Evening journal., 1897-08-20
SUICIDES IDENTITY.
Man Found Dead In Central Park,
N. Y, Notorious Character.
WAS KNOWN As CALIFORNIA GEORGE.
Had Killed Several Men and Was a Gem
eraI All Round Rufian-some of
the Happenings In His
Eventful Life.

New York, Aug 20-The corpse OF the
man who on Tuesday night last fired a
bullet through his head, while in a lone
ly part of Central park, this city, has
been recognized at the morgue as that
OF George Weyman, better known
throughout the United States as Cali
fornia George.
He was notorious character, being
twice tried for murder. and during the
rebellion he fred the Confederate ram
Louisianato prevent her being captured
by Admiral Farragut
Weyman was for years professional
gambler in this city. He was never
known to play a straight game and
always stood ready to do desperate work
In the event of en- attempted "call
down" by his victim. On account OF his
bloody record the old type Of gamblers
tolerated California George, and among
the younger sports he had but few
friends.
Weyman was born in Germany 60
years ago. He came to this country
when young. and at the time Of the gold
excitement drifted to California, where
he developed into a card sharper. His
| early career as a gambler was so crowd
ed with reckless daring and wild adven-
ture that Weyman got a reputation
which spread with the passing days and
gave him the title of California George.
Killed His First Man.
a few nights after the Heenan and
! Sayers fight, Weyman, at New Orleans,
/ got into bitter argument with a south
ern sporting man named Cunningham
concerning the relative merits Of the
| fighters. When the discussion ended,
| Cunningham lay dead on the floor, hav
ing been shot by Weyman. The latter
was tried for the killing. but was ac-
quilted on the plea Of self defense.
At the outbreak Of the civil war Cali
fornia George enlisted in Colonel Hunts
Fifth Louisiana infantry. Confederate
army, but after short service, on ac-
count Of i'll health, left the service.
| Then he became chief calker on the
Confederate ram Louisiana, which was
being built to run the Mississippi block
ade. Farraguts fleet showed up before
the ram was completed, and Weyman,
to save the vessel from capture. set it
afre and adrift down the river.
After the war Weyman came to this
city and made the Gotham, on the Bow
cry. his headquarters. where he helped
dupe Coal Oil Johnny and others out OF
/ mlllOnS. 1nele ne hlIuCk up "a liltuu-
ship with Spence Pettis, an accomplish
ed forger. but still known as the mean
est and most contemplate thief in the
country. The pair were inseparable un.
til Pettis' death occurred.
stabs Bnl Gould.
on New Years morning, 1873. In Ops
: a Bowery saloon, Weyman stabbed BIZ
Gould. a brother Of the notorious dive
& keeper Tom Gould. to death. He wa
\ convicted Of manslaughter and was sen
tenced to Sing Sing prison for seve
years. He served his time, and when h
returned from state prison Californi
George found but few friends to hel
him along. He gradually grew from ba
3 to worse, and at last the gambler an
murderer was Stunned by all his for
: mer acquaintances. Weymans daugh
ter Jennie, who was dancing on tn
, stage under the name of Rhea. die
three years ago at Chicago. Californi
George was "cadging" among the Bow
: cry gamblers on Tuesday evening, and
, commenting on his bad luck, remarked
What Is there left for a man whe
j. he is old and broke? Nothing that ca
c see but-death."
j. Three hours later the notorious black
c leg and assassin killed himself in tn
n | park