Identification

In 1878, two of Yoakum's sons, William and Thomas, were involved in mining at Long Tom, about 25 miles from Bakersfield. They had a long-standing dispute with Hamilton Tucker and Henry Burdett about a mining claim, which came to a head in April 1878. William Johnston, Tucker, Tucker's wife, Harriett Stokes (Tucker), and Tucker's sister, Sarah Tucker (Burdett) were riding in wagons near Long Tom, when two men stepped out and fire shots. Tucker was killed instantly; Johnston called out "I am shot." and died in a few moments. Harriett Tucker recognized William and Thomas, and on that evidence they were arrested for murder. ⁶

Tensions were high, so the authorities moved the brothers to the jail in Bakersfield. Despite the distance, the sheriff learned that a band of 125 men were planning to lynch the brothers on July 4th. The sheriff gathered men to guard the jail and sent word to the band that he knew of their plans, and they disbanded. ⁷

More than a year after the shooting, William had been tried and convicted of murder, but the California Supreme Court had ruled he should have a change of venue. Unhappy with the pace of justice, a band of 75 men forced their way into the jail, and lynched the brothers. William was chained to the floor, but they hung him anyways and shot his body repeatedly. Thomas received similar treatment. ^8,9