Individual Details
David Anthony Oldham
(Abt 1862 - 7 May 1920)
San Francisco Call, Volume 78, Number 25, 25 June 1895
A Ukiah Deacon on Trial for Holding Up a Stage. CONFESSION OF HILTON. Claims His Employer Planned the Robbery and Shared the Spoils.
UKIAH, Cal., June 24.— Superior Court room was crowded to-day at the preliminary examination of George W. Hilton and David Oldham, charged with the robbery of the coast stage on June 15. Great interest is manifested because one of the accused, Oldham, is a deacon of the Baptist church and related to leading citizens of Ukiah. District Attorney Sturtevant and T. L. Carrothers are conducting the prosecution, with Detective Thacker of Wells, Fargo & Co. close by, and Senator J. H. Seawell appears for Oldham. Hilton, who made a full confession, intends to plead guilty, and so has no counsel.
The stage to the coast from Ukiah was stopped by a highwayman on June 15, and $1019 04 taken from Wells-Fargo's box. The robbery took place about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, about six miles southwest of Ukiah, at the foot of the mountain, on the road leading to Anderson Valley. Tho robbery took place within a few hundred yards of where four men were at work in a field. Because of this the theory of the townspeople was that the hold-up must have been committed by some one living in or near the town. This theory was strengthened, because it was evident that whoever robbed the stage must have had certain information in order to carry out the plan.
Supervisor John Flanagan, whose home is at Mendocino, comes at times to the' county seat to cash warrants due himself as a county officer and Road Commissioner, and when he makes these trips he is usually commissioned by many of his neighbors to cash warrants for them also. On the day of the robbery Flanagan drew a large sum of money from the County Treasurer and expressed it to himself at Mendocino. Evidently the highwaymen knew this money was on the stage. When the hold-up was reported search began for the robber. Sheriff Johnson took the trail with his bloodhound, but succeeded only in; finding the robber's mask, the boxes broken open and a pair of overalls. That night a man with a shotgun stayed at Charles Stanford's in the mountains about four miles from the scene of the robbery. Early in the morning the stranger departed, saying he had some friends near Hot Springs from whom he had strayed, and inquired the way. A small boy at Stanford's directed him and this circumstance became a very important factor in the case. City Marshal Burke was searching with the Sheriff, and was sent up to the. house of Oldham, about four miles from Ukiah, on the road to Low Gap to inquire of Oldham the whereabouts of a man in his employ on the day of the robbery. Oldham accounted for the whereabouts of his hired man, and protested against connecting so good a man as Hilton with the crime. Burke reported", but the Sheriff was not satisfied with Oldham's story, and went to the latter's house himself, only to find that Hilton had gone to Whittier Springs in Lake County. Sheriff Johnson and Marshal Burke started for Whittier at once, taking Standford's boy along. Hilton was found at Whittier, and was recognized by the boy and immediately arrested. After Hilton was jailed, the Sheriff interviewed Oldham, who stated that Hilton was with him at his camp at the time of the robbery. He said Hilton was making pickets for him at his redwood camp, and that he knew he was there, because he went over to the camp to see him. Hilton had made about 250 pickets. An investigation showed that no new pickets had been made. Enough had now been obtained to warrant a closer inquiry, and Oldham was brought to the Sheriff's office and confronted by Detective Thacker, Sheriff 1 Johnson and ex-Sheriff Stanley. Here, upon being closely pressed, he receded from his first statement and asserted that he did not see Hilton on the day of the robbery. Hilton was brought in, and Oldham remarked when he entered, "Well, Hilton, seeing the evidence these men have against you, I guess I did not see you Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock." This was more than Hilton could stand, and he then proceeded to unbosom himself. He made a full confession, implicating David Oldham and stating that Oldham had planned the robbery and was to have half the plunder, and that he had divided the booty according to the agreement with Oldham. He told the Sheriff where he could find his half of the money, and Sheriff Johnson by his direction went to the cabin he occupied at Whittier Springs and secured $458 from the mattress of the bed in which he slept. Oldham still stoutly denies that ha has the other half or any part of the money. The prosecution to-day introduced as little evidence as possible to warrant the holding of Hilton, and Justice Critchfield held him in $5000 bonds to answer to the Superior Court pending the examination of Oldham. The court adjourned till tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.
