Marin County CA Archives History - Books .....Homicides Of Marin County 1880
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Book Title: History Of Marin County

THE HOMICIDES OF MARIN COUNTY.

HOMICIDES OF CROCKETT EBERMAN-GRAZIER AND WIFE-LEONARD-WELLIAM RANDALL-WILLIAM
SWINERTON-McLAUGHLIN-THOMAS SPAULDING-JOHN McPHELAN-JOHN
HARRIS-JOHNSON-INGOLLS-ROSANNA JENSEN-MRS. TIMOTHY CRONIN-WILLIAMSON-HARRY
JONES-CHARLES TAYLOR-EMMA SPOHRS-SENORA GARCLA.-JOHN MESSINA-PATRICK
MONEHAN-JOHN McKNIGHT-WILLIAM BROWN-ALEYER HUBERT-CARL PETER RUSH-CHUNG HING
HOOT-PAUL RIEGER-BLASS TALAMONTAS-ADONIA FULTON-KARL HERMAN KOHLER-C. P. SEVERANCE.

  No county of its size has such a bloody record as this, some of the murders
committed in it are almost beyond description, the last we have been able to
chronicle being the most weird in its various phases. This love of crime is a
fatality which would appear to follow the Indian into his partial civilization,
the Mexican Spaniard from his native clime, the Anglo-Saxon from his far off
land and the Mongolian from his Celestial Empire. All would seem lost to the
natural cry which springs alike from instinct and religion, that "whoso sheddeth
man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," for dread crimes are not committed
by the violent and passionate alone; we might almost say, would that they were,
then should the chilling deeds of horrid murder be confined to the crouching
assassin, and the hellish deed of suicide be the work of the insane. But human
nature is various and confusing in its many failings, temper will outstrip
discretion, a blow will be struck, a shot fired and life will be taken, and
though escape of present punishment may be effected, happily we know that a
dread fear of detection in the future, will haunt the criminal, for it is truly
said, "conscience makes cowards of us all."

  The following notices of the homicides in Marin county have been gleaned from
a careful perusal of the local papers and information obtained from the old
settlers. Unfortunately the records are in such a state that it has been
impossible to distinguish all those that have been brought to trial. What we
have done we give to the reader.

  Murder of Crockett Eberman.-In the month of March, 1856, Charles McCauley
murdered Crockett Eberman under circumstances, which, as near as we can learn,
were these: McCauley kept a saloon at the head of Tomales bay at that point
where the road to Point Reyes commences the ascent of the hill. He had not been
on terms of friendship with Eberman previously, and on this day their quarrel
broke out afresh, during which McCauley remarked, to Eberman that he was the
bigger man and armed, for he had a knife in his boot. Eberman on being thus
taunted threw his weapon aside when McCauley pulled out a revolver and shot four
bullets through the body of Eberman, who fell, but at once got up and walked to
a tree under which he sat for some time until he died. McCauley was arrested and
was held in bail, which he could not procure, was kept in jail for one year and
on trial was acquitted.

  Murder of Grazier and his wife.-Grazier who kept a saloon in part of his house
at the head of Tomales bay, sometime in the year 1856, was with his wife,
murdered under the following circumstances: John Carroll and Thomas Hammond went
into the saloon, and while there the latter got into a quarrel with the
proprietor, when the first named ruffian drew a revolver saying he would shoot
anyone that interfered. Grazier, who was sickly, was beaten so severely by
Hammond that eventually he died. On Mrs. Grazier interfering, she was knocked
down, stamped upon, and torn with the rowels of a Spanish spur from the effets
of which she died a few days after her husband. Carroll and Hammond were both
tried and sentenced to twenty-one years in the State Prison.

•   Killing of ____ Leonard.-A man named Chick, who had at one time been a
resident of Nevada City, where he lived with his wife and little girl, when
there, made the acquaintance of one Leonard, who had estranged the affections,
of Chick's wife from him and persuaded her to leave her home. This she did
departing ostensibly for the Eastern States and taking with her the child;
instead, however, of immediately taking that journey she proceeded to San
Francisco where she met Leonard, and with him came to Novato to reside. Chick
hearing of his dishonor, followed his wife and claimed his child, whom they had
hidden. On making some noise, he was warned by Leonard to leave "or he would get
fixed." Chick went out and borrowed a gun, secreted himself under a bridge and
waited for Leonard who in a short time came to water his horse and was shot with
a charge of pistol bullets, which lodged in the small of his back, he then ran
about fifty yards, fell, and died in half an hour. Chick was arrested for the
offence, tried and acquitted.

