Cornucopia. (April 15, 1876)

Letter 29

CORNUCOPIA.
Still Alive—A Flouring Mill to be Erected—Bull Run Valley.

Cornucopia, April 11, ’76.

I have some words to say to you in relation to our present and future prospects. The outside world may think that this section of the country is played out; but it is not so. It is true that the Leopard mill at present is shut down, and we do not see much spring weather. To some this may seem discouraging; but, when we look to our agricultural and mineral resources we know that we must live. The Leopard stock is down to the lowest figure. $50,000 will be expended during the coming summer for hoisting works and other improvements on the mine and mill. The best of our citizens know that our country is of some worth, consequently they invest their money here. As I noticed before, I. Hogle, M. K. Truett, and other well known business men have faith in the camp, and are shipping their goods by way of Winnemucca to this place. Furthermore, the agricultural portions of this section of the State are par excellent.

BULL RUN VALLEY as a grain producing section cannot be excelled. The best wheat in the country is raised there. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Davis, of the firm of Davis & Pierce, Paradise millers. Mr. Davis and Mr. Ham are about to erect a flouring mill on Silver Creek, about eighteen miles north of this place. They will put in a hydraulic turbine wheel, with a pressure of fifty-four feet, giving sufficient power to run two sets of three feet burs; one for making flour, and the other for grinding barley, etc. The mechanical work of the mill has been let by contract to P. W. Cunningham, one of the finest mechanics in the country, a man who understands his business, as his work on the Blue Jacket works and other places show.

But, Mr. Editor, speaking of the AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS of Bull Run Valley, I am informed by Mr. Davis that he has sampled the cereal productions of the said valley, and says, that from his knowledge, the wheat raised there will equal the productions of Paradise Valley, which we know are good. He has so much confidence in this section of the country that in connection with his mill he is going to put in one hundred acres of wheat and about the same area of other grain etc. There are many ranchers in the vicinity that do not pay their attention so particularly to the FLUCTUATIONS OF LEOPARD or other mining stock; but to the agricultural and stock raising advantages of the country. The bunch grass on the hill sides make good beef and mutton. Our valleys produce the best of cereals and vegetables. Notwithstanding the almost continuous storm since the 5th of last November we yet live, and live in hopes—hopes that are almost sure to produce a reality. No particular mining news this week.—S. M. H.

Originally published in the Silver State on April 15, 1876. (link)

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