Newspaper Clippings - Volume 44

THE CELEBRATION.

Yesterday's celebration of the great American holiday at Virginia, was a very pleasing and satisfactory one in every respect. Gold Hill concluded not to celebrate the glorious Fourth this year, so Liberty Engine Co. No. 1, together with the Hose Company of young men attached, went to Carson, while the other fire companies and citizens generally staid at home to take care of the town, or attended to celebration at Virginia. At early dawn the day was ushered in with a national salute from the big gun "Gen. Grant," on Fort Homestead, and similar salutes were fired at noon and sunset. Plenty of other salutes were fired at Virginia, including those by the Nevada Artillery Company, Capt. Lore commanding, at sunrise and sunset. Flags were displayed on all the hoisting works, public buildings, etc., throughout Virginia and Gold Hill, and the weather was propitious, the sun having its warmth somewhat tempered by passing clouds, from which occasionally a few drops of rain fell to cool the air. The country people and even the Piutes gathered into Virginia at an early hour, and gaily dressed people crowding the streets and sidewalks, and houses on either side beautifully trimmed with flags and evergreens, presented a very pretty holiday scene, highly appropriate to the occasion. The houses of the various engine companies especially, all had their fronts very tastefully decorated with evergreens and flags, and in fact, we have seldom seen prettier general decorations on any similar occasion in that city.

THE PROCESSION

Was of course the grant public feature of the occasion, and was composed of the Fire Department, military, Miners' Union, city officers and a few other appropriate participants, numbering about 900 in all. It was well marshaled and conducted throughout. It formed on B street, marched out to the Divide, back through C street, and by way of Sutton avenue and D street passed to Piper's Opera House, where the oration, poem and other usual exercises were given. The firemen never turned out so finely, although we have seen them in greater numbers; but they paid better and more elaborate attention to make-up and decorations than usual, and the military looked fine. General Van Bokkelen and Gen. Winters, with their respective staffs, were in the lead. They were followed by the Emmet Guard, Virginia, 40 in number, the Sarsfield Guard, of Gold Hill, numbering 50, and the National Guard, of Virginia, numbering 45. The Sarsfields outnumbered either of the other companies, but all presented a really creditable and truly soldier-like appearance, the little Nevada Artillery Company of veteran gunners, with a howitzer drawn by four black horses, being the rear guard of the military division. Next followed some carriages containing the officers of the ay, city officers, the Sutro tunnel Commissioners, etc. And now came the

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Virginia Engine Co. No. 1, had their machine handsomely trimmed with flags, wreaths, etc., and drawn by six gray horses; the little Goddess of Liberty riding beneath the beautiful canopy on the machine, was Lizzie Denning. Rooster Hose Co., attached to this company, turned out in good style, with their hose carriage beautifully trimmed, and with a live fox and a game rooster mounted upon it. Young America Engine Co. No. 2, made the finest display. Their large machine was splendidly decorated and drawn by eight horses, with four colored grooms riding the near horses, dressed in red jackets and caps, white pants, etc., and Gussie Scott, with three attendant maidens, rode as the Goddess of Liberty, under the pretty canopy on top of the machine. Good Will Hose, attached to this company, composed of young men, followed, with their hose carriage elegantly trimmed, and were succeeded by fifty little boys dressed in black pants, white shirts, and straw hats with red ribbons bearing "Young America" inscribed thereon in gild letters. They drew a huge allegorical picture or transparency, representing Peace and War, with the portraits of Washington, Lincoln and Grant, and they were about as proud and happy a set for their inches as anybody ever saw. Eagle Engine Company, No. 3, made an excellent showing. Their fine machine was very tastefully trimmed with evergreen festoons, flowers, flags; and Isabella Alchorn, who rode as Goddess of Liberty, beneath a very handsome canopy, was about as pretty and tastefully arrayed a little divinity as could have been desired. Washoe Engine Company, No. 4, had their most effective and neat machine trimmed and decorated in a very tasteful manner, surmounted with a splendid canopy, and Miss Carrie Clark rode as the Goddess of Liberty. She was very appropriately dressed, and the prettiest Goddess we ever saw on any similar occasion. Knickerbocker Engine Company, No. 5, did not have any goddess or canopy on their machine. They turned out the greatest number of firemen, however, and their machine looked just right in the eyes of all good judges of fire engines. It was a pattern of neatness and efficiency. One of the finest features in the procession was Neptune Hose Company, attached to the knickerbockers. It is composed of some of the best and smartest young men of the city, and their hose carriage, recently from Sacramento, was tastefully trimmed, and showed to excellent advantage. The members were dressed in black pants and white shirts, and blue caps with red bands. Mounted beneath a beautiful canopy, in front of the hose reel, sat little Jimmy Fair, son of J. G. Fair, the well known mine and mill owner. Jimmy personated Neptune, or rather a son of Neptune, and was dressed in the blue pants and jacket and broad collar trimmed with white stripes, usual to the neat sailor costume, and a blue ribbon of his jaunty little straw hat bore the word NEPTUNE in gild letters. He was seated in the stern sheets of a miniature boat, with a little steering oar, or paddle in his hand, and looked as dignified as the captain of a revenue cutter, or a young Admiral. Monumental Engine Company No. 6 had their machine also appropriately decorated, and had two little girls riding beneath a pretty canopy. Their hose company of young men were tastefully dressed, and all presented a fine appearance.

