Killing of Theodore Schurs
Killing of Thodore [sic] Schurs - Thomas Workover lived in a lonely and secluded spot on the Pope Valley side of Howell Mountain, and was engaged in raising stock. Schurs was a laboring man, and had been employed by Workover, but was discharged some six months before the homicide. Near nightfall on the day previous to the shooting, Schurs came to the house and asked for lodgings, which were granted to him. He had been drinking, and acted so strangely that Workover went to his barn and got two of his hired men to come and sleep in the house with him. Nothing of importance happened, however, that night. The next morning Schurs was told to leave the place and never return. He went to a wine cellar and drank very freely that day. About midnight of October 9, 1877, Workover was aroused from sleep by some one trying to force an entrance through the doors and windows. He looked out and saw that it was Schurs, and taking his shotgun fired through the window at him, the charge taking effect in Schurs' breast. He lived about an hour and a half. Workover gave himself up and was taken to St. Helena. The Coroner's inquest developed the above facts. He had his preliminary trial before Justice Haskins, where it was brought out in evidence that Schurs was a dissolute man. He had resided around Pope Valley for some time. Workover was acquitted by Justice Haskins on the ground of justifiable homicide.
Note: While the paragraph above lists the victim's name as "Thodore Schurs", in the index (page vi), the victim's name is listed as "Theodore Schurs."
Source: [Lyman L. Palmer], History of Napa and Lake Counties, California (San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881), page 155.
This record was transcribed by Regina Gualco and is posted on CAGenWeb with permission.
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Last updated August 5, 2006