Newspaper Clippings - Volume 47, Volume 49, Volume 54

PIONEER REUNION.

The "Old Boys" Celebrate the Advent of the Centennial Year in Princely Shape–A Remarkable Night.

The reunion of the Pacific Coast Pioneers which took place at the National Guard Hall, Odd Fellows' building, Virginia, last night, was attended by three or four hundred persons, among whom were respectable delegations from Carson, Silver City and Dayton, and a host from this place. Hilarity being the proposed order for the evening, the regular order of business, with the exception of propositions for membership and the election of new members, was omitted.

The names of Levi Smith of Virginia and Nelson Johnson, of Gold Hill, were proposed for membership and referred to the proper committee. Louis Greentree, of San Francisco, and A. Mitchell, of Gold Hill, whose propositions for membership were handed in at the preceding meeting, were balloted for and duly elected members of the Society last evening.

The following resolutions, eulogistic of the memory of Hon. Will Campbell, were read and unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, It has pleased the Almighty disposer of events to remove from among us by death our fellow-member Judge Will Campbell, who died in Santa Barbara, California, on the 15th day of January, A. D. 1876, and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in the city of Virginia on the 21st day of January, A. D. 1876; therefore, be it

Resolved, By the Society of Pacific Coast Pioneers, that by the death of Hon. Will Campbell the legal profession has lost an honorable member; society a worthy citizen; and this society one of its most cherished brothers.

Resolved, that with unaffected sorrow we mourn the loss of our brother; that we shall miss his brotherly counsel and companionship and the genial sunshine of his presence and fraternal love.

The flower of the forest Shall blossom again, And the song-bird shall carol His soul-stirring strain; But, the Heart Fate hath wither'd No Time can restore, And its voice shall be silent On earth evermore.

Resolved, that we tender to the widow of our departed brother our heartfelt sympathy in her sad bereavement.

Resolved, That our Secretary be and he is hereby instructed to forward a copy of these resolutions to the widow of Judge Campbell; to spread them in the GOLD HILL NEWS and Daily Territorial Enterprise.

After the reading and adoption of the above resolutions, President S. A. McMeans said that the propriety of pronouncing a panegyric on their late respected brother, Will Campbell, had been suggested to him a few days ago, at which time he was under the impression that such a course was forbid by the by-laws. He had since discovered his error, and would be happy to hear from any and all the intimate personal friends of deceased.

Hon C. E. De Long was then called for, and addressed the audience briefly, prefacing his remarks with the statement that he was totally unprepared to do justice to the memory of his departed brother–a remark which applied equally to the different gentlemen following him on the same subject. We cannot pretend to give even a respectable synopsis of the various speeches, or in fact any part of the proceedings of the night; for, as remarked in our editorial columns, such a course would fill them with "Pioneer" to the exclusion of everything else. But among other things, the honorable gentleman said that one who helped to mark out the highways across the continent had left for the other shore. He was a man who, like many others of us had an ambition to earn not only fame, but money, and to some extent failing in the latter undertaking, had become a little soured in temper; but underneath a somewhat rude exterior there throbbed a true, manly heart, which won him the love of many warm friends, in whose minds his memory would remain fresh and green long after others over whom a greater parade had been made would be forgotten. Will Campbell was followed to his last resting place by sincere mourners. He had fallen first from the circle. Let those who remained imitate him, and die respected by their fellows and themselves.

Colonel R. H. Taylor followed, in a eulogy which showed his friendship for his departed friend, and which was very creditable to himself. He said that he scarcely knew what to say; but the remarks of Hon. C. E. De Long had recalled the scenes of long ago, when Campbell and himself first became acquainted, and long before the prefix Honorable was attached to the name of his friend. From that time until he was laid in his grave he had watched the career of Will Campbell, and always with pride. When he was elected Judge in Sierra county, California, men predicted his failure; but his was a nature that always rose not only to the level of but above his surroundings; and in whatever position Campbell had been placed, he was always equal to the emergency.

