Letter from Cornucopia. (December 23, 1875)
Letter 15
LETTER FROM CORNUCOPIA.
Dull Times—The Mines all Right—The Elko Road and Freight Rates—
A New District and Things in General.
Cornucopia, Nev., Dec. 19.
Editor Silver State:—I tell you that on this, the Lord’s day, everything is quiet. You never saw such DULL TIMES. No business going on; no money in circulation—and the grand cry is how to get out of Cornucopia for the winter. Notwithstanding all this, those that make the cry are non-producers, and the Leopard is better to-day than ever. Since my last, in which I stated they I had struck the mother vein in the mine, developments show that it is one of the best mines in the State.
THE HUSSEY IS WAY UP, and justifies the rise in its stock, which has occurred lately in the San Francisco Stock Board. I think from the information which I have received from reliable sources that the OLD BIRD WILL BE HIGH up in the spring, and then that Panther is going to leap into significance with the Leopard and the Hussey.
The Monarch is getting out good prospecting ore. I am not a scientist to give you the formations, developed, etc., how the ledges lay, whether it is—what? pyrites of iron, etc., granite formations, chloride, and all these things, but I have engaged an experienced miner who will explain the geological, mineralogical and other formations to me, which I will give you in my next. I will also try and give you the history of an old miner in this camp, one from the “Alph.”
OUR ROADS TO ELKO ARE TERRIBLE, and I hear many say here that there is no dispute but that in the winter of our discontent we must rely upon Winnemucca as our shipping point from the railroad. If Winnemucca will only take hold—as Elko did the last summer—all will be right for the next season’s trade.
There is now being formed A NEW DISTRICT, west of here, towards Winnemucca, which by way of prospects will make a stir in the spring The new district is twenty miles nearer your place (Winnemucca) than this is, and will be opened early in the spring. Good prospectors are now out to organize the district.
But I will leave the subject of mines and mining prospects and speak of OTHER SUBJECTS. Notwithstanding many have left there is plenty of people here now to do the business doing. We most every night have raffles or something of that kind to divert the mind. On an average we have three lawsuits a week, with jury trials, besides default cases, which Judge Bassett disposes of in quite a quantity. Of evenings we hear the picking of the celebrated banjo and the musical voices of Eugene Holman and wife, who now occupy the premises formerly occupied by Ty Owens. Prices keep up; wood is high—$25 per cord—and I do not think it will go up to $40, as some have predicted. I was going to speak of the weather, as when I commenced this letter it was bright and favorable, but at the present time it is snowing like Old Harry. It may be a squall and pass away in a few minutes.
In fine, I think that this and its connection with the surrounding country will make one of the best parts of the State. As quick as a few more signatures can be obtained to the POSTAL PETITION I will forward same to proper quarters. That is a great point to be gained, not only to Winnemuccans but to Cornucopiaites and intermediate places. FREIGHT NOW FROM ELKO IS FIVE CENTS PER POUND. All know it can be got cheaper from Winnemucca. Stir up the matter, and the friends of Winnemucca at Cornucopia will stand in. But God deliver us from the last summer’s fast freight line from Winnemucca. Far better go by the way of Elko or Battle Mountain.
PERSONAL. Gad Freeman is here, but is going to stay only a few days. Johnny Barrett rustles as usual. Ringold gets my “States” to show to his wife and read himself, for home news, and to see how E. D. K. got out of his scrape, and see how he turns up the “H. G.” and Double Eyes. In the course of human events I will write you again.
Yours truly, S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on December 23, 1875. (link)