Big Bear, CA
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Testimony of H. F. Sills in the Preliminary Hearing in the Earp-Holliday Case
H.F. Sills was a relatively obscure figure in the broader narrative of Tombstone, Arizona, but his testimony during the hearings following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral holds historical significance. As a witness during the legal proceedings that aimed to determine whether the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday acted lawfully during the famous gunfight, Sills provided crucial observations that contributed to the understanding of the events.
Background of H.F. Sills
Little is known about Sills beyond his involvement as a witness in Tombstone. He was likely a resident of the area and, like many others, had his life intersect with the dramatic events that unfolded on October 26, 1881. His testimony is one of several that were recorded during the Spicer Hearing, which sought to establish whether the Earps and Holliday were guilty of murder or whether they had acted in self-defense.
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
The gunfight itself was the culmination of long-standing tensions between the Earp brothers, who were lawmen in Tombstone, and a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of three Cowboys and left the town of Tombstone in a state of shock.
H.F. Sills’ Testimony
H.F. Sills’ testimony during the Spicer Hearing is noted for its detail and its role in providing an outside perspective on the events. His account was significant in corroborating or challenging the statements made by the Earps, the Cowboys, and other witnesses.
Testimony of H. F. Sills in the Preliminary Hearing in the Earp-Holliday Case, Heard before Judge Wells Spicer
On this 22nd day of November, 1881, on the hearing of the above entitled cause, on the examination of Wyatt Earp and J. H. Holiday; H. F. Sills, a witness of lawful age, being produced and sworn deposes and says as follows:
H. F. Sills, of Las Vegas, Nevada, a locomotive engineer for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. On furlough and visiting in Tombstone.
(Q) Was asked about any threats he may have heard on October 26, 1881.
[Objection by Prosecution. Question withdrawn.]
(Q) [Question rephrased.]
(A) I saw four or five men standing in front of the O.K. Corral, talking of some trouble they had had with Virgil Earp, and they made threats at the time, that on meeting him they would kill him on sight. Someone of the party spoke up at the time and said that they would kill the whole party of the Earps when they met them. I then walked up the street and made enquiries to know who Virgil Earp and the Earps were. A man on the street pointed out Virgil Earp to me and told me that he was the city marshal. I went over and called him to one side and told him the threats I had overheard this party make. One of the men has a bandage around his head at the time, and the day of the funeral he was pointed out to me as Isaac Clanton. I recognized him as one of the party.
(Q) Questioned on the shooting.
(A) A few minutes after I had spoken to the marshal, I saw a party start down Fourth Street. I followed them down as far as the Post Office. Then I got sight of the party I had heard making those threats. I thought there would be trouble and I crossed the street. I saw the marshal and party go up and speak to the other party. I wasn’t close enough to hear their conversation, but saw them pull out their revolvers immediately. The marshal had a cane in his right hand at the time. He threw up his hand and spoke. I didn’t hear the words, though. By that time, Billy Clanton and Wyatt Earp had fired their guns off and the marshal changed the cane from one hand to the other and pulled his revolver out. He seemed to be hit at that time and fell down. He got up immediately and went to shooting. The shooting became general at that time and [I] stepped back into the hallway along the side of the court house.
(Q) How did you know it was Billy Clanton?
(A) I saw him after he was dead, and recognized him as the one who fired at Wyatt Earp.
CROSS EXAMINATION
(Q) When did you come to Tombstone?
(A) I came here on the 25th of the month.
(Q) How did you come?
(A) I came in a bullion wagon of Wells Fargo, in company with another passenger and the driver. I knew one man was a driver, and one was a passenger. I could not recognize them on the street.
(Q) Where have you been since?
(A) In Tombstone. The first few days I was in town I stopped at a lodging house below Wells Fargo and Company’s stage barn. I cannot [give the name of the lodging house.] I stayed there 10 nights and then went to the hospital. I remained there until today. I am stopped there now. I walked there now. I walked here from the hospital.
[Doesn’t remember or know who the man was he asked regarding Virgil Earp, after hearing the threats at the O.K. Corral. Says, “I don’t know, just a man I met on the street. I don’t think I would [recognize him], as there were a great many men on the street at that time.”]
(Q) About the threats he said he heard.
(A) I merely told him [Virgil Earp] it was a party of armed men I met on the street. I didn’t know the men at the time. There were four men in the party. I can’t say they were all armed because I could not see the arms of all the party. Of two, the pistols were in plain sight. I was within four or five steps of them.
