Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1908-10-20
old PROSPECTER
DIES in PRAYER

GOLDFIELD, Oct. William
Grosinger was found dead in his
cabin at Coaldale Friday morning at
Z o'clock He had not been seen
around town Thursday and friend
went to his cabin. Not receiving any
answer he pushed the door open and
there, beside the bed, was the old
prospector on his knees with hands 4
clasped in prayer. The deceased was
devout Catholic who, when he
recognized the end had arrived made
peace with his Maker The cause of
death is not known, but old age and
exposure evidently was the cause
that brought about his death.
Grosinger, who is known to all the
old time prospectors of this section
of the state by the nickname of
"Jackass Billy came to Virginia
City from Germany in the boom days
of that camp and not finding any
thing that suited him he picked up
a burro prospecting outfit, and for
thirty years was resident of Es-
meralda county. The greater portion
of his time was spent at Candelaria,
afterward comming to Coaldale,
where he located large acreage of
coal land, which he sold on options
several times with a substantial cash
payment each time he signed the pa
pers.l His latest transfer was to L.
K. Koontz, manager of the Goldfeld
C. o. D. Consolidated Mining COM
pany Out of the coal land locations
it is known that he had been paid at
different times sums amounting to
$4,000.
"Jackass Billy" as everybody
called him, got his name because his
burro train of three jacks was in evil
dence in every new mining camp Of
this section. He followed each fresh
excitement and it was noted that his
canaries always appeared in good
condition. 1t was not necessary to
hobble any of them wherever he
spread his blankets. They stayed
around and a call from Billy was all
that was necessary to bring them on
the trot to him to take on their
packs When Grosnider was in town
the faithful little fellows followed
him around like so many dogs, and
when he entered a place of business
they were content to stand meekly
outside awaiting their master. Two
of these burros he was known tt
have had for over twenty years.
1t is believed that he had consid
cradle money hidden somewhere
around his cabin and search will bt
made for it by officers and friends
At the time of hes death he was near
ing the three score and ten mark.
Note-Those who have known tn,
deceased for the past twenty-five,
years. and there are scores of then
in Tonopah, learn with regret of hi
demise, for Billy was a character,
genial good fellow, whose cabin wa
always open to those who might pas
: it. His heart was his purse strings
To God that Nevada had more Pic
neer men of the sterling worth O
g VIM. Grosinger. BILLY" was char
N acter, but his word was bond. H
\ never owed cent that he did no
pay. He was an honest prospectol
When his purse was empty he sough
d employment from any mine superin
rs tendent in Esmeralda county, an
of after several monthly pay day
re would again pack his three burro
Of and seek the Coolest of Forum
among the rock ribbed hills of Els
- meralda and Nye counties. Goo
bye. old friend. we have known 70
n for twenty-nine years; ever loyal I
your friends; your work. and tn
great state of Nevada. Would tina
we could be present at your bier an
share a farewell tear for one OF God
noblest men--the pioneer prospectol
~ Peace to your soul w. w. BoOTE