Merced Evening Sun
Friday, March 30, 1900

A SHOCKING DEATH NEAR TURLOCK

Alone In A Corral, the Victim's Face and Neck Torn by Hogs.

(Modesto Hearld)

Mrs. Marie Dunn, a relict of the late James T. Dunn, died at her home five miles southwest of Turlock, just across the line in Merced county, Saturday evening, under most distressing circumstances. The aged woman had leased her ranch to a young couple named Nelson, retaining three rooms of the dwelling for her own occupancy.
Mr. Nelson's attention being demanded in other directions, Saturday evening for the time being, Mrs. Dunn voluntarily undertook to milk a fresh cow. She was not again seen in life. Nearly an hour later, the aged woman not having returned to the house, Mr. Nelson went to the barnyard to ascertain the cause of her prolonged absence and was horrified to find her prostrate and hogs tearing her face and neck. A glance served to show that she was dead. One side of the face and neck had been torn away, and the cartoid artery severed, the life blood mingling with the barnyard refuse.

It was apparent that Mrs. Dunn had milked the cow, and, first setting, the pail of milk safely outside the gate to the corral, had undertaken to let the calf to the mother, for that purpose opening the gate of the sub-division of the corral. As she opened the gate, she fell in death it is hoped, or at least unconscious from a stroke or apoplexy, for the position of the body and all incidental evidence warrant the belief that she had no realization whatever of her face.

Mrs. Dunn was the mother of Hubert A. Dunn, a well known citizen of the Turlock quarter of the county, her last surviving descendant. She came to California from England, her native country, in 1850 or 1851, a girl of 19 or 20 years of age. She married James T. Dunn in San Francisco the couple subsequently engaging in the hotel business in Calaveras county. In the sixties Mr. and Mrs. Dunn conducted the old Weber hotel in Stockton, and later engaged in farming at Lathrop. About 1871 they acquired land on the boarder of Stanislaus and Merced counties and made their home there thereafter, engaging in wheat-farming. Six or seven years ago the husband died in his carriage while attendance at the funeral of a friend in the vicinity of his home.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Dunn was held on Monday, the cortege leaving the old home place at 10 o'clock. Religious services were held at Turlock, Rev. Helsley of Ceres officiating, and interment was made in the family plot in the Turlock cemetery, a very large number of friends and acquaintances paying a last tribute of regard and respect by their presence.

Petition for letters of administration of the estate of Mrs. Dunn has been filed in the Superior Court of Merced county by H. A. Dunn, the son and sole heir-at-law. Deceased left no will. The estate consists of 720 acres of land in Stanislaus and Merced counties of an estimated value of $10,800, and personal property to the value of $400; also 140 acres of land near Lathrop, San Joaquin county, of estimated value of $2800, a total valuation of $14,000. The estate is practically unencumbered. L. W. Fulkerth of this city is Mr. Dunn's attorney.

Transcribed by: Alma Stone