Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-07-25
Stock ". Tnxcs.

It has heretofore been the custom Of
the Assessors Of this county whether
right or wrong we will not pretend to
sayl, when parties from other States
and Territories have been driving stock
through the county during the Summer
season, to overhaul them, and, to Use
an expressive phrase, "go through
them" for taxes ; and this notwith-
standing the parties may have paid
their taxes In California or some other
State, and produce their receipt there
for. Tho boys have always considered
this a good joke on the stock men, and
have gone for them with a vim that
usually produced the effect of making
them disgorge without controversy
other than some hard cnrsing. But 1t
seems that last week they ran against
one Of the limited number Of the Smith
family, who didn't disgorge worth q
continental. 1t seems that this Smith,
usually known rs Old Salty Smith,
was on his way with a large drove OF
horses from California to Texas, where
he proposed to exchange his horses for
cattle aud return again aud settle In
Nevada. Our worthy Deputy Assessor,
McGovern, hearing that a large band
of stock was passing up the south side
of the Humboldt, with visions Of fat
horses In his eye, and the public veal
In his heart, started out to find the
owner Of this numerous herd, and to
gather q little of the wherewlthal to
Iubricate the wheels Of government
aud report says he found him. McG.
demanded n statement Of the amount
of his property. Smith considered
this demand unwarranted by any au-
thority, claiming that he was not a
resident OF this State, and had paid his
taxes In California. MEG. persisted In
demanding n statement, when Smith
told u worthy official to take n trip
to the informal regions ; but MEG. con-
sidered the weather too hot for such an
extensive journey ; besides, he wasn't
ready. Nor docs 1t seem that those
who subsequently went after smith
were prepared for the "new depart
ure." Tile statute makes o refusal IL
give the Assessors statement OF prop
erty a misdcmeanor. A warrant was
accordingly sworn out for the arrest OF
Smith and placed IN the hands Of Dep.
uty Sheriff Castor for execution. Gas
ton found his man In the vicinity OF
Humboldt Wells, but the warrant
wouldn't execute, and the officer
thought that eight to one was rather
too heavy odds to contend with sue
cpssfully. Sheriff Fitch, upon learn
Ing the situation of affairs. dispatched
an armed posse of four additional men
to assist the Deputy In making the ar
rest. The boys oyerhauled their man
about five miles this side OF the utah
line, but Instead Of eight men, they
say they found fifteen men drawn up
In line of battle. The officer demand
ed the surrender OF Smith, and that he
return with Them to Elko.g Smith re-
piled that he had no business w Elko,
hadn't lost any Elko, and wasn't hunt
Ing for any ; In faot, hs was on hls way
to Texas with stock, but to give tlie
people OF Elko his best wishes for their
Continued prosperity, and to tell them
THAT he would certainly 90 out OF his
way to Gall and see them on his return;
Bidding them good day. no len, as did
the possee, In opposite dtrscttoIs; ttIe
bows all returned ip good health, DIV
dislike to hear Old Salty Smiths name
mentioned IN connection with taxss,
IS he didn't scare worth a cent.-EHo
Independent 22d.yEA saIaA. 5aa.