The herald., 1894-10-31
SAN BERNARDIN0.
THE MURDER OF FRENCH jim
NEAR COTTON.
AN Inofrsrsive ola Man Found Stabb I'D
to Death by UDknown Parties.
Particulars and Facts
in tho Case.

SAN BERNARDINo, Oct. 30.-Until this
week their lived in a little house on the
Aivah H. Warner rannn, situated
nearly three miles southeast OF Cotton,
seys tho Times index, an inoffenaive
old man oil about 80 years, who was un-
married, and resided there all alone,
attending chicken ranch which he
carried on and from the income of which
he supplied few wants.
He had formerly been a miner and
the vicissitudes of that life had lett him
penniless, 80 Mr.. Warner gave him a
home on his ranch and made him as
comfortable and contented as possible,
end French Jim." as he was familiarly
called, became the favorite and friend
OF all who knew him; it WAS not known
that he had an enemy in the world,
Mr.. Warner and his son-in-law, MIR.
Greene, in particulr, being very much
attached to him, while the neighbors
who could do Jim a favor were always
well pleased to do 80.
Sunday French Jim was seen about
his place and on Monday about 10
O'Clock in the morning, some boys who
were out hunting, came by the place and
saw q man they supposed to be him out
in the pasture patch, with his horse
picketed near, but whether it was him
or another man they are unable to say
positively, but are pretty certain that 1t
was French Jim.
This morning Mr.. Green, having oc.
casion to call on Jim about come busi-
ness affairs, soon after 6 O'clock went
into the house and found the occupant
dead, with many footsteps around the
house as if there had been one or more
persons there recently besides the occu-
pant. Mr.. Green Immediately went to
Cotton and notified Conesable Bagley,
and the coroner at that place. The for
mer placed man in charge to see that
the tracks around the house were not
disturbed, and came over to secure the
bloodhounds from the sheriff'e Office.
At O'Clock Coroner Thompson, accom-
panied by w. B. Reeves, lett for the
scene OF slaughter, securing posse at
Cotton to act as coroner's jury and in
vestigate the mystery to decide whether
James Mourinett came to his death by
his own hand or the hand of one or
more aseaeHins.
1t was thought by some that he may
have had money in his possession, al
though those who knew him best think
otherwise, and that for this money, or
the belief that he had sum OF money
concealed in the cabin, the deed was
committed. Another theory is that he
may have been put out OF the way
through motives OF revenge.
Some months since Mexican came
to Warmers ranch and said that he
knew where o gold and silver mine
could be located, but he had no money
to carry out his prospecting plane, but
Mr.. Warner and another gentleman,
who sometimes invests in such things,
not only furnished the grub stake de-
sired. but sent French Jim along with
the Mexican to locate the mine. They
returned with the report that the mine
belonged to another man. we'll known to
the two principals, and was rich in both
gold and silver. They upbraided tho
Mexican for seeking grub stake on
such representations, when he left and
has not been seen since, and it is sur
missed that possibly he might have
sought revenge upon Jim for the part
tina latter took in the transaction, who
evidently would not stand in with him
in this deal to swindle their employers.
Lster-Two Indians were eeen in the
neighborhood OF the house last evening
| about 5 O'Clock. The coronsr's jury
found q verdict that the deceased came
TO his death from stab wounds at the
hands OF parties unknown.