The San Francisco call., 1898-02-10
CLUBBED TO DEATH OVER
 A LAND LEASE Tragic Occurrence on a Ventura County
 Ranch. Robert Lee Hill Seeks to Dust Theodore R.
 Parvin. The Latter Protests and Is Beaten With @ Piece of
 Scantliug. SELF DEFENSE CLAIMED. Hill Admits the Killing, but on the Advice of His Attorneys Will
 Say No More.
SELF DEFENSE CLAIMED.
Hill Admits the Killing, but on the Advice of His Attorneys Will
 Say No More.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

VENTURA, Feb. 9.-Robert Lee Hill was arrested at 10 o'clock this morn ing by Constable John Graham and confined in the County Jail here on charge of murder for clubbing to death Theodore R. Parvin.
 The tragedy occurred about six miles from Saticoy, on Hills ranch, which had been leased by Parvin for the next two years. Trouble had been brewing over this lease for some time After leasing the ranch Hill repented of his bargain and sought to turn Parvin off, but the latter declined to be busted
 About noon yesterday Hill went to the place where he found Parvin at work mending corral.
 A barley took place between the men in regard to the lease. and, according to the dying mans statement to his wife, Hill came there to buy the lease. Parvin wanted s250, and Hill offered s10O Upon his refusing this offer Hill struck him with club.
 When Hill was seen to-day, he said he regretted the deed, as he had noth- ing against the man. He further ad- mitted that he struck Parvin on the head with a split scantling, two by four inches, and about three feet long, but claimed that Parvin attacked him first with a saw and hammer He showed a scratch on his right wrist which he claimed was done by Parvin striking him with the saw, and also claimed that he was struck on the left hand with the hammer. He says his plea will be self-defense.
 Hill was seen again tonight and said he had been advised by his attorneys to say nothing. He realized, he said, that public opinion was against him. He believed that he ought to make a state ment and was willing for everything to come out, but he would do as his at torneys advised. However" he said, T will state that if 1 was placed ID the same position again 1 would do just as l have done, and so would you or any other man in like position. It was a matter of self-preservation with me. and you know how a man feels under these circumstances"
 When asked what provocation caused him to deal Parvin the deadly blow, he flatly declined to answer
 Hill has been in very nervous con- dition since the visit from his wife to- day, and begged to be allowed the free dom of the corridor for more room to walk. His cell is one of the largest in the comfortable Ventura jail, and the Sheriff decided that it was roomy enough for him.
 The tragic scene was witnessed by Hills father and partly by Mrs. Par win and young boy. Hill would have continued dealing out blows to his vic- tim, but was stopped by his father. Hill and his father departed immedi- ately, leaving his opponent lying on the ground. Parvin afterward seated himself upon a blow near by, where he remained for short time, and was then taken to the house, where he died at o'clock this morning. He was struck over the right temple, and the little finger on his left hand was also broken by the same blow, which he tried to ward off with his arm.
 Hill is tall and powerful man. He Is married and has two children, a girl and boy. He is 36 years old and has been resident of this county for the past fifteen years. Parvin was not so large man. He leaves a wife and little son. He was 32 years old.