Category: Destination4x4

Millville Arizona

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Millville, Arizona, is a ghost town in Cochise County, located along the San Pedro River, approximately nine miles southwest of Tombstone. Established in the late 1870s during the Arizona Territory’s silver mining boom, Millville served as a milling hub for processing silver ore from Tombstone’s mines. Closely tied to the nearby town of Charleston, Millville’s history reflects the rapid rise and fall of mining communities in the American West. This report explores Millville’s origins, economic significance, social dynamics, decline, and current status, drawing on historical accounts and archaeological insights.

Millville, sister town to Charleston located just across the San Pedro River, circa 1880
Millville, sister town to Charleston located just across the San Pedro River, circa 1880

Origins and Establishment

Ed Schieffelin
Ed Schieffelin

Millville emerged in 1878 following Ed Schieffelin’s discovery of silver in the Tombstone area. Schieffelin, along with his brother Al and partner Richard Gird, recognized the need for a milling operation to process the raw silver ore into bullion. The San Pedro River’s water supply made it an ideal location, as water was essential for ore refinement, unlike the water-scarce Tombstone. Gird selected a site on the east bank of the San Pedro River, where two stamp mills—the Gird Mill and the Corbin Mill—were constructed to crush and process ore. Millville was formally established as the industrial heart of the region, with Charleston, on the west bank, serving as the residential and commercial settlement for mill workers and their families.

The town’s layout was functional, centered around the milling operations. By May 1879, Millville had a post office, though it closed less than a year later on May 3, 1880, as Charleston became the primary residential hub. The mills relied on surface water corralled by Gird’s dam, which powered six mills at peak production, operating day and night from Millville to Contention City.

Economic Significance

Millville’s economy was driven by its role in silver processing. At its peak between April 1881 and April 1882, the mills produced $1,380,336.97 in bullion, a staggering amount for the time, equivalent to tens of millions in today’s dollars. The Gird Mill alone processed 15 to 20 tons of ore daily, with mule teams hauling 40,000 to 50,000 pounds of ore from Tombstone. This output fueled the regional economy, attracting workers, merchants, and opportunists to the San Pedro Valley.

The mills’ success depended on infrastructure like Gird’s dam, which controlled water flow from the San Pedro River. However, the dam sparked controversies with local ranchers, who contested the mills’ water usage. Floods occasionally breached the dam, causing disruptions, such as in 1881 when a man nearly drowned crossing the swollen river. Despite these challenges, Millville’s mills were a cornerstone of the Tombstone silver boom, processing ore that enriched investors and sustained the region’s growth.

Social Dynamics and Reputation

Millville’s social fabric was shaped by its industrial focus and proximity to Charleston, which had a rowdier reputation. Millville itself was strictly controlled by Richard Gird, who prohibited alcohol to maintain order among workers, a contrast to Charleston’s liberal leasing laws and saloons. The mills were dangerous workplaces, with accounts of violent incidents, such as a worker allegedly killing another and disposing of the body in a furnace.

Charleston, home to about 400 residents at its peak, housed mill workers and their families, as well as notorious figures like Frank Stilwell, a saloon owner and deputy sheriff suspected of murdering Morgan Earp, and the Clanton Gang, whose ranch was five miles south. Despite Charleston’s reputation as “tougher and livelier than Tombstone,” fueled by Eastern newspapers, the Tombstone Epitaph in May 1882 described it as “well regulated and free from turmoil.” Millville, by contrast, was quieter, focused on industry rather than social life. No successful robberies of silver or payroll were recorded, though a failed attempt in Millville on March 25, 1882, resulted in the murder of mining engineer M. R. Peel.

The region’s cultural landscape was enriched by pre-Columbian petroglyphs near the river, which attracted visitors and added historical depth. Informational signs along trails today highlight this heritage, connecting Millville’s brief existence to the area’s longer human history.

