[From Thompson & West's History of Nevada 1881, With Illustrations And Biographical Sketches Of Its Prominent Men And Pioneers, pp. 476-492]

476      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

CHAPTER XLV1II.

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.

Earliest Explorations—First Discovery of Mines—Organization and Boundaries--Appointments and Elections—Payment of Taxes Refused—Court House and County Jail—Collector's Fees Swindle—Sundry Railroad Subsidies—Meetings to Oppose the Schemes—The Governor Vetoes the Bill—Promoters of the Scheme—Causes of Prostration—Principal Mountain Ranges—Valleys of the County—Most Remarkable Cave—Principal Mining Districts—Pioche, the County Seat —Destructive Fires and Floods--Rapid Decline after 1876—Other Towns and Cities—The Salt Mountain.

            THE earliest maps of the American common schools displayed the great region embraced between the Rocky Mountains and a narrow coast line on the Pacific as " unexplored," and as they are traced down to later times a few lines are evolved, among the first of which is one designated " The Spanish Trail." This leads by a winding course from Santa Fe, in Nuevo Mejico, to El Pueblo de Los Angeles, in Alta California, and by the trail are marked Rio Virgen and Las Vegas. Spanish history records that between the years 1527 and 1537 a party of four persons, the survivors of 100, under the leadership of Count Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, crossed from the Florida Coast to the Pacific, via Santa Fe, consuming ten years in the journey. Whether they passed over the Spanish Trail or not is not related, but for many years this route was traveled by the Spanish, as well as American trappers, stock-dealers and explorers. This southern extreme of the State, therefore, if now the last developed, has the honor of being the first to witness the people of civilization, and to have its features delineated on the maps. But with the mythical past we will leave this ancient history.

EARLY EXPLORATIONS.

            The first white people in our modern period who traversed the region now embraced in Lincoln County, were Mormons from Salt Lake. As early as 1849 a company, in quest of a shorter route into southern California, crossed the lower part of this county through the then unknown desert. They wandered about over this dreary, desolate waste of land for several weeks in search of water and forage for their animals, and finally perished of thirst and hunger in Death Valley. In the winter of 1865-66 the tire and other irons from the wagons supposed to have belonged to them were found and brought to Pahranagat, and used by the miners there. In 1852 the Mormons obtained the contract for carrying the mail over the route which Congress had that year established from Salt Lake to San Bernardino. A station was established at Las Vegas, and Brigham Young located a settlement at that point, partly for protection to the route, and partly for smelting lead from the Potosi mines near by. The Mormons occupied this place till the time of the Mountain Meadow massacre in 1857, after which they sold out to parties from El Dorado Cañon, and returned to Utah. However, as Montana and Utah received their early spring supplies from southern California, this route to Los Angeles was used for commercial purposes about five months in the year, till the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad.

            In 1858, while the United States troops under Colonel Johnston, were encamped at Ham's Fork, Brigham Young started up several exploration parties from the southern Mormon settlements, with instructions to search out certain places farther to the north, where the " saints " might find a safe retreat in case of necessity. One of these parties followed the emigrant route and encamped in Meadow Valley. While there they broke up the ground and planted several acres in grain. They constructed irrigating ditches, made some other improvements, and then returned to their old settlements, leaving the crop in charge of the Indians. Brigham Young having become satisfied that the United States troops were there to enforce the laws, and that the new Federal Judges proposed to act only through courts of law, withdrew the brethren from Meadow Valley, and abandoned for the time being the further exploration of this part of the country. However, in 1863, the Mormons at St. George sent out small colonies to occupy this valley, as well as Eagle and Spring valleys, as herding grounds.

FIRST DISCOVERY OF MINES.

            It was in the winter of 1863-64, when the Indians were cold and hung-y, that an Indian went to Wm. Hamlin, at Meadow Valley, and offered to show him mines for a consideration. In this way the famous

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           477

Panaca Ledge was found. Hamlin, although he had worked in placer diggings years before, knew nothing about silver ores, so he went to Salt Lake City with his specimens and showed them to Governor Reed. They were examined and approved by General Connor and others, and then expeditions were fitted out and sent to the Meadow Valley mines. The first, headed by J. M. Vandermark and Stephen Sherwood, reached the mines in April, 1864, and after making some locations proceeded to form " Meadow Valley Mining District." Up to this time Brigham Young had resisted all attempts to prospect in Utah for the precious metals, and generally with success. This time, however, he and the Mormons were taken by surprise, and in order to get the balance of power in the district they suddenly turned miners, and Erastus Snow, the Mormon High Priest of southern Utah, came from St. George, accompanied by a host of " saints," and proceeded immediately upon their arrival to locate the country. As Sherwood, who was the Recorder of the District, had returned to Salt Lake, taking with him the records, Snow formed a new mining district, and the second expedition, under C. W. Wandell, having arrived, they united with each other in locating mines and making laws for the new district. Snow and his party made their locations in square lots, so as to cover as much ground as possible, and thus crowd out the Gentiles. They left their records in the district and returned home. When Sherwood returned to the mines with the original records, a question was raised as to the legality of the "square locations," and they were finally declared irregular, and were dropped. In due time the third party, composed of soldiers from Camp Douglas, arrived and made their locations. Some work was done on the Panaca and Mammoth locations, but at that time there could be no profitable mining in this district for various reasons. The fear of the Mormons, who were opposed to mining and might at any time create another " Mountain Meadow " affair in this district, was the chief. The district was however never entirely abandoned, as a few bona fide claim holders were always in that region till the organization of the new district, although they probably had no idea of the true value of the mines at that time.

            In 1865 exploring parties went into the Pahranagat Valley, and, finding what they supposed to be valuable mines, Eastern capitalists were induced to invest largely in them. The surface show of rich ores was well calculated to mislead even experienced miners, and in less than a year's time the Pahranagat Mining District was organized and hundreds of locations made. In the fall Wm. H. Raymond made his appearance, and, after looking over the mines, located and purchased about 1,000,000 feet of ground. The district at that time was thought to be a paying one. It was believed that a large population would be at once attracted there, and that a great amount of business would be done, requiring county seat facilities. Steps were therefore at once taken towards the organization of a new county.

ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES.

            The county of Lincoln was created by a Legislative Act approved February 26, 1866, and its boundaries were fixed as follows:

            Beginning at the intersection of the thirty-ninth degree of longitude west from Washington with the thirty-eighth parallel of north latitude; thence east to the State line; thence south to the southerly State boundary line; thence along said line to its intersection with the thirty-ninth degree of longitude; thence along that line to the place of beginning.

            It was also provided that any addition which may be made to the State on the east, south of the thirty-eighth parallel of north latitude; and any addition which may be made on the south, east of the thirty-ninth degree of longitude west from Washington, shall become a portion of Lincoln County. By an Act approved March 18, 1867, along the entire western boundary of the county, a strip about ten miles in width was ceded to Nye. By an Act approved February 20, 1875, a considerable portion of Nye was added to Lincoln on the north, consisting of a tract about forty-six miles north and south, and about fifty-four miles east and west, lying along the western boundary of Utah. By the provisions of the first-named Act Crystal Springs was made the county seat. Early in the spring of 1866, Governor Blasdel left Carson City, accompanied by numerous friends, with the view of organizing the new county. The party in endeavoring to reach Pahranagat by a route different from the ordinary one, journeyed by way of Death Valley, California. They crossed the valley without serious difficulty, but after passing Ash Meadows, found themselves reduced to very short allowances of food and water. Realizing the perils of the situation, the Governor and State Geologist White, hastened on to Logan, where they loaded a wagon with supplies, and dispatched it under guard to their suffering friends. The latter were met at Summit Spring. For several days they had been subsisting on lizards, one man of the party had died, and all were more or less exhausted with unusual hardships. Contrary to the Governor's expectations, the county lacked the number of legal voters necessary to fill the legislative requirements, and its organization was postponed for one year.

            By the provisions of the Act of March 18, 1867, the county seat was changed to Hiko; H. H. Day, Charles Wilson, and M. Fuller, were appointed County Commissioners. The county was constituted the Ninth Judicial District, and its legislative representation was fixed at one Senator and one Member of the Assembly. On February 21, 1871, an Act was approved providing for an election concerning the removal of the county seat from Hiko to any other point the citizens of the county might prefer.

            On February 24, 1871, an Act was approved making Pioche the seat of Lincoln County for three

478      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

months, and providing for the immediate removal of the public archives to that point. On April 22d following, the county seat election took place, and Pioche received a majority of 168 votes over the town of Hiko, and became and has since remained the county seat.

            On the sixteenth of April, 1867, Messrs. Day, Wilson, and Fuller, met at Logan Springs, took the required oath and legally constituted themselves a Board of County Commissioners, electing H. H. Day their Chairman. The Board then adjourned to meet at Hiko on April 22d. John D. Gorin acted as Clerk. In accordance with the Act approved on the eighteenth of March preceding, the Commissioners, as soon as practicable, selected and appointed the first county officers. At a meeting of the Commissioners held April 6, 1868, the first school district was organized. This district was three miles long and one mile wide, and included the town of Hiko. In October of this year the whole county was divided into school districts, and Trustees of each were appointed.

APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS.

            The first Commissioners of Lincoln County were named in the Act of organization, March 18, 1867. The balance of the county officers were appointed by the Executive, and held their positions till the election, November 3, 1868.

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

SENATORS.

            E. B. Hazard, elected November 3, 1868; R. S. Clapp and J. R. Wilson, elected November 5, 1872; N. Wescoatt, elected November 3, 1874; A. J. Blair, elected November 7, 1876; R. P. Dayton, elected November 5, 1878; W. H. Henderson, elected November 2, 1880.

ASSEMBLYMEN.

