Tragedies of Legendary Railroad Detective's family

Lenard Harris was a fearless lawman who kept the peace in California's 19th Century not only on the streets of Sacramento but on the rails of the Southern Pacific Railroad in California and Arizona.
When the train was robbed in Ceres, California on September 8, 1891 by notorious robbers John Sontag and Christopher Evans, Harris was the train detective onboard who took a shot to his neck. He survived and went on to only be killed by robbers in Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz area.
His family sustained a series of tragedies. Their three infant children died, a son (W.H. Harris) was crushed to death coupling rail cars, another son (Len Harris Jr.) was shot after he kicked a dog and another son was fatally shot by his wife's alleged lover in self defense.
Amanda Harris, the 45-year-old wife of Lenard Harris, died at a young age from a cerebral hemorrhage.
The tragedies continued for other members of the Harris family. Leonard Harris IV who was the mayor of Reno in the 1950s, lost his wife and son in a botched residential robbery. All three are buried in the Harris family plot in Sacramento.
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[@HollywoodGraham]

So much history buried in cemeteries, thank you for bringing it to light.

[@jbenziggy]

I appreciate that as always, sir. Not even the cemetery manager knew about Lenard Harris and his family of tragic endings.

[@coffeedad31]

Thank you for all the hard work you do creating these videos this history of California would otherwise literally not be known

[@jbenziggy]

I appreciate that! This fabulous story would have been completely ignored if it were not for me retelling it! Not even the cemetery manager heard anything about him!

[@coffeedad31]

@@jbenziggy I believe you! You did a video a few years ago about the jacuzzi family and how there is one buried in Modesto . You would be amazed at how many people have literally never heard of that before!!! If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have passed the information on it. It's very possible that one day, that history will be lost, that is incredibly sad. Have you ever considered doing a video on the Gallo family? I heard Bob Gallo passed away recently

[@jbenziggy]

@@coffeedad31 yes I have. I have already some very interesting information on them!

[@coffeedad31]

@@jbenziggy I can't wait!! There is a lot of history there 🙂✔️

[@operadog2000]

I love your channel! No BS, just straight to the point. Always great content . Your videos should be mandatory in all schools.

[@dano8203]

Moving to Sacramento was not a generational blessing for Len Harris and his family. Thanks for another great video Jeff!

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you! And thanks for your input in that other guy who dislikes cemetery visits.

[@wsflco]

Thanks for remembering them. Astounds me how many gave their lives for the railroads in this country. Their sacrifice helped build America.

[@BillGreenAZ]

That's a great way to look at it.

[@AB-ye7bw]

A dark cloud of sadness for this family. I always look forward to seeing your episodes every Sunday.

[@WayneKline]

A story that needed telling and only you, Jeff, can tell the story as well detailed and respectfully as you do.

[@jbenziggy]

As always, Wayne, thanks for your support and encouragement! God’s blessings to you!

[@debralang9467]

Good gracious. It hardly gets more sad for a family than that.

[@amargosaranch7794]

Jeff, this was one of your best Videos! From the start, I liked the introduction. Once again you exposed another tragedy caused by Evans and Sontag. You may recall that I have a 44 Colt that allegedly was used by those train robbers. I found one newspaper report which explained what happened to Len Harris in 1890 at Ceres. Evans and Sontag shot Len Harris during a gunfight, which left Harris partially crippled. It was said that Harris suffered for over a year, and only a partial recovery resulted. The bullet entered his neck from the right shoulder, and was never removed. It left him in intense pain, and he could not raise his right arm quickly to shoot back in 1894.

[@rhondaz356]

That is an overwhelming, brutal amount of deaths in the Harris family. Talk about TRAGEDIES. Thank you for this video, Jeff. I don't know why, but sometimes I have a curiosity about these kinds of morbid events. Thanks so much, Jeff. 🙏🏻😔🥺

[@jbenziggy]

I appreciate you leaving us that comment, Rhonda. This family had more tragedies I think than the Kennedy family. But nobody knows about this family and hopefully my video will bring them to the forefront of those who visit the cemetery. It is a fascinating cemetery in Sacramento.

