J. Ross Browne, letter to his wife dated 9/27/1864:
I must now close. It is getting dangerous where I am sitting. A man has just been shot with a double-brarrled shot-gun and killed directly across the street. There is great excitement and a large crowd is gathered in front of the door.
Esmeralda Daily Herald, 9/28/1864:
Homicide. An affair took place at about seven o’clock last evening, on Pine street, between the Postoffice and the Gem Saloon, which for a time caused much excitement among the citizens of Aurora. Seeing the flashes of a gun, and hearing the noise which followed two discharges in rapid succession, we proceeded to the spot, and there saw a large crowd of men, who had hurried to the scene for the purpose of learning the cause and result of the shooting. At first everybody seemed to be stunned at the occurrence, and nobody seemed to know anything about it; and some time passed before we could get the particulars, which are as follows, if we are rightly informed: The man killed was walking up Pine street, and just as he arrived in front of the Wide West saloon the shots were fired which resulted in his death. The first discharged entered his body near the right breast, shattering his right arm. The second entered his face and neck. His right hand, it appears, was in his coat pocket, on his revolver, when the first shot was fired. His revolver was cocked when found on his person. A stray shot struck Mr. Henry Stratton in the leg, making a flesh wound which may for a short time prevent him from walking. It is by no means dangerous. The unfortunate man (Charles E. H. Wheaton) expired in about fifteen minutes after the shots were fired. Wm. B. Lake was arrested and placed in the county jail, where he still remains on a charge of having killed Wheaton. We will give the evidence elicited by the Coroner’s jury in due season. We refrain from giving any of the rumors floating about the city, as they relate to a matter too delicate to admit of idle speculation. We desire to give correct information, and hope that justice will be done to all parties.
Esmeralda Daily Union, 9/29/1864:
Verdict of the Coroner’s Jury. About two o’clock to-day the inquisition in the matter of the death of the late C. E. H. Wheaton closed, and after being out a few minutes the Jury returned the following verdict:…we find the deceased was named Charles E. H. Wheaton; was a native of the State of Kentucky; Colwell county and afterwards a resident of the State of Mississippi, aged about 55 years; that he came to his death on the 27th day of September, 1864, in this county, by means of gun-shot wounds – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right side; that said wounds were inflicted with a double-barreled shot-gun, loaded with BB shot, in the hands of W. B. Lake; and we further find that the act of said W. B. Lake was justifiable homicide – all of which we duly certify by this inquisition in writing, by us signed this 29th day of September, 864. H. Keefer, G. S. Morton, J. M. Horton, I. H. Gray, J. M. Meredith, B. G. Parker, J. N. Higgins, O. M. Converse.
Daily Alta California, 9/29/1864:
Murder In Aurora. Aurora, September 28th. – Last evening, about seven o’clock, Charles E.H. Wheaton, formerly of Sonora, Tuolumne county, while walking up Pine street, nearly opposite the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., was shot with a double-barrelled shot-gun, both shots taking effect – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right breast. He died about fifteen minuts afterwards. William Blake (sic) was arrested and is now in jail, on the charge of having killed Wheaton. A Coroner’s jury are now holding an inquest.
