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CHAPTER XXII.

TWO GREAT PIONEERS OF ELY.

            W. N. McGill, who is probably one of the best and most favorably known men in the entire state of Nevada, came to White Pine county in the early '70s and had just about reached the voting age when the writer first met him at Mineral City in 1874. At that time Mr. McGill was engaged with two men named Bateman and Monroe in making surveys for the United States government. The trio, I believe, at that time were making their headquarters on a ranch owned by Mr. Bateman at Duck Creek while making a survey of the surrounding country and were accustomed to drive to Mineral City with a span of mules and a buckboard for the purpose of purchasing supplies.

            These mules, by the way, were fond of running away and never lost an opportunity to do so. The first meeting of the writer with Mr. McGill was on one of these Sunday trips to town when he, Mr. Bateman and a man whose name was Glasscock,

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I believe, came in for some grub and stayed until dark before starting back for home. On this occasion the buckboard was loaded, as well as part of the crowd. This, however, does not apply to Mr. McGill, be it understood, as he was never, to the writer's knowledge, known to indulge. While the buckboard was on its way down the narrows, the night being particularly dark, Mr. Glasscock decided he wanted to smoke and unthinkingly struck a match.

            The flare scared the mules and they at once took the bits in their teeth and broke away, scattering the men and supplies along the road. Bateman was senseless for awhile and when he awoke to his surroundings his first remark was, "I told Glassy not to strike that match."

            This was the fall or winter of 1874 and shortly thereafter Mr. McGill quit the service of the government and started up an engineering and surveying office on his own account, being employed by the Martin White company and having entire charge of their affairs during their operations at Ward, as mentioned previously. He later engaged in various mining and milling operations, sometimes being in partnership with others, but he was always considered the brains of any undertaking in which he was engaged. Mr. Lyons and Mr. McGill jointly purchased the Cowger ranch in 1886, stocking it with cattle and horses.

            This partnership was dissolved a short time later, Mr. McGill buying out the interest of Mr. Lyons and investing almost his entire fortune in the venture. Later, when Mr. McGill sold out his interests in the Chainman mine and mill for a considerable sum he also invested this money in the upbuilding of White Pine county. It is doubtful if any other man has ever been so loyal to the state in which he made his wealth as W. N. Mc-

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Gill, who has never invested any of his money outside of the state where he made it.

            During the dark, dull days of White Pine county Mr. McGill always employed a large crew of men, either on the ranges on his ranch or in the mines and mills, and was note-worthy from the fact that his ranch and range hands were paid twenty-five per cent more than the usual rate of wages, and the men always received their wages in cash at a time when other ranchers were finding it hard to get money enough to pay their taxes.

            While Mr. McGill's chief interest was in his country home, where the town of McGill, I believe, is now located, he also maintained a home in Ely, where he spent a part of his time, which was divided between his farming, stockraising, mining and milling operations for several years. Mr. McGill was a lover of fine stock and was constantly building up his herds by the purchase of blooded stock and the addition to his farm of the latest dairy and creamery equipment, brooders and incubators. He made frequent purchases of pedigreed fowl, pigs, stallions, bulls and sheep, so that his ranch was easily the best stocked in the entire county. This was at a time when every cent in taxes was badly needed by the county, and the levy paid by Mr. McGill was a godsend to the depleted county treasury. As an example of Mr. McGill's character it may be said that at this time he could have sold his beef cattle for a high cash price on the market but refused to do so until the people of Ely, who had to be given credit, were first supplied.

            Mr. McGill about 1877, I think, married Miss Mollie Fouts, the charming daughter of Mrs. Fanny E. Yates of Ward. Mrs. McGill, like her husband, was always ready to help the needy and those in distress, but was always careful to hide her charitable acts. Perhaps no other man was

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so well able to learn of her many kind deeds as the writer, as it was the custom of Mrs. McGill to drive to Ely with her carriage heavily loaded with butter from her dairy, vegetables from her garden, eggs and fresh meats, all tied in labeled packages, which were left at the stable of the writer to be delivered to the various needy families in Ely. At the same time people who had the cash with which to purchase these supplies were refused owing to the fact that they were able to buy at other places.

            Not only were the poor working people aided by Mrs. McGill, but business men were frequently given financial aid by her husband at times when hard pressed by creditors. Mr. McGill's credit and good name were firmly established in the commercial world and to this fact some of the early-day business men owed their financial salvation.

            One brief instance may be cited to show the rugged and unswervable honesty of "Billy" McGill. In the late '80s a number of merchants were caught in the crash of Taylor and one, whose name had better be left unmentioned, was on the verge of bankruptcy when hard pressd by his San Francisco creditors. Mr. McGill at once came forward and endorsed a note for fifteen thousand dollars, I think it was, for this merchant. When the note fell due and the merchant was unable to meet it demand for payment was made on Mr. McGill, who took the note to his erstwhile friend and asked him about it. The merchant replied that the note was payable in San Francisco and the creditors could not sue unless the signers were caught in California. This remark cut Mr. McGill to the heart, to think that the man he had befriended should suggest that he dishonor his own good name by defaulting on the note. He at once sent his check in payment to cover the obli-

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gation, and while I have never known him to hold malice against anyone, I believe that he was never afterward able to feel the same toward this man. His debtor was given his own time to settle the obligation, Mr. McGill trading out the account in the store at the merchant's own prices and convenience. While this incident happened a great many years ago and has probably been forgotten by Mr. McGill the writer learned of it at the time and cites it to show that Mr. McGill was of the same sterling character years ago that he is today.

            Mr. and Mrs. McGill raised a family of four children, William, Neil, Katie and Cleveland, all of whom proved a credit to their parents. Mrs. McGill, while ever ready and seeking to do deeds of charity, never for a moment neglected her home interests. The writer knew Mrs. McGill when she was a girl in her teens ; knew her for over thirty years, and always found her the same kind and admirable lady. At her home she was the soul of hospitality and the writer has driven to the McGill home at all hours and always found a welcome. No matter how large the crowd, Mrs. McGill always found room for all and saw that Sing, her trusted servant for years, provided a spread for her visitors.

            In addition to providing all the educational advantages possible for her own children, Mrs. McGill adopted her little niece, Daisy Briggs, when the latter was left an orphan through the death of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Briggs, in the early '90s. Mrs. McGill sent Daisy away to school and gave, her every care that could be given by a parent up to the time of the little girl's death, at about the age of sixteen, at Ely. Daisy was a beautiful little girl, admired by all who knew her, and a pall of gloom was thrown over the entire

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Governor Jewett Adams And Mother, from old picture in possession of Nevada State Historical Society. [click on image to enlarge]

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community when the news of her death became known.

            It was only a few years after the death of Daisy that Mrs. McGill herself, in 1910, passed away, leaving behind her a name that will be forever green in the hearts of the young people of Ely, to whom she was more than a friend. Many of these children were Sunday school pupils of Mrs. McGill, who used to drive in from her ranch home to teach the children on Sunday before there were any ministers or churches in Ely, the Sunday school being housed in the public school building. Mrs. McGill, with the aid of the wife of Dr. Richardson, established the first Sunday school in Ely and supported it for many years.

            While "Billy" McGill has been urged by his legion of friends many times in the last forty years to accept political honors, he has steadfastly refused to allow the use of his name on the ballot. The sole exception to this rule was in the late '90s, when an attempt was made to resurrect the republican party at a time when the State was overwhelmingly for free silver. Mr. McGill was one of the few men who were not carried away by the silver craze, and on his shoulders rested the responsibility for the resurrection of the republican party. He was nominated for the assembly and on election day party lines were forgotten in the case of Mr. McGill and he was elected by a flattering majority, a tribute from his fellow citizens to his sterling worth.

