No. 349 Report of assay. This is an Extremely Rare, R8 bullion receipt and, in fact, out of 81 cubic feet of records for this bank, handled by the author, this may be the lone example extant. This certificate was for a sample of gold ore submitted by H. M. Yerington, the President of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad and signed by Charles Hofer as Assayer. Very Fine. $400. Sold
1” x 1/2” x 1/4” 1.03 troy oz. These ingots were made around the 1981 silver boom. On the reverse is a spread-winged eagle with “.999 Silver” underneath. While these ingots have been sold as antiques, do not be fooled. Perhaps more importantly, the Comstock Mines bullion punch has been used as a counter stamp on American coins of the 1800’s. Once again, do not be fooled; this bullion punch is strictly a modern product. Nonetheless, this is a very collectible ingot. $200. Sold
The following four bullion forms are gold bullion forms that were used at the Carson City Mint. They are not pre printed with the Mint's name, but rather, were a general form distributed throughout the Mint system. These three certificates are for gold bullion that was the product for Mazuma Hills Mining Co. at Mazuma, Nevada, just north of Lovelock. They are all signed by A.H. Martin.
These receipts are among the most collectible of all receipts. Most are printed in blue for silver bullion, as one might expect. Gold bullion receipts, printed in red are much rarer. Collectors covet pieces signed by different employees of the mint.
No. 26 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited by Chas. H. Peters at the Carson, Nevada Mint on 04/18/1887. Deposit is for a bar of 74.10 oz. Totaling $963.32. Signed by W. R. Davis for the Superintendent. No photograph. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $300.
No. 39. Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited by Chas. H. Peters at the Carson, Nevada Mint on 06/08/1887. Deposit is for a bar of 14.95 oz. Totaling $182.82. Signed by W. R. Davis for the Superintendent. No photograph. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $300.
No. 82 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited by Chas. H. Peters at the Carson, Nevada Mint on 11/05/1887. Deposit is for a bar of 30.40 oz. Totaling $386.14. Signed by W. R. Davis for the Superintendent. No photograph. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $300.
No. 6 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited by Chas. H. Peters at the Carson, Nevada Mint on 01/27/1888. Deposit is for a bars of 10.9 oz. Totaling $147.27. Signed by W. R. Davis for the Superintendent. No photograph. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $300.
Melter & Refiner's Office: Items Required for Refinery Signed by A.H. Parker, Assistant Melter. Extremely Rare, probably R8. Internal documents from the Carson City Mint are all Extremely Rare. The few that survive today have been found as ancillary items in archives, or had the reverse used as notepaper, and inserted into an archive during the period. Extremely Fine. $750.
This is a bullion receipt handwritten on stationary from the Cashier's Office of the Mint of United States in Carson City for 4870 ounces of bullion received from the Mexican Mill and being property of Savage Mining Company. The receipt is addressed to the Honorable R.P. Keating, of Savage Mining Co. and signed by L.L. Elrod, Cashier for the U.S. Mint. Extremely Fine. No photograph. $300. Sold
No. 6 Memorandum of silver bullion deposited by Chinese Miner, Ah You. Here the miner deposited 11 ounces of amalgam worth only $13.00. Signed by A.G. Raycraft. Fine. $350.
No. 645 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited, Mazuma Hill Mining Company. $250.
No. 947 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited, Mazuma Hill Mining Company. $250.
No. 529 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited, Mazuma Hill Mining Company. $250.
No. 337 Memorandum of Gold Bullion Deposited, Helen Betty Mining Company. This is a different form than the preceding, being a much more general form issued by the mint. This deposit was an ingot which was the product of the Helen Betty Mines Company at Seven Troughs, Nevada. The proceeds were credited to the account of the Mazuma Hills Mining Co., which may have owned the Helen Betty, or held a lien on their product. The form is signed by H. Martin. Very Fine. $100.
2” Diameter silver plated copper shell case for a group of Watkin’s photographs dated 1876. The form of the date is through the use of an 1876 seated trade dollar, such that the top of the case is the obverse and the bottom of the case is the reverse. The reverse is marked with the Carson City Mint mark. The case is titled “Centennial Photographic Locket 1776-1876” and the reverse is entitled “Views of American Scenery & Interesting Subjects”
The case contains fourteen original, circular cut photographs by Watkins, all attached with a pink ribbon. The photographs are of California scenery in and around San Francisco and a few from the Calaveras Big Trees area. The inside of the top piece of the case says, “Photographic views of California scenery. Copied from Watkin’s celebrated negatives, the finest ever taken on this coast. This locket contains views of the Cliff House and surrounding scenery, also a fine photograph of Captain Foster, the popular proprietor, who has had charge of the Cliff House for many years. A view of the Palace Hotel, Nevada Bank and the mammoth trees of Calaveras Grove. Sold by Chilion Beach Bookseller and Stationer, 5 Montgomery Street, S.F.”
