William W. Bee1
b. 10 May 1844, d. 9 July 1918
| Birth* | 10 May 1844 | William W. Bee was born on 10 May 1844 in Doddridge County, West Virginia.1 |
| Marriage* | 22 April 1866 | He married Mary Elizabeth Stutler on 22 April 1866 in Doddridge County, West Virginia.2,1,3 |
| Death* | 9 July 1918 | He died on 9 July 1918 in Palmer, Braxton County, West Virginia, at age 741 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Orlando Cemetery, Orlando, Braxton County.1 |
Family |
Mary Elizabeth Stutler b. 4 Jan 1846, d. 1 May 1931 | |
| Child | 1. | William E. Bee1,4 b. 7 Nov 1876 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, William W Bee, Memorial# 77484633. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Elizabeth (Stutler) Bee, Memorial# 77484800.
- [S1387] West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of William Bee, age 21, born about 1845, son of Asa and Margaret Bee, and Mary E Stutler, age 19, born about 1847, daughter of David R. and Caroline Stutler, on 22 April 1866 in Doddridge, West Virginia. Hereinafter cited as West Virginia Marriages Index 1785-1971.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, William Edgar Bee Jr., Memorial# 77485337.
Addie Beebe1
b. 1871
| Father* | Erastus J. Beebe1 b. 17 Jan 1828, d. 17 Nov 1911 | |
| Mother* | Lucinda McFee1 b. Feb 1842, d. 3 Jan 1905 |
| Birth* | 1871 | Addie Beebe was born about 1871 in Oregon.1 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | Addie was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of her parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. She was 9 years old and at school.1,2 |
| (Daughter) Murder | 12 April 1884 | She was about 13 years old when her father and her uncle, Burr Beebe, were charged and convicted in two separate trials for the murder of Burr's neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.3,4,5,6,7,8,9 |
| (Daughter) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | Her father was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.10 |
| (Niece) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that her uncle, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.8,9 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
Albert Beebe1
b. 1878
| Father* | Erastus J. Beebe1 b. 17 Jan 1828, d. 17 Nov 1911 | |
| Mother* | Lucinda McFee1 b. Feb 1842, d. 3 Jan 1905 |
| Birth* | 1878 | Albert Beebe was born about 1878 in California.1 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | Albert was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of his parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. He was 2 years old.1,2 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was about 6 years old when his father and his uncle, Burr Beebe, were charged and convicted in two separate trials for the murder of Burr's neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.3,4,5,6,7,8,9 |
| (Son) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His father was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.10 |
| (Nephew) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his uncle, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.8,9 |
| (Son) Census US 1900 | 16 June 1900 | Albert was enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 16 June 1900 in the household of his parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. He was 19 years old, worked as a day laborer, and was able to read, write and to speak English.11 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Erastus and Lucinda Beebe, (his name recorded as "Erasmus" by the census taker), Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 94; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0084. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
Albert Marvin Beebe1
b. 10 October 1828
| Father* | David Beebe1,2 b. bt 1801 - 1803, d. 14 Sep 1851 | |
| Mother* | Amy Franklin1,3 b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 |
| Birth* | 10 October 1828 | Albert Marvin Beebe was born on 10 October 1828, as calculated from his reported age at death, in New York.4,1 |
| (Son) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Albert was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of his parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. He was 22 years of age and worked as a laborer.5,6 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Albert Marvin Beebe, Memorial# 105620496. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Amy (Franklin) Beeby, Memorial# 174661108.
- [S2121] Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Albert Marvin Beebe of Albion, age 86 years, 3 months and 16 days, widowed, retired farmer, born on 10 October 1828 (although his certificate reads 1829) in New York to _____ Beebe and ______ , both parents born in New York, died on 26 January 1915 in Albion, Calhoun, Michigan, USA, informant Mts. E. Beebe of Albion, burial in Howell; referencing File# 337, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing, Michigan, Death Records. Hereinafter cited as Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a.
Alonzo S. Beebe1,2
b. 1823, d. 1862
| Father* | Philo Beebe1 b. 1795 | |
| Mother* | Laura Franklin1 b. 1801 |
| Birth* | 1823 | Alonzo S. Beebe was born about 1823 in Brookfield, Madison County, New York.1,3 |
| Name Variation | His full name was Alonzo Spencer Beebe.4 | |
| Marriage* | 18 September 1849 | He married Betsy Whaling, daughter of John Whaling and Clarissa Ann Brown, on 18 September 1849 in Berlin, St. Clair County, Michigan.2 |
| (Eldest Son) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Alonzo S. and his wife, Betsy, were enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of his parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. Alonzo was 27 years of age, worked as a laborer, and owned real estate valued at $350; Betsy was 20 years old.1,5 |
| (Husband) Death | October 1850 | Alonzo became a widower when Betsy A. (Whaling) Beebe, and the couple's first child, died together during childbirth in October 1850. Betsy was 21 years old.4 |
| Marriage* | 23 December 1850 | He married second Polly M. Wilcox, daughter of Harvey Wilcox and Susan Button, on 23 December 1850 in Lapeer, Lapeer County, Michigan. Polly's sister, Lucina, would marry Alonzo's 1st cousin, Elbert Beebe, a few years later.6 |
| (Brother) Marriage | 14 March 1852 | He and his wife, Polly M. (Wilcox) Beebe, were the subscribing witnesses for his brother, Nelson, and Betsey Wilcox at their marriage on 14 March 1852 at the Beebe family home in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan.7 |
| Divorce* | Alonzo and Polly separated, and were probably divorced, very soon after their marriage. Alonzo married a third time in Illinois in 1853, and Polly was in Michigan, and remarried with a son by 1860.8,9 | |
| Marriage* | 1853 | He married third, as her first husband, Mary Cantrall, daughter of William Cantrall and Malinda Boyer, in 1853 in Lake County, Illinois. Alonzo's brother, Nelson, would marry, as his second wife, Mary's sister, Sarah, in 1860.10,8 |
| Census State IA 1856* | 1856 | Alonzo S. Beebe was listed as the head of his household on the Iowa State census for 1856 in Liberty, Buchanan County, Iowa. He was 32 years of age, married, had been born in New York, and worked as a farmer. His improved land was valued at $415 and he had harvested 15 bushels of corn during the census year. Six of his family members were enumerated with him in 1856 and were listed on the census in order of declining age. His father, Philo, was recorded as F. Beebe. He was 60 years of age, reportedly born in Ohio, and worked as a farmer. Two of Alonzo's older brothers were also with him in 1856 and were listed next by the census taker. They had both been born in New York and were working as farmers. Erastus, who was recorded as E. J. Beebe, was 26 years of age; Nelson, who was recorded as N. Beebe, was 24 years of age. Listed next by the census taker was Alonzo's wife, Mary, who had been born in Illinois and was 19 years old. Then, Alonzo's youngest brother Burr, who was recorded as B. Beebe, was 16 years old. Listed last on the list was a little girl who was recorded as M. Beebe and was 4 years old. We've not yet been able to identify her parents or her name. Everyone in Alonzo's household, except his brother, Nelson, had lived in Iowa for one year. Nelson had lived in Iowa for less than a year, and Alonzo, Erastus and Nelson were all members of the Iowa militia.11 |
| (Eldest Son) Census US 1860 | 26 June 1860 | Alonzo was enumerated as A.S. Beebe, with his wife and daughter, on the 1860 census taken on 26 June 1860 in the Nebraska Territory. They were within a group of connecting households containing members of the extended family of his father, Philo Beebe, who was 65 years of age and a farmer. Alonzo, who was recorded as A.S., was 34 years of age, a farmer and had a personal estate valued a $150. His wife, Mary, was 23 years of age and their daughter, Laura, was 3 years old. Other family members in the connecting households included Alonzo's brothers, Hiram and Burr, and Burr's wife and baby daughter.12 |
| Death* | 1862 | He was reported to have died in 1862 in Washington at about age 40.3 |
Family 1 |
Betsy Whaling b. 1 May 1829, d. Oct 1850 |
Family 2 |
Polly M. Wilcox b. 1834 |
Family 3 |
Mary Cantrall b. 13 Feb 1838 | |
| Child | 1. | Laura Beebe12 b. 1857 |
Citations
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S2922] St. Clair County, Michigan, Marriages, 1838-1857, Book 1, online at https://sites.rootsweb.com/%7Emistcla2/m_records1.htm, marriage on 19 September 1849 in Berlin, St Clair County, Michigan, of Alonzo S. Beebe of Berlin, age 26, and Betsy Whaling of "Sarnpllan?", age 19, witnesses Mary Harrington and David Beebe, married by Frederick Lock, Justice of the Peace. Hereinafter cited as St. Clair County, Michigan, Marriages, 1838-1857, Book 1.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Alonzo Spencer Beebe, Memorial# 255580445. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Elizabeth Ann “Betsey” (Whaling) Beebe, Memorial# 261526606.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b.
- [S2120] Michigan, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1822-1940, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Alonzo S. Beebe, age 27, born about 1823, and Polly M. Wilcox, age 16, born about 1834, married on 23 December 1850 in Lapeer, Lapeer County, Michigan, USA, referencing Film# 000974258. Hereinafter cited as Michigan, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1822-1940.
- [S2922] St. Clair County, Michigan, Marriages, 1838-1857, Book 1, online at https://sites.rootsweb.com/%7Emistcla2/m_records1.htm, marriage on 14 March 1852 at the home of Nelsons's father, "Philco" Bebee, in Berlin Township, St Clair County, Michigan, of Nelson Beebe of Berlin Township, age 20, and Betsey Wilcox of Attica, Lapeer County, Michigan, age 20, witnesses Alonzo Beebe and Polly Beebe, married by Thomas W. Goul, Justice of the Peace.
- [S1681] Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Alonzo S Beebe and Mary Cantrall in 1853 in Lake County, Illinois, USA. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of John and Polly M. Stevenson, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Almont, Lapeer, Michigan; Roll: M653_549; Page: 874; Family History Library Film: 803549. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary (Cantrall) Beebe Lloyd, Memorial# 108015174.
- [S1448] Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Alonzo S. Beebe, State Historical Society of Iowa (Via Heritage Quest); Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 As Well Various Special Censuses From 1836-1897. Hereinafter cited as Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo Beebe, (his name transcribed as "Phily Bube" by Ancestry), The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Unorganized County, Nebraska Territory; Roll: M653_665; Page: 236; Family History Library Film: 803665.
Anna L. Beebe1
b. November 1869
| Father* | Raymond Beebe1 b. 4 Feb 1827, d. 31 Mar 1899 | |
| Mother* | Jane Hall1 b. 3 Aug 1847, d. 22 Sep 1920 |
| Birth* | November 1869 | Anna L. Beebe was born in November 1869 in Illinois.2,1 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1870 | 8 August 1870 | Anna was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 8 August 1870 in the household of her parents in Ela, Lake County, Illinois. She had been born the previous November, and was seven months old.2 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1880 | 14 June 1880 | Anna L. was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 14 June 1880 in the household of her parents in Highland, Osceola County, Michigan. She was 10 years old and had attended school within the census year.1 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Raymond and Jane Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebe" by the census taker), Year: 1880; Census Place: Highland, Osceola, Michigan; Roll: 600; Page: 64d; Enumeration District: 220. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Raymond and Jane Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Ela, Lake, Illinois; Roll: M593_242; Page: 592B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
Annetta Beebe1
b. 8 January 1844
| Father* | David Beebe1,2 b. bt 1801 - 1803, d. 14 Sep 1851 | |
| Mother* | Amy Franklin1,3 b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 |
| Birth* | 8 January 1844 | Annetta Beebe was born on 8 January 1844 in New York.1 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Annetta was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of her parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. She was 6 years old and had attended school within the census year.4,5 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1870 | 26 August 1870 | Annetta was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 26 August 1870 in the household of her mother in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. She was 26 years of age and at home.6,7,8 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Annetta (Beebe) Sharrard, Memorial# 36751066. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Amy (Franklin) Beeby, Memorial# 174661108.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Amy Beebe, Year: 1870; Census Place: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: M593_698; Page: 15A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mercy Beebe, Year: 1870; Census Place: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: M593_698; Page: 15B.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elbert and Lucina Beebe, Year: 1870; Census Place: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: M593_698; Page: 15B.
Benjamin Franklin Beebe1
b. 16 August 1868, d. 9 December 1950
| Father* | Burr Beebe1,2 b. 1840, d. 17 Mar 1905 | |
| Mother* | Harriet Amanda Bray1,3 b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 |
| Birth* | 16 August 1868 | Benjamin Franklin Beebe was probably born on 16 August 1868 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. His birth year was a puzzle. We finally decided it was likely 1868.4,5,6,7 |
| Name Variation | He was called Franklin on the 1870 census8 | |
| Name Variation | and then was more often called Frank.1 | |
| (Son) Census US 1870 | between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 | He was enumerated as Franklin on the 1870 census taken between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 in the household of his parents in Washington County, Oregon. He was 2 years old.8 |
| (Son) Insanity | 5 May 1873 | He was 4 years old when his mother, Harriet A. Beebe, was admitted on 5 May 1873 to the Insane Asylum of the State of California at Stockton, California's first public hospital solely for the mentally ill. Its name was changed to Stockton State Hospital around 1897/1898, because superintendents at the time disliked the terms "asylum" and "insane". Harriet's husband, Burr Beebe, John H. Cratty, who was a local constable, and two physicians, Dr. George W. Greer and Dr. Daniel Ream, had been successful in having her committed by Judge Edwin Shearer of the County Court of Siskiyou County California four days before on 1 May 1873. Harriet's hospital admittance records first documented her personal information: She was age 31, a native of Maine, married, her maiden name was Harriet Amanda Bray, her husband’s name was Burr Beebe, they were last from Oregon, had been in California 2 years, her occupation was housewife, and she had no property. The evidence given to the Court regarding her behaviors and the diagnoses leading to her incarceration, were also included in her hospital admittance record. It was recorded that: She showed evidence of insanity through insane acts; Her most recent attack of insanity occurred about the previous December; She had another attack in 1864; Her disease was increasing, although she had rational intervals; She had a desire to be divorced and return to her relatives; She was disposed to injure her husband; She occasionally threatened to kill herself; She was not filthy or destructive; Her father and two brothers had been insane; She had suffered from suppressed menstruation; She had had an injury on the head; There had been no change in her physical health since the attack; She had not been intemperate or uncontrollable. After hearing the evidence, the Court found that the cause of her insanity was Heredity Predisposition, and the class of her insanity was Mania. Harriet was discharged on 7 February 1874, nine months after her confinement. It may be of note to mention that Burr and Harriet were 19 and 17 years old, respectively, when they married about 1859. At the time of her hospitalization in 1873, they had been married for fourteen years and Harriet had given birth to five children all during the time while the family was migrating across the country to settle, about 1871, in California. She had given birth to their sixth child in 1872.9 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | Frank was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of his parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. He was 11 years old and attending school.10,11 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was 15 years old when his father shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.12,13,14,15,16,17,18 |
| (Nephew) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His uncle, Erastus J. Beebe, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.19 |
| Marriage* | 1894 | He married Olivia Mae Vernon, daughter of Miles Vernon and Sarah C. Hutcheson, about 1894.20,1 |
| (Son) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his father, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.17,18 |
| Death* | 9 December 1950 | He died on 9 December 1950 in Susanville, Lassen County, California, at age 821 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Lassen Cemetery, Susanville.1 |
Family |
Olivia Mae Vernon b. 21 Apr 1876, d. 6 Jul 1961 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Beebe, Memorial# 123949610. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Burr Beebe Sr., Memorial# 93995676.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Harriett Amanda (Bray) Beebe, Memorial# 37846755.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067, Frank was recorded as 11 years old and his year of birth estimated as 1869. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Amanda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475B, Franklin was recorded as 2 years old and his year of birth estimated as 1868. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S40] 1910 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Frank and Olivia Beebe, Year: 1910; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: T624_87; Page: 1b; Enumeration District: 0041; FHL microfilm: 1374100, Frank was recorded as 41 years of age and his year of birth estimated as 1869. Hereinafter cited as 1910 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Beebe, Memorial# 123949610, reporting his date of birth as 16 August 1865, although his year of birth on his gravestone reads 1866.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Amanda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475B.
