James M. Cearley, Night City Marshal

City of Sparks

About 7 A.M. Thursday morning December 8, 1927, Marshal Cearley’s body was found in Sparks. He had been shot four times from a distance close enough to set his overcoat on fire. His body was badly burned from the waist up. His unfired pistol was found several feet from his body. Four men were soon arrested for the murder. Cearley, 55, left behind a wife and four children.