            F. W. Randall, elected November 3, 1868; M. B. Garrahan, elected November 8, 1870; P. L. Shoaff, Thos. Wallace and P. A. Craig, elected November 5, 1872; A. J. Blair, J. B. Van Hagan and H. Bergstein elected November 3, 1874; A. T. Moore, John Bowman and George Goldthwaite elected November 7, 1876; U. E. Allen, Geo. Paton and R. L. Wash, elected November 5, 1878; Milton Barrett, C. H. Penton and John Shier, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

            H. H. Day, Charles Wilson and M. Fuller, appointed March 18, 1867; Henry Raymond, appointed August 20, 1867; James Mee, Chas. P. Ely and J. Gilbert, elected November 3, 1868; W. C. Glisson, Wm. S. Ferguson and P. McCannon, elected November 8, 1870. August 4th Wm. S. Ferguson resigned and Michael McClusky appointed. D. A. Fulks, T. J. Jones and C. R. Dann, elected November 5, 1872; J. C. Lynch and J. Hoffman, elected November 3, 1874; E. F. Morton and J. N. Craig, elected November 7, 1876; D. C. Clark and J. Eisenmann, elected November 5, 1878; A. Veitch and J. V. Keeley, elected November 2, 1880.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

            William H. Clipperton, appointed May 27, 1867; Chas. S. Colton, elected Nov. 3, 1868, did not qualify; C. W. Wandell, January 16, 1869; G. S. Sawyer, elected November 8, 1870, resigned August 22, 1871; George Goldthwaite appointed to fill vacancy. George Goldthwaite, elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874; Thompson Campbell, elected November 7, 1876; C. H. Patchen, elected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SHERIFFS.

            J. E. Matthews, appointed May 27, 1867, resigned July 27, 1868, G. W. List appointed to fill vacancy; Wm. Ritter, elected November 3, 1868, resigned November 21, 1868. G. W. List appointed to fill vacancy; John Kane, elected November 8, 1870; W. S. Travis, elected November 5, 1872; A. Fife, elected November 3, 1874; W. L. McKee, elected November 7, 1876, re-elected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY CLERKS.

            John D. Gorin, appointed April 22, 1867, elected November 3, 1868, resigned September 5, 1870; P. B. Miller, appointed to fill vacancy, and elected November 8, 1870, re-elected November 5, 1872, reelected November 3, 1874; J. M. Hanford, elected November 7, 1876; re-elected November 5, 1878; George T. Gorman, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY TREASURERS.

            Charles R. Hoppin, appointed April 22, 1867, resigned January 8, 1868, Chas. Schmuck appointed to fill vacancy; William M. Wilson, elected November 3, 1868, did not qualify; A Barber, appointed January 16, 1869; Henry Phillips, elected November 8, 1870; John Roeder, elected November 5, 1872; M. Quillen, elected November 3, 1874; D. A. Fulks, elected November 7, 1876, re-elected November 5, 1878; R. H. Elam, elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY ASSESSORS.

            George Ernest, appointed April 22, 1867; N. H. Carlow, elected November 3, 1868; J. A. Curtis, elected November 8, 1870; K. J. Hanley, elected November 5, 1872, being a defaulter in the sum of $9,812, and failing to give additional bonds, many of his sureties being insolvent, he was removed September 26, 1873, and O. P. Sherwood appointed to fill vacancy; O. P. Sherwood and Henry Rives were allowed to pay $6,135.50 in settlement, and the claim was canceled. R. P. Dayton, elected November 3, 1874; N. Wescoatt, elected November 7, 1876; W. H. Henderson, elected November 5, 1878, did not qualify; G. W. Arnold, appointed June 26, 1879; T. Hoffman, elected November 2, 1880.

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           479

COUNTY RECORDERS.

            N. E. Allan, appointed April 22, 1867; Henry Raymond, elected November 3, 1868; W. H. Henderson, elected, November 8, 1870, re elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874; J. C. Henderson, elected November 7, 1876, re-elected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.

            B. S. Fullington, appointed July 1, 1867, resigned June 8, 1868, W. H. Clipperton, appointed to fill vacancy; George W. McLane, elected November 3, 1868, resigned January 4, 1870; Charles P. Ely, appointed to fill vacancy; D. J. Wilmans, elected November 8, 1870; Lewis Sultan, elected November 5, 1872; G. W. Hill, elected November 3, 1874, died; W. Dolman, appointed December 6, 1875, who resigned May 26, 1876, and G. R. Alexander was appointed to fill vacancy; E. R. Wilmarth, elected November 7, 1876, failed to qualify; G. R. Alexander, appointed January 11, 1877; G. R. Alexander, elected November 5, 1878, re-elected November 2, 1880.

COUNTY SURVEYORS.

            Charles Schenk, appointed April 22, 1867; S. R. Nichols, elected November 3, 1868, did not qualify; C. W. Wandell, appointed April 5, 1869; E. Schoppman, elected November 5, 1872; O. K. Wescoatt, elected November 3, 1874, removed for absence October 14, 1875, N. Wescoatt, appointed to fill vacancy; N. Wescoatt, elected November 7, 1876; O. K. Wescoatt, elected November 5, 1878, did not qualify; G. W. Arnold, appointed June 26, 1879; L. V. Wertheimer, elected November 2, 1880.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS.

            John H. Ely, appointed April 6, 1868; Charles Cook, elected November 3, 1868; C. F. Philson, elected November 8, 1870; D. L. Deal, elected November 5, 1872, re-elected November 3, 1874; C. F. Philson; elected November 7, 1876, failed to qualify; S. L. Lee, appointed January 23, 1877; John Shier, elected November 5, 1878, did not qualify; James Pierson, appointed January 5, 1880; M. J. Cortells, elected November 2, 1880.

PAYMENT OF TAXES REFUSED.

            A good deal of difficulty was experienced in collecting the taxes levied against the property of the Mormon settlers in the eastern portion of the State. By an Act of Congress, passed in 1866, one degree had been taken from Utah and added to Nevada; still the boundary line had never been determined, and though their property was assessed in Lincoln County the Mormon settlers refused to pay their taxes, and there was not sufficient power in the county at that time to force collection. Assessments were made in 1868 and 1869; suits were brought and levies made for the purpose of securing the taxes, but to no purpose-the Mormons would not pay. In 1870 the boundary line was surveyed and established by Isaac James and Captain Monroe. Since then there has been no trouble about taxes, but there has been a great exodus of Mormons from Lincoln County. However, their place has been more than supplied by succeeding Mormons, and these latter make the better citizens.

            A great change has come over these settlements. The dug-outs and sod shanties have given way to comfortable dwellings; the scantily-dressed and half-fed population now go well clothed and have an abundance to eat; the rude farm tools are supplanted by the most approved implements of husbandry; the few old broken down wagons are no more, their places being supplied by those of the best Eastern manufacture-the ponderous quartz wagon and the buggy; and the small store whose entire contents could have been packed on a mule has grown to be a large and very respectable mercantile establishment, all the result of the influx of the " Gentile" population and the opening of rich mines by American enterprise.

COURT HOUSE AND COUNTY JAIL.

            The Court House of Lincoln County is a two-story brick building, 40x60, and was built in 1871, at a cost, including the jail, of $75,000. The jail is a two-story stone building, 20x30 feet, and joins the Court House in the rear. The history of the construction of these buildings is sufficiently remarkable to justify a relation of it here. The contract was let in August, 1871, to build the Court House for $16,400, and the jail for $10,000. Up to this time the finances of the county were in good condition. The revenue from bullion tax, quarterly license tax, etc., kept a fund continually on hand to meet current expenses, and it was thought at the time that with the increasing wealth of the county this sum could be spared for county buildings, and, after a year or two, would not be felt. But schemers, who saw their way to profit, determined to absorb this increasing revenue. By some unaccountable plan, after the work of building commenced, the contract was broken, and the work completed by the piece at the most extravagant price for each. Rude stone steps, leading from the Court House to the jail, cost several hundred dollars each; $8,000 were allowed for water-closets, and the whole work was done in this extravagant way, till the Court House and jail complete cost $75,000; both of which could, under proper management, have been built of the same material, and quite as substantial, for at least $30,000.

COLLECTORS' FEES SWINDLE.

            Upon the heels of the Court House and County Jail swindle, came the purchase, by the County Treasurer, of property sold for taxes and costs, the county paying the costs only. Under an Act of the Legislature of 1871, the passage of which was procured by the combined influence of the Sheriffs of the different counties of the State, property, the tax upon which could not be collected, and for which

480      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

there were no bidders because of its worthlessness, was " bid in " to the State, and the fees or costs were paid by the county to the Sheriff, the same as though be had collected the tax. The object of this law was to enable the collectors of taxes to get fees from all property assessed in the county, whether the tax was collected or not. The fees paid by the county the first year under this infamous law was $16,000. These and other extravagances created a debt of $70,000 more than there was any necessity for, and this, too, in the infancy of the county. This afforded an opportunity to speculate in the securities of the county, and so great was the distrust in them that the scrip, instead of being taken at par for supplies, commanded but about thirty cents on the dollar. As an illustration of its value, or rather its want of value, it is only necessary to state the fact that the Commissioners, after the Court House was built, allowed $180 in scrip for four student lamps for the use of the county offices. Prices in this ratio had to be paid for hospital, jail, Court House, and all other county supplies, from that time forward, with exceptional instances. After the bonding of the county debt, for awhile, the credit of the county was better, but the great wonder is that the county is not more in debt from this cause alone, aside from the great expense attending the trial of so many criminals.

SUNDRY RAILROAD SUBSIDIES.

