Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-16
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE,
PURIFIER PARTICULARS OF THE HICKS
VILE MURDER.

In the absence of Coroner Clark, G. r.
Simons, Justice Of the Peace, held an inquest
upon the body of Robert Elwell, at Hicks
vile, Monday evening. R. 7. Dsvlin repre-.
scented the District Attorney, and from him
is learned. the following particulars connected
with the homicide: The deceased was Ia
boring man, who had worked in the vicinity
of Hicksyille for year or more. He came
to this State from Missouri. He was a single
man. McPorter, the murderer who made
the fatal assault, was formerly employed by
John CottreIl, proprietor of the Arno House
at HicksVille. Last February Mr. CottreIl
moved to Elk Grove, and MePorter expected
20 be employed il the game capacity at the
latter place. CcttreIl. however, employed
che deceased. and MePorter, being out of
employment, offered TO assist Mr.. Vail the
successor of Cottrell in the Arno House, for
his board and lodging. Some two weeks ago
the deceased asked MoPorter il his
credit was good for forty cent?, and Nc
Porter replied that he did not know whether
it was or not. Deceased had an account at
the store, had always paid his bills promptly
and there was no reason for refusing to trust
him. Again, last Monday or Tuesday, FL
well entered the saloon and was invited by
the proprietor to join in q game Of cards.
The weather was cold and the door of the
saloon was opan. Elwell, after playing for
few moments, arose and shut the door EIc.
Porter, who was sitting by the stove, imala-
diately reopened it, saying to deceased:
we want this door open. You are putting
on foo d-n much style here lately" Elwsll
remarked to the proprietor that he did not
care to play If he could not enter his house
without being insulted. After Elwelrs
departure, the proprietor told McPorser
that he acted wrongly in opening the door
when Elwell wished it shut.
The homicide occurred between IL and u
O'Clock last Friday forenoon. Two Rsn
were seated at table playing cards, and
Elwell was looking over the shoulder of one
of the players. Suddenly McPorter came
from behind the bar, and, approaching the
deceased, struck him with large beer lnallet
on the right side of the head. The deceased
turned facing his assailsnt, when he received
another blow on the hesd. After the FIST
hiow the deceased shonted for assistance;
after the second he staggered towards the bar
and fell to the floor in an unconscious condi.
ton. When in this position McPorter struck
him five or six times more. He then came
outside On Che porch, and throwing the mallet
dowp exclaimed: cd d-n him, killed
IHe Qec5As6Q ISElallcu III bI1tS uHcOE-
scious state unit. his death. The residents Of
Hickgyille generously provided him with
nurses aa& medical assistance.
When McPorter was asked, after his ar
rest, the cause of the difficulty, he 10 very
abusive language replied that the deceased
had run on him long enough" WheE told
that Elwell was still living he said '' Il is not
my fault. II had thought had not killed
him 1 weuld have stamped his brains ont,
and hope he (applying an abusive epithet)
will not take another BREATH"
McPorter was once in the insane asylum,
but was discharged, it is said, because be was
fsigning insanity. He has served term in
the County jail of this county for petit lar
csny. He seems TO have premeiitated the
defense of insanity. Once he threatened to
shoot person living in that vicinity some
time, and said that nothing would ba done to
him, as he was insane. On leavinS in the
custody of the Constable for this cit,& be babe
his friends good by, and remarked, sup.
pose I'll have to 60 to Sacramento, I'D from
there to NspA or Stockton"
The jury summoned by the Justice rem.
dered verdict that deceased wal named
Robert Elwell, was a native of Missouri,
aged about 2S years; that be came to his
death on the 18th day of May, 1855, 10 this
county, by mallet in the hands of MaPor-
ter. All Of which we duly certify by this IL
QUESTION, in writing, by US signed, this 18th
Gay of May. 1888" Signed: L. N. Blown,
B. F. McCsffrey, J. T. Trainor, P A. Green,
Thomas White. II. o. Hanson, G.. w. Bell,
L. Herbert, Michael Tracy.