USA > California > Nevada County > History of Nevada County, California; with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and manufactories > Part 29
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To the highwaymen alone it is not given to practice decep- tion, for even the Chinese have been known to indulge in strat- egy, as is instaneed by the following circumstance. On Friday evening, November 15, 1866, a lone Chinaman was plodding along a short distance below Pleasant Valley, and when near Mr. Brown's house was robbed of eight dollars by a man who stepped out from a hiding place among the bushes. The man displayed a revolver and bowie knife and wore over the upper part of his face a mask of striped cloth, with holes eut for the eyes. The victim went on to Lyon's ranch where were a number of brother Celestials, and related his misadventure, whereupon they laid their pigtails together, and evolved a most strategic plan for squaring accounts with the robber. The plundered Mongolian armed himself with a shot gun and stole by a cir- cuitous route through the bushes to the rear of the lurking place of the enemy, while two other Chinamen advanced boldly up the road to be robbed. As the decoy victims approached they were promptly surrounded by the robber, who was busily engaged in prospecting for valuables, when the other stole cau- tiously up and gave him another kind of a charge to keep. The victorious Celestials then stripped the body of everything valuable and went on their way rejoicing over the happy and profitable termination of their adventure with the "Melican lobber man." The body was afterwards identified as that of G. M. Friederichs, who had been in Nevada City for some weeks : previous. An account of the affair given by the Chinese exe- eutioner is very amusing, and is as follows :-- " You sabbe me? Me downee load go. Lobber man he sabbe me. He say, 'John,
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RESIDENCE OF REUBEN LEECH, GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA CO CAL.
AVALISHED BY THOMPSON \ WEST.
119
HISTORY OF NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
you come out' He way Money John Me alle ins He takes eight dollar hap Me go on Kop hu my print My partier ketcher right ton Chinaman thename load ketcher Jobber man Letter man w male Chinaman mucher sable Two Chinamiale go los ll ll- ber man he ve two Chinaman. He rene est le bob two Chinamums Chinaman nochet talker Joller wan no sabbe. Hoop Chinaman cor up. Chiaman muchos
bout. Me say you no sunder, me so bada Labder man mancher shouter, Chinamans macher shooter laliber man he fall down. Mancher ty getter u. Mequitter gun to folder man houd. Me shooter Jobber man. He lay still. He Wally deal. Me getter my money, au me Ion down Oper You sale Oge' He not at home. Me suble Biller Hartle. Mo tellve Killer Hustler, and he go see Jobber man Lobler man har muchas.
Some time in the summer of 197 a notorious negro named George Washington attended to rab sonne Chinamen on Deer creek, but wus act upon by bis intended virtims und terribly benton They then til the hands and feet of the world-le roller mal slipped n bamboo pole through them, the ends of which were lifted apun the shoulders of two muscular t'elostials. In this way they enrried him like n dend pign distance of two miles to deliver him into the custody of the law The ground was rough und vorky, and the pole bearers tratted along, the mindent Washington being ummerrifully jolted and his burly Beratehed by the chuparral through which he wns carelessly drawn; and over and known as they stopped to rest the Mon- goliun beurers dropped their burden with u thud, und carefully refrained from removing any stones that might be reposing maler the small of his lack. A formidable procesion of Chinmmen, armed with guns, revolvers, kuives and chibs. rseorted the prisoner, their discordant jabberings heraldling the upproarh of the train long before it loomed up in the dark- ness. The Celestial in elige of the procession said. " He Jobber munn. Chinumay fixre him nHe samner one hog; taker him to offer man Ogve."
An indietuwent was procured npm the evidence of the Chinese captors, but the defendant moved that it be set aside, on the ground that Chinese testimony was illegal as against a citizen. Section fourteen of the statute concerning erine's and punish- ments declared that " No Chinese shall be permitted to give evidence in favor of or against any white person." The Civil Rights Bill, un Act of Congres, declared that "all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States and such citizens of every race and color . . . shall have the same right in every State and Territory of the United States . * * the full and
at last few and join for theirity of ยท ..