            The bullion product of the county continued to increase, and it was thought the revenue therefrom would soon liquidate this great indebtedness. Indeed, there was a prospect that there might sometime be a surplus after paying the county debt, and the schemers laid their plans again to absorb whatever there might be. The same innocent and unsuspecting Board of County Commissioners, who had been led into building the Court House by the piece, were induced to do something in the way of subsidies for a railroad from Pioche to Bullionville, that had already been partly built by a mining company for the express purpose of freighting their ores to their mill. So, on the twenty-second of July, 1872, the Board met at the call of the Chairman. M. McClusky, a member of the Board, and William C. Glisson, Chairman, were present, and the following business was transacted:

            After reciting that a large portion of the tax-payers of Lincoln County had petitioned the Board of County Commissioners of said county to issue bonds to the amount of $200,000 to aid in the construction of the Pioche and Bullionville Railroad, the bonds were ordered to be issued to the Railroad Company. They were made payable in ten years from January 1, 1873, with annual interest at ten per cent., interest and principal payable in gold coin. They were to be signed by the Chairman, countersigned by the Clerk of the Board, and authenticated by the seal of the county, to be numbered and registered when issued, and to be delivered to the Treasurer of the Railroad Company upon the approval by the Board of a bond from the company agreeing to expend the moneys received on the bonds in the construction of the proposed railroad. This action was made subject to the ratification of the Legislature of the State of Nevada. The resolution further set forth the duty of the County Auditor in providing the necessary funds to pay the interest on these bonds, also a sinking fund to meet the principal. The Clerk of the Board was instructed to procure 200 blank bonds of the form to be approved by the Commissioners; and the Board adjourned.

            Here was legislation for the people by two men acting as County Commissioners. The bonds had already been printed in San Francisco, and were expected to arrive by that evening's mail. They were to be signed that night and taken back to San Francisco, and negotiated to innocent parties (?) by Gen. A. L. Page, then Superintendent of Construction of the Railroad. This much having been done it was thought the Legislature would ratify the proceedings of the Board, as these innocent parties would have good cause of action in court against the county. For some reason the mail, which was expected to bring the blank bonds did not arrive that night. The next morning the District Judge, being curious to know for what the special meeting of the Commissioners had been called, went to the Clerk's office and asked to see the proceedings of the Board of the day before. Upon reading the same he hastened to the office of the District Attorney, George W. Goldthwaite, to request him to commence action at once to restrain the issuance of these bonds. The District Attorney, never before distrustful of his own ability, now in a state of trepidation confessed his want of ability to do the work. The Judge then applied to another attorney, J. C. Foster, who, with John P. Kelley, now connected with the firm of Garber, Thornton & Bishop, of San Francisco, drew the complaint, Kelley being plaintiff in the case. When the time set for hearing arrived, the attorney, W. W. Bishop (not of the firm just mentioned), for the Railroad Company, did not appear, and default was entered and an injunction ordered.

            This, however, only paved the way for a still more magnificent scheme to get at the increasing revenue from the then wonderful products of the mines about Pioche; and another railroad project was devised.

            On the fifteenth of February, 1873, a meeting of the citizens was held at the Court House to consider the matter of "railroad communication with the Central Pacific." Judge Fuller was elected President, and a large number of persons named for Vice-Presidents. D. Carson, A. Thompson, J. S. Crosman, O. P. Sherwood and D. B. Hunt were appointed a committee to draft resolutions. After considerable discussion in which the sense of the meeting was fully expressed, the following resolutions, reported by the committee, and adopted:

            Resolved, That the large and constantly increasing business of Lincoln County, and the full and successful

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           481

development of our mineral resources imperatively demand the speedy construction of a railroad connecting Pioche, in said County, with Eureka and Palisade.

            Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting the increase in the value of property and in the production of bullion, which would be caused by the construction of the railroad above mentioned, would be more than sufficient to enable us to pay the interest on $350,000 of bonds without increasing the burden of taxation.

            Resolved, That we are in favor of the County subscribing for stock in some well organized company for building a road between the points aforesaid, and issuing its bonds in payment for the same.

            Resolved, That our Senators and Assemblymen be, and they are hereby requested, to secure the passage of a law requiring the County Commissioners of this County to subscribe for the amount of stock above mentioned, and to issue bonds to the amount of $350,000, bearing interest at the rate of seven per cent. per annum, payable in not less than ten and not more than twenty years.

            Resolved, That provision should be made in any law that may be passed for one or more directors to be selected by the County to act in its behalf.

            Copies of the above resolutions were published in the Record, and also sent to the Lincoln County delegation in the Legislature. The feeling was strongly in favor of a speedy railroad communication with the "outside world," and at the close of the meeting three cheers were given for " the success of this great enterprise." The meeting was a small one in point of numbers, and though the Vice-Presidents represented a large amount of tax-payers, only a part of them were present, some being out of the State, and those who were present, aside from those connected with the scheme, had not suspected anything wrong. The President of the meeting, Judge Fuller, and E. W. Fleming, one of the Vice-Presidents, after learning the object of the resolutions, opposed their adoption, and pronounced them " monstrous."

MEETINGS TO OPPOSE THE SCHEME.

            From this on Judge Fuller became the champion opponent of county subsidies to railroads. He made several unsuccessful attempts, soon after, to get a meeting called to rescind the action of the meeting of the 15th. Finally, on the twenty-seventh of February, he succeeded in getting a notice published in the Record for a meeting that night, a full account of which was published the following day in the Record, from the columns of which the following is gleaned: Judge Thompson was called to the Chair, and E. Schopmann appointed Secretary. Judge Fuller came to his feet, and made a lengthy speech.

            He said his position was misrepresented at the previous meeting, and he would avail himself of this occasion to set himself right. He thought the railroad would come just as soon without a subsidy, but the first road would probably come from Utah; that he did not believe in the county being swindled by issuing bonds to rings.

            Mr. Hunt and Louis Felsenthal spoke in favor of the proposition to aid the construction of a railroad.

            The latter said his house had paid $34,000 for freight the past year, and he was anxious for railroad facilities. John Pattie opposed the issue of $350,000 in bonds, and endorsed the sentiments of Judge Fuller.

            Judge Bishop took sides most emphatically for the railroad. In his opinion it was clearly in the interest of Lincoln County to issue the bonds. The county, he said, had already spent thousands in building a Court House, that was sinking at every corner, and a worthless jail, and other improvements, and, hereafter, he wanted money spent to some purpose. Judge Fuller replied that he did not wish to be understood as opposing railroads. He was in favor of them; but it would be mockery to issue bonds; he spoke of the Bullionville Railroad, and said that corporation would have got away with $200,000 of the people's money, if Mr. Kelley and other taxpayers had not interfered. Colonel Sabin favored aid to the railroad, and gave figures showing that it would be the greatest benefit to that section of the country; no railroad would or could come there, he said, unless the citizens and tax-payers put in capital. In five years the bonds given by the county would be wiped out, and the wealth of Lincoln would be quadrupled. Mr. Hunt thought if the citizens would help the Palisade & Eureka Railroad Company, the road would be built in eighteen months. Then, he said, Californians and other people would come and invest in their mines; the mining stock now selling at fifty and seventy-five cents, would bring five dollars and ten dollars; also the way would be open for other roads. At this juncture, Judge Fuller introduced the following resolution:

            Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that our Representatives in the State Legislature be, and are hereby instructed to disregard any resolutions heretofore passed with reference to Lincoln County subscribing stock Or giving a subsidy, to any railroad.

            Judge Bishop spoke long and vigorously against the resolution—also Mr. Wheeler and others advocated giving aid to the road, attempting to show how much the cost of living would be reduced, and the immense saving to the business men of the county in the way of reduced rates of freight. Judge Fuller again arose and made a masterly speech against issuing the bonds. He argued that the Company would fix their stock at five times the cost of building the road; that this stock would be given at par for county bonds worth at least ninety-five cents; that the stock would need to be assessed but twenty cents to complete the road, and the ring would exchange this twenty-cent stock for ninety five-cent bonds, and thereby make seventy-five cents for themselves, and the railroad would be benefited but twenty cents on the dollar by the bonds.

            The facts were that the Railroad Company had already fixed their capital stock at $30,000,000, while their estimate for building the road was $4,500,000. This would make the stock in the railroad cost a

482      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

little over fourteen cents when the road should be completed. To make an exchange of county bonds for this stock would indeed be mockery. On motion of Judge Fuller the meeting adjourned to the following night, when the numbers and interest were greatly increased. The people of the county were thoroughly aroused to the importance of the issue. The meeting was organized by the election of J. C. Foster as Chairman, who on assuming the chair, defined his position on the subsidy question. He favored a gratuity of $100,000 in county bonds to the road that should be first built. Judge Fuller offered a resolution to that effect, which was approved by Bishop, Holland, Wheeler, Hunt and others. Questions of order were raised as to the admissibility of the resolution in place of the one offered at the meeting before, and which was claimed by some to be first in order. Motions to appoint tellers, to exclude all but tax-payers from voting, to adjourn and to lay on the table, were made with much confusion. A motion was also made by Judge Fuller to have ex-Lieutenant Governor Crosman take the chair, as he was a good parliamentarian, provided Foster was willing.

            The Chairman made an appeal for order and free discussion, and finally the meeting came to order, and Judge Fuller took the floor, and spoke to the resolution of the first meeting. He favored railroads, but not subsidies, and he wanted the people of Lincoln County to dictate any law passed on the subject. He said he held in his hand a copy of a bill which proposed to rob the people of their substance. It came to him to-day, he said, from the Capitol. He read and explained its provisions, claiming that they were ambiguous, and showing the cost to the county to be $150,000, and that the road might not come nearer than ten miles of Pioche; commercial rivalry would insure, the completion of the Palisade road as soon as the Utah road was constructed, and it was wholly unnecessary to impoverish the county for a generation to come with the provisions of this law. Judge Bishop opposed these views, and thought Judge Fuller had misconstrued the bill; there was not the danger apprehended; the proposed road would cross a rich mineral belt almost every ten miles, and, viewed merely as a wise investment, he was in favor of extending substantial aid to it. Ex-Governor Crosman spoke in favor of the subsidy, and argued at some length. Messrs. Holland, Hunt and Judge Pitzer also favored the subsidy. They wanted the railroad, and did not believe they could get it without the proposed aid. The motion, to allow none but tax-payers to vote, was called for, and, when the meeting showed a disposition not to allow it to be put, Judge Bishop, Mr. Rolland, and others withdrew from the meeting. Judge Fuller then made a few remarks, explaining that the bill would come up for final action on the following day, and he wanted the people to vote understandingly. The resolution of the former meeting was then read, and a vote taken by tellers. The resolution was carried by a unanimous vote. The regular Secretary having withdrawn, N. H. Maguire was appointed to act for the balance of the evening. A motion was adopted requiring the officers of the meeting to sign this resolution as adopted, and telegraph it to the Representatives in the Legislature.

