LaFRANCHI, ALBERTONI

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 07:45:58 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, March 16, 1911
page 5

Double Murder on Ignacio Ranch
Befriended Stranger Repays Kindness with Bullets

At 4 o'clock last Saturday morning JOHN LaFRANCHI, his wife and nephew, AUGUSTINE ALBERTONI, were shot by a stranger whom they had harbored overnight. LaFranchi was killed almost instantly, ALBERTONI died within an hour, and Mrs. LaFranchi is confined to the Cottage Hospital with bullet wounds through both of her limbs.

According to the story told by Mrs. LaFranchi, a man came to their home, which is on a part of the Pacheco ranch near Ignacio, late Friday afternoon, and asked for work. He stated his inability to milk, but LaFRANCHI decided to give him a trial anyway.

The man was taken in and given a good dinner, but his weird talk and the wild ideas he expressed somewhat alarmed the family, so instead of permitting to sleep in the house, they furnished him with blankets and a bed in the barn.

About 4 o'clock Saturday morning, while LaFRANCHI, his wife and ALBERTONI were engaged in milking in the cow shed, the visitor walked in and without warning, shot ALBERTONI. LaFranchi sprang at him as he advanced and was also shot. Mrs. LaFranchi endeavored to make her escape, but the fiend fired twice, the bullets taking effect in both of her limbs. He then made his escape and has since eluded every attempt made to apprehend him.

After the shooting, in spite of her crippled condition, Mrs. LaFranchi made her way to the Pacheco home to bring assistance to her husband and nephew. LaFranchi was dead, and ALBERTONI expired shortly afterwards. Dr. Kuser attended Mrs. LaFranchi and afterwards removed her to the Cottage Hospital.

The double funeral of the two murdered men took place on Tuesday morning from St. Raphael's Church, in San Rafael, thence to Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

John LaFRANCHI was 52 years of age and his nephew 19.