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Old West Catacombs

Shot His Wife Because She Loved a Second-Rate Barkeeper

April 9, 1889, Daily Record-Union, Sacramento, California – Mrs. Mary Sanders was shot and probably fatally wounded last Saturday night by her husband, who then attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the neck.  The couple were married about eighteen months ago at Whitesboro, Mendocino County, and they lived happily together until the wife became infatuated with Dan Callaghan, a Eureka saloonkeeper, and ran away with him about six months ago.  They were followed to this city by Sanders, who traced his wife to 508 Pine Street, where she was living with Callaghan.  He went there bent on killing Callaghan, but bloodshed was averted as Callaghan happened to be out at the time.  There was reconciliation between husband and wife, and the police say that they next heard of Mrs. Sanders was in a DuPont Street bagnio, where she was placed by her husband.  Sanders then commenced drinking heavily, and his wife left him.  He started in search of her but it was not until about 7 o’clock Saturday night that he found her, on Fourth Street, near Mission.  He asked her to return to him and she refused, whereupon he drew a revolver and fired three shots at her.  One of the bullets took effect above her right hip and ranged inwards, indicting a wound which it is believed will cause her death.  When she fell to the sidewalk Sanders, believing his murderous work complete, placed the muzzle of the pistol to his mouth and fired.  The bullet lodged in his neck, producing a painful but not fatal wound.