[@rhondaz356]

@@jbenziggy so true... 😔🙏🏻

[@redmccoy8633]

Good God - you weren't kidding. Days of Our Lives. Some families were dealt heartaches galore. Could be a sad movie 😢. Thanx Jeff

[@CameronMcCreary]

No Jeff, I didn't know anything of the Harris family. Thank you for presenting this.

[@jbenziggy]

Not even the cemetery manager knew about this gentleman and his family. So apparently my videos do bring out untold stories and I appreciate you for helping us to remember this family.

[@kathycorley9236]

Thank you for 'digging up' all these interesting stories about people and our recent history. Fascinating!

[@liberalliar9216]

Jeff, I love everything you put out but also the music you play!!

[@jbenziggy]

I truly appreciate that. Some have dissed me for my choice of music.

[@robertcassey4014]

Wonderful edition! Just love the way you bring true and fascinating history. No spin or faux dramatics. You let the history speak for itself with your presentation. Thank you!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alichtenwalter]

Thank you my husband worked for the southern Pacific in California, and Oregon

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Another story of California's great history . Thank you for these videos . I really enjoy watching and learning from them .

[@allanbeamer7110]

I worked for Amtrak the summer of '88 as a car attendant out of the LA Station before moving to Utah. I met a railroad detective on one of the trains I was on and he told me a few of HIS stories. I had no idea at the time just how vital, even in modern times, policing the rails really is. Back in Len Harris' day, even more so. I'm reminded of a Mormon scripture that states, "Men are that they MIGHT have joy". I hope and pray Len & his I'll fated family had some measure of joy here in their time upon the Earth. God bless him and them for their sacrifice. And God bless you too, Jeff,for shedding light upon this unsung hero. 😊

[@jbenziggy]

He certainly had some great sadness in his life. I thank God that there are men and women willing to lay down their lives for others’ safety.

[@robertbiastre6037]

Once again the local railroads provided for the interest...great story!!!

[@rundown48]

Wow !! That poor Harris family sure did have a powerful streak of bad luck .. so much heartbreak and pain... thank you for bringing their story to light.. best wishes Jeff.................. cheers

[@jbenziggy]

If Hollywood would look for great movie ideas, they could start with this single family!

[@johnhalley974]

Great piece Jeff…Thanks for expanding my history of the old West.

[@frankdomingo191]

Jeff I enjoy watching all the cemetery videos because you always discover so much more than what you set out to show. This one was definitely more tragedy than any one family deserves.

[@richardsmith4187]

You are right the Harris family had their share of tragedy ! Your research was great as you filled in all the details of this lost History ! Thanks again Jeff & Sarah for your dedication.

[@privatepilot4064]

Thanks Jeff! Awesome video! Truly appreciate all the time and effort that you put into this channel.

[@muan108]

Thank you Jeff, for always bringing us interesting and educative episodes.

[@johnsaucerhunter]

Hi Jeff. Rather sobering history for the Harris family. Always appreciate and enjoy your episodes sir.

[@jerryspinks9594]

Thanks for posting this account of the death of Len Harris. I retired as a railroad detective with Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern Railroad. Sometimes it could get a little scary since most RR detectives (except in large cities) worked alone as the only officer on duty in the area and without means of calling for back up. A detective had to use his head and be innovation. I once caught five large adult men stealing copper communications wire in a remote part of western NC. I collected their driver's licenses ands told them we needed to discuss this at the county sheriff's office, and told them to follow me in their truck. When I got to the sheriff's office they were nowhere to be seen. I went in and was talking to the chief deputy when they came in. I asked them where they went, and one of the men told me that he figured they would be arrested so he went by his wife's job to get her to try to get money for their bail. They were right, and the wife showed up later with the bail money! Fortunately, by the time I got my badge the days of train robberies were past.

