USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 36
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mother interfered, and bor stablen her severely with a knife , bol. can, when he ran down I'street, jumped in the river and attempted to swim aeros. A. W. Nightingill swam after him and capamed lom in spite of his knife. He was afterwards shod and killed by a puder man while resisting un arrest. November 3, 1833, a to manelt'de. ar Roll. quarreled with a Mr. Holtzelas, at the "Shades" rauch m Keystone Township. Kedd discharged two barrels of a shed gun ita Holtzelaw's favr and killed him. Kohl was with difficulty taken out. of the hands of would be lynchers and lodged in Mary ville jail. Ile was subsequently convicted and sentenced to be hangol February IT. 1×51. The sentence was never excepted. What because of him is uncertain. Some say that he escaped, while alors maintain that the was sent to San Quentin.
In the fall of 1853. Jules Vale was found dead in his lent pour Forlestown, with a bullet in his skull. Simon Rone was arrested und tried at Marysville, and acquitted, the evidence being saremastnutint, and not strong enough to conviet him. Early in December, the hnuly of a man named Isce Pray was discovered within about two miles of the Somorian Camp. He had a bullet hote and a large gash in his left. side, and bar the appearaner of having been murdered and rablwd. No che was found to the murderers. December 15, 1853, two Mexi cans quarreled in Marysville, when our plunged a knife into the other's alelommen, from the effects of which he died. No arrests were made. During a free fight at Parks Bar at an election, March 21, 1854, Jolm Mullony, an Irishman, was killed by a stah in the abdomen. James Stewart was arrested, but discharged, there being no evidence to show that he did the stabbing. He was one of the men with wlan Mul- lony had been lighting. The latter bal picked a quarrel with him, and was whipped: afterwards he was fighting in the "free for all." In
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
Camptonville. Jannary, 1955, George Faron bought source shakes from Rollin Harris, and had a disagreement with him about the matter. Harris was building a shed back of the Areade saloon, and left his tools there. He came into the saloon on his way to work, and had some words with Faron. He proceeded to the rear of the saloon to get his hatchet, but could not find it. He procured, however, an ax, wil returned to the saloon. When he arrived there, Faron drew a Burge knife aud Nourished it about. Harris attempted to strike him with the ax, when Farou stabb : him with the knife. Harris died that night, aud Varon was arrested, tried and acquitted. Faron was after- wards with Walker in his invasion of Nicaragua, and rose to the rank of major. He committed suicide a few years later in Virginia City. At the Huune town, December 26, 1855, a Jew named Peto Summers came to town, and got on a holiday drunk. Hle went to a tailor shop kept by a Frenchman, and kicked in the door, when the proprietor shot him through the head, killing him instantly.
Al Timbuctoo, a gambler uamed Red Mike shot a man named Jones, killing him instantly. Jones was from Maino, and was a very largo and powerful man. All the roughs were afraid of him, as hio sernjded not to use his strength on them when necessary. One night in 1858, while Jones was watching a game of cards in a saloon, Red Mike, who was drunk, shot him dead with his revolver. lle escaped und was never captured, though diligent search was made for him. Ho spent that night and the next day lying on the top of a brick kiln at. Sand Hill, as he was seen there by some men on the hills. Bob Koutuck (Pearcefield) was killed near Camptonville by William Steven- sa, about 1861. Two Mexicans were killed while robbing the sluices of Bemman & Young, in 1862 or 1863.
The following is a list of tho legal executions which have taken plavo in this county :-
George Tanner, hanged July 23, 1852, by sheriff, Michael Gray. John Galvin, hanged April 16, 1858, by sheritl, Matt. Woods.
Miguel Escobosa, Spaniard, hangel February 14, 1862, by sheriff, Ilerndon Barrett.
Ah Bon, Chinamau, hanged in jail yard, March 14, 1879, by sheriff, Il. L. McCoy.
THIE TANNER CASE.