He said that his friend, like many others of his Scotch countrymen, was apt to say what he meant in plain English, but under a somewhat brusque exterior was hid a warm and genial disposition, which, when once thawed to friendship, never froze over again. He was always a gentleman, who, whatever his trifling faults might be (and who was without them?), was brimful of mirth and was the soul of good fellowship. They would all miss his jokes, his repartee, and his blows. No better man belonged to that or any other society. It was well said by Mr. De Long that the Pioneers followed him to his grave with true sorrow; but all should remember that he is still a Pioneer, and has but gone a little in advance to the country where all must follow. He believed that Campbell had anticipated his early dissolution and was prepared for it, as one of his last remarks on going to California before his death was a quotation from Byron's tragedy of Manfred, where he says: "Old man 'tis not so difficult to die." He doubtless realized that 'tis not so difficult to go to a better land, "where (apostrophizing him), until we meet, I bid you a farewell, Will Campbell. Green be the turf on the friend of my better days."

At the close of Colonel Taylor's address Mr. De Long said that as their hall was destroyed, he would move that the Pioneer flag be draped in mourning for thirty days in honor of the memory of their departed brother. The motion was carried unanimously, and the Janitor instructed to see that the wish of the Society be carried out.

W. F. Stewart followed in a short address, during which he took occasion to contrast the Society of Pacific Coast Pioneers in this State with the California Pioneers of San Francisco. He said that he had lately been on a visit to that city, during which he had attended the meetings of the society, which were simply disgraceful, being characterized by jealousy, wrangling and bickering. He said that had the California Pioneers sustained such a loss as the Society in Virginia City, the "Old Boys" here would have been prompt to step in and at least offer a little timely aid. Such a thought, however, never entered the sordid brains of the California Pioneers. The majority of the members composing that Society, or at least the influential members, were men who knew comparatively nothing of the hardships of pioneer life. They were men who had landed in California in early days and sat quietly down in San Francisco, gobbling up corner lots, land grants, etc., the Lord only knew by what means; and who, by merely sitting down like a bump on a log, had grown rich, but through no foresight or effort of their own. Such men were not of the metal that entered into the composition of the members of the Pacific Coast Pioneers, and he was glad that the Society in this place was known by a different name from that in California. Mr. Stewart also paid a fitting tribute to the memory of Hon. Will Campbell.

He was followed by General C. C. Batterman, who, after alluding to the circumstances under which he was present, viz., as an invited guest, in behalf of the National Guard, and also in his capacity of a Pioneer, expressed his pleasure at participating in the proceedings of the night. He, too, referred to the death of their late brother, Hon. Wil Campbell, in terms appropriate and affecting.

The General was followed by Rev. Thomas H. McGrath, Major E. A. Sherman, Farmer Treadway of Carson, D. O. Adkison and President McMeans, some of whom made amusing speeches and all of them sensible and appropriate ones. Farmer Treadway wanted Charley De Long to tote him through, but that astute gentleman left the old granger to his own resources, which by the way, were ample. Judge Adkison allowed that the cause of his being present was something for which he could not account, as he was no Pioneer, although he came to the coast when Bill Gibson was no bigger than Charley De Long. The Judge, like others who preceded him, Mr. McGrath and Major Sherman among the number, complimented the Pioneers on the wonders they had achieved on this coast, among which was the great work for the cause of temperance (by their fearful example).

President McMeans gave the history of the Society in this place, and stated that in organizing it he had tried to induce such men to join as he thought would increase its prosperity and have its interests always at heart. He then said that, aside from opening this coast to the world, the Pioneers should not, at the commencement of the Centennial year, do something which would make their names live fresh in the memories of men for ages. He called attention to the difficulty experienced by the day-laborer in providing for the necessities of himself and those dependent upon him for support, and referred to the fact that as the populating of the country increased, so would the difficulty of obtaining a livelihood. There are now 1,800,000 acres of unoccupied land in the United States. What he proposed was, that at the next meeting a committee be appointed to start a petition to Congress, asking that every man in the country who is willing to cultivate a certain portion of the soil for his support be given a tract of land (amount not stated) gratuitously. Could such a thing be accomplished, the poor men of future generations would have cause to bless the name of the Pacific Coast Pioneers.

