Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-15
HARTMAN SHOT DEAD
IN HIS HOME TOWN
KILLED BY LOCAL JUSTICE OF
THE PEACE
Slayer of Notorious Character Claims
He Acted In Self Defense, Dece-
dent Having Started to Get
His Rifle
to The Herald.

Special to The Herald.
SAN BERNARDINO, June IA
Hieronymous Hartman, bully of the
Mojave river country, will not be SEN
fenced by Judge Oster tomorrow for
assault with deadly weapon upon his
daughter. This morning he ran up
against the wrong man and, as a re-
suit, Coroner c. D. Van Vie will hold
an inquest on his corpse. Stanley w.
Houghton, justice of the peace of Orc
Grande and manager of the Golden
State Portland Cement company, is the
man who killed him.
The news of the homicide was re-
ceived here shortly after o'clock this
morning. coming in the form of tele-
gram from Houghton notifying Sheriff
Ralphs and Coroner Van VIE. "I shot
and killed Hartman while he was re-
sisting arrest. I surrender to you," is
the wording of the telegram wired to
the sheriff. Under Sheriff McNabb left
at once for the scene and placed JUS
tice Houghton under arrest.
Hartman had been on one of his
periodical drunks and had terrorized
the town. He was placed under arrest
for disturbing the peace, and at once
started toward his house, threatening
that he would get his rife and kill
Houghton. Knowing that the threat
was not an idle one the justice shot
to save himself. He fired theree times,
each shot taking effect. Hartman died
within few moments. Sentiment Is
entirely with Houghton.
Houghton Taken Into Custody
Under sheriff McNabb arrived here
tonight with Stanley d. Houghton, who
will be in custody until after the in
quest which is set for next Tuesday.
Hartman's remains will arrive here on
the overland tomorrow. Coroner Van
VIE having been unable to obtain an
impartial jury at Orc Grande. there
being two factions and both being
much excited. Houghton is general
manager of Golden State Portland
Last winter Hartman was arrested
on complaint of Houghton for at
tempting to kill Irene Brown, Hart
mans daughter-in-law, who, at the In
stance of her mother. had concealed
jug of wine from Hartman because he
was becoming intoxicated. The peace
officers of Victorville refused to take
action until forced by Houghton, who
laid the matter before the grand jury.
Hartman was indicted. and the inquisi-
torial body recommended that the
peace officers be dismissed as incom-
petent.
As a result of this investigation the
supervisors made Orc Grande a town.
ship and appointed Houghton justice
of the peace. At Hartman's trial two
weeks ago he was convicted Of assault
with a deadly weapon, and was to have
been sentenced tomorrow. he was at
liberty under heavy bonds.
For years Hartman has held the Mo-
jave river country in terror. He has
threatened to kill numerous cattlemen
and had come to be regarded as a
dangerous character. About six years
ago he was released from San Quentin,
after serving term for bigamy, and
three years later was found guilty of
assault with a deadly weapon upon a
cattleman. He was fined 5000. Moving
to a ranch in this valley he became
involved in a fence dispute with
neighbor and threatened to kill the
latter. He paid a heavy fine, and
moved back to the Mojave river
country.
Bad Blood Had Arisen
For some months he and Houghton,
who. as general manager of the Sunset
Cement company of ORC Grande, has
some influence, were friendly. Hough-
tons company failed to purchase some
land from Hartman, buying a neigh
boris holdings instead, and since then
the relations between the two men had
grown steadily worse. Houghton de-
claring to the jury last week that he
had come to the conclusion that Hart
man ought to be in the penitentiary.
The shooting has stirred the desert
community as it has not been stirred
for many years, but with one voice
the act is applauded. Hartman had al
ways been a bully. Years ago he slew
a fugitive negro, a reward having been
set on the darkys head. For weeks
the man had been working for Hart
nina, who was aware that he was
wanted by the officers. While the ne
gro was seated on log Hartman shot
him through the back, and claimed
that he acted In Self-defense.