            Thus the citizens, in mass meeting assembled, declared that their Representatives in the Legislature should disregard the action of all previous railroad meetings in Lincoln County. The proceedings of the meeting were telegraphed to the State Legislature, but, notwithstanding the unanimous action of the meeting, the bill passed, owing to a combination having been made between the friends of the bill and the friends of the Elko and Hamilton charter for a railroad. The Record, it seems, published the telegraphic news of the passage of the bill by the Senate, but suppressed the news of its passage by the House, and, for three days, the people of Pioche were congratulating each other on the supposed defeat of the bill in the House. On the fourth day after the adjournment, Judge Fuller telegraphed Governor Bradley that the bill was a fraud upon the people of Lincoln, and to await his letter. That night the letter was written, and placed in the express office, and nothing was heard from it till Judge Fuller received the following letter from Governor Bradley:

STATE OF NEVADA, Executive Department,

CARSON CITY, March 18, 1873. 

HON. MORTIMER FULLER, Pioche, Lincoln County, Nevada—My Dear Sir: Yours of the eleventh instant came to hand to-day. I have to thank you for the valuable information as to the state of public feeling on the railroad question in your county. I vetoed the Lincoln and Nye Railroad Bill this morning, using substantially the argument contained in your letter. I hope that my course will meet the approval of the good people of Lincoln County. Allow me to assure you of my sincere thanks for your honorable and friendly course in this matter.

I remain yours, very truly,      

L. R. BRADLEY.

            The Governor called this the "Lincoln and Nye Railroad Bill," for the reason, likely, that it provided for both counties taking stock in the company. Nye then owned a strip of country about twenty miles wide, extending across what is now the northern part of Lincoln County. There was a provision in the Bill that Nye's subscription to the stock should be submitted to a vote of the people of that county, while it contained no such provision in regard to Lincoln. The subsidy was made absolute as regards Lincoln, if' the road was built.

            Judge Fuller contended in the debate that the bill was drawn so ambiguously that the railroad company could force another $100,000 from Lincoln County for the last ten miles, or else not allow the road to come to Pioche, but allow it to go north of that place into Utah. Here was a chance, he thought, to blackmail the county to the extent of several hundred thousand dollars.

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           483

CAUSES OF PROSTRATION.

            These schemes to get at the then expected great revenue of Lincoln County, together with the very bad management of the mines at the most critical moment (at water level) when the best management was required, have contributed largely to the downfall and prostration of what is no doubt one of the best mining sections on the Pacific Coast.

            In April, 1873, the debt of the county was bonded to the amount of $181,000, the bonds bearing ten per cent. interest, and payable in ten years. Ninety thousand and five hundred dollars have been paid for interest, and none of the bonds redeemed. The county is now in debt over $300,000, which sum equals about half its present taxable property value. The present population is 2,110, a decrease of nearly one-third in five years.

            For a full statement of the products of the county from 1867 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 pages 135, 136, 140 and 189 of the general history. For the bullion product of the county, see bullion table in this book.

PRINCIPAL MOUNTAIN RANGES.

            The principal mountains of Lincoln County are included in the White Pine, Yellow Pine and Pahranagat ranges. The White Pine Range is in the western part of the county, running nearly north and south; is bold, high and snowy, and is well wooded with nut pine, fir, white pine and mahogany. Twenty miles to the eastward are the Pahranagat Mountains, a low range covered with nut pine, and running north and south. In the southern part of the county are the Yellow Pine Mountains, running northeast and southwest, a wide and lofty range, well timbered with yellow pine. Mount Irish is a lofty peak of the Pahranagat Range, rising to the height of 11,000 feet above the sea, and is seamed with ore-bearing veins of quartz. This peak was named in honor of Mr. Irish, Indian Agent for that region in 1865, when the mines were discovered. The Ely Mountains, west of Pioche, running north and south, are rich in mineral veins. The Spring Mountain Range, in the southwest, is a very interesting group, and contains a large area of pastoral lands. There are other groups and hills bearing local names.

VALLEYS OF THE COUNTY.

            The most northern valley in the county is Spring Valley, which is four miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide. It was first settled in 1867 by William C. Moody and Alma Willett. During the following year they planted potatoes, and sowed wheat, barley and oats. The potatoes did well. The grasshoppers devoured the grain, however, but have not put in an appearance there since. Few subsequent attempts to raise grain have been made, for the reason that the frosts usually injure the crops. At one time this valley contained a population of twenty Mormon families, but only four now remain.

            South of Spring Valley is Eagle Valley, two and a half miles long and half a mile wide. All of it is capable of cultivation, being irrigated by springs. At present it is chiefly utilized for meadow lands. Notwithstanding frequent frosts, large quantities of fruit are often raised in it. It was once inhabited by twenty-two Mormon families; only seven now remain.

            ROSE VALLEY, south of Eagle Valley, is a mile and a half long and about half a mile wide. It contains no running water, and is used as a meadow. Eight families formerly inhabited it, but only two remain.

            DRY VALLEY is south of Rose, and is four miles long and half a mile wide. It was once settled, but the Meadow Valley Mining Company took the waters from it, and it bad to be abandoned.

            Next south of Dry Valley is Meadow Valley, ten miles long and a mile wide, and well watered. It produces large quantities of vegetables and some fruit. It was first settled, in 1863 and 1864, by the Mormons, most of whom afterwards returned to Utah. About twenty-five families now reside in it, not including the population of Panaca.

            Southward from Meadow Valley is Meadow Valley Wash, which is ninety miles long, and occasionally widens out into tracts of tillable land. It is watered by springs, and is occupied by about twenty families. It extends into Muddy River Valley.

            MUDDY RIVER VALLEY runs north and south, and is about two miles wide and thirty long. It was settled by the Mormons in 1864, as will be found narrated elsewhere in this work. It is capable of producing abundantly, as was then demonstrated. At one time it contained a population of 1,700, but all returned to Utah in 1871, excepting five families.

            In the southern portion of the county, about fifty miles southwest of Muddy River Valley, is the oasis of Las Vegas Spring. It is almost in the center of a desert twenty miles wide, and affords water sufficient for the irrigation of 500 acres. The climate around it is semi-tropical. Many kinds of fruit thrive vigorously. The old emigrant road from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, California, passed near this spring. The locality has been settled since 1852.

            CLOVER VALLEY, lying west of the Meadow Valley Wash, is four miles long and one wide. It is partially watered, is used for meadow land and is occupied by ten families.

            Forty miles west of Las Vegas, adjoining the line of Inyo County, California, is the Pah Rump Valley, running northeast and southwest. It is thirty miles long and ten wide, and is but slightly watered, but when irrigated, produces well in fruit and grain.

            North of Pah Rump Valley is Ash Meadow Valley,

484      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

running north and south. It is thirty miles long and ten wide, and is well watered by springs, but the soil contains too much alkali to be capable of cultivation. It produces good grass, however. This valley is inhabited by three families.

            Lying between the Pah Rock and Pahranagat Mountains, fifty miles west of Pioche, is the fertile Pahranagat Valley, thirty miles long and half a mile wide. Numerous springs supply it with an abundance of water, and fruit, grain and vegetables are raised in liberal quantities, and find a ready market at Pioche and the adjoining camps. Twenty families now inhabit this valley; it was first settled in 1865 by John H. Ely and others.

            The northern part of the county is troubled some with late frosts, but the southern valleys are exempt from this misfortune. Grasshoppers have seldom committed serious ravages in any of the valleys, and rarely visit more than one valley in one season.

            At the northern edge of the county, near the center, is Lake Valley, which is really a continuation of Steptoe Valley. It is about ten miles long and two wide, runs north and south, is partially watered by springs, produces hay and grain, and is inhabited by three or four families.

MOST REMARKABLE CAVE.

            There is a cave opening into the east side of what is called Cave Valley, in the northern part of Lincoln County. The valley is really a continuation of Steptoe, and further south is called Perry Valley. The opening to this cave is about two and one-half feet by four, and grows larger two or three rods from the mouth. There are chambers, some of which are ten or twelve feet high, twenty-five or thirty feet wide, and seventy-five or more in length. About half or three-quarters of a mile from the mouth is a shaft, the mouth of which is eight or ten feet wide, extending across the cave, so that a plank has to be laid over it to get beyond. This hole has lately been explored, and found to be about ninety feet deep, and dry at the bottom.

            One small spring of clear water, which runs but a few rods before sinking, is all the water found in it so far. This cave has been explored two miles or more, but the end or extent of it has not yet been ascertained.

PRINCIPAL MINING DISTRICTS.

            CHIEF DISTRICT is twelve miles south of Pioche, and three miles west of Meadow Valley. Not a great many locations have ever been made, and these have all been abandoned. It is said that some of the ore taken out in this district produced $100 per ton.

            COLORADO DISTRICT comprises a large area bordering on the Colorado River, and embracing El Dorado Cañon. Mines were first discovered here in 1861 by Joseph Good and other prospectors from North San Juan, Nevada County, California, and the district organized. As in so many other instances recorded, an Indian led the prospectors to the discovery, and asking for " techatticup," meaning bread, or something to eat, for his trouble, the principal and most promising vein was named Techatticup. This was a beautiful white spar vein and carried considerable silver. Quite an excitement was raised, and for some years El Dorado Cañon was the object of many prospectors, and the shares in its mines sold for high prices in the market at San Francisco and Los Angeles. Many locations were made, some bearing silver, others gold, and others copper. Some of the gold-bearing veins have been worked successfully, and with facilities for transportation the large copper-bearing ledges would be of great value. The surrounding country is dry and sterile, cactus and a few thorny shrubs being the only vegetation. The cañon extends to the Colorado River, by which freight is sometimes brought by steamer from Yuma or the Gulf of California. The settlement in the district is called El Dorado, and under that head further particulars are given.