Decline and Abandonment

Millville’s decline began in 1886 when Tombstone’s silver mines flooded, halting ore production. The discovery of water beneath Tombstone allowed milling to shift closer to the mines, reducing the need for Millville’s riverside operations. A miners’ strike in 1885–1886 and the 1887 earthquake further weakened the region’s economy. By 1889, both Millville and Charleston were largely abandoned, earning their status as ghost towns. Small-scale smelting continued in Millville until 1892, and ore dumps were revisited after 1900 with improved technology, but the town never recovered.

Charleston’s infrastructure was dismantled by Mexican residents who used materials for firewood, while Millville’s stone embankments and adobe foundations eroded. The Arizona and Southeastern Railroad’s construction altered local drainage, further threatening the sites’ preservation. By the early 20th century, Millville was a relic, its mills reduced to crumbling ruins.

Current Status and Preservation

Today, Millville is part of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The site is accessible via a 1.8-mile loop trail, the Millville Historic Townsite and Rock Art Discovery Trail, which features interpretive signs about the area’s history and petroglyphs. The trail, rated as easy, takes about 38 minutes to complete and offers views of the San Pedro River, ghost town ruins, and natural features. Visitors report informative signage but note the lack of shade and occasional hazards like rattlesnakes.

The BLM and organizations like the Friends of the San Pedro River work to preserve the sites, though no official signage marks Millville along Charleston Road. The ruins consist of stone walls, adobe foundations, and remnants of the Gird and Corbin Mills, visible from the trail. The nearby Clanton Ranch, Fairbanks ghost town, and Presidio Santa Cruz de Terranate add to the region’s historical attractions.

Conclusion

Millville, Arizona, encapsulates the fleeting prosperity of the Wild West’s mining boom. From its founding in 1878 to its abandonment by 1889, the town played a critical role in processing Tombstone’s silver, driving economic growth in the San Pedro Valley. Its industrial focus, contrasted with Charleston’s lively social scene, highlights the diverse dynamics of frontier life. Though reduced to ruins, Millville’s legacy endures through preserved trails and historical narratives, offering a glimpse into Arizona’s rugged past. The San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area ensures that Millville’s story, alongside its natural and cultural surroundings, remains accessible to future generations.

Millville Town Summary

NameMillville, Arizona
LocationCochise County, Arizona
Latitude, Longitude31.6350, -110.1737
Elevation1216 meters / 3990 feet
GNIS
Post OfficeMay 26, 1879 – May 3, 1880

Millville Trail Map

Millville is located about 9 miles southwest of Tombstone, Arizona. Charleston and Millville are not accessible by car and can only be reached by hiking up the San Pedro River. The Bureau of Land Management has begun maintaining trails to and from the area. 

Refereces

  • GhostTowns.com
  • AllTrails. Millville Historic Townsite and Rock Art Discovery Trail.
  • Archaeology Southwest. Charleston and Millville Sites.
  • Wyatt Earp Explorers. Charleston & Millville, A.T. by John D. Rose.
  • Natural Atlas. Millville Historic Townsite.
  • Roadtrippers. Charleston & Millville Historic Townsite.
  • Michael Kleen. The Ruins of Millville and Charleston, Arizona.
  • Ghost Towns of Arizona. Millville Ghost Town.
  • Southern Arizona Guide. Exploring the Millville Ruins with the FSPR.

William Brocius

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William "Curly Bill" Brocius
William “Curly Bill” Brocius

William Brocius, better known as “Curly Bill” Brocius, was a notorious outlaw of the American Old Old West, born around 1845, though some sources suggest 1840 or 1858. His birthplace remains uncertain, with speculation pointing to Crawfordsville, Indiana, Texas, or Missouri. His birth name is equally elusive, with possible names including William Graham, William Bresnaham, or William Brosius. Some accounts suggest he was born William Graham in Indiana, where he reportedly worked as a struggling farmer with a wife and three children—Jacob, Lizzie, and Ellie—before the Civil War. According to family lore, Brocius accepted $500 to serve as a substitute for a wealthy man drafted into the Union Army, leaving his family behind. After the war, he did not return home, possibly spending time in the South before resurfacing in the Arizona Territory by the late 1870s.

