The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-05
THE CALLS
QUERY COLUMN,
Murders Committed in Sacra-
mentO by William Wells.

WELLS CRIMES - 7.
fSEgA1e2 NC, City. Your queries are
w G.N answered by the following taken
substantially from the Sacramento Record
Union:
A horrible and brutal murder was committed at
Tenth and streets. in this city (Sacramento). on
the 10TH OF July, 1850, by some persons then un-
known. The victim was Matthias Wetzel, who
had for several years kept saloon In that To-
calty. WetZel was found dead on the floor OF
his bedroom at an early hour In the morning,
and the appearance Of the room Indicated that
desperate struggle had taken place. The body
bore several knife wounds. j. a. Gtlesel, VINO
knew the decedse well and was familiar with
his affairs, said that the murderer must have
secured about $1,000 III money which Wetzel
had kept IN his room. including $500
belonging to himself SGriesen. a.ro. few
at Virginia City on suspicion OF being the MUIR
derer. lie gave the name OF William wells.
This was the man who killed the officers and
men returning with him 10 this city to be tried
for the Welzel murder-a deed so horrible that
II created sensal ion all over the Union, and
from the minds Of all Sacramentans OF that
time. On the afternoon OF Wednesday, July
23d, Deputy bheri1 Wharton OF Suffer County
ana George Armstrong OF Virginia City left
Marysyille with the prisoner en- route to this
city. When they reached Nicolaus they were
met with the news that large mob OF WelZePs
friends was waiting for the arrival OF the party
by stage for the purpose Of lyDching Wells. The
officers then decided TO wait till posse from
this city should come TO their aid. and when
Captain Deal arrived at Nicolaus he learned
that Wharton and Armstrong had en-
gagged man named w. g. Stoddard TO
drive them TO Sacramento In an omen wagon.
This party left NlcOlaus on Wednesday even
ing by the river road, hoping TO elude the MOB.
AL 1890 O'clock 1t arrived at point about
baf-mlle from Swifls Bridge, at the mouth OF the
American River. St0ddard was driving and
Wharton sat beside HIM. In the bed oil the
wagon sat the prisoner, while Armstrong was ly-
Ing asleep beside him. just then Stoddard re-
marked TO Wharton that they were near the city
and he had better awaken Armstrong. As Whar-
ton turned to do so he saw Wells make quick
pistol shot in his right side which threw him oil
the wagon upon the horses heels. In another
instant the driver was shot dead and he also Tell
from the wagon. Then with the rapidity OF
lightning Wells fired upon and Killed Arm
strong, who had just been awakened by the
noise, BY this time Wharton had recovered
weak he fired upon Wells, who had started TO
run away but who returned the fire as lie ran.
one bullet striking Wharton In the thigh. Inc
murderer managed to escape into the brush, but
Is thought 10 have been wounded by wharton,
and there are not few persons who believe that
he died In the underbrush In that locality. 1he
story at the time was, however, that he bad been
tracked TO the river. where lie stole boat and
descended to point near the scene Oh the
tragedy; that he then rified Armstrong; body OF
the money and other things taken from MN
(Wells) when arrested, and that he worked his
way INTO the city and was Tor time secteteo
Soon after the terrible tragedy Wharton man
aged 10 reach the city and gave the alarm. and
several officers fastened 10 Inc spot and brought
in the body OF Stoddard, and Armstrong, who
was not then dead but lived only bout one hour.
The bells of the city were rung, and great
crowds OF people began TO gather at The
police station, and soon the news OF the horrible
crime spread throughout the city. Men went
out In all dir ectlons TO look for the triple MUIR
deTer, and many times 1t was reported that citi-
Zens were on his track, but Wells was never
caught. That was thirty years ago, and In these
years scores Of men have been arrested In vari.
Gus iarts Of the Union on suspicion OF being