[@jbenziggy]

That’s a great story. Yeah back in the day train were robbed all the time as well as stage coaches. I guess they used to beat the hell out of the hobos on the trains in the Great Depression. Do you have any information on that?

[@jerryspinks9594]

@@jbenziggy Yes, my mother had a brother who was a deputy sheriff in Dekalb County GA during the depression. He was hired by the Coast Line RR as a special agent. He would catch up on the caboose as a train left Atlanta, get a cup of coffee, and by the time he had finished it, the train would have slowed going up a hill and the hobos would have gotten on, so he would walk the top of the train carrying his .38 pistol, a sawed-off double barrel shotgun and two bandoliers of shells (one having 00 Buckshot and the other having rock salt), and a brakeman's stick. He said it was common to come to a gondola car with 30 or 40 hobos in it. He would yell jump out! Jump out! Usually about half would jump off. Then after giving warning, he would fire two blasts of rock salt into those left and most would jump out. Usually there was one or two who would stay, and he would have to jump in with them and fight them out with the brakeman's stick. Before he fought them, he would reload the shotgun with buckshot in case one of them was armed. He would work his way to the locomotive, take a break, then start back to the caboose. He said he made about four to six passes from Atlanta to Savannah, GA. Catch a nap at the station, then catch the next train back to Atlanta. There was no hours-of-service law (dog law) back then so the company could work you as long as they wanted. He worked his way up to chief special agent in Savannah, but had to take a demotion when Coast Line merged with Seaboard Air Line. He retired about 1966 or 67 (?) as captain in Savannah. Thanks for all the work you do on this site. I really enjoy your posts!

[@danahsutton101]

I grew up near here. I never thought to visit this cemetary so thank you.

[@janetsherwood7210]

Enjoy all the details of the person's history you share. You make each video so interesting. Thank you Jeff. The "Old West" was a truly wild & tragic place. 💔

[@johnpeddicord4932]

Thanks again for sharing, Jeff and Sarah, haven't heard about this family, such a tragedy

[@elizabethr9099]

What a treat - 2 videos in 1 week!!! Thank you for all that you do! My family loves your channel!

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Thank you! Tell your family that Jeff said thank you to them as well! Bless all of you!

[@williamphillips7068]

Thank you this family was plagued by tragedy, I had no clue about them till your video.

[@bryan565656]

Thanks for the totally random story once again. One of the many reasons I love your channel.

[@jbenziggy]

My pleasure! Thank you, kind sir!

[@knit1purl1]

Learn a lot from this channel. Thank you.

[@terry7937]

Wow, one family so much tragedy. Never heard Of Len Harris or the stories behind the family name. Thank you.

[@philmcmurray]

Thank you Jeff, great stories!

[@BarbaraSalisbury-st7bu]

Very interesting video but such sadness for the Harris family. Thank you for bring us all the interesting history - sad, happy and sometimes funny but always entertaining.

[@user-ju2nx5ub4n]

Great segment Jeff and I remember the murder of Harris family in Reno Nevada in 1974 as a young man wow a lot of tragedy in that family. Thx Jeff

[@webchuck1]

Hello Jeff, Thanks for sharing this interesting and sad story of the Harris family rest 🙏 peace. Have a wonderful day!

[@bartgoins1782]

As usual, another great history lesson. Thanks, Jeff. I enjoyed it.

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks again! We really do appreciate your support!!!

[@bartgoins1782]

Absolutely, my friend.

[@jimbullard441]

Another interesting tale. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidl9372]

Jeff, thanks for sharing this sad history.

[@Xpyburnt_ndz]

Another GR8 HH vid Jeff! Was gr8 to see you and Sarah on your live feed today! A massive HH "fix" for my week! ~Chris

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@arnoldgonzales8599]

Can't imagine the pain and suffering this family went through. Thank you for the video, I learn so much history from watching every week!

