal, two miles square, in Sonoma county, (situated in Knight's valley township); granted October, 1843, by Manuel Micheltorena to Jose de los Santos Ber- ryesa ; claim filed February 28, 1853; confirmed by the Commission August 7, 1855, and appeal dismissed April 16, 1857; containing 2,559.94 acres. Patented. Vide page 90, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
John Hendley, claimant for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, one mile square, in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township); granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed February 28, 1853 ; confirmed by the Commission December 19, 1854; by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857 ; containing 640.19 acres. Vide page 90, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Joseph Hooker, claimant for part of Agua Caliente, in Sonoma county, (situated in Sonoma township); granted July 13, 1840, by Juan B. Alvarado to Lazaro Peña ; claim filed March 2, 1853; confirmed by the Commission April 24, 1855; by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 27, 1857, containing 550.86 acres. Vide page 100, Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1. Patented.
Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, claimant for Agua Caliente, in Sonoma county, (situated in Sonoma township); granted July 13, 1840, by Juan B. Alvarado to Lazaro Peña ; claim filed March 2, 1853; rejected by the Com- mission December, 1855, and by the District Court, July 13, 1859. Vide page 100, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Thaddeus M. Leavenworth, claimant for part of Ague Caliente, in Sonoma county (situated in Sonoma township), granted July 13, 1840, by Juan B. Alvardo to Lazaro Peña; claim filed March 2, 1853, confirmed by the Com- mission April 24, 1855, by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed April 3, 1857; containing 320.33 acres. Vide page 102, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Oliver Boulio, claimant for part of Cabeza de Santa Rosa, 640 acres in Sonoma county (situated in Santa Rosa township ), granted September 30, 1841, by Manuel Jimeno to Maria Ygnacia Lopez; claim filed March 2, 1853, rejected by the commission January 30, 1855, and appeal dismissed for fail- ure of prosecution April 21, 1856. Vide page 102, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
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C. P. Stone, claimant for part of Agua Caliente, 300 acres, in Sonoma county (situated in Sonoma township), granted July 13, 1840, by Juan B. Alvarado to Lazaro Peña; claim filed March 2, 1853, confirmed by the Commission April 24, 1855, by the District Court March 2, 1857, and appeal dismissed March 31, 1857. Vide page 104, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Cyrus Alexander, claimant part of Sotoyome, two square leagues ( situated in Mendocino township ), granted September 28, 1841, by Juan B. Alvarado to Henry D. Fitch; claim filed March 3, 1853, rejected by the Commission February 8, 1855, and appeal dismissed for failure of prosecution April 21, 1856. Vide page 106, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
James A. Watmough, claimant for part of Petaluma grant, one square mile, in Sonoma county, granted October 22, 1843, by Manuel Micheltorena to M. G. Vallejo; claim filed March 3, 1853, rejected by the Commission Jan- uary 30, 1855, and appeal dismissed for failure of prosecution April 21, 1856. Vide page 107, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
Jose Santos Berryesa, claimant for 200 by 300 varas, in Sonoma county, granted May 30, 1846, by Joaquin Carrillo to J. S. Berryesa; claim filed March 3, 1853, rejected by the Commission October 17, 1854, and appeal dismissed for failure of prosecution April 21, 1856; Vide page 108, App. Hoffman's Reports, Vol. 1.
In conclusion we produce, more as a matter of reference, than having any special claim upon our subject, the following dates of the founding of the different Missions in California :-
Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany, claimant for the following Missions and lands; claim filed February 19, 1853, confirmed by the Commission December 18, 1855, appeal dismissed in Northern District March 16, 1857, and in Southern District March 15, 1858. [The dates of the foundations of the Missions were furnished by the Reverend Father Jose Maria de Jesus Gonzalez, of the Mission of Santa Barbara.]
Mission San Diego, in San Diego county, founded under Carlos III, July 16, 1769; containing 22.24 acres.
Mission San Luis Rey, in San Diego county, founded under Carlos IV, June 13, 1798; containing 53.39 acres.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, in Los Angeles county, founded under Carlos III, November 10, 1776; containing 44.40 acres.
Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, in Los Angeles county, founded under Carlos III, September 8, 1771; containing 190.69 acres. Patented.
Mission San Buenaventura, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos III, March 31, 1782; containing 36.27 acres.
Mission San Fernando, in Los Angeles county, founded under Carlos IV September 8, 1797; containing 76.94 acres.
Mission Santa Barbara, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos III. December 4, 1786; containing 37.83 acres.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Mission Santa Inez, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos IV, September 17, 1804; containing 17.35 acres.
Mission La Purisima Concepcion, in Santa Barbara county, founded under Carlos III, December 8, 1787.
Mission San Luis Obispo, in San Luis Obispo county, founded under Carlos III, September 1, 1772, containing 52.72 acres. Patented.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel, in San Luis Obispo county, founded under Carlos IV, July 25, 1797; containing 33.97 acres. Patented.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, in San Luis Obispo county , founded under Carlos III, July 14, 1771; containing 33.19 acres. Patented.
Mission La Soledad, in Monterey county, founded under Carlos IV, October 9, 1791; containing 34.47 acres. Patented.
Mission El Carme or San Carlos de Monterey, in Monterey county, founded un ler Carlos III; June 3, 1770; containing 9 acres. Patented.