Morning Union, Volume 53, 26 June 1895
Deacon Oldham Held to Answer.
UKIAH (Cal.), June 25.—The examination of deacon David Oldham, the accomplice of C. W. Hilton in the recent stage robbery in. this county, was concluded this afternoon. It resulted in the defendant being bound over to the Superior Court in the sum of $3000.
Morning Union, Volume 53, 14 July 1895
Made Contradictory Statements.
UKIAH, Cal., July 13.—The trial of David Oldham, the Baptist deacon, accused of robbing the Mendocino stage, was continued today. Oldham was placed on the stand in his own behalf but under cross-examination became confused and made contradictory statements.
Morning Union, Volume 53, 16 July 1895
The Deacon Guilty.
UKIAH, Cal , July 15 —David Oldham, who was arrested for complicity in the robbery of the Mendocino stage on June 15th, was today found guilty of the crime. Oldham was deacon in the Baptist church in this city and planned with a man named Hilton to hold up the stage. The crime was committed by Hilton alone, Oldham remaining at home in order to prove an alibi for his accomplice. When he discovered that the officers had made out a strong case against him. Hilton refused to stand np to the agreement and confessed. Oldham will receive sentence Thursday. It is said an appeal will be taken.
San Francisco Call, Volume 79, Number 147, 25 April 1896
THE DEACON HIGHWAYMAN.
David Oldham On His Way to Ukiah for a New Trial. David Oldham, better known as "Deacon," who was sentenced to twelve years in Folsom for stage-robbery in Mendocino County, was brought to the Central Police Station by Deputy Sheriff Hatch last night. The Supreme Court has granted the "Deacon" a new trial, and he will be taken to Ukiah this morning. The trial will be held In Judge McGarvey's court. Oldham was arrested last July with a man named Snyder for holding up a Lakeport stage. Snyder was sentenced to eight years and Oldham to twelve. Oldham's friends have been assiduous in their efforts to secure a new; trial, and were eventually successful. Oldham was a deacon in the Baptist Church of Ukiah and held a high social position in the town. When he arrived at the Central Station he had his Bible and byranal under his arm. Pious to the last, he praised God that the publicans were still alive and had a chance for heaven.
San Francisco Call, Volume 79, Number 150, 28 April 1896
UKIAH PERJURY CASE.
Serious Accusation Against a Man Tried for Burglary.
UKIAH, Cal., April -- David Oldham, who was convicted of robbery in complicity with G. W. Hilton and sent to serve twelve years at Folsom last July, and was since granted a new trial by the Supreme Court, was yesterday returned to the County Jail to await the new trial. Judge McGarvey to-day made an order admitting him to bail in the sum of $5000 on the robbery charge. Bail was furnished by his friends. Oldham had no sooner been released than a warrant charging him with perjury, committed in connection with his former trial, was served on him. The preliminary examination on this charge was held this afternoon before Justice L. S. Sullivan, who. after hearing the testimony, admitted Oldham to bail In the sum of $5000. This bond was also promptly furnished.
San Francisco Call, Volume 80, Number 80, 19 August 1896
URIAH JURY DISAGREES.
Oldham Twice Escapes Conviction for Perjury, and Is Now on Trial for Stage Robbery.
UKIAH, Cal., Aug. 18.— The trial of David Oldham on a charge of perjury. Alleged to have been committed while Oldham was testifying in his own behalf during the trial wherein he was charged with stage robbery about a year ago, has been occupying the attention of the Superior Court for the past ten days. The case was submitted to the jury yesterday afternoon, and this evening, after twenty-nine hours' deliberation, it was discharged by the court, standing six for conviction and six for acquittal. This was Oldham's second trial for perjury, the former jury disagreeing. Oldham's trial on the charge of robbery began this morning. The regular venire was exhausted without securing any jurymen, and a soecial venire of forty was issued, returnable next Thursday at 10 o'clock. Oldham was once convicted of robbery, but on appeal a new trial was ordered by the Supreme Court He has served one year at Folsom of a term of twelve to which he was sentenced. George Wilcox Hilton, who turned State's evidence and implicated Oldham, was sentenced to Folsom for eight years. He is in jail here now to testify in the coming case.
San Jose Mercury-news, Volume L, Number 55, 24 August 1896
STAGE ROBBER CONVICTED. David Oldham Found Guilty on His Second Trial.
