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by E. MUYBRIDGE, Donald Mc Ky
Shot in bright sunlight, it looks like noon. Straight down shadows, undesirable for today's photography but essential for shots in 1873 with individual glass plates. By Eadward J. Muybridge, famous for his motion studies. An innovative photographer of historic note.
At age 20, Muybridge emigrated to America as a bookseller, first to New York, and then to San Francisco. Planning a return trip to Europe in 1860, he suffered serious head injuries in a stagecoach crash in Texas. He spent the next few years recuperating in England, where he took up professional photography, learning the wet-plate collodion process, and secured at least two British patents for his inventions. He went back to San Francisco in 1867. In 1868 he exhibited large photographs of Yosemite Valley, which made him world-famous.
In 1871 Muybridge shot and killed Major Harry Larkyns, his wife's lover, but was acquitted in a jury trial on the grounds of justifiable homicide. In 1872 he travelled for more than a year in Central America on a photographic expedition.
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CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER.
THURSDAY OCT. 22, 1871.
A STARTLING TRAGEDY.
Chevalier Harry Larkyns Shot Dead by Edward J. Muybridge, the Photographer- The Sequel to a Scandalous Intrigue. From the S.F. Bulletin, October 19th
Considerable sensation was created In the city yesterday morning by the receipt of intelligence from Calistoga of the deliberate killing of Major Harry Larkyns of this city, by Edward J. Muybridge, the well known photographer. The cause leading to the act of murder was the discovery of convincing proof by Muybridge of the infidelity of his wife with Larkyns, and immediately thereupon he set out to avenge his wrongs, leaving the city in pursuit of Larkyns on Saturday, knowing him to be in the vicinity of Calistoga, engaged In preparing maps of the mines in that locality. He reached Calistoga at 8 o'clock in the evening, and without stopping for food or rest he went in search of his intended victim with a horse and buggy. Larkyns had returned from Pine Flat on Saturday evening and stopped at the Yellow Jacket mine, eleven miles from Calistoga, intending to pass the night there.
THE TRAGEDY Thither
Muybridge traced him, and reaching the spot at about 11 o'clock at night, he sent word to the Major that he wanted to see him. Larkyns was confronted by Muybridge, who, in words of terrible import, said, "This is the reply to the letter you sent to my wife,'' and immediately discharged a revolver. The aim was well taken and deadly. Larkyns had no opportunity to defend himself or to utter a word. He ran a few steps and fell a corpse, with a bullet through his heart. Putting his pistol up, Muybridge surrendered himself to the Superintendent of the mine, and was forthwith conveyed to Calistoga, where he was given in charge to the authorities.
THE WOMAN Connected with this affair was the divorced wife of one Lucius D. Stone, and whom Mr. Muybridge married about four years ago, while she was engaged as a saleswoman in a fancy store on Kearney street.
About a year since an intimacy sprung up between Mrs. Muybridge and Larkyns, which was generally noted with scandalous comments by those acquainted with the parties. Muybridge was absent from his home a great deal of the time, taking views of the coast and interior scenery: but last Spring unpleasant suspicions broke upon him, and an encounter ensued with Larkyns, attended with an exchange of blows, as reported. At all events, Larkyns was seriously warned against continuing his attentions to Mrs. Muybridge, and several acquaintances of Larkyns also cautioned him of his mortal peril in his unhallowed intimacy.
Muybridge sent his wife on a visit to a relative in Portland, Oregon, last Spring, in the hope of finally interrupting the scandalous intrigue, not supposing, it is presumed, that it had extended to the magnitude of criminality. Subsequently, it appears, a clandestine correspondence was continued between the guilty pair, through the medium of a woman who attended Mrs. Muybridge as a nurse, a short time previous to her departure for Oregon. This confidant, of course, was capable of treachery likewise, and when it became necessary for her to employ some extra persuasive influence to collect a demand for $IOO which she made on Muybridge, intercepted letters presented the requisite facility. On Saturday morning the claim of the mutual friend was pressed anew on Muybridge, and letters were exhibited to him to compel his speedy attention to the matter, containing evidence of a most exasperating character. The claim was not immediately forthcoming, as anticipated, but the parties concerned in this peculiar process for collecting a debt have the satisfaction of knowing that it was entirely effective in launching a wretched mortal into eternity within twelve hours after its institution. [The claim was a photo of Muybridge's son, titled, "Little Harry."
Muybridge was at the photograph gallery of Bradley & Rulofson, his place of employment, just previous to his departure for Calistoga, and manifested such a frenzy of despair and rage that his friends were fearful that he contemplated suicide. His subsequent movements, which were deliberate and methodic enough, are already indicated.