            Mr. McGill held a prominent place in the assembly, so much so that his name has since been mentioned not only for governor but also for the United States senate but he has so far refused to enter the political arena, believing that his services were most needed in White Pine county

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            While Governor Jewett W. Adams for over forty years was a resident of the state capital, almost his entire business interests were centered in White Pine county, so that the county may rightfully claim him as one of her citizens. Governor Adams, at the age of seventeen, migrated from Vermont to California in 1852 and first came to Nevada in 1864, being engaged in the mining industry until his election as lieutenant-governor in 1874. Governor Adams in 1882 drove five thousand head of cattle into White Pine county and since that time was actively identified with the business life of the county.

            Prior to his successful entry into politics Governor Adams was engaged in teaming and freighting and hauled merchandise to the mines of the Comstock in the early stages of the development of those properties. It was Jewett W. Adams who first conceived the idea of coupling on trail wagons, a plan which when first broached created a great deal of mirth among teamsters generally, who thought the idea foolish and impracticable. Mr. Adams, however, paid no attention to the derisive hoots of the scoffers and soon proved that his plan was not only practical but that it effected a considerable saving. Later he added a third wagon and more animals and made considerable money before his rivals woke up to the fact that the idea was one which they had better adopt. It was Mr. Adams who drove the first team with a trail wagon over the Geiger grade into Virginia City.

            Mr. Adams was first elected lieutenant-governor with L. R. Bradley as his running mate for

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governor on the Democratic ticket in 1874. Four years later he was re-elected to the same place and was chosen as governor in 1882, when he defeated Enoch Strother of Storey county, who made the race on the Republican ticket. The election of Mr. Adams to the gubernatorial chair was a deserved tribute to the ability he had shown as lieutenant-governor and president of the state senate for eight years, during which time he was the close advisor of Governor Bradley and on many occasions took the place of the chief executive during the latter's absence from the state. Governor Adams was a keen, active politician and a thoroughly clean, honest citizen.

            Governor Adams was married in the late '70s to Miss Emma Lee, a refined lady who was in every way fitted to ornament the executive mansion and whose widespread popularity throughout the state was only matched by that of her husband.

            Probably the greatest political upset in the history of Nevada politics, and certainly a surprise to the entire state, was the election of Mr. Adams as lieutenant-governor by an overwhelmingly large majority in 1878, when he defeated Harry Mighels, republican, and the only man on that party's ticket who was defeated in the state. Mighels was considered a strong candidate and appeared to be popular with everybody, but when the votes were counted he was found to be the only man on the ticket who was beaten.

            Governor Adams was always what is known as a good mixer and was equally at home when conversing with mine owners, business men or miners, and he had many friends among all classes. In those early days, when gambling was recognized as a legitimate recreation, the governor was respected as a good, clean player and one of the best "poker face" judges in the state.

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However, after his election as the State's chief executive Governor Adams considered it incompatible with the dignity of his office to be seen gambling, and I believe he never played cards while he was within the borders of the state.

            However, the governor could not always withstand the lure of the pasteboards, and this gave rise to one game which is almost historic in the annals of the State. It was in 1883 that three former Carsonites who at that time, having made millions on the Comstock and moved to San Francisco, had forgathered at the state capital and proposed a quiet little game to the governor. The chief executive declined, but so persistent were his friends that he finally told them that if on a certain day they would meet him at the Palace hotel, in the bay city, with ten thousand dollars each he would play until one man had won all the money. The old-timers at once agreed to the suggestion and the four met according to arrangement. The game lasted less than twenty-four hours, by which time the governor had won the entire thirty thousand dollars of his friends. This, I understand, was the last time the governor was known to play. With part of his poker winnings the governor purchased and shipped into White Pine county the first carload of booked white-faced bulls ever brought to the county, thus adding a number of fine animals to his herd of Texas longhorns.

            The governor at once began to acquire range lands and watering places throughout White Pine, Lincoln and Nye counties, and with the exceptions of W. N. McGill and A. C. Cleveland was soon the largest single taxpayer in White Pine county.

            Probably one of the best proofs that Governor Adams was an honest, upright citizen is the fact that he was taken into partnership by W. N. McGill about 1898, I believe. This partnership con-

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tinued unbroken for twenty years and was ended only recently by the death of the governor.

CHAPTER XXIII.

SOME OTHER PIONEER BUILDERS OF ELY.

            One of the oldest, most favorably known and best liked settlers of White Pine county was A. D. Campton, who came in the early days while a small boy, with his mother, who later married John Ragsdale of Mineral City, in the early '70s. When he reached the age of manhood Mr. Campton followed the teaming business, starting freighting between Toano and Robinson canyon when most of the supplies for the county were carried between those points. During the lively days of Ward he was also in the teaming business in partnership with W. N. McGill, but when the camp slumped the partners disposed of their business interests.

            Mr. McGill at this time opened up offices as a surveyor and Mr. Campton continued to be associated with him, the two men being inseparable personal and business friends, and this association continued throughout the years, each assisting the other on every possible occasion. When dull days fell on the district Mr. McGill and a number of other friends persuaded Mr. Campton to run for county recorder, a place to which he was elected and which he filled creditably for a number of years.

            Mr. Campton married Miss Ella Mathewson, the popular and accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Mathewson, in the late '80s. Mr. Campton was a keen and shrewd business man and by the purchase of county securities accumulated a small stake. With a never-failing belief in the future of Ely he did not hesitate to invest

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his entire savings in the camp and when opportunity offered purchased the Ely townsite. He at once put lots on the market at an attractive price and on terms which were an inducement to investment, and throughout the years was always foremost in every movement that would aid in the upbuilding of the county seat.

            In the early purchase of the townsite Mr. Campton was associated with A. J. Underhill, who later sold his interest in the townsite to W. G. Lyons. At the death of the latter the heirs were anxious to realize on the estate, but the administrator found that it was not easy to sell the interest in the townsite. At this time Mr. Campton, still optimistic as to the future of the camp and with an unfailing faith that investment in Ely real estate would be justified in the future, succeeded in raising enough money to purchase the interest of Mr. Lyons.

            To Mr. Campton belongs the honor of building the first telephone service for Ely and for two or three years he also had charge of the Ely light and power plan. Through all the dark days of the camp he held on, and his faith, I understand, was ultimately justified, as he realized a comfortable sum from his townsite investment. While Mr. Campton has now retired from active participation in business and is living in his beautiful home on Raymond avenue, Pasadena, California, he still has extensive interests in Nevada, owning a controlling interest in the Campton Commercial Company, one of the largest establishments of its kind in the state.

            William Graham was another of White Pine county's best type of citizens. The writer has known "Billy" Graham intimately since 1880 and can truthfully say that no word of praise spoken of him has done half justice to his many noble traits. Mr. Graham's death is still fresh in the

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minds of Ely residents, and his passing away leaves a gap that will be hard to fill. The tribute paid to Mr. Graham by Thomas E. Haley, a lifelong friend, fittingly expresses the regard in which he was held by all who were so fortunate as to know him.

            Dan Dickerson, whose many years of incumbency in different political offices has made his name well known and popular throughout the State, is another of the early-day White Piners who has made his mark in a way that has reflected credit on himself, the State and the people who honored him by election to public office. Mr. Dickerson's entry to the political arena was in 1902, when he was elected clerk of White Pine county. Upon the death of Charlie Grundich, the county recorder, in 1903, Dickerson, who was then county clerk, used the strong influence of his labor union record to bear on the board of county commissioners and succeeded in getting the appointment as recorder upon tendering his resignation as county clerk. So successful was his administration of that office that at the following election in 1904 he was reelected and from that time on his political rise was rapid. As county recorder he attracted attention throughout the State and in 1906 was nominated for lieutenant-governor on the democratic-silver fusion ticket, his running mate for the gubernatorial chair being John Sparks. The popularity of Mr. Sparks and Mr. Dickerson, together with the silver movement, resulted in their easy election.

