User:RecycledPixels/sandbox/Murder of John Lowell

Cast of characters

 * John Lowell. Possibly the same person who was ex-guard of the prison brig in 1857.  By 1860, Census data puts him in Brighton, Age 33, and occupation farmer.  Born in Ireland.  Married to Mary E. (Lowell), born in Ireland (from 1860 Census) and died Nov. 27, 1862 at age 28.  Possibly five sons, Joseph Frances Lowell, born about 1856, died Feb 1875 in St. Louis of smallpox.  William born March 10 1858, one born November 21, 1859, and one born June 5, 1861.  He was married second to Ellen (Lowell), age 28 in 1870 Census, born in Ireland (from 1870 Census) married on August 10, 1868 and lived together until July 7, 1869 when she was forced to flee for fear of her life and filed for divorce on the grounds of extreme cruelty.  1870 Census shows her living in the house with John and 3 sons including John Lowell, age 7 months.  John Lowell of Oak Park married Emma J. Shriner, of Oak Park at 1304 N Street on October 15 1895. (Sac Union 17 Oct 1895, p. 3)
 * After his murder he was described by papers as fairly well-to-do. Murdered March 24, 1888 at his El Dorado County property near Mormon Island, about seven miles northwest of Folsom. During his murder trial for shooting John Powers, John Rooney testified that he had lived in Brighton since 1850 and had known Lowell since 1857.


 * Vincent Roquine. In 1857, Lowell was charged with malicious mischief for plowing up his garden.  Lowell was fined $100 or fifty days in jail.
 * Capt. John (or Jack) Hays of the prison brig. Involved with a public spat with John over conditions and preferential treatment on the prison brig where Lowell was employed as a guard, leading to Lowell quitting, although there were rumors that Lowell was fired for disobeying orders.  Hays then resigned his own position for the purpose of "thrashing" John Lowell over the accusations and was expected to return to his position.
 * C. P. O'Neill a member of the police department. Pleaded guilty in 1857 for assault and battery on Lowell, in a fight in front of the police station when O'Neill accused Lowell of making false statements about him.  Lowell was acquitted of a similar charge, O'Neill paid a fine of $40.
 * N. Stevens. Not much known.  A motion for a new trial in the case of John Lowell against N. Stevens was overruled in 1859.
 * I. N. Hoag. Lowell charged with assault and battery on him in 1860.  He was found guilty and fined $20 and costs.
 * George Perkins. A resident of Brighton, was charged with assault to kill John Lowell in 1865.  At the preliminary hearing, it was heard that the two were at the house of Justice T. Perkins with other people around and they started arguing.  Perkins pulled a shotgun, Lowell approached with rocks, and the gun went off, shooting the ceiling. Charges were dropped against Perkins, Lowell was fined $25 for court costs.
 * E.G. Carpenter unknown.  In an 1867 court case, E.G. Carpenter vs. John Lowell, a motion to dismiss the appeal was granted and stay of proceedings granted.
 * John Black sued Lowell in 1868 to recover a debt that was secured by a mortgage. Lowell claimed to have already paid off part of the mortgage.  Jury finds that no part of the mortgage had been paid and found in favor of the plaintiff.
 * Henry Fee. Resident of Brighton.  In 1870, he sued Lowell for defamation of his wife.  As of 1871 he and his wife had been arguing with Lowell for a considerable time.  On the complaint filed by Fee, John and Joseph Lowell was arrested for threatening the life of Fee and his wife, for destroying Fee's property, misdemeanor, and assault and battery.  The Lowells brought counter-charges against Fee.  About 10 days later, Lowell's house burns down from an unknown cause.  Margaret, wife of Henry Fee, a native of Ireland, age 51, died near Antelope May 4 1890 (Sac union 5 May 1890 P. 3).  More detailed notes Sac Bee 5 May 1890, p. 3.
 * Robert Hill. In 1875 Lowell won a civil case against Hill and was awarded $75 for beating him with a stick.  He had asked for $299 damages originally.
 * Joseph Powers. Shot by Lowell on the evening of September 23, 1885 near Five Mile House in Brighton. Powers died the following day.   He was in the company of John Rooney at the time he was shot.  His wife was Margaret Powers, and had lived in Brighton for three years before her husband was killed.(sac bee 04 feb 1886 page 3).
 * John Rooney. Biography in History of Sacramento County, page 646.   His son Peter W. was married to Mary Powers, related to Joseph Powers?  Bad blood between Lowell and Rooney, and Lowell testified that Rooney had "Robbed him out of $800" (sac union 6 feb 1885 page 5)
 * John Henry Meyers sometimes written as Myer or John Harry Meyer. Also Henry Myers. One of the murderers of John Lowell, called the head conspirator.  He was a native of Bremerhaven, Germany, aged twenty seven years.  Five feet 7 inches, 164 lbs, light complexion, brown hair and mustache, blind in the right eye from an injury received in a flour mill 12 years ago.  Worked with Olsen and Drager as river steamboat men.   Was formerly a barkeeper at the old William Tell House at 9th and J streets.  He was arrested in San Francisco for embezzling $45 from a Mr. Peterson when he was working as a clerk at the hotel. Was convicted of petty larceny in East Oakland in 1876, fined $75 but served 75 days in jail instead.  Meyer and Olsen leased what is known as the Klotz place, adjoining Lowell's farm in Brighton for the season of 1888 until they were evicted for non-payment of rent.  The land was leased from Mrs. Helen Klotz in December 1887 for $1000 a year rent.  The annual rent was $1,000 and he had asked Jacob Gebert where he could purchase some seed potatoes for the ranch, before later coming back and stating that he was giving up the ranching business.  Dr. W. Wood, dentist, employed Myers on his Placer County ranch around 1886, and Myers remained there for several months.   He had been reccomended as a industrious worker, but the doctor found him to be the opposite, and he created dissent with the other workers on the ranch.  After he quit work, the doctor said that numerous articles were missed from the house and that indications pointed to Myers as the thief.   In September 1887, Myers applied for a job as a vinyardist on the Johnston Ranch at Cool, El Dorado County, armed with phony references extolling his experience as an orchardist.  He was soon revealed to know nothing about running orchards.  Married, fled town after the murder, apprehended in Kern County, California.  Executed November 30, 1888 in Placerville, California.  Mugshot.
 * His wife, Mary Leeder had worked at the William Tell House when Myers was a barkeeper. A month or two after starting work there Mary was the subject of gossip about her affairs with Myers, whom she ended up marrying.


