USA > Nevada > Washoe County > General History and Resources of Washoe County, Nevada, Published Under the Auspices of the Nevada Educational Association > Part 7
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GENERAL HISTORY AND RESOURCES
where she would receive protection. The con- fiding girl went with him and he abused her con- fidence as Jones had done. She escaped from him and rushed back to the hotel. Her story became known, and the Masons tenderly cared for her. Carson was lodged in jail but the Vigilantes secured Jones, conducted him to the railroad bridge, and gave him a coat of warm tar and snow-white feathers. They then presented him with a ticket for Truckee, put him aboard the train, and bade him good-by with much pleasure. The next day this Reno ostrich might have been seen on a rock near the river at Truckee, crouching and squirming, while several Chinamen tried to rid him of his plumage. When they had partially succeeded, he swore vengeance on the Renoites, but, strange to say, he never came to get it.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.
The toll-bridge that spanned the river at Reno and known for many years as "Lake's Bridge," was declared free in 1872. Its long service ren- dering it insecure, the fine iron suspension bridge which now occupies its place was built five years latter by King & Wheelock, at a cost of $15, 700.
On July 7, 1871, the Board of County Com- missioners, consisting of T. K. Hymens, T. G. Herman and George Robinson, advertised for bids for the construction of a Court House, according to the plans of Mr. Sellars. It was awarded to S. F. Hoole for $20,000. Several locations were offered for the site, and M. C. Lake's accepted. He agreed to present the County one acre of ground on the south side of the river, and $1,500 in cash, besides planting shade trees and laying out a public square in front of the lot. Reno was almost entirely on the north side of the river and when the decision was known D. H. Haskell and others brought suit to restrain the Board from building there, on the ground that the proposed site was not in the town of Reno. After much litigation the action of the Commissioners prevailed, and on the 22d of June, 1872, the corner stone of the Court House was laid. It was accepted January 24, 1873. It is a fine brick edifice 58x79 feet, and two stories high. On the lower floor are the offices of the Clerk, Recorder, Treasurer, and the Sheriff, be- 'ides the jail. On the upper floor are the office
of Assessor and District Attorney, besides a neat and convenient court room. The building is sur- mounted ·by a dome, from which a fine view of Truckee Meadows can be obtained. In the sum- mer of 1879 an excellent fire proof vault and a large burglar proof safe were constructed in the office occupied by the Treasurer and Recorder by the Hall Safe and Lock Company, for $2,440.
October 4th, 1875, forty acres of land on the south side of the river, and one mile east of Reno, and twenty-five inches of water, were purchased of A. J. Hatch for $1,000, to be used as a Poor Farm. A contract was let to Wm. Thompson, April 17, 1876, for the construction of a County Hospital on the Poor Farm at a cost of $5,253.
In 1871 L. H. Dyer built a theatre, thus adding one more metropolitan feature to the town.
The Nevada State Agricultural, Mining and Mechanical Society's Pavilion was built by public subscription in 1878 at a cost of $10,000.
The new Public High School building, as shown in the engraving a few pages farther over, speaks for itself. It cost $25,000.
The Odd Fellows' Hall was constructed in 1876. It presents a fine appearance and its location is most favorable and prominent.
The Masonic Hall was built in 1878, and it rears its head above the other buildings of the block.
The State Insane Asylum was accepted March 2, 1882. It is located two and one-half miles east of Reno and can be plainly seen from all parts of the valley. It stands two stories of fine brick walls with a handsomely striped mansard root and a stone basement. It is 150 feet north and south, and 230 east and west. It is 62 feet to the top of the main tower and 50 feet to the top of the roof. A tank in the main tower holds 300 gallons of water, which is pumped from the Truckee by a Pelton wheel. It is heated by steam and has 400 registers and ventilators. 752,000 bricks and 1,500 perch of stone were used in its con- struction. It cost $60,000. A big iron sign occupies the front facade. It is painted in black, with the letters and borders gilded, and reads: "Ne- vada Insane Asylum," in an arch, with "1881" be- neath. This edifice is the pride of our people and we point to it as such, because the appropriation for its construction and its location near Reno were secured through the efforts of some of our
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OF WASHOE COUNTY, NEVADA.
prominent citizens. The credit of the work does not belong to one man, for had it not been for the efforts of others we would certainly be boarding our insane with Clark & Co. It has already saved the State some hundreds of dollars, and to-day it stands as a monument of the zeal, energy, integrity and honesty of our home contractors. Not one dollar of the appropriation was lost through "jobs" and every stone, every brick, every plank and every nail helps to mark a true intent and a good purpose. When our young men come to take a hand in political and munici- pal affairs, may the Asylum building and grounds serve as a beacon to guide them to the right, and as an example to show what can be accomplished by honest public men spurred on by public wel- fare.
