1042    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

CHAPTER LVIX.

WHITE PINE COUNTY.

BY DAN M. McDONALD.

[From The History of Nevada, edited by Sam P. Davis, vol. II (1912)]

            The story of the remarkable mineral production from the treasure-laden hills of White Pine County sounds like a strange, beautiful dream. The history of the wonderful Commonwealth, embracing an area of 8,200 square miles, naturally divides itself into two parts, the Age of Silver and the Age of Copper.

            The discovery of an extraordinary body of rich chloride ores at Treasure City in 1868 excited the greed and interest of all within hearing, and the tales of the richness of big excitement seemed almost incredible. Electrified by the prospects of wealth beyond the dreams of human avarice, multitudes headed for the new Mecca. It would take a wealth of flattering adjectives to adequately describe the wealth of this section. It is generally known that the richest mass of silver ore ever extracted in the history of western mining camp was taken from the Eberhardt mine. A pocket worth $3,200,000 was removed from an opening seventy feet long and forty feet wide, no portion of which was more than twenty- eight feet below the surface. Thirty-two hundred tons of this bonanza material milled $1,000 a ton, despite the crude milling facilities in vogue at that time. Truly, the white metal was predominant. Almost forty years later, after the ephemeral excitements of Treasure City, Hamilton and other camps had passed, the theater of mining operations was transferred to Ely, where copper was destined to reign supreme. Ely is the home of mammoth undertakings. To give the district its just deserts one must wander into the realm of the superlatives. It boasts of the most wonderful mining proposition in the world in point of low cost production. The volume of low grade ore disclosed on the holdings of the Nevada Consolidated is so stupendous that it almost bewilders the imagination in an attempt to grasp its empiric extent. It is estimated that the possessions of the Guggenheim interests contain 130,000,000 tons

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1043

of copper ore of an average grade less than two per cent. The magnificent ore output is measured by trainloads instead of tons. The cheap manner of handling copper is due to the fact that steam shovels mine it for less than fifteen cents a ton. To give an idea of the capacity of these shovels it may be said that one machine does the work of 500 men employed underground.

            The idea of handling the copper porphyrys as a commercial success was unknown to mining practice a few years ago, and it remained for the ingenuity of western mining engineers to bring to light within a few miles of our own doors one of the greatest combined ore tonnages on the globe. One need not search the dictionary for diminutives in treating of Ely, as the great copper camp has long since discarded its swaddling clothes. It is the general belief that the copper magnates spent fifteen million dollars in the development of their mines, the construction of a railroad and the building of a huge smelting plant before their properties reached a producing stage. The narration of the fabulous wealth that has been wrung from the ore-bearing territory as one of the pioneers in a new line of commercial endeavor has the ring of an old-time fairy tale. The increased use of electricity for the purpose of communication and the transmission of power at great distances caused a renewal in the use of the metal which Ely miners had looked at in despair which was destined to usher in a new era in the mining industry of the county.

            White Pine County was included within the boundaries of Lander until 1869, when the Legislature authorized the sanction of the two bodies politic. The county and mining district bearing the same name received their designation from the predominant forest trees abounding in that locality. The White Pine District, was first organized in the fall of 1865, but was not the scene of successful mining operation until the rich mines on Treasure Hill were located two years later. An Indian named Napias-Jim, who brought a piece of chloride rock to Al Leathers and other prospectors, was induced to disclose the location of the rich find, which was afterward known as the Hidden Treasure mine. The news of the remarkable discovery precipitated a meteoric excitement and resulted in the concentration of thousands in that quarter. Within a short time the White Pine District swirled into one great boom, with each little community as the garden gate to the land of promise. Displaying a marked indifference to sickness and climate, the pilgrim army utilized every

1044    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

possible means of locomotion to reach the new Mecca. The multitude established themselves at Treasure City in huts and caves, nine thousand feet above sea level, during the severe winter of 1868-69, when the thermometer was hovering below the zero mark, and an epidemic of smallpox broke out to add to their sufferings. In 1870 one hundred and ninety-nine companies, besides numerous leases, were working in the White Pine District. The output from the lead-belt was handled by nine smelters of various capacities. Because the ores contained such a large percentage of the black metal, the ventures failed to disclose any profits, the finished product being but little better than the crude material. During the height of the excitement, the population of Hamilton was placed between ten and twelve thousand. It was made the county seat at the time of the creation of the county. Treasure City was credited with 6,000 inhabitants. Both communities were visited by disastrous fires, from which neither ever recovered, All but two of the business houses at Hamilton were swept away by a fire of incendiary origin in June, 1873, causing a loss of $600,000. Treasure City suffered a similar misfortune a year later, and only a small portion of the town was ever rebuilt. The prosperity of the White Pine District was decisive enough to satisfy the most speculative mind. The mines were exceedingly rich, and, while they were entered among the list of dividend-payers, produced bullion in abundance. During the second year after discovery the value of the gross output exceeded a million and a half. At the close of 1873 the production from the mines amounted to $8,767,784. There was considerable bullion turned out during this period, statistics of which are unobtainable. The most striking feature of the silver deposits were their remarkable richness at the surface and their failure to attain any great depth. A boulder of horn-silver weighing forty tons is said to have been found in the Eberhardt mine, and it is claimed to be the largest mass ever discovered. Numerous others of less weight were extracted, but still worth a fortune. The bulk of the production from the White Pine District is credited to Treasure City, a profit of $22,000 having been derived from the treatment of milling ores of a lower and occurring below the richer ores.

