JEFFERS, Van

JEFFERS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/16/2006 at 14:08:53

"Fairfield Ledger", Sept. 22, 1864, Pg. 3, Col. 1

MURDERED: We learn by a letter from W. R. Parks to Dr. Clarke, that Van JEFFERS, who went to Oregon from this place over a year ago, was murdered on Powder River about 15 miles from Auburn, Oregon, on the 28th of July. Another man was killed at the same time.

Young JEFFERS and the man who committed the murders had an interest in a flock of sheep. The murderer had been drinking hard in Auburn for several days, and on his return committed the murders. He threw their bodies into a "prospect hole", and then went to a neighbor's and told what he did, but said he did it in self-defense. He made his escape, and there was not much prospect of an arrest.

The bodies of the murdered men were taken out of the hole and decently buried. Van JEFFERS' parents reside here, and his loss falls heavily on them. He was a sober and steady young man, and was liked by all who knew him.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.