The Sacramento Daily Union, July 4, 1866
FIRE AT DAYTON (NEV.) -- The Gold Hills News of July 2d gives the
following particulars of the late disastrous fire at Dayton (Nev.):
"About three o'clock yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in a stable
and hay-yard on the south side of East Main street, Dayton, not far
from the old Sutro Mill, and before the flames could be extinguished,
they spread all over the building and hay-yard. The premises were
surrounded by immense piles of cord-wood, stored there for sale, and
the flames soon fed and increased on the new combustible, creating an
immense fire. There being no fire engines of any description in the
town, and the neighborhood being built-up of frame and combustible
materials, the destroying element soon took its onward march westward
toward the business part of town, appalling the people with the awful
sight of destruction. The combined efforts of the citizens, using
their buckets of water from their wells, failed to arrest the flames
wherever there was material within reach for them to feed upon; and
their only hope then was to save such goods and household articles as
they could carry off or hurriedly throw down into the fire-proof
cellars, a number of which were under their buildings.
Hazeltine's fire-proof store was the first barrier to the onward
western march of the flames, but the dry wood and materials in the
rear of the main store were soon in flames, which lapped around and
set on fire the frames on the other side. The immense heat soon
communicated to the opposite or north side of the street, and the
Roberts Hotel was in flames with the buildings to the east. The fire
was then in full force on both sides of Main Street, eating up house
after house to the westward, with nothing to stay its awful and
determined march of destruction. The flames soon reached Birdsall's
fire-proof store, which withstood the flames finely, but everything
surrounding it of an inflammable nature was burnt up. The fire then
whipped around Birdsall's building and commensed on Doyle's Theater
Hall -- perhaps the largest frame building in town -- and soon that
was also in ashes. Both sides of the street were soon finished by the
flames -- including the Lyon Sentinel office -- the proprietors which,
we sincerely regret, hardly saved anything -- (in fact, Paine, one of
them, tells us that a cabinet of fancy type was all that was saved;
the reason of which was that they were off helping to save other
people's property to the evident culpable neglect of their own. But
that is only characteristic of the craft).
The fire at last exhausted itself, there being but little more left on
both sides of main street to feed upon, and this morning, what only
twenty-four hours ago was a beautiful and prosperous business street
of several blocks, is nothing but charred and smoking remains --
Birdsall's and Hazeltine's stone buildings alone standing on the south
side of the business portion of the street.
We are indebted to Paine, of the Sentinel, and Armstrong, the County
assessor, for the following list of supposed losses by the fire:
J.W. Davis $4,000; Miss M.E. Lawson $100; L.L. Crockett $8,000; D.
Rosenberg $2,500; Carless & Co. $5,000; Mrs. Doyle $5,000;
Birdsall $750; James $1,500; W. Norton & Co. $4,000; J. Paulson
$1,200; H.C. Brown $1,500; Fox & Co. $3,000; S. Hamilton $2,500;
D.E. Fox $300; H. Beckworth $750; A. Whitman $400; J.G. Williams
$4,500; A.P. Dallam $2,000; P. Carlin & Co. $4,000; Mrs. Adams
$2,500; M. Manning $3,000; Tyler $1,000; O.E. Sabine $1,000; Jones
$1,500; A.G. McCubbins $8,500; J.C. Franklin $1,500; J.H. Higgs
$2,000; F.P. Bunse $4,000; W.T. Hamed $2,500; Myer $500; Lyon County
Sentinel $3,000; G.W. Shaw $1,500; Morford & Co. $4,000; Smith
$500; Cowles $800; Total: $83,600
The Lyon County Times, July 14, 1874
DAYTON ADVERTISERS -- "Those of our readers who visit Dayton will find
first-class hotel accommodations at the Union; J.C. Gruber,
proprietor..... Then the Golden Eagle Hotel is not to be excelled in
any town in this State, Mr. Jaqua being an experienced hotel keeper as
well as a popular caterer -- sets an elegant table. Now we go to the
le bon ton private boarding house of Mrs. Swart known as the
Traveler's Home. It is truly a place of rest -- a home for the weary
-- and is presided over by one of the fairest of hostesses. We regret
to mention, in this connection, that Walter & Newman, the popular
merchants, advertise their entire stock at cost, as they are going to
close out.....Meyers & Stegman, in their fire-proof, have an
immense stock of groceries, hardware, clothing, liquors etc. which
they are selling at extremely low prices. Their stock is fresh, and
being old settlers, they are meeting with ready customers....There are
two splendid markets at Dayton, a credit to older and larger places.
