White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-09
UNPROVOKEO MURDER
OF THOMAS B. MAHAN

about so years, native of
Pennsylvania, came to his death
at Dolly Warden, Elko county,
Nevada, on the I'd day of July,
1922, by means of q gunshot
wound inflicted by enc Ed Aus
tin of Dolly Warden. Elko coun.
ty, Nevada.
The above verdict was filed by the
coroner's jury following the inquest
held at Currie, New. last Tuesday
before Justice of the Peace ]. u.
Schmid.
The body of Captain Mahan, as he
has been familiarly known through
out White Pine county fo- number
of years, was discovered about 6
o'clock Sunday evening by Colonel
George Henry and George Maddalena
of Cherry Creek when the Two men
went to the cabin occupied by Ed
Austin, near Dolly Warden. NADIA
lena and Henry had previously bor-
rowed team from Mahan and upon
going to the Austin cabin later to
look for him came upon MS iifeless
body, which was lying In the cabin
door, covered win q blanket and
with gunshot wcund In the head.
Immediately following theic grue-
some find Henry and Maddelena went
TO Cherry Creek, where they made
known their discovery OF the mur-
dered man. and excitement immedi-
ately rose TO fever heat.
Austin came into Currie late SUM-
day, arriving about midnight. So
far as can be learned he said moth
ing regarding the unfortunate hap
pening at his cabin, but upon learn
ing Monday morning of the discovery
of Mahan's body. Austin armed him
self and departed In Il southerly di-
rection. When but few miles out
of Currie he approached the high
way, where he met Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Skianer, who were driving
in their car In the direction of Ely.
Austin stopped them and told them
ii would be best for them to take him
as far as Ely. Skinner told the man
he was not going as far as Ely but
would take him In that direction as
far as he went. Austin appeared
nervous and told Mr.. and Mrs. Skin
ner in effect that IL they were aware
of what had happened they would be
glad to take him to the county seat.
He was brought In the Skinner car
to the Zubiri ranch. where news of
the tragedy had teen previously re-
ceived, with advice as to suspicion
pointing to Austin. BY telephone an
urgent call was sent from the Zubiri
ranch to Cherry Creek requesting
that a posse hurry to the ranch,
where 1t was said CONSERVATION pre-
vailed, as the fugitive was armed
and had admitted that he would not
be took" allowing" that he would
take a bunch with him in the event
any attempt was made TO place him
under arrest
Deputy Sheriff McAulay engaged
Sam Hagans of Cherry Creek to drive
him, together with John f. Graves,
from Cherry Greek to the Zubiri
ranch. Upon tho arrival of the Of
iicers there several ranch hands were
gathered at the rear of the Zubjri
home and upon being questioned by
the deputy sheriff they seemed una
bic to give positive information as
TO the situation. The deputy sheriff
then decided to rush" the house and
finding Austin on the screen porch
placed him under arrest The pris-
oner was Immediately placed In a
car belonging to Lazaro Zubiri, who,
together with McAulay and Graves,
in charge of Austin started in the
direction Cf Ely.
Sheriff Nicholson. who few hours
before had received n telegram ad-
vising him of the tragedy and the
actions of Austin, was on
his way down Steptoe valley 10 Gp-
prehend the murderer when he met
the party N the Zubiri car coming
toward Ely, and returning with them
the sheriff placed Austin in jail here.
Sheriff Nicholson Immediately noti-
fed Sheriff Joe Harris of Elko coun-
ty that Austin was in custody here
and the Elko county sheriff, accom-
panied by his son, who were in pur-
suit of the fugitive, Immediately
drove to Ely, where Austin was de-
livered up by Sheriff Nicholson and
taken to Elko county A charge of
murder was later filed aginst him,
but those with whom he conversed
most recently incline to the belief
that Austin Is demented.
When arrested at the Zubiri ranch
he pleaded with the officers for pro-
lection. which was taken to mean
protection against mob violence.
When told that he would not he
taken back to Currie but would be
brought to Ely he appeared well
pleased.
When later questioned by both
Sheriff Nicholson and Sheriff Harris,
Austin admitted the shooting Of Ma
han, and when asked why he did II
he replied that he thought Mahan
was bad man. After answering a
few questions his mind would seem
70 ramble, but he told Sheriff Nichol-
son and Sheriff Harris that as Mahan
entered his cabin he shot him with
4 shotgun. When asked IL he had
trouble with Mahan he said he had
not and he further said that Mahan
had paid him the sum of $3.50 short
ly before the tragedy.
He claimed that Mahan was armed
when he entered the cabin, but there
appears TO be no evidence to bear out
this statment, which Is accepted more
In the nature of an hallucination on
the part of Austin He expressed
some fear of mob violence at Currie
and before leaving Ely begged the
sheriff to protect him on the trip to
Elko.
Austin has two sons who are now
employed by Ed Murphy near Wells
HE uifa CON, itfad eufnida Gonna