[@stevestreet2825]

Fantastic episode Thank You, Reno and Sacramento so intertwined, Tahoe

[@_Dave_S]

Jeff, thank you for another fantastic video. I always enjoy learning about history, especially people and events I am not aware of. I appreciate the research you do for these videos. Thank you for posting!

[@terryeustice5399]

The Harris family sure had a lot of tough luck. Thank you Jeff for as many details you gave us. 💯👊👍💕

[@FDT212]

Great work on this video sir the work you do on your videos is unparalleled this guy went through alot

[@irishgip71]

WOW! 2 videos in two days! Thank you so much sir for the knowledge! Now get to the 3rd video for manana. 🤣 🤣

[@mdenten]

Wow. That’s really some story. So much tragedy. But a great video!

[@reginamay2767]

Thankyou for the coverage.

[@shaunchurch9563]

Jeff love you're videos, keep them coming.

[@pittsburgh-gal]

Thanks for sharing the stories🙂

[@Julie-lh7jp]

Love all the videos you put out. This was such a tragic story.

[@MrBucidart]

Thank you for the vid, good to see you and Sarah back in Nor-Cal.

[@joelhurley2678]

Great video Jeff thank you so much for sharing really enjoyed this story.

[@gerrymaitland9799]

A tragic story for sure. Thank you for sharing...

[@lindsaymacpherson8782]

Sad video but great history well done for all the time taken on the research Thankyou Jeff for sharing it

[@mov1ngforward]

Thank you! Sad but necessary. Our legacy is important and for you to remember them, recite their names is keeping their memory alive.

[@jbenziggy]

Agreed! Thank you!

[@gregorykacsandy5005]

Great vid Jeff ! Where's your sidekick today?: cheers !

[@CarlosHerrera-oh9ec]

Great work guys… thanks for all the local history…

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@steveflaim2656]

Amazing story. I wonder how many families have those kind of events in their past!

[@lfreitasaol]

Thank you for this great video and story. Amanda Lee was a distant cousin of my mother's family . The Lee family has it's own family gravesite at the city cemetery too with a history that is not so tragic. Thank you for what you do every week

[@jbenziggy]

Wow, what a small world! I wish I had photos of her and the children but nothing was available. Surely they all had their photos taken because Len Harris had money.

[@lfreitasaol]

@@jbenziggy Her brother was Willard Marion Malcolm Lee, who we are descended from. We dont have any pictures of Amanda or Harris side at all. The Lee family plot is here on the south side of the city cemetery Masonic Cemetery, Sacramento - Section K Lot 145 , both William Lee, her other brother, was one of the first fire chiefs in early Sacramento history and is buried there along with their mother Mary Buckman Lee

[@dawnlefevre9172]

My heart breaks for any parent to lose one child...they suffered horribly!! So sad!

[@161papa]

Great and interesting story, thanks for sharing.

[@donnawoepke8861]

Another very interesting story, thank you.

[@peanut_trucker]

Wow so much history in a cemetery. Didn't know anything about that one. Safe travels buddy thanks for sharing

[@charlesclayton8534]

Jeff, as always your videos and stories are at a higher level than most! It’s evident and it shows the time and effort you’ve put into each one! Once again thank you! Tom in Ceres

[@jbenziggy]

Hey friend, long time no hear from! How have you been? Thanks for the glowing review, as sheets!

[@charlesclayton8534]

@@jbenziggy Fantastic! I watch the your videos on my TV and not smart enough to figure out how to hit like or comment on the TV. My bad🤣however watch everyone of them!

[@TheSpaghetti64]

Excellent research as always. Very familiar with Evans and Sontag but most books give little information on the lawmen who tried to apprehend them.

[@ronlasting1203]

Thanks Jeff, peace my friend.

[@IliveforAG]

Another thoughful episode! Thank you for your research!

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NormaHird]

What an interesting video Thank you for all of your research and professional presentation. Please make more videos for your viewers

[@JanisLC]

Great info ! Love how you find so many people from the past that we would never hear about if not for all your research ! You do such a great job telling their stories ! Thanks so much for all you do ! 😊

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you, Janis. I’m fairly certain this family would have been forgotten had I not come across the information while researching the detective!

