USA > Nevada > Washoe County > General History and Resources of Washoe County, Nevada, Published Under the Auspices of the Nevada Educational Association > Part 4
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In 1871 Huffaker's was the terminus of the V. & T. R. R., and quite a shipping point for tarm produce and wood, which were taken to Virginia. A large store was built, and carried on a lucrative business. An enterprising blacksmith located at the mouth of the canyon and set up his shop with the mountains for walls and the sky tor a roof. A stranger passing one day asked Huffaker if there was a blacksmith shop near. George said: "Well, yes; you're in the shop now-but it's four miles to the anvil." Mr. Huffaker still lives at the old place, and his handsome stone resi- dence looms up in a way that shows he is very comfortably fixed, and prepared to take things easy. His farm is a model one, and everything about the place is in keeping with the house, and we never pass there without admiring his good taste and management. The well near the road furnishes water so delicious and cool that its vir- tues are extolled by the travelers who seldom lose an opportunity to stop and partake of the spark- ling fluid.
In 1864 the ranches between this point and Reno were few and far between. From Ander- son's, a distance of three miles to the town, the land was unoccupied and considered worthless, having neither natural grass nor water for irriga- tion. The Lake ranch was owned by Jim Evans, now of Long Valley. Now this land is taken up by ranchers, and is as valuable as any in the State; and on these ranches are residences and improvements that will more than favorably com- pare with any similar institutions on the coast. So much for Washoe enterprise.
CRYSTAL PEAK.
One of the principal points near the Truckee River in 1864 (but "Old Bull ". had a station in 1863) was Crystal Peak, at the eastern foot of the Sierra. James O'Neil had a trading post here in 1854. Built in a grassy nook among the pines, it was a healthful rustic retreat, where 300
people engaged in mining and lumbering. Its name was derived from the crystallized gold quartz found in the vicinity, and the town owed its being to the Crystal Peak Company, who had interests in the mines and lumber of the region. Shortly after the town site had been selected the discovery of coal in-Dog Valley gave the town a boom. More people flocked in, buildings for business houses were constructed, and J. K. Lovejoy came with "The Old Piute." The character of "The Old Piute" was such that many of the old timers have not forgotten it.
Companies were formed to work the coal fields of Dog Valley, and the quartz mines of Crystal Peak. Shafts were sunk, tunnels were driven, and a large amount of money was expended in various ways. The coal found proved to be of a worthless character, composed or formed from such small trees and growth that it was only a stringer, and was not worth mining. The other mines were abandoned, owing to dis- connected ledges and small pockets, and the people turned their attention to lumbering. Saw mills were erected near where timber covered the mountain sides, and prosperity reigned in spite of the set-back given the camp by the "petering out'' of the mines.
In 1868 the Central Pacific was just entering the State, and the saw-mills had all the work they could do to turn out the material necessary for the construction of the road. The population swelled to 1,500, all happy in the idea that the new road would pass through the town and give it a permanent place in the growth of the county. By a provision in the charter of the Central Pa- cific Railroad Company they were required to reach the State line at a certain time. The con- struction of the road over the Sierra proved so difficult and slow that the company had to take advantage of a technicality to meet this proviso A locomotive was hauled over the mountains to where Truckee now lies, and a track was laid down the river for some miles. This locomotive hauled material for distribution along the line be- fore the track was laid on what is now known , as the Sacramento Division of the C. P. R. R. ; In- stead of coming to Crystal Peak, the railroad passed two miles to the left, and Crystal Peak gradually merged into Verdi.
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VERDI.
Verdi is a station on the Central Pacific Rail- road, about two miles from the old town of Crystal Peak, and now eleven miles from Reno by railroad or wagon road.
In 1860 Verdi proper was known as O'Neil's Crossing, O'Neil having built a rough log bridge here and established a station, to catch the trade of the travel to the Comstock. In. 1862 this bridge was carried away by the disastrous floods of that year, but it was soon] rebuilt. In 1870 occurred the robbery which created so much ex- citement, and which is still fresh in the minds of many. On November 4th of that year a band of robbers, composed of J. E. Chapman, A. J. Davis. E. B. Parsons, James Gilchrist, T. P. Cockerill, J. C. Roberts and John Squires, went to Verdi, and when the overland train of the 5th came in the morning they boarded it, cut off the engine, mail and express cars from the rest of the train, and compelled the engineer to run down the track to a culvert where some of the gang were waiting with tools. The express messenger . was ordered out of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s car, and placed under guard, with the engineer and fireman, in the mail car. The treasure boxes were broken open, and $41,600 secured. This was hastily divided, and the members scatttered in different directions. The officers of justice were soon on the trail, and in a few days all of the gang were behind the bars. Roberts weak- ened and told all he knew about the matter, and $40,000 was recovered. At the trial in December Roberts and Gilchrist turned State's evidence and were liberated. Davis and Jones pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to ten and five years respect- ively in the penitentiary. The others stood trial, were found guilty and sentenced to various terms, ranging from eighteen to twenty-four years.
