The Sage Brush, Susanville, California - 18 July 1868 2;2 Murder and Lynching in Surprise Valley. On the 27th of last month one of the citizens of Surprise Valley, named Brundridge, was murdered by a saloon keeper named Gough, and the murderer was subsequently hung by the residents of the neighborhood. The facts attending the terrible tragedy, as we learn them from Mr. Frank Peed just returned from Camp Bidwell, are these: Brundridge had a wife with whom he was living at Mill Creek. He was proprietor of a saloon kept by Gough at that place and was considered by all who knew him as an honorable inoffensive citizen. In the forenoon of the day mentioned the two men were out in company, either on business or as looks more probable, at the direct instance of Gough under some pretext which would afford an opportunity for committing the murder that he had in contemplation. Gough returned alone and reported that he and Brundridge had had a difficulty which resulted in the death of the latter. The murdered man was found with a pistol by his side recently dischar! ged and one of his gloves partially removed as if to indicate that an attempt had been made to take the life of his companion. Tracks were discovered about the body, evidently made by some person in the act of depositing a pistol and making such other arrangements as would accord with a contrived plan to justify murder. The body was buried and a close watch set upon the murdered. It was observed that he manifested little or no concern for the commission of the murder and that he was immediately installed as lord of the household of the man he had murdered. At a meeting of the citizens called soon after, all the above circumstances were duly considered as well as the previous bad character of Gough. Brundridge was never known to a carry a pistol and had the reputation of being a sober estimable citizen. The conclusion arrived by the citizens court, and the only sane one that could be deduced from the facts in the case, was that Gough had foully murdered Brundridge that he might succeed him in the affairs of his home. Gough was thereupon condemned to death and Mrs. Brundridge was ordered to leave the valley forthwith which she immediately did and is now stopping we are informed in the lower portion of the Honey Lake Valley. After the sentence and while preparations were being made for a gallows Gough remarked that if it was really the intention of the people to hang him he would assist them in the work; and he actually did ascend the rude scaffolding prepared for him and jump off of his own accord after the rope had been adjusted and his arms pinioned, thereby taking from the citizens quite all the responsibility of his death. We don't remember of ever hearing of a similar tragedy and doubt very much if there is any man in the country that seriously deplores t! he action taken by the citizens in this matter. Gough is the same person who so recently shot and killed sergeant Cassady of Camp Bidwell and wounded two soldiers that were with him. He had proven himself a desperate, bad man, and in his death, the places that knew him will not deplore his loss. Brundridge was a man of some little mean, well respected and was seldom known to have any difficulties with his neighbors. The terrible events of the tragedy created, as well they might, the greatest excitement throughout the valley.