[From Thompson & West's History of Nevada 1881, With Illustrations And Biographical Sketches Of Its Prominent Men And Pioneers, pp. 372-383]

372      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

CHAPTER XLII.

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.

County Boundaries—Area of Agricultural Lands—Lands for Pastoral Purposes—Valleys in Douglas County—Farms in Carson Valley—Adaptability to Fruit Culture—The Mines of Douglas County—The Mammoth Mine and Tunnel — Genoa Mining District — Organization of the County — Meeting of New Commissioners — Rates of Toll Established—New Court House Secured—Rate of Taxation Fixed—Financial Condition of the County—Appointments and Elections—Historical Sketch of Genoa—The First Traders—The Pioneer Hotels—Early Condition of Genoa—Genoa of the Present Day—The Court House Building—The Present Population—One of the Usual Episodes—Early Settlement of Glenbrook—Productiveness of the Soil—Friday's Station and the New Road—First Hotel at Glenbrook—More Mills at Glenbrook—First Store at Glenbrook—The village of Glenbrook—The Shakespearian Rock—A Most Deplorable Affair—Rafting Logs Across Lake Tahoe—The Village of Sheridan—Medicinal Springs of the County—Biographical Sketches.

            DOUGLAS is one of the nine counties created by the Territorial Legislature on the twenty-fifth of November, 186I, when Nevada was first subdivided by that body into minor divisions. Originally it comprised a portion of Millard County, Utah, and later, of Carson County. The Act of the Legislative Assembly at that time established the county boundaries as follows:

            Beginning at Mason's Ranch, on Walker River, and running westerly, in a straight line, to the mouth of Clear Creek; thence along the middle of said creek to its source; thence due west to the California line; thence south and southeasterly along said line to the western boundary of Esmeralda County; thence northerly along said boundary to the place of beginning.

            The western limits embrace the eastern summit of the Sierra Nevada, and include no inconsiderable part of Lake Tahoe, giving it such advantages of timber and transportation as to make it the principal lumber producing county of the State. The timber and wood lands of Douglas County are about 50,000 acres in extent, and although to a great degree exhausted by the immense drain upon them in the past fifteen years, are yet capable of supplying large quantities of lumber and wood.

AREA OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

            In 1868, the County Assessor, S. C. Chase, estimated the agricultural lands of Douglas to be 50,000 acres-45,000 of which would require irrigation to be made productive; that but one inch of water per acre would be required for that purpose, and that the cost per acre for irrigation would be three dollars. The lands thus rated and treated, it was conceded would be exceedingly productive in character —raising wheat, barley, oats, corn, buckwheat, and peas, besides yielding large crops of potatoes of superior quality, as well as other root crops, with unfailing certainty, thus proving its capability to not only sustain a large population, but furnish a considerable surplus for export. Swamp and overflowed land was estimated at 2,000 acres, all of which could be reclaimed at a cost of ten dollars per acre.

LANDS FOR PASTORAL PURPOSES.

            The same authority places the pasture lands at 200,000, and the desert lands at I00,000 acres. Since then-1868—no doubt the area upon which stock and dairy cattle can be profitably kept has been somewhat enlarged by the destruction of the forests, and consequent growth of shrubbery and bunch grass, upon which animals thrive, on the land formerly occupied by large pine and other trees. Besides it is safe to assert, that the so-called "desert" lands are covered to a great extent with the white sage—a shrub upon which cattle thrive in winter.

            The climate, water, and nutritious herbage of Douglas are unexcelled for dairying purposes; and there are many reasons why the products of this branch of industry should be greater in the future, than they have been in the past. The butter product of Douglas County for 1880 is given at 40,000 pounds—an increase in five years of 36,000 pounds, which is an indication that it may be greater in the near future. The manufacture of cheese, as yet, seems not to have been undertaken.

VALLEYS IN DOUGLAS COUNTY.

            The greater portion of the arable land of Douglas County lies in Carson, Long, and Jack's Valleys. The first named is the largest, and its southern extremity lies within the limits of the State of Cali-

[Illustration -- Mrs. E.F. Child; John S. Child]

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.          373

fornia. The remainder, what is known as Carson Valley proper, is wholly within Douglas County. The valley receives its name from the Carson River, which has its source in the high Sierra, entering the plain from the south, and wends its serpentine way northeasterly throughout its entire length. This valley, or more properly, large inland plateau, has a mean elevation of about 4,500 feet above the level of the sea, is about thirty miles long, and eighteen wide; the lofty peaks of the snow-clad Sierra sending down their tentacle-like, pine-enveloped ridges to skirt its western and southern border; while a lesser range—the Pine Nut Mountains—dwarfed by comparison with its loftier neighbor on the west, sage-brush mantled, and now only with an occasional piñon. Carson Valley embraces about 80,000 acres, one-tenth, or 8,000 acres, of which lies within the limits of California.

FARMS IN CARSON VALLEY.

            There are about 30,000 acres of land in Carson Valley inclosed by fence, and there are a number of good farms. Prominent among these is that of Fred. Dangberg, five miles east of Genoa, who has 4,648 acres, all fenced. He has forty miles of irrigating ditches, leading water from the Carson River to this immense farm. In I879 he had one field of reclaimed sage-brush land of 600 acres all sown to barley. About 1,500 acres are used expressly for grazing, and sustains nearly 1,000 head of stock. The crop of I879 was 600 tons of barley and oats, and 1,600 tons of hay. Mr. Dangberg is an old resident, having settled in Nevada in 1853. Value of the property, $60,000.

            A. Klauber, one of the early merchants of Genoa, and now of San Diego, California, owns a ranch of 1,830 acres, adjoining Mr. Dangberg on the north. Value, $30,000.

            F. A. A. Frevort has a farm of 830 acres, inclosed, south of Mr. Dangberg's ranch. Value, $18,000. Benjamin Farmer cultivates 800 acres, seven miles south of Genoa, in the vicinity of Sheridan. Value, $15,000.

            Henry Vansickle's farm comprises 1,800 acres, two and a half miles south of Genoa. Value, $25,000.

            William H. Boyd has a farm of 1,050 acres on Carson River, one mile below Genoa. Value, $18,000. P. W. Vansickle owns what is known as the old Haines Ranch, of 620 acres, three miles below Genoa. Value, $12,000.

            The El Dorado Wood and Flume Company have 440 acres, with grist-mill. Value, $15,000.           

            Lawrence Fray's farm, on the east side of Genoa, comprises 240 acres, and valued at $10,000.

            J. W. Haines owns 320 acres in the northern part of Genoa, upon which he has a fine dwelling, the whole valued at $12,000.

            One of the finest ranches in the valley is that of Herman Springmeyer, of 480 acres of superior land, lying five miles east of Genoa. Value, $12,000.

            Joseph Jones has 790 acres of magnificent land, with fine buildings, lying north of Genoa. Value, $20,000.

            John Child's ranch, adjoining the Jones' property on the north, of 640 acres, with its neat house and large barn, is valued at $20,000.

            Ex-Sheriff H. C. Crippen, at the Twelve-mile House, twelve miles from Genoa, owns 240 acres, valued at $8,000.

            Chris. Dangberg's farm, which adjoins Crippen's place on the northwest, embraces 960 acres, and is valued at $8,000.