Friday afternoon, March 19, 1852, a man named George Tanner, alias Tom Grigg, was detected in the act of secreting in his house a bag of potatoes, taken from the warehouse of Low & Brothers. The house was searched and four tons of stolen goods were found. The man was taken before Recorder Watkins, who allowed him to go on two thousand dollars bail. When the fact of his release became known the church bell was tolled and a number of citizens assembled. The alarm also brought out the Hook and Ladder Company. After
much general discussion, and the expression of extreme dissatisfaction at the act of the Recorder, the crowd quietly dispersed. The next morning (Saturday), Tanner being discovered on the outskirts of the town, apparently about to escape, he was pursued and captured. While runing through a pool of water he dropped an article, which upon examination proved to be a buckskin bag, containing three gold watches. At a meeting of the citizens on the Plaza a committee of twenty-five well-known persons was appointed to try the prisoner. The trial was held in the room on D street, formerly occupied by the Vigilance Committee. After mature deliberation the prisoner was adjudged guilty of grand larceny, which, by the laws of the State, was punishable by imprisonment or by death, as the jury might decide. The report was read to the crowd outside amid the wildest excitement. " Hang him, hang him!" cchoed from all sides. But there was a better element in the crowd which was opposed to any such extreme measure. While the vote was being taken, the wife of the prisoner with her two children was silently but touchingly appealing for her guil- ty husband. The Mayor made a speech against the exhibition of violence, and had a large number of supporters. The committee were in a quan- dairy, but after dne consideration decided that having received Tanner from the people they would return him to them. This they proceeded to do, but as he appeared, the City Marshal with his Deputy and sev- eral volunteer aids quickly took him in charge. The wildest confusion followed, and a general conflict seemed imminent. The prisoner was conductel to the Recorder's office and while the crowd waited in front, the officers passed out at the back door and soon lodged Tauner securely in the jail. Tanner was brought to trial before the Court of Sessions, and on April 15, he was adjudged " guilty of grand larceny punishable with " death." On the nineteenth, the death sentence was pronounced upon him, appointing as the day of execution Friday, May 28. In the last part of May the Supreme Court granted a stay of execution until July 23, a motion for a new trial was, however, denied. Tanner's wife was very persistent in her endeavors to free her husband, and vainly sought the intervention of the Governor. July 23, the day set, the guilty man was executed by Sheriff Gray, on the common a few hun- dred yards north of the jail, a guard of citizens being present to pre- serve order. The prisoner made no confession. Upon petition " nu- " merously signed by the most respectable citizens of the city," the Council refused his body a resting place in the city burial ground, and it was interred outside. The same night body snatchers made a raid on it, and had dug down to the coffin when they were inter- rupted. The remains were taken up, and the mourning widow had them placed in her yard, where she could keep vigil over the body of him she had loved, This was the only conviction and execution in the State under the then existing law, and it was repealed at the next
session of the Legislature. This is a remarkable case on accout of its beingan instance of hanging for stealing, au unusual thing in the United States in modern times.
OTHIER ROBBERIES.
In August, 1851, Frank Reynolds stole a gun at Burton's Bar. Upou lis apprehension a court was organized by the citizens with Captain Wilson as Judge and a competent jury. He was found guilty and the sentence of twenty lashos was executed. On the steamer of the first of November, 1851, the City Marshal, Albert S. Miller, and his Deputy departed, having absconded with two thousand two hun- dred dollars of the city funds. Suits were brought against his bonds- men to recover the amount. In 1852, John McCune robbed Norris & Folsom, in Foster Bar township, of three thousand, five huudrod dol- lars and a gold watch, for which crime ho was arrested aud tried by the miners. The jury debated for a long time as to the mode of pun- ishment to be inflicted, some were in favor of hanging, some of cutting off his ears, and others of whipping; they finally agreed upon the latter, and twenty-five lashes were administered and the culprit was given twenty-four hours in which to leavo the town. Messrs. Norris & Folsom administerod the flogging.
HIGHWAY ROBBERIES.
Highway robberies were a frequent occurrence. The brush and rough surface of the country afforded abundant means for ambush and escape, hence it was seldom that the guilty parties were caught. Murder was frequently resorted to, in order to accomplish the deed. Of late years, the increase of travel, and the better protection afforded by the officers of the law, have caused nearly a total discontinuance of this crime.
Joaquin Murietta, who for a long time was the terror of travelers, and lonely settlers, never operated to any extent, in this vicinity. He had a sister living in Marysville, whom he frequently visited. He was there for a considerable time, in 1850, and 1851, and was known as a notorious character, After the killing of Joaquin, considerable doubt existed as to the identity of the dead robber. His head was amputated, and with the hand of Three-fingered Jack, was exhibited throughout the State. While in Marysville, Joaquin's sister visited the exhibition, and after gazing upon the head, remarked in Spanish to a gentleman within the hearing of Judge O. P. Stidger, " that's not my brother." When asked who it was, she smiling replied, " It is Joaquin Gonzales." This would seem to give some credence to the rumor that the real Joaquin Murietta had escaped.
The most notorious robber that ever roamed over the territory in this region, was Tom Bell. The description of this person is best given in the words of Judge Edward McGowan, as published in the San Fran- cisco Evening Post.
