Contra Costa County CA Archives History - Books .....Killing Of S. A. Carpenter 1882
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Book Title: History Of Contra Costa County, California

   KILLING OF S. A. CARPENTER.—On September 30, 1868, S. A. Carpenter, an old
and well-known resident of Alamo, was found dead in a trail leading over a ridge
to his residence, about two hundred yards from which the body was discovered.
His horse, all saddled, had been previously found roaming about, the
circumstance which led to the search. The deceased was in his shirt-sleeves, as
if only a temporary absence was intended. He had been shot through the body, the
ball entering the right side just below and behind the arm, and coming out of
the right side a short distance below the nipple. There was no apparent
deflection in its course, and passing about an inch below the heart, produced
death almost instantaneously. From its evident force, the ball was thought to
have been discharged from a rifle or heavy revolver. His pantaloons were also
cut in the folds on the left side, apparently by a ball that passed clear of the
body. Mr. Carpenter is described as a man of very eccentric disposition. He was
unmarried, and lived alone in a little spot that he had surrounded with a wealth
of floral beauty. Shrubs of various kinds were artistically trained in the most
attractive style, and flowers of countless hues unfolded in beauty and mingled
their fragrance around his humble dwelling. His house was a model of neatness
and order, that would have won encomiums from the most thrifty housewife, and
the general aspect of the place gave evidence of the aesthetic traits of its
possessor. Some time before, Mr. Carpenter gave unmistakable proof of insanity,
and was for a time removed to Stockton; since his return he had not been
generally regarded as of sound mind. He was very irritable, and disposed to be
quarrelsome towards his neighbors and all others with whom he came in contact.
He had made threats to poison stock, and in many ways made enemies. Possibly
some one unaware of, or unwilling to allow for his infirmity, may have compassed
his death in revenge for injuries received at his hands. Be that as it may—the
murderer made his escape.

Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA,
INCLUDING ITS GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION;
TOGETHER WITH A RECORD OF THE MEXICAN GRANTS; THE BEAR FLAG WAR; THE MOUNT
DIABLO COAL FIELDS; THE EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT, COMPILED FROM THE MOST
AUTHENTIC SOURCES; THE NAMES OF ORIGINAL SPANISH AND MEXICAN PIONEERS; FULL
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; SEPARATE HISTORY OF EACH TOWNSHIP, SHOWING
THE ADVANCE IN POPULATION AND AGRICULTURE;
ALSO,
Incidents of Pioneer Life; and Biographical Sketches
OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
AMD OF ITS TOWNS, VILLAGES, CHURCHES, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO: W. A. SLOCUM & CO., PUBLISHERS
1882.


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