Joe Mulholland

Las Vegas Age

(Lincoln County, Nevada)

October 7, 1905

SUNDAY’S KILLING

Night Watchman Mulholland Shot to Death

Joe Mulholland, recently appointed night watchman, was shot to death in Arthur Frye’s saloon, on First Street, about six o’clock last Sunday morning. The man who did the killing was one Wm. McCarty, a habitué of the saloon district.

From the testimony adduced at the preliminary examination, it appears that McCarty and Mulholland had had some words over a ring, which led to a vicious quarrel between them. As a result of this quarrel, according to the testimony of R. T. Lockett, a bartender in Frye’s saloon. Mulholland struck McCarty and later pulled his gun and placed him under arrest, marching him away to the lockup. A little later Mulholland returned to the saloon and stated to Lockett that he had let McCarthy go, as the jail was cold and damp and he would not put any man in such a place for the night.

It seems that after being liberated, McCarty went to one Jack Quintell and procured a gun. Returning to the saloon about six o’clock he walked up to the bar and ordered a drink. About that time Mulholland came in through a back door, walked up to the other end of the bar and stood there. Suddenly McCarty was heard to say “Have you got your gun?” or something to that effect, and before the words were fairly out of his mouth; three shots were exploded in rapid succession. The only other persons present were bartenders R.T. Lockett and G.S. Collins, who were making up the cash for a change of shift, and did not realize what was happening until it was all over.

So far as the deed itself is concerned, it appears to have been premeditated and committed in a deliberate and cold blooded manner. Regarding what may have happened prior to that time there is little positive evidence.

One of the shots entered Mulholland’s body a little in front of his right side and the other two penetrated his back. The wounded man was conveyed to a tent fronting on Second Street in the rear of the Pioneer saloon, and Drs Martin – and Renshaw summoned. Dr. Martin arrived first and made an examination and preceded to dress the wounds, but he found his patient in a dying condition. Mulholland expired at eight o’clock about two hours after the shooting.

An inquest was held Sunday afternoon and a verdict rendered in accordance with he facts.

The preliminary examination was held in Justice Ralph’s court Monday. The only witnesses were Drs. Martin and Renshaw, called as experts at the inquest and Collins and Lockett who were present at the shooting. After taking the evidence McCarty was committed without bail.

Deputy Sheriff Murphy on Monday took the prisoner to Pioche where his fate will soon be decided by the Grand Jury and the District Court, as the Court is now in session and the Grand Jury will convene next week.

Through the generosity of J.O. McIntoch, of the Arizona Club, the deceased was given a decent burial as no reply was received from a telegram sent to his mother before it became necessary to inter the remains. Mr. McIntoch was assisted in making the arrangements by Arthur Frye and C.E. Burke. These three proprietors closed their places of business during the funeral ceremony.

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