Criminal Beginnings

Brocius’s criminal career began to take shape in the late 1870s. He may have been linked to William “Curly Bill” Bresnaham, who, along with Robert “Dutch” Martin, was convicted of an attempted robbery of an Army wagon in Texas in 1878. The pair was sentenced to five years in Huntsville prison but escaped, possibly fleeing to the Arizona Territory. Brocius was also associated with the Jesse Evans gang in New Mexico during the Lincoln County War, a conflict that involved Billy the Kid. By 1878, Brocius had settled in Arizona, initially delivering cattle to the San Carlos Reservation before gravitating to the boomtown of Tombstone.

Life in Tombstone and the Clanton Gang

Tombstone, Arizona, was a wild, silver-rich town in the late 1870s, described as the “toughest town on earth.” Brocius, a heavy-set man over six feet tall with dark curly hair, dark eyes, and a reputation for unpredictability, quickly became a central figure in the Cochise County Cowboys, a loose-knit gang of rustlers and outlaws led by the Clanton family. Known for his quick draw and trick shooting—able to hit running jackrabbits or shoot quarters from volunteers’ fingers—Brocius was both feared and charismatic. His “Jekyll-and-Hyde” personality made him a volatile leader, respected by the likes of “Old Man” Clanton and his sons, particularly the reckless Billy Clanton.

Brocius’s criminal activities included cattle rustling, stagecoach robbery, and murder. After Old Man Clanton’s death in an ambush in 1881, Brocius assumed leadership of the Cowboys, which grew to over 400 members and became the largest rustling operation in American history, operating across Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. His most infamous act was the Skeleton Canyon Massacre in July 1881, where he and his gang ambushed a Mexican trail herd, killed six vaqueros, and reportedly tortured and murdered others, netting over $75,000 in loot. This massacre, which left bleached bones scattered in the canyon, drew the ire of President James Garfield, who demanded the gang’s dissolution.

The Shooting of Fred White

Fred White
Fred White

Brocius’s notoriety peaked on October 27, 1880, when he shot Tombstone’s first marshal, Fred White, during a chaotic night of gunfire on Allen Street. The Clanton gang, including Brocius, was recklessly shooting up the town. When White confronted Brocius near the Birdcage Theater and attempted to disarm him, Brocius’s .45 discharged, fatally wounding White in the abdomen. Wyatt Earp, then a deputy sheriff, pistol-whipped and arrested Brocius. White, before dying two days later, testified that he believed the shooting was accidental, a claim supported by Wyatt Earp and a demonstration that Brocius’s pistol could fire from half-cock. Brocius was acquitted in November 1880, but the incident fueled his enmity with the Earp family, marking the start of the Earp-Cowboy feud.

Escalating Conflicts and the Earp Vendetta

Brocius’s vendetta against the Earps intensified after the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in October 1881, where Billy Clanton and the McLaury brothers were killed. Brocius was absent during the gunfight, possibly recovering from a gunshot wound to the face sustained earlier that year. He was implicated in the ambush of Virgil Earp in December 1881 and the assassination of Morgan Earp in March 1882, though evidence of his direct involvement is inconclusive. Some reports suggest he left Arizona in December 1881 to avoid a larceny charge, casting doubt on his presence during these events.

Death or Disappearance

On March 24, 1882, Wyatt Earp claimed to have killed Brocius during a shootout at Iron Springs (now Mescal Springs) in the Whetstone Mountains. According to Earp, his posse stumbled upon Brocius and other Cowboys cooking a meal. In the ensuing gunfight, Earp shot Brocius in the chest with a shotgun, killing him instantly. However, no body was recovered, and Brocius’s grave has never been identified. Some accounts, including those from Cowboys’ associates, suggest his body was buried at Frank Patterson’s ranch near the Babocomari River. Others, including contemporary sources, argue Brocius had already left Arizona or fled to Mexico, and the lack of physical evidence fueled speculation that he survived. The Tombstone Nugget and Epitaph offered rewards of $1,000 and $2,000, respectively, for proof of his death, but no one claimed them.