  Killing of William Randall.-The circumstances attending this tragedy are
these: It would appear that Charles Nelson and William Randall had located on a
certain tract of land contiguous to that occupied by John Miller, and which he
had long wished to possess. On the establishment of Nelson and Randall, Miller
commenced a fierce war against them, and on two occasions shot at and missed
Charles Nelson. In 1861, Nelson sold out to Randall; in June of the same year he
was shot by Miller, who had already fired seven times at him. The day before
while Randall was riding along the road, a ball whistled close by his head. It
would seem that Miller was in the habit of tearing down Randall's fence, and
permitting his stock to run at large upon the ranch. On the morning of the
shooting, Randall and his brother-in-law were driving out the stock when they
came to a gate where they found Miller and his son, each armed, Miller with a
rifle and the latter with a double-barrelled shot-gun. Some words passed between
them when, on the arrival of another brother-in-law, the gun was taken from the
younger Miller by the new-comer. Upon this, Miller, the elder, presented the
rifle which he carried at the last arrival, when Randall rode up towards Miller
with a small pistol in his hand, on this move Miller whirled round and fired at
Randall striking him in the abdomen. This was at 10 A. M.; at 7 p. M., he died.
Miller was tried and sentenced to eleven years in the State Prison. A new trial
was had in the Supreme Court and the case finally wore itself out. Miller used
all his means in his defense, and ultimately went to Watsonville where he
dropped dead in the street in the Fall of 1879.

  Stabbing of William Swinerton.-At Olema, head of Tomales bay, on March 28,
1861, in front of Levy's store, William Swinerton, alias Bill Arkansaw, was
stabbed by Peter Wettenburg.

Killing of ____ McLaughlin.-January 24, 1863, McLaughlin was setting ten-pins in
the bowling alley of Parsons for the amusement of a boy who was rolling the
ball, when Parsons entered and told the boy to stop rolling. McLaughlin asked
the boy why he stopped, and at the same time took a ball in his hand and was in
the act of rolling it, when Parsons struck him and knocked him down. When
McLaughlin got up, some harsh words passed, after which Parsons entered a room
behind the bar, when McLaughlin charged him with going after a knife. On the
return of Parsons, McLaughlin struck him with a pen-knife, cutting him over the
eye, when Parsons picked up a hatchet. McLaughlin ran, Parsons in pursuit. About
thirty yards from the house McLaughlin fell into a ditch, and was in the act of
getting up, when Parsons, who had by this time overtaken him, struck him two
blows with the hatchet, from the effects of which he died.

  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 circumstances 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 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 circumstances: A young
man named Frank Taylor had been hunting upon Tamalpais 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, exclaiming 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 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 character, had occurred between Mrs.
Jensen and her husband, but was apparently 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 examination before Justice Haven, no evidence appearing against
him, he was discharged. The circumstance which appeared to direct suspicion on
the husband 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. According 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, mysteriously
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, 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, observing 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 identified 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 appearing, 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 McKeon, 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 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 Williamson, 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, leaving 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
Jose 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 noncommissioned 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 his 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 distant; 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 murderer 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 murdered 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 head in precisely the same spot as that in which he shot his
defenseless victim.

  Homicide of John Messina.-John Messina, an Italian fisherman, living 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 drawing 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 Jose 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. Jose 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 Jose, 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 going
towards him, he fired, his ball entering Monehan's forehead, and producing
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. K.
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 represent 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 [sic] on his face, he was knocked
dawn, 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 murdered 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 followed 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, 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, committed
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 persevering 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 Olenia 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 been 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 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 Lour, 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.