- [S2925] California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923, online at www.ancestry.com, record for Harriet A Beebe, age 31, born about 1842 in Maine, admitted on 5 May 1873 to Stockton State Hospital, located in Stockton, San Joaquin, California, USA, referencing California State Archives; Sacramento, California; Stockton State Hospital Commitment Registers, Volumes 5-6, 1870-1875; Roll Number: 3; Film Location: MF8:10. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Olivia Mae (Vernon) Beebe, Memorial# 123940988.
Burr Beebe1
b. 1840, d. 17 March 1905
| Father* | Philo Beebe1 b. 1795 | |
| Mother* | Laura Franklin1 b. 1801 |
| Birth* | 1840 | Burr Beebe was born about 1840 in Michigan.1 |
| (Son) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Burr was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of his parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. He was 10 years old and had attended school within the census year.1,2 |
| (Brother) Census State IA 1856 | 1856 | Burr was listed as B Beebe on the Iowa State census for 1856 in the household of his brother, Alonzo S. Beebe, in Liberty, Buchanan County, Iowa. Burr was 16 years old and had lived in Iowa for one a year.3 |
| Marriage* | 1859 | He married Harriet Amanda Bray, daughter of Darius Bray, about 1859.4,5,6 |
| (Youngest Son) Census US 1860 | 26 June 1860 | Burr was enumerated with his wife and daughter on the 1860 census taken on 26 June 1860 in the Nebraska Territory. They were within a group of connecting households containing members of the extended family of his father, Philo Beebe, who was 65 years of age and a farmer. Burr was 22 years of age and a farmer with a personal estate valued at $150. His wife, Amanda, was 17 years old and their baby daughter, Sarah, was two months old. Other family members in the connecting households included two of Burr's brothers, Hiram and Alonzo, with Alonzo's wife and daughter, and Amanda's brother, Benjamin D. Bray, who was 22 years of age.6 |
| Census US 1870* | between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 | Amanda and Burr Beebe were enumerated on the 1870 census taken between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 in Washington County, Oregon. Burr was 31 years of age, worked as a farm laborer, was able to read, although not able to write and had a personal estate valued at $150. Amanda was 26 years of age, keeping house and able to both read and write. Five children were enumerated with their parents in 1870. Emma was 10 years old, at home and able to read, although not yet able to write; Urana and Eva were ages 8 and 5 years, respectively; Franklin was 2 years old; and baby Mary A. had been born in April and was one month old. Two additional individuals were enumerated in the Beebe household in 1870.Their niece, Laura Beebe, daughter of Burr's brother, Alonzo, was 14 years old and able to read, although not yet able to write. J. W. Palmer had been born in New York, was 35 years of age, was working as a farmer and had a personal estate valued at $3,000. He was able to both read and write.7 |
| Insanity* | 5 May 1873 | His wife, Harriet A. Beebe was admitted on 5 May 1873 to the Insane Asylum of the State of California at Stockton, California's first public hospital solely for the mentally ill. Its name was changed to Stockton State Hospital around 1897/1898, because superintendents at the time disliked the terms "asylum" and "insane". Harriet's husband, Burr Beebe, John H. Cratty, who was a local constable, and two physicians, Dr. George W. Greer and Dr. Daniel Ream, had been successful in having her committed by Judge Edwin Shearer of the County Court of Siskiyou County California four days before on 1 May 1873. Harriet's hospital admittance records first documented her personal information: She was age 31, a native of Maine, married, her maiden name was Harriet Amanda Bray, her husband’s name was Burr Beebe, they were last from Oregon, had been in California 2 years, her occupation was housewife, and she had no property. The evidence given to the Court regarding her behaviors and the diagnoses leading to her incarceration, were also included in her hospital admittance record. It was recorded that: She showed evidence of insanity through insane acts; Her most recent attack of insanity occurred about the previous December; She had another attack in 1864; Her disease was increasing, although she had rational intervals; She had a desire to be divorced and return to her relatives; She was disposed to injure her husband; She occasionally threatened to kill herself; She was not filthy or destructive; Her father and two brothers had been insane; She had suffered from suppressed menstruation; She had had an injury on the head; There had been no change in her physical health since the attack; She had not been intemperate or uncontrollable. After hearing the evidence, the Court found that the cause of her insanity was Heredity Predisposition, and the class of her insanity was Mania. Harriet was discharged on 7 February 1874, nine months after her confinement. It may be of note to mention that Burr and Harriet were 19 and 17 years old, respectively, when they married about 1859. At the time of her hospitalization in 1873, they had been married for fourteen years and Harriet had given birth to five children all during the time while the family was migrating across the country to settle, about 1871, in California. She had given birth to their sixth child in 1872.8 |
| Census US 1880* | 4 June 1880 | Harriet and Burr Beebe were enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. Burr was 41 years of age and a farmer, and Harriet was 37 years of age and keeping house. Eight children were enumerated with them in 1880. Urania was 18 years old and at home; Eva, Frank, Mary A. and Rosie were ages 14, 11, 10 and 8 years, respectively, and were all attending school; Burr and Lizzie were ages 5 and 2 years, respectively, and baby Josiah, who had been born in late December, was five months old. Two households below Burr and Harriet on the same census page, the household of Lucinda and Erastus J. Beebe, a brother and sister-in-law of Burr, was enumerated.9,10 |
| Murder* | 12 April 1884 | Burr Beebe shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.11,12,13,14,15,16,17 |
| (Brother) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His brother, Erastus, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.18 |
| Commutation* | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.16,17 |
| Death* | 17 March 1905 | He died on 17 March 1905 in Modoc County, California, at about age 655 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Modoc County.5 |
Family |
Harriet Amanda Bray b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 | |
| Children | 1. | Emma S. Beebe19,5 b. 18 Apr 1860, d. 23 Feb 1949 |
| 2. | Rena Urana Beebe20,5 b. 5 Feb 1862, d. 15 Jul 1960 | |
| 3. | Eva Beebe+9 b. 11 Jul 1865, d. 18 Dec 1951 | |
| 4. | Benjamin Franklin Beebe21,5 b. 16 Aug 1868, d. 9 Dec 1950 | |
| 5. | Mary A. Beebe7 b. Apr 1870 | |
| 6. | Rose Beebe+22,5 b. Oct 1872 | |
| 7. | Burr Beebe Jr.23 b. 3 Jan 1875, d. 12 Sep 1950 | |
| 8. | Georgia Elizabeth Beebe24,5 b. Jul 1877, d. 8 Mar 1926 | |
| 9. | Joseph S. Beebe25,5 b. 22 Dec 1879, d. 21 Feb 1958 | |
| 10. | David Beebe26 b. 22 Dec 1881, d. 2 Jul 1961 | |
| 11. | Edmond Beebe27 b. 1 Dec 1884, d. 7 Mar 1964 |
Citations
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b.
- [S1448] Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Alonzo S. Beebe, State Historical Society of Iowa (Via Heritage Quest); Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 As Well Various Special Censuses From 1836-1897. Hereinafter cited as Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Harriett Amanda (Bray) Beebe, Memorial# 37846755. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Burr Beebe Sr., Memorial# 93995676.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo Beebe, (his name transcribed as "Phily Bube" by Ancestry), The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Unorganized County, Nebraska Territory; Roll: M653_665; Page: 236; Family History Library Film: 803665. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Amanda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S2925] California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923, online at www.ancestry.com, record for Harriet A Beebe, age 31, born about 1842 in Maine, admitted on 5 May 1873 to Stockton State Hospital, located in Stockton, San Joaquin, California, USA, referencing California State Archives; Sacramento, California; Stockton State Hospital Commitment Registers, Volumes 5-6, 1870-1875; Roll Number: 3; Film Location: MF8:10. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Emma S (Beebe) Crowley, Memorial# 190699317.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Rena U (Beebe) Arthur, Memorial# 37843954, and her obituary attached to the memorial.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Beebe, Memorial# 123949610.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Rose (Bebee) Jewett, Memorial# 16400900.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Burr Beebe Jr., Memorial# 83534875.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Georgia Elizabeth (Beebe) Royce, Memorial# 66859471.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Joseph S. Beebe, Memorial# 59467128.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beebe, Memorial# 183181894.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Edmond Beebe, Memorial# 183181952.
Burr Beebe Jr.1
b. 3 January 1875, d. 12 September 1950
| Father* | Burr Beebe1 b. 1840, d. 17 Mar 1905 | |
| Mother* | Harriet Amanda Bray1 b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 |
| Birth* | 3 January 1875 | Burr Beebe Jr. was born on 3 January 1875 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California.1,2,3,4 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | Burr was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of his parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. He was 5 years old.5,6 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was 9 years old when his father shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.7,8,9,10,11,12,13 |
| (Nephew) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His uncle, Erastus J. Beebe, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.14 |
| (Son) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his father, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.12,13 |
| Death* | 12 September 1950 | He died on 12 September 1950 in Alturas Hospital, Alturas, Modoc County, California, at age 751,2 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Modoc County, California.1 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Burr Beebe Jr., Memorial# 83534875. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S2096] U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, The Modoc County Record, Alturas, California, Thursday, September 21, 1950, page 1, obituary for Burr Beebe, 75, "Pioneer Resident Dies Sept. 12". Hereinafter cited as U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, Household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 94; Page: 7; Enumeration District: 0084, reporting the birth date of son Burr as January 1875. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
- [S223] U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, online at www.ancestry.com, draft registration card for Burr Beebe, born on 3 January 1875, residence in 1917-1918 in Modoc County, California, USA; his physical build was Medium, height was Medium, hair was Dark Brown, eyes were Black, referencing U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Modoc County, California. Hereinafter cited as U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
Charles Beebe1
b. 1870
| Father* | George Beebe1 b. Sep 1835, d. 9 Aug 1911 | |
| Mother* | Mary McFee1 b. 1852, d. 1897 |
| Birth* | 1870 | Charles Beebe was born about 1870 in Oregon.1 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 2 June 1880 | Charles was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 2 June 1880 in the household of his parents in Cascade, Clackamas County, Oregon. He was 20 years old, at home, and unable to read or write.1 |
| (Son) Death | 1897 | He was about 27 years old when his mother died in 1897 at about age 45. Her death left Charles's father with six children between the ages of 3 and 27 years.2 |
| (Son) Marriage | 1898 | About a year after his mother's death, his father married a second time to Mary Jane (Kesling) Hammer, who had also been widowed and had six children, four sons and two daughters, between the ages of 6 and 24 years.3,4,5 |
| (Son) Census US 1900 | 12 June 1900 | Charles was enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 12 June 1900 in the household of his father and stepmother in Oak Grove, Wasco County, Oregon. He was 30 years of age, able to read, write and to speak English, and worked as a farm laborer.5 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cascade, Clackamas, Oregon; Roll: 1080; Page: 181a; Enumeration District: 016. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary (McFee) Beebe, Memorial# 22641983. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Jane (Kesling) Davis, Memorial# 5342059.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, George Beebe, Memorial# 33395671.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary J. Beebe, Year: 1900; Census Place: Oak Grove, Wasco, Oregon; Roll: 1353; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0150. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
Charles Milton Beebe1
b. 20 December 1856, d. 22 April 1936
| Father* | Raymond Beebe1 b. 4 Feb 1827, d. 31 Mar 1899 | |
| Mother* | Elizabeth Smith1,2 |
| Birth* | 20 December 1856 | Charles Milton Beebe was born on 20 December 1856 in Iowa.1,3 |
| Name Variation | He was often called Milton.4 | |
| (Son) Death | Charles and his sister, Jane, were very young when their parents' marriage ended, we suspect with the death of their mother.5 | |
| (Son) Marriage | He was about 12 years old when his father married again to Jane Hall, who had a daughter, Lillian, who was 2 years old.6 | |
| (Son) Census US 1870 | 8 August 1870 | Charles was enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 8 August 1870 in the household of his father and stepmother in Ela, Lake County, Illinois. He was 12 years old.5 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 14 June 1880 | He was enumerated as Milton on the 1880 census taken on 14 June 1880 in the household of his father and stepmother in Highland, Osceola County, Michigan. He was 21 years old, had attended school within the census year, and was working as a farmer.7 |
| Marriage* | 29 April 1881 | He married his stepsister, Lilly M. Hall, daughter of Vincent Thompson and Jane Hall, on 29 April 1881 in Highland, Osceola County, Michigan. Charles was 24 years of age, although he reported his age as 22, and Lilly was 14 years old, and reported her age as 16. They were married by Cyrus Smith, a Minister of the Gospel, and Lilly's grandmother, Ann (Morrison) Hall, was a subscribing witness to their marriage.8 |
| Death* | 22 April 1936 | He died on 22 April 1936 in Marion, Osceola County, Michigan, at age 791,3 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Section B, right middle, of Greenwood Cemetery, Marion.3 |
Family |
Lillian Hall b. 3 Sep 1866, d. 21 Aug 1940 |
Citations
- [S2121] Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Charles Milton Beebe, age 79, lumberman and farmer, retired in October 1935, married to Lillian (Thompson) Beebe, born on 20 December 1856 in Iowa to Raymond Beebe and Elizabeth Smith, both parents born in Pennsylvania, died on 22 April 1936 in Marion, Osceola, Michigan, USA, informant Mrs. L. M. Beebe, Marion, Michigan, burial in Marion, Michigan, referencing File# 002640, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing, Michigan, Death Records. Hereinafter cited as Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952.
