Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-09
THE YoLo MURDER.
TESTIMONY OF EYE WITNESSES TO
THE SHOOTING.
Public Feeling in Woodland Very
Much Divided-Result of the
COroner'S Jury.

were well known, well connected, ana had
hosts of friends. Sentiment is very much
divided, about half believing it was cold
blooded, premeditated, dastardly murder,
the other that the murderer was justified in
Staying the traducer of the character of his
daughter, and that young Craft deserved
his sad fate. All day yesterday crowds of
people called at the Byrn's Hotel to view
the scene of the tragedy, see the marks of
the bullets on the walls and through the
window-panes, hear the detailed accounts
of eyewitness, and the statements of
those who always say, Just what l ex-
pected, l told you so.' etc The entire
town seems to be completely paralyzed by
the sad and tragic occurrence, business of
all kinds was yesterday neglected, and it
was the only topic of conversation. Craft s
mother and sister arrived in Woodland on
the noon train, went Immediately from the
depot to their home, where the murdered
son and brother was laid out in death
The scene when the mother beheld the
body of the deceased was simply indescrib-
able.
The shooting occurred just about as
stated in the RECoRD-U UNION yesterday
morning. Mr.. Harlan was yesterday found
seated in the Office of the Sheriff. The
representative of the RECORD UNION was
introduced to Mr.. Harlan by Judge Ball
one of Harlan's attorneys, and was politely
given to understand that no interview
could be obtained.
The defendant has retained as counsel
Messrs. Baker, Craig, Ball and Grant, of
ha AanaaSal l.
and their name seems to be legion-haye
expressed determination to employ able
counsel to assist District Attorney Sprague
and it is understood will engage General
A. l.. Hart of this city.
Mrs. Sill, formerly Miss Victorine Har-
Ian, who is the innocent cause of this la
inevitable tragedy, is well known in Sacra-
mento. She is % years of age, rather tall
eyes and hair dark brown. She is accom-
plished, finely educated, and described as
being brilliant conversationalist, and for
many years has been styled the belle of
Yolo. The tragedy has completely pros
trated her. Her husband, F. J. Sill is one
of Woodlands most respected citizens, a
well-to-do merchant, tall, slightly-built
blonde.
AT the time of the shooting of Young
Craft by Harlan, Frank Barnes, the latters
brother-irlaw, stood by his side with
drawn pistol, apparently ready to finish
the bloody work commenced by Harlan if
the latter failed.
Joseph Harlan, the slayer, is one of the
best known citizens of Yolo county, and
the very last man that would be thought of
TO engage in such bloody work. He is 60
years of age, tall, a man of large and
well developed frame. He has resided in
olo county for quarter of century and
has large and valuable landed interests
about five miles southwest of Woodland.
He has reared family of six children two
OF whom, including Mrs. Sill, are married,
and has amassed fortune estimated to be
over half a million. He is quite popular
with all who know him, and represented
Iolo and Solano counties in the Senate in
1873 and 1882. This is said to be the first
difficulty he ever had in his life.
The murdered man was the only son of
ID. L. Graft, who has resided in Woodland
for many years engaged in contracting and
bricklaying. The deceased, well known in
this city. where at the time of his death he
was employed by the firm of Sullivan q
Ravekes on Second street, was of dark
complexion, five feet nine inches in hight,
and weighed about 165 pounds He had
always borne an excellent name. On
Wednesday last he asked for and obtained
pea hilSSlOh " carly Il pIStol. ne lldu DGen
keeping company with Miss Harlan for
many years; in fact, they had been keep
ing company since childhood, and had
been ever regarded by their friends, until
quite recently, as lovers.
In another column will be found series
of resolutions passed by the UTndine Boat
Club of this city of which the deceased was
a member. They are highly eulogistic of
Mr.. Craft, and bear testimony to his manly
qualities.
THE INQUEST
At 10 A. NJ. yesterday Coroner Krellen-
berg impaneled jury to inquire into the
cause OF the death of Z. L. Craft The
jury consisted of the following we'll known
citizens of Woodland: w. G. Hunt, w. T.
Mock, Wash. Brown, G. w. Bentley, J. NJ
Garoutte, A. L. Boggs, Jesse Clark, c. NJ.
Hiddleson, H. Comfort and Wash. Lam
bert.
Noah Meyers, the first witness called, said
he was in the office of the Byrns Hotel
when the shooting took place He saw J.
H. Harlan come in at the front door. As
soon as he stepped inside he turned around
and began shooting.
In answer to question from District
Attorney Sprague witness said he only saw
the first and last shots fired
Judge Ball here asked the Coroner ii this
was an examination by the Coroner or the
District Attorney.
Mr.. Sprague retorted that as District At
torney of the county he had right to assist
the Coroner.
Judge Ball-Then if you are going to
take hand in this matter ask the priv
lege of appearing also.
Mr.. Sprague-I will have nothing more
TO say in the case. Let the Coroner pro-
coed.
Coroner Krellenberg claimed the right to
ask the aid of the District Attorney. and
said if Mr.. Ball desired to take part in the
proceedings he could do so.
q. Mr.. Myers continued: Craft was on the
bootblack stand to the left of the door.
Did not hear any words spoken.
DR.. Ross testified / assisted DR.. Macfar-
land in post mortem examination on
Sunday, on the body of E. l.. Craft On in
spection of the body, found large wound
in the inner corner of the right orbit of the
eye. considerably powder marked The
ball pierced straight through the brain, on
a level with the ears; found the ball in the
scalp at back of head; the skull was frac-
tured. Another wound on the right side
penetrated the abdomen, between the ninth
and tenth ribs; it ranged obliquely up
ward, passing through the liver, and en-
tered the cavity of the chest; passed
through the apex of the heart, injuring the
right ventricle; then passed through the
wall of the left chest, and lodged near the
left nipple. Another wound was in the
back, about 81 inches from the spine. to
the right nearly level with the last wound;
bullet penetrated the skin, but did not en-
ter the body. No other wounds on the
body. Two of the three shots were neces-
sarily fatal; the wound in the back being
trivial. was not present at the shooting
was at my Office and heard some shots
fired; heard four shots office across street
from hotel in rear of drug store think ap-
parent age of deceased about so years be-
lieve he makes Sacramento ihis home: his
parents reside in Woodland.
John Grinello, porter at the Byrns, testi-
fed that he was working on Sam Pende-
CASTS boots when Craft came in and got
upon the stand, saying Good morning.
Sam" and began talking. Just as l was
about through with Sam / heard a shot /;
Strengthened up; the second shot passed
close to nay ear; saw Craft and Pendegast
jump from the stand, Craft going towards
the saloon door; stepped back behind Har-
Ian and saw him shooting at Graft Craft
was trying to get his pistol out saw him
shoot once and then fall; Mr.. Harlan
walked up and deliberately shot Craft over
the eye; he then walked out, his brother
in-law by his side; the latter had a pistol