Year: 1870

From the Gilroy Cali Advocate August 1871


Our usually quiet law-abding city was thrown
into CONSERVATION on Thursday morning, by re-
port to the effect that homicide had been commit.
ted the evening before few miles from town.
what made the rumor still more startling was
that female, well known in the cOmmu.
nty, and heretofore, as far as we have been
able TO learn bearing an unblemished re-
putation, was named as the perpetrator OF the
drama. From the thousand and one versions OF
the sad affair at0at on the streets found 1t i'm
possible TO obtain anything like q reasonable state
ment OF the AFFAIR: hence we considered it our
duty TO consult parties most likely to be in posses
sion OF the facts, in order that might be able to
give them impartialy to the public, without detri-
ment or prejudice 10 either party. The following Is
a synopsis OF the history OF the unfortunate affair
as far as we have been able to glean--It appears
that Beckwith Kelly became acquainted with
Prudence McNamee several years ago and before
she first married, when after some acquaintance
he made u proposition Of marriage, which
was rejected, whereupOn he stated to her that II she
did not marry him he would ruin her. Subsequently
she married man by the name Of J. G. Stout. Then,
exasperated at his disappointment, he Kelly circu-
lated reports derOgatOry to her character, which
came to her husbands ears ABOUT which, however.
he did nothing. Not long after her first husband
died. Kelly renewed bis proposition OF marriage
which was a second time denied. In about twenty
months after the death OF her first husband she saw
proper to marry Walter II. Page, her present hus
band, with whom she removed to San Francisco,
where she resided for some tiIne Kelly in the mean
time again circulating reports calculated to cast
cloud on her character for virtue, which finally
caused, as she states their separation, upon which
she resolved 10 wreak vengeance on the man who
caused her unappiness. True to this resolution she
came 10 town on the day OF the homicide went to the
livery stable OF Mr.. Cavanaugh and procured horse
ana buggy, and was driving to the ranch OF Mr. Henry
Miller. where Kelly was employed, when she met him
on the road ana invited him TO get into The buggy
withher and have q ride, which invitation he ac-
cepteo, when they drove to San Juan, returning to
Mr. Miiers place at twilight. II appears they both
got out or the buggy htched the horse to the fence
got inside OF the Held, and went distance OF about
100 yards from the road to a hollow place covered
with willow thlcket, where the fatal act was done.
Kelly was shot three times with pistol bali-once
IN the right eye, once in the forehead, once In the
region OF the heart any one OF which would prove
Iatai MIS- Page came TO town and surrendered
herself 10 the civil authorities She was brought
before Justice Taylor for examination. Judge May
her COUNSEL, asked and obtained till the 10Th 10
prepare FOR defence, and held her In a $1,000
BOND for appearance, which she gave She was sub
seauently arrested by deputy sherIh Woodward, and
brought before Justice Dowdy, who held her IN a
bond OF 81 500 and set the 18TH Tor the day OF ex
animation We do not propose falling into the
error TOO prevalent among Californian journals in
expressing opinions and drawing conclusions before
Judicial Investigations had. We hold that in all
cases or SO serious character the public mind
shouid be Kept as impartial ana Tree from all bias
either Tor or against the accused, possible until
judicial Investigations are had.


DRY WEATHER-The Utica Observer states that
many farmers between Greene aud BnghainLon are
actually "iOddering'' their cattle. Their pastures
are 80 dry tnat they have TO TO feeding their
CaIlie as tuey do thu N a ans IN