Grass Valley telegraph., 1858-07-03
Jas. H. McMurtrT.


Never have We witnessed more solemn
ceremony than the burial of this victim O
tho lawless outrage, so lately perpetratet
by soulless men and hired ruf1ans. The de
ceased, J. H. McMurtry, was buried with
Masonic honors, be being member of the
Order, and large number of Masons from
Nevada, as we'll as Grass Valley, were in
attendance.
A feeling of grief and indignation per-
vaded our whole community, and besides
the brethren of the Order, large concourse
OF citizens attended the last obsequis of the
deceased.
Every place Of business was closed, the
streets were nearly deserted-the Congrega-
tIonal church was thronged by those who
respecting the virtues of thedead, desired TO
testify their sympathy with the living friends
as we'll to manifest their Indignation at the
perpetrator Of his brutal murder An in
leresting discourse was delivered by the
Rev Mr.. Fish,a member of the fraternsy, and
vented his utterance, his feelings found
reody sympathy in the bosom Of his auditors.
James Fl. McMurtry had been resident of
Grass Valley number of years He was an
educated gentleman, mild in his department.
correct in his habits and by his strict integ-
rity and quiet disposition had endeared
himself to our community, who loved him as
friend and respected him as a worthy and
estimacle citizen. With the temper Of the
lamb be had the courage of the lion. and
when he went out to meet the cowardjy
banditti, it was to obtain an amcable adjust
ment of the matter in dispute. without hav-
ing recourse to brute force. In this be tho't
he had succeeded with the efforts of his bro
ther and Kimball. and was congratulating
those Interested that an arrangement had
been made by which the matter would be
adjusted amieably, the following morning.
without resort to law or personal collision.
but few moments after this understanding
was had. in the face of all good promises
made by the opposite party, when the three
| gentlemen were left alone by their friends.
unsuspicious of al attack under such Cir
cumStances furious and deadly onslaught
was commenced on them without warning.
| by ten armed ruffians, one of whom taking o
deliberate aim, rested bis piece across a
stump to make it the more sure fred. and
the unfortunate gentleman fell to the ground
corpse. The courage of KimbaIl and DR..
McMnrtry was beyond all praise. The for
mer, though badly wounded, returned the
fire as long as be could stand, while the lat
ter. instead OF seeking his own safety while
the balls were whistling around him, turned,
and held the crowd at bay in defence of bis
brother, and actually drove the villains
from the field to seek safety in fight. And
where was the originator of this organized
plan of murder at the time. Where was
Griffin VIII aad hired the men, and furnished
them with arms for the assault, and with
liquor to screw up their courage to the fren-
zy of madness.
At the first discharge he mounted his
horse and fed from the scene like the COW.
ard, he was, in order to screen himself as
we'll from harm, as in the eyes of the law
In the latter he may succeed, but from hence
forth he is an outlaw in Grass Valley-fol
here it will be no safe resting place for him