In 1873 the wagon bridge at Verdi tell into the stream when an ox team, drawing a load of wood. was crossing. The wagon struck the water "right side up with care," and was drawn out of the gulch, with the help of the uninjured oxen.
In 1882 the Central Pacific Railroad Company took down the wooden bridge over which the railroad passed, and constructed a small iron bridge. While in process of construction some- thing supporting the bridge gave way, and five
carpenters were hurled into the gulch with the crashing timbers. Several were badly bruised, and taken to Reno for treatment. where they quickly recovered.
Verdi's principal business is in its extensive lumber interests. Several fine saw-mills, costing in the aggregate some $60,000, were erected here. Some of the material for these mills is flumed from the adjacent hills, while other is transported by railroad. They do superior work. and manufacture all kinds of lumber and some furniture. The principal business houses are May's saloon, a popular resort; Foxwell's saloon and Judge Borman's hotel. About eighty men find employment in Lonkey's Sash Factory. Katz & Henry sold their mill, lumber and land to the Truckee Lumber Company in 1883 for $45,000. They used to flume wood from Dog Valley. Verdi is a pleasant little place, and the mountain breezes make the summer weather en- durable. In season the Truckee affords good fishing, and deer are found just over the hill. The people are pleasant and sociable, and they have a nice schoolhouse. There is property in Verdi and vicinity to the amount of $120,000.
PREHISTORIC PRINTING.
It has long been known that "pictured rocks" were to be found in many parts of Nevada, and Washoe County has her share at Verdi. The largest of the group is eight feet long, five and a half feet across, and five feet thick. It is of a dark red or dirty brown color of lava formation, and worn smooth by water. Its top and sides are covered with lines and marks that convey to the present generation no intelligence whatever. A line half an inch wide starts at the hole and, bending downward, forms a sort of border for the letter, until it reaches midway of the rock, when it suddenly turns up and mingles with the hiero- glyphics above. Two or three similar marks cross on top of the stone, and one runs across the north side, losing itself inside a coating of moss as hard and dry and old as the rock itself. From a line at the bottom hangs a few scallopy- looking marks that may be part of the picture, or it may be fringe or ornament. The figures are not those of any animal, bird or reptile, but seem to be made of all known forms, and are connected by wavy, snake-like lines. Something
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that might be taken for a dog. with a round and characterless head at each end, looking to- wards you, occupies a prominent place near the lower line. The features are all plain enough. A deer's head is joined to a mixed-up patchwork, that has something which may be meant for four legs beneath it. Birds' claws show up in two or three places, but no bird is near them. Snaky figures run promiscuously through the whole thing. A circle at the right end has spokes join- ing at the center and running out and losing themselves in the maze outside. The whole thing is a crazy-looking mess of stuff that may have meant something once; but if it did, it must have taken some time to learn the art of reading it. No one can look at these relics of a remote past without having his mind filled with conjecture as to the intelligence which dictated them, and the objects which they represent. J. K. Lovejoy ("Old Piute") discovered them in 1858, and the Indians say they have been there, and along the Truckee at other places, for many years, and they have no legends or traditions concerning them. Dan De Quille says they are rude maps of the country, and the lines, figures, etc., em- ployed mark the course of rivers and the direction of mountains, while the holes represent the lakes. He says several parties have found the keys of some of the stones, and followed the lines with a result bearing out this theory. However this may be, the rocks may be classed among our natural curiosities, and a look at them pays well for a visit to the place.
HUNTER'S STATION.
Hunter's Station is a crossing point of the Truckee River about half way between Verdi and Reno. It was one of the numerous " crossings" on the route of travel between California and Washoe. In 1860 George Stout built a bridge here, which was carried away by the deluge of '62. Stout was drowned in the flood. In 1860 Hunter kept a hotel here, and the place still goes by the name of "Hunter's." After the destruc- tion of Stout's bridge a new one was built by the Henness Pass Toll-road Company, and used in conjunction with their road. Their franchise ex- pired in 1872, and the bridge became the prop- erty of Washoe County.