WHEALDON CLAIM. PROPERTY OF E.C. SMITH J.J.MS. CHESNEY & S.M.BOYCE.OHIO FLAT NEW YORK TP YUBA CO CAL.
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
TOM KELL, THE HIGHWAYMAN.
Tom Bell was in stature nearly six feet, we'll proportioned, combining in his frame strength with action; of a sanguine temperament, quick in his motions, being never at rest, sandy hair and a fall crop of it, light gontes to matek his hair in color. His nose, which was originally well formed and large, was mashed in the bridge, almost level with his fuco. "This defect rendered his countenance, which was otherwise rather prepossessing, somewhat repulsive med even hideous, when viewed in connection with his lawless practices. His eyes were n very light blue, of that class which iqqroximates so nearly to a gray, and in its restless windderings was constantly sparkling with intelligence. Bell was n native of Albumna, and received a medical eduention, andl, it is said, practiced thint profession when he first came to t'alifornia, which, as well as I can usecertain, was in 1850. He afterwards took to mining, aml bring unbeky nt that, his next step was gambling. When that conseil to pay, he took to the road, mil was engaged as a robber for about two yours, in which time be required a fare for boldness and AHOCORN, Hecould only la Jonquin Muriotta.
lu the outset Im generally traveled alone, and it is said, for his bwt. tor neonrity, warn n cont of armor under his clothes, and never shed thu blood of his victim imloss it beenmo absolutely necessary to enforce a vonnifimwe with his downnds. It was known that. be Ind associated with him several porsus senvedly laws note than himself, one of whom. un esenped conviet mined Bill Gristy, nias Bill White, when the hol was broken in upon by a detachment of the Sacramento and Marysville police, near Spermmeuto, was the only one who os- maped. Ho was cruel, cumming and bloodthirsty. This scoundrel was in Boll's band for three months. The band was supposed tas number from six to eight, and they ranged the country song the foothills from the Yuba to Granito city. Their dopredations were mainly confined to the several roads crossing in the neighborhood between Granito and Cold Hill, in Placer county. The country was rongh, broken und covered with an impenetrable chapparal, in the reersses of which an "army with banners " might securely hide. Their ontrages in this favorito hold, followed each other in such rapid sne- cession, that scarcely a day passed during the summer of 1856, withont furnishing a newspaper itom from the calendar of their exploits, but in no instance, I believe, did they shed blood. The plan of the chief was to frighton the traveler into terms, and avoid the cruelty of his murder.
On one occasion. Bell and Gristy, with one other, made an attack, upon a gentleman who was traveling from Downieville to Marysville with a largo sum of money in his possession. The traveler resisted, fired upon his assailants, and finally flod from them towards a deep canyon in which, if he could reach it, he know he was safe from pur-
fired with a navy revolver, and what man in the high, kicking him patching him, or leasing him tobe trea the he mirrage of lus wenn. Doctor Ball kindly and export tok up the renal artery, lund up the wound and just at the moment, bring a way . Full turned to one of las subordinates and ordered hin Drat and to the transter. The wagon was stopped, the driver relieved of his cash. and the wounded man phd in a mattress, hastily made in the bottom of the wagon, and the parties dismissed, with the injunction to " drive slow and pick their road." The wounded man requested I'll to the his ( the traveler's ) horse behind the wagon. bell rinsed, but assured him that he should have his house, as he seemed attached to him, and that he would turn him lo'se in the words, after stripping off his bridle and saddle, which promise he faithfully kept.
The Marysville Express gives the following account of a most dar. ing attempt to rob the Camptonville stage :-
"On Tuesday afternoon, about 4:30 o'clock, as the t'amptonville " stage was powerding to Marysville, and when near Dry creek, it was " stopped by six mounted highwaymen. They were after the treas. "ure, which amounted to $100,000. Near the point of attack the road " forked, and Mr. Rideont, gobl dust dexter of Camptouville, was on "one road and the stage on the other. Mr. Rideont was stopped ly " the robbers, who all presented their arms and e enmanded him to dis- " momit. He hesitated, when one of them threatened to shoot him. " On the threat being made he dismounted, and went towards the " stage on the other road, neross the ravine. The robbers enHed him " back and demanded his money. Bring satisfied that he had none, " his treasure being on the stage, they took his horse, and allowed " him to cross over to the stage. The robbers then commanded the "driver of the stage. Jolm Gear, to stop, and threatened to kill the " first man who should oppose them in their designs. Mr. Dobson, " messenger for Langton's Express, immediately drew on the robbers "and commenced firing, His first fire took effect on the spokesman " of the robbers, and unhorsed him. Mr. Ridront had by this time " got to the stage. An indiscriminate fight now commenced between " the robbers and passengers. As many as forty shots were fired on " both sides. The robbers, finding themselves so stoutly opposed, " retreated, leaving the passengers victors of the field of battle. The " driver. Mr. Jolm Gear, was shot through the right arm above the "elbow. Mrs. Tighilman, wife of a barber in Marysville, was shot in the " head. the ball entering over the right eye, and penetrating the brain. " Mr. John Campbell, another puissonger, received a glance shot over " the eye. Another passenger was shot in both legs. The stage is rid- " dled with bullet holes. When the stage was stopped and the firing
" und ras lack on the road which had been passed ever They have " and after the best parts had returned a Mexican, who was mounted. " fire, and unhorend the aveulent At this time, two other men word "corralel in the thicker, who were not mounted. They were all " member of the sun guang. It is suggested that only two of the " parts were disguised. All were Vouscas asse the one Have all " tirat spoken of These particulars have been received from Mr. tier " and Mr. Robot, and they may be schied on as authent"."
