5

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Sunday....................May 2, 1886

THE HILL MURDER.

A Letter From the Brother of the
Victim―Latest Developments in
the Dark Mystery―Assistance Re-
quired to Bring the Guilty to
Justice.

The following letter from William H. Hill, insurance agent, formerly of this city, and brother of Cornelius A. B. Hill, who was foully and deliberately robbed and murdered at a deserted building in Spring Valley, a mile or two south of Silver City, April 9, 1867, will be read with interest by all who remember the circumstances of the mysterious and brutal tragedy. Most certainly all offers of reward made at that time should be renewed, and every assistance rendered to bring the guilty to long-avoided justice:

VACAVILLE, Cal., April 25, 1886.

EDITOR ENTERPRISE: I was somewhat surprised to see in your issue of the 11th the article headed "Murder Will Out," and yet for the past ten months had expected the circumstance might gain publicity, notwithstanding the fact that we have avoided it as much as possible, believing for the present it would rather avert than assist in accomplishing our end. But since the matter has been given to the public, it is perhaps as well it should be so. I will now relate the most recent developments in this the most brutal murder that was ever perpetrated in your State, the date being April 9, 1867. Many of the old residents still there will well remember the feeling of the people, and that the whole community then and for a long time was aroused, and although nineteen years have elapsed I still believe that much of the same feeling exists, and that a helping hand would be tendered to bring the guilty parties to justice.

We all remember the trial of Day and De Soto, which terminated in their acquittal at the time, and still many believe them guilty. If for no other reason than to remove that cloud from them, the people among which our whole family spent the best part of their lives should still interest themselves in the matter, and I believe they will. Your files at that time will show that several thousands of dollars reward were offered, among which was $1,000 by Governor Blasdel in behalf of the State. The question now is, Does that reward still hold good, or can it not be resuscitated? Neither the writer nor any remaining member of the family have the requisite means to work the case up, which will require time and money. I am still determined, and it is the main object of my life, to bring the guilty parties to justice. I ask any man how he would feel were he satisfied that the man who participated in the cold-blooded murder of his brother was living in ease in his community, etc., and all that was required was the means to bring him to justice. This can be done, but, as before stated, there must be some assurance of recompense to those who would take it in hand, and it will require considerable difficult work.

The new developments of the case are as follows: Last June I received letters that justified me in making investigations. I made two trips to the section, spending considerable time, and gathered sufficient information to satisfy myself as to the guilty parties. Your article is correct in stating "that one confessed." He did so in his cell the night before his execution. His confession was taken down in writing but suppressed. I have exerted every means, both by personal interview and appealing letters, to get it, but it seems it cannot be found. To the party who wrote this confession down (now a deputy peace officer) together with the chief officer I related the whole case, and here I found my first obstacle. I failed to get any encouragement, as they were either unable or unwilling to render any assistance. I then wrote to the Governor of Nevada regarding the reward, for I found to accomplish anything it would be necessary to place the matter in the hands of a detective.

Under date of August 18, 1885, I received a responsive letter from the Governor, saying: "The opinion of the Attorney General is that the reward only remains in effect during the term of the Governor by whom it was offered." If this decision is correct and final, I ask that, in order to avenge this murder, that the reward be renewed, or some assurance given to an attorney or detective to work it up. The information which I possess should lead to bringing the guilty to justice. Yours, respectfully,

WILLIAM H. HILL.