The San Francisco call., 1899-06-26
JESSE WALTERS
DIES in SOLANO
COUNTY'S JAIL
Slayer Of Alfred Cook Sue
Cumbs to the Effects Of
an Operation.

SUISUN, June 25.-Jesse Walters
trial for the murder of Alfred Cook will
never take place. The accused man
succumbed to an operation performed
on him to-day. His left leg was am
putated at II o'clock this morning, and
just four hours later he breathed his
last. Dr. w. G.. Downing of Suisun per-
formed the operation, and was assisted
by E. L. Hennesy of Napa. Walters re-
gained consciousness a half-hour after
the surgeons had finished and was able
to answer some questions. He easily
recognized those about him. Mrs. Wal
ters and two sons were at the bedside
when the end came.
Although he rested easily last even
ing and felt confident then that the op>
GRAFTON would save his life, Walters
realized early this morning that the
end was near. and had his attorney
make out deeds by which all his prop
erty was conveyed to his wife. He was
the possessor Of some notes, and these
were transferred in a like manner. The
two sons of the deceased have already
been provided for. They will become
heirs to a life estate of valuable prop
erty held by their father. The real es-
tate and notes which go to Mrs. Wal
ters are valued at about $4,000. The
remains will be sent to Oakville, Napa
County, for burial.
A duel to the death occurred on January
8 in the livery stable conducted by eX-
Sheriff Mckenzie at Napa. The principals
were Jesse Walters, an Oakville capital
lst and once prominent as peace officer
of the county, and Alfred Cook. an en-
ploye a the stable. Residents in the vi
cinity heard a succession of shots and,
'haStening to the stable, found Cook lying
dead in one of the stalls in the rear, while
Walters was suffering from serious
wound in the leg. Walters claimed he had
entered the stable to see eX-Sherin Nc
Kenzie on matter of business. AS soon
as he passed the door he was fired upon
by Cook, whom he did not at that time
recognize. He drew his revolver and,
though SOrely wounded. returned the fire
and killed Cook. Mckenzie corroborated
this story. and after a few davs the affair
was almost forgotten. Walters identified
the dead man as person who had worked
for him formerly, but had been discharged
and at that time had sworn he would be
revenged. This was regarded as the true
story of the shooting and the causes lead
But the officials of Napa County had
reached the conclusion that there was
more back of the duel than appeared on
the surface. They conducted inVeSuga-
tons quietly. and a week later the citizens
were treated to an entirely unlooked-for
sensation. Jesse Walters was arrested on
a warrant charging him with the murder
Of Alfred Cook, and following closely upon
the heels of his arrest came that of eX-
Sheriff Mckenzie as an accessory to the
crime. II was claimed by the officials that
Cook had been decoyed 10 the stable and
given employment as 0art of a conspiracy
to get him into a position where Walters
could kill him, and that the eX-sheriff was
q party TO the plot. Around the duel the
authorities. through a careful investiga-
ton had woven romantic story treating
of the wrecking Of n rich mans home by
- roustabout laborer and the tragedy
that resulted from the attempt to avenge
the wrong.
The facts as given by the prosecution
at the preliminary hearing of the two
men were these: About two years ago
Alfred Cook was discharged from the en-
whom he was employed as barkeeper.
The cause Of Cooks dismissal was the
suspicion on the part Of Walters that his