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| A group of California miners, or laborers, in the 1850s |
The Jonathan R. Davis news story, also known as "The Rocky Canon Tragedy," is a matter of "Public Record" and can be found in various newspaper archives from 1854 to 1855. But, before we go on, please understand that the word "Canyon" in most newspapers back in the day is spelled in Spanish as "Cañón" for some reason -- possibly as a holdover from the years previous to California statehood in 1850 when it was still Spanish California. That's why the more you read about this, you will see it spelled both ways.
Davis's supposed battle against a band of 11 killers was first published in newspapers and was taken as being a factual account of an incredible 11 to 1 gun battle that turned into a huge 4 on 1 knife fight. It was taken as factual until people started questioning it when too many inconsistencies in his story couldn't be proven. A total lack of evidence had people questioning it and asking if the story was a hoax or not.
Because the story is so unbelievable, the Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 8, Number 1172, published on December 25, 1854, reported the same details of the story as every other paper -- but prefaced their report with the following caution for its readers:
Sanguinary Rumor
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What is Manchausenism? Well, the term "Munchausenism" is derived from Baron von Münchhausen. The famous Baron von Munchausen's full name was Karl Friedrich Hieronymus von Münchhausen (1720 - 1797). Baron Munchausen was, in fact, a German aristocrat who became famous for telling extremely tall tales. He told extremely detailed and totally unbelievable stories about his supposed adventures as a soldier and big game hunter. He became known for telling preposterous stories. His stories were utterly absurd and so ridiculous that he was taken as someone who was purposely trying to insult someone's intelligence as well as insult someone's common sense.
Today, as was the case in the 1800s, Munchausen's legacy is his name. His name describes someone who tries to get others to accept exaggerated and completely fabricated stories as factual just to gain attention and notoriety. Also, today, "Munchausenism" or "Munchausen Syndrome," also known as "factitious disorder imposed on self," is seen as a mental health condition where someone intentionally fabricates physical or psychological symptoms to gain attention or sympathy. The goal is to elicit attention.
Some folks actually believed Davis's story of close-combat with 11 murderers and killing them all, some people took his story as the truth, and swallowed it hook-line-and-sinker. But, within a few days of Davis' story being reported, there were a lot of people who were quick to question such a fantastic yarn.
Of course, most newspapers took the story right off the news wire, "as is," and published it without adding commentary. They ran the original story put out by the Placerville Mountain Democrat, which used the banner The Mountain Democrat. That's important to note because just a few days after it hit the news wire, newspapers were starting to have their suspicions that they'd been taken in. It wasn't long before The Mountain Democrat was being looked at as falling for and subsequently publishing a hoax.
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The Georgetown News, Volume 1, Number 11, on December 28, 1854, repeated the wire story and clarified a few points. It did fail to mention Davis's "white hat" or the 17 to 28 bullet holes in Davis's hat and clothes, 17 to 19 rounds shot through his hat, and 11 rounds shot through his coat and shirt, as stated in other newspapers.
Of course, the Georgetown News went one step forward and called Davis's supposedly heroic tale "a sheer fabrication — an unmitigated hoax." Here is their report:
From the Mountain Democrat, Extra;
Desperate Fight.
Three Miners attacked by Eleven Robbers — Death of the Assassins—Confession of the Robbers—Four Americans and Six Chinese Robbed and Murdered—Heroic Conduct of Captain Davis—Destruction of the Gang — Coroner’s Inquest.
The following extraordinary news was furnished to the Mountain Democrat [newspaper], on last Saturday [December 23, 1854].
In consequence of the unprecedented good fortune of Capt. Davis, at the time we received the extra, through the politeness of the Democrat, we were disposed to doubt the correctness of the information received by that paper, but we have since received corroborating accounts through sources that we cannot reasonably question.
We therefore publish the extra of the Democrat, either as a truthful statement of the incidents therein related; or, if not true, as one of the most infamous "sells” ever perpetrated on the press: We received the following startling intelligence last night, after our paper had been worked off.
The first letter was addressed to us, the second to Mr. Henderson, our County Surveyor. Capt. Davis, whose cool intrepidity was put to such a severe test and whose aim did such fatal execution, formerly lived near this place, and is well-known to some of our citizens. He is a man of iron resolution and undaunted courage, and familiar with mountain life. Rocky Canon, the place of the tragedy, is a deep and almost inaccessible Canon, about forty miles north of this place, near Todd’s Valley, and uninhabited.
