White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-21
NEVADA STATE IN THE MAKING;
ELY, CAPITAL OF WHITE PINE

confirmation OF his name was held up.
This action caused some unpleas-
antness between the governor and
Mr.. Dickerson, but the latter remain
ed steadfast in his stand and finally
the governor was compelled to with
draw the name of the obnoxious man
and substitute that of another who
was believed without bias. For
months the governor and lieutenant
governor were hardly on speaking
terms but Mr.. Dekerson attained his
object in securing the appointment
OF an impartial railroad commission.
Mr. Dickerson became governor ON
the death of Governor Sparks, who
did not live 10 complete his term, and
the lieutenant governor filled the tx
ccutive chair with credit TO the state.
He was nominated for governor at the
ensuing election but was defeated by
Tasker l.. Oddie. his friends attrib-
uting his defeat to the fact that he
had been an unremitting enemy to the
corporations throughout his official
life and had stood steadfast for the
interests of the people. The fact that
George Nixon contributed freely 10
the Oddie campaign fund was also a
factor in the defeat of Mr.. Dickerson,
who lost by only a small margin.
AIR. Dickerson, who came to Nevada
In 1899. was a native OF California
and IN his younger days worked in
the mines of that state as well as in
Colorado. Idaho and other coast
states. He was considered one of the
best posted men IN the state on the
mineral resources of Nevada.
William Hayes. another OF the
early-day residents of Ely. was en-
gagged In the mercantile business and
also handled White Pine county
script for many years Mr. Hayes
and his sister Ellen were business
partners in Ely Tor many years. COM
Ing To the county seat from Hamil-
ton, where they had been engaged
IN the laundry business since the
early '7os. Mr.. Hayes and his sister
by Industry and perseverance amass.
ed a comfortable fortune and both
were always in the forefront in all
movements TO upbuild the city Mr.
Hayes died in the early part of the
present century and was followed i'm
death by his sister 4 few years later.
A. y. Treece came from Missouri
to Shermantown IN 1869 and fol-
lowed millwork until 1874. when he
moved 10 Eberhardt In his spare
time he studied law and drew up
IubliC documents and did other cler-
zeal work in the summer season and
during the winter engaged in wood
chopping in the hills until 1878,
when Frank Drake proposed that Mr.
Treece make the race for district at
torney
Mr.. Treece. who was better known
as The Major was engaged at the
time in chopping wood for the writer,
who advanced the $50 necessary to
pay his assessment Mt the county con-
yention at Hamilton, while Mr.. Drake
advanced the money for a suit of
clothes for the major Mr. Treece
was elected but Two years later he
was defeated for reelection BY
Charles Thaxton. who rode into Of
fee IN the James G. Fair landslide
OF 1850. In 1852 the major was
again elected and held the office con-
tinuously after that time un.il his
death in the late 90s.
For years Major 1rocce was the
only attorney IN White Pine county
until long about 1891. when Frank
y Murphy moved 10 Taylor from
Eureka and Immediately thereafter
sought the nomination for district
attorney. While the party was anx-
ious TO secure new talent for the Of
hce. Murphy's maiden speech in the
convention effeetually killed what
ever chance he might have had of
securing the nomination. In this
speech he. in effect, declared that IL
elected he would put all the demo.
Gratis in the county Jail and release
all the republicans. So radical and
vicious were his remarks that he was
dubbed Triple Y Murphy" the name
Icing taken from a particularly
strong and fiery brand OF horse lini-
ment in general use among farmers
at that time.
Murphy moved to Ely when the
town started and practiced law there
for short time. He later moved
from Ely to Elko county and served
one term in that county as district
attorney. He then moved from Elko
TO Winnemucca. Humboldt county,
and was elected to the same ofice
there. "Murf," IA he was popularity
known. finally came to be recognized
as one OF Nevada's biggest and brain
lest lawyers. When the writer last
met him In 1906 he was one of the
leading attorneys in the famous Bull
frog mining district during the ex-
citing days OF Rhyolite and had pit
ted against him such well-known at
torneys as William NJ. Stewart, for
mer United States senator from Ne
vada. Mr.. Murphy died shortly
afterward. ] understand
From 1874 until 1904. l believe,
w. c Love. F. X. Murphy and C. A.
Walker were the only three licensed
attorneys In White Pine county. A.
II Treece, O. II. Gray. A. Il. Stearns,
II. II Collins and Charles Thaxton
all practiced in the justice courts
and all held the Office OF district at.
torney at different times except Mr..
Cray and Mr.. Collins.