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A brush with an old sage:
Nevada's Natal Day
by Hal Swift
Nevada's becoming a state on October 31, 1864 was a very personal issue for many Northerners and Southerners alike. The following is an excerpt from my unpublished novel, "Ballad of a Small Town." The title refers to what now is the city of Wadsworth.
In this chapter, two men were invited to speak at a Fourth of July picnic. The first, banker Lawrence Voss, favored Nevada's becoming a state. The second, Hank Wilson, owner of the town's livery stable, objected to the idea.---
Banker Voss was first to speak, and was about half-way through his list of reasons why Nevada Territory would become a paradise on earth with the coming of statehood, when Hank Wilson just couldn't resist commenting. "Lawrence!" he shouted. "Isn't it true your bank stands to make a lot of money if Nevada becomes a state?"
I saw Sheriff Freddie Marks nod to his deputies to move closer to the speakers' platform--and he did the same.
"I see my opponent doesn't want to play by the rules," said Voss.
"One speaker at a time, Henry. You'll have your turn--just wait for it."
But he couldn't. "President Lincoln just wants us in the Union so he can use our silver in his fight against the Confederate States of America!" he shouted. "If that happens, the price of silver will go up like the firecrackers the youngsters've been setting off up and down Main Street!"
"Now, Henry..." said Voss.
Hank yelled louder. "And if that happens, you can raise the price of the mortgages you hold on most of the property around here! Am I right or not?"
Lawrence had to raise his voice to be heard over the cheers of a small group of Rebel supporters. "Well, with the increase in mining values," he shouted, "there's bound to be a slight increase in financing costs."
Now others got into it. "I suppose, Mr. Banker Man," yelled Utah Kid, "it don't mean nothin' that that silver'll be used t'pay for killin' our brothers an' sisters in the south?"
Banker Voss had reached the end of his patience. He'd tried to give reasonable answers. Now, he motioned for Sheriff Freddie Marks to approach the speakers' stand.
"Sheriff," he said, "these men are creating a disturbance here, and interfering with my lawful right to address my fellow citizens on a matter of great importance. Consider this my official request to remove these noisy troublemakers from the property."
Utah Kid's partner in crime, Irish Jack, pushed his way over to stand beside Hank, and raised an axe handle over his head. "Anybody tries to remove anybody," he shouted, "and he gets this here axe handle up alongside his noggin!" Those who sympathized with Banker Voss gathered around him in a protective circle. Those of the same general beliefs as Hank Wilson pushed up to join him. Sheriff Marks shouldered his way in between them, and stood directly in front of Irish Jack.
With a steely-eyed poker face the sheriff said, "I'll see your axe handle, and raise you my forty-four."
Irish Jack had no appetite for going against Freddie, and lowered his axe handle. Freddie winked at him and said, "There, that's better now."
---
Not all such confrontations ended as peacefully. But the various opinions aside, Nevada did become a state. And it's doing so is celebrated each year on the 31st of October. Regardless of the valiant efforts put forth by the state's teachers, many children still think the reason they get the day off is because it's Halloween. Which is why it's all the more important for each of us to take a moment to remind our kids--and maybe each other--of the day's importance.
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For more on the history of Nevada Day, visit the link below. While there, take special note of a great lady who became an icon of sorts, for the very spirit of Nevada Day, Sade Grant.
Note: This year's celebration will run a week, October 21-28.
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(Ed. Note: For a closer look at Hal Swift's cowboy poetry, go to http://www.cowboypoetry.com/halswift.htm )
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