The Shasta courier., 1868-03-21
Sheriff Killed by an Insane Man.

Recently man named McDermott, resid-
ing:at Trinity Centre, was examined by
board of physicians, pronounced insane. and
ordered to be taken to the Insane Asylum at
Stockton. McDermott's insanity was of
peculiar type, and ordinarily his manner was
that Of perfectly rational man, but at times
his disposition changed and he was regarded
as dangerous by those who knew him in.
timately, although, with that caution often
observable in insane persons, he had pre-
viously refrained from any acts of violence,
as he appeared desirous of making believe he
was of sound mind. In accordance with his
duty as Sheriff of Trinity county, Mr.. james
Cochrane took McDermott in charge and
started for Stockton. They arrived at Red
Bluff on Monday and had occasion to wait for
the Sacramento boat During this delay the
Sheriff permitted McDermott to accompany
him about the town, as he appeared
rational, and manifested some repugnance to
being placed in Jail. After supper on
Tuesday evening, Mr.. Cochrane, McDermott
and others went into Belts saloon. Nc
Dermott went to the back part Of the saloon,
took seat, picked up paper and commenc-
ed reading, or at least pretending to read
Cochrane and several acquain.auces remain.
ed at the bar and engaged in sociable con-
versation for about twenty minutes, at the
expiration of which time McDermott arose
and approached the bar. Mr.. Cochrane re-
marked to him that the boat would be up that
evening and they would be able to get away
in the morning McDermott advanced to
within about three feet of Cochrane and very
composedly remarked" you actually
intend to take me to Stockton ?" Cochrane
replied in the affirmative, and the words
were scarcely out of his mouth when Nc
Dermott sprang toward him, quick as light
ming, and plunged knife into the region of
bis heart, remarking as he did So" You
shall never take me to Stockton" Just as
the blow was being made Cochrane started
raise his left arm to ward it off, and the
descending knife also inflicted slight wound
below the elbow. Cochrane Immediately
caught his assailant by the arms but he tore
loose and made for the door. Cochrane fol-
Belts and others attempted to arrest Nc
Dermott, but he aourished his knife and they
gave back for want of anything to defend
themselves with, whereupon he run out of
the saloon into the street and disappeared in
the dusk. Cochrane was then raised up and
friend remarked that he was dead, when
he opened his eyes and said =" No, am
not dead" He was carried into Bradway's
drug store but spoke no more, and in twenty
minutes after the blow was struck he was a
corpse. Meantime the alarm had been
given and quite a number were searching for
the fugitive murderer. Finally MIR. Kenne
dy, vino had armed himself with double
barrel gun loaded with buckshot, came sud
denly upon a man who was skulking a-ound
the Court House, and ordered him to stand.
The man then spoke up and said: II know
l have done wrong, but I'll shake hands with
you." Kennedy then felt sure he had found
the murderer, but having no desire to shake
hands with him he ordered him to keep his
distance and march back to Main street, or
be would blow his head off. The murderer
complied with this demand and was escorted
back and given in charge of Sheriff 0. r.
johnson, who made him give up his knife
and marched him to Jail at the muzzle of a
well loaded shot gun. 1t appears that Nc.
Dermott purchased the knife with which the
fatal wound was inflicted, after he arrived in
Red Bluff. and Mr.. Cochrane was not aware
that he had it in his possession.
Friends of the deceased passed through
this place with his remains on Wednesday,
en- route for Weavervile.
No resident of Trinity possessed so great
number of personal friends or stood SO high
in the estimation and esteem of the people as
did James Cochrane, and his untimely and
tragic death will awaken profound sorrow in
the hearts of all who knew him and cast a
gloom over the community in which be lived.