Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-04-12
HOMICIDE IN CENTER TOWNSHIP;
Killing of James Sharksy by Hugh Agan
During a Drunken Difficulty.

Saturday afternoon word was brought to
the city that James Sharkey, native OF
Iowa, aged about 81 years, employed as
farm hand by A S. Lindley, had been
killed during difficulty between himself
and Hugh Agan, aged 62 years, charcoal
burner on NJ. Barrett ranch on the Green
back-lane road. sixteen miles from the city,
in Center township. Coroner Clark, Under
Sheriff Coons and City Attorney Hart left
as soon as possible for the scene OF the
homicide which was near a cabin on Mr..
Barrett's ranch, and the Coroner held an
inquest, which, with the preliminary work,
lasted until so late that the party concluded
not to return to the city until morning.
They brought Agan back with them, he
having been detained in custody at the
place where the fatal difficulty occurred
until Under Sheriff Coons took charge
of him. 1t seems that the cabin was usually
occupied by Agan, James Doran and Fred.
Hellberg. On Friday Doran, who had
been in the city, met Sharkey on the grant,
and they went IL Sproak's wayside saloon,
where drinks were obtained, and Doran
bought half gallon of whisky. They then
went to the cabin, and, having drank freely,
Doran soon went TO bed and slept SO
soundly that he knew nothing of what
subsequently occurred. About P. NJ.
Sharkey and Agan fell into dispute rela-
tive to an old matter Agan declaring that
Sharkey had spoken to Mr.. Barrett dis
paragingly of him (Agan), which Sharkey
denied. They agreed to take drink and
shake hands, at Sharkeys suggestion, but
Agan withdrew his hand and said he
would not make up until he had seen
Mr.. Barrett Sharkey said it was no
=, ,1oIn afe,ht h.
come friends again, as they had agreed to
do last Wednesday. when they were sober
and discussed the matter. Agan would not
be satisfied, and ordered Sharkey to leave
the cabin, declaring his opinion that he
was worse than dog or pup, and that he
shouldn't sponge upon him (Agan)
Sharkey said "Just look outside and see
how it rains you don't want me TO go out
in this kind of weather. Agan declared
that he must go, Sharkey that he would
not, and q scufl1e ensued, Agan endeavor-
ing to put the other out. This was the
commencement of a number of tussles,
with alternating success. Finally Agan
took a knife from his pocket, seeing which
Hellberg stepped between them. Agan
said to Sharkey, Young man, you had
better go slow. There are men in this
cabin who will cut your entrails out"
HellbeTg told him he would not have
any of that kind of business there-he
should not cut anybody The knife
was not open at that time The
antagonists went out into the yard and
fought again, then washed their hands
Agan started for the barn, about $50 feet
away, and was soon followed by Sharkey,
and they had another scuffle and then re-
turned TO the cabin. Subsequently Agan
left the cabin and again went to the barn,
and Sharkey again followed leaving He'll
berg in the house. A few minutes after
wards he heard someone yelling, and run
ming out, saw the two men on the ground
near the barn, apparently fighting, and
Sharkey called out, " Fred Fred come
here and take hold of this knife He has
stuck mel" Hellberg hurried to the spot,
found Sharkey holding Agan by the wrists,
and took the knife, with blade open, from
the latter's hands. Blood was gushing
from wound in Sharkey's neck, ON the
left side. Hellberg tied it up with his
handkerchief, raised him to his feet and
ran to the cabin TO get Doran to help, but
the latter was so drunk he could not be
aroused. Hellberg said to Agan, g" You
ID old fool, don't you see what you've
done? Help me pack him into the
cabin" Sharkey had by that time fallen
from loss of blood, and Agan remarked,
. guess his goose is cooked" The in
jured man was cared for as well as possible
and lived until Saturday forenoon, when
death ensued. The Coroner's jury found
that he came to his death from knife
wound inflicted by Hugh Agan. He has a
wife and two children, who are at present
with relatives in Iowa.