Building was commenced on the Episcopal Seminary June 1, 1876. A fine structure, 40x88 teet and three stories, was completed in October at an expense of $27,000.
In the winter of 1878-79 the Catholics of Nevada erected in Reno, a fine three-story build- ing 42x65 feet, for a convent school, which is under the charge of the Dominican Sisters. It is of wood, with a brick basement.
The State University erected in 1885 is built ot brick, having a stone foundation. Both the basement and mansard roof floors are well lighted, commodious and adapted for school purposes. The basement is divided into rooms for the janitor, stores, assay furnaces, quartz crushers and work- shops. The first floor is approached by a broad flight of steps leading to a fine vestibule and hall' On the lett hand side are the Principal's office, re- ception room, Regents room, library and museum ; on the right hand side the Assayer's office, assay- ing room, weighing room, lavatory and gym- nasium. Ascending to the second floor the visitor will find a large lecture hall on the right and two fine class rooms on the left hand side. The third floor has two large apartments, a general assembly room and an armory.
C C. Powning's new brick is a valuable addi- tion, and more will be built near it. Finally comes Jacob McKissick's $30,000 Temple of Thespis, on the corner of Sierra and Plaza Streets. It occupies two entire lots, being 50x100 feet, and rises to a hight of 80 feet. Built of brick, and of
imposing appearance, it is the neatest and finest building on the Pacific Coast, inland, west of the Rocky Mountains. In common with our people may he enjoy many pleasant hours within its walls. An appropriation of $60,000 has passed for a public building at Reno.
CHURCHES.
On May 24, 1875, the corner stone of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church was laid, and on Decem- ber 12th, of the same year, the church was opened by Bishop Whitaker for public worship.
The Baptist Church was erected in 1882. It holds as prominent a position in the community as any of the churches in town.
The Congregational Church was built in 1873, at a cost of $5,000. Besides the church, the so- ciety owns a neat parsonage.
The Catholic Church was built in 1870. It is a well-finished frame building of Gothic style, and cost $8,000.
The Methodist Church was built in 1869. Connected with the church are two societies- Ladies' Aid Society and the Society of Christian Endeavor.
The Advent Church was erected in 1887. It is a frame structure of neat appearance, and near the School for Girls.
BANKS.
The Bank of Nevada is on a solid and reliable basis, having a capital stock of $300,000, all sub- scribed, and the stockholders being among the chief capitalists and business men of California and Nevada. Officers: M. D. Foley, President; M. E. Ward, Vice-President; M. Meyers, Cashier; R. S. Osburn, Assistant Cashier:
The First National Bank is on a firm and dur- able basis, being founded and sustained by the solid business men of the country. Capital paid in, $200,000; surplus, $70,000. Officers: D. A. Bender, President; G. W. Mapes, Vice-Presi- dent; C. T. Bender, Cashier; George H. Taylor, Assistant Cashier.
MANUFACTURES.
During Governor. L. P. Bradley's first admin- istration he advanced the idea of moving the State Prison from Carson to Reno, for the purpose of taking advantage of the immense water power of the Truckee. His scheme was to have a woolen mill built within the confines of the prison.
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GENERAL HISTORY AND RESOURCES
During his second administration $100,000 was appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of carrying out this idea. It took tangible shape when the walls for the proposed new institution were reared. But somebody in Washoe County was afraid that somebody else would make some money by the operation, and the united action necessary to accomplish the undertaking was not forthcoming, and the result was no more appropri- ations. Reno has the walls of solid masonry, and the State Prison is still at Carson.
