The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-03-11

Horrible Tragedy at Alpha.
One of the most inhuman deeds which 1t has
ever been our lot to record, happened at Alpha
on Thursday evening last Mr.. Isaac Rich, a
clothing dealer at that place, while eating bis
supper in the back part of his store, was assault
ed and had his face, head and arms almost lit
orally hacked TO pieces, by some person or per-
sons who evidently designed to murder him for
bis money. Frank Alverson, stage driver,
while feeding his horses, heard rustling noise
in Rich's store, and went to the front door to
ascertain the cause. The door being fastened,
he called out to persons in the street, and the
door was forced open. On entering, they heard
Rroans In the back room, and going to the spot
they found Rich lying on the floor, apparently
in the agonies of death. Some eight or nine
terrible gashes had been cut in his head and
face, his skull was broken In several places, and
about wine-glass full of his brains was found
on the floor. His hands and arms were also cut
In shocking manner, showing evidently that
he had put them up in order to save bis face
The wounds are supposed to have been inflicted
with bowie-knife. The unfortunate man was
picked up and laid on bed; several times he
asked the question, "Who are YOUR but gave
no answers TO questions asked him. During the
night he was generally quiet, but at times would
make violent efforts TO raise himself In bed. II
was supposed that he would die In short time,
and no attempt was made that night to do any
thing for him. The next day, however, DR.
Won Poellniz, of this place, was sent for, and
went up to dress bis wounds.
Nothing is known to certainty as to who
committed this daring outrage. Suspicion rests
upon Frenchman named Nevis, who was ar
rested on Monday by Mr.. Plumer in Sacramen-
to City. The principal grounds of suspicion
are these In the evening after the deed was
committed, Nevils was requested to sit up with
the wounded man. He refused on the plea that
he had to work hard the next day. Instead Of
working, however, he left that night for Nevada
from here he went to Rough d Ready, and on
Saturday took the stage for Sacramento.
On Monday morning Rich appeared to be
more sensible, called his friends by name, spoke
inteligibly of business affairs of the Masonic
Lodge of which he was member, but seemed
to know nothing as to who the parties were tha
committed the deed. DIR. Won Poellnitz heari
him say in his native language (Polish,) tina
two men had attempted to murder him, bu
he was delirious at that time. He was still liv
ing yesterday morning, and perfectly rational
but has no idea as to how he got hurt There
is no hopes of his recovery.
When the facts connected with this affair are
taken into consideration, II seems remarkable
that the perpetrators could escape detection
The house was in the center of the town, people
were constantly passing back and forth in the
street. and 1t was about the time miners were
coming up In the rear Of the house from their
work. Rich had just sat down to eat his sup
per- had poured out cup of tea, and from ap
pearances is supposed to have been in the ac
Of cutting an egg with his knife when he wal
assaulted. The assassins evidently escaped from
the back door while the front door was beinl
forced open. Rich was quiet, peaceable man
had not an enemy in the world, and no objec
but that Of plumber could have instigated th,
act Several hundred dollars in money wa
found in the store, which the villains had no
| time TO secure