Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-11-21
Frighsful Tragedy i'm Fresno

CALIFORNIA.
Frish'ful Tragedy in Fresno County.
FRESNO, November c0tb.-This morning
the streets were rife with rumors concerning
terrible tragedy said to have been commit.
ted at the Scandinavian colony, Just four
miles north of Fresno. Your reporter hur
RED to the supposed scene of the murder and
suicide, and found upon arrival at the home
colony that the reported murderer was a resi-.
Dent at that place. Upon inquiry he found
that the murderer, William z. league, lived
In aneat looking cottage, called Stathmore Cot.
tage that he had to go to town, in company
With his victim, John Henry Burnett, Of the
Scandinavian colony that they ha6 returned
the sane evening at about 10 o'clock,
had called upon neighbor to obtain a loaf
OF bread, and to have bis (Teagu6',) stock
placed in charge of MIR. Wi kins during
the a6set &c OF the next few days; that be
and his victim then appeared in excellent
spirits, and that they started the next morn.
ing about o'clock for cabin situate about
two miles from the dollhouse, for the purpose
OF pulling it down and brip cling it to the col.
ony. This was the last heard Of them urtil
Sunday about 8 o'clock. On driving to the
residence Of Evan Burnett, the father of the
unfortunate victim of leagues frenzy, the
following particulars were cleaned from Fred.
Burnett, who had just returned from the
scene of the tragedy 1t appears that league
and Burnett arrived at the cabin about
shutdown on Saturday; that they
camped for the night in the cabin
that the evening wss spent without
any apprehensions Of danger by Burnett, and
that they laid down side by eide to pass the
night. 1t appears thst in the early morning
league got up and dressed, then placing his
English bulldog revolver below and behind
Burnetts ear, fired, as he supposed, with
fatal effect. He then evidently laid down
alongside ct his victim and blew his own
brains out. Burnett awoke about 8 o'clock
on Sunday afternoon from his unconscious
state, and found himself outside the cabin
covered with his own gore. He essayed to
re-enter the cabin, but was too weak to do SO,
and so he staggered down to the cabin of q
MIR. Pitts, situated about half a mic dis
tant, where he was kindly taken care of,
AID whence word was dispatched to his
parents of his condition. Evan Burnett
and Fred Burnett. who bad arrived at
the dawn on Monday at Mr. Pitts house,
repaired with some neighbors to tie cabin
where the awful crime had been committed.
Outside the cabin they found the remains OF
fire, where the patty had cooked their sup
per, and also two coats belonging to league,
in one of which. under the lapel, was found
laTge.sized dagger. Looking into the cabin,
without entering, they saw league stretched
upon his face, with the floor covered with
blood, and so dripping underneath as to pre-
sent the appearance of slaughter-house.
William Z. league, the suicide and would-be
murderer, was born in Cornwall, England
was 20 years of age, and of an apparently
sedate and morose disposition. He settled at
the home colony two years ago, was single,
and has sister living at that place.
His father is San Francisco con-
tractor. His mother, who bad just
returned to San Franciaco from q
visit to him, has been telegraphed to return.
league was undoubtedly out of his mind, as
he hsd repeatedly declared that he would
commit suicide, for two wesks previous to the
consummation of his fendish acs. Indeed he
told one lady that his girl In San Francisco
had gone hack on him." and that it was
his intention to go TO San Francisco,
give her his blackboard buggy, return
through the mountains and kill himself. To
others he has said that he would do no mora
cooking; that he needed no more bread !:
Burnett to die with him is not definitely
known. John II. Burnett, the wounded map,
IS Is years OF age, and is also an English
man. He has wifs and child, and resides
with his father at the Scandinavian colony.
A physician was called to attend him, and he
Is at present doing as well as could be ex-
pected under the circumstances, the bullet
having apparently ranged downward and
| lodged in the neck. He will be brought
home IS soon as il is possible to move him.
The Coroner has repaired to the scene of the
terrible deed.
Stabbed TO Reath-Chinese Riot Cases.
MARTINI, November 2OEh.-At Concord
last night, shout o'clock, Dario Juarez and
Frank MARTINEZ had fight in saloon. The
result wac that Juarez stabbed MARTINEZ to
death, and was himself slightly wounded by
pistol ball. Coroner Livingston has gone
up tn hold an inquest, Jaarez was arrested,
Martinez was stranger, lately from Mexico.
The Chinese riot cases commence to-day.
Difhculty ard delay are anticipated in get
ting jury. Ths trial will be warmly con-
tested, and great interest is felt here.
SECOND DISPATCH.l
MARITIME, November 20;h-The trial of
the State vs.. Emmett, for connection with
the Chinese riot st this place, commenced to.
day. a jury was readily found. The case
against Miller, in tie same matter, was set
for Wednesday.
The Coroner's jury in the case of the kill.
ing of Francisco Msrtinez at Concord last
evening, found that Martinez came to his
death by wounds inflicted by Dafio Juarez.
de was bound over to appear before the Su-
perior Court
The Trial OF Clarence Gray.
REDWOOD CITY, November 20sh,-The
Gray trial was resumed this morning at 10
o'clock. The prosecution introduced some
fifteen witnesses to-day, all haviug testified
at the former trial except Mrs. LLOYD, of
Santa Barbara, who was introduced 80 prove
certain threats made by Gray against Glancey
T6ls cloied the case on the part of the
prosecution. Mr.. Thornton then made the
opening argument to the jury for the defense,
and stated to them what they intended to
ffarM >
Court adjourned until to morrow at 10
o'clock. 1t is thought that the case will be
given to the jury by Thursday.
Arson and Rape.
SANTA Rosa, November 20sh.-H. III.
Haas, merchant at Guerneyille, is under
arrest, charged with attempting to set on fire
his own store. He was burned OUT a few
months ago, and got the insurance
Michael Whalon is in custody, charged
with rape at Occidental.
Charges OF Cattle-SfeaIiDg Dismissed,
SAN JOSE, November 20sh.-The examina-
ton OF William and James Mitchell and
James Courey, on q charge Of having stolen
cattle from Paige Fox, of San Antoine valley.
10 this county, last May, which has occupied
the time OF the Court here for thres DAYS
past, was concluded this afternoon. After
the testimony for the prosecution was all in.
their attorney moved for the dismissal of the
above-named defendants, ard slso The men
McCraney and Gomez, arrested for com.
piicity, who were awaiting examination. The
District Attorney asserting, it wss 50 or
dered. The charge Of cattle-stealing against
Romero Florez and the Edwards brothers
win be heard tomorrow at ga. NJ
FrUtt-8rying Establishment Burned.
SANTA Rosa, November 20.h.-The fruit
drying Establishment Of Crawford, at Sebas-
TOPAZ. FIVE miles from here, burned down yes
te,day afternoon. Loss, about 5000;
insured fer $500 The fruit-growers in the
vicinity are supplying the means for fresh
start.
Captured Train-yyreckers