THE MURDERED MAN. Major Harry Larkyns, the victim, was well known In the city for a period of nearly two years, rather in the character of an adventurer. From the little that is known of his history, he came from a respectable and wealthy family in England, but became estranged from his relatives in consequence of his reckless and spendthrift propensities, and after wasting his patrimony in riotous living, he was thrown upon his wits for a livelihood. His life-history would, no doubt, afford a romantic narrative. He held a commission in the British army during a portion of his life, and served six years in India. Subsequently he traveled extensively In Europe, and was familiarly acquainted with the attractions and points of interest in the principal cities of the continent. On the breaking out of the FrancoGerman war he entered the French service, and held a position on the staff of General Bourbaki with the rank of Major. This fact was corroborated by a French gentleman who happened to be in San Francisco at a time that Larkyns was in custody of the authorities for certain financial irregularities. The gentleman commended Larkyns as a gallant officer, and in admiration of his conduct in the service of France, be desired to assist him in his emergency, but the favor was not required. Major Larkyns made his first appearance here in the month of January, 1873. He had previously been sojourning for a season at Salt Lake City, with San Francisco as his objective point. While there he fell in with a young Englishman named Arthur Neil, whom he had previously known in Europe, and procured large loans from this gentleman in anticipation of expected remittances, and appointed to accompany him in a tour around the world. The two spent a season of dashing dissipation In this city, made an excursion to Honolulu, and on their return a breech occurred, in consequence of a failure of confidence in the Major's expectation-.
A prosecution followed on a charge of obtaining money by false pretenses, and the Major's draft on a fictitious banking establishment in China was a leading feature of the case. The trouble was finally compromised by the Major drawing upon his grandmother, in England, for the sum of $4,000, which amount represented one-half of the expenses of this ostentatious pair of tourists, covering a period of about two months. On being released from this difficulty, entirely penniless, the Major declined the tender of a passage to China and the charity of persons whose sympathy was excited in his behalf, and declared that he would remain here and retrieve his character and his fortunes by his own exertions.
He commenced at the foot of the ladder by working at one of the wharves. He subsequently secured an engagement as translator in a publishing house and also as a reporter on several of the city journals. For a short time this season he acted as agent for Wilson's circus, and latterly had been employed in preparing maps of the mining regions about Calistoga, by which enterprise he expected to gain a substantial start in the world.
The deceased was highly educated and possessed all the accomplishments attainable by travel and good society in all parts of the world. Reduced from affluence to poverty by his reckless habits, his moral principles and ideas of correct dealing did not stand him well in the emergency, and his endeavors to reclaim himself were doubtless retarded in consequence.
He had good qualities, withal, which won him much indulgence, and many will bestow the touching tribute of "poor devil " on his corpse who, by comparison can ill afford the charity. The body of Major Larkyns was brought to the city last evening, and conveyed to the undertaking rooms of Lockhart & Porter, at 39 Third street. It was deposited in a handsome rosewood coffin, provided by friends at Calistoga. The wound made by the fatal bullet was in the vicinity of the heart.
FURTHER PARTICULARS. A gentleman who witnessed the killing of Major Larkyns gives the following additional details of the tragedy. It occurred at the dwelling of William Stewart, Superintendent of the Yellow Jacket Mine, where deceased was spending the night. Mr. Stewart had just returned from the village with his mail, and Muybridge appeared to have followed close behind him. Larkyns was sitting in the parlor with two other gentlemen and a number of ladies, a portion of the company being engaged in a game of cards.
A knock was heard at the door and the visitor invited to enter. A voice replied from without: "I want to see Major Larkyns; I will detain him but a moment." Larkyns rose from the table, excused himself in a jocular manner, and said he would see who the mysterious visitor was. He opened the door and peered for a moment into the darkness, remarking: "Where are you sir; I cannot see you." Larkyns then stepped out of the door, glancing about on either side, and immediately after the voice was heard again: "My name is Muybridge. There is the answer to the letter you sent my wife." Almost simultaneously came the report of the well aimed pistol. Larkyns clapped one hand to his heart, turned about and ran through the house, to the back door, saying: "Let me out," and fell dead. Muybridge rushed into the house and pursued Larkyns with his pistol raised for another shot, when one of the gentlemen present drew a pistol and commanded him to stand. Muybridge then drew his pistol on this person and was on the point of firing when his arm was struck down and he was secured.
