BAUER, Egide
Mariposa Gazette, July 16,1881
EGIDE BAUER KILLED, IN HORNITOS, BY D. K. PITZER. – About 12 o'clock
last Saturday night news reached Mariposa to the effect that Egide
Bauer had been killed, in Hornitos, by D. K. Pitzer. From what we can
find out the shooting took place about 6:30 P. M., and the particulars
of which, as near as we can learn, are about as follows. The farms of
the two men adjoin, and the trouble grew out of a dividing fence, and
from hogs belonging to Bauer breaking into the fields of Pitzer. About
three weeks ago they met, and after some words between the men, it is
said Pitzer attempted to shoot Bauer with a shotgun, but the was
knocked aside and the trouble there ended for the time being. Saturday
last the two men again met near the edge of town, when Pitzer, who is
said to have been under the influence of liquor, drew a pistol and
fired twice, the first ball taking effect in the arm and the other
passing through the heart, killing him instantly. Whether or not the
men had any words, or even spoke to each other, we were unable to find
out. After the killing Pitzer gave himself up to Constable Turner, and
was placed in the calaboose at that place. The people were very much
incensed over the affair, and we hear threats of lynching were freely
made, but the good people of Hornitos and vicinity were finally
persuaded to let the law take its course. It is much to be regretted
that a quarrel between old neighbors should have such a terrible
ending, as both were old and highly respected citizens of that section,
having large families, both advanced in life, and have been neighbors
for years, and until lately been on friendly terms. The examination of
Pitzer took place last Wednesday, at Hornitos, before Justice Carr, and
the defendant was committed to the County Jail without bail on a charge
of murder. The defendant made no defense at the examination, reserving
this until his case comes to trial. The following is the verdict of the
Coroner's Jury, at an inquest held on the body of Mr. Bauer last
Sunday:
State of California,
County of Mariposa.
Before S. W. Carr, Acting Coroner, in the matter of the inquisition
upon the body of Egide Bauer, deceased:
We, the undersigned jurors summoned to appear before S. W. Carr, Acting
Coroner of the County of Mariposa, at Hornitos Township, on the 10th
day of July, 1881, to inquire into the cause of the death of Egide
Bauer, having been duly sworn according to law and having made such
inquisition, after inspecting the body and hearing the testimony
adduced, upon our oaths, each and all do say, that we find the deceased
was named Egide Bauer, was a native of Germany, aged about 63 years;
that he came to his death on the evening of the 9th day of July, 1881,
in this county; and we further find, that we believe D. K. Pitzer to be
the person by whose act the death of the said Egide Bauer is
occasioned. We also find and believe that the said death was caused by
two pistol shots fired by D. K. Pitzer, and without cause or
provocation. All of which we duly certify by this inquisition in
writing by us signed this 10th day of July, 1881.
A. N. Phillps.
R. Arthur,
Henry Lessman,
Jean Martin,
E. F. Sylvester,
G. Gagliardo.
Mariposa Gazette, July 16, 1881
LARGE FUNERAL. - We are informed that the funeral of Egide Bauer,
killed by D. K. Pitzer in Hornitos last Saturday, was very largely
attended by the citizens of that place, and also by a large number of
friends and acquaintances from the surrounding country, and was one of
the largest funerals that has taken place in Hornitos for many years.
Mariposa Gazette, October 1, 1881
COURT PROCEEDINGS. - The Superior Court which met on Monday last, has
been kept busy up to Thursday evening late, when the case of the
People, vs. D. K. Pitzer, charged with the murder of Joseph Bower, was
disposed of, the jury finding a verdict of manslaughter. The case was
ably prosecuted and defended, and submitted to an intelligent jury, who
upon retirement stood eight for murder in the second degree, and four
for acquittal, and finally settled upon the intermediate ground, that
of manslaughter, W. L. Dudley Esq., of Stockton assisted in the
prosecution, and D. S. Terry Esq., and L. F. Jones Esq. For the
defense. The court fixed the time for sentence October 29th, 1881.
NOTE: In this story the name of the murdered person is Joseph Bower in
the other articles the name is Egide Bauer.
Mariposa Gazette, October 8,1881
GONE BELOW. - D. K. Pitzer who was convicted of manslaughter at the
last term of court, received sentence on Monday last for six years, and
started for San Quentin the following day.
Mariposa Gazette, October 8,1881
FOR SAN QUENTIN. - John F. Clarke, Sheriff, went below on Tuesday last,
taking with him D. K. Pitzer who had been convicted of manslaughter,
for killing Egide Bauer. They were both old-time residents near
Hornitos, and leave large families to grieve over their misfortunes.
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BOWERS, Edward
The Merced Express, July 16, 1881
FATAL SHOOTING AT HORNITOS.-- Information reached this place Sunday
last that D. K. Pitzer shot and killed Edward Bowers, at Hornitos,
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon of that day previous. The parties, as
we understand, about two weeks previous to the shooting, had some
trouble about hogs, and Pitzer drew a shotgun on Bowers and threatened
to shoot, when the latter knocked the gun aside and gave Pitzer a
thrashing. On the day of the shooting the two men met in the road near
the town of Hornitos, when Pitzer, who was under the influence of
liquor, drew his revolver and fired two shots, both of which took
effect, one ball striking Bowers in the arm and the other entering the
breast and passing through the heart, causing instant death. From what
we can learn the killing was unprovoked Pitzer was arrested and lodged
in jail.
Since the above was in type we learn that Pitzer has had a preliminary
examination at Mariposa, and held to answer for murder, without bail.
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PITZER to SAN QUENTIN
The Merced Express, October 8, 1881
To SAN QUENTIN. -- Sheriff Clarke, of Mariposa, passed through this
place last Wednesday, with D. K. Pitzer in charge, en route for San
Quentin. Pitzer is the man who killed Bauer at Hornitos some three
months ago. He was tried in Mariposa last week for murder, and the jury
found for manslaughter. Judge Corcoran sentenced him to the
penitentiary for six years. Able counsel was engaged on both sides in
the case.
Provided by Tom Hilk
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