Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-11
Jusr1FnBIs HOMICIDE.

officer Jores, of Solano county. came to
this city yesterday for the purpose of laying
before the proper officers the circumstances
of the late attempt of the river patrol to cap
ture the violators of the FISH law, near Rio
Vista, which resulted in the death of B.
Nicolsus Il appears that while the Gamers
and the better class Of fishermen are disposed
to observe the Law, the more reckless and
Iaw-defying among the fishermen, especially
Of the Greeks, were well organized with
a system of signals and alarms for the purpose
of violating il. To detect the offenders the
patrol uuder the direction OF Deputy Fish
Commis sioner Jones, wno had bsen selected
and appointed by the Fish Commissioners as
determined and reliable man for that pur-
pose, concerted plan to surround and cap
tnre then. The testimony taken at the
Coroneris INQUEST has been laid be-
fore US, and shows that in pursuance
OF TIE plan Of action adopted en-
Thursday evening two patTolliDg boats-one
in charge Of Jones, the other in charge Of
officer Dobbins-lsft Rio Vista, to rendezvous
at the junction of Three and Ssyen.mile
sloughs. Arriving there, thsy separated, of
ficer Jones boat going on Three mile slough.
tscted a boat with its net out, fishing. As
they came alongside, B. Nicoiaus told his
c1mrade, "Look out there comes tbs boat
patrol" The officers came alongside, and of
Ger Jones and r gers boarded the boat. MIR.
Jones told Nicoiaus TO throw up bis hands,
which ne did. Mr.. Rogers then sesrchsd the
two men in tbe boat for arms, without fnd-
ing any. Nicolaua was theu ordered to draw
il his bet, which he did. There were shout
TWENTY-FIVE fresh Salmon in the boat. just
caught. After drawing in tbs net hs desired
the officer to let him off, saying: Me poor
man. let me CO.. Finding this of no use, Of
ficer Jones invited him to go into the ether
boat, He stopped down quickly and drew a
revolver from his bootleg. The officer, who
was within two OF three feet Of him, drew
back and stepped into his own boat,
as did officer Rogers. Seeing the pistol,
officer Jones, who had his own drawn, told
him TO throw his pistol overheard or he woul5
FIRE. This Jones did several times, and Nice
laus failing TO do so, Jones fired He fred
five shots, pausing between them, telling him
each time 90 throw bis pistol overheard. At
the lest shot NicoaGs fell back and ssnk 10
the boat, his hands falling over the gunyals
and his pistol falling into the water. After
drawing his pistol there seemed to ba some
thing wrong shout it. her the cylinder would
not revolve, or something was the matter; no
seemed all the time TO be eDdeavOriDg 70 fix
it or bring it to bear upon the officer. Dur
ing this time officer Rogers kept the other
fisherman covered with his revolver. lie
surrendered without resistance. When N1co-
laus drew his pistol he commenced loud,
shril cry, apparently % signal for
aid, and another boat WAS seen about
forty yards off. which was sfser
wsrds captured by officer Dobbins
boat, with four fishermen and quantity Of
salmon in it. The officers remained until
daylight in the slough. and then brought
Nicolsus' boat, with his body, t. Rio Vista.
Yesterday the Coroner Of Solano county held
sn inquest, when the foregoing facts were
Gillette J, and ths jury, after being ou5 min
ute or two, brought in a verdict that the de-
ceased csme to his death by pistol shot
from officer Jones, ard that the officer acted
in self-defense and was justitsble. fhe de-
ceased was regarded as one of the most des-
psrate and reckless Of the Creek fishermen
On the river, and the ringleader in tbs viola.
ton of the law. He was the leader of the
party OF fishermen who, during the difficulty
between tie fishermen and Gamers year or
two siuce, came to Rio Vista and by force
took possession of ih9 boats aud threw over
board the SALMON OF thoss fishermen who
were selling fish to the Gamers.