[@JanisLC]

@@jbenziggy absolutely! You do such a great job with these unknown people.. I really love your videos ! Look forward to every one of them! Thanks again 😊

[@dawnberthold3894]

Thank you, Jeff. Fascinating history of this family is also so sad.

[@alancamper7796]

Incredible story of the Harris family. The heartbreak of the children passing. Stay cool in this heatwave.

[@michaelhager2846]

Thanks for sharing California ❤😊

[@jbenziggy]

Any time! Thank you!

[@footballlvnlady]

How horrible that the Harris family went through so much tragedy! I had not heard of this family before this video. I feel bad that one family went through so much trauma!

[@gloriaseymour1395]

Awsome video enjoyed it I'm from antioch california thank you

[@jbenziggy]

Awesome! Thank you, Gloria!

[@alanatolstad4824]

Your stories are always welcome.

[@leahreposa4599]

great video!

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks again, Leah! I still haven’t forgotten about the nice house belonging to your friend!

[@user-zy4zz6ex7v]

Great video

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks!

[@buckybadger02]

Nice work again, Jeff

[@jbenziggy]

Thanks again!

[@LeeEblen]

Thanks!

[@karaDee2363]

So much tragedy for just one family. Very sad

[@coolmoodee]

I enjoyed this history lesson.... im fascinated with the wild west . Always have been.

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dsinavich5141]

Hi Jeff...lots of tragedy in one family....you do a great vlog bringing history to life so we all can enjoy it...thanks for your research and dedication to history. Take care..... Deborah 🇨🇦

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you very much! How is life in Canada, Deborah?

[@dsinavich5141]

Hi....rainy ....humid...one day sunny the next...but better than winter.... LoL......

[@bradfordbarrettluckotheIrish]

Fascinating and so tragic that Harris family series of events.

[@Serrano46571]

Wow what a tragedy. Cursed it right. I like videos of people I never heard of. Everybody has a story. Thanks Jeff.👍

[@JonStallings]

Really hard to imagine so much tragedy for one family 😢

[@juliogonzales5441]

THANKS JEFF AND SARAH 😊😊

[@JedCurrie]

Good video thanks 😉

[@jbenziggy]

Thank you too!

[@davidelack8809]

I love obscure history also! I imagine you are fantastic at the trivial pursuit game. Thank you for doing the research.Keep up the great videos. Ps looks like you have been hitting the gym a bit. Looking good brother!

[@theburtseoni]

That family sure had a target on their back! Thank you Jeff for this very interesting story!

[@zcam1969]

Jeff for some reason i i like you and your videos ,

[@jbenziggy]

You’d better like me. I put up with a lot of your ribbing! LOL

[@laurielaurie8280]

Very interesting. So much history out there to learn from.

[@jbenziggy]

Indeed! Thanks for watching!

[@gunsole64]

So I have to tell you this before watching your video. 1st time in north cali last week and I was able to drive my semi across Golden Gate. We were re routed and ended up getting our last load in Modesto. I thought that was cool to visit and see your surroundings.

[@johnhughes8563]

Thank you once again for an interesting Vidio .

[@jbenziggy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, John!

[@raccabird8889]

Awesome

[@swansfan6944]

Oh my goodness, that family suffered so much. Very interesting video Jeff, thank you. My husband just retired this year after 45 yrs dedicated to the railway. He never wants to see another train again. 🤣 ❤️Jodie. 🇦🇺

[@jbenziggy]

We can understand that! Did he work on trains in the shop or ride on the rails all that time?

[@swansfan6944]

@@jbenziggy he was a signal electrician. He did all the electrical work, boom gates etc etc. He won’t miss being crammed into small spaces and grouching down, his back isn’t good enough for that anymore.

[@TheGokmovies]

Love History🙂👍