In the rough mining camps of northern Nevada, justice did not always wait for a courtroom.
In 1908, a man known as “Doc” Phelan was caught robbing a saloon in Sierra, Nevada. According to the report, he had taken liquor and cigars from J. Carter Miller’s place when local men followed, captured him, and made him hand over the stolen goods.
Then came the punishment.
nstead of turning him over to the law, the citizens forced Phelan to leave camp on foot, sending him across the desert toward Mill City with one dollar for food and a clear message that he was no longer welcome in Sierra.
Bad Man Forced to Leave Sierra
SIERRA, Nevada. — “Doc” Phelan, well known in the camps of northern Nevada, was on Tuesday night caught in the act of robbing a saloon owned by J. Carter Miller and after being forced to give up the goods he had stolen, was forced to walk from Sierra across the desert to Mill City.
John Llewellyn, a mine owner of this place, saw Phelan entering the saloon and notifying several other men followed Phelan and captured him.
After capturing Phelan the citizens forced him to return a quantity of liquor and cigars he had taken from the saloon and then forced him to walk across the desert, giving him $1 with which to buy food at the next camp.
Source: Tonopah Daily Bonanza. Tonopah, Nev. May 24, 1908.
