Violence on the Nevada Frontier
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of hardship, opportunity, and, perhaps most vividly, violence. The Nevada frontier, a land of stark beauty and unforgiving terrain, was no exception. Fueled by the allure of silver and gold, and populated by a diverse mix of prospectors, entrepreneurs, and those seeking to escape the constraints of settled society, Nevada in the 19th century often resembled a powder keg ready to explode. These are stories unearthed from the archives of the Reno Evening Gazette, painting a vivid portrait of life and death in the Silver State.
The City of the Dead: Panamint’s Grim Reality
The story begins in Panamint, a settlement nestled in Inyo County, California, perched on the edge of Death Valley. This remote outpost, born of a silver boom, quickly gained a reputation as a haven for some of the most hardened outlaws on the Pacific Coast. Lawlessness reigned supreme, and violent deaths were commonplace, often quickly forgotten once the deceased were laid to rest. The town’s burial ground, located in a small gulch known as Sour Dough Canyon, became a stark symbol of the town’s transient and often brutal existence. "Oh, he’s planted in Sour Dough," was a common refrain, a flippant acknowledgment of yet another life claimed by the harsh realities of the Violence on the Nevada Frontier.
The rugged terrain surrounding Panamint dictated the means of transportation. Wagons were largely useless in the steep canyons, leaving mules and burros as the primary means of moving goods. A single exception existed: a small wagon used by the local butcher to transport meat from the slaughterhouse to the market. This humble vehicle found an unexpected second life as a hearse, the little mules pulling it adopting a somber demeanor as they made their way up Sour Dough Canyon with their mournful cargo.
Even moments of celebration were tinged with the unique character of Panamint. For the first Fourth of July celebration, the butcher’s wagon was repurposed once again, this time as the "Car of State." Adorned with patriotic decorations and carrying the town’s children, the wagon was a testament to the community’s resourcefulness. The local newspaper, the Panamint News, described the spectacle with characteristic flourish, praising the "gorgeous beauty" of the car.
The festivities were short-lived. Shortly after, Senator Stewart and Trenor W. Park, a Vermont capitalist, visited the camp to inspect their mining properties. As they prepared to depart, a dispute erupted between one of their employees, McKinney, and a man named Jim Bruce. The argument quickly escalated into a gunfight. Senator Stewart and his party wisely sought cover, while McKinney and Bruce exchanged a hail of bullets. McKinney was mortally wounded and died soon after, while Bruce survived with a crippled arm. The Panamint News, ever mindful of its place in the community, downplayed the incident, referring to it as an "Unfortunate Affair" and noting that one of their "esteemed fellow citizens was compelled to resort to violent measures." This type of incident was common with Violence on the Nevada Frontier.
The Death of Kit Carson, Jr.: A Mystery in Pioche
Pioche, another boomtown in eastern Nevada, earned a reputation as one of the wildest towns in the West. It was here, in the fall of 1870, that Kit Carson, Jr., nephew of the famed frontiersman, met his untimely end. His body was discovered near a house on Lacour Street, a bullet wound marking the cause of death. Initially, suicide was suspected, but an examination of his revolver revealed that all chambers were loaded. An inquest ruled the death a result of a pistol shot fired by an unknown assailant.
Suspicion fell on a man living in Hamilton, a town 150 miles away. The man was an agent for a stage line. Engraved on the handle of Carson’s revolver was the man’s name. It was later revealed that Carson had pawned the revolver to the agent before traveling to Pioche. A friend of the agent, without permission, engraved the agent’s name on the handle while the gun was in his possession. When Carson redeemed the revolver, the engraving remained. This unfortunate circumstance connected the agent to the murder, diverting suspicion from the true killer. The Violence on the Nevada Frontier claimed another victim.
Kit Carson, Jr., like his famous uncle, was drawn to the freedom of the frontier. He was known for his generosity, courage, and disdain for unfair fighting. The prevailing theory was that his death resulted from his defiance of the lawless element that controlled Pioche. Shot from behind, he managed to draw his gun before succumbing to his wounds.
Death Wounds: The Curious Case of Billy Killingly
Billy Killingly, a character of dubious reputation, was a fixture in early eastern Nevada. He lived a life of leisure, seemingly supported by mining companies for his willingness to use force to protect their interests. It was widely believed that Killingly would eventually "die with his boots on."