            J. P: Pettigrew has a ranch of 440 acres, north of and adjoining Chris. Dangberg's land, which has all been reclaimed from sage-brush. Value, $8,000.

            Adjoining and west of the Pettigrew ranch, L. S. Ezell has 240 acres, valued at $5,000.

            On the west fork of the Carson River, eleven miles from Genoa, immediately at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Bartley Cary has a farm of I50 acres, valued at $10,000.

            William H. H. Cary's ranch of 170 acres, lying south of Bartley Cary's, is valued at $8,000.

            Two miles north of Sheridan, on the main road, David Parke has 280 acres, valued at $10,000.

            Hugh Parke has 280 acres south of the last-mentioned place, valued at $8,000.

            Fred. Dressler has 560 acres near Sheridan, valued at $15,000.

            Six miles east of Genoa is Desert Station, a hotel and stopping-place for freight teams and travelers: The land has been reclaimed from sage-brush. There is a good house here, a blacksmith shop, barns, and two wells where water is raised by windmills for irrigation, etc.

            On the west fork of the Carson, one and one-half miles east of Sheridan, A. R. Brockliss has 840 acres, valued at $16,000.

            A. M. Taylor owns 5I7 acres one and one-half miles north of Sheridan, valued at $7,000.

            Near the California line, in the upper end of the valley, four miles southeast of Sheridan, John Baldwin has a farm of 440 acres, valued at $8,000.

            Anthony McGuin owns 580 acres two and one-half miles southeast of Sheridan, valued at $12,000.

            J. Q. Adams has a farm three miles north of Genoa, of 820 acres, which is valued at $12,000.

            Hanson Berry's farm of 360 acres, situated three miles east of Sheridan, is valued at $10,000.

            There are a number of other ranches in the northern end of the valley, among which may be mentioned those of William Cradlebaugh, Mrs. Sarah Clayton, J. W. Averill, Richard Kirman, John Rosser, Rosser & Wolfe, and Dangberg & Schultz, all under various stages of cultivation. But enough have been enumerated to give a fair idea of the capabilities of this beautiful valley. Stock-raising is a prominent feature among the industries of the valley, and there are not less than 10,000 head of stock of various kinds scattered among the different ranches.

374      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

            Wherever irrigation is feasible, ditches have been dug and the sage-brush grubbed out; such land has proven among the best. Fully one-half the acreage now tilled was at one time covered with sage-brush and classed as desert land. About 200 miles of irrigating ditches now ramify the valley, which afford an aggregate of about 500 inches of water. A fair average yield of this class of land, well tilled, is about as follows per acre: Oats and barley, twenty bushels each; potatoes, 250 bushels; timothy and clover hay, mixed crop, one and one-half to two tons; alfalfa produces two crops yearly, and yields about three tons per acre.

            This valley, and the river which runs entirely through it, received their name from Fremont, in honor of the famous mountaineer who first entered it when it was a portion of the territory of the Republic of Mexico. The Territorial Enterprise, when first issued at Genoa, in speaking of the discovery of the valley by the white men, and the manner of its christening, thus romantically says:

            Years ago, Kit Carson, after a toilsome and perilous march over mountains, plains and desert wastes, looked out from the crest of a snow-encumbered mountain upon the beautiful valley that now bears his name. The last rays of the setting sun glanced in quivering arrows of light over the waters of the beautiful river which winds its way through the valley; the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada looming up against the purple and golden heavens; the steep mountain sides; the tall trees and the foaming waters, all clothed in a suffusion of glorious sunlight, were well calculated to arouse the admiration of the pioneer, and to form his conclusion that of all the beautiful valleys ho had traversed in exploring the vast wilderness of the West, none were more fit to bear his name than this.

            Many of the most important events occurred, and some of the most thrilling scenes in the early history of Nevada were enacted in this valley; but as all historical matters that are worthy of record occurring prior to the twenty-fifth of November, 1861, will be found related in the general history of the State, they are purposely omitted here.

            LONG VALLEY lies between the east and west forks of Carson River, and is, as its name indicates, a long, narrow depression extending into California. Being traversed by a limpid mountain stream its entire length, an abundant water supply can be had for irrigation when required. It has a dark, rich, productive soil, and is well adapted for dairying. An abundance of timber is close at hand upon the adjacent hills.

            JACK'S VALLEY is a small oasis lying at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, bordering Clear Creek, and extending several miles southerly from that stream. From its elevated position it overlooks the Carson River, and like all other well watered spots of the region in which it is situated, highly productive.

ADAPTABILITY TO FRUIT CULTURE.

            Like most portions of Nevada, Douglas County cannot pride itself upon a prolific fruit crop. Although there were, in 1880, 3,278 apple trees, 670 peach, 433 pear, 670 plum, 469 cherry and 125 nectarine trees, but little of those kinds of fruit matured. Late frosts, in summer, succeeding the warm weather of spring are the bane of the horticulturists here. Toward the last of April or early in May of each year it seems to be the rule of this elevated region for the southeast wind to prevail for several days, and it is none the less a rule that this wind is the forerunner of severe frosts. As the fruit trees have generally, ere this time, put out their blossoms, these frosts destroy the embryo fruit. Should any escape, still later in the season, the month of June, again come the winds and frosts and cut down all fruits that were fortunate enough to escape the previous onslaught. Gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries and currants are more reliable, and mature in considerable quantities.

THE MINES OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.

            No paying mines have yet been developed in Douglas County, notwithstanding the outlay of money has been great and the effort persistent in exploitation. In 1868, S. C. Chase, County Assessor, reports " no mineral land in the county," to the Surveyor General. But in the tabulated statement, which will be found on another page of this volume, will be found under the head of " Mining Industries," an estimate in I880 of 24,000 acres of mineral lands and one quartz mill in the county. At various periods there have been created within the limits of the county a number of mining districts; and even anterior to the discovery of silver there had been some little placer mining for gold attempted with sluices upon the east fork of Carson River, below and near the place known as Horseshoe Bend, toward the upper end of the valley. And later, from a paper printed August 13, 1859, we have the following:

            We learn that John Trumbo, of Genoa, Carson Valley, has recently had men out prospecting through the country east of Genoa. These men found dirt on the east side of Carson River, and in sight of town, which prospects from ten to thirty cents to the pan.

            Across the valley, about eighteen miles southeast of Genoa, in the lower hills of the Pine Nut Mountains, in the fall of 1859, there were found such mineral "indications" as to create considerable excitement among the residents, and many claims were located. The following year, however, more encouraging "prospects" were obtained higher up in the same range, at a short distance north of the road leading into the Walker River and Mono Lake regions, which caused an abandonment of the first-named discoveries, and the immediate formation of Eagle Mining District.

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.          375

            SILVER LAKE DISTRICT was another mining locality in the Pine Nut range, the principal mine of which was the Winters, and owned mainly by John B. Winters. Ore of the value of $8,000 was shipped from this mine and sold at a net profit of $2,926. This mine is now owned by Harry Clauson, of Reno. A number of other districts were formed in the county about the same time, all of which have had their brief hour and are now forgotten.

THE MAMMOTH MINE AND TUNNEL.

