The union Democrat., 1870-11-12


The Balletia gives the following account Of
the shooting Of A. P. Clistenden which took
place on Thursday the Sd inst:
A terrible event occurred last evening on
one OF the Oakland ferry boats. which Great
ed intense excitemert throughout the city,
and which will doubtless result in the death
OF prominent attorney ander the most IN
fortunate and sorrowful circumstances.
A. p. Crittenden Of the law firm Of Wilson
and Crittenden was shot and mortality wound
ed by Mrs. Laura Fair, woman widely and
unfavorably known throughout this State and
Nevada. Mr.. Crittenden was man of fam
lily, bat report gained credence several years
ago that an improper intimacy existed be-
tween him and the woman who now seeks his
life. Mrs Crittenden and her daughter have
been absent on visit to the East, and with a
son Parker Crittenden returned last evening.
Mr.. Crittenden went to Oakland to meet them
on the arrival of the Overland train. The
cars arrived at the end of the wharf at about
ten minutes before six clock. A large num-
Der of passengers came on board the boat,
and among them the four members of the
Crittenden family above referred to. They
passed up the right hand stairway to the up
per deck, and advanced forward some fifteen
feet towards the wheel-house where thew took
their seats with their backs to the outer rail-
ing. II appears from the statements of pas
sengers that Mrs. Fair stood at this time
closely yelled in the door of the main cabin
with her arms folded under Der shawl. From
this position she could observe all who came
up the stairway. Mr.. Crittenden sat be-
tween his wife and daughter. The boat start
e6 from the dock. and had run about twice
her length when Mrs. Fair walked mp to Mr..
Crittenden, and holding pistol close to his
breast said: s'You have ruined me and my
child, !" and fired. She then dropped the pis-
toll on the floor, and running around the rear
of the cabin entered the southern doorway.
and advancing TO the forward part Of the cab
in mingled with the crowd of passengers
The pstol shot attracted but little attention
for moment except among those who were
in the Immediate vicinity of the tragedy.
The ball took effect in the left breast, near the
nipple. The victim of the murderoas assault
leaned back in his seat, and his wife placed
her arms around him to support him. His
limbs streached out spasmodically. and he
gradually slid from his seat to the floor. In
moment the fact became known throughou.
the boat that man had been shot, and the
excitement became intense The wounded
man was not removed from his position until
the boat arrived at the wharf. 1t was evident
from the commencement that the wound would
in all probability result fatally. Mr. Critten-
den was unable to speak. and his sufferings
were extremely severe. The pistol was pick
up and was found to be four-barrelled pis-
toll of the Sharp patent. 1t was quite new,
and seemed to have never been used before.
One barrel was empty and three were loaded
Gnn fasn al 6 L. ~.
pened to be on the boat. In company with
Parker Crittenden he commenced search
among the passengers for the guilty party
They found Mrs. Fair in the forward part of
the cabin. Young Crittenden said "That is
the woman. / accuse you of numbering my
father" Mrs. Fair replied, Eyes; don't
deny it. lie has ruined me and my child
/ admit that shot him. ! don't deny it. I
was looking for the clerk to give myself up.
Take me. Arrest me; am ready to go with
you" She was then removed to the pilots
house, and the crowd was kept away until
the boat reached the landing, when she was
taken 20 the city prison.
Mr.. Crittenden died Saturday evening,
forty-eight hours after being shot, He was
nephew of the late Hon. j. j. Crittenden and
received military education at West Point,
graduating in 1888 in the same class with
Generals w. I. Sherman and G. T. Beaure-
CARED. and was formerly member of the
Legislature Of this State. At the time of his
death he was member of the law firm of
Crittenden & Wilson Of San Francisco. His
reputation as lawyer was second to none in
the State. He had received the appointment
Of Supreme Court Reporter from Gov. Haight
but day or two before being shot. His
friends deplore the unfortunate circumstan-
ces that has resulted in his death, other than
this he has occupied proud position, and
his intimate friends speak in the highest
terms of his ability and gentlemanly deoort-
ment. All the Courts in San Francisco ad-
journed on Monday in token Of respect for his
memory.