The San Francisco call., 1896-04-05
HOMICIDE At
SAN ANDREAS.
George S. Washburn Shot
to Death by Benito
Lopez.
KILLED FOR A TRIFLE.
Murder Follows a Petty Quar-.
rel Over the Digging Of
a Ditch.
CALLED HIS NEIGHB0R A THIEF
The Accusation Answered With a
Pistol Bullet-His Slayer Des-
perate Character.

SAN ANDREAs, CAL, April 4.-George
s. Washburn, an old-time and highly re-
spected citizen of San Andreas, was shot
and instantly killed here at 4 o'clock this
afternoon by Benito Lopez, a Central
American.
The two men owned property fronting
on lane in the outskirts of the town,
where both lived. Lopez has well in his
lot, which overfows and sends a stream
across the lane onto the Washburn place.
Washburn took a hoe this morning and
commenced digging a ditch to turn the
water away from his land. Lopez came
out of his cabin and asked Washburn
what he was doing. Washburn replied
that he wanted nothing to do with Lopez,
that he knew what he was.
"What am I?'' asked Lopez.
"You're thief, sir, thief,' was the re-
ply.
This led to bitter words, which finally
provoked Washburn, who has become ner-
vous and excitable from long sickness, to
raising his hoe and striking at Lopez. al
though the latter was several feet away
and he could not have struck him even
though he had desired to. Lopez turned
and rushed into his house, when Wash
burn resumed his work. Soon Lopez came
out again, carrying a 45-caliber Colts re-
volver. When Washburn saw him COM
ing he turned and walked away, not wish
ing to have any trouble.
"Oh you go away now," Lopez shouted
at him.
"Yes." replied Washburn, "I want
nothing to do with you"
y; III nd
shot evidently struck, for Washburn stag
gered. A second shot was fired and Wash
burn fell to the ground.
Several persons were watching the two
men, but had no idea that their quarrel
would terminate as it did. They ran to
Washhurns S side and tenderly carried him
into his house. A doctor was sent for and
when he arrived he pronounced the old
man dead. Later an examination was
held and one bullet was found to have
struck the back of the head, just above the
neck. inflicting ragged wound. The
other struck high up on the arm, passing
into the body and striking the shoulder
blade; thence it glanced downward and
evidently pierced the heart.
After the shooting Lopez quietly walked
into his house, placed his revolver under
the mattress of a bed, emerged again and
locked the door and then started for town.
On the way he met Constable Masterson,
who came to arrest him.
"Well, Lopez, what have you done?" the
constable asked.
''Oh, shot old Washburn," he replied
coolly and unconcernedly.
'Did you kill him ?'
"Well, / guess SO; shot to KILL"
''What did you shoot him wth?''
"a pistol, and big one-I meant to
kill"
Lopez. is a hard character, always in
trouble of some kind. A year ago he cut
a man very badly with a knife during a
fight and he is under bonds at the present
time to keep the peace. Although he is a
Central American he was living here when
the first white man came to the county in
early days, following mining and later
becoming woodchopper. Of late he has
lived off the rent of small house he owns
here.
Washburn came to this county in 1854.
For many years he conducted meat mar
ket. Owing to sickness some years ago he
had to retire from active business and has
resided at his home ever since.
He was a bluff, straightforward mar
and well liked. His long sickness made
him nervous and irritable, which would
occasionally cause him to lose his temper,
but he never meant harm to any one. He
leaves widow and two children daugh-
ter living here and a son in San Fran
cisco, who conducts the Davy Crockett
saloon on Market street.. His wife is
almost frantic with grief. She was in the
yard at the time of the shooting and wit
messed the tragedy.