  Murder of Chung Hing-Hoot.-On August 8, 1877, Lew Wong, Chung Hing-Hoot, Lee
Yun, and another Chinaman, were engaged in abalone fishing at Tomales bay, and
lived in a cabin together on Preston's Point. About ten days before the murder,
Lew Wong and Chung Hing-Hoot quarrelled about some trivial matter connected with
their business, but it passed over for the time without any serious trouble, and
they continued upon apparently friendly terms for some days. On the 7th of
August the fourth Chinaman left the fishery and went to San Francisco, and on
the next day the tragedy occurred. Chung was at work late in the afternoon
nailing some boards upon the cabin; while Lew Wong was seated inside, and Lee
Yun was engaged in some occupation a short distance away. Whether any words
passed between the two is not known, but Wong suddenly drew a pistol and fired
from the door at Chung, killing him instantly. Lee Yun, hearing the shot,
hurried up to the cabin, and was confronted by the leveled pistol of the
murderer, who threatened to kill him also if he ever breathed a word of what he
saw. With the pistol still aimed at the frightened man's head Wong compelled him
to go with him in search of a good spot to bury the body of Chung, and together
the two walked over the sand beach until they found a place where the murdered
man could be concealed from the sight of chance wanderers on the Point. This
completed, they returned to the cabin, where the murdered man was lying, and
tied a rope around his neck, with which Lee Yun dragged the body across the
sands to the grave on the beach, followed by Wong with his pistol in his hand,
where it was buried. With the pistol at his head, the murderer extorted the
promise from Lee Yun, that the dread secret should never be divulged-and thus
they parted, Lee going to San Francisco. As soon as he reached the city, he
informed the President of the Sam Yup Company, to which Chung Hing-Hoot
belonged. Lew Wong, relying upon the promise of Lee Yun, went to the city also,
a few days afterwards, was recognized by some of the Sam Yup men, and arrested
and delivered into custody. He was tried and convicted of the murder in the.
December term of the District Court, 1877, and executed January 28, 1878.