Muybridge offered no further resistance, and expressed his gratification on learning that his victim was dead. The funeral of Major Larkyns will be held to-morrow at 1 P. M., from the Church of the Advent, on Howard street.
by E. MUYBRIDGE, Donald Mc Ky
Shot in bright sunlight, it looks like noon. Straight down shadows, undesirable for today's photography but essential for shots in 1873 with individual glass plates. By Eadward J. Muybridge, famous for his motion studies. An innovative photographer of historic note.
At age 20, Muybridge emigrated to America as a bookseller, first to New York, and then to San Francisco. Planning a return trip to Europe in 1860, he suffered serious head injuries in a stagecoach crash in Texas. He spent the next few years recuperating in England, where he took up professional photography, learning the wet-plate collodion process, and secured at least two British patents for his inventions. He went back to San Francisco in 1867. In 1868 he exhibited large photographs of Yosemite Valley, which made him world-famous.
In 1871 Muybridge shot and killed Major Harry Larkyns, his wife's lover, but was acquitted in a jury trial on the grounds of justifiable homicide. In 1872 he travelled for more than a year in Central America on a photographic expedition.
__________________________________________
CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIAL PAPER.
THURSDAY OCT. 22, 1871.
A STARTLING TRAGEDY.
Chevalier Harry Larkyns Shot Dead by Edward J. Muybridge, the Photographer- The Sequel to a Scandalous Intrigue. From the S.F. Bulletin, October 19th
Considerable sensation was created In the city yesterday morning by the receipt of intelligence from Calistoga of the deliberate killing of Major Harry Larkyns of this city, by Edward J. Muybridge, the well known photographer. The cause leading to the act of murder was the discovery of convincing proof by Muybridge of the infidelity of his wife with Larkyns, and immediately thereupon he set out to avenge his wrongs, leaving the city in pursuit of Larkyns on Saturday, knowing him to be in the vicinity of Calistoga, engaged In preparing maps of the mines in that locality. He reached Calistoga at 8 o'clock in the evening, and without stopping for food or rest he went in search of his intended victim with a horse and buggy. Larkyns had returned from Pine Flat on Saturday evening and stopped at the Yellow Jacket mine, eleven miles from Calistoga, intending to pass the night there.
THE TRAGEDY Thither
Muybridge traced him, and reaching the spot at about 11 o'clock at night, he sent word to the Major that he wanted to see him. Larkyns was confronted by Muybridge, who, in words of terrible import, said, "This is the reply to the letter you sent to my wife,'' and immediately discharged a revolver. The aim was well taken and deadly. Larkyns had no opportunity to defend himself or to utter a word. He ran a few steps and fell a corpse, with a bullet through his heart. Putting his pistol up, Muybridge surrendered himself to the Superintendent of the mine, and was forthwith conveyed to Calistoga, where he was given in charge to the authorities.
THE WOMAN Connected with this affair was the divorced wife of one Lucius D. Stone, and whom Mr. Muybridge married about four years ago, while she was engaged as a saleswoman in a fancy store on Kearney street.
About a year since an intimacy sprung up between Mrs. Muybridge and Larkyns, which was generally noted with scandalous comments by those acquainted with the parties. Muybridge was absent from his home a great deal of the time, taking views of the coast and interior scenery: but last Spring unpleasant suspicions broke upon him, and an encounter ensued with Larkyns, attended with an exchange of blows, as reported. At all events, Larkyns was seriously warned against continuing his attentions to Mrs. Muybridge, and several acquaintances of Larkyns also cautioned him of his mortal peril in his unhallowed intimacy.
Muybridge sent his wife on a visit to a relative in Portland, Oregon, last Spring, in the hope of finally interrupting the scandalous intrigue, not supposing, it is presumed, that it had extended to the magnitude of criminality. Subsequently, it appears, a clandestine correspondence was continued between the guilty pair, through the medium of a woman who attended Mrs. Muybridge as a nurse, a short time previous to her departure for Oregon. This confidant, of course, was capable of treachery likewise, and when it became necessary for her to employ some extra persuasive influence to collect a demand for $IOO which she made on Muybridge, intercepted letters presented the requisite facility. On Saturday morning the claim of the mutual friend was pressed anew on Muybridge, and letters were exhibited to him to compel his speedy attention to the matter, containing evidence of a most exasperating character. The claim was not immediately forthcoming, as anticipated, but the parties concerned in this peculiar process for collecting a debt have the satisfaction of knowing that it was entirely effective in launching a wretched mortal into eternity within twelve hours after its institution. [The claim was a photo of Muybridge's son, titled, "Little Harry."
Muybridge was at the photograph gallery of Bradley & Rulofson, his place of employment, just previous to his departure for Calistoga, and manifested such a frenzy of despair and rage that his friends were fearful that he contemplated suicide. His subsequent movements, which were deliberate and methodic enough, are already indicated.