- [S2121] Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Minerva Jane Heaton, age 78, widow of James Heaton, housewife, born on 13 June 1859 in Platte Creek Iowa to Raymond Beebe and Libbie Beebe, died on 4 April 1938 in Hartwick, Osceola, Michigan, USA, informant her son, James Heaton of Marion, Michigan, burial in Hartwick Cemetery, referencing File# 002993, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing, Michigan, Death Records.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Charles Milton Beebe, Memorial# 77720383. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S2920] Charles Milton Beebe 1936 Obituary, Michigan, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Grand Rapids Press, (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Thursday, April 23, 1936, Page 13, (Downloaded on September 29, 2025), under the title, "Milton Beebe, Lumberman, Dies at His Home in Marion", and dated Marion, April 23, reporting that Milton Beebe, 79, a veteran lumberman of the section and one of the most widely known Marion residents, died Wednesday at his home; that as an early settler in Highland township, Beebe, at the time of his death, was still owner of the farm he cleared when the township was a forest; that Beebe was survived by his widow, two sons, Frank of Texas and George of Marion, five daughters, Mrs. May Timlin of Petoskey, Mrs. Nettie Wing, Mrs. Fern Berry, and Mrs. Crystal Bigford of Marion, and Mrs. Anna Emory of Cadillac; one sister Mrs. Jane Heaton of Marion; three half-brothers, Spencer, Ray and Levi Beebe of Marion; and three half-sisters, Mrs. Lottie Gillan of Marion, Mrs. Dorothy Rexford of Muskegon and Mrs. Annie Edgett of Battle Creek. Hereinafter cited as Charles Milton Beebe 1936 Obituary, Michigan.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Raymond and Jane Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Ela, Lake, Illinois; Roll: M593_242; Page: 592B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S2121] Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Jane Beebe, age 73, widow of Raymond Beebe, housework, born on 3 August 1847 in Canada to Mathew Hall and Anna Morrison, died on 29 September 1920 in Highland, Osceola, Michigan, USA, informant her son, Spencer Beebe, Marion, Michigan, burial in Highland Cemetery, referencing File# 49, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing, Michigan, Death Records.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Raymond and Jane Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebe" by the census taker), Year: 1880; Census Place: Highland, Osceola, Michigan; Roll: 600; Page: 64d; Enumeration District: 220. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S2090] Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Charles M Beebe of Highland Township, age 22, farmer, born in Iowa, and Lilly M "Ball" of Highland Township, age 16, married on 29 April 1881 in Highland Township, Osceola, Michigan, USA, married by Cyrus Smith, Minister of the Gospel, witnesses, David W. Griffin and Ann Hall, record# 24, citing Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing, MI, USA, Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952, Film# 22, "1881 Muskegon-1882 Calhoun". Hereinafter cited as Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952.
Charlotte Beebe1
b. 23 February 1876
| Father* | Raymond Beebe2 b. 4 Feb 1827, d. 31 Mar 1899 | |
| Mother* | Jane Hall2 b. 3 Aug 1847, d. 22 Sep 1920 |
| Birth* | 23 February 1876 | Charlotte Beebe was born on 23 February 1876 in Highland, Osceola County, Michigan.2,1 |
| Name Variation | She was called Lotta.2 | |
| (Daughter) Census US 1880 | 14 June 1880 | She was enumerated as Lotta on the 1880 census taken on 14 June 1880 in the household of her parents in Highland, Osceola County, Michigan. She was 4 years old.2 |
Citations
- [S2921] Michigan, U.S., Birth Records, 1867-1914, online at www.ancestry.com, birth of Charlotte Beebe on 23 February 1876 in Highland, Michigan, USA, daughter of Raymond Beebe, born New York, farmer, and Jane Beebe, born Upper Canada, citing Jurisdiction# 191 and Reference# 125, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Birth Records, 1867-1920. Hereinafter cited as Michigan, U.S., Birth Records, 1867-1914.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Raymond and Jane Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebe" by the census taker), Year: 1880; Census Place: Highland, Osceola, Michigan; Roll: 600; Page: 64d; Enumeration District: 220. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
David Beebe1
b. between 1801 and 1803, d. 14 September 1851
| Father* | _____ Beebe1,2 |
| Birth* | between 1801 and 1803 | David Beebe was born between 1801 and 1803 in Madison County, New York.3,4 |
| Relationship Note* | David and Philo Beebe were probably brothers. On the 1850 census taken in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan, their two families were enumerated on the same census page with only one household between them.2,5 | |
| Marriage* | 1826 | He married Amy Franklin about 1826.1,6,7 |
| Census US 1850* | 24 August 1850 | Amy and David Beebe were enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. David was 49 years of age, worked as a laborer, and had a personal estate valued at $250. His wife Amy, whose name was recorded as "Allia" by the census taker, was 43 years of age. Ten children were enumerated with them in 1850. Albert was 22 years of age and worked as a laborer; Maria was 21 years old with no occupation reported; George and Melissa were ages 17 and 15 years, respectively, and both were reported as laborers; Ellen, Diana, Emily and Annetta were ages 13, 10, 8 and 6 years, respectively, and had all attended school within the census year; the young ones, Sarah and Walter, were ages 4 and 2 years old, respectively. David and Amy's eldest Daughter, Maria, who was enumerated with her parents in 1850, had married the previous year and was separated, and possibly already divorced, from her husband, Raymond Beebe, a son of David's brother, Philo Beebe. As with Maria, Raymond was enumerated with his parents in 1850. The households of the two brothers, David and Philo Beebe, were recorded on the same census page in 1850 with only one other household between them.1,2 |
| Death* | 14 September 1851 | He died on 14 September 1851 in Capac, St. Clair County, Michigan, at about age 497 |
| Burial* | and was buried in West Berlin Cemetery, Allenton, St. Clair County.7 |
Family |
Amy Franklin b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 | |
| Children | 1. | Elbert Beebe8,7 b. 24 Jul 1827 |
| 2. | Albert Marvin Beebe9,7 b. 10 Oct 1828 | |
| 3. | Maria Beebe5 b. 24 Dec 1829 | |
| 4. | George S. Beebe10,7 b. 2 Nov 1832 | |
| 5. | Melissa Beebe11,7 b. 1836 | |
| 6. | Ellen Beebe12,7 b. 4 Jan 1837 | |
| 7. | Diana Beebe13,7 b. 25 May 1838 | |
| 8. | Emily Beebe1 b. 1842 | |
| 9. | Annetta Beebe14,7 b. 8 Jan 1844 | |
| 10. | Sarah Beebe1 b. 1846 | |
| 11. | Walter Frank Beebe15,7,16 b. 12 May 1848 |
Citations
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b; David was recorded as 49 years of age and his year of birth estimated as 1801.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527, his birth date recorded as 1803. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b; Maria was recorded as 21 years of age and her date of birth estimated as 1829.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Amy (Franklin) Beeby, Memorial# 174661108.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Elbert Beebe, Memorial# 50786018.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Albert Marvin Beebe, Memorial# 105620496.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, George S Beebe, Memorial# 51194204.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Melissa (Beebe) Peacock, Memorial# 51195292.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Ellen (Beebe) Matthews, Memorial# 51196653.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Diana (Beebe) Little, Memorial# 176285890.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Annetta (Beebe) Sharrard, Memorial# 36751066.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Walter Frank Beebe, Memorial# 36750013.
- [S2121] Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Walter Beebe, age 74, Widowed, born on 12 May 1848 in New York to David Beebe and Amay Franklin, died on 26 November 1922 in Berlin, St Clair, Michigan, USA, referencing File# 000673, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing, Michigan, Death Records. Hereinafter cited as Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952.
David Beebe1
b. 22 December 1881, d. 2 July 1961
| Father* | Burr Beebe1 b. 1840, d. 17 Mar 1905 | |
| Mother* | Harriet Amanda Bray1 b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 |
| Birth* | 22 December 1881 | David Beebe was born on 22 December 1881 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California.2,3,1 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was 2 years old when his father shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.4,5,6,7,8,9,10 |
| (Nephew) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His uncle, Erastus J. Beebe, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.11 |
| (Son) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | David was 17 years old when a San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his father, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.9,10 |
| (Brother) Missing Person | 11 August 1957 | On Sunday, 11 August 1957, his sister, Rose (Beebe) Jewett, wandered away from a family berry-picking camp in rugged country near the Elk River in north-central Idaho. An organized search for her had begun as soon as she was reported missing, It was called off on Tuesday, then resumed on Wednesday at the request of her daughters, Nellie Wymore and Eula Johnson. Nelllie, who lived in Boise, Idaho, described her mother as an elderly 85-year-old woman, who was "quite active", although her memory had been failing. Nellie believed her mother may have been picked up along a highway, then left off somewhere, and that with her memory failing, she may have forgotten who she was or where she was from. Nellie said her mother was about five feet tall, weighed about 117 pounds, and had white hair. At the time of her disappearance, she had no money with her. Newspapers reported that many searchers and woods workers had been released from their jobs to aid in the hunt for the missing woman, and that a helicopter had also been in use. Some searchers reported on Wednesday that they had combed the area so thoroughly it appeared doubtful the elderly Mrs. Jewett was anywhere near the spot she wandered away from on Sunday. By Thursday, October 17, Rose had still not been found. Newspapers reminded their readers that the frail, elderly woman had been missing for two months, since August 11, in the heavily timbered mountain country near Elk River. They reported that Rose's daughter, Eula Johnson of Juliaetta, Idaho, was offering a reward for the finding of her mother who had disappeared while on a family huckleberry picking expedition. Eula would pay $500 for information leading to the finding of her mother alive and $300 for information leading to the discovery of her body. Volunteers and deputies, aided by planes and bloodhounds, had made a long and extensive search of the area without turning up any trace of Mrs. Jewett. There had been speculation the woman might have been given a ride by a motorist, but officers had checked out all tips without result. Mrs. Johnson stated she had not given up hope that her mother would be found alive. Two of Rose's sons, Joseph and Hubert, had predeceased their mother's disappearance in 1957. In addition to Rose's two daughters, Nellie and Eula, who were featured in the newspaper stories regarding her disappearance, five of Rose's other children were living. Clara, Preston, William and Nora also lived in Idaho at the time, and Bulah, who had lived in Idaho much of her life, had moved to Oregon after her second marriage in 1955.12,13 |
| Death* | 2 July 1961 | He died on 2 July 1961 in the Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, Modoc County, California, at age 791,14 |
| Burial* | and was buried in the Northwest Section, Lot 16, of Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Modoc County.1 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beebe, Memorial# 183181894. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S223] U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, online at www.ancestry.com, draft registration card for David Beebe, born on 22 December 1881, residence in 1917-1918 at Blay Via, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA; his physical build was Slender, height was Tall, hair was Dark, eyes were Gray, referencing U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Humboldt County, Nevada. Hereinafter cited as U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
- [S2096] U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, The Modoc County Record, Alturas, California, Thursday, July 6, 1961, page 1, obituary for Daver Beebe, 79, "Dave Beebe, 79, Passes July 2", reporting the date of his birth as 21 December 1881. Hereinafter cited as U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S2931] Rose Jewett, 85, Missing in Idaho on 11 August 1957, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Idaho Statesman, (Boise, Idaho), Thursday, August 15, 1957, Page 24, (Downloaded on November 24, 2025), with a photo and under the headline, "Daughter of Lost Woman Appeals for Search Aid", reporting that the daughter of an elderly north Idaho woman, who had been missing in rugged country near Elk river since Sunday issued a plea Wednesday in Boise for aid in locating the aged woman; Mrs. Nellie Wymore of 1802 North Twenty-sixth street, Boise, said there was a chance her mother, 85-year-old Mrs. Rose H. Jewett, may have reached a highway and had been picked up by a passerby; that Mrs. Jewett apparently wandered away from a family berry-picking camp near Elk river on Sunday afternoon; that she had been the object of an organized search ever since she had been reported missing; that although the search had been called off Tuesday, it was resumed Wednesday at the request of Mrs. George Johnson of Juliaetta (Idaho), another of Mrs. Jewett's daughters; authorities expressed little hope that Mrs. Jewett would be found alive, but the daughter in Boise said the elderly woman may have reached a highway; that Mrs. Wymore described her mother as "quite active', but said her memory had been failing; that Mrs. Wymore believed her mother may have been picked up along a highway, then left off somewhere; that with her memory failing, Mrs. Jewett may have forgotten who she was or where she was from; that Mrs. Wymore described her mother as about five feet tall, weighing about 117 pounds, and having white hair; that she had no money with her at the time she disappeared; that many searchers and woods workers had been released from their jobs to aid in the hunt, and that a helicopter had also been in use; that some searchers reported Wednesday that they had combed the area so thoroughly it appeared doubtful the elderly woman was anywhere near the spot she wandered away from Sunday. Hereinafter cited as Rose Jewett, 85, Missing in Idaho on 11 August 1957.
- [S2932] Rose Jewett: Reward Offered for Information on Lost Woman Idaho October 1957, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Idaho Statesman, (Boise, Idaho), Friday, October 18, 1957, Page 23, (Downloaded on November 24, 2025), from Juliaetta, Idaho, under the title, "Reward Offered for Information on Lost Woman", reporting that rewards were offered Thursday for a frail, elderly woman missing since August 11 in heavily timbered mountain country near Elk River; that Mrs. George Johnson offered the rewards for the finding of her mother, Mrs. Rose Jewett, 95 (sic), who disappeared while on a family huckleberry picking expedition; that she would pay $500 for information to the finding of her mother alive and $300 for information leading the discovery of her body; that volunteers and deputies, aided by planes and bloodhounds, made a long, extensive search of the area without turning up any trace of Mrs. Jewett; that there had been speculation the woman might have been given a ride by a motorist, but officers had checked out all tips without result; that Mrs. Johnson said she had not given up hope that her mother would be found alive. Hereinafter cited as Rose Jewett: Reward Offered for Information on Lost Woman Idaho October 1957.
- [S2096] U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, The Modoc County Record, Alturas, California, Thursday, July 6, 1961, page 1, obituary for Daver Beebe, 79, "Dave Beebe, 79, Passes July 2."
Diana Beebe1
b. 25 May 1838
| Father* | David Beebe1,2 b. bt 1801 - 1803, d. 14 Sep 1851 | |
| Mother* | Amy Franklin1,3 b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 |
| Birth* | 25 May 1838 | Diana Beebe was born on 25 May 1838 in New York.1 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Diana was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of her parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. She was 10 years old and had attended school within the census year.4,5 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Diana (Beebe) Little, Memorial# 176285890. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Amy (Franklin) Beeby, Memorial# 174661108.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a.
