Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-05
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HOMICIDE AT FRESNO.

Eps RECORD UNION At 20 minutes
past 5 o'clock P. NJ September 9th the
peaceful town of Fresno was startled by
the shooting of John Nj. Donahoo, we'll
known lumber merchant of this place, by
George II. Vaughan, young lawyer from
Tennessee, a resident of this place fer the
past two years. From the statements OF
the witnesses it appears that friend of
Vaughan's met him near his office door and
invited him to so to supper with him.
Vaughan said he had debt 10 pay, and
would pay it and then 90 with him. On
learning that Vaughan was going to Dora.
hoo's office, only half block distant and
across the street, his friend offered TO ac-
They found John Dcnahoo ard his
brother William in a small office in
the large room of the building and
after introducing his friend to them
Vaughan stepped to the corner of the
small table where John sat, said" Make
me out receipt" and laid down some
money. The receipt being signed, Vaughan
said, 81 understand you are giving us
sos' Vaughan said, "You say we are
slow pay, and that you have to collect your
money in driblets John replied. 81 did
about taking it in lumber" Vaughan re-
Piled, THAT is lie, SIR" John sprang
out of his chair and struck at Vaughan
with his fist, but it is not known that be
hit him. Vaughan grasped pint bottle
6 ,,,Do,l,c from tho tah and OF
John with it. VIM. Donahoo and
vaughan's friend then seized John
and forced him out of the office
drew mis- pistol, a five-barreled revolver,
and held it behind him in his right hand,
his back against the edge of the table
where John had written the receipt. John
soon got loose from his brother and
Vaughan's friend, and saying las testified
to by Vaughan's friend), LET me at
the rebel s. of b, ne
has called me liar" rushed
who had moved about five feet to the
hands raised up, the open palms forward.
as, or just before, he reached Vaughan,
tol, which all the while he had
of it against or close to Donahoos
breast, just above the right nipple, and
fred in a slanting direction downward.
The ball entered the heart near the top
and coursed downward through it and into
the lower part of his body. He fell, clasp
ing Vaughan's feet, and, without uttering
Vaughan was promptly arrested and
ran, high among the people, and
expressions were used which induced the
Sheriff to station heavily armed guard in
and about the Court house and Jail during
the night. Vaughan's examination on a
charge of murder commenced before Justice
II. Tupper on Monday, September 20th.
The prisoner was defended by j. B. Camp
bell former District Judge, c. G.
Sayle, f. j. Griffith and II. S.
Dixon. The Peoples attorneys were
the District Attorney, Grady, f. c.
Winchell and Walter upper. The taking
seven days, and was finished on Monday,
menced ON Tuesday, by Mr.. Winchell for
Dixon followed for the defense, and Mr..
Tupper closed for the State, nearly day
and half being consumed in the argu-
ment.
About o'clock on Wednesday the JUS
tice announced his decision, and ordered
Vaughan to be held to answer to the charge
of murder, and to be committed to custody
without bail VIAToE.
Fresno, September %, 1880.