LAST DIVISION.

After No. 6 Engine Co. came the Social Base Ball Club of Virginia-quite a feature in the procession. At the head were two boys carrying two fine flags, presented to the club by Mrs. A. Wylie. Inscription: Spcials, on one side; on the reverse S. B. B. C. in gold letters. The Club was in command of W. Mott, captain and pitcher, carrying a beautiful bat, presented by C. F. Sliter, Esq. Foster, c.; Wylie, 1st b..; Daniels, 2d b.; Cain, 3d b.; Cheveria, s. s.; I. Lyser, l. f.; Kleuphfer, c. f.; Flick, r. f., who marched in time and showed that they were well drilled in base ball, as well as (if occasion required) could handle a musket. The Miners' Union, to the number of 200 or more followed, walking two abreast, looking well, and half a dozen carriages, full of ladies, gentlemen and children, brought up the rear. There were bands of music and plenty of flags and banners borne along, and the procession was frequently cheered as it passed along.

THE EXERCISES

At the Opera House were well attended, all of the seats being filled with an interested audience of ladies and gentlemen, while occupying chairs upon the stage were many prominent gentlemen, Government officers, etc. Mayor J. C. Currie, President of the Day, was appropriately introduced by Hon. F. A. Tritle, the Marshal, and made a short speech, which was followed by excellent music by the band, and other exercised in the programme in due rotation. The poem of J. T. Goodman, Esq., was read by Col. R. H. Taylor. It was patriotic and good in sentiment, and well written, but too long, and we fancied not quite up to his average in merit, yet that might have been owing to the idea that it gained nothing in the reading. The oration of Hon. C. N. Harris was fairly delivered and appreciatively applauded. The exercises closed at 3 o'clock P. M., and firemen and everybody else went about visiting and enjoying themselves as they thought best.

THE FIREWORKS

in the evening were confined to private demonstrations in that line. Rockets, fizzle-wheels and all that sort of thing were indulged in to a considerable extent in all parts of the city, and some of the private exhibitions of pyrotechnics along the side of Mount Davidson were very meritorious. Nothing serious occurred to mar the general festivities, and altogether the celebration was a gratifying success.