At the conclusion of the Presidents' address, a recess of twenty minutes was taken, and the pork and beans, roast pig, ham sandwiches, corned beef, wine, aguardiente, beer, etc., with which the tables, extending around the hall, groaned, were discussed with a gusto and relish alone the birthright of hungry school boys and the "old boys." The way they went after those edibles would rejoice the heart of a thrifty housewife.

After the intermission, S. A. McMeans resigned in favor of Charley De Long as President for the balance of the night, whose first official act was arbitrary and despotic, being the appointment of a score of the ablest bodied men in the hall as Sergeants-at-Arms, with instructions to allow no man to pass out under any pretext. Then it was that the jollification began in earnest. The first thing on the tapis was a song by Robert H. Lindsay, George N. Eels, Joseph Fredericks, Charley Cavanaugh and Tip Orndorff. At the conclusion of the song a number of conundrums were handed in to the President, all of which were too many for the audience; such for instance as–Why are the Pioneer meetings always disorderly? Because they are attended by Noyes (J. D.). Why does Charley De Long make such a polished President? Because he has been Japaned." After them came the following:

Resolved, That hereafter a Steward (not Frank) be appointed to see that the lunch is not Tinkered with; that all Means (not Mc,) be appointed to repair the Constitution, while a Shepard looks after the flock, which he Dotes(en) on.

The Virginia Glee Club then sang "Hail Columbia" and several other popular airs, after which R. H. Londsay was called upon for a speech, but not having one about his delicate person, he sang a convivial song, entitled, "Take It, Bob," instead, to the great delight of everybody.

Deacon Bill Gibson then gave the boys what he called a little "Centennial racket," being a song devoted to the praise of the star-spangled banner, the great American eagle bird and other national treasures, a la the Tennessee Jubilee Singers, who visited this section a few weeks ago.

After the Deacon subsided, Johnny Guerin the celebrated humorist, was loudly called for, and made his appearance, reciting "Under the Controlling Influence of Drink" and one or two more comic pieces.

Doten, who was introduced as a Bible sharp, naturally enough fell into reminiscences of the old Biblical pioneers, such as Moses, Noah, Methuselah, old Adam, and Henry Ward Beecher, all of whom were noted prospecting pioneers.

Mr. McEwen uttered several witticisms which were duly appreciated and loudly applauded.

George Elston, alias Butch, assisted by Johnny Guerin, sang "My Heart is Broke, God Knows It Is, Since Terrence Joined the Gang," in such a comical way that the sides of all present were in nearly as bad a condition from excessive laughter as the heart referred to.

As we write the remembrance of the occasion crowds upon us, and we are loth to reduce the account to the limits prescribed us by time and the space at our command. Such occasions rarely occur in the life of any man or the history of any State. As Colonel Taylor aptly remarked, "one touch of nature makes all men akin," and that touch was applied to the hundreds assembled in National Guard Hall last night. The meeting, which lasted till 3 o'clock this morning, and was favored with a more attractive and varied programme than any entertainment ever before given in Virginia, closed with "Auld Lang Syne," the "Doxology," a benediction by T. H. McGrath, and three cheers for the National Guard, which company donated the use of its hall to the Pioneers last night.

THE EVENING NEWS

ALF. DOTEN, : : Editor and Proprietor

GOLD HILL, : : : FRIDAY, JAN. 28, 1876

THE PIONEER BANQUET LAST NIGHT.

We venture the assertion, and appeal to the three or four hundred guests who attended the banquet of the Society of Pioneers last night in Virginia City, that a more remarkable melange in the way of entertainment was never presented to an audience. Wit and wine, beans and pathos, eloquence and cold turkey, music, song, eulogy, humor, impassioned oratory and indescribably fun were blended in most remarkably harmonious confusion. In our local columns will be found a somewhat detailed account of the festivities, though were all available space in this paper devoted to the subject, but a faint outline of its phases could be conveyed. To state that from half-past seven o'clock in the evening until three o'clock in the morning, with the exception of two short adjournments for refreshments, the five hundred persons present remained either as active participants or absorbed spectators of the proceedings, is perhaps the best way to convey a faint idea of the interest of this occasion. The "old boys" were all there, i. e., those who yet remain this side the river on the frontier of eternity. Will Campbell's chair was vacant, but listening to the noble tributes paid his memory by old friends and comrades, it was not hard to believe that somewhere on the outskirts of this life, just without its borders, his spirit hovered, and fully entering into the sentiment of the occasion, exclaimed to the other pioneers whom he has joined just over yonder: "There is some style about that!"

