William B. Weaver

DAILY ELKO INDEPENDENT

August 2, 1880

A TUSCARORA TRAGEDY

The startling intelligence was received here today by telegraph from Tuscarora, the Deputy Sheriff W.B. Weaver had shot and killed a man named William Hammond and was himself mortally wounded by Hammond. The news by stage in the evening confirmed the above, and furnished the following further particulars:

Late last night, Weaver, Hammond and another man were playing poker in the Delta Saloon when a dispute arose between Hammond and the third man about the ownership of the four bits, which Weaver attempted to quell. Hammond said to Weaver “You are an officer I believe,” to which the latter replied, “I am.” Hammond immediately sprang upon a billiard table and swearing that no damned officer could arrest him, drew his pistol, discharging it at Weaver, to which the latter replied with a shot from his weapon. The firing continued until both six-shooters were emptied, when Hammond closed upon Weaver but immediately fell back and expired.

An examination of Weaver’s wounds by a physician has warranted the statement that he cannot possibly recover. Twelve shots were fired in all, both men being struck in several places. Mr. Weaver was a very competent officer and his hard fate excites the deepest regret.

August 6, 1880

The Death of Wm.B. Weaver

The death of Wm.B. Weaver, which occurred at a quarter past two o’clock yesterday, says the Times-Review of the 4th instant, has caused the deepest regret throughout the entire community. Although his recovery was regarded by his friends as impossible from the first, he himself did not give up hope until almost the last moment. …William B. Weaver was born in Henry County, Mo. in 1844, and at the time of his death was consequently 36 years old. …Mr. Weaver’s mother, sister and two little children reside in Mendocino County, California, to whom the sad news of his untimely death has already been conveyed. He has another sister residing in Sonoma County. His funeral was attended generally by the citizens, and as he was laid away, there was but one feeling in the large assemblage, that of profound sorrow for his hard fate.

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