Bibliography

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The Bibliography for Black Rock Dead.

This page contains the notes and references for the book Black Rock Dead.

The Black Rock Desert

1. Leslie Curtis. "A Strange Mixture of Human Weal and Woe is Thriving in Reno." In: Washington Post (June 4, 1911). From the June 1911 New York Herald, p. 47.

2. Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data. Tech. rep. R42346. Congressional Research Service, Feb. 21, 2020, p. 1.

3. Mark Twain. The Selected Letters of Mark Twain. 1982, p. 40.

4. Bureau of Mines. Mining and Mineral Operations in the Rocky Mountain States. 1977, p. 54.

5. L. V. Benson et al. "Dating North America's Oldest Petroglyphs, Winnemucca Lake Subbasin, Nevada." In: Journal of Archaeological Science 40.12 (Dec. 2013), pp. 4466–4476.

6. Bernard Mergen. At Pyramid Lake. University of Nevada Press, 2014.

7. "Corporation Record, Chicago, June 4, 1892." In: The National Corporation Reporter 4 (June 4, 1892), p. 303.

8. Gary Kamiya. "Wicked Wickets Out West." In: Sports Illustrated (Apr. 11, 1988).

9. Two films that are sometimes incorrectly thought to have been filmed in the region are The Misfits and Bad Day at Black Rock. Parts of The Misfits, Marilyn Monroe's and Clark Gable's last film, were shot near Dayton, in Reno, and near Pyramid Lake. Portions of Bad Day at Black Rock, starring Spencer Tracy, were filmed near Lone Pine,

1846-1860: Emigrants and Battles

1. Lindsay Applegate. "Notes and Reminiscences of Laying Out and Establishing the Old Emigrant Road Into Southern Oregon in the Year 1846." In: The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society 22 (Mar. 1921), p. 30.

2. Black Rock Springs (also known as Black Rock Hot Springs) are located adjacent to the Black Rock at the northern edge of the central playa. Double Hot Springs are about six miles north of Black Rock Springs.

3. The winter of 1846-47 was when the Donner Party tragedy occurred.

4. Devere Helfrich. "The Applegate Trail." In: Klamath Echoes 9 (1971), p. 20.

5. Lucy Ann Henderson. "Young Adventure." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 16.2 (Summer 1973). Ed. by Ronald Thomas Strong, pp. 67–102.

6. John David Unruh. The Plains Across: The Overland Emigrants and the Trans-Mississippi West, 1840–1860. University of Illinois Press, 1979, p. 353.

7. Sarah Keyes. American Burial Ground: A New History of the Overland Trail. 2023, p. 95.

8. Thomas N. Layton. "Massacre! What Massacre? An Inquiry Into the Massacre of 1850." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly (Winter 1977), pp. 241–251.

9. In 2025, the official name was "Rabbithole Springs," though older sources use "Rabbit Hole Springs."

10. Milt Otto. "Deaths and Graves on the Applegate-Lassen Trail." In: Trail Talk. California-Nevada Chapter of the Oregon California Trails Association (July 2001, October 2001, January 2002).

11. Typhoid is foodborne, typhus is flea or louse-borne.

12. P. F. Castleman. P. F. Castleman Diary : Typescript, 1849-1851. eng. 1851.

13. Israel Shipman Pelton Lord. At the Extremity of Civilization: A Meticulously Descriptive Diary of an Illinois Physician's Journey in 1849 Along the Oregon Trail to the Goldmines and Cholera of California, Thence in Two Years to Return by Boat Via Panama. Ed. by Necia Dixon Liles. McFarland & Company, 1995.

14. Douglas Water Hemlock was probably the poison. Fandango Pass is clearly not in the Black Rock Desert, but death by poisonous plants is too unusual to skip. In 1914, Cyrenius Mulkey stated that at Deep Hole in the 1860s, he had cattle that were poisoned by wild parsnips. He bled them to save their lives.59

15. According to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS ), the flat is Soldier Meadow, and the springs are Soldier Meadows Hot Springs. The ranch is Soldier Meadows Ranch.

16. Burrell Whalen Evans. Diary of 1849: Missouri to California. Microfilm, Bancroft Library, Berkeley, BANC MSS C-F 50 pt.I:2. 1849.

17. Hubert Howe Bancroft. History of Oregon, Volume 1. The History Company, 1886, p. 624.

18. Elijah Preston Howell and Donald E. Buck. The 1849 California Trail Diaries of Elijah Preston Howell. Ed. by Donald E. Buck and Susan Badger Doyle. Emigrant trails historical studies series. Oregon-California Trails Association, 1995, Appendix D.

19. Jonas H. Hittle, David E. Schob, and Richard L. Rieck. Diary, April 4, 1849-July 31, 1850. 1849.

20. Helen S. Carlson. Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary. University of Nevada Press, 1974.

21. Effie Mona Mack. Nevada: A History of the State from the Earliest Times Through the Civil War. Arthur H. Clark Company, 1936.

22. William S. Brown. "Northwestern Nevada - Land of Enchantment." pp 17, 22. In: Sacramento Bee (Mar. 11, 1931).

23. Fariss and Smith. Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. 1882, p. 379.

24. Prospectors returned to the area in 1866, forming Hardin City. What was known as the "Black Rock Excitement" continued in 1867, but no silver ore was extracted. By 1868, Hardin City was abandoned.60

25. At the time, the canyon was called Black Rock Canyon. Later, a canyon to the north of where they camped was named Clapper Creek or Clapper Canyon.34 However, evidence found in 1990 indicates that they camped at a canyon south of Clapper Canyon.

26. F. N. Spaulding. "Death of Peter Lassen." In: Hutchings' California Magazine 32 (June 1859), pp. 566–567.

27. "Peter Lassen's Death." In: San Francisco Chronicle (Dec. 3, 1893), p. 1.

28. Gae Whitney Canfield. Sarah Winnemucca of the Northern Paiutes. 1988, p. 3.

29. Myron Angel and David F. Myrick. Reproduction of Thompson and West's History of Nevada. 1958, p. 151.

30. Asa Merrill Fairfield. Fairfield's Pioneer History of Lassen County, California. 1916.

31. Fairfield, p. 230.

32. "The Honey Lake Massacre." In: Daily Alta California, San Francisco (May 21, 1859), p. 1.

33. The statement that Indigenous people looted after murdering is not well supported. Only one other reference (from 1912) to another 1859 source61 was found that mentioned the theory that Indigenous people were not responsible due to the lack of looting. On p. 175, Fairfield62 quotes the 1912 source and reiterates the theory on p. 272.63 In 1940, Fred Kingsbury, whose father worked with Lassen, was quoted as stating a similar theory.64

34. Ferol Egan. Sand in a Whirlwind: The Paiute Indian War of 1860. University of Nevada Press, 1972, p. 12.

35. Robert Scott Bechard. "A Savage, Unknown Country." Master's Thesis. University of Nevada Reno, May 1997.

36. "Peter Lassen's Companion to Be Reburied in Ceremony." pp 1, 14. In: Lassen County Times, Susanville, California (May 26, 1992).

37. Various sources state that the grave is at Little Antelope Springs.38, 39 In 1971, Devere Helfrich wrote that there was "considerable confusion" concerning Antelope Springs and the precise path of the Applegate Trail. The location name used in the source and the 2025 name are also used when possible.4

38. Frances Davis McTeer. Coon-Gohn Descendants From Chanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania. 1979, pp. 226–232.

39. Phillip I. Earl. "This Was Nevada: Stone Marks Site of Pioneer's Grave." In: Elko Daily Free Press (Mar. 30, 1993), p. 32.

40. "Pioneer Mother's Grave Found After 50-Year Hunt." pp 1, 2. In: Chico Record, Chico, California (Oct. 7, 1931).

41. "Grave of Immigrant is Found Near Lovelock." In: Mason Valley News, Yerington (Nov. 14, 1925), p. 1.

42. Nevada Territory existed from 1861 until 1864. In 1860, present-day Nevada was part of Utah Territory. A 1993 article by Philip I. Earl states that Robert knew he was born somewhere in what was to become Nevada.39

43. Adell H. Jones. "Strange Pilgrimage to an Old Grave is Made by Son of Pioneer Mother." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 14, 1954), p. 6.

44. Other than these two articles, no references to "William Jachoby" were found. However, a William Jacoby was at the Callahan ranch district in the 1920s.

45. Likely Callahan Bridge at the north end of present-day Rye Patch Reservoir.

46. Probably Springers Hot Springs Station at the present-day Nightingale I-80 exit.

47. "Pioneer Woman's Headstone Marks the Site of an 1860 Tragedy on the Beckwith Trail." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 21, 1954), p. 7.

48. The Beckwith Trail heads south-southwest from Lassen Meadows, whereas the Lassen Cutoff heads north-northwest.

49. Peggy McGuckian Jones. Emigrant Trails in the Black Rock Desert. Tech. rep. 6. Bureau of Land Management, Apr. 1980.

50. Robert Amesbury. "The Headstone on the Humboldt." In: Territorial Enterprise (Mar. 5, 1968).

51. "The Cause of the Massacre at Williams' Station." In: Daily Bee, Sacramento (May 22, 1860), p. 3.

52. "Indian Difficulties." In: Daily National Democrat, Marysville, California (May 15, 1860), p. 2.

53. Fairfield, p. 221.

54. Fairfield, p. 225.

55. "The Indians of Honey Lake and Vicinity." In: Daily Bee, Sacramento (July 12, 1860), p. 3.

56. "Col. Lander's Wagon Road Expedition." In: Daily Alta California, San Francisco (July 17, 1860), p. 1.

57. Probably the Smoke Creek band.

58. Fairfield, p. 34.

59. Fred Lockley. "In Earlier Days." In: Oregon Daily Journal, Portland (Apr. 8, 1914), p. 6.

60. Fairfield, p. 426.

61. Frances Fairchild. "Peter Lassen." In: Grizzly Bear 11.1 (May 1912), p. 32.

62. Fairfield, p. 172.

63. Fairfield, p. 272.

64. Ken Johnston. Legendary Truths: Peter Lassen & His Gold Rush Trail

1861-1869: The Bloodiest Years

1. Bernard Mergen. At Pyramid Lake. University of Nevada Press, 2014.

2. Martha C. Knack and Omer Call Stewart. As Long as the River Shall Run: An Ethnohistory of Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. University of California Press, p. 103.

3. Devere Helfrich. "The Applegate Trail." In: Klamath Echoes 9 (1971), p. 20.

4. There is quite a bit of confusion about where Bailey and Cook were killed. In 1971, Helfrich wrote that they were killed at present-day Willow Springs , which had been renamed from Antelope Springs by the Geographical Survey between 1935 and 1955.3 However, the 1931 1:250000 Lovelock map shows that location as being named "Willow Sprs." Helfrich states that in 1862, there was a small house at the site of the killings and that the location of their graves had been lost. In 1980, it was reported that a stone slab at "Antelope" marked the spot where they were massacred. It is presumed their bodies have been buried there.101 In 2023, there was a modern marker for Bailey and Cook at Big Antelope Springs , located about 3.5 miles from Willow Springs.

5. "Indian Outrage." In: Plumas Standard, Quincy, California (July 26, 1862), p. 2.

6. Asa Merrill Fairfield. Fairfield's Pioneer History of Lassen County, California. 1916, p. 287.

7. "Letter from Humboldt." In: Red Bluff Independent, Red Bluff, California (Sept. 5, 1862), p. 2.

8. "Indians Killed." In: Red Bluff Beacon, Red Bluff, California (Aug. 14, 1862), p. 2.

