Grass Valley telegraph., 1858-07-03
Outrage and Murder.


gold leads men to the commission of high
handed outrage, setting the authority ol
law. and the peace of Society at defiance
On Thursday evening our town was
thrown into intense excitement at the an,
nouncement that an affray had just occurred
on Osborne Hill, which resulted in the death
of one of our most esteemed citizens, and the
wounding and probable death Of others en-
gagged in the affair. -
MeSsrs Larimer, McMurtry & Co. were the
owners Of valuable Quartz Lead on Os-
borne Hill situated about two miles from
town. Another party of whom Alexander
Griffin, butcher at Boston Ravine, was one
of the principals, were working lead i'm
mediateiy adjoining that of Larimer & Co ;
and the rich deposte as they followed it ran
into the ground owned by Larimer & Co.
As it was paying richly, Griffin laid claim to
that portion Of ground occupied by Larimer
4 Co. The latter demonstrated with Griffin,
and endeavored to show him the boundaries,
introducing witnesses who were cognizant
of the lines. Finding Griffin determined to
work on, Messrs. Larimer & Co. concluded
that the best way to secure their property
was to work themselves on that portion Of
the lead, and commenced sinking a shaft on
the disputed line. Some alteration had
passed during the week, and Griffin 4 o.
had filled up one shaft which had been dug
by Larimer & Co, still no actual collision
had occurred until Thursday. A second
shaft had been commenced by Larimer & Co.
and the opposite party declared that they
would fill it up. and take possession of the
ground, even at the expense OF life. To car
ry out this determination Griffin organized
q party of Ten lrishmen, armed with guns
and pistols, publicly declaring his intention.
In the mean time DR.. McMurtry. accompa-
MED by his brother, James II. McMurtry,
and Mr.. Richard Kimbal, oDe of the concern
connected with Laramie & Co., hearing of
the intended proceedings, repaired to the
ground to protect if possible, their property.
Itappears that the Irishmen had been free
II supplied with liquor, and were in fit
condition to perpetrate any outrage, and
were very violent. An attempt was made
by the McMurtry's and Kimball to effect an
amicable arrangement with the other party,
who after much gasconading and strong
threats. finally agreed to meet at ten o'clock
on Friday morning and settle the matter by
arbitration, and the difficulty was supposed
to be settled for the time being, and the
spectators who happened to be on the ground
went away, except one or two, leaving the
two McMurtry's and Mr. klmhall alone
Soon after the spectators had withdrawn,
some Of the opposite party insisted upon fill
ling up the shaft that night, abrogatipg the
agreement of settling the matter on the NOR
row.
While they were discussing the matter
among themselves, they gradually drew
around the little party of thee men, when
suddenly man named Casey. without pre-
vious warning, discharged gun loaded with
shot at Mr.. Kimball, woundirg him badly
In the face, head and breast Kimball i'm
mediately drew his pistol and returned the
fire, wounding Casey in the hip. An lndls-
criminate firing then commenced upon the
devoted little band. An eyewitness saw
one OF the Irishmen taking deliberate aim at
rest across stump at James H. McMurtry,
and at the fire Mr.. McMurtry fell dead, the
ball entering the left breast aud coming out
the right side.
In the mean time Kimbail made the best
uss of his weapon that his wounded cond.'
tion permitted. Dr.. McMurtry for mo-
ment could not draw his pistol, 1t having be-
come entangled in his coat, but he managed
to get outside of the ring, while the shots
were whizzing about him on all sides, NC
once getting hts pistol disengaged, he turned
like hero in the defence of his brother an(
partner. He killed one of the desperadoe
off hand, and observing another taking de
Iiberate aim at him, lodged in time for th
ball to pass by, only grazing his hair, whel
ne fired in turn and mortally wounded tn
rufian.
By this time two were dead, one mortall.
wounded, and four or FIVE others severe
ly wounded, when the brave band of ten mel
finding the overwhelming force of now onl.
one able bodied opponent left in DR.. McMur
try hastily beat retreat, leaving the Doc
tor and the wounded Kimbaii yictors of tb
field.
The killed we're james II. MsAurtry a II
nm IrishmaD named Holland. Mortally
wounded, an Irisbman called Cayote Jack
Severely wounded, an Irishman named Gas
sy. Badly wounded, r. II. Kimball, ant
several others more or less wounded, witt
made off, Had the gun been charged VIII
buck shot Mr.. Kimbpll would have been xii
led at lhe fret FIRE.