The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-06-22
ANOTHER OF
WHITE PINES
EARLY RESIDENTS
How William Burke Helped Make
Early History I'm the State
of Nevada.
(From Daily June 21st. }

Editor News: put in most of the
day Sunday driving across the She'll
bourne range OF mountains, lying be-
tween Siegel and Shellbcurne. Mr..
Siegel said l could save nineteen
miles by taking the cutoff, but that
we would have very steep pull up
to the summit, and steep down-grade
on the other side. Well to save"
nineteen miles l took the cutoff. The
grade was narrow, steep and rocky,
and to add to our discomfort the
snow, greater part of the way, was
up to the hubs of our buggy, and
there was no track. You can imagine
my feelings in going over wild, and,
10 me, unknown country, under those
conditions, but I'VE got there all the
same" When we got near the bot
tom of the grade Steptoe valley and
the Burke ranch at ShellDourne were
in sight. My attention was drawn to
a beautiful grove, green fields and
titled soil, and few minutes later
pulled up in the lane in front of Mr..
and Mrs. William Buike's farm
house. Mr.. Burke made history in
Western Nevada late in the COS and
early in the '70s and came to White
Pine when Hamilton was the only
town in the county. He settled at
Shellbourne, planted trees, sowed
grass seed, plowed the land and COM
menced to build home, with moth
ing but grit and with an unfinished
job of nature for his capital. He has
d home now that would do credit to
any man in any country under the
sun. The place contains $50 acres,
The greater part of 1t under fence,
and some of it is under a high state
of cultivation. He puts up 800 tons
of hay and raises all kiuds of vege-
tables. Here il is that he has grown
an interesting family of two boys
and four girls. Mr.. Burke is one of
The first pioneers in White Pine, and
talks of its history as If reading from
an open book. He has always taken
prominent part in the politics of
the county and state, AID has been
repeatedly chosen by the people as
presidential elector. He has been
the postmaster at Shellbourne con-
tinuously since 1872. He was also a
pioneer of California, and at one time
was partner of James w. Marshall,
the man who first found gold on the
American river in January, 1848.
He exhibits with pride history of
the discovery of gold in California,
written and published by himself in
1870. Mr.. Burke is now close to 20
years of age, but is full of facts and
figgers" as he ever was, and is as in
teresting as he is entertaining
Some day l interd to write history
of Mr.. Burke's life on the Pacific
coast, and when his life's work is
written up it will prove interesting
70 every resident of Nevada, for he
tells of things that happened lin the
long ago." that have passed from the
records. He has located a group of
copper claims in the Shell creek
range that promise to assist greatly
in smoothing the rough places in the
winter of his life. His locations are
between Shellbourne and Seigel. He
has had men working on them this
spring, and will continue develop
ment until his hay crop on the ranch
needs attention. He also has silver
and gold prospects of great promise
two miles north of his farmhouse.
This claim has a very rich streak run
hing through the vein that shows
gold and silver values running into
the hundreds of dollars. Mr.. Burke
mas lived at Shellbourne and has
seen Steptoe valley grow from in
fancy, if | may be allowed the use of
the expression.
The town of Cherry Creek got its
first start on the map from buildings
erected by William Burke at She'll
bourne. The walls of his old store
at Shellbourne stand today, some
what dilapidated. to be sure, but
enough are left to show what She'll
bourne once was.
One of his daughters, Miss Ger
trude Burke, shows great talent as an
artist, and her sketches of animals
are remarkably correct. Mr.. Burke
exhibits them with great pride as the
creations of his daughter. Mrs.
Burke is college-bred woman, and
to her much is due. Her little home
shows refinement and good taste
throughout. She is leader in ev-
erything in her section, and is one
of the best mothers in White Pine
county. l must be moving if make
Cherry tonight, SO must leave Mr..
and Mrs. Burke's home for that
camp. ALLEN G. BRAGG.
Shellbourne, June 16, 1907.