Died of a knife wound in a fight with a police officer, after first shooting the police officer in the head with his own gun, at 11pm on New Years Eve at Racine House Saloon, 1023 Kearny Street. Accounts vary on how the initial confrontation unfolded, but an inquest decided in favor of the officer, justifiable homicide. ~The Daily Examiner, S.F., Jan. 2 & 3, 1877, p. 3; The Daily Bee, Sacramento, Jan. 2, 1877, p. 1
"The Killing of Billy Doran.-- The parents and friends of the late Billy Doran who was killed in Harry Howard's saloon, last Sunday night, are much grieved at the accounts published in regard to his character, and deny that he was one of the class of criminals alluded to. To substantiate their assertions they have handed us the following card: W. T. Doran, who came to his death on the 31st day of December last, from a knife would inflicted by Officer Hensley, has been employed by us for a year and a half last past, and has always faithfully discharged his duties. / E. R. HAWLEY & G. H. DEAN. / Proprietors of the Pacific Straw Factory." ~The Daily Examiner, S.F., Jan. 5, 1877, p. 3
Info from cemetery records:
William T. Doran-- Single. Died of wound to heart. Native of S.F. Aged 23y 11m 22d.
Originally interred/held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery (SF/defunct), in the vault at Dormitory 6. During the 1940-41 Calvary removal project, workers noted that they found insufficient documentation of his whereabouts ("No location."). It's possible that he had been given a permanent place at Calvary, but without a document trail it's hard to say. If he did, he may have been removed to the general reburial area of Holy Cross Cemetery during the removal project.
Billy's final resting place is unknown at this time.
Died of a knife wound in a fight with a police officer, after first shooting the police officer in the head with his own gun, at 11pm on New Years Eve at Racine House Saloon, 1023 Kearny Street. Accounts vary on how the initial confrontation unfolded, but an inquest decided in favor of the officer, justifiable homicide. ~The Daily Examiner, S.F., Jan. 2 & 3, 1877, p. 3; The Daily Bee, Sacramento, Jan. 2, 1877, p. 1
"The Killing of Billy Doran.-- The parents and friends of the late Billy Doran who was killed in Harry Howard's saloon, last Sunday night, are much grieved at the accounts published in regard to his character, and deny that he was one of the class of criminals alluded to. To substantiate their assertions they have handed us the following card: W. T. Doran, who came to his death on the 31st day of December last, from a knife would inflicted by Officer Hensley, has been employed by us for a year and a half last past, and has always faithfully discharged his duties. / E. R. HAWLEY & G. H. DEAN. / Proprietors of the Pacific Straw Factory." ~The Daily Examiner, S.F., Jan. 5, 1877, p. 3
Info from cemetery records:
William T. Doran-- Single. Died of wound to heart. Native of S.F. Aged 23y 11m 22d.
Originally interred/held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery (SF/defunct), in the vault at Dormitory 6. During the 1940-41 Calvary removal project, workers noted that they found insufficient documentation of his whereabouts ("No location."). It's possible that he had been given a permanent place at Calvary, but without a document trail it's hard to say. If he did, he may have been removed to the general reburial area of Holy Cross Cemetery during the removal project.
Billy's final resting place is unknown at this time.
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