            In an effort to thoroughly explore the ground, a tunnel was run through the Eberhardt and Aurora mines by an English company with little success. With a marked decline in the price of silver in 1887, and the

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1045

exhaustion of ore bodies heretofore easily accessible, there was almost a complete suspension of mining operations and a general exodus of the population to other parts. Crude methods of milling and prohibitive transportation charges have wrought havoc with the prosperity of the White Pine District. Those who remained in the old camp devoted their attention to lead mining. A change in market conditions made it possible to ship the high grade ores at a profit. The shipments from the lead-belt have amounted to 145,000 tons, the ores averaging 65 per cent. lead and 20 ounces in silver. The Rocco-Homestake, the Young Treasure and other properties have been steady shippers for years. Some consignments were sent to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the mine owners receiving a good margin on their ores. On account of their desirability for fluxing purposes, the ores from Hamilton have commanded a handsome royalty. A remarkable feature about the later history of Hamilton is that no capital other than that extracted from the mines has been used in development work. If the camp were afforded the advantages of a railroad it would be possible to market thousands of tons of low-grade ores now lying on the dumps. In spite of the handicaps that Hamilton has been compelled to contend with, the district has produced more than half the lead ores mined in Nevada during the last fifteen years.

            Many of the old-time mining camps that came into prominence in the early days are now forgotten, save in the reminiscences of the pioneers. With the failure of the promising ore bodies on Treasure Hill, fortune-seekers began to prospect the unexplored section in search of new bonanzas. Enthusiastic and excited camps sprang up, and for a time flourished like the traditional green bay-tree. White Pine County was prolific of boomlets and dotted with many small camps, the majority having a fleeting existence and then passing into oblivion. Twenty new districts were organized within four years after the establishment of the county.

            Cherry Creek, which produced several millions in the later seventies, was discovered in 1872. The town has remained stationary in population for the last thirty years. The Star mine, the leading disburser of dividends during halcyon days, was purchased in 1897 by the Glasgow and Western Exploration Company, and a noticeable revival in mining followed the completion of the deal. The property has been worked on a small scale since that time, but has never attained a producing stage.

1046    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

            High-grade gold ores have been found in Egan Canyon, and the mineral showings are extremely gratifying to the owners, when it is considered that only a limited amount of development work has been accomplished. After its discovery in 1876, Ward grew rapidly, and within a year had a population of 1,500. The silver-lead ores, remarkable for their richness, were successfully handled in a furnace, which was built by the Martin White Mining Company. Handsome dividends were paid to the stockholders for a short time. With a depreciation in lead values and the difficulty of obtaining fluxing material, it became necessary to close down the furnace. The ores were of a rebellious nature, and the company was compelled to purchase lead ores from Robinson and Muncy and pure bullion from the Hunter District. A twenty-stamp mill was afterward erected at a cost of $85,000 and proved a failure after an additional $35,000 had been expended in experimental purposes. Ward was completely deserted for twenty-five years. The holdings of the late Martin White and his associates and contiguous ground were taken over by the Nevada United Mines Company in 1906. During the last six years half a million dollars has been spent in proving the resources of the property. A survey for a railroad was completed in 1910, and adequate facilities for shipping the low-grade ore are needed to place the camp in the front ranks as a producer.

            Osceola has been noted for its placer diggings since 1872, and has a production of $3,000,000 in gold to its credit. Water for hydraulic purposes was obtained from the different streams that find their source on Mount Wheeler, and considerable wealth was extracted from the gravel beds near Osceola through this method of mining. A nugget worth in the neighborhood of $3,000 was found in 1876 by a miner in the employ of John Verzab, now a resident of Lane City. Believing that he was entitled to his new-found wealth, the miner concealed the nugget near the scene of its discovery and returned to Ward, where he was employed during the winter months. A guilty conscience smote the man who had found a treasure that had been stored away by nature, and he returned the gold-bearing rock to the owner of the ground, receiving a small reward for his honesty.

