MURDER AT OAKDALE.
James Brady Shot and Instantly Killed by a Discharged Ranch Employee.
Oakdale, California, July 7 — James Brady, a laborer on Eugene Threlfall's Ranch, was murdered here this evening by Peter Simsmelish. The two quarreled on the ranch this morning and Simsmelish was discharged.
They met in town this evening at a day camp, and Simsmelish, who carried a shotgun, walked up to within ten feet of Brady and said: "Are you going to take that back?"
Brady was slow in answering, and the murderer leveled the gun and fired, the charge taking effect in Brady's face and breast. Brady staggered a few feet away and fell dead. The murderer dashed away, but was captured an hour later in an old barn. He was brought to Oakdale.
When a San Francisco Call correspondent interviewed him, he was very cool and said he was glad he killed Brady and would do it again if he could. The murder had been planned by Simsmelish several hours before he met Brady, as he had offered a storekeeper $20 for a gun and ammunition with which to commit the crime.
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TWO MEN STABBED DURING SALOON ROW
Albert Heins, a Marine, was Arrested on a Charge of Assault to Murder.
San Francisco, California, November 18 — Albert Heins, a Marine, got mixed up in a fight at 443 Bush Street early yesterday morning, and is now in the City Prison on a charge of assault to murder. Both his eyes are swollen and blackened, and he shows other signs of having been severely punished.
His recollection of what happened is very hazy, as he admits he was considerably under the influence of liquor. It appears that Heins got into an altercation with F. Courser and H. Frazler, and words led to blows.
Heins opened his pocketknife and succeeded in stabbing Courser five times and Frazler once before he was knocked out. Heins was arrested and booked on the charge of assault to murder. Courser was sent to the Receiving Hospital, where his wounds were stitched and dressed.
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OLD INDIAN MURDERED FOR HIS MONEY
Attacked in a Lonely Spot and Beaten to Death With a Club.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
Chico, California, February 28 — The body of "Billy" Simpson, an Indian who has for many years been a resident of a rancheria on Rancho Chico, was found at about 6:30 o'clock this morning. That the murder had been done was evident at a glance, and that the motive which prompted the cold-blooded murder of an inoffensive Indian was robbery was recognizable immediately after the body and clothing were examined.
Some brutal thug or thugs, for a few dollars Simpson might have in his pockets, literally beat the Indian to death, carried the body into the dense shadows of the trees near General Bidwell's mansion, and rifled the pockets. How much the murderers secured will probably never be known, but it is sure they only left a couple of keys and a dime, the latter being caught in a fold of the trousers pocket, which had been turned inside out.
As to who committed the murder, there is very little for the officers to work upon, although there will be a search made for a stranger who appeared at the rear door of the Bidwell mansion at 8:30 o'clock and asked to see General Bidwell. The stranger appeared to be somewhat under the influence of liquor, and ho was told that General Bidwell was busy but to call again and he could see the general. The man went away but did not return.
About a half or three-quarters of an hour later, one of the women employed there heard the dog growl fiercely and jump from the porch. The woman was quite nervous after the visit of the drunken man and called the dog back to the porch. This morning the tracks of the dog show that he had started straight for the spot where Simpson's body was found and it is confidently believed that he was aroused by the scuffling of the two men.
There are numerous theories regarding the murder. Some are of the opinion that the murderer was lying in wait for some other person and when Simpson came along, attacked him, believing him to be the intended victim. It seems to be generally known, however, that Simpson always had from $10 to $20 in his pockets, and some thugs, knowing this, may have waited for him.
Sheriff Wilson, with Deputy Sheriff Goe and Constable Potter, are making a thorough search of the grounds in the hope of finding the weapon used to commit the murder, and in the meantime effort will be made to locate the man who called at the Bidwell mansion about 8:30 o'clock.
Follow-up report on the above murder in The San Diego Union and Daily Bee on March 10, 1900
INDIANS CONFESS MURDER.
Chico, California, March 9 — Johnny Richards and Steve Thompson were today ordered held to appear before the superior court on charges of murder. These are the Indians who, on February 27, killed Billy Simpson, another Indian. near the residence of Gen. Bidwell. The murder was a particularly brutal one. Both confessed to the crime and gave the object of the murder as robbery.
Follow-up report on the above murder in The San Diego Union and Daily Bee on March 10, 1900
INDIANS CONFESS MURDER.
Chico, California, March 9 — Johnny Richards and Steve Thompson were today ordered held to appear before the superior court on charges of murder. These are the Indians who, on February 27, killed Billy Simpson, another Indian. near the residence of Gen. Bidwell. The murder was a particularly brutal one. Both confessed to the crime and gave the object of the murder as robbery.
