[From Thompson & West's History of Nevada 1881, With Illustrations And Biographical Sketches Of Its Prominent Men And Pioneers, pp. 401-425]

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      401

CHAPTER XLIV.

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.

Organization and Boundaries—Conflict of Authority—Double Courts and Double Election—Unpaid Warrants—Financial Statement—Change of Boundaries—Appointments and Election—Topography, Mines, and Agriculture—Settlement of Mason Valley—Albert James Barrett—Albert H. Erway—J. J. Fox—John Burrard Gallagher—Adam Herbold—C. Hernleben—Angus McLeod—Bernhard H. Reymers—Abner Stanton Richardson—Warren Benjamin Saunders—Settlement of Smith's Valley—T. B. Smith—Columbus Mining District— Esmeralda Mining District, Gold Mountain—Lida Valley and other Mining Districts—W. H. Spragg—J. C. Hinds—Abandoned Districts—Principal Towns and Cities—Execution of Desperadoes in 1864—Grand Jury Report.

            ONE of the nine counties into which the Territory of Nevada was divided by the Act of the First Territorial Legislature, approved November 25, 1861, was the county of Esmeralda, with the seat of justice at Aurora. The following boundaries were given:

            Beginning at a point where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude intersects the one hundred and sixteenth meridian, and running west along said thirty-seventh parallel to the California line; thence along said line, in a northwesterly direction, to the summit of the divide between the east and west forks of the Walker River; thence along said divide, in a northerly direction, to the head-waters of Desert Creek; thence, following down the middle of, said creek, to a point where it debouches from the mountain; thence, following the base of the mountain, to the west branch of Walker River; thence across said river to the base of the mountain; thence, following the base of the mountain in a direct line, as near as may be, to Mason's Ranch; thence due east to the one hundred and sixteenth meridian; thence south along said meridian, to place of beginning.

            This vast tract, 275 by 140 miles in extent, as in the case of Humboldt and Churchill Counties, was composed chiefly of outside and unexplored territory--a country that was considered worthless, and was devoid of white inhabitants, The only people within its limits were those scattered along the route of travel from Carson to Aurora, in Mason and Smith Valleys, and in the town of Aurora itself. The balance of the county, embracing all of the territory of Nye County, then belonging to Nevada, was a barren, unknown waste.

CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY.

            The uncertainty of the exact location of the eastern boundary line of the State of California kept Aurora a bone of contention between that State and the Territory of Nevada for two years. The spring of 1861 finding Aurora a new and rapidly growing town, and Monoville, also a new town of some importance, the California Legislature organized the county of Mono, by Act of March 24, 1861, and established the seat of justice at Aurora. The territory included in the new county embraced that lying between Amador and Fresno Counties, and between the summit of the Sierra and the eastern line of the State. The Act provided also for an election, to be held June 1, 1861, for County Clerk and ex officio Recorder and Auditor, Sheriff and ex officio Collector, District Attorney, Assessor, Treasurer, Surveyor, Coroner and three Supervisors. The Governor was to appoint a County Judge. These officers were to hold office for the full term, commencing at the next annual election for Assemblyman. The new county was attached to Tuolumne for representative purposes. P. J. Hickey, W. M. Boring, E. W. Casey, C. N. Noteware, L. A. Brown, G. W. Bailey and T. A. Lane were appointed a Board of Commissioners to supervise the election and issue certificates.

            In accordance with the above Act an election was held June 1, 1861, and resulted in the choice of the following officers for Mono County, California, nearly all of whom were residents of Aurora: County Clerk, R. M. Wilson; Sheriff, N. F. Scott; District Attorney, R. E. Phelps; Assessor, J. H. Smith; Treasurer, William Feast; Surveyor, L. Tuttle; Supervisors, E. Green, Charles R. Worland and J. S. Schultz. The Governor of California appointed J. A. Moutrie County Judge.

            Governor Nye arrived in Nevada in July, 1861, and in dividing the Territory into Council and Rep-

402      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

resentative Districts, became convinced that Aurora was within the limits of Nevada, and therefore made it, with a large tract of adjacent country, Council District One, with one Councilman and two Representatives. August 24, 1861, the Esmeralda Union Club, a large patriotic association of Aurora, recommended an election of members of the Territorial Legislature, in accordance with the proclamation of Governor Nye, and also sent R. M. Howland, H. G. Phillips, L. A. Brown, W. E. Johnston, F. K. Bechtel and Samuel Young to Carson City to attend the Union Convention for the nomination of a candidate for Delegate to Congress. An election was accordingly held August 31, 1861, resulting in the choice of John W. Pugh for the Council and Samuel Youngs and William E. Teell for the House of Representatives. These gentlemen sat in that body and helped frame the first laws of the Territory of Nevada, while the city from which they came, and which contained nine-tenths of the population of the district they represented, was the county seat of Mono County, California, and was governed by officers elected and acting under the laws of California.

            It was by this first Territorial Legislature that the county of Esmeralda was created with Aurora as the county seat, making that city the seat of justice of two counties, under the laws of one State and one Territory, and complicating matters as much as it was possible to do. California by no means relinquished her claim to the disputed territory, upon the above action of the Nevada authorities, but her Legislature continued to exercise its jurisdiction, and to grant toll, water and gas franchises in the city of Aurora and vicinity. The Nevada Legislature, not desiring to press matters until the boundary line could be definitely determined, excepted Esmeralda from the provisions of the Act of November 28, 1861, calling an election of county officers for January 14, 1862, preferring to leave the disputed territory under the authority of the Mono County officers until the boundary question could be settled. The same Act granted the Governor power to appoint officers and organize the county of Esmeralda, whenever in his opinion it was desirable to do so.

            By Act of March 26, 1861, the California Legislature appointed a Commissioner to act in concert with the United States Surveyor in locating the boundary line, and appropriated $10,000 to defray the expenses. By Act of November 29, 1861, the Nevada Legislature appropriated $1,000 for the same purpose. Nothing was accomplished by either, and the year 1862 passed without the vexed question being settled. The disputed line ran in a southeast direction from the point where the thirty-ninth parallel of north latitude intersects the one hundred and twentieth degree of longitude west from Greenwich, to the point where the thirty-fifth parallel of north latitude intersects the Colorado River. The citizens of Aurora were divided in their inclinations and ideas. Those who preferred forming a portion of California maintained that the line ran northeast of Aurora by the Five-mile House, while those who desired to be in Nevada were just as positive that the line passed southwest of the city and through the Bodie District. There was but little else than the inclination of the people that decided their opinions as to the location of this line, an actual case of "the wish being father of the thought." As a rule the Republicans were in favor of Nevada, and the Democrats of California, and as at that time the Republicans were in a large majority, California stock was quoted very low. In 1862 Judge Moutrie resigned, and Judge Baldwin was appointed. The same year Sheriff Scott was killed by Indians on Owens River, and G. W. Bailey was appointed to the vacancy.

            At the election of September 3, 1862, the county of Esmeralda riot having been fully organized and the terms of the Mono County officials not having expired, there was no election for county officers whatever. There were, however, chosen four members of the Territorial House of Representatives, John W. Pugh, Councilman from the First District, holding over as a member of the Territorial Council for Esmeralda County. The gentlemen elected were as follows: John S. Ross, Arthur M. McKeel, J. W. Calder, A. D. Allen. The last-named gentleman did not take his seat, and Esmeralda had but three Representatives in the second session of the Territorial Legislature.

            The first officer of Esmeralda County was John F. Kidder, who was appointed Surveyor by the Governor, July 8, 1862, followed by the appointment on the twenty-second of the following December, of Wm. M. Dixon as District Attorney.

            On the second of December, 1862, the Nevada Legislature passed a joint resolution, requesting the Governor to organize Esmeralda County as soon as practicable, but he did not consider matters sufficiently settled to do so at that time. In February, 1863, the conflict between Roop and Plumas Counties over the Honey Lake region brought matters to a crisis, and steps were taken to bring the boundary difficulty to a final settlement. By the Act of April 27, 1863, the California Legislature directed the Surveyor General of that State to establish the point of intersection of the thirty-ninth parallel of north latitude, and the one hundred and twentieth degree of west longitude, and to survey the State line from that point north to the Oregon line, and southeast to the Colorado River. The same Act appropriated 825,000 to defray the expenses of the survey, and requested the Nevada authorities to appoint some one to act in conjunction with the Surveyor General. Acting Governor Clemens appointed Butler Ives as Boundary Commissioner on the part of Nevada, and the survey was thus jointly undertaken.

            No sooner had the initial point of the survey been established in the clear waters of Lake Tahoe, than

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      403

the Governor became convinced that Aurora was in Nevada Territory, and June 22, 1863, appointed the following officers: Sheriff, D. G. Francis; Clerk, Cyril Hawkins; Commissioners, C. D. Wingate, Samuel Youngs and John F. Moore. Samuel Youngs declined the appointment, and the following day John Hawkins was appointed in his stead; he also resigned on the first of August. It was the duty of these officers to organize the county and prepare for an election of county officers at the next general election in September.

DOUBLE COURTS AND DOUBLE ELECTION.

            In the month of July, 1863, Judge Turner, Chief Justice of the Territory, and assigned by Governor Nye as Judge of the Second District, opened a term of the District Court for Nevada in Aurora. At the same time Judge Baldwin, of Mono County, was holding county court, and the novelty was presented of two courts sitting concurrently, exercising jurisdiction by virtue of authority derived from distinct sources. By wise and judicious management, no conflict of authority was inaugurated, and the session of each court was held quietly and with no interference with the proceedings of the other. Causes were brought in either court, as the litigants preferred, the majority being taken before Judge Baldwin, his court being held there regularly.