Ukiah, August 23.—David Oldham, who was convicted of complicity in the robbery of the Ukiah-Booneville stage on June 15, 1895, and sentenced to 12 years at Folsom prison, and for whom a new trial was ordered by the Supreme Court on appeal, was again found guilty on the second trial by a jury, which returned a verdict early this morning after five hours’ deliberation. The time for sentence will be fixed to-mor-row morning.
Sonoma Democrat, Volume LX, Number 2, 29 August 1896
Deacon Oldham Utility.
UKIAH, Aug. 24. —Deacon David Oldham’s second trial came to a termination here yesterday. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that the defendant had been an accomplice in the robbery of the stage running between this city and Mendocino City on the 15th of June of last year. Oldham was convicted of the robbery last year, one month after the commission of the crime He was sentenced to twelve years in Folsom. The Supreme Court granted him a new trial on technical errors, which resulted as above stated Oldham was one of the most prominent members of the local Baptist Church, and the deacons and members stood by him to the last.
Register and Descriptive List of Convicts under Sentence of Imprisonment in the State Prison at Folsom
David Oldham, 3526, Nativity Missouri, Crime: Robbery, Received: July 20 1895, Sentence: 12 yrs, County sent from: Mendocino, Age 32, Occupation: Teamster, 6 ft 3/4 in tall, Ruddy complexion, blue-gray eyes, brown hair
A Ukiah Deacon on Trial for Holding Up a Stage. CONFESSION OF HILTON. Claims His Employer Planned the Robbery and Shared the Spoils.
UKIAH, Cal., June 24.— Superior Court room was crowded to-day at the preliminary examination of George W. Hilton and David Oldham, charged with the robbery of the coast stage on June 15. Great interest is manifested because one of the accused, Oldham, is a deacon of the Baptist church and related to leading citizens of Ukiah. District Attorney Sturtevant and T. L. Carrothers are conducting the prosecution, with Detective Thacker of Wells, Fargo & Co. close by, and Senator J. H. Seawell appears for Oldham. Hilton, who made a full confession, intends to plead guilty, and so has no counsel.
The stage to the coast from Ukiah was stopped by a highwayman on June 15, and $1019 04 taken from Wells-Fargo's box. The robbery took place about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, about six miles southwest of Ukiah, at the foot of the mountain, on the road leading to Anderson Valley. Tho robbery took place within a few hundred yards of where four men were at work in a field. Because of this the theory of the townspeople was that the hold-up must have been committed by some one living in or near the town. This theory was strengthened, because it was evident that whoever robbed the stage must have had certain information in order to carry out the plan.
Supervisor John Flanagan, whose home is at Mendocino, comes at times to the' county seat to cash warrants due himself as a county officer and Road Commissioner, and when he makes these trips he is usually commissioned by many of his neighbors to cash warrants for them also. On the day of the robbery Flanagan drew a large sum of money from the County Treasurer and expressed it to himself at Mendocino. Evidently the highwaymen knew this money was on the stage. When the hold-up was reported search began for the robber. Sheriff Johnson took the trail with his bloodhound, but succeeded only in; finding the robber's mask, the boxes broken open and a pair of overalls. That night a man with a shotgun stayed at Charles Stanford's in the mountains about four miles from the scene of the robbery. Early in the morning the stranger departed, saying he had some friends near Hot Springs from whom he had strayed, and inquired the way. A small boy at Stanford's directed him and this circumstance became a very important factor in the case. City Marshal Burke was searching with the Sheriff, and was sent up to the. house of Oldham, about four miles from Ukiah, on the road to Low Gap to inquire of Oldham the whereabouts of a man in his employ on the day of the robbery. Oldham accounted for the whereabouts of his hired man, and protested against connecting so good a man as Hilton with the crime. Burke reported", but the Sheriff was not satisfied with Oldham's story, and went to the latter's house himself, only to find that Hilton had gone to Whittier Springs in Lake County. Sheriff Johnson and Marshal Burke started for Whittier at once, taking Standford's boy along. Hilton was found at Whittier, and was recognized by the boy and immediately arrested. After Hilton was jailed, the Sheriff interviewed Oldham, who stated that Hilton was with him at his camp at the time of the robbery. He said Hilton was making pickets for him at his redwood camp, and that he knew he was there, because he went over to the camp to see him. Hilton had made about 250 pickets. An investigation showed that no new pickets had been made. Enough had now been obtained to warrant a closer inquiry, and Oldham was brought to the Sheriff's office and confronted by Detective Thacker, Sheriff 1 Johnson and ex-Sheriff Stanley. Here, upon being closely pressed, he receded from his first statement and asserted that he did not see Hilton on the day of the robbery. Hilton was brought in, and Oldham remarked when he entered, "Well, Hilton, seeing the evidence these men have against you, I guess I did not see you Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock." This was more than Hilton could stand, and he then proceeded to unbosom himself. He made a full confession, implicating David Oldham and stating that Oldham had planned the robbery and was to have half the plunder, and that he had divided the booty according to the agreement with Oldham. He told the Sheriff where he could find his half of the money, and Sheriff Johnson by his direction went to the cabin he occupied at Whittier Springs and secured $458 from the mattress of the bed in which he slept. Oldham still stoutly denies that ha has the other half or any part of the money. The prosecution to-day introduced as little evidence as possible to warrant the holding of Hilton, and Justice Critchfield held him in $5000 bonds to answer to the Superior Court pending the examination of Oldham. The court adjourned till tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.