            The Mammoth mine is situated in Eagle District, and is about the only one in the county upon which operations have not been wholly suspended. There is a tunnel in progress to strike the ledge, now in nearly I,000 feet, and as large assays have been bad of the ore, great expectations are indulged by those who are interested in the enterprise, when the ledge is once reached by the tunnel. The expenditure upon this work has been upward of $100,000.

            GENOA MINING DISTRICT is adjacent to the town of Genoa, one mile north, and was created in 1860, at which time gold-bearing quartz was found, a code of laws adopted, many large claims located for tunnel purposes, many tunnels begun, and a great deal of tabor and money expended with barren results. Of course, nearly all locations must be under the management of an incorporated company, and so it was. Principal among these corporations was the Sierra Silver Mining, Saw and Quartz Mill Company, which did more toward the development of a mining property than any other company. A tunnel was run 1,800 feet in length, and the ledge not reached. Five years of labor, and a cash expenditure of $125,000, finally convinced the stockholders that the mining property they had located was of no value. The expenditure of this and smaller sums of money by other companies for a time bad a tendency to enliven business at Genoa, as well as to create false hopes and expectations of future commercial greatness; but with a cessation of work came the inevitable reaction, and a dull season prevailed, until, at length, the proper level was reached, and business matters began to run smoothly in the legitimate channel where it has ever since remained.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.

            At the time of the passage of the Act fixing the boundaries of Douglas County, the inhabitants, according to the census returns taken in July of that year, numbered 1,057, not including those residing in Jack's Valley. In December, Governor Nye appointed the following gentlemen to office, whose duty it was to organize the county:

            S. A. Kinsey, Hiram Mott, and Henry Vansickle, Commissioners; Joel A. Harvey, County Clerk; Robert F. Hart, County Surveyor; William Wallace, Sheriff; Chauncey N. Noteware, Probate Judge; B. Rush Horton, Recorder; and John Tingman, Treasurer.

            The Commissioners held their first meeting at the office of J. C. Dean, in Genoa, on the twenty-eighth of December, 1861, divided the county into six precincts, and appointed Judges of the election to be held on the coming fourteenth of January, 1862, as follows:--

            For the Clear Creek Precinct, which extended from the stream of that name south to the north line of Judge J. S. Child's ranch: J. Dorsey, Wm. Cradlebaugh, and B. Webster; the polls to be at J. McMarlin's house.

            For the Genoa Precinct, extending south from Child's ranch to Mottsville, including the Kingsbury Grade, as far as the first summit: R. N. Allen, C. Tuttle, and E. Mallory; the polls to be held at the office of J. C. Dean, in Genoa.

            Lake Valley Precinct extended from the first summit to the California line, and J. Small, M. L. McDonald, and — Jeffreys were appointed Judges; the polls to be held at Friday's.

            The Mottsville Precinct extended from Mott's place south to the line of California. The east fork of Carson River was the east line of' the precinct, and Israel Mott, J. Kirk, and E. R. Cary were appointed Judges; the polls to be at the residence of Luther Olds.

            Mammoth Precinct included the country between Teesdale bridge on the East Carson and the south line of the county, taking in the Eagle Mining District and Double Springs. Judges of Election: D. D. Olds and J. Rodenbaugh, with polls at the Welch Station.

            Walker River Precinct included that section of the country lying east and south of Double Springs; S. T. Rissue and — Hamilton being the Judges; the polls being located at the Fairchild Station.

MEETING OF NEW COMMISSIONERS.

            On the twenty-ninth of January, 1862, fifteen days after the election, the County Commissioners newly elected held a meeting for the purpose of transacting county business, and finding that the old Carson County Court House was not in condition to warrant fitting up for a continuation in its old line of service, they decided to pay J. S. Child thirty dollars for one month's rent for a building for that purpose. They also decided to rent " the cell" in the old Reese mill and fit it up for a jail. Having thus provided a rendezvous for themselves and a place of safety for the criminals, they proceeded to divide the county into Road Districts and appoint Supervisors for such of them as had a road within their limits. The following gentlemen were selected: Wm. Hamilton for Genoa District, Benjamin M. Webster for Clear Creek District, and D. H. Barber for Mottsville District. At the same time these Road Supervisors were authorized by the County Commissioners to pay men four dollars per day to work on the road.

RATES OF TOLL ESTABLISHED.

            Toll-roads, bridges and ferries were a marked feature in the business carried on in the county in those days, and as early as February 13, 1862, the Com-

376      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

missioners commenced to deal with them as taxable property, and to control their rates. Toll-bridge licenses were established at fifteen dollars per quarter, and the owners were authorized to collect from the traveling public as follows:-

            For man and horse                  25 cts.

            For wagon and two horses       50 "

            For each additional span         25 "

            For pack animal                     10 "

            For loose stock                         05 "

            Ferries were more numerous than toll-bridges, and their licenses were generally, $7.50 per month, and their authorized charges for ferrying were:-

            For loaded wagon with four or six animals     $2 00

            For unloaded " "           " "                                1 50

            For loaded wagon with two animals               1 50

            For wagon without a load                               1 00

            For each additional team                               50

            For man and horse                                         50

            For footman and pack animal                        25

            Toll-roads were charged different prices for a license, according to the length and importance, or cost of grades. For instance, the Rissue Road paid $15 per quarter, and the one from Double Springs which run to connect with the Kingsbury Road, was charged $17.50 for the same time. The rates they were permitted to charge also varied, upon the same principle that controlled the license, but were about the same as bridges and ferries.

NEW COURT HOUSE SECURED.

            In February a committee reported to the Board that the Catholic Church could be procured for Court House purposes; that it could be made suitable for seventy-five dollars, and their report was accepted.

RATE OF TAXATION FIXED.

On the twenty-fourth of the same month the first rate of taxation for the county was levied of $1.57 1/2 on the $100 for the following several purposes:-

            For county purposes                .60

            For Territorial purposes          .40

            For school                                .07 1/2

            For county buildings               .40

            For Federal purposes              .10

            Total                                        $1.57 1/2

            On the following seventh of May so much of the resolution as had authorized a tax for the last three purposes above given was rescinded, which left the first tax collected in Douglas County at one per cent.

FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE COUNTY.

            The financial condition of Douglas County in 1880 is as follows: Value of real estate, $548,544; value of personal property, $256,247.60. Total value of taxable property, $804,791.60. The total debt was $1,559.29; cash on hand, $7,788.14; county and State tax, $20,119.79; county tax, $15,693. The population was I,518; registered voters, 570.

            For particulars in reference to the products of the county from 1865 to 1880, inclusive, the number of acres under cultivation, the stock, grain and hay raised, the fruit trees and vines growing, and the amount of land irrigated, the reader will turn to pages 135, 136, 139 and 140 of the general history.

APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS.

            In accordance with the Territorial law, the Governor appointed the first county officers, whose names have already been given, together with an account of the action of the commissioners in organizing the county. In January, I862, a special election was held, when a second set of officers was chosen; and again in September of I862, at the general election, a third set of officers was selected, making three sets of officers in control of Douglas County in one year.