Sapr Court and that baby stained the decision of the laisser ert
The effect of the statute against Chinese testimony was hard ap the pas telesale They were made the victims of contle . phurlerings maran ling parties made inerunt raids upon their cabins with insanity, often reserch lenting or maltreating the occupants Frequently the Chinamen were hauled up to the lich of a tree by a regn aroma the neck. in order to make den confes the hiding place of their money George Washington continued his deprestations man the Chinese and made an occasional foray mun the highway Between the hours of war and two aclock in the morning of June 27, 15, Mr Landregan of Timburton perceived a light in un adjoining room of his house, and supposing his Chinese rok had entered called out, " Is that you, Tom " " Yes" was the reply. Not Wwing sitistied the gentleman opened the donar, and received a bullet in his leg for his inquisitivenes. Marm was induedintely given and a party of men started in pursuit of the burglar, who was presumed to have been a thinman. While on their way to the Chinese cump they encountered two Negros, and asked them if a Chinamon had passed that way. One of them replied, " Yes, he ran up that way," and instantly started off himself. His movements Were so suspicions that they ordered him to halt, but instead of doing so he commenced to run, when one of the party, Str. Hogarth, fired upon him and killed him. I'pon examination of the body it was found to be the notorious George Washing- ton, of Chinese testimony fame.
In the young days of Truckee the town was overrun with bad characters, that made their headquarters there and created a great deal of trouble and constant uneasiness. Burckhalter &. Brown kept a large store, and were also bankers, the banking otlice being in the center of the store. It was customary for the cashier, W. H. London, to count the coin every night pre- vious to locking up the safe. About the last of April, 1869, as the enshier was performing this duty, having $15,000 on the tray in front of him, three men, with sacks drawn over their heads for masks, rushed in through the front door. One of them presented a revolver at London's head, another did the same kindly office for Frank Pauson, who was standing by, while the third proceeded to capture the treasure. Two more entered at the same moment, through the rear door, one of whom cornered the salesman, W. T. Nicholson, behind the stove. Hank Brown sat by the stove reading a paper, his feet resting upon the counter. When he saw the three sack-enveloped
figures after the front door, he supposed they were some of the Is - having a little fun, and remarked. " Boys, you may your- selves halde to get bailly hurt," and resumed his reading. The tifth rullar grabbed Brown's left wrist and thrust n revolver in his face By ti of this means busines," exclaimed Brown, and quick as a which he jumped to his feet, swing his chair aloft and brought it down together with a hanging lamp upon the aston- isheel rubber's head. The latter tired as soon as Brown moved. Ist failed to do any damage except to the goods upon the shelves The one who was guarding Nicholson aby tired, but the intended target prostrated himself upon the flour and exempel uninjured Brown continued to describe parabolic cursos with tla rhair until both robbers were driven out of the back door with wore lands, and the chair was shattered into fragments The other three, warned by the fate of their companions, sudd denly vanished through the front door, leaving the treasure I.hind, one of them, in his haste and excitement, shooting him Ne'If through the foot, frion the etforts of which he afterwards died. His name was John Morton Blir. Chris. Blair, Bitly Forest and Lee were soon captured, and love was sent to San Quentin on Forest's testimony; but when the time rame to try Blair, Forest would not testify and both were discharged, but Were soun sent to the Nevada penitentiary for rolling u jaw "Try store in Carson. The fifth mon, Wood, was never captured For rerk lessness and thoughtless bravery, the exploit of Hank Brown is nosurpassed, even by Steve. Venued's during foot
Sunday night, October 15, 1871, three men, a Portugueses, a Mexienn und an American, broke into John Blasingam's shop at Cherokee and stole a Spanish suddle. From there they pro- ceed towards Lake City, and on the following morning, when near that place, met n gentleman mumned Philips. They hulled their revolvers in u careless monner and rounded bim to hold up his hands, which he did with a promptness that did him credit. They then relieved him of two twenty dollar gold pieces, and permitted him to resume his journey. A little fur- ther on they met a Chinaman and him they relieved of u dollar or two, and gave him un merciful kicking for being " so d d poor." At Cohnubia Hill, the saine night, they went to the cabin of a Portuguese known as Commodore, and knocked ut the door, Upon its being opened by the proprietor, Hwy seized him, dragged him out and tied him to a tree with ropes. They then said, " We did not come here to search; we want your money or your life." He handed them twelve dollars, but they said, " You have more money; come ont:" He assured them that all his money was out on loans, and was compelled to produce the papers and substantiate his statement before they were satisfied, and departed, leaving him tied to the tree. He was discovered after a few hours' captivity and released by friends; he had also to lament the loss of a shot-gun, which the marauders carried off with them.
