Ten years in Nevada

Preface

HAVE been frequently requested by my Eastern and Western friends to write up my life in Nevada, and tell them how I managed to sustain myself and child, carry on law, and lay up property. They wish to know something of Pacific life ; the manners and customs of the people; all about the Chinamen, the Piutes, and the mines of the Comstock. They wish to know all I can tell them of the Pacific Coast after a ten years' sojourn in California and Nevada.

All have persuaded me that such a book would be very interesting, and have an ext nsive circulation.

I shall endeavor to write nothing but facts gathered from my own observation and experience, or from other reliable sources. My readers will see I had but one purpose in going to Nevada — that of ascertaining the facts concerning my brother's death and his business affairs, and, if possible, to bring his murderer to justice, and to prove to his friends that he did not die a beggar, as was represented by Mr. G. G. Waters, the man who took charge of his papers.

They will also see with what tenacity I clung to my purpose, never allowing any obstacle to hinder, or fear deter me. They will see that while accomplishing it we had to endure a great deal of sickness, privations, trials, and hard work. We did not shrink from honest labors, but engaged in anything that would further our purpose, regardless of the opinion of the high-toned. We took Conscience for our guide, and left the rest to God.

Our vocations were as checkered and numerous as those of P. T. Barnum; for we have been seamstress, nurse, laundress, school-teacher, and letter-

6 Preface.

writer; have kept a lodging-house, and been our own chamber-maid ; kept boarders, and did our own cooking.

My son shared privations and trials with me without a murmur, and did his part of the work; for, besides attending school and keepmg up with all his classes, he carried the Evening Chronicle, and had a route of his own, consisting of several of the best New York and San Francisco papers. He had alsa been an employee in the N. P. Telegraph Office; had played for benefits, and finallj' went on the stage as an actor, and has continued to follow the business ever since.

Although we engaged in so many kinds of business, endured privations, hardships, losses; though we were swindled and robbed, our life on the Pacific Coast has been far from unpleasant; for few people ever enjoyed life more than we did. Few ever made more true and lasting friends than we did in the same length of time. We took life as it came — enduring its trials, and enjoying its pleasures.

Chapter I. Pask

Leaving Home — My Visit in Buffalo — My Brother's Journey — My Brother's Letters — Letters from Waters — My Visit with President Fillmore g

CHAPTER n.

Our Journey to Chicago and Omaha — Journey to Reno — Our Arrival in Virginia City — Looking for Work — Sick Child 23

CHAPTER HL

My Visit to Mr. Waters — Visit to Dayton — Visit to California — Incidents of the Journey 48

CHAPTER IV.

The Meeting of Mother and Child — Child Sick — The Revelation of Treatment to Child — Settlement — House Hunting — A Friend Moving to Virginia City — Taking in Washing — The School — A Cousin Found — Search for Lawyers 87

CHAPTER V.

A Law Suit — A Move to B Street — More Friends — A Move to A Street — A Deal in Stocks — Buying a House — Moving Again — Sickness and a Broken Arm — Novelties in Love-making no

CHAPTER VI.

Finishing the House and Furnishing it — The Settlement with the Builders — Lodging-House Trials — The New Law Firm — The Big Fire — Sale of a Mine — Trouble of Getting My Pay 138

CHAPTER VII.

Description of Virginia City and its Inhabitants — The Secret Societies — Water Company — Gambling — The Centennial Fourth. 153

8 Contents.

CHAPTER VIII.

Gold Hill— American Flat— Silver City— Dayton— Sutro— Carson City- Empire City ^9^

CHAPTER IX.

Incidents of My Life Continued 2ig

CHAPTER X.

Chinatown and John Chinaman of Virginia City 1 249

CHAPTER XI.

The Snow-Sheds 264

CHAPTER XII.

The Free Lunch-House — Kansas Sufferers — The Piute Indiaqs 263

CHAPTER XIII.

The Corastock and the Mines . 292

CHAPTER XIV.

The Mines Continued ........ . 310

CHAPTER XV.

Our Lives Continued . 328

CHAPTER I.

Leaving Home — My Visit in Buffalo — My Brother's Journey — My Brother's Letters — Letters from Waters — My Visit with President Fillmore.