A Meat-shipping Association was incorporated in 1877, with a capital stock of $25,000, for the purpose of sending meats East and West. The first shipment was made to Chicago in December of that year, and proved profitable. Several large slaughter-houses, stock yards, etc., were constructed near the railroad track, about one mile east of Reno. After several years' trial it proved unsuccessful and was given up, but may be tried again any day.
In 1886 the Reduction Works were established on the banks of the Truckee. The Reno Smelt- ing, Mill and Reduction Works Company handle and purchase gold, silver, lead, copper and anti- monial smelting ores; also, gold, silver, lead and copper concentrates, slag. matt and other sec- ondary products; also, all free and base milling ores.
The Nevada State Flouring Mills have a ca- pacity of 11,000 barrels per year. The "roller process" is employed, turning out the best of flour.
The Silver State Flouring Mills have a capacity of 12,000 barrels annually. It uses the Stevens' roller process, and its flour cannot be beaten on the coast.
The San Francisco Soap Company manufact- ures chemical, olive, bleaching and laundry soaps of all descriptions, and toilet soaps in great va- riety, which it sends to all parts of the country.
R. C. Leeper, manufactures saddles, bridles, harness, collars, and everything belonging to vehicles.
W. J. Luke, blacksmith, makes wagons that will stand our climate and never give way.
The Reno Gas Company, established Novem- ber. 17, 1876, supplies the town with a superior article.
The Electric Light Company's work shows for itself. The works are run by water power, and their rates are proportionately low.
Fred Kline's saddles and all other leather work give general satisfaction.
S. Jacobs, the tailor, turns out first-class work. There are three marble yards, a planing mill and a foundry.
The motive power of the large manufactories is furnished by the Truckee River, which flows through Reno. We have other manufactures, and power and room for more.
Manufacturing in Reno is in its infancy, but it is yet to be one of the leading industries. The press has always done its part towards pointing out and calling attention to various manufacturing enterprises, which, if inaugurated at home, and got under headway by home capital, would attract capital from the outside, and eventuate in build- ing up here a great manufacturing city.
The fact that but little has been done, that few home enterprises have been started, is not a good reason why more may not be accomplished. The press has put forth facts and statements in sup- port of the question, but its hints and advice tall upon dead ears. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of wool are yearly sheared in the Truckee Meadows and surrounding valleys, and this must, through necessity, be shipped to California. Reno is without doubt the greatest wool center on the Pacific Coast, and there is water enough going to waste in the Truckee to run all the cotton mills of Massachusetts. Just mark the fact that not a woolen mill on the coast has proved a failure. We foresee the time when the meat transportation question will come to a successful issue, and in connection therewith a large tannery. All large establishments have countless smaller ones tribu- tary to them, and the day is not far distant when they will be instituted.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Reno sustains the following trades and business enterprises. viz: Ten general merchandise, seven grocery, four drug. three variety, six fruit and vegetable, and two book and stationery stores; ten hotels, six restaurants and several bakeries; two tin shops, two hardware and three furniture stores; five blacksmith and wood shops, two shoe shops, three harness shops, six barber shops,
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OF WASHOE COUNTY, NEVADA.
three jewelry shops and two paint shops ; four livery and feed stables; one planing mill and gen- eral manufactory of everything architectural, with box factory, etc; two lumbering businesses; one foundry and machine shop; one gas manufactory; one emporium of agricultural and mechanical im- plements and machinery and vehicles; one State Fair Pavilion; two banks; one electric light establishment ; one postoffice, and various tele-
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA.
This new building occupies a very picturesque site, less than one mile north of the railroad depot, at Reno. A description of the building appears elsewhere. The grounds comprise twenty acres, now richly covered with alfalfa, but it offers a field for the construction of the best college campas in the United States.
This institution, located at Reno, Washoe
State University, Reno, Nevada.
phone and telegraph offices, with a Wells Fargo office; six physicians; several lawyers and law firms ; one city dairy and milk ranch; the im- mense reduction works; the public school; the Academy for young ladies ; St. Mary's College ; the State University; six churches; the Insane Asylum for the State; about forty saloons, and two marble yards.
county, in the charming valley of the Truckee river, was founded by an Act of the Legislature, soon after Nevada became a State. The national government endowed it with a liberal appropria- tion of public lands, and in 1887 donated to its Agricultural School $15,000.
