The Killing of Edward José
On June 10, 1894, at 9:30 P.M., Edward William José was mortally wounded by his new freight driver, Frank G. Eddinger, who had robbed the freight wagon the day before on Browns’ Mountain. Walter Baker, Mart Van Matre and José were sitting on the front porch of the Baker and Paulsen Store when Eddinger crossed the bridge. José confronted Eddinger in the street. Eddinger fired hitting José in the stomach, the bullet lodging against his spine. Van Matre fired five times missing Eddinger as he ran up the street. A massive north state manhunt began. José died on the twelfth and was buried by the Native Sons the following day. José left a wife, Mollie Dockery and five children, Eddinger was found just after dark on June 15, where Balls Ferry Road crosses the railroad tracks near Cottonwood. He exchanged fire with Constable Pleisch and Deputy Chase. Chase shot him through the chest, killing him instantly. The good people of Cottonwood refused his burial. Eddinger was taken to Redding and buried in Potter’s Field.
Marker is at the intersection of Deadwood Street and Lewiston Turnpike Road on Deadwood Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