Legacy and Controversy

Curly Bill Brocius remains an enigmatic figure, his true identity obscured by aliases and conflicting accounts. Described as crafty, conscienceless, and a born killer, he was both a feared outlaw and a charismatic leader. His supposed death at Wyatt Earp’s hands is one of the Old West’s enduring mysteries, with historians divided on whether he died in 1882 or returned to Texas, possibly living until 1909 as William Albert Brosius. His story has been immortalized in films like Tombstone (1993), where Powers Boothe portrayed him as a ruthless yet remorseful antagonist, and in books by historians like Steve Gatto, who dubbed him “Tombstone’s Most Famous Outlaw.” Brocius’s life encapsulates the lawlessness and violence of the Arizona Territory, leaving a legacy as one of the Wild West’s most infamous figures.

George ‘Brownie’ Holmes

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George “Brownie” Holmes (April 11, 1892 – April 11, 1980) was a notable figure in Arizona history, best known for his lifelong pursuit of the Lost Dutchman Mine, a legendary gold mine in the Superstition Mountains. Born in Phoenix, Arizona Territory, Holmes was deeply connected to the region’s pioneer heritage and spent over six decades searching for the elusive mine, following in the footsteps of his father, Richard J. “Dick” Holmes. This report explores Holmes’ life, his contributions to the lore of the Lost Dutchman Mine, and his lasting legacy.

The skull of Adolph Ruth being held by searcher Brownie Holmes.
The skull of Adolph Ruth being held by searcher Brownie Holmes.

Early Life and Background

George Brown Holmes was born on April 11, 1892, in Phoenix, Arizona Territory, just months after the death of Jacob Waltz, the prospector associated with the Lost Dutchman Mine. His nickname “Brownie” derived from his grandmother’s maiden name, Brown, as his father wanted him to carry both family names—Holmes and Brown. Holmes came from a pioneering Arizona family. His grandfather, Richard J. Holmes Sr., arrived in Arizona in 1847, when it was still part of Mexico, and worked as a geologist and mineralogist, discovering gold at La Paz in 1853. His father, Dick Holmes, was a rancher and civilian packer for the U.S. Army, born in 1865 at Old Fort Whipple.

Holmes grew up immersed in Arizona’s rugged frontier culture. His father’s involvement in the search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, sparked by Waltz’s deathbed confession in 1891, profoundly influenced Brownie’s life. Dick Holmes claimed to have received a box of gold ore and directions to the mine from Waltz, setting the stage for Brownie’s lifelong quest.

Career and Lifestyle

Holmes led a varied career rooted in Arizona’s outdoor and ranch. He worked as a ranch hand for much of his life, notably for the Barkley family, and spent a decade with the Arizona Fish and Game Department as a packer and trapper. He also drove a stagecoach along the Apache Trail for Wes Hill, a role that connected him to the Superstition Mountains and its lore. A World War I veteran, Holmes served in what was then called the Great War, adding to his rugged persona.

Despite his adventurous life, Holmes was reserved about the Lost Dutchman Mine, avoiding interviews and public disputes. He relished anonymity, believing it allowed him to search for the mine without interference from other treasure hunters. His work as a cowboy and his time in the Superstition Mountains gave him intimate knowledge of the terrain, which he leveraged in his searches.

The Lost Dutchman Mine and Holmes’ Role

Holmes’ pursuit of the Lost Dutchman Mine began with his father’s legacy. Dick Holmes, present at Waltz’s deathbed in 1891, allegedly received gold ore and cryptic directions to the mine. After Dick’s death in 1930, Brownie continued the search, spending over 60 years exploring the Superstition Mountains. His belief in the mine’s existence was unwavering, rooted in his father’s accounts and physical evidence like gold ore samples.

