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Early on upon reaching California's [[Gold country]], Venard tried his hand at [[gold mining]], settling first in [[Colfax, California|Colfax]], but by December 1850, he had moved to the [[American River#North Fork|North Fork of the American River]]. In 1851, he moved again, through [[Downieville, California|Downieville]], and then to Nevada City. He decided to make Nevada City his home, and by 1853, had opened a grocery store on Broad Street. By 1854, he became a partner in operating the [[Empire Mine State Historic Park|Empire Mining Company]].<ref>Boessenecker, p. 37-39</ref> In 1855, he became a [[Nevada County, California|Nevada County]] deputy but resigned the following year. He ran for the office of [[Sheriff]] against [[Henry Plummer]] in 1857 but lost.<ref>Boessenecker, p. 39</ref>
Early on upon reaching California's [[Gold country]], Venard tried his hand at [[gold mining]], settling first in [[Colfax, California|Colfax]], but by December 1850, he had moved to the [[American River#North Fork|North Fork of the American River]]. In 1851, he moved again, through [[Downieville, California|Downieville]], and then to Nevada City. He decided to make Nevada City his home, and by 1853, had opened a grocery store on Broad Street. By 1854, he became a partner in operating the [[Empire Mine State Historic Park|Empire Mining Company]].<ref>Boessenecker, p. 37-39</ref> In 1855, he became a [[Nevada County, California|Nevada County]] deputy but resigned the following year. He ran for the office of [[Sheriff]] against [[Henry Plummer]] in 1857 but lost.<ref>Boessenecker, p. 39</ref>


In 1864, Venard was elected a part-time [[Marshal#State and local marshals|City Marshal]] in Nevada City.<ref name="Metz">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Metz|first=Leon Claire Metz|title=Venard, Stephen|encyclopedia=The encyclopedia of lawmen, outlaws, and gunfighters|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2003|pages=255|isbn=0816045437|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BegmwZ3fuGUC&pg=PA255}}</ref> He also worked as a detective, [[Wells Fargo]] guard and special officer.<ref name="Bancroft" />
In 1864, Venard was elected a part-time [[Marshal#State and local marshals|City Marshal]] in Nevada City.<ref name="Metz">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Metz|first=Leon Claire Metz|title=Venard, Stephen|encyclopedia=The encyclopedia of lawmen, outlaws, and gunfighters|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2003|pages=255-256|isbn=0816045437|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=BegmwZ3fuGUC&pg=PA255}}</ref> He also worked as a detective, [[Wells Fargo]] guard and special officer.<ref name="Bancroft" />
[[File:Stephen Venard2.jpg|thumb|right|Venard on the job]]
[[File:Stephen Venard2.jpg|thumb|right|Venard on the job]]
Considered at the time as the "most remarkable cleanup of [[road agent]]s on record",<ref name="Wells & Pease">{{cite journal|last=Wells|first=William Bittle|coauthors=Pease, Lute|year=1900|title=Pacific monthly, Volumes 4-6 edited by|journal=Pacific monthly|publisher=Pacific Monthly Pub. Co.|volume=4-6 (Google eBook)|page=24|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=EdoRAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA24}}</ref> Venard tracked and killed three Wells Fargo [[stagecoach]] robbers on May 15, 1866 in the [[Yuba River]]'s Myers' Ravine<ref name="Bean">{{cite book|last=Bean|first=Edwin F. |title=Bean's history and directory of Nevada County, California: Containing a complete history of the county, with sketches of the various towns and mining camps ... also, full statistics of mining and all other industrial resources |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lHFNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA16|year=1867|publisher=Daily Gazette Book and Job Office|page=16}}</ref> with four shots from his [[Henry rifle]],<ref name="Thrapp" /> returned the stolen $8,000 of [[Gold Dust]], and then apologized for the excess shot.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=R. Michael |title=Great Stagecoach Robberies of the Old West|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=bBJIiXRHAyUC&pg=PA46|year=2006|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn=0762741279|page=43}}</ref> When offered a reward by Wells Fargo, Venard accepted only half, and split the rest with his [[posse]].<ref name="Boessenecker">{{cite book|last=Boessenecker|first=John |title=Badge and Buckshot: Lawlessness in Old California|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=s99i3BauLjoC&pg=PA37|year=1993|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=0806125101|pages=37–58}}</ref> He received an inscribed, gold-mounted Henry rifle from Wells Fargo, and [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Frederick Low]] appointed Venard to his personal staff with the rank of [[Lieutenant Colonel]] for "meritorious services in the field".<ref name="Wells & Pease" /><ref>Bean, p. 18</ref> According to [[Harper's Weekly]], ''"No romance could depict greater bravery"''.<ref>Boessenecker, p. 45</ref>
Considered at the time as the "most remarkable cleanup of [[road agent]]s on record",<ref name="Wells & Pease">{{cite journal|last=Wells|first=William Bittle|coauthors=Pease, Lute|year=1900|title=Pacific monthly, Volumes 4-6 edited by|journal=Pacific monthly|publisher=Pacific Monthly Pub. Co.|volume=4-6 (Google eBook)|page=24|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=EdoRAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA24}}</ref> Venard tracked and killed three Wells Fargo [[stagecoach]] robbers on May 15, 1866 in the [[Yuba River]]'s Myers' Ravine<ref name="Bean">{{cite book|last=Bean|first=Edwin F. |title=Bean's history and directory of Nevada County, California: Containing a complete history of the county, with sketches of the various towns and mining camps ... also, full statistics of mining and all other industrial resources |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=lHFNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA16|year=1867|publisher=Daily Gazette Book and Job Office|page=16}}</ref> with four shots from his [[Henry rifle]],<ref name="Thrapp" /> returned the stolen $8,000 of [[Gold Dust]], and then apologized for the excess shot.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=R. Michael |title=Great Stagecoach Robberies of the Old West|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=bBJIiXRHAyUC&pg=PA46|year=2006|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn=0762741279|page=43}}</ref> When offered a reward by Wells Fargo, Venard accepted only half, and split the rest with his [[posse]].<ref name="Boessenecker">{{cite book|last=Boessenecker|first=John |title=Badge and Buckshot: Lawlessness in Old California|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=s99i3BauLjoC&pg=PA37|year=1993|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=0806125101|pages=37–58}}</ref> He received an inscribed, gold-mounted Henry rifle from Wells Fargo, and [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Frederick Low]] appointed Venard to his personal staff with the rank of [[Lieutenant Colonel]] for "meritorious services in the field".<ref name="Wells & Pease" /><ref>Bean, p. 18</ref> According to [[Harper's Weekly]], ''"No romance could depict greater bravery"''.<ref>Boessenecker, p. 45</ref>


