Napa County
Death Records
HOMICIDES
Killing of John Clark
Killing of John Clark—This homicide occurred in Capelle Valley, about twelve miles east of Napa City, October 23, 1865. The particulars of it are as follows: Oscar and John Clark, two brothers, owned a place in Capelle Valley, and had rented it to Fred. Coombs. On the day of the killing the two Clarks went to the premises occupied by Coombs, when an altercation occurred, culminating in the killing of John Clark by Coombs. The latter came to Napa City and gave himself up, and a Coroner's inquest was held the next day. At that Mrs. Coombs testified that her husband was sitting in the house occupied by them on a chair, when the Clark brothers came in and attacked him, asserting that they would dispossess him of the property by forcible ejectment, and that her husband fired the shots in self-defense. Oscar Clark was thereupon arrested, and, waiving examination, was held in the sum of $2000. No further action was taken in the matter.
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), page 149.
Killing of Patrick Goodwin
Killing of Patrick Goodwin—Goodwin had some harness in the American livery stable in Napa City, of which C. H. H. Manuel was the proprietor. On the 7th of September, 1866, Goodwin went to the stable to see about it, when an altercation arose between the men. Finally Manuel grasped a shovel and struck Goodwin over the head with it, inflicting an injury, from the effects of which he died the following Monday. Manuel was arrested and bailed for the trifling sum of $500, and of course left for parts unknown.
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), page 149.
Killing of Daniel English
Killing of Daniel English—On the evening of March 14, 1868, a party of Americans, consisting of Daniel and Charles English, two brothers, Albert Haines, J. C. Jones, R. Coddington, B. B. Durbin and W. D. Treanor, went to the house of Dolores Coronado, in Spanishtown, (East Napa,) where a dance was in progress. In a short time some difficulty sprang up between the Americans and Spaniards, and Coronado attacked Dan English with a revolver. His brother Charles came to his rescue with a pistol in his hand, when a Spaniard by the name of Anastacia grabbed it from him and began firing at him. Both of the English boys were severely wounded, and Dan died soon after, but Charley recovered. The following is the verdict of the Coroner's jury: "We, the Coroner's jury, convened to examine into the case, on investigation do find that the name of the deceased was Daniel English, a native of the United States, and resident of Solano County, California, aged thirty-four years, and that he came to his death by a pistol-shot, which pistol was in the hands of Dolores Coronado, and was fired on the evening of the 14th of March, in the county of Napa, State of California, at the house of Dolores Coronado." This made the fifth brother who had died a violent death. It does not seem that the Spaniard was held, for in a few days afterwards he came to a hotel in Merced County, kept by Dr. Griffiths, with whom he quarreled, and who shot and killed him.
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), pages 149-150.
Killing of Katie Ennis
Killing of Katie Ennis (Indian)—Alonzo Davis, a boy only about thirteen years of age, shot and killed an Indian girl by the name of Katie Ennis, at the house of M. D. Markley, in Putah Cańon, August 20, 1871, under the following circumstances, as brought out in the testimony: The Indian girl was living at Markley's as his housekeeper. Markley was away from home a great deal of the time during the day, and was often away for days at a time. It would seem that the girl got the idea into her head that the boy wished to destroy Markley's property during his absence, and she threatened to shoot him should he pass by the premises again. There were two roads leading by the place; one just in front of the door, and one up the hill a short distance. One day he passed along the lower road in com- pany with another boy, and he states, being corroborated by his companion, that she fired at them with a rifle, after they had got past the house some distance. The next day he got a small pistol, and having an errand that way, took occasion to go along the lower road, as usual. When the girl saw him she said: "I will shoot you, you s-- of a b----!" and started into the house. Just as she crossed the threshold, the boy fired, and the bullet entered the girl's brain. The body was found some time afterwards in a mutilated condition, rats and coons doing the work. The boy was arrested, and Justice R. C. Gillaspie of Yount Township, committed him to jail to await the action of the Grand Jury, on the 26th of August. That body found a true bill against him, September 6th, and he was tried October 5th. The jury in the case comprised to the following named gentlemen: David Edwards, James Dunhig, S. Winters, Asa Chapman, David Yount, W. H. Beagles, W. A. Haskins, J. G. Francis, E. K. Wood, Wm. Locker, J. B. Chiles and T. G. Rodgers. Their verdict was: "We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty."
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), page 150.
The Fred. Coombs Murder and Suicide
The Fred. Coombs Murder and Suicide—One of the most appalling affairs that ever happened in Napa County, occurred in Napa City, February 20, 1871, under the following circumstances: During the previous term of the District Court, proceedings in divorce had been begun between Fred. Coombs and his wife, who had been living previously on Howell Mountain. The matter was referred to the Court Commissioner, Mr. F. E. Johnson, who had been taking testimony on the day of the fatal affair, in the office of Messrs. Pendegast & Stoney. Between five and six o'clock in the afternoon, he adjourned the session, and all parties were preparing to leave the room. Coombs asked his wife to accompany him. She replied that the time for a reconciliation was past. Coombs thereupon drew a revolver and fired twice at her, the first ball passing through her arm, while the other penetrated the center of the breast-bone. He then turned his pistol on himself and fired, the ball taking effect in the right temple and lodging under the scalp, killing him instantly. Mrs. Coombs was taken to the office of Dr. M. B. Pond, but she was beyond the reach of medical aid, and died within twenty minutes. Coombs left a letter stating what disposition to make of their children and property. It was thought that he was laboring under a fit of temporary insanity.
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), page 151.