120
HISTORY OF NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
As Lewis Horton was on his way to Smarteville, Jul 3 1878, and when mar the Pet Hill till bous, he was aceste i by a ma ked man and commandel to deliver up his valable While the robber was jerwe ing him If of Horton's watch and sere requested to leave by the highwayman who had a revolver in each hand As they were unarmed the request was in tantly complied with He fini hel the busines he bal with Mr. Horton and role away lacke and Campbell proceed, the our, a shot gun, and the other a revolver and permed the highwayman, overtaking him near Rough and Realy as he was in the art of robbing a teamster. He was dismounted and when the two pursuers rode rapidly mehr rushed away through the laugh at the side of the road, leaving his hore und accounter- ments behind; the horse was afterwards claimed by a man from whom it had been stolen. Mr Locke endeavored to fire at him with the gun, last " the darned thing wouldn't work," and the Hering robber osraped unharmed by the pistol balls sent after lim by Mr. Complull. An inspection of his effects proved the manu to le the notorious Pete. Dalton, or the Mountain Spirit, who lind but. recently been discharged from San Quentin. In 1860 he had been sent to the penitentiary for four years from Mariposa comty, and again, in 1866, he was sent from Sacra- mento county for twenty years. By the operation of the Goodwin Art his term had been curtailed seven years and eight months, and he Imd lait. just regained his liberty when he committed these arts. He was a desperate character and had asserted that he would never be taken alive; so, when he was recognized in San Joaquin county, in November, 1879, Sheriff Cunningham walked upe tu him with a companion and with presented revolvers comopelled him to throw up his hands. He was forwarded to Sheriff Montgomery, of this county, and installed in a cell in the county jail to await his trint.
The lust notable stage robbery occurred. September 1, 1879, and was one of the saddest and most terrible in its consequences that has occurred in the county. As the Eureka stage was on its way from Moore's Flat to Nevada City, and when near Lyon's rauch on Rock creek, about three miles from the latter place, a masked man stepped into the road in front of the horses and ordered Matt. Daily, the driver, to stop the stage. On the outside with the driver were William F. Cummings, a banker at. Moore's Flat, and Miss Skeahan. luside were Daniel MeCarty, W. T. Edwards, Thomas Barr, with his wife and three . children, and a Chinaman. The man who ordered the driver to halt, said, "I want you all to get out of there," a request which was repeated by a second masked man, who made his appearance at this juncture, bearing iu his hand a double-barrel shot-gun, cocked and ready for use. All but Miss Skeahan descended from the stage, and were compelled to stand in line under cover of the shot-gun, and to hold up their hands while
they were being warchel for fire-arms. The first robber, who lu' a wf-cooking revolver in his hand, then proceeded to search the stage, and threw out the express and baggage, among other things a valise belonging to Mr. Cummings The valise contained about $7 000, and as it made its appearance, the owner grabbed it and at the same time attempted to draw his revolver, remarking that it was all he had in the world and he would protect it.
The two struggled for possession of the valise for some time, until Mr Cummings fell with the robber on top of him, the revolver in the latter's hand being twice discharged, once by accident and once with intent to shoot Cummings. They struggled to their feet, Mr. C'umnings calling out, " Have I no friends here ?" When they had regained their feet, the robber succeeded in disengaging himself from his opponent, and as soon as this was done, the man with the gun, who had in vain essayed to assist his companion by shooting his antagonist, took deliberate aim and lodged a charge of buckshot in ('um- mings' neck, killing him instantly. While the robber was struggling with the banker on the ground, he obtained posses- sion of his revolver. After the cruel murder the highwaymen continued the robbery of the other passengers and the express. Mr. Elwards had 8500 upon his person, and during the excite- ment caused by the struggle, stepped back to the stage and dropped it in, thus saving it from the elutch of the murderers. After the robbers had obtained their plunder, they ordered the chiver and passengers to mount and proceed, refusing Mr. Mel'arty permission to remain with the body. As soon as the stage arrived in Nevada City, armed men were sent out to scour the country, telegrams were sent in all directions, and soon the hills were full of men searching for the murderers. For days an active search was maintained, but no reliable trace could be found. The body of Cummings was brought to Nevada City, where an inquest was held. The deecased was a most estimable mau, had lived in the county for twenty-five years, and was the center of a warm circle of friends.
