The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-08-24
Greensburghssr Murdered in California.


On Tuesday morning last, deep gloom was
spread over our town, by letters received here
from California, announcing the cold blooded
murder ofour former fellow citizen, Capt. Geo.
Kettering. Capt. X. was extensively known
and esteemed in this community as kind-heart-
ed, patriotic and honorable man. Some five
Years ago he went to California, where be con-
tinned about two years, and was very success
tul in acquiring money, when he returned 10
his family. After remaining with his family
in this vicinity for about year, be returned TO
that country about eighteen months ago. For
tune still iavoring him, he was expected home
iu the fall 10 enjoy the fruits OF his industry
with his family, when he was stricken down
by the hand Of an assassin. The following let
ter from G. A. Lippincot, TO his son Henry
KeteriHg, olthe s'Wrsimoreland House, which
we have been permitted TO copy, gives the par
ticulafs OF the dabolical act. The family and
friends OF Capt Kelttrhg have the sympathy of
the entire community :-Greensbarg .4rgus.
JAMESTOWN, CAL, July l3, 1855.
MR. Henry KETTERNG At the request Of
your brothers, Adam, Michael, and John, adj
dress these lines TO you. The painful duty de-
wolves upon ne OF impartng TO you, and other
members OF your family: the sad intelligence of
your fathers death. 1t occurred at Aigerine
Camp, on Tuesday evening, 10Th inst, and the
circumstances attending are Of a shocking ma
ture. He was shot and killed, almost instantly,
by young man namrd VIM. H. Worth.
will give you the particulars as they were OBJ
tained by the Coroner's jury, OF which was a
member:
About ten DAYS since, the residence Of Judge
BFunton was entered and robbed Of some Sl3,-
coo, aud the Judge nearly murdered. II caused
great deal OF excitement, as no clue could be
obtained TO lasten suspicion on any one. Worth
bad been out from home on the night OF the
robbery, and had stated that he called at the
Judges house ON lis return home, about two o.
clock in the morning and has since explained
why be- ca!led-but finding no one up, he kept
on his way. Your father, upon hearing this, is
said to have rerrarked that it gave room to- sus-
pectlng Worth, or that he suspected Worth of
being implicated in the robbery.
Worth hearing these reports in circulation,
traced them to the above rpmarl, uttered By your
father, and went to bis house for the purpose Of
making him retsact what he bad said. He was
accompanied by two men, named Finny and
Sutton, all well armed. They found your father
sitting by his door, in company with man nam
q. Jonrs, who lived with him. Worth reques-
ted private audience with him, as he had some
thing private to communicate. HI was request
ed TO enter into the house-ihe rest remaining
outside. They repaired 10 the back room, and
". was heard to say, aCaptan, YOU have cir
culated reports about me- duplicating me- in this
Brunton affair I have traced them to you, and
Al /
Worth told him. ssYou must sign this raper.''
The captain was then heard 10 say, .'Dan't cock
your pistol on me, sir - Worth replied. Yon
have got your hand behind you!' which being
denied, w. said. 'EYou are a liar" and cap
was heard to snap. then the report of pistol
and The cry Of anaHrder !" Pistol shots follow
ed in rapid succession, eight or nine having been
fred, when w. emerged from the buIlding and
with bis friends, who We're standing al the door,
procured their horses and delivered themselves
up to the Sheriff of Sonora. Jones, in the
meantime, alarmed at bis own safety, had fed.
As soon as the neighbors could reach the spot,
they entered the house and found your father re-
clning against the side Of the building, but he
was dead. Your brother Michael was in Camp
Seco at the time, about three miles from the
scene, and John and Adam were at their camp
on Table Mountain, still further Off
The Sheriff, Coroner. aud Justice of the
Peace were sent for, and the body suffered TO
remain in the position 1t was found, and the
house closed. Upon the arrival Of these parties
a postmortem examination was held and eight
bullet wounds were found upon his person,
besides two blows upon the head from a blunt
instrument, probably inflicted by the broken
revolver that was found on the floor, as it bore
marks Of having been used in that manner
Your fathers pistol was found under him, in
its sheath, showing that it could not have been
used. II is thought that w. fred five shots
from his revolver, the first cap having snapped,
and then broke il by striking him with it. He
either had two pistols upon his person or another
was handed to him, with which he completed
his work, as we found the mark Of eight balls
upon The body and one through the side Of the
house. One bullet entered the head above The
left ear--one in the breaSt-tWo in his arms,
and four inf is legs. The parties are lying in
Jail, and it II bought, viii undoubtedly be COM
mitted 10 await their trial of murder.
Your father bad many friends, who accom-
panied has remains to the Masonic grounds in
Sonora. The lodge to which he belonged here
are taking charge Of the corpse. Your broth
ers are alF-in good health, and with The other
members Of your family, received the heartfelt
sympat Dol ali. You wlll hear from them by
next mail.
Yours truly, c. A. Lirrlxcorr.
CHOLERA At PEEKyvlLLE, Move men-
toned the fearful ravages made BY the cholera,
at PerryvIlie, Md, in the family of Joseph Raj
sin, stating that he was then down with the dis
ease. He has since died. The family consist
ed of husband wife, and six children. In a
weeks time all Of them died excent a lad