THE SHOOTING OF THADDEUS PURDY

IN THE FALL OF 1853 A MINER KNOWN AS "MUNTZ" KNIFED

AND FATALLY WOUNDED "BALTIMORE JACK" OVER A GAME OF

CARDS IN FOREST CITY. MUNTZ WAS TAKEN TO DOWNIEVILLE

AND HELD UPSTAIRS IN THE CRAYCROFT BUILDING FOR WANT

OF A JAIL . THE NEXT DAY A FOREST CITY MOB ARMED WITH

"GREAT CLUBS, KNIFES AND REVOLVERS" AND "YELLING LIKE

DEMONS" ATTEMPTED TO TAKE AND HANG MUNTZ. A SHOT RANG

OUT AND THADDEUS PURDY, SIERRA COUNTY'S FIRST DISTRICT

ATTORNEY FELL WITH A BULLET TO HIS BRAIN. HE DIED ON

A TABLE IN THE SALOON, THE VICTIM OF A FRIEND "HANDLING

THE HAMMER OF HIS REVOLVER WHEN IT SLIPPED THROUGH HIS

FINGERS". THE ASTONISHED CROWD "SLUNK AWAY". MUNTZ

WAS ACQUITTED ON THE GROUNDS OF SELF DEFENSE.

CREDO QUIA ABSURDUM

DEDICATED AUGUST 24, 2002

MAJOR WILLIAM DOWNIE CHAPTER 1849

E CLAMPUS VITUS

Submitted by Debby Drake.