Southern Pacific fireman Henry Amadon had just received a coveted promotion to engineer when he was murdered by Foster, the lover of his unfaithful wife. Ella Amadon and her sister, Lottie, had donned men's clothing and spent the evening cavorting in a gambling house with their half-brother and Ella's lover, unaware that husband Henry's work schedule had been changed. When Henry surprised them while walking down the road in the wee hours of the morning, Mrs. Amadon's paramour shot and murdered poor Henry.
Los Angeles Times
September 26, 1883 - pg O-4
Killed in the Street
Henry Amadon Waylaid and Murdered Yesterday Morning
Date Street the Scene of one of the Blackest Deeds in the Criminal Annals of Los Angeles - Two Arrests Made
At about half-past 4 o'clock yesterday morning a murder almost as foul and brutal as was ever known in the bloodstained annals of early Los Angeles was committed on Date street, near the new railroad depot. This cowardly crime is recorded in the blood of an amiable man, named Henry Amadon, a fireman of the Southern Pacific Railroad -- a man who is said by old-timers to be an example of kindness and suavity...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Los Angeles Times
September 27, 1883 - pg. O-4
The Mysterious Murder
Further Facts Concerning the Dreadful Crime
Conclusion of the Inquest – The Probable Criminals – Motives for the Crime – Amadon's Funeral
The mysterious murder of Henry C. Amadon still continues to excite great public interest, and, while there were not startling developments yesterday, there is no doubt that the chain of evidence is drawing closer and closer around the real criminals. There were numberless rumors about the streets yesterday, one of the most prominent being that Billings had turned State's evidence against Forster and made a clean breast of the affair. Investigation at police headquarters, however, showed that this rumor has, as yet, no foundation, and both the suspected parties, Billings and Forster, are still confined in jail.
The general opinion is that John Forster is the most deeply implicated in the terrible crime, and that the woman and her brother Brown, alias Billings, are nearly as deep in the mire. This impression concerning Mrs. Amadon was believed to be so well founded that a complaint, charging her with being an accessory to the crime, was actually sworn out, but not served, as she has two young children and is so closely watched that she cannot escape.
Henry C. Amadon had $1000 insurance on his life in the Fireman's Brotherhood, being a benefit payable to his wife in case of his death. It is hinted that this circumstance was very well known by both Forster and Mrs. Amadon, and may have influenced their action. Amadon's dues to the Society were, however, in arrears, and the Brotherhood does not intend that the woman shall have any portion of the benefit, but are willing to provide for the children. In regard to the testimony concerning the pistol found, quite a number of railroad men deny that the weapon exhibited ever belonged to Amadon; that he was undoubtedly unarmed, and the pistol found in the street was thrown there, with two cartridges out of it, to create a belief that Amadon fired two shots.
The mother of Mrs. Amadon has kept for several years a house of ill-fame at Anaheim and her daughter was reared in the midst of the most evil associations. Contradictory reports are circulated concerning the relations between Amadon and his wife, and the truth of the matter is hard to reach. Amadon's reputation seems to have been excellent on the railroad, and his friends say he provided his family with everything necessary for their comfort.
The Funeral.
The funeral of the murdered man took place yesterday at 3 p.m., the procession forming at the corner of First and Main streets. It was led by the City Band, No. 38's Engine Company, Confidence Engine Company No. 2., Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company and Park Hose Company participating. A number of the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers also assisted in the ceremonies. The deceased was buried in the City Cemetery on the hill, a large concourse of people being present. Rev. E. S. Chase of Asbury M. E. Church, East Los Angeles, officiated.
Los Angeles Times
September 26, 1883 - pg O-4
Killed in the Street
Henry Amadon Waylaid and Murdered Yesterday Morning
Date Street the Scene of one of the Blackest Deeds in the Criminal Annals of Los Angeles - Two Arrests Made
At about half-past 4 o'clock yesterday morning a murder almost as foul and brutal as was ever known in the bloodstained annals of early Los Angeles was committed on Date street, near the new railroad depot. This cowardly crime is recorded in the blood of an amiable man, named Henry Amadon, a fireman of the Southern Pacific Railroad -- a man who is said by old-timers to be an example of kindness and suavity...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Los Angeles Times
September 27, 1883 - pg. O-4
The Mysterious Murder
Further Facts Concerning the Dreadful Crime
Conclusion of the Inquest – The Probable Criminals – Motives for the Crime – Amadon's Funeral
The mysterious murder of Henry C. Amadon still continues to excite great public interest, and, while there were not startling developments yesterday, there is no doubt that the chain of evidence is drawing closer and closer around the real criminals. There were numberless rumors about the streets yesterday, one of the most prominent being that Billings had turned State's evidence against Forster and made a clean breast of the affair. Investigation at police headquarters, however, showed that this rumor has, as yet, no foundation, and both the suspected parties, Billings and Forster, are still confined in jail.
