The Nevada journal., 1858-07-09
NEVADA JOURNAL.
(From Extra of Saturday, July 81
THE TRAGEDY AT GRASS VALLEY.
Seven Men Killed and Wounded-Arrest of
the Murderers-ComIuittal to Jail-Talk
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Etc.

| lives of three men and wounding of 9TH
ers took place on Osborn Hill, two miles
from Grass Valley, between 8 and a
o'clock P. NJ. on Thursday, July 1st.-
The parties engaged in the bloody af
fair were DR.. McMurtry, his brother,
James H McMurtry and Richard Kim
ball, on one side, and Alex. Griffin, Hol-
land, Shea, Casey, McCabe, and from
twelve to twenty others on the other
side The facts -rffcited before the Cor
oner's jury from Dr. McMurtry who was
the sole witness sworn, are substantially
as follows =
Difficulties had arisen concerning a
quartz lead on Osborn Hill on which
shaft had been sunk by McMurtry's par
ty. An Irish company jumped the
claims. Both parties, were on the claims
on the evening of the difficulty, to settle
all differences amicably. After some
talk it was agreed to meet next morning
at the same plaae, no one to be present
but those interested, and proceed with
the settlement The Irish party with
drew leaving the three composing the
other party near the shaft. When alb
sent few moments, Alex Griffin, of the
former party rode back to the shaft and
said they must come to a settlement i'm
mediately, and if not his party would re-
turn. He received for reply that there
was then nothing to settle. The Irish
party were seventy five yards or SO down
the hill, and came back stationing them
selves behind Trees and logs, and pre-
sented guns. They were armed with
shot guns and rifles and numbered from
seventeen to twenty-five men. Griffin
rode to one side. Holland, one of the
jumping party, remarked if some one
would hold his gun he would fill up the
shaft and soon proceeded 10 the work.
Seeing the disposition of the strong par
ty DIR McMurtry took his brother by
the arm and said "let us get out of this"
He said he Sc W but little show for three
men to resist so many and wished to get
away safely.
He saw a shot gun standing against
stump, which did not belong to his party,
and was impelled to pick it up-think-
ing there might be fight, but fearing
the others might take it as hostile de,
monstration he let it alone, and started
to go up The hill. In going up the three
got separated few yards apart; when a
fire arm was discharged from the large
: party, and Immediately followed by a
volley. The Dr. looked back and saw
his brother with shot gun, crouching as
if to get a shot in return. He then drew
: his own revolver and joined in the melee
When the fight was over he found Kim
| ha ii 11-,,o, ,,,ona1o 1ol tlo o.,o,,,,l
Jas II. McMurtry sitting with his head
bent over and dead. The ball appeared
to enter little below the arm-pit of the
left arm, passing directly through the
chest in slightly downward direction.
Kimball was struck with buckshot
below the eye, in the neck and along
down one arm; was badly wounded but
will recover.
The DR.. escaped untouched, though
several shots were directly aimed at
f him. Kimball had no arms on him at
the time. James Fl. McMurtry had only
Gerringer which he did not use. The
arms of the DR.. consisted of small five
shooting Colt, which he used with good
effect, hitting a man at each discharge
All the shots from his side were made by
him. Altogether seven men were killed
; and wounded. One from each party
died on the ground and two Irishmen
are reported to have since died.
The affair naturally created great ex-
citement at Grass Valley, and some talk
of flynching Griffin, the supposed ring
leader of the assaulting party.
Coroner Bazely held an inquest on
! rocto or1o Il