Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 1

Sports Northern region basketball and state wrestling tournament results 1 7C Reed girls, Manogue boys win titles Reed's Reno 40 Micah Walker $300 $1.50 RENO, NEVADA SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2011 ONLlNERGJ.COM Smwmm a i Gazette-Journal LAST INDIAN BATTLE ONLY IN PRINT: LEGISLATIVE LOBBYING ONLY IN THE SUNDAY RGJ A contingent of hundreds works to lobby lawmakers on every issue affecting the state. While some worry about their sway, politicians and clients agree that their role is vital. LIFE THE TTW OF New light shines on century-old massacre mm DM Old accounts disputed in hunt for Shoshone Mike Uil.HUIlllllHI.il II llUMlt JUL mwiPJWWMJ mil, U. UU.iluvt!PWi-PwiWJi".li I II I I urn iw nil 'mm rf.r -'p- MARILYN NEWTONRGJ Paid lobbyists gather Wednesday around a table in the lobby of the Legislative Building. It is a favorite place for them to gather.

Lobbyists may be big players in this session of newcomers BOOKS "Shoshone Mike: A Novel" (1987, 1994) by Frank Bergon "The Last Free Man: The True Story Behind the Massacre of Shoshone Mike and His Band of Indians in 1911" (1973) by Dayton O. Hyde "The Indian Massacre of 1911" (1968) by Effie Mona Mack "Frozen Grass," a novel, (1960) by Kenneth D. Scott INSIDE Frank Bergson, author of "Shoshone Mike: A Novel" who has spent years researching the story, said the century-old case is haunted by a "sense of sadness and tragedy" for all involved. 5A By Frank X. Mullen Jr.

This is certain: four stockmen, eight American Indians and a posse member were shot dead in the frozen Nevada desert in February 1911. Over the past century, nearly everything else about the "Shoshone Mike" case has been questioned, revised and exaggerated, according to researchers who studied the case. The stockmen were murdered in Little High Rock Canyon, 135 miles north of Reno, in January, but their bodies weren't discovered until Feb. 10. Lawmen and cowboys followed the suspects' trail more than 200 miles.

A posse caught up with a 12-member Indian band on Feb. 26. Ina dry wash north of Golconda, the pursuers began shooting. When the smoke cleared, posse member Ed Hogle was dead and the bodies of four Indian men, two women and two children lay bleeding in the snow. Four Indian children ages estimated at 16, 7, 4 and 10 months were captured and brought to the Reno jail.

They were kept there for several months. Traditionally, the story has been told as a victory of justice over savagery: a tale of noble cowboys and renegade Indians. SEE MASSACRE, 4A BY THE NUMBERS 608 Registered lobbyists at the Nevada Legislature 455 Paid lobbyists 153 Unpaid lobbyists 900 Estimate of how many lobbyists could eventually register this session 10-TO-1 Ratio of lobbyists to lawmakers at the Legislature 14-TO-1 Projected ratio of lobbyists to lawmakers before the session ends $30,000 Amount allotted by city of Sparks for its legislative lobbying strategy $73,500 Amount allotted by city of Reno or its legislative lobbying year $117,500 Amount allotted by Washoe County for its lobbying time frame $300 Registration fees for paid lobbyists at 2011 Legislature, up from $100 to $120 previously By Ray Hagar i.com R-Reno, a 38-year veteran of the Legislature. And although the best of them can earn as much as $500,000 in the year of the legislative session, some voters hold them in low regard. "The public perception is that they are a corrupting influence, using their resources and campaign dollars to exert undue influence on the legislators," said David Damore, an associate professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The reality, however, is that any industry, union, Las Vegas resort or school district that could be affected by decisions of the Legislature needs lobbyists. "It's so important to have good people down there (in Carson City)," said Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, concerned about collective bargaining and the SEE LOBBYISTS, 6A 3 local plays open on Friday The stars are aligning Friday with "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Terra Nova" and "Fat Pig." PAGES 4-5 ALSO FAMILY FARE: Nam Van Noodle Cafe has lots of noodle styles and slushies, smoothies, coffee and tea. PAGE 6 BUSINESS Boomers try out new housing Boomer retirement can mean a move into a new home or selling everything, buying a trailer and hitting the road. 1E ALSO Reno's airport plans a $5 million baggage claim facelift. 1E COMMUNITY Reno Park gets second turbine Two turbines have been installed at Mira Loma Park at a cost of $55,595, paid for by the federal stimulus and Energy rebates.