Sacramento Daily Union, 9/30/1864:
Homicide Case at Aurora. September 29th - In the matter of the inquisition on the body of C.E. H. WHEATON, deceased, the Coroner's jury found that the said C.E.H. Wheaton came to his death at the hands of William B. LAKE, and that the act of said William B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
Daily Alta California, 10/5/1864:
The Late Homicide in Aurora. – From evidence adduced before the Coroner’s Jury, it appears that C.E. H. Wheaton was a spiritualist, and became so desperately enamored of Wm. B. Lake’s wife, and made himself so obnoxious to her, that Lake was compelled to take his life in order to protest the honor of him self and family. Wheaton had been in the habit of writing letters to Mrs. Lake, and insisting upon holding interviews with her; and after she declined to correspond or meet him, he amused himself of evenings by throwing stones at Lake’s house, and upon being remonstrated with by a mutual friend, he threatened to shoot Lake on sight. At this juncture of affairs, Lake was informed for the first time of all that had been going on, and when he and Wheaton met, he killed Wheaton instead of Wheaton killing him. After thoroughly investigating the matter, the Coroner’s Jury rendered a verdict that the act of W.B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
The Times of the 28th says: We are called upon to-day to chronicle another of those terrible deaths by violence which have given Aurora such a fearful reputation abroad. Last evening, about seven o’clock, as C.E.H. Wheaton, an old citizen of Aurora, was coming up Pine street, he was suddenly shot and killed by William B. Lake, of the Pioneer Book Store. The shooting took place in front of Finlayson’s dry goods tore, between Antelope and Silver streets. No altercation occurred; not a word passed between them, and we do not believe that the murdered man saw Lake, or knew who shot him. The weapon used was a double-barrelled shotgun, heavily loaded with large double B shot and pistol balls. Both barrels of the gun were fired in rapid succession. The first fire, it is supposed, inflicted a dozen mortal wounds, literally filling his face, throat, and breast, with shot. The second discharge, as he was falling, shattered his right arm and entered his side. The wounded man immediately got up and staggered into the Wide West saloon, where he fell, saying “they have killed me!” Drs. Pugh and Smith were promptly on the spot, but he was beyond all medical skill or aid. In five minutes from the shooting Charley Wheaton was a dead man. Without a moment’s warning or preparation his soul was sent untried into the presence of its Maker. Never did we see a man so completely riddled with shot. No less than forty-one had struck him. Some excitement ensure after the occurrence, owing to the failure of the officers to promptly do their duty in arresting and imprisoning Lake. When the prisoner was put in the jail a guard was placed over it to prevent a repetition of the lynching scenes of February last. This was wholly unnecessary, however, as the warmest friends of the unfortunate man would have bitterly opposed any resort to mob violence. The cause of this dreadful occurrence we have heard differently stated. Rumor has it that Wheaton had long been persecuting Mrs. Lake, the wife of the man who killed him, and endeavoring to get that lady to leave her husband and live with him. Of this we shall not speak more than to say that for this reason Mr. L. has the sympathies of many of our citizens. However great the provocation, and whatever extenuating circumstances may be found in the prisoner's favor, it must be admitted that he wreaked his vengeance in a fearful and cowardly manner. Mr. Wheaton was an old man, 54 years of age, badly crippled and partially blind. We had known him some ten years, and are proud of the warm personal friendship of C.E.H. Wheaton. That he had no fault we do not pretend, but he possessed many of the most ennobling qualities of mankind.
*****
1850 Census, California, Tuolumne Co., Twp 1, HH of Henry Worthian?:
Chas. H. Wheaton, 35 yrs, Miner, MS; Guadaloopa Ramaris, 25 yrs, female, b. Mexico.
1860 Census, Tuolumne Co., Twp No. 1, Sonora City & P.O.:
C.H. Wheaton, 50 yrs, Trader, b. MS; Waloupa Ramero, 35 yrs, Wash woman, b. Mexico; John C. Wheaton, 4 yrs, b. CA.
I must now close. It is getting dangerous where I am sitting. A man has just been shot with a double-brarrled shot-gun and killed directly across the street. There is great excitement and a large crowd is gathered in front of the door.
Esmeralda Daily Herald, 9/28/1864:
Homicide. An affair took place at about seven o’clock last evening, on Pine street, between the Postoffice and the Gem Saloon, which for a time caused much excitement among the citizens of Aurora. Seeing the flashes of a gun, and hearing the noise which followed two discharges in rapid succession, we proceeded to the spot, and there saw a large crowd of men, who had hurried to the scene for the purpose of learning the cause and result of the shooting. At first everybody seemed to be stunned at the occurrence, and nobody seemed to know anything about it; and some time passed before we could get the particulars, which are as follows, if we are rightly informed: The man killed was walking up Pine street, and just as he arrived in front of the Wide West saloon the shots were fired which resulted in his death. The first discharged entered his body near the right breast, shattering his right arm. The second entered his face and neck. His right hand, it appears, was in his coat pocket, on his revolver, when the first shot was fired. His revolver was cocked when found on his person. A stray shot struck Mr. Henry Stratton in the leg, making a flesh wound which may for a short time prevent him from walking. It is by no means dangerous. The unfortunate man (Charles E. H. Wheaton) expired in about fifteen minutes after the shots were fired. Wm. B. Lake was arrested and placed in the county jail, where he still remains on a charge of having killed Wheaton. We will give the evidence elicited by the Coroner’s jury in due season. We refrain from giving any of the rumors floating about the city, as they relate to a matter too delicate to admit of idle speculation. We desire to give correct information, and hope that justice will be done to all parties.
