The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
Officers Lose the Trail of the
Assassin Not Far From
the House.
STORY OF HIS HoUsEKEEPER.
Attempt Made Early at Night to
Lure the Old Man to the
Door.

SUISUN, CAL, Oct. 10.-The circum-
stances leading to the murder OF Rancher
Daniel II. Wilson in Suisun Valley last
evening are clothed in mystery. Since
thev were notified TIE officers have been
working on every possible clew, but their
efforts, so far, have proved unavailing.
They are, however, in possession OF lnfor-
nation which may possibly lead to I'M
mediate arrests.
Owing to domestic wrangles Wilson and
his wife separated in 1898 as the result OF
divorce proceedings. Since that time
Wilson kept various housekeepers. At the
time of the murder Mrs. Lucy Owens and
her niece, Ada Rice. were in the house.
According to Mrs. Owens story Wilson
returned from Sulsun about s O'Clock in
the evening. After eating supper he sat
down at his desk and commenced hgur-
ing on his accounts. Mrs. Owens and her
niece retired to their chamber.
Fifteen minutes later Mrs. Rice passed
through the room in which Wilson was
seated to go to q pump back of the house
for q drink of water. Seeing that the
woman was but partially dressed, Wilson
said he would get the water for her; but
she, observing that he was busy, went for
it herself On re-entering the house she
saw Wilson coming out, and when she
stepped inside and placed the key In the
door Wilson laughingly remarked:
do not lock me out"
No sooner had these words passed his
lips than the report OF gun was heard
and Wilson fell on the alleyway between
the main residence and smaller build
ing, exclaiming:
my God, Lucy, I'm shotl"
The women ran to the Hatch residence
near by and the news of the tragedy was
telephoned to Suisun. After the officers
had arrived on the scene they traced the
footprints of the assassin for three
quarters of mile and then lost the trail.
Mrs. Owens stated that prior to the
shooting some one threw a clod on the
porch, but Wilson, being somewhat deaf,
did not hear it. When told about it he
said that if any more clods were thrown
he would go out with his shotgun.
1t was rumored here last evening that
Wilson yesterday received the money for
his almond crop, but the firm to which he
sold the almonds stated that he was not
paid any part of the money. It is believed
by some that robbery was the motive for
the crime, this surmlse arising from the
fact that Wilson yesterday discharged
and paid off his EN- ployes and was likely
to have had money in his possession.
There is no evidence so far to show that
the murdered man had any bitter enemy.
Wilson was native of Ohio and was 81
years of age. He was a member of the
local Grand Army of the Republic Post
and had resided in the valley for twenty
years. He was regarded as an honest,
upright man. Wilson leaves two chill
dren-a boy, about 16 years old, who is
hunting in Mendocino, and girl about IL
years of age.
The cowardly murder has been the sole
topic of conversation on the streets OF
Suisun to-day and all sorts of rumors
have been started, each found to be with
out foundation when investigated by the
officers. Deputy Coroner Maynard I'M
paneled jury this morning and then ad-
iourned the inquest until Monday.