            When the second day of September, 1863, arrived, the boundary line had not been surveyed as far south as Aurora, and the uncertainty of location was still as great as ever. The term of office of the Mono County officials, elected in 1861, expired, and it became necessary to elect their successors. A brilliant idea was conceived; they would hold two elections, one for Mono and one for Esmeralda. Full tickets were nominated by both Republicans and Democrats, making four in all, two for each county. In Aurora the election was lively. The polls for the Esmeralda election were held in Armory Hall, and those for Mono in the Police Station, some distance away on the same street. Considerable hilarity was exhibited and good feeling prevailed, people voting at one place and then passing down the street to vote at the other, thus making sure to hit it on one side if they missed it on the other.     

            The Republican ticket was successful in both contests.

FOR MONO COUNTY.

            County Clerk, John Hawkins; Sheriff, H. J. Teel ; Treasurer, E. R. , Rhoades ; Assessor, J. H. Smith.

            At this time Judge Baldwin was holding a term of the County Court, and when the line had passed Aurora, leaving it in Nevada, objection was made to the jurisdiction of the court in the case then before the court, and it was sustained by the Judge, who declined to try any more cases in Aurora.

            Within twenty days after the election those engaged in the boundary survey reached Aurora and passed to the southwest, leaving the city in Nevada, much to the disgust of some of the strong adherents of California, who asserted that the surveyors ran the lines around Aurora in order to leave it in Nevada, and there are some of them who maintain to this day that there is a jog in the State line. In order to obviate any possible difficulty in regard to the legality of the Esmeralda County election of September 2, 1863, the Governor appointed, on the nineteenth of that month, the officers that had been elected, adding to the list A. S. Peck, as County Judge, and all were sworn into office on the twenty-second of September.

            As soon as the question of location was settled, R. M. Wilson and William Feast, officers elected for Mono County, loaded all the records upon a wagon and took them across the line to the then little town of Bodie, and the next spring, when Bridgeport was declared the county seat of Mono, took them to that place. An Act approved February 9, 1864, to have these records transcribed, was repealed January 10, 1865, because of opposition by citizens of Esmeralda, who were not willing to pay $10,000 for that purpose, and the law was never carried into effect farther than to expend $300 for the necessary books.

            The officers for Mono County elected in 1863, nearly all remained in Aurora, and their places were filled by appointment by the Governor of California; R. M. Wilson, the County Clerk, removed to Bridgeport, and William Feast continued to discharge the duties of Treasurer, although residing in Aurora, until his death in the summer of 1864. H. J. Teel who was elected Sheriff of Mono County, was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Esmeralda, by Sheriff Francis, there having been an agreement made by them before the election, that in whichever county Aurora was decided to be, the one elected sheriff of that county should appoint the other his deputy.

UNPAID WARRANTS.

            The taxes for 1861 and 1862 were collected in Aurora for Mono County, but those for 1863 were not; and as soon as the money in the treasury became exhausted outstanding warrants remained unpaid. When the county seat was settled at Bridgeport the officers of Mono County refused payment on all previously issued warrants, on the ground that the expense was incurred in and for the benefit of Aurora, and that Esmeralda County should pay them. There are outstanding now some $20,000 of these old warrants, the larger portion of which have been collected together, and suit is now pending to compel Mono County to pay them.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

            The Board of County Commissioners elected in 1863 met on the twenty-ninth of September, and divided the county into three townships, Aurora, Sweetwater, and Excelsior District, being the election precinct established in each. The brick build-

404      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

ing on the corner of Pine and Silver Streets, now owned by the county, was leased of Preble, De Noe & Co. for $250 per month, to be used as a Court House. The jail that had been erected by the Mono County authorities was also leased. In December, 1864, the Court House was purchased by the county for $12,000, for which county warrants were issued. After considerable discussion about the best manner in which to redeem these warrants, and after the Commissioners bad made and rescinded two orders for the issue of bonds for that purpose, one for $22,000, and the other for $25,000, there were issued in October, 1865, bonds to the amount of $11,500, and all warrants on the Court House Fund then outstanding were paid. These bonds bore interest at the rate of two per cent. per month; and in December, 1871, $8,000 in bonds, with interest at the rate of one and a half per cent. per month, were issued to redeem the old bonds still outstanding. In 1874 a jail was made in the Court House building at an expense of about $1,500, and two bonds of $500 each were issued, due in one year, with interest at one and a half per cent. per month, which were paid. In September, 1877, the house and lot known as the Kidd House were purchased for $500 of S. B. Smith, to be used as a county hospital. Under the Act of March 14, 1877, amended January 31, 1879, the Commissioners issued $10,000 on the eleventh of February, 1879, to provide for current expenses. They were made to fall due $2,000 each year after the fifth year, interest ten percent. per annum. The total debt of the county at the present time is $32,915. Amount of cash in the treasury, $10,767.

CHANGE OF BOUNDARY.

            By the Act of February 16, 1864, creating the county of Nye, Esmeralda lost more than half of its territory, all that portion east of the meridian of 40° 30' west of Washington being set off into the new county. This Act was amended March 9, 1865, by making the line of the one hundred and seventeenth degree of longitude west from Greenwich the line of division, thus restoring a narrow strip of what had been taken. By the Act of March 5, 1869, the boundary between Nye and Esmeralda was declared to be a line running from the intersection of the California line by the meridian of longitude 40° 15' west from Washington, north to the thirty-eighth parallel of north latitude; thence northwesterly to the hot springs on the Wellington and Reese River road; thence north to the thirty-ninth parallel of north latitude. The Act of February 26, 1875, changed the eastern line to the meridian of longitude 40° 7'; thence north to the thirty-eight parallel northwesterly to Hot Springs, and north to the thirty-ninth parallel, as before, leaving the boundaries as they exist at present, the northern boundary never having been changed.

APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS.

            A complete list of the officers of the county from its organization down to the present time is herewith given, together with the date of appointment or election of each. The vacancies in office by death, resignation or removal, if any have occurred, will also be noted, with the names of the persons selected to fill the same.

SENATORS.

            J. J. Coddington, elected Councilman under Territorial organization September 2, 1863; B. S. Mason and William Wetherall, elected Senators under the provisions of a State Constitution, January 19, 1864, but never qualified as the Constitution was rejected; J. C. Parks, elected Councilman September 7, 1864; Lewis Doran and John Ives, elected Senators November 8, 1864; B. S. Mason and Lewis Doran, elected November 6, 1866; T. W. Abraham, elected November 3, 1868; W. M. Boring, elected November 8, 1870; J. G. McClinton and Frank Campbell, elected November 5, 1872-Campbell to fill vacancy caused by the death of W. M. Boring; A. Garrard, elected November 3, 1874; John B. Gallagher, elected November 5, 1878.

ASSEMBLYMEN.

            J. W. Calder, Jacob Hess, and J. H. Gray were elected Representatives under the Territorial organization, September 2, 1863. Gray did not take his seat. John S. Mayhugh, J. G. McClinton, E. T. Loomis, and G. A. Green were elected January 19, 1864, under the provisions of a State Constitution which was rejected, therefore never qualified. A. S. Peck was elected County Judge under the same regime; J. C. Darragh, P. B. Comstock, and L. Rice were elected Representatives September 7, 1864; D. H. Haskell, John S. Mayhugh, D. Wellington, and Cyril Hawkins, elected Assemblymen, November 8, 1864; A. M. Wingate, J. S. Mayhugh, T. N. Browne, and B. V. Poor, elected November 6, 1866. Browne resigned April 9, 1867. C. P. Shakspeare, E, R Shimmin, John S. Mayhugh, and S. J. Davis, elected November 3, 1868. Mayhugh resigned July 7, 1869. Angus McLeod, D. C. Simpson, D. F. Manning, and M. R. Delano, elected November 8 1870; J. B. Gallagher, Robert McCall, W. H. Carpenter, and P. M. Brummer, elected November 5, 1872; Alexander Spencer, R. I. Hubbard, R. V. Tone, and E. R. Willis, elected November 3, 1874; C. P. Shakspeare and H. E. Sargent elected November 7, 1876; J. R. Eldred and Charles P. Shakspeare, elected November 5, 1878; W. F. Belding and T. M. McGowan, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

            Appointed by Governor Nye June 22, 1863: C. D. Winegate, Samuel Youngs, and John F. Moore. Youngs declined, and John Hawkins was appointed, but resigned August 1st. P. W. Randall, Geo. A. Green and Geo. A. Whitney, elected September 2, 1863. Randall resigned January 22, 1864, and W. H. Burgess appointed by Commissioners April 5th. The Supreme Court decided the appointment illegal, and the Governor appointed Samuel Youngs April 11,

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      405

1864. D. W. Davis, George A. Green and Samuel Youngs, elected September 7, 1864; George Benson elected November 7, 1865 ; E. B. Cooper, M. Y. Stewart, and E. C. Smith, elected November 6, 1866. Cooper resigned and J. G. McClinton was appointed by the Governor April 15, 1867. He resigned September 25, 1868, and the Governor appointed Gardiner C. White October 5, 1868, to fill the vacancy. W. G. McBride, G. C. White, and Henry Williams, elected' November 3, 1868. McBride and White resigned, and T. H. Burt and Frank Neal were appointed August 3, 1869, to fill the vacancies. F. Strackler, H. Keever and E. W. Bennett, elected November 8, 1870; Henry Williams and C. Dumay, elected November 5, 1872. Dumay did not qualify, and Angus McLeod was appointed June 2, 1873. T. B. Smith and F. Strackler, elected November 3, 1874; P. L. Traver and D. C. Simpson, elected November 7, 1876; Franklin Neal was appointed January 15, 1880, in place of  Traver, deceased. D. C. Simpson, and T. B. Smith, elected November 5, 1878; W. S. Stone and G. A. Hamilton, elected November 2, 1880.