This rare shell case with photographs is certainly one of the rarest Carson City Mint collectibles. It was sold at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 and the presence of the Carson City Mint mark is a testament to the popularity of the Carson City Mint at the time. Very Fine. This is the only one of these pieces we have seen in thirty years. $3,750.
No. 29 Check to William L. Dall signed by Nevada Territorial Governor, James W. Nye. William Dall was the owner Dall's Mill, one of the early Comstock Ore processing mills. Extremely Fine. $200.
No. 30 Check to Harrington and Kinkead signed by Nevada Territorial Governor, James W. Nye. Extremely Fine. No Phtotgraph. $200.
No. 367668 Exchange for $100 in gold to H.R. Rice, Agt, of the Canadian Bank of Montreal. Stamped by the Montreal Bank and signed by multiple parties on the reverse. .02 cent revenue stamp at top left. Damaged at edges, chips missing and fragile fold. Mounted under Plexiglass. 4.25 X 8.75”. R7. Extremely Rare. $400.
Assay report for yields per ton and reported as “none”. This form was signed by P.B. Ellis, Assayer for Witherell. Witherell was an Assayer in Tucson about the time of the Earp brothers’ battle at the O.K. Corral. The assay certificate is Very Rare, R7. Very Fine. $350. Sold
By Hugh A. Sahmberger, Bound volumes for years 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1982. Corresponding titles of volumes to follow: Water Supply for the Comstock; Rawhide; Seven Troughs; Rochester; Fairview; Wonder; Weepah; Silver Peak; Candelaria and Its Neighbors; and Goldfield. No photograph. $1,150.
No. 399 Certificate Issued to W. E. Norwood for 250 shares signed by A.J. Holmes as President and E.A. Holmes as Sec. Printed by Bosqui. Datelined San Francisco. The Holmes Mine was next to the very rich and dividend paying Northern Belle Mine in the Columbus Mining District at the north end of Columbus marsh and just south of Candelaria. In 1882 the Holmes Company sued the Northern Belle for mineral trespass. The Holmes Company won a judgment for $360,000, at which point the Northern Belle declared bankruptcy. (Ref: Burchard 1884) Rare. Very Fine. $300.
Two photo albums compiled by Joseph D. O'Brien, District Mining Recorder of Nevada of the Death Valley Region. First album contains 167 photographs ranging from Death Valley Scotty's Ranch in 1916 to the pyramids of Egypt in 1932. Many photos of the Carrera Marble and “Silver Crown” mines. Panoramic photos of Silver City, Tuscarora, Virginia City, Ruth and McGill, Nevada in the early 20th Century. The second album consists of twenty photographs of miscellaneous campsites and Shoshone landmarks near the Death Valley mining region. Many of the photographs picture Mrs. O'Brien with local Shoshone people. Generally Very Fine. No photograph. $4,250. Sold
The first album contains 19 photographs of the “Sierra Blanca,” the “Yellowjacket,” “Dome Hill,” and “Liberator” mines. All dated 1913 or 1914, including state mining inspector Gaughan visiting the mines. The second Album contains 49 photographs of the “Pahruneah,” and “Carbonate Group” of mines near Death Valley. Also photographs of Death Valley including native Shoshone Indians' camp “Kahneah Pahnega.” No photograph. $4,750. Sold
Letter to say he had enclosed payment of $100 for one oak air tight casket for the remains of Frank Hathoway, Signed Frank Drake. No photograph. $200. Sold
No. 2 thru 5 Assay report for silver ore from the Snug Harbor Mine. Printed by Eureka Sentinel. This is a rare form, R8. Very Fine. $450. Sold
The Richmond Mining Co. was one of two mega silver producers in Eureka. This assay sheet is an internal assay sheet for five high grade gold and silver samples. Printed by Eureka Leader. The form is probably a rarity R7. Very Good. $300.
This is a three page handwritten letter by R.D. Clark who was the Metallurgist for the Bertrand Mining Co. In the letter he discusses experiments performed on ore and tailings with successful results that should have allowed for the high recovery of silver. Written to J.R.Walker Esq. R.D. Clark discusses in detail the methodology he used to extract the silver. Geddes was a small mining camp in Secret Canyon near Eureka, and was originally known by the name of Vanderbilt. There was a post office located there between 1882 and 1885. Very Fine. $475. Sold
For the Harvey Harris story and items, please see our Marysville, California section.
