Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-04-22
ON THE WING.
A Trip to Mason aud smith Valleys
Prosperous and Paying Industries
on all sides, etc.

Mason and Smith Valleys, last
week and was favorably impressed
with the signs of prosperity dis
played by the people residing in
those beautiful valleys. The farm
ers having disposed of their hay,
are well supplied with money and
in condition to improve and en-
large the area of lands to be cult
waited. The population of Mason
valley is constantly increasing, with
persons who desire to procure homes
an element always most desira-
BILE in a county like this. A por-
ton of these facts were CLEANED
from County Commissioner Spragg,
who kindly permitted the reporter
to ride beside him in a cart, hitched
to a young and festive colt, whose
hind legs were gently but firmly
held to the ground by strap, fast
ened to the thills and placed at the
proper place across his back. The
reporter was thus enabled to dead
head his way to Greenfield, and at
the same time, note the many i'm
provements that are being made in
Mason Valley.
Greenfield is certainly one of the
most fourishing towns in the State.
Buildings are being erected; old
houses reprinted and repaired, and
new industries projected in every
direction. The streets are crowded
during the day with the teams be-
longing to the ranchers from the
surrounding country, and the even
ings enlivened by the strains of
music from the many saloons. sThe
town is sadly in need of lookup,
however, as an occasional imbecile
loads up with bad whiskey and
makes himself obnoxious to decent
people, without restraint, it being
useless to make an arrest, there be-
ing no place of confinement; the old
Jail having been destroyed by fire
more than year ago.
County Assessor Brann was found
at'Greenheld, which place he makes
his headquarters while assessing in
the valley, and he informed the re-
porter, that as certain matters need
ed his attention in Smith valley, the
aforesaid reporters presence, would
not be obnoxious during the trip.
Thus, again, was the reporter, en-
abled to dead head his way through
the valley beyond Greenfield to
Wellington, in Smith valley. The
Assessor is the owner of span of
splendid horses and he knows how
to drive them too. From him it
was learned that the ranchers are
getting in their work on the gophers.
Thousands upon thousands have
been poisoned, and tits now believed
that but little damage will be done
by these pests this season. The
roads from Greenfield to Yelling
ton are, with a few exceptions, in
fine condition, and the journey
through the lanes, bounded on either
side by the green fields of Smith
Valley, is a most inspiring one.
At Wellington the reporter found
sheep shearing in full blast. Sew
eral thousand sheep had been di-
vested of their coats and were ready
to be driven to the mountains for
the Summer. The Assessor having
attended to the county's interest in
the matter Of the sheep, proposed
to supply Mrs. Hoye's hotel with
fish. Fishing is very unsatisfactory
during this part ofthe year, on West
Walker river. The fish have either
gone too far up, or are too far down
the river to bite. Mrs. Hoye did
not get the fish.
Mrs. Hoye is the owner of par
rot, a most gentle and pious bird,
His musical voice is constantly re-
fiecting the sound of melancholy
Jack, or the walls of a baby afflicted
with collie.
The reporter did not want to
leave Wellington, where he had
dead-headed, as usual, and where