This widely known robber was killed by officers near Intern, Placer county, in 1-56.
In 1533 und 156. Jan Wolter was the terror of Timburton and viemity. He was a highwayman, and redded and murdered a nadar of people. A reward was offered for his capture or death, hat in our was daring enough to attend the dead. In 1205, he killed thee mon in a ravine near Timburton, with three shots from his Involver. After committing a large muuber of depredation and crunmi sets he was killed by one of his own mien.
In the winter of 1850, a boy named Words, while carrying the es press fran South Yola to Howmeville, was chased bear Campbell's Gulch by the Indians. A man was killed there the same day. A party was made at Dowmeville, which proceeded to the Indian Change an prised and murdered nearly all of its occupants. daunary 31, 1803, while Edward Jewett was driving between Dry Creek and the tintona House, he overtook a man who asked him for a ride. He was jur mitted to seat himself in the wagen and in a little white planged a knife into Jewett's left side. dewett seized n board tu strike the fellow when he jumped ont and ran away. Jewett had at that time: fire hundred andl righty-tive dollars in his pocket. The wound was not at. first considered fatal, but Jewett had the next day. He wasa brother of George D. Jewett, of Marysville. Near the same spot a few days later, H. Richardson and William and Henry Fairler were robbant by two Americans and one Mexican, being halted with pistols and made to " shell ont." An old man named Brand, was also garroted about fifteen miles from Marysville, and robbed of all he had. In 18as, Spaniards were in the habit of standing cattle and horses from Prats, and many of the ranchers in the valleys in Foster Bar Township and driving them to the momtains bear Iuliaus rauch, where they were shanghtered, returned whence they were stolen, and sold for beef. They were finally apprehendedl by tin- Coustable, L. S. Camper, and taken to Marys. ville. On the road lynching was attempted, but the Constable Auc- ceeded in getting them through safely, where they were duly tried and convicted, and sent to prison. George Shanks was a noted highway-
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
man, usually called Jack Williams' Ghost. He was a hotel- waiter in Camptonville, and left there when sixteen years of age. Ile was afterwards shot by Stephen Vuuard, between Sau Juan and Nevada. The stage was robbed in October, 1876, near the Toll-honse, one mile west of the Oregon House. Tom Brown and his brother stopped the stage, the bruther going to the Inail of the horses and Tom leveling his guu uu the driver, Scammnou, a banker from Downieville, was on the stage with eighteen thousand dollars in dust, and leveled his gun un Brown, who also changed his aim to Scammon, and both fired at the same time. Sounnar fell in the stage with soveral buckshot wonnils, und after n little difficulty in seenring the horses, that were frightened by the firing, the passengers, mail and express were robbed, and the stage allowed tu procord. The eighteen thousand dollars were not se- cured, as they were hidden in the gun case, valise and trunk ; Scam- mon recovered. A jurty pursued the Browns, and coming upon their emup, fired aud mortally wounded the brother. Tom gave himself up and is now at San Quentin for ten years.
DITELS.