The border of the card says “Descriptive Views of the American Continent” and “Continent Stereoscopic Company, New York”. On the back is printed “From Ewald's Bazar 156 Newark Avenue, Jersey City.” This card shows a street scene with four empty ore wagons. This is a Very Rare view. Very Fine. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $1,200. Sold
The border of the card says “Descriptive Views of the American Continent” and “Continent Stereoscopic Company, New York. On the back is printed “From Ewald's Bazar 156 Newark Avenue, Jersey City”. The photograph shows Leviathan Mining Company sign. Leviathan was located at Gold Hill, next to the Sapphire Mill and the Belcher Mine. [Becker, 1882]. This photo has a generic Virginia City label, when in reality it is Gold Hill and a rare view at that. The buildings in the foreground may belong to the Sapphire Mill. The author believes the Birdseye Co. is an early Comstock Company. From the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. $1,200. Sold
No. 42519 Certificate issued to E. Cahill & Co. Uncancelled for five shares. Signed by famous Comstock Mine Superintendent, Financier and Mine Officer, John D. Fry as Pres. and John Crockett as Secretary. The certificate had thirteen assessments paid as recorded on the reverse. This is the earliest example of any stock certificate from this important mine. Stains and folds. $800. Sold
No. 209 Stock certificate for 30 shares belonging to J.P. Moore, Trustee. $400. Sold
Extremely rare territorial imprinted billhead from Gold Hill printed on blue paper. Bittner sold the Bacon Mill some supplies. Very Fine. $175.
No. 24255 Stock certificate for 100 share issued to S.B. Wakefield & Co. and signed by John E. Dickson, Vice President and R.R. Grayson, Secretary. Printed by Galloway, San Francisco Uncancelled. eight assessment stamps on the reverse. Encased in Pass-Co holder graded Extremely Fine. The Bullion Mining Company is perhaps most famously known as the first property that Mackie and Fair bought majority interest in. Located directly on the Comstock Lead between two major producing mine they assumed it would also become a major producer. Unfortunately no significant paying ore was ever found at the depths of the Bullion. $400.
No. 521 Stock certificate for 100 shares issued to A.C. Hill, Trustee. Printed by Britton & Company, San Francisco Curiously this is one of the mines left out by Couch & Carpenter. The mine was located in Gold Hill next to the Yellow Jacket. Very Fine. $1,500.
No.11 Assay receipt of payment in the amount of $15.75 for Savage Mining Company. Document signed by W.S. James, 1898. Three pages, one a voucher, numbered 11, from Savage Mining Company. This form of billhead for James is rare. Most of his billheads are very plain. This form has “bullion and ores” and “carefully assayed” in framed boxes at each upper corner. 2) $50 coin deposit that James made to his account in Carson City in 1886. 3) Half letter sheet from the Gold Hill Assay Office 8/1/1895, signed by James. 4) deposit of check from the Bank of California for $15,000, clearly indicating a large contract with the bank for assaying. The Gold Hill Assay Office was founded by Conrad Wiegand. James took over ownership after Wiegand's death, which was reportedly a suicide, though there were unusual, if not questionable circumstances leading up to and surrounding his death. All are Extremely Fine. $325.
No. 18791 Stock certificate for 50 shares belonging to R.E. Kelly Jr. Signed J.P. Carallun. Printed by W.T. Galloway, San Francisco. Vignette of Justice sitting on a bullion box. This is the earliest known Justice certificate that we are aware of. Encased in Pass-Co holder, graded Very Fine. The Justice was one of the most important mines of Gold Hill. $800. Sold
No.117 Scarce check on Maynard & Flood, bankers at Gold Hill, Nevada Territory in 1863. This check is issued to George Loomis, and signed by Curtis Gray for the Imperial Silver Mining Co. $125.
