The murdered body of Billy Simpson was discovered early on the morning of February 28th. General and Mrs. Bidwell were already up and were notified immediately. Annie Bidwell quickly walked the few blocks to the Indian village.

Annie knew Billy Simpson well. He frequently drove her in the carriage around town or in the wagon up into the mountains in the summertime. He had worked for the Bidwells for twenty years and was considered a reliable and honest employee. She must have been horrified at his brutal murder.

To Annie, the residents of the Mechoopda rancheria were “her” Indians. She had channeled her maternal instincts into looking after them and saw their welfare as paramount. Besides this concern, she had a natural curiosity to get to the bottom of this dreadful occurrence.

Did they see her as a busybody? Perhaps. But she was generous with her time and her resources, and she could serve as a buffer against the white man’s world.

Billy had not been a regular church-goer at the Indian chapel. No doubt this disappointed Annie. But it did not diminish her good opinion of him or her determination to aid in solving the mystery.

Next: Who was Billy Simpson?