On Monday, 30th ult., a portion of Denver City, on which there was but little improvement, was "jumped" by parties who immediately commenced the erection of houses thereon. The next morning a meeting of the "Claim Club" was called, and resolutions passed--peaceful in character--which were published in our regular issue of Wednesday morning. Upon the adjournment of the meeting, the members of the Club present--about eighty in number--proceeded to the ground where the jumpers were at work, to warn them to desist, when within about one hundred yards of the building, they were warned to halt, and rifles were immediately leveled upon the crowd by the four men at work on the building. A council was held, after which John C. Moore, Mayor of the city, advanced to hold a parley with the jumpers. He was peaceably received, and on his return reported that there were in the building some forty guns, heavily charged, and that the parties assured him that they would fight to the death, rather than give up.
    Another council was held; some were in favor of charging the barricade--but wiser counsels prevailed, and all returned to town where another meeting was held, but no definite action determined upon.
    Matters continued unsettled and dubious throughout the following Wednesday. Excitement was increasing, and the jumpers were arming, and some said fortifying, their position. Thus matters rested in Denver.
    In the afternoon of Wednesday, a new excitement was raised in Auraria, brought about immediately by the robbery of countryman's wagon of a large number of turkies. Petty thieving had become for a month past fearfully prevalent; clothes-lines had been robbed; venison, turkies, bacon, flour, and everything movable--in some instances to the value of hundreds of dollars--had been stolen, and thefts were of almost nightly occurrence.
    Suspicion of the turkey stealing fastened upon certain parties; a meeting of citizens was called; charges made and refuted; and finally a committee appointed to investigate the case, with instructions to report on Thursday, at 9 A. M., to which time the meeting adjourned.
    The Committee commenced their investigations, and during the evening examined a large number of witnesses, from whose testimony it was clearly proven that Thomas Clemo, William Todd--alias "Chuck-a-luck"--William Harvey and William Karl--alias Buckskin Bill--were guilty of stealing the turkies. Excitement ran high, and steadily increased during the evening and early part of the night. The "Bummers," as they call themselves, marshalled all their available forces, and soon after dark began parading the streets with drawn arms. Peaceable citizens were stopped on the streets, with cocked pistols and glittering knives presented to their breasts.
    About nine o'clock, ex-sheriff, W. H. Middaugh--one of the most important witnesses against the thieves--was fired upon as he stepped from the door of the Vasquez house, the ball grazing his head and penetrating the door, the flash of the pistol almost burning his face--the shot was fired by McCarty. A few minutes later Middaugh was again fired upon through the window of the Vasquez House, by Harvey.
    Word was immediately sent to the drill room of the Jefferson Rangers who were on drill at the time. They proceeded to the scene of disturbance, and during the night a patrol was kept up to guard against fire--open threats and boasts having been made that the buildings of some men would be in ashes when the sun rose. When passing along the street Thos. Pollock was met by McCarty, with a drawn bowie knife, who threatened to cut Pollock's throat. Pollock went home, armed himself, returned at about eleven P. M., and was again met by McCarty, who attacked him with his knife; Pollock struck him over the head with a heavy Hawken's rifle, laying open his scalp and effectually rendering him hors du combat for the remainder of the campaign. Had he given him the contents of his rifle, in a vulnerable place, it would, no doubt, have terminated the trouble, and, as everybody says, served him right.
    Later, Pollock was met by Harvey, who presented a six shooter, but Pollock was surrounded by friends, and a dozen pistol barrels were instantly in what Harvey considered dangerous proximity to his person. The clear click, click, click, of cocking pistols didn't suit him, and he beat a hasty retreat. Nothing more of note occurred during the night in Auraria; the vigilance of the patrol preventing any attempt at firing houses.
    In the meantime another scene in the drama was being enacted in Denver. A party, during the night, proceeded to the house erected by the claim jumpers, threw it down, and chopped up the logs.
    Morning of Thursday dawned; the jumpers discovered their loss, and prepared to wreak vengeance on R. E. Whitsitt, the Secretary of the town company, who they blamed for the act. He was not suspecting danger until crossing the street to speak to a friend, when a rifle was leveled on him, and his probable death prevented only by the fortunate interposition of a friend. A little later he crossed to the Auraria side of the creek, and it was reported that armed men were watching for him in the streets of Denver.
    Thursday, 10 A. M., the meeting of citizens again assembled in Auraria. Several hundred persons were present, and much excitement prevailed; at the same time there was a calm and cool determination to give to the accused a fair hearing. The report of the committee was received, and, on motion, adopted.
    Some farther evidence was adduced, when, on motion, it was

    Resolved, That Todd, Harvey and Karl be given five hours to leave the city, under the penalty of hanging, if found here at the expiration of that time, or ever afterward.

