Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1901-03-15
HOLMAN'S death NEAR CAMANcHE
A CONSTABLE SHOT WHILE MAX
ING AN ARREST.
The Dead Criminal and His Partner Painted
Signs In This County
Last Week.

Sam G. Holman, deputy sheriff at
Camanche, Calaveras county, was
fatally shot between Camanche and
Wallace last Sunday evening at about
8 o'clock, while attempting to arrest
two men, one of whom, a German, gave
his name as Broun, and the other, an
Irishman, was named Dipple. Although
reared in Calaveras county Holman was
we'll known hereabouts, especially in
lone where his father and brother re-
side.
Holman had recently bought a
saloon at Camanche from G. Kaiser,
now of lone, and on the night mention
ed started for his home at Wallace.
On the way home he was stopped by
two men who made an attempt to rob
him, but Holman got away and when
he reached Wallace he deputized two
citizens. The party returned to the
Goodman house, about three-fourths
of mile out of Wallace, where they
found the men they wanted. Just as
Holman aud his deputies stepped up to
the house and stated their purpose the
shooting commenced, with the result
that one of the fugitives was instantly
killed by a charge of buckshot in the
forehead, while Holman was fatally
shot with pistol ball just below the
heart.
1t was dark and the deputies, Nc
Murray and Hamrick, being uncertain
of what was req uired of them, immedi-
ately conveyed Holman to his home.
He lived an hour after being shot, liv-
ing half an hour after he was taken to
his residence. He realized that the
end was near and babe his wife and
only son fond farewell.
Sheriff Ben K. Thorn was immedi-
ately notified and arrived on the scene
of the trouble as soon as he could. He
wired the news to lone to Holman's
relatives, also description of the man
who got away, stating that the men
had been in lone few days previous
and were travelling painters. Both men
were known here as bad men, having
shown their dispositions on several
occasions.
While the affair was being discussed
in front of Scott & Amick's drugstore
by a number of citizens shortly before
10 o'clock Monday morning, some one
noticed the man who was wanted cross
ing the street and cross the bridge to-
ward the brewery. Attention was i'm
mediately fixed on him aud black dog
that followed the man and which was rec
ognized as the one the men had while
at lone, gave assurance that he was
the right man. Constable Kelley and
M. Amic1 heavily armed and followed
by number of citizens, started after
the man and found him in the brewery
drinking beer. He was Immediately
handcuffed and searched, a watch and
putty knife being taken from him.
Sheriff Thorn was notified of the cap
ture and arrived in lone Monday after
noon about o'clock, returning with
the prisoner Tuesday morning.
When questioned by LEDGER rep
resentative the prisoner said that while
at Goodman's they were in small
shed on the porch, when Holman and
two men came in He said that Holman
produced flask Of liquor and said.
"Boys, help me drink this.' They
drank the whiskey, and that in some
manner he and Holman became en-
gagged in dispute. Holman handled
him somewhat roughly and said, "I'm
an officer, | want you" Immediately
his partner opened fire upon Holman
with revolver. The attention of the
party was attracted to the man with
the gun. He stated that several shots
were fired, one of which wounded his
partner. He spoke to his partner
asking him if he was hurt, and received
the answer Mot much" The horse
and buck board which they had been
driving began to run away and be told
the wounded companion that he would
go after it. He left and wendell his
way back to lone and was arrested.
His story, however, is doubted by the
officers. as the rig was found at Will
sons place, about miles from lone,
and was not damaged.
The deceased officer was buried near
his home In Calaveras county Wednes-
day afternoon.