Esmeralda Daily Union, 9/29/1864:
Verdict of the Coroner’s Jury. About two o’clock to-day the inquisition in the matter of the death of the late C. E. H. Wheaton closed, and after being out a few minutes the Jury returned the following verdict:…we find the deceased was named Charles E. H. Wheaton; was a native of the State of Kentucky; Colwell county and afterwards a resident of the State of Mississippi, aged about 55 years; that he came to his death on the 27th day of September, 1864, in this county, by means of gun-shot wounds – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right side; that said wounds were inflicted with a double-barreled shot-gun, loaded with BB shot, in the hands of W. B. Lake; and we further find that the act of said W. B. Lake was justifiable homicide – all of which we duly certify by this inquisition in writing, by us signed this 29th day of September, 864. H. Keefer, G. S. Morton, J. M. Horton, I. H. Gray, J. M. Meredith, B. G. Parker, J. N. Higgins, O. M. Converse.
Daily Alta California, 9/29/1864:
Murder In Aurora. Aurora, September 28th. – Last evening, about seven o’clock, Charles E.H. Wheaton, formerly of Sonora, Tuolumne county, while walking up Pine street, nearly opposite the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., was shot with a double-barrelled shot-gun, both shots taking effect – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right breast. He died about fifteen minuts afterwards. William Blake (sic) was arrested and is now in jail, on the charge of having killed Wheaton. A Coroner’s jury are now holding an inquest.
Sacramento Daily Union, 9/30/1864:
Homicide Case at Aurora. September 29th - In the matter of the inquisition on the body of C.E. H. WHEATON, deceased, the Coroner's jury found that the said C.E.H. Wheaton came to his death at the hands of William B. LAKE, and that the act of said William B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
Daily Alta California, 10/5/1864:
The Late Homicide in Aurora. – From evidence adduced before the Coroner’s Jury, it appears that C.E. H. Wheaton was a spiritualist, and became so desperately enamored of Wm. B. Lake’s wife, and made himself so obnoxious to her, that Lake was compelled to take his life in order to protest the honor of him self and family. Wheaton had been in the habit of writing letters to Mrs. Lake, and insisting upon holding interviews with her; and after she declined to correspond or meet him, he amused himself of evenings by throwing stones at Lake’s house, and upon being remonstrated with by a mutual friend, he threatened to shoot Lake on sight. At this juncture of affairs, Lake was informed for the first time of all that had been going on, and when he and Wheaton met, he killed Wheaton instead of Wheaton killing him. After thoroughly investigating the matter, the Coroner’s Jury rendered a verdict that the act of W.B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
The Times of the 28th says: We are called upon to-day to chronicle another of those terrible deaths by violence which have given Aurora such a fearful reputation abroad. Last evening, about seven o’clock, as C.E.H. Wheaton, an old citizen of Aurora, was coming up Pine street, he was suddenly shot and killed by William B. Lake, of the Pioneer Book Store. The shooting took place in front of Finlayson’s dry goods tore, between Antelope and Silver streets. No altercation occurred; not a word passed between them, and we do not believe that the murdered man saw Lake, or knew who shot him. The weapon used was a double-barrelled shotgun, heavily loaded with large double B shot and pistol balls. Both barrels of the gun were fired in rapid succession. The first fire, it is supposed, inflicted a dozen mortal wounds, literally filling his face, throat, and breast, with shot. The second discharge, as he was falling, shattered his right arm and entered his side. The wounded man immediately got up and staggered into the Wide West saloon, where he fell, saying “they have killed