            Mr. Dickerson shortly after his election became a prominent factor at the state capital and was soon recognized as one of the State's brightest and most conscientious executives. He first gained prominence while acting on the board for the selection of the state railroad commission, which was appointed by the governor but was

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subject to confirmation by the board. Governor Sparks had nominated a man who was believed to be too close to the Southern Pacific Company to act impartially for the State and its citizens, and through the untiring efforts of Mr. Dickerson confirmation of his name was held up.

            This action caused some unpleasantness between the governor and Mr. Dickerson, but the latter remained steadfast in his stand and finally the governor was compelled to withdraw the name of the obnoxious man and substitute that of another who was believed without bias. For months the governor and lieutenant-governor were hardly on speaking terms but Mr. Dickerson attained his object in securing the appointment of an impartial railroad commission.

            Mr. Dickerson became governor on the death of Governor Sparks, who did not live to complete his term, and the lieutenant-governor filled the executive chair with credit to the State. He was nominated for governor at the ensuing election but was defeated by Tasker L. Oddie.

            Mr. Dickerson, who came to Nevada in 1899, was a native of California and in his younger days worked in the mines of that State as well as in Colorado, Idaho and other coast states. He was considered one of the best posted men in the State on the mineral resources of Nevada.

            William Hayes, another of the early-day residents of Ely, was engaged in the mercantile business and also handled White Pine county script for many years. Mr. Hayes and his sister Ellen were business partners in Ely for many years, coming to the county seat from Hamilton, where they had been engaged in the laundry business since the early '70s. Mr. Hayes and his sister by industry and perseverance amassed a comfortable fortune and both were always in the forefront in all movements to upbuild the city. Mr.

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Hayes died in the early part of the present century and was followed in death by his sister a few years later.

            A. B. Treece came from Missouri to Sherman-town in 1869 and followed millwork until 1874, when he moved to Eberhardt. In his spare time he studied law and drew up public documents and did other clerical work in the summer season and during the winter engaged in woodchopping in the hills until 1878, when Frank Drake proposed that Mr. Treece make the race for district attorney.

            Mr. Treece, who was better known as "The Major," was engaged at the time in chopping wood for the writer, who advanced the fifty dollars necessary to pay his assessment at the county convention at Hamilton, while Mr. Drake advanced the money for a suit of clothes for the major. Mr. Treece was elected but two years later he was defeated for reelection by Charles Thackston, who rode into office on the James G. Fair landslide of 1880. In 1882 the major was again elected and held the office continuously after that until his death in the late '90s.

            For years Major Treece was the only attorney in White Pine county until about 1884, when Frank X. Murphy moved to Taylor from Eureka and immediately thereafter sought the nomination for district attorney. While the party was anxious to secure new talent for the office, Murphy's maiden speech in the convention effectually killed whatever chance he might have had of securing the nomination. In this speech he, in effect, declared that if elected he would put all the democrats in the county jail and release all the republicans. So radical and vicious were his remarks that he was dubbed "Triple X Murphy," the name being taken from a particularly strong

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and fiery brand of horse liniment in general use among farmers at that time.

            Murphy moved to Ely when the town started and practiced law there for a short time. He later moved from Ely to Elko county and served one term in that county as district attorney. He then moved from Elko to Winnemucca, Humboldt county, and was elected to the same office there. "Murf," as he was popularly known, finally came to be recognized as one of Nevada's biggest and brainiest lawyers. When the writer last met him in 1905 he was one of the leading attorneys in the famous Bullfrog mining district during the exciting days of Rhyolite and had pitted against him such well known attorneys as William. M. Stewart, former United States Senator from Nevada. Mr. Murphy died shortly afterward, I understand.

            From 1874 until 1904, I believe, W. C. Love, F. X. Murphy and C. A. Walker were the only three licensed attorneys in White Pine county. A. B. Treece, O. H. Gray, A. T. Stearns, D. R. Collins and Charles Thackston all practiced in the justice courts and all held the office of district attorney at different times except Mr. Gray and Mr. Collins.

            Angus B. McDonald arrived at Cherry Creek in the late '70s or early '80s and at first was employed by John Wearne, who was operating a sawmill. When the Cherry Creek crash came Mr. Wearne was unable to pay Mr. McDonald considerable back wages that he had coming, so I believe that Mr. McDonald agreed to take over the saw mill and to pay Wearne the difference. Mr. McDonald at once moved the mill from the Cherry Creek mountains to the Dutch Creek range and shortly afterward sent for the girl he had left behind him in Nova Scotia. At this time there was very little spare money in the county,

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and it was only by the greatest industry that Mr. McDonald, a rare type of the rugged pioneers who built up the county, was able to make any progress in business.

            The writer at this time was employed to make occasional trips to haul the lumber output of the mill to Ely, the freight being advanced by J. B. Williamson of Ely, who handled the lumber for Mr. McDonald. It took but very little lumber to supply Ely and the surrounding mines at this period. Mr. McDonald's mill was located on a pretty stream at the mouth of a wide and deep canyon which extended for miles back into the mountains. Mr. McDonald was accustomed to take his ax and yoke of oxen, go back into the mountains, cut and haul the logs to the mill and while resting he would cut lumber.

            Mr. McDonald had an established reputation throughout the county as an honest and reliable business man whose word was as good as his bond. When he sent word that a load of lumber would be ready at a certain time he never failed to make good. He continued his hard work with the sawmill until the boom struck Ely, when, I understand, fortune deservedly smiled on him.

            Ira J. McKnight came to White Pine county when still a small boy, accompanying his mother, Mrs. Alice Shekel, and with the exception of such time as he was away at school has spent the greater part of his life in the county. After completing his education Mr. McKnight engaged in ranching and stockraising with his mother until along in the early '80s, when he was married to Miss Lizzie Horl, one of the county's popular girls. After his marriage Mr. McKnight moved to Cherry Creek, where he engaged in the harness and saddlery business. Mr. and Mrs. McKnight were equally well liked and popular throughout

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the county and for years were leaders in the social activities of Hamilton, Cherry Creek and Ely.

            At the time he was a resident of Cherry Creek, Mr. McKnight was elected county commissioner and worked in harmony and close cooperation with Crane Gallagher, M. B. Garaghan and John B. Williamson, all of whom were in charge of county affairs, and it was due to the tireless activity, honesty and sound business judgment of these men that White Pine county was redeemed from the staggering load of indebtedness which had been left as a heritage by former county administrations.

            When Ely became a permanent town on the map Mr. McKnight moved there, and while I believe he has always been engaged at his trade of saddlery and harness making, he has never been found wanting in his support of any movement that would advance the interests of his home city and county.

            D. C. McQuitty, one of White Pine county's very first settlers, whose name has appeared casually in my previous chapters, was for nearly forty years one of our foremost and most highly respected citizens. Mr. McQuitty moved from White River valley to the Carnahan ranch in 1880, raised one crop there before he moved to Murray creek, below where Ely was later located. Mr. McQuitty was a farmer and was considered one of the most successful grain raisers in the State. Uncle Dave, as he was affectionately known, could sow barley anywhere or in any year and could harvest a ton to the acre. Mr. and Mrs. McQuitty raised four children, Andrew, Lizzie, Jimmie and David, Jr., all of whom grew up to make model citizens. The McQuittys moved to southern California for two years during Los Angeles' first boom in the early '80s, returning to Murray creek where they remained until they

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returned to Los Angeles during the latter '90s. Mr. McQuitty was elected to the assembly from White Pine county and introduced the first bill appropriating money to sink for artesian water, but, as Uncle David said, when those politicians from the western part of the state were through amending it he did not know the bill when it came up for passage, and he told his fellow members that when he was nominated and started out to canvass for votes he had promised every farmer in White Pine an artesian well, and that he had stood in with other members to help pass every measure that had come up in the lower house, and now when his bill came up all he could recognize of it was the enacting clause, hence he voted to table the bill indefinitely.