THE MURDERED MAN. Major Harry Larkyns, the victim, was well known In the city for a period of nearly two years, rather in the character of an adventurer. From the little that is known of his history, he came from a respectable and wealthy family in England, but became estranged from his relatives in consequence of his reckless and spendthrift propensities, and after wasting his patrimony in riotous living, he was thrown upon his wits for a livelihood. His life-history would, no doubt, afford a romantic narrative. He held a commission in the British army during a portion of his life, and served six years in India. Subsequently he traveled extensively In Europe, and was familiarly acquainted with the attractions and points of interest in the principal cities of the continent. On the breaking out of the FrancoGerman war he entered the French service, and held a position on the staff of General Bourbaki with the rank of Major. This fact was corroborated by a French gentleman who happened to be in San Francisco at a time that Larkyns was in custody of the authorities for certain financial irregularities. The gentleman commended Larkyns as a gallant officer, and in admiration of his conduct in the service of France, be desired to assist him in his emergency, but the favor was not required. Major Larkyns made his first appearance here in the month of January, 1873. He had previously been sojourning for a season at Salt Lake City, with San Francisco as his objective point. While there he fell in with a young Englishman named Arthur Neil, whom he had previously known in Europe, and procured large loans from this gentleman in anticipation of expected remittances, and appointed to accompany him in a tour around the world. The two spent a season of dashing dissipation In this city, made an excursion to Honolulu, and on their return a breech occurred, in consequence of a failure of confidence in the Major's expectation-.
A prosecution followed on a charge of obtaining money by false pretenses, and the Major's draft on a fictitious banking establishment in China was a leading feature of the case. The trouble was finally compromised by the Major drawing upon his grandmother, in England, for the sum of $4,000, which amount represented one-half of the expenses of this ostentatious pair of tourists, covering a period of about two months. On being released from this difficulty, entirely penniless, the Major declined the tender of a passage to China and the charity of persons whose sympathy was excited in his behalf, and declared that he would remain here and retrieve his character and his fortunes by his own exertions.
He commenced at the foot of the ladder by working at one of the wharves. He subsequently secured an engagement as translator in a publishing house and also as a reporter on several of the city journals. For a short time this season he acted as agent for Wilson's circus, and latterly had been employed in preparing maps of the mining regions about Calistoga, by which enterprise he expected to gain a substantial start in the world.
The deceased was highly educated and possessed all the accomplishments attainable by travel and good society in all parts of the world. Reduced from affluence to poverty by his reckless habits, his moral principles and ideas of correct dealing did not stand him well in the emergency, and his endeavors to reclaim himself were doubtless retarded in consequence.
He had good qualities, withal, which won him much indulgence, and many will bestow the touching tribute of "poor devil " on his corpse who, by comparison can ill afford the charity. The body of Major Larkyns was brought to the city last evening, and conveyed to the undertaking rooms of Lockhart & Porter, at 39 Third street. It was deposited in a handsome rosewood coffin, provided by friends at Calistoga. The wound made by the fatal bullet was in the vicinity of the heart.
FURTHER PARTICULARS. A gentleman who witnessed the killing of Major Larkyns gives the following additional details of the tragedy. It occurred at the dwelling of William Stewart, Superintendent of the Yellow Jacket Mine, where deceased was spending the night. Mr. Stewart had just returned from the village with his mail, and Muybridge appeared to have followed close behind him. Larkyns was sitting in the parlor with two other gentlemen and a number of ladies, a portion of the company being engaged in a game of cards.
A knock was heard at the door and the visitor invited to enter. A voice replied from without: "I want to see Major Larkyns; I will detain him but a moment." Larkyns rose from the table, excused himself in a jocular manner, and said he would see who the mysterious visitor was. He opened the door and peered for a moment into the darkness, remarking: "Where are you sir; I cannot see you." Larkyns then stepped out of the door, glancing about on either side, and immediately after the voice was heard again: "My name is Muybridge. There is the answer to the letter you sent my wife." Almost simultaneously came the report of the well aimed pistol. Larkyns clapped one hand to his heart, turned about and ran through the house, to the back door, saying: "Let me out," and fell dead. Muybridge rushed into the house and pursued Larkyns with his pistol raised for another shot, when one of the gentlemen present drew a pistol and commanded him to stand. Muybridge then drew his pistol on this person and was on the point of firing when his arm was struck down and he was secured.
Muybridge offered no further resistance, and expressed his gratification on learning that his victim was dead. The funeral of Major Larkyns will be held to-morrow at 1 P. M., from the Church of the Advent, on Howard street.