PEAVINE.
Peavine Mining District, in the Peavine Moun- tains, nine miles from Reno by the N. & C. R. R .. was so named from the number of wild peavines which abound in the vicinity. The Peavine® ledges, which contain copper, silver and gold, were discovered in 1863. In the same year a town named Peavine was laid out near a cluster of springs. a mile or so up the mountain. The ore assayed from $60 to $600 per ton in gold and. silver. A trial of the ore at the Auburn Mill showed that it could not be reduced by the ordi- nary process, and smelting works with a capacity of ten tons per day were erected. Still the ore, which lies in a granite and metamorphic forma- tion and contains base, proved refractory, and many of the miners left. A few remained, with. the hope that some new and successful process would be found, while they in the meantime en- gaged in placer mining for gold in the canyons when water was plenty in the Spring. In 1865 work was resumed, and several rich ledges were developed in the "Poe," "Paymaster," and "Golden Fleece." A ten-stamp mill, having in connection a new style furnace, was erected, and some thousands of dollars were spent in other improvements. The population of the place at this time was about 150, and the town was named Poe City. The new mill and furnace failed to reduce the ore, and new processes were tried from time to time. The ore possesses some of the most complicated combinations of mineral known, and although the assays range high, enough of the precious metals cannot be extracted to pay for the working. Other ores are found near, and yield fair returns.
Down the hill from Peavine, on Lemmon's Flat, lies the Emma mine, from which a company ex- pected to reap a fortune. Some of the parties interested in the Peavine mines still have faith, and resume operations and prospecting from time to time. We trust that faith will be rewarded ere long, and the rebellious rock forced to yield its treasure.
GLENDALE.
In 1855 John Owens and Ed. Ing established a trading post on the Truckee river near the present site of Glendale. They were followed by John F. Stone and Charles C. Gates in 1857, and
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this place is best known to the early settlers as - Stone & Gates' crossing. In 1860 they built the Farmers' Hotel and a bridge across the Truckee. In 1861 Eastman built a saw-mill near Sessions' ranch, and the logs were floated down the river. Eastman has the credit of first storing ice, which he took from the river. In 1862 Eastman's mill was damaged by the high water, and the bridge at Stone & Gates' crossing was swept away. In 1864 the town consisted of the Glendale Hotel, several stores, a blacksmith shop, saloons, etc. The Glendale Hotel was the rendezvous, and here John Stone, Charles Gates, George Alt, Lem Savage, Dave Scott, Orrin Ross, H. M. Frost, John Lee, Robert Steele, Heister Stevens, N. C. Haslund, William Steele, F. C. Updike, A. J. Clark, Dan O'Connor, Jess brothers, John Klippe, Theo Lewis, Sandy Crocker, Jim Ferguson, E. C. Sessions, John W. Boynton, Al. Longley, John Wright, Watt Sturtevant, Jim Sullivan, Pat Kelly, Henry Orr, Charles Chase, and a host of others, assembled, and the old hotel resounded with the "jolly gatherings" of the good old times. While some have gone to their long rest, many are to-day our most prominent citizens. They are men of high character and sterling worth, and the prosperity of Washoe County is due in the main to their industry and progression. They love to talk of the palmy days, and, when they chance to meet, they call up the "larks" they used to have, and forget not N. C. Haslund's reading of the bulletin which stuck itself in a con- spicuous place on Glendale bridge one well-re- membered morning. Those who were forgotten in this first bulletin were remembered in others that followed. With the birth of Reno, Glendale vanished, from a business standpoint, but it has a natural beauty
" Most fair to look upon."
Highly improved farms surround the old "ral- lying point," and the little white schoolhouse is a pleasant landmark. A good bridge spans the Truckee, and fine orchards are by the wayside.
The name "Glendale " suggests the rural beauty of the charming spot.
ROOP.
-: When the Territory of Nevada was organized, owing to the uncertainty of the eastern boundary line. at California, . it was supposed that Honey
Lake Valley lay within the limits of Nevada. It was the home of Governor Isaac Roop, who, with others living near him, had always taken an active part in the affairs of Western Utah.
In 1860 Governor Nye called an election, which was held August 31, 1861, and Isaac Roop was elected to represent this district in the Council, and John C. Wright was elected to the House of Representatives.