E. J. Beebe1
b. 1873
| Father* | Erastus J. Beebe1 b. 17 Jan 1828, d. 17 Nov 1911 | |
| Mother* | Lucinda McFee1 b. Feb 1842, d. 3 Jan 1905 |
| Birth* | 1873 | E. J. Beebe was born about 1873 in California.1 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | E. J. was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of his parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. He was 7 years old and at school.1,2 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was about 11 years old when his father and his uncle, Burr Beebe, were charged and convicted in two separate trials for the murder of Burr's neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.3,4,5,6,7,8,9 |
| (Son) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His father was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.10 |
| (Nephew) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his uncle, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.8,9 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
Edith M. Beebe1,2
b. 1876
| Father* | George Beebe3 b. Sep 1835, d. 9 Aug 1911 | |
| Mother* | Mary McFee3 b. 1852, d. 1897 |
| Birth* | 1876 | Edith M. Beebe was born about 1876 in California.3 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1880 | 2 June 1880 | Edith was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 2 June 1880 in the household of her parents in Cascade, Clackamas County, Oregon. She was 4 years old.3 |
| Marriage* | 1895 | She married, as her first husband, Charles Anderson in 1895 in Multnomah County, Oregon.4,5 |
| (Daughter) Death | 1897 | She was about 21 years old when her mother died in 1897 at about age 45. Her death left Edith's father with six children between the ages of 3 and 27 years.6 |
| (Daughter) Marriage | 1898 | About a year after her mother's death, her father married a second time to Mary Jane (Kesling) Hammer, who had also been widowed and had six children, four sons and two daughters, between the ages of 6 and 24 years.7,8,9 |
| Marriage* | 7 July 1908 | She married, as her second husband, Clayton B. Ellison, son of Orrel J. Ellyson and Ellen Grate, on 7 July 1908 in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington.4,2 |
Family 1 |
Charles Anderson |
Family 2 |
Clayton B. Ellison b. 26 Aug 1880 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cascade, Clackamas, Oregon; Roll: 1080; Page: 181a; Enumeration District: 016; Edith's name was recorded as "Eddies" by the census taker. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S91] 1930 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, Household of Clayton B. and Edith M. Ellyson, Year: 1930; Census Place: Mulloy, Washington, Oregon; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0044; FHL microfilm: 2341691. Hereinafter cited as 1930 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cascade, Clackamas, Oregon; Roll: 1080; Page: 181a; Enumeration District: 016.
- [S1710] Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854-2013, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage on 7 July 1908 in Vancouver, Clark, Washington, USA, of Edith Anderson of Portland, Oregon, age 31, a widow, her maiden name Edith Beebe, her second marriage, born about 1877 in California, USA, daughter of George Beebe and Mary McFee, married Clayton Ellison of Portland, Oregon, age 31, teamster, his first marriage, born about 1877 in Ohio, son of R.J. Ellison and mother's maiden name Grate, referencing Washington State Archives, Olympia, Washington, Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013. Hereinafter cited as Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854-2013.
- [S2944] Web: Multnomah County, Oregon Marriage Index, 1855-1919, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Edith Beebe and Charles Anderson in 1895 in Multnomah County, Oregon, USA, citing Volume 11, page 24, Genealogical Forum of Oregon; Portland, OR, USA; Multnomah, County, Oregon Marriage Index, URL: http://gfo.org/resources/indexes/vital-records/…. Hereinafter cited as Web: Multnomah County, Oregon Marriage Index, 1855-1919.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary (McFee) Beebe, Memorial# 22641983. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Jane (Kesling) Davis, Memorial# 5342059.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, George Beebe, Memorial# 33395671.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary J. Beebe, Year: 1900; Census Place: Oak Grove, Wasco, Oregon; Roll: 1353; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0150. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
Edmond Beebe1
b. 1 December 1884, d. 7 March 1964
| Father* | Burr Beebe1 b. 1840, d. 17 Mar 1905 | |
| Mother* | Harriet Amanda Bray1 b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was not yet born when his father shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
| Birth* | 1 December 1884 | Edmond Beebe was born on 1 December 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California.9,10,11,1 |
| Name Variation | He also reported his name as Edmun Beebe.9,10 | |
| (Nephew) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His uncle, Erastus J. Beebe, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.12 |
| (Son) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | Edmond was 14 years old when a San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his father, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.7,8 |
| (Brother) Missing Person | 11 August 1957 | On Sunday, 11 August 1957, his sister, Rose (Beebe) Jewett, wandered away from a family berry-picking camp in rugged country near the Elk River in north-central Idaho. An organized search for her had begun as soon as she was reported missing, It was called off on Tuesday, then resumed on Wednesday at the request of her daughters, Nellie Wymore and Eula Johnson. Nelllie, who lived in Boise, Idaho, described her mother as an elderly 85-year-old woman, who was "quite active", although her memory had been failing. Nellie believed her mother may have been picked up along a highway, then left off somewhere, and that with her memory failing, she may have forgotten who she was or where she was from. Nellie said her mother was about five feet tall, weighed about 117 pounds, and had white hair. At the time of her disappearance, she had no money with her. Newspapers reported that many searchers and woods workers had been released from their jobs to aid in the hunt for the missing woman, and that a helicopter had also been in use. Some searchers reported on Wednesday that they had combed the area so thoroughly it appeared doubtful the elderly Mrs. Jewett was anywhere near the spot she wandered away from on Sunday. By Thursday, October 17, Rose had still not been found. Newspapers reminded their readers that the frail, elderly woman had been missing for two months, since August 11, in the heavily timbered mountain country near Elk River. They reported that Rose's daughter, Eula Johnson of Juliaetta, Idaho, was offering a reward for the finding of her mother who had disappeared while on a family huckleberry picking expedition. Eula would pay $500 for information leading to the finding of her mother alive and $300 for information leading to the discovery of her body. Volunteers and deputies, aided by planes and bloodhounds, had made a long and extensive search of the area without turning up any trace of Mrs. Jewett. There had been speculation the woman might have been given a ride by a motorist, but officers had checked out all tips without result. Mrs. Johnson stated she had not given up hope that her mother would be found alive. Two of Rose's sons, Joseph and Hubert, had predeceased their mother's disappearance in 1957. In addition to Rose's two daughters, Nellie and Eula, who were featured in the newspaper stories regarding her disappearance, five of Rose's other children were living. Clara, Preston, William and Nora also lived in Idaho at the time, and Bulah, who had lived in Idaho much of her life, had moved to Oregon after her second marriage in 1955.13,14 |
| Never Married* | Edmond never married.15 | |
| Death* | 7 March 1964 | He died on 7 March 1964 in Modoc County, California, at age 791,11 |
| Burial* | and was buried with his brother David in the Northwest Section, Lot 16, of Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Modoc County.1,16 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Edmond Beebe, Memorial# 183181952. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S1456] Social Security (U.S.) Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, online at www.ancestry.com, Social Security information for Edmun Beebe, born on 1 December 1884 at Cedarville, California, son of Burr Beebe and Harriet A Bray, died in , agency notes: Nov 1963: Name Listed As Edmun Beebe. Hereinafter cited as Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
- [S1768] U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, online at www.ancestry.com, registration of Edmun Beebe of Cedarville, Modoc County, California, USA, born on 1 December 1884 in Cedarville, California, USA, referencing National Archives at St. Louis, St Louis, MO, USA, , Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, Group# 147. Hereinafter cited as U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942.
- [S112] California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Edmond Beebe, mother's maiden name Bray, born on 4 December 1884 in California and died on 7 March 1964 in Modoc County. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S2931] Rose Jewett, 85, Missing in Idaho on 11 August 1957, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Idaho Statesman, (Boise, Idaho), Thursday, August 15, 1957, Page 24, (Downloaded on November 24, 2025), with a photo and under the headline, "Daughter of Lost Woman Appeals for Search Aid", reporting that the daughter of an elderly north Idaho woman, who had been missing in rugged country near Elk river since Sunday issued a plea Wednesday in Boise for aid in locating the aged woman; Mrs. Nellie Wymore of 1802 North Twenty-sixth street, Boise, said there was a chance her mother, 85-year-old Mrs. Rose H. Jewett, may have reached a highway and had been picked up by a passerby; that Mrs. Jewett apparently wandered away from a family berry-picking camp near Elk river on Sunday afternoon; that she had been the object of an organized search ever since she had been reported missing; that although the search had been called off Tuesday, it was resumed Wednesday at the request of Mrs. George Johnson of Juliaetta (Idaho), another of Mrs. Jewett's daughters; authorities expressed little hope that Mrs. Jewett would be found alive, but the daughter in Boise said the elderly woman may have reached a highway; that Mrs. Wymore described her mother as "quite active', but said her memory had been failing; that Mrs. Wymore believed her mother may have been picked up along a highway, then left off somewhere; that with her memory failing, Mrs. Jewett may have forgotten who she was or where she was from; that Mrs. Wymore described her mother as about five feet tall, weighing about 117 pounds, and having white hair; that she had no money with her at the time she disappeared; that many searchers and woods workers had been released from their jobs to aid in the hunt, and that a helicopter had also been in use; that some searchers reported Wednesday that they had combed the area so thoroughly it appeared doubtful the elderly woman was anywhere near the spot she wandered away from Sunday. Hereinafter cited as Rose Jewett, 85, Missing in Idaho on 11 August 1957.
- [S2932] Rose Jewett: Reward Offered for Information on Lost Woman Idaho October 1957, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Idaho Statesman, (Boise, Idaho), Friday, October 18, 1957, Page 23, (Downloaded on November 24, 2025), from Juliaetta, Idaho, under the title, "Reward Offered for Information on Lost Woman", reporting that rewards were offered Thursday for a frail, elderly woman missing since August 11 in heavily timbered mountain country near Elk River; that Mrs. George Johnson offered the rewards for the finding of her mother, Mrs. Rose Jewett, 95 (sic), who disappeared while on a family huckleberry picking expedition; that she would pay $500 for information to the finding of her mother alive and $300 for information leading the discovery of her body; that volunteers and deputies, aided by planes and bloodhounds, made a long, extensive search of the area without turning up any trace of Mrs. Jewett; that there had been speculation the woman might have been given a ride by a motorist, but officers had checked out all tips without result; that Mrs. Johnson said she had not given up hope that her mother would be found alive. Hereinafter cited as Rose Jewett: Reward Offered for Information on Lost Woman Idaho October 1957.
- [S2295] 1950 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Edmun Beebe, (his surname transcribed as "Beeler" by Ancestry), National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 4827; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 25-11. Hereinafter cited as 1950 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beebe, Memorial# 183181894.
Elbert Beebe1
b. 24 July 1827
| Father* | David Beebe1,2 b. bt 1801 - 1803, d. 14 Sep 1851 | |
| Mother* | Amy Franklin1,3 b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 |
| Birth* | 24 July 1827 | Elbert Beebe was born on 24 July 1827 in New York.1 |
| Marriage* | He married Lucina Wilcox, daughter of Harvey Wilcox and Susan Button. Lucina's sister, Polly, had married Elbert's 1st cousin, Alonzo S. Beebe, as his second wife, in 1850.4,1 | |
| Census US 1860* | 6 June 1860 | Lucina and Elbert Beebe were enumerated on the 1860 census taken on 6 June 1860 in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. Elbert was 33 years of age and a farmer with real estate valued at $700 and a personal estate valued at $425; Lucina was 22 years of age. Their baby daughter, Loretta J., was 2 years old. Two households below Elbert and Lucina, on the same census page, Elbert's mother and six of his siblings were enumerated in a household with Roswell Fuller.5,6,7 |
| Census US 1870* | 26 August 1870 | Lucina and Elbert Beebe were enumerated on the 1870 census taken on 26 August 1870 in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. Elbert was 43 years of age and a farmer with real estate valued at $800 and a personal estate valued at $300; Lucina was 33 years of age and keeping house. Two children were enumerated with the couple in 1870. Charles was 8 years old and had attended school within the census year, and William was one year old. Elbert's brother, George, with his wife and children, were enumerated in the first previous household before Elbert's on the same census page of 15B, and the brothers' mother, Amy Beebe, with two of their siblings, were enumerated in the first previous household before George's, which was the last household on the previous page of 15A.8,9,10 |
Family |
Lucina Wilcox b. 29 Jul 1837 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Elbert Beebe, Memorial# 50786018. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Amy (Franklin) Beeby, Memorial# 174661108.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Lucina (Wilcox) Crawford, Memorial# 259962323.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elbert and Lucina Bebee, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Roswell Fuller, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, enumeration of Amy Bebee and six of her children, (her surname recorded as "Fuller" and her name recorded as "Ama" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elbert and Lucina Beebe, Year: 1870; Census Place: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: M593_698; Page: 15B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mercy Beebe, Year: 1870; Census Place: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: M593_698; Page: 15B.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Amy Beebe, Year: 1870; Census Place: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: M593_698; Page: 15A.
Ella Beebe1
b. October 1884
| Father* | Erastus J. Beebe1 b. 17 Jan 1828, d. 17 Nov 1911 | |
| Mother* | Lucinda McFee1 b. Feb 1842, d. 3 Jan 1905 |
| (Daughter) Murder | 12 April 1884 | She was not yet born when her father and her uncle, Burr Beebe, were charged and convicted in two separate trials for the murder of Burr's neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
| Birth* | October 1884 | Ella Beebe was born in October 1884 in California.1 |
| (Daughter) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | Her father was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.9 |
| (Niece) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that her uncle, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.7,8 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1900 | 16 June 1900 | Ella was enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 16 June 1900 in the household of her parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. She was 15 years old and at school. She had attended school for six months of the census year and was able to read, write and to speak English.1 |
Citations
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Erastus and Lucinda Beebe, (his name recorded as "Erasmus" by the census taker), Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 94; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0084. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
Ellen Beebe1
b. 4 January 1837
| Father* | David Beebe1,2 b. bt 1801 - 1803, d. 14 Sep 1851 | |
| Mother* | Amy Franklin1,3 b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 |
| Birth* | 4 January 1837 | Ellen Beebe was born on 4 January 1837 in New York.1,4 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Ellen was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of her parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. She was 13 years old and had attended school within the census year.4,5 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1860 | 6 June 1860 | Ellen was enumerated with her mother and five of her siblings on the 1860 census taken on 6 June 1860 in the household of Roswell Fuller in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. Ellen was 23 years of age and her occupation was described by the census taker as "vagrant."6,7,8 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Ellen (Beebe) Matthews, Memorial# 51196653. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Beeby, Memorial# 134117527.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Amy (Franklin) Beeby, Memorial# 174661108.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, enumeration of Amy Bebee and six of her children, (her surname recorded as "Fuller" and her name recorded as "Ama" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Roswell Fuller, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elbert and Lucina Bebee, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559.