            Following will be found the names of all the persons who have filled the different offices of honor and trust in the county subsequent to those first appointed down to the present time, whether by election or otherwise, with the date of election and the particular office each has filled. The Constitution submitted to the vote of the people January 19, 1864, was defeated; consequently the officers elected to fill positions under that Constitution were without occupation. September 7, 1864, the New Constitution was adopted, and persons chosen at that election took possession of the various offices to which they were elected.

SENATORS.

            P. Chamberlin, elected September 2, 1863; William Cary, elected January I9, 1864; J. W. Haines, elected November 8, 1864, re-elected November 6, 1866; Isaac W. Small, elected November 8, 1870; S. S. B. Rickey, elected November 3, 1874; J. W. Haines, elected November 5, 1878.

ASSEMBLYMEN.

            Charles M. Tuttle and Robert Fisher were elected September 3, 1862; J. C. Dean and Robert Fisher, elected September 2, 1863; P. Chamberlin and Henry Epstein were elected January 19, 1864; Robert Fisher and J. T. Hawley, elected September 7, 1864; I. W. Small and H. Epstein were elected November 8, 1864; M. Gaige and Robert Fisher were elected November 7, 1865; W. M. Cary and E. Mallery were elected November 6, 1866; J. S. Child and H. F. Dangberg were elected November 8, I870; Thomas B. Rickey and H. F. Dangberg, elected November 5, 1872; J. R. Johnson and H. Vansickle, elected November 3, 1874; Benjamin Edson and P. F. Powers, elected November 7, 1876; Thomas Irvine and H. Vansickle, elected November 5, 1878; Thomas Irvine and John A. Johnson, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

            P. C. Chamberlin, E. P. Welch, and Boland Abernathy were elected January 14, 1862. George Thomas appointed in place of Abernathy, February 4, 1862. J. W. Small, B. M, Webster, and P. Chamberlin were elected September 3, I862; David Olds

[Illustration -- RESIDENCE AND RANCH OF DAVID R. JONES near Sheridan, Douglas County, Nev.]

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.          377

elected September 2, 1863. Small resigned, A. U. Prey was appointed November 29, 1863. E. Mallory, elected September 7, 1864; A. M. Taylor elected November 7, 1864; P. Lightle, J. S. Child, and D. K. Winters were elected November 6, 1866; Henry Van-sickle, J. W. Duncan, and D. K. Winters were elected November 3, 1868. Winters resigned September 20, 1869. Henry Vansickle, Fred. Frevert and J. K. Winters were elected November 8, 1870; A. M. Taylor and A. B. Boles were elected November 5, 1872; A. B. Boles and F. Frevert were elected November 3, I874; L. S. Ezell and A. M. Taylor were elected November 7, 1876; David B. Park and W. H. H. Cary were elected November 5, I878; Herman Springmeyer and W. H. Cary were elected November 2, 1880.

PROBATE JUDGES.

            John S. Child was Probate Judge, residing and holding office in Genoa under the laws of Utah. Chauncey N. Noteware was appointed by Governor Nye, December I4, 1861, and continued in office.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

            D. W. Virgin, elected September 2, 1863, resigned and A. T. Hawley was appointed December 5, 1864, who resigned, and H. Doyle was appointed October 1, 1866, and elected November 6, 1866; Moses Tebbs, was elected November 3, 1868, re-elected November 8, 1870; George P. Harding , elected November 5, 1872; D. W. Virgin, elected November 3, 1874; A. C. Pratt, elected November 7, 1876, re-elected November 5, 1878; Jno. H. Cradlebaugh was elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SHERIFFS.

            Geo. W. Brubaker, elected January 14, 1862, reelected September 3, 1862; Jacob Moore, elected September 7, 1864; H. P. Burnham, elected November 6, 1866 ; R. W. Bollen, elected November 3, 1868, re-elected November 8, 1870 ; P. H. Roan, elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874; H. P. Burnham, elected November 7, 1876; H. C. Crippin, elected November 5, 1878. J. F. Williams, appointed in place of Crippin, deceased; Williams, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY CLERKS.

            Joel A. Harvey was elected January 14, 1862, and re-elected September 3, 1862, re-elected again September 7, 1864; S. A. Kinsey, elected November 6, 1866, re-elected November 3, 1868; Fred. Furth, elected November 8, 1870; W. Swart, elected November 5, 1872, and re-elected November 3, 1874, reelected again November 7, 1876; F. P. Wagstein, elected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY TREASURERS.

            Henry Vansickle, elected January 14, 1862 ; George H. Wilson, elected September 3, 1862, reelected September 7, 1864; Henry Vansickle, elected November 6, 1866 ; J. R. Johnson, elected November 3, 1868 ; Noah Blossom, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected, November 5, 1872; Peter Lightle, elected November 3, 1874; E. D. Black, elected November 7, 1876; A. Livingstone, elected November 5, 1878, and re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY ASSESSORS.

            J. R. Johnson was elected January 14, 1862; Robert Lyon, elected September 3, 1862; L. A. Scott, elected September 7, 1864; S. C. Chase, elected November 6, 1866; E. B. Cary, elected November 3, 1868; Joseph C. Lupton, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872, re-elected again November 3, I874; R. G. Montrose, elected November 7, I876, and re-elected November 5, 1878; Wm. W. Wyatt, elected November 2, 1880.

COLLECTORS.

            H. P. Burnham, elected January 14, I862; A. W. Wilson, elected September 3, 1862, and resigned December 1, 1862. C. N. Baker was appointed.

COUNTY RECORDERS.

            B. Rush Horton, elected January I4, 1862; John H. Davis, elected September 3, 1862, and re-elected September 7, 1864, re-elected again November 6, 1866; Robt. Lyon, elected November 3, 1868, reelected November 8, 1870 ; Fred. Furth, elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874, reelected again November 7, 1876; J. F. Longabaugh, elected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

            J. C. Ogden was elected January 14, 1862, but did not qualify, and Charles M. Tattle was appointed April 8, 1862; C. Daggett, elected September 3, 1862, died, and A. T. Hawley appointed March 7, 1864; E. R. Cary, elected September 7, 1864 ; James McLean, elected November 6, I866, re-elected November 3, 1868. Resigned four days after the election; R. G. Dean appointed. A. M. Warnock, elected November 8, 1870; G. B. Hinkel, elected November 5, 1872; J. E. Johns, elected November 3, 1874; H. W. Smith, elected November 7, 1876; Koppel Rice, elected November 5, 1878; John F. Banning, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SURVEYORS.

            B. F. Hunt, elected January 14, 1862, re-elected September 3, 1862; Reed Bigler elected September 7, 1864; office declared vacant September 4, 1865, and A. Lash appointed September 12, 1865, elected November 6, 1866; L. S. Ezell, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872; C. P. Young, elected November 3, 1874, re-elected November 7, 1876, re-elected again November 5, 1878; John Carney, elected November 2, 1880.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS.

            J. R. Johnson, elected November 6, 1866 ; David Watty, elected November 3, 1868; Koppel Rice, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5; 1872; G. Slemmons, elected November 3, 1874, reelected November 7, 1876; John Gardner, elected

378      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

November 5, 1878; R Raycroft, elected November 2, 1880.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF GENOA.