In cases such as this it is always easy to say what one would have done under like circumstances, and also easy to see and regret opportunities that in the terror and excitement of the moment. were overlooked or shunned from fear of consequences; but it does seem as if a favorable opportunity was offered when the man with the gun was devoting his attention to obtaining a shot at Mr. C'unmings, for some one to have siezed him and rendered him powerless, thus saving a brave man's life. But speeulations of this kind are only theoretical, and to say what could have been done and what one would have done had he been there, ean avail nothing; it is for those present to see and aet as the eireumstanees permit, and all repinings or up- braidings can effeet nothing and serve only to create ill feeling. Several men have been arrested at different places for
the commission of this crime, but all have been discharged as innocent. One man gave himself up to the authorities at Marysville, declaring that he did not commit the erime, but thought he was suspected and feared he would be killed, and did this to secure protection. He was Reuben Blair, an ex-eon- viet. lle proved an alibi when examined, and was discharged.
The recital of this horrible deed is a fit ending of this chapter of highway robbery and crime, a chapter that forms but a guide-post to the hundreds of scenes of pillage and robbery that the county has witnessed in the first twenty-nine years of its existence.
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE CODE OF HONOR.
Dibble- Lundy Duel-Gardiner-Moson Duel - Van Hagan-Moyes Duel - A Hydraulic Duel-Souchet-Picard Duel-The Cherokee Tragedy.
THE DIBBLE-LUNDY DUEL.
Ix early days there was a noter character in the mines ealled Jim Lundy. His proper name was E. B. Lundy, and Canada is accredited with being his birth-place. He was a strong, heavy man, with a bullying disposition. His strength gave him an opportunity to terrorize smaller men, an opportunity he rarely neglected to improve. His unattractive looking face was adorned with but one eye, the other having been lost in a fight in Sacramento. He was dealer at a gambling table, and for some provocation had undertaken to whip the proprietor. It so happened that this man was a tall, athletie individual, and when Lundy endeavored to strike him with his revolver the pugnaeious gambler soon found himself lying in a heap in the eorner, with one eye gone.
In 1851 a company of Chinamen had discovered some rieh ground on Industry Bar, on the Main Yuba. They were driven off by a number of white men because they were foreigners, and their claims appropriated. The Chinamen hurried to Nevada City and offered one-half of their elaims to any one who would return with them and drive off the intruders and protect them in their rights. Jim Lundy, George M. Dibble, J. C. Morehead, C. E. G. Morse and a number of others aeeom- panied the Chinamen, drove off their oppressors and reinstated them in possession. Here a dispute arose at a convivial gath- ering between Lundy and Dibble, in which the former applied an opprobrious epithet to the latter. Dibble was young, intel- ligent and brave, of good family, formerly a Midshipman in the navy and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis. A challenge was sent by Dibble, although his friends endeavored to dissuade hin, for they and he knew that to fight was to die, for Luudy was a dead shot. The challenge was accepted and Colt's revolvers at fifteen paces were selected.
RESIDENCE OF W. MC CORMICK, M.D. GRASS VALLEY, NEVADA CO, CAL.
NILISNEY TY THUMPSON A WEST
121
HISTORY OF NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The dud was fought at sunrise on the morning of No inter 1, 1851 General J. ( Morehead actor as sunal for the young man aud C E. G. More jarforinel the same dati fr Landy. It is said that Lundy coolly indicated the post Dibble's breast where he intended to bit lim, at that he wal an good as his word. However that may be it is a fact that Lunds like a cowardly murderer, fired is fore the word was given und shot his adversary through the breast. bibble threw down the pistol saying. " You fired too wam," and refusing all a ist- uner, walked several yards and then fell prostrate to the ground, expiring in a few moments. Landy was arrested and indicted for the crime; two trials were had, both resulting in a disagree- ment of the jury. Witness were hard to obtain, some had departed for other scenes; others were too busy with their mining enterprises to pay any attention to a case of this kind. interest was lost in a cuse that had drugged along over a year: jurymen were difficult to find who had not heard of the case; und these considerations induced the District Attorney to enter a noble prosegui in the car.