Emily Beebe1
b. 1842
| Father* | David Beebe1 b. bt 1801 - 1803, d. 14 Sep 1851 | |
| Mother* | Amy Franklin1 b. bt 1805 - 1807, d. 12 Feb 1893 |
| Birth* | 1842 | Emily Beebe was born about 1842 in New York.1 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Emily was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of her parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. She was 8 years old and had attended school within the census year.1,2 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1860 | 6 June 1860 | Emily was enumerated with her mother and five of her siblings on the 1860 census taken on 6 June 1860 in the household of Roswell Fuller in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. Emily was 18 years of age and her occupation was described by the census taker as "vagrant."3,4,5 |
Citations
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, enumeration of Amy Bebee and six of her children, (her surname recorded as "Fuller" and her name recorded as "Ama" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Roswell Fuller, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Elbert and Lucina Bebee, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan; Roll: M653_559; Page: 13; Family History Library Film: 803559.
Emma Beebe1
b. 1858
| Father* | Nelson Beebe1 b. 24 May 1831, d. 27 Feb 1921 | |
| Mother* | Betsey Wilcox1 b. 1832 |
| Birth* | 1858 | Emma Beebe was born about 1858 in Illinois.1 |
| (Daughter) Death | Her mother died, probably in Illinois at about age 26, shortly after Emma's birth.1,2 |
Citations
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of William and Malinda Cantrall, The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Ela, Lake, Illinois; Roll: M653_193; Page: 739; Family History Library Film: 803193. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S1681] Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Nelson Beebe and Sarah Cantrall on 19 November 1860 in Lake County, Illinois, USA. Hereinafter cited as Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920.
Emma S. Beebe1
b. 18 April 1860, d. 23 February 1949
| Father* | Burr Beebe1,2 b. 1840, d. 17 Mar 1905 | |
| Mother* | Harriet Amanda Bray1,3 b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 |
| Birth* | 18 April 1860 | Emma S. Beebe was born on 18 April 1860 in Iowa.1 |
| Name Variation | Her full name was Emma Sarah Beebe4 | |
| Name Variation | and she was also called Sarah.4 | |
| (Grandchild) Census US 1860 | 26 June 1860 | Sarah was two months old when she was enumerated with her parents on the 1860 census taken on 26 June 1860 in the Nebraska Territory. They were within a group of connecting households containing members of the extended family of Sarah's paternal grandfather, Philo Beebe.4 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1870 | between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 | Emma was enumerated on the 1870 census taken between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 in the household of her parents in Washington County, Oregon. She was 10 years old, at home and able to read, although not yet able to write.5 |
| (Daughter) Insanity | 5 May 1873 | She was 13 years old when her mother, Harriet A. Beebe, was admitted on 5 May 1873 to the Insane Asylum of the State of California at Stockton, California's first public hospital solely for the mentally ill. Its name was changed to Stockton State Hospital around 1897/1898, because superintendents at the time disliked the terms "asylum" and "insane". Harriet's husband, Burr Beebe, John H. Cratty, who was a local constable, and two physicians, Dr. George W. Greer and Dr. Daniel Ream, had been successful in having her committed by Judge Edwin Shearer of the County Court of Siskiyou County California four days before on 1 May 1873. Harriet's hospital admittance records first documented her personal information: She was age 31, a native of Maine, married, her maiden name was Harriet Amanda Bray, her husband’s name was Burr Beebe, they were last from Oregon, had been in California 2 years, her occupation was housewife, and she had no property. The evidence given to the Court regarding her behaviors and the diagnoses leading to her incarceration, were also included in her hospital admittance record. It was recorded that: She showed evidence of insanity through insane acts; Her most recent attack of insanity occurred about the previous December; She had another attack in 1864; Her disease was increasing, although she had rational intervals; She had a desire to be divorced and return to her relatives; She was disposed to injure her husband; She occasionally threatened to kill herself; She was not filthy or destructive; Her father and two brothers had been insane; She had suffered from suppressed menstruation; She had had an injury on the head; There had been no change in her physical health since the attack; She had not been intemperate or uncontrollable. After hearing the evidence, the Court found that the cause of her insanity was Heredity Predisposition, and the class of her insanity was Mania. Harriet was discharged on 7 February 1874, nine months after her confinement. It may be of note to mention that Burr and Harriet were 19 and 17 years old, respectively, when they married about 1859. At the time of her hospitalization in 1873, they had been married for fourteen years and Harriet had given birth to five children all during the time while the family was migrating across the country to settle, about 1871, in California. She had given birth to their sixth child in 1872.6 |
| Marriage* | 1877 | She married, as her first husband, David Walls about 1877.7,1 |
| (Eldest Daughter) Murder | 12 April 1884 | Her father, Burr Beebe, shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. After her father's conviction of the crime, Emma reported to the prosecution that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator. Both men ended up being tried for the murder, and her father's trial was first. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.8,9,10,11,12,13,14 |
| (Niece) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | Her uncle, Erastus J. Beebe, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.15 |
| (Daughter) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that her father, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.13,14 |
| (Wife) Death | 10 February 1906 | Emma became a widow when David Walls died on 10 February 1906 at about age 77.7 |
| Marriage* | 1907 | She married, as her second husband, Phillip Patrick Crowley about 1907.16,1 |
| (Wife) Death | 26 November 1914 | Emma became a widow for the second time when Phillip Patrick Crowley died on 26 November 1914 at about age 69.16 |
| Death* | 23 February 1949 | She died on 23 February 1949 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, at age 881 |
| Burial* | and was buried with her second husband in the Southwest Section, Lot 29, of Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Modoc County, California.1,16 |
Family 1 |
David Walls b. 1829, d. 10 Feb 1906 |
Family 2 |
Phillip Patrick Crowley b. 1845, d. 26 Nov 1914 |
Citations
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Emma S (Beebe) Crowley, Memorial# 190699317. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Burr Beebe Sr., Memorial# 93995676.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Harriett Amanda (Bray) Beebe, Memorial# 37846755.
- [S18] 1860 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo Beebe, (his name transcribed as "Phily Bube" by Ancestry), The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Unorganized County, Nebraska Territory; Roll: M653_665; Page: 236; Family History Library Film: 803665. Hereinafter cited as 1860 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Amanda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475B. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S2925] California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923, online at www.ancestry.com, record for Harriet A Beebe, age 31, born about 1842 in Maine, admitted on 5 May 1873 to Stockton State Hospital, located in Stockton, San Joaquin, California, USA, referencing California State Archives; Sacramento, California; Stockton State Hospital Commitment Registers, Volumes 5-6, 1870-1875; Roll Number: 3; Film Location: MF8:10. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, David Walls, Memorial# 190828832.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Phillip Patrick Crowley, Memorial# 191036458.
Erastus J. Beebe1
b. 17 January 1828, d. 17 November 1911
| Father* | Philo Beebe1 b. 1795 | |
| Mother* | Laura Franklin1 b. 1801 |
| Birth* | 17 January 1828 | Erastus J. Beebe was likely born on 17 January 1828 in New York.2,3,4,5 |
| Name Variation | He was called Ras.6 | |
| (Son) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | Erastus J. was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of his parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. He was 22 years of age, worked as a laborer, and owned real estate valued at $100.1,7 |
| (Brother) Census State IA 1856 | 1856 | Erastus was listed as E. J. Beebe on the Iowa State census for 1856 in the household of his brother, Alonzo S. Beebe, in Liberty, Buchanan County, Iowa. Erastus was 26 years of age and a farmer, had lived in Iowa for one year and was a member of the Iowa militia.8 |
| Marriage* | 7 September 1861 | He married Lucinda McFee, daughter of Henry C. McFee and Elizabeth Hersey, on 7 September 1861 in Buchanan County, Iowa. Lucinda's sister, Mary McFee, would marry Eustus's brother, George Beebe, in 1866.9 |
| Census US 1880* | 4 June 1880 | Lucinda and Erastus J. Beebe were enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. Erastus, who was recorded as E.J., was a farmer, and reported to be 60 years of age, although he was likely about age 52; Lucinda was 38 years of age and keeping house. Five children were enumerated with them in 1880. Mary A., George, Addie and E,J. were ages 18, 15, 9, and 7 years, respectively, and were all at school; Albert was 2 years old. Two households above Erastus and Lucinda on the same census page, the household of Harriet and Burr Beebe, a brother and sister-in-law of Erastus, was enumerated.10,11 |
| Murder* | 12 April 1884 | His brother, Burr Beebe, shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.12,13,14,15,16,17,18 |
| Pardoned* | 19 November 1891 | He was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.19 |
| (Brother) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his brother, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.17,18 |
| Census US 1900* | 16 June 1900 | Lucinda and Erastus Beebe were enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 16 June 1900 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. Erastus was recorded as 85 years of age, although was likely about age 72, and worked as a farmer, and Lucinda was recorded as 58 years of age. They owned their farm free of mortgage, had been married for 40 years, and Lucinda had given birth to nine children, seven of whom were living. Their two youngest children were enumerated with them in 1900. Albert was 19 years old and worked as a day laborer, and Ella was 15 years old and at school. She had attended school for six months of the census year. Everyone in the Beebe household was able to read, write and to speak English.20 |
| (Husband) Death | 3 January 1905 | Erastus became a widower when Lucinda (McFee) Beebe died on 3 January 1905 at age 62.21 |
| (Brother) Fratricide | 4 January 1911 | During a brutal and bloody fight between two of his brothers, Hiram and Nelson, on 4 January 1911 in the front yard of a neighbor's home in Clackamas Heights, Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon, Hiram lost his life. There were no witnesses to the tragedy, and the report of Nelson Beebe, who was drunk when arrested, was all the information obtained by the authorities. A Portland, Oregon newspaper, under the headline, "Aged Brothers Battle with Ax and Club", published Nelson Beebe's explanation of the event, writing that he had received a $60 pension payment that morning and spent most of the day in an Oregon City saloon. At about 4 o'clock, he left for the home that he and his brother shared. He said that as soon as he opened the door of his house he was met by his brother with an ax in his hand, and that had started the fight. How long it lasted was not known. According to Nelson, his brother slashed him with the ax and, in self-defense, he used a club. The newspaper reported that the ax and the club were found in the yard that night, and that when the body of Hiram was found, his nose was smashed in and his body terribly bruised, indicating that the encounter was long and severe. After the fight ended, Nelson went to the home of a neighbor for help. He requested that his bleeding wounds be dressed and an Oregon City doctor was immediately called. Two neighborhood men who were the first ones to visit the scene of the tragedy, said they found Hiram's body still warm, and that there was blood all over the front yard, indicating the terrible struggle. At the County Jail that night Nelson said his brother started the trouble when he met him at the door with an ax in his hand, and on his attempt to cross the threshold dealt him a terrible blow. The newspaper reported that Nelson told several conflicting stories at the jail before going to sleep, and that when the two neighbors examined the house they found nothing disturbed. They reported that even the cat and dog were quietly sleeping in the corner. The newspaper article stated that Nelson and Hiram had lived in the vicinity for many years, were unmarried, and that Nelson had a daughter living in California. On the way to jail Nelson asked why Hiram had not been arrested, as he had started the trouble. It was said by the neighbors that Hiram suffered from a weak heart, but it was believed that his wounds were sufficient to have killed him. Developments the day after the murder had taken place the night before were varied. Nelson Beebe, who was still being held in the County Jail, remained unaware that his brother, Hiram, had died, and was also unaware that he was about to be charged with the slaying of his brother with a club. According to the sheriff, Nelson believed he was in jail only to make certain there would be no more trouble. Later that afternoon the Coroner and a picked jury held an inquest over the body of Hiram Beebe and rendered the verdict: "That deceased came to his death from a blow on the head from some blunt instrument in the hands of a party or parties not known." Daylight had revealed evidence for the jury that showed more plainly the desperate character of the battle that was fought around the cottage in which the brothers lived The grass had been trodden down by many shifting changes, each made by one or the other of the men in an attempt to get a better footing or into a more advantageous position from which to continue the fight. The blood stains, too, showed that the fight had covered a wide area, and the heel and toe prints evidenced that the struggle had been one testing the very nerves of both combatants. A newspaper reported that Nelson Beebe, in his rambling talk, told of the many fights he had been in during his life, how he had never been whipped, how he had never been known to run, and that he seemed willing to stand on his record for bravery. The paper also predicted that, because the Grand Jury was currently in session, the District Attorney was likely to bring his case forward within a day or two, so it wouldn't be long before Nelson would know that he was charged with the murder of his brother. The following day, on Friday, January 6, Nelson was arraigned on the charge of manslaughter. The newspaper reported that Beebe appeared very nervous and, upon his request that his hearing be scheduled as soon as possible, it was set for the following Monday morning. Nelson was returned to prison with bail set for $1,000. He repeated his statement that it was the first time he knew of Hiram's death and that, while he thought Hiram might have been seriously hurt, he thought from remarks dropped in his presence that Hiram was living and had a hand in Nelson being in prison. Three months later, on Monday April 22, Nelson was discharged from custody because the Grand Jury found insufficient evidence or probable cause to formally charge him with the crime of manslaughter for the killing of his brother, Hiram, with a club the previous January. Nelson Beebe was 80 years old and Hiram, who was killed, was age 77. Nelson had always asserted than Hiram attacked him with an ax and that he used the club to defend himself. The paper reported that Nelson was a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer plainsman, that both men had been married twice, that Hiram had no children and that his second wife was Mrs. Mary Cathro of Canemah, Oregon, and that Nelson had a daughter, Laura, of Red Bluff, California. It mentioned that George Beebe, a younger brother of the men, lived in Eastern Oregon and that a nephew, George, lived near Estacada.22,23,24,25 |
| Death* | 17 November 1911 | He died on 17 November 1911 in Modoc County, California, at age 8326 |
| Burial* | and was buried with his wife in Old Cemetery II - 32 of Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Modoc County.26,21 |
Family |
Lucinda McFee b. Feb 1842, d. 3 Jan 1905 | |
| Children | 1. | Mary A. Beebe10 b. 27 Jul 1862, d. 1 Aug 1944 |
| 2. | George Beebe10 b. 1865 | |
| 3. | Laura Beebe27 b. Apr 1870, d. Jul 1870 | |
| 4. | Addie Beebe10 b. 1871 | |
| 5. | E. J. Beebe10 b. 1873 | |
| 6. | Albert Beebe10 b. 1878 | |
| 7. | Ella Beebe20 b. Oct 1884 |
Citations
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a; Erastus J. was 22 years of age and his year of birth estimated as 1828.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067; E.J. was recorded as 60 years of age and his year of birth estimated as 1820. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Erastus and Lucinda Beebe, (his name recorded as "Erasmus" by the census taker), Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 94; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0084; Erastus was reported as 85 years of age and his birth date as January 1815. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Erastus James Beebe Sr., Memorial# 134645233, reporting his date of birth as 17 January 1815. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 years distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b.
