Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-15
MURDER AT VERDUGO.
A Row Over a Chicken
Fight.
DAVE LIEVAS IN CUSTODY.
His Friend Arrested Charged with
Being an Accessory to the
Shooting.

What appeared to have been a cold
blooded murder took place at Verdugo
yesterday afternoon at l O'Clock. This
quiet little town just above Glendale had
been the scene of a chicken fight short
time before and this had been attended
by all the Mexicans residing in that
vicinity as we'll as a number from this
city. Among those who went there from
this city were Dave Leivas and his friend
Louis Leivas, who are now confined in
the County Jail. These two left the
city with chicken which they
thought would carry off the honors.
The attendants of the chicken fight re-
fused to say anything in relation to the
affair, but it was limited that the bird
from this city had been defeated, and
that Leivas and Louis felt quite badly
over the loss of the battle. One young
gentleman said that Lopez had been at
his house after the fight, and had said
he was going shooting, but not for game.
About noon row occurred in the saloon
at Verdugo between the parties inter-
ested in the chicken fight, and those re-
siding in the vicinity stated that
Lopez, who is about sixty years
old, left the saloon to escape
the noise and trouble which was
going on. He went to his stable, fed his
horses, used in hauling wood, which was
his business, and after completing his
work sat down on small piece OF board
in front of the stable to enjoy a pipe.
Both appeared to be under the influence
of liquor. A short time afterward they
were noticed to be coming back, and Just
as they reached point in the road OPP
posite where Lopez was sitting, Leivas
was seen to stand up in the vehicle
and point double-barIeled shotgun
at Lopez. Leivas fred both barrels at
Lopez, who had not risen from his seat,
the shot taking effect in his breast.
Lopez staggered toward the middle of the
road and fell dead, and Leivas and his
friend drove away in the direction Of
Glendale.
A reporter OF the HERALD visited the
scene OF the murder yesterday afternoon
and found that Lopez had been carried
into his shanty, where his aged wife be-
walled his death in lcud tones. There
was large pool of blood on the spot
where he had fallen. end the
board on which he was sitting when
shot was still in it's place. The people
said that Lopez was not armed and had
not expected any trouble with Leivas,
although there had been an unfriendly
feeling between them, which had arisen
over the merits of their chickens. Jailor
Russell, who also visited the spot, was
informed by telephone that Leivas had
surrendered himself at Tropico, and that
he had been taken to the County Jail.
At the County Jail Leivas said that he
had been shot at twice in the saloon,
and that he had shot Leivas to
save himself from being killed.
He said that Lopez had a gun which he
had pointed at him. Jailor Russell, upon
reaching the city and visiting the city
prison, came to the conclusion that it
would be we'll to arrest Louis Leivas,
who was in the buggy at the time OF the
shooting. When arrested, Louis said
that he had no idea that Leives was 60
ing to shoot Lopez. Leivas had driven
back from the postoffice, and on nearing
the place where Lopez was sitting, had
hastily handed the reins to him. While
he was holding the reins he noticed
Leives pickup the shotgun and fire
at Lopez, who fell. He said that he was
busy holding the reins and for that
reason could not prevent the shooting
and besides he was afraid that Lopez
would shoot them. He was arrested
and charged with being an accessory to
the murder.
Coroner Meredith went to verdugo
last evening and held the inquest, which
resulted in verdict of murder against
Leives.