9. Fairfield, p. 288.

10. Fairfield12 did not report a last name, but another article suggests that his last name was Hicks.11

11. "Indian Difficulties Anticipated in Honey Lake Valley." In: Nevada Democrat, Nevada City, California (Apr. 5, 1862), p. 1.

12. Fairfield, p. 272.

13. Fairfield, p. 284.

14. "Indian Murder in Plumas." In: Nevada Democrat, Nevada City, California (July 31, 1862), p. 2.

15. "p. 3. From Fort Churchill." In: Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California (Jan. 24, 1863). The article incorrectly refers to Smoke Creek Station as "Snake Creek Station."

16. "Lieutenant Williams." In: Santa Cruz Sentinel, Santa Cruz, California (Feb. 7, 1863), p. 2.

17. "Lieut. Williams in Custody." In: Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California (Feb. 5, 1863), p. 2.

18. California Adjutant General's Office. Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867. 1890, p. 186.

19. "Dead Man Found." In: Gold Hill Daily News (Dec. 24, 1863), p. 1.

20. Fairfield21 quotes from the April 15, 1865, Humboldt Register,102 but the paper uses "Leech" and Fairfield uses "Litch." Not much is known about Andrew Litch or Leech.

21. Fairfield, p. 368.

22. "An Expressman Missing." In: Weekly Union Record, Oroville, California (Mar. 11, 1865), p. 2.

23. "Indian Troubles on the Humboldt." In: Gold Hill Daily News (Mar. 27, 1865), p. 2.

24. "Pioneer Reminisces." In: Surprise Valley Record, Cedarville, California (July 25, 1928).

25. Fred S. Cook. History of Modoc County. California Traveler, 1973, p. 94.

26. Thomas Wren. History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People. 1904.

27. Robert Lewers. "History of Nevada." In: Weekly Nevada State Journal, Reno (Nov. 14, 1896), p. 3.

28. Sessions S. Wheeler. Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Caldwell, ID: Caxton Press, 1978, Appendix B.

29. Almond B. Wells. "Reports: No. 1 - Capt. Almond B. Wells, First Nevada Cavalry." In: War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate Armies L.I (1897), pp. 403–404.

30. "Death of Sarah Winnemucca." In: Central Nevadan, Battle Mountain (Nov. 5, 1891), p. 3.

31. Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins. Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1883, pp. 77–78.

32. Gregory Michno. The Deadliest Indian War in the West. Caldwell, ID: Caxton Press, 2007, p. 88.

33. "Fort Churchill Dispatch." In: Gold Hill Daily News (Mar. 24, 1865), p. 2.

34. Philip Dodd Smith Jr. "The Sagebrush Soldiers." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 5.3-4 (Fall-Winter 1962). Ed. by Mrs. Andy Welliver, p. 62.

35. Sessions S. Wheeler. The Nevada Desert. Caldwell, ID: Caxton Press, 1971, Appendix B.

36. Fairfield writes "Waldron," Michno writes "Walden"103?

37. Fairfield, p. 369.

38. "Local News." In: Weekly Union Record, Oroville, California (May 13, 1865), p. 3.

39. Daniel C. B. Rathbun. Nevada Military Place Names of the Indian Wars and Civil War. Yucca Tree Press, 2001.

40. "Indian Troubles." In: Gold Hill Daily News (May 8, 1865), p. 2.

41. "Indian Troubles." In: Daily Bee, Sacramento (May 19, 1865), p. 2.

42. Wheeler includes the postscript to a letter stating the event happened at "Soldjers Medows" on June 24.43

43. Wheeler. 1978, p. 114.

44. Fairfield, p. 387.

45. Robert Amesbury. Nobles' Emigrant Trail. Lassen Litho, 1967.

46. William S. Brown. "Northwestern Nevada - Land of Enchantment." pp 17, 22. In: Sacramento Bee (Mar. 11, 1931).

47. The precise location of Cedar Station is unknown. The cattle wandered south over Antelope Mountain, suggesting that the route was over the present-day Pioneer Road and Imlay Summit, rather than passing over the more southerly route via Antelope Summit. Fairfield writes that the teams "were approaching Cedar springs, thirteen miles from Rabbit Hole springs," which suggests that Cedar Station was at Cedar Springs, located south of the present-day Pioneer Road.

48. Major G. W. Ingalls. The History of Nevada. Ed. by Sam P. Davis. Vol. 1. 1913. Chap. Indians of Nevada, p. 174.

49. Dog Town is likely present-day Magalia.

50. "The Murder of Bellew." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Nov. 18, 1865).

51. Andy Mark. Stories of the Humboldt Wagon Road. 2020.

52. Fairfield, pp. 375–376.

53. "The Indians on the Honey Lake Road." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Nov. 11, 1865).

54. Wheeler. 1978, p. 118.

55. Myron Angel and David F. Myrick. Reproduction of Thompson and West's History of Nevada. 1958, p. 174.

56. Sessions Wheeler quotes the Humboldt Register as stating that Osmer's group traveled "30 miles in a northwesterly direction" from Jackson's Ranch.54 Thirty air miles northwest of Jackson Creek Ranch is near Summit Lake, which would be too far, so it is likely that they took an indirect route. Michno104 and Rathbun39 both suggest that the battle happened at present-day Leonard Creek at the southern edge of the Pine Forest Range at the north end of the Black Rock Desert.

57. Wheeler writes that the poison was prepared by killing an animal, typically a deer, inducing rattlesnakes to bite the liver, burying the liver, then applying the results to arrows.105

58. "A Brilliant Fight by Lieut. Osmer." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Nov. 25, 1865).

59. Tim Purdy writes that O'Connell was buried at Smoke Creek,106 and wrote in an email that he found the information in the military daily dispatches. A November 25, 1865, Humboldt Register article says he was buried at Dun Glen with military honors.58

60. "Caught the Devils." In: Chico Weekly Courant, Chico, California (Dec. 9, 1865), p. 2.

61. A caracole is a half turn by a mounted horse.

62. "Tom's Pale Horse." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Dec. 30, 1865).

63. Fairfield. Fairfield incorrectly quotes the 1865-12-30 Humboldt Register concerning "Black Rock Tom's Pale Horse.", p. 378.

64. Wheeler. 1971, p. 85.

65. Wheeler. 1978, pp. 123–124.

66. Present-day Quinn River Valley.

67. Near the junction of present-day NV 140 and US 95.

68. "A Gallant Fight in Fish Creek Valley." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Jan. 20, 1866), p. 1.

69. Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada. Numa, a Northern Paiute History. 1976, p. 26.

70. Ferol Egan. Sand in a Whirlwind: The Paiute Indian War of 1860. University of Nevada Press, 1972, p. 83.

71. Fariss and Smith. Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. 1882, p. 379.

72. The treaty provided "for the peaceful settlement of all difficulties that arose, and the punishment of the offenders, whether white or Indian."71

73. Frank Belto was discharged from Smoke Creek on May 8, 1866, with a "disability".

74. "The Indian Battle in Surprise Valley—Eighty-One Killed." In: Daily Alta California, San Francisco (Mar. 18, 1866), p. 1.

75. Fairfield, p. 393.

76. Fairfield has several anecdotes about Smoke Creek Sam.

77. Hubert Howe Bancroft. History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888. The History Company, 1890, pp. 220–221.

78. "An Aboriginal Banner." In: Daily Bee, Sacramento (June 25, 1866), p. 3.

79. Fairfield, p. 430.

80. In 1867, McGarry locked himself into a room at a San Francisco hotel. The next morning, he was found dead with his throat cut and a pen knife nearby. McGarry was known to have a problem with alcohol, and it was thought that he had gone temporarily insane.107

81. "Homicide." In: Daily Union Vedette, Camp Douglas, Utah (Aug. 15, 1867), p. 1.

82. Registers of Deaths in the Regular Army, Compiled 1860–1889. June 1867-June 1868. Vol. 2. The National Archives in Washington, DC, 1889, p. 151.

83. "Homicide." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Aug. 3, 1867), p. 3.

84. Herbert M. Hart. Old Forts of the Far West. Superior Publishing Co., Seattle, 1965, p. 144.

85. Carlson108 cites Ruhlen109 who cites Mack History of Nevada which allegedly states that McKee was abandoned in 1866. Hart says McKee was abandoned in 1868.84 As Sweeney was stationed at McKee in 1867, it seems it was abandoned in 1868.

86. "Narrow Escape from Indians." In: Weekly Butte Record, Oroville, California (July 28, 1866), p. 3.

87. Fairfield, p. 401.

88. "Route to Owyhee and Montana." In: Chico Weekly Courant, Chico, California (Mar. 3, 1866), p. 2.

89. "Idaho Stage Road." In: Chico Weekly Courant, Chico, California (July 7, 1866), p. 2.

90. "The Shortest and Best Route to Ruby City, Idaho." In: Weekly Butte Record, Oroville, California (May 5, 1866), p. 3.

91. "Murder." In: Shasta Courier, Shasta, California (Nov. 23, 1867), p. 2.

92. Fairfield, p. 414.

93. Fairfield, p. 415.

94. Fairfield, p. 416.

95. "A Big Strike." In: Chico Weekly Courant, Chico, California (Dec. 20, 1867), p. 2.

96. Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914. Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls; NAID: 575272; Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's-1917, Record Group 94; The National Archives in Washington, DC. 1866, p. 270.

97. "More Indian Murders." In: The Daily Examiner, San Francisco (Aug. 16, 1869), p. 3.

98. J. M. Lee. Annual Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year Ended. Tech. rep. Office of Indian Affairs, Sept. 1, 1870, p. 109.

99. "Judge Lynch Around—Fell Dead." In: Quincy National, Plumas County (). As reported in the November 20, 1869 Daily Examiner, San Francisco., p. 3.

100. Our Communities. University of Nevada, Reno Office of Indigenous Relations. Jan. 6, 2025.

101. Peggy McGuckian Jones. Emigrant Trails in the Black Rock Desert. Tech. rep. 6. Bureau of Land Management, Apr. 1980.

102. "The Butchery at Granite Creek Station." In: Humboldt Register, Unionville (Apr. 15, 1865).

103. Michno, p. 83.

104. Michno, p. 133.

105. Wheeler. 1971, Appendix A.

106. Tim Purdy. Smoke Creek's Military Cemetery. tipurdy.org. May 3, 2022.

107. "Horrible Suicide of an Army Officer." In: The Daily Examiner, San Francisco (Dec. 31, 1867), p. 3.

108. Helen S. Carlson. Nevada Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary. University of Nevada Press, 1974.

109. Colonel George Ruhlen. "Early Nevada Forts." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 7.3-4 (1964).

1870-1898: Bloodshed and Accidents

1. R. L. Fulton. "Nevada Sulphur Deposits." In: Engineering and Mining Journal LCVIII.3 (July 15, 1899), p. 64.

2. "The Sulphur Mine Murder." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 21, 1875), p. 3.

3. "The Murder of Sharp." In: Daily Evening Leader, Stockton (Apr. 27, 1875), p. 3.

4. "From Winnemucca. The Sulphur Mine Horror." In: Gold Hill Daily News (Apr. 26, 1875), p. 3.

5. Sean Elisabeth McMurry. "Dig in! The Historical Archaeology of Gendered Foodways in Sulphur, Nevada, 1909-1959." Ph.D. Thesis. University of Nevada Reno, Dec. 2011.

6. "Shipping Sulphur." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 2, 1875), p. 4.

7. "An Oaklander in Sulphur." In: Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California (Apr. 10, 1875), p. 3.

8. "Horrible Butchery." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 20, 1875), p. 3.

9. "Reno in 1878 Conducted Its First and Only Public Execution in the Courthouse Yard." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Aug. 15, 1954), p. 8.

10. "Murder in the First Degree." In: Daily Nevada State Journal, Reno (June 19, 1877), p. 3.

