Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1913-09-23

hldtl pu MI. iSdh tunOli II utihB a
sight that has stirred the patriotic
impulses Of thousands Of people for
a great many years In fact the flag
pole at this great elevation above the
sea level. commanding a wide sweep
of the surrounding country, with the
snow capped Sierras looming to the
west, and the hazy Humboldt range
shutting in the eastern horizon, is
as much an established institution of
Virginia City as any Of its famous
mines whose fabulous treasures have
no peer. The venerable staff, with
Old Glory floating to the breeze on
the natal day of this country and
on other occasions Of great import.
is good omen, and since 1863, with
but two slight interruptions, has stood
guard over the destiny of this camp;
through adversely and prosperity, and
through all the decades Of epoch ma
king events, ii has cast its spell of
good luck upon this region, With the
flag staff firm and mistaken on its
lofty pinnacle, despair has ever given
way to hope, and hope to further re-
solve and worthy endeayor
To the superstitious, with the flag
staff gone, Virginia City might well
fold its tent, close the final chapter
pronounce the bensdiction, and for
ever rest on its laurels 1t is Of
record that the only times the flag
staff was torn from its foundation by
violent Washoe zephyrs, were marked
almost instantly by depression in
the stock market, and no relief came
until the time honored staff was
raised again to its rightful position
TIE two brief lapses were the coca
sion Of feverish haste to replace the
emblem. but since the later Bonanza
days, 35 years ago on June 80 last,
this symbol of stability has stood like
the Rock of Gibraltar, and with the
city at its feet, has weathered the
gales and storms, steadfast and true
to it's best traditions 1t may well
be said, as long as the flag staff
endures, so the Comstock
Eagle Engine company No, g. Tom
Peasley foreman, first assumed charge
of the peak on the mountain in the
year 1863, and in that year erected
the first flag staff It stood until
1868. when it was blown down. An
other and better one took its place
on July g. 1868 which withstood the
storms of ten winters, when it. too
in the winter of 1878, ten years later
was bowled over by a Washoe zephyr
At the 1868 raising those who assist
ed were Andy Peasley, j. G. Harlow
Charles F. Biclnell, Charley Brooks
George Currie. J. W. Hemanway jim
Malone. Jim Edgerton, Dick Pad
dock. Leslie F. Blackburn, Alex Coz
veil. The most sorrowful man i
town was Henry Morris, who wa
about the only man who could elm
the staff. 1t is recorded that he she
tears as large as apple dumpings.
But to jump to 1878. Se time wa
: lost in getting a start for new stat
and this time Andy Peasley was tn
moving spirit, the Eagle Engine c,
having long since gone out of exis
ence. 1t was determined to erect
e staff that would endure for all tim
and how well they did the job
seen from the fact that after
: wears, "the flag staff is still there
The county appropriated $3.50 Il
the staff, $3.50 was raised to tran
port It to the peak, and large su
otherwise for the ceremonies and 7
freshments. Mr. Bicgford Of the Go
hin foundry took the contract to d
liver the pole of iron tubing, so fe
long, in three parts, each joint tel
scoped and Joined with iron band
The pole cost exactly $3.50, al
Bickford put his personal guarant
on it's worth He certainly MAJ
good The stock market kept goil
down from January, 1878, until Ju
Both Of the same year, when 9
pole was successfully planted.
1T was freely predicted that there W
e no hope of boom until that Sta
rs was securely anchored
On June 81 arrangements were
completed for the ceremony on t
50 following Sunday A fine collati
ut was prepared, with an ample SUPP
to, Of lager beer and other beverage
On Sunday, June %, 700 people elm
ed to the summit of Mt, DavidsC
h,,& 41,a,r mara dOoOmpd To hfft