Chapter 24, section 7, Act of November 25, 1861, reads as follows:
Lake County is given a legal existence, and is bounded as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of Washoe County, and running easterly along the northern boundary of said county to the Truckee River; thence due east to the summit of the first range of mountains east of said river; thence in a northerly direction along said range, and the main granite range of mountains to the Oregon line; thence west along said line to the summit of the Sierra; thence south along said summit to the place of beginning.
By the Act of November 29, 1861, Storey, Washoe and Lake Counties were made the First Judicial District, and Hon. Gordon N. Mott was assigned as Judge.
At a joint session of the Legislature held No- vember 27, 1861, for the purpose of selecting Commissioners to organize the various counties, and to supervise the election to be held January 14, 1862, W. H. Naleigh, D. Murray and W. Wetherlow were chosen for Lake County. These gentlemen neglected to perform the duties as- signed them, and the organization of the county was thereby retarded one year. A county elec- tion was held September 3, 1862, but beyond this election the county still remained unorganized until after the Legislature assembled. By Act.of this Legislature, December 2, 1862, the name of Lake County was changed to Roop County, in honor of ex-Governor Isaac Roop, and to assert the jurisdiction of Nevada over the disputed sec- tion. Commissions were issued to the county officers elected September 3d, but when they at- tempted to organize the Plumas County authori- ties interfered and made trouble. February 11, 1861, the Carson County Court declared that Honey Lake Valley was within the limits of Car- son County, and appropriated $250 to assist any
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one in the legal resistance to the collection of taxes within the valley by the officers of Plumas County, Cal. The question was arbitrated, and the disputed territory was given to Calitornia, and Roop County was left only the successive small valleys which we will proceed to consider geo- graphically and topographically. Coleman's Val- ley, near the California and Nevada line, to the east of Honey Lake Valley and Surprise Valley, has a fertile soil, but not sufficient water for irriga- tion. In Winter considerable snow falls, and by storage of water all the land could be reclaimed. At present it is used as a cattle range.
Parts of Massacre Valley, Guana Valley, and Deep Hole are in Roop County, and what there is furnishes good range and is used for that purpose. At Buffalo Canyon and Red Rock some hay is cut, and the hills abound in springs. Cattle and horses range on the hills. Passing south we come to the Salt Marsh, where Adams takes out about 200 tons of salt annually, for which he finds a market in Sierra Valley. He obtains his salt by evapora- tion. Sheep Head, Deep Hole and Round Hole Springs follow. Going southeast from Round Hole sixteen miles we reach Pyramid District.
Pyramid District lies at the southern end of Pyramid Lake. In 1860 fishermen and pros- pectors explored the region, and found some ledges which were not considered rich enough to work., Croppings showing good indications were passed, owing to the isolation of the region. In 1876 Dr. S. Bishop had a piece of the rock as- sayed, and the results were so promising that he located a mine, which he named the Monarch. He erected a two-stamp mill, and the result of the workings caused a rush to the new diggings. The ore bore resemblance to that of the famous Virginia City mines, and gave credence to the rumor of a find of the extension of the Comstock lode. Crowded stages brought excited treasure hunters from other mining camps, and in a short time Pyramid City was laid out and had a popu- lation of about 200. Mill sites were surveyed, springs located, and other preparations made to work the expected quartz, which in the end failed to materialize, and the people disappeared as fast as they had come. In 1881 good prospects were reported from the Golden Wheel, the Black Hawk and the Jones & Kinkead, and some rock
was worked in the J. & K. mill. Every year since comes news of another strike or a better prospect, but in the end it amounts to but little. We firmly believe that a body of ore will yet be found in those mines if they are developed. There is an old theory that, from the trend of the lode, there is a continuation somewhere between Wadsworth and Pyramid. For the sake of Washoe County we hope this theory may be correct.
South of Round Hole eighteen miles, and west of Pyramid Mining Distriet nine miles, is Fish Springs, where Bill Scott has cattle and sheep on a "thousand hills." Considerable hay and fruit is raised here, and more will be raised when ad- vantage is taken of storing water.
Eight miles southeast of Fish Springs is New- comb's Lake, so named from a small lake in the region, which goes dry in Summer. This place is sometimes called. Dry Lake. Cattle and horses find excellent range here, and some hay and grain is raised.
Dry Valley, six miles to the south, has numer- ous mountain springs, and is used principally for cattle ranges; and next, another six miles south, comes Little Winnemucca Valley, much the same as Dry Valley.