  Murder of Paul Rieger.-Paul Rieger, a merchant of San Francisco, went up to
Tokoloma on Saturday, April 19th. Leaving the train at that station, he took to
the creek intending to fish through the day, and spend the night with some
friends in the neighborhood. He was expected to return home on Sunday, but he
did not come. Monday passed and no word came from him, when his friends became
anxious, and on Tuesday search was instituted. This was kept up until Friday,
when his body was found on the bank of the creek where he had been fishing,
riddled with bullets, and robbed of all valuables as well as a part of the
clothing. A Spaniard of San Antonio township was first suspected of the murder,
but his innocence was fully established, and he was released. Sheriff Tunstead
then became confident that Salvador, a big Indian outlaw, a bold and desperate
fellow, whom the Indians called "Salvador the Brave," was the assassin. On
Friday, the day before the murder of Mr. Rieger, Salvador was in Nicasio,
without funds, and he started that day for Tomales bay, on a route that would
take him through the region of the murder. The next Monday he was in Tomales
with plenty of money, drinking copiously and spending freely. Although the
Indians were loth to tell anything about him, they divulged the fact that he had
a gold watch, and from their description the pants he wore were those of Rieger.
May 6th Sheriff Tunstead took out a warrant for his arrest, and hearing that
Salvador was at Marshall, went up there but did not find him; the indications
were, however, that he had secreted himself in a rancheria on the Point Reyes
side of the bay. Mr. Tunstead went to Olema, and got a volunteer posse,
consisting of Hugh Walker, James Friend, Edward Lewis, Frank Woodson and James
Duncan, all well armed, got into the saddle on Saturday night, and proceeded to
Point Reyes. Before daylight on Sunday the rancheria was surrounded. Shortly
after day-break the Sheriff, seeing no stir, gave a signal and the party closed
in and instituted a search, but found no trace of him. The Indians told a great
many conflicting stories, the only thing clear being their endeavor to screen
Salvador. Still, it is now believed, that he was there at the time. The Sheriff
and posse next searched every rancheria on the Tomales side of the bay, but got
no trace of the desperado. At this juncture Mr. Tunstead received a despatch
from two city detectives named Hogan and Byram, saying that Salvador was at
Nicasio; thither the indefatigable Sheriff at once proceeded, but the wily
Indian had again given them the slip, and all trace of him was lost. The theory
of the murder, as advanced by the officials was, that he was on his way to
Tomales Bay when he encountered Rieger; that he first shot him in the side, and
when he fell forward he fired the four shots into his back, then dragged him off
under the bush and robbed him. Let us here give the description of the ruffian:
"Age about thirty-seven; height five feet nine inches; complexion sallow; eyes
and hair black; round, full features; heavy moustache; high cheek bones ; scar
between the eyebrows; scar on right cheek; scar on left wrist; several cupping
marks on right fore-arm; cross in Indian ink on right fore-arm; well built and
weighs about one hundred and eighty pounds. You should be very careful how you
operate in attempting his arrest, as he is a powerful and desperate man. When
last seen he had a Henry rifle, a dragoon six-shooter, an English bull-dog
five-shooter and a bowie-knife. He was committed to the State prison in
September, 1867, for four years, for the murder of McKean on Tomales bay. He has
a mother and sister at the Nicasio Rancheria, a sister at the rancheria on
Tomales bay, in Marin county, and also a sister at the rancheria near Ukiah,
Mendocino county. He frequents all these places, and also all the rancherias on
the Russian river." While a thorough and effective search was being made in all
portions of Marin, circulars containing the above minute description had been
sent into the adjacent counties, and no stone was left unturned so that his
capture might be effected. On Saturday, the 17th of May, Mr. Tunstead received a
telegram from Sheriff Dinwiddie, of Sonoma, asking for a warrant for the arrest
of Salvador, who, he said, was on a rancheria near Sebastopol in that county.
The requisite authority was at once dispatched and Mr. Dinwiddie proceeded to
the scene. Mr. Walker, on whose place Salvador was, and who knew him as soon as
he received the circular, informed Sheriff Dinwiddie that he was there. When the
latter arrived, Mr. Walker pointed to an Indian house, telling him that he could
find his man there, or ascertain where he was. Mr. Dinwiddie went in and asked
an Indian where he was. He replied, "Salvador gone. Not here." The Sheriff
returned to Mr. Walker and reported, but the latter reassured him, and he went
back and asked the fellow for Salvador, who replied as before. The Sheriff then
went back to Mr. Walker again, and this time Mr. W. went into the house with
him. "Why," said Walker, "that is Salvador himself!" "Throw up your hands," said
Dinwiddie; the Indian obeyed, and was forthwith handcuffed. He had no arms upon
him, his only weapon being a bowie-knife. He was at once brought to San Rafael
and lodged in the county jail. On the 26th of May he was examined before Justice
of the Peace Hughes and was held to answer before the Grand Jury. He was
indicted on the 2nd of June; on the 23d of July he was arraigned and allowed
until the following day to plead to the indictment, when he entered a plea of
not guilty, and Monday, the 28th, was set for trial. On that day the regular
panel was exhausted without getting a jury, and a new venire of fifty was
ordered, returnable on the 30th, at five o'clock in the afternoon, of which day
the empaneling was completed and the trial commenced. The jury, which was
composed of William Clear, Chris. Hulbe, Thomas Redmond, James Stutt, James
Mulhern, T. H. Collins, Louis Peter, James Fagan, A. J. Edwards, J. S. Maybee,
John Bustin, P. L. Bourne, found a verdict of murder in the first degree, and
Monday, August 4th, was set for passing sentence. On that date the death
sentence was passed by the Court in the manner following: To the usual question,
whether he had anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced upon him,
