1271

Washington & Creole Mining Co. Stock, Bullionville, NV, 1871--Site of Armed Mine Takeover! [204539]

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Stock & Bond - Mining Start Price:75.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 300.00 USD
Washington & Creole Mining Co. Stock, Bullionville, NV, 1871--Site of Armed Mine Takeover! [204539]
SOLD
120.00USDto F****e+ buyer's premium (30.00)
This item SOLD at 2025 Oct 31 @ 12:54UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST
FINAL AUCTION RECORD The Auctioneer’s podium notes serve as the final, legally binding record of the auction results, superseding any electronic bidding records. See Terms and Conditions
"Ely Mining District. Lincoln County, Nev." (printed under title). Inc. 1871. No. 222, issued for 5 shares to EA Richardson in Sept. 1871. Signed by president GS Robert and secretary Bagley. Not cancelled. This mine was the site of an armed takeover on Feb. 22nd, 1871, as recounted in the "Romance of Pioche," by Col. James W. Abbott (and mentioned in "An Editor of the Comstock Lode": "The first trouble occurred at the Washington & Creole. Tom and Frank Newland had made a location above the Washington & Creole mine, which latter was owned by Raymond & Ely. The Newland boys asked for the privilege of starting a tunnel below the Washington & Creole to run through the same which at this time was not considered of much value. Raymond & Ely gladly granted the privilege for the Newland boys were new-commers and needed encouragement. The boys ran in their tunnel about 30 feet underground, or from the face, and struck the Washington & Creole ledge as was expected. But, contrary to expectations, the ledge at this point was very rich, averaging about $300 per ton. It proved to be 9 feet thick. Before much was known about the strike, the Newland boys went to Ely and Raymond, and secured the privilege of taking out ore on the Washington & Creole for 30 days. They then opened up a wonderful bonanza. Everything was satisfactory. Raymond & Ely were pleased that the boys were doing well, and Mr. Raymond said that it would encourage others to dig. When the 30 days expired the ground was turned over to Withe Walker, who was foreman for Raymond & Ely. Walker went with the Newlands through the tunnel and saw thousands of tons of rich ore exposed and ready to be taken out. Walker was naturally much pleased, and said he: 'I can keep that rattletrap of a mill at Bullionville going now.' As the Burke mine was then in a pinch and not supplying the ore as rapidly as needed, everyone was pleased. Mr. Raymond said 'That ore might have lain there for years, or might never have been found.' He believed in being liberal. It was the best way, and he took considerable credit to himself for his fair dealings. He was indeed a fair man, but he had much to learn and never learned it. Well, as I have said, the Newland boys turned the thing over, and everyone thought that it was all right. The Newlands went on with their tunnel. But a mountain of ore worth $300 a ton will worry anyone when it is in plain sight and everyone is allowed to see it. Before long the Newlands got some of the new men from White Pine to help jump the mine. They built a fort in the night and manned it with men and guns for defense. Then they commenced to take out and ship the ore to Silver Peak, where there was a ten-stamp mill. There was no law in the country, and no one to stop them. It is true that a township had been formed and a justice court provided. The County had held an election and chosen John Kane, a miner, Sheriff. He went up to the fort but was ordered away. The boys continued to move the ore. Something had to be done. Raymond and Ely could do nothing, for they were told in plain words that if either of them set foot in camp it would be certain death, and there is no doubt but such would have been the case. Many men were coming from many places, some men of means. There went to Bullionville four young men, polite, gentlemanly fellows, all under 30 years of age, They were Michael Casey, Barney Flood, Morgan Courtney and Wm. Bethers. They said to Raymond and Ely: 'We will drive these fellows off it you will give us a written promise that we can have the ground for 30 days.' The bargain was made and operations begun. I was posted on everything that was going on, but did not know when or how these young men would get possession. That they kept to themselves. This is what was done; I was in a good position to see the whole battle, which was afterwards known as the Washington & Creole fight. These young men got some whiskey up to the guard in the fort. At that time there was a pretty good growth of nut pine on the hill above the fort. Here the young men hid. About 3 o'clock there came a shout, and the four young men ran rapidly down the hill, each with a pistol in hand. They drove the others out and away from their arms. I heard the shots and saw one man fall, Snell by name, and I saw Casey take a rifle and knock a man down the bank with it. Many shots were fired and many men were wounded, but Snell was the only one killed in that fight. Nevertheless, I have heard others tell of the same fight and give the number of killed as 10 or 12. But I was an eye witness and very much interested, and I am sure that one man only was killed. I do not remember the number of wounded. The boys who did that piece of work made $15,000 each of their lease of 30 days. Raymond and Ely bought the ore and paid them their money for it."
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Date: 1871
Country (if not USA):
State: Nevada
City: Bullionville
Provenance: Douglas McDonald Collection