No. 24435 Stock certificate for 40 shares Woods & Freeborn Trustees. The Overmine was just above the Sapphire Mill above the New York Mine in Gold Canyon, one half of a mile below Gold Hill. It produced over $2.5 million between 1861 and 1897. This certificate is lithographed by Britton & Rey. $800. Sold
No. 330 Issued to D. L. Bates, for 300 shares signed by J.W. Clark, Secretary and John Skae, President. Lithographed by G.T. Brown, San Francisco. Brown was a famous African American Lithographer. John Skae was Superintendent of many of the important Comstock mines and had made a million dollars or more reportedly on the Crown Point Bonanza. PASCO encapsulated at Extremely Fine. $450. Sold
Assayer's Cover-Envelope. This Extremely Rare and possibly unique cover may be the only remnant of the Palmer & Day Assay Office at Gold Hill, Nevada Territory. This is a typical Wells Fargo advertising cover showing Palmer & Day's Offices at Folsom and Gold Hill, N.T. It carries a Wells Fargo Express cancellation from Folsom. For a short story on Palmer & Day please see their entry under Folsom, California. Fine to Very Fine. $600. Sold
One page printed form from the Gold Hill Miners’ Union. This form is a notice stating: “You are hereby notified that you are in arrears fro Dues” . . . It is blank. Stains and corner folds. $75.
Goldfield - Mining Activity in a Boomtown: This is a Unique, original photo album of the discovery period of Goldfield, Nevada which has 47 original photographs taken by A. Allen and W. I. Booth during 1903 and 1904 of the town of Goldfield and the local surrounding mines. Included are up close photos of mining activities of Columbia, Jumbo, Florence, Curtis Lease, Richards Lease, Bartlett Lease, January Mine, Velvet Lease, Ricker-Ryder Lease, and more. There are photos of the “First Strike” in Goldfield, the “First Freight” to Goldfield, some show the growth of the town, as well as some local businesses and miners. This is a wonderful, comprehensive photo history of the beginning of Goldfield, Nevada. This important one of a kind historical photo record predates by a few years two or three other (1907-1908) Goldfield albums, which are known to be held privately or in the possession of institutions. Extremely Fine. $13,500. Sold
No. 721 #1 Assay certificate. This Denver Assay Office form is signed by the Assayer P. Jubien, who apparently took over the firm previously owned by George (illegible) and F. Jeffery. The name “Denver Assay Office' may have been used because of the close association of Cripple Creek and Colorado Miners with the Goldfield, Nevada gold rush. This piece was issued seven months before the major consolidation took place by the formation of Goldfield Consolidated. Very Fine. $125.
No. 915 This lot is for a Western Ore and Purchasing Company purchase order bought of Florence Goldfield Mining Co. Lot No. 915, referencing mine lot #104 for six wagon loads of gold ore. The total value of the purchase order is $6516.33. It is signed by Chas Snyder. The lot also includes a packing slip from Florence-Goldfield Mining Company, signed by David D. Dewey for the same order. The Florence was one of the richest mines in Goldfield located right in the gut of the District. Both documents are printed on very thin paper and are Extremely Fine. $200.
No. 913 This lot is for a Western Ore and Purchasing Company purchase order bought of Florence Goldfield Mining Co. Lot No. 913, referencing mine lot #103 for six wagons of gold ore, 12.3 oz. The total value is $8239.84. It is signed by Chas Snyder. The accompanying packing slip is from Florence-Goldfield Mining Company signed by David D. Dewey for the same order. Both documents are printed on very thin paper and are Extremely Fine. $200.
No. 201 Check signed by C.D. Taylor with Jumbo the Elephant as the background. The Jumbo was another of the early mining companies located in the heart of the Goldfield District. This check, along with another gorgeous pictorial check from the Red Top are arguably two of the most beautiful and collectible Nevada checks in existence. There are probably less than ten known of each, rarity R7. Very Fine. $225. Sold
This is a Polin Bros. photograph and Token Set. The photo shows a large crowd gathered in the Northern Saloon at midnight, 1910 when gambling was made illegal. October 1st, 12:00pm Goldfield. This was one of the most popular saloons in all of Goldfield and was owned by Tex Rickard. The Copyright of the photograph was purchased by Louie and Harry Polin, who probably sold copies out of their establishment in Goldfield. The Polin coin is graded AU55 by NGC and as such is the finest known example. It is an important piece because it shows the Polin Bros business in Oatman, AZ and Goldfield. It is good for 6 1/4 cents in trade, which equaled a 1/2 bit, the typical price of a cheap beer at the bar. The token is dated c 1908-1910. $1,850. Sold
Photograph of a man in a suit with dark hair and beard. $80. Sold
This lot contains four handwritten letters from a miner named Steve to his brother detailing his daily life as a miner. The letter discusses the writer's hopes of finding open ground to stake mining claims on 2/22/1869. By April the writer is discouraged and not sure if he will ever find any gold at all. He had struck a promising surface ore but it “petered out”. . .”in other words smoked out”. The writer's camp was about three miles from Hamilton. Steve further discusses his reluctance in telling anyone else to come to Hamilton because the chances of finding diggings of any value are very remote, writing that the type of labor required is more strenuous than people would believe. By the end of April he was working on a mine known as the Forest Rose, which sounded promising. The last letter was sent 5/6/1869. Very Fine. $650. Sold
This is a one page handwritten letter apparently regarding borax work at Teels Marsh about weather and marsh updates. There are several mentions of a Mr.Knapp, Mr. Grayson, and Mr. Zebriskie and ends with “P.S. Mr. G is almost too late to prevent us from getting a patton.” [patent] Marietta is a mining camp that served the Borax mines of Teels Marsh and the mines in the Excelsior Range above town, which included the Endowment and Moho Mines. Very Fine. $200. Sold
Receipt for twenty assays of ore from the Pioche Phoenix Silver Mining Company. Good Condition. $350. Sold
Receipt for twenty assays of ore from the Pioche Phoenix Silver Mining Company. Good Condition. $350.