Rocky Canon, Dec. 20th, 1854. Editor Mountain Democrat — No officer having been within a convenient distance to attend to a case of emergency that has just happened near our isolated camp in the mountains here, the undersigned constituted themselves a coroner's jury and held an inquest over the deceased bodies of twelve men that were killed within a mile of our camp, on the 19th inst., a full account of which we deem it our duty to publish. Three of the undersigned were eye-witnesses to the whole scene; though too far off to give aid in any way, and the rest of us can readily vouch for their veracity.
On yesterday, the 19th inst., three men who afterwards proved to be a Mr. James C. McDonald, of Alabama, (now deceased), a Dr. Bolivar A. Sparks, of Mississippi, and a Capt. Jonathan R. Davis, of South Carolina, were traveling on foot, on a trail within a mile of our camp, to prospect a vein of gold-bearing quartz, some twenty or thirty miles north of this.
As they were passing at the base of a mountain, three of the undersigned being out on a hunting excursion on its side, saw a party of eleven men who were concealed in the bushes near the trail, spring up and commence shooting at them.
Mr. McDonald had fallen dead ere he fired a pistol, or was even aware of his danger, lie and his party had nothing but their revolvers. Dr. Sparks shot twice at the banditti, and then fell severely wounded. In the meantime, Capt. Davis, (who was the first to commence shooting m defense of himself and party in an instant after the first volley from the sobbers,) being still unhurt, kept up an incessant firing upon them with his revolvers — every ball forcing its victim to "bite the dust"— until all the loads of both parties seemed to have been discharged.
The only four surviving robbers made a charge upon Capt. Davis, three with bowie knives, and one with a short sword or sabre. Capt. Davis stood firmly on his ground until they rushed up abreast within about four steps of him; he then made a spring on them with a large bowie knife, warded off their blows as fast as they were aimed at him — gave three of them wounds that soon proved fatal — and having wounded the other one, (it seemed very slightly,) and disarmed him by throwing his knife in the air in warding off a bow, a generous impulse seemed to force him not to inflict another wound upon him and to spare his life.
As this last man expressed in a tone of gratitude before his death, Capt. Davis went to work at once, tearing up his own shirt, and binding up all the wounds of the living — of both his friends and his enemies — to stop their bleeding!
The three of the undersigned above alluded to, having reached the spot just after the close of the tragedy, Capt. Davis gave them an account of the affair, ere he was aware that they, or any one had seen it all from beginning to end, and having learned that no coroner or other officer was convenient, said that he would be better satisfied if all our party would come down and attend immediately to the wounded, examine all the deceased, himself and companions as well as their enemies, for evidence of guilt or innocence, ere one of them was touched; he came up with the three alluded to, and accompanied all of us down.
He remarked that, "though his own conscience justified him in all that he had done, he deeply regretted that necessity had forced it upon him, and that he would prefer at least for the sake of his wounded companion and the friends of the deceased one, if not for himself, that we would make a thorough investigation of the matter, and give the public a true and full account of the whole affair as far as we knew."
In our examination of the persons of the deceased, of those that commenced the attack upon Capt. D. and his party, we discovered papers carefully concealed in their pockets, purporting to be a copy of laws and bylaws by which they were governed — communications that seemed to have passed from one to the other of them, and other papers, all proving without the least shadow of a doubt, that they were a regularly organized band of robbers.
The last of this band has just died. His wound, he thought himself, but slight, and seemed in a fair way to recover until within the last hour, and corroborated all the evidence proven by the papers found in their pockets.
In conclusion, we deem it due to state that from all the evidence before us, Capt. Davis and his party acted solely in self-defense — were perfectly justifiable in killing these robbers — and that too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them for having so gallantly stopped the wild career of these lawless ruffians. We send this communication to your paper, because the bearer having a very sick family below, will travel posthaste all night to Placerville. W. C. Thompson, 0. B. Wingate, Joseph Hampton, W. A. Newman, P. S. Robertson, James C. Lewis, G. W. Hendricks, S. 0. Marshall, John E. Morris, T. C. Wallace, Isaac A. Hart, A. Hughes, T. J. Galligus, John Webster, N. B. Porter, Oliver E. Clark, J. K. Trist.
