From: THE CALL OF GOLD Joseph BRANSON, prominent mining man, who lived to a ripe old age, arrived near HORNITOS, as a child, in the early fifties. In speaking of his boyhood days, he said: "My brothers and I witnessed many shooting and stabbings affairs. Outsiders never interfered with the participants and even if there was a killing, the public took a casual look and then passed by for they knew that curiosity, at such times, might be costly. "I well recall a morning when two Mexican dance-hall girls fought it out, with daggers in the Plaza. Each had a mantilla, or blanket scarf, which was generally worn around the neck, but, when fighting with daggers, was thrown over the left arm as a shield. No one interfered and both girls were mortally wounded. "Another case, which we witnessed, was a fight between tow Mexicans and a white man. One of the Mexicans stabbed the white, who immediately whipped out his gun and shot his assailant, killing him outright. The second Mexican made a lunge for the white, who, although wounded, fired at his new assailant but the shot did not kill instantly. Just at this time, a Chinese happened along, carrying on a pole two jugs of vegetable spray. Paying no attention, he came close to the dying Mexican, who stabbed him. the Chinese dropped his load and ran up the street with the dagger sticking in his ribs but soon fell dead. Four were killed, one of them being an innocent passer-by. "At another time, we boys were going down the steps into the Fandango Hall, under the Campodonico store, when we heard shots within, so we ducked low and watched. Two Mexican musicians had been playing on the stage, when a dispute over the music arose among the dancers, and the two musicians were killed. Almost immediately, it seemed, two others took their places and the dance went on."