Pillows, John

Two miners, father and son, who recently moved to California from Picher Oklahoma, were shot to death and two other persons were wounded Saturday night by a miner who then took his own life. The shooting occurred at Riverbank, a community about 10 miles northeast of Modesto in full view of a dozen persons. Killed were Sam Bailey, 55, and his son, George Bailey, 23, who moved to Riverbank California about three weeks ago from Picher. Coroner J. J. Ransom reported they were slain by John Pillows, 43, who moved to Riverbank from Picher about three years ago. Wounded were Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Fogleman and John Moorehead. Stanislaud county chief criminal deputy sheriff, and Coroner Ransom, said they gathered the following story from witnesses: Sam Bailey arrived in his automobile from Amador county, where he was soon to go to work in a gold mine. Pillows met him and asked him why he didn't bring back his son, John Pillows, Jr. Bailey replied that he did not know he was supposed to return the younger Pillows. After further words, Pillows drew a .32 caliber gun, leaned into the automobile and fired three times point blank at Bailey. Two bullets struck him in the head, killing him instantly. Mrs. Clifford Grove and her three-year-old daughter were in the car with Bailey. When Pillows started shooting, Mrs. Grove, whose husband had just gotten out of the car, seized her daughter and crouched down on the floor of the car. She was not hit. Just then another car, containing George Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Fogleman, their three-year-old son, and Mrs. Sam Bailey drove up. Young Bailey was shot dead. Mrs. Fogleman toppled into the bottom critically wounded. Seeing Fogleman was not dead, witnesses quoted Pillows as jeering: "You want me to finish you off, kid?" Fogleman pleaded for his life. Pillows raised his gun, then lowered it and walked away. He called to a group of his friends telling them to telephone police. Then he turned his back to them and shot himself through the temple. While the shooting was going on, Mrs. Pillows came out of their home and called to her husband to stop. Pillows turned to her and shouted: "Get back in the house or I'll kill you too." Mrs. Bailey, who was with the Foglemans in their car, was not injured. She had no explanation of the shooting. Deputy Moorhead said he could find no background of friction between Pillows and any of his victims.