The general opinion is that John Forster is the most deeply implicated in the terrible crime, and that the woman and her brother Brown, alias Billings, are nearly as deep in the mire. This impression concerning Mrs. Amadon was believed to be so well founded that a complaint, charging her with being an accessory to the crime, was actually sworn out, but not served, as she has two young children and is so closely watched that she cannot escape.
Henry C. Amadon had $1000 insurance on his life in the Fireman's Brotherhood, being a benefit payable to his wife in case of his death. It is hinted that this circumstance was very well known by both Forster and Mrs. Amadon, and may have influenced their action. Amadon's dues to the Society were, however, in arrears, and the Brotherhood does not intend that the woman shall have any portion of the benefit, but are willing to provide for the children. In regard to the testimony concerning the pistol found, quite a number of railroad men deny that the weapon exhibited ever belonged to Amadon; that he was undoubtedly unarmed, and the pistol found in the street was thrown there, with two cartridges out of it, to create a belief that Amadon fired two shots.
The mother of Mrs. Amadon has kept for several years a house of ill-fame at Anaheim and her daughter was reared in the midst of the most evil associations. Contradictory reports are circulated concerning the relations between Amadon and his wife, and the truth of the matter is hard to reach. Amadon's reputation seems to have been excellent on the railroad, and his friends say he provided his family with everything necessary for their comfort.
The Funeral.
The funeral of the murdered man took place yesterday at 3 p.m., the procession forming at the corner of First and Main streets. It was led by the City Band, No. 38's Engine Company, Confidence Engine Company No. 2., Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company and Park Hose Company participating. A number of the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers also assisted in the ceremonies. The deceased was buried in the City Cemetery on the hill, a large concourse of people being present. Rev. E. S. Chase of Asbury M. E. Church, East Los Angeles, officiated.
Southern Pacific fireman Henry Amadon had just received a coveted promotion to engineer when he was murdered by Foster, the lover of his unfaithful wife. Ella Amadon and her sister, Lottie, had donned men's clothing and spent the evening cavorting in a gambling house with their half-brother and Ella's lover, unaware that husband Henry's work schedule had been changed. When Henry surprised them while walking down the road in the wee hours of the morning, Mrs. Amadon's paramour shot and murdered poor Henry.
Los Angeles Times
September 26, 1883 - pg O-4
Killed in the Street
Henry Amadon Waylaid and Murdered Yesterday Morning
Date Street the Scene of one of the Blackest Deeds in the Criminal Annals of Los Angeles - Two Arrests Made
At about half-past 4 o'clock yesterday morning a murder almost as foul and brutal as was ever known in the bloodstained annals of early Los Angeles was committed on Date street, near the new railroad depot. This cowardly crime is recorded in the blood of an amiable man, named Henry Amadon, a fireman of the Southern Pacific Railroad -- a man who is said by old-timers to be an example of kindness and suavity...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Los Angeles Times
September 27, 1883 - pg. O-4
The Mysterious Murder
Further Facts Concerning the Dreadful Crime
Conclusion of the Inquest – The Probable Criminals – Motives for the Crime – Amadon's Funeral
The mysterious murder of Henry C. Amadon still continues to excite great public interest, and, while there were not startling developments yesterday, there is no doubt that the chain of evidence is drawing closer and closer around the real criminals. There were numberless rumors about the streets yesterday, one of the most prominent being that Billings had turned State's evidence against Forster and made a clean breast of the affair. Investigation at police headquarters, however, showed that this rumor has, as yet, no foundation, and both the suspected parties, Billings and Forster, are still confined in jail.
The general opinion is that John Forster is the most deeply implicated in the terrible crime, and that the woman and her brother Brown, alias Billings, are nearly as deep in the mire. This impression concerning Mrs. Amadon was believed to be so well founded that a complaint, charging her with being an accessory to the crime, was actually sworn out, but not served, as she has two young children and is so closely watched that she cannot escape.
