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Show A WILD MANIAC MEETS HIS DEATH. Seveial months aco there appeared in Contra Costa and Alameda counties newspaper accounls of a maniac who was runnintr wild around the base of Monte Diablo. The Sao Jose Guide oj" December 2'Jd gives the following singular accouut of the circumstances attending the last hours of the maniac's life : x , Last jtrVurday sheriff Harris was waited wait-ed upon i.. ft man namedMullcn.of San Antone Valley, in the extreme northeastern north-eastern portion of this county, about i forty miles from this city. Mullen desired de-sired the sheriff to go over to his ranch to arrest a crazy being who threatened to kill him. lie stated that some time back a man, evidently crazy, had been prowling around his cabin, and that the first time he came there his appearance excited dread and disgust. He was apparently a man of middle age, with long, tangled hair flowing down his back, matted beard, and ragged, filthy and very repulsive appearance, ap-pearance, lie was armed with a Henry riflo aud a huge knife. When he first appeared he was almost famished, fam-ished, and after eating voraciously he coiled on the floor for the night and disappeared iu the morning, returning at intervals whenever hunger forced him. A negro living with Mullen told the hitter (hat subsequent to the wild man's first appearance he had asked the negro if that man's name was Mullen; on being assured of the fact he told the negro that he intended to kill Mullen at the first opportunity. After that Mullen was cautious, and one night when the lunatic came to bis cabin he questioned him, for he could talk with apparent reason only his ragged and otherwise wild appearance and actions indicated his lunacy. He was very reticent, but Mullen succeeded suc-ceeded in extricating from him the information in-formation (whether true or not it is impossible to tell) that his name was l'eavy, and he came from some of the Middle States, and that for months pat he had been wandering around in the mountains in the neighborhood neighbor-hood of Livcrmorc valley, Pacheco, and other places in that direction; further than (his, Mullen could gain nothing; but for some imaginary affront, or for some ideal J'aucy of his crazed brain, he told Mullen that ho would kill him, and the fact that he was seen prowling stealthily around at times caused Mullen to feel uneasy, so that he came to town to seek advice aud assistance from the sheriff. The latter concluded that Mullen was unnecessarily un-necessarily frightened. He invested Mullen with (he power to arrest the mau, providing him with a warrant for that purpose, and a pair of handcuffs to use if necessary. Sunday last Mullen Mul-len departed on his errand, and yesterday yester-day he related the sequel of his adventure adven-ture as follows: When he arrived within a few miles of bis home, where inhabitants are very scarce, he prevailed prevail-ed upon a friend named Hubbard to go over with him, as he desired a witness and assistance. Hubbard hitched up a light two-horse wagon, and together they started. Ascending an abrupt hill near his house, Mullen, to lighten the load and relieve the horses, got ont to walk, and took acut-off trail through tho chemisal alone, while Hubbard went around by the road. Mullen had proceeded but a short distance when he became aware of a slight commotion commo-tion in the bushes ahead, and hastily glancing iu that direction he saw the wild man but a few yards distant, peering at him through the bushes, Ins eyes and countenance betokening anger, and his rifle clutched as if lor use. Mullen at onco brought his rifle to his shoulder and commanded the crazy man to lay down his gun; quick as lightning he brought his gun to his shoulder aud took aim at Mullen, when at the same instant Mullen fired, and without waiting to note the effect of the shot he jumped back behind the bushes and cautiously retreated a short distance, for he was too well aware that the maniac had a Henry ritle and a knife, while ho had nothing but an empty rillc. Hubbard from a distance heard the sho.t and rushed to the rescue, res-cue, shouting Mulleu's name, but the latter did not answer, fearful that the maniac was unhurt and his own voice in response to his friend's call would indicate his presence to Peavy. Soon Hubbard came in sight, and cautiously the two crept forward until they saw l'cavy's knife and ritio lying on the ground; emboldened they pressed onward, on-ward, and a few yards from tho spot lay the maniac, mortally wounded, writhing in the pangs of death from the effect of a ritle-ball in the left breast. He lived but a few moments, and as soon as possible Mullen posted back to San Jose through the storm, over swollen creeks and almost im passable pas-sable places, to give information and notify the coroner and authorities; and and this ends the mystery of the wild man and his life. Who he was will probably never he known. From Mullen's Mul-len's account, his appearance was sufficient suf-ficient to give rise to the exaggerated stories, especially if bo came suddenly upon unsuspecting parties in wild unfrequented un-frequented places. |