Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-07-03
KNOCKED OUT At LAST.
BUT 1T TOOK A LOCOMOTIVE TO
Do LII EFFECTUALLY.
Henry A. Caulfield Killed by Rail-
road Train-End of Charmed
Life-Historical Sketch.

IS u ciAl Noo oAOnGd hps D6ll y,
the whistle blown, but the man ap-
parently did not hear them, as
he made no effort to step to
one side. When the pilot struck him
the train had almost stopped. The force Of
the blow threw him backward upon the
pilot. He laid motionless and then it was
discovered that it was Henry A. Caulfield.
The train was backed into the depot, the
pilot carrying its corpse, where the latter
was turned over to the Coroner.
The news that Henry A. Caulfeld had
been killed soon spread throughout the
city and hundreds of people called at the
morgue TO see the remains of the individ-
nal known to history and to fame as the
hero of many battles. When he was lifted
from the cowcatcher q heavy self-cocking
bulldog five-shooter dropped from his
pocket When stripped at the morgue no
bones were found broken and but one
bruise found upon his person. He had
been thrown heavily backward and the
back OF his head had been crushed in by
coming in contact with the draw bar on
the pilot.
Henry A. as he was Familiarity called.
every man, woman aud child in town.
When rot drinking he usually had
pleasant word for those ne liked, but he
never let an enemy pass within earshot
that he did not most villainously abuse
with his tongue. lie has threatened ~ Kill
so many in this city that there is no doubt
but that several families will breathe easier
when they are assured of the fact that he
is at last " knocked out"
AN EvENTTUI. LIFE.
Henry A. Caulfeld was born in Ireland
and at the time of his death about 81 years
of age. He came to the United States early
in lite, and in 1914 was a member of the
Emmett Guards of Albany, New York.
During the anti-rent troubles in that State
his company was ordered to Columbia
county to assist the authorities in suppress
ing the AntiRenters. This association had
committed various outrages. They had
tarred and feathered several officers, and
killed the under Sheriff of Delaware
county, Who was brother of Major Cen
eral Steele. On the commission of this last
act of outrage the State militia was called
out to assist in their suppression. An in
dividual who passed under the name of
Big Thunder" was the leading spirit
among the Anti-Renters, and so audacious
was be that on one occasion he rode in open
daylight into the town of Hudson, where
Caul6eld's company was quartered, and
fired at a number OF the soldiers who were
standing in front Of a hotel, the ball bury
ing itself in the awning post. Caulfield
was in the crowd which was the mark of
this leaden compliment. Anti Renters
were so eflectually disguised that for q time
they escaped Identification
He WAS '49ER.
Caulfeld arrived in California in I849'
coming around the Horn, and settled in
this city. He for time followed the bust
ness of carpenter and joiner, and took an
active part in politics-making speeches
and serving as delegate to Democratic
Conventions. He was an active participant
in the squatters' riots of August ii, 1850,
which grew out of opposition TO the Suffer
title to lands in this city. In that unfortu-
nate affair, which is an important part of
the City's history, Hardin Bigelow, the
Mayor, received a severe wound from the
effects of which, aided by an attack of
cholera, he died. The Assessor, James ".
Woodland, was killed outright, and one
MalOney, the leader of the squatters, was
also killed. DR.. Charles Robinson, also
one of the squatter party, and afterwards
Governor OF Kansas during portion of the
troubles of 1856 in that Territory, was also
wounded. James Harper, of the Sheriff s
party, was badly shot One other man was
killed and several hurt The suuatters
were routed and Caulfield fled with the
others. He was arrested by Major
John G. Cleal somewhere between this
city and Brighton and brought back
to town strapped down on the
back of a horse. He was lodged
on board of the prison brig, and the next
Grand Jury indicted him and several others
for murder and conspiracy to murder A
ROlie prOSequi was subsequently entered. as
Governor McDougal had declared that he
would pardon them if convicted After
his release Cauitieit was active in the
squatter troubles that followed.
HIS FIRST LOCATION.
About 1851 he settled on farm on the
mound north OF the American river about
half a mile above its mouth, and lived
there until the flood of 1852, when he sold
the place to Patrick Bannon, who gave
him in return lots three and four in the
block between Second and Third, o and z
streets, some lots III the block between
Twelfth and Thirteenth, J and K streets.
and about 81, 100 worth of tax titles He
went to live on the ranch south of the
R-street levee about 1858, and fenced in
some sixteen blocks of land. it was ont OF
this that most OF his subsequent troubles
arose.
BLOODY ENCOUNTER.
On the 10Th of June, 1851 he had dis
agreement with George Wilson, who was
then a Justice of the Peace and an Assoc
ciRte Judge of the Court of Sessions Viii
son had made some offensive remarks
about an attorney, and on the day men
toned the attorney came into the Court
room while the Court was in session. and
waited for its adjournment When Wilson
stepped down from the bench the attorney
demanded retraction, which he declined
to : axe. The attorney struck at Wilson,
the latter parted the blow, and drawing a
sword from his cane stabbed the attorney
dangerously. AT this juncture Caulfeld
entered the room, and drawing his revolver
fired several times at Wilson, but did not
hit him. One of the bullets wounded
Captain J. II. Mcdonald. who was at that
time the Deputy sheriff acting as Court
bailitf, and who was trying TO preserve the
peace. Wilson then directed his attention
TO Caulield, and graphing him, succeeded
in getting his arm around Caulfields neck,
with his head in front of him. He pre-
sented large Colts navy revolver to Caul-
fields head, and was on the point of send
ing bullet through his brain when r. P
Jacobs, policeman, rushed in and saved
Caulfeld's life.
FILLED FULL OF LEAD.
At another time Caulfeld had difficulty
with Thomas o. Selby over some land
| matters, and as he was coming out of the
hall of Reeds building, at Third and J
streets, Selby shot him several times and
| wounded him dangerously. Half of the
bullets were not extracted. On that occa-
| sion Caulfield was unarmed, and the as
sault was uuprovoked on his part While
he was lying at deaths door priest called
TO see him. He commenced talking TO
Csulield, saying, I'm told you have been
a very bad man. Its a dom lie, and
you are no doctor. Git out of here
ANOTHER MARROW ESCAPE.
About 1856 Caulfield had difficulty with
| Mr. Miller The trouble was about poll
tics and some mules. Garfield arrived at
Millers house, north of the north levee at
Fourteenth street, at night, and after some
words he picked up flat iron and at
tempted to strike Miller, who closed in
with MIN and succeeded in catching up
heavy cane. which he broke by repeated
blows on Caulfeld's head. Caulfield was
forced partially ont of second-story win
dow, and when Mrs. Miller interfered
Miller let go and Caalfeld fell through the