(Q) Was there anybody else around there?
(A) There were men standing back in the corral, and some were walking by and some were 15 or 20 steps back in the corral.
(Q) Describe the men you saw with arms on them.
(A) One of the men I saw with arms was a youngish looking man about nineteen or twenty years old. I don’t just remember what kind of clothes he had on. I did not pay much attention to him. I don’t know what kind of hair he had. He seemed to [be] red in the face, not very light or very dark. He had no beard or moustache. I don’t know whether he was clean shaved or not. I don’t know what kind of a hat he had on; did not notice his clothes. The other man looked to be about 30 years old. He had a moustache. His hair was dark. I cannot be certain, but I think his face was shaved, except his moustache. I did not notice his clothes particularly; don’t know what kind they were.
(Q) Which was the taller of the two men, the first one described, or the last one?
(A) The first one, to the best of my knowledge.
(Q) You say one of them had a bandage around his head. Were there not two of them with bandages around their heads?
(A) No sir, not that I saw. I only saw one. I did not notice the color of it. I only saw it hanging down under his hat. I could hardly say [as to his complexion] because he had his back to me.
(Q) You did not see his face then?
(A) No sir, not at that time.
(Q) When did you first see his face?
(A) On the day of the funeral.
(Q) Can you positively swear that the man you saw at the funeral was the same man that you saw with the bandage around his head in front of the O.K. Corral?
(A) Yes sir I can, by his appearance and by hearing him talk.
(Q) You recognized him by his appearance and by his voice as being the same man?
(A) I recognized him by his appearance and by hearing him talk with this party in front of the O.K. Corral and with other parties at the funeral.
(Q) You state that his back was toward you and you didn’t see his face; it was by the appearance of his back and his voice then, that you recognized him
(A) I took it to be the same man because he had a bandage on his head the day of the funeral and by his voice.
[COURT ADJOURNED TO MEET AT 9:00 O’CLOCK A.M. NOVEMBER 23, 1881]
[WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1881, COURT CONVENED AT 9:00 A.M.]
[CROSS-EXAMINATION OF H.F. SILLS RESUMED]
In answer to obvious questions:
(A) I am 36 years old. I was born in Kingston, Canada. I lived there until I was 20 years old. I went from there to Calinlle, Canada. I lived there about 3 years. I then went to Omaha, Nebraska. I lived [illegible] served my time in the Union Pacific shops. I was in Omaha and on the line of the road between eight and nine years. I was [in that time] an apprentice in the machine shop, a locomotive fireman, and on the road as locomotive engineer. Some of the persons who had charge of the machine shop were: Mr. Congdon, General Master Mechanic, and Mr. McConnel was foreman. I was in the shops three years. For about a year and a half I boarded at the Pacific Hotel and about a year and a half my mother kept house for me. A man, I think by the name of Jordan, kept the house where I boarded. I ran, as fireman and as engineer, about six trains. I run the train to Grand Island and Omaha. I run between Cheyenne and Laramie and between Laramie and Rolling Springs.
(Q) Who were the conductors of those trains? [Prosecution objects as being too remote. Overruled.]
(A) It would be hard for me to tell. I remember one man named Frank Fuller, another man by the name of Kelly, I think. I run on engine 75 about two and a half years.
Q) Did you ever know on that road, A. A. Bean?
(A) The name is familiar. I think there was a Division Superintendent under or over Mr. Clark; it was out of my department.
(Q) Did you know General Kimbell, the General Superintendent of the U. P. Railroad?