No. 11 Receipt for $25.00 received as payment for assessment No.11 of $1 per share on 25 shares of capitol stock. This is one of the most important mining companies in the Pioche area. Extremely Fine. $150.
Group of three family photo albums compiled by Joseph D. O'Brien, the District Mining Recorder of Nevada: Album #1 1910 to 1913: 311 Original photos chronicling a young girl's school years and travels. Possibly the daughter of Joseph D. O'Brien, District Mining Recorder of Nevada. This young woman is clearly from an affluent family and these photos appear to be pictures of a private Catholic school, probably a college. A few photos include Mrs. O'Brien, and some are taken during travels in Nevada, specifically Pioneer and Rhyolite. Album #2 1909 to 1913: 97 Photographs from the period 1909 to 1913. Several photos of the Shoshone Indian Camp in Pioneer, Nevada. Many of the Yellowjacket, Baby Florence, and Ironside Mines. Family vacation photographs of Southern California, including visits to Bakersfield, Santa Catalina, Los Angeles and Boston. Summary: Album #3 1908 to 1912: 102 photographs of the 1908 to 1912 era, many from mining communities of Pioneer, Nevada; Crestone, Colorado; and Rhyolite, Nevada. Also O'Brien family vacation photos of Santa Catalina and other locations in Southern California, with vintage automobiles and Victorian fashion on display. $7,500. Sold
This is an original copy of the well known Rawhide pictorial book that was later reprinted. There are 44 pages of illustrations of Rawhide including town scenes and mines, etc. There is one large fold out panorama in the back. Original copies of this are Exceptionally Scarce. Fine. $1,500.
This group was part of a small group that included a number of California pieces also found in this catalog. Until this small collection surfaced, only a few examples existed. All of these notes are still very high in rarity R7 or R8.
Series D printed on rust colored paper with brown safety print and brown under print of vignette. Certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, NV, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $1.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco .Graded by PMG About Unc 55. $1,200.
Series D printed on rust colored paper with brown safety print and brown under print of vignette. Certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, Nev, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $1.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Graded by PMG Choice Unc 64. $2,500.
Series A with rust colored safety print and a rust colored vignette under print certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, Nev, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $5.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Graded by PMG Choice Unc 64. $2,500.
Series B printed on blue paper with blue safety print and blue under print of vignette. Certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, Nev, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $10.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Graded by PMG Choice Unc 64. $2,500.
Series B printed on blue paper with blue safety print and blue under print of vignette. Certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, Nev, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $10.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Graded by PMG Gem Unc 65. $3,000.
Series C printed on orange paper with orange safety print and dark orange under print of vignette certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, NV, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $20.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Graded by PMG Choice Unc 64. $2,500.
Series C printed on orange paper with orange safety print and dark orange under print of vignette certificate states, “Securities having been deposited with the Clearing House Committee of the Associated Banks of Rhyolite, NV, this Certificate will be accepted by the said Banks for the sum named. Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co. John S. Cooke & Co. The First National Bank of Rhyolite” Not signed. $20.00. Printed by Britton & Rey, San Francisco. Graded by PMG Gem Unc 65. $3,000.
No. 398-411 Assay report for 14 bullion bars and scrap. Signed by B.E. Elford, Assayer. The bullion from this assay ran about .940 fine. This was one of the major mines at Tonopah. Good Condition. $75.
