Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-23
LwIGHTHALL'S DEATH.
THE STORY TOLD ON TIE TRIAL
OF BILLINGS.
cution Yesterday-The Father
ON the Stand.

The case oil the People against L. n,
Billings, charged with the murder O.
Francis D. L~ighthall, in March last, was re.
sumed yesterday in Judge Armstrong;
Court, with District Attorney Bruner and
w. a. Anderson conducting the prosecu.
ton, and Grove L. Johnson appearing for
the defendant. The family OF the latter
were present during the day.
The several witness for both sides were
called, sworn, and placed under the rule.
The first examined was J.. G. Boyd,
County Surveyor, who testified as to the
correctness of a map indicating the scene
of the tragedy. Witness explained by the
map the relative positions of the buildings,
fences, trees, ETC., on the place.
j. Frank Clark, County Coroner, testified
to the circumstances attending the inquest
held on the body of Francis D. Ligbthall,
on the LIST OF March Of the present year.
DR.. G.. A. White, County Physician, test.
fed to having held the autopsy on the body
of deceased. Witness described the nature
of the wounds on the body, of which there
were two. One had entered the left side OF
deceased, passing almost directly through
the body, and the other was in the hip.
District Attorney Bruno asked witness
in what position deceased's body must have
been, as shown by the direction taken by
the bullet.
To this the defense objected, and the
question was changed SO as to ask the wit
ness ii he knew what the position of the
deceased must have been, and the question
was admitted.
Witness said it would be impossible to so
state, beyond the fact that the left side was
presented. Death was caused by the heart
having been pierced by a bullet. Witness
identified the bullets taken from the body.
Beside the bullet wounds, there was a
slight abrasion on the bridge of the nose.
To Mr.. Johnson witness said he identified
a document embracing the report of his
autopsy held on the body of the deceased,
as made to the Coroner. He said the re-
port did not contain q mention of the abra-
sion on the nose, as be had not attached
much Importance thereto. He thought the
wound was made with a blunt instrument,
or might have been caused by a fall.
Luther O.. Lightball, the father of de-
ceased. was then called by the prosecu-
ton, and examined by District Attorney
Bruner. Witness said he was a laborer, re-
siding at Twenty-first and 0 streets. Had
been in California since September last.
Francis d. Lighthall was his son. wit
ness here broke into tears. Have a daugh-
ter residing in Michigan. Have a brother
named William A. Lighthall. Francis was
p years of age at the time of his death on
the LIST OF March last, which occurred on
then proceeded to relate the circumstances
attending the killing of his son.
He said that himself and son were in the
yard on the lst of March, when N. Bill.
ings and his son Otis came to the place.
When Billings drove in he passed the time
of day; he drove toward the barn, and
witness followed him. Near the barn wit
ness said TO him Mr.. Billings, 1 don't
want you to NEEDLE with anything here
without paying me-" He said he nevel
would pay witness placed his hand on
Billings breast and told him not to med
die with anything until he had settled. He
drew a club from his wagon and struck
witness, his son at the same time leaping
from the wagon and also a~ssaulting witnes:
with a club. Witness then seized a stiel
and attacked young Billings. Did no
know where his son, the deceased, was q
that moment. Heard a noise in anothe!
direction, INC saw the defendant in the &C
of shooting witness son was stunned
for the moment, and could not do any
hing. The horses ran away, and the eide
billings ran after and stopped them. H,
then came back and covered witness witt
his pistol. Young Billings here declared
TO his father that there must be no more
shooting. Turned to my son, and found
he was dead. Young Billings assisted wit.
ness in carving him into the house.
Two clubs were here shown witness
which he identified as the ones used in til,
assault referred to, at the same time exhib'
iting considerable emotion.
Witness, resuming, said he had seer
Billings on three separate days during th'
week prior to the tragedy. Saw him thI
day preceding it. Had made arrangement
for leaving the ranch. Had a discussio,
relating to the matter; we were to leave tn
place. Billings came to the ranch ant
offered to pay witness $125 to leave III,
place. The last sentence ordered stricken
out.l Billings was accompanied by hi
SON. There were present the witness, Mrs
Hildreth and her little girl. Witness de
manded the money, but Billings under
took TO place the furniture on the wagon +
move it away. 1t was already packed 70
removal, except the stove.
lOhiecled TO and objection overruled]
One of the teams brought by Billing
had been purchased by witness of defend
ant for S225, but which had not been paic
Witness objected to Billings taking th
AOhSH NN@f oSNA60 1<A6AA4A-AA NlAAAC IA
ing Billings visit, and at the request {
witness went to his fathers house and re
turned with the 1925, which was paid t
Billings, who surrendered witness note.
C-ross-examined by Mr.. Johnson-Wit
ness did not remember in what month b
went on the Billings place; it was nc
under a lease, but had an arraugemer
with Billings. There was afterwards
lease, in which Francis D.. Lighthall an
Francis Hildreth were interested. On th
occasion of two of Billings visits ne cam
after hay; had been away from the ranc
some of the time between last fall and To
time of the tragedy; worked in the vicir
ity of Courtlano; reached the Billing
ranch the Sunday before the shooting; he
not been away from the place at any othe
time. When witness got home Mrs. Hi
dreth and daughter were on the ranch
The arrangement for moving away wa
made with Billings on the day before To
difficulty. Witness and son called on Bill
ings on the day the former returned fror
CORTLAND.
Here the prosecution objected, and NJ
Johnson argued at length in support OF th
right of the defense to go fully into th
matter Of all the business relations betwee
the witness and defendant, to which th
prosecution finally consented, with the III
Outstanding that it should not be consit
cred a part of the direct case of the pros
cution, which should reserve the right
go more fully into it at a later period
the trial.
Recess till 100 P. ".
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On the Resembling of the Court NJ
johnson resumed the cross-examination
the witness. He said that when Billin,
came to the ranch on the day Of the TRACED
witness was near the house; thinks the
reached the barn at about the came tim
could not remember what was the fir
thing said; think something was said abol
wire. but could not say what it was; b
lings took some wire from his wagon an
laid il down. Witness then said to hi
not to NEEDLE With anything on the plas
until be had Settled with witness; ON
thing was ssid by Billings about the loo
on the barn door; some n opene
the harm Go5r; tse lock had been 7
moved, but don't know who did ii; thel
were tools in the barn belonging to ii
place; Billings said he had always run Il
ranch, and always would; don't think
first said he had come there for hay; b
had his hay wagon with him, and droN
up to the barn where the hay was; did n
..apt bfp, ~ @al-a a,xthsny IVAN hfS nW