Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1872-07-02
uupRovexED SHOOTING.
:r.on nm saeram.nto UnIon of Iesterd.yl

From tho Sacramento UNION ot yossoroAyJ
About a quarter past l o'clock yes
terday morning a young man named
Steve Bower, a carpenter BY .occupa-
tion, and regarded as a quiet, we'll
disposed gentleman, was shot In front
of the Gem Saloon by George Whltton,
proprietor of the G. P. r. r. Saloon,
located on j street, near Front.
As near as we can learn the facts,
whitton had been drinking to excess,
and about an hour previous 10 the
shooting had a difficulty with two other
parties at n restaurant on Second street,
between X and L, abusing them with
foul language and challenging them to
fight. After leaving that place he
passed around to the Gem Saloon, on
X street, between Front and Second,
where several young men who had at
tended the circus had stopped to take
u drink before going home. He asked
one Of the party to drink, and told
him to invite his friends up, and all the
party drank. Wilton disputed the
bill, and 1t was finally paid by II Of
the others. Wilton then proceeded
to use bad language toward the men,
bers Of the party, but was finally taken
home by local officer Dubois. Suisse
quently he returned, and Captain
Stevens and officers Dole and Du-
bols observing him do 30, followed
him to the saloon and from the
outside heard him ask some one to
drink. The Invitation appeared to be
accepted, and after standing near the
door and window for some time, and
seeing no signs Of n disturbance, the
officers crossed to the other side Of the
street. sat down and were presently
Joined by local officer Hickey.
Il seems, according to the statement
of those In the saloon. that Wilton
resumed his abusive Language, said he
could "whip any = - In the
room." and particularly addressed his
conversation to Bovyer. The latter
finally said that II Wilton wanted to
fight and would place behind the bar
the pistol, which could be seen stick
Ing out Of the breast OF his coat, he
would accommodate him. Wilton
declined to put up the pistol. but con-
tinued to make aggravating remarks,
and told Bovyer that lie did not dare
step out on the sidewalk. He then
went out door and Bovyer followed,
but had not made moro than or
two steps when Wilton drew his pls-
toll aud fired. AS the pistol was being
drawn, Bower stepped backward a
little, turned sideways, aud the ball
struck hun just back Of the left side,
below the shoulder blade.
The officers fIom the other side OF
the street, although they had not heard
any dispute or loud talk, ran across rs
soon as they saw Whitton going for his
pistol, but we're not In time to prevent
the shot from being fired. He had
cooked the weapon again, and would
doubtless have shot sone other men,
Der of the party but for Captain Ste
vens, who knocked his arm down.
The pistol being discharged at the
same moment the ball struck Whit
toms big toe, but did not hurt 1t much.
The officers quickly overpowered and
disarmed him. though before they sue
ceeded he had cooked the pistol again.
Bower had medical attendance as
soon as possible, and was taken to his
residence at Fourth and N streets.
His wound was at first feared to be
very dangerous. but the physician In
attendance informed our reporter last
evening that this was a mistake, the
ball having evidently glanced, struck
a rib, followed 1t around to the front
Of the body and buried itself In the
muscles. Such being the case, he will
soon recover.
Whitton, who did the shooting, Is
reported to DO always very quarrel
| some when intoxicated. In this case,
| so far rs we are able to gather lnfor-
nation, he was altogether to blame,
having abused Bovyer and his friend:
without the slightest provocatlon. and
used his pistol when there was no oc,
caslon to do so.