Tracing a Murderer - The Murder of Mrs. Wolf
The murder of Mrs. Wolf. This was a story I found in some newspaper archives. To me, this is a prime example of story sensationalism for the times. Was this story true? I was unable to find any proof of this murder or any of the players involved. So, I really don't know. But, it is an interesting piece. To me, it almost sounds like a bias campaign piece for Sheriff William Black, even though the story comes from Grand Rapids
It's extremely long-winded, an full of hot hair ... but here we go -
Wood County Reporter (Grand Rapids, Wisconsin)
16 Jan 1873, Thu
(TRANSCRIBED BY ANNA HILL)
Tracing a murderer
A man was standing one day with a kind of unoccupied are a few steps from the telegraph office on 2nd Street Sacramento was remarkable about him was that there was nothing remarkable about him at all - to a casual eye. He was a man of very ordinary and parents of ordinary size of ordinary complexion with an ordinary face, especially in ordinary eye. Stood with his hands idly down into the pockets of a long loose coat as though they had dropped their themselves and he had not taken the trouble to pull them out and he seemed to be neither thinking of anything, nor looking at anything.
A boy messenger came tripping out of the telegraph office, " you're Mister black?"
(The Telegraph) Marysville, June 28, 18---
To Mr. Wm. Black, Police Department, Sacramento
"An atrocious murder had just been discovered here woman named Mrs. Wolf is her husband is suspected in custody but no evidence against him. Hasten to us by the first boat while all is fresh."
-L Morton Sheriff of Yuba County
William Black was a Sacramento detective and at the time undoubtedly the most sagacious has in California. Don't was to leave for Marysville in a little over an hour black enter the telegraph office and dispatched to the sheriff of Yuba County the words "all right!"
That evening a man with a red shirt on a man of very ordinary and parents landed in Marysville course in one may always judge by indications but he had a very lazy look as if weighed down by a woeful lack of energy in a person might have wondered if ever such a man did pluck up courage enough to climb the mountains. That same lazy looking man later in the evening was in secret conversation with the sheriff and several other officials.
"At what hour was the murder discovered?" he asked
"Nine this morning exactly"
"In what way?"
"...the news came through the husband he rushed excitedly into a saloon on the edge of town saying his wife was dead and someone had killed her. They had lately come from the mines and were living in a tent of their Town 1/4 Mile from town conduct you to it by and by"
" a physician made an examination?"
" yes a skillful one he said that it is clear that the woman has been murdered strangled to death by a pair of course hands the marks for which he found upon her throat”
“did he say how long she had been dead?”
“yes many hours”
“what does Wolf say?”
" that he did not sleep at home he says he was drunk that night which I have found to be true and that being unable to reach home he lay under a tree between here and his home and slept soundly according to his story it was nearly mine then he got up hastened to his tent and find his wife dead. That gave alarm everybody believes he murdered self he has some fears that an attempt will be made to Lynch h, in fact,ct there is little doubt of his guilt but there is no positive evidence and the case needs working up"
“were there no traces of a stranger left”
“no”
“Tracks?”
“no, the ground is so dry and hard you know”
“has any stranger been lurking in this neighborhood?”
“no”
“has there been any stranger in town”
“well we have minors down here from the mountains every day but it was none of them”
Detective Black wore a red shirt was conducted to the scene of the murder. He saw the physician, he saw everybody in Marysville, he saw and talked with Wolf for 3/4 of an hour. He then said to the sheriff, "He didn't do it"
The Sheriff was fairly thunderstruck.
" but, said William Black, "keep him in custody till you hear from me don't let the people get ahold of him though for I suppose they would Lynch him at a venture"
"They Would."
" you might arrest and detain any suspicious-looking persons you found in the neighborhood always remember and he is innocent"
"I will"
That's the conference ended.
The next morning a fresh Miner made his appearance at Pine Camp about 15 miles north of Marysville. He was a very lazy looking man lounged about from point-to-point gossiping with the miners bothering them at their work. He stopped and talked with groups here and there and ask questions about a place to locate a Claim. He was Green he told them a piece of terrible news a woman has been found foully murdered in Marysville.