'T^ T was the eleventh day of August, the year sixty-nine, -11 a day long to be remembered by me, for I was to leave home, parents, and sisters — all I hold dear, save my little boy, who was to accompany me to the land of gold — to be a stranger in a strange land. I arose from a sleepless pillow, and, hastily dressing myself, I drew aside the curtain. As I gazed on the landscape before my window my heart grew sad at the thought of leaving so much loveliness for an uncertain future. The glorious sun was just peeping its head above the eastern horizon, setting his golden crown in a background of crimson and purple clouds, casting his bright rays over garden and meadow. The dew sparkled on the bright green grass; the shrubs and flowers in the garden bent their blooming heads beneath the weight of its crystal drops. Yes, I was to leave all this for months, perhaps for years ; what wonder that my heart grew sad, and silent tears chased each other down my cheek ! but this would never do ; those loved ones must never know the struggle it cost me to leave them.

I bathed my face, and descended to the breakfast-room ; ihe table was already set ; we gathered around it silent and sad ; the food was hardly tasted. We left the table to make our final preparations for the journey. Each familiar haunt Avas hastily visited — the orchard and the garden. Choice fruits were gathered for my basket.

lo Ten Years in Nevada.

I then returned to the house to spend the remainder of the time with my family ; the time is consumed in givingcounsel and warnings till the team drives to the door.

The trunks, satchel, and basket are soon stowed away ; then came the parting. My darling sister Nettie threw her arms around my neck, and, bursting into a flood of tears, said :

" I shall never see you again on earth ! " One moment she held me thus, kissing me passionately ; then, gathering Charley in her arms, pressed him to her heart, kissed him, and hastily left the room.

Little, then, did I think her prophetic words were true. Alas ! they were too true : for I never looked upon her sweet face again. Kind reader, let me draw a veil over the remainder of the parting scene — 'tis too sacred for curious eyes.

We are soon seated in the wagon, the whip snaps, the horses start. Charley calls out, good-bye Grandpapa, Grandmamma, and Aunt Nettie ! good-bye everything \ don't worry; we will come back all right.

As we reached the top of a long hill in front of our house, I looked back to take a last look of those loved forms ; but I looked in vain, for they had gone away to weep.

An old friend of my father, Mr. Yencer, took us to the depot, and as we speeded on our way, he tried to make us forget our parting by drawing us into conversation, till we reached the station. We were not a moment too soon, for the cars came steaming along just as we had procured our tickets and checked our trunks.

We bade good-bye to our kind friend, took our seats, and the cars were again bounding along the track towards Buffalo, each familiar village passing in rapid succession from my view.

As things became less familiar, I gave myself up to thought, till the conductor put his head in the door and called out Buffalo. I gathered up my things and descended to the platform, leaving all our things in the baggage-room. We took a street-car up Main as far as Eagle Street, and a few moments' walk brought us to my sister's, Mrs. Miles Moffatt.

They were just eating dinner. We took them by surprise ; but sister told Charley she had been waiting for him.

He told her she could not fool him, for he got up too early that morning. So more plates were added, and we all sat down together.

While we are eating and enjoying the dinner, we will ask the reader to go back, some three months before the time this chapter opens, to my home.

I was moving noiselessly about the room, lest I should disturb the slumbers of my mother, who had not slept well during the night ; my father came in with a letter from my brother Miles, in Wisconsin, and as he opened it a small piece of paper fluttered to the floor. He picked it up and read it, turned deadly pale, looked towards the bed on which my mother laid, read it again^ and then giving it to me, he said : " See what you think of that; it is somethi.is" about your brother Charles ! "

I took the paper and read these words : " I do not know a B. F. McNair; but I did know a Charles McNair, who was killed in a political quarrel on American Flats. I have his papers, and can give information to his friends.

" G. G. Waters."

This was all it contained. After I had finished reading it I took up my brother's letter to see if I could gain any information concerning the papers. His letter stated that Cousin Jefferson had written to the post-master of Virginia City, Nev., making inquiries for his brother Frank, who also had been gone a long time from home, and had received this scrap of paper in reply.

Jefferson, knowing my brother was somewhere on the Pacific Coast, and that we were anxious to hear from him, had sent it to Miles, and he, forming the same opinion, had forwarded it to our father. He said in his letter that he would write to Mr. Waters for further particulars.

As we were holding a consultation whether to tell my mother until we had heard more particulars, she parted the curtains around her bed and looked out, and asked, " who have you a letter from?" We said from Miles. "Are they all well?" Yes, both families, I said. " Well, what is wrong, then ? "

But seeing we still hesitated, she said: " It is about Charley; you need not tell me ; he is dead." And she lay back on the pillow, and covered her face with her hands as if she were praying for strength to bear her great bereavement.

Let the reader go back still farther, twelve years before Charles (named for his father) or Charley, as we all called him, a petted and idolized son and brother, had taken the gold fever, as many others at that time had.

