The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1909-05-15
DEATH OF WILLIAM SPINNER
One Of Eureka County's Most
Efficient officials Passes Away
Wednesday Afternoon

William Spinner, one Of Eureka's
pioneers. who has been In failing health
Tor the past year, died ct his late resi-
dsnce on Spring street at AS wednes-
day afternoon. May 10, 1909. Although
he had been silinR nearly all that time,
still It was only about two weeks ago
that he became 30 seriously i'll that he
was unable to attend to his official du.
ties and became confined to his room.
He was . man Of great will power and
remarkable vitality, aud IL was owing to
those traits in his character that pre-
vented his complete breaking down
sooner. His death was due to harden.
ing Of the liver and other complica-
lions.
Al the age Of 13 years Mr.. Spinner
commenced earning his own living. and
began his telesraphic career nearly
"a years ago ~ . messenger boy at
Paris, Ontario, Canada. In the Fall
Of 1855 he did ZONE work as an oper-
ator ct Cat. Ontario. aud later at Ko.
komo. Niagara and st. GATHERINGS.
In 1859 deceased entered the railway
service 1t London. Ontario. aud after.
wards at Detroit. thence returning to
London. In September. 1861. he joined
the United States Military Telegraph
Corps and was assigned to service first
In Missouri and later In Kansas, serv.
ing under General Pope 10 the field.
Resigning from army work In 1858 he
went further west. remaining for q
time ~ Salt Lake City. where he was
employed In the telegraph office as one
Of the operators. While holding that
position he assisted In transmitting the
Eosbling Act and Constitution Of Ne
vada In 1884 to Washington. d. c.. for
ratification In order that this State
might be permitted to take part in the
Presidential election Of that year, when
Abraham Lincoln was . candidate for
reelection to the Presidency.
In 1866 he returned East aud found
employment in the telegraph business
at Cincinnati and Memphis.
In May, 1870. he went to Sacramento,
California. and later in the same year
TO Nevada. He opened q repeating
Office ct Eiko. Nevada, in the Spring
OF 1871. and in October following was
transferred to Eureka. Here for Is
years Mr.. Spinner remained as the man.
sger Of the Western Uuion Telegraph
Company. when he resigned to enter
the railway service at Palisade.
He entered politics for the FIRST time
In 1892. and that year was'elected to the
Office Of Auditor and Recorder of Eu-
reka County. defeating seven candi.
dates pitted against him for that posi-
ton. This caused him to return to Flu
reka. and In 1895 he was feappointed "a
his FORMER position as manager Of the
Western Union Telegraph Company at
this place. which he held 81 the time Of
his death.
At New York City on June 6, 1908.
Mr.. Spinner was elected a member of
the United States Military Telegraph
Corps, snd later received an honorable
dncharge from the Secretary Of War at
Washington. d. c., verifying that he
had served the Government in that
capacity during q parspf the War of
the Rebellion.
He was elected nine successive times
to Office in Eureka County-once as
County Clerk and the other eight terms
Auditor and Recorder. the latter po.
sitiou being held 1t the time Of his de-
mise. and Ut several of these elections
had no opposing candidate. During his
incumbency Of that Office he proved
himself to be . very efficient official.
The county records and books Of his
office were accurately and neatly kept.
aud viii bear evidence In years to come
Of his ~thoroughness In this work.
A . Western Union Telegraph oper-
stor. In Nevada Mr.. Spinner. by his
efficiency and characteristic secretive-
ness. won general confidence. and many
were Entrusted to him Of i'm
portant. grave aud sacred ature with.
out the least fear Of betrayal Of their
contents.
In the history OF Nevada his name
will live. although his life work here
has ended.
He was born ct Utica, New York. DC.
tobsr 81. 1S42. and was aged SO years, 8
n onths and 81 days.
Mr.. Spinner was married in Eureka
on March IL. 1877. and raised his fam
lily here. consisting Of three daughters
Mabel. Alma and Idella-who to-
gether with their mother and other rel.
atives were at the bedside when the end
came. Besides those mentioned above.
he 10 survived BY q sister. Mrs. I. H.
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