Her name was Wolf. Her husband did it and thought, in fact, there was no doubt of it. The simpleton! That was no news it had been the talk of the camp for 24 hours.
"Oh, you knew of it yesterday?"
"Of course"
He went from claim to claim spoke to everybody literally about mining prospects: mentioned the murder.
It won't do much he is he looking was remarked more than once.
The forenoon was wearing anyway the man of unsound mind stop for the 20th time and talk to a group of r who was working a claim he sat in a large Stone of the murder- actually informed them of it as news.
"Why, old fellow," said one "you've been asleep you're a day behind the age"
The low creature was a little nettled.
"Oh no; not a day," he said
"Wa'al, yes now" recorded one of the minors working away.
" a day is 24-hours," remarked the stupid man sarcastically.
"Wa'al suppose it is"
" haven't known of it all day you're smart I admit but not that smart"
" What'll you bet?"
" $20 and drinks all around"
"done"
In those days a bet if nothing were screw out of a slight difference of opinion no matter on how trifling a subject.
The money was staked.
"That's easy"
"Who brought the news?"
" Dave Long one of our mess he'd be down to Marysville over Sunday on a bender"
"where is he?"
"At our cabin, he's cooking this week"
"well drop them tools you're all dry and so am I. Dave Smith it is?
"No Dave Long"
Down their tools and party started toward the cabin to have a foolish but decided and to get the drinks now green stranger "I'm willing to pay if I lose but a day is 24 hours"
"Well?"
“Mark, then, its just 'leven now"
He looked at his watch
There were several watches in the party all were referred to they varied but minutes.
“let me see,” said the miner who had wagered with the newcomer “let me see it wasn't more yesterday morning when Dave come and he took at his getting ready for dinner which we eat at 12”
“to be sure” set another
” oh wait,” said The Stranger, ” leave him to it”
“all right he knows for he has a watch and had time to himself coming from Marysville”
The reach the cabin where David long according to the custom was serving his turn at keeping house for the mess.
“Dave?”
“Hello!” cried a gruff Voice Within
“we've got a bed drinks included and it's left for you to decide”
Dave came to the door a big Burly fellow.
” this man here I don't know his name”
“Blossom” put in the stranger.
“Blossom he came around and wanted to tell us news toys about the murder you know I told him he'd been asleep and it had been behind the ages the bet is that we've node it a day -.24 hours. You bought the news and know whether we have or not”
“now honor bright,” said the self-styled Blossom. “think first I know you wouldn't tell what wasn't true but you might forget. It's now just after 11 can you say that you got here with the news before this time yesterday? Think now”
Dave Long ruminated.
“yes for I looked at my watch to see how long I had been coming it was only two or three minutes after 10”
“are you sure”
“certain could swear to it”
“for you know” put in one of the others” that you got dinner after you come”
“yes durn it don't I know?”
“but,” said the fastidious stranger, “maybe you didn't tell the news right away”
“yes I did”
“and bought it straight from Marysville?”
”all right I've lost now for the drinks give us your hand Dave Long.”
"thar it is, stranger!"
With the movement so quick that the I could not follow it the inquisitive stranger snatched both the hands of David long and the astonished spectators saw their comrade standing with a pair of handcuffs on his wrist they also saw the newly-arrived man who had been asleep for 24 hours the mild name of Blossom, standing out their burley comrades elbows with a firm hand on his collar and a revolver at his Temple"
" you're my prisoner move an inch and you're a dead man I arrest you for the murder of Mrs. Wolf I am detective black of Sacramento I've lost the bet!"
“Long was fairly paralyzed he can neither move nor speak”
A clamor arose among his comrades “stranger no nonsense. Dave Long never done such a thing he's above such a crime let him go we can't stand here and ----”
“stand back!” said The Fearless officer “ I will go hard with any who interferes this man is guilty and I can convince you"
" how do you know?"