 * John Olsen One of the murderers of John Lowell. Native of Sweden, 23 years old.  6 feet 1 1/2 inches tall, 175 lbs, light complexion, light brown hair. Also reported to be a native of Norway. Tattoo of a cross and a crown on the back of his left hand, a tattoo of an anchor and chain on the back of his right hand, and another tattoo of an anchor, very faded.  After the sale of the stock, Olsen and Drager worked on a steamboat.  He also used the surname Johnson, which he claimed was the americanized version of Olsen.   Drager, when he was arrested, said Olsen was working on the steamer San Joaquin.  Police record also states used the alias John Wilson, native of Norway, age 23, height 6' 1", weight 175. light complexion with light mustache, sentenced to hang Nov 30 1888, hanged at Placerville.
 * William Drager, sometimes printed as Bill. One of the murderers of John Lowell.  Native of Berlin, 40 years old.  Also reported that he would turn 40 on January 15 1889.  5 feet 8 3/4 inches tall, 185 pounds, rather dark complexion from exposure to weather, dark hair, scar on left elbow from bullet wound received in the battle of Sedan, September 2 1871.   Tattoo on left forearm of a cross and crown, an anchor, and the initials "W.D.", long scar on back of head and also small round one.  When he was arrested, he had been employed at the Phoenix flour mill for about three weeks.  Mugshot photo.
 * John Steen Owner of a dyeing establishment and saloon at 25th and J Streets.  A dyer by occupation.  Indicted  for receiving a considerable amount of the property stolen from Lowell.   The three murderers were frequent customers.  Married, unnamed wife.  He had a brother in Woodland.  He housed the three murderers in his home for a time.
 * Jacob Gebert proprietor of the Union Brewery, who bought the black mare and black colt taken from Lowell's Ranch. Myers and Steen came to the brewery and Myers offered the horses for sale, and a price of $50 for the mare and two gang plows, and $40 for the colt because the colt had a swollen knee.   Whole Gebert was paying, the colt broke away and ran off, and was brought back by Myers and Steen at 6 o'clock that evening.  Gebert tried to pay with a check, but Myers demanded cash because he was leaving the next morning.
 * Helen Klotz owned the ranch that Myers and Olsen rented, in December 1887 for $1000 a year rent.
 * F.C. Knager put up $3,000 bail for Steen.
 * H. Scheunert put up $3,000 bail for Steen.
 * W. Gilson put up $3,000 bail for Steen.
 * Julius Danioth put up $1,000 bail for Steen.

