Amador ledger., 1902-11-28


return home, which he did. Entering
his home. his wife was holding one
baby in her arms and rocking the other
in the cradle. One child was sick and
near to death. Ray Meehan was in the
house, sitting on the sofa smoking a
cigarette. His wife said, "My God,
Owen, don't blame me for this. He
Knocked on the door, and l told him to
come in, thinking it was the doctor. I
entreated him to leave. but he refused,
and insulted me- Witness then turn
promise at the picnic. He said, ITO
- with the picnic; that woman
thinks more of me than she does of
you" Thereupon they fought, until
deceased said he had enough. He then
took him to Moore's hotel, and got a
doctor to attend to his injuries, and
afterward hired a buggy and had him
taken home. Deceased admitted that
he deserved more than he got; that he
deserved to be killed, and told him
that if he ever interfered with him or
his wife again, he hoped he, witness,
would kill him. The baby died few
days thereafter, From that time up
to within month or two of August
last he had no reason to think that de-
ceased had again interfered with his
family. Some time before August he
began to get suspicious. On his return
from San Francisco was told that
Meehan had been seen coming out of
his back door at Martell's station,
where witness was then living, at
night. His wife was away at night
several times. On the 10th of August,
after dinner he would hitch up the
horse and take her. She said she
wanted to go right away, and said she
would walk, which she did. After
three O'Clock he drove to town. On
his way he saw his wife aud Ray
Meehan coming out of the saloon
known as the ol'. Toll house, on the
outskirts of town. He would not swear
it was Meehan, but he believed it was.
As soon as he saw him coming, deceased
ran back into the house. He went in
to find him but could not His wife
got in the buggy, and he drove her
home. On the way she at first denied
that it was Meehan who was with her.
Returning to the house afterward. he
asked the landlady who the man was
and she said it was Meehan; that the
two had been drinking there before he
came along. Witness had agreed that
night to referee boxing contest in
Loves hall. Did moi usually carry
pistol, except when away from home.
Saw deceased on the platform that
night. He was a second for one of the
contestants. Met him in the dressing
room of the hall after the contest. SAID
to him: ''You have kept your promise
faithfully, haven't you. There must
be something done about it. If you
want that woman and she wants you,
take her aud get out of the county;
don't humiliate me any more. l ought
to kill you" He said he was not
armed. Witness then said, sGo get a
gun, and | will meet you in ten min
utes." Deceased said it would take an
hour or two. Witness then said, 81
am going to Sutter Creek, and I'll
meet you when 1 return. When you
See me coming, you take the first shot,
l would rather you kill me, than thatI
should kill you; my life is not worth
much. Then drove Mr.. Riehl to SUIT
ter Creek, and on his way back called
at his home and found it deserted; his
wife and child gone. Went to Mar
tells house and inquired for his boy.
His wife was there aud said he was
sleeping. He said to her, my God,
Annie, is it possible that you have
given up your honor to Ray Meehan."
She commenced crying. He then said
something to the effect that either he
or Meehan would have to die. Re-
turning to Jackson shortly afterward,
he entered Burgin's saloon, and there
saw deceased and G. Gregory standing
at the bar. He addressed Meehan say
ing, 81 see that you are waiting for me;
are you armed" Gregory took hold
of his left arm, when he thrust him
aside, and commenced shooting. At
the first shot deceased put his hand
toward his hip pocket. He only re-
membered firing the two first shots.
After the second shot, deceased grap-
pied and both fell, defendant striking
his head against the iron railing at the
base of the bar. Did not remember
what occurred after that, until they
were taking the pistol from him. In
the dressing room conversation, he
said to deceased, "Can it be posi- BILE
that there has been anything more
between you and my wife than just
meeting her." Defendant answered
with sneer. The cross-examination
failed to shake the defendants S testi-
mony in any material respect.
L. N. Martell, W. Walker and r. W.
Scott were called to corroborate the
defendants evidence on several import
ant points.
V. M. Colt said that he was with the
deceased when he was taken to the rear