he replied, no. The Court then said: It is ordered, adjudged and decreed that
you, the defendant, Salvador, standing as you do, convicted by the verdict of
the jury of murder in the first degree, for having feloniously wilfully,
premeditatedly, and with malice aforethought, killed and murdered Paul Rieger,
in Marin county, State of California, on the 19th day of April, A. D., 1879, and
are adjudged guilty of murder in the first degree, the judgment of the Court and
sentence of the law is that you, Salvador, be committed to the custody of the
Sheriff of the county of Marin, to be by him, said Sheriff, taken at a time to
be appointed and named in a warrant to be issued in pursuance of this judgment,
to some place within the walls of the county jail of Marin county, or to some
other convenient private place in said county of Marin, and that you there be
hanged by the neck by said Sheriff until you are dead, and may Heaven have mercy
on your soul. The warrant was forwarded to Sheriff Tunstead in due course, and
Thursday, the 2nd of October, fixed for the execution, previous to the
carrying-out of which, he made a confession, so horrible in its details; that
all crimes hitherto enacted on this coast pall before the atrocities of this
fiend's life. His first crime of note was the stabbing to death of his brother
Cruz, at Nicasio, in 1860, during a quarrel. He was not arrested for this. The
next murder committed was that of an Indian named Jose, who, Salvador says,
threatened to kill him. He found this victim on Paper Mill creek, and stabbed
him to death. The murder was never unraveled until Salvador confessed it. In
1866, Salvador killed an Indian called Whisky Bill, at Bodega, Sonoma county.
This occurred in an attack made by Bill and some other Indians on his brother.
In this case he was acquitted on the grounds of self-defence. In the same year
he was arrested for the murder of McKeon on Tomales bay. His brother-in-law,
Jose De Lazantos, and his own brother assisted him to evade arrest, and during
the fight De Lazantos was killed by the officers, and his brother received
wounds of which he died soon after. Salvador was shot seven times and at length
arrested. He was sent to the penitentiary for seven years for the murder of
McKeon, which affair he afterwards denied being implicated in. Shortly after his
release he killed an unknown Indian with a knife in a quarrel in Sanel valley.
This crime until his confession was also a mystery. In 1878 Salvador and a
companion kicked a Chinaman to death on the North Pacific Coast Railroad, whom,
he alleged, assaulted a squaw named Big Mary. This is the same that led
Salvador's pursuers off the scent after the murder of Rieger, enabling him to
escape. Salvador's sister once swore out a warrant at Nicasio for Salvador's
arrest for threats to kill her. His last devilish deed was committed while he
was seeking protection from the rain under a tree. Rieger came in sight without
seeing him, and he shot him dead. After the crime he remained in Marin county
for several days, but, becoming alarmed, he left for San Jose, via Saucelito and
Oakland, from which place he walked to his destination. In San Jose he stayed
with Jose Salazar for three days, when he returned to Marin county, via
Petaluma, on foot. On the 12th of May, after leaving Petaluma, he, from a high
hill, saw Sheriff Tunstead and posse, who were searching for him. He then went
to Sebastopol, near which place he was arrested as above described. Such is this
chapter of horrors; let us wind up the dreary story with an account of his last
moments of life: At eleven o'clock on the day appointed for the expiation of his
manifold crimes, Mr. Rieger's son and several others entered the cell of the
condemned, who fell upon his knees before them, asking for their forgiveness.
The gentlemen shook hands with him and left. Immediately thereafter he was taken
into the cell occupied by his mother and sisters during the night. He embraced
them all, standing the wailings of his mother without flinching. His mother then
uttered a weird, wild prayer in the Indian dialect, and laid her hands upon the
head of her son, who had sunk down upon his knees before the crouching figure of
the old woman. At half-past twelve he partook with apparent relish of his last
meal. Meanwhile the doors of the Court House had been barred and locked; those
holding invitations to witness the execution were admitted by a small door in
the fence. Thomas H. Estey then proceeded to adjust the rope, a
three-quarter-inch whale-line, to the cross-beam, and everything being in
readiness, the Sheriff, accompanied by his deputies, and the reporters of the
press, proceeded to the cell of the condemned man. The reading of the death
warrant produced no visible effect upon Salvador, who during the whole time held
a small crucifix between his hands, without the slightest vibration. The march
to the gallows was then taken, with Sheriffs Tunstead, and Dinwiddie, of Sonoma,
at the head of the procession. Following them, with firm step, walked the
culprit, between two Spanish padres in their robes of office, chanting the
prayers for the dying. Under-Sheriff Gordon and Deputy Burtchaell followed.
Several other Deputy Sheriffs brought up the rear. Arrived upon the scaffold,
Salvador, with a desperate look downward upon the treacherous trap, took his
position under the gibbet. To the question of the Sheriff, whether he had
anything to state before he met his fate, he answered in a low voice: "I am
thankful to you all, and especially to Sheriff Tunstead, for the kind treatment
I have received. I know I have committed a terrible crime and am willing to give
up my life for it." The straps were then placed around the doomed man's legs and
arms, who, until then, stood up unflinchingly among the officers who surrounded
him. But when Under-Sheriff Gordon adjusted the fatal noose around his neck, a
slight tremor commenced to run through the limbs of the criminal. Sheriff
Tunstead, without delay, slipped the black cap on his head, and stepping back,
waved his handkerchief to Deputy Duncan. A slight motion of the latter's hand
and precisely at twenty minutes past one in the afternoon of October 2, 1879,
the heavy trap shot down, leaving the murderer of Paul Rieger suspended in mid-air.