Holmes was a significant oral historian of the Lost Dutchman legend, sharing stories with select individuals about key figures like Jacob Waltz, Julia Thomas, and the Petrasch brothers. However, he was cautious, often providing contradictory or vague information, possibly to protect the mine’s location. Some Dutchman hunters speculated that Holmes deliberately misled others to safeguard his search.

The Holmes Manuscript

One of Holmes’ most controversial contributions is the Holmes Manuscript, a 41-page document allegedly authored by him around 1944 with the help of ghostwriter Charles Kenison. The manuscript includes a nine-page section titled The True Story of the Lost Dutchman of the Superstitions as Told to Me by My Father Dick Holmes, by Jacob Wolz on His Deathbed. It details Dick Holmes’ experience at Waltz’s deathbed and Brownie’s subsequent searches. However, Holmes denied writing it, though he admitted to providing much of the information.

The manuscript is contentious due to its embellishments (e.g., references to “tiny dwarf deer”), factual inaccuracies, and differing writing styles between sections. Some believe Holmes commissioned it to attract investors or partners, but abandoned the project after disagreements with Kenison. The manuscript resurfaced in the Arizona State Library archives in the 1970s and was later published in Dr. Thomas E. Glover’s book The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, Part 2: The Holmes Manuscript. Despite its flaws, it remains a key historical document, offering insights into the early days of the Dutchman search.

The Matchbox Affidavit

In April 1969, Holmes provided a sworn affidavit detailing the provenance of a matchbox crafted from gold ore from Waltz’s mine. According to the affidavit, Dick Holmes sold Waltz’s gold to the Goldman Brothers Store in Phoenix in 1891. James “Jimmie” Douglas purchased the ore and had it made into a matchbox, which he gifted to Gus Hirschfeld for meritorious service. Hirschfeld later gave the matchbox to Holmes. The affidavit, notarized in Maricopa County, is considered significant evidence that Waltz possessed gold, supporting the mine’s existence. Additional jewelry, including cufflinks, a stud, a stickpin, and a ring, was also made from Waltz’s ore, with some pieces displayed at the Superstition Mountain Museum.

Connection to the Adolph Ruth Case

Lost Dutchman Mine searcher Adolph Ruth
Lost Dutchman Mine searcher Adolph Ruth

Holmes is linked to the 1931 disappearance and death of Adolph Ruth, a prospector searching for the Lost Dutchman Mine. In 1932, Holmes and his dog reportedly found Ruth’s skull on Black Top Mesa, which had bullet holes, fueling speculation of foul play. Some theories suggest Holmes may have been involved, though no evidence supports this. The Ruth case remains one of the darker chapters in the Dutchman saga, and Holmes’ discovery of the skull added to his mystique.

Personal Life and Legacy

Holmes married Thelma Neff-Harwick and had one daughter, Georgia, for whom he had a ring made from Waltz’s gold ore. Tragically, Georgia died young. Holmes was well-liked, with hundreds attending his memorial. He died of heart failure on his 88th birthday, April 11, 1980, at his Phoenix home. Per his wishes, his ashes were scattered in the Superstition Mountains, forever tying him to the land he loved.

Holmes’ legacy endures through his contributions to the Lost Dutchman Mine legend. His stories, the Holmes Manuscript, and the matchbox affidavit provide tangible links to Arizona’s frontier past. While he never found the mine, his dedication inspired generations of treasure hunters. In a 1980 conversation with friend Clay Worst, Holmes reflected, “Clay, I don’t know if the Dutchman lied to my father or not, but I know my father never lied to me, and I know I never lied to you,” underscoring his belief in the mine and his integrity.

Conclusion

George “Brownie” Holmes was a quintessential Arizona pioneer whose life intertwined with one of the West’s greatest mysteries. His relentless search for the Lost Dutchman Mine, rooted in family legacy and personal conviction, made him a central figure in its lore. Through his oral histories, the Holmes Manuscript, and the matchbox affidavit, Holmes left an indelible mark on Arizona history. His story embodies the spirit of adventure, perseverance, and the enduring allure of the unknown.

