Letter from Cornucopia. (June 12, 1876)
Letter 33
LETTER FROM CORNUCOPIA.
The Mines and the Mining Camp in that Vicinity—Freighting, Political and Miscellaneous.
Cornucopia, June 8, 1876.
There is not much to write to you at present, but to keep the connection good, I thought I would write ABOUT OUR MINES. The principal one—the Leopard—I learned yesterday, do not intend now to start up until they can work all their appliances together, viz: The mine, the mill and the roasters. Lew Williard [Willard] is now at Winnemucca, or on the road from there with the furnaces, and will undoubtedly have them here in good time. The mill, as I stated before, is ready to work. The mine is well timbered, and the hoisting works in “apple pie” order. Mr. Coffin, the present Superintendent, says that when he does start, he wants to start all, and some how or other I think he is right.
Then you may LOOK OUT FOR LEOPARD BULLION. It will come in large quantities. Let the company alone until July, and Coffin will answer for himself, and in a way not detrimental to the company he represents, nor to this community. Burke, chief mechanic on the Leopard, has just completed the best hoisting works ever erected in any outside camp; and as I intimated before, when they get all things to working, you will see the bullion being shipped.
THE HUSSEY HOISTING WORKS are completed, and went into operation last night. Their prospects are good. Perhaps they could do better if they had a different Superintendent, but let the stockholders look to that. It is none of my business. Let some of them come to Cornucopia, and inquire.
OF THE BLUE JACKET MINE, I found out that the company by Smith Van Drellin [Van Dreilin], lately shipped eleven bars of bullion, but its value I could not ascertain, as they do not ship through Wells, Fargo & Co.
I saw Judge Berrett [Barrett], of Bull Run, yesterday. He is a grain raiser at that place, and says that the ranchers in that section never had brighter prospects.
OF AURORA DISTRICT. We are a little disappointed at the result of the working of the last shipment of ore from the Aurora mine at the Humboldt Reduction Works; but are not discouraged. Perhaps the difficulty lay in the inexperience of the assorters. Try, try again, is the motto of the boys, and they will ship some more shortly. I hope Winnemuccans will give them every attention possible, because they are worthy men. So is Wm. Vaux, locator of the Pride of the West, near the Aurora; so are the Walsh boys and Jack Way, who are intrepidly working the Cable and other mines. Poor they are, but still they have the will, and will try and make Aurora a good camp. Dave Hanne fetched in some rock the other day from his location, the Mammoth, which assayed, by Mr. Root, $239 per ton in silver, a good prospect with a well defined ledge. Many other items I might mention from that district, but I have not space in this. I am going out there in a few days, when I will write you particularly.
OF TEAMSTERS’ NEWS I have not much to say. Mr. Asa Moore, a teamster from your place, arrived here safely with his freight for the Leopard and Hussey mines and Truett & Co. He came right along and delivered his freight in eight days after loading. He is satisfied with the road, but complains of money here. He is a “way up” freighter, and if all were like him Elko would not get a pound of freight the coming year. There is a difference between 2 cents and 4 and 5 cents. Keep a stiff upper lip, and with this place and Aurora and Bull Run, in fact the whole northern portion of Elko county “exnecessitate” will make Winnemucca our emporium on the railroad.
OF TOWN NEWS there is not much to note. Johnny Barrett appears to think that things look a little brighter, and will continue with us at present. He does not think the camp will die out. Monday night last there was quite a lively social party here. Carl York, of cornet fame, led the music with his cornet, and, although he is upward of three score and ten, made music for the dancers. Notwithstanding the inclement and rainy night they had a good time. Sam Wilson aided Carl with the violin. Saloon keepers all claim that times are dull. Hotel and restaurant proprietors grumble about money. But of all the Hotel keepers A. D. Walsh, of the Cornucopia Hotel, is ahead. He goes along the even tenor of his way regardless of all obstacles; in fact, his house for board and lodging is the best north of the railroad. I. S. Hogle and Truett each, on Main street, have large stocks of goods, and doing the leading trade in this and the surrounding country.
IN POLITICS there is a stir. Some of the would be candidates from Elko have appeared amongst us. Mr. Bobier would like to be Treasurer, and has been in this vicinity spying out the land. The Democratic headquarters are at the Palace saloon—managers, Savage, Chapman, Blonger & Co. Where the Republican headquarters will be I cannot tell; perhaps they do not want any, but let every man go on his own hook. Ringgold appears to be busy at his stable all the time. Steve Henley, a staunch Democrat, may step into the field for Sheriff. He has many qualifications which others do not possess. Frank Smith ought to be County Commissioner, whether he gets it or not. But more anon.—S. M. H.
Originally published in the Silver State on June 12, 1876. (link)