  Killing of Blass Talamontas.—On May 2, 1879, Blass Talamontas was killed near
Marshall, on Tomales bay, by Joe Luchonovich under the following circumstances:
Blass and two men, returning from a ball at Marshall, stopped at the house where
lived Joe and Big Mary. Some drinking was indulged in, when Blass became
quarrelsome, and was requested by Joe to leave, as he did not desire to have any
trouble. Blass left about noon, and went to his own house, about two hundred
feet distant, but returned immediately. Joe seeing him coming, shut the front
door where Blass tried to get admittance, saying at the same time, "I will kill
you." Not being able to gain admittance there, he went to the back door, and
seizing the ax, which was lying close by, knocked in the upper panel of the
door. Joe seized his gun which was standing close by, Blass then threw the ax
through the hole in the door, again saying "I will kill you," and Joe fired
shooting him in the breast. On Luchonovich being examined, the Justice of the
Peace decided it to be justifiable homicide.

  Killing of Antonio Fulton.—On the morning of June 26, 1879, Richard Moore, who
had been in charge of the powder works near California City, and had been
discharged for neglect, met Mr. Fulton, the manager of the works, who had
crossed from San Francisco with his family in a sloop, and before his wife and
children, shot Fulton through the head killing him instantly. He then placed the
pistol to his own head, fired, and fell dead beside his victim.

  Murder of Karl Herman Kohler.—William A. Dever was committed to the State
Prison about two years ago, on a charge of larceny. In an evil hour for all
parties concerned, he was assigned to the workshop of the California Furniture
Company of which Herman Kohler was foreman. Kohler seems to have been a man not
entirely without faults. He had his own ideas of workshop discipline, and lived
up to them. To how great an extent he aggravated Dever can never be definitely
known, as the matter rests alone upon the testimony of Dever himself. But
certainly there must have been some provocation, as it is not reasonable to
suppose that a helpless convict would strike down his overseer, unless laboring
under the sense of wrong. This much is certain, that Kohler frequently chided
him for his mechanical incapacity and on one occasion reported him as a fit
subject for discipline. During all this time Dever was more or less of an
invalid. He claimed that he was utterly unable, by reason of his infirmities, to
perform manual labor. That Kohler continually hounded him on to do what he could
not, that he menaced him with corporal punishment and so irritated him that
finally, flesh and blood could stand it no longer. On the other hand it was
shown on the trial that Kohler, though somewhat severe, was not more so than the
circumstances demanded, and that so far as the work went he had assigned to
Dever the lightest employment in the room, namely, sand-papering the furniture.
On the day of the murder, February 6, 1879,—following Dever's own account,
Kohler approached his bench examining the work of the morning. Not being pleased
with the inspection, he discharged a volley of abuse and left with the remark:
"You _____ mutton-head. I'll have you fixed this time." He had walked away a
short distance when Dever, in an uncontrollable fit of passion, sprang upon him,
felling him to the ground with a hammer, and striking him twice as he lay
prostrate on the floor. Kohler's skull was fractured in two places. He lingered
for three or four days, and died. The trial developed evidence about as follows:
Messrs. Bowers and C. B. Darwin appeared for the people and H. Wilkins for the
prisoner. The case was vigorously conducted on both sides, but the result was a
foregone conclusion. Whatever palliation there might have been was swallowed up
in the great necessity of an example to check the spirit of convict
insubordination. And after an absence of a few minutes, the jury returned with a
verdict of murder in the first degree. The law's delay at length proved
unavailing and the day for carrying the sentence into effect was finally fixed
for January 16, 1880. Influential men at the East, including Speaker Randall,
interested themselves to obtain executive clemency, but to no purpose. In jail,
the conduct of Dever was various. He made several efforts to escape, two of
which nearly succeeded. At times he had been 