            Investments made by Mr. McQuitty during the early boom in Los Angeles grew into a comfortable fortune before he died quite recently in the California city.

            D. C. McDonald, one of the most prominent of the early pioneers of Ely, was among the first men to locate in the infant camp engaging in the mining and saloon business. Mr. McDonald, in partnership with James H. Harris, owned and operated the largest and most popular saloon in the county and one of the most up-to-date places of its kind in the State for many years. While Mr. McDonald was the head of the firm he devoted most of his time and attention to his mining interests and put through a number of big deals at various times. It may be doubted if any other man in the county has done as much as Mr. McDonald to develop the mining resources of Ely. At no time since the townsite was first located has Mr. McDonald been found wanting in any movement that was aimed at the upbuilding of the community. Mr. McDonald was always successful in business and a great deal of his money

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was used to help needy prospectors and others who happened to have a bad run of luck.

            Mr. McDonald's first partner, Mr. Harris, was cast in a similar mold and was widely known for his charitable acts. Mr. Harris, prior to his death in the early '90s, disposed of his interests to Walter Rynearson, who in partnership with Mr. McDonald operated the big corner saloon for years. Mr. Rynearson, a fine type of the early westerner, was well liked by every man who made his acquaintance. He was nominated by the republican party for sheriff in the early '90s and had the distinction of being the only member of the party elected. At this time the county was entirely controlled by the silver party but Mr. Rynearson's popularity easily won him the election, Ben Payne, silver candidate, being defeated by a big majority. The writer knew Mr. Rynearson since the palmy days of Eureka and never saw a man who knew him who was not proud to call him friend. Mr. Rynearson, like Mr. Harris, worked hand in hand with Mr. McDonald during their many years of partnership. His death occurred in 1909.

            Mr. McDonald was always considered the brains of the different enterprises in which he was engaged and was always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend if it were in his power. The writer well remembers during the darkest days of Ely when teaming, like everything else, was scarce and cash almost an unknown quantity, McDonald's place was kept open more as a convenience to the poor men who gathered there than from any hope of making profit. Mr. McDonald gladly paid out hundreds of dollars to keep his place warm in the winter and cool in the summer in order to accomodate men who had no other place in which to spend their leisure hours.

            Mr. McDonald always enjoyed the confidence

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of many prominent outside capitalists and has been the means of bringing as much capital into White Pine county and the city of Ely as any man in the camp and is certainly deserving of credit for his constructive work. He was elected to the assembly on the Democratic ticket in 1895 and served with credit to himself and his constituents. Mr. McDonald was a delegate to the mining congress which met in Los Angeles some years ago, the last time the writer had the pleasure of meeting him. He married Miss Minnie Comins, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Comins. No history of the county would be complete which did not record the name of D. C. McDonald in capital letters.

            A. N. McDonald, an old-time and highly respected resident of Taylor, Argus Mill and Ely, was for years engaged in ranching with H. A. Comins during the summer months and in the wood and timber business with the writer in the winter season during the palmy days of Taylor and the operation of the Argus mill. Angus, while a native of Canada, was one hundred per cent American. Since the early '80s the writer has had business dealings with Mr. McDonald and always found him honest and upright. Mr. McDonald married Miss Etta Comins, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Comins, one of White Pine county's most accomplished young ladies.

            Jerry Kent, another of the early-day settlers, located at Duck creek when he first came to the county and engaged in ranching until about 1886 or 1887, when he became ranch foreman for W. N. McGill, a position he was still holding when the writer left the county. Mr. Kent was somewhat of a mechanical genius and could overhaul or repair any kind of farm machinery or equipment. He was also a great lover of animals and could go

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into a corral and make friends with a wild broncho or unruly cow more quickly than any other man in the county.

            He was likewise popular with all of the men under him, being kind and considerate to his fellow employes while at the same time loyal to the interests of his employer. While often urged by his friends to make the race for public offices he steadfastly declined to allow the use of his name, though it was evident that he could easily have been elected to any office to which he might have aspired.

            Neil J. Monroe was also among the earliest arrivals at the new camp of Ely, where he engaged in the hotel business, having moved his former hotel buildings from Star hill, at Cherry Creek. Mr. Monroe in the early '70s worked in the mines at Cherry Creek and was married there in the late '70s to Miss Mary McLaughlin. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe raised two children, Sophia and Josephine. Mr. Monroe, like many of the other early-day settlers, invested his spare money in mines and I understand he made considerable money when the boom came.

            Phil McKernan arrived in White Pine county in the early '80s and, with the exception of a few years spent in southern California, has been a resident of the county ever since, having at different times been engaged in mining, milling, teaming and ranching. Mr. McKernan married Miss Alice Randall, accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Randall, formerly of Sherman-town and Eberhardt. Mr. and Mrs. McKernan raised a family in the county and their children were as highly respected and well liked as their parents. The oldest, John O. McKernan, I understand, has held public office in the county and has filled the place with credit to himself and profit to his constituents.

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            William A. Moyle, Del Leahigli, John Magnuson, Josiah Miles, Percy Jackson, K. C. Davis, William Peters, Fred Oldfield, William Stewart, Harry Randall, John H. Eager, John and Guy Gallagher, Jim, Alex and Robert Beard were all promising young men when the writer left the county.

            Ernest Jackson, who was somewhat younger than the others above named, was employed by the writer, having charge of the livery, feed and sales stables in Ely. Ernest, while a boy in years, was a man in wisdom, being bright, honest and trustworthy. For long periods he was left in sole charge of the business and in spite of his youth could always be trusted to carry on affairs in a capable manner. He was always at his post day or night, when wanted and aided in the support of his mother, rather unusual among the young boys in those days.

            Edward Bennett, another young man raised in White Pine county, was for many years one of the trusted employes of the writer and worked at the livery, teaming and stage business throughout Nevada and Wyoming. Mr. Bennett was an excellent hand with horses and could ride, drive or shoe any sort of broncho. He was also an excellent carpenter and could plan and build a barn, house or stage station. At a time when every man was expected to turn his hand to almost anything, Ed was also entrusted with keeping the books, drawing checks and paying the men, all of which duties he performed in a way that left no room for criticism. He was also entrusted with many business deals and the writer never worried while Mr. Bennett was looking after affairs. He also at times engaged in ranching on his own account, and as far as I know never worked for any man for wages with the exception of the writer, so that perhaps no other man is so

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well able to judge his real ability and to vouch for his honesty and loyalty.

            Charles A. Walker came to Hamilton from Leland Stanford University, where he had graduated in the department of law, in 1897, and I believe taught school for a year in Hamilton before moving to Ely, where he engaged in the practice of law. Like many other business and professional men who came to the district, Mr. Walker concluded that White Pine looked good to him, and by his ability, perseverance and strict attention to business soon built up an excellent practice. Legal talent in White Pine county was scarce at that time, so that Mr. Walker's services were greatly in demand and he always justified the confidence placed in him by his clients. At the time the writer left Ely Mr. Walker was one of the town's leading attorneys, a place which he richly deserved.

            Dave Dennett, another of the early-day miners and prospectors, spent the greater part of his life in White Pine county, engaging chiefly in prospecting. While Mr. Dennett was an experienced millman and an excellent miner, the lure of a prospect had a compelling attraction for him and he could always be counted on to be among the earliest arrivals at the scene of any new mining discovery. Unfortunately his energy in seeking the elusive paystreak did not meet with the reward it should. For many years he was grubstaked by Mrs. Fannie E. Yates, who was always ready to give any assistance in her power to prospectors in the district.

            D. C. McDonald was another man who grubstaked Dennett from time to time on his journeys, as Dave, like the wild geese, would generally go south in the fall and return in the spring. He would often return from these trips with wonderful samples of ore and Mr. McDonald finally

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nicknamed him "Breyfogle the Second," from the fact that Breyfogle could find the richest mines in the world but could never show others where they were located.

