White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-09-18
lBy Il. r. MILLER.)
PART THIRTY-ONE

Ely, was among Ine DTSt men tO ~
cate in The infant camp, engaging in
the mining and saloon business. Mr..
Mcdonald, in partnership with James
II. Harris, owned and operated the
largest and most popular saloon In
the county and one of the most up
TO date places of its kind in the state
for many years. While Mr.. McDon-
aid was the head of the firm he de-
voted most of his time and attention
10 his mining interests and put
through number OF big deals at
various times II may be doubted II
any man in the county has done as
much as Mr.. Mcdonald to develop the
mining resources of Ely. AT no time
since the townsite was first located
has Mr.. Mcdonald been found want
ing in any movement that was aimed
at the upbuilding OF the community.
Mr.. Mcdonald was always successful
= in business and "a great deal OF his
money was used 10 help needy pros
pectors and others who happened to
have a bad run of luck.
Mr. McDonald's first partner, Mr..
: Harris. was cast in similar mold
and was widely known 1or his char
table acts Mr. Harris. prior to his
death in the early '90s, disposed of
his interests to Walter Rynearson,
who in partnership with Mr.. McDon-
aid operated the big corner saloon
for years. MIR. Rynearson, a fine
type of the early westerner. was well
liked by every man who made his
acquaintance He was nominated by
the republican party for sheriff in the
early '90s and had the distinction OF
being the only member of the party
elected At this time the county was
entirely controlled by the silver party
hut Mr.. Rynearson' popularity easily
won him the election, Ben Payne. sill
yer candidate. being defeated by a
zig majority. The writer knew Mr..
Rynearson since the palmy days OF
Eureka and never saw a man who
knew him who was not proud to call
him friend. Mr.. Rynearson, like Mr..
Harris. worked hand in hand with
Mr.. Mcdonald during their many
years of partnership. His death oc-
Cured in 1909.
Mr.. Mcdonald was always consid-
cred the brains OF the different en-
terprises in which he was engaged
and was always willing 20 lend
helping hand to friend II II we're
IN his power. The writer well re-
members during the darkest days OF
Ely when teaming. like everything
Aelse. was scarce and cash almost an
unknown quantity. McDonald's place
was kept open more as a convenience
10 the poor men who gathered there
than from any hope OF making
profit Mr.. Mcdonald gladly paid
out hundreds OF dollars TO keep his
place warm in the winter and COO,
IN the summer In order to accommo-
date men who had no other place in
which TO spend their leisure hours
r al N
confidence of many prominent out
side capitalists and has been the
means OF bringing as much capital
into White Pine county and the city
of Ely as any man in the camp and
is certainly deserving OF credit for
his constructive work. He was elect
ed to the assembly on the democratic
ticket In 1895 and served with credit
tc himself and his constituents. MIR
Mcdonald was a delegate to the min
ing congress which met In Los An
geles some years ago. the last time
the writer had the pleasure OF meet
Ing him. He married Miss Minnie
Comins, the accomplished daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs II. A. Comins. No
history of the county would be COM
plete which did not record the name
of ID. G. Mcdonald in capital letters
A. n. Mcdonald, an old-time and
highly respected resident OF Taylor,
Argus Mill and Ely, was for years
engaged In ranching with II A.
comins during the summer months
and in the wood and timber business
with the writer in the winter season
during the paimy days OF Taylor and
the operation OF the Argus mill. An
ngus. while a native of Canada. was
700 per cent American. Since the
Ia. ns.
ness dealings with Mr.. Mcdonald and
always found him honest and up
right. Mr.. Mcdonald married Miss
Eta comins, the eldest daughter OF
Mr.. and Mrs II. A. Comins. one Of
White Pine countys most accom-
rlished young ladies.
Jerry Kent, another of the early
day settlers. located at Duck creek
when he first came TO the county and
engaged In ranching until about 1856
or 1897. when he became ranch fore
man for w. n. McGill, a position he
was still holding when the writer left
the county Mr. Kent was somewhat
of mechanical genius and could
overhaul or repair any kind Of farm
machinery or equipment. He was
also n great lover of animals and
could go into a corral and make
friends with a wild broncho or unruly
cow more quickly than any man in
the county.
He was likewise popular with all
or the men under him. being kind
ana considerate to his fellow en-
pioyss while at the same time loyal
10 the interests of his employer
while often urged by his friends to
make the race for public Offices he
steadfastly declined to allow the use
of his name. though 1t was evident
that lie could easily have bcen elect
ed to any Office 10 which he might
have aspired
= Neil ]. Monroe was also among the
earliest arrivals at the new camp OF
ELY, where he engaged in the hotel
? business. having moved his former
hotel buildings from Star hill, at
Cherry Creek. Mr.. Monroe In the