South of this lies Winnemucca Valley proper, where F. C. Dickinson ("Tule Frank") has a fine ranch and a growing orchard; and here was the home of George Hepperly, the pioneer, whose handicraft furnished the first plows in Washoe Valley, whose courage was put to the test in try- ing times, and whose characteristics made him the respected and beloved of many. They like to talk of George, and when on our rounds we heard the following: Theo Winters, Tart Smith, Jim Gatewood and Jerry Lehigh went on a hunt- ing expedition to Madeline Plains, and on the return, being without money, they wondered how they could get some to pay expenses at the Glen- dale Hotel, the next stopping place after Winne- mucca Valley. They knew it would be all right at Winnemucca Valley, but of Glendale they had serious doubts. Finally Gatewood suggested they put up a joke on George Hepperly, and win ten dollars from him. Agreed. They took Theo's gun, put two loads in her. and drove on to Hep- ¿ perly's. Tart Smith took George one side and
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GENERAL HISTORY AND RESOURCES
told him that Winters was always talking about his fine shooting. and proposed they take him down a peg. They would steal Winters' gun and extract the shot, and George would make him a bet. Hepperly jumped at this; so, after drawing the charge, he went in and offered to bet $10 that Winters could not hit his (Hepperly's) hat, a new one he had just paid $7 for but a few days before. Winters said he had no money with him, but if Hepperly would take his word for it, he could consider the match made. Hep- perly said yes, first pull of the trigger to go. When Winters was ready, George threw the hat in the air, and Winters blazed away, with such success that what was left of the hat wouldn't make a necklace for a squaw. Hepperly raved, but he handed over the eagle. Winters after- wards made George a present of the gun, and it was a nice one. After Hepperly died the gun was sent by Winters to Hepperly's brother.
Dickinson says that by storing water in Win- nemucca Valley 5,000 acres can be reclaimed and turned into good ranches. Next comes Pah- Ute Canyon, a good range, which supports 600 head of cattle, and between Pyramid and Winne- mucca Lakes are a number of ranches and num- ber one stock ranges, covered with excellent pasturage and well watered by springs. The principal ones are: "Mullens," located in 1864 (he has about forty acres of alfalta and a small orchard); the Whitehead ranch, now known as Calligan's, has 160 acres under cultivation, and a range which! supports 500 head of cattle (this place was located in 1865); Simmons has about 75 acres of alfalfa and an orchard (it was located in 1865, and was known as Doc Woods' ranch); Wheeler and Ridenour have the use of a range of over 10,000 acres, at a small estimate (this land furnishes the best of grazing, and is well watered by springs).
By Act of February 18. 1864, Roop County was attached to Washoe for judicial and revenue purposes, and by Act of January 16, 1883, Roop County was made a part of Washoe County.
The country formerly known as Roop County consists of low ranges of hills and two chains of small valleys. It contains mineral springs, salt marshes, alkali flats, placers, quartz ledges, dry lakes, mud lakes, deserts, and "Tule Frank."
But for all this it also contains some thousand acres of fertile land which can be reclaimed and turned into green alfalfa fields and grain if the water which runs to waste in the Spring is stored and properly handled, and efforts are being made to bring this about. Fruit trees thrive and or- chards are appearing at every ranch.
SPANISH SPRINGS VALLEY.
Spanish Springs Valley, six miles southeast of Reno, is a comparatively young ranch district. The following gentlemen have ranches which they are fast improving, and it is only a matter of time until Spanish Springs will take its place among the others: J. R. Dickinson, W. L. Wallace, R. Hayden, James Say, G. G. Tomamichel, Dr. Bishop, B. D. Dunning and T. K. Tinkem. Considerable hay and grain is raised, and acre after acre is being sold to alfalfa, It has good soil, and such are its natural advantages that the Central Pacific Railroad Company has fitted out an unirrigated experimental ranch. The returns are fair, and when they have learned to handle the seed, the result will be of great benefit to the entire county. From all experiments so far, it is conclusively shown that rye is the hardiest cereal and flourishes best. Bob Leigh, of Red Rock, has tried it, and says it does the best. He also tried Winter wheat and oats, with fair results. Had he continued and used seed from the grain grown, we opine his second trial would have given better results. Colonel . Gibson sowed wheat, barley, oats, rye and alfalfa last February, and, while the others fail, the rye is scattering, but fair. The seed should be taken from grain raised without irrigation, and so on trom one sea- son to another. An experiment of one season is not a fair test, and no improvement will be no- ticed until hard and improved seed is used.
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