CHAPTER XXIV.

STAGE MAIL ROUTES IN WHITE PINE.

            Prior to 1890 there was operative within the limits of White Pine county two thousand seven hundred and ninety-two miles of stage mail routes, all of which had been bid in under government contracts by eastern professional bidders, sub-contracts then being awarded by these contractors to local men, the original bidders retaining most of the profit in the transaction. Until 1890 the following services were being operated in the county.

            Ely to Eureka, ninety miles, six round trips a week, equivalent to one thousand and eighty miles of service.

            Cole Creek to Eureka, fifty miles, one trip a week, one hundred miles.

            Cherry Creek to Wells, one hundred miles, three round trips weekly, six hundred miles.

            Cherry Creek to Aurum, thirty miles, one round trip weekly, sixty miles.

            Cherry Creek to Ely, fifty miles, two round trips weekly, two hundred miles.

            Osceola to Geyser, thirty miles, one round trip weekly, sixty miles.

            Ely to Frisco, Utah, one hundred and forty-three miles, two round trips weekly, five hundred and seventy-two miles.

            Ely to Sunnyside, sixty miles, one round trip weekly, one hundred and twenty miles—or a total of two thousand seven hundred and ninety-two miles weekly for the eight lines.

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On the Ely and Eureka road. [click on image to enlarge]

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            At this time there was keen bidding by the easterners, who cut the contract figure at each successive letting of bids, and as a consequence the local sub-contractors, who carried the burden, were compelled to take less for their services. The result was that the service suffered and the subcontractors in many cases were unable to meet their obligations, so that at times the guarantors were compelled to step in and take over the service.

            Old carts, buckboards and dilapidated wagons, in fact almost anything that could be pressed into service, were used for carrying the mails, so that travelers who wished to visit the different towns on the routes could not secure adequate accommodations and were forced to hire livery rigs. This naturally also cut into profits that should have been made by the mail carriers.

            So unsatisfactory was the mail service that just prior to 1890 the matter was taken up with W. N. McGill and A. C. Cleveland, who agreed to go on the writer's bond for fifty thousand dollars each and help finance and equip the various routes if the writer would secure the mail contracts and act as general manager for the service. Following the Dorsey mail frauds, exposed several years previously, the government required mail contractors to furnish a bond, which had to be secured by unencumbered real estate, a description of which had to be filed with the bond.

            As a result of this agreement and due solely to the loyalty of these bondsmen, the writer was enabled to secure contracts in the county and the service was built up and extended, so that when the writer left the State in 1904 there were in operation within the limits of the county five thousand six hundred and thirty-eight miles of mail stage lines, compared to two thousand seven hundred and ninety-two miles in operation prev-

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ious to 1890, when the first contracts were secured. The service in 1904 was as follows : Cherry Creek to Wells, six times a week, one thousand two hundred miles.

            Cherry Creek to Aurum, three times a week, one hundred and eighty miles.

            Eureka to Ely, six times a week, one thousand and eighty miles.

            To Hamilton, twice a week, operating by way of Six-Mile House, Currant Creek and Duck-water, two hundred and eighty miles.

            Cole Creek to Eureka, twice a week, two hundred miles.

            Ely to Frisco, three times a week, eight hundred and fifty-eight miles.

            Osceola to Pioche, twice a week, three hundred and sixty miles.

            Ely and Sunnyside to Pioche, three times a week, seven hundred and twenty miles.

            Aurum and Cleveland to Osceola, twice a week, two hundred and sixty miles.

            Ely to Duck Creek, twice a week, eighty miles. Hamilton to Stockville, twice a week, one hundred and twenty miles.

            Cherry Creek to Ely, three times a week, three hundred miles—a grand total of five thousand six hundred and thirty-eight miles.

            No two men in the State could qualify on a government bond for more than Mr. McGill and Mr. Cleveland, and they were willing to take the chance in order that the county might have a mail service that was second to none in the West. I believe that at this period there was not another town in the country with the population of Ely which had such excellent mail service. While there were other large landholders in the state, notably J. B. Gallagher, James Nichols and D. C. Simpson, all of Mason Valley, George Carrol and E. B. Pierce of Humboldt county and John Carl-

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ing of Lyon county, the lands held by these men were mostly adapted only for grazing purposes and were not so valuable as the holdings of Mr. McGill and Mr. Cleveland.

            At no time between 1890 and 1904 were there less than seventeen mails reaching Ely each week, the service including mail six times a week from Eureka by way of Hamilton, three times a week from Wells by way of Cherry Creek, three times a week from Frisco by way of Osceola, three times a, week from Pioche by way of Sunnyside, and twice a week from Duck Creek by way of McGill. In 1901 and 1902 there was an additional service three times a week between Cherry Creek and Ely, making twenty mails a week at that time. There was always, since 1890, a six times a week service between Cherry Creek and Wells, but when Ely would show signs of prosperity the writer, without mail pay, would take three extra trips a week, this being justified by the passenger and express traffic, as travellers invariably preferred the Wells-Cherry Creek route.

            Thus Ely was at this time receiving twelve mails weekly direct from the east and west. Mail leaving Palisade in the morning for Eureka and Ely reached Ely the following morning about four o'clock, while mail leaving Wells in the morning reached Ely the following morning about five o'clock. This not only gave the town people but also the people along the route under the mail box system mail six times a week.

            Mail pay at this time was small and in order to make any money it was necessary for the contractor to cooperate with the business men and arrange for traffic. The writer well remembers when a crate of fruit for Fred Clark, a case of cigars for John Weber, a keg of beer for McDonald's saloon or a Merino buck for McGill's ranch looked as big to him as a trainload of copper would

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now look to the Nevada Northern. It was the loyalty and cooperation of these business men that made the service profitable to the contractor and convenient for the patron.

            For the convenience of the farmers in Steptoe valley, Steptoe had a postoffice with William Campbell or his wife acting as postmaster. At Duck Creek was a postoffice presided over by Crane Gallagher or his wife, while Mrs. McGill was in charge of the office at McGill. While these offices were more troublesome than lucrative, these people were willing to serve that their neighbors might have the benefit of the mails. The writer often wonders if, since the advent of the railroad, these farmers have been blessed with such good mail service.

            At the time when Giroux first started operations at Pilot Knob the mail route was changed from Robinson summit road to the route embracing West Camp, Pilot Knob and Ruth, giving them mail an hour or so earlier than Ely people and obviating the necessity of their sending to town by special messenger. In return for this change in routing the Knob and Ruth operators reciprocated by giving the mail stages a good share of passenger and express business.

            It was not uncommon in these days, when county road and bridge building funds were a thing unknown for Crane Gallagher to bridge Duck Creek or for Billy McGill to send his men and teams to the mountains for timber to bridge the slough so that the mail might be delivered to their ranches. These old-time, public spirited citizens certainly made life worth living. The writer operated seven hundred miles of stage lines in Wyoming and over five hundred miles in Utah, California and Colorado, but in none of these states were the people so favored with mail facilities as Nevada, while no part of Nevada received such

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good service as White Pine county and no part of the county was as well favored as Ely.

            The writer, during his connection with the service, had occasion to visit Washington, D. C., many times in regard to changes of schedule, increasing the service and establishing new routes and offices along the various lines, and he recalls one particular instance where he appeared before the second assistant postmaster general, who had charge of all the star route mail service, the official in charge at this time being General Schallenberger of Pennsylvania. At the time the writer sought to change his Eureka-Ely line schedule so as to leave Eureka in the morning instead of at noon, in order to get over the deep snow in the Hamilton mountains during daylight, and also to leave Ely at an earlier hour for the same purpose.