In 1873, reports surfaced that Killingly had been killed in a gunfight in Cherry Creek. The details were grim: a bullet had passed clean through his head. Those who knew him assumed his death was instantaneous. Months later, however, Killingly reappeared in Eureka, sporting white patches on his temples covering the bullet holes. He claimed to be in excellent health, joking that the only inconvenience was the sensation of air passing through the corner of his eyes when he blew his nose.
Killingly’s miraculous recovery was short-lived. He was later hanged for horse stealing in Arizona. This bizarre tale highlights the often-unpredictable nature of life and death on the Violence on the Nevada Frontier, where even mortal wounds could be defied, only for fate to intervene in unexpected ways.
Mormon Fanaticism and Prospectors’ Perils: Tensions in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah, underwent a significant transformation in the late 19th century. The once-iron grip of the Mormon Church began to loosen as prospectors from across the Pacific Coast flocked to the city. The Mormons, wary of outsiders, viewed these newcomers with suspicion and hostility.
The prospectors, primarily based in Gentile-owned hotels, faced constant surveillance and harassment. Porter Rockwell, and Brig Hampton, were rumored to be the "destroying angels" of the Mormon Church. Patrons of these hotels were often attacked in the streets, their only recourse being to flee. Tensions reached a boiling point when the daughter of a Mormon apostle sought refuge in a Gentile hotel after running away from home.
Fearing an attack, the hotel’s occupants prepared for war. The hotel office transformed into an arsenal. Among the guests were Nevada men, armed and ready to defend themselves. The proprietors of the hotel, hoping to avoid bloodshed, informed the Chief of Police, Burke, of the impending trouble. They warned him that they would resist any unlawful attempts to disrupt their peace.
The evening passed without incident. The Chief of Police likely suppressed the attack. However, a false alarm in the hotel courtyard triggered a chaotic response. The prospectors, believing they were under attack, rushed to defend themselves. While the threat proved to be nonexistent, the incident served as a warning to the Mormons. The Violence on the Nevada Frontier was averted, but the underlying tensions remained.
Murder Most Foul: A Prospector’s Brutal End
In February 1869, a particularly heinous murder occurred on White Pine Mountain, near Hamilton, Nevada. A prospector, camped with his two-horse wagon and mining equipment, was brutally murdered. His body was burned beyond recognition. The absence of his horses and wagon pointed to robbery as the motive.
News of the crime sent shockwaves through Hamilton. A search party was organized to apprehend the perpetrators. Deputy Sheriff Mason and a comrade followed the tracks of the stolen wagon. They located the camp of the suspected murderers. The horses and wagon were present, and the two men were asleep on the ground.
After devising a plan, Mason and his comrade stealthily approached the sleeping men. As they attempted to seize the weapons, the men awoke. The captors managed to subdue the suspects. The suspects were taken into custody. To the dismay of the captors and the public, the District Attorney released the men. The lack of evidence was cited as the reason. The crime went unpunished. The Violence on the Nevada Frontier once again left its mark.
Peasley’s Revenge: A Deadly Confrontation in Carson
In 1864, a deadly shootout occurred in a Carson City bar between Peasley and Barnhart. Barnhart shot Peasley. Peasley shot Barnhart. Both men died. The story highlights the code of honor and the prevalence of violence that characterized life on the Violence on the Nevada Frontier.
A Victim of Violence: Morg Courtney in Pioche
In Pioche, a man named Morg Courtney made a name for himself as a hired gun. Employed by a mining company to protect its interests, Courtney was known for his cool demeanor and deadly accuracy. He killed a man named Jim Sullivan in a street shootout.
In 1873, Courtney met his own end at the hands of George McIntyre. After a quarrel, McIntyre ambushed Courtney, shooting him in the back. McIntyre was later acquitted, thanks to the influence of the mining company that employed him. Courtney’s death underscored the brutal realities of life on the Violence on the Nevada Frontier, where life was cheap and justice was often elusive.
The stories unearthed from the Reno Evening Gazette offer a glimpse into a world where violence was commonplace. These tales, filled with gunfights, ambushes, and acts of both cruelty and courage, serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of life on the Violence on the Nevada Frontier. They paint a picture of a land where the pursuit of fortune often came at a terrible price.