    A committee was appointed to hear further evidence in the case of Clemo, with instructions to report at two o'clock P. M. In the meantime, the "Bummers" against whom the above sentence had been pronounced, had fled for parts unknown.
    2 P. M.--The meeting of citizens has adjourned, without any further action. All the implicated parties have left the city, under the order passed this morning.
    Another meeting is called to convene in Apollo Hall, at 3 1-2 P. M.
                                                                            THURSDAY, 4 P. M.
    The Claim Club met in the Apollo Hall. But little was done, except the appointment of a committee of eight to draft resolutions to report to-morrow evening, to which time the meeting was adjourned.
    A few minutes later adjournment, Maj. R. B. Bradford was met in the street by Capt. Wm. H. Parkison, and five of his friends, all of whom were heavily armed, and implicated in the claim jumping. Capt. Parkison presented a cocked rifle at the Major, and at the same time held in his hand a revolver, also cocked, and charged the Major with having made false statements in the recent meeting; language which the Major denied having used, and appealed to a bystander, who supported the Major's assertion. Capt. P. replied that he wished no further conversation, and immediately fired his rifle and revolver--in all, three shots--which passed over the Major's head, and very near.
    8 P. M.--Threats of firing the city, and preparations making to protect life and property.
    MIDNIGHT.--The night is clear and pleasant, with moonlight almost as bright as day.
    Armed men are patrolling the streets; private and public houses are guarded.
    A knock, or approaching footsteps, meet the response of "who comes there?" accompanied by the click of pistol or rifle.
    FRIDAY MORNING.--There was no disturbance during the night. We incline to the belief that the Auraria difficulties are permanently settled.
    In regard to the claim jumping, we fear it is hardly commenced. The Claim Club meeting this afternoon will probably take definite action.
    FRIDAY, 2. P. M.--A meeting of citizens convened in Apollo Hall, to adopt a plan for the mutual protection of land claims. Brief but pointed and explicit resolutions of mutual aid and support were adopted without a dissenting voice. Subsequently a written proposition was received from Mr. E. W. Wynkoop on behalf of Messrs. Parkison, Thompson, and Mickie, proposing to relinquish possession of that portion of Denver City by them held, upon condition of the Town Company reimbursing their expenses incurred thereon; upon which Messrs. Bradford, Clancy and Wallingford were appointed a committee to confer with said parties, with instructions to report at 7 o'clock P. M., to which time the meeting adjourned without transacting further business.
    7 P. M.--Citizens reassembled when the Committee made their report, having effected a settlement on the basis proposed at 2 o'clock P. M. Thus the claim difficulty is for the present settled--we hope forever.
    On the Auraria side of the creek but little of moment has occurred. A nightly watch is maintained to guard against incendiaries and assassins.
    Geo. Steele who has been twice before ordered out town, returned again Friday and made violent threats against the lives of three or four citizens, swearing that he would kill them before morning.
    In the evening a search was made for him and kept up during most of the night--but ineffectually. On Saturday it was reported that his rendezvous was in a certain house some miles out of town; at night a descent was made upon it but the bird had flown.
    During the night of Friday, Wm. Karl, alias "Buckskin Bill," one of the expelled of Thursday, was found secreted in an Indian lodge. He was taken, placed under guard, and the next morning was given five hours longer to emigrate--some provisions and a blanket were given him and he early took advantage of the leniency extended, and left for parts unknown.
    This Karl is a most singular man--the owner of a valuable farm, and the head of a most interesting family, in one of the best counties of Iowa, on the Cedar river, above Cedar Rapids. Less than two years ago he was an industrious and thriving citizen. He wandered away from his family; last spring found his way out here, and in a few months has sunk to the very lowest circle of social life, herding with Indians, and bearing the name of common thief. In conversation he seems a gentleman and bears evidence of a cultivated mind. He has already been expelled from all the populous districts of this country, in which he has sought to take up a residence.

Source:

Unknown, "Exciting Times," Weekly Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, 8 February, 1860, page 3.