Miscellaneous News Articles about Riverside County California

San Francisco Evening Bulletin, San Francisco California
Riverside California July 14
The Riverside Hotel. owned by Dr. Craig, was burned down this morning at 7:30 o'clock. The building is a total loss, but the furniture was saved. The building was insured for $1,500.00 and the furniture for $500.00. The fire caught in the roof, but the cause is unknown. This was the Pioneer Hotel, and was built in 1871. There are two good hotels left. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

January 28, 1890

San Jose Mercury Evening News, San Jose California

Riverside, Jan. 28
Last Evening Mrs. H.C. Hibbard, the wife of a prominent physician of this city, was found hanging dead, from a rafter in the attic at her home. She had been in ill health for several years, and several times before, when living in Kansas, had attempted to take her life. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

July 14, 1897

San Jose Evening News, San Jose California
A Sensational Murder Trail at Riverside
Riverside July 14
The sensational Beggs murder case is in progress in the Superior County. The courtroom was crowded from early in the morning till late in the evening. James H. Beggs is charged with having murdered his infant child on a ranch near Perris, on May 23d inst.
Miss Emma Long, the alleged wife of Beggs and mother of the murdered infant, was first called to the stand. She testified that she was married to Beggs by contract in May 1896, the baby in question was born April 27, 1897, and died May 23, 1897. She said she knew of the death at about 5 o'clock in the morning. The baby was found dead in bed on the morning of May 23d, with one eye protruding from the socket, suggesting strangulation. Beggs had often said for her to give the baby to her sister or told her he would take it to the mines.
Coroner Sherman testified that he held the inquest on the remains. The grave was in the wash and was only about twelve inches deep. The face of the child was black and one eye was protruded. He thought the child died of suffocation.
LE. Leemon, the Perris druggist, testified that he sold Beggs chloroform on the evening of May 22d.
Dr. Perry of Perris testified that he was a juror at the Coroner's inquest held on the body of the baby and examined the body. He believed the child was chocked to death. He said Begs came to him after the Coroner's inquest and said he wanted "this thing hushed up" and he wanted to know it $20.00 would be enough. He then raised his bid to $100.
The testimony of Mrs. F.G. Long, mother of Mrs. Beggs, created a small sensation as it was contrary to her testimony at the inquest in many important particulars. The case was continued until 9 o'clock tomorrow. Mrs. Beggs was arrested for perjury and it is highly probable that there will be more sensations when the court convenes. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

March 18, 1898

The Evening News, San Jose, California
A MURDER MYSTERY
Strange Case at Riverside May Be Cleared Up
Riverside, March 18
It is now very probable that the persons who murdered the unknown man whose body was found in the river bottom near this city last December will be brought to justice, Sheriff Johnson received a dispatch from Sheriff Ballon of San Luis Obispo, stating that he had arrested two men who he thought were implicated in this mysterious murder. They gave their names as Costeno and Walker, and Ballon has positive evidence that they are from this city and know something of the murder. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

November 19, 1900

San Jose Mercury, San Jose California
Riverside Calif. Nov 19
An inquest is in progress here today over the remains of Jack Copeland, a prominent contractor and builder of Riverside of Riverside who was killed by a blow struck in the heat of a discussion on Saturday.
He was engaged in a dispute with Joseph Sarring, while eating supper at the Hollywood Hotel, as to which employee called train time.
The men were strangers to each other and after supper they met on the sidewalk.
Copeland was slightly intoxicated, and continued the dispute, through it is said that Sarring attempted to avoid him.
Finally Copeland rushed at Sarring and the latter, who is a large and very powerful man, struck Copeland in the face and knocked him down.
It is believed that Copeland's skull was fractured by the fall, as his head struck the pavement.
He was taken to his room, through his companions did not consider his injuries serious.
The injured man died early the next morning, without having had medical attention. When it was learned that his condition was serious a doctor was sent for, but before he arrived the man was dead.
A peculiar feature of the case is that as yet no arrest has been made. it is not believed that the Coroner's jury will hold Sarring on any charge. as Copeland's mean and fighting disposition is well known. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

July 23, 1902

The San Jose Evening News, San Jose California
Famous Horticulturist Ends Days In Southern California Hospital

A dispatch from Riverside states that the death of Luther C. Tibbets, widely known as the man who planted and brought to successful growth the first navel orange trees in this country, occurred Monday afternoon in that place in the County Hospital, where he has received kindly care during the past year. He once owned much valuable property in Riverside, but lost it all though litigation.
While it was known that he was ill, the news of his death came as a surprise. The numerous reports of Mr. Tibbets' destitution which have been widely circulated were not founded on facts.
During his stay in the hospital he has been supplied with the comforts of life, and was entirely contented.
One of the parent navel orange trees which Mr. Tibbets budded has recently been removed to the head of Magnolia Avenue in Riverside and it is probable that a suitable tablet will be erected there to his memory.
[Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

April 24, 1903

San Jose Mercury, San Jose California
Riverside April 23
Mrs. F. C. Fisher, wife of a barber of this place was burned to death this morning as the result of a gasoline explosion. She was cleaning a garment with the liquid when it exploded. When the husband of the woman was called to her aid, he became raving crazy from the shock. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

March 27, 1907

San Jose Mercury News, San Jose California
Riverside March 26
Word was received here today of the accidental death of Earl Nash and Henry Connelly on the Mojave River, forty miles from here.
[Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

December 31, 1916

San Jose Mercury Herald, San Jose California
Girl Meets Death On Way To Ball
Daughter of Riverside County Doctor and Man Killed at Crossing
Riverside Calif. Dec. 30
Miss Lois Wood, daughter of Dr. E. H. Wood, county physician, was killed and Frederick Smith Jr. was slightly injured last night when an eastbound Sante Fe freight train struck the automobile in which they were driving to a high school class dance.
[Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]

January 5, 1922

San Jose Mercury Times, San Jose California
Death Of Riverside Mayor Was Accidental
Ontario California Jan 4
The death of Mayor L.V.W. Brown of Riverside last night when his automobile ran into a truck and the ---- impaled on a long timber of the truck load was accidental and Chas. M. Miller driver of the truck was exonerated in finding of an inquest verdict reported here tonight. Funeral arrangements were delayed pending word from New York relatives ob the late Mayor. [Contributed by: Barb Ziegenmeyer - 2008]