There was an under current of feeling pervading the "old timers" last night, of which the ripples of wit, storms of laughter and cordial greetings of brothers and friends gave little indication. Under the smile and jest, behind the song and dance, away down deep, covered up as if it were the secret of the alchemist, there throbbed a sentiment of universal brother hood. In the moisture of many an eye, the quiver of lips, the frequent hearty touch of hands there was betokened the existence of a kinship of feeling which had survived–nay, had become intensified by a quarter of a century of buffeting with Fortune upon this Western slope. So it was a secret, the secret of the alchemist which lay deeply hidden in the breast of every Forty-niner present; an alchemy which transmuted all the hopes and fears, losses and gains, ills and blessings, feuds and friendships, into the pure gold of a manful, unostentatious, and enduring, loving charity. It is true that "a touch of nature makes the whole world akin." If there was any person present with the Pioneers last night upon whose brow this touch did not press gently, into whose heart of hearts this religion of human sympathy and universal charity found not an entrance, and henceforth an abiding place, we have no envy for his stolid stubbornness of intellect or heart. "Old Stiffs," some call these men of 'Forty-nine. Would that we could command the language to make those words immortal. Every path-finder whose has blazed the track of civilization since the world began was an "Old Stiff." Columbus was one of them. The Puritans, the Cavaliers, and the Quakers, were each and all "Old Stiffs." Daniel Boone was one; every rebel of the Revolution; every soldier of 1812, every patriot who marched with Scott and Taylor through the cactus covered plains of Mexico was an "Old Stiff." Napoleon was an "Old Stiff," and so were Washington and Lincoln. "Old Stiffs!" Ah! yes; stiff-backed, stout-hearted, strong in self-dependence, stern in uncompromising friendships, unwavering in self-sacrifice, undaunted by reverses–kingly, courageous souls, are these "Old Stiffs." Hearts as gentle as a woman's, lips which quiver often, loves which outlast death, fortitude which scorns ill-fortune, honor which knows no tarnish, loyalty to country and humanity which stops at naught–not even death. These are the "Old Stiffs," the advance guard of progress–scouts who spy out homes for coming millions–surveyors who, with compass and chain, mark out on the frontier the unknown regions of a still thinly peopled world. On the frontier, did we say? There is no frontier. The wave of emigration from the Eastern slope has swept across the intervening mountains and deserts of the Great Basin, until, stopped by the Pacific, the refluent wave comes sweeping backward over the Sierra, and marks from off the desert sands around us all vestiges of what was once called the frontier. The Pioneers of yesterday are to-day the citizens of powerful States, and the record of their deeds and dangers forms a portion of Earth's history. Honor to them. We, who in these later years have followed on the highway which they builded, who reap ripe fruits from seeds they planted, honor in our heart of hearts the Pioneers of the Pacific Coast.

THE PRIZE FIGHT BETWEEN Sullivan and Trevillian!

A One-Sided Affair Throughout!

SULLIVAN WHIPPED THE FIRST ROUND!

Seven Rounds Fought–Time, 11 Minutes!

At 8 a.m. today the train from Virginia, with Trevillian and friends, arrived at Gold Hill and attached the two cars at this place containing Sullivan and his friends. The train proceeded to the vicinity of the Merrimac mill, and there drove stakes and stretched ropes. Before completing the ring the Sheriff of Ormsby county appeared upon the scene and commanded those engaged to desist. Stakes were then drawn and the party re-embarked and returned to the vicinity of the Eureka switch where they again disembarked and the ring was again re-established at 10:35 A. M. Trevillian immediately shied his castor into the ring and followed it, and Sullivan immediately after. Considerable discussion here ensued upon the question of the appointment of a referee, during which Sheriff Cook of Lyon county entered the ring and commanded the principals to withdraw from the ring. The seconds and backers of Sullivan and Trevillian refused to withdraw them, and announced their determination to have the fight go on. The Sheriff was finally expelled from the ring, and the question of the appointment of a referee again discussed. Sheriff Cook attempted again to enter the ring, when he was restrained from so doing. He then retired. Finally, after an hour's wrangling, John Rowe, of Virginia, was chosen referee, and time was called at 11:45 A. M. At the call both men came to the scratch, seemingly anxious for the fray, and struck hands.