PROBATE JUDGES.

            Wm. M. Boring was elected Probate Judge, September 7, 1864.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

            R. S. Mesick was elected Prosecuting Attorney, under Territorial Government, September 2, 1863, resigned January 22, 1864, Geo. S. Palmer appointed to fill vacancy ; S. H. Chase, elected Prosecuting Attorney, September 7, 1864; T. N. Browne, elected District Attorney November 7, 1865, vice S. H. Chase, elected District Judge; W. M. Boring, elected November 6, 1866; T. N. Browne, elected November 3, 1868, removed from county, and W. M. Boring appointed April 5, 1869, to fill vacancy; John Curtis, elected November 8, 1870; M. A. Murphy, elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874, re-elected November 7, 1876; A. L. Greeley, elected November 5, 1878. According to the canvass Daniel Holland received more votes than Greeley, but the latter successfully contested the election. Candelaria was re-counted and Greeley given the office. D. J. Lewis, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SHERIFFS.

            D. G. Francis, elected September 2, 1863, re-elected September 7, 1864, re-elected November 6, 1866, re-elected November 3, 1868; John B. Helm, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874; L. B. Lott, elected November 7, 1876, died September 25, 1878, and J. B. Hiskey appointed October 7th, to fill vacancy; Clem. Ogg, elected November 5, 1878; David J. Robb, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY CLERKS.

            E. B. Dickinson, elected September 2, 1863, reelected September 7, 1864; Jas. S. Jamison, elected November 6, 1866; F. K. Bechtel, elected November 3, 1868; D. J. Lewis, elected November 8, 1870, reelected November 5, 1872; I. N. Farwell, elected November 3, 1874, re-elected November 7, 1876, reelected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY TREASURERS.

            Eben Rhodes, elected September 2, 1863, re-elected September 7, 1864; W. A. Howard, elected November 7, 1865, vice Rhodes, who had resigned. Howard resigned April 16, 1866, and J. G. McClinton was appointed to fill vacancy. Oliver Kimball, elected November 6, 1866; G. W. Daran, elected November 3, 1868; Wm. H. Hall, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874, re-elected November 7, 1866, died November 26, 1876, and 0. Kimball appointed December 11th, to fill vacancy; A. W. Crocker, elected November 5, 1878; Angus McLeod, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY ASSESSORS.

            J. H. Smith, elected September 2, 1863; J. H. Richardson, elected September 7, 1864; Ira P. Hale, elected November 6, 1866; M. A. Murphy, elected November 3, 1868, re-elected, November 8, 1870; S. M. Booker, elected November 5, 1872; Dennis Thompson, elected November 3, 1874; C. J. Dunlap, elected November 7, 1876, re-elected November 5, 1878; office vacated for non-qualification, February 10, 1879, and Dennis Thompson appointed the next day; December 2, 1879, office again declared vacant for not filing a new bond, and G. H. Hatch was appointed January 6, 1880, to fill the vacancy. S. B. Hines, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY RECORDERS.

            John Hawkins, elected September 2, 1863, died, and Cyril Hawkins appointed January 8, 1864, to fill vacancy; G. L. Church, elected September 7,1864; D. W. Hastings, elected November 6, 1866; J. G. McClinton, elected November 3, 1868, resigned July 20 1869, and G. C. White appointed to fill vacancy; G. C. White, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872; David McKee, elected November 3, 1874, re-elected November 7, 1876. H. W. Barton was appointed August 14, 1877, vice McKee, deceased. D. J. Lewis, elected November 5, 1878; H. W. Barton, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.

            J. B. Saxton, elected September 2, 1863; Ira P. Elale, elected September 7, 1864; W. C. Meredith, elected November 7, 1865, vice Ira P. Hale, who resigned October 4, 1865. Meredith resigned April 16, 1866, and Hale was again appointed to fill vacancy; Larkin Smith, elected November 6, 1866; B. T. Tade, elected November 3, 1868, resigned October 5, 1869, and Ira P. Hale appointed to fill vacancy; Ira P. Hale, elected November 8, 1870, resigned July 3, 1871, and S. B. Smith appointed to fill vacancy; W. H. H. Buckley, elected November 5, 1872; H. D. Fletcher, elected November 3, 1874; J. F. De Vol, elected November 7, 1876;

406      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

John M. Dormer, elected November 5, 1878, resigned April 6, 1880, and H. D. Howard appointed to fill vacancy; Edwin Wood, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SURVEYORS.

            Wm. McBride, elected September 2, 1863, re-elected September 7, 1864; re-elected November 6, 1866; Chas. E. Baldwin, elected November 8, 1870; A. Garrard, elected November 5, 1872; J. R. NcNeese, elected November 3, 1874; resigned April 3, 1876, and Franklin Neal, appointed to fill vacancy; F. C. Farnham, elected November 7, 1876; the office was declared vacant March 8, 1878, for non-residence, and J. M. Houston, appointed to fill vacancy; J. M. Houston, elected November 5, 1878; re-elected, November 2, 1880.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS.

            Henry Keever, elected November 6, 1866; S. M. Booker, elected November 3, 1868; Samuel Youngs, elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872; Henry Keever, elected November 3, 1874; Henry D. Fletcher, elected November 7, 1876; A. H. Hawley, elected November 5, 1878; Henry Keever, elected November 2, 1880.

TOPOGRAPHY, MINES AND AGRICULTURE.

            The topography of the county and the character of the soil differs very little from the balance of the State. A large body of fresh water, called Walker Lake, covers a considerable area, extending from the mouth of Walker River in a southeasterly direction a distance of twenty-five miles, having an average width of nine miles, and abounds with fish at all seasons of the year. The lake is deep, and like all bodies of water in the Great Basin of Nevada, has no outlet. The waters from Walker River flow into it winter and summer. The floods in the last days of 1861 and first of 1862, raised its waters seventeen feet. The surface gradually receded until about 1867-68, when another flood raised them about seven feet. With these exceptions the waters of the lake have been gradually decreasing, owing probably to the supply being largely used for irrigating the ranches along the course of the river. The Walker River has its source in two main branches, which rise in the Sierra Nevada and unite about forty five miles from the mouth of the stream. The main stream then flows northerly, makes a complete curve to the east, and then flows south into Walker Lake. The bottoms and valleys lying along the river and the creeks flowing into it, constitute a large portion of the tillable land of the county. Upon Walker Lake are two small steamboats, used in conveying produce from Mason Valley to Columbus District, shortening the usual route of travel considerably. One of these boats is forty feet long, and carries ten tons, the other being of the same capacity and ten feet longer. The first was built in the valley and taken down the river, while the other was constructed at the lake.

            Three principal ranges of mountains, the Wassuck, Excelsior and Volcano, together with a great many lower and shorter ranges of hills, traverse the county in all directions, the general course, however, being north and south. Several hot springs, a number of borax and salt marshes, numerous iron, copper, gold and silver mines, are found in the county; the production of gold, silver, salt and borax, aside from agriculture, being the chief industries.

            The superficial area of the county is about 9,000 square miles, a great deal of it being utterly valueless. Of the balance it is estimated that there are 150,000 acres suitable for agriculture, 300,000 acres of grazing land, 150,000 acres of timber land, covered with a growth of piñon, or dwarf pine, and 750,000 acres of mineral land. Of the agricultural lands some 13,000 acres are inclosed, and 8,000 under cultivation.

            These lands lie in Mason, Smith and portions of Antelope Valleys, along the branches of Walker River and Sweetwater Creek, in Fish Lake Valley, and in a few isolated localities where water can be obtained for irrigation. Hay and barley are the principal crops. There is always a great demand for these in the mining districts adjacent, and a good price can always be obtained. Considerable stock is raised in the county, and small orchards are found in considerable numbers. For statistics giving the products of the county for each year from 1865 to 1880, the number of acres under cultivation, the stock and grain raised, and the fruit trees and vines growing, the reader is referred to the tables to be found on pages 135, 136, 139 and 140 of the general history. For the bullion product see tables in the latter pages of this work.

            The Carson and Colorado Railroad, opened for travel in the spring of 1881, penetrates to near the center of the county, skirting the east shore of Walker Lake, traversing the valley of Walker River and connecting with the general system of railroads by the Virginia and Truckee Railroad at Mound House, in Lyon County.

SETTLEMENT OF MASON VALLEY.

            In 1854 N. H. A. Mason, in company with two brothers, was driving cattle from the Western States to California, and passed through the country, now known as Mason Valley, along Walker River. Their cattle were stampeded, and in collecting them they had a good opportunity of learning something of the value of this section as a grazing range. In 1859 Mr. Mason again visited the place, and, after making a thorough examination, located what has since been known as Mason's Ranch. The fall of that year a large band of cattle from the East was wintered there, and, in 1860, he drove from California (Stanislaus County), what cattle he had there to the Nevada range.