me!” Drs. Pugh and Smith were promptly on the spot, but he was beyond all medical skill or aid. In five minutes from the shooting Charley Wheaton was a dead man. Without a moment’s warning or preparation his soul was sent untried into the presence of its Maker. Never did we see a man so completely riddled with shot. No less than forty-one had struck him. Some excitement ensure after the occurrence, owing to the failure of the officers to promptly do their duty in arresting and imprisoning Lake. When the prisoner was put in the jail a guard was placed over it to prevent a repetition of the lynching scenes of February last. This was wholly unnecessary, however, as the warmest friends of the unfortunate man would have bitterly opposed any resort to mob violence. The cause of this dreadful occurrence we have heard differently stated. Rumor has it that Wheaton had long been persecuting Mrs. Lake, the wife of the man who killed him, and endeavoring to get that lady to leave her husband and live with him. Of this we shall not speak more than to say that for this reason Mr. L. has the sympathies of many of our citizens. However great the provocation, and whatever extenuating circumstances may be found in the prisoner's favor, it must be admitted that he wreaked his vengeance in a fearful and cowardly manner. Mr. Wheaton was an old man, 54 years of age, badly crippled and partially blind. We had known him some ten years, and are proud of the warm personal friendship of C.E.H. Wheaton. That he had no fault we do not pretend, but he possessed many of the most ennobling qualities of mankind.
*****
1850 Census, California, Tuolumne Co., Twp 1, HH of Henry Worthian?:
Chas. H. Wheaton, 35 yrs, Miner, MS; Guadaloopa Ramaris, 25 yrs, female, b. Mexico.
1860 Census, Tuolumne Co., Twp No. 1, Sonora City & P.O.:
C.H. Wheaton, 50 yrs, Trader, b. MS; Waloupa Ramero, 35 yrs, Wash woman, b. Mexico; John C. Wheaton, 4 yrs, b. CA.
J. Ross Browne, letter to his wife dated 9/27/1864:
I must now close. It is getting dangerous where I am sitting. A man has just been shot with a double-brarrled shot-gun and killed directly across the street. There is great excitement and a large crowd is gathered in front of the door.
Esmeralda Daily Herald, 9/28/1864:
Homicide. An affair took place at about seven o’clock last evening, on Pine street, between the Postoffice and the Gem Saloon, which for a time caused much excitement among the citizens of Aurora. Seeing the flashes of a gun, and hearing the noise which followed two discharges in rapid succession, we proceeded to the spot, and there saw a large crowd of men, who had hurried to the scene for the purpose of learning the cause and result of the shooting. At first everybody seemed to be stunned at the occurrence, and nobody seemed to know anything about it; and some time passed before we could get the particulars, which are as follows, if we are rightly informed: The man killed was walking up Pine street, and just as he arrived in front of the Wide West saloon the shots were fired which resulted in his death. The first discharged entered his body near the right breast, shattering his right arm. The second entered his face and neck. His right hand, it appears, was in his coat pocket, on his revolver, when the first shot was fired. His revolver was cocked when found on his person. A stray shot struck Mr. Henry Stratton in the leg, making a flesh wound which may for a short time prevent him from walking. It is by no means dangerous. The unfortunate man (Charles E. H. Wheaton) expired in about fifteen minutes after the shots were fired. Wm. B. Lake was arrested and placed in the county jail, where he still remains on a charge of having killed Wheaton. We will give the evidence elicited by the Coroner’s jury in due season. We refrain from giving any of the rumors floating about the city, as they relate to a matter too delicate to admit of idle speculation. We desire to give correct information, and hope that justice will be done to all parties.
