Death of V. BONA of Naples, Sicily in CA in 1861
Am not related but may be of interest to someone who is. I have no further info but additional newspaper extracts may be found at URL:
http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/index.php
Vern D
////////////////////////////////////////////
Transcribed by Dee Sardoch
//////////////////////////////////////////
Stockton Daily Independent
Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA
**************************************
>>Wednesday, 2 Oct 1861<<
THE LATE MURDER in LA PORTE -- Referring to the murder of V. BONA lately, in that town, by a Mexican, who was immediately shot, the 'Messenger' thus speaks of the deceased:
V. BONA was born in Naples, Sicily, on the 28th day of July, 1827. He graduated in the Royal Musical College in his native city and was no doubt the most thorough musician that ever visited California. As a performer on the violin, his favorite instrument, we have never seen his superiour, save Ole Bull.
Signor BONA was a traveler, having journeyed over France, the principal cities of the United States, Mexico and South America, as a leading musician. He emigrated to this State in 1849, since which period he has been engaged in numerous enterprises, many of them of a stupendous nature. He will be remembered by many as a leader of Bona's Brass Band, in Sacramento, in 1851 and '52.
He visited his Italian home since his arrival in this country. In 1855 he came to La Porte, erected a large building, known as the El Dorado Saloon, used for a drinking saloon and a theatre, and occupied it until the recent fire in this town; and had nearly completed a new building on the old site at the time he was murdered.
BONA led the orchestra of the 1st legitimate theatrical company in California, under the management of MADISON & ATWATER, when Mrs. STARK, then Mrs. KIRBY, first appeared in this country. He has since been leader for Anna Bishop, Bianchi and other operatic celebrities. He built the Vienna Theatre in San Francisco, in ?51, which was destroyed by the fire the 3rd night after it had been opened.
He leaves a wife & 2 children in La Porte, 3 brothers in the vicinity of the place, and a mother, 4 brothers & 2 sisters in Sicily. He willed, at the suggestion of his brother, his entire property to his wife and little ones.
[transcriber note -- next section was written by Stockton editors]
There are a good many of the old-time friends and acquaintances of Signor BONA in this neighborhood, who will be sadly pained to hear of
his unfortunate end. He came to this State on the ship Panama, in the year 1849, in company with one of the employees of this office.