[Transcriber’s note: Although what follows is the next page of text, it is
clearly not part of the same story]

him during this last year of his service. It is plain that his plan was well
matured—it was not the result of a sudden impulse. He had, no doubt, waited long
for a favorable time, and at last it came. Everything seemed to be in his favor
on the second of April, 1880. It was collection day; Mr. Severance would come in
about night, his pocket heavy with what would make the cook a rich man in China.
Not a guest was at the ranch. Even Mrs. Severance and the children were absent.
Mr. Throckmorton and three friends had an appointment to be there that night,
but it was abandoned on account of the storm. If they had gone, they would have
joined Charley at Victor's, and the horrid crime would have been defeated or
postponed. In the leisure hours of that day a grave had been dug within a few
feet of the house, and in nothing more than in the manner of that job is shown
the consummate skill of this fiendish murderer. Each stratum of earth taken out
of the grave was carefully laid by itself, to be as carefully replaced, and so
skillfully was this carried out that if the villain could have kept his tongue
as well as he dug and refilled the grave, only the sound of the resurrection
trumpet would have revealed it. Not long after Severance reached home that
night—it was probably after dark—he went out, and no doubt was milking, when the
Chinaman stealthily approached him from behind, and dealt him a powerful blow
with an ax in the back of the head. The contents of a pistol were rapidly shot
into him, one ball passing through his heart. The blow with the ax was fatal,
the pistol wounds not bleeding shows that the blood was congealed. His watch was
pulled off, but owing to the Chinese dread of touching a dead body, his pockets
were not searched, and over a hundred dollars were buried with him. The cunning
which had guided the fellow in digging the grave did not forsake him in
refilling it. The remains of the victim were dragged with a rope around the
neck, and carefully disposed of in the grave. Articles of clothing were laid
over the body, and it was so solidly covered, the earth being moistened and
tramped down as each layer was replaced, that a mere suspicion would never have
led to its being re-opened. After it was filled and levelled off, the surface
was scratched over, as by a hen, and a hen's nest, which had been lifted off to
begin with, was carefully replaced. Nearly every trace of the foul deed was
carefully obliterated—the bloody ax being the only evidence the cool fiend
overlooked. Wong then secured his treasure, and began to plan his escape. But
the vision of a life of luxury in his native land, when he should reach it with
his blood-stained wealth, was not his only company that night. He was not the
stolid brute which many of his countrymen are. The qualities which had made him.
both an efficient and a trusted servant, now made him alive to his base
ingratitude, and fearful lest his crime should overtake him. His nerves quivered
with fear, and his blood burned with fever. He spent a wakeful and remorseful
night, but it was nothing to the ghoul-haunted terrors soon to come upon him.
The next morning, wearied and worried, he left the scene of his horrid deed,
with his ill-gotten gold, and started, as he hoped, for China. But suspicion
followed him. He had barely time to secret his effects under a washhouse floor
in Saucelito, before the hand of the law was on him. His tongue was not as
cunning as his hand had been. He could not talk as he had wrought. With
determined and desperate villainy he tried to fasten the crime on another,
Antone Petar, a neighbor. In two days the public excitement had become intense,
and the region was full of busy men, intent on finding out what was only known
to Wong. He and the Portuguese whom he had falsely accused were lodged in jail,
and the officers of the law and citizens worked night and day to find the
missing man. Detectives Lees, Coffee and Avan, from the city, conferred with
Sheriff Mason, and then took hold of the case with him. They had a perfect
understanding to begin with, and after that worked in perfect harmony together.
Mr. Lees obtained Sheriff Mason's consent that he should interview Wong, all by
himself, whenever he wished, the only condition being that the prisoner should
not be abused or roughly handled. Mr. Lees' methods with Wong are not known,
beyond the strategy of putting another Chinese prisoner with him, to draw out
the facts. Although it is further understood that Wong thought Lees was his
friend, perhaps a lawyer employed by his countrymen to secure his release. His
visits to that cell are frequent. He stays an hour, a half hour, longer, he
comes and goes. The special efforts of the officers go on, the miscellaneous,
but persistent and determined search of friends and neighbors are made in every
ravine, gulch, and secluded place in the region. On the twelfth day after the
crime the little knot of officers are digging under a shed near the house. The
earth is solid. There is not a sign that dirt or pebble in that spot had been
disturbed since the American occupation. But the digging goes on, down one, two,
three, four feet, and then the arm of a man is seen. A little more dirt is
carefully removed, and enough is disclosed to identify the body of Severance. It
was not wholly uncovered that day, and next morning Coroner Eden was there with
casket and ice, and the remains of the murdered man were brought to San Rafael.