(A) I knew of the man, but was not personally acquainted with him.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) When I left that road I went to Las Vegas, New Mexico. I have lived in Las Vegas since last March. I left the Union Pacific road last January.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I am still in the employ of that road. I left the line of that road on the nineteenth of last month. I went from there to Tucson. I had no business there. Am going back to take up my employment on the tenth [of] next month. I got four cents a mile on the A. T. & S. F. road; the division is 100 miles long.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I came here on the 26th of last month. I came on the Wells, Fargo express wagon with the driver and a passenger.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I did not ask the driver his name and don’t know who he was. He was a middle aged man with whiskers on his face. I did not pay any particular attention to him.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I think there was a white horse and one bob-tailed horse in the team between Benson and Charleston.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I would not know the man I came with. I sat right behind him.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I am so positive that I came here on the 25th of October last on the bullion wagon, as I am of anything else I have testified to here. I stayed in Benson about half an hour, I do not think I would know the driver again, who drove the wagon I came in on, although I have seen him here on the street and spoke to him.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I had no conversation with the lodging house where I stayed nine or ten days, about the difficulty testified to here. On the night of October 25th I stayed at this lodging house I speak of.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) No I did not see anything in the hands of Virgil Earp when I went up and spoke to him on the street.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I saw him on the comer of Fourth and Allen Streets, on the further comer of Fourth Street. I should judge it was about half an hour before the difficulty.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) There were four or five men standing [near the O.K. Corral] together. I think there were four. I saw no horses with those men. I was four or five steps from them. I stayed there probably three or four minutes.
(Q) Did you see any other parties as near the party as you were yourself?
(A) There was men walked right by them on the street. [Correct, same as original] I did not know the parties at that time.
(Q) Where did you next see the same parties?
(A) I saw them on Fremont Street between third and fourth, near the comer of Third, standing in the vacant lot. There were five men in the party when I first saw them on Fremont Street and one of them left and walked off. I saw the Earps and Doc Holliday when they went down Fremont Street. I was right behind them. I went down behind them as far as the Post Office. I then crossed the street in front of what I believe is the courthouse. That is [as] near as I was to the scene of the difficulty during its occurrence.
(Q) Where are you working now, and for whom?
(A) At the present time I am on a lay-off from the A. T. & S. F. road. I am not working at all.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I am at present in the hospital. I went there on the sixth or seventh of this month.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I haven’t told anybody direct what I know of this difficulty. The first word I spoke of it to anybody was to Jim Earp I believe. I have not told any person at the hospital what I know of this transaction.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I first knew I would be wanted here as a witness sometime last week, about Thursday or Friday.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) I did not see any person on the side of the street I was on when the shooting was going on. I was standing close to the building and then stepped back into the hall when the shooting became general.
(Q) [Question not given.]
(A) The Earps and Holliday started from the corner of Fourth and Allen Streets. I did not see the other party at that time. I saw the marshal pick up a shotgun when they started from alongside of the building and hand it to Doc Holliday. Doc put it under his coat and the marshal took his cane.
(Q) During the time you were working in the machine shops and running on the U. P. or A. T. & S. F. roads, had you a nickname?
(A) Yes sir, it was Curley.
(Q) Where do you layoff at, and at whose place do you stop in New Mexico?
(A) I layoff at Las Vegas, and stop at my own house.
[Signed] H. F. Sills
References
Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad
The Bullfrog and Goldfield Railroad, often referred to as the B&G Railroad, played a significant role in the late 19th and early 20th-century mining boom in Nevada, United States. Its story is one of ambition, perseverance, and the allure of riches.
Founding and Early Years (1905-1907)
The railroad was founded in 1905, primarily to serve the mining towns of Rhyolite and Goldfield in Nevada. These towns had experienced a rapid influx of prospectors and miners following the discovery of gold in the early 1900s. Recognizing the need for efficient transportation of ore, supplies, and passengers, investors pooled their resources to establish the Bullfrog and Goldfield Railroad Company.
Construction and Expansion (1907-1909)
Construction of the railroad began in earnest in 1907, with crews working tirelessly to lay tracks across the rugged Nevada terrain. The route was challenging, requiring bridges, tunnels, and cuts through rocky hillsides. Despite these obstacles, the railroad made rapid progress, fueled by the promise of the region’s abundant mineral wealth.
By 1908, the B&G Railroad had reached Goldfield, becoming an essential lifeline for the booming mining town. Its arrival facilitated the transportation of gold ore to processing mills and connected Goldfield to wider markets, driving further growth and investment in the area.
Peak Years (1910-1913)
The early 1910s marked the peak of the Bullfrog and Goldfield Railroad’s operation. With its network expanded, the railroad played a vital role in transporting not only ore but also passengers, mail, and supplies to and from the bustling mining towns it served. The railroad’s locomotives and cars became a familiar sight, chugging through the arid Nevada landscape, carrying the hopes and dreams of those seeking fortune in the desert.
Decline and Legacy (1914 onwards)
The prosperity of the B&G Railroad, however, was short-lived. As the gold rush began to wane and mines reached their peak production, the demand for transportation dwindled. The onset of World War I further impacted the region’s economy, leading to a decline in mining activity and a subsequent decrease in rail traffic.
