The herald., 1897-04-03
CREMATION
TO CONCEAL
Robbery and Murder Sup
posed to Have Been
PERFORATED AT cARyANzA
A SOBER AND INDUSTRIOUS
FRENCHMAN
PERFORATED AT cARyANzA
Burned to Death in His Cabin--The
Charred Remains Brought to the
City--He Feared Foul Play

Coroner Campbell was telephoned yes
terday morning tnat his services were
needed at Garvanza, where an old man
had been burned to death. This simple
announcement is only the beginning
of sad tale, and it may even be that
foul murder has been committed to
cover the crime of robbery. But what
ever may be the theory, it is certain
that the death of c. E. Ferrand is
shrouded in mystery
Ferrand, who was about 90 years old,
was native of France. For some years
he had been working at the winery OF
Campbell Johnson, located on the ranch
of the proprietor at Garvanza. 1t has
been his custom to go to the ranch IN
the fall, generally about the month OF
September, and remain until April,
when he would leave this section or the
country. While at Garvanza he occu-
pied little cabin located on the ranch
near the winery. But recently he is
known to have been nervous and ap-
prehensive, fearing some impending ca
lamity. In fact, he has remarked to
some of his co-laborers that he did not
like to remain in his cabin at night, as
he was afraid of being murdered. What
foundation there may have been for his
forebodings is not known, but 1t is GER
tain that he ceased to remain in his
cabin over night for some time. Re
Gently it is claimed that he occupied a
room at the Cafe des Alpes, at the north
west corner of Alameda and Also
streets, returning to his work at Gar
vanza each morning. A few days since
Ferrand received from Mr.. Campbell
Johnson, his employer. an order for 500
on the Model bakery, located at 307 Ali
so. near Alameda street.
Early yesterday morning Ferrand was
loading wine for some customers at the
winery. After finishing his task he dis
appeared, and it Is supposed that he
went at once to his cabin, as before 2
o'clock his charred remains were found
In the ashes of the building.
Campbell johnson is building house
on a ridge of land about half mile
from the spot where the cabin stood.
He was inspecting the work at about
S:45 a. m, when he saw that the shanty
was ablaze. He gave the alarm and
soon arrived at the scene with num-
Der of his workmen. The fire was easily
controlled. When they first arrived the
north door of the cabin was open. Mr..
johnson ordered one of the men to take
a shovel and spread out the ashes and
wet them down to prevent sparks fly
ing. In shoveling the ashes the remains
of Ferrand were found. Apparently he
had been lying in the couch in the cor
ner. face down.
The remains were left as found and the
coroner notified. 1t was about 8 p. m.
when Assistant Coroner Summerfield
viewed the remains and discovered the
facts as herein related.
Ferrand is said to have been sober
Industrious man. but somewhat eccen-
trio. There were two gasoline stoves
in the cabin, and it is possible that the
fire may have originated from the burn
ing gasoline, but there is no evidence
that such is the case, and that theory
finds few advocates among those who
visited the scene. The legs of the corpse
were burned to a crisp and crumbled
away when touched, leaving the stumps.
The head, too, was charred, and when
the skull was touched it crumbled to
pieces. The trunk alone was intact.
and even that was badly burned. The
remains were taken in charge by Kre-
gelo & Bresee and brought to this city
inquiry at the Cafe des Alpes was re-
warded with little information. The pro-
prietor speaks and understands but lit
tie English. but denied knowing any
thing of Ferrand except miner Of that