WRECK OF A CHURCH.--Saturday night, about midnight, a general alarm and decided sensation was created at Virginia, by the falling of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Taylor street, between D and E streets. It was a large, handsome brick building, built in 8163, at a cost, it is said, of $75,000, but its construction must have been very defective, for its fall can be attributed to no other cause, there being no wind blowing at the time, nor any other outside influence apparent inducing such an accident. The roof never was properly constructed, supported or secured, and has, consequently, been settling, especially during the last six months, causing the walls to gradually bulge out at each side. The earthquake of a year or so ago, is also said to have shaken and cracked the building more or less. The north wall being the weakest, from the large windows on that side, finally gave way at the hour indicated, letting the entire roof down with a terrific crash, except about ten feet at the front or E street end, thus leaving the steeple or cupola standing. With such force was the north wall driven out that it not only filled Taylor street with bricks and rubbish, but totally demolished a two-story wooden building on the opposite side of the street, throwing it bodily down a steep bank and landing it roof downward upon the roof of another building. An old colored man, residing in the demolished house fortunately escaped with only a rib broken and a few bruises. A coal oil lamp was broken and set a sofa on fire, but it was extinguished by the prompt application of a bucket or so of water. The grand crash, as well as the cry of fire caused a general alarm to be sounded by the Gould & Curry whistle, and fire bells, bringing out all the machines of the Department, but fortunately they were not needed. Had the south wall similarly fallen there would most certainly have been much more damage, and the loss of several lives, for the residence of Mr. Savage is close to the church. As it was, the upper portion of the wall falling upon it did considerable damage. A pile of bricks came crushing through the roof and partially through a wooden ceiling into the room where Mrs. Savage and little daughter were sleeping. In the next room two or three men were sleeping, and luckily at the south side, for the north half of the room was totally demolished by a huge body of the falling wall. Had they been at the other side of the room they would surely have been killed outright. The stables of Mr. Savage, where his teams are kept, would also have been destroyed had this wall fallen. The south corner of the front is very unsafe, and has been so for some time past the stone foundation being cracked and spread open five or six inches. Quite a report was in circulation at first that the building had been maliciously blown up with powder, but there is no indication whatever of any such thing. The building fell simply from its own defective construction. The carpenter work of the roof was defective, and the mason work of the walls by no means good, the bricks being evidently laid in mud instead of good mortar. It was indeed fortunate that the accident did not happen during church hours, or any occasion when there was a congregation present. We hear it stated that the Pastor, Rev. Mr. McGrath, had prepared a sermon against the Vigilance Committee, which he ws going to deliver yesterday, attracting doubtless an unusually large audience. Had the church taken occasion to fall then, the result would indeed have been fearful. Chief Downey had a force of men at work yesterday, notwithstanding that it was Sunday, clearing the ruins of that church out of Taylor street, while other parties were busy throwing down such portions of the wall as appeared liable to do injury from falling. We understand that the church is to be rebuilt; if so we would suggest that the corner-stone laid in 1863 be re-lain, or re--opened, in order to insert this item.

A DESPERATE AND FATAL SHOOTING AFFRAY.

At just 4½ o'clock last evening, town time, shortly after the News went to press, Jabez Spencer was shot and almost instantly killed by James Murray, in front of the Vesey House, on Main street. The circumstances, as near as we can ascertain, are as follows:

The Victim.

Jabez Spencer has always been considered an orderly, quiet, well behaved man, steadily working as an engineer for some years past in the Sunderland and other mills in this vicinity, and lastly, up to the time of his death, at the Mariposa mill. He was 41 years of age and a native of Illinois. Some four months ago he married a young woman in this town, but we understand she proved to be of a frivolous uncertain disposition; at any rate, for reasons best known to themselves they did not get along well together, disagreeing to such an extent that about three weeks ago he advertised her in the usual form as having left his bed and board without sufficient cause or provocation, and warning all persons from harboring or trusting her on his account, as he would pay no debts of her contracting.

The Slayer,

James Murray, is a miner by employment, working latterly in the Segregated Belcher mine, and is also known as a hard working, steady, peaceable man. He is somewhat younger than his victim, and not noted for getting into any difficulty of the kind before.

The Shooting.

Spencer had just returned from a short visit to Virginia, and rode through to the stand, at the lower end of Gold Hill, on the omnibus. Shortly afterward he walked up street, stopping to talk at one or two points with acquaintances, and just as he arrived in front of the Vesey House, Murray came out of the dining room upon the porch, and seeing each other they each drew a pistol, but Murray fired first, and Spencer fell in the street about ten feet from the porch, with his pistol--a Smith & Wesson seven shooter--in his hand. He had partially raised it as though to shoot, and fell forward on his face.