By the mid-1910s, the Bullfrog and Goldfield Railroad faced financial difficulties. Maintenance costs soared, while revenue declined, forcing the company to cut services and lay off workers. In 1918, the railroad ceased operations altogether, its tracks falling into disrepair and its locomotives left to rust in the desert sun.
While the Bullfrog and Goldfield Railroad may have faded into history, its legacy endures. It played a pivotal role in the development of Nevada’s mining industry, facilitating the extraction and transportation of precious metals that fueled the region’s economy. Today, the remnants of the railroad serve as a reminder of the boom and bust cycles that have shaped the American West.
Bullfrog and Goldfield Route
- Rhyolite
- Bullfrog
- Gold Center
- Beatty
- Hot Springs
- Springdale
- Ancram
- Jacksonville
- Bonnie Claire
- Wagner
- Cuprite
- Milltown Siding
- Goldfield
Locomotives of the Bullfrog and Goldfield
Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad Route
Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad Summary
| Name | Bullfrog Goldfield Railroad |
| Location | Nye County, Nevada |
| Length | 84.78 Miles |
| Operational | 1905–1928 |
| Gauge | Standard Gauge |
References
Thomas McLaury
Tom McLaury, born as Thomas McLaury, was a key figure in the tumultuous environment of the American frontier during the late 19th century. His involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and his role in the broader context of frontier lawlessness and conflict make him a significant, though controversial, figure in Western history.
Tom McLaury was born in 1853 to a Southern family in Texas. He grew up in a post-Civil War environment that was marked by economic challenges and social changes. Details about his early life are sparse, but it is known that McLaury, along with his family, moved westward in search of better opportunities. His family settled in various frontier towns and became involved in ranching and other activities typical of the expanding West.
Life in Tombstone
McLaury, like many others, was drawn to Tombstone, Arizona, by the promise of wealth from the booming silver mines. He and his brothers became prominent figures in the region, engaging in ranching and business.
Tom McLaury, along with his brothers Frank and Ike, became known as part of the “Cowboys,” a loose group of outlaws and rustlers. The McLaurys were involved in various activities that brought them into conflict with law enforcement and other local figures.
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place on October 26, 1881. Tom McLaury was present during the gunfight, which erupted between the Cowboys and the lawmen led by Wyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and their ally Doc Holliday.
Tom McLaury, along with his brother Frank and fellow Cowboys Billy Clanton and Ike Clanton, was involved in the gunfight. During the confrontation, Tom McLaury was shot and killed. The gunfight lasted only about 30 seconds but had significant repercussions for both sides.
The aftermath of the gunfight saw the surviving Cowboys and their sympathizers rallying against the Earps and their allies. The gunfight deepened the rift between the law-abiding citizens and the outlaws in Tombstone, with ongoing tensions and conflicts.
Personal Characteristics and Legacy
Tom McLaury was known to be a rugged frontier individual, characteristic of many who lived during this turbulent period. His involvement with the Cowboys placed him in direct opposition to law enforcement, reflecting the broader lawlessness and instability of the frontier. His Legacy is intertwined with the broader history of the American West. His involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and his role as part of the Cowboys has cemented him as a notable figure in Western folklore. The gunfight remains one of the most famous and mythologized events in Western history.
Tom McLaury’s life was emblematic of the harsh and often violent realities of frontier life. His death in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral marked a significant moment in the history of the American West, illustrating the intense conflicts that characterized the period and the complex nature of law and order in the frontier towns.
Charles W Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station
Charles W Friend was a scientist and astronomer who resided in Carson City, Nevada for forty years. The site of his home honors Friend with Nevada State Historical Marker number 258.
Born in Prussia on July 7th 1835, Charles Friend migrated from the old county to Folsome, California with his father during the California gold rush. Friend apprenticed as a jeweler and optician before moving to Carson City in 1867.
Between 1875 and 1876, Friend constructed the first Observatory in Nevada at his house on Stewart street, in Carson City. Utilizing the help of Nevada’s U.S. Senator William Stewart, Friend obtained a six-inch equatorial mount telescope and other instruments from the U. S Naval Academy.
Friend outfitted his observatory with a series of weather observations instruments, including rain gauges, thermometers, barometers an anemometer to measure wind speed. He took great care to ensure that all of his scientific instruments were properly calibrated and that his observations were as accurate as possible.
