New York Charley Lynched by Chinese
| Newspaper: | Weekly Independent |
|---|---|
| Publication Date: | Sun, Sep 19, 1880 |
| Published at: | Elko, Nevada |
| Page Number: | 3 |
Article Transcript
IS IT A MURDER?
Mysterious Disappearance of G. W. Mardis of Island Mountain.
[Daily Independent of Wednesday.]
A letter received here from E. Penrod of Island Mountain last evening, contains the following startling intelligence of a probable murder and robbery near that place last Friday, the facts in relation to which, as given by the writer, are substantially as follows:
G. W. Mardis left Island Mountain Friday morning for Elko, to purchase a load of supplies for the Chinese. Saturday morning Mr. Hatch of Hat Creek, Chris Olsen and others, discovered Mardis’ team, tangled up and part of them down, about five miles out. Moccasin and pony tracks were plainly visible around the wagon, the pony tracks leading in the direction of the camp. No signs of Mardis were visible, and after a search for him in the immediate vicinity, they followed the pony’s trail which led directly to Island Mountain, where they learned that an Indian called “Ground Hog” had eaten breakfast and departed for Duck Valley only a few hours before their arrival. The Indian was well acquainted with Mardis, and had always professed great friendship for him. His camp is about a mile from where the team was found. On his arrival, he was asked if he had seen anything of Mardis’ outfit, and replied that he had not. Hatch with two or three others went back to the wagon and commenced a thorough search for Mardis but without success. Later in the day they discovered the track of a Chinaman, leading away from the wagon, which they followed until dark and to within one and a half miles of Chinatown. Suspicion points to a Chinese gambler, called “New York Charley,” who left for Mountain City, Saturday, and action was immediately taken for his arrest.
Mardis had upon his person about $200 in gold, belonging to the Chinese, with which he was to purchase the supplies, and this sum has doubtless been the cause of his death, as his mysterious disappearance will admit of scarcely any other conclusion.
From John Bacon who arrived here this evening, we learn that “Ground Hog” has been entirely exonerated, it having been proved conclusively that he had nothing whatever to do with the affair.