Morning Union, Volume 53, 26 June 1895
Deacon Oldham Held to Answer.
UKIAH (Cal.), June 25.—The examination of deacon David Oldham, the accomplice of C. W. Hilton in the recent stage robbery in. this county, was concluded this afternoon. It resulted in the defendant being bound over to the Superior Court in the sum of $3000.
Morning Union, Volume 53, 14 July 1895
Made Contradictory Statements.
UKIAH, Cal., July 13.—The trial of David Oldham, the Baptist deacon, accused of robbing the Mendocino stage, was continued today. Oldham was placed on the stand in his own behalf but under cross-examination became confused and made contradictory statements.
Morning Union, Volume 53, 16 July 1895
The Deacon Guilty.
UKIAH, Cal , July 15 —David Oldham, who was arrested for complicity in the robbery of the Mendocino stage on June 15th, was today found guilty of the crime. Oldham was deacon in the Baptist church in this city and planned with a man named Hilton to hold up the stage. The crime was committed by Hilton alone, Oldham remaining at home in order to prove an alibi for his accomplice. When he discovered that the officers had made out a strong case against him. Hilton refused to stand np to the agreement and confessed. Oldham will receive sentence Thursday. It is said an appeal will be taken.
San Francisco Call, Volume 79, Number 147, 25 April 1896
THE DEACON HIGHWAYMAN.
David Oldham On His Way to Ukiah for a New Trial. David Oldham, better known as "Deacon," who was sentenced to twelve years in Folsom for stage-robbery in Mendocino County, was brought to the Central Police Station by Deputy Sheriff Hatch last night. The Supreme Court has granted the "Deacon" a new trial, and he will be taken to Ukiah this morning. The trial will be held In Judge McGarvey's court. Oldham was arrested last July with a man named Snyder for holding up a Lakeport stage. Snyder was sentenced to eight years and Oldham to twelve. Oldham's friends have been assiduous in their efforts to secure a new; trial, and were eventually successful. Oldham was a deacon in the Baptist Church of Ukiah and held a high social position in the town. When he arrived at the Central Station he had his Bible and byranal under his arm. Pious to the last, he praised God that the publicans were still alive and had a chance for heaven.
San Francisco Call, Volume 79, Number 150, 28 April 1896
UKIAH PERJURY CASE.
Serious Accusation Against a Man Tried for Burglary.
UKIAH, Cal., April -- David Oldham, who was convicted of robbery in complicity with G. W. Hilton and sent to serve twelve years at Folsom last July, and was since granted a new trial by the Supreme Court, was yesterday returned to the County Jail to await the new trial. Judge McGarvey to-day made an order admitting him to bail in the sum of $5000 on the robbery charge. Bail was furnished by his friends. Oldham had no sooner been released than a warrant charging him with perjury, committed in connection with his former trial, was served on him. The preliminary examination on this charge was held this afternoon before Justice L. S. Sullivan, who. after hearing the testimony, admitted Oldham to bail In the sum of $5000. This bond was also promptly furnished.
