The Nevada journal., 1856-11-07
Awful Tragedy---sherif Wright
and David Johnson shot!l

terminated, on Monday night, the lives
of two of our estimable citizens. The
night previous to the election, while the
Democrats were indulging in grand
torch-light procession, preparatory to
public speaking, the town was thrown
into CONSERVATION by the report that
Sheriff Wright and David johnson were
shot in an attempt to detect thieves in
the vicinity of Gold Flat. The Demo-
cratic meeting adjourned, and the most
intense excitement reigned in the city.
The body of Sheriff Wright was brought
into town. David johnson was NOR
tally wounded, but succeeded in walk
ing, with some assistance, to the house
of Mr.. Armstrong, near where the shoot
ing took place, where he died at about
5 o'clock P. M. on Tuesday.
The facts in the case were given us
by L. W. Williams, Esq, who partici-
pated in the affair. At about S o'clock
P. M. on Monday, information was
brought to Williams that two horses
and equipments were secreted in Gold
Ravine, near Gold Flat, in an out of
the way place, where they had been for
some time hitched to roots projecting
from the banks. The same information
was conveyed to Sheriff Wright. AS it
was supposed the horses belonged to the
prisoners who broke Jail the night pre-
vious, or some of the same gang, the
citizens on Gold Flat, headed by Will
liams, resolved to arm themselves and
watch the horses. The Sheriff resolved
to pursue similar course, but it seems
one party was not acquainted with the
designs of the other.
Williams party consisted of himself,
/. L. Baldwin, Geo. Armstrong, and J.
B. Vanhoek. Williams secreted his
party in semicircle about the horses,
afte, first having hobbled them so as to
embarrass the thieves should they at
tempt to take them.
The Sheriff's party was composed of
Marshal Plumer, David johnson, Lewis
Teal, VIM. Butterfeld and Bruce Gar
vey, besides himself, and arrived on the
ground soon after the other party were
concealed, at about ~ o'clock in the
evening. A noise in the brush attracted
the attention of the first party. Soon a
man, which has since proven to be Plu-
mer, came cautiously down into the ra-
vine, and after examining closely, gave
whistle, which was answered by some
one in the direction from whence he
came. Two others now Joined him and
proceeded very cautiously to where the
horses were. They signaled about
minute after, and soon another came
down into the ravine below where the
first party was secreted. This last in
dividual was johnson. In going to the
ravine he came directly upon one of the
concealed members of Williams party,
who hailed him when about fifteen feet
distant, and told him not to advance
any farther. johnson demanded, "Who
are you2" The man answered, "a
friend-Armstrong." johnson replied,
"What are you doing here?" To which
Armstrong rejoined, "What are you do
ing here % At this moment, Williams
stepped from behind tree and chal-
legged the three at the horses. johnson
Immediately drew his pistol and fired
one shot. Armstrong returned the fire.
Some one at the horses shouted. "Close
up, boys!" after which the firing became
general, till about fifty shots were fired,
when Plumer recognized the voice of
Williams, and shouted, "Stop, for Gods
sake! you are shooting your friends 7"
Which ended the affair. The ground
was then examined by torch-light, and
W. w. Wright found breathing his last,
shot with bullet in the chin, and with
dozens of shots in the face and breast
David johnson was also found wounded
by ball near the nipple Of the left
breast.
During the shooting, r. S. Whigham
and companion were coming to the as
sistance of Williams party. They met
two men $50 yards distant, one of whom
snapped his pistol at them, and lodged
behind a log. The two unknown per-
sons were shot at six times, but escaped.
1t is probable these were the thieves
the two parties came to watch, and for
whom two estimable citizens lost their
lives.
The sad affair has thrown gloom
over the entire community. The feel
90 L