            ELY DISTRICT is situated on the Shell Creek Range, in this locality usually called the Ely Range, in the northeastern part of Lincoln County, and was discovered by Wm. Hamlin in 1864, and was then named the Meadow Valley District. Stephen Sherwood was the first Recorder. But little was done toward developing the mines till 1868. Late in that year John H. Ely and W. H. Raymond came over from Hiko, falling in with McCannon and Smith in the vicinity of where the city of Pioche was subsequently built. They made a re-location of the mines recorded in Meadow Valley District, changed the name to the Ely District, adopted laws, laid out a town and settled down to develop the mines.

            From this time the mines were rapidly developed, and in 1872 twenty-one hoisting works were in operation and 2,000 miners at work in the district. The net proceeds of these mines has reached the enormous sum of $20,000,000. The productions in 1876 had exceeded the assessments by $3,500,000. There have been 1,800 locations made, the mining record books being kept by the County Recorder.

            Among the principal mines are the Raymond & Ely, Meadow Valley, Huhn & Hunt, Pacific, Independence, Bullionville, Garfield & Hancock, Alps, Mazeppa, Washington & Creole and American Flag. The veins are chiefly found in the quartzite formation, run in an east and west direction with the formation, and dip south at an angle of between forty-five degfees and perpendicular. The Raymond & Ely shaft has reached the depth of 1,486 feet; being the deepest in the district. Pacific Tunnel is in 2,800 feet.

            The present facilities for working the ores are three mills, having eighty stamps altogether. Water is furnished by the Floral Spring Water Company. Freights are brought by wagon from Milford, on the Utah Southern Railroad, at a cost of thirty dollars per ton. Pioche is the post-office address for the district.

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           485

            Since 1876 but little has been done in these mines, and comparatively little produced by the district. It is claimed, however, that these mines are by no means exhausted, and hopes are entertained that Pioche will again be a good camp. In 1873 it was producing half a million monthly.

            FREYBERG DISTRICT is situated in the northern part of the Pah-Ute Mountains. Ore was discovered in the fall of 1865; its existence being divulged to Messrs. Didlake and Aikens, of Pahranagat. The Worthington District was thereupon organized. Not until the sixteenth of May, 1869, however, was actual work commenced. In that year a party of prospectors, led by George Ernst, re-organized the district under its present name. Water, in the immediate vicinity, is scarce, but there is plenty of it at the distance of a few miles, and nut pine and fir are in sufficient quantities for mining. Three springs flow down the west side of the mountain, and one is situated on the east side near the mines. The mineral belt is about three miles in length and one in width. Eight parallel veins, varying from one to five feet in width, have been counted. They are from thirty to five hundred feet apart, and appear in the limestone. The principal mines are the Ellen, Shoute, Trident, Boulder and Neptune. Closely selected ore from the Ellen has yielded as high as $690 in silver. Selected ore from the Shoute has yielded from $144 to $800 per ton. The veins in this district dip to the east at an angle of forty-five degrees in some cases, and of eighty degrees in others. In the valley, about five miles to the northeast are a thousand acres of fertile land, having a sufficiency of water.

            GROOM DISTRICT joins Tem Pah-Ute District on the south, and was organized in 1870. It is about ten miles west of Summit Springs, in the same range of mountains, and includes within its limits Pah Ute Peak, which has an altitude of 8,300 feet. Fir and pine cover the western slope of the peak in the immediate vicinity of the mines. The ore is of low grade, assaying from ten dollars to sixty-five dollars per ton in silver, and was discovered in 1870. During the next five years, considerable work was done, and steam hoisting works were built at one mine. At the end of that period operations ceased, and no work is now being done. The formations are of limestone, quartzite and argillaceous shale. Wood and water are in near proximity to the claims.

            PAHRANAGAT DISTRICT is situated in the Pahranagat range of mountains, about sixty-five miles southwest of Pioche. The nearest post-office is Hiko, ten miles distant. Ore was discovered in March, 1865, by John H. Ely, T. C. W. Sayles, David Sanderson, Samuel S. Strut, Wm. McClusky and Ira Hatch, all from Utah, guided there by an Indian. The district was immediately organized; and 1,000 locations have been made up to date. The veins are found in quartzite, and run northeast and southwest across the formation, dipping to the east at various angles. The ores are both free and base, and contain no gold. The base ores are principally lead. The leading mines are the Illinois, Green Monster, Black Warrior, North Side, Montezuma and Castle. The Illinois contains a tunnel 600 feet long, and a shaft about 250 feet in depth. The Green Monster is developed to about the same extent. Plenty of nut pine is obtained near the mines; water is hauled two and a half miles to the mines; the ore is milled at the ton-stamp mill at Hiko, ten miles distant. Little more than assessment work is now being done, active operations having been suspended in June, 1871. Freight is hauled from Milford, Utah (the nearest railroad station, distant 175 miles), at the rate of forty-five dollars per ton. Only ten miners are now in the district. The records are kept by the County Recorder. Some specimens of ore once taken from the Illinois assayed into thousands.

            PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT is situated in the range of mountains between Meadow and. Clover Valleys, and is about forty miles south of Pioche. Ore was discovered by a Mormon named Klingensmith, but no work was done until the fall of 1871. The principal mine is the Klingensmith, the vein of which is from two and a half to three feet wide. An incline of seventy-five feet, and a shaft of 200 feet have been sunk in this mine, and low grade ore has been taken out which has yielded from twenty to twenty-five dollars per ton.. The vein is in quartzite, a large belt of which runs through the district east and west. The chief formation is granite. Water is obtained from springs, although the Meadow Valley Wash, not far away, contains an excellent stream of water at all seasons of the year. Lumber is obtained at a saw-mill ten miles distant. The nearest post-office is in Clover Valley.

            SILVER SPRINGS DISTRICT is in the northeastern corner of the county, in the Snake Range Mountains, and was organized in 1869. Soma exceedingly rich ore was found near the surface, in a limestone formation, and several hundred tons of it yielded $50,000. Two mills were built, one of which was subsequently taken down and removed to Utah. Not enough ore could be found to keep the milk in active operation. Many of the claims have been abandoned, and only a few miners remain in the district. Some of the best ore has been taken from the Nevada Queen.

            SILVER KING DISTRICT is in the Lake Valley range, sixteen miles northwest of Bristol, the latter being the nearest post-office and stage station. Ore was discovered in 1874, by John Heuss and Phillip Barton, and a district was organized the same year. Seven locations have been made; four miners reside on their claims, and the records are kept by Julius Hoffman, at Pioche. The veins are found between slate and granite, running north and south with the formation, and dipping to the west at an angle of forty-five

486      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

degrees. The ores are both free and base, the bullion containing about ten per cent. of gold. The principal mines are the Caesar, Ida, Highbridge, Morning Star, and Schiller. These properties have lately passed into the hands of an eastern company, and early active operations are contemplated. The ores are very rich, and the prospects of the district very promising. The base ores yield from $75 to $100 per ton; the free-milling ores, from $700 to $1,000 per ton. The Caesar Mine is a shaft sixty  feet deep, and the Highbridge Mine a tunnel eighty feet long. Freight is hauled from Eureka, 165 miles distant, at forty dollars per ton, and at the same rate from Milford, Utah, 135 miles distant. Plenty of cedar and nut pine are close by the mines, and water is obtained from springs two miles distant. The ores are hauled to Bristol, and worked both by milling and smelting. No town has been built.

            ST. THOMAS DISTRICT is a few miles east of the town of St. Thomas, on Mount Bonelli, of the Virgin range. Ore was discovered in December, 1872, by a party composed of D. Bonelli, Lewis Siebrecht, Thomas Belding, and Hans Gottfredsen. A district was organized January 25, 1873. Eight or ten miners are now in the district. About fifty locations have been made, most of which have been abandoned. The formation consists of white quartz ledges in dark, coarse granite. The veins run sixteen degrees west of south, across the formation, and dip from twenty-five to thirty-five degrees to the east. The bullion product of the district contains six per cent. in gold and seventy-two per cent, in silver. The principal mines are the Mormon Ledge, Virgin Queen, Recluse, Belding Ledge, Pacific Mine, Desert Foundling, Toshoe Foundling, Mica Pioneer, Princess Louisa, Diadem, Summit Queen, Seventy-Nine and Mountain Beauty. The Seventy-Nine has a shaft thirty-five feet in depth; the Mica Pioneer a tunnel twenty-five feet in length. Freight facilities are very poor---almost prohibitory—although, if developments warranted, steamboats might ply on the Colorado River and accommodate portions of the district. No timber is nearer than seventy-five miles, excepting mesquite for fire-wood. Lumber is hauled 150 miles. Water is procured from the Muddy River, Rio Virgen and Colorado River. Mica is found in the Virgin range, but not of a merchantable quality, the plates being stained and cross-fractured, the ledges not having been worked to a depth beyond the surface-sliding of the rock.

            SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT is situated about seventy-five miles north of Las Vegas, in the Las Vegas range of mountains. Ore was discovered in September, 1870, upon which a district was organized, and seven locations were made. Only assessment work has been done since 1871. The ore contains a large per cent. of copper, and is found in quartzite and porphyry, and assays from $30 to $180 per ton. Specimens of native copper are frequently found.

            Wood is scarce, but a good supply of water is obtainable at Summit Springs, twelve miles to the northwest.

            TIMBER MOUNTAIN DISTRICT lies north of Yellow Pine, is about thirty miles square and contains an abundance of wood and water. Ore was discovered in October, 1869. Fifteen locations have been made, but very little work has been done. The ore is chiefly galena.