- [S1448] Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Alonzo S. Beebe, State Historical Society of Iowa (Via Heritage Quest); Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 As Well Various Special Censuses From 1836-1897. Hereinafter cited as Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925.
- [S1508] Iowa, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996, online at www.ancestry.com, marriage of Erastus J. Beebe, age 27, born about 1834 and Lucinda McFee, age 22, born about 1839, married on 7 September 1861 in Buchanan County, Iowa, citing FHL Film# 1024827. Hereinafter cited as Iowa, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Erastus and Lucinda Beebe, (his name recorded as "Erasmus" by the census taker), Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 94; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0084.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Lucinda Beebe, Memorial# 134645313.
- [S2945] Hiram and Nelson Beebe Engage in a Bloody Duel, Oregon 1911, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Oregon Daily Journal, (Portland, Oregon), Thursday, January 5, 1911, Page 4, (Downloaded on December 12, 2025), under the headlines, "Aged Brothers Battle with Ax and Club; One Dead" and "Hiram and Nelson Beebe of Oregon City Engage in a Bloody Duel; Cause of the Fight Not Known", and received as a special dispatch to the Journal dated Oregon City, January 5, reporting that a battle to the death occurred at Clackamas Heights the day before in the afternoon when two aged brothers engaged in a death struggle; that the affair took place in the front yard of Mary Roberts who lived two miles east of the city; that there were no witnesses to the tragedy and that the story of Nelson Beebe who was drunk when arrested was all the information obtainable; that it appeared that Nelson Beebe, who received a $60 pension that morning spent most of the day in an Oregon City saloon and about 4 o'clock left for his home; that as soon as he opened the door of his house he was met by his brother with an ax in his hand, and a death struggle was then commenced and how long it lasted is not known; that according to Nelson, his brother slashed him with an ax and in self-defense he used a club; that the ax and the club were found in the yard that night; that when the body of Hiram was found the nose was smashed in and the body terribly bruised, indicating that the encounter was long and severe; that after Hiram had breathed his last, Nelson went to the home of Mrs. George Mackiness who lived near and requested that his bleeding wounds be dressed and that an Oregon City doctor was immediately called; that Charles Grey and George Mackiness were the first ones to visit the scene of the tragedy, and they found the body yet warm; that there was blood all over the front yard, indicating a terrible struggle; that at the county jail that night Nelson said his brother started the trouble when he met him at the door with an ax in his hand, and on his attempt to cross the threshold dealt him a terrible blow; that Nelson told several conflicting stories at the county jail before going to sleep; that when Grey and Mackiness examined the house they found nothing disturbed, even the cat and dog quietly sleeping in the corner; that the two men had lived in the vicinity for many years; that they were widowers, Hiram having been married twice; that Nelson had a daughter living in California and that Hiram had no children; that on the way to jail Nelson asked why Hiram had not been arrested, as he started the trouble; that it was said by the neighbors that Hiram suffered from a weak heart, but that his wounds were sufficient to have killed him; that Hiram was a pioneer Oregonian of 1862, having crossed the plains with an ox team; that Nelson was a veteran of the Civil War and came to Oregon in 1870. Hereinafter cited as Hiram and Nelson Beebe Engage in a Bloody Duel, Oregon 1911.
- [S2949] Nelson Beebe Charged with Killing his Brother after Coroner's Inquest, January 5 1911, Oregon, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), Friday, January 6, 1911, Page 12, (Downloaded on December 20, 2025), under the headlines, "Murder Verdict Given", Coroner's Jury Passes on Beebe Case at Oregon City", and "Aged Alleged Slayer Still in Ignorance of Being Charged with Killing Brother", reporting from Oregon City on January 5, that developments that day in the murder that took place at Clackamas Heights the night before were varied; that Nelson Beebe, who was charged with the slaying of his brother with a club, still occupied a cell in the County Jail; that when he was visited that morning by the sheriff, he was reported to be as pert as if he had spent the night in pleasure rather than in a prison cell; that it was partly accounted for by the fact that he had not been informed of the death of his brother, Hiram, and believed he was in jail only to make certain there would be no more trouble; that the Coroner and a picked jury held an inquest over the body of Hiram Beebe that afternoon and rendered a verdict, "That deceased came to his death from a blow on the head from some blunt instrument in the hands of a party or parties not known"; that daylight revealed evidence that showed more plainly the desperate character of the battle that was fought around the cottage in which the brothers lived; that the grass had been trodden down by many shifting changes, each made by one or the other of these men in an attempt to get a better footing or into a more advantageous position from which to continue the fight; that the blood stains, too, showed that the fight had covered a wide range, and the heel and toe prints evidenced that the struggle had been one testing the very nerves of both combatants; that in his rambling talk, Nelson told of the many fights he had been in during his life, how he was never whipped and how he was never known to run; that he seemed willing to stand on his record for bravery; that because the grand jury was currently in session, the District Attorney was likely to bring his case forward within a day or two, so it wouldn't be long before Nelson would know that he was charged with the murder of his brother. Hereinafter cited as Nelson Beebe Charged with Killing his Brother after Coroner's Inquest, January 5 1911, Oregon.
- [S2948] Nelson Beebe Charged with Manslaughter 7 January 1911 Oregon, online at www.genealogybank.com, The Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), Saturday, January 7, 1911, Page 8, (Downloaded on December 20, 2025), under the headlines, "Manslaughter is Charge" and "Nelson Beebe is Arraigned for Killing his Brother", reporting from Oregon City on January 6, that Nelson Beebe, charged with killing his brother, Hiram Beebe, on Wednesday, January 4, was arraigned on the charge of manslaughter in Justice Samson's court on January 6, and that Beebe manifested considerable nervousness; that he wanted his hearing as soon as possible and it was set for the following Monday morning; that he was returned to prison, with bail set for $1,000; that Beebe reiterated his statement that it was the first time he knew of Hiram's death; that while he thought Hiram might have been seriously hurt, he thought from remarks dropped in his presence that Hiram was living and had a hand in Nelson being in prison. Hereinafter cited as Nelson Beebe Charged with Manslaughter 7 January 1911 Oregon.
- [S2950] Grand Jury Fails to Indict Octogenarian, Nelson Beebe, April 1911, Oregon, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Sunday Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), Sunday, April 23, 1911, Page 13, (Downloaded on December 20, 2025), under the headlines, "Brother's Slayer Freed", and Grand Jury Fails to Indict Octogenarian, Nelson Beebe", reporting from Oregon City on April 22, 1911, that Nelson Beebe, who killed his brother, Hiram, with a club the previous January at Clackamas Heights, was discharged from custody that afternoon because the Grand Jury returned not a true bill (which meant they found insufficient evidence or probable cause to formally charge Nelson with the crime of manslaughter); that Nelson Beebe was 80 years old and that Hiram, whom was killed, was age 77; that Nelson asserted than Hiram attacked him with an ax and he used the club to defend himself; that Nelson was a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer plainsman; that both men married twice; that Hiram had no children and that his second wife was Mrs. Cathrow of Canemah, Oregon, and that Nelson had a daughter, Laura of Red Bluff, California; that George Beebe, a younger brother, lived in Eastern Oregon and that a nephew lived near Estacada. Hereinafter cited as Grand Jury Fails to Indict Octogenarian, Nelson Beebe, April 1911, Oregon.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Erastus James Beebe Sr., Memorial# 134645233.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Erastus and Lucinda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475A. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
Estella Beebe1
b. 18 February 1882, d. 15 August 1901
| Father* | George Beebe1 b. Sep 1835, d. 9 Aug 1911 | |
| Mother* | Mary McFee1 b. 1852, d. 1897 |
| Birth* | 18 February 1882 | Estella Beebe was born on 18 February 1882 in Oregon.1,2 |
| Name Variation | She was called Stella.2 | |
| (Daughter) Death | 1897 | She was about 15 years old when her mother died in 1897 at about age 45. Her death left Stella's father with six children between the ages of 3 and 27 years.3 |
| (Daughter) Marriage | 1898 | About a year after her mother's death, her father married a second time to Mary Jane (Kesling) Hammer, who had also been widowed and had six children, four sons and two daughters, between the ages of 6 and 24 years.4,5,1 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1900 | 12 June 1900 | Estella was enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 12 June 1900 in the household of her father and stepmother in Oak Grove, Wasco County, Oregon. She was 18 years old, able to read, write and to speak English, and worked as a housekeeper.1 |
| Death* | 15 August 1901 | She died on 15 August 1901 in Wapinitia, Wasco County, Oregon, at age 192 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Block 14, Lot 2, Grave 9 of Kelly Cemetery, Maupin, Wasco County.2 |
Citations
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary J. Beebe, Year: 1900; Census Place: Oak Grove, Wasco, Oregon; Roll: 1353; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0150. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, Stella Beebe, Memorial# 33396221. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary (McFee) Beebe, Memorial# 22641983.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Jane (Kesling) Davis, Memorial# 5342059.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, George Beebe, Memorial# 33395671.
Eva Beebe1
b. 11 July 1865, d. 18 December 1951
| Father* | Burr Beebe1 b. 1840, d. 17 Mar 1905 | |
| Mother* | Harriet Amanda Bray1 b. 25 Jan 1842, d. 17 Jul 1929 |
| Birth* | 11 July 1865 | Eva Beebe was born about 11 July 1865 in Oregon.2,3,4 |
| Name Variation | She was identified as Eva Amesbury, and the mother of Clara E. Wiggins, when she gave consent for Clara, who was underage, to marry in 1910.5 | |
| Name Variation | She was recorded as Eva McGregor on the 1940 census.6 | |
| (Daughter) Census US 1870 | between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 | Eva was enumerated on the 1870 census taken between 1 June 1870 and 23 August 1871 in the household of her parents in Washington County, Oregon. She was 5 years old.7 |
| (Daughter) Insanity | 5 May 1873 | She was 7 years old when her mother, Harriet A. Beebe, was admitted on 5 May 1873 to the Insane Asylum of the State of California at Stockton, California's first public hospital solely for the mentally ill. Its name was changed to Stockton State Hospital around 1897/1898, because superintendents at the time disliked the terms "asylum" and "insane". Harriet's husband, Burr Beebe, John H. Cratty, who was a local constable, and two physicians, Dr. George W. Greer and Dr. Daniel Ream, had been successful in having her committed by Judge Edwin Shearer of the County Court of Siskiyou County California four days before on 1 May 1873. Harriet's hospital admittance records first documented her personal information: She was age 31, a native of Maine, married, her maiden name was Harriet Amanda Bray, her husband’s name was Burr Beebe, they were last from Oregon, had been in California 2 years, her occupation was housewife, and she had no property. The evidence given to the Court regarding her behaviors and the diagnoses leading to her incarceration, were also included in her hospital admittance record. It was recorded that: She showed evidence of insanity through insane acts; Her most recent attack of insanity occurred about the previous December; She had another attack in 1864; Her disease was increasing, although she had rational intervals; She had a desire to be divorced and return to her relatives; She was disposed to injure her husband; She occasionally threatened to kill herself; She was not filthy or destructive; Her father and two brothers had been insane; She had suffered from suppressed menstruation; She had had an injury on the head; There had been no change in her physical health since the attack; She had not been intemperate or uncontrollable. After hearing the evidence, the Court found that the cause of her insanity was Heredity Predisposition, and the class of her insanity was Mania. Harriet was discharged on 7 February 1874, nine months after her confinement. It may be of note to mention that Burr and Harriet were 19 and 17 years old, respectively, when they married about 1859. At the time of her hospitalization in 1873, they had been married for fourteen years and Harriet had given birth to five children all during the time while the family was migrating across the country to settle, about 1871, in California. She had given birth to their sixth child in 1872.8 |
| (Daughter) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | Eva was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of her parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. She was 14 years old and attending school.1,9 |
| Marriage* | 1882 | She married first, as his second wife, Samuel T. Wiggins about 1882 in California.10,11 |
| (Daughter) Murder | 12 April 1884 | She was 18 years old and married when her father shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.12,13,14,15,16,17,18 |
| (Niece) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | Her uncle, Erastus J. Beebe, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.19 |
| Divorce* | Eva and Samuel were divorced not long after the birth of Clara Ethel in 1892.20,10,21 | |
| (Daughter) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that her father, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.17,18 |
| (Mother-in-Law) Census US 1940 | 20 April 1940 | She was enumerated as Eva McGregor on the 1940 census taken on 20 April 1940 in the household of her daughter and son-in-law, Clara E. and Alfred G. Laurendeau, at 410 N. California Street, Stockton, San Joaquin County, California. Eva was recorded as a widow, was 75 years of age, and had completed her education through the 5th grade of elementary school. Her occupation was recorded as "other", and she reported earning no income in 1939 and had received more than $50 from sources other than wages or salary. On 1 April 1935 she had lived in Reno, Nevada.6 |
| Death* | 18 December 1951 | She died on 18 December 1951 in her home at 1617 Sunnyside Avenue, Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, at age 86.4,22 |
Family |
Samuel T. Wiggins b. Sep 1845, d. 3 Nov 1917 | |
| Children | 1. | Henry F. Wiggins10 b. 7 Aug 1883, d. 7 Apr 1904 |
| 2. | John S. Wiggins10,11 b. Aug 1886 | |
| 3. | Ida M. Wiggins23 b. Jul 1887 | |
| 4. | Clara E. Wiggins5 b. 17 May 1893, d. 1 Nov 1977 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Amanda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475B, Eva was recorded as 5 years old and her year of birth estimated as 1865. Hereinafter cited as 1870 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067, Eva was recorded as 14 years old and her year of birth estimated as 1866.
- [S112] California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997, online at www.ancestry.com, death of Eva M. Wiggins McGregor, mother's maiden name Bray, born on 11 July 1864 and died on 18 December 1951 in San Joaquin County, California. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997.
- [S2161] U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, Hanford Morning Journal, Hanford, California, Monday, October 31, 1910, reporting that a license to wed had been issued the previous day to Alfred G. Laurendeau, age 28, and Miss Clara E. Wiggins, age 17 years; that written consent of Mrs. Eva Amesbury, Clara's mother, had been given. Hereinafter cited as U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current.
- [S1441] 1940 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Alfred and Clara E. Laurendeau, Year: 1940; Census Place: Stockton, San Joaquin, California; Roll: m-t0627-00325; Page: 64A; Enumeration District: 39-57. Hereinafter cited as 1940 United States Federal Census.
