Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-07-11
NUMBER 36.
Coroner's Inquest on the Body OF Giles s..
Thornton.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon
by Coroner Harlow. on the body of Giles s.
Thornton. The jury was composed of the
following persens: c. H. Mason, Henry s.
Lohmann. W. s. Greene, Ed. c. johnson.
Il W. Messenger, Phillip Farrelly, J. B..
Ford, c. W. Butler, G. H. Mallery, J. B.
White, H. Buffun, James w. Hurd.
The following evidence was elected:
Mr.. H. B. Lathrop being sworn, stated
Twas in the Bank Exchange last evening
sitting at the table playing cribbage; Thorn :.
ton came in and taking chair, set down
and looked on at the game. He had set
there about an hour when Limerick came in
to the Saloon, and approaching Thornton.
said he wished to settle an old grudge exist
ing between them, and asked him to 90 out
ard have stand up fight Thornton re-
piled, " am not fighting man and don't
want to have any difficulty with you,
Thornton also asked him to 60 away and not
trouble him; Limerick drew up chair and
sat close to Thornton, and used very insult
ing language toward him. All of US were
sitting all this time; l saw Limerick put his
hand across his body if he intended to
draw weapon; we all jumped to our feet
at this time, and as Limerick was drawing
his pistol Thornton threw a tumbler at him;
the throwing of the tumbler and Limerick s
first shot were almost simultaneous; the first
shot fired, went over Thornton's head with
out doing any harm; the next shot was low
er down; | was several feet off from the par
ties; the combatants were about eight feet
apart at the first shot, and almost fifteen feet
apart at the second Thornton was unarmed;
he worked for me as q teamster :; after de-
ceased was shot, he was taken to the Orleans
Hotel
IL. b Lathrop, Jr., being sworne said !: I was
standing near the table while my father and
another gentleman were playing cribbage !;
saw Thornton sitting there; went TO the
billiard table to play pool, and while there.
heard the first shot fired; saw Limerick FIRE.
the second shot; heard Thornton say he was
hit; don't know whether after or before the
third shot was fired didn't see whether the
pistol was pointed at Thornton or not
C. Ayres being duly sworn, said: On the
evening in question, Mr.. Hammel, Mr.. La
throp, Mr.. Thornton and myself, were sit
ting at q table in the Bank Exchange; the
first two ffentlemen were playing cribbage;
l saw Limerick come into the Saloon, and
SPOKE to him; | asked him about a difficulty
which he had just had on the street; he said
that Thornton was the only man who had
ever whipped him and asked Thornton if such
was the case; Thornton laughed, and said
he believed it was. Limerick then asked
him to % out and fight him; Thornton re-
fused, saying he was no fighting man, but if
assailed would try and defend himself Linn
erick then sat down near Thornton, and
said, g You lie, you dirty son of bitch;''
Thornton then grabbed the cribbage board;
Limerick then put his hand to his side as if
to draw pistol, and rising up said, don't
throw tumbler at me, you son Of bitch;"
Thornton then threw the tumbler, hitting
Limerick, who Immediately fired his pistol
but without taking effect; he then fired
again lower down; Henry Hunt then caught
Limerick and held him, about which lime
another shot was fred don't know which
shot took effect.
John Shull being sworn, said was pre-
sent at the time and place specified; was sit
ting at the table overlooking the game7
Thornton sat opposite me; Limerick came in
and hard words passed between the two;
saw Limerick throw his hand around for
the pistol; Thornton had the cribbage board
in his hand. Thornton threw the tumbler,
taneously | only saw the first shot fired;
heard the other two; Limerick was in the
act of drawing the pistol when Thornton
grabbed the tumbler.
Thomas Ford being sworn, said was
present at the Bank Exchange when tho
quarrel commenced l know neither of the
parties; | saw two tumblers thrown; was
standing at the bar after the two tumblers
were thrown, heard Thornton call Limerick
an Irish son of bitch. Am an entire
stranger to both parties. am sure saw two
tumblers thrown before the pistol was fired
ir
After hearing the above testimony, the
jury retired, and after about ten minutes
dcliberation returned with the following