Weekly Trinity journal., 1866-02-24

WELLS, THE MURDERER, ARREsTED.-Many of
our readers will remember the excitement ere
ated some six years since by the successive and
inhuman murders of one Wells. The following,
which we find in the Marysville Appeal of Feb
ruary llth, affords reason to believe the demon
will vet receive his deserts &c \ dispatch from
Virginia City states that William Wells, the
murderer, has been arrested in Idaho, and is
now on the way to Sacramento. Some two
months ago Chief Burke, of Sacramento re-
ceived positive information that Wells in
Idaho, and obtained requisition from Governor
Low, sent on the necessary papers and made the
arrangements to insure his arrest and delivery at
Sacramento Wells first victim was old
man. a miserly German, named Wetzell, who
kept little rum shop next door to the corner OF
and Tenth streets. Wells had won the conf
dence OF this old man, and was allowed to stop
with him. The murderer remained with Wetzell
long enough to ascertain where he kept MS
money and yaluables, and then murdered him IN
his bed by plunging large butcher 5 knife 10
his heart. The knife was found sticking in
the body as left by the murderer. This was IN
the Summer of 1859, and the officers immedl-
ately commenced search for the murderer
Wells, who only suspected from his snduen
absence. About the Goth of July, 1860, he was
arrested at Virginia City and passed through
this city July .25th, in charge OF Armstrong Oh
his way to Sacramento. The party left Marys,
VILE by stage, and on arriving at Nicolaus heard
that mob was organized to meet them, take
the prisoner and hang him. To cheat the mon,
the prisoner taken from the stage ana put
into an express wagon provided by Deputy
Sheriff Wharton, of Sutter county Who WIN
Stoddard Joined the Wells escort. Inc express
wagon was to take what is known as the river
road which then entered Sacramento on front
street The party, consisting OF Stoddard' Arm
strong, Wharton and the prisoner arrived Wlthlh
mile and a half of Sacramento at o clock on
the morning of the 10th. Wharton ana otou-
dard were setting on the front seat OF the wagon,
and the prisoner (hand-cutfed), and Armstrong
were living in a heap of straw in the body OF the
WAGON behind. Wharton was startled py
crack of pistol Immediately behind hlm, ana
looking back he saw Wells had killed Arm
strong and before he could move in self-defence
fired at him. shooting him through the body,
and Immediately after fred and killed Stoddard.
Wharton fell out of the wagon which passed
over him. Wells then proceeded to rob the dead
bodies Supposing Wharton dead he robbed
him also The murderer recovered the ~ 900 I
which had been taken from him when arrested
bv Armstrong, and left for parts unknown
Wharton succeeded in getting to Sacramento |
and giving the alarm, where he died of his wounds
the next morning. Search was made for Wells, |
but without success. \ few years ago man was |
arrested in extreme part of the State rs Wells, |
but on being brought to Sacramento he proved
to be another escaped criminal. The intorma- |
ton seems to be vcly authentic that the real
murderer is now arrested, and on his way to /
Sacramento. We hope it may prove so. and that
the law will be swift in its work of breaking his .
neck.