Winzell & Campbell keeps the Union Market, while Crane's Market is
run by father and son of that name....Noah & Sims have a neat
establishment on Main street, and have a stock of choice family
groceries, wines, cigars, boots and shoes, crockery, glassware, etc.
These gentlemen are winning many new friends by the close attention to
the wants of their customers....J.C. Franklin has a neat business shop
for sale. To a person desiring a good business, well established and
stocked, this is a desirable opportunity, one that is seldom offered.
J.A. Bonham deals in stationary, tobacco and cigars, watches, jewelry,
silverware, fancy goods, etc., at the Post Office Bookstore....J.R.
Shaw has a large corral, and stable room in abundance for all who
come, and has hay, grain and wood for sale, in quantities to suit...
Parke Barnes has one of the best stocked livery establishment in the
State. A handsome rig can be procured at all hours, at reasonable
rates....C.G. Fish has just completed his lodging establishment, and
has furnished it with spring mattresses. His chop-house is the best in
town, and his wines and liquors cannot be excelled....The Delta
saloon, of Jacob Hanson, is stocked with fine liquors, a Phelan
billiard table, and a Jenny Lind table, both in splendid order: this
is one of the best places to spend an hour that can be found in
town....M. Ebner, of the Carson Beer Depot, keeps cool lager, and old
whiskies and wines. There is fun in this place at all hours , as a
Devil Among the Dutch Table is constantly running....At the Odeon
Saloon, Coddington has an assortment that is pleasing to test: here
the thirsty can imbibe to their heart's content, lay over on an ice
chest and be happy....J. Leversee has a full stock of coffins, caskets
and trimmings constantly on hand. If any of our friends should happen
to be in need of any article in his line, they can find no one better
to call on than him....Last, but not least of our account today, we
have to mention the drug establishment of Dr. J.C. Hazlett, of whom
all are aware. Few of the old settlers, or the new, know the doctor
who needs no recommendation at our hands.
Lyon County Times, February 19, 1898
A Dayton Woman Leaves for Alaska
Mrs. Carrie Vincent left Thursday for San Francisco from which place
she will sail today for the Klondike country, accompanied by George
Worn and George Adams. Mr. Vincent left for Dawson some few months ago
and his wife will join him at Sheep Camp, where he is now engaged in
packing over the pass. He will wait for her there and then move on to
Dawson.
Submitted by FofFG
Lyon County Times, March 5, 1898
News from Sheep Camp
Andy Walmsley, of this place, received a letter from Wes Ballinger,
who left here some time ago with Vincent and Watson for the Klondike.
The letter was written from Sheep Camp and is dated February 12th.
None of the men went to work at Douglass Island, and Wes says a man
who would work there needs a job worse than he does. He and Lou
Vincent are packing over the trail, and Watson has returned from
Juneau. Wes says that crossing the pass is not as bad as he expected,
but it is harder to get to the foot of the pass than go over it. He
says it is no place to go with horses. Prices have got down so low for
packing that there is no money in using horses and carpenters are only
getting 50 cents an hour now.
At the time of the writing there was about a foot of snow at Dyea, and
at Sheep Camp about three feet. Ben Fisher was up from Dyea to visit
the boys at Sheep Camp the week the letter was written. Wes says two
men were caught stealing a short time ago. One was tied to a tree and
given twenty lashes with a rope, the other poor devil blew his brains
out. Wes says Lou is the boss cook on the trail, and at the time he
was writing, he was cooking a pot of beans. Both send regards to
Dayton friends.
Submitted by FofFG
The Lyon County Times, May 7, 1898
George Erway and wife and Will Young and wife struck out for Butte,
Montana, on Monday. They are traveling by team and plan to make
Montana their home.