San Francisco Call, Volume 80, Number 80, 19 August 1896
URIAH JURY DISAGREES.
Oldham Twice Escapes Conviction for Perjury, and Is Now on Trial for Stage Robbery.
UKIAH, Cal., Aug. 18.— The trial of David Oldham on a charge of perjury. Alleged to have been committed while Oldham was testifying in his own behalf during the trial wherein he was charged with stage robbery about a year ago, has been occupying the attention of the Superior Court for the past ten days. The case was submitted to the jury yesterday afternoon, and this evening, after twenty-nine hours' deliberation, it was discharged by the court, standing six for conviction and six for acquittal. This was Oldham's second trial for perjury, the former jury disagreeing. Oldham's trial on the charge of robbery began this morning. The regular venire was exhausted without securing any jurymen, and a soecial venire of forty was issued, returnable next Thursday at 10 o'clock. Oldham was once convicted of robbery, but on appeal a new trial was ordered by the Supreme Court He has served one year at Folsom of a term of twelve to which he was sentenced. George Wilcox Hilton, who turned State's evidence and implicated Oldham, was sentenced to Folsom for eight years. He is in jail here now to testify in the coming case.
San Jose Mercury-news, Volume L, Number 55, 24 August 1896
STAGE ROBBER CONVICTED. David Oldham Found Guilty on His Second Trial.
Ukiah, August 23.—David Oldham, who was convicted of complicity in the robbery of the Ukiah-Booneville stage on June 15, 1895, and sentenced to 12 years at Folsom prison, and for whom a new trial was ordered by the Supreme Court on appeal, was again found guilty on the second trial by a jury, which returned a verdict early this morning after five hours’ deliberation. The time for sentence will be fixed to-mor-row morning.
Sonoma Democrat, Volume LX, Number 2, 29 August 1896
Deacon Oldham Utility.
UKIAH, Aug. 24. —Deacon David Oldham’s second trial came to a termination here yesterday. The verdict of the jury was to the effect that the defendant had been an accomplice in the robbery of the stage running between this city and Mendocino City on the 15th of June of last year. Oldham was convicted of the robbery last year, one month after the commission of the crime He was sentenced to twelve years in Folsom. The Supreme Court granted him a new trial on technical errors, which resulted as above stated Oldham was one of the most prominent members of the local Baptist Church, and the deacons and members stood by him to the last.
Register and Descriptive List of Convicts under Sentence of Imprisonment in the State Prison at Folsom
David Oldham, 3526, Nativity Missouri, Crime: Robbery, Received: July 20 1895, Sentence: 12 yrs, County sent from: Mendocino, Age 32, Occupation: Teamster, 6 ft 3/4 in tall, Ruddy complexion, blue-gray eyes, brown hair
Events
| Birth | Abt 1862 | Missouri, United States | |||
| Marriage | 1 Jan 1895 | Mendocino, California, United States - Sarah L "Sadie" Milne |  |  | |
| Divorce | Bef 1900 | Sarah L "Sadie" Milne | |||
| Census | 1900 | Folsom State Prison, Sacramento, California, United States | | ||
| Death | 7 May 1920 | Stockton, San Joaquin, California, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah L "Sadie" Milne (1866 - 1945) |
Notes
Marriage
Mrs. Sadie EnglishCensus
David Oldham, 37, divorced, white male prisoner, Dec 1862, Missouri, Kentucky, TennesseeDeath
Stockton Independent, Volume 118, Number 98, 8 May 1920D. A. OLDHAM IS CALLED BY DEATH
While Convalescing From Influenza Attack, He Is Stricken Down
David Anthony Oldham, aged 57 yearn, died suddenly yesterday morning following a hearty breakfast at his home where he had been confined for the past two weeks by an attack of influenza. He was convalescent, however, and yesterday morning felt particularly well. After breakfasting he was seized with pains in the chest and was near death by the time his physician arrived. For twenty years Mr. Oldham had been a resident of Stockton and for many years he had been engaged in the real estate business.
Mr. Oldham was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and the Woodmen of tho World. He was a constant attendant at the Methodist church. The deceased was a native of Missouri, aged 57 years. He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Ellen S, Oldham, and a daughter by a former marriage. Mrs. C. C. Vaughn of Missouri.
Endnotes
1. "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 27 October 2013), David Anthony Oldham and Sadie English, 1895.