In June 1866, Venard was appointed resident deputy sheriff at [[Meadow Lake City, California|Meadow Lake City]]; here, he was appointed City Marshall and became a member of the [[Meadow Lake (California)|Meadow Lake]] Yachting Club.<ref>Boessenecker, p. 45-46</ref> By 1869, he was commissioned as a [[Sheriff |Deputy Sheriff]].<ref>Metz. p. 256</ref> After being sent to [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma County]] in 1871 to investigate the Houx Gang, a group of Wells Fargo stage robbers, Venard played an important role in the capture of John Houx.<ref name="Hume & Thacker & Wilson" />
In June 1866, Venard was appointed resident deputy sheriff at [[Meadow Lake City, California|Meadow Lake City]]; here, he was appointed City Marshall and became a member of the [[Meadow Lake (California)|Meadow Lake]] Yachting Club.<ref>Boessenecker, p. 45-46</ref> By 1869, he was commissioned as a [[Sheriff |Deputy Sheriff]].<ref name="Metz" /> After being sent to [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma County]] in 1871 to investigate the Houx Gang, a group of Wells Fargo stage robbers, Venard played an important role in the capture of John Houx.<ref name="Hume & Thacker & Wilson" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Venard was almost six feet tall. He had wavy black hair, and a full beard. Never married, he spent his leisure time reading books at the [[Grass Valley Public Library#History|Library Association]].<ref>Boessenecker, p. 41</ref> Venard died of kidney failure in 1891 in Nevada City.<ref>Metz. p. 256</ref>
Venard was almost six feet tall. He had wavy black hair, and a full beard. Never married, he spent his leisure time reading books at the [[Grass Valley Public Library#History|Library Association]].<ref>Boessenecker, p. 41</ref> Venard died of kidney failure in 1891 in Nevada City.<ref name="Metz" />


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:25, 18 December 2010

Stephen Venard

Steve Venard (Lebanon, Ohio c. 1823 - Nevada City, California, May 20, 1891) was a Northern California lawman,[1] and renowned road agent killer.[2] In the course of his career, he killed six highwaymen and made several important captures.[3] He is known for participating in one of the classic gun duels of the Old West,[4] and for being one of the most fearless lawmen of the California Gold Rush era.[5]