            In October, 1859, Wm. H. Dickson located on what is now the reservation, up the river, about fourteen miles from the lake, where Campbell, or

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      407

Wasson, later built the reservation house. He is still a resident of the valley.

            During the Indian troubles Mason and Dickson drove their stock to Antelope Valley. In July the former returned to his ranch, but Dickson's claim was lost to him because of its being on reserved Indian lands, and he did not return until 1862.

            The first house built in the valley was by Mr. Mason in 1860, 16x24 feet in dimensions, the walls being eight feet high, and were of willows and adobe. The roof was of tules, and the sides were made by placing poles in the ground, then nailing willows to them, and filling in between with mud. It was built near the center of section thirteen, township fourteen north, twenty-five east. The structure was maliciously burned in 1866.

            Tom Wheeler and brother settled about eighteen miles south of Mason's Ranch, on the west fork of Walker River, in the fall of 1861. The place is now owned by D. Wilson. The next settlers were Angus McLeod, Charles Sneider, and — Clement, who came in the fall of 1862, and took up what is now known as McLeod's Ranch. The same fall A. J. and C. D. Lane and W. K. Johnson, in connection with John R. Bradley, purchased a part of the Mason Ranch, and drove cattle in from California to the place. The same fall William, George and Richard Alcorn, three brothers, settled between the McLeod and Lane ranches. In 1863 Jesse Woodcock and — Porter settled on the east side of the river, opposite McLeod's, and during the same year Sprague, Kimball and Buler took up the ranch now owned by Mason where his house is built.

            Mr. Mason, in 1861, sowed about one acre of barley and planted some potatoes on the bottom across the river from the old original house. The second effort in this line was in 1863, by Angus McLeod and another, who both raised barley that year. In 1864 several parties had fields of grain.

            In 1861, Mason run a portion of what is now known as the Mason Ditch, for irrigating purposes on his ranch. It is now about four miles long, and has cost about $2,000. The next was the Joggles Ditch, taken out in 1863, that being connected with a slough, has a total length of about six miles, and cost $3,000. The Lane & Johnson Ditch was also taken out in 1863 on the opposite side of the river, and is about three miles long. This was followed by the McLeod Ditch in the same year. It is two and one-half miles long. The Sprague, Alcorn, and Buler Ditch was dug in 1864, and is now one of the main ditches of the valley. In addition to the above are several that have been constructed since, among which are the Greenwood and Fox ditches, on the East Walker, and the Mickey, Weston, Nichol, and Merritt ditches on the West Walker.

            A tragic incident transpired in Mason Valley, in the winter of 1865-66, in which William Johnson, who came to Mason Valley in 1862, lost his life. He came in company with Charles Lane, from California, and they brought an Indian with them. This son of the desert was accustomed to amuse himself by butting heads with a ram belonging to Messrs. Lane and Johnson, and during one of his trials of hard-headedness, the ram used a little too much force and knocked the redskin out of time. This so enraged him that he seized a club and commenced pounding his victor, when Mr. Johnson interfered, and in order to make his arguments effective slapped the Indian across the face.

            During that night Johnson was murdered, and suspicion was at once attached to this Indian, who had taken a horse and disappeared. A party immediately started on his trail and found him in a mining camp, in Peavine District, near where the town of Reno now stands. On their way to the valley, those having him in charge, concluded that the surest plan for making a good Indian, would be to hang him, which they proceeded to do. He was accordingly hanged to the limb of a tree, on the banks of the Carson River, below Dayton, near the place now owned by Mrs. Newman and Mr. Honeyman.

            The valley runs nearly north and south, is eighty miles long, with an average of nine miles in width, the Walker River running through its entire length. The statutes make four counties corner on Mason's Ranch, but the point of contact has never been determined by survey, although a strict construction of the statutes would seem to carry the line about six miles north of his present home, and take the whole valley into Esmeralda County. This is not the construction now given, however. There are at present 260 voters in the valley, thirty-one of them voting in Lyon County.

ALBERT JAMES BARRETT.

Was born in Fairfield, Somerset County, Maine, on the twenty-eighth day of February, 1822. His ancestors were among the early settlers of America, his great-grandfather and six sons coming from England and first settling in Massachusetts prior to the Revolutionary War, five of whom served in the struggle for independence against the mother country. His father, Mr. C. Barrett, was born in New Hampshire, and his mother, Betsy Barrett née Davis, was a native of Maine. On the father's side the English is allied with Scotch, his grandmother being a descendant of the Chalmers of Scotland, a family respected and esteemed on either side of the Atlantic. Barrett, Sen., father of the subject of this sketch, followed the cooper's trade, and the son was, at the early age of five years, inducted into the mysteries of sawing staves, and at seven years was promoted to the "bench," shaving hoops. He continued to follow this trade until 1850, when, animated by a desire to improve his fortunes, he embarked on the steamer Crescent City for California. Crossing the Isthmus and finding no steamer ready to sail, he engaged in working at his trade for two months, and then taking passage on the Northerner, landed in San Francisco on the sixth of July, 1851, and from thence to

408      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

the mines. Not finding the success he anticipated, he left the mines and settled in Sacramento, working at his trade for three years. From thence he removed to Michigan Bar, and for one and a half years followed merchandising. Subsequently he engaged in the same business in other places, closing at Brownsville.

            In 1857 he purchased a ranch in Yolo County, on which he resided for three years, and then disposing of that removed to San Francisco. Dissatisfied with city life, in company with Capt. A. W. Pray, he removed to Nevada and erected the first saw-mill at Glenbrook, near Lake Tahoe, in which business they continued for one year, and then selling his interest in the mill removed from Glenbrook and located on Clear Creek, in Ormsby County, Nevada, farming for two years at that place, and subsequently for thirteen years near Dayton. Renting his ranch in Dayton, he removed to Mason Valley, Esmeralda County, where he still resides.

            Mr. Barrett was married March 22, 1848, to Miss Olin E. Day, daughter of Tobias and Phoebe Day, of the State of Massachusetts. They are blessed with five children, all living—George A., Mary W., Charles H., Isabel F., and Lettie C. The eldest daughter, the wife of Charles W. Mallett, resides near her parents in Mason Valley. They have one son, William Albert, born July 28, 1879.

            Mr. Barrett cast his first vote for Henry Clay, the great Whig leader and orator, in 1844, and like most of the New England men of that political school, early united with the Republican party, to which he has ever since belonged. In religion he is best described as a Protestant in its most acceptable sense, than which he could hardly be otherwise educated, as he was in the common schools of New England.

ALBERT H. ERWAY,

Son of Charles and Susannah (Croddit) Erway, was born near Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, January 8, 1811. His parents were also natives of New York State. The first fifteen years of his life were divided between working on a farm and attending school, and at that age engaged as a driver on the " raging canal " in summer, and was in the lumber business during the winter. In 1835 he removed with his parents to the State of Michigan, locating at Three Rivers, St. Joseph County, and entered a store as clerk, and soon after purchased the business, and conducted the same for about three years. The succeeding thirteen years he devoted to the occupation of farming. In February, 1852, he, with his family, sailed from New. York on the steamship El Dorado, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, and took passage on the steamer Oregon for San Francisco, California, where he landed April 7th. His first occupation in that State was mining on Mormon Island. The next winter he went to Sacramento and in company with a friend, purchased a stock of goods, which they took to a place called Fiddletown. In this enterprise they were successful, and continued the business until after the destruction of Sacramento City by fire. He then commenced freighting with a six-mule team, making Stockton, San Joaquin County, his headquarters. In 1855 he returned with his family to the East, and located in Cass County, Michigan, where he engaged in the lumber business. One year later he suffered losses by fire, and went to farming, which ho followed until 1860, when he went to Mills County, Iowa; thence to Nebraska, and kept a hotel at Plattsmouth, Cass County, until 1862, when he went to Denver, Colorado, and, contracting the Salmon River mining fever, started for the northwest. He spent one winter packing supplies from Walla Walla, Washington Territory, to the mines in Idaho. In 1863 he again sought California, and engaged in freighting from Sacramento over the mountains. In 1866 he purchased a ranch sixteen miles below the latter city. In 1868 he came to Nevada, and engaged in the wood business at Carson City, Ormsby County, also was interested largely in freighting, but reverses overtook him, and he was left to again build up a business, his entire capital consisting of a ten cent piece, which was attached to his watch chain. At the end of eighteen months he had by strict attention established himself in business, and had teams worth fully $3,000. In 1876 he settled in Mason Valley, Esmeralda County, fully satisfied, after traveling over the State, that this valley is inferior to none, as an agricultural district, in the State.

            Mr. Erway was married February 11, 1838, to Miss Abigail Jane Phillipps, a native of Kentucky. Their union was blessed by eight children, all living at this time, six of whom are being educated in the Eastern States. Mrs. Erway died February 18, 1869.

            In politics, Mr. Erway is a Democrat of the old school. In business, he has always been successful until he reached a certain point, when reverses would surely overtake him, but now with his fine ranch as a backer, he need fear no foe. He is able to produce 2,000 bushels of grain per year from his place, and thoroughly understands his business.