            Genoa, the county seat of Douglas County, is among the oldest settlements of Nevada. The locality first attracted the attention of some Mormons in 1848, who were en route to the gold diggings in California from Salt Lake City, and during that and the succeeding years a 'few families settled here. Not until 1850, however, did it assume the title of Mormon Station, by which it was so well and widely known for many years afterwards. As a trading and recruiting place for the immense emigration which was then flocking toward California from the East, its situation was admirable, while its pastoral advantages were great, and the adaptability of the soil to the culture of grain and the hardy vegetables had been proven. The site of Genoa is a pleasant one, on the west side of Carson River, at the debouchure of a small stream from the Sierra into the valley, and about midway between the northern and southern extremities of Carson Valley. The view from the town is pleasing to the eye. To the south, and immediately west, towering grandly to great heights rise the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada, while, spread out to the east and north, are the dark green meadows and pastures of the Carson Valley, with the willow-fringed stream meandering through it—presenting a picture of extreme beauty in front, and of rugged majesty behind.

THE FIRST TRADERS.

            Principal among the Mormon settlers of Genoa was Col. John Reese, after whom Reese River was subsequently called, a man of robust energy and much enterprise. He started the first trading-post, and also fed the hungry emigrants for a consideration. But he did not stop at these. He put up a blacksmith shop and shod their animals and repaired their wagons, and later erected a flouring and saw-mill.

            William Nixon, also a Mormon, came to Genoa in 1856 from Salt Lake, bringing a stock of goods. Renting the "station" of Reese, he became the only merchant of the place for several years; but finally, like Reese, he supposed he had made money enough, and returned to Salt Lake, leaving as his successor in business a Mr. Child. Nixon built the small one- story house that now stands adjoining L. Frey's meat market.

            The next chant to engage in business at Genoa was Mr. A. Klauber, who first came to the place in 1858. He did not engage in business, however, until I859, when he built the house, which he used as a store, that now stands between the Court House and Odd Fellows Hall—a one-story frame structure, now belonging to M. Harris. F. Mandlebaum became associated with Klauber in 1859, and the firm continued business under the name of Mandlebaum & Klauber.

            J. R. Johnson and S. Salmon, of the firm of Salmon & Johnson, were the next firm of merchants. They built of wood in 1860, and a brick store in 1863, where Johnson and N. Blossom now do business.

            M. Harris came to Genoa in 1876, and first commenced business there. He now keeps a general mercantile establishment under Masonic Hall, and is the owner of the lower story of Odd Fellows Hall and the old Klauber Building. He first came into Carson Valley in 186I.

THE PIONEER HOTELS.

            After Colonel Reese., the first hotel was kept by a man named Merkly, who, after awhile, sold out to George W. Brubaker, and he, in turn, disposed of the establishment to a man named Raycroft. Mr. Brubaker subsequently erected the building in the north end of town known as Rice's Hotel.

            Thomas J. Singleton was a prominent hotel-keeper at Genoa in 1857, and so continued to be a number of years afterward. In 1857 he built a portion of the structure now known as the Nevada Hotel. The main part was not added, however, until the summer of 1859. It was in this building where the unfortunate William J. Thorrington was tried and sentenced to death.         

            In the early part of 1860, the winter having been very mild in California, many people started from that State for the Comstock mines. About the time of arrival in Carson Valley, in February and March, heavy storms came, and severe cold weather prevailed. Snow to the depth of nearly two feet covered the ground for a month or more, cattle died off by hundreds, and those treasure-seekers who had come unprepared for such an emergency were thankful for any sort of shelter, or to submit to the most indifferent fare at high rates. All of the temporary houses—mostly of cloth—were crowded at the mines; Carson City was overflowing, and, therefore, many tarried at Genoa awaiting the coming of warmer weather. These causes combined to turn many habitations of the place into temporary hostelries, which were well filled, and the proprietors well remunerated. D. Sands, at this time, was a prominent landlord at Genoa. Among the transient hotel-keepers were a widow woman named Baldwin, and her son named White. The latter, several years afterward, established a station at New Pass, on the Austin road, a few miles west of Jacobsville, and met a tragic fate--death by his own hand, after having killed his infant child.

EARLY CONDITION OF GENOA.

            At the time of the discovery of silver, there had congregated in the immediate vicinity of Genoa about 200 people, the most of whom had been attracted there by the agricultural and grazing advantages which the locality possessed. Several hundred people were engaged in gold mining to the southward at what was then called the Walker River, or Mono, mines, who, to a considerable extent, made Genoa their supplying point. Genoa also had a

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.          379

newspaper; it was connected with the outside world by a telegraph line, and the overland stages passed through. A grist and saw-mill were in operation. Two stores supplied the residents with all necessaries in the grocery and clothing lines, and it was the leading town of western Utah. Situated close to an abundant supply of pine timber, from which lumber, shingles, etc., could be cheaply manufactured, building was comparatively easy. During the immense emigration of former years it had been the favorite recruiting place for people en route to California; and many here lingered for a few days or weeks to rest their cattle, and lay in stores preparatory to surmounting the last, then formidable, barrier—the Sierra Nevada Mountains—which barred the pathway to the Mecca of their weary pilgrimage from the far East; and it bid fair to become an important frontier town, which would be able to flourish upon its own natural resources. The discovery of the famous silver mine a few miles to the eastward of this prospective inland city, however, effected an entire change of circumstances, and, consequently, a change of futurity awaited it—a different history than that anticipated by its early residents.

GENOA OF THE PRESENT DAY.

            Although not the large and thriving town which the first settlers foresaw, Genoa cannot be robbed of its pleasant location. Job's Peak still lifts its lofty pinnacle to the southward more than 6,000 feet above the town, sublimely grand and awful, and the emerald-carpeted valley of the Carson yet reposes in beauty at its feet. The little hamlet is busy, with no excess of population, and consequently there are no idlers nor tramps. There are forty-three dwelling-houses, large and small. Five hotels invite the traveler to a choice of transient homes, and each stands ready to replenish the inner man. These are the Raycroft Exchange, Nevada Hotel, the Central, Rice's Hotel and the Italian House. Mrs. M. Gillman conducts the Nevada; and the Central, owned by J. C. Lufton, is kept by J. Banning.

            Of saloons, where but in a frontier town of equal population would one think of finding six ?—the number in Genoa. This preponderance of drinking-places of itself indicates that the present residents are a social, jolly, bibulous class. There is one printing office, two stores of general merchandise, two neat markets, two boot and shoe shops, three blacksmith and wagon shops, one drug store, one bakery, two livery and feed stables, and two barber shops. And then come the comfortable school house, and Masonic and Odd Fellows Halls.

THE COURT HOUSE BUILDING.

            Genoa, being the shire town of Douglas County, also numbers among its architectural features a fine Court House. This building was erected in 1865; is of brick, with iron doors and shutters, and intended to be fire-proof. It is of two stories—the ground story being twelve feet high in the clear, and the upper story, fourteen feet. The building is 66x36 feet. Lawrence Gilman and Rufus Adams were the constructing architects, and the contract price for building was $18,000, but it cost a trifle more than that sum.

THE PRESENT POPULATION

Numbers about 500, with an auxiliary population, upon the contiguous farms, of nearly the same number. There are two daily lines of stages running from Genoa to Carson City, the capital of the State, furnishing speedy transit of mails and passengers to the iron road; thus placing the Genoese in swift communication with the outside world.