            When the matter was put before General Schallenberger he at once turned to the map and could readily see where the change would be beneficial to the service during the winter months, but said that the schedule was part of the contract and could only be changed on petition of the people receiving the mails. He said that he would be glad to make such change as the people asked, advising me to get up a petition and to make it as strong as possible.

            "Have all your business men, your bankers, your newspapers and publishing companies, which are the most important of all, sign the petition," he said, adding that the public expects its paper mail at a certain time, while letter mail is problematical.

            Ely at this time, according to the United States census, had a population of two hundred and nine, which included Good Tommy (McQuitty's Indian), his squaw and three pappooses. The weekly White Pine News was the only newspaper, while there was no bank in the town. The writer,

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manfully smothering a laugh, thanked the general very kindly, failing to enlighten him. So anxious was the general to favor a city as large as Ely appeared to be on the map that he advised the postmaster there to give the carrier the mail two hours in advance of the schedule time pending the return of the writer and the forwarding of the petition asking for the change. This schedule was in operation twelve years later when the writer left and while Ely had lost in population it still had over six hundred miles of mail routes in operation.

CHAPTER XXV.

SOME TEACHERS AND PHYSICIANS OF WHITE PINE.

            While no high educational standard was required of teachers in the early days of White Pine county, nevertheless most of the educators who taught in the public schools were well qualified for the work, and when in later years the examinations for teachers were made more rigid those who still followed the profession were able to pass the tests successfully. From 1874 until about 1900 the ranks of the teachers were recruited chiefly from the residents of the county.

            Miss Alice Heager taught in Hamilton in 1874-75 and later presided at other schools throughout the county until the time of her marriage to George Childs in Hamilton. Her sister, Miss Laura Heager, taught her first school at White River in 1876. She was married to a man named McNaughton at Eureka in the early '80s and after his death became the wife of Jake Hohge, a prominent business man of Eureka.

            Miss Ada Vandershaw was also an early-day teacher at Hamilton and later was employed by

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other towns in the county until her marriage on New Year's day, 1877, to C. A. (Arthur) Mathewson at Hamilton. Mrs. Taylor also taught in Hamilton for several years before her marriage to Sheriff Henry Lander of Cherry Creek in 1883.

            O. L. Benedict and his wife taught the Cherry Creek school from 1880 to 1884. A. T. Stearns also, I believe, taught in Cherry Creek for one term and also taught at Ely during the '90s prior to his election as district attorney and county school superintendent. Mr. Stearns was principal of the state university at Elko before Elko county sold the charter to Washoe county for twenty thousand dollars, reserving the building for hospital purposes.

            Miss Rose McLaughlin also taught in the public schools until her marriage in the late '90s to Mr. Hankins, a prosperous rancher of Newark valley. Miss Roark taught part of a term at Schellborne in the late '80s. Agnes Timson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Timson of Hamilton, also taught for several years prior to her marriage in the late '90s to Mr. Quick, one of the sheep kings of Spring valley.

            The Misses Alice, Jennie and Ida Carothers all taught in the county at different times, as mentioned in a previous chapter. Etta Comins, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Comins, taught for a few terms previous to her marriage to A. N. McDonald. Miss Gertie Jackson was also employed as teacher at Ward and Taylor until her parents moved to Oregon in the '90s. The Misses Griffin, Mollie and Minnie, I believe were the names, taught the Ward school for several terms. Miss Minnie LeBoiteaux, niece of W. N. McGill, taught in the early '90s before her marriage to R. H. Frank of Cherry Creek. Miss Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Baker of Snake valley and who later married Dan Simonson,

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taught the Snake valley school in the '70s. Miss Euna Riley was also a teacher before her marriage to Dan Dickerson. Miss Riley taught the Cherry Creek school and was deservedly popular with parents and children. Mrs. Dr. M. J. Davis of Ely taught one term at Ely during the '90s. Miss Mabel Stone of Cherry Creek was one of the county's early-day teachers until her marriage to the writer in 1883.

            Miss Nora Mason, who was still teaching when the writer left the county, received her early education in the county and began teaching when quite young. O. H. Gray, Henry Lander and the writer were on the examining board at the time Miss Mason received her first certificate. Miss Mason surprised the examiners by answering every question on the printed list and Mr. Gray, who acted as chief examiner, determined to ask a few questions on his own account and which were not on the printed list submitted to the applicant.

            "Who was the first president of the United States?" asked Mr. Gray.

            "George Washington," was the prompt reply. "Who was the fourth president?"

            "Don't know ; who was?" answered Miss Mason. "Darned if I know. Who was, Henry ?" asked Mr. Gray, turning to Mr. Lander.

            "Why ask me?" replied Lander. "It all happened before I was born."

            "Who was it, Ben ?" again asked Mr. Gray, turning to the writer.

            Since neither of the other two knew it was an easy matter for the writer to confess his ignorance also, and Miss Mason was not asked any more questions. She received her certificate at once and the next day went to Pete Bennett's ranch to teach the school there.

            One of the first physicians to locate in White

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Pine county was Dr. Thoma, who was practicing at Hamilton when the writer arrived there in 1875. The next year Dr. Thoma moved to Eureka and after several years there moved to Reno where he practiced until his death in the early twentieth century.

            Dr. Henry Hager, who in early days was engaged in the milk business with his father before he went east to study medicine, first began practicing at Hamilton in 1878. He later engaged in practice in different towns in White Pine, Eureka and Elko counties, finally settling in Ruby valley, Elko county. Dr. H. S. Herrick also was a physician in Hamilton for some time and also had a drug store and engaged in business as a money lender. Dr. Herrick also for some years had the contract to run the county hospital, being paid three hundred dollars a month to feed, clothe and care for all patients brought to the hospital.

            Dr. Tufford, Dr. Rockman and Dr. J. D. Campbell, now of Pioche, all came to Cherry Creek during the palmy days of that camp. Dr. Rockman stayed only a few months in 1881, while Dr. Tufford moved to Ward and from there to Taylor, where he practiced during the life of that camp. Dr. Campbell came direct from Ann Arbor in the spring of 1881 and opened up his first office at Cherry Creek, where he stayed until the discovery of the Taylor district, when he moved there and in the late '80s moved to Pioche. Dr. Campbell married Miss Maggie Leahigh, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Stephen Tucker of Taylor. Dr. Campbell was rated as a first-class physician and was deservedly popular. He served one term in the assembly from White Pine county and later was elected several times as state senator from Lincoln county, I believe.

            Dr. M. J. Davis was the first doctor to locate in Ely, coming there in 1888, I believe, when the

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town was so dull the citizens got together and pledged the doctor one hundred dollars a month in addition to his regular charges in order to have a physician in the town. Dr. Davis was one of the most successful physicians in the county. In the early '90s Dr. Hammond came to Ely and practiced for several years.

            Dr. Rodney H. Richardson was one of the best doctors that ever practiced in the county and was one of the county's most popular men. Dr. Richardson came to Ely in 1889, during the boom inaugurated by Mr. Watson. Dr. Richardson was noted for the fact that regardless of the time of day or night and whether the person who needed his services had money or not, he was always ready to answer a call. In addition to being an excellent physician, Dr. Richardson was one of the town's foremost citizens, always ready to lend a hand in its upbuilding. The doctor, I understand, in later years acquired real estate and mining interests and fortune deservedly smiled on him during Ely's boom days.

            Dr. Ascher, then a young man, came to Cherry Creek about 1901 or 1902 and practiced for several years before moving to Humboldt county. Later on he went to Washoe county, where, I understand, he was elected to the State Senate. Dr. Wallace came from California during the early part of the present century and was practicing in Ely when the writer left the county.

            Last but not least was old Dr. Willard, who came to Treasure City in 1868, being the first doctor to appear on the ground during that excitement. Dr. Willard, between his profession and the mining game, acquired a comfortable fortune but lost it all when he was sued for malpractice. In his old age the doctor failed to rank high as a physician, whatever he may have been in his younger days.