Submitted by FofFG
Lyon County Times, September 17, 1898
From Dawson
Another letter was received at this office this week from Lou and
Carrie Vincent, who are still located at Dawson City, or were on July
17th when their letter was written. Lou has been ill for a time, but
is now better. He has been prospecting but reports it's hard to find
anything worth locating, and if you do find anything good, it is
liable to be taken away from you by the Canadian government. There is
some talk of a change of officials and in that case things may be some
better.
People are leaving by the hundreds on the steamers and many in small
boats. Over 500 people are sick in Dawson, both hospitals are full,
and no American physicians are allowed to practice even after paying
$100 at Victoria to be examined.
There are ten gambling houses and fifty saloons in Dawson and they all
do a big business. Women sell drinks in the saloon on a commission of
25 percent. Two churches and a hall are being erected and a Miner's
Union is being organized. Wages are high except for women's work, and
so are luxuries high. A bath costs $5, three apples $1, two bunches of
radishes $1, turnips the same, one watermelon $25, and spring chickens
$5. To shoe a horse it costs $25 . Teams get $10 an hour for hauling
and $10 for a trip to the hospital.
Old residents say the place will be all right next year as so many are
leaving that it will make it better for those that stay. The custom
officials are going to drive all the people out that do not have
provisions or a good place to stay during the winter. The officers are
very mean about giving out mail, and half the mail sent here never
gets into the owner's hands. Dave Chrisman, known to all Daytonites,
is here and looks the same as usual, only older. It makes anybody look
old and feel old to live in such a godforsaken country.
Submitted by FofFG
The Lyon County Times, October 1, 1898
George Adams returned to Sutro from the Klondike Thursday. He reports
that it is believed that Wes Ballinger, who left here with Lou
Vincent, is dead.
Lyon County Times - February 10, 1900
NEW CITIZENS
Angelo Quilici, Louis Pierotti, Sebastiano Venturi, Giovanni Ousselli
[sp], Assuero Panelli and Guilio Teglia, all Italian residents of this
county, were made citizens of the United States by Judge Mack in
Virginia City last week. We are informed that they will all be good
Republicans, too.
Yesterday, Guirdo Marchetti, Serafino Dominic, Assuero Quilici and
Enrico Astucci were also made voters.
- Submitted by FofFG
The Reno Evening Gazette, April 8, 1922
"Mrs. L.L. Crockett, pioneer of Nevada, was given a dinner party at
noon last Tuesday to celebrate her eighty-second birthday. The affair
was given by Miss Nellie Hymers and Mrs. R.D. Eichelberger, and was
held at the Hymers home. Mrs. Crockett came to Nevada nearly sixty
years ago, and has lived in this state ever since. She is the widow of
Lyman L. Crockett, who was for many years a prominent citizen in this
state. Mrs. Crockett was the recipient of many beautiful flowers on
her natal day. Those bidden to join Mrs. Crockett in her birthday
celebration were Measdames L.D. Folsom, Fannie Hazlett, Lizzie K.
Schmitt, Robert Fulton and F.M. Thompson."
Submitted by FofFG
The Reno Evening Gazette, April 4, 1929
Trio of Pioneer Women of State Meet in Dayton
"Memories of bygone days were recalled yesterday by three pioneer
women of Nevada who met at Dayton to celebrate the eight-ninth
birthday of one of their number, Mrs. Hannah Sophia Crockett, of Reno.
Mrs. Crockett, who has probably lived longer in Nevada than any other
person, was accompanied to Dayton by Mrs. Fannie Hazlett, ninety years
old, and they visited Mrs. Fisher of Dayton, who is ninety-one years
old.
Mrs. Crockett, whose husband was State Treasurer in 1879, has lived in
Nevada continuously since 1860 and made her first home in Dayton. Mrs.
Hazlett and Mrs. Fisher have lived in Nevada since 1862. They were
friends at Dayton during their girlhood days and yesterday ate lunch
within a few feet of the place where Mrs. Hazlett camped when she
first stopped at Dayton after a trip across the plains. They visited
Mrs. Crockett's and Mrs. Hazlett's old homes in the little town that
was once a busy milling and farming community."
Submitted by FofFG

