The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-10-20
ACTIVE CAREER OF CHARLES e.
WATSON

Charles E. Watson, Republican can
didate for Inspector of Mines, was
born in Napa, California, May Is,
1871. He moved to San Francisco in
1882. He graduated from the Cogs-
well Polytechnic High school and af-
terwards finished . course in mechani-
cal and mining engineering in both the
University Of California and in the
Leland Stanford, Jr., University.
He Immediately found responsible
positions awaiting him.
In 1891 he went into what is now
known az the Crescent mining district,
16 miles from the old camp of Wander
built, in Lincoln county. He had
charge of the construction of the Legal
Tender mill and was superintendent Of
mining operations. After putting this
property on its feet, he went to Car
son City in 1893 for the purpose OF
milling the Comstock tailings. He
worked at this three yars and during
that time milled 100000 tons of tail
ings.
In 1896 Mr.. Watson went to Shasta
county, California, taking charge Of
the National Mining company. He
placed this property on a paying
basis and then was called on to do i'm.
portant work for the Trinity Copper
company, owned by Thomas Lawson,
of Boston. On this property he in
stalled diamond drills and drove q
working tunnel, defining the ore de-
posts.
| He then returned to Nevada, again
making Carson City his headquarters.
He took the position as general man
ager for the Alamo Mining company
of the Little Antelope Valley. At the
same time he was in charge Of large
mining property in the White noun
tains.
The Alaska excitement caused him
to make the stampede into the north.
He was the first white man to lead a
party inland ON the kobuk river. Fol-
lowing this venture, Mr.. Watson led
a prospecting party to the coast of
Siberia. They crossed on the ice,
north of the Behring sea. After trav-
ersing 500 miles of the Siberian coast,
he made his way again to Nevada, To-
eating for the third time at Carson
City.
In 1901 he went to Tonopah, where
his first position was that of superin-
tendent of the Tonopah Fraction Min
ing company. He was also superin.
tendent Of the Tonopah Belmont Min
ing company, sinking the first shaft
on this property. He was consulting
engineer for the Crystal Water com.
pany of Tonopah and installed the first
water system in the southern camp
He also installed the first electric
lighting plant for Tonopah. From
Tonopah he went to Golddeld, and
later to Bull Frog. In the southern
country he was always in charge Of
the physical development Of mining
properties or engaged in other business
Of constructive engineering, frequent.
ly having as many as $50 men under
his charge. He packed his blankets
into Bull Frog with Bob Montgomery.
and located the townsite Of Beatty
He was district recorder for the new
camp and spent most of his time in
the examination of properties.
For the past year and at present, he
is general manager for the Old Trap
per Mining company, with property
located 16 miles from Carson City.
During the entire time of his con
nection with the mining business in
Nevada he has never had an accident
or any kind of catastrophe in the
properties in his charge.
elf elected to the Office of In.
spector of Mines" said Mr.. Watson,
81 will conduct the Office in an eco
nomical manner and will exert every
effort to see that all properties are
operated in careful manner and that
the miners Throughout. the mines OF
the state will have good ventilation
and protection.
Mr.. Watson was married in 1900 a,
Carson City to Miss Fryer, daughter
of George Fryer, one of the pioneers
of Neyada