Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1885-10-20
FALSE REPORT.

A Sensati0n Spoiled by n KnOwl-
edge OF the True State of Affairs
What Was Reported n Fatal
Shooting ARRAY Proved Nothing
More Than u MISUNDERSTANDING
Between Two Italians Said 10 be
Intoxicated.
Considerable excitement was o~ccasioned
in town Sunday afternoon by the arrival
OF an Italian from Slough Station on the
Austin road some 20 miles west, stating
that q shooting ARRAY had occurred near
the station, in which two men were shot.
The informant was In such q state Of ex-
element that it was impossible to get from
him any definite particulars concerning
the ARRAY. He repeated every few
moments, when questioned about the
matter, that two men had been shot, one
| Of whom was John Comaits. HE employer,
and both were probably dead. Sheriff
| S,inson and District Attorney Cheney
| thought Ii probable that q small sized riot
| had broken out among charcoal burners
that they knew of in the mountains near
Slough Station, and getting DR.. Thoms,
the three were driven to the scene. Upon
their arrival OF the station toward evening
they found an entirely different state OF
affairs from what they expected. Comaita
laid upon y couch and showed evidences OF
being sick at the stomach and had Q few
bruises about the head and face. Other
wise he was all right. An investigation
commenced, and from what could be
learned it appeared that on the day pre-
vious Comaita was going from Eureka to
Slough Station, of which he 10 one Of the
--x-..ka.. 49, 10. m n 49, CIV rnslaa Aha 4
side Of his destination ho met John Mattel.
q coal burner near that section, walking
and on his way TO town to purchase some
supplies. Mattel had q shotgun with him
at the time. Notwithstanding the relations
between the two men were anything but
the most friendly, Comaita stopped his
horses and the two talked several minutes.
Both OF them, IL is said, had either been
drinking prior to the meeting, or else they
drank together. Comaita learning Of
Mattei's object in coming to town,
offered to make the purchases for
him In o day or two. when he would
be coming in again. This suited Mattel
and he got into the wagon to go to Slough
Station to remain over night. The shot
gun, il appears, was stood on its stock in
an upright position between the two men
and while riding along 1t was acci-
dentally, no doubt-discharged, the shot
tearing off q portion Of the rim OF Co.
maita's hat. The horses, becoming fright
ened, gavo a luuge forward. and the two
men falling out, the animals ran away.
The procipitated individuals picked them
selves up and commenced accusing one an
other of an attempt Ut murder. and it is
probable q scufie ensued. Finally, Co.
malta started out on loot for the station.
and Mattel left for his charcoal camp. The
former, after his arrival at the station, ap.I
peared somewhat used up and very sick at
his stomach at times, and on Sunday
morning one OF his employees. getting
alarmed without my apparent cause.
jumped onto a saddle animal and came to
town and, in his excitement. circulated the
rumor mentioned.
Sheriff Stinson, District Attorney |
Cheney and DIR. Thoms, learning the true
state of ~affairs. returned at once to town.
briu ging with them Comaisa for treatment
II 1t was seen that he needed any. No
search for Mattel was made at the time,
but yesterday morning Sheriff Stinson
sent out Q deputy to bring him in. Co.
malta was reported all right yesterday.