The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-03
TOOK TO THE WOODS.
"Tex' Bronson, the Murderer of
Harris, Still at Large.
Sheriff Kay and Posse Expect De-
termined Resistance When He
Is Brought TO Bay.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

VIsALIA. April 2.-Sheriff Kay of this
county is making every effort to capture
Grant Bronson, who shot and killed William
Harris ten miles southeast of here yester-
day morning, but up to tonight the man has
not been found.
Undoubtedly whisky and frenzied brain
are responsible for the bloody deed. The
particulars OF the murderous row were re-
lated as follows today to the officers by 4.
K. Blankenship, who lives near the Harris
place on the Woodyille road, where the
affray took rlace:
about O'clock III the morning [ heard a
rifle shot near my house. On going to the
door l saw Bronson. He said ne fired to
wake me up: said lie had jug of whisky and
L must take some of it-must fill my bottle.
He extended the jug. but | excused myself
from taking any of it, Then he said | must
sell him a dozen eggs. This l did, and he
said he would 90 over and get the old woman
to cook them from hm-meaning Mrs. Bill
Harris. Tex" nickname for Bronson,
arranged to go to town with me. | got
ready after about two hours and was driv-
ing toward the Harris place. When l got in
sight of the place l saw Bronson and Harris
scutfing. Harris had Tex down. The
two men soon got up and Harris went
over and tied his team, which was standing
near by. While he was doing this Brnns on
fired his rifle in the air. After tying his
team Harris turned and started for the
house. He entered a door facing where
Bronson stood, ana just as he started to
close the door after him Bronson aimed a
revolver in the direction of Harris, and the
instant the weapon was leveled it was dis
charged. Harris fell forward and disap-
peared. Soon after girl came to the door
and began TO scream, He has killed him
he has killed him." at the time Bronson
Rred his rife in the air and up 10 the time
of the fatal shot | called to him several
times 10 come aud get in the wagon with
me If he wished to 20 to town. When |
learned Harris was dead | came to town
and notified the officers. At the time Bron-
son was asking me to take part of his
whisky he showed signs Of being partially
intoxicated.
Bronson has been cutting wood for Bill
Dougherty, and he lived in a cabin near by
He is at most times quiet man. But when
in a talkatiye mood likes to tell of his fight
Ing scrapes. He says he was formerly cow
boy. Is about 5 feet inches high, weighs
$50 pounds, and is ight-complexioned.
When Bronson found be had killed Harris
lie WHlheu LU HIS CABIN, OUU NaTuS QNaE, ana
l turned ana drove to Visalia."
The murdered man is known to many per-
sons in this county. Last summer he was a
laborer at the Sequoia mills, and figured in
a shooting scrape. For sport one DAY be
took shot at another workman, and shot
of the end of his thumb and wounded him
slightly elsewhere. For this he was not
arrested, but got his discharge from the
mill.
Harris was shot through the body. The
bullet entered at the back and came out at
the abdomen, making a large, ugly hole.
When UudeItaker Locey reached the
scene OF the shooting this afternoon he
found Harris lying in the middIaof the
floor in the room where he fell with an
ugly wound through his body.
Bronson walked to his cabin Just after
the last fatal shot with steady gait and in
manner that seemed 10 indicate that a
realization Of what he had done bad con-
siderably sObered him. He remained In the
cabin an hour, nd then taking his repeat
ing rife disappeared. He is said to be a
strongly made man.
Sheriff Kay and posse went to the scene
of the murder as soon as the news reached
town. In few hours Mr.. Kay sent to
town for an additional force. From this it
seems that Bronson is trying to escape, as
the country there is heavily timbered. Dur
ing most of the day a crowd remained at
the jail to see the murderer when he should
be brought in. Only this week Bronson
and Harris came TO Visalia together in a
cart and took several drinks together. They
appeared on the best of terms The fatal
quarrel was probably an impromptu one
caused by too much bad whisky. Neither
of the men are past middle age.