Mission San Juan Bautista, in Monterey county, founded under Carlos IV, June 24,1797; containing 55.33 acres. Patented.
Mission Santa Cruz, in Santa Cruz county, founded under Carlos IV, August 28, 1791; containing 16.94 acres. Patented.
Mission Santa Clara, in Santa Clara county, founded under Carlos III, Jan- uary 18, 1777; containing 13.13 acres. Patented.
Mission San José, in Alameda county, founded under Carlos IV, June 11, 1797; containing 28.33 acres. Patented.
Mission Dolores or San Francisco de Asis, in San Francisco county, founded under Carlos III, October 9, 1776; two lots, one containing 4.3 acres, and the other 4.51 acres. Patented.
Mission San Rafael Arcangel, in Marin county, founded under Fernando VII, December 18, 1817; containing 6.48 acres. Patented.
Mission San Francisco Solano, in Sonoma county, founded under Fernando VII, August 25, 1823; containing 14.20 acres.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
THE HOMICIDES OF SONOMA COUNTY.
THE PEOPLE 28. C. BRUNER-WINSLOW HALL-THOMAS STEWART-JOSE SORANO-MICHAEL RYAN- JOHN SHARON -- T. B. BERGER-W. N. THOMPSON-JONATHAN DAVIS-R. J. SMITHER-BIRD BRUMFIELD-C. SWEITZER-PENITO-LODIE BROWN, JOHN L. HOUX, W. E. ANDREWS-JAMES F. RENFRO-BENJ. EDWARDS-PEDRO SOTO-J. R. GIBBONS-JAMES K. BROWNLEE-F. A. HEFLIN- HI. S. EPPERLE-OSMAN FAIRBANKS-THOMAS REED-JOSE MARIA FLORES-J. L. EPPERSON- HOMICIDE OF MRS. CHIARLES ALDRICHI-HUGH M'LAUGHLIN-DEPUTY SHERIFF DAVID CAMPBELL -CAMERON, alias J. M. SCOTT-WENTON-MRS. LEE-GEORGE ANDRADO-J. G. HILL.
Mention has been made in another portion of this volume of the estab- lishment of Prefectures, and a Judge of First Instance; while the judg- ment decreed in a suit heard in the latter Court at Benicia, as appertaining to the district of Sonoma, has been copied verbatim.
With the acquisition of California by the Government of the United States, and the increase of population, better provision was deemed neees- sary for the carrying out of the law. County Courts were established, and among others, the Seventh Judicial District Court; however, this division was altered afterwards, and Sonoma, with Marin county, formed into one Judicial District.
We have been unable to trace any trials which took place anterior to the year 1858; our record, of necessity, therefore, commences with that period.
The People vs. Christian Bruner .- This was a case wherein the accused was indicted for the shooting of one Antone Bruner with a pistol. The offense occurred in the town of Sonoma on September 9, 1858, and arose out of a quarrel in respect to the renting of a bar-room by the two men. On the 9th October following, an individual named Peter Peterson was included in the indictment, and a warrant issued for his arrest, but what further proceedings were had, or what decision was arrived at, the records do not show.
The People vs. Winslow Hall .- The defendant was arrested and tried for the killing of Frederick Bischoff, by shooting him in the neck, on Sep- tember 1, 1857. On arraignment, on October 13, 1858, he was decreed " Not guilty," and discharged.
The People vs. Thomas Stewart .- The circumstances connected with this case are briefly these : On November 24, 1860, while L. D. Helms was sitting in front of his house, situated in Salt Point township, in company with two persons, he was suddenly shot dead by some unknown party. Mr. George Curran, one of the party, was with Helms when shot, gave infor-
& m Hinder The
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
mation that the weapon used was a rifle, and that he saw the smoke rise from the bushes, about fifty yards from the house, immediately after the unfor- * tunate man fell. The ball struck the right arm above the elbow and lodged in the breast. Helms exclaimed, "I am shot!" and fell dead. Six parties were arrested, viz .: J. Stewart, Sr., Mrs. Stewart, and Russell Stevens. Thomas Stewart, who is supposed to have perpetrated the deed, was arrested at Point Arenas, and brought back to Salt Point, but while there, during the night, feigned sickness, was granted permission to go out of doors, and tak- ing advantage of this leniency, effected his escape. On December 11th the five parties mentioned above were examined before Justice of the Peace Myers, and two of them, James and Samuel Stewart, were held to answer in the sum of one thousand dollars bail.
Killing of Mrs. Charles Aldrich .- The dead body of Mrs. Aldrich was found near the residence of her husband, in the vicinity of Cloverdale, on May 7, 1860. Charles Aldrich, her husband, left home on the morning of that day, for Cloverdale, and did not return till night. Upon going into his house and finding his wife absent, he searched for her, and finally dis- covered the body about one hundred and fifty yards from the house, with such marks of violence upon it as plainly to intimate the cause of death. The face and head were bruised and disfigured, while a piece of linen duck was tightly wrapped around the neck, leaving no doubt that she was strang- led. Her child, an infant of six months old, was found unhurt lying near the body, though stripped of its clothing. Several parties were arrested as implicated in this case, but we do not find that any one was tried or con- victed.
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