- [S37] 1870 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Amanda Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Baba" by the census taker), Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington, Oregon; Roll: M593_1288; Page: 475B.
- [S2925] California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923, online at www.ancestry.com, record for Harriet A Beebe, age 31, born about 1842 in Maine, admitted on 5 May 1873 to Stockton State Hospital, located in Stockton, San Joaquin, California, USA, referencing California State Archives; Sacramento, California; Stockton State Hospital Commitment Registers, Volumes 5-6, 1870-1875; Roll Number: 3; Film Location: MF8:10. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., State Hospital Records, 1856-1923.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Samuel T. Wiggins, Year: 1900; Census Place: Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, California; Roll: 109; Page: 2; Enumeration District: 0026. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
- [S2096] U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, November 5, 1917, Page 4, notice of the death of Samuel Thomas Wiggins in San Francisco on 3 November, beloved father of John S. Wiggins of Texas, Mrs. Ethel Laurendeau and Mrs. Ida Bougie (Bush), a native of Jacksonville, Illinois, age 73 years; funeral from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Ida Bougie (Bush), 792 Elizabeth Street near Douglas Street; interment Cypress Lawn Cemetery. Hereinafter cited as U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S40] 1910 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Samuel T. Wiggins, Year: 1910; Census Place: Santa Maria Ward 2, Santa Barbara, California; Roll: T624_105; Page: 22b; Enumeration District: 0183; FHL microfilm: 1374118. Hereinafter cited as 1910 United States Federal Census.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, enumeration of Ida and Ethel Wiggins, ages 12 and 8 years, respectively, as inmates in the San Francisco Nursery for Homeless Children, Year: 1900; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Roll: 102; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0091.
- [S2096] U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, The Record, Stockton, California, Thursday, December 20, 1951, page 28, under the title, "Wiggins-McGregor Funeral Tomorrow", reporting that Mrs. Eva M. Wiggins-McGregor, 87, died Tuesday in her Stockton home at 1617 Sunnyside; that burial to be in the Rural Cemetery; that she was survived by two daughters, Clara E. Laurendeau of Stockton, and Ida Bougie Duenwald of Sacramento, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
- [S2161] U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current, online at www.ancestry.com, The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Wednesday, March 20, 1907, reporting that a marriage license was issued the previous day to George F. Bush, 26, of 502 Stanyan Street and Ida M. Wiggins of Cedarville.
George Beebe1
b. September 1835, d. 9 August 1911
| Father* | Philo Beebe1 b. 1795 | |
| Mother* | Laura Franklin1 b. 1801 |
| Birth* | September 1835 | George Beebe was born in September 1835 in Michigan.1,2 |
| (Son) Census US 1850 | 24 August 1850 | George was enumerated on the 1850 census taken on 24 August 1850 in the household of his parents in Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan. He was 14 years old and had attended school within the census year.1,3 |
| Marriage* | 1866 | He married, as his first wife, Mary McFee, daughter of Henry C. McFee and Elizabeth Hersey, about 1866. Mary's sister, Lucinda McFee, had married George's brother, Erastus J. Beebe in 1861.4,2 |
| Census US 1880* | 2 June 1880 | Mary and George Beebe were enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 2 June 1880 in Cascade, Clackamas County, Oregon. George was 42 years of age and a farmer, and Mary was 25 years of age and keeping house. Their extended household consisted of their four children, George's brothers, Hiram Beebe and Nelson Beebe, and Nelson's daughter, Laura Beebe. The couple's eldest child, Charles, was 20 years old, at home, and unable to read or write; their younger children, Henry and Edith, were ages 6 and 4 years, respectively, and baby Lizzie was one year old. George's brother, Hiram, was 46 years of age, single, and worked as a farmer, and their brother, Nelson, was 47 years of age, recorded as single, and also a farmer. Nelson's daughter, Laura, was 12 years old and keeping house for her father.5 |
| (Younger Brother) Murder | 12 April 1884 | His brother, Burr Beebe, shot and killed his neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.6,7,8,9,10,11,12 |
| (Brother) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His brother, Erastus, was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.13 |
| (Husband) Death | 1897 | George became a widower when Mary (McFee) Beebe died in 1897 at about age 45. Her death left George and six children between the ages of 3 and 27 years.4 |
| Marriage* | 1898 | He married second, as her second husband, Mary Jane (Kesling) Hammer, daughter of Peter Kisling and Delilah Kettering, about 1898. They both had been widowed the year before and each had six children. George's three sons and three daughters were between the ages of 4 and 28 years, and Mary Jane's four sons and two daughters were between the ages of 6 and 24 years.14,2,15 |
| (Brother) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his brother, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.11,12 |
| Census US 1900* | 12 June 1900 | Mary J. and George Beebe were enumerated on the 1900 census taken on 12 June 1900 in Oak Grove, Wasco County, Oregon. George was 64 years of age and a farmer, and Mary J. was 48 years of age. They rented their farm, had been married for 2 years, and Mary had given birth to nine children, six of whom were living. Mary was able to read, write and to speak English, and George was able to read and speak English, although not able to write. Seven children were enumerated with the couple in 1900, three from George's first marriage and four who were recorded as stepchildren from Mary's previous marriage. Charles Beebe was 30 years of age and worked as a farm laborer; Estella Beebe was 18 years old and worked as a housekeeper; and young George Beebe was 6 years old. Elmer E. Hammer was 17 years old; Herbert E. Hammer was 11 years old, at school, and had attended school for two months of the census year; and Maude I. and Oscar C. were ages 9 and 7 years, respectively. All of the children over 10 years of age were able to read, write and to speak English.15 |
| (Younger Brother) Fratricide | 4 January 1911 | During a brutal and bloody fight between two of his brothers, Hiram and Nelson, on 4 January 1911 in the front yard of a neighbor's home in Clackamas Heights, Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon, Hiram lost his life. There were no witnesses to the tragedy, and the report of Nelson Beebe, who was drunk when arrested, was all the information obtained by the authorities. A Portland, Oregon newspaper, under the headline, "Aged Brothers Battle with Ax and Club", published Nelson Beebe's explanation of the event, writing that he had received a $60 pension payment that morning and spent most of the day in an Oregon City saloon. At about 4 o'clock, he left for the home that he and his brother shared. He said that as soon as he opened the door of his house he was met by his brother with an ax in his hand, and that had started the fight. How long it lasted was not known. According to Nelson, his brother slashed him with the ax and, in self-defense, he used a club. The newspaper reported that the ax and the club were found in the yard that night, and that when the body of Hiram was found, his nose was smashed in and his body terribly bruised, indicating that the encounter was long and severe. After the fight ended, Nelson went to the home of a neighbor for help. He requested that his bleeding wounds be dressed and an Oregon City doctor was immediately called. Two neighborhood men who were the first ones to visit the scene of the tragedy, said they found Hiram's body still warm, and that there was blood all over the front yard, indicating the terrible struggle. At the County Jail that night Nelson said his brother started the trouble when he met him at the door with an ax in his hand, and on his attempt to cross the threshold dealt him a terrible blow. The newspaper reported that Nelson told several conflicting stories at the jail before going to sleep, and that when the two neighbors examined the house they found nothing disturbed. They reported that even the cat and dog were quietly sleeping in the corner. The newspaper article stated that Nelson and Hiram had lived in the vicinity for many years, were unmarried, and that Nelson had a daughter living in California. On the way to jail Nelson asked why Hiram had not been arrested, as he had started the trouble. It was said by the neighbors that Hiram suffered from a weak heart, but it was believed that his wounds were sufficient to have killed him. Developments the day after the murder had taken place the night before were varied. Nelson Beebe, who was still being held in the County Jail, remained unaware that his brother, Hiram, had died, and was also unaware that he was about to be charged with the slaying of his brother with a club. According to the sheriff, Nelson believed he was in jail only to make certain there would be no more trouble. Later that afternoon the Coroner and a picked jury held an inquest over the body of Hiram Beebe and rendered the verdict: "That deceased came to his death from a blow on the head from some blunt instrument in the hands of a party or parties not known." Daylight had revealed evidence for the jury that showed more plainly the desperate character of the battle that was fought around the cottage in which the brothers lived The grass had been trodden down by many shifting changes, each made by one or the other of the men in an attempt to get a better footing or into a more advantageous position from which to continue the fight. The blood stains, too, showed that the fight had covered a wide area, and the heel and toe prints evidenced that the struggle had been one testing the very nerves of both combatants. A newspaper reported that Nelson Beebe, in his rambling talk, told of the many fights he had been in during his life, how he had never been whipped, how he had never been known to run, and that he seemed willing to stand on his record for bravery. The paper also predicted that, because the Grand Jury was currently in session, the District Attorney was likely to bring his case forward within a day or two, so it wouldn't be long before Nelson would know that he was charged with the murder of his brother. The following day, on Friday, January 6, Nelson was arraigned on the charge of manslaughter. The newspaper reported that Beebe appeared very nervous and, upon his request that his hearing be scheduled as soon as possible, it was set for the following Monday morning. Nelson was returned to prison with bail set for $1,000. He repeated his statement that it was the first time he knew of Hiram's death and that, while he thought Hiram might have been seriously hurt, he thought from remarks dropped in his presence that Hiram was living and had a hand in Nelson being in prison. Three months later, on Monday April 22, Nelson was discharged from custody because the Grand Jury found insufficient evidence or probable cause to formally charge him with the crime of manslaughter for the killing of his brother, Hiram, with a club the previous January. Nelson Beebe was 80 years old and Hiram, who was killed, was age 77. Nelson had always asserted than Hiram attacked him with an ax and that he used the club to defend himself. The paper reported that Nelson was a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer plainsman, that both men had been married twice, that Hiram had no children and that his second wife was Mrs. Mary Cathro of Canemah, Oregon, and that Nelson had a daughter, Laura, of Red Bluff, California. It mentioned that George Beebe, a younger brother of the men, lived in Eastern Oregon and that a nephew, George, lived near Estacada.16,17,18,19 |
| Death* | 9 August 1911 | He died on 9 August 1911 in Wapinitia, Wasco County, Oregon, at age 752 |
| Burial* | and was buried in Block 14, Lot 2, Grave 7, of Kelly Cemetery, Maupin, Wasco County.2 |
Family 1 |
Mary McFee b. 1852, d. 1897 | |
| Children | 1. | Charles Beebe5 b. 1870 |
| 2. | Henry Beebe5 b. 1875 | |
| 3. | Edith M. Beebe5 b. 1876 | |
| 4. | Lizzie Beebe5 b. 1879 | |
| 5. | Estella Beebe15 b. 18 Feb 1882, d. 15 Aug 1901 | |
| 6. | George Beebe15 b. 24 Jan 1894 |
Family 2 |
Mary J. Kesling b. 14 Oct 1851 |
Citations
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Philo and Laura Beebe, (their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Page: 214a. Hereinafter cited as 1850 United States Federal Census.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, which often provides cemetery and tombstone photos, and sometimes personal biographies, that may be obtained from the site, online at www.findagrave.com, George Beebe, Memorial# 33395671. Hereinafter cited as Find a Grave website.
- [S17] 1850 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of David and Amy Beebe, (her name recorded as "Allia" and their surname recorded as "Bebee" by the census taker), The National Archives in Washington, DC; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Berlin, St Clair, Michigan; Roll: 362; Pages: 214a-214b.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary (McFee) Beebe, Memorial# 22641983.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cascade, Clackamas, Oregon; Roll: 1080; Page: 181a; Enumeration District: 016. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.
- [S748] Find a Grave website, online at www.findagrave.com, Mary Jane (Kesling) Davis, Memorial# 5342059.
- [S34] 1900 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of George and Mary J. Beebe, Year: 1900; Census Place: Oak Grove, Wasco, Oregon; Roll: 1353; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0150. Hereinafter cited as 1900 United States Federal Census.
- [S2945] Hiram and Nelson Beebe Engage in a Bloody Duel, Oregon 1911, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Oregon Daily Journal, (Portland, Oregon), Thursday, January 5, 1911, Page 4, (Downloaded on December 12, 2025), under the headlines, "Aged Brothers Battle with Ax and Club; One Dead" and "Hiram and Nelson Beebe of Oregon City Engage in a Bloody Duel; Cause of the Fight Not Known", and received as a special dispatch to the Journal dated Oregon City, January 5, reporting that a battle to the death occurred at Clackamas Heights the day before in the afternoon when two aged brothers engaged in a death struggle; that the affair took place in the front yard of Mary Roberts who lived two miles east of the city; that there were no witnesses to the tragedy and that the story of Nelson Beebe who was drunk when arrested was all the information obtainable; that it appeared that Nelson Beebe, who received a $60 pension that morning spent most of the day in an Oregon City saloon and about 4 o'clock left for his home; that as soon as he opened the door of his house he was met by his brother with an ax in his hand, and a death struggle was then commenced and how long it lasted is not known; that according to Nelson, his brother slashed him with an ax and in self-defense he used a club; that the ax and the club were found in the yard that night; that when the body of Hiram was found the nose was smashed in and the body terribly bruised, indicating that the encounter was long and severe; that after Hiram had breathed his last, Nelson went to the home of Mrs. George Mackiness who lived near and requested that his bleeding wounds be dressed and that an Oregon City doctor was immediately called; that Charles Grey and George Mackiness were the first ones to visit the scene of the tragedy, and they found the body yet warm; that there was blood all over the front yard, indicating a terrible struggle; that at the county jail that night Nelson said his brother started the trouble when he met him at the door with an ax in his hand, and on his attempt to cross the threshold dealt him a terrible blow; that Nelson told several conflicting stories at the county jail before going to sleep; that when Grey and Mackiness examined the house they found nothing disturbed, even the cat and dog quietly sleeping in the corner; that the two men had lived in the vicinity for many years; that they were widowers, Hiram having been married twice; that Nelson had a daughter living in California and that Hiram had no children; that on the way to jail Nelson asked why Hiram had not been arrested, as he started the trouble; that it was said by the neighbors that Hiram suffered from a weak heart, but that his wounds were sufficient to have killed him; that Hiram was a pioneer Oregonian of 1862, having crossed the plains with an ox team; that Nelson was a veteran of the Civil War and came to Oregon in 1870. Hereinafter cited as Hiram and Nelson Beebe Engage in a Bloody Duel, Oregon 1911.