            The hills around Osceola are traversed by many quartz ledges rich in gold. Although silver ore was discovered in Taylor in 1873, the camp did not attract much attention until ten years later, when the Argus and

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1047

Monitor mines were placed upon a producing basis. Taylor was a thriving place for several years, but the low price of silver and the expenses entailed in the treatment of the ores caused a complete suspension of mining activity. An effort is now being made to interest Eastern capitalists in the old-time properties. The United States Tungsten Corporation was organized in 1910 for the avowed purpose of controlling the world's supply of tungsten. The dreams of the promoters were never realized, as the company became involved in financial entanglements shortly after the first carload of concentrates had been shipped to eastern points. A mill for the treatment of ores was available in 1911. The existence of ores containing a large percentage of tungstic acid south of Osceola was first discerned by Walter D. Buntin and Charles W. Gaby, who disposed of their mineral territory to James H. Mariott. Marriott sold the claims in 1909 to A. Turner, who spent considerable money in development work. The properties are now controlled by the Tonopah Mining Company.

            A depression in many lines of business followed the failure of many of the old camps, There was a noticeable decrease in population throughout the county. Ward and Taylor wore the aspects of deserted villages. In other towns, where a portion of the population remained, two out of three of the brick or board houses were vacant, and the paneless windows sealed with clapboards. Here and there stood the remains of a district devastated by fire and never rebuilt.

            Those who in years gone by beheld before them a world of luxury of which hitherto they had only dreamed were destined to endure many lean and dark years. They remained merely in scraping the pudding. The county passed from a condition of real life to one of dormancy. The entouragement of wealth in which the oldtimers had lived vanished like the enchanter's palace when the enchanter had died. The impression one received on viewing a majority of the camps was that of a deserted habitat of days long past. It was not a sad-faced group that cast its lot with old White Pine. Those who had little or none were "stuck," marooned and couldn't get away. In those days a silver dollar looked bigger than the moon and as far out of reach. There is a song of parting, an intensely pathetic song, which contains the lines, "All the tomorrows shall be as today"—meaning equally gloomy, The epitome of gloom found no sympathy with the free-handed and open-hearted pioneers, who

1048    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

were responsible for many deeds of charity that have gone unrecorded by a thankless world. It was not the lethargy of despair that overcame the people. It was a determination to win out which could not be denied.

            While other classes of business starved or took the bankruptcy route during the years of gloom, the stage line, which ran from Eureka to Pioche and passed through Ely was the only concern in the county that was making money. Gilmer and Salsbury operated the stage lines in White Pine County for the greater part of this period and received $51,000 a year from the Government for carrying the mail. To land an assignment of this nature from Uncle Sam required the furnishing of a bond for $65,000, a long list of guarantors being essential. Properly qualified signers were as a rule not available, and it was the common practice of stage companies to complete the list with fictitious names, or have persons with no financial standing in their community endorse for any number of thousands their fancy might dictate. On one occasion the bond of Gilmer and Salsbury was declared forfeited for a breach of contract. "Doc." Ellison, a rancher in the White River Valley, was among the number invited by the Post Office Department to qualify for the amount he had signed on the bond. Ellison thought it was a huge joke for the Government to demand the money for which his name was down, for he had no assets of any nature. The Federal authorities never realized a single cent on the security furnished by the stage company. To give an illustration of actual conditions in the county it is only necessary to refer to a letter written by County Clerk William Laurenson in response to an inquiry from the Census Bureau asking for statistics as to the amount of liquors used in the county hospital during 1889. Laurenson's reply was brief, reading as follows : "Hospital bought five gallons of mighty common whiskey in 1889. This was used by patients who died the same year. Hospital closed in December ; no patients left," When a county hospital is deserted you can bet that chill penury has the county on the hip.

            The history of the rise and development of Ely reads like a romance. The first find of metallic wealth was that of gold and silver ores in 1869 by Thomas Robinson, the founder of the district bearing his name. Mineral City was started in the center of Robinson Canyon and had the customary mushroom growth of many western mining camps. Within a year after its discovery, twelve hundred locations had been made.

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1049

After being almost deserted in 1870, Mineral City enjoyed a new lease of life two years later, the population numbering 200. The mining records were kept by A. R. (Buckskin) Watson, who in later years played a prominent part in the development of the district. For many years only a few families remained in that locality. It is twenty-eight years since the first building was erected on the present townsite of Ely. Joseph Featherstone conducted the first stage station and postoffice, and for several years the old building that stood at the southeast corner of Aultman and Murray Streets was the only structure within the present city limits. After the burning of the county seat at Hamilton in 1885, it was removed to Ely two years later, and the town became a permanent fixture on the map.

