Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1880-08-02

49,
sprisx-Canavsn and Hambers
Participate.
Virginia was lively Saturday evening
and contentious numerous. The excite
msnt commenced early in the evening
and grew out Of movements toward
organizing q Young Mems Hancock and
English Club by the Democracy. The
best Of harmony has not existed among
some Of the leaders Of the party Of late
and that cause led to the stirring events
Of the occasion.
Il IL we'll known to all that when the
Spring elections were approaching J. b.
Graham was before the Democratic City
Convention as candidate for City Attor-
nsy, and was defeated BY R. B. Mitch
ell. That defeat was owing to special
efforts on the part Of some who were not
favorable 70 MI. Graham, and among
them Miles Finlsn and his friends. Mr..
Graham wal not only s~oreheadsd, but
rebsllious, subsequently, coming out n
an independent candidate.
While standing on the street Saturday
evening aud nsa the Bank Of California
talking over matters and the proposed
organization Of the Hancock Club that
evening, Finlsn remarked on Graham's
conduct In terms more expressive than
complimentary. which gave offsnss to
R. E. Bsegs, who resented the Ian
Ruage, saying that II Graham did not
take the matter up hs would. Fnlsn
was not much more complimentary to
Graham's friend than to Graham him
self. This brought about . little sst.to.
In which Beggs was backed across the
street by Finlsn, and some blows were
exchanged. Pistols we're then also
drawn by both. but they were disarmed
by outsiders before any shooting was
done. Subsequently the parties again
came together. but beyond a blow ortwo
nothing Of particular interest occurred
between Finlen aud Beggs.
The above occurrences were before the
time OF the meeting to organize the Club.
At that meeting Mr.. Graham got the
floor and commenced to discuss the mat
tiers under consideration. when Nnlsn
interrupted him. saying 10 the President
OF the meeting that Graham was not o
Democrat and had no right to speak.
No little confusion followed, in the
midst Of which Mr.. Graham shouted:
There may be Democrats here and
there may be murdsrers here" Finlen
insisted that Graham was no Democrat,
aud had no right to speak, but the
Chairman recognized him and be con-
tinued his remarks. Later In the eve
ming and while the subject OF ~orRaniza-
ton wal under discussion Enlen
obtained the floor and in the course OF
his remarks said:
"I want Democrats to speak OF Dem
ocratio meetings, and / want NO others.
Any man who comes out a. an indspen'
dent candidate, and tries to beat the
regular nominee OF the party. Is not q
Democrat, and has no right to speak OF
q Democratic meeting"
On being admonished by the chair.
man not to deal in personalities, Mr..
Finlan said:
81 will not be personal, but I say that
O man who prints o card In the papers
calling on oil good men to withdraw from
the party, and giving a. q reason that
Captain Kelly and / run 1t, because We
succeeded In securing the nomination Of
Mitchell for City Attorney. is not . Dem.
ocrat."
After the meeting adjourned Finlen
was asked by q friend into 4 saloon to
take O drink. While waiting TO be
served the matters OF the evening were
discussed and Finlen continued to Talk
In much the same strain as previous to
and at the meeting. Just then Graham
passed and Finlsn said: "There goes
the - - now." At this Graham
went into the saloon with Q sslf-cocker
In his hand and commenced firing at
Finlen, whose back was at that moment
turned. When Graham opened fire
Finlen was not hseled, as his pistol had
been taken from him earlier in the even
ing and not returned to him; 30 he ran
back to tho west end OF tho saloon,
passed through an open door and mp o
fiRht OF steps, followed By Graham. who
continued to Ere on him as he ran.
Five shots were fired yet Fnlsn was not
hit. Some say six shots were fired, the
last being sent after Finlen 90 he reached
the top OF the stairs.
There seems to be but n opinion ~
to this whole matter. and that sustains
! Finlen In the course pursued by him, II
not in the personal epithets he heaped
on Graham. Those epithets may palli-
ate the offsnse OF Mr.. Graham, but can.
not justify his cowardly attempt to shoot
down IN unarmed man. Az o leader
and staunch supporter OF the Dsmoc-
ratio party. Finlen was right in bis
endeayor to have Mr.. Graham ~relsgatsd
to obscurity in its ranks.
All the parties 70 these disturbances
were arrested. Finlsn was charged with
disturbing the peace. and again with as.
sault and battery on Beggs. The latter
was also charged with disturbing the
peace. Graham was charged with assault
with intent to kill. All were released on
bail.
Still another difficulty grew out OF the
proceeding. After the above was over.
and while Matt Canavan with . coteris Of
friends was discussing these and other
matters, P. Aug. Humbsrt made some
remarks which Canavan resented. There
was not the best OF feeling between the
two, owing to matters which are. hew-
ever. outside OF politics. To show no
personal III will and % . pacidcation
Humbsrt asked Csnavan to drink with
him. This Canavan refused to do until
Humbert a~pologized for something be
had said. Of the Same time Remaining to
Humbert that he (Humbert) was not his
(C~anavan's) friend anyway. This was
in turn resented by Humbsrt when
Canavan struck with his left hand and
at the same instant drew his pistol
with lila right hand, Humbcrl