Ambush, Arson & Murder on the Nacimiento - Softcover

A true story of a pioneer fighting to save his ranch in a beautiful California valley, as told by Senator Henry Lynch. Taking place at a time when the dying flames of the Civil War were still red-hot glowing embers, the events show clearly how passionate the feelings ran during those early antebellum days. Even removed thousands of miles from the battlefields, people were classed as Confeds or Unions, Copperheads or Blue Coats, sheepmen or cattlemen to their credit or their scorn, depending on your point of view. Henry Lynch was a small boy when the range war erupted but it was much later, as a State Senator, he took the time to write down his memories of the stories oft repeated by friends, neighbors and his father. The jury trial of James Bushton for the murder of Martin Herges failed to mention Herges nefarious background which is pointed out in several clippings from the San Luis Obispo paper. Who shot first? Who held the knife? After patronizing numerous bars was the witness credible? The letter supporting Bushtons commutation from Judge David Belden, the same judge who presided at James Bushton s trial for the Herges murder, probably gives the best view of the biased thinking of the times guilt by affiliation. The biographies, journals, and diaries recorded by this pioneer family are left to us as a priceless reminder of the hardships, pleasures, and the realities of those early days. Includes transcripts of the handwritten 1872 trial records and the Petitions for Pardon from San Quentin.