11. "Stay of Execution." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 20, 1877), p. 3.

12. "Rover No More!" In: Daily Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 20, 1878), p. 3.

13. "J. W. Rover Death Notice." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 20, 1878), p. 3.

14. Eilley Orrum Bowers was the one-time owner of the Bowers Mansion near Reno.

15. "Slightly Mistaken." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 24, 1899), p. 1.

16. Loren B. Chan. "The Chinese in Nevada: An Historical Survey, 1856-1970." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 25.4 (Winter 1982), pp. 266–314.

17. J. P. Marden. The History of Winnemucca. cprr.org. 2005.

18. In Chinese, "Ah" is not a name; it is a modifier to a name. In this case, it was either a sign of respect or a diminutive modification of the following name.

19. "Struggle with a Lunatic." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (June 16, 1879), p. 3.

20. "A Big Business." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Sept. 17, 1879), p. 3.

21. Glenn County, California, is named for Dr. Glenn when it was created in 1891 from portions of Colusa County.

22. Giles French. Cattle Country of Peter French. Portland, Oregon: Binford & Mort, 1964, p. 21.

23. Hubert Howe Bancroft. History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888. The History Company, 1890, p. 248.

24. "Chinese Funeral." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (July 1, 1879), p. 3.

25. Possibly Mary Holloway or Holaway.

26. Probably the Bartlett Creek ranch, about 19 miles north.

27. In 1993, J. P. Marden raised questions without further evidence about the incident concerning John's knife wounds, and how Won was able to choke Sarah with a heavy Henry rifle in his hand, and that if Won had a gun then why did he not kick the locked doors down and shoot the family. Marden suggests that Won might have been fighting for his life rather than being the attacker.35

28. It is likely that Won's remains were temporarily buried in the Chinese Cemetery located near the present-day Northern Nevada Historical Society Museum.

29. "p. 12. Death on the Desert." In: San Francisco Chronicle (Aug. 11, 1889).

30. "Died on the Desert." In: Weekly Gazette and Stockman, Reno (Aug. 8, 1889), p. 1.

31. "Died on the Desert." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Aug. 13, 1889), p. 3.

32. The article states it was a gold mine, whereas Hardin claimed to have found a silver mine.

33. "Fourth and Last Trip." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 24, 1889), p. 3.

34. "Exhausted on a Desert." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Aug. 29, 1898), p. 3.

35. J. P. Marden. "Trouble at Paiute Meadows." In: 1993.

The Black Rock

1. The name was changed to the Nevada State Hospital for Mental Diseases in 1895.14 In 1973, the name was changed to the Nevada Mental Health Institute. In 2025, the location was home to the Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services (NNAMHS) and Lake's Crossing Center for Mentally Disordered Offenders.

2. "A Big Building." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 10, 1881), p. 3.

3. A. Dawson. "Nevada Insane Asylum." In: Weekly Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 3, 1883), p. 2.

4. S. C. Gibson. Report of the Superintendent of the Nevada Hospital for Mental Diseases 1903-1904. Jan. 19, 1905, p. 38.

5. S. Bishop. "Insane Asylum: Annual Report for 1883." In: Weekly Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 1, 1884), p. 4.

6. Nevada State Hospital. The Historical Marker Database (hmdb.org). Aug. 12, 2024.

7. S. C. Gibson, p. 12.

8. Investigation of the Charges Preferred by Wm. Thompson Against Dr. S. Bishop. Nevada State Printing Office, May 3, 1887.

9. Ellen Pillard. "Nevada's Treatment of the Mentally Ill, 1882-1961." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 22.2 (Summer 1979), pp. 87, 92.

10. Frank Johnson. "Scientific Care and Kindness at Nevada's State Hospital Help Make Up for Shortages." pp 4, 5. In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 8, 1953).

11. "California Man Suffocates in Gerlach Jail." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 10, 1953), p. 10.

12. "Ex-Stockton Patient Dies in Jail Fire." In: Stockton Record (Apr. 11, 1953), p. 17.

13. "Gerlach Death Inquest is Held." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 11, 1953), p. 2.

14. "The State Legislature. Seventeenth Session. Fifty-First Day's Proceedings." In: Daily Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 13, 1895), p. 3.

The 1895 Limbo Murders: A Dark Tale of Poisoning, Betr

1. Indenturing children was an early form of adoption, which gave the child certain rights but also meant that the child was not necessarily an heir to the estate but received care in exchange for house or farm work.

2. His first name was spelled several ways: "Monic," "Monico," and "Monica." His last name was spelled "Echeverria" and "Escheverria."

3. "Probable Double Murder." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Nov. 25, 1895), p. 3.

4. "Mysterious Double Murder." In: Wadsworth Dispatch (Nov. 27, 1895), p. 4.

5. "Five Men Narrowly Escape an Awful Death on Account of the Dastardly Act." In: Daily Nevada State Journal, Reno (Oct. 22, 1895), p. 2.

6. A 1954 Nevada Department of Transportation map indicates that Cowles Ranch was on the east side of the Selenite Range , north of Mount Limbo. Mount Limbo is in the Selenite Range, located south of present-day Empire and north of Winnemucca Lake.

7. "The Limbo Tragedy." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Nov. 29, 1895), p. 3.

8. The Wadsworth paper tells it differently and reports Ewing brought Messer's body back and that a surgeon discovered the bullet wounds.4

9. "The Coroner's Inquest." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Nov. 30, 1895), p. 3.

10. Probably present-day San Emidio Canyon.

11. Interestingly, the Wadsworth paper has an estray notice by R. H. Cowles stating that a horse appeared on September 16 at his Limbo ranch. The horse was a light brown and was branded on its left hip. Could this be the horse claimed by Laird?

12. Probably Rob Dave.

13. "The Murder Case." In: Wadsworth Dispatch (Dec. 4, 1895), p. 4.

14. At the time, this was in Humboldt County, as Pershing County was not created until 1919.

15. "Examination of Echeverria." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Dec. 9, 1895), p. 3.

16. "Examination of Echeverria." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Dec. 11, 1895), p. 3.

17. The location of White Horse Camp is unknown.

18. "Examination of Echeverria." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Dec. 12, 1895), p. 3.

19. "Examination of Echeverria." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Dec. 13, 1895), p. 3.

20. Possibly Wild Horse Canyon on the east side of the Smoke Creek Desert.

21. Nugent Ranch was on the west side of Winnemucca Lake about 40 miles north of Wadsworth. Cowles testified that Nugent's was about 25 miles from the Limbo ranch house.

22. Hells Kitchen Canyon is located on the east shore of Pyramid Lake, about seven miles southwest of San Emidio Spring.

23. "Examination of Echeverria." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Dec. 14, 1895), p. 3.

24. "The Double Murder Case." In: Wadsworth Dispatch (Dec. 21, 1895), p. 1.

25. "The Limbo Murderer Confesses." In: Wadsworth Dispatch (Jan. 18, 1896), p. 4.

26. The 1895 Pyramid Lake Paiute Census indicates that Frank Jones' wife was Jennie.

27. "Buster's Confession." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Jan. 20, 1896), p. 3.

28. "The Limbo Murder." In: Wadsworth Dispatch (Jan. 22, 1896), p. 4.

29. "Johnny Buster Guilty." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Jan. 18, 1896), p. 3.

30. "This and That." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Jan. 24, 1896), p. 3.

31. "Local News and Items of a General Nature." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 18, 1896), p. 3.

32. "Death Sentence Passed." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 16, 1897), p. 3.

33. "This and That." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Mar. 6, 1897), p. 3.

34. "Sentence Commuted." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 9, 1897), p. 3.

35. "This and That." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Mar. 17, 1897), p. 3.

36. "Several Paroles Granted. Others Awaiting Their Turn. Sixty Cases to Be Heard." In: Carson City Daily Appeal (July 10, 1911), p. 1.

37. "class=" tcrm-1000">$1000.00 Reward for Conviction of Man Accused of Horse Stealing." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 4, 1907), p. 1.

38. Sheepshead was named after a nearby spring where the head of a mountain sheep was nailed to a tree.

39. "Sheriff Believes Ed Laird Murdered." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 30, 1917), p. 3.

40. "Murder is Verdict of Jury in Case of Ed Laird." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 28, 1917), p. 8.

Killings at Little High Rock and Rabbit Creek

1. Kenneth D. Scott. Frozen Grass. 1960.

2. Effie Mona Mack. The Indian Massacre of 1911 at Little High Rock Canyon, Nevada. Western Printing and Publishing Company, 1968.

3. Dayton O. Hyde. The Last Free Man: The True Story Behind the Massacre of Shoshone Mike and His Band of Indians - the Indian Massacre of 1911 at Little High Rock Canyon, Nevada. Dial Press, 1973.

4. Richard W. Etulain. "Anglo-American Contributions to Basque Studies: Essays in Honor of Jon Bilbao." In: ed. by William A. Douglass, Richard W. Etulain, and William H. Jacobsen Jr. 13. Desert Research Institute Publications on Social Services, 1977. Chap. The Basques in Western North American Literature, pp. 7–18.

5. David Río. "Challenging Conventional Recreations of the Western Past: Frank Bergon's Shoshone Mike." In: International Fiction Review 34.1 (2007).

6. Frank Bergon. Shoshone Mike. Viking Adult, 1987.

7. Les Sweeney. Only One Survived. Kitchen Table Publishing, 2019.

8. Mort West. "Letter Describing the Incident." In: Modoc County Historical Society Journal 25 (2003).

9. Frank Vernon Perry. "The Last Indian Uprising in the United States." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly (Winter 1972), pp. 23–38.

10. Robert F. Murray and Yolanda Murphy. "Handbook of North American Indians." In: ed. by Warren L. d'Azevedo. Vol. 11. Smithsonian Institution, 1986. Chap. Northern Shoshone and Bannock, p. 284.

11. Barry Pritzker. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture and Peoples. Oxford University Press, 2000, p. 223.

12. "Donnelley Relates Realistic Story of Fight with Indians." pp 1, 3. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 4, 1911).

13. Frank Bergon. "Shaping the Past: The Search for Shoshone Mike." In: Vassar Quarterly 84.1 (Dec. 1, 1987), pp. 16–18.

14. "Former Scout Talks with Captured Squaw." In: Sacramento Bee (Mar. 6, 1911), p. 7.

15. Major G. W. Ingalls. The History of Nevada. Ed. by Sam P. Davis. Vol. 1. 1913. Chap. Indians of Nevada, pp. 121–126.

16. Nevada Supreme Court. Smith V. State, 38 Nev. 477. 1915, pp. 477–483.

17. Mike was known as Rock Creek Mike,14 Salmon River Mike, Indian Mike, and Idaho Mike.3

18. A March 5, 1911, article in the Sacramento Bee incorrectly states that they lived at another Rock Creek in Northern Elko County.14

19. Francis X. Mullen. "1A, 4A. Shoshone Mike: New Theories Emerge 100 Years After Last Massacre." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Feb. 20, 2011).

20. Frank Bergon. Personal communication. Jan. 10, 2024.

21. Frank Bergon. Shoshone Mike's Family Tree and History. Box 4, Folder 31, in Frank Bergon Literary and Pictorial Collection, Jon Bilbao Basque Library, University of Nevada, Reno.

22. George Knapp. Nevada Uncovered: The Legend of Shoshone Mike. KLAS, Las Vegas. July 22, 2011.

23. Gay and Frank Tranmer were brothers who were known to Mike. Frank Dopp and the Daggett children probably knew each other. Frank Tranmer was incorrectly reported killed on May 10, 1910.

24. "Indian Squaw Tells of Seventeen Deaths She Has Witnessed." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 10, 1911), p. 1.