1857

 * John Lowell arrested for malicious mischief.


 * John Lowell fined and sentenced.


 * John Lowell appointed as Guard on the Brig.


 * C.P. O'Neill pleads guilty to assault and battery on J. Lowell, case of Lowell continued until Monday.


 * Fight between C.O'Neill and J. Lowell.


 * C.P. O'Neill fined, J. Lowell discharged.


 * Lowell was not fired from the Brig Guard, he quit.


 * Lowell complains of inequities at the prison.


 * Rebuttal of Lowell to Hayes's comments.


 * John Hayes resigns as keeper of the Prison Brig for the purpose of thrashing John Lowell for insulting him.

1858

 * Birth of John Lowell's Son.

1859

 * Motion for new trial in Lowell vs N.Stevens denied.


 * Birth of second son of John Lowell.

1860s

 * Lowell trial for disturbing the peace continued.


 * Lowell trial for disturbing the peace hung jury, case continued.


 * Lowell trial for disturbing the peace changed to assault and battery on I.N. Hoag, case continued.


 * Lowell trial for assault and battery, guilty, fined $25.


 * Lowell son born, June 5, 1861.


 * Mary E. Lowell, wife of John Lowell, died Nov 27 1862, age 28.


 * Lowell case for disturbing the peace in the day time set for next Tuesday.


 * Lowell appeal of assault and battery conviction affirmed.


 * George Perkins will be examined before Justice Haines tomorrow on the charge of assault to kill John Lowell.


 * Charges dropped against George Perkins, Lowell ordered to pay costs, details of incident.


 * Lowell trial for disturbing the peace put off until tomorrow.


 * Lowell acquitted of disturbing the peace.


 * Lowell pleads guilty to charge of disturbing the peace, fined $20.


 * E.G. Carpenter vs John Lowell; motion to dismiss appeal granted, continued to next Saturday.


 * John Black vs John Lowell; Civil trial for payment of a debt, judgement for plaintiff.


 * Ellen Lowell commenced divorce from John Lowell, married 10 Aug 1868, moved out 7 Jul 1869 for fear of her life.


 * Lowell vs Manlove trial held without jury, judgement for defendant for costs.

1870s

 * John Lowell vs. Wm. S. Manlove set for trial March 30 1870.


 * John Lowell sued by Henry Fee and wife, for defamation of Mrs. Fee.


 * Joseph Seeger vs John Lowell, motion to dismiss denied.


 * John Lowell arrested for threats against Henry Fee.


 * Case continued against Henry Fee.


 * John Lowell's house burned at Mayhew.


 * Joseph Francis Lowell, 19, son of John Lowell of Brighton, died in St. Louis of smallpox.


 * John Lowell entered the City Hotel and brandished a gun, which the clerk took from him and hit him over the head with it.


 * John Lowell convicted of drawing and exhibiting a deadly weapon, $50 or fifty days in jail.


