A Fatal Mistake

A Posse in Search of the Chinese Murderer Kill the Wrong Man.

BUTTE CITY, April 11.—Sheriff Ball of Butte county arrived here last evening in company with James Hogan, in search of the Chinaman who murdered Mrs. Billiou.

He selected a posse of our citizens and went to a Chinese fish camp, searching the premises. Then divided his posse and sent three men under Hogan to the China wood camp of Chinaman Lee, known as Lee Moulton.

They demanded admittance, which was for a time delayed, but finally, having gained part admittance, the cry was raised that a Chinaman was escaping by an unseen door.

One Chinaman made for the brush, carrying a rifle. He was called upon to halt, but paying no heed to the command, was fired upon, and fell lifeless to the ground.

Upon examination it was found that he was not the right man.

The corpse was immediately brought to Butte City.

An inquest was held, fully exonerating the parties doing the shooting.

Intense excitement prevails here in consequence, and many persons have armed and gone in pursuit of the Chinaman.

The Chinaman killed is well known in these parts, and was financially well off.

Late advices say that the supposed murderer is now surrounded in the river bend, near Rearr’s ranch.

Sheriff Ball and Beville have left for that point.

NEARLY A LYNCHING.

ST. JOHNS, April 11.—Yesterday afternoon a mob gathered at J. H. Caster’s place, near Billiou’s ranch, and took out Caster’s Chinaman, who is thought to have assisted Hong Dye and to know something of his whereabouts.

He made some contradictory statements.

The mob asked him in regard thereto, but he pleaded ignorance.

They placed a rope around his neck and drew him up to a limb of a tree, and before life was extinct let him down again.

They repeated this operation, but without accomplishing their object.

The last time he came down he was almost dead.

They then liberated the Chinaman.