“All the thermometers are placed in an instrument shelter, made of lattice blinds and projecting 20 inches from a large pane of glass in the north wall of the observatory, 12 inches from the window and at the height of the eye of the observer. The thermometers are placed on wooden bars one inch square, and while there is free access of air to the shelter, all radiant heat and rain or snow are effectually excluded.”
Friend recorded observational readings from his instruments daily at 7 am, 2 pm and 9 pm to compile a climate record of Carson City. His observations were forwarded to the U. S. Army’s Signal Office.
Nevada State Historic Marker 259 Text
Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station
This is the site of the house and observatory of Nevada’s first weatherman, astronomer, and seismologist, Charles William Friend. Born in Prussia in 1835, Friend immigrated by way of South America to California during the 1849 Gold Rush. In 1867, he moved from Folsom to Carson City where he set up his own jewelery and optical store.
Friend built Nevada’s first observatory located southwest of his house and east of the Nevada State Capitol. Nevada’s U.S. Senator William Stewart helped him obtain the use of a six-inch equatorial mount telescope and other instruments from the federal government.
Charles Friend also established Nevada’s first weather service. In 1887, the Nevada Legislature passed authorization for a weather service station in Carson City. Friend became its director and created volunteer weather stations throughout the state. He compiled the data into reports that are still referenced today.
Charles W. Friend died in 1907. Since his death, the Association of Weather Services has recognized him as a pioneer in weather service west of the Rockies.
STATE HISTORIC MARKER No. 258
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE, NEVADA STATE MUSEUM, THE BRETZLAFF FOUNDATION,
NEVADA STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES, THE CARSON CITY HERITAGE COALITION
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Nevada State Historic Marker 259 Map
Nevada State Historic Marker 259 Summary
| Name | Charles W. Friend House, Observatory, and Weather Station |
| Location | Carson City, Nevada |
| Latitude, Longitude | 39.1642, -119.7637 |
| Nevada State Historic Marker | 258 |
Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.
References
California Goldfields ( Lasthenia californica )
Lasthenia californica, commonly known as California goldfields, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is native to California and is particularly prominent in the coastal ranges and valleys. This species is well-known for its vibrant yellow blooms that contribute significantly to the wildflower displays in California during the spring.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Lasthenia
- Species: L. californica
Morphology
Lasthenia californica is characterized by its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. The plant typically reaches heights of 10-50 cm. Key morphological features include:
- Stems: Erect, slender, and often branched.
- Leaves: Basal leaves are linear to narrowly oblanceolate, often covered with fine hairs.
- Flowers: Inflorescences are capitula, composed of numerous yellow ray and disk florets.
- Fruit: Achene, with each achene being topped with a pappus aiding in wind dispersal.
Habitat and Distribution
Lasthenia californica is commonly found in a variety of habitats including grasslands, coastal prairies, and open woodlands. It thrives in areas with well-drained soils and full sunlight. The plant’s distribution is largely concentrated in California, though it can also be found in parts of Oregon, Nevada, and Baja California.
Ecology
California goldfields play a significant role in their ecosystems. They provide nectar and pollen for various pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects. The plant’s early blooming period helps sustain pollinator populations before other wildflowers and crops bloom.
Reproduction
Lasthenia californica reproduces sexually through seed production. The flowering period extends from February to May, during which pollination occurs primarily via insects. After pollination, seeds develop and are dispersed by wind and gravity. The seeds have a dormancy period that allows them to germinate under favorable conditions in the following year.
Conservation Status
Lasthenia californica is not currently listed as endangered or threatened. However, its habitats are often threatened by urban development, agriculture, and invasive species. Conservation efforts focus on preserving native habitats and controlling invasive species to ensure the continued survival of this and other native wildflower species.
Cultural and Economic Importance
California goldfields are valued for their aesthetic contributions to natural landscapes and wildflower displays. They are also studied for their ecological interactions and adaptability to various environmental conditions. Additionally, they are used in restoration projects aimed at re-establishing native plant communities.
Lasthenia californica is a vibrant and ecologically significant wildflower native to California. Its bright yellow blooms are a hallmark of the spring season in many regions, contributing to the biodiversity and aesthetic value of the areas they inhabit. Understanding the biology, ecology, and conservation needs of this species is essential for preserving its role in native ecosystems.