Sources

  • Tom Kollenborn Chronicles: George ‘Brownie’ Holmes
  • The Lost Dutchman Mine Part Seven: Brownie Holmes – Jason Roberts
  • George “Brownie” Holmes Affidavit – DesertUSA.com
  • Brownie Holmes Remembered – TreasureNet
  • The Holmes Manuscript – DesertUSA.com
  • The Brownie Holmes Manuscript – TreasureNet
  • The Holmes Manuscript (The Lost Dutchman Mine of Jacob Waltz, Part 2) – Amazon.com
  • Lost Dutchman Gold & Glenn Magill – The Arizona Report

Columbus Nevada State Historic Marker #20

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Columbus, Nevada, was a short-lived but significant mining boomtown in Esmeralda County, located on the edge of the Columbus Salt Marsh. Established in 1865, the town emerged as a hub for silver, gold, and borax mining, reaching its peak in the mid-1870s before declining into a ghost town by the 1880s. This report explores the town’s origins, economic activities, peak prosperity, decline, and lasting legacy, drawing on historical records and archaeological evidence.

Columbus Nevada Late 1870s
Columbus Nevada Late 1870s

Origins and Early Development (1863–1871)

The history of Columbus began in 1863 when Spanish prospectors discovered silver in the region. Two years later, in 1865, American settlers established the Columbus mining camp to exploit nearby gold and silver deposits. The town’s strategic location, with access to sufficient water for milling operations, made it an ideal site for a stamp mill, which was relocated from Aurora in 1866. By this time, Columbus had approximately 200 residents and a post office, marking its early growth as a mining settlement. The discovery of salt in the adjacent alkali flat also contributed to the town’s early economy.

Rise to Prosperity (1871–1875)

The discovery of borax in 1871 by William Troop at the nearby Columbus Salt Marsh transformed the town’s fortunes. Borax, a valuable mineral used in detergents and industrial processes, attracted significant investment. By 1873, four companies, including the prominent Pacific Borax Company, were actively mining and shipping borax from the area. The Pacific Borax Company constructed facilities approximately five miles south of the town, further boosting economic activity.

By 1875, Columbus reached its zenith, with an estimated population of 1,000. The town boasted a range of amenities, including:

  • A post office
  • A weekly newspaper, The Borax Miner
  • An adobe school
  • An iron foundry
  • General stores and other businesses

The town’s infrastructure and services reflected its status as a thriving mining center. During this period, Columbus competed with other regional hubs for freight traffic, with a wagon road built by Carson City residents to connect the town to the state’s only railroad line. However, competing routes, such as the Wadsworth road, often diverted traffic, highlighting the competitive dynamics of Nevada’s mining economy.

Decline and Abandonment (1875–1899)

The prosperity of Columbus was short-lived. In 1875, the Pacific Borax Company relocated its operations to a larger plant in Fish Lake Valley, 30 miles south, triggering the town’s decline. By 1880, the population had plummeted to around 100, supporting only a dozen businesses. Mining and milling activities ceased entirely by the mid-1880s, and the town was largely abandoned.

Efforts to sustain the town included horse racing organized by the Columbus Jockey Club, which built a track and grandstand, and a soap factory established in 1881. However, these ventures failed to reverse the decline. The post office, a symbol of the town’s viability, closed on March 2, 1899, marking the end of Columbus as a functioning community. Sporadic mining activities continued in the area, including operations at Calmville (seven miles south) in the 1890s and a cyanide plant in the 1950s, but these did not revive the town.

Archaeological and Historical Significance

Today, the remnants of Columbus lie on the edge of the Columbus Salt Marsh, approximately five miles southwest of U.S. Highway 95. Archaeological evidence, including foundations and tanks from later mining operations, provides insight into the town’s industrial past. The Nevada State Historical Marker No. 20, though difficult to locate, commemorates Columbus’s history. The site is also noted for its geological significance, with the Columbus Salt Marsh recognized as a physical feature in Esmeralda County.

