Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1907-07-26
Why Nevada Vas Admitted 10 Union.

A recent instanment of Mark TEain's
autobiography now running in the North
American Review, treats OF his expert
ences in Nevada. Speaking u his
brother, he says:
supported him henceforth until 1861,
when his ancient friend, Edward Bates,
then a member Of Mr.. Lincvln's first
cabiGet, got him the place Of Secretary
OF the new territory Of Nevada, and
Onion and | cleard for that country in
the overland stage coach, l paying the
fares, which were pretty heavy, and
carrying with me what money | had
been able to save-this was eight hund.
red dollars. l should say-and it was
In silver ooiD, and good deal Of a nuis-
ance because OF its weight And We had
another nuisance, which Was an un.
abridged dictionary. 1t weighed about
a thousand pounds, and was a ruinous
expense, because the stage coach COM
pspy charged for extra baggage by the
ounce. We could have kept a family
tor ati ME on what that dictionary cost
in the way OF extra freight and il
wasn't good dictionary anyway did
not have any modern words Ia it-only
had obsolete ones that they used to use
when Noah Webster was a child.
h government Of the new territory
OF Nevada was an interesting
menagerie. Governor Nys was an old
and seasoned politician from New York
politician, not statesman. He had
white hair, he was in fine physical con
ditiop; he had a winning, friendly face,
and deep lustrous brown eyes that
could talk as a native language the
tongue of every feeling. every passion,
every motion. His eyes could outtalk
his tongue, and this is saying a good
deal, for be was a very remarkable
talker, both Ill private and on the
stump. He was a shrewd man: be gen.
orally saw through surfaces and per.
ceived what was going on inside without
being suspected OF having al eye on the
matter.
Governor Nye was often absent from
the territory. He liked to run down to
San Francisco every little while and
enjoy a rest from territorial civilization.
Nobody complained, for he was prodigi
ously popular. He had been a stage
driver in his early days in New York or
New England and had acquired the habit
Of remem bering names and faces, and OF
making himself agreeable to his passeng.
ers. AS a politician this had been valu.
able to him, and he kept his arts in good
condition by practice. BY the time he
had been governor a year be bad shaken
hands with every human beng in the
territory OF Nevada, and after that he
always knew these people instantly at
sight and could call them by name.
The whole population Of 10000 persons
we're his personal irieDds, and be could
do anything he chose to do and count
upon their being contented with it.
Whenever he was abseot from the
territory-which was generally Orion
served his Office in his place, as acting
governor, a title which was soon and
easily shortened to Governor" lie
reckleeely built and furnished a house
at a cost Of $4,000. and there was no
other house in the s~sgebrush capital
that could approach the property for
style and cost.
When Governor Nye's four year term
was drs wing to ii close, the mystery Of
why he had ever consented to leave the
great state OF New York and help in
habit that Jack rabbit desert was solved;
he had gone out there in order TO be.
come United States sepator. AL that
was now necessary was TO turn the terri
tory into a state, lie did it without any
difficulty. That undeveloped country
and that sparse population were not well
fitted Tor the heavy burden OF a state
government, but nc matter, the people
were willing to have the change, and so
tile governors game was made.