Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-07-21

Several statements regarding the recent
horrible tragedy which recently occurred
near Davisville have been published in this
issue, but as all statements have been
merely conjecture, and the case is at present
shrouded in the deepest mystery, the fol-
lowing from the Woodland Democrat is
given for what ii is worth 90 The following
is a reliable statement of the facts con-
nected with the recent murder at Penas
ranch: Juan Lopez left his house at 5
o'clock on the morning of the 18th of
Julv-left his wife and Lamon Martinez,
who was living with them and about -
years old He went to Galvenias Pena's,
where he was hauling straw, and remained
there at work until about 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. He then went home. On ar
irving within about thirty yards of his
house he saw his wife lying in the stubble
field dead, with her left arm cut Off above
the elbow. and bullet holes in her neck
and head. He found a scabbard of pistol
lying by her side, which he picked up and
fled for Galvenias Pena's house, which was
distant about half a mile, the place where
he had been working during the day. On
reaching that place he told Pena that his
wife had been killed, and he wanted a
horse to ride to Davisville to get an officer.
formed him that he lived in Solano county.
He then got friend to 90 for Justice Hide,
who went to the place and held an inquest
on the body of the woman that night.
The verdict was that the woman was
killed by some unknown person. The wifeS
name was Juana Lopez. Justice Hide held
an inquest on the man on the even
ing of the 18th The verdict was
about the same as that of the woman.
Everybody, with a few exceptions, thinks
that Martinez killed the woman, and in
tended to kill the husband. Failing to do
so, he committed suicide. He told some
Spanish friends a few days previous to this
that he intended to kill the woman. The
woman was evidently washing clothes
when attacked and she had some clothes
partly washed and Others wrung but. There
was but very little trace of blood, only
where the man shot himself. Martinez
went 10 Pena's house about o'clock, and
wanted him to let him help haul straw,
evidently with the intention of killing the
husband. Some think that he had muir
dered the wife before coming over. Hey
seen after the husband had discovered the
dead body of his WIFE to go from the house
to the slough and get a horse expecting to
escape, but doubtless changed his mind
and shot himself in the temple. on the
right side of the head. This man was well
liked by many persons, and has lived in
this vicinity for over thirty years. That
morning, previous to committing the deed,
he nailed up the fence around the yard,
which had been down for q long time,
likely to prevent his prey from escaping.
The hand and arm of the dead woman
have not been found The woman has
sister in Napa, who sent for the body. The
man, Martinez, was taken TO fremont and
buried. The husband was 80 years old, the
wife 50. 1t is generally known by the
Spanish ladies that this man Martinez has
been trying for some time to gain the good
will Of this lady. Likely he had made a
desperate effort on this occasion and failed,
and fears of being exposed led him to COM
nit this act