THE MENDOCINO TRAGEDY— THE VENDETTA REVIVED.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 337, 12 March 1868, Page 3

THE MENDOCINO TRAGEDY— THE VENDETTA REVIVED.

(From the San Franc'mco Bulletin.) The Mendocino Democrat of October 26th gives the following particulars of the aifray between the Coates and Frost families ; by which six men were killed, The extraordinary and awful occurrence which brought despair to two families, and cast a mantle of gloom over the entire community, has so engrossed the attention of our people, that we have been only able to place a few particulars in connection witii the sad affair before our readers. In making up the statement of the case, we have drawn upon the knowledge of the friends and acquaintances of the respective parties resident at Little Lake, as well as upon the testimony adduced before the Coroner. Like many other affairs, the origin was the concurrence of several events, such as two or three fist fights between members of the Coates and Frost families, and a spirit of superciliousness in both, in which one was as much to blame as the other, The fight was commenced by Wesley Coates, who banterod Duncan (a brother-in-law of the Frosts) to fight him. Wesley Coates went into the sWe where Duncan was sitting, and asked Duncan if he would take back what he said on a previous occasion, Duncan replied that he would not, to which Coates added that he could not whip him, and that if he thought he could, to step out and try it ; Duncan accepted the challenge and walked out in the road, whero Coates pulled off his coat, when Duncan struck him twice with a pistol on the forehead, breaking the pistol in two and knocking Coates down. At this moment the friends of each party rushed in and all crowded together, and the firing commenced. It is not known who fired first, and as those who were engaged were mostly killed, and as the spectators dispersed when the firing commenced, all that did happen is not precisely known. Upon j the one side were Duncan, Martin Frost, Isham Frost, and Elisha Frost. The three last-named were brothers. On the other side were Wesley Coatea, Albert Coates, Henry Coates, Thomas Coates, James Coates, Abraham Coates, and Abner C. Coates, Wesley, Henry, and James Coates were brothers. Abner Coates was the father of Albert, and uncle of the three brothers. Abraham was a cousin of all the others except Thomas, who was his uncle. All the Frosts and Duncans had pistols — Colt's navy revolvers. Duncan, however, broke his in the beginning of the fight, and did not shoot it. Wesley Coates and Abraham Coates had pistols, Abner Coates had a doublebarrelled shot gun — one rifle-barrel and one shot-barrel, and Wesley Coates also had a knife. One of the witnesses ex* amined before the Coroner's Jury swore that James Coates had a knife in his hand immediately before the commencement of the fight. It is not known positively whether any of the combatants had other weapons or not. Martin Frost was seen to shoot Wesley Coates, Abraham Coates, and Henry Coates. Isham Frost was seen to shoot Thomas Coate3 ; Elisha Frost was seen to shoot Albert Coates, and A.bner C. Coates lulled Elisha Frost with his shotgun, both barrels of which were discharged, and took effect. Abner Coates wa3 shot in the shoulder, by whom is not known. He was the least hurt of any wounded, though his wound is severe, James Coates received a pistol shot in the abdomen, which was at first considered mortal, but there are now hopes of his recovery. It is not known who shot him. Duncan was dangerously stabbed and cut about the neck, back, and arm. His wounds at first were regarded as fatal, but he is said to be recovering. It is presumable that Wesley Coates cut and stabbed him) as. a large knife was found lying

almost in Wesley's hand immediately after he was killed. The blade of the knife was very bloody. Five were killed instantly and never spoke except Albert Coates, who exclaimed — " My God !"and fell and expired. A friend rushed to Elisha Frost instantly, turned him over (he fell on his face), he threw up his hands, gave a groan and died. Abraham Coates survived until next day about noon, when he died. He was sensible to the last. The shooting could not have lasted more than a quarter of a minute. It was like (as some of the listners expressed it) the firing of a string of shooting srackera, the shots were in such quick succession. There were about twenty shots fired. After the fight, Martin Frost and Isham Frost began to reload their pistols, but being advised not do so by some bystanders, desisted, and put their pistols in the scabbards. Three or four pistols were found on the ground after the fight was over. Among them was a derringer not discharged. It is aaid that Wesley Coates shot at Elisha Frost during the fight. Frost had somo four or five mortal wounds, and about forty others of small shot. Duncan was insensible at the end of the fight. Elisha Frost leaves a widow and five or six small children. Thomas Coates, who was sixty-three years of age, leaves a wife and a son and daughter. The two latter are young, but grown. Abner C. Coates has a family. All the others are young single men. The dead were taken into tluThall and laid out side by side, where they remained until they were placed in the coffins. They were then taken outside the hall, and placed in front of it, whence they were removed to their graves. As the coffins lay in front of hall immediately before the funeral procession moved, the friends of the deceased came up to take a farewell glance at themThen transpired a scene rarely witnessed. The parents, children, wives, brothers, and sisters, of the slayers and slain mingled their tears together over those who a few short hours before were grappling in fierce combat, but who now were cold and still, and lay peaceably side by side. The sobbing and wailing that rose from the numerous mourners were enough to melt heart of flint. "My father !" "My brother!" "My husband!" "My Son !" and similar expressions were simultaneously ejaculated. Few eyes were dry in the large assemblage present. The funeral procession was conducted with great order and judgment. The first waggon moved up and took off the oldest, Thomas Coates, and as it moved off five elderly gentlemen, all about the same age as deceased, served as pall-bearers and walked along with the waggon to the grave. The next that followed was Elisha Frost, who was next in age. A like number of similar pall-bearers took charge of his remains. The same ceremony was observed in each case. The funeral procession was about three-quar-ters of a mile in length. They were all buried in the same graveyard, a few feet' only from each other.