On Tuesday, September 13, 1892 at 1000 hours, Deputies US Marshals McGinnis and Wilson were shot and killed due an ambush by notorious Central Valley train robbers Jack Sontag and Chris Evans.
The robbers were staying at Jim Young's cabin, Sampson flat in remote, mountainous eastern Fresno County. The pursuing posse of nine lead by Will Smith, Southern Pacific R.R. Detective and deputized U.S Marshal knew that they were close, they did not know how close. They broke camp and rode single file to Young's cabin where they were going to dig up potatoes and pick roasting corn for their breakfast.
The posse arrived at Young's cabin, dismounted and tied up their horses, some on the fence surrounding the front of the cabin, others under shade trees.
Deputies McGinnis and Wilson were already inside the gate walking across the garden approaching the cabin. They did not know the cabin was occupied by Evans and Sontag, who waited with the front door ajar armed with shotguns and Winchesters. Evans thrust his weapon through a glass pane and Sontag fired through the doorway. McGinnis was shot first followed by Wilson, both men died where they stood.
Andrew W. McGinnis was born in Georgia in 1852 and arrived in San Francisco via the Isthmus on June 1, 1856.
The family moved about California finally settling in Knights Ferry, Stanislaus County, California.
In 1868, McGinnis, age 16, had an encounter on the streets of Knights Ferry. The teacher of McGinnis's siblings, Mr. Cheshire made some comments that resulted in a confrontation between Cheshire and McGinnis's father. Pistols were produced, shots fired and Cheshire was left standing. McGinnis picked up his dead father's pistol and killed Cheshire. McGinnis was tried and acquitted. McGinnis went on to serve in Stanislaus County as a Deputy Constable and Deputy Sheriff.
While living in Modesto, McGinnis became acquainted with Evans and Sontag who ran a livery stable.
McGinnis enjoyed a reputation as being a very good officer.
McGinnis was survived by a wife and daughter. McGinnis was interred at Modesto.
Source: Fresno County Peace Officers' Memorial.
The robbers were staying at Jim Young's cabin, Sampson flat in remote, mountainous eastern Fresno County. The pursuing posse of nine lead by Will Smith, Southern Pacific R.R. Detective and deputized U.S Marshal knew that they were close, they did not know how close. They broke camp and rode single file to Young's cabin where they were going to dig up potatoes and pick roasting corn for their breakfast.
The posse arrived at Young's cabin, dismounted and tied up their horses, some on the fence surrounding the front of the cabin, others under shade trees.
Deputies McGinnis and Wilson were already inside the gate walking across the garden approaching the cabin. They did not know the cabin was occupied by Evans and Sontag, who waited with the front door ajar armed with shotguns and Winchesters. Evans thrust his weapon through a glass pane and Sontag fired through the doorway. McGinnis was shot first followed by Wilson, both men died where they stood.
Andrew W. McGinnis was born in Georgia in 1852 and arrived in San Francisco via the Isthmus on June 1, 1856.
The family moved about California finally settling in Knights Ferry, Stanislaus County, California.
In 1868, McGinnis, age 16, had an encounter on the streets of Knights Ferry. The teacher of McGinnis's siblings, Mr. Cheshire made some comments that resulted in a confrontation between Cheshire and McGinnis's father. Pistols were produced, shots fired and Cheshire was left standing. McGinnis picked up his dead father's pistol and killed Cheshire. McGinnis was tried and acquitted. McGinnis went on to serve in Stanislaus County as a Deputy Constable and Deputy Sheriff.
While living in Modesto, McGinnis became acquainted with Evans and Sontag who ran a livery stable.
McGinnis enjoyed a reputation as being a very good officer.
McGinnis was survived by a wife and daughter. McGinnis was interred at Modesto.
Source: Fresno County Peace Officers' Memorial.
On Tuesday, September 13, 1892 at 1000 hours, Deputies US Marshals McGinnis and Wilson were shot and killed due an ambush by notorious Central Valley train robbers Jack Sontag and Chris Evans.
The robbers were staying at Jim Young's cabin, Sampson flat in remote, mountainous eastern Fresno County. The pursuing posse of nine lead by Will Smith, Southern Pacific R.R. Detective and deputized U.S Marshal knew that they were close, they did not know how close. They broke camp and rode single file to Young's cabin where they were going to dig up potatoes and pick roasting corn for their breakfast.
The posse arrived at Young's cabin, dismounted and tied up their horses, some on the fence surrounding the front of the cabin, others under shade trees.
Deputies McGinnis and Wilson were already inside the gate walking across the garden approaching the cabin. They did not know the cabin was occupied by Evans and Sontag, who waited with the front door ajar armed with shotguns and Winchesters. Evans thrust his weapon through a glass pane and Sontag fired through the doorway. McGinnis was shot first followed by Wilson, both men died where they stood.
Andrew W. McGinnis was born in Georgia in 1852 and arrived in San Francisco via the Isthmus on June 1, 1856.
The family moved about California finally settling in Knights Ferry, Stanislaus County, California.
In 1868, McGinnis, age 16, had an encounter on the streets of Knights Ferry. The teacher of McGinnis's siblings, Mr. Cheshire made some comments that resulted in a confrontation between Cheshire and McGinnis's father. Pistols were produced, shots fired and Cheshire was left standing. McGinnis picked up his dead father's pistol and killed Cheshire. McGinnis was tried and acquitted. McGinnis went on to serve in Stanislaus County as a Deputy Constable and Deputy Sheriff.
While living in Modesto, McGinnis became acquainted with Evans and Sontag who ran a livery stable.
McGinnis enjoyed a reputation as being a very good officer.
McGinnis was survived by a wife and daughter. McGinnis was interred at Modesto.
Source: Fresno County Peace Officers' Memorial.
The robbers were staying at Jim Young's cabin, Sampson flat in remote, mountainous eastern Fresno County. The pursuing posse of nine lead by Will Smith, Southern Pacific R.R. Detective and deputized U.S Marshal knew that they were close, they did not know how close. They broke camp and rode single file to Young's cabin where they were going to dig up potatoes and pick roasting corn for their breakfast.
The posse arrived at Young's cabin, dismounted and tied up their horses, some on the fence surrounding the front of the cabin, others under shade trees.
Deputies McGinnis and Wilson were already inside the gate walking across the garden approaching the cabin. They did not know the cabin was occupied by Evans and Sontag, who waited with the front door ajar armed with shotguns and Winchesters. Evans thrust his weapon through a glass pane and Sontag fired through the doorway. McGinnis was shot first followed by Wilson, both men died where they stood.
Andrew W. McGinnis was born in Georgia in 1852 and arrived in San Francisco via the Isthmus on June 1, 1856.
The family moved about California finally settling in Knights Ferry, Stanislaus County, California.
In 1868, McGinnis, age 16, had an encounter on the streets of Knights Ferry. The teacher of McGinnis's siblings, Mr. Cheshire made some comments that resulted in a confrontation between Cheshire and McGinnis's father. Pistols were produced, shots fired and Cheshire was left standing. McGinnis picked up his dead father's pistol and killed Cheshire. McGinnis was tried and acquitted. McGinnis went on to serve in Stanislaus County as a Deputy Constable and Deputy Sheriff.
While living in Modesto, McGinnis became acquainted with Evans and Sontag who ran a livery stable.
McGinnis enjoyed a reputation as being a very good officer.
McGinnis was survived by a wife and daughter. McGinnis was interred at Modesto.
Source: Fresno County Peace Officers' Memorial.
Family Members
Parents
Children
Advertisement
Advertisement
