The herald., 1894-09-25
AN tX-PjLICEMAH K|LLE|
Joe Corea Shot by Gaspar
YaIenzueIa.
They We're Brothers-in-IIaw and Had
Feui.
The Men Met in tho Street, Qaarrsied
aud Foaght-.Two shots Fired.
vsienznsia nurrsnd-
cred Himself.

Joe C0rea, an ex-pollceman, was snof
and instantly killed at $3.50 O'Clock last
night by Gaspar Valsuzuela. bis broth
er.in-law. The murder was committed
on Boyle avenue. between the Sisters'
school and the Hollenbeck park. VAL
epzuea surrendered bimself to Sheriff
Cline Immediately alter the killing.
claiming self-deienee.
The cause OF the trouble originated
over two years ago, when Valsnzuela
was accused by Corea Of chastisinR hiss
Corsa's little boy. The men have fami-
lies and reside on the Lugo ranch. just
outside the city limits, south Of town.
Some years sgo Corea resided in the
city and was on the police force. Hs
was appointed deputy constable by
Rogers. and held the appointment ct
the time Of his death.
Ever since the incident Of Valeuznsla
Furnishing Corsa's child, there has been
bad blood between the men, although
they and their families reside side by
side. The old fend was renewed .
week ago when the men had come
| words concerning water matters. Val0n-
zuela claims that Cores interfered with
| his and his aunt's water rights. and
quite disturbance was raised about II.
| Corea, who was zanjero for the ranch.
It is said, shut the water of Ggainet the
wishes OF Valenzuela, and the aunt and
| Valenzuela went to see Water Over
seer Bilde.rain regarding the matter,
but the oversser could do nothing save
advise him IL WAS csse for civil
action 90 to who had right to control
the water.
Corea came into the city yesterday
morning on horseback. and was on his
way home when he met his fate. An
other Mexican named Mendoza, who re-
sides on the Laguna ranch. six miles
from the Lugo ranch and whore Valen-
zuela and Corea reside, was returning
home with Corea. He was in cart and
Corea was riding horse.
II Just 30 happened that VAlenzuelz.
who was coming into the city in
buggy, met Corea and Mendoza going
home. According to Mendoza, the only
eye witness to the shooting. Valenzuela
spoke to the other two man as they met
about half way up the Hollenbsck hill.
Cores made some slignting remark and
turned to curse Valenzuela. Mendoza
had driven along, but hearing the awesr"
ing started back to whore the men were.
| ul6uLu0lh Buvb Alb OiOsAot-lu-i0H "
| called him all the vile names imagina-
BILE and seemed as though he wanted to
fight. Corea rode alongside the buggy
in which Valenzuele was driving and
jumped from his horse. Valenzuela
Immediately sprsng from his buggy,
and the brothers-in-law met face to
The prisoner claims Corea struck at
him when he (Valenzuele) drew his re-
volver and fred at close range. The
frat shot struck Corsa just below the
heart, but he still stood his ground.
Valenzuela fred second shot, which
struck Corea in the stomach. He fell
backward and died Immediately.
Mendoza was about 40 feet away and
was the only witness to the ehooting.
When Valenzuels saw that his brother
in-law Was dead he yelled to Mendoza
to stay with the body until assistance
came.
Then the shooter got into hia buggy
and drove rapidly to the county Jail.
He WAS very calm in all his movements.
Calling Jsiler Henry out. be told him
that he had killed o man and had come
to surrander himself. Henry took the
revolver with which the Mexican shot
his brothsr-in-law, and found it to be .
32 Smith q Wesson, two empty car
tridgeH yet in the chamber.
Valenzuela offered to show the jailer
whore the body was, but his services
were refused and he was locked up. To
this he objected, and had to be put into
q cell almost by force.
Sheriff Cline and Tailor Henry took
the prisoners horse and buggy and
drove to the scene of the tragedy, whore
they found the body as told by Valensu-
ella. Officers Bates, Doris, Smith and
others were found already upon the
scene, but OF course could do nothing
except to take Mendoza to the station,
which they did. No weapons were
found upon the dead mans person, and
IL is thought he had nothing with which
to attack his brother-in-law.
The body WAS removed to the under
! taxing rooms of Peck, Chase Il Co.,
where Coroner Gates will hold an In.
quest this morning.
A HERALD reporter interviewed the
prisoner in the county jail soon after he
surrendered himself, with the result
that he told substantially the same story
as did Mendoza, and admitted freely
having done the killing, always claim
ing self-defense. He was the coolest
man ever placed behind the bars in this
county on such a charge. and seemed to
have no fear of the results OF this case.