The code of honor was frequently rosorted to as a method of heal- ing wounded feelings, but the practice soon sank into decay. Many of those meetings were held so secretly and the results wereso trifling that the affairs never beemme generally known. Some however were sub- jeets of gonoral comment for a long time. Probably the most cele- bratod duel, or rather incipient duel, which has ocenrred in the county, is that between Judges Field and Barbour. The latter was Judge of of the Tenth District. Court, aml in some manner a feeling of enmity sprung up between the two gentlemen. This spirit led to inamera- blr little squabbles and nearly culminated seriously. Geo. C. Gorham wruto a sovere stricture on huge Barbour and handed it to O. P. Stidgor, editor of the Herald, for publication. The same day, as Judge Fold was procooling to his office, with his arms full of books, he was assaultod hy Judge Barbour, who claimed that his opponent had caused the publication of the offensivo article. The parties being separated, by some diplomatie efforts Judge Barhour was forced to send the challengo. This left Mr. Field with the privilege of seleeting the weapons nud manner of meeting. It was at first proposed to fight with knives in a dark room, hut Judge Barbour would not accede to this, claiming that it was ernelty. Finally it was decided to have a meeting with fire-arms, on the opposite side of Bear river. Charles S. Fairfax acted as second for Judge Barbour, and Gordon N. Mott for Judge Field. Although both parties appeared on the ground, an actual contliet was avoided.
In 1854. a stranger came to Camptonville, and a sham quarrel was packed with him and a duel arranged. Two seconds were chosen and a
surgeon appointed. They went to the grounds south of Camptonville. When the stranger fired his opponent fell and was immediately sprinkled with red berry juice. The stranger seeing him fall, and ob- serving the red. which he supposed to be blood, thought that was a good place to get away from, and no time so good as the present, and therefore broke for the wilderness. Several months Inter his bunes and clothes were found at the foot of a precipden, over which he had fallen in his fright, a distance of forty feet, and heen dashed to pieces. The body was discovered aceidentally in the following manner :-- A man nameil Blackburn had murdered a boy. George W. Carothers, and fled in the direction the stranger had taken, and while hunting for Black- burn the citizens discovered thr remains of the unfortunate victim of their practical joke. Early Tuesday morning, March 8, 1853, two men fought a duel near the cemetery, in Marysville, with double-barreled shot-guns, loaded with buckshot. One was wounded in the thigh, and
had his left arm broken-eause, a woman. No notice was taken by the anthorities. Albert Turner and William Honser agreed to settle a quarrel in the honorable way, and adjourned to Sutter county for that purpose, June 10, 1858. The Sheriff interfered however, and they started for Butte county, but finally returned to Marysville. They met near the Hospital the next morning with seeonds and surgesno, and had five shots at each other, with shot-guns loaded with ounce balls, distance fifty paces. At the last fire Houser was badly wounded in the right arm. A duel occurred in 1853, in which Richard Rust, editor of the California Express, challenged O. P. Stidger, editor of the Herald. They met two miles below Yuba City. They used re- volvers, at a distance of ten paees. One shot was fired and a bullet went through the coat of Stidger. The eause was some articles appearing in the Herald eriticising some in the Express, and the mo- tives of the editor in publishing tbem.
The last resort to the " eode honorable," was made by Thomas Burns and John Davis, of Marysville. They had a quarrel over some do- mestic diffienlty, in which Davis reeeived severe ehastisement. He ehallenged Burns to the fiel l of honor, and they fought a dnel Jan- uary 8, 1871, a few miles below Yuba City. Revolvers were used at thirty paces, and after the exchange of four harmless shots, the honor of these gentlemen was completely satisfied, and they retired from the field.
The most mysterious ineident in the eriminal annals of the county is the recent Wheatland tragedy. Sometime during Monday night, June 9, 1879, two young ladies, Miss Cara Heslep and Miss Ida Dunn, while quietly sleeping in the bouse of Wm. Rodden. near Wheatland, were struck on the head with an iron bar, by some unknown person. For several days they remained in an imeonscions state, hovering between life and death. When they recovered tbey
were both unable to furnish the slightest elue to the identity of the person who lund made such a cruel attempt upon their lives. Miss Dun had been carried out of the house, and was found sometime after the occurance lying in the yard. The appearances seemed to indicate that both girls were struck by the same hlow, as they lay sleeping side by sihr. There were no cirenmstances connected with tho affair to indientr that any other canse than a personal one was the reason for the crime. A negro named Williams was arrested, having been seen about the jdace, but after being held for sometime was discharged. A Chinaman was also arrested and discharged. Frank Choquette, a Freuchman, gave himself up, declaring himself to bo the perpetrator. He was ascertained to be crazy, and was also discharged. After detectives had worked dilligently on the case for three months, spurred on to extraordinary efforts by the offer of large rewards, William Rodden and wife, in whose house tho deed was committed, and who were ocenpying another room in the house at the time of the occur- renee, were arrested. A long and searching examination revealed 110 evidenco against them of any certainty, and they were entirely exon- erated. Thus this affair still remains in impenetrable darkness, wait- ing for possible developments in the future to shed light upon it.
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