Napa County CA Archives Obituaries.....Osborne, Joseph Warren April 18, 1863
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Regina Gualco rmgualco@yahoo.com August 3, 2006, 10:26 pm

from History of Napa and Lake Counties (1881)

Murder of JOSEPH WARREN OSBORNE.---He was killed by Charles Brittian April 18,
1863, on his own premises, now known as the Woodward estate, near Oak Knoll
station, under the following circumstances: Brittian had worked for Osborne on
his farm as a laborer, and for said services he received a check on a bank in
San Francisco for the sum of two hundred and sixty-five dollars. On presenting
his check payment was refused on it. He then went to see Osborne, who promised
to settle the matter within a few days. Brittian then returned to San Francisco,
and after a few days procured a revolver at a store, and started for Osborne's
place. On his way up to Napa on the steamer he stated that he was going to have
his money or that he would kill Osborne. Arriving at Oak Knoll he proceeded to
the house of his victim and inquired for him, and was told that he could be
found in the orchard. Thither he went on his ghastly errand, and began a
conversation with him. No one was present to hear the language used by either
party, but parties at a distance soon saw by the motions being made that there
was some trouble between them, and saw some aggressive motions made by Brittian.
Osborne then picked up a rock, and at once Brittian shot him, and he died in a
few moments. Brittian was arrested and lodged in jail, and indicted May 18,
1863, and the trial was called June 1st of that year, when the prisoner plead
not guilty. The jury in the case was composed of the following gentlemen: Robert
Greenlaw, Charles Drew, Charles Thompson, J. H. Gooch, L. H. Murray, C.
Musgrave, D. Manuel, R. T. Lane, G. N. Cornwell, H. M. Allen, A. S. Knapp, and
William Greenleaf. A verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree was
rendered by the jury. A motion for a new trial was made and overruled, and on
the 12th day of June, 1863, the Judge passed the sentence of death by hanging
upon him. On the 7th day of August, 1863, he expiated his crime upon the
gallows, being the first man ever hanged in Napa County under the sentence of
the law. When the day of execution came he marched boldly upon the gallows,
refusing all counsel or consolation from friend or priest, and faced his death
with a fortitude worthy a nobler cause.

Additional Comments:
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San
Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), pages 145-146.

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