            A fire, which consumed six buildings south of Masonic Hall, occurred on the nineteenth of June, 1873. The roof of the hall was also burned. The total loss was about $4,000, of which only $500 was covered by insurance. A second fire occurred on the twenty-seventh of the same month, which destroyed a brewery.

            The Nevada and California Telegraph Company has its main office here. This is a private enterprise, and was completed in September, 1878, in circuit with Virginia, Gold Hill, Carson, Silver City, Dayton, and Empire. It communicates direct with the Mountain House and Aurora, in this State, and with Colville, Bridgeport and Bodie, California. Length of line 1I2 miles. It works direct with Virginia on San Francisco business, messages being repeated from Virginia.

            The Genoa Flume and Lumber Company's V flume terminates here, discharging the wood, which is cut high up in the mountains, into the Carson River, whence it is floated to the mills at Empire, or taken from the stream above that place, and hauled to Carson City.

ONE OF THE USUAL EPISODES.

            In the fall of 1858, Genoa was the scene of one of those unfortunate episodes too common in newly settled communities of the American frontier. Colonel Reese, being the oldest settler of the place had, by virtue of his priority of arrival, laid claim to large tracts of grazing and hay lands- along the Carson River fronting the town. John K. Trumbo, whilom of Salt Lake City, where he exhorted the saints, and in later years in persuasive strains extolled the worth of old wagons, harness, saddles, and the fine points of both broncho and emigrant horses and mules, as an auctioneer at the old Horse Market, at the corner of Sixth and K Streets, Sacramento City, California, was Reese's son-in-law, and had left California and removed to Genoa. People were coming into the new settlement quite rapidly, many of them desired land, and thinking that the first-comers had no particular right to monopolize the entire public domain, began to crowd upon their claims. Among the most enterprising of the latter was Warren Wasson, who, after becoming familiar with the situation, squatted upon a land claim and began to fence it in. It so happened that the particular tract which Wasson

380      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

coveted was claimed by Reese, or members of his family, and Trumbo undertook to dispossess him.

            As Wasson was one day hauling lumber upon the land for fencing purposes, he found himself confronted by Trumbo, armed, and a young son of Reese, some sixteen or seventeen years old. Trumbo had doubtless gone there more " for a bluff" than for any desperate business, probably expecting that a show of arms would deter the energetic settler from further attempts to occupy the land. But Trumbo, if he had so supposed, reckoned without his host. His adversary was not the sort of a man to be frightened off, and after some threatening talk, pro and con., Trumbo, seeing that he could not well back out without being charged with cowardice, opened his batteries upon Wasson —firing at him several times without effect. The latter had in his belt a Colt's navy revolver. Unlimbering this weapon he brought it to bear upon his assailant, took deliberate aim, notwithstanding the fusilade of Trumbo, and, firing, placed the latter hors du combat with a shattered thigh. By this time young Reese, who bad all the while watched the fray, finding the battle had not gone his way, essayed to try his prentice hand, and came running up to Wasson, who was not noticing him, presented a pistol of ancient form and fired full in the latter's face. But the pistol, only having been loaded with shot, did no further damage than to fill Wasson's face with leaden pellets, fortunately none of which touched his eyes. Wasson, though having five shots left, magnanimously refrained from shooting the boy, and turning his attention to assisting the prostrate Trumbo, placed him on his wagon and conveyed him to his home, where he lingered many months between life and death, but finally recovered, though lamed for life. Public sentiment attached no blame to Wasson, nor did Trumbo bear him malice afterwards. All of the participants in this little affair are yet living.

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF GLENBROOK.

            Glenbrook is located in a beautiful cove on the shore of Lake Tahoe, and is the great lumber manufacturing town of the State of Nevada. The site of Glenbrook was first claimed and squatted upon in the Spring of 1860, by G. W. Warren, N. E. Murdock and R. Walton.

            In 1861 Capt. A. W. Pray erected a saw-mill, which was for several years run by water, conducted through flume and ditch for more than half a mile, but the constantly increasing demand for lumber, and a lack of water in the dry portion of the year, compelled him to abandon that motor and resort to steam. This he did in 1864, the newly modeled mill costing $20,000. These were the first mills built upon the soil of Nevada, at Lake Tahoe, though one had been constructed in Lake Valley, California, in 1860, now known as Woodburn's Mill. At the beginning of the enterprise Captain Pray had partners, but he eventually bought out their interests, and in 1862 also purchased the possessory title of the original locators—Warren, Murdock and Walton—at a cost of about $9,000. The old pioneer mill is yet standing. With far-seeing sagacity Captain Pray secured from the Government a title to 1,000 acres of land—locating it with Sioux scrip. A portion of this land was heavily timbered, while some was excellent for grain, hay and vegetables.

PRODUCTIVENESS OF THE SOIL.

            The productiveness of the soil upon the lake shore is somewhat wonderful, considering the rigorous winters and its high altitude. But the soil, being the fine debris from abraded granite, very soon warms up under the influence of the summer sun after the disappearance of the snow. Captain Pray has several hundred acres under cultivation, and it is no uncommon thing to cut four tons of timothy and clover hay to the acre, while three tons are a certainty. The hay land is not irrigated. The average of the wild hay crop, or indigenous grasses, is about one and one-half tons per acre. Wheat and barley grow profusely, and Captain Pray's crop was so large one season that he brought in a reaper to harvest it. He thinks he has harvested some crops that have yielded sixty bushels of wheat to the acre, and there have been instances where oats have been measured that stood seven feet and eight inches high. Hay, baled for the use of logging teams, sells at Glenbrook at twenty-five to thirty dollars per ton.

FRIDAY'S STATION AND THE NEW ROAD.

            In 1860 J. W. Small and M. K. Burke located the place a few miles above Glenbrook, upon the Placerville road, and built the house which has ever since been known as " Friday's " Station. This is about three-fourths of a mile inside of the Nevada State line, and Mr. Small still lives there. At that time all the travel, which was becoming very great, entered Carson Valley principally by the way of the Kingsbury Grade. In 1862 a new route was contemplated from Friday's Station to Carson City, following the lake shore for some distance, and then diverging into the head of King's Cañon, and entering Eagle Valley at the Capital City. This road was called the Lake Bigler Toll road, was of easy grade for a mountain thoroughfare, somewhat shortened the distance to the great mining center, and was completed in 1863.

FIRST HOTEL AT GLENBROOK.

            The new road diverted much of the travel, and, consequently, eligible sites for public houses were sought along its line, and buildings for this purpose erected. Of these there were none more suitable nor pleasant than the little cove upon which Pray's mill was located, and the same year that the road was finished, 1863, Winters & Colbath erected the large structure which has since been known as the Glenbrook Hotel. This property now belongs to Yerington & Bliss,

{Illustrations -- Mrs. A.F. DRESSLER; A.F. DRESSLER; RESIDENCE AND HOME RANCH OF A.F. DRESSLER, SHERIDAN, DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev.]

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.          381

MORE MILLS AT GLENBROOK.

