The herald., 1895-09-09
FATAL FIGHT OVER A NINE
Two Men Killed and Another
Wounded in Nevada
PHIL FO0TE, GAMBLER, DEAD
The Trouble Arose Over an Attempt to
Jump Claim
Johnnie Macarthur Jumped the Chispa Mine,
Belonging to the montgomery Boys,
PHIL FOOTE, GAMBLER, DEAD
Jehnnie Macarthur Jumped the chispa Mine,
Belonging to the Montgomery Boys,
and They Killed the Guards

Information has just been received here
Of q terrible fight in Nevada between
miners and desperadoes, which resulted
in the instant killing of two of the Latter
and the probable fatal shooting OF
third. The names of those hurt are Phil
Foote. a gambler, Check Longstreet, a
half breed, both killed, and another half
breed. name unknown, was badly wounded.
George and Bob Montgomery and their
friends did the shooting. The tragedy is
the result of an attempt to jump claim
belonging to the Montgomerys.
The affair occurred in the Montgomery
mining district. Nye county, evada, and
about ITO miles north of Vanderbilt.
None of the men killed appear to have
sttem pied to take the mine, but were
merely there holding it for Johnnie Nc
Arthur, who wanted to take it from the
Montgomerys.
The trouble took place on the Chispa
claim and mad been brewing for some
months past.
1t appears that the Montg boys
have two claims in this district, one the
Chispa and the other the Johnnie. They
are situated about four miles apart. For
the last year the Montgomerys have been
working the Chispa. and had erected a
ten-stamp mill on the property. They
were in debt for supplies and various
other expenses to the extent of $40. 800 to
Macarthur, who is the proprietor Of the
Pahrump ranch. Macarthur has threat
ened to take the Cnispa from them if
they did not settle, and 1t is understood
went so far wnen the mill was being
erected as to say he intended to get it as
soon as the place was completed. The
Montgomery boys went ahead. as they
had the promise of backing from F. ".
Smith and ex-Congressman Cannon of
Utah. but who. il appears. failed to abide
by their agreement. As soon as the mill
was finished and the line OF pipe laid,
nearly 100 men we're put at work and
kept there up to within about two weeks
ago. For some reason the development
of the Chispa was stopped and work
begun on the Johnnie mine.
Macarthur has kept we'll posted as to
the movements of the Montgomerys, and
almost Immediately after they left the
ChisrA he had put up monuments and
staked off the location and claimed it as
his own property. The Montgomerys
were told that when they liquidated the
claim he had against their mine he would
give it back to them.
Arthur employed a number OF men to
stay on the Chispa and guard his inter-
ests. To do this ne hired men who had
been hanging around Pahrump. Phil
Foote, Billie Meyer, Check Longstreet
and six othe, half breeds were armed and
stationed at the Chispa mill. One morn
ing last week as they were seated at
breakfast crowd OF men from the John
ME mine, and it is said headed by the
Montgomery boys, surprised them and
poured volley into the crowd before
they could reach their weapons or escape.
Foote and Longstreet were killed and one
Of the half Dreeds hurt. Meyer sue
ceeded in getting away. Macarthur was
absent at the time or he would probably
have been one of the fist shot.
Further particulars are difficult to Sc
cure. as the place is very remote from
any telegraph station. The few details
Thompson from his brother, who is at
present at the scene of the trouble. 1t is
understood, however. that a posse OF
deputy sherIffs has gone to the district
and further trouble may be expected at
any time.
Billie Meyer is a desperate who was
formerly gam bier in Arizona and in
1882 killed, in company with two other
gamblers, another gambler named Lew,
territory and sentenced for life. He had
a new trial and was acquitted. The
other two were tried and sentenced for
life, but they we've pardoned later by the
governor.
Foote, the man who was killed, was a
gam bier and bad man generally.
Mr.. Thompson expects further particu-
lars within the course of the next few
days.