The Nugget Gulch Tragedy

From facts developed at the coroners inquest held over the bodies of Ben and John Higgins at Nugget Gulch, it appears that there had been a resentful feeling existing between the two for some years. The old fued was renewed Friday morning by Ben but an end was put to the quarrel by another brother, William. In the afternoon, however, Ben appeared at the claim being worked by the ghree in conjunction, threw a pistol to John, told him to defend himself, but without waiting for the latter to move, raised a Winchester rifle and shot him through the neck, killing him instantly.

William who stood near rushed over to the wounded man's side while he was trying to revive him, he heard another report and saw Ben fall backwards. He had picked up the pistol and blown his brains out. Ben was probably insane.

The Bakersfield Daily Californian
April 26, 1896

Ben and John are buried in the East Kern Cemetery, Mojave, California

Posted by the East Kern Genealogical Society