Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-05-22
THE 0vEREND TRAGEDY.
Farther Details or the horrible
Murder.

From the San Diego Union, May 20.
The account given in the Union yes
terday morning of the murder of John
Overend and family filled the town
with amazement. That an entire
family, of six persons, could be butch
cred in cold blood within few miles
of considerable settlement, and the
dreadful tragedy remain unknown for
several days, seemed hardly possible.
On reading the statement in the Uniou
Sheriff Munsaker at once prepared to
start for the scene of the tragedy. He
left about ten o'clock yesterday morn
ing, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff
Miller and District Attorney Hotch-
kiss. Up to a late hour last night the
party had not returned.
Yesterday afternoon Rev. Father
Ubach, Miguel Aguirre and others ar
rived in the city from the scene of the
massacre. From these gentlemen we
gather the latest details of the dread
full affair.
The murder was first discovered by
q German named Meyer, who has
some sheep at Encinitos, and who was
looking after them on Monday last.
On passing the place where Overend
lived he noticed the extreme stiffness,
and rode up near the houses, when he
saw the dead body of Overend. The
murdered man lay near the door of
his house. After hasty examination
of the premises Meyer gave the alarm
and soon all the neighborhood was
aroused.
On the examination made by Father
Ubach and party it was found that
Overend had been killed by blows up
on the head by a piece OF scantling,
measuring three by three. The stick
lay near the body and was measured
by Father Ubach. The head of the
unfortunate man was completely
crushed-a perfect jelly.
Father Ubach was coming in from
San Pasqual, and heard of the murder
at Poway. He went on to Soledad and
there met Supervisor Cassidy and
Miguel Aguirre, with whom he went
back to the scene of the tragedy. JUS
tice Anderson, e. Paine, J. +. Chaplin,
Daniel O'Connell, Mr.. Watson, Geo.
Hoblin, and others were on the ground
to hold an inquest.
The body of Overend was found as
stated, lying near the door of his house
the stick with which he was killed
lying close beside him. On entering
the house the body of Mrs. Overend
was found stretched upon the floor, the
head near the stove.
On the bed were two children-a boy
of seven and girl of five years-both
of whom had been butchered with an
axe.
Near by was found an infant in a
box, used as cradle, whose poor little
head had been quite divided by the
horrid axe.
Under the bed was found the corpse
Of the oldest child-a boy about nine
years of age-whO appears to have
been found and murdered in that po-
sition.
All of those found inside-the mother
and four children-were slaughtered
with an axe.
The bodies, when found, were very
much decomposed, but, at the same
time, it appeared doubtful if the muir
der could have been committed prior
to last Friday or Saturday. The blood
which covered the floor and surround
ings was still bright red, showing a
recent shedding. A search of the
premises proved that nothing valuable
had been taken away. Everything
was found turned upside down-trunks
opened-closets ransacked-but moth
ing appeared to have been removed.
There was evidence of a search, but
nothing seemed to have been taken.
There was found q certificate of de-
posit in the Bank of San Diego of
$1,000; also q note from Mr.. McGoni-
gle to Mrs. Overend for $500. Besides
this the sum of $64 in coin was found
on the premises.
A quantity of clothing, almost new,
new boots, Henry rifle, and other
valuables were found on the premises
undisturbed. Nothing appeared to be
missing.
Overend was last seen in town on
the LIST day of May. He sold his wood
on that date to w. w. Stewart & Co.,
and bought lot of supplies from Cor
don & MazZard on the I'd instant,
when he left for home.
The place occupied by Overcnd is
about midway between Poway and En-
cinitos, and mile and half distant
from Chapins.
The massacre was undoubtedly COM
mitted at dusk-the supper dishes
were standing; and all the children
were in their day clothes.
Mr.. Overend had lived at San Die
guita for nearly five years. Twoyears
ago he moved up the valley to point
a little back of La Jolla, where Cha
pins ranch is located. A little over q
year ago he married widow-Mary
Hersfeldt-the wife whose life went
out with his own in the recent tragedy.
He was married on the 2lst of April,
1873, by Rev. Hobart Chetwood. The
marriage certificate gives his age at 55
years, and that of his wife as 80. He
is registered as a native of Ireland
she is native of Germany.
Mr.. Overend was a man of quiet
habits; he had many friends and was
highly esteemed by all who knew him.
He was supposed to be in easy circum-
stances-worth from $1,000 to $4,000.