            Numerous stories have been circulated as to the source from which Ely received its name. At least half a dozen persons have been mentioned as being entitled to the distinction of being the one whose name was given to the great copper camp. The most probable story is that the county seat of White Pine County was named after John Ely, a native of Illinois, who died in Montana in poverty-stricken circumstances, after a most adventurous career in the West, with his fortunes ranging from that of a millionaire to a pauper. Ely was a magnificent specimen of a frontiersman, standing six feet three inches in his stockings. During the time that the notorious Captain Slade was so feared in the West, Ely was his partner. Together they amassed a fortune in Montana, but after Slade was hanged by the vigilantes, Ely migrated to Nevada. He bought several claims from William Raymond in Lincoln County. This transaction led to a partnership and resulted in the development of the famous Raymond and Ely mine in the Pioche District, They bought the property for $3,500. Ely gave his watch in part payment, and within sixty days the balance was forthcoming. The mine produced $20,000,000.

            San Francisco capitalists offered Raymond and Ely $700,000 for their mineral holdings in Pioche. Raymond refused to sell his interest, but Ely accepted $350,000 for his share in the valuable mine. Ely removed to Salt Lake and lived in luxury for a few years. He extended his operations throughout Utah and more than trebled his Pioche fortune. In the early seventies Ely went to Paris and became associated with a group of French promoters in Guiana mines. The adventure was ill-advised, Ely losing his entire fortune. His wife deserted him on his

1050    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

return to the French capital, and when he returned to the United States on money supplied by a friend, his brother, Charles, and intimate associates of his more prosperous days refused to recognize him. These actions cut Ely's sensitive nature to the quick and he proceeded to drown his sorrows and disappointments in liquid tumult. Then Ely regained his fortune on a lucky plunge in mining, and consummated many successful deals in the western country.

            Ely had loaned $5,000 to A. J. Underhill with which to purchase the land now embraced in the Ely townsite, together with the Selby smelting plant, which was located on the old Chainman mill-site. The county seat was still located at Hamilton, and in recognition of the favor that had been extended to him in time of need Underhill decided to honor his benefactor by christening the new seat of the county government Ely. Compared with the monumental smelting plants of today, the effort of the Selbys was a mere pigmy. Its maximum capacity was thirty tons daily. The Selbys and their associates had located ground that was in extent over 3,000 acres and covered the holdings of the big companies operating in Ely today.

            The State Legislature of 1887 authorized White Pine County to issue $10,000 worth of bonds for the building of a new Courthouse, jail and hospital. H. A. Comins and Sol. Hi1p were appointed by the solons at the State capital to assist the commissioners in the erection of the new buildings. Mr. Comins went to San Francisco to dispose of the bonds, but unexpected obstacles were encountered and the journey proved unsuccessful. The entire bond issue was sold to residents of the county at par. W. G. Lyons purchased the bulk of the bonds and was not dubious about the county's future even though the treasury was in a depleted condition. All the bonds were subscribed for in July, 1887. Before the county building was ready for occupancy some of the county officials used a portion of Sol. Hilp's store for the transaction of official business. A session of court was held in the new structure before the roof was finished. The board of county commissioners at that time consisted of W. C. Gallagher, M. F. Boyle and Alex. Muir, and they had many difficulties to contend with in a financial way, after Ely had been selected as the seat of the county government. The discovery of high-grade ores in the White Pine District did not prove to be of such inestimable benefit to the new county as one would imagine. Although

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1051

the money that found its way into the treasury from the proceeds of mines almost equalled the total amount collected from all other sources, scrip was issued to pay off the floating indebtedness as early as 1869. The affairs of the county were conducted in a high-handed and extravagant manner. A county treasurer had quietly retired in 1870 and an audit of his books disclosed a defalcation of $24,000. A reward of $1,000 failed to effect his capture. Those were the days for the rapid touch and the quick getaway, and the touching was good and tangible. The resources of the infant county had disappeared so rapidly that the commissioners were compelled to issue scrip to meet the current expenses. The amount of outstanding scrip in 1872 approximated $113,000. Speculators in these certificates had corralled the outstanding supply and forced a measure through the Legislature in 1873 providing for the refunding of the floating debt through the issuance of bonds bearing interest at 10 per cent., reaping a large financial reward as a result of the nefarious transaction. In 1877 a bill was fathered in the Legislature by H. A. Comins which provided for the redemption of scrip. The passage of the act was beneficial to many counties that were on the verge of bankruptcy and enabled them in course of time to pay off all their floating indebtedness. During the first few years after the removal of the county seat to Ely, scrip was issued to jurors in payment of mileage and jury fees, and was worth from fifteen to twenty cents on the dollar. At that time the county had a floating indebtedness of $70,000 and a bonded indebtedness of a like amount. It used to be a common occurrence for jurors upon receiving their pay in scrip to indulge in a game of poker or seven-up with the scrip as stakes. The game would generally continue until one of the members of the venire had acquired all of the much detested medium of exchange, enough to pay off his expenses.

