The Tragedy of Mussel Slough

Railroads versus settlers was a deadly combination.

On May 11, 1880, a dispute between settlers and the railroads in central California turns deadly. Lawmen representing the railroads are evicting homesteaders from contested land. An argument breaks out between the two sides. Walter Crow, a member of the railroad group, was a skilled marksman who was armed with a shotgun. He singlehandedly kills five of the settlers before being gunned down himself. Five settlers (photo) are later convicted of obstructing justice in the case. The affray stuns both sides, who declare an unofficial peace. The railroads have won the day.