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            The writer remembers when Chris Blench, one of his coal burners from Eberhardt, had a violent toothache and met the doctor on the street, asking him to pull the tooth and saying that he had no money but that I would stand good for the bill, which I had to do before the doctor would agree to act. Blench, a Mormon boy, wanted to know what the charge would be and was told the price was two dollars and fifty cents.

            Adjourning to Pogonip Bill's saloon, the doctor got out his forceps and soon yanked out a tooth, but it was the wrong one. Previous to the operation the doctor had ordered his victim to take a big drink of brandy. When the wrong tooth was pulled he ordered another drink for the sufferer, and then went at it again, and again he pulled a perfectly sound tooth, leaving the aching molar still in its place. Pulling this sound tooth almost brought the jaw with it, but the doctor insisted that he was entitled to another trial and ordered another drink of brandy for the victim. Before he would serve this drink Pogonip Bill wanted to know who was going to pay for it and the writer had to make good, as the doctor refused to do so.

            At his third trial the doctor finally got the right tooth and a few days later sent a bill for seven dollars and fifty cents to the writer for pulling three teeth. His victim refused to pay more than two dollars and fifty cents and made inquiries with a view to starting a damage suit against the doctor, but found that the latter had nothing but a poor old horse, a wife and a house full of children. Since the writer had promised to stand for the bill, and the doctor insisted on collecting the full seven dollars and fifty cents, he was finally forced to cancel a six dollar hay bill owed by the doctor and call the account square.

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CHAPTER XXVI.

SOME TRAGEDIES.

            The second tragedy which startled early-day settlers was the death of a man named Powers, which occurred in 1873. Powers had squatted on land and built a cabin on Murray creek near the mouth of the canyon and just below the present site of Ely. This land had previously been filed on by George Lamb and it was pending the making of his final proof to the government that Powers located on part of the ground which was within the boundaries of Lamb's filing and on which he later secured patent rights.

            In the meantime Powers had made some improvements, planting a garden and raising vegetables for a year or two, and he refused to vacate when ordered to do so by Mr. Lamb. One morning the cabin of Powers was found burned to the ground and in the ruins was found the charred body of the owner. Examination of the body showed that Powers had been shot to death before the cabin was burned.

            It was reported that George Davis, a miner and prospector, was a silent partner with Lamb in the land, and suspicion naturally pointed to the two men, but no direct proof was secured and the men were never arrested, as their previous records were so good that few believed they

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could be guilty of such a crime. The writer was personally acquainted with both men for years and never knew either one to harm any man.

            The one great tragedy of Ely's history occurred in January, 1903, when three men were killed outright, a fourth so seriously wounded that he died shortly afterward, and a fifth man shot up so that he was confined to a hospital for a long time. The victims were all members of the miners' union and all were killed by John Traylor, in charge of the Martin mines, as the result of an alleged plot by the miners' union to kidnap him.

            Mulford Martin, a resident of New York, had employed Traylor to operate the mines and also, I believe, a mill. The property had just started operations when the miners and millmen struck for higher wages, closing down the plant. Before the miners walked out Traylor told them he had written to Martin advising him to increase the wage scale from three dollars a day to three dollars and fifty cents a day, a similar advance having been made a short time before by other operators in the district. He also told the men that he had advised his employer that a strike was unavoidable if the men's wage demands were refused and he asked that the strike be postponed until he could receive a reply to his letter.

            After a short time the men, seeing that no preparations were being made to resume work and becoming anxious over the shutdown, went to Traylor with a peremptory demand that he resume operations or leave town. Faced by this threat, the superintendent went to the office of Judge Walker, attorney for the company, and arranged by telephone to meet William Lloyd, president of the miners' union, that afternoon at the office of Judge Walker. Traylor believed that when he showed the union officials copies of his

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letters to the owner of the property urging him to raise wages he would be able to pacify the miners.

            The writer happened to be in Judge Walker's office when the hour scheduled for the conference arrived, but the representative of the miners failed to put in an appearance. A short time later either Judge Walker or Mr. Traylor called up the head-quarters of the miners' union to inquire the reason for the nonappearance of Lloyd and was curtly informed that the head-quarters of the miners was at their office and if Mr. Traylor desired to see them he could go there. Mr. Traylor was greatly disappointed and the matter was dropped.

            Late in the afternoon Mr. Traylor was sitting on the counter in the Graham store, the writer also happening to be present at the time, when a committee of the miners came in and demanded to know what he proposed to do about starting up the works. Mr. Traylor replied that he was helpless in the matter and the miners' envoys then served an ultimatum that he start up to the mine or leave town within forty-eight hours.

            At the end of the time specified, according to evidence later presented before the grand jury which investigated the killings, the miners' committee engaged two rigs at the Ely livery stable and started up the canyon, being joined just below the Keystone property by about twenty members of the union.

            Mr. Traylor at this time was in Ely and, desiring to go to the mine and in view of the threats that had been made by the miners and wishing to avoid trouble, he called on Sheriff William Bassett for protection. Sheriff Bassett assigned his deputy, a man known as Big Tom, to act as guard for Traylor. As Traylor and the deputy were driving along the road to the mine they were stopped by the miners who seized the bridle of

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the horse but released the animal at once on demand of the deputy. Traylor and the officer then drove to the mine office while the miners were parleying on the road.

            When the deputy began to realize that trouble was imminent he proposed to Traylor that they could leave the office by the back way and return to Ely, but Traylor, fearing that the property might be damaged by the miners, refused to leave. Big Tom then told the mine manager that he was foolish and declared that he himself would return to town whether or not Traylor accompanied him. Traylor then asked the officer for the loan of his gun, after which the deputy left. Traylor, who was then alone, had a gun of his own in addition to that given him by the deputy, and he placed one in each of his outside coat pockets.

            Within a few minutes after the departure of the deputy sheriff a committee of five miners marched into the mine office, the president of the union, William Lloyd, remaining outside and standing near the door. The miners' committee again asked Traylor if he purposed to start up the property and received a reply in the negative. Lloyd, from his position just outside the door, then shouted, "Bring him on, boys," and two miners, one on each side, grabbed Traylor and started for the door.

            Traylor, whose arms were free below the elbows, drew both his guns and shot one of his captors through the head and the other through the heart, both men dying instantly. Before the other three men could overpower him he shot and killed the third man and seriously wounded the other two. The men who were killed outright were John Smith, Shamrock Johnson and Jim Skaggs. Jim Berry was so badly wounded that he died a short time later, while the fifth man, Max

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Lambert, was taken to a San Francisco hospital in a serious condition but later recovered from his wounds.

            After the shooting Traylor escaped by the rear door and made his way to Ely, while the miners who had remained outside the cabin gathered up the dead and wounded and brought them to Ely in the two rigs which had been hired by the committee. Traylor left Ely the night of the killing, going to Elko, where he surrendered to the officers and was at once released on bonds.

            At the subsequent grand jury investigation of the case Traylor's letters to his employer were submitted in evidence, together with a statement made by one of the wounded miners that the rigs had been hired for the purpose of kidnapping Traylor and taking him to Wells, and Traylor was at once ordered set free by the jury, which found that he was justified in his action and merely acted in self-defense. I understand that Traylor in now living in Denver.

            As a result of the grand jury probe Lloyd, president of the miners' union, was indicted on a charge of attempted kidnaping. After his arrest he was released on bonds furnished by his brother-in-law, J. B. McOmie. Lloyd failed to appear on the date set for his trial and his bonds were ordered forfeited. The decision of the grand jury, following closely on the heels of the killings, is reported to have had a strong bearing on starting the flow of capital to Ely which resulted in the great subsequent development of the camp. The tragedy was also a great blow to the miners' union which was a long time in recovering its former prestige.

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CHAPTER XXVII.