J. J. FOX.

The subject of the following sketch is a native of Germany, born in the town of Auggen, Muellheim. In the year 1854, he left his " Faderland," bidding adieu to the scenes of his youth, and came to the United States of America. His first location after reaching American soil was in the State of Missouri, where he lived nearly five years, and in 1859 emigrated, having California as his objective point. He came by way of the plains, and underwent all the trials peculiar to a trip across the country. He finally reached the Pacific Coast, and for a period of about five years was a resident of the "Golden State." In 1864 be crossed the mountains and became a resi-

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      409

dent of Nevada, and in the winter of 1865-66, located in Mason Valley, Esmeralda County, where he now lives. Mr. Fox has a fine ranch in this beautiful valley, and is one of the much-esteemed citizens of that locality; a man of sterling worth, honest and upright in his transactions with his neighbors, and will in time become one of the solid men of the State.

{Illustration -- J.B. Gallagher]

Was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1843, and came with his parents to America when but a child. Arriving in this country, his people went to the State of Wisconsin, where they have since resided. The subject of this sketch began the battle of life for himself at an early age, and by industry and economy saved money enough to pay his way at school, and graduated from Bull's College, at Racine, Wisconsin. Possessed of an ambitious nature, and realizing the fact that wealth and intellectual improvement are the result of personal effort and industry, he seized upon the first opportunity to reach the much talked-about land of gold, California, and engaged himself to a man to assist in driving a band of sheep across the plains. Upon his arrival in California he did not realize the fruition of his fondest hopes, and with youth and health as his stock in trade, he turned his attention to the "briny deep," and shipped before the mast on a vessel then at San Francisco, engaged in the lumber and South American trade, and in this ship visited all the ports from Puget Sound to Valparaiso. During that time he saved some money, and entered the stock business, which resulted decidedly to his advantage, and for some years he was engaged in traveling in the interests of his business, and became well known in every town in California and all the northwestern Territories, often going as far east as Fort Benton, on the Missouri River. It is a safe assertion to say, that Mr. Gallagher is one of the best informed men, in regard to the geographical lay of the country, and the peculiarities of its inhabitants, to be found west of the Rocky Mountains.

            Having acquired a substantial capital, also a good reputation as a stock-man, he settled in Mason Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada, and purchased a large tract of land. In 1873 he was elected to the Assembly of the State Legislature; and in 1878 was elected to the high and honorable position of Senator, an office he has sustained to the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Gallagher is an example of what can be accomplished with industry, economy, perseverance, and a well-balanced head. His position in life, single.

ADAM HERBOLD

Is a native of Germany, born at Baden, in 1835. At the age of thirteen years he, with his parents, emigrated to America, and settled in Canal Dover, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and remained in that town about five years. His father was by trade a cooper, and followed that business. In 1853, the family removed to Sabula, Jackson County, Iowa, and for two years the subject of this sketch was trained to the calling of a farmer in connection with his father. During the year 1855, the elder Mr. Herbold sold his farm and bought a brewery in the same town, and with the assistance of his two sons, Adam and John B., succeeded in building up a good and flourishing business. In 1856 the mother of the family departed this life, and the duties of the household devolved upon her only daughter, a young lady just blooming into womanhood. There is an old adage that says, "misfortunes never come singly," and so it proved in this family, for during the year 1859 the brewery and buildings connected therewith, were consumed by fire, while our present subject was away on a visit to the State of Kansas. Upon learning of this second calamity he came home. His father had already commenced rebuilding, and in a short time thereafter, while boating sand across the Mississippi River, for use in plastering the building, the flat-boat sunk, and before assistance could be rendered our subject was an orphan. He, assuming the management of the property, finished the building and occupied it in a different calling, that of the butcher business.

            In 1864 Mr. Herbold sold out his interests in Iowa and came to the Pacific Coast, his objective point being California. In company with Colonel Hester, he crossed the plains, enduring untold hardships. Upon reaching Salt Lake City, Utah; he sold his cattle and purchased horses, and continued the journey as far as Walker Lake, in Nevada, and was obliged to camp for some time to recruit his animals. The Indians refused to allow this little band of worn-out pioneers to graze their stock

410      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

in that vicinity, except upon condition of payment therefor, to which the travelers were obliged to consent. When they got ready to move on, however, they found themselves minus most of their horses, they having become mired in the mud and died, without the consent or knowledge of their owners. This was a damper on the spirits of the emigrants, as there were only six horses left, and it was impossible to haul their heavily laden wagons over the mountains to California. So Mr. Herbold concluded to winter in Mason Valley, which he did, and has since lived there. His son, John Adam, being the first white child born in that valley.

            Mr. Herbold was married in 1857 to Louisa Albertine Berger, a native of Prussia, born in 1839, coming to America ten years later. Mrs. Herbold has, like a true wife, followed the fortunes of her husband, until now she can rest in the knowledge that they are beyond want, and can enjoy the fruits of their united labors.

            Mr. Herbold is at present engaged in the dairy business and stock-raising, in connection with his farm labors. Eight children have been born to them, only two of whom are living.

C. HERNLEBEN.

            The subject of this sketch was born in Bavaria on the tenth day of May, 1838, where he resided until early manhood, emigrating from there to the United States in the year 1859, and soon after located in Missouri, remaining till 1860, when he disposed of his interests there, and, procuring an outfit suitable for the journey, crossed the plains to find a home at Michigan Bar in the southeast corner of Sacramento County, California. There he remained only one year, going to Nevada in 1861, and engaged in mining at Virginia City for three years, but not finding it as remunerative as he had hoped gave up mining and removed to El Dorado Cañon, where for two years he was engaged in supplying wood to the people of that vicinity. In 1865, disposing of his interest in the wood business, he turned his hopes towards ranching, and, purchasing a farm in Mason Valley, settled down to the honorable pursuit of farming, and with such success that he has become the possessor of a fine farm and a comfortable home.

            In 1869, while residing in Virginia City, he married Wilhelmina Reymers, a native of Hanover, Germany, where she was born on the ninth day of February, 1847. She sailed for the United States in 1868, landing in New York, where after remaining two months, she took passage by ship for San Francisco, California, and soon after went to Virginia City, Nevada, where she resided some seven months, and there remained till her marriage with Mr. Hernleben. In 1872 she visited her native home in Germany, and returned in September, 1873. Mr. Hernleben has remained industriously employed on his farm since his marriage, though not so closely but that he found the time to visit the Eastern States during the year 1876, and to be present at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. They have no children of their own, but this disappointment is largely consoled by the presence of an adopted daughter, the child of a sister of Mrs. Hernleben, named Birdie Pfeifer, born in Mason Valley, Nevada, on June 27, 1871.

HON. ANGUS M'LEOD

Is a native of Arkansas, and was born in 1837, October 23d. His parents died when he was young, and he was left to seek his own fortune or misfortune as circumstances, ability, and nerve should dictate. At twenty years of age he started for California, over the plains, with a few cattle, in company with W. C. McCune. They had altogether about 1,000 head of stock, and lost half of it before the Sierra Nevada Mountains were reached. It was the year 1857, when the Government was having trouble with Brigham Young, and the Indians were very troublesome along the route. About 100 head of animals were run off by them, and one man was killed at City Rock, where the Fort Hall and Salt Lake roads come together. At the place where the road passes over the high country, on the north side of the Humboldt River, between Elko and Gravelly Ford, they reburied a man named Nichols who had been killed by Indians in a train that was moving in advance of them. Two days march farther down, on the north side of the river, they came upon seven fresh graves; men killed also by Indians. This was rather a startling and sudden transition from the peaceful pursuits of the Arkansas farmer to that of traveling among hostile tribes in the mountains. That winter he crossed the mountains to California, wintered there, and returned to Carson Valley the next spring, to assist in driving the stock across the Sierra. In September, 1859, he again visited Nevada, and became a clerk for Moses Job, at the place now known as Sheridan, in Douglas County. In the spring of 1860, he purchased a couple of teams, and became a freighter from California to the mines in Nevada, continuing that business for the next three seasons, each year increasing his transportation facilities. The succeeding two years his trains freighted lumber, etc., to Aurora, in Esmeralda County. In the fall of 1862, McLeod took up the ranch in Mason Valley that he now owns, a sketch of which can be seen in this book. In the fall of 1864 he moved on to this land, where he lived until March, 1878, when he returned to Aurora, the county seat. Since removing to the latter place his time has been principally occupied in caring for his houses there, and attending to matters concerning the Carson and Aurora, as well as the Aurora and Sunshine Toll-roads. He is a half-owner in each, and Henry Williams is his partner. In August, 1880, he commenced taking charge of the Exchange Hotel at Aurora. The property belongs to him, and a view of the same also accompanies this work. He still continues in the business, in addition to his numerous other affairs. In 1871, Mr. McLeod repre-

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      411.

rented Esmeralda County in the State Legislature; in 1873 and 1874 was a County Commissioner of the same; and at present is its Treasurer. In 1877, July 3d, he was married to Miss Mary E. Ellis, of Gold Hill, Nevada. They have two children, named, Charles A., born on the twenty-ninth of April, 1878; and Henry S., born on the fourteenth of October, 1879.

BERNHARD H. REYMERS,

A native of Hanover, Germany, was born in 1849, and came to the United States at the early age of twenty years, in the ship Christopher Columbus, arriving at Castle Garden, New York, on the twenty-seventh day of November, 1869, alone and destitute, having lost everything on the voyage. Securing employment at blacksmithing and house-moving during the winter and following spring, he earned enough to pay his passage to Nevada, arriving there in June, 1870. Going to Esmeralda County, he immediately, on his arrival, found employment on a farm for two years, and by industry and economy secured means to purchase a large tract of land, and at once engaged in farming, which he carried on extensively till 1875. In April, 1873, he married Miss Henrietta Metscher, also a native of Hanover, Germany, at the town of Wadsworth, Nevada.

