The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-02
SHOT AND ROBBED
A Swiss Murdered for His
Money.
FATE OF PETER VANETTI.
The Sheriff of San Mateo County
Hunting the Supposed Assassin.
A Sensation Promised.
Special to THE MoRNrNa CALI.

HALFMooN BAY, April 1.-Wednesday
night it was reported here that Peter Va
netti. employed by the Spring Valley
Water Company, was missing. Vanettl is
is the keeper of the lower dam on the Pi-
larcitos Creek, nine miles above here. He
lived at his place near the main county
road, about three miles out Of town.
Tuesday morning, taking with him Mar
tin Albrecht lie set 20 work digging away
slide on the fume. Albrecht said that
Vanetti started a little later for the dam,
two miles further up, saying that he would
be back soon. He did not return, and AL
brecht went home. A search was made,
and on finding In the water at the dam a
hat worn by him it was thought he had
been drowned; but a thorough and system
attic dredging failed to bring the body to
light. and Friday morning the dredging
party quit work and commenced a search
down the canyon.
They had barely started when the dead
body was found, less than half mile below
the dam
Vanetti, when he left Albrecht proceeded
with his horse as far as there was any trail,
when he tied the animal and proceeded
atoot on the fume, the only way the dam
can be reached. He evidently met his
slayer in hiding, and received his death
wound from pistol or rife shot in the
face. He was shot three times, twice from
the front and once from the rear. The as
sailant must have been close to his victim,
as the face shows powder stains.
Having shot him, the murderer attacked
Vanetti with a Ratchet or AK, the back of
the head showing several wounds and then
rolled or dragged the body down to the
creek, hundred feet below. Here his coat
and vest we're removed and carried cff with
the contents, his trousers pockets turned
inside out, and the man left in a natural
position on his back out OF sight Of the
fume. The murderer returned to the fume
and went out that way.
The Sheriff is on the trail and it Is be-
lieyed has located his man. If the party
suspected is the right man he will be in
custody to-day and ii will produce a sensa-
ton.
Vanetti has been employed in his present
capacity over nine years. He was sober,
steady. and attended strictly to business.
he was unmarried. 90 years old and lived
alone on his ranch. He was never in any
personal trouble and never was away from
home or his work.
Being thrifty and saving he was possessed
which he either carried with him or secreted
at his house. he must have had at least
$500 in gold on him a the time of his DEATH
He also had gold watch aud two heavy
gold chains made TO order for him. the
whole being worth $500 or more. One chain
alone cost sos to make, besides the gold,
which he furni shed from where lie min ed
years ago.
His salary was such that he was enabled
to save large amount OF money for one in
his walk of life. At one time he is said to
have had $4,000 on deposit In the French
bank, but through some unfortunate stock
speculatiOns he lost much Of this. With
drawing what he had left on deposit he
kept it in his possession ever since.
Stories have been told of buckskin belt
lined with shining twenties he carried
around his waist. About week ago the
old man is known to have sold two lots in
this city for $500. This money too was
boarded away. That it was his evil genius
the CHASTITY discovery made yesterday goes
to show.
The house where he lived was searched
by the Coroner and besides various letters
and legal papers SIS in silver was found
under rug. A search will be Immediately
made for buried money near the house. as
those who knew his habits say he must
have money buried there.
Vauetti was a native Of Switzerland, and
has no relatives here other than a brother
and cousin who are working near Wood
side in vineyard. fifteen miles from here.
They have not yet NJ ade any effort to assist
in the search, and their action seems queer,
having been informed Thursday of the mat
ter.
An autopsy was held this evening by the
| Coroner at Redwood City, but nothing fur
| Their than the facts given here was brought
! out.