Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-04-24
TN. FL Dorado Canyon Tragedy.

We have been favored with the follow
inc communication from our respected
friend O. D. Gass, which gives full nc-
.ount of the murderous engagement
which recently took place in Ell Dorado
Canyon:
Las VEGAS RANCH, April 10. 1874.
Ed. RECORD: To-day I am compelled
10 undertake a very unpleasant task, that
il TO inform you of the death Of two of
our citizens, and the severe wounding of
another. Tom King and Z. b. Jones
ware on the morning of the 9Th of April
numbered with the dead, and William
piatt was severely wounded four times.
The occurrence took place in FL Dorado
CANYON on the morning of the Sth of
this month. To-day Mr.. Piatt gave
himself up as one of the party engaged
in the shooting, and the following facts
came out in the evidence by the wit
nesses and defendant, ]. NJ. Mccullough,
C. Kiel, George H,llerman and p. W.
futile: About the 25th of March II. B.
Jones proposed to Mr.. Piatt to unite
with him to kill some Of the principal
men of the Canyon and then take pos
session. This proposal Piatt rejected,
and about the LIST of April be again asked
Piatt what he thought of the plan. Piatt
refused to have any more conversation
on the subject. Jones then threatened
his life to others, who informed Piatt
aud caused him to go generally armed.
On the morning Of the 9Th of April about
6 o'clock, while some Of the men were
eating and others preparing to do so,
Jones made lunge ut Piatt with an i'm
mense butcher knife. On seeing the knife
Piatt stepped back and drew his revol-
Yer and nred. Jones jumped into the
house and returned with his revolver,
and each commenced shooting, aud each
exchanged about four shots each, when
Piatts pistol snapped twice. He then
ran over the dump and Jones in bot pur-
suit and firing. in consequence Of large
boulders Piatt here eluded aim, when
Jones turned and let loose at the camp,
but fortunately not hitting any one.
Piatt then arrived in camp bleeding fear
fully. The miners then concluded to
separate in squads and find Jones to
prevent him from poisoning the water
(as he had threatened many times and
had strychnine) and if possible take him
prisoner and place him in the hands OF
an officer. Mr.. King aud Tuttle
were the unfortunate individuals. As
they came within twenty feet Of
an old prospect hole, Jones suddenly
raised and fired, slightly wounding King.
King then fired. They again simulta-
neously fred, King falling forward on
his face dead. Tuttle was now retreat
ing, and Jones gave him two passing
shots without effect. Jones then came
out and took possession of Kings Henry
rifle. The miners then all joined to-
gether and surrounded the point where
he was concealed, to cut off his retreat
for water. The next day, discovering no
signs of his elopement, they thought
he must be dead, and on closer
search they discovered him in o
prospect hole, about so feet from the one
from which he killed King. He had been
dead about twenty hours. From appear
ance, the strong probability is that King
gave him his mortal wound when receive
ing his. They were buried as decently
as the circumstances would allow. Mr..
King was an amiable gentleman and
loved by all who knew him. Mr.. Piatt
has to-day had his trial and was ac-
quilted. His wounds are improving con-
siderably. l was not personally ac-
quainted with MIR. Jones, but while pass
ing the ranch he seemed very gentle
manly. Otherwise things are looking
well in this section Of the county and
everything is moving smooth and nice.
o. d. GAss.