            In 1875 he abandoned his farm, and, going to Candelaria, then becoming noted as a mining town, he managed the boarding-house for the Northern Belle Mine until June, 1876. He then, accompanied by his wife, visited Germany to see their parents, then residing in Bremen and Hamburg, and remained till the following October, when they returned and again settled on the farm.

            Mr. Reymers has, by his industry and energy, placed his farm under good improvement, and by attention to business and economy acquired a large and valuable property.

            They have three children living, May and Willie, of five and two years, respectively, and Eda, of unnumbered years, the queen of the household. Two others, Wilhelmina and Emma, are waiting across the river.

DR. ABNER STANTON RICHARDSON

Was born in Jericho, Chittenden County, Vermont, on the twenty-ninth day of June, A. D. 1841, where he resided with his parents, Sylvanus and Laura (Goodhue) Richardson, till about the age of fifteen years, receiving the advantages of the common schools till sufficiently advanced to enter the Green Mountain Academy at Underhill, Vermont, and subsequently the academy in Frielburgh, Missisquoi County, Canada, and from there entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, of which school he is a graduate.

            When scarcely twenty years of age his studies and profession were interrupted by the war of the Rebellion, and, inspired by the patriotism of all true lovers of one's country, enlisted in the First Regiment of Vermont Volunteer Infantry, as a private soldier, and served three months, till the regiment was mustered out. He afterwards enlisted for three years, and was engaged in the battle of Big Bethel, and participated in the attacks on the forts below New Orleans and in the siege of Vicksburg. After the close of the war he settled in Pennsylvania, and resided there from 1865 to 1870, when he removed to Chautauqua County, New York, where he resided till 1876, when he migrated to Nevada, first settling at Belleville for eighteen months and then in Mason Valley, where he has ever since resided, engaged in the practice of medicine. His skill and integrity have obtained for him a lucrative practice and the confidence of his numerous patients, of which he is in every way worthy. In 1870 the doctor was married, in Buffalo, New York, to Miss Phoebe M. Decker, of Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan. He is a consistent and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and an active member of the Masonic Order.

WARREN BENJAMIN SAUNDERS

Was born in Lagrange, Lorain County, Ohio, on the thirty-first day of October, 1829. His father, Horace Saunders, and mother, Miranda, daughter of Nathan Clark, of that State, soon after their marriage removed to Lorain County, among the first settlers of that part of Ohio. There for half a century he took active part in the stirring events of the early days of the State, living to see the dense wilderness transformed into cultivated fields; the log-cabin give place to commodious dwellings and stately mansions; the narrow path of the wilderness to roads, highways, and railroads; the pack-horse to the stage-coach and cars. After outliving the alloted years of man, respected for his integrity, energy, and intelligence, he died on the twenty-fifth day of September, 1873, at the age of seventy-two years, mourned by all who knew him as a Christian whose deeds of kindness and charity adorned his profession.

            The subject of this sketch remained in Lorain County, assisting on the farm of his father during his early life, and till April, 1852, when he started overland with a small party for California, crossing the plains with teams, and arriving in Beckwourth Valley on the twentieth of August of that year. In the autumn of the same year, he moved to Rich Bar in Plumas County, and engaged in mining for a few months, and thence to Feather River, in Butte County, where he mined till the spring of 1857. Hearing favorable reports of Siskiyou County,, he disposed of his interests in Butte County and going to Siskiyou, engaged in mining for four years, but failing to find it as profitable as he hoped, he closed his business and removed to Carson City, Nevada, and for two years engaged in carpentering and the millwright business, a trade he had learned in Ohio. After laboring in Carson City for two years, he again returned to mining, removing to Palmyra District, Como Mountain, where he planted all that he

412      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

had reaped and gathered in the previous years of labor and of toil. Leaving Palmyra District and mining for ever, he sought a location where he could return to the time-honored pursuits of his youth, and in company with N. Greenwood and G. Mecumber, purchased a "squatter's location" in Mason Valley in the spring of 1865, and began at once the construction of the Greenwood Ditch, and having completed the same, they turned their attention to clearing and improving their farms. Mecumber soon sold his interests, and not long since, Greenwood disposed of his and removed to another portion of the valley, Saunders alone remaining on the original location. In 1868 Mr. Saunders and W. R. Lee located a mill site on the West Walker River, and erected the Mason Valley Mill, a two-story mill, with two run of stone propelled by water-power. They continued to operate the mill till 1871 successfully, when William Wilson became the owner, and Mr. Saunders returned to the care of his farm. His labors of cultivating and improving have been rewarded by a farm productive in the growth of all grains and fruits common to the climate and altitude, and a residence commodious and comfortable, surrounded by shade trees, orchard and garden, views . of which can be found on another page of this work.

            Mr. Saunders was married on the thirtieth day of September, 1873, to Mrs. Anna Kreisel, daughter of T. G. and Rebecca Feigenspan, natives of Germany, where the father died in 1852. Mrs. Saunders came to America in 1854, and settled in Wisconsin, where she married Ferdinand Kreisel, and with him removed to California in 1856, where he soon after died, when she with her two children, Edward and Theodore, in 1862 removed to Nevada, where she resided with her children till her marriage with Mr. Saunders. In 1876 she returned to Germany, attending the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia on her return, in company with her mother, who now rests in the cemetery in Mason Valley.

            Mr. Saunders has never engaged in politics, and has held no office other than School Commissioner. Is a Republican, conservative in politics, and a Protestant, charitable in religion.

SETTLEMENT OF SMITH VALLEY.

            Mr. T. B. Smith furnishes the following history of Smith Valley:

            This valley is pleasantly situated among the bill in the northwestern part of Esmeralda County. Its length from southeast to northwest is over sixteen miles, whilst its average width is six miles, giving an area of more than 60,000 acres.  

            In the month of August, 1859, a party of herdsmen from Stanislaus County, California, consisting of R. B. Smith, T. B. Smith, S. Baldwin, and J. A. Rogers, crossed the mountains with their cattle from the San Joaquin Valley, by the Big Tree route, and commenced the settlement in this valley. They had been informed by a party of emigrants who had passed this way four years before, that there was a good place here to winter stock. Upon viewing the valley, the herdsmen decided to settle here, the abundance of white sage and bunch grass being in great contrast with the scarcity of pasture in California, because of several successive dry seasons. They pitched their camp about the center of the valley, near the banks of the West Walker River. A tule house was constructed, in which the whole party passed the winter. It was no warm reception they met with in their new house. The winter was colder than any since known there. Heavy snows covered the ground, and severe frosts froze two feet of ice on the river, that bad to be broken in order to water the stock. Provisions had to be procured in Genoa, at a distance of forty miles away, and twenty cents a pound was the price paid for flour at this place. To crown their trials, the little tule house took fire in the spring, and was quickly converted into smoke and ashes.

            Soon after their arrival the question of a name for the valley was discussed, and that of Smith Valley was agreed upon, in honor of the Smiths, of which there were two in the party. In the summer of 1860 there was an addition to the colony in the person of J. B. Lobdel, who settled about six miles south of the original camp. He was r a farmer, and in the following spring put in a crop of barley and vegetables, which he irrigated with water from a small mountain stream called Desert Creek. This was the pioneer crop. In 1868, Lobdel sold his ranch to H. Mather, whose wife—then  Mrs. W. R. Johnson—was the first lady to settle in the valley. Soon after Lobdel made his settlement, W. L. Hall and D. C. Simpson located a ranch five miles further south. Wright and Hamilton built the station now called Wellington, at the head of the valley, and on the southern route from Carson City. Daniel Wellington purchased the station in 1863, and in 1865 had a post-office established there. It is now the property of J. Nicholson, who is Postmaster.

            When the mining interest commenced in Aurora, in 1860, Wellington became, and is still, an important stage station. The stage changes here, and the repairing and horse-shoeing is done in a shop. Mr. Zadok Pierce has lately established a store, station, and blacksmith shop some half mile below Wellington, and now commands the whole trade of the valley.

            Lobdel's success in raising crops showed that the valley was well adapted for cultivation, while the rapid rise of the mining interests at Aurora created a brisk demand for farm products. These advantages were soon realized, and farming became the leading industry. The first ditch was constructed in 1862 by the two farming companies, Fuller & Mitchell, and Hall & Simpson. Its length was four miles, and the cost was $2,000. The ranch to which it belongs is now the property of Frank Rivers. Messrs. Hall & Simpson found a ditch one-half mile in

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      413

length on their place when they came, which they say was built by the Indians. In 1863 the Smith Company constructed a ditch nearly four miles in length, at a cost of $1,200. It now belongs to the Smith Brothers, and supplies water for their farms, which lie about four miles north of Wellington Station. In 1864 an incorporated company constructed the West Walker Ditch, about seven miles in length, at a cost of $4,000. It supplies abundant water for the tract of about 1,500 acres, lying one mile northeast of Smith Brothers, and embracing the farms of A. H. Hawley, J. McVicar, H. M. Schooley, Mrs. E. McCall, W. R. Hutson, and J. N. Mann. D. Wellington built a ditch the same year to irrigate the ranch now owned by J. A. Rogers. It is two miles long and cost $600. In 1876, McFarnahan & Gardner completed a capacious ditch at a cost of $20,000. It runs along the side of a very precipitous hill for a distance of four miles, and reaches a point which none of the others could have watered. Its entire length is eight miles, and it irrigates the ranches of M. C. Gardner and J. Irwin. In 1877 the Burbank Brothers completed a ditch some five miles in length at a cost of $1,200. It irrigates the farms of S. M. and S. E. Burbank. A ditch of large proportions is now in process of construction on the north side of the river. It is intended to be about eight miles in length, with a capacity sufficient to irrigate four or five thousand acres. It will have two reservoirs to be used in case of low water in the river. This will bring under cultivation a fine tract of land. It is owned by Hall & Simpson, J. N. Mann, and M. C. Gardner & Co. There are several other farms in the valley besides those mentioned, and are owned by Hall & Simpson, W. L. Hall, L. C. Hobart, Mr. Phinnemon, and Leonard Hamilton. In the north end of the valley is a fine ranch, the property of J. C. Hinds, watered by native springs. On this ranch are the celebrated Hot Springs, resorted to by many for their medicinal properties.

