The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-09-21
TRAGEDY IN SAN
bENIT0 COUNTY.
Frank Lynch Shot and Killed by
John AshurSt.
Trouble Over Cattle Stealing the Cause of
the Shooting.
An Unknown Man Brutality MUIR
dered by a Gang of HoodluIns
at San Francisco Yesterday
Afternoon Several Persons
Witness the Tragedy, but None
of Them Interfere.

Witness the Tragedy, but None
of Them Interfere.
HOLLISTER, Sept. pa telephone
message was received last night an
nouncing the killing of Frank Lynch.
aged 80, by John Ashurst at Gonzales
salon in the Valecitos Panoche Valley,
sixty miles south of HOLSTER.
Both men We're prominent citizens,
and the tragedy was the result of bac
feeling arising out of charge made a
couple Of wears ago by Ashurst that
Lynch had stolen his cattle.
A short time ago Lynch sent word to
Ashurst to be prepared for the next
time they met At o'clock Ashurst
was standing on the porch of the sa-
loon, when Lynch rode uo. After a
few words Lynch dismounted and start
ed for Ashurst, who drew a revolver
and fired at Lynch, killing him, the bui-
let taking effect in the abdomen. Sheriff
Holbrook and Coroner Black started fo1
the scene at midnight, and no particu
lars are yet obtainable.
Three years ago Ashurst, who is a
large cattle raiser of the Panoche Val
ley, suffered greatly from cattle stealing
He caused three A1eXicans to be arrest
ed, and obtained a warrant for Lvnch's
arrest as the instigator of the stealing,
but the latter evaded arrest, and the
matter was dropped. Ashurst always
claimed that the Mexicans were not as
guilty as Lynch, and finally got them
pardoned. Out of this affair strained
relations grew between Lynch and Ash
urst, and it was merely a question of
which one would be killed first.
Ashurst is a highly respected citizen
Of this county. He surrendered himself
to the Constable. and claims self-de
Tense. Lynch's sister, Miss Belle Lynch
was formerly editress of a paper at
Ukiah.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20.-A tele-
phone message has Just been received
here that Ashurst, murderer of Frank
Lynch, whom he killed at Valecitos
sixty miles from HOLSTER, yesterday,
has been lynched by enraged citizens.
Later the Associated Press has tele-
phonic information from HOLSTER,
the scene of the reported lynching, that
there is nothing in the story
BRUTAL MURDER.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20-An I'M
known man about 80 years of age,
weighing at least 225 pounds, was bru-
tally murdered by a gang of hoodlums
Oh Harrison street. between Sixth and
Seventh, this afternoon.
While intoxicated, the stranger ac-
costed one of the gang, who We're stand
ing upon the corner, and was knocked
down by a blow in the face. While
prone upon his back the ruffians jumped
upon and kicked him so severely that
he died shortly afterward from the inju-
RES thez inflicted upon him.
Although several persons witnessed
the dastardly assault, none of them in
terfered, and the unfortunate mans as
sailants escaDed before the arrival of
the police, who were summoned to his
assistance.
At the Receiving Hospital, where the
stranger was taken shortly before he
succumbed to his injuries. it was found
that his skull was fractured. his jaw
broken and his throat lacerated by the
boots of his assailants.
The police have no clue as to the iden-
tity Of the deceased or his murderers.
James Bowling and his brother Frank,
who were among the mans assailants,
gave themselves up to the police, and
were charged with murder. They state
that they acted in self-defense, and did
not kick their victim, who was a long
shoreman, as yet unidentified.
An EX-CONVICT KILLED.
STOCKTON, Sept. 20.-The police to-
night shot and killed an ex-convict
named Frank Williamson, alias Ford
who is we'll known in several places
The fellow was holding UP people for
small sums of money, and showed he
was crazed by opium or drink by his
recklessness. He entered several sa-
looms, and at one place stood up the
barkeeper for money.
When Captain Kingsbury of the po-
lice came in Ford leveled his pistol at
him, and got into the street, striking an
other officer with his pistol as he went
out the door Constable James Carroll
next accosted the desperate, and had
a running pistol fight with him around
one block. and ran him into a vacant
store at the corner of San Joaquin and
Washington streets. There officer Gill
came up, and commenced popping at the
shooter, VINO was Keeping MS DOuy Well
out of sight behind tree posts and brick
walls. Gill and Carroll both hit him.
and other officers claim to have shot
him.
The fellow was pretty well punctured
with bullets. and finally was taken to
Jail, where he died an hour later
1t was desperate fight between Car
roll and the shooter. for Ford kept be-
hind posts and doged quickly, while
Carroll stood out in the street and fired
till his pistol was empty, when he re-
loaded and went at the fellow again.
Ford was middle-aged man, and his
picture is in the Sheriff's gallery here.