The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1912-04-13
HERALD WRITES
UP NEVADA TOWNS

the materlal and spiritual welfare of
the principal towns of Nevada. The
article on Winnemucca and Humboldt
county, written by E. r. Harroun,
editor of the Silver State, is as fol-
lows
Winnemucca, with population es-
timated at $500, is the county seat of
Humboldt. ounty, and the undisputed
metropolis of territory extending
from Reno, 175 miles to the west, to
Ogden and Salt Lake City, situated
nearly 400 miles to the east 1t is To-
Gated on the bank of the Humboldt
river, the principal stream of the
state, and was established in 1850, be-
ing known at that time at French
Ford. Since then it has had steady
and continual growth, until today it is
the second city in commercial import
ance in Nevada, being excelled by
Reno alone.
Humboldt county contains an area
of approximately 10000 square miles,
constituting in itself an empire some
what larger than Switzerland. The
census Of 1910 gave to the entire
county population of only S,340,
which would give each resident an
average of nearly two square miles of
ranching, mining and stock raising.
Formerly cattle, horse and sheep rails
ing were of about equal Importance,
but of late years the sheep industry
has forged ahead 40 the detriment of
cattle, while horses have about held
their own. The result is that today
Winnemucca is the greatest primary
wool market Of the state, about q
100000 pounds being shipped from
here each season
The county is unusually prosperous,
with an assessed valuation of $685.
7s0, and tax rate of $170. Labor of
all kinds is always in demand, at good
wages, and the INDECENT population is
confined to less than score of sick
and superanuated.
The mining industry is beginning
to assume Importance, although it has
received but little attention from the
population. One of the most wonder
full mines of the world is situated at
National, seventy miles north of Win
nemucca, producing approximately
a half million month in high grade
ore, much of which runs from $50 to
SIS per pound. Situated at the door
of the town are the rich mines of
Barrett Springs and Winnemucca
mountain, which include several ship
pers.
But to return to Winnemucca. The
town joys an ideal climate, the tenn
pcrature ranging from zero, for few
days during the winter, TO 100 during
the heated season; altitude, 1882 feet.
IT has bank which stands 14l on the
"Finaneier So roll of honor, and is
considered a veritable Gibraltar in the
- Il a
il has 100000 courthouse, $4,000
county hospital, $4,000 opera house,
$4,000 high school and $4,000 public
school, in addition to four fine church
edifces. Its sewer system is new
and one of the finest in the state; the
town is supplied with pure mountain
water and electric lights are furnish
ed from one of the finest power plants
on the Pacific slope 1t has two trans
continental railroads, the Southern
Pacific and Western Pacific, east and
west, with north and south line in
contemplation. The town has a United
states signal service, two newspapers,
each published tri-weekly, on alternate
days; fine hotels. restaurants, hand
me residences. several mercantile es-
blishments, one of which is perhaps
he largest in the state, and a well
equipped fire department.
So much ior the material side of
tie town and county But let us for
moment turn our attention to the
ritual and particularly to what has
been accomplished by the Catholic
G urch
In the year 1888, Rev. A. O'Donnell,
now of Gold Hill, came to Winnemue-
ca and established a mission. Twelve
lots were purchased near the center
~ the town and funds raised for the
G on of the present church-St.
Paul = Catholic. In the years imme-
d'ately following 1883 missions were
IS established in Humboldt county
st Goloonda, Paradise Valley, Love
loeF and MeDermitt, all of which, in
en- ing Winnemucca, were supplied
" p'icsts from Reno. Among those
lcs' remembered bv the old settlers
?~n Nathers Maloney and Francis
Reynolds, now deceased. and Rev. w.
~. Kelly, of Ferndale, California.
In 1901 the first resident rector of
T. Paul's church was appointed by
tie Right Rev. Thomas Grace, Bishop
Of the diocese of Sacramento, in the
person of Father Burns. The new
T'iest was a native of South Carolina
and by his piety and Jealous work in
tie cause of humanity, by his sacri
fc'rg self-denial and generosity, soon
won his wav to the hearts of the mix
ed population of frontier settle
,vent He passed away on July 10
1905 but to this day incidents of his
cdifying life are called to mind by
citizens and his memory is held in
veneration by all classes and condi
tions of people.
Upon the death of Father Burns, in
1908, Rev. p. +. Meehan, the present
rector, was appointed to the mission
During his administration many i'm
provements have been made to the
church property, which include the
erection of substantial residence on
dition a fine stone church, Roman