One of the three men who partially witnessed the above scene from a distance, says of this hero, that he is known in that portion of the mines as "a most industrious and excellent man, but a particularly unsuccessful miner."
We learn from Mr. Harris, Expressman from this place to Todd’s Valley, that Capt. J. R. Davis is from South Carolina, that he distinguished himself in the late war with Mexico, and that he was one of a few that escaped death in his ill-fated regiment at Palo Alto. The names attached to the article above are many of them known to citizens of this place, and therefore they inform us that the above statement and names are either a villainous forgery, or, from their knowledge of the men, the statement is undoubtedly correct. In our next issue, we shall have more light thrown on this affair, as responsible men have gone to the place where these scenes are said to have transpired in order to ascertain the whole truth in regard to it.
P. S. Later. —Through Harris’ Express, which arrived last night, we learn that interested persons in the vicinity where the above tragedy is reported to have taken place, have been investigating the truth of the matter, and report the whole a sheer fabrication—an unmitigated hoax. The exact locality of Rocky Canon is probably near Placerville — not a thousand miles from the office of the Mountain Democrat.
People started questioning Davis' story. They were not accepting Davis' story and wanted proof, evidence, something more than what they suspected was a contrived hoax. The problem for Davis is that he could not furnish any evidence of it taking place, no bodies, no graves, nothing other than a hat that "he said" was shot full of holes by killers who couldn't shoot straight.
So, imagine how fast things were moving? In less than 10 days since the purported battle took place, and Davis was being called a "hero," the Georgetown News newspaper called the story a "sheer fabrication" and "an unmitigated hoax." Of course, the Georgetown News was just the first of many to follow suit fairly quickly. In fact, the Davis story ended up being debunked within a few weeks of it being first reported.
The only four surviving robbers made a charge upon Capt. Davis, three with bowie knives, and one with a short sword or sabre. Capt. Davis stood firmly on his ground until they rushed up abreast within about four steps of him; he then made a spring on them with a large bowie knife, warded off their blows as fast as they were aimed at him — gave three of them wounds that soon proved fatal — and having wounded the other one, (it seemed very slightly,) and disarmed him by throwing his knife in the air in warding off a bow, a generous impulse seemed to force him not to inflict another wound upon him and to spare his life.
As this last man expressed in a tone of gratitude before his death, Capt. Davis went to work at once, tearing up his own shirt, and binding up all the wounds of the living — of both his friends and his enemies — to stop their bleeding!
The three of the undersigned above alluded to, having reached the spot just after the close of the tragedy, Capt. Davis gave them an account of the affair, ere he was aware that they, or any one had seen it all from beginning to end, and having learned that no coroner or other officer was convenient, said that he would be better satisfied if all our party would come down and attend immediately to the wounded, examine all the deceased, himself and companions as well as their enemies, for evidence of guilt or innocence, ere one of them was touched; he came up with the three alluded to, and accompanied all of us down.
He remarked that, "though his own conscience justified him in all that he had done, he deeply regretted that necessity had forced it upon him, and that he would prefer at least for the sake of his wounded companion and the friends of the deceased one, if not for himself, that we would make a thorough investigation of the matter, and give the public a true and full account of the whole affair as far as we knew."
In our examination of the persons of the deceased, of those that commenced the attack upon Capt. D. and his party, we discovered papers carefully concealed in their pockets, purporting to be a copy of laws and bylaws by which they were governed — communications that seemed to have passed from one to the other of them, and other papers, all proving without the least shadow of a doubt, that they were a regularly organized band of robbers.
The last of this band has just died. His wound, he thought himself, but slight, and seemed in a fair way to recover until within the last hour, and corroborated all the evidence proven by the papers found in their pockets.
