1876 murder captures attention

75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) 1876 murder: We often remark that an event indicating lawlessness existed in our little city is pictured in its most hideous, lurid light by the big metropolitan dailies but no mention or at least very little publicity is given to our resources, the establishment of an industry, the fertility of our soil and other advantages to be found here. A murder committed in 1876 created intense excitement and front-page news for the big metropolitan dailies. We found the following record of this gruesome murder: Ambrose S. Niles and a friend of his, James Singleton, came to California from Wisconsin in 1859. Niles located on a ranch west of Lincoln and Singleton worked for him for wages. Niles seemed to prosper from his farming operations and was regarded as a prominent citizen. Singleton was thrifty and saved his money and held several notes against Niles until the indebtedness became quite large. Singleton was quite a favorite among the townspeople of Lincoln and the country people hereabouts. After several years working for Niles, Singleton went to Nevada to work. After an absence of about a year, he returned to Lincoln briefly, then went to Sacramento and Oakland, where he engaged in the livery business. About Thanksgiving time, 1876, Singleton returned to Lincoln to visit his many friends and also to try and collect on the notes which he held against Niles. He and Niles went to Sheridan with a team and from that day on no one had seen him again. Niles, when asked about Singleton, stated that he had gone from Sheridan to Marysville. Even then thoughts of foul play entered the minds of some but nothing was openly said as Niles' reputation was good. It was learned, however, that a hired man of Niles, named Ropp, had filled up an old well at the request of Niles the day after the trip to Sheridan. Niles, when asked why he had filled the well, gave very evasive, unsatisfactory answers. Suspicions grew and finally Niles sold the ranch. Neighbors would gather near the old well and express a desire to see the bottom of it. Finally, Thomas Brown learned that Niles had tried to negotiate the sale of a note Singleton held against another party. The neighbors hesitated no longer and decided to insist to the authorities that the old well be cleaned out. The coroner was asked to have the well opened but as he could not use public money to open old wells, the district attorney suggested that a public subscription to be taken up in the neighborhood and used to open the old well. Prompt action was taken and the citizens began digging. Finally, they came to some boards, laid in order as for a floor. Some of the folk became discouraged but others persisted. More digging disclosed two feet of dirt, then sticks and trash. Finally, another floor was reached and on removing this, the body of Singleton was found. One can visualize the excitement. An all-night guard was placed at the well and the coroner and district attorney notified. Positive identification was made by a shoemaker who identified the boots worn and a dentist, the teeth. This was September 17, 1881, nearly five years after the crime was committed. The verdict of the coroner was that Singleton came to his death in November, 1876, by the blow of a deadly weapon on his head inflicted by one A.S. Niles. Placer County Sheriff Boggs and Constable C.L. Hotchkiss of Lincoln were soon hot on the trail of Niles, who was selling patent beds around the country. He was arrested about five miles from Wheatland on the road east of the mountains by Deputy Sheriff Thomas Bevan of Yuba County. Niles, when he was told the reason for his arrest, completely broke down. The terrible secret he had carried for five long years was out and he stood as an accused murderer. He was turned over to the Placer County authorities and lodged in the county jail at Auburn. He confessed that the body was Singleton and that he had thrown it in the well but denied he had murdered him. He said the two were driving home from Sheridan and became involved in a heated argument over religion and a scuffle followed. Singleton struck him and while trying to defend himself the horses ran away, throwing both of them out of the wagon, stunning Niles, and the wheels of the wagon ran over Singleton, crushing his skull. When Niles found that Singleton was dead, he decided that no one would believe it was an accident so he would throw the body in the well and cover it up, thereby saving himself trouble and the county expense. Niles was in jail only a week when he committed suicide. He had written a letter to his wife, denying his guilt. Note: This article was written by Mrs. Mabel Ahart. 50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) Rate hike: An ad-hoc committee of businessmen has set a sewage users meeting to discuss the new sewage rate charges the city council imposed at its July 8 meeting. The council determined that August 12 would be the enforcement date of the ordinance establishing the new sewage charges. The users charge is the second substantial controversy to plague the proposed sewage treatment plant. Prior to voter approval of the $350,000 20-year general bond obligation on June 4 of last year, landowners west of Lincoln voiced their objection to the proposed plant site. The ordinance as published calls for each household to be charged $6.50 per month for sewer usage instead of the current $2.50 per month. Restaurants or bars would be charged $6.50 per month for every 10 seats while churches would be charged $6.50 for every 30 seats. Service clubs with bars or kitchens would be charged $6.50 for every 60 seats while service stations would be charged $13 per month. Business establishments would be charged $6.50 for every 10 employees per month while the school district would be charged $6.50 per month for every 10 students and employees. The Western Placer Unified School District, which paid between $500 to $600 a year in sewage fees before the new rates were established, would be charged in excess of $18,000 per year, according to the ordinance. The council adopted a resolution calling for the sale of the present sewage plant land within 60 days of the initial operation of the new one. Engineer John Atteberry indicated he hoped this would cut the users rate down to around $3.99 to $4.59 per household per month. The council heard a report that the Farmers Home Administration verbally agreed to lend the bond money to the City of Lincoln at the rate of 5 percent. According to officials, this would probably lower the user's rates by another 50 cents. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, and 1920) Cannery: The Lincoln cannery started the season's run last Saturday on Tuscan cling peaches. Superintendent Harry Gordon informs us that this year's pack will exceed that of former seasons. The cannery will experience no difficulty in handling the incoming fruit, as some $10,000 of improvements and equipment have been added in the past few months. The plant will furnish employment for about three hundred people.