The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-08
Special to the RrcoRn-uN1on.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
VIsALIA, Aug. Late Friday night
the officers and men who went in pursuit
Of the robbers after the thrilling scenes
enacted in the forenoon returned home
completely tired out, their horses jaded
and without ever securing any trace OF
the murderous outlaws. After searching
the country lying in the swamps in the
delta of the Kaweah and st. John Rivers
they returned home empty-handed and
sad with disappointment. The officers
decided 10 go to bed and get few hours
rest, and then start out early in the morn
ing and patrol the country TO the east Of
Visalia, and do it with some method OF
procedure instead of the o-as-you-please
manner in which the hunt had been con-
Quoted during the afternoon.
Dan Overall suggested that small
party of picked men surround Evans
house in the northwestern part of town
for the purpose of seeing whether the
robbers would return to their roost. AS
they had unceremoniously left in the
afternoon without making any prepare
tlons for long chase it was thought that
the bandits would return home for their
swag and to get fresh supply of ammu-
MUM. eiIAu ellSO W SSI SOulGluiUS 10 eat.
Mr.. OveralPs idea met with favor, and he
was detailed to employ careful man for
the purpose with this end in view.
MIR. Overall secured the services of
Oscar Beaver of Lemoore, Charlie Hall of
Hanford and w. II. Fox. Detective
Thacker accompanied the men to the
scene Of the shooting affray. Beaver was
posted about thirty-fve yards from the
barn. Charlie Hall was posted near the
upper northwest corner of the block,
While Ihacker stationed himself quite a
distance down the street further south,
where he had good view of the front of
the house and up the road. Overall and
Fox, who were unarmed, took UP po-
sltien to the right of Mrs. Byrd'S house
The officers kept perfectly still and were
on the alert for any suspicious move
mentS. The moon was shining but it's
ettulgence was dim and cast shadow
The officers arrived at the place shortly
after II o'clock. Shortly after l o'clock
fifteen shots were fired. The shooting
came from the region of the barn and the
flashes Of the guns could be plainly seen
by the sentinels. The shots We're fol-
lowed by cries of "Murder!' 'Help!'
and 81 am shott
Beaver was removed to Joseph Patno's
residence, about two blocks away, and
was placed on stretcher. His clothes
were taken Oft and the doctors proceeded
to examine the wounds. Beaver was
found to be filled with buckshot, and his
left side from his head to his foot was
fairly punctured with double-B shot
The doctors counted sixty small shot in
the body and limbs. There were others
scattered about his arms and head The
unfortunate officer soon expired.
While the guard was attending Beaver
the robbers escaped-about . o'clock-on
foot and went in a northerly direction
When three miles from town they tried
to borrow horses from an acquaintance.
The officers in pursuit traced the men
four miles northeast, where they entered
field. The pursuers' team gave out
and they returned to town. Twenty or
thirty men are now in pursuit on horse
back. The excitement is high and the
men will be hanged if taken alive. They
can hardly escape as all the thorough
tares are guarded.
CoRoNER'S INQUEST.
VIsALIA, Aug. 7.-Justice of the Peace
Holden, Acting Coroner, held a partial
inquest yesterday afternoon to inquire
into the cause OF the death of Oscar
Beaver, killed Friday night at Chris
Evans house by the train-robbers. The
courtroom was crowded with spectators,
who wanted to learn all the particulars.
To-day the inquest was continued.
Harvey Ward, residing twelve miles
north of this city, and who furnished the
W n
amined, and testified as follows: ''Saw
Chris Evans and John Sontag Saturday
morning at my place between O'Clock
and O'Clock. Evans said he wanted
breakfast and a rig. The men were
armed with double-b arreled shotguns
and slx-shooters.
Am well acquainted with Evans, Som
tag not very well. Evans said he had
shot a man in NiSalia. He had the
Sheriff7s rig at his barn in town Friday
and had taken ride with it into the
country. He passed by my house and
came back by my house at $50 Friday
night, then he went home, arriving about
o'clock Thursday morning. He was
backing the buggy out OF the barn when
q voice said, VINO is there?' i shot in
that direction said he. Never saw
bullets fly as they did them Evans said
it was gritty little devil and he returned
the shot.
Then Evans told me how Witty and
Smith tried to arrest him on suspicion of
being one of the train robbers, and that
he would allow no man TO arrest him at
his own house Evans told me he was
innocent OF any crime. He asked me If
knew who he had shot, as he would like
To know vino he killed.
After the shooting Evans said he and
Sontag left town, seeing no officers in the
road, though they expected to meet a
large posse every minute. The men
stayed at my place about two hours.
leaving about Z O'Clock. Sontag
had little to say. though he stated that
Evans did the shooting. He said the
man whom he shot was gritty fellow,
and that Evans walked mp on him with a
pistol. Evans and Sontag left my place
with mule and cart. Sontag said he
had TO have 1t, as he was lame, and would
pay for 1t. Sontag gave me s. for the use
oil the mule and cart, and . cents for
feed. He said they had plenty of hay in
the mountains.
Evans WAS as coolas q cucumber. but
Sontag was slightly excited when they
sat down to breakfast. Sontag gave MY
little girl fifty cents, telling her to stand
st the WINDOW, and If she saw men to let
them know, and tell those men no one
was there. Evans asked my wife to pull
down the window blinds, and said they
would step into the bedroom if any one
came. The shotguns were carried on
straps over their shoulders in position TO
lie raised for quick action. While eating
they placed the guns against the wall be-
hind them. Sontag was very lame and
tired. While they We're eating two men
PASSED my place in a buggy. EOne of the
men was Sam Ellis. l told Evans that
sam had passed looking for him, and he
sid: He's not hunting me. His blood
is not rich enough. Such men as Ellis
are not hunting for thieves. as they know
il is not healthy.
w. Nolan was stopping at Wards and
was sleeping on the porch when Evans