Early years

Venard was born on a farm in Lebanon, Ohio, USA. He received his education at Waynesville Academy in Waynesville, Ohio. After moving to Newport (now Fountain City), Indiana, Venard became the first teacher of the joint town and township school.[6] Because of his participation with the Underground Railroad, a bounty was put on him, so he headed to California in March 1850 with a group of 24 others in covered wagons, arriving in September 1850.[7]

Career

Early on upon reaching California's Gold country, Venard tried his hand at gold mining, settling first in Colfax, but by December 1850, he had moved to the North Fork of the American River. In 1851, he moved again, through Downieville, and then to Nevada City. He decided to make Nevada City his home, and by 1853, had opened a grocery store on Broad Street. By 1854, he became a partner in operating the Empire Mining Company.[8] In 1855, he became a Nevada County deputy but resigned the following year. He ran for the office of Sheriff against Henry Plummer in 1857 but lost.[9]

In 1864, Venard was elected a part-time City Marshal in Nevada City.[10] He also worked as a detective, Wells Fargo guard and special officer.[3]

Venard on the job

Considered at the time as the "most remarkable cleanup of road agents on record",[11] Venard tracked and killed three Wells Fargo stagecoach robbers on May 15, 1866 in the Yuba River's Myers' Ravine[12] with four shots from his Henry rifle,[1] returned the stolen $8,000 of Gold Dust, and then apologized for the excess shot.[13] When offered a reward by Wells Fargo, Venard accepted only half, and split the rest with his posse.[14] He received an inscribed, gold-mounted Henry rifle from Wells Fargo, and Governor Frederick Low appointed Venard to his personal staff with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel for "meritorious services in the field".[11][15] According to Harper's Weekly, "No romance could depict greater bravery".[16]

In June 1866, Venard was appointed resident deputy sheriff at Meadow Lake City; here, he was appointed City Marshall and became a member of the Meadow Lake Yachting Club.[17] By 1869, he was commissioned as a Deputy Sheriff.[10] After being sent to Sonoma County in 1871 to investigate the Houx Gang, a group of Wells Fargo stage robbers, Venard played an important role in the capture of John Houx.[2]

Personal life

Venard was almost six feet tall. He had wavy black hair, and a full beard. Never married, he spent his leisure time reading books at the Library Association.[18] Venard died of kidney failure in 1891 in Nevada City.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Thrapp, Dan L. (1991). "Venard, Stephen". Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography. Vol. P–Z. U of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0803294204.
  2. ^ a b Hume, James B.; Thacker, John N. Thacker; Wilson, R. Michael (2010). Wells, Fargo & Co. stagecoach and train robberies, 1870-1884: the corporate report of 1885 with additional facts about the crimes and their perpetrators. McFarland. p. 23. ISBN 0786448555.
  3. ^ a b Bancroft, Hubert Howe (1890). History of the Pacific States of North America: California (Google eBook ed.). A.L. Bancroft & Co. p. 205.
  4. ^ Boessenecker, p. 58
  5. ^ Weiser, Kathy (October 2010). "Stephen Venard - Goldrush Lawman". legendsofamerica.com. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  6. ^ Fox, Henry Clay (1912). Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana: from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County. Vol. 1 (Google eBook ed.). Western Historical Association. p. 152.
  7. ^ Boessenecker, p. 37-38
  8. ^ Boessenecker, p. 37-39
  9. ^ Boessenecker, p. 39
  10. ^ a b c Metz, Leon Claire Metz (2003). "Venard, Stephen". The encyclopedia of lawmen, outlaws, and gunfighters. Infobase Publishing. pp. 255–256. ISBN 0816045437.
  11. ^ a b Wells, William Bittle (1900). "Pacific monthly, Volumes 4-6 edited by". Pacific monthly. 4-6 (Google eBook). Pacific Monthly Pub. Co.: 24. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Bean, Edwin F. (1867). Bean's history and directory of Nevada County, California: Containing a complete history of the county, with sketches of the various towns and mining camps ... also, full statistics of mining and all other industrial resources. Daily Gazette Book and Job Office. p. 16.
  13. ^ Wilson, R. Michael (2006). Great Stagecoach Robberies of the Old West. Globe Pequot. p. 43. ISBN 0762741279.
  14. ^ Boessenecker, John (1993). Badge and Buckshot: Lawlessness in Old California. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 37–58. ISBN 0806125101. {{cite book}}: C1 control character in |pages= at position 4 (help)
  15. ^ Bean, p. 18
  16. ^ Boessenecker, p. 45
  17. ^ Boessenecker, p. 45-46
  18. ^ Boessenecker, p. 41
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