From: Jennifer Hansen, Public Information Officer
Date: April 5, 2012
RE: 150th Anniversary Honoring the “In Line of Duty Death” of Sheriff N.F. Scott
In the year of 1861, the United States was experiencing the Civil War. Areas all over the country were in battles against each other. Locally, the Owens Valley was not immune from these tribulations of war. The war was known as the Owens Valley Indian War. This was a war that lasted for about two years and began because of the white man’s disregard for the property and rights of the local Indians.
On Saturday, April 5, 1862, Mono County’s first Sheriff, N.F. Scott, responded to the Owens Valley for a battle taking place between the Native American Indians and the U.S. Calvary. After the Calvary had attacked a group of about 500, they retreated and sought shelter in an irrigation ditch under the cover of darkness. Sheriff Scott was shot and killed when he lit his pipe.
Today, on the 150th anniversary of his death, the Mono County Sheriff’s Department will honor and forever recognize their first leader.
Sheriff N.F. Scott, along with all those law enforcement personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty, will be nationally recognized on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in honor of National Law Enforcement Memorial Day.
Prepared and written by: Jennifer Hansen, Public Information Officer
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What was he smoking in his pipe? 🙂
Interesting account of the history of that war. http://www.militarymuseum.org/OwensValley.html
Grover, thanks so much for posting the link. It was a facinating read about the history of the valley and the pioneer’s conflicts with the local natives. It was very interesting to see how quickly the natives adapted to asymetrical warfare and were willing to fight while still wanting peace.
Am I the only one who finds this vastly inappropriate? We Mono County tax payers will pay to “honor” a participant in the wholesale destruction of the native people of this valley? Am I the only person who’s read “The Story of Inyo?” This is embarassing – especially since apparently in a century and a half, this guy’s our best candidate.
I also find it not only inapropriate but offensive!! What audience where you looking for when you said “their first leader”? To me it is another article to phrase those who had there hand’s knee deep in the miss treatment of the Natives. IT MAKES ME SICK!
And that same mentallity of taking all that the Earth has to offer with no regards to our kids future that what we do today will be sustainable tomorrow. ITS NOT!! MORE DRILLING AND CONSUMING AT THE RATE WE DO WILL NEVER BE A ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEM. If you want a answer I can give it to you, but 0% of you are willing to make the sacrifice that is needed.
And yeah Reality Bites they where still willing to fight in conditions where most would give up. And they always wanted peace!
sure shot and killed as he lit his pipe, what about all the woman and children that were killed in there sleep? “oh wait wrong perspective huh”
I am wondering if it was up near Plant 6? Or it could be out in Round Valley?
Could this be the Battle of Bishop Creek? Or
the battle over at the base of the Wheeler Crest?
Not much information from the Public Infomation Officer.
PS.
Looks like smoking was bad for you back then too.
Does anyone know where this incident took place in the Owens Valley?