Marin County
Death Records
Transcribed by Betty Wilson
MURDER OF CROCKETT EBERMAN
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 IS WIFE
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 effects 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
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
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 around 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
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
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 had 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
MURDER OF THOMAS SPAULDING.—Thomas Spaulding was killed by S. Kenshaw in Saucelito township, May 21, 1863.
MURDER OF JOHN McPHELAN
MURDER OF JOHN McPHELAN.—This man was murdered June 8, 1863, by an Indian in Tomales township.
KILLING OF JOHN HARRIS
KILLING OF JOHN HARRIS.—John Harris, a native of Liverpool, England, was killed, November 7, 1863, at the house of Terrence 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, “don’t 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
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 struggled 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.