Letter from Cornucopia. (August 21, 1785)
Letter 7
LETTER FROM CORNUCOPIA.
General Items—The Mines—A Rich Strike—Telegraph Talked Of.
Editor Silver State: In our last weekly letter we omitted to mention one thing, and that was the arrival in our town of C. F. Moeller. It was not an intentional oversight. He was here, sure; we saw him; at first did not recognize him. He, like one of the KNIGHTS OF OLD, had put on his brazen-mask for the tournament, and until the introduction we would not have remembered him, had we not heard that sweet voice of his, which sounds melodious in the song of "Bingen on the Rhine" or the conquerors tone of veni, vidi, vici. Charley is too good a man to pass into oblivion without remembrance. He saw the town as strangers see it. We hope his benign countenance may overshadow us again, and give no worse reports.
Since the last another blazing calamity has in some degree shadowed us. On L. I. Hogle's ranch, a few miles from town, on last Saturday, 100 tons of hay was burned, which is quite a calamity, as so much hay is needed in the winter season. Goltman and other farmers are striving to repair the loss, and there will I think be plenty of hay, although it may bring high prices.
OF THE MINES little need be said, only that the work on the Leopard and the Hussey goes systematically on. When the new mill gets to running look out for shipments of bullion. Everything here (by business men) is worked in systematic order, the merchant, mill man, restaurant and hotel keeper, and all appear to want to know no inflation, but to let the country stand on its own merits, as future developments will tell. A custom mill here, as I noticed before, would be a great benefit. North of here, I understand, at Mountain City, they are going to start up in a few days. There prospects are good, but who can tell without experiment.
IN TOWN times are terribly dull, no money in circulation and no prospects of same for a month to come. People are arriving and going out in equal proportions. It is a hard place for the miner and laboring man at present. Cornucopia is not the panacea for all the financial ills and woes of humanity. Freeman of your place, has a fine prospect if the town amounts to anything. Reeves stands well.
The latest news is that THE HUSSEY HAS STRUCK IT RICH. This mine rivals the Leopard, and then the South Leopard will vault to its proper proportions. Judge Sinclair, of this place, is in San Francisco, watching his opportunities. This mining camp is bound to be one of the best in the State. The mill will be in operation by the 1st of October, and then we will have months of good times. Jerry Gramme has put in an appearance here, and you know that is the panacea for all ills. We regret that we have no more direct stage connection with Winnemucca. Elko is leading the line, and without more enterprise is exhibited by Winnemuccans they will be left out in the cold. Such is the sad picture. There is some prospect of a telegraph line being constructed from here to Elko in a short time. The route has lately been viewed. This is all at present.—S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on August 21, 1875. (link)