Historical records, such as those from the Nevada State Archives and the Nevada Historical Society, preserve documentation of Columbus’s role in Nevada’s mining history. The town’s brief prominence is further documented in works like Stanley W. Paher’s Nevada Ghost Towns & Mining Camps and Hugh A. Shamberger’s The Story of Candelaria and Its Neighbors.

Legacy

Columbus, Nevada, exemplifies the boom-and-bust cycle characteristic of 19th-century Western mining towns. Its rapid rise and fall reflect the volatile nature of resource-dependent economies, particularly in the arid Great Basin region. The town’s contributions to borax mining, a precursor to Nevada’s broader mineral industry, underscore its historical importance. While little remains of Columbus today, its story continues to inform studies of Nevada’s frontier history and the environmental and economic challenges faced by early settlers.

Conclusion

Columbus, Nevada, was a fleeting but vibrant chapter in the state’s mining history. From its founding in 1865 to its peak in 1875 and subsequent decline, the town encapsulated the aspirations and hardships of Nevada’s early mining communities. Its legacy endures through historical records, archaeological sites, and its role in shaping the region’s economic and cultural landscape.

Nevada State Historic Marker 20 Text

The remnants of Columbus are located on the edge of the Columbus salt marsh, five miles to the southwest.

The town was initially settled in 1865, when a quartz mill was erected at the site.  This was a favorable location for a mill, because it was the only spot for several miles around where water was in sufficient quantity for operation.

The full importance of Columbus was not recognized until 1871, when William Troop discovered borax in the locality.  Shortly thereafter, four borax companies were actively engaged in working the deposits on the marsh.

Columbus probably enjoyed its most prosperous time in about 1875, when the population was reported to have reached 1,000.  That year, the town had many kinds of business establishments, including a post office and a newspaper, The Borax Miner.

In 1881, about 100 people were left after the borax operations had practically ceased.  All mining and milling stopped entirely shortly after that time.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 20
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

Nevada State Historic Marker Summary

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost of damaged.

ID20
NameColumbus, Nevada
LoctaionEsmeralda Couty, Nevada
Latitude, Longitude38.1496,-117.9472

References

Reul Colt Gridley

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Reul Colt Gridley was a shop owner in Austin Nevada who gained national fame through an extraordinary act of philanthropy.

Reuel Colt Gridley (January 23, 1829 – November 24, 1870)
Reuel Colt Gridley (January 23, 1829 – November 24, 1870)

Early Life and Background

Reuel Colt Gridley was born on January 23, 1829, in Hannibal, Missouri, to Amos Gridley and Sarah (Thompson) Gridley. His family, of New England descent, included connections to the prominent Colt family, known for manufacturing firearms. Growing up in Hannibal, Gridley lived near Samuel Clemens, later known as Mark Twain, and the two attended school together, forming a friendship that would later influence Gridley’s legacy through Twain’s writings. Gridley had three sisters, one of whom, Clarissa, was among the earliest white children born in northwest Missouri. At age 17, Gridley joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Hannibal, reflecting his lifelong commitment to Christian values.

Military Service and Early Career

In 1847, at age 18, Gridley enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), stationed in Taos, New Mexico. After the war, he returned to Missouri, where he married Susan (Susannah) Snyder on September 19, 1850, in Louisiana, Missouri. Susan, born April 9, 1831, became his lifelong partner. The couple soon had four children: Amos Brice, Clara E., Josephine, and Mary.

In 1852, drawn by the California Gold Rush, Gridley traveled to California via the Panama Overland Short-Cut. His family joined him in 1854. In California, he explored various professions, including journalism, banking, and operating a mail express service. From 1860 to 1862, Gridley ran an express route from Oroville to Honey Lake Valley, connecting with Wells Fargo & Co. at Oroville.

