Making Footprints in the Reese River Valley, Nevada

The saga of the American West is paved with dreams of riches, fleeting booms, and the indomitable spirit of pioneers. The Reese River Valley in Nevada, a landscape etched with the promises and disappointments of the mining era, offers a vivid snapshot of this captivating history. This article revisits a historical account penned by William Daugherty in 1891, originally published in the Reno Evening Gazette, providing a descriptive and informative look into the once-thriving town of Washington, its ambitions, and its eventual decline.

The Ambitious Town of Washington

In 1864, William Daugherty found himself amidst the fervor of Washington, a town nestled in Lander County, Nevada. Today, the name Washington may not ring a bell for many, and it’s a forgotten speck on the map. However, in its heyday, it was a town brimming with ambition, daring to challenge Austin for the coveted title of the territory’s capital.

Washington’s strategic location along the Pony Express route and the daily stagecoach line infused it with a sense of importance and connectivity. The town’s residents looked upon Austin, their rival, as a mere village, its riches limited to a few surface-level quartz ledges. Washington, on the other hand, boasted of mammoth silver ledges like the New Hope Mine and the astounding galena deposits of the St. Helena of Alvarez in Cottonwood Canyon.

The Postmaster: A Local Icon

Life in Washington was marked by a unique set of norms. The residents cheerfully paid 25 cents for every letter they received and 12 ½ cents for each one they sent out. The postmaster was held in such high esteem that even a U.S. Postmaster of the present day would be green with envy. He was the uncrowned king of the town, and disturbing his slumber was considered an act of sacrilege.

Charlie Dodson, the postmaster, was an eccentric character who would emerge from his slumber late in the morning, dressed in his shirt-sleeves with his fancy suspenders dangling, to inquire about the stagecoach. He was known for his nonchalant attitude and his fondness for cocktails at Patroni’s. The townspeople treated him so well that he eventually became a "bloated aristocrat," and one day, he decided that Washington was too small for his ambitions. He appointed a deputy postmaster, a mining recorder, and an agent for his real estate interests, and then he boarded the stage for Chicago, never to be heard from again.

Dreams and Disappointments

In the early days of Washington, everyone was filled with optimism. Inspired by the success of mining magnates like Michael Reese, the residents built castles in the air, dreaming of becoming rich beyond their wildest imaginations.

However, the dream was shattered when the first quartz mill, engineered by Jimmy Middlemiss, made its first run on New Hope ore and then shut down without explanation. The ore simply didn’t pay. The town, which had been sprawling and pretentious in its proportions, began to shrink. Corner lots, once valued at exorbitant prices, became worthless.

The removal of the post office became a matter of great concern, overshadowing even the events of the war. The residents realized that they had been building extravagant hopes on myths and freaks of fortune. When the dream ended, those who could shake off their illusions silently stole away, leaving Washington to fade into obscurity.

Making Footprints

In the end, Washington became a forgotten town, mentioned only in mail contracts as the central point in the great Reese River Valley. The town’s existence may have been short-lived, but its residents played an important part in the development of the nation’s royal domain. As Clint Patchen of Pioche once said, they were "making footprints," even if they didn’t realize it at the time.

The story of Washington in the Reese River Valley is a testament to the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized the American West. It is a reminder that even in the face of disappointment, the pioneers of the West left their mark on the land, contributing to the development of a nation.

The Reese River Valley Today

The Reese River Valley, located in central Nevada, is a vast and scenic landscape. The Reese River, a vital waterway, meanders through the valley, sustaining agriculture and wildlife. Today, the area is sparsely populated, with ranching and mining serving as the primary economic activities.

The remnants of old mining towns, like Washington, dot the landscape, serving as silent reminders of the region’s rich history. These ghost towns offer a glimpse into the past, allowing visitors to imagine the lives of the men and women who sought their fortunes in the Silver State.

Conclusion

The tale of Washington in the Reese River Valley is more than just a historical anecdote; it is a microcosm of the American West’s story. It speaks of ambition, dreams, hard work, and the inevitable disappointments that come with pursuing fortune in a land of promise. While Washington may no longer be on the map, its story continues to resonate, reminding us of the footprints left by those who dared to dream big in the vast expanse of Nevada.

Also See:

• Mining on the American Frontier
• Nevada Mining Tales
• Nevada – The Silver State
• Pioneers on the Nevada Frontier (Reno Evening Gazette)

About the Author:

Written by William Daugherty for the Reno Evening Gazette in 1891. The Reno Evening Gazette was first published on October 12, 1876, and continued for 107 years. In 1977, it was merged with the Nevada State Journal and continues to exist today as the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Note: The article is not verbatim as spelling errors, minor grammatical changes, and editing have occurred for the ease of the modern reader.