This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/REX.2ACIB/3863 Message Board Post: Weekly Stockton Democrat Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA Sunday, 11 Sept 1859 ************************* MURDER on OLD RIVER -- John B. FORD was killed Tuesday at 2 o’clock on Old River, 1 miles below Harlan’s Ferry, by Wm. CRASSIN. The circumstances we learn are as follows: CRASSIN was owing FORD money. On Monday last they quarreled about it; and finally agreed to settle the matter with shot guns. They then separated, when yesterday CRASSIN went to FORD’s house and shot him with a shot gun, the shot penetrating the breast. FORD was found lying back of the house, on his face. Wm. O. WOODALL, FORD’s partner, who was distant about 150 yards, heard the report of the gun, and on looking around saw CRASSIN running from the house. He immediately hastened home and found FORD lying on the ground and heard him say “CRASSIN, CRASSIN!” when he became speechless, and died in about 10 minutes. The alarm was given, and the people in the neighborhood started in pursuit of CRASSIN; and the probability is he will be caught. The news was brought to town, when Sheriff O’NEAL immediately dispatched Deputy Sheriff NUTTALL, to assist in the capture. Coroner BOND also has gone, to hold an inquest on the body of FORD. Since writing the above, we learn that CROASIN [spelled 2 ways] has been captured -- having secreted himself in the tules, 6 miles distant, under apprehension of a mob -- and brought to town, where he is now in jail, awaiting an examination tomorrow. - ------------------------------------------------ INQUEST -- The following is the principal evidence adduced in the Coroner’s Inquest held on the body of John V. FORD, on Wednesday last: W.J. WOODALL, sworn -- I know the deceased; he is a partner of mine in the crop on this ranch. His name is John V. FORD, about 26 years old; he is from New Hampshire. About 2 o’clock yesterday (Sept. 6) I was at work gathering onions, about 200 yards from the house; heard the report of a gun; looked up and saw a man with a gun in his hand pass the corner of the house opposite me, running towards the peach orchard, down the river, in a stooping posture; I ran to the house; saw FORD at the corner of the house, with both hands raised above his head; when I was about half way to the house he reeled and got down on one knee, then fell on his face. I ran to him and put my hand under his head. I asked him to speak; he said “CROASSIN, CROASSIN,” very plain; I did not hear him say any more. I then called for the neighbors close by. I did not hear him speak after. There was a clot of blood by his feet, and he was bleeding very profusely from his breast and mout! h. The man I saw running from the house had on a white Panama hat, red colored shirt, and after taking the 2nd look at him I took it to be Wm. CROASSIN. He had something in his hand that I took to be a gun. On Monday, the day before, Mr. FORD, the deceased, and myself were at work in the field. Mr. CROASSIN and a boy about 12 years old, came where we were, and commenced talking in a friendly manner about freighting vegetables on the river. About 10 minutes after he came up, they commenced talking about an account that deceased had against CRAUSSIN [spelled 2 ways]. I was with my back to them at this time; heard a scuffling, and on looking around saw CRAUSSIN pick up his hat and said, “FORD, I am not able to fight you; you are a bigger man than I be. I will fight you with a gun or knife, fair, and you may have your distance.” They advanced towards each other. FORD struck at him. After quarrelling, CRAUSSIN says, “Never mind, FORD, I will make this all right.” FORD says, “Come on if you want to shoot me, there is 2 guns at the house and you may have your choice.” They came towards the house. CRAUSSIN and the boy went towards the riv! er. I heard no more conversations. Mr. FORD came to work again. The man I saw running from the house, yesterday, the time deceased was shot, I took to be the same man, CRAUSSIN. Deceased lived about 8 minutes after he fell. [signed] Wm. S. WOODALL THE VERDICT -- We the Jury summoned by the Coroner of San Joaquin county, to enquire into the cause of the death of John V. FORD, do find that he came to his death by a gun-shot wound in the right side, about ¼ inch below the nipple, said gun being fired by and in the hands of Wm. CROASSIN, on the 6th day of September, 1859, about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, on the ranch of FORD & WOODALL, on the San Joaquin Old River, San Joaquin county. [signed] J.A. CHAN, Foreman