White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-21
tBy'B. r. MlLLER.)
PART TWENTY-SEvEN

White Pine county was A. ID. Camp
Ton. who came in the early days while
Il small boy. with his mother, who
later married John Ragsdale of Min
aral City in the early '7os. When he
reached the age OF manhood Mr.
campton followed the teaming bust
ness, starting freighting between
Ioano and Robinson canyon when
most of the supplies for the county
were carried between those points
During the lively days of Ward he
was also in the teaming business i'll
partnership with W. \. McGill. but
when the camp slumpad the partners
d..posed OF their business interests.
u Mr.. McGill Mt this timd opened up
offices as surveyor and MIR. Camp
ton continued 10 be associated with
him, the two men being insepara BILE
personal and business friends, and
this association continued throughout
the years, each assisting the other
On every possible occasion. When
dull days fell on the district MIR. Nc
Gill and a number of other friends
persuaded Mr.. campton TO run for
county recorder, a place TO which he
was elected and which he filled cred
itably for a number of years.
Mr.. Campton married Miss Ella
Mathewson, the popular and accom-
plished daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. 4. .
B. Mathewson, in the late sos. Alr
campton was a keen and shrewd
BUSINESS man and by the purchase OF
county securities accumulated q
small stake With never-faiiing
belief in the future of Ely he did not
hesitate TO invest his entire savings
tho - "A MI,
fered purchased the Ely townsite. He
n once put lots on the market at au
attractive price and On terms which
ayere an inducement 10 investment,
and throughout the years was always
foremost in every moyemen: that
would aid in the upbuilding of the
county seat
In the early purchase of the town
Fifc Mr.. Campton was associated with
\, J. underhiil. who later sold his in
Ierest IN the townsite to W. C. Lyons
Al the death OF the latter the heirs
were anxious To realize on the eg-
tate, but the administrators found
tnat IL was not easy TO sell the inter
AZ IN the townsite. At this time Mr.
hampton, still optimistic as TO the
Iuture of the camp and with an un-
railing faith that investment IN Ely
real estate would be justified in the
future. succeeded In raising enough
money to purchase the interest of Mr.
Lyons.
To Mr.. Campton belongs the honor
of building the first telephone .eryice
for Ely and for two or three years he
also had charge of the Ely light and
power plant. Through all the dark
days OF the camp he held on, and his
faith. | understand was ultimately
justified. as he realized a comfortable
sum from his townsite investment
While Mr.. Campton has now retired
from active participation in business
and Is living in his beautiful home
on Raymond avenue. Pasadena. Cal.
ne stu has extensive interests in Ne
vada, owning a controlling interest
IN the Campton Commercial Com
iany, one of the largest establish
ments OF i,s kind in the state.
william Graham was another OF
Nhite flnc countya best type of citi-
Tehs. 1he writer has known BILLY"
araham Intimately since 1880 and
can truthfully say that no word OF
praise spoken OF him has done half
Justice TO his many noble traits Mr.
e.anam death, recently noted in the
y. N
The minds of Ely residents. and his
passing away leaves "A gap that will
be hard 10 fill. The tribute paid 10
MI. Graham by Thomas n. Haley. n
lifelong friend, flttingly expresses the
regard in which he was held nv All
who were so fortunate as to know
Slim.
Dan Dickerson. whose many wears
OF incumbency in different political
ofiices has made his name we'll known
ana popular throughout the state. is
another OF the early-day White Piners
VINO mas made his mark In a way that
mas rejected credit on himself. the
state and the people who honored
n,m Dy election to public Office. Mr.
nckersons entry to the political
arena was In 1902, when he was
elected clerk OF White Pine county
upon the death OF Charlie Grundich.
the county recorder, In 1903, Dick
ersor, who was then county clerk.
used tho strong influence of his labor
union record to bear on the board of
county commissioners and succeeded
in getting the appointment as record.
er upon rendering his resignation as
county clerk. SO successful was his
administration OF that Office that at
the following election In 1904 he was
reelected and from that time on his
political rise was rapid. AS county
recorder he attracted attention
throughout the state and In 1906 was
nominated for lieutenant-goyern on
the democratic-silver fusion ticket,
MS running mate for the guberna-
torial chair being John Sparks. The
popularity of Mr.. Sparks and Mr..
p'ckerson. together with the silver
movement, resulted In their easy cleo
tlon.
Mr.. Dickerson shortly after MS
erection became prominent factor
at the state capital and was soon
recognized as one of the states
brightest and most conscientious ex-
ecutives, He first gained prominence
while acting on the board for the Sc
lection OF the state railroad commits
sion, which was appointed by the gov
ernor but was subject to confirmation
NY the board. Governor Sparks had
nominated n