Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1885-05-09
SAM BROWN.
His Early Career in This state
How He Met His Death.

Henry Vansickle, it will not, l think,
be out of place 10 say something Of the
noted desperate Sam Brown, whose
name is SO often connected with that of
Vansickle from the fact that it was the
latter who rid the world, and especially
Nevada, Of Sans generally unwelcome
presence. My business in the mount
aims in I86o-6I made me acquainted
with nearly all who were on the road
between Virginia City and Placerville
at that time, so of course | knew Sam
Brown. In fact he once did me great
favor-a favor which many a better
man would not have done. | had rid
den from "Yank's" through very deep
snow, and on reaching "Friday's" Sta.
tioR found that my horse was entirely
given out, while had yet to cross the
summit to Genoa before getting change.
"Friday" (Burke) had neither horse
nor mule at home, and was about to
take to the Norwegian skates when
Sam came from the stable with his ia.
nous grey mare saying, "leave her at
your stable in Genoa and | will get
yours through Tomorrow" which he
did. | tell this lest the reader may
think while reading the rest of the
sketch that was rather too intimate
with SO notorious a man.
think it was on the 9th of July, 81
that Sam Brown, who had killed eleven
men, and said he wanted another to
make it an even dozen, himself got
killed by Henry Vansickle. The writer
on that morning was in front of Wells,
Fargo & Co.'S office in Carson City,
waiting for Sam Hamilton who was due
from the East with the Pony Express.
Hamilton soon hove in sight with an.
other horseman by his side, who from
his long, flowing hair soon recognized
as Sam Brown. They came Numbering
across the plaza neck and neck up to
the express Office. While Hamilton
and were changing his saddle to an
other horse | asked him why he came
into the town with such partner. And
he said that he could not help iy--that
Brown joined him at Empire with his
horse fresh while his horse "Sp;dcr"
had run from Dayton, land by -
Pony | couldn't get away from him. "
Hamilton soon sped away West on a
fresh horse and Brown laughed till the
tears came telling me how he had play
ed Sam Ii. the pony rider. Sam stayed
in Carson until three or four o'clock in
the afternoon drinking and chatting
with seeming friends, for none dared to
seem otherwise than friendly to his
face, and then said that he was going
to Aurora and would 30 as far as Lutte
Old's that night. l thought of Van
sickle and tried to dissuade him, know.
ing that every time he was in liquor he
swore to have Vans scalp. Here
will inform the reader of the trouble be-
tween Brown and Vansickle and the
reason for it.
About a year before, Brown having
killed man in Virginia, found it SO
hot that he concluded to make trip to
California for his health. He was
closely pursued by the murdered mans
| friends one of whom borrowed Vans
pistol from his bar. keeper, George Bro,
becker, with which to hunt Brown. On
his return few months later Sam learn
ed this fact, and although Van dis
claimed all knowledge Of the loaning
of the pistol, Brown when drunk would
always be hunting for him and would
certainly have killed him had not Van
by good luck got the drop on Sam.
That was why tried TO dissuade Sam
from his trip 10 Aurora that day, know
ing that he had TO pass Vans and would
probably kill him if he saw him. 1t
was OF no use, however, he was bound
to 90 and asked me to 60 with him to
Tim Smiths stable after his mare, and
did so. Why did l goe does the read
err ask. Well, you see l knew Sam
Brown, and it is very evident that the
reader who would question me thus was
nat intimately acquainted with the gen.
tleman. He had done me the greatest
Al.