1D ALSO GOOD NEWS GUY: The Tuesday Night Knitters group was able to create and donate 542 hats and scarves to the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission in 2010. 2D VOICES Editorial: Minimum wage The RGJ argues that business lobbyists should have taken the minimum-wage issue seriously before it went before the voters. Not now. 6D ALSO Cory Farley finds a new way to procrastinate with Facebook. 7D PLUS FACT CHECKER: The average teacher salary is about 6 percent less than the $55,000 claimed.

As for the fairness of a 5 percent pay cut, both sides have compelling arguments. 3A SUNDAY TALKER: As massive public protests and legislative boycotts in Wisconsin this week have shown, the Republican charge can be fraught with risk and unpredictable turns. 5B SIOBHAN MCANDREW: Local female news anchors react to the coverage of the sexual assault of CBS' Lara Logan. 1D They are an army on a mission with countless boots on the ground at the Nevada Legislature. So far, the 2011 session has more than 600 registered lobbyists, paid and unpaid.

As the session heats up, that number is expected to grow to about 900. That would be 14 lobbyists for each legislator. Currently, the ratio is 10 to 1. All are trying to influence the 63 elected legislators into doing what is best for their clients. They represent mining, gaming, tobacco, liquor, health care, hospitals, police unions, schools, government workers, municipalities and brothels.

"The only people who don't have a lobbyist are the people," said recently retired state Sen. Bill Raggio, tV ft 1 (MSI! $20 Jth-m -tl Registration fee for unpaid lobbyists at 201 1 Legislature $500,000 Estimated amount an elite lobbyist can make during a legislative year, some lobbyists say INSIDE RGJ.COM CITIZEN LEGISLATURE PRONE TO CONFLICTS Visit RGJ.com With Nevada's part-time Legislature, virtually all of the 63 Legislature members has a "day" job. All have potential for a conflict of to find past interest depending upon what bill is being heard. It's how stories, the they handle those conflicts that is key. 6A latest analysis, RAY HAGAR: INSIDE NEVADA POLITICS bogs, Twitter Columnist Ray Hagar notes that Assemblywoman Debbie updates.

Smith, D-Sparks, has emerged as a capable leader. But her I photo biggest test of leadership will be running the Assembly's galleries and money committee at a time when there's no money. 17A more. PROVIDED BY THE NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Washoe County Sheriff Charles P. Ferrell and the four Indian captives of the Shoshone Mike battle are shown at the Reno jail in 1911.

A baby is hidden under the blanket worn by the teenage girl in the center. A boy stands at right. "1 PROJECT RESUME Administrator looks to transfer skills STAFF REPORT For Joseph Barnes, every day on the job is a learning experience. "I love education," said Barnes, 41. I try to take what I'm doing every single 6 rr cwh.

Mv i nnsysp jjyi? I jj If fz el tfij fht SUNDAY JOBS Employers don't agree on the necessity of a cover letter attached with a job application, but a well-written letter is a good way to set yourself apart. 8A Find out which local firms are hiring right now. 8-11 A day and learn from it. And for as many days as Barnes has spent in nursing home administration more than 1 0 years he said there's still plenty of knowledge to gain, and more to accomplish. since his position as social services administrator at a Carson City rehabilitation center was eliminated last March, Barnes said he's open to learning something entirely different as well.

"I'm very flexible on what I would do and what I could do," he said. See full story on page 10 A. careeibuildeti conr TODAY'S WEATHER For convenient home delivery: 800-970-7366 I INSIDETODAYj Local 1-18A Community 1-8D Jobs 8-11 A Business 1-6E 11-12A Northern Nevada NationWorld 1 LivingTV Lottery 6B USA Weekend Sports 1 -8C Color Comics Low 16 '40901 "01 1 02 Forecast, page 6B LOG ONTO RGJ.COM FOR UPDATES 201 0 Printed on recycled paper.