Henry C. Amadon had $1000 insurance on his life in the Fireman's Brotherhood, being a benefit payable to his wife in case of his death. It is hinted that this circumstance was very well known by both Forster and Mrs. Amadon, and may have influenced their action. Amadon's dues to the Society were, however, in arrears, and the Brotherhood does not intend that the woman shall have any portion of the benefit, but are willing to provide for the children. In regard to the testimony concerning the pistol found, quite a number of railroad men deny that the weapon exhibited ever belonged to Amadon; that he was undoubtedly unarmed, and the pistol found in the street was thrown there, with two cartridges out of it, to create a belief that Amadon fired two shots.
The mother of Mrs. Amadon has kept for several years a house of ill-fame at Anaheim and her daughter was reared in the midst of the most evil associations. Contradictory reports are circulated concerning the relations between Amadon and his wife, and the truth of the matter is hard to reach. Amadon's reputation seems to have been excellent on the railroad, and his friends say he provided his family with everything necessary for their comfort.
The Funeral.
The funeral of the murdered man took place yesterday at 3 p.m., the procession forming at the corner of First and Main streets. It was led by the City Band, No. 38's Engine Company, Confidence Engine Company No. 2., Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company and Park Hose Company participating. A number of the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers also assisted in the ceremonies. The deceased was buried in the City Cemetery on the hill, a large concourse of people being present. Rev. E. S. Chase of Asbury M. E. Church, East Los Angeles, officiated.
Los Angeles Times
September 26, 1883 - pg O-4
Killed in the Street
Henry Amadon Waylaid and Murdered Yesterday Morning
Date Street the Scene of one of the Blackest Deeds in the Criminal Annals of Los Angeles - Two Arrests Made
At about half-past 4 o'clock yesterday morning a murder almost as foul and brutal as was ever known in the bloodstained annals of early Los Angeles was committed on Date street, near the new railroad depot. This cowardly crime is recorded in the blood of an amiable man, named Henry Amadon, a fireman of the Southern Pacific Railroad -- a man who is said by old-timers to be an example of kindness and suavity...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Los Angeles Times
September 27, 1883 - pg. O-4
The Mysterious Murder
Further Facts Concerning the Dreadful Crime
Conclusion of the Inquest – The Probable Criminals – Motives for the Crime – Amadon's Funeral
The mysterious murder of Henry C. Amadon still continues to excite great public interest, and, while there were not startling developments yesterday, there is no doubt that the chain of evidence is drawing closer and closer around the real criminals. There were numberless rumors about the streets yesterday, one of the most prominent being that Billings had turned State's evidence against Forster and made a clean breast of the affair. Investigation at police headquarters, however, showed that this rumor has, as yet, no foundation, and both the suspected parties, Billings and Forster, are still confined in jail.
The general opinion is that John Forster is the most deeply implicated in the terrible crime, and that the woman and her brother Brown, alias Billings, are nearly as deep in the mire. This impression concerning Mrs. Amadon was believed to be so well founded that a complaint, charging her with being an accessory to the crime, was actually sworn out, but not served, as she has two young children and is so closely watched that she cannot escape.
Henry C. Amadon had $1000 insurance on his life in the Fireman's Brotherhood, being a benefit payable to his wife in case of his death. It is hinted that this circumstance was very well known by both Forster and Mrs. Amadon, and may have influenced their action. Amadon's dues to the Society were, however, in arrears, and the Brotherhood does not intend that the woman shall have any portion of the benefit, but are willing to provide for the children. In regard to the testimony concerning the pistol found, quite a number of railroad men deny that the weapon exhibited ever belonged to Amadon; that he was undoubtedly unarmed, and the pistol found in the street was thrown there, with two cartridges out of it, to create a belief that Amadon fired two shots.
The mother of Mrs. Amadon has kept for several years a house of ill-fame at Anaheim and her daughter was reared in the midst of the most evil associations. Contradictory reports are circulated concerning the relations between Amadon and his wife, and the truth of the matter is hard to reach. Amadon's reputation seems to have been excellent on the railroad, and his friends say he provided his family with everything necessary for their comfort.
The Funeral.
The funeral of the murdered man took place yesterday at 3 p.m., the procession forming at the corner of First and Main streets. It was led by the City Band, No. 38's Engine Company, Confidence Engine Company No. 2., Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company and Park Hose Company participating. A number of the members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers also assisted in the ceremonies. The deceased was buried in the City Cemetery on the hill, a large concourse of people being present. Rev. E. S. Chase of Asbury M. E. Church, East Los Angeles, officiated.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
