October 8, 1870 – Below is a newspaper clipping detailing the infamous Merrinville Shootout. Most records of this gunfight have been lost or destroyed. Article courtesy of the Daily Examiner. (Preserved and annotated by Jonathan Robotnik Jr. – 10.27.06)

Gruesome Gunfight in Merrinville.

Outlaws and a Street Gang are the Combatants.

Nine Men Killed and Thirteen Wounded.

Merrinville (NV), October 07. – One of the most violent street-fights took place at exactly noon here in the town of Merrinville, resulting in the deaths of nine innocent persons and the wounding of thirteen others. The confrontation started with the presence of a known gunslinger Beauregard Rabbitt and the arrival of a notorious gang called The Sand-Blasters. The fight to-day was between Beauregard Rabbitt, two accomplices, Bill Oxley and Ike Shelton, on one side, and Jack Calaway, Alfred Avery, Shelton Wolf, Joel Rhodes and Harvey Logan on the other. Speculations arose concerning the motivation of the gunfight and the Sheriff placed the incentive over a dispute between principles. Beauregard Rabbitt and his accomplices broke away from the Sand-Blaster gang over an argument regarding Calaway's behavior. Beauregard has stated that he tried to defend Merrinville from the Sand-Blaster's assault and did not intend for anybody to get injured or killed. Calaway reportedly shot and killed Ike Shelton as he walked out of the sheriff's office this afternoon. Beauregard in reprisal

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issued this statement before he fled the town, "Nobody double-crosses the Sand-Blasters!" Beauregard was said to have left Merrinville after paying his respects to the deceased to take on the duty of sheriff in his hometown of Deliverance, Nevada.

Though not dated, this is a copy of an original letter written by Beauregard Rabbitt to his niece Lillian "Bunny" Rabbitt, who he believed to be residing somewhere in the Las Vegas valley. (Preserved and Annotated by Jonathan Robotnik. – 06.12.05)

To my loving Niece,

I hope you are doing well in Las Vegas. It hurts me every day to know that you are out among the harsh landscape alone and terrified. I curse the day I ever told you the truth about your parents. I might never forgive myself. Now, in light of everything I must confess the horrid decisions I have made but I suppose you already knew them so there is no use in hiding anymore. I had joined a nefarious band of outlaws in hopes of gathering the money needed to provide medicine for Aunt Lulumae's bone illness. I had been an outlaw for five years now, but after the violent quarrel in Merrinville, I realize now that the leader of this posse, Jack Calaway, has been plotting something sinister for our beloved town. He plans on pillaging and burning it so that he can steal the oil that lies beneath it. Therefore, against my own convictions, I have taken it upon myself to defend Deliverance as its sheriff. Maybe it is my misplaced attempt at atonement for those I have killed that I now defend those in peril from Jack Calaway's evil. I do not know what fate awaits me in this new delegation, but I know that I must be brave in fulfilling this newfound duty.

On the night of October 9th, the Sand-Blasters entered Deliverance and started shooting our friends. Ned Plinkett, the barber, Bill Dubois, the hotel clerk, Judge Henderson, and Deputy Pell were all killed. I have no other choice now but to enact a decision that I have deep reservations about. On the 7th of October, a brigade entered our town with the promise of offering protection from Jack Calaway's ill-treatment. A young man calling himself Patch approached me with the proffer. In return, if I agreed, his company will mine our fields for their enterprise and a modest percentage of profit would be given back to us so that our community may survive.

My dearest niece, I do not trust these men but what other choice do I have? I am not afraid of death, but what must I do? I fear that my sins will render our small town and all those we have come to love at their knees in defeat. Through my most egregious fault, I may have sealed the fates of several dozen innocent lives. For the sake of our friends and family, I must shelter them from tyranny and oppression by any means. This is my only recourse., but if I do not try, then you have my permission to lie this coward in a cold, unmarked grave for it will be justice deserved.

If anything shall happen to me, I will die knowing that I attempted to right the evil I once wrought. I have sincere intentions; believe me. I know it is hard for you to understand but please believe me. I did not murder your parents. In these unforgiving times, we must align ourselves with those who have authority and sanctuary. Maybe one day I will be pardoned. I do not ask for your forgiveness, nor do I ask that you retain the love you once had in me when I nursed you. I know I will never have that back. However, I want you to know that I will always look fondly back at our time spent. I believe your father would be very proud of the young woman he brought into this grim and ugly world. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Always.

With love,

- Uncle Beau