25. The name of the person who was killed is somewhat confusing. Sweeney quotes a statement by Gay Tranmer that states that Charlie Daggett was killed (pp. 59-63). Sweeney also includes a 1911 letter from C. H Asbury, superintendent of the Indian school at Carson, that states that Jack was killed (p. 430). On p. 431, Sweeney states that he believes that Jack was killed. Hyde states that Jack was killed.

26. A 2020 paper analyzed the Daggetts' arrow fins (fletching) and found that at least some of the feathers were from birds found in Northern California and not in Nevada. The feathers could have been obtained via trade, or the Daggetts could have traveled to Northern California.14, 109

27. "Indian Captive Tells of Tragedy." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 27, 1911), p. 1.

28. Imlay is located about 130 miles northeast of Reno.

29. Tranmer and Urie were convicted of committing the Imlay murders. They were offered the choice of hanging or firing squad; Tranmer selected facing a firing squad, and Urie selected hanging. Tranmer's sentence was commuted in 1916, which meant that Nevada's only execution by firing squad occurred in 1913 as punishment for Andriza Mircovich. Tranmer died of a stroke in prison in 1918. Urie's sentence was commuted in 1922.

30. One contemporary source states that the Daggett band killed a Chinese man in eastern Nevada.24

31. "Sheriff Ferrell is Home from Chase of Brutal Indian Band." pp 1, 8. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 2, 1911).

32. "Lakeview People Nearly Perished." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 20, 1911), p. 1.

33. The word is based on "payinappih," the Shoshone word for the ice fog.

34. "Reno Lad Saved from Death Through Nibbling of Horse After Being Lost in Storm." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 23, 1911), p. 1.

35. On January 19, Burrus' parents tried to take the train from Reno to Amedee, but snow drifts forced the train back. They eventually chartered a train to retrieve their son. After the death, the father sued the railroad because the chartered train was used for other purposes, resulting in significant delays after picking up their son instead of returning directly to Reno. The suit was eventually settled for class="tcrm-1000">$10,000 (worth about class="tcrm-1000">$330,000 in 2025).111

36. Denio Camp, sometimes called Camp Denio or Denio's, is located about 30 air miles east of Eagleville. Denio Camp should not be confused with the town of Denio, which straddles the Nevada-Oregon border.

37. "That Outlaws Killed Men is Strong Belief." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 10, 1911), p. 1.

38. However, a later interview with one of the surviving Daggetts states that Indiano came upon the Daggetts when they were butchering the cattle and that Indiano was driven away.27

39. "Asks for Damages." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (June 11, 1910), p. 7.

40. "Four Stockmen Frozen to Death." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 8, 1911), p. 1.

41. "Stockmen Brutally Murdered." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 12, 1911), p. 1.

42. Mullen says February 10, Sweeney says February 9, West says February 10.

43. West and Mack state that there were two teepee frames. Hyde found the remains of only one teepee. The photo shows only one frame. Sweeney states that there was no room for two teepees.

44. "Second Posse Has Departed in Pursuit of Outlaw Band." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 21, 1911), p. 2.

45. Variously reported as weighing 500 to 600 pounds (February 2, 1911, Reno Evening Gazette), about a ton or more (Perry, 1972), and several tons (Mack).

46. G. L. Matthews. Photographs. Fritz Buckingham collection, Paradise Valley Folklife Project collection, 1978-1982, AFC 1991/021. American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

47. "Outlaws Killed." In: New Era, Alturas, California (Mar. 22, 1911), p. 1.

48. "Sheepmen Are Killed by Indians." In: Humboldt Star, Winnemucca (Feb. 17, 1911), p. 1.

49. Hyde and Mack state the bodies were buried in Eagleville on the 14th.

50. "8 Indians Killed." In: Carson City Daily Appeal (Feb. 27, 1911), p. 1.

51. The intro appears in Sweeney, but not the 1911 article.

52. This paragraph appears in Sweeney and Mack, but not the 1911 article. Sweeney and Mack have slightly different texts.

53. Mack says right rib.

54. Misspelled "Erramauspe" in the 1911 article.

55. Period missing in the 1911 article.

56. Misspelled "cuting" in the 1911 article.

57. Misspelled "Indiana" in the 1911 article.

58. "last named" in the 1911 article.

59. Period missing in the 1911 article.

60. "Posse on Trail of Brutal Murderers." pp 1, 2. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 13, 1911).

61. A February 13 article states that a Basque sheep herder heard gunshots on January 19 at Little High Rock and fled to Granite Creek. Due to the language barrier, the sheep herder was unable to convince the people at Granite Creek of the magnitude of the event, and the sheep herder was given a saddle horse and went back to his camp.60

62. Davis wrote "A man named Van Dormand, who saw the Indians, is with the posse and can positively identify them."15 "Van Dormand" was probably a typo for "Van Norman." O. D. Van Norman was likely the last White survivor of the shootout near Rabbit Creek, he died in 1981 at age 105.

63. C. Byrne and "Merril Pressia" were listed as additional posse members by the Alturas newspaper.47 They were from Paradise Valley, located north of Winnemucca. Mack states that their names were Charles Byrnes and Merrill "Merle" Prussia.

64. A 1911 article referred to the area as Soldier Meadow; the present-day ranch is called Soldier Meadows.

65. "February Was a Cold Month." In: Humboldt Star, Winnemucca (Mar. 3, 1911), p. 1.

66. Mack incorrectly refers to Selah Graham Lamb as "Ralph Lamb".

67. "Posse Hopes to Intercept Murderers." pp 1, 6. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 24, 1911).

68. "Posses Reach Winnemucca and Continue Chase After Indians." In: Humboldt Star, Winnemucca (Feb. 24, 1911), p. 1.

69. "Coroner's Jury Completes Labors." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Mar. 7, 1911), p. 1.

70. There is some confusion about precisely when Lamb and the posse went to Winnemucca. Newspaper articles state that Lamb and some of the posse went to Winnemucca on the 23rd. Sweeney states that they went on the 22nd. Perry states that they returned from Winnemucca on the 23rd.

71. "Indians May Have Been Located." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 25, 1911), p. 1.

72. "Band of Murderous Shoshones Wiped Out by Posse." pp 1, 4. In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 28, 1911).

73. Perry writes that "Donnelly" was at Willow Point Station.9

74. "Squaw Confesses, Tells Story Murder of 4 Sheep-Men." pp 1, 5. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 28, 1911).

75. Appendix to Journals of Senate and Assembly. Vol. 3. Nevada State Printing Office, 1913. Chap. Report of the General Investigating Committee, p. 37.

76. In 1913, Donnelley testified that he stayed "about two miles" from Stewart Ranch, though at the 1911 Daggett inquest, he testified he stayed at Willow Point.

77. Reported as 10 am by Perry, 11:40 am by Cambron, and noon by Donnelley.12, 47 , 9

78. Frank Perry stated that the battle started at about 400 yards, and as there was a snow and sleet blizzard, a conversation between Pascal and the band would have been impossible.9

79. However, the March 2, 1911 Reno Evening Gazette quotes Dave Staunton , who was not present as stating that "The posse fired about 500 shots and Indians about 150 in addition to 300 arrows."31 It is doubtful that the Daggett band had that many bullets or arrows.

80. Today, the most common name for the shootings at Rabbit Creek is "The Battle of Kelley Creek," which is a misnomer as the battle occurred at Rabbit Creek, not at the Kelley or Kelly Creek Ranch. The first use of "The Battle of Kelley Creek" appears in the 1911 newspapers.

81. "Young Squaw Will Not Speak to Captors." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 2, 1911), p. 8.

82. "Local and Personal." In: Alturas Plaindealer, Alturas, California (Mar. 10, 1911), p. 3.

83. In July, 1934, the skeletons of a man and his horse were found at the bottom of a rock slide, 6 miles north of Gerlach. The man's rifle was a muzzle-loader, which suggested that the accident had occurred a long time ago, perhaps during the emigrant days.112, 113 It could be that these are the bones of Jerry Marsh. Local lore suggests that Skull Meadow , located in the Granite Range, is named for this incident.114

84. Sheriff Ferrell states in a February 11, 1911 article that Pat "Russel," a wanted horse thief and robber, could have been involved.115

85. Mack and Hyde use Heney. Sweeney uses Henny. Bergon uses Henie. In general, we use the name reported in the source.

86. "‘Snake' Runs Away from the Stewart School." In: Tonopah Daily Bonanza (Sept. 13, 1911), p. 2.

87. "Battle Between Posses and Indians May Be Expected at Any Hour This Afternoon." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 27, 1911), p. 1.

88. "Tells How Battle Was Fought and Won." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 2, 1911), p. 8.

89. "Mother Seeking Share of Reward." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 13, 1911), p. 6.

90. Photographs. Fritz Buckingham collection, Paradise Valley Folklife Project collection, 1978-1982, AFC 1991/021. American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. 1911.

91. "Indian Reward Money to Be Paid Posse." In: Carson City Daily Appeal (July 13, 1911), p. 1.

92. Appendix to Journals of Senate and Assembly. Vol. 3. Nevada State Printing Office, 1913. Chap. Report of the General Investigating Committee, p. 37.

93. Appendix to Journals of Senate and Assembly. Vol. 3. Nevada State Printing Office, 1913. Chap. Report of the General Investigating Committee, p. 43.

94. It is unclear whether Mary Jo was formally adopted or not. Most sources indicate that she was adopted, as noted in a 1916 source.116 However, a January 30, 1917 letter from Major Estep states, "She has not been legally adopted and will not be."117

95. AP Wire. "‘It's Unreal,' Massacre Survivor Says." In: Los Angeles Times (June 19, 1975), p. 3.

96. Nicholas K. Geranios. "Survivor Returns to Site of Last Indian Massacre." In: Los Angeles Times (Sept. 18, 1988), p. 26.

97. Nicholas K. Geranios. "Probers Delve Into Woman's Death After Wrong Medication." In: Seattle Times (Mar. 16, 1993), p. 10.

98. William Kent and Aleš Hrdlička. "Letter from William Kent to Charles Doolittle Walcott Including a Letter from Aleš Hrdlička." Mar. 3, 1919.

99. Kent was an anti-immigration politician and conversationist. He and his wife donated land that became Muir Woods National Monument. Kentfield, California, is named for Kent's father.

100. Hyde (p. 229) also buried some of the bones at Gollaher Mountain.

101. Inventory and Assessment of Native American Human Remains from the Western Great Basin, Nevada Sector, in the National Museum of Natural History. Repatriation Office, Smithsonian Institute. 2007.

102. Corbin Harney and Tom Goldtooth. The Nature Way. Ed. by Alex Purbrick. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2009, p. 35.

103. Bureau of Land Management. Twin Creeks Mine : Final Environmental Impact Statement, V. 1. Tech. rep. Dec. 1996, pp. 2–54.

104. "Men Murdered." In: New Era, Alturas, California (Feb. 15, 1911), p. 1.

105. Philip I. Earl was a Nevadan historian and author. He was the Curator of History at the Nevada Historical Society in Reno. He and his wife Jean documented tree carvings made by Basque sheepherders.

106. Francis X. Mullen. "1A, 4A. Memorial to a Massacre." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Apr. 23, 2005).

107. Lee P. Brumbaugh. "Through the Lens of History: The Native American Photograph Collection of the Nevada Historical Society." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 51.3 (2008), p. 238.

108. Ed Vogel. "Shoshone Mike's Story Endures After a Century." In: Las Vegas Review-Journal (Mar. 2, 2014).

109. Evan Pellegrini. "Identifying Avian Species Used to Fletch Arrows from the " Shoshone Mike" Daggett Massacre Site, Kelly Creek, Humboldt County, Nevada." In: Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 40.1 (2020), pp. 39–51.

110. Mack, p. 140, includes a letter stating that twelve people were in the band in the summer of 1909.

111. "Reno Man Said to Have Been Badly Frozen." pp 1, 2. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 11, 1911).

112. "Old Skeletons of Man and Horse Found." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 3, 1934), p. 10.

113. "Skeletons of Man and Horse Found in Nevada." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 4, 1934), p. 2.

114. Margie Reynolds. Personal communication. Sept. 15, 2025.

115. "4 Men Murdered." pp 1, 2. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 11, 1911).

116. "Three of the Little Ones." In: Missions: An International Baptist Magazine 7.11 (1916). Ed. by Howard Benjamin Grose, p. 885.

117. Major Evan W. Estep. "Memorandum for Dr. Wooster." Box 4, folder 31, Mosho Family history, Frank Bergon Literary and Pictorial Collection, Jon Bilbao Basque Library, University of Nevada, Reno.

Gerlach's Only Cemetery

1. Christina Preston. Skeekie "Lena" Courtney Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. Apr. 5, 2016.

2. Christina Preston. Gary Horton Notes. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

3. "Buried 'em With Their Boots On." In: Eagle Rock Sentinel, Los Angeles (Jan. 13, 1927), p. 4.

4. No other mention of Martha Herlin from that era in the region was found. Herlin is an uncommon surname; Herline is more common. There was a Martha Herline in Winnemucca around that time, who died in Idaho at age 80 in 1932.

5. "Residents of Gerlach Like to Think of It as One of the Last Genuine Frontier Towns." pp 5, 7. In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 26, 1953).

6. Christina Preston. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. Tech. rep. University of California, Davis, 2016.

7. "Starvation Causes Death at Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 5, 1915), p. 5.

8. The area was known as Hualipi in the early 1900s and later became Hualapai.45

9. "Jeff Brown." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 45-148. Feb. 12, 1945.

10. "Ned Leslie Martin." Commitment Registers, Vol. 17-18, 1907-1909, Record 17154, page 176. Nov. 24, 1914.

11. "Ned Leslie Martin." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 17-001106. Dec. 23, 1917.

12. "Erroll Warren." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 19-000279. Mar. 28, 1919.

13. "Erroll J. Warren is Buried at Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 20, 1919), p. 8.

14. "Gerlach News." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (June 1, 1924), p. 12.

15. Jack Heward was likely the son of John Henry Heward , who died in 1920.

16. "Rancher Dies in Accident." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 2, 1926), p. 8.

17. "John Casey." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 26-000168. Mar. 10, 1926.

18. "Gerlach News." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 15, 1925), p. 9.

19. "Ella Vener." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 26-000339. May 6, 1926.

20. "George Brown." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 26-000428. May 11, 1926.

21. "H. S. Cogan, Alias " Shorty Walker"." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 29-000716. July 10, 1929.

22. "E. Perez, or Perrez." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 29-001250. Dec. 27, 1929.

23. "Robert George Bolton." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 30-000093. Jan. 13, 1930.

24. "Second Round of Ammunition Used in Man's Suicide." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 4, 1932), p. 3.

25. "Walter M. Cahill." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 32-000592. May 2, 1932.

26. "W. T. Scott Butler." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 32-000723. June 21, 1932.

27. "Scott Butler Dies in Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 25, 1932), p. 12.

28. "Gerlach Building Destroyed by Fire." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 3, 1925), p. 1.

29. "Aneta Ross." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 35-001011. Sept. 29, 1935.

30. "Joe Snoderly." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 38-000726. July 12, 1938.

31. "Baby Williams." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 40-850. Aug. 28, 1940.

32. "Body Recovered from Pool in Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 8, 1940), p. 8.

33. "John Lacey." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 41-1085. Oct. 28, 1941.

34. "Mike Rogosich." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 2, 1942), p. 14.

35. "Peter Mike Rogosich." Nevada State Department of Health certificate 42-563. Apr. 6, 1942.

36. "William Bigler." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 47-577. Apr. 26, 1947.

37. "Templeton Rice." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 7, 1963), p. 3.

38. Barbara Pargament. Templeton "Jack" Rice. findagrave.com. June 26, 2011.

39. Christina Preston. Cindy Carter Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

40. Mary Ellen Glass. Silas E. Ross: Recollections of Life at Glendale, Nevada, Work at the University of Nevada, and Western Funeral Practice. University of Nevada Oral History Program #040. Special Collections and University Archives Department, University of Nevada, Reno, 1970.

41. "Mrs. Emily Coffin Ross Lifetime Resident, Active in Civic Affairs Passes." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 6, 1958), p. 9.

42. Silas Earl Ross Papers. University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno. Apr. 26, 2025.

43. Puerperal fever is a bacteriological infection of a woman's reproductive organs after childbirth or miscarriage.

44. Christina Preston. Marjorie Schoenfeld Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

45. James Gamett and Stanley W. Paher. Nevada Post Offices: An

The Train Always Wins

1. "First Postoffice on Western Pacific." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Oct. 19, 1909), p. 4.

2. George J Gould I, died of pneumonia in 1923. Gould was one of several individuals who died after visiting King Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt, thereby perpetuating the myth of "The Curse of the Pharaohs."

3. "class=" tcrm-1000">$18,000,000 Buys Western Pacific Road." In: San Francisco Chronicle (June 29, 1916), p. 11.

4. Oddly, Gerlach was also where the WP decided to change time zones. The first train employee time tables from January 1910 for the WP indicate that the eastern division was from Gerlach to Salt Lake City, where the trains operated on Mountain Time. The western division was from San Francisco to Gerlach, where trains operated on Pacific Time.66, 67 This unusual situation continued until January 1912, when the employee timetable for the entire route from San Francisco to Salt Lake City operated on Pacific Time. Gerlach remained the division point until 1931.68

5. "Gerlach Roundhouse Destroyed." In: Sacramento Bee (Oct. 31, 1914), p. 17.

6. "Roundhouse Started." In: Sacramento Bee (Aug. 21, 1915), p. 27.

7. "W. P. Roundhouse at Gerlach is Destroyed." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 23, 1927), p. 8.

8. "New Addition Made to W. P. Gerlach Passenger Station." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Sept. 19, 1911), p. 1.

9. Austin Metz. Gerlach: Washoe County. nvexpeditions.com.

10. W. E. Wieprecht. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/nomination Form: Gerlach Water Tower. June 12, 1981.

11. Christina Preston. Marjorie Schoenfeld Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

12. Western Pacific Railroad. Final Run Western Pacific Railroad's California Zephyr.

13. Western Pacific. The Vista-Dome California Zephyr Western Pacific Time Table. Jan. 1, 1969.

14. Doug McMillan. "Gerlach Residents Finally Will Own Their Town." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 23, 1975), p. 21.

15. The Haunted West. Narrated by Leslie Nielsen. Apr. 12, 1973.

16. "Brakeman Meets a Horrible Death." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 27, 1909), p. 8.

17. "First Fatality in Humboldt on W. P. Line." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Oct. 26, 1909), p. 1.

18. "Western Pacific." In: Daily Appeal, Marysville, California (Nov. 3, 1909), p. 4.

19. Peggy McGuckian Jones. Emigrant Trails in the Black Rock Desert. Tech. rep. 6. Bureau of Land Management, Apr. 1980.

20. Gregory Flynn Jr., Worth H. Percival, and F. Earl Heffner. "GMR Stirling Thermal Engine: Part of the Stirling Engine Story." In: SAE Transactions 68 (1960), pp. 665–684.

21. "Water Was Cause of W. P. Explosion." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 29, 1912), p. 2.

22. "Three Men Are Blown to Death." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 23, 1912), p. 1.

23. "Speaks of Disaster." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 24, 1912), p. 8.

24. "Western Pacific Engine Explodes." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 23, 1912), p. 1.

25. "Renewed Activity at Sulphur." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Mar. 5, 1910), p. 1.

26. "Sulphur Oil Land Located." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 16, 1919), p. 11.

27. "Explosion Laid to Bad Water." In: Daily Independent, Elko (Apr. 27, 1912), p. 3.

28. "Prospector is Killed." In: Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune (Nov. 7, 1914), p. 6.

29. "Lakeview Prospector Killed." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 29, 1914), p. 3.

30. "John Gares." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 18-000373. May 9, 1918.

31. "Unmailed Letter Causes Worry for Mother." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 19, 1918), p. 3.

32. "Morris." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 18, 1918), p. 4.

33. "Gares." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 22, 1918), p. 6.

34. "Railroad Brakeman Has Legs Severed; Dies from Injury." In: Plumas National Bulletin, Quincy, California (Nov. 15, 1923), p. 1.

35. "Officers to Find Box-Car Killer." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 22, 1927), p. 8.

36. "George Nelson." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 27-001099. Jan. 3, 1928.

37. "Coroner's Jury Gives Mystery Death Verdict." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 24, 1927), p. 8.

38. "Inquest is Held in Calneva Murders." In: Sacramento Bee (Dec. 26, 1927), p. 10.

39. "R. Alanis." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 27-001097. Jan. 3, 1928.

40. "Bloody Car is Only Clue to Double Death." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 22, 1927), p. 8.

41. A railway siding is a short track parallel to the main line. In the Black Rock Desert, sidings allow a train to pass another train.

42. Vic Neves. "What's in a Name? " Romance Along the Line of the W. P."" In: The Train Sheet 42 (March/April 1990), p. 16.

43. Randy McKnight, a retired railroad employee, stated that Floka is pronounced "FlowKay."

44. "Transient Killed by Railway Train." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Sept. 19, 1936), p. 7.

45. "Trains Collide: 1 Killed, 24 Hurt." In: Palo Alto Times, Palo Alto, California (Apr. 15, 1942), p. 1.

46. "Western Pacific's Exposition Flyer Wrecked in Northern Nevada." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 15, 1942), p. 16.

47. "2 Killed in W. P. Wreck." In: Post Enquirer, Oakland, California (Apr. 15, 1942), p. 1.

48. "Probe is Begun Into Train Crash That Killed One." In: Sacramento Bee (Apr. 15, 1942), p. 10.

49. Accident Near Antelope, Nev., on April 14, 1942. Tech. rep. 2580. Interstate Commerce Commission, June 10, 1942.

50. "John Clarence Harris." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 46-510. Apr. 30, 1946.

51. "W. P. Roadmaster Killed Near Gerlach." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 27, 1954), p. 14.

52. "Trainman Dies in Collision." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 27, 1954), p. 14.

53. Accident Near Sano, Nev., on March 26, 1954. Tech. rep. 3561. Interstate Commerce Commission, Apr. 21, 1954.

54. "Residents of Gerlach Like to Think of It as One of the Last Genuine Frontier Towns." pp 5, 7. In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 26, 1953).

55. "Gerlach Area Gets Ambulance." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Nov. 19, 1953), p. 7.

56. "Man is Fatally Injured by Train." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 7, 1954), p. 3.

57. "Drivers Lose Race with Death." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 6, 1954), p. 11.

58. "Man is Killed in Train Mishap." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 17, 1955), p. 14.

59. "Train Derailed at Gerlach." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Nov. 27, 1968), p. 6.

60. "Officials Get Pilfered Items Back from Train." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 3, 1968), p. 2.

61. Told to one of the authors by several residents.

62. Jack Stevenson. "Searchers Find Trainman's Body." pp 1, 10. In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 30, 1970).

63. Western Pacific Railroad Company, Floka, Nevada, March 28, 1970. Tech. rep. 4166. Federal Railroad Administration, June 21, 1971.

64. Michael Phillis and Phil Barber. "Death in the Desert." pp. 1A, 8A. Death in the Desert.]" In: Reno Gazette-Journal (May 21, 1991).

65. Bill O'Driscoll. "Railroad Worker Gets 2 Life Terms for Murders." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Mar. 14, 1992), p. 1C.

66. Western Pacific. Historical Railroad Maps & Timetables, Page 4: Collection of Sheldon Perry. 1910-01-16 WP Western Div. #1. wx4.org, Jan. 16, 1910.

67. "Gerlach to Elko for W. P. Enginemen." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Nov. 4, 1915), p. 1.

68. "Gerlach Division Point May Move." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 14, 1931), p. 4.

Bad Days at Black Rock: Accidents and Mishaps

1. "Gerlach Stretch Paving is Urged." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 5, 1951), p. 13.

2. "Gerlach Rodeo Plans Progress. Road to Reno Will Be Paved by June 10." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 9, 1956), p. 3.

3. "Bookmobile to Serve Branch Libraries Purchased Here." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 8, 1947), p. 12.

4. "Cowboy Croesus Makes a Record." In: Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California (July 11, 1905), p. 1.

5. However, reports of the 1905 train trip make no mention of a burro.

6. "Too Rich Food Fatal to Burro." In: San Francisco Chronicle (Dec. 9, 1908), p. 1.

7. Lemuels seems like a made-up name, "Le Mules," though a Dr. W. L. Samuels was in Winnemucca in 1908. On the other hand, a December 3 article states that Scotty "arrived in Winnemucca a few days ago" on a horse and two pack mules.80 A December 4 article states that Scotty left Winnemucca for New York on the evening of December 2.81 One supposes that he could have been just stating that he was heading to New York and went to the Black Rock. Both articles state that Scotty stayed at Black Canyon near Humboldt House.

8. The newspaper comic strip And Her Name Was Maud first appeared in 1904 and featured a mule named Maud. The reader is reminded that burro is the Spanish word for donkey, and donkeys are not mules! A mule is a hybrid between a horse and a donkey.

9. C. B. Glasscock. Here's Death Valley. Grosset & Dunlap, 1940.

10. Rawhide was about 55 miles southeast of Fallon.

11. "Gerlach Rancher Buried Yesterday." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 10, 1920), p. 8.

12. "John Henry Heward." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 20-000431. June 8, 1920.

13. Sessions S. Wheeler. Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Caldwell, ID: Caxton Press, 1978.

14. As an example of how newspaper reports can sometimes be inaccurate, a Carson newspaper reported that he left with his brother-in-law Lloyd Wilson , that the car overturned, and that Wheeler was injured.82 However, all other reports state that Wheeler was alone and that the body was found at 9 am; it makes more sense that Wheeler was alone.

15. "Don Wheeler Dies on Desert." pp 1, 3. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 10, 1922).

16. The newspaper and the autopsy do not agree about the body's position.

17. "D. Wheeler Frozen to Death Say Physicians." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 13, 1922), p. 8.

18. "Late State News." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 8, 1922), p. 2.

19. W. H. Guscetti. In: American Sheep Breeder and Wool Grower 42.2 (Feb. 1922), p. 89.

20. "3 Bodies Found Near Gerlach." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (June 6, 1922), p. 1.

21. "Mystery in Trego Solved." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (June 15, 1922), p. 5.

22. The death certificate has Schneller as his last name; the Mining Inspector used Scheneller.

23. A. J. Stinson. Biennial Report of the State Inspector of Mines, 1923-1924. Nevada State Printing Office, 1924, pp. 20–21.

24. "Peter Schneller, from Tonopah, Saved by Goldfield Officers from the Hands of a Mob." In: Tonopah Daily Bonanza (Oct. 23, 1913), p. 4.

25. Sheetrock, a trademark first used by U.S. Gypsum in 1917.

26. "Wheels of Huge Gypsum Plant Are Set in Motion in Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 26, 1924), p. 3.

27. Jessica Bruder. Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century. W. W. Norton, 2017.

28. Jenny Kane. "Empire Mining Co. Plans to Pump New Life Into Nevada Ghost Town." In: Las Vegas Review-Journal (Aug. 27, 2016).

29. Melissa Wiley. The True Story of Empire, Nevada, the Tiny Desert Town from ‘Nomadland' That Shut Down in 2011, Forcing All of Its Residents Out. Business Insider. Apr. 23, 2021.

30. The death certificate uses Halapas as his last name; the Mining Inspector used Halipas.

31. A. J. Stinson. Biennial Report of the State Inspector of Mines, 1925-1926. Nevada State Printing Office, 1926, p. 49.

32. A. J. Stinson. Biennial Report of the State Inspector of Mines, 1925-1926. Nevada State Printing Office, 1926, pp. 53–54.

33. "Mark A. Stritch is Victim of Nevada Accident." In: Springfield Daily News, Springfield, Ohio (Aug. 20, 1926), p. 1.

34. "Sulphur Blast Takes One Life." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 20, 1926), p. 10.

35. Earl H. Leaf. "Loose Leaf—from the Journal." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Sept. 16, 1932), p. 1.

36. As is fairly common with newspaper sources, one source states there was a gas tank leak, the other that there was a vacuum leak.

37. "Race with Death Lost When Gerlach Resident Dies 100 Feet from Washoe Hospital." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Sept. 15, 1932), p. 1.

38. Christina Preston. Cindy Carter Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

39. In 2025, the formal name of the location is Rabbithole; Rabbit Hole is an alternative name.

40. Benjamin Barna. "The Rabbit Hole Snipers: Mining, Making Do, and the Great Depression in Northern Nevada." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 54.1-4 (2011), pp. 75–100.

41. "Story is Related About Rabbit Hole Placer." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 8, 1941), p. 10.

42. "Arthur T. Allen." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 41-1054. Oct. 23, 1941.

43. "Miner is Killed, Another Hurt in Cave-in." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 2, 1941), p. 14.

44. Black Rock Trailblazers. "Junior History News: The Empire Tramway." In: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly 16.2 (Summer 1973), pp. 152–154.

45. Matt Murphy. Report of the State Inspector of Mines, July 1, 1940, to June 30, 1942, Inclusive. Nevada State Printing Office, 1942, pp. 129–130.

46. "Empire-Gerlach News Reported." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 18, 1952), p. 2.

47. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that prevents the blood from carrying oxygen.

48. "Three Men Burned to Death in Cabin Blaze at Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 23, 1949), p. 9.

49. "Gerlach Fire Fatal to Man." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Aug. 1, 1950), p. 14.

50. "Crash Kills Ex-Matean in Nevada." In: San Mateo Times, San Mateo, California (June 3, 1960), p. 8.

51. "Norma Wright." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 60-1363. June 3, 1960.

52. "Driver Earns Jail Sentences." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 20, 1960), p. 3.

53. "Gerlach Matron Victim of Crash." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 2, 1960), p. 17.

54. "Deputy Reports Skeleton Found." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 1, 1953), p. 9.

55. "Skeleton Found; Whose Was It?" In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 3, 1953), p. 12.

56. "Gerlach Skeleton Proves Revealing." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 28, 1953), p. 13.

57. "Ranch Worker Drowns in Well." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 12, 1963), p. 18.

58. "Frederick Pickrell." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 63-762. Mar. 13, 1963.

59. "Morgan Dillon Baker." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 64-1906. July 28, 1964.

60. "Truck Driver Dies in Crash." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 21, 1964), p. 1.

61. Eleanor's sister, Maude, married Oliver David Iveson. The Ivesons started Iveson Ranch, located off Highway 34 north of Gerlach. Ivy, one of the Iveson children, married Orville Cheatham Jackson. The Jacksons also have a ranch off Highway 34. Eleanor's sister, Beatrice Alice, married Austin Williams. One of their children was DeWayne Williams, who later built Dooby Lane, the folk art installation on Highway 34. For further information about Dooby Lane, see Goin and Snyder.83

62. Cornelius and Eleanor Lingenfelter in the 1950 Census. Nevada, Washoe, 16-3, Sheet 14. Department of Commerce and Labor—Bureau of the Census. Apr. 5, 2024.

63. "Riding Mishap Kills Gerlach Woman." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 30, 1967), p. 15.

64. "School Board's Ernest Johnson Dies in Wreck." pp 1, 2. In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 3, 1970).

65. "Empire School to Be Named in Honor of Ernest Johnson." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 25, 1970), p. 1.

66. John Carter. Personal communication. May 24, 2024.

67. Unidentified Person Case 7517. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Aug. 24, 2021.

68. Unidentified Remains. Washoe County Coroner. Oct. 3, 2014.

69. 2052UMNV - Unidentified Male. The Doe Network. Sept. 5, 2023.

70. AP Wire. "Couple Talks of 8-Day Ordeal at Hospital News Conference." In: Elko Daily Free Press (Jan. 8, 1993), p. 6.

71. "Rescue: 'We Did a Lot of Praying'." In: Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California (Jan. 8, 1993), p. 12.

72. In 1994, a TV film, Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story featured their story.

73. Jared Herod had changed his last name from Morales earlier in 1998. Early news reports use Morales instead of Herod.

74. Vicky Williams. "Miracle Needed: Pray for Accident Victim." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 15, 1998), 11A.

75. SevilOmer. "Traffic Accident Kills Gerlach Student, Stuns Tiny Nevada Town." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (May 26, 1998), 1A.

76. "Woman Dies After Her Car Rolls Over." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (July 2, 2002), p. 2C.

77. Cindy Carter. Personal communication. July 14, 2025.

78. Ronald J. Jacobsen, William Whitby, and Joseph N. Rhoades. Fatal Powered Haulage Accident, May 28, 2015. Tech. rep. MAI-2015-07. Mine Safety and Health Administration, Sept. 28, 2015.

79. Jenny Kane. "Driver Dies in Rollover on Black Rock Desert Playa; Slippery Road May Be Cause." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (June 14, 2021).

80. "Winnemucca Honored by " Scotty's" Visit." In: Sacramento Bee (Dec. 3, 1908), p. 7.

81. "Death Valley " Scotty" Again Has Big Roll." In: Tonopah Daily Bonanza (Dec. 4, 1908), p. 3.

82. "Don C. Wheeler Dies from Desert Cold." In: Carson City Daily Appeal (Jan. 10, 1922), p. 1.

83. Peter Goin and Gary Snyder. Dooby Lane Also Known as Guru Road, a Testament Inscribed in Stone Tablets by Dewayne Williams. Counterpoint Press, Berkeley, 2016.

Murders and Mayhem

1. "Gerlach Might Not Be Much, but, ‘We Built It, We Love It'." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 22, 1972), p. 10.

2. "Gerlach Will Soon Be Provided with Hobo Home." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Aug. 1, 1911), p. 1.

3. "Unique " Jail" to Go." In: French Broad News, Marshall, NC (Oct. 5, 1911), p. 2.

4. "Commissioners Ration Jail Keys at Gerlach." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 6, 1953), p. 14.

5. "Gerlach Payday is Really One to Remember." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Oct. 14, 1955), p. 11.

6. Katrina Raenell. "Burning Man." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 3, 2014).

7. Sources use various names for LeBaron, such as Dan LeBarren (1910 Census), Mormon Dan, LaBaron, and Le Baron (newspapers).

8. "Arrested for Abduction." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 23, 1895), p. 3.

9. "This and That." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Feb. 26, 1895), p. 3.

10. "The Herschel Trial." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Mar. 25, 1896), p. 3.

11. Bartlett Creek is located on the west edge of the northeast arm of the Black Rock Desert. The LeBaron family probably lived at their ranch south of Bottle Creek.

12. A land patent is a government document granting land ownership.

13. "A Shooting Scrape." In: Lovelock Tribune (Sept. 21, 1906), p. 1.

