March 9, 2002 — Nicanor H. "Nick" Rivera (b. Feb. 8, 1865) ran a combination saloon-barber shop on Railroad Avenue in Newhall around the turn of the 20th Century. He married the widow of another Newhall innkeeper, Martin Ruiz; thus his interment in the family cemetery. He was murdered Oct. 17, 1926.

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Pioneer of Valley is Killed by Auto.

Driver of Car and Friend Held by Police.

Van Nuys News | Tuesday, October 19, 1926.

Nick Rivera, age 60, of 743 Cornell street, San Fernando, died in the San Fernando hospital Sunday evening from injuries received in an auto accident, while riding his horse on San Fernando Road near Ora Grande street an hour before.

Macario Pesina, employed in the Southern Pacific section camp, was driving a Ford which struck Rivera. Pesina is being held on suspicion of manslaughter. J. Carmarillo, who was riding with Pesina, is held as a material witness.

Pesina stated to Officer Berger that he did not see Rivera in time to avoid the accident. He said the man and horse suddenly came out into the road in passing a large pepper tree and that he was too close to avoid hitting him.

The horse was apparently injured, as he was not found at the scene of the accident.

Rivera was a pioneer resident of the valley, having lived here for 55 years. The body was identified and claimed by Anita Rivera, sister-in-law of the deceased. George Boone, a son-in-law, is a county motorcycle officer.

The body was removed to Nobles Undertaking parlors at San Fernando.

The coroner's inquest was held this morning, and the jury's verdict was the accident was unavoidable under the circumstances. The funeral will be held Thursday. Interment will be in Ruiz cemetery, San Francisquito Canyon.

News story courtesy of Lauren Parker.