            TEM PAH-UTE DISTRICT, known as Sheridan District, is situated about fifteen miles west of Crescent Mill, in the Tem Pah-Ute range of mountains. The nearest post-office is Tem Pah-Ute. Ore was discovered in December, 1868, by D. Service and William Plumb. A district was organized on January 28, 1869. The mines are in a sharp, abrupt hill about six miles long, the eastern side of which shows a belt of calcareous slate, capped with limestone, which extends down to the low spurs on the western side. Along the whole length of the western slope of the bill a belt of quartzite crops out which is from 50 to 100 feet in length. A vein bearing silver appears at several points between the slate and limestone, running north and south with the formation, and dipping to the east. The ores are free-milling. The principal mines are the South End, Colchis, Old Abraham, Balbec, Savage, Inca, Bagdad, Silver Peak, Blue Bell, Wyandott and Cliff. The shaft of the Inca is 250 feet deep; a tunnel pierces the Colchis, South End and Old Abraham Mines. Ore from the Balbec shows rich chloride, and specimens have assayed very high. Running parallel with the first vein described is still another one, a thousand feet to the west. For upwards of two miles it shows from a foot to ten inches in width, and dips to the east at an angle of forty degrees. The ore carries antimony, arsenic and copper in small quantities. Selected specimens of ore from this district, carrying lead, antimony and copper, have assayed $874 per ton. Five miners are now in the district, and the number of locations is 150. As high as fifty miners were formerly at work, but when the ten-stamp mill at Crescent was taken elsewhere, operations ceased. Excavations are still being made in the tunnel, but no ore has been taken out during the past year. Plenty of wood and water can be had in the Naquintah range of mountains, eight miles distant. Considerable ore has been hauled to Tybo, eighty miles to the westward. The records of the district are kept by D. Service.

            WHEELER DISTRICT IS situated in the extreme southern section of the county, in the Mountain Spring range of mountains. Very little work has ever been done in it; no ore taken from it has ever been reduced; and all the claims in it have been abandoned.

            YELLOW PINE DISTRICT is situated in the extreme southwestern corner of the county, in the Mountain Spring range of mountains, and is thirty

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           487

miles southeast of Las Vegas. Ore has been discovered, thus far, in only one locality. It crops out on the west side of an almost perpendicular cliff 150 feet in height, and near the summit of the mountain. Rich deposits of argentiferous galena, lying almost horizontally, and varying in width from one to five feet, crop out about thirty feet from the base of the cliff. Long before a white man ever entered Lincoln County the Indians moulded bullets from ore procured from this vein. The Mormons did the same when preparing to resist Albert Sydney Johnston's occupation of Utah in 1857. For this mine an English company is said to have once paid $100,000. No work is now being done. The district is well wooded and watered. Here were the Potosi mines of former times.

PIOCHE, THE COUNTY SEAT.

            Pioche, the county seat, and chief place of business of Lincoln County, is situated on the northern slope of the mountain, just below the mineral belt, and close to the mines. The mountain is a spur of the Ely range, extending easterly into the valley some eight or ten miles. It is 180 miles southeast from Eureka and 100 miles from Milford, on the Utah Southern. In 1868 Joseph Grange and E. M. Chubard came to this place and built a small furnace, and reduced a small quantity of ore, but financially made a failure. Of its early history we gather the following from the Ely Record : " The city was located in 1869 by P. McCannon, L. Lacour and A. M. Bush, and surveyed by E. L. Mason, Civil Engineer. It was named after F. L. A. Pioche, a citizen of San Francisco, who had invested largely in the mines. The buildings are mostly one-story, and made principally of wood. The town grew rapidly from the start. Business and population increased with the increasing shipments of bullion, so that in the winter of 1870-71 it had become the most active and important mining town in southeastern Nevada. Lots which had originally cost less than $100 were sold for thousands. Schools, churches and benevolent institutions had been established, and a flourishing city had sprung into existence."

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES AND FLOODS.

            On the night of September 15, 1871, a terrible calamity befell the town. It was the anniversary of Mexican Independence and the citizens of that nation were glorifying the occasion with ball, bonfire, wine and song, when just after midnight flames were seen to issue from the rear of a restaurant on the upper part of Main Street, and though the air was unruffled by a breeze they had got under irresistible headway before the majority of the inhabitants were massed to oppose them. In vain were all attempts to arrest the progress of the fire. Nearly all of the houses being of a dry and resinous material, the furious flames swept them away in quick succession, until only heaps of ashes and smouldering embers marked the site of what two hours earlier was the most flourishing and progressive of mining towns.

            From 1,500 to 2,000 men, women and children were without roofs to shelter them, and many were in destitute circumstances. Still these were not the most melancholy incidents of the fearful catastrophe. 300 kegs of powder which were stored in the cellar of a leading mercantile house on Main Street, exploded with a force that shook the mountains to their center, and with it went up one wild wail from all who witnessed the grand yet terrible spectacle. Rocks, timbers and every conceivable missile of death swept across Main and Meadow Valley Streets, and the crowd on the latter street was raked as if by grape and canister. Thirteen men were killed and forty-seven others seriously wounded. The loss in property was over half a million, but a trifle of which was insured.

            Undismayed and but momentarily discouraged by this annihilating blow, the sufferers set about rebuilding, and six months later the temporary structures had all disappeared, and Pioche City was again in existence, her limits extended, population increased, and having improvements of a more substantial character.

            On the afternoon of Sunday, May 5, 1872, the town was again visited by a destructive fire, resulting in the loss of twelve buildings, and property estimated to be worth $50,000. No lives were lost.

            On the twenty-second of August, 1873, a flood occurred which caused damage to the citizens to the amount of $10,000. It was the effect of a terrible rain-storm, which for a time so blackened the sky that it was necessary to light lamps in the houses.

            Another rain-storm of less violence occurred in the summer of 1874. Again, in 1876, another destructive fire visited the town. Of it the Pioche Record said:—

            On the morning of May 3, 1876, Pioche was again visited by a destructive fire, burning nearly a block of buildings, partially, on the east side of Lacour and the west side of Main Streets. The fire commenced about three o'clock in the old unoccupied hurdy, or dance house, on Lacour Street, adjoining the Journal office, and was discovered by two men in the office who had just completed striking off the paper, and were about to retire. A general alarm was sounded, and the three fire companies were on hand as soon as possible. We noticed one of the boys having on a ruffled night-gown, showing that he did not waste any time going home to put on a red shirt. After an hour of hard struggle they got the best of the flames and extinguished them. Twenty-one buildings were burned, and the loss estimated at $40,000.

            The town was most prosperous from the latter part of 1872 to the close of 1873. In the fall of 1874, 1,800 votes were cast, and the town was estimated to have 6,000 people. Although a city in size, containing all the usual city organizations and places of amusement, among which were a fine, large skating rink and three theatres, the citizens declined to be governed by a city charter.

            A fire company was organized in June, 1871, with about forty members, but without any apparatus were

488      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

unable to do much at the fire in September of that year. In October, 1871, the Lightner Hook and Ladder Company was organized, with W. W. Bishop for President. In 1872 this company obtained a cart and hose, and in July, 1875, the Pioche Hose Company was organized, with Thomas Campbell for President. The Protection Hose Company, No. 2, was organized in April, 1875, with George W. Arnold for President; and the same year a Fire Department for the town was erganized, with J. J. Halpin for President, and L. V. Loomis, Chief Engineer.

            Until 1872 the water used in Pioche was hauled four miles from a well, and from Floral Springs, five miles distant. In 1871 a water company was organized to bring the water to Pioche from Floral Springs in pipes. John R. Wilson was President and Superintendent of the company. The work was completed in 1872, at a cost of $200,000, giving a supply sufficient for a town of 20,000 people. The water has a fall of 112 feet, which gives the town good protection against fire.

            Pioche procures its goods and supplies from abroad, principally from Chicago and San Francisco. Much of the flour, and all of the grain and products of the farms are supplied from Utah arid the surrounding country in Nevada.

            The nearest railroad station, where goods are received or shipped, is Milford, Utah, distant 115 miles. Rates for teaming freight to and from this station is thirty dollars per ton.

            The nearest towns to Pioche are Royal City, eighteen miles north-west, Bullionville and Panaca, distant twelve and fourteen miles respectively to the southeast. A narrow-gauge railroad was built by Gen. A. L. Page, aided by the Raymond & Ely Mining Company, from Pioche to Bullionville, to transport the ore from the mines to the mills. The road was completed in 1874, at a cost of $400,000, and for about two years trains made regular daily trips and carried passengers.

            In January, 1873, the Miners' Union was organized with Michael Cady for President, and had at one time over 250 members. The " Citizens' Protective Union" was organized the same year. The killing of Ryan in the fight between the Raymond and Ely, and the Pioche and Phoenix, and the assassination of Charles Swanson by unknown parties a few days previous, led to this organization. The " Citizens' Union" never took the law into its own hands, but rather aided the lawful authorities in the prompt execution of the laws. No attempts at lynching were ever made in Pioche.

RAPID DECLINE AFTER 1876.

            In 1875 the town commenced going down and fell off rapidly after the principal mines shut down in 1876. The census of 1880 gave the population as 800, of which probably 200 have since left. It had 139 registered voters at the last election. There are now no furnaces in Pioche except the one built in 1868. The one built by Joseph Grange in 1869, and one by John H. Ely about the same time, and the large furnace erected by the Meadow Valley Company have all proved failures. The amount of bullion produced here cannot be definitely ascertained, but $20,000,000 is probably about the aggregate. There are no benevolent associations in operation now except the Masons and Odd Fellows, an account of which is given elsewhere in this work.

            The County Jail and Court House, built of stone and brick, which cost $75,000, are located in Pioche. The public cemetery is not inclosed, but the Masons and Odd Fellows, the Catholics and the Hebrews have cemeteries inclosed.

            The Deseret Telegraph Company completed its line to Pioche in October, 1871, and the Western Union line was completed in October, 1872. These two companies conducted business separately till January 1, 1878, since which time the two offices have been in one apartment, and conducted by one operator—J. L. Sears. The post-office building is made of stone and was erected in 1869. Wells, Fargo & Co's Express office is in a brick and stone building. The office was established here in 1870. There is an assay office in a wood building. A daily mail is received from the East by way of Milford on the Southern Utah, and a tri-weekly from Eureka. The Pioche Record, once a large and prominent daily paper, is now published weekly. [See chapter on Journalism in Nevada.]

OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES.

            BRISTOL CITY is situated on the Bristol range of mountains, about twenty-five miles northeast of Pioche. Its distance from Eureka, by the traveled route, is 180 miles, and from Milford, Utah, 120 miles. Ore was discovered in 1870, by a party of Mormons, Messrs. Atchison, Hyatt and Hardy. In 1871 the district was organized, the town of National City started, and a smelting furnace built. The latter was operated only a short time, after which it remained idle until 1878. In the winter of 1877-78 new ore discoveries were made, and in the following March the smelting furnace was started up. A new company was also organized, a water jacket furnace built, and the name of the town changed to Bristol. It has two stores, one blacksmith shop, three boarding houses, a livery stable, post-office, etc., and a population of 100. It is the trading point for about 700 men who work in the mines of the surrounding region. It has no religious organizations, but services are occasionally held by wandering missionaries. The mines of the district are producing about $1,500 per day. One hundred and fifty locations have been made, and about 300 miners are in the district. The veins are found in limestone and quartzite, and run northeast and southwest, obliquely across the formation, and dipping to the southeast at an angle of forty-five degrees. The ores are base, and are carbonized, and contain iron, antimony, lead and some copper. In addition to silver the ores contain a small per cent, of gold. The principal mines are the Ohio,

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           489

Mayflower, Bristol Tunnel Company, Hillside, Bay State, National, Tempest, Tiger, Iron, and Great Eastern. The Hillside Mine has the deepest shaft, 720 feet; in the claim of the Bristol Tunnel Company there is a tunnel 250 feet in length. Freight is teamed from Milford at thirty-five dollars per ton, and from Eureka at forty dollars per ton. Cedar and nut pine are abundant close by. Water is obtained from wells at Bristol, and is hauled a distance of from three to five miles to the mines. The ores are worked by smelting, and by the milling and roasting process. The present facilities for working ores consist of the smelting works, and a ten-stamp mill with a Howell roaster. Both establishments have a total capacity of forty-five tons per day. The records of the district are kept by William Roe.

            BULLIONVILLE is situated on the north side, one and a half miles from the head of Meadow Valley and twelve miles southeast from Pioche. This being the nearest point to the principal mines of this district at which a good and never failing supply of water could be obtained, most of the mills for the reduction of ore in the Ely District were located here. The town dates its origin from the erection of the first mill, and it grew rapidly till 1874, when it contained a population of 500, and was a lively business place. In 1875 it commenced to decline. In 1877 two of the mills were taken away, and in the spring of 1880 the remaining mill stopped running, and the town was really deserted. Since then a new company has purchased the tailings and put up new smelting and concentrating works, which has infused new life into the town. The abundance of water found in the mines of Pioche in 1876, rendered Bullionville no longer a necessity for milling purposes. The population now is 100.

            BUNKERVILLE, situated thirty-five miles northeast from St. Thomas, on the Rio Virgen, and near the east line of Lincoln County, was located in January, 1877, by E. Bunker and others, who came to that part of the county to engage in farming. The town now contains about 125 people, one store, one saloon, one restaurant, one livery stable and one blacksmith shop. They have a post-office and a semi-weekly mail. There is one church building, which cost $500, and will seat about 350 persons, owned by the " Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," a Mormon Sabbath-school with sixty scholars in usual attendance, one day school with thirty-three pupils. The buildings are for the most part adobe, though there are a few frame structures. Their supplies are obtained mostly from St. George, in Utah, about fifty miles distant to the northeast. The taxable property in the township is valued at about $2,000. Good water is obtained from the Rio Virgen and wood from the valley along the stream. The soil in the vicinity of the town is well adapted to agriculture, vegetables being raised in great abundance. Near the town are some remarkable curiosities, ruins of a stone fort, relics, no doubt, of the Spaniard of Mexico or Arizona, evidences of whose trace may be found in remains of old furnaces, pottery, etc., in various places in southern Lincoln County.

            CALLVILLE was settled in 1864 by Anson Call and a small number of emigrants from northern Utah. They constructed a few dwellings and two warehouses for the storage of freight, for at that time it was believed that considerable trade would soon spring up along the navigable portion of the Colorado River. The altitude of the town is 700 feet. It is situated on the banks of the Colorado, among rough gorges and barren sand-hills. The surrounding scenery is desolate in the extreme, and few of the original settlers remained. Its position, however, is an important one, standing at the head of navigation on the Colorado River, and must eventually be connected with Fort Yuma by a line of freight and passenger steamers. A charter has already been obtained for a railroad from Eureka to Callville. At the last session of the State Legislature a memorial to Congress was adopted, asking for the immediate improvement of the Colorado River to Callville. It set forth that evidences exist that a prehistoric race, advanced in art, science and civilization once occupied the region bordering on the Colorado, from the Grand Cañon to the Gulf of California, and inhabited large and regularly laid-out cities; built canals, aqueducts, highways and culverts; understood engineering, constructed systems of irrigation and drainage, and embarked extensively in mining operations. The fact that Nevada has never before asked the General Government for river improvements was adverted to, and it was urged that immeasurable benefits would accrue by rendering the Colorado navigable at all seasons of the year to Callville, since vessels can now ascend to it only during the spring months. An appropriation of $250,000 was asked for, and it will undoubtedly be granted within a reasonable period of time. The result would be a vast enhancement of the prosperity of eastern Nevada.

            EL DORADO is in Colorado District, in the extreme southeastern corner of the State, and is about four miles west of the Colorado River, near the celebrated El Dorado Cañon. It was started in 1861, at the time of the discovery of ore and the organization of the district, and at present consists of a store, boarding-house, saloon, blacksmith shop and a few dwellings. A ten-stamp mill was erected in 1864, almost entirely composed of old material and machinery. This was run at intervals for three or four years, after which its capacity was increased by the addition of five stamps and a roasting furnace. At the present time a new ten-stamp mill is being built. The nearest railroad station is Fort Yuma, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, with an excellent chance for steam navigation up the Colorado to Callville. The cost of freight from San Francisco, by water, is

490      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

eighty dollars per ton. El Dorado Cañon is a remarkable fissure through masses of rock, and is twelve miles in length. Its width varies from twenty to two hundred yards, and its walls are from two hundred to six hundred feet in height, abounding in striking and majestic scenes. Through this cañon flows the Colorado, having a fall of 240 feet to the mile. By reason of ravines or washes, it is conveniently reached from the mines, and affords an unlimited supply of water. Wood from the adjacent mountains is delivered at ten dollars per cord. Much of it is rafted down the river for a distance of 125 miles. Float-wood is also caught in large quantities during high water, and costs only one dollar per cord. Ore was discovered in April, 1861, by Joseph Good and others, from North San Juan, California. For several years considerable work was done. No steam hoisting works have been put up at any of the mines, hand windlasses being used where tunnels and cuts are impracticable. Salt is obtained from the mines near the Rio Virgen, and is brought down in boats from St. Thomas. The veins in the district are found in talcose slate, and run southeast and northwest across the formation, and dip to the southeast at a slight angle. The ores are base, and contain lead, antimony and zinc, and in addition to silver, carry ten per cent. of gold. Six hundred and fifty locations have been made in all, forty of which have been recorded within the past year. The principal mines are the Savage, Nash, January, O. K., Silver Eagle, Silver Legion and Techatticup. The latter-named mine contains a shaft 380 feet deep, and a tunnel 400 feet long. Mining prospects are regarded as very promising.

            HIKO, situated in the Pahranagat range of mountains, sixty-five miles southwest of Pioche, was laid out in the spring of 1866, by Col. W. H. Raymond and others. Mr. Raymond had purchased a large quantity of what were called "squatters claims," in this vicinity. He had been East the year before, and brought back with him the Pioneer Mill, which he erected with the avowed object of determining the value of the Pahranagat ores. This, however, proved a complete failure, both in construction and in working the ores, and was taken down and removed to Meadow Valley, opposite Panaca to work the ores of the Ely District.

            In March, 1867, by the action of the County Commissioners, Hiko became the county seat of Lincoln County, and continued to be such till the twenty-fourth day of February, 1871, when, by the action of the Legislature and the vote of the people, the county seat was removed to Pioche. At one time Hiko was a lively little village, but after the removal of the county seat, it declined in population and importance to almost nothing, although a post-office is still maintained there, with a semi-weekly mail from Pioche.

            In the summer of 1881, Jay Gould, of New York, commenced at this point to survey the line of a railroad which is thought will connect San Francisco with the Utah Southern. Should this road pass through Hiko, it may again become a town of some importance.

            HIGHLAND is situated on the summit of Bennett Spring Mountain, in Highland District. Pioche is the nearest post-office. Ore was discovered in 1868, by H. Henderson, Mr. McDougal and others, and in 1869 a district was organized, and the town was started. The latter consists of a boarding house, brewery, saloon, and a few dwellings. Twenty-five miners are in the district, and about fifty locations have been made. The veins run north and south across the formation, which is of limestone, and dip to the east at various angles. The ores are base, containing lead principally, but showing copper, iron, and a small per cent. of gold. The leading mines are the Mendha, Phoenix, Henderson, and Arizona. Selected ores from the latter have assayed from $80 to $210 per ton. The Mendha Mine contains a shaft 300 feet deep, and a tunnel 300 feet long. Selected ores from the Phoenix and Henderson Mines have assayed from $80 to $210 per ton. The nearest railroad station is Milford, Utah, 120 miles distant, from which freight is brought by team at the rate of thirty dollars per ton. Fir, white and yellow pine, and mahogany are in abundance near the mines; water is hauled from springs two miles distant. The ores are smelted at Bristol, twenty miles distant, at a cost of seven dollars per ton, and about twenty-five tons are taken from the mines daily. The records of the district are kept by the County Recorder.