The autopsy confirmed one part of Wong's statement, viz., the five shots had
been fired. Communication between the detective and the Chinaman was kept up,
and last Saturday morning, following another revelation wormed from him, the
officers went to the wash-house in Saucelito, where they found the money, to
obtain which Severance was killed, and with a pistol and jacket belonging to
Wong Chi Long. This completed the work. The mystery was solved. The whole dark
story of the crime was told. The money and other articles were taken to the
Chinaman by the officers. The father and widow of Severance were present. Lees
then threw off his previous strategy, and now became Wong's accuser. He was
stunned and dazed, but still stuck to his denial, and clung to the thin lie,
"The Portuguese," "The Portuguese." He denied owning the jacket, though Mrs.
Severance testified she made it for him; he denied owning the pistol, which was
identified as his; and he pretended he had never before seen the watch and
chain, which Severance had always worn. The funeral of Severance took place from
the Presbyterian church in San Rafael, Sunday, 18th, Rev. James. S. McDonald
officiating. It was the largest funeral ever seen in the county, and very many
strong men were moved to tears by the unutterable sadness of the occasion. The
funeral was conducted by the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which deceased
was an honored member, the Saucelito and San Rafael Lodges uniting. The remains
were buried in Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, beside a little son of the deceased,
who was buried there a few months ago. At the grave the liturgy of the Order was
read by the officers of the Saucelito Lodge. The character of Charles W.
Severance was good and noble. Mr. Throckmorton, who knew him best, pays the
highest tribute to his ability, and personal worth. He was a young man of much
more than ordinary promise. But for his untimely taking off, he would have come
into prominence as a leader, in any sphere he might have chosen. But for his
extreme modesty and retiring disposition, he would have been much more prominent
than he was. He leaves a father and mother, a widow and two children, a brother
and sister, and a legion of friends. As soon as the web of evidence began to
close about the suspected Chinaman, he was locked up each night in an iron cell.
The first night in there he was very uneasy, and pleaded hard to be allowed
outside, but his petition was unheeded. All that night and the next he cried and
moaned most piteously, and Friday night, at lock-up, he fell upon his knees
before the Sheriff and begged in agony that he might stay in the large cell. But
in he went. He was still the first part of that night, but later the Chinaman in
another cell heard a most unearthly cry, followed by yells and screams of mortal
terror. He asked him what was the matter, and Wong answered that the Melican
man's devil had come to him. He imitated the noise made by his approach, and
described his appearance, and appeared to be in a perfect agony of terror. He
said he would rather die than pass another night there. Sheriff Mason had taken
every precaution to prevent his doing himself bodily harm. His cue was unbraided
and taken away, his sash was taken off, and his bedstead was removed from the
cell. His condition was not extraordinary Sunday morning, and the Sheriff's
attention was directed more to the mutterings of lynch law, and the danger from
the outside, than to the fear of the prisoner's self-destruction. As soon as
Severance's funeral was over, Sheriff Mason hurried to the jail, to make sure
that no attempt at violence should be made, when he found the dead body of Wong,
suspended by the neck. The Chinaman had torn up one of his under garments, and
tied and twisted the strips into a rope. On the upper part of the tank: were
half-inch holes, six inches apart, for ventilation. He had managed to pass the
end of his rope through one of these holes and bring it back through another,
and this was repeated, so that the rope was tied through four holes. He then
made a loop through which he put his head, perhaps doubling his mattress to
stand on, and then threw his weight on his neck. He was strangled to death. His
body lay in the Coroner's back room while the inquest upon his victim was
proceeding in the front room. It remained there, lying in the zinc box, until
Wednesday morning The earth refused to receive and hide it. No cemetery would
give it room, and his own countrymen said "No sabbee." At last the Coroner was
obliged to go to the city and get a permit to bury it in the Chinese cemetery,
where he took it yesterday.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA;
INCLUDING ITS
Geography, Geology, Topography and Climatography;
TOGETHER WITH
A Full and Particular Record of the Mexican Grants; Its Early History and
Settlement, Compiled from the most Authentic Sources; Names of Original Spanish
and American Pioneers;

A Full Record of its Organization; A Complete Political History, including a
Tabular Statement of Office-holders since the Formation of the County;

Separate Histories of Bolinas, Nicasio, Novato, Point Reyes, San Antonio, San
Rafael, Saucelito, and Tomales Townships;

Incidents of Pioneer Life, and Biographical Sketches of its Early and Prominent
Settlers and Representative Men;
ALSO
An Historical Sketch of the State of California,
In which is embodied the Raising of the Bear Flag

ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. 
ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1880.


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