 * Judgment in John Lowell vs. Robert Hill for the Plaintiff, for $75. Lowell had charged Hill with beating him with a stick and had sued for $299.


 * [Officer] Patrick Dolan arrested at Brighton and brought to Sacramento on a charge of having battered John Lowell.


 * John Meyers convicted of stealing clothes in East Oakland, fined $75, will instead serve 75 days.


 * John Henry Meyers convicted in San Francisco for driving a lame horse.

1880s

 * Custody of John Murty Lowell awarded to John Williams in Ellen Lowell vs. John Lowell.


 * John Lowell vs. P. Garrahan motion to strike papers and dismiss appeal granted.


 * John Lowell goes missing after selling a load of hay to Frank Orcutt.

1885

 * John Steen purchases East 1/2 Lot 7, I and J, 25th and 26th Streets on Feb 13, 1885.


 * John Lowell Shoots and Mortally Wounds Joseph Powers.


 * Joseph Powers Shot by John Lowell.


 * Fatal Shooting.


 * Wanton and Unprovoked Murder.


 * John Lowell's statement.


 * John Lowell transfers land to William M. Lowell.


 * John Lowell held without bail.


 * John Lowell petitions for bail.


 * John Lowell refused bail.

1886

 * Murder case against John Lowell for the murder of Joseph Powers transferred to Judge McFarland


 * Lowell Murder Trial day one.


 * Lowell Murder Trial day two.


 * Lowell Murder Trial day three. The Defense's argument that Powers was a quarrelsome man and that the reputations of the witnesses are not altogether too savory, plus Rooney's antipathy to Lowell.


 * Lowell Murder Trial day four. Self-defense.


 * Lowell Murder Trial day five. Closing arguments.


 * Lowell Murder Trial day six. More closing arguments.


 * Lowell Murder Trial day seven. Acquittal.

1888

 * John Lowell Missing.


 * John Lowell Missing.


 * John Lowell Missing. San Francisco Chronicle.


 * John Lowell Missing. Los Angeles Times.


 * John Lowell Body Found. Los Angeles Times.


 * John Lowell Body Found.


 * John Lowell Murdered.


 * John Lowell Body Found. Chicago.


 * Search for murder suspects.


 * Possible suspects identified.


 * Suspects identified.


 * "Liverpool Bill" arrested on suspicion.


 * Investigation of William Daggler.


 * Police arrest the wrong John Olsen.


 * Harry Myers reportedly arrested.


 * John Olson mugshot and description of arestee.


 * Arrest of Henry Meyer. Los Angeles.


 * Suspicions that Lowell was murdered by hit men.


 * More hit men rumors.


 * All three murderers caught, one confesses. San Francisco.


 * Confession of John Olsen.


 * All murderers in custody.


 * Interview with John Olson.


 * John Steen is not in town, but his wife gives interesting information.


 * Did John Steen go to El Dorado? A witness says he thinks so.


 * John Henry Meyers says he fired the fatal shot.


 * Lowell Murder. Lengthy interview with John Steen, suspected. Interview with Jacob Gebert.


 * Draeger and Meyers face to face in the interrogation room.


 * Myers makes additional statement, various gossip.


 * Meyers taken to the Lowell Ranch, scene of the crime, and describes the crime in a not very believable way.


 * 3 accused are held to answer on charges of grand larceny in Sacramento County, warrants for murder issued in El Dorado County, held on ten thousand dollars bail in each case. John Steen arrested.


 * Meyers, Olsen and Drager are arraigned in Sacramento for Grand Larceny, held on $10,000 bail each. John Steen arrested after testifying. Physical description, age, and origin of each man included at the end. Slightly humorous description of Drager as having "a repulsive countenance".


 * John Steen released on bail.


 * John Steen's connection with the Lowell murderers.


 * Myers, Olson, and Drager were supposed to be sent to Placerville, but have been subpoenaed in the Steen case, so they will probably stay until next Monday.