No. 462 Railroad pass for Tonopah, Tidewater, Bullfrog Goldfield, Death Valley Railroads for Mr. H.O. Marler, the Chief Clerk for the Pacific Electric Railway. This pass was good until 12/31/1926 and valid when countersigned by W.W. Cahill. The pass has three signatures, one is Marler, the second is Cahill, the third is C.B. Zabriskie. These three railroads operated in Beatty during the 1906 to 1907 boom, serving as a north/south terminus for local mining. [Ref: Paher, 1970, p.312]. This pass is approx. 3.75 x 2.25”and is printed on cream colored cardstock. The Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad logo is printed in red. Very Fine. $350. Sold
[1] 1863 Directory of Nevada Territory. The “Buena Vista” name was only used briefly. It gave way to the more popular “Unionville.”
[2] 1862 Territorial Census
[3] He is not listed in 1865 works.
[4] Humboldt Register 5/23/1863
[5] 6/20/1863 and 5/23/1863 Humboldt Register,
[6] 5/2/1863 Humboldt Register
[7] Humboldt Register 5/16/1863
[8] P444.
[9] Vol VIII, No. 8, Feb. 20, 1864, p115
[10] Gillis; Directory of Storey (and other) Counties, Nevada; 1868. Schultze is not listed in the 1871 Pacific Coast Business Directory published by Langley.
[11] During the course of research for this paper, numerous misspellings of the Bousfield surname were found for the same people. These include: Bousfield, Bowsfield, Bowsefield, Bonsefield. From this data, it may be surmised that the correct pronunciation of this surname is “Bowsfield”.
[12] Jackson, W. T.; Treasure Hill; 1963, p166.
[13] Raymond, R.; Mines and Mining West of the Rocky Mountains; 1870, p155
[14] Raymond, R.; Mining Statistics West of the Rocky Mountains; 1871, p155. Please note- the pagination here is correct. It is a coincidence.
[15] The ingot weighs 3.15 Troy ounces, and measures about 1” x 2” x 0.5”. Three small holes were drilled, one on the back, and one on each end for what appears to have been an elevated mount position, possibly for a glass case.
[16] The lone exception is the Nevada Census of 1870, in which the current internet records incorrectly transcribed the official US Census, and show him as white.
[17] The historical record is obscured by the presence of at least three different Robert H. Smalls born in Maryland or Philadelphia over the same approximate decade.
[18] He had seven children according to census data, Sarah born 1863, Magdalin born 1865, Mary born 1868, Adelaide born 1870, Cora born 1872, Baranchia born 1877 and Joseph, born 1873. Saunders died sometime before 1900. His wife Sarah had remarried by then to Thomas Shorter, nearly twenty years her senior.
[19] Maryland Soldiers in the Civil War Vol. 2 web site.
[20] Graham, LeRoy; Baltimore, The Nineteenth Century Black Capital; University Press of America; 1982; pp206-224. Also Foner, Eric; Freedom’s Lawmakers: A Directory of Black Officeholders During Reconstruction; LSU Press; 1996; pp189-190. Mr. Randy Lieberman kindly helped with the research on Saunders.
[21] Sioli; History of El Dorado County; 1883; p199-201. Also Gudde; California Gold Camps; 1975, p317.
[22] The only mention of any Small surname in Paolo Sioli’s History of El Dorado County is for Small’s (station) on the road to the Alpine mining districts near the summit, 64.05 miles from Placerville.)
[23] The Western Historical Quarterly, Vol. 11, No. 1, January, 1980, pp57-68. Purchased at a fee with internet download, a great service.
[24] Elevator, 2/5/1869
[25] Rusco, p148.
[26] Johnson, Leigh; “Equal Rights and the Heathen Chinee: Black Activism in San Francisco, 1865-1875” in the Western Historical Quarterly, v11, No.1, January, 1980, pp57-68. Rusco, p149.
[27] Rusco, p149.
[28] Rusco, p148.
[29] Proceedings of the Colored National Labor Convention held in Washington, D. C. on December 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1869. Printed by the New Era, 1870, Washington, 46 pages.
[30] Territorial Enterprise, April 9, 1870; Rusco, Elmer, Good Time Coming; Black Nevadans in the Nineteenth Century, 1975.
[31] Rusco, p 148. Langley, San Francisco Directory, various years in the 1860’s and 1870’s consulted. Hall and Small are shown as the local delegates on page 34 of the Convention proceedings.
[32] Some African-American web sites discuss an attendance of up to 214 attendees, but do not back up the statement published in the Convention proceedings, which was the source of the statement that less than half of the delegates showed up.
[33] 1870 Nevada Census.
[34] The business is well discussed in Rusco’s Good Time Coming, and readers are referred there for more information.
[35] Johnsen, p60, from the Sacramento Bee, April 11, 1865.
