Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1875-06-29
COroner,s Inquest

Upon the body Of James Bass, June 2S.
1875, before D. l.. Deal. Coroner,
Phoebe, Lincoln county.
David Newman sworn: l was sitting
in my room at the rear of the Court
house. l heard a wagon drive past very
fast on Phoebe street, looked out and
saw it was Mr.. Bass. saw him jump
out Of his wagon and enter his house.
He returned from the house with pis-
tol in his hand and fired it off. l sup
posed at the time he was shooting dog.
lost sight of him for moment until l
heard the second shot. then looked
down and saw officer Mckee behind one
of the out-houses. then recognized
officer Kelly little to his left and in
front. both officers were firing Officer
Kelly was standing on one side Of the
wagon and Bass on the other. I saw
the deceased fall. / could not swear
that | saw the deceased fire more than
one shot. I do not know which officer
feed first nor how many shots were fired.
They fired very rapidly. l think this
occurred about half past o'clock p. m.
[ saw Bass fronting the officer. l saw
something that supposed to be pistol
in his hand His hand was raised. |
can not swear that / saw the deceased
FIRE his pistol at this time.
4. A. Back sworn: was at the cor
ner of my house opposite Mr.. Bass, my
attention was attracted by a shot and /
walked across the street. | saw Bass
shooting and few moments after saw
officer Kelly shooting. There were sew
eral shots exchanged between the par
ties; Bass retreated few steps, leaned
against the shed, then started toward the
house. took few steps and fell went
down and assisted TO bring him in the
house. l did not see the first shot fired J..
The deceased was inside of the yard
when first saw him fire, Kelly was the
other side Of the wagon; did not see
officer Mckee. The deceased and Kelly
were facing each other. There were
three or four shots exchanged between
the parties when was looking at them
heard the shots fred by Mckee but did
not see them; l did not hear any firing
after Bass retreated. The deceased NAV
possibly have been behind the bars.
John Lazenby sworn: / was on the
corner of Persons saloon, corner of
Meadow Valley and Main streets, at 61s
p. NJ, June Goth; Officer Mckee came
to Meadow Valley street, went to the
corner and crossed over to Pres. Wand's;
turned and faced me; Kelly was opposite
the window Of Pres. Wand's saloon: Mr..
Bass came driving down Meadow Valley
street; just as he was entering Main
street he turned his face toward Mckee
and | understood him to say, "Get in
and ride;" Mckee took two or three
steps towards him and said, "You are a
liar" think the deceased said as his
wagon had fully entered Main street.
You are damned liar :" Mckee
turned to Officer Kelly. made a motion
of his hand. and both Of the officers
started after the wagon; the deceased
said something again that l did not un-
derstand; the officers came down Main
street and came down Pioche the fur
Their the deceased got from Meadow Val.
ley street the faster he drove, as far as
could see him; after had passed down
Phoebe street heard shot fired; / ran
until got in sight of the house OF the
deceased; the first saw was officers Nc.
Kee and Kelly both running about the
corner of the water tank, Kelly ahead
when the deceased stepped over the bars,
took hold of the tug of the off horse and
attempted to unlock it. Kelly ran in by
the hind wheel Of the wagon on the neal
side, both Kelly and Mckee drawing
their pistols as they neared the corner
the deceased let go the ting, pulled up hi,
jumper with his left hand, took hold O
his pistol with his right hand and said
stand back" when his hand was i,
front OF his breast, Mckee hallooet
Hold; at the same time the deceased
ieveled his pistol at Kelly, and Kelly ais,
aiming at the deceased, when they al
commenced firing. do not think tn
pistol OF the deceased went off; firip,
continued until all the shots were ex
hausted; when Kelly's pistol was empt,
ne threw his pistol at the deceased. bu
did not hit him; Mckee hallooed to NJ
and said, Give me your gun, ]" but I al,
not reply, Mckee at the same time sten
ping back OF the corner; Kelly ran from
behind the wagon behind the horses: tn
deceased took his pistol and turned in
cylinder over with his thumb. stepne
over the bars inside. and stood 40 that
'oa'd only see the edge of his clothes