Name/Title
ArticleEntry/Object ID
2017.030.0569Scope and Content
This is a newspaper report of the first hanging in Solano County. It took place in Benicia. It was for a murder by Beverly Wells on 02/17/1856. He was accused of stabbing to death James H. Dunn a friend of his after they had gone on a buggy ride. Wells was kept in a jail in Martinez until brought to Benicia for hanging.
Sheriff Paul Shirley had a scaffold eredted in a secluded spot near Benicia to keep the hanging private but still 400 people showed up to wittness the event.
Mr. Wells went to his death claiming that he was unfairly convicted based on the lies of James Morgan (a witness against him).Collection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection