Diary 61-4: January, 1887 - preliminary transcript

I leave the Enterprise Electioneering at Carson

Saturday Jan 1, 1887

Clear & very pleasant -- Work as usual in the office till 2 -- closed out in office, taking my clip, old Lynch scissors, etc, evacuating the premiers, is my time is up and Frank B Mercer takes it -- Bed at 4

Sunday Jan 2

Same -- went on morning train to Carson -- quite a crowd of men on board, as Legis-lature convenes tomorrow -- Worked to best ability in electioneering for my desired position of Engrossing Clerk of the Senate -- Evening, caucus was help by the Republican members elect of each house -- there being a candidate for the same position, from [Mureka], and Eureka claiming nothing else, the caucus felt compelled to give it to Eureka. My successful competitor was Paul V Roux -- So I got

Got left on Engrossing Clerk Reporter for the Legilature

left -- Slept at the Ormsby House -- The caucuses nominated all the offices and attaches, for the senate and assembly --

Monday Jan 3

Clear and pleasant -- Governor Lieut Gov, 3 Supreme Judges, & all the State Officers sworn in this AM -- At 12 N both Houses convened, and I was in my chair at my desk in the Senate as reporting for the Enterprise -- swapped reports with Sam Davis of the Appeal, he giving me the Assembly & I him the Senate -- Full organization ef1887

fected of both Houses -- I took evening train for Va, with my report -- Slow trip --

The Legislature US Senatorial out

Nearly 8 when I arrived -- Went to room & wrote up my report -- little over a column -- Home at 2:30 from reading proof at office -- Bed at 4 with clothes on --

Tuesday Jan 4

Cloudy & cool -- Legislature convened at 11 AM -- I reported, as before -- About 1 1/2 hour's session, but gave me big report that took all the PM to write up -- Think it nearly 2 columns -- Sent it on evening local train to Va -- Evening, joint caucus of Republican members of both Houses held in the Assembly room for nomination as US Senator -- Only one ballot taken, resulting: Stewart 34, Wren 9; Powning 1.

Stewart elected for Senator "On the Rio Grande"

There were 44 in the caucus, I walked out to the Railroad depot very lively, found an operator and telegraphed the caucus result to Enterprise -- Was about town some -- Bed 1 -- at the Ormsby House --

Wednesday Jan 5

Same -- reported Legislature as usual -- Evening at Opera House -- Play of "On the Rio Grande", by the Lamb-Jordan-Price company -- which has played the same play last two nights in Va -- Good house, but not much of a play except as a blood & thunder sensational racket -- Bed at 1 -- at the Ormsby House --

At Virginia

Thursday Jan 6

Fine Springlike day -- Reported as usual -- Slept at the Ormsby House -- Poor hard bed -- saw the last two acts of "On the Rio grande" this evening -- Very slim house --

Friday Jan 7

Cloudy cooler & blustering -- Usual reportorial work -- Both houses adjourned till Monday -- Got letter from wife -- Took evening train for Va -- Went to room & wrote up report for Enterprise Read proof of it at 12:30 -- Wrote, read, etc at room -- Bed at 5 --

Cold -- Carson and Reno Holiday Presents

Saturday Jan 8

Clear & pleasant -- cool Rose at 7, took 8 AM train for carson -- Was about Carson, all day, at Capitol etc -- State Printing House etc -- Took dinner with J M Dorsey, an old Comstock friend at the Ellsworth House near the RR Depot -- left for Reno at 7 PM -- Arrived at 8:10 -- All right at home -- except some colds & coughs -- Bed at 10 -- Cold night --

Sunday Jan 9

Same -- Morning 10 above zero -- Rose at 9 -- Home all day -- Did several little jobs of carpentering etc -- not a drop of whiskey today -- bed at 10 -- The children showed me all their Christmas & NY presents from East & from Eunice -- Some for me & Mary, Millie, & mother --

Reporting the legisture

Monday Jan. 10

Morning cloudy and cold, cleared off finely by noon -- Fair rest of day -- Rose at 6, and took morning train for Carson at 7:10 -- Arrived at 9 -- Got shaved, etc., Went to capitol at 10 -- read papers -- wrote a commencement of my days report -- session at 11 -- Only lasted 45 minutes -- Visited the assembly session, which lasted 40 minutes longer -- Got lunch and went to work writing up my report -- Got it off on 5:15 local train for Va -- Supper -- Evening cruised about town, concert saloons etc. -- Bed at 11 in Circo's Hotel next north of the Mint --

Stewart Elected Senator RR Pace At Va

Tuesday Jan 11

Clear and pleasant -- US Senatorial election in the Legislature today -- He recieved the entire Republican vote -- 45 out of 60 -- Cassidy received the vote of the Democracy for US Senator -- Had lively work today and couldn't get all up in time for evening train for Va -- Got pass renewed for self and wife till March 5th by Yerington -- Rode to Va on it -- Got in my written report at once -- went to room and wrote the rest -- about 2 1/2 columns in all -- About office and reading proof, etc., till 2 -- Bed at 4 --

Stewart Elected Senator McCullough State Prison Warden I at Va Wilson

Wednesday Jan. 12

Same -- Rose at 7 -- off at 8 on local train to Carson -- Breakfast at Sweeney's

restaurant -- At noon the Senate and Assembly in joint conviction confirmed the election of W M Stewart as United States Senator from Nevada -- lots of ladies and big crowd present -- He made a nice speech -- An hour later another joint convention elected Frank J. McCullough of Ormsby State Prison Warden -- for next 2 year term -- Kept me very busy -- Took the 5:15 local train for Va -- arrived at 7:30 -- Took copy to office -- went to room and wrote up rest of report and took it down -- Stewarts speech etc. will make 3 columns -- Bed at 12 -Faust and Marguerite Grand Stewart Reception

Thursday Jan. 13

Same -- Rose at 7:30 -- in time to shave, etc., and catch the morning train for Carson at 8:10 AM -- Work as usual -- Evening at Opera House -- Play of Faust and Marguerite by the Morrison -- Alsber Dramatic Co. -- Very fine -- Big house -- A hell of a good play -- Devilish good -- After the play went up to Hon. W M Stewart's residences to grand reception and congratulation -- Big crowd of everybody -- Big table spread with choice salad, sandwiches, cake, etc. -- Hot coffee, punch, etc. -- Bed at 1 --

Rain and Snow I.O.O.F. Dues Paid

Friday, Jan. 14

Same -- As usual -- Did not complete the report but took evening train for Va -- Got in part of report, and wrote rest at my room -- The Morrison -- Alsber and Co. Opera House in "Faust and Marguerite" this evening -- Big House -- Bed at 3:30 -- Legislature adjourned over till Monday --