The Shasta courier., 1872-04-20
SHASTA COURIER.
DEATH OF ANDREW wEsTERvELT'

We extract the following, in regard to
the untimely death of an old resident OF
this county, from the Marysvllle Appeal
of the 14th:
"On Friday, Coroner Shuttle, of Yuba
City, held an inquest on the remains OF
the late Andy Westervelt, found dead IN
his boat on Butte creek slough From
the Coroner we learn that the body was
found in the boat in Butte creek slough,
from which it was taken to the cabin Of
the deceased, on Squire Hamlin's farm,
near the West Buttes. The boat and
body were taken about mile and a half
by water, and then dragged half mile
further through the mud before dry land
was reached. There an inquest was held,
the body washed and properly clothed for
the grave, aud buried in West Butte
burying ground. The jury came to the
conclusion that he came to his death from
the accidental discharge of his own gun,
and rendered verdict accordingly. Cir
cumstances indicate that the accident hap
pened on Sunday, and in this manner: 1t
would appear that deceased had landed
from his boat at point about mile from
where the body was found. That in tax
ing one of the guns from the boat he had
two double shot guns one barrel was dis
charged, the charge entering his left leg,
lust above the knee, passing through it,
ranging upward, and lodging in the inside
of the right thigh, just below its union
with its trunk. The latter wound was the
one which caused his death, as the large
artery was se-ered, causing death in a
short time 1t would seem that after re
ceiving the wound he entered the boat and
proceeded toward his cabin, and had gone
about mile when his strength failed, and
driving his paddle in the mud which held
his boat against the shore, he leaned his
head on his hands and died. His guns
we're found in the boat, three barrels
loaded, the other empty. From the ad-
vanced state of decomposition of the body,
it was evident that the accident occurred
on Sunday, and probably during the fore
part of the day. His remains were fol-
lowed to the grave by many friends, who
reside in the vicinity of the place where
he met his death
Andrew Westervelt was born In Wayne
county, New York, where his mother and
sister short time since resided. He en-
listed in the T. S. Navy and followed the
sea several years, after which he resided
for a time in Pike county, Illinois. In
the Spring of 1850, under contract with
Mudd, Mace & Co., he came to California,
agreeing to pay for his conveyance after
reaching here, which he not only did, but
being security For another young man,
paid his fare also Hon. G. G. Bush
crossed the Plains at the same time and
in the same train with Westervelt and
other Illinoisans, and settling on French
Gulch, they dug the first mining ditch
on that stream.
Ga the breaking out of the late war,
Westervelt went East, joined Berdan s
Sharp Shooters and performed active ser
vice in Virginia At the close of the
war be returned to this county, where he
followed mining for some time, but for
the last three years he has spent consider
able of his time in hunting geese aud
ducks in Sutter county. Deceased was a
thoroughly honest man, and his death Is
greatly regretted by a large circle of
friends in this county.