Ernest Beauel Hanks

Burial record:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52470921/ernest-beauel-hanks

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E. B. Hanks, brother of Silas Hanks, Orland barber met his death at the hands of C. E. Best of Willows Tuesday afternoon. His head was crushed by blows with a pitchfork handle. Death ensued about four hours after the injury.

There were no witnesses, and Best's story, as told following the affair, and yesterday before the coroner's jury is the only information available. The story as told by Best is that the two men, who were putting up hay on shares on the Lester Killebrew ranch east of Willows, got into an altercation over a team. Hanks, who was on the wagon, jumped off upon Best's back and knocked him down. Best, he asserts, got up and clear of Hanks, grabbed up a pitchfork and warned Hanks not to come near him. Hanks, Best says, then made a rush for him and Best hit him with the pitchfork handle. Hanks sank to his knees and then rose and made another start for him, when Best hit him again.

Hanks then said, "You've drawn blood; I'm going to have you arrested." Hanks then got on the wagon and started for the house, Best following. When they got to the gate Best climbed onto the wagon, and Hanks shortly thereafter growing weak, Best took the reins and drove, Hanks sinking into the hay. Upon arrival at the home Hanks went into the house. Hanks' son arrived and took charge of the horses and a neighbor went for a doctor. Dr. J. L. Rawhauser arrived soon, and found Hanks already in a coma, from which he never revived, dying at about 9 o'clock the same evening.

Hanks is survived by his wife, who is employed in the county library, and by four children: Gladys, Ernest, Amos and Mary, all at home at Willows; and by the following brothers and sisters: Daniel of Cedarville; Arthur of Dunnigan; Silas of Orland; Eugene of Red Bluff; Albert of Paskenta; Kenneth of Corning; Mrs. Ada Lee and Mrs. Maude Pollard both of Oakland; Mrs. Mabel Williams of Orland; and Mrs. Pearl Black of Flournoy.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow, Friday morning, from the Sweet funeral home in Willows, and interment will take place in the Paskenta cemetery, where lie the remains of his father and mother and several other members of the family.

Best, father-in-law of county treasurer Ed S. Ball, was formerly superintendent of the county hospital, and has been a resident of Willows for many years. Hanks had been a resident of Willows for many years. Hanks had been a resident of Willows for the past 17 years, and during most of that time had worked much of the time, in partnership with Best.

The coroner's jury yesterday brought in an open verdict that the deceased died of "blows on the head with a pitchfork in the hands of C. E. Best."

Best was arrested this morning on a murder charge sworn out by E.K. Hanks, brother of the slain man, and now occupies a cell in the county jail.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 20 2019, 1:46:09 UTC