14. "Pending Arrival of Witnesses." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Sept. 20, 1906), p. 1.

15. "‘Mormon Dan' Runs Amuck." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (May 29, 1909), p. 1.

16. "[1]" Mormon Dan" Guilty in the First Degree." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 6, 1909), p. 1.

17. "Parole Granted Dan Le Baron." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 17, 1913), p. 1.

18. Bowen Canyon , located west of Granite Creek Station, likely takes its namefrom N. C. Bowen.

19. "p. 1. Gerlach Men Tell Details of Murder." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 29, 1912).

20. "Man Killed Near Gerlach." In: Daily Independent, Elko (Jan. 27, 1912), p. 3.

21. "Sheriff on Trail of Fugitive." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 28, 1912), p. 7.

22. "Gerlach Man Shot and Killed During Dispute Over Land." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 26, 1912), p. 1.

23. "Near Death, He Admits Slaying 14 Years Ago." In: Stockton Record (Jan. 6, 1926), p. 1.

24. "Conscience Stricken Man Who Killed Rancher Near Gerlach Admits Slaying." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 8, 1926), p. 6.

25. "Robbery Motive Nevada Murder, Says Sheriff." In: Stockton Daily Evening Record (Jan. 7, 1926), p. 18.

26. "Ellis Given Prison Term." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 9, 1926), p. 8.

27. "Prison Inmate Dies at State Penitentiary." In: Mason Valley News, Yerington (Jan. 28, 1928), p. 1.

28. "Young Hollander is Slain by Rancher." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 19, 1918), p. 11.

29. "Slayer of Muller Must Stand Trial." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 23, 1918), p. 8.

30. "Grand Jury Fails to Indict Mott." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Sept. 17, 1918), p. 6.

31. "Mexican Prisoner Shoots Constable." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 29, 1920), p. 6.

32. "Scott Butler Shot by Bad Mex Hombre." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Nov. 30, 1920), p. 1.

33. "Murdered Mexican Found Near Trego." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Mar. 12, 1921), p. 1.

34. Also reported as Vincente and Vincinte.

35. "Vincente Martinez." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 22-000242. June 11, 1922.

36. "Mexican Confesses to Murdering at Gerlach." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (June 3, 1922), p. 1.

37. "Relates Fantastic Story of Crime at Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 3, 1922), p. 8.

38. "Slayer to Serve Long Prison Term." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 7, 1922), p. 6.

39. "Mexicans Engage in Carving Duel." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (July 22, 1922), p. 1.

40. "Mexican's Cut Proving of a Serious Nature." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Aug. 1, 1922), p. 1.

41. "Dabbs Leaps from W. P. Train at Gerlach, Escapes in Dark; Evades Guards by Clever Ruse." pp 1, 6. In: Oroville Mercury Register, Oroville, California (Nov. 27, 1935).

42. "Oroville Convict Captured After Escaping Train." In: Chico Record, Chico, California (Nov. 28, 1935), p. 1.

43. "Mining Man Shot in Quarrel at Rabbit Hole." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 11, 1939), p. 14.

44. "Assault Hearing Held in Lovelock." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 21, 1939), p. 14.

45. "Joseph Henicksman." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 39-167. Mar. 4, 1939.

46. "Mining Man Shot in Pershing Dies Today." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 21, 1939), p. 16.

47. AP Wire. "Miners Will Face Assault Charge." In: Salt Lake Tribune (Mar. 5, 1939), p. 16.

48. "Judge Declares Jury Verdict Was Wrong." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 15, 1939), p. 16.

49. The correct spelling of "Ochio" is possibly "Ochiho."52

50. "State Rests Case at Trial." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 8, 1941), p. 16.

51. "Evidence Argued in Second Day of Trail." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 7, 1941), p. 20.

52. Isabel T. Kelly. "Northern Paiute Tales." In: Journal of American Folklore 51.202 (), pp. 363–438.

53. "Murder Charge to Be Filed in Gerlach Shooting." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 11, 1941), p. 18.

54. AP Wire. "Pair Get Ten Years in Nevada Slaying." In: San Francisco Examiner (May 13, 1941), p. 7.

55. The Nevada Department of Public Safety states "Dr. Rodger" did the examination. Research indicates that a Dr. Roger Hagler was a forensic anthropologist at SF State in the late 1970s.

56. Rio Yamat. "Remains Found Stuffed in Garment Bag 45 Years Ago in Rural Nevada ID'd as Ohio Woman." In: Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Ohio (June 15, 2023).

57. "Human Remains Found in 1978 Identified." In: Great Basin Sun, Winnemucca (June 21, 2023), p. 11.

58. Nevada Rural County Female Unidentified Dead Nevada Department of Public Safety. Feb. 7, 2011. and Unsolved Homicides. Media Release by the Nevada Department of Public Safety

59. Valerie Doe. unidentified-awareness.fandom.com. Aug. 16, 2025.

60. Steve Hartsoe. "Woman's Death Still a Mystery." In: Stockton Record (July 26, 2001).

61. AP Wire. "Woman's Death is Murder." In: Modesto Bee (May 10, 2001), p. 5.

62. Ralph Montaño. "Search Widens for Driver." In: Sacramento Bee (July 31, 2000), p. 17.

63. Anjeanette Damon. "Woman Found Near Nixon Was Fatally Shot." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (May 1, 2001), p. 2C.

64. Anjeanette Damon. "1A, 6A. Search Continues for Slain Mother's 2 Infants." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (May 9, 2001).

65. Unidentified Remains. Washoe County Coroner. Oct. 3, 2014.

66. Kevin Sheridan. "Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Releases New Details on Shooting That Hospitalized Rancher." In: KOLO-TV (Oct. 10, 2024).

Suicide: The Final Choice of Some

1. Matt Wray, Tatiana Poladko, and Misty Vaughan Allen. "Suicide Trends in Nevada, 1999-2009." In: The Social Health of Nevada: Leading Indicators and Quality of Life in the Silver State. Ed. by Dmitri N. Shalin. Las Vegas: UNLV Center for Democratic Culture, 2011, pp. 1–28.

2. Joe Schoenmann. New Data Shows Ups and Downs Across Nevada When It Comes to Suicide Prevention. knpr.org. June 24, 2024.

3. "Camp Tender Commits Suicide." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Apr. 18, 1912), p. 1.

4. "Loses Sheep and Kills Himself." In: Daily Independent, Elko (Apr. 20, 1912), p. 2.

5. "Rich Strike Excites Miners at Dyke." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (July 29, 1906), p. 1.

6. "Humboldt Miner is Fatally Shot." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 5, 1924), p. 12.

7. "Files on Enlarged Homestead." In: Silver State, Winnemucca (Nov. 18, 1919), p. 1.

8. "Johnson Death Called Suicide by Jurymen." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 8, 1924), p. 2.

9. "Lonely Miner Attempts Life." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 18, 1924), p. 7.

10. "Shorty Blue's Wish Granted." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 10, 1929), p. 3.

11. Mathew "Shorty Blue" Price. Find A Grave. July 27, 2024.

12. "Sentenced for Rustling." In: Goldfield News and Weekly Tribune (Apr. 4, 1914), p. 7.

13. "Demands His Rifle Back." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Nov. 6, 1915), p. 3.

14. "Slaughter Gang Operating in Idaho." In: Tonopah Daily Bonanza (Sept. 11, 1916), p. 4.

15. "Did Not Violate Parole." In: Tonopah Daily Bonanza (Oct. 4, 1916), p. 3.

16. "Board of Parole Continues Its Work." In: Carson City Daily Appeal (Nov. 15, 1917), p. 4.

17. "Prohi Squad Gets Still and 2 Men." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 30, 1926), p. 8.

18. "Double Suicide." In: Alturas Plaindealer, Alturas, California (June 8, 1928).

19. "Indian Kills Wife and Self." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 26, 1932), p. 7.

20. Nell Murbarger. Sovereigns of the Sage. 1958.

21. "Willie George." Nevada State Board of Health death certificate 32-000440. May 2, 1932.

22. "Winnemucca." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 3, 1932), p. 3.

23. "Vera Afton Dickerson." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 40-277. Mar. 15, 1940.

24. "Funeral Rites Planned for Vera A. Dickerson." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 6, 1940), p. 3.

25. "Gerlach Death Held Suicide." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 27, 1956), p. 13.

26. Caleb Schaber. Tributes.com. 2009.

27. Sara DeBell. The Man Behind the Monolith. Seattle Press Online. Jan. 24, 2001.

28. Bartertown is the town in the 1985 movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

29. M 2. 1299 - Mark-1 Parked at DMV. flickr.com.

30. James Collins. "Niles Native Headed to Iraq as Contract Worker." pp 1, 2. In: Niles Daily Star (Aug. 7, 2004).

31. A haboob is a type of dust storm caused by storm fronts or downdrafts from thunderstorms.

32. Global Holy War. charmkins.blogspot.com. 2006.

33. Panzwayi Youtube Channel. www.youtube.com/@Panzwayideos. 2009.

34. Caleb Schaber. "National Guardsmen Ready for Return to Reno." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 1, 2007), 6A.

35. Shane Bugbee and Amy Bugbee. The Suffering and Celebration of Life in America. 2012, pp. 298–303.

36. Shooter. "Blog of the Month: An American in Kabul." In: Playboy (Aug. 2006), p. 22.

37. Amy Bugbee and Shane Bugbee. March 6, 2008 - Interviews with D.I.Y. War Correspondent, Caleb Schaber and Black Metal Band Averse Sefira - Austin, TX. 2008.

38. Worker Protest at Burning Man Head Quarters 2007. youtube.com. July 18, 2007.

39. Justin Berton. "Burning The Man." pp. C8, C7. In: Record Searchlight, Redding, California ().

40. Tim King. Combat Photojournalist Suicide: The Price of Conflict is Too High. Salem-News.com. May 3, 2009.

The Deadly Allure of Northwestern Nevada's Deser

1. Larry J. Garside and John H. Schilling. Thermal Waters of Nevada. Tech. rep. 91. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, 1979.

2. Research shows that hot springs in the area, such as present-day Trego, were utilized by Indigenous people from between 4000 Before Present (BP) and 1000 BP.41

3. "A Soldier Drowned." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 1, 1882), p. 3.

4. "Rolland Bonham Dies at Hospital." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 3, 1953), p. 3.

5. John Charles Frémont. Narrative of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1842, and to Oregon and North Carolina in the Years 1843-'44. 2nd ed. Henry Polkinhorn, 1945, p. 199.

6. "Details of Fred Smith's Awful Death." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Sept. 12, 1910), p. 5.

7. Christina Preston. Ray Mosley Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

8. "County Commissioners Frown on Gerlach Bathing Apparel." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 28, 1925), p. 8.

9. "Says Hoboes Very Plentiful at Gerlach." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 6, 1915), p. 6.

10. "Would-Be Wreckers of Train Sentenced." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Oct. 3, 1923), p. 8.

11. William S. Brown. "Hoboes Flock to Nevada's Health Springs." In: Sacramento Bee (Apr. 7, 1925), pp. 17, 22.

12. "Cement Worker Dies in Spring." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 17, 1924), p. 3.

13. "Fall Into Hot Springs Sends Man to Hospital." In: Sacramento Bee (Apr. 7, 1924), p. 8.

14. "Victim of Scalding Sought by Parents." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 18, 1924), p. 8.

15. "Actresses in Bathing Suits to Face Arrest." In: Modesto News-Herald (July 20, 1926), p. 1.

16. Phillip I. Earl. "Bull Frogs in the Black Rock." In: Stories and More: Nevada History for New Readers 1 (), pp. 28, 29.

