Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-09
ONCE MORE THE SHOTGUN.
James Franks Seriously Wounded at
Rosexille by e s. George. of this City.

4
Roseville by f. S. George, OF this City.
Between and 10 o'clock Wednesday
night James Franks, of Roseville, was
shot in front of his premises IN
that town by f. S. George (famil-
iarly known as Barber George" because
of his occupation for many years., an old
resident of Sacramento, latterly an insur-
ance solicitor. The trouble has been brew
ing for some time. Franks is a sheep
shearer, and necessarily was absent from
home great deal of his time. He became
impressed with the belief some months
since that during his absence his wife was
too familiar with Mr.. George and after a
while husband and wife separated, the
former taking up his abode at the resi-
dence of his mother, at the opposite end of
the town of Roseville, about mile from
where his wife lived 1t was agreed be-
tween them that they would deed the
homestead property to their two children,
the wife to have the use of it until the chill
dren came of age. Then, to relieve them
selves of a restraint that had become ex-
ceedingly irksome, the made
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DIVORCE,
And both came to Sacramento on Wednes-
day and met at the office of E. l. Robinson.
There ii was agreed that Franks would let
his wife obtain a divorce by default, but
that he should have the elder child, girl
aged about years, and his wife the boy, 10
or 20 months of age. While here Franks
informed gentleman with whom he was
conversing upon the subject that he was
glad the whole thing was about to be dis
posed of, so that he and his wife could go
their respective ways in peace, intimating
at the same time that he did not want the
younger child, as he did not believe ii be-
longed to him. Franks returned home by
the evening train, in his shirt sleeves, not
having worn coat during his visit to the
city. His wife was taken home by Mr.
George in his buggy.
THE LATTER's STATEMENT
Is in effect that he met Mrs Franks in the
evening, had a conversation with her, and
was informed that she was afraid to go
home for fear of meeting her husband
there. George told her that he was going
to Roseville on business, and would take
her with him if she wished, and the propo-
sition was accepted. When they arrived at
her residence she went into the house
Franks was there (having, he says, gone
there to get the little girl and take her to
his motherS), and came out. He inquired
:" Is that you, George ?" and the latter an
swered, " Yes, jim; Eve brought your wife
home Franks then applied opprobrious
epithets to George, winding up with a
threat to shoot him. They were close to-
gether-about six feet apart-and, though
it was dark, George saw a pistol CLEAN in
Franks hand, and believed he was going to
shoot He quickly raised his shotgun.
loaded with bird shot-which he generally
carried with him while on his trips through
the country, for the purpose of shooting
any game he might see being an ardent
sportsman-and fired. There was no one
present except Mrs. Franks and her hus-
band. He did not wait to see
WHAT INJURY HE HAD INFLICTED,
But drove away, leaving the wounded man
In his wlte's care. He remained at Rose
vile over night, came to Sacramento yes-
terday morning, and during the forenoon
was arrested in Judge n Greene Curtis
office by officer Franks (brother of the in
jured MANI, Deputy Constable Swift and
Ben Chambers, they having learned that he
was there. He intended to surrender him
self, but desired to first consult an attorney.
lie claims that Franks was Jealous of him
without cause. 1t may be mentioned in
cIdentally that there is a suit for divorce
pending between Mr.. and Mrs George,
commenced recently. Constable Jones. of
Roseville, came to the city in search of him
The had obtained warrant for his arrest
the night previous, but the hour was so late
that he could not telegraph to the city, and
took him to RoSeyille yesterday afternoon,
b. l. Robinson accompanying them as Mr..
Georges attorney.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
1t is learned that Mrs. Franks says the two
men were about fifteen feet apart when the
shot was fired and her husband states that
the distance was about twenty feet. The
shot struck the right side of his face, and
neck, scattering from the top of his fore
head to his throat There was no pistol
found at the scene of the shooting and it is
denied that Franks had any. Circum-
stances indicate that Mr.. George must have
been mistaken as TO his opponents having
a weapon, as the wounded mans right
thumb was SO severely lacerated by the
charge of shot that amputation is con-
sldered necessary, showing that he threw
up his hand to protect his face. He could
not have been injured on the thumb in the
manner he was if he had held a pistol in
his hand, unless he dropped the weapon
very quickly. And if he intended to shoot,
and was prepared, it would seem probable
that he could have killed George before the
latter was able to raise his gun. Mrs.
Franks is reported as saying that she did
not see a pistol. Office Franks says that
he visited his brother few days ago, and
persuaded him to give his pistol to his
mother 20 take care of, and she locked it in
her trunk. lie does not think his brother
had pistol at the time of the shooting.
He had none when he was here, and APP
pears to have gone direct to his wife's house
from the cars. The officer received dis
patch about noon yesterday stating that the
wounded mans condition was growing
worse, and he went TO Roseville on the same
train with George. Franks is about %
years of age, his wife about 2S, and George