            As White Pine County became more prosperous, the scrip increased in value. During 1897 scrip to the amount of $1,778 was redeemed. As soon as $500 was available in the sinking fund the county treasurer was instructed to advertise for sealed bids for the deliverance of the scrip. Although the salaries and current expenses were in arrears at that time, the commissioners had succeeded in reducing the bonded indebtedness $13,650, while $5,635 represented the quota that was paid to bondholders in 1897. Between 1899 and 1906 scrip was never redeemed for less than sixty cents on the dollar, and frequently was accepted by the treasurer at

1052    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

almost its face value. The bonded and floating debt was completely eliminated by those who were responsible for Ely's new era. The Legislature of 1903 passed an act providing for a floating debt tax for the payment of outstanding scrip. Application was made to the commissioners to refund the floating debt, but without actual encouragement in June, 1906, A. D. Campton and Charles S. Chandler, who had purchased $14,356.45 worth of scrip, formerly the property of the late William Hayes, presented a written demand to the commissioners for the redemption of the certificates of indebtedness, but the county board refused to accede to their request. A writ of mandate was issued by Judge George S. Brown in 1909, compelling the commissioners to issue bonds bearing interest at five per cent. in paying off the scrip. This procedure marked the end of the era of scrip.

            Ely was originally worked as a gold proposition, the yellow metal appearing in the upper workings. The Joana mine, owned by A. R. Watson, was the first to attract the attention of outside mining men to the new gold-bearing territory. After the first strike had been made, and when it was generally known that the property was of unusual merit, litigation began which ran through the courts for a number of years at great expense and annoyance to the owner. The mine was tied up and nothing could be done until a decision had been handed down. While the case was pending, several prominent mining men made an examination of the Joana at different times. It is believed that the Joana met with their expectations, but legal proceedings always interfered and prevented a consummation of any deal, which would have netted the old prospector a sum sufficient to have maintained him in luxurious circumstances. Although Watson's title to the Joana was eventually sustained, his resources were severely taxed, and the mine fell into the hands of attorneys who had represented him at the trial and creditors. The amount taken out in the aggregate from the Joana was something over $15,000. The ores were treated in a mill at Ely, which was poorly constructed, and the only appliance for the saving of the gold values was copper plates. Less than half of the gold was saved by this method of working, as shown by constant assays of the "tailings." Watson died near the scene, of his early mining activities comparatively poor. The Chainman mine, owned by W. N. McGill, W. G. Lyons, James P. McOmie and A. J. Underhill, was in the limelight during the early nineties. It

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1053

was the general impression that the mine would attain high rank as a producer of the precious metals. The owners erected a milling plant in Ely, but such a large percentage of the ore values was lost in the tailings that the undertaking was not a financial success.

            Ely awoke for a brief period from its sequestered quietude in 1897, and was transformed into a community bristling with life, when the late Charles D. Lane obtained a bond and option on the Chainman mine. The destinies of the new company were placed in the hands of his son, Thomas T. Lane, who made only a spasmodic attempt to develop the mineral holdings and manage the other interests controlled by the family. During his connection with the Chainman, Lane expended $168,000, a portion of this money being utilized in the construction of a power-plant and water-ditch and the building of a mill. The California millionaire also placed Ely in communication with the outside world, financing a telephone line to Eureka. Ely seemed doomed again to a long period of inactivity after Lane had abandoned all his mining enterprises on the mine, which, it was expected, would bring about a rejuvenation of the camp.

            The Ely Mining and Milling Company, a flotation of Salt Lake capitalists, bought the Robust group of mines from R. A. Riepe and the estates of Henry Riepe and "General" Thomas for $10,000. After spending considerable money in an effort to open up ore bodies of merit, the company erected a cyanide plant, but the ores were not susceptible to the treatment provided. The mill was closed, having run on ore for a brief period, and has since lain idle, another token of the mismanagement and incompetency of mining promotions. The excitement precipitated by Charles D. Lane had subsided, and for the next three years Ely was a "dead one." In 1900 the Chainman was purchased by a coterie of New York and Pennsylvania capitalists for a cash consideration of $150,000. A mill costing in the neighborhood of $100,000 was installed to reduce the ores. The plant was rendered useless, as the presence of copper in the sulphides, when a little depth had been reached, made the work unprofitable. The Chainman group, the Joana and other contiguous claims were absorbed by the Chainman Consolidated Copper Company in 1906, and will form a part of the big copper merger recently completed by the Cole-Ryan and Gunn-Thompson interests.