Esmeralda Daily Union, 9/29/1864:
Verdict of the Coroner’s Jury. About two o’clock to-day the inquisition in the matter of the death of the late C. E. H. Wheaton closed, and after being out a few minutes the Jury returned the following verdict:…we find the deceased was named Charles E. H. Wheaton; was a native of the State of Kentucky; Colwell county and afterwards a resident of the State of Mississippi, aged about 55 years; that he came to his death on the 27th day of September, 1864, in this county, by means of gun-shot wounds – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right side; that said wounds were inflicted with a double-barreled shot-gun, loaded with BB shot, in the hands of W. B. Lake; and we further find that the act of said W. B. Lake was justifiable homicide – all of which we duly certify by this inquisition in writing, by us signed this 29th day of September, 864. H. Keefer, G. S. Morton, J. M. Horton, I. H. Gray, J. M. Meredith, B. G. Parker, J. N. Higgins, O. M. Converse.
Daily Alta California, 9/29/1864:
Murder In Aurora. Aurora, September 28th. – Last evening, about seven o’clock, Charles E.H. Wheaton, formerly of Sonora, Tuolumne county, while walking up Pine street, nearly opposite the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., was shot with a double-barrelled shot-gun, both shots taking effect – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right breast. He died about fifteen minuts afterwards. William Blake (sic) was arrested and is now in jail, on the charge of having killed Wheaton. A Coroner’s jury are now holding an inquest.
Sacramento Daily Union, 9/30/1864:
Homicide Case at Aurora. September 29th - In the matter of the inquisition on the body of C.E. H. WHEATON, deceased, the Coroner's jury found that the said C.E.H. Wheaton came to his death at the hands of William B. LAKE, and that the act of said William B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
Daily Alta California, 10/5/1864:
The Late Homicide in Aurora. – From evidence adduced before the Coroner’s Jury, it appears that C.E. H. Wheaton was a spiritualist, and became so desperately enamored of Wm. B. Lake’s wife, and made himself so obnoxious to her, that Lake was compelled to take his life in order to protest the honor of him self and family. Wheaton had been in the habit of writing letters to Mrs. Lake, and insisting upon holding interviews with her; and after she declined to correspond or meet him, he amused himself of evenings by throwing stones at Lake’s house, and upon being remonstrated with by a mutual friend, he threatened to shoot Lake on sight. At this juncture of affairs, Lake was informed for the first time of all that had been going on, and when he and Wheaton met, he killed Wheaton instead of Wheaton killing him. After thoroughly investigating the matter, the Coroner’s Jury rendered a verdict that the act of W.B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
The Times of the 28th says: We are called upon to-day to chronicle another of those terrible deaths by violence which have given Aurora such a fearful reputation abroad. Last evening, about seven o’clock, as C.E.H. Wheaton, an old citizen of Aurora, was coming up Pine street, he was suddenly shot and killed by William B. Lake, of the Pioneer Book Store. The shooting took place in front of Finlayson’s dry goods tore, between Antelope and Silver streets. No altercation occurred; not a word passed between them, and we do not believe that the murdered man saw Lake, or knew who shot him. The weapon used was a double-barrelled shotgun, heavily loaded with large double B shot and pistol balls. Both barrels of the gun were fired in rapid succession. The first fire, it is supposed, inflicted a dozen mortal wounds, literally filling his face, throat, and breast, with shot. The second discharge, as he was falling, shattered his right arm and entered his side. The wounded man immediately got up and staggered into the Wide West saloon, where he fell, saying “they have killed me!” Drs. Pugh and Smith were promptly on the spot, but he was beyond all medical skill or aid. In five minutes from the shooting Charley Wheaton was a dead man. Without a moment’s warning or preparation his soul was sent untried into the presence of its Maker. Never did we see a man so completely riddled with shot. No less than forty-one had struck him. Some excitement ensure after the occurrence, owing to the failure of the officers to promptly do their duty in arresting and imprisoning Lake. When the prisoner was put in the jail a guard was placed over it to prevent a repetition of the lynching scenes of February last. This was wholly unnecessary, however, as the warmest friends of the unfortunate man would have bitterly opposed any resort to mob violence. The cause of this dreadful occurrence we have heard differently stated. Rumor has it that Wheaton had long been persecuting Mrs. Lake, the wife of the man who killed him, and endeavoring to get that lady to leave her husband and live with him. Of this we shall not speak more than to say that for this reason Mr. L. has the sympathies of many of our citizens. However great the provocation, and whatever extenuating circumstances may be found in the prisoner's favor, it must be admitted that he wreaked his vengeance in a fearful and cowardly manner. Mr. Wheaton was an old man, 54 years of age, badly crippled and partially blind. We had known him some ten years, and are proud of the warm personal friendship of C.E.H. Wheaton. That he had no fault we do not pretend, but he possessed many of the most ennobling qualities of mankind.
