Letter from Cornucopia. (August 7, 1875)
Letter 5
LETTER FROM CORNUCOPIA.
Cornucopia, August 2.
Editor Silver State: I thought I would this morning sit down and write you a few notes from this place. The weather is warm and pleasant, not so excessively hot as it is in the lower valleys of the State. This can be accounted for when we remember that the altitude here is something over seven thousand feet [actually, about 6,000].
Notwithstanding the Leopard Mill burned down, the company continue to work the mine night and day, with some Splendid Developments Of Ore. Everything tending to show that there is a good prominent mine on that location. The company are working diligently preparing for the reconstruction of the ten-stamp mill, also for the new twenty-stamp mill. They work day and night in preparing the ground for the foundations. This morning they commenced putting in the stone work. I think they will have all their machinery at work by the first of October at least, and by that time they will have ore out and enough to last them all winter in sight.
The Hussey people are continuing work vigorously, with great prospects of striking the mother vein (which is the same as the Leopard) in a short time. There is really a dearth of mining news, owing to the damper thrown over the community by the burning of the Leopard mill, in fact that even affects all persons and all classes here. Money is scarce, yet the town appears to grow right along as though nothing had happened, as fast as lumber can be obtained.
A Large Number Of Winnemuccans are here. Almost all classes from that place are represented. The laborer, mechanic, doctor, lawyer, saloon keeper, gambler, etc. Tom Laswell and partner are in full working order. Reeves is contending for his portion of the mercantile trade. To-day he is raising his store building which was a necessity, as the old foundations were too low. Johnny Barrett appears to be doing considerable business at his shop, and I think is doing quite well. Last night was quite a night for the boys, it was occasioned on account of the opening of Ti Owens' new saloon. Holman and Howard furnished the music, and I am told this morning they had a gay old time. Everything passed off quietly with the exception of two or three broken heads. Most all got drunk who participated in the dance. Freeman will open as soon as he can get lumber to put some finishing touches upon his place. He appears to be one of the fathers of the town.
To-night we have an Election For Mining Recorder. There are two candidates in the field. The present incumbent and our friend Forney. Before this letter closes I will let you know the result. Woodruff & Ennor still continue to run their daily express line, and are taking the lead. I would that they would run over the Winnemucca route; having that once thoroughly established we could rely upon direct communication the year round. The Elko lines are carrying passengers for $5, and in return some as low as $2.50. Every such thing encourages travel and trade that way, when it ought to go to Winnemucca. Woodruff's Battle Mountain line makes the trip in twelve hours from that place, so everybody prefers it to the two-and-a-half and three days from Winnemucca. This ought not to be so. Ringgold, formerly Deputy Sheriff under Thacker, is here driving quite a thriving business in the hay yard and livery business. Walsh still leads as a restaurant keeper.
Later. Yerry, the old Recorder of the district was re-elected. This is all at present. Yours, H. M. S. [assumed to be S. M. H.]
Originally published in the Silver State on August 7, 1875. (link)