Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-01-03
MURDER AND SUICIDE
At INDIAN VILLAGE
AborIsnees Celebrate New Years Eve
With Games and Drink And
Two Are Dead

The Indian village north Of town was
the scene of murder and suicide
New Years eve. Half a dozen young
bucks engaged in what they called a
hand game. and during its progress
considerable liquor was consumed.
According to one who was there near
ly all OF them were half drunk. The
game is played with small sticks
which are passed from one to the 9TH
er, while they sing and go through
motions with their shoulders and bod
Ies very much like the rag. 1t is gem
orally played with three or four on
each side.
According to report there had been
bad blood between Casey Austin and
Joe Muncey over a game about n year
ESQ, when Casey took five dollars out
OF pot which Muncey claimed, Fri
day night Muncey took one dollar out
OF the pot, saying it was part OF what
Casey owed him. Casey objected and
rough house ensued which wound
up with Muncey being tied and taken
to his tepee. His hands were tied
behind him and it was thought he
was secure for the night, but he man.
aged TO free himself and get hold of
$500 rifle. With this. he returned to
the house of Roy Jim where the game
had been resumed and he proceeded to
pump lead through the wall. He fred
three shots through one side of the
building and then he went to the other
side and fired through three shots
more. One of the shots struck Colonel
Pronto in the stomach and he drop
ped to the floor mortally wounded
The others scrambled for the door
There were about ten in the building
and it is Ii miracle that more were
not hit.
One of the Indians ran to town for
the officers. Deputy Sheriffs Cotant
and McMullen and Nightwatchman
Peck started for the scene in Charley
Cranes auto. Peck was left on the
trail to intercept Muncey if he tried to
| reach town. The others proceeded to
the Indian village and just as they
were ready to stop they were greeted
by a couple of rifle shots. The first
shattered the windshield and Crane
hurriedly extinguished iris lights. The
second went wild. The officers ther
returned to town deciding to wait un
til daylight when they would have an
even break.
Soon after the officers returned
Muncey returned to his tepee, fired 6
couple of shots through 1t from the
outside, then entered. Soon after an
other shot was heard and then all wa:
quiet. The following morning he wa!
found dead. He had evidently IaiC
down, and with a string attached Il
the trigger of the gun, sent a bal
into his brain. He was found lyint
on his back with the gun between hi!
legs.
Pronto was taken to the county hos
pital Saturday morning and that nigh
he died.
This morning an inquest was hell
and verdict was reached in accord
ance with the facts above stated.
Joe Muncey, who did the killing dit
good job ending his own existanc
He was afflicted with loathsome dis
ease, evidences of which showed on hi
hands and face. We were told by al
Indian toda" that he recently said tina
lie was going to kill another India,
and then commit suicide. He evident
ly had in mind Casey Austin, as ther
was bad blood between them. Propt
was about twenty.three years old an
Muncy was twenty-five.