GENEROUS HEARTED PIONEERS

            The first sheep brought to the Illipah section arrived in the early '80s, being brought in by A. L. Parker, who arrived from Utah and located at Round Springs, eight miles east of Hamilton, on the Ely-Hamilton stage route. Mr. Parker purchased the springs and adjoining range land from George Halstead as a pasture for the several thousand sheep he had brought overland from Utah.

            Sheep were no more popular with the cattlemen in those days than in later years and when Mr. Parker crossed the Utah-Nevada state line with his band he was not sure that he would be permitted to reach Round springs. However, Mr. Parker was careful along the trail and did not allow the sheep to trespass on the ranges of the cattlemen except for necessary feed along the way and brought the animals through safely. This fairmindedness, which has always made Mr. Parker look at the other fellow's side of every case, soon won him the regard of his fellow residents of the county, and in a short time he came to be recognized as one of the leading men in the community.

            When Mr. Parker first arrived and asked Mr. Cleveland's permission to water his sheep at the streams on the place the writer happened to be at the ranch. Mr. Cleveland not only gave the desired permission but invited Mr. Parker to stay all night and also asked him to bring his men and teams to the house that the men might have supper and the horses be cared for. "Cleve," who never turned any man from his door, and Mr. Parker, whose consideration for the rights of others won him the respect of all, at this time

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formed a fast friendship which was only ended by death itself.

            Mr. Parker made many friends from the time of his first arrival in the county and was elected county commissioner on the republican ticket shortly after the county seat was moved to Ely, and at all times he was regarded as one of the county's safest and most trustworthy officials. Mr. and Mrs. Parker had a family of several children when they came to Nevada and all grew up to be respected citizens of the county.

            Joseph, George and Van Newman, brothers, were three of the steadiest and best liked men in the county. The two latter were virtually raised in the county, being only young boys when they first came to White Pine. The writer first met the family at Cherry Creek in 1880 when George and Van were quite small, while Joe, then a young man, was working at the Star mill. Joe had the deserved reputation of being an excellent mill-man.

            When Cherry Creek ceased to be a producing camp Joe Newman moved to Taylor and was employed first at the Argus and later at the Monitor mill. When these properties ceased operations he moved to Ely when that town became active and was a partner of W. N. McGill in a meat market. Mr. Newman married a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Parker in the late '90s and the couple were among the most popular residents in the county seat. Mr. Newman died, I understand, shortly after the writer left the county.

            George Newman followed mining during his early manhood up to the time he was elected sheriff of the county in the late '90s and I understand has been connected with the office, either as sheriff or deputy, almost continuously since the time he first entered politics and served with signal success for many years.

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Van Newman, the youngest of the three brothers, was not a permanent resident of the county during his early years, having engaged in business in a number of different lively mining camps in the state. Van was popular and successful in every enterprise in which he engaged and ranked as one of the county's best citizens.

            A. C. House, one of the state's early pioneers who was highly regarded, arrived in White Pine county in the early '80s. He operated meat markets at different times in Cherry Creek, Taylor and Ely. Few business men, even in the early days of generous pioneers, were more kindhearted or had more sympathy for the poor man than Mr. House, who was never known to turn a man. woman or child away from his shop hungry and who seemed unable to say "No" to anyone as long as he had a pound of meat in the shop. Mr. House, who was deservedly popular, was elected county assessor on the Democratic ticket early in the present century and filled the office with great credit. He died shortly after the writer left the county.

            J. B. Simpson, another of the Ely early-day settlers, moved from Taylor, where he had been in partnership with Fulton Brinton in the livery business. While still a resident of Taylor Mr. Simpson married the daughter of Mrs. W. R. Bassett and built one of the first residences to be erected in Ely, in the winter of 1886-1. Big Sim, as he was commonly called, was one of the best known and most popular boys of Ely. He was a good hearted fellow and had a faculty for readily making friends. He was not engaged in any particular business or employment after his arrival in Ely in 1886 until W. N. McGill and Bill Lyons started the Chainman mine along in the late '90s and put Sim on as shift boss.  After this he began to interest himself in the mining game and, in

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company with several others, located a number of claims, which, I understand, brought him a comfortable stake during the boom days.

            It was a never-failing source of wonder to many Elyites how Big Sim managed to provide for his family during all the idle, dull days of the town. Sim's strained credit was a standing joke among the business men, yet so pleasing was his personality that he was seldom refused when he asked for anything. W. G. Lyons was perhaps his greatest friend, loaning him two thousand dollars to start in the livery business at Taylor and increasing this by various sums as the years went by.

            On a Christmas morning in the early '90s a rumor was quickly circulated that Bill Lyons had made Simpson a Christmas present of five thousand dollars. Miss Ellen Hayes, a partner with her brother, William Hayes, in the store business, asked Mr. Lyons if the report were true and was assured that it was. The merchants, confident that at last overdue accounts would soon be removed from the red ink side of the ledgers, gave a new lease of life to Simpson's expiring credit, and it was some time later before they learned that the five thousand dollar gift was in the form of a receipt for money loaned and which Mr. Lyons had abandoned hope of recovering.

            Simpson was always willing to pay but never seemed to have the cash and was always ready to give his note for any bills that he incurred. He was far from being shiftless or worthless but just seemed unable to keep out of debt until the matter came to be almost a joke for the entire town.

            One story that abruptly illustrates the general feeling toward "Sim" and his own appreciation of it was repeated for many years in Ely. Simpson one day was gambling in a rather lively game where there was plenty of money on the table and

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the gamesters were drinking rather freely. He had been playing in unusual luck for him and at the time had a stack of several hundred dollars in twenty dollar gold pieces in front of him.

            Senator H. A. Comins, who came from Maine, where close figuring is considered one of the cardinal virtues, was watching the game and was unusually interested, owing to the fact that he had in his pocket an unpaid note for one hundred dollars indorsed by Simpson in return for sundry food supplies furnished the Simpson family. The opportunity was one not to be overlooked, and while the players were indulging in another friendly round of drinks Senator Comins quietly slipped five of the double eagles from the Simpson stack and just as quietly slipped the receipted note into Simpson's outside coat pocket.

            Nothing was said about the transaction, which was not noticed by Simpson, until the next morning, when Mr. Comins met Simpson in front of Fred Clark's drug store and thanked him for paying the note. Simpson, who was greatly mystified, asked what Mr. Comins meant and was informed that he had paid the senator the night before when the boys were all playing poker and drinking.

            "Did I pay you that one hundred dollars ?" queried Simpson.

            "Yes, and I put the receipt in your coat pocket," replied Comins.

            Simpson at once felt in his pocket and found the receipt.

            "Well, all I got to say is that I must have been damn drunk, senator," was his only comment.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

LIFE INSURANCE IN PIONEER NEVADA.

            So varied and interesting were the writer's

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early adventures in writing life insurance in White Pine county that possibly a few of them, as they relate to some of the old-timers, may not be uninteresting. During one of the county's periodic spells of dullness, when teaming and freighting might be classed as an occupation but certainly not as a business, the writer decided to tackle life insurance to keep the wolf from the door and, after securing an agency for the New York Life Insurance Company through its Salt Lake City branch, had Dr. Hammond of Ely named as medical examiner for the company.

            Patrick Bonner, a well-known miner and business man, a friend of the writer's for over a score of years, was the first applicant secured and, strangely enough, his death was also the first among the large number of people insured throughout the county. Pat, as he was popularly known, had just opened up a saloon at Lane City. This, by the way, was the first business building erected in that town with the exception of the Chainman boarding house, built and operated by J. P. McOmie for the accommodation of the miners. Pat was urged to take out a two thousand five hundred dollar policy, it being explained that the New York Life was the only old-line company that would issue a policy on the life of a miner or saloon-keeper. Mr. Bonner believed that the premium on the policy suggested would be more than he could afford, but agreed to take a one thousand dollar policy.