            JUNCTIONVILLE is a few miles south of St. Thomas, and twenty-five miles northeast of Callville. D. Bonelle was its pioneer settler, being attracted there in 1875. J. Ellis arrived soon afterwards. They opened a mail station and stopping-place for travelers, and also tried to do some farming, as the locality was on the direct route of travel between Idaho, Utah and Nevada, Arizona and Mexico. It stands on a small delta at the confluence of the Colorado River and Rio Virgen, and is surrounded by barren hills, and by the mountains of the Grand Cañon of the Colorado.

            The first white settlement of any part of this region took place about the year 1856 by some few Mormon families establishing a way-station at Las Vegas for the convenience of the overland travel between southern California and Salt Lake City. This settlement was abandoned again by them when the branch at San Bernardino was called to Salt Lake, about 1857, and the station fell into the hands of other white men who have since occupied it. In 1865 a mission of some 250 Mormon families, from northern Utah, arrived, and settled the valley of the Muddy, establishing five villages along the course of the stream; the lowest and largest, near the confluence of the Muddy with the Rio Virgen,

HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY.           491

was called St. Thomas, and maintained the precedence over the rest by reason of first rights to water and proximity to the Colorado River, which was calculated upon as an important factor in the progress of settlements, a large warehouse being built at Callville, and steamboats bringing goods from California to that point. In 1868, these settlements were about doubled in population by another influx from the north, and the Muddy Valley flourished as Pah-Ute County, Arizona. The subsequent cession by Congress of a degree of longitude from Arizona to Nevada placed these settlements within the State of Nevada, and some controversies arose with the authorities of Lincoln County about taxes of former years, during which Brigham Young ordered the abandonment of the Muddy settlements, and the exodus of the entire population, excepting one family, took place in March, 1871.

            During the Mormon occupancy of the valley some 400,000 shade trees, some 50,000 grape-vines and fruit trees were planted, and about 3,000 acres of land were reclaimed and irrigated, the aggregate expense of dams and ditches being about $200,000. The products of the soil were wheat, barley, corn, cane, grapes, peaches, plums, and some other fruits; cereals yielding very well; cotton flourishing better than in Tennessee or Kentucky. Under the close and diligent culture of these people ten acres of soil would sustain an ordinary family comfortably. Since the exodus the land has passed into other hands, in quarter sections, taken up under the Possessory Act of Nevada, and bas retrograded in capacity of production as it has lacked careful attendance. There are about 500 acres of swamp lands in the valley, susceptible of drainage, and now yielding only wild hay.

            The only industry followed is farming. Lack of transportation renders mining impracticable, except that the mills of El Dorado Cañon and of northern Arizona mining camps are supplied with rock salt from the Rio Virgen. This salt is blasted out of solid ledges, resembling those in Poland and Bavaria, and is carried on boats on the Colorado River, and used in roasting and chloridizing silver ore.

            The aboriginal Pah-Ute inhabitants of this region have declined from 500 lodges to about 150 souls, during the past two decades just elapsed.

            The Colorado River forms the boundary of the county and State for 175 miles and is or would be navigable if any industry existed sufficient to warrant it, up to the point of intersection of the west boundary of Arizona at the foot of the celebrated Grand Cañon; although the highest point reached by a large steamer heretofore is Junctionville at the mouth of the Rio Virgen, where a tract of desert land is being reclaimed. At this point the mountain passes of the State and of Utah, and the drainage of this vast region converge with the Colorado River, thus determining also the main lines of travel which follow the natural passes, which in primeval ages were immense water-courses. The indications of a more advanced tribe of Indians having occupied this region are numerous, pottery ware of superior character being often found. Also ruins of rock forts and irrigating ditches are occasionally seen, similar to those ascribed to the Aztecs and found among the Pueblos. The climate of this region is semi-tropical, the maximum temperature of summer in the shade being 120°, and the minimum temperature of winter about 20° above zero. Grapes, figs, pomegranates, etc., etc., are in their proper sphere here, and thrive wherever planted and attended. All crops need irrigation. No society has existed here since the Mormon exodus in 1871. The region has been sparsely settled, and mostly by a transient element, having no religious profession or name in which any considerable number agreed. The Utah Southern Railroad is the nearest point for shipment by rail, and is 250 miles distant. The rate of freight from Milford is from $80 to $100 per ton. Supplies are brought from Utah and from El Dorado Cañon.

            PANACA is located in Meadow Valley, three miles below the head of it, and is fourteen miles southeast of Pioche. It was laid out by the first settlers in 1864, and grew rapidly till 1868, when it had over 500 inhabitants. Business continued to be prosperous till in 1873, when work for the mines falling off the town commenced going down. The present population numbers about 300 people, with a larger percentage of children than any other town in the State, the school census giving eighty. Panaca has a fine school house, which cost $1,200, and which will accommodate 120 pupils. The average attendance is sixty.

            The town occupies about 250 acres of land, which is laid out in lots and blocks. The water supply is abundant, being taken from Warm Spring, which is about one and one-half miles east of the town. A large stream of water, about three feet deep and six feet wide, is thrown out from this spring, and the quantity is not affected by the seasons. This is the principal source of water supply for the whole valley.

            ROYAL CITY is in Jack Rabbit District, on the eastern slope of the Bristol range of mountains, about a mile east of Day Mine Stage. Station, and previous to 1876 was included in Bristol District. It is situated near the mines, and contains a store, saloon, boarding-house, blacksmith shop and restaurant. Ore was discovered in 1876 by Isaac Garrison and others, and a district was at once organized. The veins are found in limestone. The vein matter is black and white spar, and runs northeast and southwest with the formation. Its dip is nearly vertical. The ore is soft and carries native silver in flakes, and chambers are also found containing very rich carbonate deposits. No indications of gold exist. The Day or Jack Rabbit Mine is the principal one. It has been worked since 1876, and at present is yielding ten tons per day. It is owned by a San

492      HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

Francisco corporation known as the Day Silver Mining Company, of which A. S. Gould is Superintendent. Its regular vein goes about forty dollars per ton, and the chambers of carbonate yield as high, sometimes, as $2,000 per ton. It contains a shaft 525 feet deep, and a tunnel 900 feet long. Freight from San Francisco costs $120 per ton; it costs $40 per ton from Milford, on the Utah Southern Railroad, 115 miles distant, and is brought by team. Water is hauled from wells three miles distant. A scanty supply of pine, cedar and mahogany exist at the distance of six miles. The ore is smelted at Bristol, seven and one-half miles distant. Forty miners are in the district, twenty-five locations, and the records are kept by George F. Weed.

            ST. THOMAS was laid out in 1864, in obedience to the instructions of Brigham Young, and a Mormon colony was established there. It was then expected that commerce and emigration would move toward the navigable waters of the Colorado, and St. Thomas was intended as one of the various settlements that were to connect Salt Lake City with that river. Its colonists consisted of seventy-five families from northern Utah, under the leadership of Thomas Smith. The town is situated on a small eminence at the mouth of a mountain gorge near Muddy River, and its altitude is 800 feet. Surrounding it are dry mesas and sandstone hills. At the period of its greatest prosperity, in 1867, it contained 500 inhabitants. Its streets and irrigation ditches are shaded by 20,000 cottonwood trees. Overton is seven miles northwest of St. Thomas, St. Joseph is eleven miles northwest, Junctionville is twenty-five miles southward, and thirty-five miles to the northward is Bunkerville. Fuel consists of mesquite and drift-wood, and is gathered on the bottom-lands of the Virgen and Muddy.

            The cemetery is not inclosed. The prevalent diseases are ague and malarious complaints of a mild type. Only four families now live at St. Thomas, the original population having been withdrawn to Utah. A livery stable, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, store, post-office and stopping-place for travelers represent all existing business activity. The buildings are adobe. The water supply is obtained from Muddy River, which contains two thousand inches, and is claimed by the first settlers, by priority right. The nearest railroad station is Milford, Utah, 260 miles distant. Freight is teamed from that point at a cost of eighty dollars per ton. The principal supplies are obtained from Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah, and from Pioche, Nevada. An adobe school house, 12x14 feet in size, accommodates twenty-five or thirty pupils. The taxable property of the township is valued at $10,000; aggregate length of streets, five miles; agricultural operations in the vicinity are confined to farming and stock-raising on a small scale. The only murder on record is that of George Reed, a teamster, who was fatally shot with a needle gun, in 1872, by a man known by the sobriquet of " Green River." Nothing was done about it.

            On August 9, 1872, a flood occurred which inflicted considerable damage.

            SALT MOUNTAIN, three miles south of St. Thomas, is a ledge of solid crystalline salt, which, aside from its material value, is of remarkable interest from the fact that it contains traces of pre-historic man. It crops out along the points of the low hills three-quarters of a mile west of the Rio Virgen, is 75 or 100 feet in width, and dips slightly to the west. Trachitic tufa incases it on either side. The cañons from the hills to the westward of it cut through it to the depth of 50 or 60 feet. It is worked on the sides of these cañons, and is so hard as to require blasting. The tufa is a light chocolate color, and has stained the salt. The altitude of this mine is 1,100 feet above the sea, and about 300 feet above the level of the Rio Virgen. Another body of salt, of a similar character, crops out on the face of a hill on the east side of the river, about three miles south of the first described deposit. It can be traced, at intervals, for a distance of four miles to the southward, in the low hills about half a mile from the river. This body of salt is estimated to be about nine miles long, including the opening where the river passes it. Two miles west of the mouth of the Rio Virgen, on a bench of ground, is a natural salt well, with a funnel-shaped opening about 300 feet in diameter. The sides descend at an angle of about 30°. The water is seventy feet below the level of the opening, has a temperature of about 70° and is very salty. Its depth has not been ascertained, but it is known to be more than seventy feet deep. To mine the rock salt costs about five dollars per ton, and it costs about eight to ten dollars per ton to deliver it at navigable waters.