The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-18
DEATH OF DUTCH JOE.
Tho Man who Killed Juan Pndrona-How
Joe Unveiled n Murder.
Eom ne San Francisco ouH.

Ffon TIE San Francisco Cuu.
man known M Dutch Joe died on q
lumber ship lying 10 the harbor one day last
week He passed away in obscurity, vet IN early
times he was somewhat famous. He was the
man who shot and killed Juan Padrona, des-
perate character whose name will be familiar to
pioneers. especially those who dwet In the
vicinity OF Happy Valley. Padrona WINS a gam
bier, and at one time bossed bank in the " We
raudah," corner OF Washington aud Kenrny
streets. His quick temper ana murderous dts
position, however, made MIN feared his table
was summed except by the worry hardest cases.
and he was at length forced to retire. He start
ed monte shop" In Happy Valley. near the
lsthmus House, then covered with wilderness
OF tents, where he became a terror To those
dwelling In the neighborhood. Almost every
place, IN which blood was drawn Padrona, with
that good fortune which sometimes attends the
ever, though he wounded his adversaries. be
Killed none. Such a result would have laced
an immediate embargo on az future pistohc
came at last" The gambler matted hts man."
and subsequently went the way OF all flesh,
catching bullet from Dutch Joe in this case.
A man named Wolfe came down from tho
mines and putu at the lsthmus House. He
had nearly a thousand dollars In gold dust, a
part Of which he wished to turn into coin so
be went to "A &c cOmptd ORC establishment and
sold several hundred dolnrs' worth OF dust. Pad
was observed to eye Wolfe closely following
him when he went out Padrona and Wolfe
was again seen In Padrona's saloon under the
influence Of liquor, betting recklessly. This was
Ing Dutch Joe, who was teaming for the Arm OF
Endicott Green Cakes, was sent with a load
OF goods to a store IN the valley. On the way
his horses took fright and dashed among the
tents, making terrific havoc among the nimsy
structures and scattering their occupants In
most unseemly manner. In their massage the
animals struck corner OF Padrona's tent and
overturned a hogsnoad used to contain water
As the cask fell the eye witnesses OF the occur
renee were Mortified TO see amid tho volume Of
water that gushed out the corpse Of a man.
Padrona saw It also, and with an exclamation
M RI ~ gN G. TOT
following the CHASTITY discovery prevented his
being apprehended. He contrived TO secure
horse on which he set out for San jose.
The body OF the murdered man was soon
recognized. 1t was all that remained Of Wolfe.
the Inflated miner. He had been strangled. a
red spanish sash being wound around his neck.
HIS money was all gone, nothing OF value being
i'I"u W." '"o oVu . saso .'i' g. - i'k anu .
qua ter OF an ounce OF gold dust. The Hight OF
padr0na was, Of course. certain evidence OF his
complcity IN the murder. Parties % men were
im Immediately organized to nursuo the fugitive.
In those days the civil authorities were often
Ignored. Men packed the laws upon their hips,
ana II was eener illJ swift, sure, and untcmpered
Dutch joe took charge Of one Of these parties,
ing $50 day. had joined together 20 avenge tho
death Of fellow adyenturer. This party was
fortunate enough to get on the trail of the muir
derer, tracking him from the place where he OBJ
tanned bis morse. thence TO the Diyoli House at
the Mission, whore he alishted for glass Of
sanRre. and from there along the san jose road
TO what T. now Schoolhouse station, where all
trace Of him was lost. Nothing more, apparent
~, fOulu DC leAfneu ul tne fugitive. nn0 the
party concluded to return, when Joe saw n curl
OF smoke rising above the willows on the right
lie advised proceeding TO tho spot whence It
appeared, as something might be learned OF the
villain they were In search OF. THIS was agreed
TO, and. breaking through the trees, the team
stcrs came upon camp OF Mcxicnns among
wnom WAS Padrona. The Mexlcans, though sur
pfsed. Immediately made Tor their horses
which they mounted ana set on az galop along
the road. Dutch Joe and his party followed,
and running hght took place In which several
on both sides were wounded. The Mexicans
had better aaimals than their pursuers; they
were also fresh, having rested at the camp. and
consequently drew ahead, gradually increasing
the distance between the two bands. Dutch
Joe observed this, ana saw his only way OF clos
ing with Padrona WAS TO cut him on by taking
sh lrtcr cOure than the main road. He accord
ingly turned aside and, followed by few OF his
party took cattle path for his guide. the road
at the point selected making a long curve. THIS
plan succeeded. He emerged from the opposite
end as Padrona himself rounded the curve, and
came face TO face with the villain. Both men
fired stimuli taneouslY, Joe getting bullet in his
right thigh, and Padrona falling mortally
wounded