Diary 60-2: February, 1886 - preliminary transcript

yrs ago -- Never been able to pay him till now -- This only leaves me $2 to go on -- from my salary -- Through in office at 2:30 -- home -- read etc -- Bed at 5 --

Stovepipe & stove fixed Coal box

Tuesday Feb 2

Same -- had [tinner?] come & fix stovepipe to suit me, also put warming plate to stove, (or top extension) -- Bed 5

Wednesday Feb 3

Same -- Finished my stove arrangements -- Bed at 3 --

Thursday Feb 4

Same -- Rose at 11 -- shaved -- went to G & Curry works & got piece 2 inch plank lagging & made a sort of box shelf in my coal box to smash coal on -- Evening as usual -- Bed at 3 --

Friday Feb 5

Same -- Mining day -- so busy I didnt get a chance to eat -- Mining day -- Evening as usual -- Home at 11:30 -- made fire & an oyster stew of McMurrays oysters -- Ate heartily & bed at 3:30 --

My Home Restaurant Off for Reno

Saturday Feb 6

Same -- Through in office at 2 -- Home -- shaved & pooped around -- got nice breakfast, of pure old Java coffee with an egg into it by way of milk -- 3 slices nice pickled port, fried, with four fried eggs, crackers etc -- The first boss breakfast of my

little restaurant -- Enjoyed it hugely -- And this day I ate at home -- having the tail end of that oyster stew for dinner -- Am swindling the restaurants -- Got all ready to go to Reno and at 6 oclock laid down on top of the bed to be called at 7 by the Janitor, Billy --

At Reno Fair Arrives

Sunday Feb 7

Same -- Billy called me at 7 Took train at 8 -- Reno at 12 -- Found all right at home -- PM after dinner, wife, Sammy, Alf & Bessie took walk over to near the new State University at north part of town -- Called at residence of Curtis, the architect of University, [& delivered?] a message from Col Shaw, who is one of the Regents of the University-- Bed at 9 -- Cloudy with a few drops of rain --

Monday Feb 8

Clear & pleasant -- U S Senator Jas G Fair, of Nevada, rode beside me on same seat, all the way to Carson -- Had a good talk with him -- He got off at Carson & will come up on evening train to Va -- Mr Evan J Coleman of San F traveling with him, on way

Centennial Ass't Paid $40.30 Fair off for Washington

to Washington D.C. -- Va at 10 -- Paid my new Centennial assessment today, $40.30 as it will be delinquent tomorrow -- Work in office as usual -- Home at 2 -- Home -- washed up dishes etc -- Bed at 4 --

Tuesday Feb 9

The same -- Fair and his companion, E J Coleman took a ride around among the

various mining works today -- and left on the 5:25 train -- for Reno and Washington --

[next few lines erased]

Wednesday Feb 10

Clear & pleasant -- Rose at 12 -- shaved etc -- Work as usual -- Bed at 3:30

Harry C Johns nearly killed

Thursday Feb 11

Same -- Usual routine -- Bed 4 --

Friday Feb 12

Same -- Strong SW winds this last day or two -- blow up a storm -- Mining day & busy as usual -- Capt Harry Johns got caved on in 1700 level of Crown Point this morning at 8 -- Was putting in a cap timber on 2nd floor above the level when cave came from roof -- smashed plank he stood on and he fell 8 feet -- Cut & torn all over -- Both collar bones broken & probably lungs hurt -- Back badly contused & strained -- PM I went down to see him and found him at the Captial lodging house -- Had quite a chat with him -- was about town awhile, & rode home on the bus -- Stood in as usual,

Dr. Spaling Telegram to Harry Jons' Brother

Was at St Valentine [Domino?] party at Odd Fellows Hall, for about an hour spectating" -- Office at 11:30 and just saved my distance -- Met old Doc Spalding -- [Volney?] Spalding who used to keep a high tone 2 bits saloon on South C st -- in the early times -- He is here on recuperative visit or as he says to "get his

breath" -- About 72 yrs old -- Came yesterday & will stay short time -- I sent following telegram this evening (night rate) Va City Nev Feb 12 1886 Thomas C Johns, Austin Nev, "Harry both collar bones broken and back badly strained -- Cave Crown Point. Well cared for -- Have seen him -- Will write" -- Bed at 4

Thomas C Johns

Saturday Feb 13

Same -- telegram from Thomas C Johns, Austin, "No train before Tuesday -- Shall I come then? Answer" I replied: "Progressing comfortably -- Badly hurt, Enterprise account correct -- Wait further advice" -- 30 c -- Work as usual in office -- Through at 2 -- Home -- Wrote letter to Thomas C Johns, Austin, Nev -- Harry's brother -- Didnt go to bed at all -- Going to Reno --

Reno Fish dinner Harry Johns

Sunday Feb 14

Same -- cup of coffee, couple of boiled eggs & some boiled tongue -- for breakfast -- rushed down to crystal saloon, down stairs, got a fine Shad & a big flounder which I have had on ice there since Wednesday -- $2 -- Slept good portion of way down to Reno -- Found all right there -- Had nice big fish dinner -- Evening banjo & songs with my little ones -- Was down at the railroad House when the trains CP and V & T meet at 8:30 -- Met lots that I knew -- Bed at 9 -- cold --

Monday Feb 15

Clear & pleasant -- Breakfast at home -- Left on morning train at 7:10 -- Got off at

Gold Hill & went down to Capital Hotel & saw Harry C Johns -- He is looking &

Harry Johns Getchell Tom Johns

feeling better -- Most trouble seems to me to be in breast and lungs -- Dr Manson says right lung congested etc -- Rode to Va at 1 PM -- Stood in as usual -- Telegraphed Thomas C Johns "Saw Harry sevening -- Progressing well -- Dont come unless called" -- (30 c) Have sent night telegrams, (red) thus far -- Saw Getchell in Reno this morning -- In to meeting of University Regents -- Leaves for Austin in morning -- Home at 2 -- Bed 3:30 -- Cold frosty night -- clear --

Tuesday Feb 16

Same -- Bed at 3 --

Tom Johns Arrives

Wednesday Feb 17

Same -- As usual -- Thomas C Hons, brother of my friend Harry C Johns arrived from Austin today to see about Harry -- Harry coming out all right -- Evening Tom called at office & we had a nice pleasant chat together & some beer at the Crystal saloon -- took him to my room, & walked out on South C street with quite a distance on his way to Gold Hill where Harry is -- Bed at 3 --

Thursday Feb 18

Same -- Nothing new -- Bed 3

Friday Feb 19

Same -- Mining day -- Was at Chollen, and Norcross & all around over regular route --