- [S2949] Nelson Beebe Charged with Killing his Brother after Coroner's Inquest, January 5 1911, Oregon, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), Friday, January 6, 1911, Page 12, (Downloaded on December 20, 2025), under the headlines, "Murder Verdict Given", Coroner's Jury Passes on Beebe Case at Oregon City", and "Aged Alleged Slayer Still in Ignorance of Being Charged with Killing Brother", reporting from Oregon City on January 5, that developments that day in the murder that took place at Clackamas Heights the night before were varied; that Nelson Beebe, who was charged with the slaying of his brother with a club, still occupied a cell in the County Jail; that when he was visited that morning by the sheriff, he was reported to be as pert as if he had spent the night in pleasure rather than in a prison cell; that it was partly accounted for by the fact that he had not been informed of the death of his brother, Hiram, and believed he was in jail only to make certain there would be no more trouble; that the Coroner and a picked jury held an inquest over the body of Hiram Beebe that afternoon and rendered a verdict, "That deceased came to his death from a blow on the head from some blunt instrument in the hands of a party or parties not known"; that daylight revealed evidence that showed more plainly the desperate character of the battle that was fought around the cottage in which the brothers lived; that the grass had been trodden down by many shifting changes, each made by one or the other of these men in an attempt to get a better footing or into a more advantageous position from which to continue the fight; that the blood stains, too, showed that the fight had covered a wide range, and the heel and toe prints evidenced that the struggle had been one testing the very nerves of both combatants; that in his rambling talk, Nelson told of the many fights he had been in during his life, how he was never whipped and how he was never known to run; that he seemed willing to stand on his record for bravery; that because the grand jury was currently in session, the District Attorney was likely to bring his case forward within a day or two, so it wouldn't be long before Nelson would know that he was charged with the murder of his brother. Hereinafter cited as Nelson Beebe Charged with Killing his Brother after Coroner's Inquest, January 5 1911, Oregon.
- [S2948] Nelson Beebe Charged with Manslaughter 7 January 1911 Oregon, online at www.genealogybank.com, The Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), Saturday, January 7, 1911, Page 8, (Downloaded on December 20, 2025), under the headlines, "Manslaughter is Charge" and "Nelson Beebe is Arraigned for Killing his Brother", reporting from Oregon City on January 6, that Nelson Beebe, charged with killing his brother, Hiram Beebe, on Wednesday, January 4, was arraigned on the charge of manslaughter in Justice Samson's court on January 6, and that Beebe manifested considerable nervousness; that he wanted his hearing as soon as possible and it was set for the following Monday morning; that he was returned to prison, with bail set for $1,000; that Beebe reiterated his statement that it was the first time he knew of Hiram's death; that while he thought Hiram might have been seriously hurt, he thought from remarks dropped in his presence that Hiram was living and had a hand in Nelson being in prison. Hereinafter cited as Nelson Beebe Charged with Manslaughter 7 January 1911 Oregon.
- [S2950] Grand Jury Fails to Indict Octogenarian, Nelson Beebe, April 1911, Oregon, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The Sunday Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), Sunday, April 23, 1911, Page 13, (Downloaded on December 20, 2025), under the headlines, "Brother's Slayer Freed", and Grand Jury Fails to Indict Octogenarian, Nelson Beebe", reporting from Oregon City on April 22, 1911, that Nelson Beebe, who killed his brother, Hiram, with a club the previous January at Clackamas Heights, was discharged from custody that afternoon because the Grand Jury returned not a true bill (which meant they found insufficient evidence or probable cause to formally charge Nelson with the crime of manslaughter); that Nelson Beebe was 80 years old and that Hiram, whom was killed, was age 77; that Nelson asserted than Hiram attacked him with an ax and he used the club to defend himself; that Nelson was a veteran of the Civil War and a pioneer plainsman; that both men married twice; that Hiram had no children and that his second wife was Mrs. Cathrow of Canemah, Oregon, and that Nelson had a daughter, Laura of Red Bluff, California; that George Beebe, a younger brother, lived in Eastern Oregon and that a nephew lived near Estacada. Hereinafter cited as Grand Jury Fails to Indict Octogenarian, Nelson Beebe, April 1911, Oregon.
George Beebe1
b. 1865
| Father* | Erastus J. Beebe1 b. 17 Jan 1828, d. 17 Nov 1911 | |
| Mother* | Lucinda McFee1 b. Feb 1842, d. 3 Jan 1905 |
| Birth* | 1865 | George Beebe was born about 1865 in Oregon.1 |
| (Son) Census US 1880 | 4 June 1880 | George was enumerated on the 1880 census taken on 4 June 1880 in the household of his parents in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. He was 15 years old and at school.1,2 |
| (Son) Murder | 12 April 1884 | He was about 19 years old when his father and his uncle, Burr Beebe, were charged and convicted in two separate trials for the murder of Burr's neighbor, Norris A. Phillips, on 12 April 1884 in Cedarville, Modoc County, California. The prosecuting attorney gave a report to the newspaper after his preliminary examination regarding the killing. He outlined for the paper the following facts that had been brought forward during his examination: Burr Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood. The Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land. For that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land. It seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field. On the morning of the killing, Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground. While he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction. The hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate. After a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through. Beebe and his two brothers, Erastus Beebe, who was called Ras, and George were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for Phillips at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him. Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up. A report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks. The prosecutor said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up, Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired. However, they also admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor, would seem to indicate that Burr came up with pistol in hand and ready to shoot. The prosecutor also said, that in his neighborhood, Burr was considered the "boss" pistol shot and, like the famous James brothers, could send a bullet about where he wanted it. Mrs. Fannie Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction. She said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing. Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her. The prosecutor said that Beebe’s preliminary examination had been conducted before Justice Long and resulted in Beebe being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday, April 25, was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. The argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court. In less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached, and the Court was reconvened. The verdict of "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" was announced, and the penalty fixed by the jury was imprisonment for life in the State Prison. One newspaper reported that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Another paper reported that Beebe had introduced a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Less than two months after Burr’s conviction, his brother, Erastus Beebe, was on trial in Superior Court for complicity in the same murder of Norris A. Phillips. After eight days, his trial ended on Monday, September 8, and the newspaper reported the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who had done the killing. Burr had been found guilty of murder in the first degree the previous July and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life. The only new evidence introduced was that of Emma S. (Beebe) Walls, who was identified as Mrs. David Walls, a daughter of Burr Beebe. She testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe]) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime. The argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury. Three hours later, the jury returned with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life. When the verdict was announced, Erastus stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away. He revived in a short time and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning. When the time arrived, however, Beebe was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18. The paper wrote that his health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered.3,4,5,6,7,8,9 |
| (Son) Pardoned | 19 November 1891 | His father was serving a life sentence for murder in Folsom Prison, Folsom, Sacramento County, California, when he was pardoned by California Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891.10 |
| (Nephew) Commutation | 24 December 1898 | A San Francisco newspaper, on 11 December 1898, reported that his uncle, Burr Beebe, who was serving a life sentence for a murder committed in Modoc County in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Two weeks later, another San Francisco newspaper, making much of the Christmas present, reported that Burr was among six murderers and other prisoners convicted of high crimes who had been given commutations by California Governor James Herbert Budd. Burr received his full liberty on 24 December 1898.8,9 |
Citations
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of E. J. and Lucinda Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067. Hereinafter cited as 1880 United States Federal Census.
- [S23] 1880 United States Federal Census, online at www.ancestry.com, household of Burr and Harriet Beebe, Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedarville, Modoc, California; Roll: 69; Page: 4c; Enumeration District: 067.
- [S2938] Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Plumas County Bulletin, (Greenville, California), Monday, April 28, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), reporting among the items under the caption, "Things in General", that Modoc County had acquired a very unenviable notoriety for perpetration of murders; that at Cedarville recently, a man named Burr Beebe shot and instantly killed another man named Phillips; that the men had quarreled about a piece of land and a water ditch. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Shot and Instantly Killed a Man Named Phillips in California in 1884.
- [S2939] Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, Feather River Bulletin, (Quincy, California), Saturday, May 3, 1884, page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "The Last Murder in Modoc", reporting that from the Modoc Independent of April 24 in the report of F.W. Ewing who conducted the prosecution of Burr Bebe in his preliminary examination for the killing of Norris A. Phillips on April 12, the following facts were brought forth in the examination; that Beebe and Phillips were neighbors living in a section where there were no county roads, but where neighborhood roads were made to run across the ranches for the convenience of the farmers who were compelled to pass in and out of the neighborhood; that the Phillips ranch was all sown to grain, while on Beebe's ranch there was only a small patch of ground under cultivation, the remainder being sagebrush or pasture land; that for that reason it was presumed that the neighborhood road was made to run across Beebe's land; that it seemed that Beebe became tired of that arrangement and went and staked out a new road, using for stakes some light thin stuff known as edgings, and at the same time plowed up a small patch of ground, probably two or three rods in width, across the road and just inside the gate which led into his field; that on the morning of the killing Phillips had to go to a neighbors and, mounting his horse, took the accustomed road and rode over the newly plowed piece of ground; that while he was gone, Beebe instructed his hired man to go and build a fence across the road to stop the travel in that direction; that the hired man stated that he did as directed and built two panels of fence across the road in front of the gate; that after a while Phillips came back on his way home and upon arriving at the newly made fence dismounted, tore the fence down, and passed on through; that Beebe and his two brothers, Ras and George, were watching him from the house and seeing it happening, immediately mounted their horses and started for him at a fast speed, taking a by-path to interrupt him; that Ras Beebe, who was riding the faster horse, overtook Phillips first and the two dismounted from their horses and were quarreling when Burr and George came up; that a report of a pistol was heard and Phillips dropped dead in his tracks; that Mr. Ewing said that the Beebes stated in their testimony that as soon as they came up Phillips seized one of the light sticks that had been used as a road stake, and attempted to hit Burr with it, whereupon the fatal shot was fired; that they, however, admitted in their testimony that Burr's horse had scarcely stopped running when the fatal shot was fired which, according to the prosecutor would seem to indicate that he came up with pistol in hand and ready for business and that in his neighborhood he was considered the "boss' pistol shot and like the famous James brothers, can send a bullet about where he wants it; that Mrs. Phillips, the wife of the deceased, was standing in her door, about 40 yards distant, and saw the whole transaction; that she said Phillips did not seize a stick, and made no attempt whatever to strike Beebe, and like the Beebes said, the pistol was fired the very instant that Burr came up to the spot where Ras and Phillips were standing; that Mrs. Phillips' testimony was corroborated by that of a girl who was staying with her; that Beebe had a preliminary examination before Justice Long which resulted in his being held to answer to the charge of murder, and on Friday was lodged in the County Jail to await his trial. Hereinafter cited as Murder of Norris A. Phillips and Trial of Burr Beebe, April 1884 in California.
- [S2940] Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Monday, July 28, 1884, page, Page 4, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Murder in the First Degree", and reporting from the Modoc Independent, that the argument in the case of the People vs. Burr Beebe was concluded about 5:30 o'clock on Friday, July 25, and that by 6:00 o'clock the jury had received its instructions from the Court; that in less than one hour's time it was announced that a verdict had been reached; that upon the Court being convened, the verdict "Guilty of murder in the first degree" was announced; that the jury fixed the penalty at imprisonment for life in the State Prison; that the prisoner received the verdict with a look of stolid indifference. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe "Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" July 1884 California.
- [S2941] Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, July 26, 1884, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "En Route to State Prison", reporting that Burr Beebe, a Modoc county farmer, was lodged in the city prison the night before enroute to State Prison where he was to spend the remainder of his days on a charge of murder; that he was arrested the previous April for having shot and killed Norr Phillips, a neighboring farmer, with whom he had a row over the right to a piece of property; that the prisoner interposed a plea of self-defense and escaped the gallows. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Escaped Gallows with Plea of Self Defense July 1884 California.
- [S2924] Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Thursday, September 18, 1884, Page 1, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the title, "Another Conviction: Erastus Bebe Found Guilty of Murder in the First Degree" and referencing the Modoc Independent of September 11, reporting that the trial in Superior Court of Erastus Beebe for complicity in the murder of Norris A Phillips had ended on Monday after eight days and that the evidence presented varied little from that taken at the trial of Burr Beebe, who did the killing and two months previously had been found guilty of murder in the first degree and was at that time serving a sentence of hard labor in the State Prison for the remainder of his natural life; that the only new evidence introduced was that of Mrs. David Wall, a daughter of Burr Beebe who testified that she had heard a conversation between her father (Burr Beebe) and her uncle (Erastus Beebe) in which her uncle advised her father to kill Phillips and get him out of the way, making it seem that while Burr Beebe was to do the killing, Erastus Beebe was the real instigator of the crime; that the argument was concluded at 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon and the case was submitted to the jury; that the jury returned three hours later with a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree" and with the recommendation that the defendant be imprisoned in the State Prison for life; that when the verdict was announced, Beebe stood for a moment transfixed and then fainted away; that in a short time he revived and the Court ordered him to appear for sentencing at 10 o'clock the following morning; that when the time arrived, however, the prisoner was too ill to appear in Court, and the time for pronouncing judgement was deferred until Thursday, September 18; the Beebe's health had been deteriorating since his incarceration in the county jail, and it seemed to be the prevailing opinion that his term of imprisonment would be a short one, as it was plain to be seen that his days on earth were numbered. Hereinafter cited as Erastus Beebe Murder Trial (Modoc County, California) September 1884.
- [S2942] Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination: Did Insanity Cause Him to Commit the Crime? Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, The San Francisco Examiner, (San Francisco, California), Sunday, December 11, 1898, Page 12, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), noting that Burr Beebe, serving a life sentence for murder committed in Modoc county in 1884, was recommended for examination by competent physicians as to his mental condition, it being claimed that insanity caused him to commit the crime. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe Recommended for Mental Examination Dec 1898 California.
- [S2943] Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California, online at Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s, at www.newspapers.com, San Francisco Chronicle, (San Francisco, California), Saturday, December 24, 1898, Page 3, (Downloaded on November 22, 2025), under the headlines, "Christmas Presents of Liberty to Convicts" and "Six Murderers and Other Prisoners Convicted of High Crimes are Turned Loose by Governor Budd", and reporting from Sacramento on December 23, that Governor Budd had that day issued a number of commutations which would, without doubt, be received as welcome Christmas presents by those prisoners in whose favors they were made; that in each instance the prisoner was to receive his full liberty the following day, December 24; that among the pardons was Burr Beebe, sent from Modoc county in July 1884, life imprisonment for murder. Hereinafter cited as Burr Beebe, Prison Sentence Commuted, 24 Dec 1898 California.
- [S2923] California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, online at www.ancestry.com, Folsom State Prison, Prison Registers, 1880-1896, E. J. Beebe, nativity New York, crime Murder, when received 15 September 1884, term of sentence Life, county sent from Colusa, age 29, occupation Butcher, height 5'10", complexion Florid, eyes Brown, hair, Dark Brown, remarks Pardoned by Governor Henry Harrison Markham on 19 November 1891. Hereinafter cited as California, U.S., Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950.