The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-05
Our Denver City Correspondence.
DySyxR Cry July % lR6I


The @socine Mania in Denver Csy-Lsqaor Powder and
Pistols Amongst the Border RuGors-7he Search for
Jones Gordon-Orgdnisdton of Vigilance Committee
Mining Gossip-The Mails, dc.
For the past week this community has been kept In
constant state Of excitement by shooting ARRAYS in
midst and near In Colorado city last week a
named Pat Dcvcln who Formerly figured largely In Fort
Scott troubles In Easten Kansas shot six times by
James Iaaerty and will probably die Laerty was tried
before peoples court occupying some three hours and
the jury found verdict o! ushabe homicide II seems
the parties lived together and often had serious quarres
They finally agreed 10 settle by shooting at each other
I'LL one or the other killed. In California gulch
man named Smith shot by one named Curtiss. The
parties from Benton county, Arkansas and came TO
this country together accompanied by Smiths wife and
two children 1t seems there was some correspondence
between Mrs. Smith and Curtlss, and that Smith
treated his wife In very abusive manner
Mrs. Smith often threatened to leave him,
when his reply invariably would be, "Go and be id,
that he wished her and the children were in hell"
Curt and Mrs. Smith finally started for this city. Smith
started pursuit and overlook them in camp Curtiss
seated the front end Of the wagon and Smith shot
at him. missing him and hitting Mrs. Smith In the thigh
Curtiss shot Smith, killing him instantly Curss Is said
TO have passed through here his way to the States
Mrs. Smith is no, seriously wounded.
Last evening auctoncer. named Mel Hailey was &C.
cidentaly shot by barkeeper named VIM. Bates They
were friendly and joking and foong the bar
when Hadley asked Bates TO LET him light his segar at his
face. Bates drew heavy horse pistol from under the
counter, and aiming at Hadey asked how he Would like
that when the pistol went off, the contents lodging in Had
leys LEFT breast He survived but few moments. Bates
seemed frantic with grief at the disastrous result Of his
oarelessness. Hadley has q wife and two children
single man, formerly from Chicago more recently
from Rock Island BE has been using the ardent
very freely for time past, and many inclined to
think he vergng derium at the time OF the fatal
Hsdlcy buried this afternoon Bates Is
under arrest, and will probably have examination
Many express the belief that he designed killing Hsdey
on the Ih %n dSa last om Ss ISSr
received Harrison "a at liberty, aud attempts have
been made for an examination or arrest.
On saturday morning last this community was shocked
by the intelligence that mn had been wantonly aud
brutaIy murdered on Blake street the preceding
night. The murdered mans name was John
been in the country about year. He was pass
ing along the street quietly, mnding his own business,
When oue James Gordon rushed out OF slloon seized
him by the hair and dragged him into the shoon and
commenced beating him and pulling him around saying
he going TO Kill him. and finally got HIM down by
bar, and literally blew out his brains with his rev 1lver
number Of Gordon's freads stood by and seemed ~
have made DO attempt TO interfere, but LEFT the scene In
haste. CAM said 10 have begged most piteousy Cor
his life, holding his hands his head 10 protect IT, and
one OF has h~eers was shot OF by the ball which
killed him Gordon had coll ,rcd several other dur.
ing the threatening 10 Kill them but had been
kept from dong by timely interference of the bysand
He seems 10 have been perfectly Graz I'd with liz
having been spree FOR tso weeks. Last week
be shot bukccper IN house OF III reputc, putting I've
balls into his legs in various places, aud breaking thom
twice.
No sttemp, was mldc TO arrest Gordon until
Saturday morning, when large meeting assembled
Braotord's corner, nearly one thousand dol
raised and parties started out all directions Nothing
definite was heard Of him I'LL sunday morning message
in saying Gordon At Fort Lnpon, twenty Ave
miles below Denver on the Platte with a number of
friends and dehcd them 10 take him The town was
santly in state OF confusion generally many Offering
their Kingdom for horse, passage down la
wag,u all bound 10 be in at the light Soon wagons
and stray hcrscmeu scattered down the Platte has
tenng 20 the &C acoo, armed with rss shot guns
and pistols About four 2. NJ. part returned, having
met A.messcngcr, who said Gordon rode out OF the
the biufis The guard shot at him and Judging from
the motions OF the horse, had wounded him Owing
to the rains during tho night their guns had
dtio6 hc wond, doubt have been killed the SPOT
Quite number Of men started IN pursuit Late In tae
evening another party arrived who had the horse Gordon
wounded In the hip and shoulder. Gordon thought 70
be on foot and wounded they found blood his track
Some eight or ten men are stu In pursuits and he stands
brought up J. Williams, President Of Denver City Town
Company, and DR.. Kennedy, whom they found at Fort
Any % c nvw Snurr M 81 h So,
wM Gordon was old acquaintance Of his and sent for
him 70 take charge OF bis papers and settle his bust
that be had nothing TO do with secre,ins him or
assisting him 70 escape Gordon native OF Boston,
and had been In Nebraska for time previous 10 his
coming here lie has always enjoyed reputation OF
But for the last two weeks he has been INDUCING
freely In the use OF liquor and seems perfecty insane
~hen under Us Influence Williams aid, when he first
me him IT thc or, biz srs, questions we've avn, have
Al.es, pow ana ~nlvrv, AaS~ uSs4aS ~ ~" ~