Life in Nevada and the Famous Flour Sack

By 1863, Gridley had settled in Austin, Nevada, following the discovery of silver. There, he became a senior partner in the general store Gridley, Hobart & Jacobs. In 1864, Gridley gained national fame through an extraordinary act of philanthropy. A supporter of the Democratic candidate for mayor in Austin, he made a bet with a Republican friend that the loser would carry a 50-pound sack of flour through town. When Gridley lost, he carried the sack a mile and a quarter, accompanied by the town band. At the end of the procession, someone suggested auctioning the sack to raise funds for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, a precursor to the Red Cross that aided wounded Civil War soldiers.

The auction sparked a phenomenon. The sack was repeatedly sold and re-donated, raising significant sums across Nevada and California. Gridley toured the country, including a notable auction at the St. Louis Sanitary Fair in 1864, ultimately raising over $250,000 (equivalent to approximately $5 million in 2024). His efforts were chronicled by Mark Twain in a chapter of Roughing It (1872), cementing Gridley’s legacy. However, the tour depleted Gridley’s personal savings, and his health deteriorated, possibly due to rheumatism.

Later Years and Death

After the silver boom in Austin waned, Gridley’s store struggled, and he faced financial hardship. In 1868, he moved his family to Paradise, Stanislaus County, California, where he operated a general store and served as postmaster. His health continued to decline, and on November 24, 1870, Gridley died at age 41, nearly destitute. At his request, he was buried in Stockton, California, in the Stockton Rural Cemetery, initially in a plot reserved for Mexican War veterans. His infant daughter, who died in 1868, was later buried beside him. In 1882, the Grand Army of the Republic’s Rawlins Post No. 23 moved his remains to a prominent location in front of a monument erected in his honor. Susan Gridley was laid to rest beside him in 1912.

Legacy and Honors

Gridley’s monument, dedicated on September 9, 1887, in Stockton Rural Cemetery, depicts him with his iconic sack of flour. Funded by the Rawlins Post and Stockton citizens, it stands 20 feet tall and cost $1,775. Inscribed with “The Soldier’s Friend,” it became a California Historical Landmark in 1965. The Gridley Store in Austin remains a National Register of Historic Places listing, and the original flour sack is preserved by the Nevada Historical Society. Each June, Austin celebrates “Gridley Days,” and Stockton holds annual Memorial Day services at the monument.

Gridley was a devout Methodist, a Knights Templar Mason, and an Odd Fellow, embodying values of charity and community. His daughter Josephine, born in Nevada in 1864, married William H. Wood. Two daughters, Clara and Mary, died in the 1870s or 1880s, while Amos lived until 1936. Despite his financial struggles, Gridley’s selfless contributions to Civil War soldiers earned him enduring recognition as a humanitarian hero.

Nevada State Historic Marker

Nevada State Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada’s history. The Nevada State Legislature started the program in 1967 to bring the state’s heritage to the public’s attention with on-site markers. These roadside markers bring attention to the places, people, and events that make up Nevada’s heritage. They are as diverse as the counties they are located within and range from the typical mining boom and bust town to the largest and most accessible petroglyph sites in Northern Nevada Budget cuts to the program caused the program to become dormant in 2009. Many of the markers are lost or damaged.

This simple stone structure, opened to the public in late 1863, was originally operated as a general merchandise store by the firm of Gridley, Hobart, and Jacobs.  Gridley is best remembered for his 1864 wager that prompted the auctioning of a sack of flour for donations to the “Sanitary Fund,” the Civil War forerunner of the American Red Cross.  The flour was sold again and again throughout Nevada and California, then taken east and eventually auctioned at the St. Louis Sanitary Fair in 1864. In all, it raised about $275,000 for the fund.  Gridley died almost penniless six years later.

STATE HISTORICAL MARKER No. 119

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

LANDER COUNTY CIVIC & HISTORIC SOCIETY

Nevada State Historic Marker Summart

NameReuel Colt Gridley “Citizen Extraordinaire”
LocationAustin, Lander County, Nevada
Nevada State Historic Marker No119
Latitude, Longitude39.4893, -117.0631

Nevada State Historic Marker Map

References