Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-16
MOJAVE MURDERERS.
They Kill a Defenseless
Woman in Mint Canon
And Shoot a Man Through
the Arm.
A Posse of Indignant Citizens in
Pursuit.
The u. S. Marshal and the Sheriff Join in
the Chase-The Indians Have
Eighteen Hours Start.

Telegrams were received Yesterday
from Postmaster R. E. Nickel, of Acton,
by the United States marshal and the
sheriff announcing the murder of a
white woman by Indians in the Soledad
cafon. The particulars were very
meager. Coroner Weldon was notified
and he, Major Gard U. S. Deputy Mar
shall Jenkins, Sheriff Aguirre and Depu-
ties Hammel, Brady and Abila left by
the 12:45 train for the scene of the
crime. The officers were we'll armed.
1t was impossible to obtain any informa-
ton by means of the telegraph, but a
HERALD reporter boarded the overland
at San Fernando street and obtained
from gentleman who had left Acton
that morning the following particulars:
A woman who has been residing for
some time about mile from Acton re-
Gently moved into a little caflon be-
tween Lang's station and Kent. Her
husband, whose name is Farmer,
was absent. He is working about
twenty miles from San Diego. With
Mrs. Farmer were her three children.
On Friday three Mojave Indians, one of
whom had Winchester, called at her
house in this lonely little canon and
asked for drink of water. AS she was
turning to re-enter the house, after hav-
ing supplied them with the water, the
Indian raised the Winchester to his
shoulder and shot her through the back,
the bullet piercing her heart and killing
her instantly. He then shot at the
children, but missed them, and the
trio then left. Soon after they met
George w. Clark, and the Indian who
was armed shot him through the wrist.
The bullets which have been found are
over two inches in length. After this
last exploit the murderers immediately
left, but when the news of the crime
reached the white settlers in the Sole
dad caiion, Postmaster Nickel ilnme-
diately formed posse of dozen men,
who started in pursuit, and were lucky
enough to strike the trail, which led
southwark to Humphreys. The In
dians who did the shooting on Thurs
day stopped a man named Thomas, to
whom they said that they live at
Calico.
Another account received from Ra-
VIENNA yesterday afternoon says: About
noon on Friday three Indians called at
the house of a rancher in Mint canon,
opOoU oCNCl llilCS IOi I'll VI NtHb SGdtIOu,
on the Southern Pacific, and asked for
a drink of water. In the house were
Mrs. Chambers and her two children,
one being years old and the other still
younger. The woman gave them the
water, and, after drinking, one of the
Indians raised his Winchester and shot
her through the head. They then
robbed the place OF everything they
could carry away. A man named Clark,
living in the same canon, was also shot,
although his wound, which is in the
arm, is not very serious. The Indians
are now supposed to be making their
way to the Mojave. Several parties are
out looking for the murderers, but, as
they have eighteen hours start, it is
likely that they will manage to escape.
Late last evening the following special
telegram was received from Lang's
station.
LANGs. Nov. 15-[Special]. " esterday
morning at about 8 o'clock, an Indian
came to the house of Mrs. G.. w. Farm
er, living in Mint canyon, eight miles
north of this place, and asked for a
drink OF water; after getting the water,
he took hold of the lady and began pull
ing her; she screamed and managed to
get away from him, and started into the
house, when he took aim with his rifle
and fired at her, the ball taking effect in
her back, killing her instantly. He
then tried to make her 12-year-old boy
give him some money, but not getting
any he went through the house in
search of it, and not getting any started
off after trying to shoot the
boy, who managed to get out Of
his way.
Mrs. Farmers husband was away
from home at the time, but arrived
today. Several ranchmen in the vicin-
ity saw the Indian the day before, and
he can be easily identified if caught.
On the same day at about 80, John
Clark, while coming to Lang's station
from Mint caf1on, was shot at twice by
some one in ambush, when within one
mile from here. The second shot struck
him in theavrist bone, only slightly in
juring him. He made his way as fast as
he could to the open ground, but could
not see any one. The shooter was very
likely the same Indian who killed Mrs.
Farmer, and supposing Clark was look
ing for him, shot at him. Sheriff
Aguirre and Marshal Gard, with posse
of deputies, arrived today and are now
searching the country for the murderers.
H. r. B.