            Lumber was at this time in good demand, and a common article readily commanded twenty-five dollars per thousand, and clear, forty five dollars. No one person could be expected to long maintain the exclusive monopoly of its manufacture, and the Pray Mill was followed by one erected by J. H. F. Goff and George Morrill in the north part of the town. This did a good business until it was destroyed by fire. The site and remaining plant were then sold to A. H. Davis & Son, who built the Davis Mill, which eventually passed into the possession of Wells, Fargo & Co., and is still retained by that firm.

            In 1873 the firm of Yerington & Bliss began the lumber manufacturing business at Glenbrook, and have since that time been among the heaviest dealers in the Pacific Coast States. They have connected the timber belt of the entire valley of Lake Tahoe, as well as the surrounding mountains sloping toward it, by rail and V flume with the trans-mountain valleys and great consuming points of the interior. During the year 1873, at the time that firm began operations, the lumber product of Douglas County was only 906,000 feet. This rose in 1875 to 21,700,000 feet, but with the enormous consumption of timber it had fallen in 1880 to I2,000,000 feet.

FIRST STORE AT GLENBROOK.

            The lumbering, dairy and other interests, which were springing up all around the lake, soon attracted quite a population and created the necessity of establishing a trading-post at a point best located for a general distributing depot. Glenbrook was selected as the most available spot, and in I874 J. A. Rigby and A. Childers built the first store, and offered for sale the first stock of goods there. The building was built over the water, and set on piles in front of the present hotel. This may in some degree account for the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Childers, who came up missing one morning, and was never heard of more. It is surmised that he may have accidentally stepped off into the water and been drowned, as from this peculiar sheet of water the body of not a single person drowned therein has ever yet been taken. After the disappearance of his partner, Mr. Rigby admitted into the, business W. T. and S. C. Davis, and the firm name was then changed to Davis Co. & Bro. In January, 1877, the building was burned, and the same year Captain Pray built the present handsome two-story structure, 30x62 feet, the corner part of which is-now occupied as a store by J. M. Short, and the upper story as a hall.

THE VILLAGE OF GLENBROOK.

            Besides the Glenbrook Hotel, in the spring of 1876, Captain Pray converted his planing-mill, which had been used in conjunction with his saw-mill, into a hotel, which he christened the Lake Shore House. There are also several boarding-houses in the village.

            Glenbrook supports two saloons, both being conducted by the same firm, however, B. Greenhood and Levi Knowles. The first saloon in the place was opened by Rico & Comstock, in 1877, in John Toll's building.

            There are at Glenbrook thirty cottages, one saw-mill, one hotel, one store, one saloon, one livery stable and one meat market, all under one ownership, that of Capt. A. W. Pray. These rent as follows: Cottages, from five to ten dollars per month; the store for $1,072 a year; livery stable, twenty-five dollars per month; meat market, fifty dollars, and the hotel for seventy-five dollars a month.

            The cottages are principally rented to the employes of the mills, those engaged upon the railroad and flumes, and the wood-choppers, with their families. An occasional tourist stays here for two or three of the hottest months of the year, and there are quite a number of transient pleasure-seekers passing through from stage to boat, but only a few who are not regularly engaged in business tarry long.

THE SHAKSPEARIAN ROCK.

            A singular illusion is presented to the observer from Glenbrook—the profile of a man reclining, with face upturned, appears at the apex of a mountain Peak. From a fancied resemblance to the greatest of all poets, it is called Shakspeare Rock. It was first noticed in 1862 by the wife of Rev. J. A. Benton, of California, who was at that time sketching the mountains.

A MOST DEPLORABLE AFFAIR.

            Near Shakspeare Rock is a cavern, the entrance to which is ten feet high and twenty wide, upon going through which to the north the cavern is reached, being about twenty feet wide, seventy-five feet long, and about fifty feet high to the roof. To reach this, ropes are required, and great caution must be observed lest by a false movement the explorer be plunged into the yawning chasm below. It was to view this place that a gay party of young people from Carson City left the village of Glenbrook on the ninth of September, 1877. The party were Miss Carrie Rice, Miss Vade Phillips, Miss Esther Moody, Frank Williams, William Clark, and William Cramer, the latter being Miss Rice's escort. Upon reaching a precipitous point overlooking the cavern, where the surface presented but a smooth, solid granite front, and where the entire party should have paused, these two young people, Mr. Cramer and Miss Rice, clasped hands, and thoughtlessly started down the inclined plane leading to the chasm, thinking they could stop upon its brink. Swiftly they shot down toward the fateful precipice, and when too late, essayed to check their furious progress. Both fell down. Miss Rice went over the precipice, and when aid was procured was found lying about ten yards from the mouth of the cavern, breathing, but unconscious. She died in an hour. Her escort fortunately succeeded in grasping something to which he held, and was rescued.

382      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

RAFTING LOGS ACROSS LAKE TAHOE.

            As the forests in the immediate vicinity of Glen-brook were denuded of timber, the millers were compelled either to suspend operations or draw upon some other source for a supply of logs. On the western shore of Lake Tahoe, in California, were virgin forests of immense trees, extending from the water's edge, upon the sloping foot-bills, to the deep snow line on the mountain sides; and human ingenuity sought and soon adopted methods to render this large reserve available. Steamers were brought into requisition; the trees were felled, cut into suitable lengths, hauled upon trucks drawn by oxen and rolled into the water. The logs are then confined in "booms," consisting of a number of long, slim spars fastened together at the ends with chains, which completely encircle a " raft " of logs arranged in the form of a V—some of these rafts containing timber enough to make 250,000 or 300,000 feet of lumber. In this condition they are attached to the steamer with a strong cable, and towed to the mills at Glenbrook, which, being built immediately upon the lake shore, are so arranged that the logs can be hauled by machinery upon the ways to the saw carriage as required.

            A number of small steamers are employed for this purpose; and the noble forests that once were the pride and beauty of the western shore of Lake Tahoe are fast disappearing before the destructive ax of the woodmen, and they, too, will soon be a thing of the past. The principal vessel used at this time for towing logs is an iron tug called the Meteor. This boat was built at Wilmington, Delaware, by Harlan, Hollingsworth & Co.; after having been put together it was taken down, shipped by rail to Carson City, and then hauled to Lake Tahoe by teams. This was in 1876. The Meteor is a propeller, eighty feet long and ten feet beam, and will run twenty miles an hour under a pressure of I35 pounds of steam. This vessel cost $18,000, and when not engaged in towing logs, is frequently seen making the tour of the lake with some distinguished personage on board.

THE VILLAGE OF SHERIDAN.

            Sheridan is a small village situated eight miles south of Genoa. The principal business houses are, one store of general merchandise, two hotels, post-office, a saloon and a blacksmith and wagon shop. The surrounding county is well adapted to grazing, and several dairymen have settled there. Among these is Harrison Berry, who milks over 100 cows, and makes a large quantity of butter.

MEDICINAL SPRINGS OF THE COUNTY.

            Near Henry Vansickle's, at the base of the mountain spurs which jut into the valley from the west, two miles south of Genoa, are some large thermal springs, now known as Walley's Hot Springs. Here is a large hotel building containing forty rooms, with bath-houses adjoining. There are eighty acres of land belonging to the property, and the improvements were made at a cost of $100,000. These springs have a great reputation for the cure of rheumatic and scrofulous affections, and have become a noted place of resort. The location is extremely pleasant, the scenery grand, and the climate in summer invigorating and healthful.

