Cornucopia. (February 16, 1876)
Letter 21
CORNUCOPIA.
Its Business Men and Houses—Aurora District—The Late Strike in the Leopard.
Cornucopia, Feb. 10, ’76.
Having a few leisure moments, I will start out by saying that I will devote a few letters mainly to a description of this part of the country, and will begin with the BUSINESS HOUSES OF CORNUCOPIA.
Commencing in upper town, near the Leopard dump, where is situated the hotel of Woodruff & Ennor, under the supervision of Captain Pierce, where many of the miners board, and all can net the substantials of life. Next is the store of the same firm, where provisions and miners’ tools can be obtained. Next is the saloon of M. Sullivan, where you can get a good drink (cold water) or a game of draw, for money or stock. Then comes the blacksmith and wagon shop of T. Brown, where Clemons, the wagon maker, is ready to do anything in his line. A lodging house, kept by Mrs. Banks, is next on the street, where neat comfortable beds are furnished miners or anybody else who desires rest. Passing the Geneva tunnel, through which the Panther is now being worked, and which, by the way, is filling the street, we come to the shop of that irrepressible blacksmith, Johnny Barrett, who has facilities for doing the work of a whole town; but don’t know how to sell wood at $20 per cord. Below the shop is Smith’s hay yard, on the divide between the upper and lower towns, Smith is a Nevadan, and sells hay and barley for hungry horses, and lumber to the houseless on their own terms.
Next, I must not pass it, is THE SCHOOLHOUSE, “Where young ideas are taught to shoot.” It is in a flourishing condition, with on average of twenty-five pupils, under the tutorship of Miss Connors. Free and unsectarian schools are the bulwark of American liberty, and it speaks well for the intelligence of the people that a schoolhouse is among the first buildings in every mining camp, even in the most remote districts and out of-the-way places. But I must not forget to mention the handsome residence of Mr. Smith, plastered and hard finished, and the finest house north of the railroad in Elko county. Below it is an assay office, where you can get anything from a granite boulder to a silver bar assayed. “Well, let’s travel” to Johnny Van Wees’ [Vanwie’s] saloon, a good location, and imbibe. You like his jokes, he is a genial fellow, and used to do the polite to the boys along the railroad. As we proceed we drop into J. H. Fordham’s, and take a Havana or invigorating cordial, for cash. He keeps the best, in proof of which ask Ben Stoner. Across the street Eugene Holman presides, and is a favorite with all the boys. Next we find Reeves’ store, doing a rushing business, as the nephew understands his position. In this locality you can get a square meal at W. H. Pearce’s [Pierce’s] restaurant, and at the drug store of Dr. Wolfe all kinds of medicines. On the opposite side of the street are the stores of Smith & Co. and Rosenbaum & Co., and jogging along we get to Main street, where we rest for the present.
IN AURORA DISTRICT, located last full near the Winnemucca road, south of the Owyhee, the mines are looking splendidly. New developments will be made in a day or two that will surprise people. I have assurances of being kept fully posted, and will give particulars in due time.
The latest strike in the Leopard is very rich. I saw a piece of ore this morning taken from the bottom of the shaft that assayed over $6,000 to the ton, and there is plenty of it. Developments in the Hussey and Panther show that they are away up mines—no doubt of it, I talk with miners and know whereof I speak.—S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on February 16, 1876. (link)