*****
1850 Census, California, Tuolumne Co., Twp 1, HH of Henry Worthian?:
Chas. H. Wheaton, 35 yrs, Miner, MS; Guadaloopa Ramaris, 25 yrs, female, b. Mexico.
1860 Census, Tuolumne Co., Twp No. 1, Sonora City & P.O.:
C.H. Wheaton, 50 yrs, Trader, b. MS; Waloupa Ramero, 35 yrs, Wash woman, b. Mexico; John C. Wheaton, 4 yrs, b. CA.
I must now close. It is getting dangerous where I am sitting. A man has just been shot with a double-brarrled shot-gun and killed directly across the street. There is great excitement and a large crowd is gathered in front of the door.
Esmeralda Daily Herald, 9/28/1864:
Homicide. An affair took place at about seven o’clock last evening, on Pine street, between the Postoffice and the Gem Saloon, which for a time caused much excitement among the citizens of Aurora. Seeing the flashes of a gun, and hearing the noise which followed two discharges in rapid succession, we proceeded to the spot, and there saw a large crowd of men, who had hurried to the scene for the purpose of learning the cause and result of the shooting. At first everybody seemed to be stunned at the occurrence, and nobody seemed to know anything about it; and some time passed before we could get the particulars, which are as follows, if we are rightly informed: The man killed was walking up Pine street, and just as he arrived in front of the Wide West saloon the shots were fired which resulted in his death. The first discharged entered his body near the right breast, shattering his right arm. The second entered his face and neck. His right hand, it appears, was in his coat pocket, on his revolver, when the first shot was fired. His revolver was cocked when found on his person. A stray shot struck Mr. Henry Stratton in the leg, making a flesh wound which may for a short time prevent him from walking. It is by no means dangerous. The unfortunate man (Charles E. H. Wheaton) expired in about fifteen minutes after the shots were fired. Wm. B. Lake was arrested and placed in the county jail, where he still remains on a charge of having killed Wheaton. We will give the evidence elicited by the Coroner’s jury in due season. We refrain from giving any of the rumors floating about the city, as they relate to a matter too delicate to admit of idle speculation. We desire to give correct information, and hope that justice will be done to all parties.
Esmeralda Daily Union, 9/29/1864:
Verdict of the Coroner’s Jury. About two o’clock to-day the inquisition in the matter of the death of the late C. E. H. Wheaton closed, and after being out a few minutes the Jury returned the following verdict:…we find the deceased was named Charles E. H. Wheaton; was a native of the State of Kentucky; Colwell county and afterwards a resident of the State of Mississippi, aged about 55 years; that he came to his death on the 27th day of September, 1864, in this county, by means of gun-shot wounds – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right side; that said wounds were inflicted with a double-barreled shot-gun, loaded with BB shot, in the hands of W. B. Lake; and we further find that the act of said W. B. Lake was justifiable homicide – all of which we duly certify by this inquisition in writing, by us signed this 29th day of September, 864. H. Keefer, G. S. Morton, J. M. Horton, I. H. Gray, J. M. Meredith, B. G. Parker, J. N. Higgins, O. M. Converse.
Daily Alta California, 9/29/1864:
Murder In Aurora. Aurora, September 28th. – Last evening, about seven o’clock, Charles E.H. Wheaton, formerly of Sonora, Tuolumne county, while walking up Pine street, nearly opposite the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., was shot with a double-barrelled shot-gun, both shots taking effect – one in the face and neck, and the other in the right breast. He died about fifteen minuts afterwards. William Blake (sic) was arrested and is now in jail, on the charge of having killed Wheaton. A Coroner’s jury are now holding an inquest.