In conclusion, we deem it due to state that from all the evidence before us, Capt. Davis and his party acted solely in self-defense — were perfectly justifiable in killing these robbers — and that too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them for having so gallantly stopped the wild career of these lawless ruffians. We send this communication to your paper, because the bearer having a very sick family below, will travel posthaste all night to Placerville. W. C. Thompson, 0. B. Wingate, Joseph Hampton, W. A. Newman, P. S. Robertson, James C. Lewis, G. W. Hendricks, S. 0. Marshall, John E. Morris, T. C. Wallace, Isaac A. Hart, A. Hughes, T. J. Galligus, John Webster, N. B. Porter, Oliver E. Clark, J. K. Trist.
One of the three men who partially witnessed the above scene from a distance, says of this hero, that he is known in that portion of the mines as "a most industrious and excellent man, but a particularly unsuccessful miner."
We learn from Mr. Harris, Expressman from this place to Todd’s Valley, that Capt. J. R. Davis is from South Carolina, that he distinguished himself in the late war with Mexico, and that he was one of a few that escaped death in his ill-fated regiment at Palo Alto. The names attached to the article above are many of them known to citizens of this place, and therefore they inform us that the above statement and names are either a villainous forgery, or, from their knowledge of the men, the statement is undoubtedly correct. In our next issue, we shall have more light thrown on this affair, as responsible men have gone to the place where these scenes are said to have transpired in order to ascertain the whole truth in regard to it.
P. S. Later. —Through Harris’ Express, which arrived last night, we learn that interested persons in the vicinity where the above tragedy is reported to have taken place, have been investigating the truth of the matter, and report the whole a sheer fabrication—an unmitigated hoax. The exact locality of Rocky Canon is probably near Placerville — not a thousand miles from the office of the Mountain Democrat.
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The Columbia Gazette, Volume 3, Number 8, on December 30, 1854, published the report but included the word "Doubted" at the end of their report. Here it is:
Murderous Attack
An Extra from the "Mountain Democrat" gives an account of a murderous attack made near “Rocky Canon,” on the 19th last, upon James C. McDonald of Alabama, Dr. Bolivar A. Sparks of Mississippi, and Capt. Jonathan R. Davis of S. C., by a band of robbers. Mr. McDonald was killed, A. Sparks severely wounded, and Capt. Davis was slightly wounded in two places.
This small party was prospecting for quartz leads when they were attacked. The fight was a desperate one, and Capt. D. bore his share of it manfully. Seven of the robbers were killed in the fight, and three died of their wounds that same night. One survives, who will probably recover. He is well marked, having lost his nose and a forefinger. Seven of them were shot through the head. On one of the robbers was found a copy of bylaws by which they were governed. The survivor says, their band was composed of two Americans, Frenchmen, five Sidney men, and four Mexicans —that they had just commenced operations, and had two days before, killed four Americans and six Chinamen. Capt Davis had 28 bullet holes made through his hat and clothes during the fight. Doubted.
"The following account of a desperate fight with a band of robbers, we find in the down river papers, is taken from an extra of the "Mountain Democrat." We cannot but entertain the belief that it is either a hoax or some mistake in the account of the battle. We however give it to our readers as an important item of interesting news."
The Shasta Courier, Volume 3, Number 43, on December 30, 1854, reported the same story. But, they mocked the story's legitimacy and reported that Davis's hat was only struck by 17 rounds instead of 19 rounds. The Shasta Courier reported the story, getting all of the facts correct, then summed up the yarn by saying:
"If the above account is true, —and that it is true we are the more disposed to believe for the reason that he was, at the time of the attack, in the continuation of a bad streak of luck which commenced two years back, and of course was in a most ferocious mood, —and we, therefore, avail ourselves of this, the earliest opportunity, to suggest him as a candidate for Governor."
Great Speed. —The electric telegraph has been cut down by the swift messenger who traveled post haste from Rocky Canon to Placerville, a distance of forty miles, in the unprecedented short time of forty-eight hours, bringing intelligence of the "desperate fight" said to have occurred near Todd's Valley, and of the heroic conduct of Capt. Jonathan R. Davis, of South Carolina, who is reported to have killed all of a hand of robbers, ten of the number, outright, dead as a door-nail, and wounding one slightly in the nose from the effects of which he died also, making eleven in all.
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The Weekly Butte Record, Volume 2, Number 8, on December 30, 1854, reported the entire Davis story but used the following cautionary preface:
"The following account of a desperate fight with a band of robbers, we find in the down river papers, is taken from an extra of the "Mountain Democrat." We cannot but entertain the belief that it is either a hoax or some mistake in the account of the battle. We however give it to our readers as an important item of interesting news."
