Death of JOHN GORDON of San Francisco CA in 1861
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Vern D
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Transcribed by Dee Sardoch
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Stockton Daily Argus Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA
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>>Saturday, 18 May 1861<<
TO BE INTERRED in SAN FRANCISCO -- The body of
John GORDON, deceased, was sent to San Francisco
yesterday for interment. Mr. GORDON had borrowed
a horse of Mr. John DILLON to ride several miles
in the country on Wednesday. The same evening the
horse was found, about 5 miles from the city, by
a vaquero, the saddle being under the animal's
belly. Notice was given to Mr. C. McCLOUD of this
fact, who shortly afterwards, while riding home,
discovered a body lying upon its back on the
ground, his attention being attracted to it by a steer, which was
scenting it.
An inquest being held on the body, it was found
to be that of John GORDON, and the horse
mentioned, was the one he had borrowed from Mr.
DILLON. The horse had evidently ran away,
throwing his rider, whose foot hung in the
stirrup, and was dragged until the animal became
exhausted. From the marks on the ground the horse
started a 2nd time, and after dragging the body
about 10 feet, the foot was disengaged; but too
late, as life must have been extinct.
The deceased's coat was found a distance off, his
vest was drawn to the back of his neck, and his
shirt drawn over his head. He was badly bruised
upon his back, breast, and arms, but death
evidently had been occasioned by the horse
kicking him on the forehead, the hoof striking
over each eye of the unfortunate man with force
sufficient to occasion death. Near him was a
$2.50 piece, and several half dollars were upon
the ground, and 1 half dollar lying upon his
person. The singular distribution of money was somewhat puzzling.
The deceased was a married man and his wife
telegraphed from San Francisco that his body be
sent there for interment. The horse he rode was a
vicious one; having ran away with Mr. DILLON a
short time since, frightening another horse which
Mr. DILLON's son was riding at the time, which
also ran away and occasioned the child's death.
GORDON was aware of the disposition of the horse,
but urged Mr. DILLON to allow him to use it after being at first refused.