            During the time that he was prominently identified with the Chainman,

1054    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

Dix W. Smith, of Elmira, New York, incorporated the McKinley Mining and Smelting Company. The assets of the flotation included a group of twenty-three patented mines which had been owned by the late William McKinley, the martyred president, and his brother-in-law, George D. Saxton, The mines were allowed to remain dormant for twenty years by the owners, who had controlled the ground, since the first excitement in the Robinson District. The promoters worked the ground in a desultory manner for several years, when developments were suspended. The holdings of the McKinley Company were acquired in 1906 by the Copper Mines Company. The gold-mining ventures proving unsuccessful, the claim owners began to devote their energies to copper, the metal which they had looked at with despair, and which was to prove the want which would awaken the camp to a newer and more intense life. While the camp was languishing, claims were located and abandoned many times. The first attempt to work territory within the recognized copper belt occurred in 1899, when Joseph Bray bought a group of claims on the present site of the steam-shovel pit from Thomas Rockhill, Newton Boyd and Thomas Johnson, for Mulford Martin, of New York. Through the instrumentality of Frank Paul, Joseph L. Girous was induced to invest several thousand dollars near Pilot Knob Mill, the mines in that section forming the nucleus of the present mineral possessions of the Giroux Consolidated. Although they had wealth at their elbows, the old-time claim owners offered their locations for a mere pittance to any prosperous-looking stranger that came along.

            The actual development of the copper zone began in 1900, when Edward F. Gray and David P. Bartley obtained an option on the Ruth mine from D, C. McDonald and Water Rynearson for $1,200. They had hit upon the real clue to the mineral wealth of the district. Surface outcroppings encouraged them to sink, and, unassisted, they demonstrated that the Ruth possessed sufficient merit to justify the expenditure of further money in development work. M. L. Requa, of Oakland, whose father was a prominent figure on the Comstock during the halcyon days, realized the future possibilities of the low-grade porphyries by concentration, when there was considerable skepticism as to their profitable operation even if they were treated on a large scale, and was responsible for millions being spent here. He was prominently identified with the Ely District for a period of five years. A consolidation of the New

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1055

York and Nevada Copper Company, with mines at Copper Flat, and the White Pine Copper Company, owning the Ruth group, was effected under the Requa management, and the success of the Nevada Consolidated is sufficient proof that the merger was well advised.

            Before any boom had ever struck Ely, and when the camp was practically non-producing, J. Parke Channing, an engineer of world-wide prominence, whose specialty is the cost-sheet, made a careful and accurate investigation of the vast ore deposits in the Ruth and other adjacent properties in 1905. At the time the sampling was done ten million tons had been blocked out. So great had been the development of the mines, and so remarkable were the ore bodies, that the Guggenheims decided to "come in" after Channing had reported favorably on the Ruth mine and declared that there were at least ten million tons of copper ore averaging two and one-half per cent., which could be worked profitably on a large scale. The tremendous ore tonnage not only insured the building of the Nevada Northern, but necessitated the erection of one of the largest concentrating and smelting plants in the world. There is no prospect that the present generation, or several to come, will ever see the copper deposits worked out.

            The Ely District had been practically unknown prior to 1906. Nevada had no copper production worthy of mention at that time. A few hundred thousand pounds had been gleaned from occasional custom shippers. The knowledge of the existence of immense deposits of copper in this section had remained for almost half a century locked beneath the sterile soil of the surrounding hills. When the great awakening came, and the fame of the district was being borne on the wings of the wind, Ely enjoyed a spectacular boom, which for intensity could be compared only to that of the White Pine District at the time of the big silver excitement. It was the era of anxious crows and easy money. The town never saw such a spending jag. The population more than trebled after the advent of the railroad, hundreds coming in on every train to reap their share of the anticipated profits. Every line of business activity was affected. The boom was in full bloom. Seldom had there been such a field for promotion ; seldom such a blind faith in speculative fancy. When the rush was at its height, there were forty-eight different companies operating in the district. Some of the suavest dispensers of superheated atmosphere that ever reeled off a heart-to-heart monologue were doing

1056    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

business in Ely. Miners holding locations on the edge of the big properties, or even in close proximity, could always sell for a good price, even if only a limited amount of development work had been accomplished. Situation was a more valuable asset in disposing of mining claims during the frenzied period than a mineral showing of merit. Those who had an abiding faith in the future of the district and played a waiting game were amply rewarded for their constancy, having found themselves masters of from $5,000 to $200,000 in cold cash.