 * Drawings of the three murderers, physical descriptions, origins. El Dorado County Sheriff arrives to take them to Placerville, but he is turned away until next week.


 * John Olson taken to scene of murders for his version of events.


 * Preliminary hearing of John Steen. Includes pictures and descriptions of the three murdererd. Olsen goes to the Lowell Ranch, describes the route taken and where they camped.


 * Steen's Arraignment for Grand Larceny, day 1, continued until following Wednesday.


 * Day 2 of Steen's Hearing.


 * Steen's Arraignment for Grand Larceny, day 2.


 * Day 3 of Steen's Hearing.


 * Steen gets $5,000 bail, released.


 * Steen's Arraignment for Grand Larceny, day 3. Held to Answer.


 * Steen Released on Bond.


 * Myers, Olsen, and Drager plead guilty to grand larceny in Sacramento (LA wire).


 * Myers, Olsen, and Drager plead guilty to grand larceny in Sacramento.


 * New arraignment of Myers, Olsen and Drager for grand larceny in Sacramento. Myers pleads guilty, Olsen and Drager plead not guilty.  All three handed over to El Dorado Sheriff to stand trial for murder.


 * Myers sentenced to ten years at Folsom Prison for grand larceny, continued until after his murder trial in Placerville.


 * Steen Pleads Not Guilty, trial set for September 5 [brief].


 * Preliminary hearing for accused held in Placerville, all held for trial without bond. Drager changes his story.


 * Court date for accused set for Aug 28, counsel assigned. They will be tried together.


 * First day of trial, jury selection begins.


 * Second day of trial, more jury selection. Most jurors excused because they had read about the murders and had formed opinions.


 * Third day of trial, jury selection complete, opening statements begin.


 * Fourth day of trial. Testimony of William Lowell, John Steen/Stein.


 * Trial, brief mention of witnesses.


 * Trial.


 * Trial, prosecution rests, court adjourned until Friday.


 * Trial, defense did not call a single witness. Closing arguments start.


 * Trial, jury finds all three guilty, all will be executed.


 * Trial, Harry Meyers now says he did the killing, acting alone.


 * Counsel for Olsen and Drager make motion for new trial based upon Myers' admission that he did the killing alone.


 * John Henry Myers, John Olsen, and William Drager sentenced to be hanged on the 30th of November.


 * Drager and Olsen circulate petition to escape execution in El Dorado County.


 * Governor declines petition for clemency for Drager and Olsen.


 * John Myers to be executed, Drager and Olsen appeal to California Supreme Court, gain stay of execution. Myers last statement.


 * Prisoners react to news of their appeal, Myers is completely broken down and needs morphine administered to him to sleep.


 * Myers Executed.


 * Myers Executed, long article and history of the case.


 * Execution of Myers (Placerville).


 * Drager and Olsen brought from Placerville to Sacramento for Steen's trial.


 * Steen jury selection complete.

1889

 * John Steen trial ends after nearly a week, jury returns verdict of not guilty.


 * Supreme court refuses to overturn the verdicts of Drager and Olsen.


 * Counsel for Drager and Olsen present a petition to the Governor of California to commute the sentence to life imprisonment. It was signed by between three and four hundred citizens and included the district attorney, the ex-district attorney, and nine of the jurors who heard the case.


 * Interview with Carpenter and Irwin about clemency petition on behalf of Drager and Olsen.


 * Governor Waterman is not likely to interfere in response to the petition.


 * Governor formally declines with letter.


 * El Dorado District Attorney publishes letters that he had sent to the governor in bids for clemency.


 * William Lowell will not be permitted to witness the hanging.


 * Drager and Olsen to be hanged tomorrow. Interview with the condemned.


 * Olsen and Drager hanged (Oakland).


 * Olsen and Grager Hanged (Sacramento).

Aftermath

 * List of major murder cases in California where the murder weapon was a hatchet or axe.
 * An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California, page 71 discusses the crime as well as a brief mention of Lowell shooting Powers.