The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-10-09
i. PACIFIC COAST.



SIERRA Cry, Sept, 25.-The most afro,
cious murder in the annals of the county
was committed on Alfred Smith, native
of the state of New York, aged about 6s
years. Heswas living on the north side
ofthe Sierra valley stage road, about three
quarters of a mile from this place BY
testimony of the coroner's jury held YES
terday evening we learn the following
facts: That Alfred Smith was murdered
some time on the evening of the 22d oil
September about one hundred and twenty
feet south ofhi house on the south side
offhe road. Large pools of blood, with
gray hal rof the unfortunate old man stick
ing to the sharp edge ofnumerous rocks, in
dicatea most horrible butchery. From
there he was dragged down the ravine,
and all along the way blood and punches
of gray hair can be plainly seen on sharp
rocks. The raYine showed trace where
the old man was finished, as blood is
spattered about for twenty feet, and then
it seems that he was carried across the
road into his house, where his body was
deposited in the woodshed with wood
piled around and on the body, and the
premises given to the flames. A
teamster, driving up the road about
O'Clock in the morning, was the first one
who brought the news to town. Within
a short time the entire population visited
the premises. The trunk and head of the
old man was all that was left. He was
burnt beyond recognition, his arms and
legs being completely burned to ashes. A
post mortem examination by Dr. J. J.
Sawyer disclosed a fracture over the left
temple, besides two more on top of the
skull. Suspicion of this foul deed is
pointed towards his nearest neighbor, T.
Devine, y man with whom Alfred Smith
has been having a law suit for nearly
three years, on account of disputed land.
DeVine was arrested and coroner's jury
brought in verdict that Alfred Smith
was murdered and accused Thomas Devine
of committing the crime.
Sensational story Concerning the Loss of
The steamer s'Mnthilde."
SAN FRASeIsco, Sept. 27.-.Henry Will
liams, who claims to have just arrived
in port from the Mexican coast, tells Il
sensational story concerning the loss of
the bark Mathilde. 1t will bo remem-
bered that boat with the chief mate
and portion of the crew arrived at
Mazatlan, and that the government yacht
Freda and Sir Thomas Hesketh's steam
yacht, Lancashire Witch, were dispatched
in search of Capt. Jones. wife and boats
crew, without success. Williams says the
second mate and seven seamen remained
on the bark, which, after being tossed
about for some days, went ashore thirty
miles above Altata on August 2lst. The
vessel was soon covered with quicksands
of the coast. In an attempt to make a
landing in Boat Charles Smith (second
mate), Edward Brown and two sailors
were lost. Williams, Martin johnson
and Henry Smith finally reached Playa,
Colorado, thence the former made his
way to San Francisco. The chief mate,
in his account of the wreck, made no
mention of anyone being left on board
the bark
Kearney Sends Greeting to Weaver.
SAN Francisco, Sept. 29.-The following
characteristic telegram was forwarded to-
day:
James y. Hearer, apostle Of Nem Ciriliza.
ton Indianapolis: None but traitors to
our cause will fuse with old prostituted
parties. Spread the light.
DENNIS KEARNEY.
Matrimonial.
SAN Francisco. Oct. I.-Loring Picker
ing of the Moraing CaH was married TO-
night to Miss Margaret /. Crothers of San
Francisco.
Woman Murderer.
SAN Francisco, Oct. AT Sacramento
yesterday Mrs. George Hamilton sent a
Dote asking an interview with her hus-
band from whom she had separated. He
called on her and during the conversation
she shot him dead. Cause, jealousy
Last winter she shot and severely wound
ed young girl who had excited her jeal.
ousy.
Shooting scrape mt Tucson.
Tucson, October 2.-This afternoon
VIM. Eyer shot and probably fatally
wounded B. Hefli. The affray originated
at a meeting last night where mixed
ticket was selected and recommended to
voters of the county. Hefe is an earn
est Republican, and denounced the at
tempt to claim that Germans had the
balance of power, and said that they
should stick to. him irrespective of par
ties. To-day Hefii was very abusive to
Eyer, who had him arrested and fined.
The abuse was renewed this afternoon in
front of the German saloon, when Eyer,
who is q consumptive man, pulled re-
volver, shooting his antagonist through
the left breast. He gave himself up.
Hefi is very low.
Murder at Sam Jose.
SAN JOSE, Oct. Harry Diamond
aged twenty, while walking home with
two ladies' tonight was shot, probably
fatally, by party unknown. 1t is sup
posed the assassin mistook Diamond fo1
some other person.
A Fatal Mistake.
AUBURN, October 2.-Last Wednesday
report was circulated that masked
man had been seen hiding in the brush
near the scene of the late robberies OF
Forest Hill stage. Fearing another rob
berry an arrangement was made between
stage drivers and J. B. Bullard, who
lives near the road, that he and his sol
| should meet the stage nightly and follow
it over the suspected portion Of the road
This was done Wednesday night withou
result. Last night Sheriff Boggs, know
ing nothing of this arrangement, SEN
Deputy Adams out ON the stage as /,
| guard, armed with a shotgun and re
volFer. About mile and q half above
North Fork bridge, the Bullard
were seen by the driver. Report say
that the driver explained the arrange
ments with them to the man setting
inside the stage, telling him to explain
! to Adams so he should not mistake tn
| two armed men as robbers. This mai
claims to have done it, but if he did h
was misunderstood, for upon Adam
seeing the men he discharged his gun a
them, killing Mr.. Bullard instantly, bu
not iniuring the son. Adams. walked
back from Grizzly Bear House, and
learning of his fearful mistake, CAV
himself mp. That this affair is the resul
of misunderstanding, is certain.
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