And when my parents (who had never crossed him in a single wish, or allowed him to be struck a blow since the death of his baby brothers) saw how his whole heart was set on this journey, they could not withhold their consent, although it was with great reluctance they gave it, for he was their youngest, their best beloved child.

He possessed a very happy, pleasant disposition ; had no bad habits, always shunning bad company ; honest in all his deahngs, fearless and brave ; a true friend, loving son and brother.

He was beloved by all who knew him. He loved and honored his father, but he idolized his mother ; her word was his law ; her counsel his guide. Such was our household pet.

His health was not good, and he took the journey as much for his health as for gold.

Their consent gained, preparations were soon made, and when the parting came he kissed his sister, held his mother in a silent embrace, for neither could speak a parting word; he wrung his father's hand, and drove away, never to return, although he knew it not. He was but eighteen years of age ; his principles being good and firmly rooted, they did not fear to trust him. He said he would return or write within ten years, but would never return till he was rich.

He said fifty thousand is well off, but a hundred thousand was rich ; but he wanted health more than money.

He had a great desire to be large and stout like his brother Hugh. Thank God, he got both his wishes, although he was not permitted to return.

The reader will see it was no family quarrel that sent my brother from his home, as has been represented by Mr. Waters.

We will now go back to the time when we received that little scrap of paper which told us Charley was no more.

My mother, unlike most people, could never shed a tear when oppressed with sorrow or trouble, no matter how great it might be ; this boon was denied her by nature.

Now for twelve long years she had waited for the return of her darling boy, and for the last six years had aired his room, and had a nice supper prepared on the anniversary of his departure from home, hoping, praying that he might return ; and hope had sustained her through all these years. But now that he was dead, and hope fled, she took no notice of anything save the letters we wrote to Mr. Waters and his answers, for we did not wait for Miles to write, but wrote ourselves that very day ; also several others, which he answered. In one we requested him to send Charley's papers. This he refused to do, unless satisfied it was Charlev's parents who wanted them. We then had our attorney, E. W. Packard, Esq., of Nunda, send for them.

They came by steamer, and it was some two months before we received them.

We had no through railroad then as we had two months later.

By Charley's papers we discovered he owned several pieces of mining property, a mill site, and mining stock ; also notes and money orders. This did not look much like a beggar, and on comparing his letters, found them a bundle of contradictories ; and to prove that I am not making any false statements, I will publish the letters here that the reader may see and judge for himself. After comparing notes, I think you will agree with me.

Gold Hill, Storey County.

Nevada, February 5, 1869.

Mr. McNair:

Yours of January 22, 1869, received to-day. In answer to inquiries regarding Charles McNair, or B. F. McNair, I can state what I know of Charles McNair. I never knew him by any other initials. He was a young man about twenty-four or twenty-six years of age, about five feet eight or ten inches in height, round face, light hair, in good flesh, generally holding his head a little down when walking ; light complexion ; a deep thinker, and somewhat erratic in his conversation; radically Union; temperate in his habits. His father, as he often spoke of it, must have been a drinking man. I think he came to Gold Hill, Nev., in 1861 or 1862 ; has worked for me on the American Flat Toll Road at different times until his death, in a lamentable manner, in the summer of 1865, having been shot, with a shot-gun, through the lower portion of the abdomen. Mortification set in, causing death on the third day after the shooting. Mrs. Waters and myself attended him frequently ;

Life on the Pad fie Coast. i 5

was not with him when he died, but saw him decently buried in the Gold Hill Cemetery. His papers are in my possession. Some old mining-deed receipts, and one piece of mining stock, fifty shares Kentucky, are of no immediate or probable future value. This knowledge I obtained to-day from looking over them for the first time. Among them is a memorandum book, date 1859. '^^^ first entry,

January, Monday 3, in pencil, thus: "Alpheus. ,

Charlotte Phillips, Marshaltown, Marshal County, Iowa. I promised to write her a letter on March loth. January 4th my out-fit for the mines." (Giving the items.)

"February i, 1859. I started to-day, at one o'clock, for Pike's Peak, from Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota." Continuing memoranda to July 3d ; every day written in pencil, and dim.