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"COLEY" MORRIS CAPTURED.
Believed to Have Been an Accessory to a Double Murder.
Phoenix, Arizona, May 6.— Sheriff Ed Beeler of Apache County passed through here today en route to his home in St. Johns, Arizona, having in custody Bill Morris, alias "Coley" Morris, arrested near Globe, on May 2 on a charge of being an accessory to the murders of Gus Gibbons and Frank L. Lesseur in Apache County on March 27.
The gang that did the work is supposed to consist of seven men intent on robbing the Santa Fe Pacific train, but the plot was nipped in the bud by the Sheriff pursuing them for stealing cattle, and the murder was committed in the flight.
It is believed that members of the same gang killed George Scarborough recently in Cochise County. "Coley" Morris admits being an acquaintance of members of the gang, but says he was not and can prove an alibi, though his description answers perfectly to one of the men wanted.
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Reported in The Inyo Independent on June 21, 1901:
A BOLD ROBBERY HALTED
Bodie, California — A bold attempt to rob the retort house of the Standard Consolidated Mining Co. at Bodie was made about 3 o’clock Monday morning. One bar of bullion, valued at $3,000, had been secured, and the thieves were trying to open another retort when they were interrupted by the appearance of Joe Beck, the night watchman.
A gunfight ensued, and Beck received a bullet in the shoulder. The thieves escaped, leaving their plunder behind. The Standard Company offers a $500 reward for the capture and conviction of the guilty parties.
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Reported in The Sausalito News on September 6, 1902:
DESPERATE GUNFIGHT IN COLORADO
One Man Killed and Two Others Receive Fatal Wounds.
Winfleld, Colorado — A revolver and rifle duel to the death was fought here on Main Street, and, as a result, Sjonstron, aged 35, Swede miner, was instantly killed. Sim Amsdon, aged 30 years, also a miner, was shot through the left breast two inches above the heart and mortally wounded, and Chauncey Bennell, a bartender, was shot in the groin and fatally wounded.
The shooting was the direct result of Amsdon's insane attachment for a pretty fifteen-year-old girl. The girl did not reciprocate Amsdon's feelings. Amsdon learned that Andy Maloy had called at the young girl's home and was seen in the girl's company.
Amsdon secured a rifle and went on a hunt for Maloy. He saw Maloy on the street and fired two shots at him, but neither reached its mark. Maloy escaped and during the remainder of the day kept under cover, fearing Amsdon would kill him if he appeared on the street.
Sjonstron, who was a friend of both Maloy and Amsdon, met the latter on Main Street and attempted to make peace between the two men. Amsdon became greatly excited and told Sjonstron to mind his own business. Sjonstron, in turn grew angry at Amsdon's manner. High words followed and both men began to shoot, with the above result.
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THREE MEN DIE IN A GUNFIGHT
Texan Slays Two Foes And Is Himself Killed.
Shoots With True Aim While In The Throes Of Death
EL. PASO, Texas, May 20 — News reaches here of a pistol fight at Sanderson, Texas, on the desert, 300 miles east of El Paso, which resulted in the killing of H. S. Biggs, magistrate and schoolteacher; Ed Bell, a citizen, and R. C. McMahone, a Deputy Sheriff. Only meager details have reached here.
As far as learned, the quarrel arose between Ed Bell and H. S. Biggs over a letter received through the post office. Bell had been working for McMahone. Biggs was a very quiet man and was not known to have had any previous trouble. He had been a schoolteacher in Sanderson for eight or nine years.
The story is that when Biggs and Bell quarreled, McMahone tried to separate the contestants. Biggs put up a brave fight against the two men, as McMahone, it seems, turned on him during the fight. Biggs shot Bell through the head, killing him, and was in turn shot through the body by McMahone, while breathing his last on the floor of the post office. He took deadly aim at McMahone and fired one shot, fatally wounding the Deputy Sheriff, who died a few hours later.
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Reported in The Ventura Daily Post on March 23, 1904:
ANAHEIM RANCHERS HAVE GUNFIGHT
Anaheim, Calif., March 22 — A few miles southwest of town J. W. Hart and F. Pallas fought a desperate duel over a dispute concerning the boundary line of the Hart and Roy ranches. Hart was shot through the hand.
In the rapid exchange of shots, which took place at short range, the marvel of those who know the two men is that one of them was not killed. Hart had emptied his revolver and was reloading when Pallas, his antagonist, turned his back and walked away. Hart refused to take advantage and fire, though he reserved the right to do so.
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Some of what was taking place from 1896 to 1904 around the West!
Tom Correa