            The farms above mentioned cover an area of about 6,000 acres, and yield a fair compensation for tillage. The soil varies in different parts of the valley, the prevailing character being a mixture of sand and loam. It is well adapted to the growth of alfalfa, and all kinds of trees thrive. There are several fine orchards which produce well in favorable seasons, the fruit being of the finest quality. The staple product is hay, of which the greater portion is alfalfa, which averages four tons to the acre. Vegetables, such as corn, potatoes, melons, etc., do well. The principal stock-raisers are W R. Hutson, Hall & Simpson, C. Smith, J. A. Rogers, A. H. Hawley, Burbank Brothers, and T. B. Smith. The latter makes a specialty of raising Ayrshire stock for the dairy. The winters are cold, yet not so severe but stock-cattle can be wintered without feeding.

T. B. SMITH,

Born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, on the second day of April, 1834, is now a resident of Wellington, Esmeralda County, Nevada. In his early life, he like most boys of New England parentage, alternated from the labor of the farm to the wooden bench and high desk of the country district school. Having arrived at the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to a firm in Bristol, Connecticut, to learn the trade of rule making; but becoming dissatisfied with this business, packed his portmanteau, and bidding adieu to Bristol and its " rules " departed for Lebanon, New York, where he engaged as clerk in the store of Tilden & Co., until the spring of 1853, at which time he decided to cast his lot with those seeking the golden shores of the Pacific. Crossing the plains during that year, he arrived in California late in the fall, and for a few years was engaged in mining with the usual success of the early days. He then turned his attention to stock-raising, but finding his business circumscribed in California, migrated with his flocks and herds to the goodly lands of Nevada. In the fall of 1867, he married Miss Maggie Nichol, of Wellington, which union is blessed with three children—Dwight T., James U., and Maggie I., aged twelve, nine and four years respectively.

HALL & SIMPSON

Are extensive farmers and stock-ranchers in Smith's Valley, Esmeralda County. The engraving of their place gives one an idea of the beautiful valley and improvements nestling in the embrace of the bold range of mountains. The proprietors have, doubtless, anchored permanently, and intend to build up—have built up—a charming home. The stream on which it is situated bears the name Desert Creek.

            Mr. Warren S. Hall is a native of Pitston, Maine, born in 1826. He was on this coast, in the ship Barnstable, as early as 1845, and left for Boston in 1848, about the time of the discovery of gold, returning again in 1849, since which time he has made the coast his home. He came to Nevada in 1851, and soon after located the Eagle Ranch, where Carson City now stands. He settled on the present home in December, 1860.

            D. C. Simpson was born in Cape Neddick, Maine, in 1832, and came to California in 1850, and to Nevada in 1859, locating on the farm where he now resides in 1860.

            The firm have been doing business together twenty-one years, and propose to continue the partnership well into the next century. Their principal force is expended in raising cattle for the Nevada market, the mountains and valleys around them affording an excellent range both summer and winter. The large barn is to store hay, with which to carry stock through the exceptional severe seasons, which are liable to occur.

PRINCIPAL MINING DISTRICTS.

            COLUMBUS DISTRICT, at present the most important in the county, is sixty miles southeast of Aurora, and thirty-five miles northwest of Silver Peak, in the Candelaria Mountains. Facts in reference to the organization and early history of this district were

414      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

gleaned from an article written by Wells Drury and published in The True Fissure in November, 1880. The organization was made by Mexicans; and the preliminary meeting was held in Washington District, Lander County, in 1864. The presence of hostile bands of Indians within the district made it unsafe for white men to live in this region at that time. For this reason a special law was passed by the organizers of the district, allowing the Recorder to live outside of the district until it was sufficiently populated to be safe within.

            The laws adopted by the miners allowed the owners of claims to have the free use of all streams crossing their property, as well as all timber growing on their claims; a provision not very essential as there was neither timber or water on any of the claims. At the present time, the only timber to be found is the dwarfed greasewood, and there is no water except what is hauled to the mines in barrels and tanks. The first meeting was held August 17, 1864, the necessary laws passed and officers elected. Jose A. Ochoa was elected President, Casimiro Arteche, Secretary, and C. L. Benedict, Recorder. Although the organization was by Mexicans, the minutes were written up in English. The Recorder was allowed to live in Washington District till Columbus District was sufficiently populated to be safe to live in.

            Notice of the first claim was put up August 31, 1864, for 1,400 feet, and signed by Antonio Barbe, Seneriano Arna, Jose A. Ochoa, Refugio Galaviz, Ventura Veltran, Maria Hurtado, and Angel Parcha, and named the Jesus Maria Ledge and Gold and Silver Mining Company. On the same day a large number of other claims were made, among which were the Guadalupe, the Zaragosa, Cholula, Sancho Panza, and others. On the eleventh of October the San Pedro was recorded. After that came the Esmeralda, the San Callentano and many others, nearly all of which bore Mexican names, the Mexicans holding a virtual monopoly in the camp up to this time. By degrees, however, a few Americans, Sclavonians and Germans managed to get their names on the notices of location, and the control of the district finally passed from the hands of the original claimants, together with the ownership of the property.

            The records show that Gov. L. R. Bradley was one of the early locators in this district. His claim embraced 400 feet, and was called the Bradley ground. His son, John Bradley, was half-owner with him. Alf. Doten, well-known in Nevada as editor of the Gold Hill News, was also one of the early locators. He was interested with Andy Colman, W. H. Virden, Abram Lewis, Donald Ross and Harley Fay in two claims, known as the Zenobia and Tuscarora, 1,400 feet each. On the twelfth day of October, 1865, the Northern Belle and the Southern Belle claims were located by Alsop J. Holmes, M. C. Hubbard, Francis Seip and Edmund Griffin, having 1,000 feet each.

            On the twenty-sixth of May, 1865, Mineral Mining District, being uninhabitable, was, on petition of its claim-holders, annexed to Columbus District. Candelaria Mining Claim was located May 22, 1865, and from this the town of Candelaria is supposed to have received its name.

            The mineral belt on which Columbus District is established is about twenty miles in length, and four miles in width. The ledges are found principally in slate and granite, and in the limestone adjoining those formations. The general character of the ore is a chloride of silver, carrying galena, copper, iron, antimony and arsenic. The ledges generally run parallel and crop boldly, frequently from twelve to fifteen feet above the surface, and are from twelve inches to three feet in width. The rock taken out by prospectors assayed from $50 to $200 per ton, but the absence of wood and water, and the generally desolate character of the district, operated to prevent a rapid development of what were known to be rich ledges. The nearest wood and water was found eight miles from the mines.

            In 1870, active operations were commenced by several companies. Samuel Youngs moved a four-stamp mill here from Aurora that year, and the Columbus Mill and Mining Company built a ten-stamp mill, as did also Sweetapple & Hazeltine. Water was brought from the town of Columbus, a distance of eight miles from Candelaria Hill, where the mines are located, and wood was hauled an equal distance, thus rendering the working of the mines very inconvenient. The leading mine in the district is the Northern Belle, at Candelaria, first located in 1865, and relocated in July, 1870. It was worked not very successfully till 1873, when such a body of ore was opened up that the company decided to build a twenty-stamp mill, which was completed in the spring of 1875. The mill was erected six miles north of the mine, and water was brought to it by a ditch, and pipe, fifteen miles in length, at a cost of $25,000. A road was built to the mine, and another to the source of wood supply.

            The Northern Belle Company built a new twenty-stamp mill in the fall of 1876. Up to 1878 the yield of bullion from this mine was $3,754,000, and dividends bad been paid to the amount of $1,500,000. Since then the mine has continued to be very productive, although the yield of 1877, $1,270,000, has not been equaled. The other leading mines in the district are the General Thomas, Mount Diablo, Metallic, Victor, Vanderbilt, Platina and Baluartel.