            Real estate values soared to unprecedented figures. Two years previous lots within the city limits went begging. Sales were rare occurrences, and property was a drug on the market. W. G. Lyons, one of the owners of the Ely townsite, died in 1904, and his heirs were willing to dispose of his realty holdings for $2,00. A. D. Campton, the remaining partner, acquired the interest, after several pioneer residents had expressed an unwillingness to dabble in real estate at the county seat. The phenomenal advance in the price of real estate during 1906 exceeded all expectations. The two lots upon which the Northern Hotel is located were purchased by the hotel company for $15,000, and the party who disposed of the property made a profit of $14,200. A business lot on Aultman Street was sold five times within a year, the initial price being $1,200, while the party who now holds title to the ground separated himself from $9,500. A. D. Campton, the owner of the townsite, sold hundreds of lots when Ely was at its zenith and accumulated a fortune estimated variously from $200,000 to $4,200,000 from his numerous real estate transactions. The development of the big copper propositions had a marked effect on the population of the county, and the city of Ely in particular. The census returns for 1910 indicated that there were 7,441 people in the county, an increase of 279 per cent. over the handful that were enumerated during the previous decade. Ely could not muster more than 525 on the census rolls in 1900, while ten years later the population had increased almost five-fold, 2,600 people being accounted for by the census marshals. The increase in White Pine County was three times as large as the average growth of the State. Yes, Ely is growing. The outlook fully warrants a marked increase in population within the next few years. There is a permanency to the community unknown in other camps of short life. It has long since been a city of homes. Hundreds of workingmen employed at the mines or smelter live in Ely, which is

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1057

centrally located. Ely has a perfect water-system, that is remarkable for its purity, The water supply is unfailing, and excellent fire protection is afforded. A modern sewerage system and cement sidewalks were among the public improvements made by the city during 1909. Ely is noted as a place where capital can be invested with full assurance of receiving adequate returns. Educational facilities have not been neglected. A central schoolhouse was built in 1907 at a cost of $35,000 to accommodate the increased population of school age. The last session of the Legislature provided for a bond issue of $50,000 to insure the completion of a high school building, which will be erected this summer. The Courthouse grounds are recognized as one of the prettiest spots in the State.

            Ely has the largest payroll of any mining camp in the State, $315,000 being distributed every month by the six big companies doing business here. This great volume of wealth is poured into the waiting pockets of a large army of workmen that are fast bringing fame to Ely as the lowest-cost producing camp in the world. A reduction of rates on cattle shipments during the last three years has made Ely the headquarters for stockmen within a radius of 150 miles. In 1910, 2,400 head of cattle were forwarded from Ely, three counties in the State contributing to the large shipment. Ely is a favorite stopping place for automobile tourists who are making transcontinental tours, and has been placed on the Midland Trail, one of the most important auto routes across the United States.

            In the Nevada Consolidated the country is presented With one of the world's largest copper propositions. It is a mere youngster, having been converted into the breadwinner class within the last five years. It was demonstrated within a short period of time that pure copper could be produced one cent a pound less than the estimate of J. Parke Channing, but it has required expert treatment and added a new epoch to the metallurgy of the world. Moving a big mountain is the mighty work that is being done in Ely since operations began in the steam-shovel pit in 1908; 105,50,821 tons of ore and a large amount of overburden has been removed from the mammoth excavation. The ore reserves are never decreasing, as more extensive bodies are being opened every year. The value of the gross output since the Nevada Consolidated reached a producing stage during the last quarter of 1908 is $38,931,347.23.

            In addition to the deposits of ore at Copper Flat, the Nevada Con-

1058    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

solidated ships about 1,000 tons of ore a day from Veteran mine, where the caving system is employed in the extraction of the ores. Great bodies of ore have been blocked out in the Ruth and Star-Pointer shafts, which have not been touched since the commencement of mining operations.

            In April, 1912, the record production from the big glory-hole was broken. The output reached the enormous figure of 14,168 tons. It required 253 big cars to transport this high tonnage over the ore line to the Concentrator at McGill. If this stupendous production could be maintained, the value of the ore would eclipse that of any gold mine in the United States. No engineering difficulties were encountered in the building of the Nevada Northern Railroad from Cobre to Ely, a distance of 141 miles. The road is practically level for its entire length, no grades of any importance being encountered. To guarantee the cheap transportation of ores, the route through Robinson Canyon to the Concentrator was constructed. This road required many fills and cuts in its course, and was as difficult to build as that portion of the Nevada Northern through Steptoe Valley was easy of construction. The ore line was rendered unusually costly on account of the building of two tunnels. The officials deemed it advisable to make the road as straight and short as possible because of the heavy tonnage that is being transported daily. The maximum grade does not exceed three per cent. In addition to the regular passenger service to outside points, the Nevada Northern runs suburban trains to McGill and the mines, a convenience that is appreciated by all residents of the district.

