The record-union., 1891-12-29
HESTENFELDiS DEATH.
The Coroner's Jury Inquiries Into the
Circumstances.
Schradder Charged With Murder =
The Story of an Eyewitness to
the Murderous Act.

Coroner George H Clark held an in
quest last evening on the body of Chris
! Westenfeld, the man who was murdered
on the Hanson Ranch, near Hangtown
Crossing, on Thursday last, by Harry
Schradder. The facts elected are about
the same as published originally in the
RECoRD-U MON.
The first witness called was George
Graham, fellow-laborer of the victim
and his slayer. Graham testified that on
the forenoon of the day of the tragedy
Schradder and Westenfeld were grub
bing and got into quarrel over their
work. Schradder raised shovel to
Westenfed, and the latter stepped back
and threw an ak at Schradder. The men
then closed in and fought some, when
they were separated by witness, and both
left the field.
Witness went to the house afterward
and met Schradder at the bunk-house.
The latter said: well, I've done him.
Done WHAT" witness asked. stabbed
Westenfeld," he replied.
Witness asked Schradder if he had hurt
Westenteld, and he replied Il don't
know-he IS lying down there by the
gate.'
Witness said that Mr.. and Mrs. Hanson
brought WeStenteld's body TO the bunk
house and asked witness where Schrad-
der was, and witness said he had seen
him gong across the field.
After the fight in the field Schradder
said he would shoot Westenfcld. but after
ward quoted down. He went to the
house about twenty minutes after West
enfield aid. and ii was about an hour after
| the quarrel in the field when witness met
SchTad0pr 1T the bUDl<-h0USn
Schradder made tie first assault with
shovel, and WeStentelu stood ready to re-
! ceive him with the AK. After Scnradder
had threatened that he would shoot
| y, est2nie!d he remarked to witness that
the gtln ut the house wasn't loaded.
District Attorney Ryan asked witness
why he had started TO leave IIanson's
ranch since the tragedy. Graham re-
piled that he got angry at Hanson be-
cause the latter wanted him to go to work
too early, so he went to him and de-
manded his pay. His intention was to
come 10 town and see the Coroner before
going to his brother III san francisco.
HANsoN's STATEMENT.
Chris Hanson, on whose place the muir
! der was committed, testified that his wife
and child ran out 10 where he was work
/ ing, on Thursday afternoon, and told him
/ that SchTadder and W eStenleld had been
! lighting. and that the latter had been in
( jured. Witness hurried TO the house, but
/ saw nobody, and then went TO the bunk
/ house. where lie found Schradder, WHO
/ told him he was going away, and witness
settled with him.
After Schradder had gone witness went
! to look for Westenfeld and found him
! lying by the gate. He did not appear to
! be much hurt, but said he was cold and
ask ed 10 be taken to where it was warm
! Witness did not think he was injured
! I l. L
/ Witness and his wife carried Westenfeld
/ into the house and witness asked if he
! should go for n doctor. Westenfeld re-
/ piled that he did not want doctor. that
/ he was about to die Witness, however,
] went for doctor, and a few minutes
after he arrived Westenfeld died.
Hanson said he then hitched UP his
! track Of him. Just before Westenfeld
! died he requested witness to send word
| to Peter Miller at the Lake House.
SIZE WITH EsSED THE KILLING.
Mrs. Laura Hanson, wife of Chris.
! Hanson, said that Westenfeld came to
! the house about ii o'clock and asked for
! his bank book. He said he and Schradder
! had had trouble and he wanted to leave
i the place. Witness advised him to go
and see her husband in the field.
! AS soon as Westenield left the house
! Schradder came in and declared that the
! former had paralyzed him for life and he
would kill him. After looking about for
gun he rushed after Westenfeld with
/ his pocket-knife and witness cried out to
| the latter to run. She then ran to win
! dow and saw Schradder strike Westenfeld
with the knife, heard the latter cry and
saw him fall.
Mrs. Hanson then ran out the back
door and to her husband in the field and
! told him what had happened. They gave
! Westenfeld some whisky and water, but
did not then know how badly he was
wounded. 4 little later on he said he was
going to die. Witness said her brother,
Karl Johnson, said Westenfeld had de-
clared that he was not the only person
that Schradder had killed.
A CASE OF MURDER.
The jury found that the deceased came
to his death from knife wound inflicted
! by Harry Schradder with numerous in
tent.