He was very uncommunicative in regard to his family, his father excepted, as before named, and then only when drinking was the subject. Had a brother a store-keeper, well off; did not wish to let them know of his roughing it out here. The day before he died we pressed him to give their address and settle up his matters. He laughed at the idea of his dying, but would when he got well off. My idea was, he or his family was formerly from New York State. I may be wrong. He was honest to a fault ; industrious and visionary ; had no enemies, and really brought on his own death by attempting to drive a Secessionist from a garden while at his work. Having made previous threats and warning to leave, the man prepared himself for defense. Charles McNair got over the fence to drive him from his work, or thrash him. The gun was fired when he was advancing upon the party who shot him. The party ran awa)' ; no arrest made. I never knew the name of this man, but could learn by inquiry.

I have given you all the information in my possession. Will send on all papers, and should this prove to be your

1 6 Ten Years iti Nevada.

brother, 3'ou can learn of him and also of me by hunting up Mr. Ruggles, Helm, Tama County, Iowa. He is in the lime-burning business. He is one of our old Washoe pioneers ; knew Charles McNair well. It is just possible, from what I know of him, and his desire to prevent any knowledge of him reaching his family, that he might have changed his initials. I think he was called Charley on the plains. Should you look up, Mr. Helm, take this with you. Any further iniormation will be given without delay.

Yours, etc.,

Geo. G. Waters.

P. S. — Charles McNair, shot by Elgin, May 29, 1865 ; died June 2d following ; buried same day ; lived in California ; a portion of the time of his being on the coast.

Gold Hill,

Nevada, March 22, 1869.

Mr. C. W. McNair,

Sir: — Yours of February 13th to P. M., Virginia City, and also one of same date to me, received. Nearly all of the numerous questions you have propounded in the two letters before me I have already answered in quite a lengthy letter of a previous date, directed to a Mr. McNair, at Washington, Iowa, he or yourself receiving that letter, and I infer it has been received. It seemed to me it covered nearly the whole there was to be said in the matter, Charles Mc- Nair was killed by Elgin, May 29, 1865, by his own unwarranted act. He was shot while rushing towards Elgin to whip him and make him leave the garden, having previously threatened Elgin, that if he did not leave by a certain time, he would thrash him. Elgin immediately left ; has not been here since the shooting. The shot lodged in the lower portion of the abdomen and pelvis. He was attended by Dr, Webber, and died the third day after the shooting ; was buried by subscription among a few who knew him.

He died at the house of E. F. Glover, in American Flat, two miles south of Gold Hill. He worked on the American Flat Toll Road for me. Had no means, but left some debts behind him, owing M. Yost eighty or more dollars, myself forty or more. His papers are in my desk, of no possible value to any one any further than to identify him, which I consider doubtful, as I have written before all I knew of him. He was Union to fanaticism; light complexion, light hair, light blue eyes ; honest to a cent ; from twenty-five to twenty-eight years old ; he always signed his name Charles McNair ; left the States, I think, in 1859; was changeable in his disposition. I wished him to make a will, believing he must die. He would not hear to anything of the kind, and died sooner than we expected, as mortification set in rapidly. He did not wish his friends to know of his condition until he made means to gratify some feeling he entertained. His father, he said, drank too much liquor. He would not taste it on any account. Judge E. Strother, Gold Hill ; M. Yost, ditto ; James A. Rigby, American Flat ; M. Gladding, Gold Hill, all knew him.

You do not subscribe yourself as a relative of his, or that one of your family or relatives came out here. I do not know your object in making those inquiries, as this is the third instance I have endeavored to give information to some one on the same subject. 1 am no more enlightened than when commencing. You can learn from the governor of Nevada my standing here since 1861, or from the post-master of Gold Hill. His papers will be forwarded to any of his family who prove themselves such to my satisfaction. Had brothers and sisters. Was formerly from New York.

Yours respectfully,

G. G. Waters.

P. S. — My impression from his conversation was he had friends in New York, and a brother somewhere West that was well off, and could or would help him if he made the request, but would rather suffer than ask assistance. I have repeatedly asked him to state where his friends lived, as his mother would be anxious. " Not yet," was his answer. " If I am poor, I do not want them to know it." When better off he intended returning. Suffered no pain whatever. Sure of recovery. G. G. W.

Gold Hill, April 27, 1869.

Mr. Packard,

Dear Sir: — Yours of the same month received to-day. From what you state you are satisfied he is the son of the family now residing in New York State.

The package forwarded is all that cam^ to our possession. Mining deeds would be of some importance if the Atlantic was worth anything. I know he owned in this mine, which is now incorporated. I believe he never signed the trust deed ; there has been no work done upon it for five years. The Kentucky piece of stock inclosed is worthless ; the mine has been bought up by the Water Company chiefly under assessment sales. I think he has been sold out at one dollar per share. If necessary, I can be referred to at any time while residing here. I have forwarded by Pacific Union Express Company a small package directed to Charles W. McNair, Nunda, Livingston County, N. Y., care E. W. Packard. The charges to be paid by the parties receiving the same.

