Homicides of Napa County. Pages 143-157

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Killing of John Thomas.—He was killed by Edward Day, at the Meyers Hotel in Napa City, November 15, 
1873, under the following circumstances : The two men were engaged in a game of cards in the 
barroom of the hotel, when Day took seven cards when he dealt, instead of six. Thomas accused him 
of cheating and they began to wrangle over it and Day called Thomas some very hard names. They 
finally quieted down and went and drank together. Day then went across the street to Clifford's livery 
stable and began afresh to abuse Thomas and to use vile epithets. Thomas then went across the 
street and asked him to desist, when Day attacked him with a knife. Thomas retreated, but when 
about midway across the street Day overtook him and cut him across the abdomen, from the effects 
of which Thomas soon after died. The Grand Jury found a true bill against Day December 1, 1873. The 
trial was deferred until June, 1875, when the jury brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree, 
and he was sentenced to the State Prison for life.