            ESMERALDA MINING DISTRICT. This district, surrounding the town of Aurora, was the first discovered in this portion of the State, and gave its name to the county, a name that was a rival of Nevada for the honor of being the name of the State. As this was the first quartz discovery in the county, the following account of the circumstances under which it was made will be interesting. It is from the pen of

HISTORY OF ESMERALDA COUNTY.      415

J. Wells Kelly, in the First Directory of Nevada Territory, published in 1862:—

            The credit of this discovery is due to J. M. Corey, James M. Braly and E. R Hicks, and was brought about in the following manner: Messrs. Corey and Braly, residents of San Jose, having gone over to Washoe in the spring of 1860, on a prospecting tour, which contemplated the exploration of a pretty wide range of country, found themselves prevented by Indian troubles from extending their labors beyond the immediate vicinity of Virginia, until late in July. They then struck north, and having examined the district about Pyramid Lake to their satisfaction, returned and passed over into the Sullivan District, east of Carson River. Here they fell in with Hicks, who, having prospected the country from Oregon down, was still following up his searches for silver, heading south. Having a similar object in view, the three formed themselves into a company, and continuing their journey in that direction, along the Pine Nut range of mountains to the West Fork of Walker River, bent their course east, and pursuing a zig-zag route through the mountains between the forks of the Walker, worked their way down as far as Mono Lake. Here they bent their steps to the northeast, and, passing through the Bodie, El Dorado and Masonic Districts, all being worked to some extent at that time, they proceeded in that direction until they reached the rugged chain of hills west of Walker Lake. Having inspected these, and a similar range further east, without meeting with any encouraging prospects, they determined to go south to the Coso region, then already somewhat talked of, and, if necessary, push their journey the length of Arizona, or even Mexico.

            For the purpose of getting an extended view of the surrounding country, and shaping their course, they ascended a high peak in the Wassuck range of mountains, which, seen a long way off by the traveler approaching Esmeralda, has since very properly been named Corey's Peak. Having, from this elevated position, determined a route, they entered boldly upon what promised to be a long and toilsome journey through one of the most fearfully barren sections of the Great Basin. They had not gone far until a want of water compelled them to make a deflection toward the west. Coming upon a spring in a valley-like depression encompassed by steep and rocky hills, they camped for the night. In the morning Hicks, who seems to have been the hunter of the party, started out with his rifle to look for game. Passing over a craggy height lying west of their camp, since known as Esmeralda Hill, this man, who had a quick and observing eye, noticed the peculiar appearance of the quartz ledges, here quite numerous, and, breaking off some pieces, brought them into camp. His companions, better versed in mineralogy, at once detected in the blue streaks that had attracted his attention the sulphurets of silver, and, proceeding to test it, found the metal present in abundance. With such a prospect all idea of going on without further inspection of the locality was of course abandoned. The three went out, and, examining the neighborhood, found the hills ribbed with quartz veins from top to bottom. Having tested these veins and found them all more or less impregnated with the precious metals, they took up seven of the number. The spot from which the first piece of rock was taken by Hicks is in the Discovery Claim of what is now known as the " Old Winnemucca" Ledge, located near the brow and on the west declivity of Esmeralda Hill. This occurred on the twenty-fifth of August, 1860, a day that will be memorable as having brought to light one of the richest and most extensive mineral districts ever yet discovered. [Newly discovered districts were usually so regarded.-ED.]

            Having taken up this small number of claims, acting, under the circumstances, with a moderation highly commendable, these young men hastened to Monoville, twenty-five miles distant, and acquainted the inhabitants with the discovery. On the thirtieth of August, a company of some twenty returned with them, when a mining district having been duly laid out, and a set of rules and regulations adopted, numerous claims were taken up. This district, ten miles square, was, at the suggestion of J. M. Corey, named Esmeralda—an appellation that has since gradually extended itself to the adjacent country, and finally been given to the county erected from a portion of it by the Legislature of Nevada.

            The name Esmeralda, thus applied to the new discovery, is the Spanish name of the green jewel which in English is called emerald.

            Reports of the rich discovery, with samples of the rock, soon made their way to Carson and Virginia, and immediately there was a great rush for this region, and before winter set in every out-cropping ledge was taken up. The little collection of tents on the hill was known by no distinctive name, the whole region being called Esmeralda. No attempt was made to build a town there, but the later comers pitched their tents on the flat at the head of the cañon, and the advantages of this place as a site for the town was so evident, that before long every one was located there. The winter was severe upon those who spent it in the new town, the canvas tents and rude huts constructed of stones being but scant protection from the rigorous climate of that high altitude, 6,600 feet above the level of the sea. Notwithstanding the unpropitious weather, the people continued to arrive all the winter, and the population became so great and the evidences of permanency so certain, that the next spring the Legislature of California created the new County of Mono, with Aurora, the name that had been given to the now town, as the county seat.

            For several years the yield of bullion was very great, the celebrated Wide West, and the Real Del Monte, Crocket, Etna, Lord Byron, Juniata, Antelope, Utah, Winnemucca, Esmeralda, Lady Jane, and others being very productive. The mines have never been worked below the water level, and the work done seemed to develop the following facts (see State Mineralogist's Report 1867-68):-

            First—There seems to be a belt of quartz, nearly barren, underlying every mine at about the same depth.

            Second—In every instance it is above the water-level.

            Third—The gold decreases generally from the depth of about 100 feet, and finally entirely disappears where the barren quartz is found, while the silver increases from the depth of about 100 feet to the barren quartz. It does not wholly disappear, but the yield is not sufficient to pay for reducing.

416      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

            Fourth—The water-level is reached in this barren quartz.

            Fifth—At the greatest depth to which this belt has been opened there was evidence that rich silver might reappear.

            Inference—These mines may be worked profitably at greater depths.

            Acting upon the inference deduced from the above facts, and encouraged by the important developments in the Bodie District, the Real Del Monte Company was incorporated in October, 1877, with a capital stock of $5,000,000; and a new shaft was started on Last Chance Hill, with the design of making a thorough and deep prospect. The shaft has three compartments, and has already reached the depth of 750 feet, at which point a station is established, and cross-cutting being done. The shaft is also being continued down 250 feet further. If rich developments are made by this company similar efforts will be made on a number of the ledges, and Aurora may look to become again the mining center she was in the days of her infancy. Since this company has been at work business has improved, and the town advanced, and there arc now some 250 men at work in this mine, or prospecting some of the others.

            The quartz mills that have been at Aurora, only one of which, the Coffee Mill, is now running, deserve mention by name.

            Pioneer Mill, built, and commenced running in June, 1861, by Green, Culver, and Jackson, the first in the district, and cost $25,000. It was situated on Willow Spring Gulch, in the upper part of town. Eight stamps.

            Union Mill, built in 1861. Cost, $30,000. Eight stamps. Esmeralda Ravine in lower edge of town.

            Taylor & Co's Mill, below Coffee Mill, on opposite side of street.

            Moses Mill, built in 1862. Below the Union Mill. Cost, $16,000.

            Napa Mill, built in 1862. Cost, $20,000. Eight stamps.

            Aurora Mill, commenced running May 11, 1863 Cost, $50,000. Ten stamps.

            Pine Creek Mill—This mill was also known as Brodie's and as Lufkins. Built, 1862. Eight stamps. Cost, $40,000.

            Gibbons' Mill, built, 1862. Cost, $15,000. Four stamps.

            Clayton's Mill, built in 1862, one mile east of town. Twelve stamps. Cost, $30,000. Afterwards called Spring Valley Mill.

            Lamb's, or Peck's, Mill, built in 1862, near Clayton's Mill.

            Antelope Mill, built in 1864, in Bodie Gulch. Granite and brick. Twenty stamps. Cost, $150,000. First built in 1863 with eight stamps.

            Alturas Mill, built in 1862. Seven stamps. Cost, $20,000.

            Wide West Mill, built in 1862. Granite and brick. Cost, $150,000. Twenty stamps.

            Fogus Mill, built in 1863. Twelve stamps. Cost, $50,000.

            Independence Mill, built in 1863. Cost, $90,000. Sixteen stamps.

            Real Del Monte Mill, built in 1863, in Bodie Gulch. Cost, $250,000. Granite and brick. Thirty stamps.

            Union Foundry and Coffee Mill, built in 1862. Cost, $20,000. Complete foundry and a four-stamp mill. Now- running on custom work.

            Nearly all of the above mills ceased operations in 1863-64-65, though the Antelope and Real Del Monte ran several years later, and the Coffee Mill is still running.

            Bullion to the amount of $16,000,000 had been produced in the district up to 1880.

            GOLD MOUNTAIN DISTRICT is twenty miles southeast of Lida Valley, just at the northern extremity of Death Valley, in the same range of mountains, and the first discovery was made by Thomas Shaw in 1866, the district being organized in September of that year. It is supposed that it was here that C. C. Breyfogle obtained the rich specimens that he claimed to have found in Death Valley, and in search of which so many people were so eager and so disappointed. But little work was done until 1871, when some new discoveries were made, especially the Oriental, which was discovered that year by Thomas Shaw, who found some very rich gold croppings, and on which a shaft has since been sunk 150 feet. This ore was worked by a six-foot arastra. No mill has ever been erected. There are two mineral belts in the district eight miles apart, and separated by a high valley. They are called the granite and slate belts. The principal locations on which more or less work has been done are the Oriental, from which the richest specimens in the State have been taken; Enterprise, Old Gal, Mountain View, Golden Leaf, in the granite formation, and the State Line, Kelley and Ober, Ann Arbor, and the Liberty. Some 200 locations have been made in the district. Wadsworth, until Hawthorne was started, was the nearest railroad station and the source of supplies.

            There is plenty of pine nut timber in the district, but water is scarce. The ore is free-milling gold, with some silver; and at present there are ten men living in the district.

LIDA VALLEY AND OTHER DISTRICTS.

            LIDA VALLEY DISTRICT is about twenty-three miles southeast of Silver Peak, and was discovered by William Scott, in May, 1871, and organized August 7th of that year.

            The formation is limestone, slate, and granite. The veins that have been traced for a distance of eight miles vary in width from eighteen inches to two feet, run from northeast to southwest,