The Fatal Bullet

Had entered his left breast near the shoulder, and ranging downward, passed through his left breast, lodging beneath the lower edge of the right shoulder blade. Blood issued from his mouth and nostrils, and he only breathed a few times after he fell, not living more than a minute.

Exciting Chase.

Murray could not have been more than about fifteen feet distant when he fired, and when Spencer fell he immediately passed out through the dining-room and kitchen of the hotel and ran up the hill past the Yellow Jacket south works, as he says, to avoid any excited crowd, desiring to give himself up to the proper officers only. Reaching the railroad track he ran along to the Crown Point bridge, where he was headed off by Captain Taylor, Superintendent of the Yellow Jacket mine, who told him to stop, but he pointed his revolver and ordered the Captain to stand back, which he thought ample suggestion and obeyed, not having any weapon. Judge Robinson, Deputy Warden of the State Prison, also came along and was set back the same way. They told Murray he had better stop, as he could not get away, for they would follow and keep sight of him, which they did. Directly Abe Jones, Chief of the Fire Department, and ex-officio policeman, also in pursuit, came up and gained upon the fugitive, following him along the bowers Grade to near the old Bowers mill, shouting to him to stop. Recognizing Jones, Murray at once stopped, turned about, reversed his pistol in token of surrender, walked toward the officer, gave himself up and was taken to the calaboose.

Cause of the Shooting.

Since the separation Mrs. Spencer has not lived with her husband, but has been stopping principally at the Occidental lodging house, on South C street, Virginia. Murray is said to have been intimate with her. At any rate, Spencer has been very jealous of him as well as of others, and is said to have caused one other man to leave Virginia by reason of it, a week or two ago. According to the testimony of one witness at the Coroner's inquest three or four days ago Mrs. Spencer was waiting in front of Odd Fellows' Hall for the omnibus to come along on its way to Virginia, when Murray came down street and stopped and spoke with her, but noticing Spencer and his brother-in-law approaching, he passed on. They overtook him in front of the Yellow Jacket office and had words with him; in fact, witness says, one or both struck at him, and he got out of their way as best he might and went on down street. We also hear it stated that Spencer had made threats against Murray. Another witness, who saw the shooting, states that Murray took his supper as usual at the Vesey House, and just as he had passed out of the dining room door upon the porch he suddenly stepped back, throwing up his hands a little as though startled or surprised, and directly afterward drawing his pistol he dodged about somewhat, and stopping a little he rested the muzzle of his pistol over his left hand, fired from beneath the awning, which hung down in front of the porch. Then he sprang back and again made a movement, as though he would fire again, but desisted when he saw his first shot was fatal. None of the witnesses say they heard any words pass between the parties, but it seems to be a case of shooting on sight.

Coroner's Inquest.

Coroner Symons came down from Virginia and held an inquest at Justice Putnam's office just before noon to-day. Quite a number of witnesses were examined, but we do not care to publish their voluminous testimony, the substance of which we have already given.

The Verdict

Of the jury was to the effect that deceased was named Jabez Spencer, was a native of Belvidere, Boone county, Ill., aged 41 years, and came to his death by means of a pistol shot fired by James Murray.

The Wife

Of deceased happened to come down from Virginia on a beer wagon a few minutes after Spencer was shot. She seemed considerably affected and went back to Virginia on the next omnibus. She left for Reno by Woodruff & Ennor's stage line last evening, crying bitterly.

Self-Defense.

Murray is much depressed in his feelings to-day. He declares that he shot Spencer to save his own life, knowing that he was desperate in the matter and seeking a collision. Town Marshal Harkin has the pistol Spencer was armed with in his possession. He joined actively in the pursuit of Murray, who says he was desirous of surrendering himself to Harkin when followed and captured by Jones.

The Examination

Of Murray is going on before Justice Putnam this afternoon.