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"If the above account is true, —and that it is true we are the more disposed to believe for the reason that he was, at the time of the attack, in the continuation of a bad streak of luck which commenced two years back, and of course was in a most ferocious mood, —and we, therefore, avail ourselves of this, the earliest opportunity, to suggest him as a candidate for Governor."
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The Empire County Argus, Volume 2, Number 7, on December 30, 1854, reported the story and closed their report by calling the story a "sell" and "an unadulterated hoax". Here is their report:
The affair appears to have been quite miraculous. Captain Jonathan R. Davis and his party had nothing but their revolvers, yet subsequently, Capt. Davis springs upon his assailants “with a large bowie knife,” cuts down three of the robbers and wounds one in the nose, thus destroying the whole gang of eleven, “composed of two Americans, one Frenchman, five Sidneymen, four Mexicans and two men just arrived from London," making thirteen. Three robbers having been suddenly transmogrified into one for the occasion.
A gentleman from Todd's Valley, Tuesday last, one week after the heroic affair, was surprised to hear of it in Coloma for the first time. The account of the “desperate fight” is no doubt a “sell” of the most bungling description. An unadulterated hoax.
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The Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 8, Number 1178, on January 1, 1855, reported:
Coloma Items. — The Empire Argus [newspaper] pronounces the desperate fight at Rocky Canon, a "sell" of the most bungling description.
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The Georgetown News, Volume 1, Number 12, on January 4,1855, published the follows:
The Rocky Canon Humbug
ln our last issue, in relation to the report of the destruction of a band of robbers by Capt. Davis, our devil in a postscript correcting the statement of the above affair, made rather unfair allusions to the Mountain Democrat as regards its credulity in giving publicity to the report. We are aware that from the manner in which the Democrat received the report, it could not well do otherwise than put confidence in it. As it now stands, however, one cannot but look at the whole affair as an ingenious "sell" upon the part of Capt. Davis and his friends. Although that gentleman still affirms its truth, as he is not able to bring the least evidence to attest it, we are obliged for the present to place him upon the list of practical humbugs.
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What is meant by a "sell" and a "humbug"? Well, in the 19th and early 20th century, the word "sell" meant "to trick or deceive" someone. The word "sell" can still be used as a noun to mean a "deliberate deception" or a "hoax." The word "sell" can be used as an idiom to mean "to deceive someone or tell them something that is not true."
As for using the word "humbug," in the 19th and early 20th century, it was a way to describe a scam. The word "humbug" was used to describe "a person or thing that is deceptive or dishonest," often as a hoax or in jest. It can also be used as a verb to mean to deceive or hoax. Some synonyms of "humbug" include counterfeit, fake, fraud, imposture, and sham.
As for calling Davis's story a "sell," "humbug," a "sheer fabrication," and "an unmitigated hoax," several newspapers felt that this story that Captain Jonathan R. Davis had told was all that. Just a "sell," a yarn to deceive people. And no, it didn't take it long for a newspaper to call Davis' story an out-and-out lie.
It's true. The Shasta Courier, Volume 3, Number 44, on January 6, 1855, ran a small article calling the Davis story a lie. Here it is:
The Rocky Canon Tragedy, "as we predicted," (only we didn’t, but like many others were grievously sold and likewise taken in,) turns out to be an unmitigated humbug. Capt. Jonathan Davis didn't slaughter eleven fierce brigands, nor has his hat been rendered "shocking bad" by being pierced with seventeen balls. "Lord, Lord, how this world’s given to lying."
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While this was taking place, Jonathan Davis was being treated as a "hero" and a celebrity. And as for his critics who weren't buying what Davis was selling, Jonathan R. Davis wrote to the editor of The Mountain Democrat to plead his case to get people to believe his story. But, by then, even the editors at The Mountain Democrat were referring to Davis as "Baron Munch" -- as in Baron Munchausen, who, as we covered above, became famous for telling totally unbelievable stories that he tried passing along as being factual when they weren't.
Jonathan R. Davis's letter to The Mountain Democrat hit the wire, and everyone was talking about it because it sounded like Davis was changing his story. Many saw his letter as him backpedaling from his earlier claims.
