White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-27
lBy B. r. MILLER.)
PART SEVEN

eighteen miles east of Cherry Creek,
in the early '70s was a prosperous
camp but by the summer of 1874,
when the writer first dropped into
the town after crossing the Schell
Creek range at an altitude of $500
feet and down the western slope
through a beautifully watered can
Won, the camp appeared somewhat
deserted. Signs were not lacking.
however, of considerable recent min.
ing activity, at least two or three idle
quartz mills bearing mute testimony
TO the rush OF few years previous.
The population at this time was
about $50, probably less than a
fourth of what 1t had been two years
before, a great part OF the people
having moved to Egan, Eureka and
Cherry Creek. The latter town. In
fact was largely built OF houses
whicn had been moved from Schell.
bourne by their owners.
OF all the Schellbourne old-timers
none was more steadfast to the camp
than William Burke. who stayed on
after the glory of the town had de
parted. With no prospect in sight
Tor the resumption OF MIXING actiy-
ity, Mr.. Burke took up farm, which
embraced the valley and townsite,
and engaged I'm the farming and cat
tlo business, of which he made n
marked success. Uncle Billy, as he
was Familiarity called, was a resident
Of the state for many years and at
one time was quite a political factor
in state politics. In 1852 he ran
for lietenant governor on the
democratic ticket. his running mate
for governor being Jewett W
Adams, but was defeated by
Charley Lawton. the fiddler from
Carson. After his defeat Mr.
Burke retired from politics. deyoting
all this time TO his farming and cattle
interests. Mr.. and Mrs. Burke raised
n large family of children, who
proved a credit to their parents and
10 White Pine county.
In 1880. when the writer passed
through Schellbourne on his return
20 Cherry Creek from the White Pine
district. only the old FL Captain mill
was left standing. This mill was op.
Grated with a run of custom ores at
different periods over number o.
years by Mr.. Dickinson, better
known as big Dick" who was elect.
I'd TO the state senate in 1874 Sub
sequently Mr.. Dickinson played a
prominent part In the old camps OF
Ruby and Centerville, where he had
done considerable mining, finding
pockets of high-grade ore in the
Schell creek range He succeeded in
interesting Boston capital for the de.
velopment of this district but both
Ruby, which took it's name from the
fact that large pockets OF ruby silver
were uncovered there. and Center
vile were short lived.
Tom Andrews was one OF the origi
nal locators OF the Ruby Hill district
while W. p. Lawler also owned some
OF the richest and best claims in the
district. Mr. I.awler and his wife
were the only people left In 1sse
when the writer passed through the
deserted camp. which at one time
promised TO be the greatest find In
the county. MIR Lawler was ae.
knowledged 10 he one OF the hest
iudges of ore In the state and he
sold his holdings at Ruby Hill for
large sum To Boston interests,
think. which at that time were OPP
Grating Mt Aurum. Most of the ores
from Ruby Hill we're milled I be-
iieve, hy Mr. Brooks at the Aurum
mill. which was located near the
mouth of Silver canyon, on the east.
.ern slope of the Schell Greek range
Mr.. LAWYERS eyes became affected
through clint ing the glittering snow.
covered mountains of the Seholl
Creek range and. accompanied by
Mrs. Lawler, he travelled throughout
tho United States. France and Ger
many seeking the aid OF specialists,
but without securing any relief. and
he finally lost the sight of both eyes
almost entirely. But even after Mr..
Lawler had lost his eyesight and the
greater part Of his fortune trying to
prevent blindness he could not aban-
don the mining game. After an alb.
sence OF several years. at the time
when Cherry Creek was undergoing
her darkest days. Mr.. Lawler re-
turned with capital advanced him by
IA lifelong friend In Portland, Ore
to again try his luck with w. A. Wat
son at his Coccmungo mines In the
Egan range. south of Egan canyon.
The money expended In. this develop
ment work proved a great boon to
the writer then engaged In the mer-
camille business at Cherry Creek, as
well as all other residents of the dis
trict. Mr. Lawlers friends were
legion and his memory will always
be held in the highest regard by the
pioneers of the district.
Muncy Creek, ten miles south OF
Aurum. during the latter 70s and
early sos gave promise OF being q
great copper camp, but like many
other camps the promise was never
fulfilled. Although virtually aban-
doned, the camp was held down for
years by Frank Bassett and N. c.
Noe, the latter for a score OF years
familiar figure at every democratic
county convention held In White
Pine county.
Aurum. like Muncy Creek, Ruby
Hill and Centerville. was short-lived
camp. Jim McNulty. engaged In the
hotel and mercantile business. was
one of tho last men to leave the
town. Another firm which remained
in Aurum after the place was vir-
tually deserted was that OF Simon
Davis and Ben Sanford, known as
Sanford & Davis. who were able to
stay In the district owing to the fact
that they secured great deal OF