The herald., 1897-02-13
trouble At CALABASAS
"reminiscences of a Gun
Play in 1895
WHEN bRANSCOMD WAS SHOT
Mrs. Minerva Gregory Gets Only
Nurses Fees Allowed
A TROPICO ATTACHMENT
How Constable Yonkin Dallied With His
Chinese Friends
s'Cap" James Refuses to Submit to
Ju0xs Allen Hands Down an Opinion-Mrs
De Shepherd Refused Damages by the
TROPIcO ATTACHMENT
How Constable Yonkin Dallied With His
Chinese Friends
s'Cap" James Refuses to Submit TO
Arrest
Judks Allen Hands Down an oplnion-Mrs
De Shepherd Refused Damages by the
Jury-Curious Development in
the Murliio Case

The rural retreat of Calabasas is oc-
casionally enlivened by neighborly
troubles that have distinctively char
acteristic flavor, and the one that is now
being ventilated in department f1ve be-
fore Judge Shaw, is no exception to the
rule.
The plaintiff in the case is Manuel
Dominguez and the defendant one Leon
Gaszave, and the appearance in court
anent difficulty over land and water
rights recalls the time when Calabasas
was aflame over troubles which came
very near having disastrous ending.
At that time several gun plays" were
made and in one, where Constable Har-
vey Branscomb exchanged shots with
Dominguez, the plaintiff in the present
suit, both men were wounded and angry
feelings were stirred that even to this
day have not been allayed
II In the present action Dominguez is
seeking to recover $1,000 for an alleged in :
reference with his water right and an
order of court to perpetually restrain
the defendant from further interference.
1t is claimed by Dominguez that he
entered upon unsurveyed government
land, known as Halls survey, in No
vember 1883, and there built house,
barn, outhouses, and has ever since cul-
tivated the land with intent to perfect
his title as settler
In the northwest corner of the tract of
land he discovered a spring and at an
early date developed it, walled it in and
secured flow of one miners inch. This
flow of water he piped 200 yards to tank
convenient to the house, and has used it
for domestic purposes. Dominguez had
posted notice, according to law in Aug
ust,. 1893, claiming right and title to the
waters from the spring. and did not an
ticipate his right being challenged.
About one year ago Leon Gazave set
tied upon land adjoining that of Domin-
guez on the northern boundary. AS a
matter Of fact Gazave Jumped" his
piece of land but not being expert in the
modus operandi he sought advice from
DomingueZ who gave him pointers" as
to what he should do and received s25
for thus shaking GaZave's thirst for
knowledge. Some time later both men
had dispute over some stock and the
matter resulted in lawsuit which was
decided adversely to Gazave. In Febru-
ary, 1895, Gazave. so the plaintiff charges,
broke his water pipes, and While Domin-
engaged in fencing in the spring and
otherwise repairing the damage done,
a mob of men, led on by Gazave, made
an attack upon him and after assaulting
and beating him ''riddled his body with
bullets" knocked his wife down, as
saulted his daughter and elected the trio
from their property, threatening vio-
1ence II any attempt was made to regain
possession of the spring. i was during
this melee that the interchange of shots
took place between Branscomb and
Dominguez heretofore alluded to.
Since that time Dominguez claims that
he has been in fear of his life and having
been debarred from using water from
his own spring has been compelled TO
procure a sufficiency for domestic use
from a neghbor five miles away. In
these premises Dominguez asks the
court to confirm his right to take possess
sion of the spring. and award him $1,000
as damages.