            The reduction works of the Guggenheim interests are located at McGill. It was built jointly by the Nevada Consolidated and Cumberland Ely, the latter company owing forty per cent. before a merger of the two corporations was successfully consummated. The plant has always been worked at a higher capacity than originally rated. Modifications have resulted in increasing the efficiency of the Concentrator, until it is capable of handling 10,000 tons a day, when the eight units are in operation. During a single month the production of blister copper has exceeded six million pounds, the cost being 6.34 cents a pound, the lowest mark ever attained in the history of copper mining. The annual point has passed the sixty million mark. Another large Concentrator and smelting-plant is assured for the Ely district through the organization of the Consolidated Copper Mines company, an eight-million dollar corporation, which will absorb the

WHITE PINE COUNTY         1059

Giroux Consolidated, the Copper Mines, the Butte and Ely, and the Chainman Consolidated companies. The properties to be merged consist of 160 claims in the heart of the principal copper belt, and includes practically all the developed and partially developed ore bodies except those controlled by the Nevada Consolidated. The basis of the respective exchange of shares was determined by Edwin F. Gray, who for five years was in direct charge of Nevada Consolidated operations, and A. J. Sale, mining-engineer for the Giroux company, both of whom are familiar with the geology and ore possibilities of the district. The terms of exchange are as follows : One share of new for each two and one-half shares of Giroux Consolidated ; one share of new for each three and one-eighth of Copper Mines ; one share of new for each six and one-half shares of Butte and Ely ; and one share of new for each twenty-five shares of Chainman Consolidated. In addition to its mineral holdings, the consolidation owned 4,445 acres of agricultural land, formerly embraced in the Shallenbarger and Comins ranches, and also controls the waters of Steptoe creek, the only stream available with a gravity flow. The Chainman is the only one of the four properties that can boast of large deposits of iron ore, containing all the necessary elements for fluxing material, which will be extremely desirable for future smelting operations.

            It is the belief of engineers, who completed the arrangements for the exchange of shares, that, through the union of interests, a company will be created with ore-bodies of sufficient magnitude to justify the installation of reduction work commensurate with the Steptoe plant at McGill. They also recommend that a series of tests be carried on with a view to obtaining a higher extraction of ore-values from the copper porphyrys than is now possible through present methods of concentration. Neither the Giroux nor Copper Mines own plants for the treatment of ores. The Giroux has been producing from 900 to 1200 tons a day of copper-ore averaging 2 per cent., while the output from the Copper Mines has been limited. The ores of both companies were treated at McGill by the Steptoe Valley Smelting and Mining Company. It has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the stockholders that neither of the companies can save all the profits to accrue from the reduction and treatment of ores unless they are amply equipped to carry on the work on a stupendous scale, and own an adequate smelting plant.

            The fertile lands in Spring, Steptoe, Snake and White River valleys

1060    THE HISTORY OF NEVADA

were sought out shortly after the silver excitement at Treasure City, and supplied the different mining camps with everything that a northern climate can produce. For a long period the agricultural possibilities of the county were neglected, but the "Back to the Soil" movement has been given considerable impetus in recent years. Although numerous homesteads have been taken up lately, there are still thousands of acres of farming land yet uncultivated. Unfailing streams furnish a dependable water supply, the crops are certain, and the best market in the State exists in the Ely district. The development of a market within easy reach has resulted in renewed activity throughout the farming communities, and the county in general is more prosperous now than at any time since the White Pine district was in the halo of its glory.

            The high mountains in the county receive a heavy precipitation of snow, and yield a large amount of water that flows down into the valleys, moistening the ground, producing excellent range for stock, and furnishing a good supply for irrigation. Fruit-raising is no longer an experiment. One of the richest and finest apple sections in the State is in Snake Valley. Many varieties of fruit such as peaches and apricots do well here, and are sure of bearing. It is claimed that there has not been a complete failure of the fruit crop in this section for more than thirty years. Stock-raising has been an important industry in the county, and some of the best ranges in the State are located here. In the valleys and lower mountains, grasses grow in abundance, while in almost every portion of the county the white-sage and browse afford excellent winter feed. Besides the stock owned in this county, thousands of sheep are annually driven from Elko county and farther north to winter in the valleys of White Pine, where the snowfall is always light, and the feed good.