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The Los Angeles Star, Volume 4, Number 37, on January 25, 1855, carried a letter to the Editor of The Mountain Democrat that Davis sent to that paper on January 11, 1855, reporting:
The Rocky Canon Tragedy Once More.
Thus consistency and the admiration of others are gained, The Democrat says that the Baron Munch — Capt. Davis, we mean, has requested it to state that, if there be any persons still skeptical, he, the Captain, stands prepared to take them to the spot where the fight took place, and show them the graves of the robbers, as well as those of his unfortunate companions, Dr. Sparks and M. McDonald. His letter is as follows:
PLACERVILLE, January 4,1855. Editor Democrat: — Though scarcely able to leave a bed of sickness, it may not be amiss that I should say a word or two relative to our fight with the robbers the other day. Hitherto I have said as little of the matter as possible, lest my veracity should be doubted; and besides it is a matter of indifference to me whether the world is inclined to believe it or not. Your paper of last Saturday has just been shown to me; and I see your remark that I "still persist in saying that every word of it is true."
Of course; I meant the general facts as published. Since then the ''white hat" has been sent down to me; and, after a more minute examination. I find that the party who published an account of it, have erred in the number of bullets that passed through it. They must have counted all the holes where the balls came out of it, in their passage through the crown and brim of it. as well as where they entered.
The miners have disfigured it very much by poking their lingers through the holes, and tearing it. so that it is somewhat difficult to decide upon the number. I do not believe that over one-half of that number touched it.
Having been in a fever of excitement at the time I did not examine it carefully, and took it for granted that they were right. Mr. Lyles is perhaps correct in his assertion that two of the four who made the charge upon me were unable to fight on account of their old wounds.
They came up with the rest, making warlike demonstrations by raising their knives in a striking posture; and I acted accordingly. I noticed that they handled them with very bad grace, but attributed it altogether to fright or natural awkwardness. 1 did only what hundreds of others might have done under similar circumstances, and attach no particular credit to myself for it.
Yours, respectfully, J. R. Davis.
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" Late in the Day." — The Mountain Democrat publishes the Statement of three individuals who corroborate the statement of Captain Davis, the hero of the Rocky Canon Tragedy. Their long silence is owing to the fact that they were living far up in the mountains and "didn't take the papers.''
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The Daily Alta California, Volume 6, Number 80, on March 26, 1855, published a report that seemed to end the Davis story, a story that by then very few believed:
The Rocky Canon Tragedy Again. — The Mountain Democrat still sticks to the Rocky Canon affair, in which Capt. Davis performed such wondrous deeds last December. Three of the signers of the first published statement, have subscribed to a card which concludes as follows: In a word, we assert that every word we published in oar statement of the fight, in your extra of the 23d of December last, and the private letter published with it, written to Mr. Henderson by one of the undersigned is strictly true. Our sole object then, was to state nothing but the simple truth, and we will ever be ready to verify it, even on our death beds.
The Rocky Canon Tragedy Again. — The Mountain Democrat still sticks to the Rocky Canon affair, in which Capt. Davis performed such wondrous deeds last December. Three of the signers of the first published statement, have subscribed to a card which concludes as follows: In a word, we assert that every word we published in oar statement of the fight, in your extra of the 23d of December last, and the private letter published with it, written to Mr. Henderson by one of the undersigned is strictly true. Our sole object then, was to state nothing but the simple truth, and we will ever be ready to verify it, even on our death beds.
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As for Davis, it didn't take long before people started to forget and even ridicule his unbelievable story. And while in January of 1855 it was said that "If there be any persons still skeptical, he, the Captain, stands prepared to take them to the spot where the fight took place, and show them the graves of the robbers, as well as those of his unfortunate companions, Dr. Sparks and M. McDonald," the fact is that Davis didn't take anyone to the spot of where it had supposedly happened. No, not even the County Sheriff.
End of Part Two -- and Part Three is coming soon!
Tom Correa
Tom.... and so the story that was too unbelievable to be true, ends in a quiet hush.... buried along with the many folk lore stories of the gold rush era. Thank you for your research and for taking the time to lead us to the end of this incredible "Tall Tale", Your friend and fellow reader, Chuck
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