In 1874 the University, then situated at Elko, opened its doors for the first time to students, with Professor D. R. Sessions, an alumnus of
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GENERAL HISTORY AND RESOURCES
Princeton College, as Principal of the Preparatory Department. Principal Sessions was succeeded in 1879 by the Hon. W. C. Dovey, now the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for Nevada. Principal Dovey was succeeded by the Hon. T. N. Stone, of Elko, and the latter was followed by Professor E. S. Farrington, who was succeeded by Principal A. F. Stearns, in 1885. In this year the University was removed to Reno. In 1886, Professor J. W. McCammon, an alumnus of the Ohio Wesleyan University, was chosen Principal.
In 1887, the Legislature passed an Act establish- ing a Normal School in connection with the insti- tion, and providing for the appointment of a Presi- dent of the University. The Hon. LeRoy D. Brown, the State Commissioner of Common Schools for Ohio, was called to this position. He took charge of the University September I, 1887, and is still at its head. His associates as instructors are Professor Hannah K. Clapp, Pro- fessor Walter McN. Miller, and Professor William . B. Daugherty. For the year just closed there was a total enrollment of seventy-six students-the greatest number enrolled in any one year since the University was first opened.
Thus far there have been no students graduated from the institution, but there will be a class graduated from the Normal School in 1889.
The present Board of Regents consists of His Excellency, Charles C. Stevenson, Governor ; Hon. John M. Dormer, Secretary of State, and Hon. W. C. Dovey, State Superintendent of Pub- lic Instruction.
The following will give an outline of the work which the University is doing : .
This institution is a part of the public school system of the State, and is free to all residents of Nevada. Five schools or departments have been organized in the University: 1 .- School of Mines and Mining Engineering; 2 .- School of Agri- culture ; 3. - Normal School; 4 .- Business De- partment ; 5 .- Academic Department.
The School of Mines and Mining Engineering includes a thorough study in mathematics, natural science and the English language. Graduates of this school will receive the degree of Mining En- gineer. The School of Agriculture includes the fundamental branches of mathematics, natural
science, the English language and observations and experiments connected with the farm and garden. Students in this school will be given an opportunity to defray a portion of their expenses by working on the University farm. The Nor- mal School includes the studies pursued in the elementary and high schools ot Nevada, the his- tory of education and the theory and practice of teaching. Graduates of the Normal School will receive certificates valid in any public school of the State. The Business Department includes the study of arithmetic, bookkeeping, commer- cial law, business forms and the English language. The Academic Department includes English, Latin, mathematics and natural science. Gradu- ates of this department will receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The University is equipped with a library, cabinet and physical laboratories. First-class facilities for chemical analysis and assaying are being provided. Practice in reading, singing, declaiming, essay writing and public speaking is afforded by rhetorical exercises, con- ducted by the Professors and by the literary societies of the University. Room rent and good board in respectable families can be had for less than $25 per month.
MT. ST. MARY'S ACADEMY.
A brief history of this excellent school, the sys- tem of education and general management therein maintained, will no doubt prove very interesting to a very large majority of our readers. The Academy is conducted by a community of relig- ious ladies, called Dominican Sisters, who form what is known in the Catholic Church as a "Teaching Order." The members who compose these communities devote their lives and talents to the work of Christian education. Those en- tering the Order as members, although educated, are subject to a system of training which enables them to keep pace with the most approved meth- ods of teaching.
That they have been eminently successful wher- ever located as teachers, is evidenced by their many and flourishing schools on the Pacific Slope and in the Atlantic States. To the interest of Reno it may be said that Mt. St. Mary's Acad- emy stands as one of these many evidences of success. Eleven years ago Reno, though only partially provided with educational facilities, of-
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Mount St. Mary's Academy, Reno, Nevada,
The Bancroft Co
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. GENERAL HISTORY AND RESOURCES
fered but slight inducements for an addition to the number of schools. The Dominican Sisters, how- ever, on the lookout for new fields of labor, with characteristic foresight, selected Reno as their vantage-ground. With them, to decide was to act, and accordingly on the 16th of August 1877, they arrived in our midst, and, renting a suitable building as a nucleus to their foundation, opened school in a few days, with an attendance of forty day pupils and two boarders. At first sight, and considering the advantage offered by schools of this grade, this may seem a small record, but it must be remembered that another Academy had been located here a year previous, and also that many families, experiencing the effects of the dull times, felt compelled to send their children to the free schools.
