Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1879-02-20
Pyramid Fishermen.



Yesterday A. Jose brought into Reno
the following named gentlemen. who are
under arrest by the United States Mar.
shall for fishing in the Pyramid Lake
Reservation J. @. Watson. w. NJ.
Ward. ]. W. Bartlett, Isaac Evans. W.
Halbut. Silas Finn, John Sturgeon.
Pete Hall and Charles Hazard.
In January. 1865. a survey. or what
purported to DO q survey, was made by
the Pyramid Lake Reservation. This
sur vey covered a tract OF land 10 by "a
miles. or e56.o40 square acres. The
stakes OF this survey were not establish
ed, and for several years white fishermen
enjoyed tho full liberty Of fishing where
they chose on the lake. A year ago last
November United States Marshal Ash
arrested three men and took them OF
the reservation. but they went back and
resumed their business. Indian Agent
A. J. Barnes made complaint to Gen.
Mcdowell, Commander Of the Pacific
Military Department. that the fishermen
had resisted the u. 8. Marshal aud re-
fused TO leave the reservation. Troops
were sent to the reserve about the Goth
Of January. and passed along the lake to
the various camps and removed all the
fishermen. At the northeastern end OF
tho lake the above parties had their
camp. Two soldiers came 70 their place
and led the fishermen TO q point which
they presumed was OF the Government
agency. But the fishermen thought
that they were not In the reserve aud
returned to their camp. the soldiers soon
rejoining them and accepting an invita-
ton to supper.
Last week they learned that they had
been indicted by the United States Grand
Jury, and one OF their number. Mr..
Watson. went to Carson to see Deputy
Marshal McLain and employ counsel.
Mr.. Watson informed the Marshal that
II he desired them at any time they
would meet him ut any point he chose
and thus save him much trouble and ey.
psnse. Mr.. McLain wrote them Q note
that he would meet them on the 18th at
whitehsad's ranch. The Marshal not
coming they came In yesterday TO town.
and immediately tsleRraphed Ash and
McLain Of their arrival In Reno.
The fishermen allege that they have
Just grounds for believing that the reser.
yation's boundary IL not established (;
and they also say that boundary stakes
have been arbitrarily set on the east aud
west sides Of the lake. and that they are
sixteen miles north Of these stakes.
They are nearly forty miles north Of the
reserve buildings. and claim that they
are really of he legal bounds OF the In.
dams territory. They say that they
have no purpose To infringe on the In.
diana rights and are dssirous Of making
this o test case.
United States Attorney varian has In
his possession a map made by Monroe
In January. 1876. which bears the sigma.
ture OF U. s. Grant, then President Of
the United States, and Ia dated March
90, 1874. This map shows that the en-.
tire lake il In the reservation. and that q
considerable portion OF the land all
around IL also included. This being the
case, Of course the fishermen were tres
passing when they 6shed on the lake.
even OF the north end. The United
States Grand Jury found indictments
against the fishermen because they have
returned to their fishing after the troops
and Marshal had driven them of. The
case, which must now 90 to the Courts
for adjudication. will determine the
bounds OF the reservation, and other
points at issue. and will. doubtless. set.
tie the matter. The fishermen will
employ counsel and defend themselves.
Deputy Marshal McLain came down
from Carson on last evenings train, but
took no action in the case. This fore
noon the fishermen will probably give
bail for their appearance In the United
States District Court.