Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-06-15

piled. After few minutes OLD MI. Ioimy
and two of the Castro boys were slam.
Frenzied by this second slaughter OF their
relatives, the Tolmys divided their forces
some going to the rear and setting nre 10
the stables and hay, while the remainder
kept up the battle in front. The nre
communicating with the dwelling, 1t was
soon wrapped in flames. and the inmates
were forced from cover, when the shrleks
of the women and the yells and oaths OF
the men lent fresh horror to the MURDER
GUS duel The fight grew fiercer and
fercer, and lasted till the darkness OF
night mercifully stopped it.
| On mastering their friends. 1t was as
covered that several on both sides were
killed, among them poor Mrs. Rich
ardson, who escaped death by
burning, only to meet a fate scarcely less
lamentable. Many on both sides were
wounded; though, singular enough. the
Observation-Disclosures Tolmy and Tom aich-
ardson-escaped without scratch.
This terrible work had the effect Of
ouieting the feud. at least for awhile, tor
lamentation and grief sat brooding now
over the households. But it was only for
awhile; it was but lull in the tempest.
The feud was renewed at every favorable
opportunity, until few remained of either
party. Yet neither would give in or yield
to the other.
1t happened just at this stage of the
conflict that James Tolmy had occasion
to visit his friends, the Castros. He arose
early and went to the paddock. but (what
was an unusual occurrence) the mustang
had broken the fence and strayed away.
| In ,aI animal RI tho no.
tween jacksonville and Gilroy. when, Tired
with his long morning walk, he seated
himself on fallen tree, took out his pipe,
and was preparing for smoke. Just
then he heard the cracking of withered
leaves at his back, and thinking it was
the horse, looked around. when he found
himself confronted with his mortal enemy.
Tom Richardson, carrying in his hand a
rifle. No alarm, no anger, was exhibited
by either.
Are you heeled, Jim ?" asked Rich
ardson, in aquiet sort of way.
well, no. Tom answered the other
just as quickly. Il forgot the shooter
this morning.
Then Eve got the dead wood on you. ~
$50 you have, Tom; SO you have, in
deed"
500 you take water, Jim?"
ooh, yes, Tom; l take water"
"By-by, Jim
"So-long, Tom" And they parted.
A month later James Tolmy was again
up early one fine morning. but this lime
didn't forget his shooter" He took the
direction of the Richardson and APP
preached the cow-yard. Tom was milk
ing his COW, the others having finished
theirs, and taken the milk to the dairy.
You're slow mixer, Tom, he said
looking quietly over the fence, within ten
yards of his enemy.
Tom looked up.
Yes he replied calmly; Il am very
slow this morning.
Are you heeled, Tom?" softly asked
the other.
We'll. no. You see the milking"
Then I've got the dead wood on YOU
ITO be sure, JIM" he answered laZily.
"Do you take water, Tom?''
ooh, yes, Jim. | take water some
times, like yourself"
"Good-morning. Tom"
$50 long. Jim !" and the relentless foes
once more separated. The teud had mar
rowed down to the two, for the fighting
representatives of both parties had already
been exterminated.
A third time they met, now on the Dor
ders of the Pajaro Lakes. This time they
were both "heeled"; each had his loaded
rifle. With hearts of lions. but stealthy
as tigers. they approached each other,
slowly and cautiously.
SIS there any water about ?" asked
Tolmy, in bitter irony, when within few
yards of his adversary.
mot drop, JIM" was the easy reply.
and they advanced a little closer. Quick
as lightning Richardson raised his weapon
and fired Tolmy dropped, pierced in the
temple; but ere death sealed his eyes for
ever. he raised his weapon and lodged its
contents in his enemy's heart. Both were
found next day, within fifteen yards of
each other. This was the end of the
teud, the last act in the prolonged domes-
tic tragedy.
A word of poor Julia Passionate in
love. she was inconsolable in giref; and
in few months after the slaughter of the
brother she loved and the lover she still
adored, died broked-hearted.
AS she could not hope to be buried in
the same grave with the man who had
wrecked her happiness and destroyed her
family, her last request was TO be permit
ted to rest in the tomb with his sister
Belle, the intended bride OF her brother,
and the first victim of feud the most
lamentable in the annals of California
And there, in that old churchyard, sleep
the two innocent girls. No headstone
records their names, no slate is sacred to
their memory. In the archives of tradi-
ton alone, are preserved the names and
tate OF poor Belle and Julia.
Land in Rrifain