            Upon the land of Captain Pray, near Glenbrook, on Lake Tahoe, there is a mineral spring, the curative properties of whose waters in certain complaints is highly lauded. Iron seems to enter largely into its composition.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,

Son of Elias and Belinda Adams, was born May I5, 1832, near Columbus, Adams County, Illinois. His father was one of the first settlers in Adams County, and from whom the county derived its name. In early life the subject of this sketch learned the brick makers' trade, and for many years followed that business in connection with his farm duties. In May, 1850, he, in company with his father, emigrated to Utah, and was engaged in farming and stock-raising until the first of June, 1853, at which time he came to Carson Valley, and located on the ranch now owned by Joseph Jones, and has since resided in this valley. In connection with his brother, under the firm name of R. and J. Q Adams, was engaged in the same occupation as in Utah. After a time they sold one-half of the ranch and built the fine brick residence in which Mr. Adams now lives, and for about five years kept a hotel. He says "those were the happiest days of my life," everything brought almost fabulous prices; hay was worth from forty to eighty dollars per ton; barley half a dollar a pound, etc. Going back to his former business he made the brick used in the construction of the United States Branch Mint, at Carson City, also for the Court House at Genoa. Mr. Adams was married to Miss Ellen Dolan, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Welch) Dolan, October I, 1866. By this union there are three children, all living. The following are their names and date of birth: Mary Lydia, July 18, 1867 ; John Elias, December 24, 1868; William Rufus, November 16, I871. In politics, Mr. Adams is a Republican, but takes no active part therein. His ranch is under a good state of cultivation, and well adapted to the growing of all kinds of grain, vegetables and hay. A view of the ranch, in connection with portraits, will be found elsewhere.

JOHN S. CHILD

Was born in Derby, Orleans County, Vermont, on the first of September, 1825, where he lived until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Massachusetts, and resided until he came to the Pacific Coast in 1852. On the fifth of April of the last-named year, he sailed from New York for the Pacific Coast on the ship Northern Light, the first trip made by that boat, and came by the Nicaragua route. His first experience in California, was in the mines at Placer-

HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.          383

ville, El Dorado County, where he spent between two and three years. In July, 1854, he came to Carson Valley, Nevada, where he has since resided. During the first four years in this place he was engaged in merchandising, and since then has given his attention to stock-raising. In 1858 he received the appointment of Probate Judge, of Carson County, and held the office until the creation of Nevada Territory. This office was not sought by him and he has never known to whom he was indebted for the appointment. After the organization of Douglas County, he was appointed County Commissioner, and in 1870 was elected a member of the Assembly. In 1859 he was married to Miss A. E. Lufkin, of Placerville, California, who departed this life in February, 1873. He was again married in February, 1874, to Miss Eveline A. Gilbert, of Carson City, Nevada, a native of Cato, Cayuga County, New York, born January 14, 1826, and came to California in 1852, where she lived until 186I, when she came to Carson City, Nevada. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Child are produced elsewhere in this book.

AUGUSTUS F. DRESSLER,

Son of Christian and Maria Dressler, was born in Mulhausen, Germany, on the twenty-ninth of May, 1831. He learned the trade of dyeing and printing calico in his boyhood, and followed that business until he came to America. Leaving his native country on the seventh of March, I851, he arrived in New York on the second of May, same year. He experienced many difficulties upon landing in the United States from being unable to speak the English language. His first situation in his adopted country was with a farmer on Long Island, where he worked two years, and afterward moved to Minnesota, fifty miles north of St. Paul, to the town of Monticello, and entered the employ of Geo. M. Betram, for whom he worked seven years. In 1860 Mr. Dressler started for California, with three wagons drawn by oxen, and arrived in Carson Valley, Nevada, in the fall of the same year, being six months in making the trip. Hearing that times were dull in the country he had started for, he concluded to remain in Carson Valley, and soon found employment. In 1863 he purchased a ranch on the west fork of the Carson River and settled down to improve the same. In 1875 he bought a ranch in Sheridan, and has since resided there. In 1866 he was married to Augusta Wilhelmina Dietz, daughter of Christian F. and Christina Dietz, natives of Morsch. Mrs. Dressler was born in Erfust, in Germany. Their union has been blessed with five children, the following being their names and date of birth: Maria F., July 18, 1868; L. Adolphe, December 26, 1869; Wilhelm F., March 9, 187I; Rosalie, April I1, 1873; Clara A., July 18, 1875. Christian Fritz, a son of Mrs. Dressler by a former marriage, is recognized as one of this family, and is a bright, active boy of seventeen years.

            In politics Mr. Dressler is a staunch Republican; in religion, a Protestant. A view of Mr. Dressler'sresidence, in connection with portraits, will be found elsewhere.

HON. J. W. HAINES

Was born in Stanstead, Lower Canada, August 17, 1826. His parents were Americans, formerly citizens of the State of Vermont. In the year 1832 his family emigrated to the wilds of Ohio, where he worked upon a farm until 1843, when he changed his occupation, and from that time until 1849 sailed upon the lakes, between Buffalo, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. During the summer of '49 he crossed the plains to California, in charge of the " Ohio train," as Captain, arriving in Placerville, El Dorado County, July 31st. There were fifty-six men in this company. Upon their arrival in California, the company went up the Sacramento River in a boat called the Alledo. The hardships of this trip discounted those of the trip across the plains, and lasted from August until December. In the spring of 1850, Mr. Haines entered the mercantile business in Sacramento City, under the firm name of Haines, Lyon & Co., which was changed to Haines, Webster & Co. in 1853. In the spring of 1855 we find our subject Marshal of Sacramento City, and in 1859 he came to Nevada with a band of sheep for the Virginia City market. While on his trip across the mountains he encountered a snow-storm which held him a prisoner, in Lake Valley, for eleven days. At the end of that time his stock had become reduced in such manner as to be unfit for market, and he was obliged to drive them to the sink of the Carson to winter. In 1863 he located permanently in Douglas County, then the Territory of Nevada, with his family. Mr. Haines was a member of the first Constitutional Convention, and has represented the people in the State Senate, was also an elector for Grant at the his first and second elections. A view of Mr. Haines' residence will be found in another part of this volume.

DAVID R. JONES,

The subject of this sketch, is fully entitled to the rank of pioneer, he being one of the earliest settlers in this State. He was born in Wales, in 1880, and came to the United States when quite young; settled first in the State of Wisconsin, and in 1858 came to the Pacific Coast, and has since lived in what is now Douglas County. Mr. Jones is well known throughout the section of country in which he resides, is a man of high moral character, strictly honest in his dealings with both Gad and man, and has for the past ten years promulgated the word of God in the church of the " Latter Day Saints." much credit is due to Mr. Jones for the masterly manner in which he has overcome the many obstacles that beset the paths of the early settlers in a country like this. Surrounded on all sides by unseen dangers, he has lived to see his family grow up, an honor to their parents, and a blessing to the land in which they live. In politics he is a staunch Republican. A view of Mr. Jones' home is to be found in this volume.