Yours respectfully,

Geo G. Waters.

Parcel goes by steamer. Acknowledge receipt thereof, and obliere G. G. W.

'to'

Gold Hill,

Nevada, May 8, 1879.

Mr. McNAiJi,

Dear Sir: — Yours of 26th ultimo received. In answer thereto I have written quite explicitly to members of his family in regard to the death of Charles INIcNair, who was killed by Elgin, in May, or rather died June 6, 1865. I have some days since forwarded by steamer, to his parents in New York State, all the effects owned by him at the time of his death. He bought a suit of clothes to appear at Mr. Lincoln's funeral procession. They were stolen from his cabin, as he told us, some weeks before his death. He had no trunk to my knowledge. Had been roaming around California considerable. He had worked for me on the American Flat Toll Road, but had not been for three months previous to his death. I went to him with material to write his will; he would not listen to anything of the kind ; was sure to get well. Mrs. Waters went to him each day, a distance of one and one-half miles. She saw him at six o'clock in the evening. He had watchers with him all the night. Mortification set in. He wished to be left to sleep. Died the easiest death possible. Dr. Webber attended him. From your description I have no doubt he is your brother. I am quite positive he had a brother Hugh in Wisconsin, and several sisters ; also his father was very intemperate. He was very visionary; had streaks of good sense above the average; his business faculties were not good ; he was honest, and wanted a friend \.o lean upon ; said he would not write or return to his people until he got rich ; his parents lived in New York State; would never say where ; he would not give their address after being shot. How he heard his brother was a merchant and well off, I do not know. I knew him since 1861. He had no property except what I have forwarded. He had a survey and location made of mill sites, in American Ravine, in partnership with me. I advanced the money to locate and survey. There was nothing ever done upon the ground after the year expired from date of record. The ground, so far as I know, is worthless, and still unclaimed by me or any one else. He owed Mr. Yost, as I ascertained last week.

$100. Mr. Yost still works for me. He owed me $48. His funeral expenses were paid by his friends, each giving something. The doctor was never paid. If you will write to Ruggles, Helm, Tama County, Iowa, and learn if he is there, as I believe he is, you can then go and see him, learning perhaps more of Charles McNair than you could of me. He knew him well ; also his means and everything connected with him, after he became acquainted with him. I have written so repeatedly to different McNairs in regard to his death, that I do not wish to repeat it here. I think my last to E. W. Packard, in April last, ought to close the matter. I liked C. McNair for his honesty and simplicity. See Mr. Helm, as directed, and learn all you can from him ; he may have told him of his family, but I think not. I have done in this matter no more than I would hope to have done for me in like circumstances. His parents, no doubt, are anxious. He was well cared for, and received Christian burial, by an Episcopal minister, in the Gold Hill Graveyard. I suppose there is not one who thinks of him now, except ourselves. We often go to his grave. Life here is so fast and fleeting; the mines kill many ; the saloons and teaming on these mountains do their share. It is not like your Eastern country. He deserved a better fate.

Yours respectfully,

Geo. G. Waters.

My mother never recovered from the shock or seemed to rally after the news came, but wandered around her garden and house in a listless mood, taking no notice of anything, not even her choice flowers, till I could endure the sight no longer ; and one morning I astonished the family by telling them I had something to tell them, and did not want any of them to oppose me, for it will make no difference ; all you can say will not change my mind in the least, no matter how wild you may think me. By this time all eyes were upon me ; even my mother raised her eyes with interest, and, looking straight at her, I said : Mother, I am going to California as soon as I can possibly get ready ; I have nothing to hinder me from going, and the railroad now runs through trains.

I am going to find Charley, if he is alive, and bring him back to you. If he is dead, I will find his grave, and learn the full particulars concerning him.

This had the desired effect ; she seemed to rally at once, and took an interest in all my plans. I was keeping a hoopskirt factory at the time, and doing a good business. I immediately sold out my goods at cost, or any price I could get for them — all that 1 had made up. The balance I left with my sister to do what she pleased with them. I collected all the debts standing out. I turned everything into money that I could This took only three weeks.

I now packed my trunks, bade my friends good-bye, and I believe I had got as far as Buffalo, where I was taking dinner. My niece had just been married, and as I did not get there in time for the wedding, I decided to stay a week with them, for I had a little business to transact in the cit}'. I had only consulted with one lawyer on my business, and I decided to call on one of the best in Buffalo.