Though mmjamnished by mun be was yet to receive a terrible pronulty. A few yours later, while in Sonora, he was overcome by the demons of fire und whisky and met a horrible fate. Is cript away to be in a state of lenstly intoxication, und when the hotel burned that night none in their flight thought of nor houdt time to resene the drunken wietch, and in the morn- ing dim lanuly lay amid the ruins a heup of bones and
THE CAUDINER MASON RUEL.
A most exciting election was the one held in the full of 1853, in Nevada. The Democratic party was so unfortunate us to have for its eundidate for election to the Assembly Billy Mason, n son of the " Sunny South," and a leader of the " chivalry and lawie knife" wing of the party. Su distasteful was he to the better class of the party that, although the Democratie ticket was successful, he was badly defeated. When sufficient return- hud come in, on the night of the election, to convince him that his legislative services were not required, he began to wax wroth, und especially was his ire kindled agninst 11. C. Gard- iner, who had worked earnestly against him during the day. His feelings were bitter; revenge was sweet; he must have something sweet; he decided to have revenge. Where Ott's useny office now stands, on Main street, was then Lark's drug store, a rallying point for " fire eaters." Thither the wrathful aspirant for legislative honors repaired, md proenrel a revolver and rawhide. Then, in company with R. A. Davidge, post master and editor of the Young America, he crossed the street to Phelps' Hotel, where Gardiner was standing near the bar. Mnson covered the objeet of his wrath with the revolver, which he hekl in his right hawl. cocked, and with the rawhide in his
left atrack we a bow, sill at his face lut falling on lis Freut The ex sling's choise languages indulged in by both patti is ott I Itt ressler mas rest assured that it Ireland sparkle | with the int elaborate spillets with which il vernaenkr of the tim aboundel The substanes of Mann's complaint was that Ciar liver tad leaten him wau. he was born with of Mann and Diver'- line. Gardiner kaned coolly back against the bar, and took a pen knife from his parket, and told Man that he had no other weapon, last wond fight him if he had only half a chance After a few more words and blow, Masn agreed to meet Gardiner at min . o clock the following morning and was assured by that goutle- man that if he failed to do so, he would shoot him at sight
About nine o'clock the next morning, Gardiner went to the express office and borrowed a navy revolver This place was next to the post office, which then stood on the plaza opposite Broad street bridge. Soon after this Mason and Davidge emerged from the post office and passed up Broad street, but when they discovered that they were followed by Gardiner. hastened their steps and entered the Young america office. where the National Hotel now stands. They passed through the office and out of the reur door, so that when Gardiner come up and inquired for Mason he was assured that he was not there. Gardiner was standing in the middle of the street, and ns he turned to go away, Muson who had come by the rear way down a narrow alley, fired at him, the ball lodging in the enlf of his leg. Gardiner immediately turned around, but Masou was so shielded by the alleyway that he could see hut little to shoot at. Mason kept up a bushwhacking fusilade from the alley, stepping out to shoot and then dodging back, at one time receiving a bullet in the leg. in the same location as the wound of his adversary. Gardiner did not stir an inch from where he stoud when fired upon, until the affair was over. Quite n number of people were on the street, and as soon as the shooting began, a crowd of intensely interested spectators gathered to witness the display. These, as soon as the revolvers were empty, rushed upon the scene, and this put an end to the affair, although the men had each been supplied with another pistol.
A premature discharge of Gardiner's pistol sent a bullet crash- ing and tearing through the side of the printing office, where it was stopped by a type case. It would have been stopped soon any way, for leaning against the case was a printer, hard at work. He lost all interest in his work, and vanished like a fleeting shadow. But one life was offered up on the altar of human passion. A pig. a poor, defenseless grunter, had the temerity to cross between the duelists, and a bullet from Mason's pistol clipped his slender thread of life. With one wild squeal of despair the little innocent lay dead. It was said the next day that two ealves and a pig were shot. Mason lost east, even among his friends, for his conduct in this affair. One
of the J ( Malbon, generally known as " King of Pongo," was so disgusted that he kept yelling. " Come out of there und jive the man a fair chance Some one give me a gun nud I'll les & the coward . So wrought up was " King" by the excite- I ment that he went on a drunk that was only terminated when the gray dawn of the third morning appeared in the east.
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