C&T Publications Eye On Fine Art Photography - September 2014 | Page 56

claimed it all, permitted his lumber to lie on the side of the street until a decision should be rendered. Yesterday the decision came
and was in favor of the latter. So he immediately proceeded to remove the other property. Quite a crowd gathered to see the fun,
but fortunately it passed off without gun play or violence.”
This one, from the March 1st, 1897 edition of the Los Angeles Times, is a more amusing news item and must have caused much
excitement and entertainment at the time:
“A street fight, which had a farcical ending, was one of the divertisements of Randsburg yesterday afternoon. A stout young man
was standing on two trestles fixing a sign, when along came another stout young man of about the same size and physical makeup, and knocked the trestle from under, bringing the occupant to the ground rather suddenly. Up he got, and a fight ensued, each
giving the other considerable punishment, and collecting a crowd in short order. Before the battle was ended however, the
umpire, in the shape of Deputy Sheriff John Crawford, came upon the scene and both parties were marched before His Honor,
Justice Maguines. The trial was at once begun, several witnesses were sworn and in one of the intervals while waiting for
another witness, one of the participants got up and gravely addressed the court, stating that there was a great mistake
somewhere; that he had accidentally knocked the trestle from under the other man and that the after exhibition, which everybody
took for a fight, was simply a sparring exhibition for points, and that the blood on his face was a point against him. The Judge
inclined to take the same view of it, and both parties were discharged. The end was, all parties took a drink, both men marched
up the street together, the man who knocked over the trestles put them in place again, helped the first man up, shook hands, and
the peace and quiet of our town was once more restored.”
Since Randsburg was a booming place many a man paid a visit to increase his business potential, often staying longer than might
seem warranted by his family back home. With so many saloons, theaters and dance halls to enjoy a man just might plum forget
himself while sampling the many wonders of this growing mining town! After all, this was the Wild West and many men might not
have had many opportunities to fully engross themselves in this type of lifestyle. I can imagine that the temptations must have been
overwhelming for some.
In this next case it seems that the wife of a man conducting lengthy business in Randsburg became suspicious and decided to pay a
surprise visit: From the July 10th, 1897 edition of the Los Angeles Times:
A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY
“A domestic tragedy in three acts is Randsburg’s latest sensation. Characters. Husband, doing business in Randsburg, wife,
taking care of the home in Los Angeles while husband makes a fortune here. Act I. Husband having a good time with the fairies,
late hours, dancing, and beer galore. Act II. Irate wife suddenly appears on the scene without warning – tears, hysterics and
accusations. This act lasts three days. Act III. Division of the household, wife leaves without reconciliation for her home in Los
Angeles. Curtain rings down. Next scene presumably in the divorce court.”
And even more domestic drama caused excitement for all, probably causing tongues to wag and heads to shake for a good long
time!... From the Los Angeles Times, dated January 28th, 1897:
LOOKS LIKE ELOPEMENT
“Randsburg had quite a sensation last Friday night, when it was learned that the wife of a miner here, Mrs. Everett, and young
Ed Reddy, were missing on Saturday morning. Young Reddy is a nephew of Pat Reddy, a prominent attorney of San Francisco,
and mine-owner here. The woman in the case is some years his senior, but quite handsome, wearing diamonds and possessing
considerable money. The husband is a hardworking fellow, and when not under any strong excitement, a quiet citizen. His head
was cut by some one Friday night