" keep cool and I will tell you he came here yesterday morning at 10 and told you about a murder that was not discovered in Marysville until 9 did he walk 15 miles in 1 hour?"
David Long was as pale as death as he stood trembling from head to foot the picture of guilt. His comrades looked on bewildered.
" you see," continued black the way of further explanation, " it was on his guilty mind and he couldn't help blurting it out considering of course that the murderer would be discovered it Daylight or sooner. Luckily it was not known till 9 except to the murderer and he very kindly volunteered to expose himself"
" curse my tongue" explain the culprit grinding his teeth with rage and fear " I wish I had been torn out"
" there's something," remarked the detective quietly, " you left no Trace not a shred Nora thread nor shoestring, not even a hair but you came right up here and told on yourself"
"Dave long! Dave long! Can this be?" explained one of his comrades reproachfully.
The crestfallen wrech hung his head.
" you poor fool" set another of this mess " who'd have thought it if it wasn't for old-time sakes we string you up. Take him away Mr. Black let us see him no more"
“if the camp finds out they'll Lynch him before you can get away with him" suggested another
Filled with Terror at the prospect long determined to make one desperate move for life with a sudden spring he released himself from the detective and darted towards the thicket not far. He had some hope that his speed might bear him away beyond the reach of black or the others where he could work off his manacles. The agile officer bounded after him in before the ad gone 30-yard sees him by the collar and dragged him down
Madinat is situation The Prisoner commenced a fierce but hopeless struggle attempting his kicks and blows to inflict some injury to his captor but black whose strength was extraordinary clutched him by the throat and soon overpowered him.
" look here," he said somewhat heated " if you carry on this way the camp will learn what you did and hang you to a tree, I'll not hinder them if you go quietly I could promise you a fair trial and you may not be hanged for weeks yet"
"l....let me....up!" he faltered " and I'll go with you"
“and you give me no further trouble”
“no”
The Dread of being lynched had a mighty influence on him
“see that you keep your word then and mind if on the way to Marysville you make another such move I will shoot you down”
And he allowed him to get up taking care to maintain his grasp on his arm
But the scuffle had already attracted attention and minors came running from all directions.
“what's this what's the matter??” a score of them asked.
They saw the handcuffs on Long's wrists that one belonging to their Camp was in handcuffs of an officer and did not like it. They were jealous of the law and jumping to the conclusion that long was arrested for merely shooting in a little row at Marysville their first thought was to rescue him.
“he shan't go!" shouted one
" release him!" added another
" don't let him take me!" pleaded Dave Long.
The crowd began to close in.
“stand back! ” thundered the detective flourishing his revolver, “I am detective black from Sacramento is my prisoner. If any man dares interfere I will shoot him down like a dog!”
“although threats of bullets were not much in those days The Fearless bearing of the officer who stood firmly grasp being a prisoner much larger than himself and opposing a single arm to a hundred reckless men had its effect and they stood undecided. Taking advantage of the moment black hurriedly whisper to the prisoner
“if you don't tell them not to interfere and that you've concluded it's best to go with me I'll inform them what you've done and they will take you from me”
With the latter scare on him again long trembling spoke to the Mob.
" never mind friends don't interfere I guess I better go it'll be alright"
" what's it you've done long?" was asked
He turned paler than ever
“we must know what it is was it a scrap in Marysville?”
“yes yes nevermind I'll be back” and his heart sunk at the thought that he never would “back before long and tell you all about it”
So the detective was allowed to depart with his prisoner.
2 of lungs must accompany them and the culprit was lodged in jail at Marysville that night while the murdered (wo)man's husband was released.
An effort was made by the authorities to keep the matter quiet for a while but all the facts leaked out and the angry populace did not wait for the laws slow vengeance. On the following Friday night July 2nd the miserable wretch was taken from the jail by a party of Disguised men, and hang to a tree whose broad bough overshadowed the scene of the crime.
Source - https://www.newspapers.com/image/?spot=28488070
Transcribed by Anna Hill
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