The record-union., 1891-12-25
DELIBERATE MURDER.
Two Ranch Hands Quarrel and One
Kills the Other.
The Deceased is Followed Up and
While Fleeing, is Stabbed to
Death by His Assaflant.

"A dellDerate murder was committed IN
this county yesterday morning, by which
Chris Westenfeld, native of Germany,
aged about 40 years, lost his life, he being
stabbed to death by Henry Shradder,
who at this writing has not been cap
tured.
The tragedy took place at II O'Clock
| yesterday forenoon, on the ranch of Chris
Hanson, fifteen miles from this city. on
the old PIacerville road. the farm being
well known as the coax Tree Ranch"
As soon as the news Of the murder was
! telegraphed to the city Coroner George
Clark set out for the scene of the tragedy,
and was followed shortly after by Sheriff
Stanley and District Attorney Ryan.
| Coroner Clark took notes of the facts as
! related by witnesses, served subpenas
| for the inquest and at late hour last
1 night returned to the city. The body of
| the deceased will brought here and the
/ inquest on it viii be held Monday night.
/ From the facts as noted by Coroner Clark
the following story of the murder is
CLEANED:
Westenfeld and the murderer had
worked together about d year ago as
/ ranch hands, and are not known TO have
/ then disagreed. About ten days ago
| Westenfeld came TO work upon HansOn's
ranch, where Shradder had been en-
! ployed for two and Il half months \ es-
! terday they were working at grubbing,
about quarter of a mile from the Han
! son residence. They disagreed about the
! work, fell to quarreling, and finally came
| to blows. They had two OF three en-
counters, in one Of which fShradder was
cut with an ak on the back OF the right
1 hand.
The fight being over, Westenfcld left
! ms WORK and went up 10 the house and
began to pack up his personal belong
/ ings, telling Mrs. hanson that lie would
! leave the place, as he desired no further
trouble with SAradder, and it would
! therefore be best for him tQsleave. Mrs.
hanson tried to disSuade him. he being Il
good worker and one they liked. Show
! ing her his banli-hook, and telling her
what money lie had 10 rely upon, he pre-
! pared TO leave, when MIS-. II. suggested
! That he first consult her husband. ; here
/ upon Wcstcn1eld said he would, or indi-
Gated his intention TO go out and find
Hanson, and, putting down his pack,
went out of the mouse.
Mrs. Hanson then turned to go into
another room and had not more than en-
/ tered ii, perhaps not over a half Il minute
elapSing, when Shradder rushed into the
! house, eXclaiming, 1.-THE scamp, am 60
! ing to murder himW lie searched
around fer gan or pistol, but could find
none, and then ran out.
In the meantime Mrs. Hanson, fearing
trouble, went to the door and called to
I Westenfeld that Shradder was after him
and TO take care Of himself. At that mo-
ment ShradGer came out and ran after
/ Westen1eld, the latter running from him
at full speed Bat Shradder was the
1ieeter runner. Mrs. Hanson saw him
I pursue the heeing man With his right arm
1.,f l,5g- 4 Z.
/ open, the blade being about three inches
4 long. When Shradder came within
reach Of the doomed man he struck out at
+ lin, driving the blade of the knife into
! his back just below the right shoulder
blade.
Westenfald fell down. and when found
was close to the left side of the gate.
/ which is seventy feet from the house. Ii
( his side was his bundle Of blankets, PROV
ing that he must nave picked them up
! after Mrs. Hanson lett him 10 20 into the
smaller room. Shradder went back TO
! the house, where he met Hanson, who
/ had come up. The latter paid him $25 he
owed him and told him to go, rs he did
moi want trouble on his place
Shradder then packed up his traps and
at 1850 left with heavy pack upon his
back, taking the road Tor Sacramento. UNI
hindered by Hanson.
1t is said for the latter, however, that
! he did not know Westenfeld was badly
injured when he allowed Shradder 10 90.
/ he had not examined the wounded man,
and had no idea that he was badly cut.
/ Possibly he did not know he was cut at
! ALL but at best it was a blunder to have
/ permitted Shradder TO go. The quarrel
and tight in the grubbing field took place
at IL O'Clock, and there was but one wit
ness to 1T, George Graham, who has been
placed under subpoena; at 1880 Shradder
( - b no ~,
/ peared, and by II O'Clock Westenfeld had
died.
When Hanson found the wounded man
was badly injured, he sent word to Fol
som and DR.. Stay back at once started for
! the ranch. some seven miles distant,
4 but the man was dead long before the
! doctor arrived. Constable Burke of Fol
! some, who knows Shradder well, started
IN pursuit of him as soon as he heard OF
/ the killing. He traced him to a point. at
last accounts, near Perkins Station. some
/ five miles from this city, where he lost
/ the trail. There was a report last night
/ that the murderer had been seen to take
/ the afternoon down train to Sacramento
! at some station, but 1t cannot be verified
at this writing. Shradder is a native OF
! Germany, is just IS years of age, is about
! five feet four in hight, has light mus
1 tache, sandy hair and blue ewes; he is
! broad-shouldered, wore blue overalls,
+ ana blue jumper, hght-colOred
siouch hat and heavy buckle shoes,
and he will weigh about l65 pounds.
| When he left Hanson's he was carry
/ ing very large pack of blankets
and clothing. On the back of his right
hand he has fresh cut two and a hall
! inches long, made by an ak used in the
/ fight at the grubbing ground, and below
his LETT eye there is a swelling. With so
accurate description as that, it ought
not to be possible for Shradder to escape.
ADJUSTMENTS