In the course of a few months the aspect of things was considerably changed. The number of boarders, day pupils and private music pupils increased so rapidly that the Sisters were obliged to reach out for more room and better accommo- dations, so that in one brief year of their sojourn in Reno they were encouraged to purchase prop- erty, and to take measures for the erection of their present large, substantial and well-planned build- ing; but while this new building was but a covered frame a series of unforeseen and disastrous events occurred that were calculated to cool the zeal and dishearten those less courageous than these enter- prising Sisters. Among these was the heavy pecuniary loss entailed by the destructive fire which swept away the greater portion of Reno. and took in its lurid path their old convent and school buildings, library, house and school furni- ture, and all other possessions. The new building escaped the general destruction, but large quanti- ties of valuable material intended for its comple- tion were burned. Thus on the Ist day of March, 1878, the Sisters found themselves without ac- commodation for boarders or day pupils, without capital, and dependent entirely upon their school for support and the means of finishing their house. Notwithstanding this and other similar drawbacks, these good ladies persevered in their noble work, and their building is now not only an ornament to Reno, but the educational advan- tages there offered compare more than favorably with any other Academy, East or West.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Manogue, ever zealous in the Catholic education, is regarded as the prime benefactor of the Academy and has insured the promotion of its object by his timely and tangible aid. The Sisters always speak of this, and of his abiding kindness and words of paternal en- couragement, in language of unmeasured grati- tude.
The Academy is one of the handsomest and most conspicuous buildings in Reno, occupying grounds-a whole block-within five minutes' walk of the railroad depot. The interior of the building commends itself by the neatness, good taste, and good judgment everywhere apparent. The study, halls, classrooms, dormitories, refec- tory and recreation hall are all large and well ventilated. Broad stairways lead down from one to another of the spacious outside galleries, which run along the west and south sides of the build- ing, affording means of ready escape in case of fire. There is nothing rich or luxurious in any of the appointments, but much of that rarer elegance which is attached to scrupulous neatness and good order in a household. The grounds are spacious and well improved and the lawn of blue grass, with the broad walks bordered with elm, locust and poplar trees, render this department ex- tremely attractive.
The discipline in the school is mild but firm, while no religious influence is ever brought to bear upon the minds of non-Catholic pupils; the polite and moral training of the young ladies is a strong feature in favor of the school, and one to commend itself to those old-fashioned parents and guardians who still hold that feminine modesty and reserve are graces that add to, rather than detract from, the womanly charms of the accom- plished young lady. The course of studies pur- sued in the Academy is similar to that of all first- class Academies. That the pupils at this school are well cared for, well taught, and are happy and contented, may be judged from the fact that. they return to the Academy year after year, until they complete the course and depart with gradu- ating honors. Of those who have graduated from the school, a majority have first-grade cer- tificates, and are now actually engaged in the schools in various parts of this State and some in California. ...
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SON
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The Public School, Reno, Nevada.
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GENERAL HISTORY AND RESOURCES
This in itself speaks volumes in favor of the school and although still burdened by debt, the prospects are that no Institute in Reno will share more largely in this era of prosperity than Mt. St. Mary's Academy.
RENO'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. [ By Mrs. M. S. Doten.]
Nothing marks the growth and progress of a State, county, or town more certainly than does the growth and progress of its public schools. The history of most frontier towns is marked by the same features: first the saloons, the necessary stores for supplies, the gambling resorts; then as a more permanent class of people presents itself come the churches and schools. Reno in nowise differs from other towns of the West in these par- ticulars ; and now, when so much attention is attracted to it by reason of its great natural ad- vantages, its position as a railroad center, and its unusual educational facilities, a history of the organization of its public schools, and their growth up to the present time, will be appreciated and interesting, both to their patrons and to the friends of education generally.
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