Napa-San Francisco County CA Archives Obituaries.....Larkyns, Harry October 18, 1874
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Regina Gualco rmgualco@yahoo.com August 3, 2006, 10:19 pm

from History of Napa and Lake Counties (1881)

Killing of Major HARRY LARKYNS.---This occurred at the Yellow Jacket Mine, about
seven miles from Calistoga, October 18, 1874. Neither party was a resident of
Napa County, but as the shooting occurred within its limits the matter came up
for trial in its Courts. Muybridge was an artist or photographer in San
Francisco; Larkyns was an adventurer, of English birth and Australian education.
He came to San Francisco and there met with the usual ups and downs of men of
his ilk, but in some unlucky hour formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Muybridge. He
was dashing, suave and captivating, and formed quite a contrast with her steady
going, industrious, business-like husband, and she soon became infatuated with
the gallant Major. As a result of this Muybridge sent his wife to Portland,
Oregon, to her mother, thinking that thus he could break the spell of the
charmer. In this he was mistaken, for she soon began to write to an intimate
friend in the city inclosing [sic] letters to Larkyns. These were shown to
Muybridge by the lady. Larkyns had conceived the idea, or was perhaps employed
to make a map of the Calistoga Mining District, and was engaged upon this work
at this time. When Muybridge saw the letter from his wife to Larkyns, he became
very much enraged; and, after brooding over the matter for a couple of weeks,
another letter arrived from her through the same channel. This was too much for
him. He took the train for Calistoga and there got a team and was driven out to
the Yellow Jacket Mine, arriving after dark. He proceeded to the hotel and
called for Larkyns, remaining just outside the door. Larkyns came into the
hallway and advanced towards the front door, and when within a few feet of it
Muybridge stepped into the full light and said, "I have brought a message from
my wife, take it," and at the same time fired. The wounds proved fatal almost
instantly. Muybridge was arrested and lodged in jail, and December 8, 1874, the
Grand Jury found a true bill against him. His case came up for hearing February
5, 1875, and the jury, after being out thirteen hours, returned a verdict of not
guilty.

Additional Comments:
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San
Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), pages 152-153.

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