[36] It is important to note that Small’s speech was noted in a single entry on a 3x5” index card in the Territorial Enterprise index at the Nevada Historical Society. It was amazing to me that it had never been quoted. When I called for the microfilm, I found out why. The film of that specific page was shot completely out of focus, such that all that is readable is Small’s name at the end of the article. No wonder Rusco and others never saw it. I found the only existing physical copy at the University of Nevada Reno Special Collections Library and read it there. The papers were a gift of Clarence Mackay, son of Comstock miner and mine financier John W, Mackay.
[37] Crocker; Sacramento City Directory; The following years were consulted: 1873, 1875, 1876, 1878, 1888, 1889.
[38] Suffolk County PR 37379, 149:70
[39] History of Northern California, p276 Lewis Publishing, 1891. Much of this is repeated in Cross, and may have been Cross’ source.
[40] Cross, Financing an Empire. 1927. Also Winther, O.; Via Western Express Stagecoach; 1945, p51-2
[41] Wiltsee, E.; The Pioneer Miner and Pack Mule Express, 1931 (1976 edition), p103
[42] See Owens, D.; California Coiners and Assayers, 2000, p102
[43] McDonald, Doug; in Rare Coin Review, Spring 1987 and others (FH manuscript); Owens, D.; California Coiners and Assayers; 2000.
[44] The letters are at the Bancroft Library. See Owens.
[45] FW Blake is lsted in Carson City in the 1862 Territorial Census. No occupation
[46] 10/20/1861 Carson City Silver Age.
[47] Much is written by Sam Clemens of their Unionville forays. See Roughing It.
[48] See Owens, California Coiners and Assayers.
[49] Humboldt Register, May 23, 1863
[50] See also McDonald.
[51] 5/16/1863 Humboldt Register, p1, column 3.
[52] From the F. W. Blake Correspondence, Golconda, Nevada and Silver City, Idaho, c 1867-1870.
[53] From Holabird’s unpublished manuscript onGorham Blake as part of the Georgia Gold Rush.
[54] Same
[55] 9/30/1876 Territorial Enterprise 2:3
[56] Our assayer is not the same Conrad Wiegand that is present in the 1840 and 1854 Philadelphia Directories, working as a cabinet maker. Conrad Wiegand is not listed in any American census except 1870, when he shows up as a resident of Virginia City, and his name is misspelled. Using all other of the usual permutations of his surname, there is absolutely no record of him in Philadelphia or anywhere else before this. An argument can be made that he may have returned to Germany. Whether Conrad the assayer was born in Philadelphia, or one of the German States is presently unknown. Current evidence points to the idea that he and his family may have returned to their homeland to one of the German States in the 1840’s during a serious period of political upheaval. In 1848 there was a revolution that lasted almost two years. The revolutionaries demanded better working conditions, democratic ideals, freedom, and a removal of the traditional political structure. The revolution failed, and many left the German States for better living conditions and were in flight of persecution. Many fellow countrymen permanently left their homeland, and a number of the Wiegand family landed in the US and began new lives in Philadelphia. Conrad may have been one of the revolutionary forces – an outspoken and boisterous young man who moved to avoid persecution.
The fact that Conrad Wiegand is missing from significant parts of the historical record indicates to the author that he was hiding from something. Missing one Census is one thing. But missing every Census during a lifetime except one is more than a mistake or anomaly. Conrad is not listed in the 1847 McElroy’s Philadelphia Directory (p.373), nor are a number of the Wiegand family that are listed in 1851 (McElroy’s Directory). These other men with the same surname are also absent from the Census data. No attempt was made to locate actual birth records in Philadelphia. More research is needed, but the evidence that the Wiegand family may have been involved in the German States revolution is a real possibility.
Conrad Wiegand is a common name, and others with this name, particularly a cabinetmaker, were present in Philadelphia at the same time, but are not the same person.
[57] 9/30/76 TE
[58] Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, letter to Lincoln from Stevens, Feb 28, 1862, p2. Wiegand was not found in any Philadelphia Directory nor any New York Directory of the period. The New York Assay Office was established in 1853, and there is a slight chance that Stevens’ reference to Wiegand’s work there was during a short period of late 1853 to early 1854.
[59] Unfortunately, little of the latter information can be reconciled in the historical record. The information comes from a series of letters in the Lincoln Papers, and an interview published in the Territorial Enterprise as noted previously.
[60] It is not known if this pamphlet still exists. It was reported in several news articles.
[61] This is the inference made in a letter from Superintendant Stevens to President Lincoln, Feb. 28, 1862.
[62] American Almanac and Reporters of Useful Knowledge for the year 1856; Boston, 1855, p217.
