San Andreas independent., 1856-10-04
THE MURDER AT ANGELS CAMP.
We are indebted to our correspondent al
Angels, for the following full particulars Of
the late double tragedy enacted at that place.

Angels, IOr tue IoHoWinS AuAi Pe'i uCuisliS VI
the late double tragedy enacted at that place.
ANGELS, Sept 29th, 1856.
Mr.. Editor A brutal assassination was
committed in this town on the evening OF Sep
tember 25th, upon the person of DIR. Thomas
Armstrong, by one Wm Colbrook. The death
of Armstrong, caused great excitement IN the
town, which resulted in hanging of the mur-
derer.
All the facts in the case, as I could get them,
and as saw and heard them, | will state
The deceased, DIR. Armstrong, was quiet, In
offensive old man of some sixty years, should
judge was well-known and in this place highly
respected for his honesty, intelligence and gen.
tlemanly manners. He was formerly from near
Steubenville, Ohio where his wife and child
rem now live.
Colbrook appeared between thirty and forty
years of age, and was well-known character,
Tor carrying arms and using them upon all oc-
easlons. The affray occurred between three
and four O'Clock, in the afternoon, at a time
when nearly all our citizens were out at the
graveyard, burying the deceased wife of Mr..
John A. jackson. The cry of murder murder,
murderl" came from the town to disturb the
melancholy ceremonies avhich made 1t ascfuliy SOL
enan The officers fastened down the street,
and met the murderer coming up on a run,
pursued by several citizens who arrested him.
He was taken possession of by Constable s. S.
Abbot, and carried to Browns Saloon, where
Constable John Rodgers, brought irons, and
ironed the prisoner. He was then taken to
Aobots's Shop, and carriage ordered from
a Livery Stable, to take the prisoner to Mokel-
umne Hill. AS the keeper of the stable came
out with the carriage, the people stopped him.
and IN hooly hat boo
He turned round and went back Rodgers then
went up himself, to fetch the buggy, and the
people went to Abbots Shop, where the prison.
rwas. When Rodgers came with the carriage
the Constables were told that they should not
take the prisoner out of this town, until he was
regularly examined by the Justice of the Peace
and committed to Jail. Rodgers asked the peo-
pie if they would protect the prisoner while be-
ing examined; they answered "yes, yes" He
asked them again, will you assist me in taking
him to Jail The answer was, "no no." some
saying yes." He then told all those who
would assist, to stand on one side, and about a
dozen stepped out, as directed. At this time
about one hundred men were present, and news
came that Armstrong was already dead The
carriage was then taken back to the stable
Legal proceedings was commenced by the Hon.
George G. Young, making complaint that the
crime of murder had been committed &c
| Whereupon the Justice of the Peace issued his
warrant, for the arrest of the murderer which
was served, and the prisoner brought into Court.
He was kept in custody, by the officers in
stone building, while the Justice held an in
quest, upon the view of the body, of the mur-
dered man. The Jury were summoned before
Mr.. G. g. Lake, Justice of the Peace of this
Township, who being duly sworn, took their
seats as Coroner's jury and heard the fol-
lowing testimony
| Wm. B. Trafton, s,corn.-I reside at Smiths
Flat, was in the house of George Nuninger, of
Anglers Camp, about o'clock, p NJ, of Sept.
10Th. was playing game of billiards VIM.
Colbrook and Thomas Armstrong, went to the
bar, Il cannot say whether they drank or not, y
afterwards went to the window, and sat down.
They engaged in conversation, some five or ten
minutes, there. All the conversation | heard
was, that Colbrook said the deceased, Tho
mas Armstrong, had reported, that he, the
prisoner had stolen hogs from Mr. Harmon.
The deceased said that he had not said So and
retreated from the window to the back part of
the room, followed up by Colbrook The de-
ceased said again, after sitting down. that he
had not said so. They then had conversation
for some five minutes | cannot state what was
said, las was playing billiards. except, that
angry words were uttered. After conversation
had lasted some five or eight minutes, the pris-
oner called the deceased, "a id liar, ;" and in
stantly struck him in the face. The deceased
then arose, and Mr.. Colbrook retreated across
the room, towards the window, and Armstrong
following. When they had got near the win
". Coibrook drew out his knife, { the
fell upon the floor, J and plunged it
Aoody of the deceased and ran out of
and up the street / then went to the
Tled murder" and few moments
hat he was in the hands of the Con-
emstropg said: |" OIL my God,
md fell to the floor, in about the
now. Ibid not see any weap-
of the deceased neither do |
elinched at any time. l should
IS, If the deceased had any,
WIN. B. TRAFToN.
-orn--I was in conversa-
With Mr.. Colbrook, previ-
ar. Armstrong was coming
Slr. Colbrook commenced
sman, had been telling
AT the same time the
house of Geo. Nuninger
him in. / came in a
and the deceased was
) the window, and Col
Mr.. Colbrook was tell
heard, the deceased re-
peen claiming some of Mr..
~hat time the deceased rails
across the room, ands
had said about W
Dom with the prisons
i'd him to set dowR
sit down; bnt said i
:eased went on ssssss
aid, ne W
~khe