Round First–Sullivan hit Trevillian on the forehead with his left. Trevillian got his right in on Sullivan's neck; staver from Sullivan's right on Trevillian's neck. Trevillian hit short with his left. Two from Sullivan's right under Trevillian's eye. Sullivan prettily stopped a heavy one from Trevillian's right, and again Trevillian did the same with a blow from Sullivan's right. Trevillian got in a terrific winder under Sullivan's left ear, which felled him like an ox, he bleeding profusely from the mouth. First blood and knock down for Trevillian.

Round Second–Sullivan came up very groggy and was easily floored by a blow from Trevillian's right upon his left breast.

Round Third–Sullivan again came to the scratch, and immediately received a blow under the left eye which again floored him.

Round Fourth–Sullivan came to time and went to grass without a blow.

Round Fifth–same as last.

Round Sixth–Sullivan knocked down immediately upon coming to the scratch by a blow from Trevillian's right, under the left eye.

Round Seventh–A repetition of Round sixth.

The sponge was thrown up and Trevillian declared the winner of the fight.

Sullivan, at its conclusion, was unable to stand, and had to be carried to the cars by his friends. Upon the arrival of the train at Baltic Switch, it was deemed advisable to remove him to the house of a friend there.

The party returned to this city at 1:30, without a single disturbance or fight.

The first round virtually whipped Sullivan, he not being able to ward off a single one of Trevillian's sledge-hammer blows after having received the terrible winder under his left ear, and it was simply brutal to force him to receive six others in as many rounds.

The result of this fight astonished the friends of Sullivan, he having a much better record than Trevillian as a fighter. John Sullivan was born of English parents in Melbourne, Australia, and is about 38 years of age. He fought 11 battles in that country and was victorious in nine.

Thus the much talked of prize fight has ended by almost a "walk-over" for Trevillian, he having vanquished his opponent in just eleven minutes. The best of feeling prevailed, after the result became known, between the friends of the opposing bruisers, and they all returned in the same train, without a word of bitterness or anger being interchanged. This, and the absence of all drunkenness, upon the occasion of what we consider such a brutal exhibition, is a matter of extreme wonder.

Trevillian fought at 152 pounds weight and Sullivan at 132.

Seconds for Trevillian–Bing Williams and Thomas Kean; for Sullivan–Jack Richardson and Ned Naples.

Evening Chronicle.

VIRGINIA CITY, NEV.

THURSDAY. . . . JANUARY 13, 1881

LAST NIGHT'S BLAZE.

The Hale & Norcross Hoisting Works Burned–The Machinery Slightly Injured–Damage, About $20,000.

At half-past 7 o'clock last evening a fire broke out in the hoisting works of the Hale & Norcross mine, which in a few hours destroyed the building and its contents, except the engines and the heavy machinery. The origin of the fire is in doubt. It probably started in the changing room.

It was some time after the first started before an alarm was sounded, as the men in the works thought they could subdue the flames without assistance. As a consequence the alarm came too late to give the firemen a chance to save the building. The Virginia firemen were assisted by some of the Gold Hill firemen, who borrowed for the occasion a hose cart from Monumental Company No. 6. The fire was under complete control at 9 o'clock, and the firemen left at 2 o'clock this morning.

Superintendent Deidesheimer, who had been absent at Carson all day, and who had just returned, was one of the first to arrive at the works after the fire started. Knowing that the miners at work in the mine below were in danger of being suffocated, he sent a messenger down on a cage to warn them of their perilous position. They escaped through the Sutro Tunnel. The shaft has a strong upcast, but it was thought best to take this precaution. There were eighteen men at work in the mine when the fire broke out.

The shaft being an upcast was saved from damage. A great many cinders dropped down into it, of course, but the great amount of water poured down after them prevented any damage.

To-day the ruins of the buildings present an uninviting appearance, but men have already been set to work clearing away the wreck. A sort of shell of the main buildings and of some of the wings were saved. When the fire was subdued a portion of the west end of the main building remained standing, and the sigh–"Hale & Norcross"–still remained in place. A part of the south end of the carpenter shop also remained standing, and odds and ends of sides and corners of other wings. The gallows frame also still stood over the mouth of the shaft, a blackened and charred ruin. The boilers, steam drums, steam pipes and the like are covered with a thick coating of asbestos, and are uninjured.

The loss is confined almost entirely to the building, and will not exceed $20,000. The machinery is not seriously damaged. The hottest part of the fire was all the time in the roof and well up toward the top of the building; indeed, over and about the engines there was nothing to burn, and the fire on them was that which fell from the roof.

Senator James G. Fair, who has for years been one of the largest holders of Hale & Norcross stock, greatly regrets the burning of the works. Said he: "The Hale & Norcross was my pet. There was where we made our first start, and I have always had a great affection for the old mine. Mr. Flood will also feel bad when he hears the news, as he always clung to the mine, and will be verry sorry to hear of such a mishap to it."

In conversation with a CHRONICLE reporter to-day Senator Fair said that it would not be long before another building will be erected over the Hale & Norcross shaft. The old Con. Virginia works are being torn down, and these will replace the buildings destroyed by last night's fire. They are very capacious, and will be first-class in every particular. The pumping machinery was so slightly injured that it can be started up again in a day or two.

It was expected that the effect of the fire would be to send the stock down to a very low figure. It fell only sixty cents, however, the closing quotations of yesterday being $4 20 and this morning's $3 60–advancing to $3 75 in the board. Work in the mine is to be continued without interruption, the operations being conducted through the Chollar-Norcross-Savage shaft.

TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE

Tuesday..........August 8, 1881

Death of an Old-Timer.

George W. Birdsall, one of the pioneers of the Comstock, died in this city last evening about 6 o'clock. He had for many years been greatly afflicted with rheumatism. On several occasions he was rendered almost utterly helpless by this disease, but having a strong constitution he fought through and would enjoy pretty fair health for a year or two, when he would again be taken down. A few days ago he said this would be his last struggle, and he did not much care, as he was tired of battling with his old enemy. At times he must have suffered terribly, but he very seldom uttered a word of complaint. Deceased was a native of New York and about fifty-eight years of age. He has a brother on this coast, Wyatt Birdsall, who is in the employ of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. In the early days he was himself employed on the line of steamers between New York and Aspinwall. In 1852, or about that time, he came over to this side and for a time ran between San Francisco and Panama.

At the time of the discovery of silver in the Comstock he came to this city, and since that time has considered this place his home. In the early days he and Jack Perry, Tom Peasley and other old New Yorkers, were fast friends, and were quite a power in the land, being staunch Union men and fearless in their denunciation of any who attempted to unfurl the banner of secession on the Comstock.

George Birdsall was Chief of Police in this city in 1865, and was Deputy Sheriff in White Pine during the flush times in that camp.

As Chief of Police, as Deputy Sheriff and as an officer on the police force in this city he saw some very rough times. In 1863, while on the police force, under Jack Perry as Chief, he was shot by Jack McNab in the right breast, and so seriously wounded that recovery seemed almost impossible, yet he pulled through and finally appeared as strong as ever, though some of his friends think that he never fully recovered from the effects of that wound. In the bloody early days he very often heard the pop of the revolver and the whistle of bullets. Jack McNab, it will be remembered, was killed by Billy Mulligan in San Francisco while he was running amuck, and who was in turn killed almost immediately.

Mr. Birdsall, until the last term, was City Jailer in this place for two years. Under a rough exterior he carried a warm heart, was a square man in all his dealings, and true as steel to his friends. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and will be buried by his brethren of that Order.

The funeral will take place this (Tuesday) afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, as will be seen by a notice in another column.