[63] James P. Casey, editor of the Sunday Times, was one of many men aligned by newspaper editor (the Bulletin) James King of William. Casey assassinated the editor and was subsequently hung by the Vigilance Committee. It was James King of William’s brother Thomas Star King that got Wiegand appointed as Assayer at the Gould & Curry Mill awhile later. Wiegand’s pamphlet was entitled “Dr. Scott, The Vigilance Committee and the Church, San Francisco, 1856”; Los Angeles Westerners, 1971, p12.
[64] True and Minute History of the Assassination of James King Of William at San Francisco, Cal…1856, Towne & Bacon printers, page 23.
[65] Bancroft; History of California; 1890, v7.
[66] Could also have been a related department. Mars is probably the same as J. A. Mars, who later was a partner in the California Assay Office. In the Lincoln Papers, the name is spelled “Marz”.
[67] Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Feb. 10, 1862, 2pp. The actual response is unknown.
[68] This period of the Branch Mint’s history needs more research.
[69] There are other notes in the Lincoln Papers regarding Wiegand from April, 1861.
[70] Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Stevens to Lincoln Feb 28, 1862
[71] Lincoln Papers, June 30, 1862; April 20, 1863; May 2, 1863; and Dec. 14, 1863
[72] The Gould & Curry Bonanza was the primary driving force for the emigration of Welsh, Scottish and Irish mine workers. The First and Second Directories of Nevada Territory show the impact of the Gould & Curry in the listings of residents who worked for the Company.
[73] Janin is considered one of the great mine superintendents of the nineteenth century. He was second to none in his accomplishments on the Comstock.
[74] Territorial Enterprise (TE) article 9/30/1876. Brother of James King, of William, assassinated in 1856.
[75] Letter from Janin to Bull 1/22/1866, Nevada Historical Society. Note: the average bullion bars shipped by the G&C at this time were $1200 to $1500 each. Processing ore at custom mills was a normal process in the first decade of production on the Comstock. The expensive Gould & Curry Mill was the first major mill built exclusively for a single mine on the Comstock. Ores had been shipped to custom mills in 1863 while the “bugs” were being worked out of the G&C Mill, but once operational, Janin was reluctant to go back to the old custom mill system.
[76] TE 5/14/1865 appeared an add for Wiegand, “New Today”
[77] Rickard had moved to Virginia City from Helena, Montana. In 1865 he set up an assay office in the Truckee Meadows near where Reno would later be located. He later moved to Tombstone and other western mining camps.
[78] There is also the possibility that Wiegand was unable to secure the mine contracts for assaying their ores and bullion right away, thus the procurement of a partner may have been premature. The insolvency was reported in the Gold Hill News 1/2/1866.
[79] This episode was recounted in the Peoples Tribune and reprinted in the Territorial Enterprise and in Roughing It.
[80] Owens, D.; California Coiners and Assayers; 2000.
[81] 1/14/68 TE; 2/27/68 TE
[82] There are many comments about Wiegand by his friends, particularly after the Winters incident and after his death. Most were published in local newspapers, as well as in Roughing It, the Doten Journals and elsewhere.
[83] This was probably about a 25 troy ounce ingot. The average fineness of most of the Comstock silver ingots was about 855 to 900 fine silver, and about 040 fine gold, with some copper as an impurity. The Inscription here is purposefully left out. Mark Twain Letters, Volume 2, p261.
[84] The Ford Collection (of ingots) was sold in October, 2007 by Stack’s in New York City.
[85] Lingenfelter, Gash; Newspapers of Nevada; 1984, p99
[86] 1/14/70 Territorial Enterprise. (TE)
[87] The term referred to is a pocket weapon made of rawhide, tightly woven. It was a weapon that today is known as a “billyclub.” The details of the attack can be found in Roughing It, Appendix C, 1872.
[88] Territorial Enterprise, 1/18/1870. It must be noted here that this incident, a major event on the Comstock, was curiously and quietly omitted from nearly all of the great contemporary works such as Elliott Lord’s Comstock Mining and Miners, Dan Dequille’s Big Bonanza and others.
[89] TE 7/6/1870
[90] Twain, M.; Roughing It, Appendix C; 1872.
[91] 8/27/73 TE, 2:2 and 2:4.
[92] 7/21/1876, 9/30/1876 Territorial Enterprise
[93] 7/24/1874 3:1 Territorial Enterprise (TE)
[94] TE 12/26/73
[95] TE 10/2 /77
[96] TE 6/15/80
[97] Davis, S.; History of Nevada; 1912, p479-80