Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-06-08
The Prlde Of Nevada-VIrginIa olty,

The Pride Of NeVada-VIrgin1a City,
Virginia City now has popula,
ton of about twenty-five thousand,
including one-half the whole num-
Der of voters in the State of Nevada.
Few pictures of it give a correct
idea of its position. In photographs
it appears to be at the foot of the
mountain, while it is in fact built
across the mountains face, and the
peak that rises two thousand feet
above it also extends two thousand
feet below. 1t is so environed and
confined by mountains that the rail-
road which connects it with the
Central Pacific at Reno, has curves
enough to describe a circle of three
hundred and sixty degrees seventeen
times; the distance to Reno in bee
line is sixteen miles, and the distance
by the railway, which cost two mil
lion dollars, is fifty-two miles. The
pitch of the ground is such that
what is the first story of house in
front becomes the second or third
story in the rear, and looking east
ward, northward or southwark, the
eye meets an UNMARRIED prospect
of chain after chain of interlocked
peaks. The people are ultra Cali
fornian in their nature and habits
excessively fond of display, lavishly
hospitable, impetuous in business.
and irrepressihle in speculativeness,
On October 26th, 1875, fire swept
the city from end to end, and ten
million dollars worth of property
including all the mining works on
the surface, went up in the flames.
Within sixty days the most impor-
tant mines had renewed their build
ings and machinery, and within six
months the whole city had been re-
built. To guard against recurrence
OF the disaster, a system of resor-
voirs and hydrants was established,
and it would be easier now to food
the city than to burn it. The Vir-
glnians are proud of the quality and
abundance of their water supply.
The works cost over two million dol
lars, and the water is brought dis
tance of thirty-one and half miles |
from Marlette's Lake, in the Sierras |
What is most surprising to the
stranger is the proportions of the |
constant rushing crowd on O street |
the principal thoroughfare, and the
cosmopolitan character of its ele. |
ments. Piute and Washoe Indians
in picturesque rags, Cinnamon in
blue and black blouses, brawny Cor
vehement Mexicans. and
many other people from far-apart
mingle and surge along
in the stream. There is nothing pro.
Vincial or shabby. The stores are
we'll stocked, and the show windows
glitter with the attractiveness of
heir wares. The men around Won
ire men of the world, who have
travelled, and in many instances
made money. The restaurants are
lot the least among the marvels of
Virginia City While everything
Use is frightfully dear, and the store
,eepers seem to consider all pur-
:hasers the happy possessors of a
fortunatus purse, food is uncom-
monty cheap, and an excellent din
Ter of four courses can be had for
Ifty cents, or more elaborate din
er, with game, poultry, and half
'ottle of fair wine, for dollar. Ev-
ry dellcacy in season finds its way
rom San Francisco and New York.
nd the two oceans contribute their
roduce to the marbled and mirror
d lunch counters. Another devel-
pment of the luxurious character of
he citizens is club after the me. I
ropolltan pattern, with richly fur :
ished billiard-rooms and reading /,
ooms, where the bachelor NAV
noke the pipe of celibacy in peace
hey are nearly all bachelors in Vir-
mia; The atmosphere of the place is
Y no means favorable to wives and
lildren. The feminine element is
cry decOISettee in manners as we'll as
dress, and yet there are good and
fectionate women in the town, es- r
'cially among the miners wives,
Id we see them to advantage in
mes of trouble, when some wound
creature is brought to the surface
ON below. There are a few board 7
g houses; the upper parts of tine
pres and other buildings are let
It as lodgings, and the meals are
pplied by the many excellent res.
urants. While night is falling on A
e visible town, the invisible town
derground is glimmering with R.
ousand lights, just as it has been
through all the summer
US that have shone and sll the
nter nights that have lowered ever r.