17. American Frog Canning Company. "Raise Giant Frogs." In: Popular Mechanics (Aug. 1935).

18. Eleanor M. Dobson. "Bull Frogs in the Black Rock Desert Make a Thriving Nevada Business." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Oct. 10, 1943), p. 12.

19. "Gerlach Man Dies in Pool." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 14, 1950), p. 10.

20. "Man is Drowned in Gerlach Pool." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 21, 1955), p. 8.

21. "Perry Services Set Thursday." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 27, 1956), p. 15.

22. "Gerlach's Hot Springs Probed by Skin Divers." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (June 28, 1957), p. 11.

23. "Missing Man Not in Pool at Hot Springs." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 2, 1957), p. 16.

24. "Tot Drowns in Gerlach Hot Springs." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 30, 1972), p. 1.

25. Jack Stevenson. "Incline Girl Scalded to Death." pp 1, 2. In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 19, 1973).

26. "Gerlach Hot Springs Use Under Review." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 1, 1973), p. 11.

27. "Building Worker Drowns." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 9, 1975), p. 13.

28. "Man Drowns in Gerlach Hot Springs." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 21, 1976), p. 13.

29. "Gary Davis." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (June 23, 1976), pp. 1, 2.

30. "Body of Idaho Man Found in Gerlach Hot Spring." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 7, 1979), p. 24.

31. "Hot Springs Death Accidental Drowning." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 8, 1979), p. 21.

32. Steve Papinchak. "Opinions Bubble Over Dried-up Gerlach Hot Pool." pp. 1D, 2D. In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Oct. 26, 1986).

33. L. J. Garside and R. H. Hess. "Nevada Geothermal Resource Use-1993 Update." In: Geothermal Resources Council Bulletin 23.2 (Feb. 1994), pp. 47–54.

34. "Woman Dies of Burns from Hot Springs." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Oct. 2, 2000), 1B.

35. Frank X. Mullen Jr. "1A, 7A. Man Burned in Hot Spring on Slow, Painful Path to Healing." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Nov. 5, 2000).

36. George R. Stewart. Sheep Rock. Random House, 1951, pp. 132–133.

37. Peter Goin and Paul F. Starrs. Black Rock. University of Nevada Press, 2005.

38. Jenny Kane. "Sculpture Honors Burner Who Died in Black Rock Desert." pp 1A, 3A" In: Reno Sunday Gazette-Journal (Sept. 4, 2022).

39. Marlene Lenthang. 2-Year-Old Nevada Boy Dies from Brain-Eating Amoeba After Visit O Hot Spring. NBC News. July 21, 2023.

40. Jenny Kane. "1A, 6A. 30 Campers Sick After Visiting Frog Pond Hot Springs Near Gerlach." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (July 23, 2018).

41. Regina C. Smith, Peggy McGuckian Jones, and Kathyrn E. Pedrick John R. Roney. Tech. rep. Cultural Resource Series No.6. Bureau of Land Management, 1983.

The Perils of Flying in the Black Rock Desert

1. "Carson City's Carnival." In: Carson City Daily Appeal (June 24, 1910), p. 2.

2. Phillip I. Earl. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/nomination Form: Raycraft Ranch. Nov. 17, 1975.

3. "Air Bombing Range to Be Established on Black Rock Desert." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 11, 1942), p. 3.

4. "Army Abandons Black Rock as Bombing Range." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 17, 1943), p. 6.

5. "Aerial Gunnery Maps Displayed." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 30, 1944), p. 2.

6. "Gunnery Practice Closes 2 Ranches." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 13, 1944), p. 5.

7. "Gunnery Range Noticed Posted." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 1, 1944), p. 6.

8. David Loomis. Combat Zoning: Military Land-Use Planning in Nevada. University of Nevada Press, 1993.

9. Christina Preston. Andrea Jackson Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

10. Jeff DeLong. "1A, 4A. Divers Plucking Old Ordnance from Lake." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (May 5, 2005).

11. Site Survey Summary Sheet for DERP-FUDS Site No. J29nv1115: Lovelock North Gunnery Range. Tech. rep. The source says that that there was 1945 letter from the BLM to the DoD. However, the DoD was not formed until 1947. The letter likely went to the Navy Department. Sacramento District of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Program, 2009.

12. "Notice to Whom It May Concern." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 1, 1945), p. 11.

13. "Fallon Air Base Ordered Vacated." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 14, 1946), p. 5.

14. "Black Rock Range to Be Target Area." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 21, 1950), p. 14.

15. "Desert Gunnery Range Becomes Practice Area." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 22, 1950), p. 7.

16. "Navy Men Develop Ambulance-Jeep." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Mar. 26, 1952), p. 3.

17. "Desert Range to Be Used by Navy, Stockmen." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 9, 1953), p. 11.

18. "Pilot Bails Out of Burning Jet Over Black Rock." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Oct. 3, 1954), p. 3.

19. "Nevada Planes Rescue Pilot." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Oct. 5, 1954), p. 3.

20. "200 Protests Filed on Gunnery Range." pp 1, 16. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Sept. 17, 1955).

21. U. S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey. Elko Sectional Aeronautical Chart. Sept. 1955.

22. Loomis states that rockets, explosives and bombs were not to be used.8

23. "Withdrawing Public Lands in Nevada for Use by the Department of the Navy in Connection with the Black Rock and the Sahwave Aerial Gunnery Ranges." In: Federal Register 23.95 (May 13, 1958), pp. 3148–3150.

24. Christina Preston. Judy Conley Interview. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. 2016.

25. Christina Preston. The Gerlach Public History Project: Community Participation in Preserving a Rural Nevada Town. Tech. rep. University of California, Davis, 2016.

26. Derrel S. Fulwider. "From Resource Management to People Management: Reflections of a Federal Land Manager." In: Humboldt Historian (Winter-Spring 1985).

27. "Navy Wants to Continue Using Range." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 22, 1962), p. 22.

28. "Partly Revoking Public Land Order No. 1632 of May 7, 1958, and Extending the Jurisdiction and Use Otherwise Granted by That Order." In: Federal Register 28.32 (Feb. 14, 1963), p. 1432.

29. "Revoking Withdrawal for Department of the Navy; Sahwave Mountain Gunnery Range." In: Federal Register 30.16 (Apr. 8, 1965), p. 4542.

30. Aviation Investigation Search. Searching for "Gerlach, NV" resulted in 28 incidents, two of which had fatalities (1964 and 2003). Searching for "Empire, NV" resulted in 5 instances, two of which had fatalities (1966 and 1976). Searching for "Black Rock City" resulted in 1 minor incident. Searching for "Summit Lake" resulted one minor accident in 1970. National Transportation Safety Board. Jan. 6, 2025.

31. "Road Work at Gerlach Set for Washoe County Prisoners." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (July 22, 1947), p. 2.

32. "Gerlach Airport Brings Protests, Northern Road Receives Praise." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 20, 1947), p. 22.

33. Federal Aviation Administration. National Airport Plan for 1948. 1948, pp. 95, 105.

34. Frank Johnson. "Sparks' Fabulous Flying Doctor is Not Deterred by Bad Weather." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Jan. 20, 1957), p. 8.

35. "Flying Doctor, Homesteader at Odds on Field." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 21, 1957), p. 8.

36. Julia S. Knudson. "Gerlach-Empire Served 3 Years by Flying Doctor." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 20, 1959), p. 36.

37. "Knifer is Let Off with Fine of class=" tcrm-1000">$30." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 13, 1949), p. 9.

38. "Man Who Shot Intruder is Turned Loose." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (June 4, 1949), p. 12.

39. Jones' age was incorrectly reported as 77 by the newspapers. His death certificate states that he was 67 years old.

40. "Reno Girl, 19 Facing Murder Charges Here." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 17, 1960), p. 1.

41. Probably Violet Phillips (b. 1923, d. 2012).

42. "Emergency Flight for Stricken Woman." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 3, 1945), p. 9.

43. "Gerlach Air Crash Fatal for Three." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 6, 1950), p. 12.

44. "Trip to Gerlach Ends in Tragedy as Three Killed." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 6, 1950), p. 12.

45. "Fresno Tavern Owner Faces Tax Evasion Charge." In: Fresno Bee (Mar. 9, 1950), p. 1.

46. "Gerlach Plane Crash Caused by Negligence, Jurors Say." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 9, 1950), p. 2.

47. Her name was reported variously as Bernice A. Gambel, Bernice Augustine, and Bernice Gambel Augustine.

48. "Woman Hurt as Plane Kills 3." In: Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California (May 6, 1950), p. 1.

49. "Evelyn Augustine." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 50-677. May 26, 1950.

50. "Crippled Plane Landed Safely at Salem Airport." pp 1, 8. In: Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon (Mar. 5, 1954).

51. "Independence Pilot Killed in Plane Crash." In: Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon (Mar. 22, 1954), p. 1.

52. "Pleasure Tour in Private Plane Ends in Death." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Mar. 22, 1954), p. 9.

53. Confusingly, in 1948, the type was redesignated to B-26 , which led to confusion with the Martin B-26 Marauder.

54. "Sole Survivor of Plane Crash Taken to Fallon." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 6, 1955), p. 17.

55. "Rescued Airman's 'Chute Opens at Only 200 Feet." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 8, 1955), p. 10.

56. "Crash Victims on Black Rock Are Identified." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 7, 1955), p. 16.

57. "Plane Down in Humboldt." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 5, 1955), p. 1.

58. "Three Killed, One Survives as Plane Towing Target Over Black Rock Desert Crashes." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (May 6, 1955), p. 10.

59. "Navy Jet Pilot Believed Dead in Black Rock." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 15, 1956), p. 18.

60. "John Hobart Rockwell, Jr." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 56-340. Feb. 18, 1956.

61. "Jet Fighter Down in Desert." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 14, 1956), p. 11.

62. U.S. Navy. Aircraft Accident Report. Tech. rep. 1-56. Obtained from Craig Fuller (AAIR Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research). US Navy, Feb. 29, 1956.

63. "Alameda Jet Hero Missing in Crash." In: Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California (Feb. 14, 1956), p. 1.

64. "Navy Jet Pilot Falls to Death." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 10, 1957), p. 15.

65. U.S. Navy. Aircraft Accident Report. Tech. rep. 1-57. Obtained from Craig Fuller (AAIR Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research). US Navy, 1957.

66. "Searchers Hunt for 2 Missing Planes in Sierra." In: Sacramento Bee (Apr. 13, 1964), p. 29.

67. National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report. Tech. rep. 2-0231. National Transportation Safety Board, Feb. 4, 1965.

68. "Gordon E. Hiebert." Nevada State Department of Health death certificate 64-1174. Apr. 16, 1964.

69. "Herlong Saddened by Deaths." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Apr. 15, 1964), p. 23.

70. News reports incorrectly use "George" as his first name; his death certificate uses Gordon.68

71. Esther was possibly the name of David Barr's wife. David Hislop Barr is buried at Milford, about 20 miles south of the Susanville Airport. David was a member of the Army Air Corps and was married to Esther.

72. "Herlong Plane Crashes; 4 Dead." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Apr. 14, 1964), p. 1.

73. The 22% was probably the measurement of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), which is what is created when carbon monoxide and hemoglobin combine. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning occurs at about 30% COHb.

74. "Defective Heater Probably Caused Crash of Light Plane." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Nov. 12, 1964), p. 21.

75. "States to Act Together." In: Lassen Weekly Mail, Susanville (Dec. 24, 1915), p. 1.

76. "Over 32,000 Coyotes Killed in Nevada in Past Five Months." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 20, 1926), p. 5.

77. "Pilot Dies as Result of Crash." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Feb. 8, 1966), p. 8.

78. "‘I Thought I Was Going to Be Killed' in Crash." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 8, 1966), p. 1.

79. "Reno Pilot, