Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1882-11-25
EXPLICIT TESTIMONY.
Interesting as to whether Ander.
son or Rock Fired the First Shot.

SON or Rock Fired the First Shot.
1t will be remembered by those who
have followed up the controversy in regard
to the Reek-Anderson shooting, that in its
review of the case the SENTINEL stated that
a miner from Diamond District had seen
the whole affair, but had not stopped in
town to appear as a witness in the prelimi-
nary examination, because he was engaged
on a surveying trip and could not afford
to lose the time required. The miner re-
ferred to, whose name was incorrectly
given, owing to the haste in which the ex-
tended reply to the Enterprise was pre-
pared, is named j. f. Morrison, instead OF
A. j. johnson, as reported. He was In
town yesterday, and in order to make good
the SENTINEL'S statement in regard to his
knowledge of the facts of the tragedy, he
was invited by our reporter to make a
deposition before a notary public OF what
he knew about the circumstances OF the
case. He expressed himself delighted with
the opportunity to give the lie to the En-
terprise ISLANDERS, which he had read with
disgust. Here is the whole story as told
by himself under oath to G. j. h. Buttlar,
Clerk of the District Court Of the Sixth
Judicial District Of Nevada. AS Colonel
Shaw has not succeeded thus far in &C
cumulating q purse for his prosecution OF
Reek Ia case which has become his own
now, as he will be proved guilty OF libel
unless he can prove Reek q "murderer"),
we take pleasure in giving him this part
of the case for the defense. 1t may serve
to stimulate him and his three or four
in,rpo1istia 10Y fpi1nnnru in thnir ptfnrtl at
mo%ney-getting in the forlorn hope Of
saving one of their number, the editor of
the Territorial Enterprise, from public
condemnation. Everybody here knows
Morrison to be a good, square, honest miner.
1t will be interesting to see him confronted
on the witness stand by Colonel Shaw's
gentleman dug up in San Francisco"
But this is the testimony as to who fired
the first shot:
STATE OF NEVADA, COUNTY OF EUREKA.-
On this oath day of November, A. d.
1882, at my Office, in The Courthouse, in
the County of Eureka, State of Nevada,
appeared before me, Chas. J. r.. Buttlar,
County Clerk of Eureka County, State of
Nevada, John Faulkner Morrison desiring
of his own free will and accord to make a
deposition under oath in the matter of the
shooting between James E. Anderson and
George j.. Reek, and, being first duly
sworn, deposes and says as follows
My name is John Faulkner Morrison;
my age is AZ years; was born in Scotland,
and have been a resident Of the town of
Eureka, State of Nevada, since 1869; my
occupation is that of a miner. l was pres
ent at the shooting between James E.
Anderson and George J. Reek, on the Sd
day of November, A. D. 1882, in the town
nf E,,ro1,o afap1 on tha aIoa nf th0
sidewalk, about 70 feet below Reek, but l
did not notice Reek until after the first
shot was fired. Anderson fired the first
shot Immediately after coming around the
Ruby Hill stage, and his pistol was pointed
in the direction in which Reek stood. I
afterwards saw Reek fire several times,
and subsequently saw Anderson fire in the
street. 1 was not personally acquainted
with Anderson or Reek, but knew both
by sight. Anderson had his pistol in his
hand when l first saw him and he imme-
diately fired. l saw the smoke issuing
from his pistol and heard the report at
the same time. Reek fired the second shot
and several times afterwards. There were
a few seconds between the shot fired by
Anderson and the shots fired by Reek.
The reason I did not appear at the prelim-
mary examination was that l was absent
at Diamond with Captain Rock and E. E.
Phillips on a surveying trip, when the
examination was being had. On my re-
turn from the surveying trip, the day
after the examination, I stated to Justice
Harmon all I knew in this matter. I
make this deposition because I believe it
my duty to the public that justice may be
done, and that parties interested may have
the benefit of what I know about the case.
I have no interest or bias for or against
either party to the ARRAY. I am working
in Diamond District, 10 miles north of
Eureka, where 1 may be found at any
time. JOHN FAULKNER MORRISON.
Subscribed and sworn to before me,
this Gath day Of November, 1889.
sEAL. CHAs. j. r. BUTTLAR, Clerk.
State of Nevada, County Of Eureka.--I,
Chas. J. r. B~uttlar, County Clerk, do
hereby certify that John Faulkner Morri-
son, having been first duly sworn, testified
as above set forth, after which I read the
same to him, and to which he then affixed
his name and made oath that the same
was the truth, the whole truth, and moth
ing but the truth,
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the Court
this the 24th day of November, A. D. 1882.
SEAL. CHAs. j. R. BUTTLAR.
County Clerk, Eureka Co., Nevada.