Sacramento Daily Union, 9/30/1864:
Homicide Case at Aurora. September 29th - In the matter of the inquisition on the body of C.E. H. WHEATON, deceased, the Coroner's jury found that the said C.E.H. Wheaton came to his death at the hands of William B. LAKE, and that the act of said William B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
Daily Alta California, 10/5/1864:
The Late Homicide in Aurora. – From evidence adduced before the Coroner’s Jury, it appears that C.E. H. Wheaton was a spiritualist, and became so desperately enamored of Wm. B. Lake’s wife, and made himself so obnoxious to her, that Lake was compelled to take his life in order to protest the honor of him self and family. Wheaton had been in the habit of writing letters to Mrs. Lake, and insisting upon holding interviews with her; and after she declined to correspond or meet him, he amused himself of evenings by throwing stones at Lake’s house, and upon being remonstrated with by a mutual friend, he threatened to shoot Lake on sight. At this juncture of affairs, Lake was informed for the first time of all that had been going on, and when he and Wheaton met, he killed Wheaton instead of Wheaton killing him. After thoroughly investigating the matter, the Coroner’s Jury rendered a verdict that the act of W.B. Lake was justifiable homicide.
The Times of the 28th says: We are called upon to-day to chronicle another of those terrible deaths by violence which have given Aurora such a fearful reputation abroad. Last evening, about seven o’clock, as C.E.H. Wheaton, an old citizen of Aurora, was coming up Pine street, he was suddenly shot and killed by William B. Lake, of the Pioneer Book Store. The shooting took place in front of Finlayson’s dry goods tore, between Antelope and Silver streets. No altercation occurred; not a word passed between them, and we do not believe that the murdered man saw Lake, or knew who shot him. The weapon used was a double-barrelled shotgun, heavily loaded with large double B shot and pistol balls. Both barrels of the gun were fired in rapid succession. The first fire, it is supposed, inflicted a dozen mortal wounds, literally filling his face, throat, and breast, with shot. The second discharge, as he was falling, shattered his right arm and entered his side. The wounded man immediately got up and staggered into the Wide West saloon, where he fell, saying “they have killed me!” Drs. Pugh and Smith were promptly on the spot, but he was beyond all medical skill or aid. In five minutes from the shooting Charley Wheaton was a dead man. Without a moment’s warning or preparation his soul was sent untried into the presence of its Maker. Never did we see a man so completely riddled with shot. No less than forty-one had struck him. Some excitement ensure after the occurrence, owing to the failure of the officers to promptly do their duty in arresting and imprisoning Lake. When the prisoner was put in the jail a guard was placed over it to prevent a repetition of the lynching scenes of February last. This was wholly unnecessary, however, as the warmest friends of the unfortunate man would have bitterly opposed any resort to mob violence. The cause of this dreadful occurrence we have heard differently stated. Rumor has it that Wheaton had long been persecuting Mrs. Lake, the wife of the man who killed him, and endeavoring to get that lady to leave her husband and live with him. Of this we shall not speak more than to say that for this reason Mr. L. has the sympathies of many of our citizens. However great the provocation, and whatever extenuating circumstances may be found in the prisoner's favor, it must be admitted that he wreaked his vengeance in a fearful and cowardly manner. Mr. Wheaton was an old man, 54 years of age, badly crippled and partially blind. We had known him some ten years, and are proud of the warm personal friendship of C.E.H. Wheaton. That he had no fault we do not pretend, but he possessed many of the most ennobling qualities of mankind.
*****
1850 Census, California, Tuolumne Co., Twp 1, HH of Henry Worthian?:
Chas. H. Wheaton, 35 yrs, Miner, MS; Guadaloopa Ramaris, 25 yrs, female, b. Mexico.
1860 Census, Tuolumne Co., Twp No. 1, Sonora City & P.O.:
C.H. Wheaton, 50 yrs, Trader, b. MS; Waloupa Ramero, 35 yrs, Wash woman, b. Mexico; John C. Wheaton, 4 yrs, b. CA.
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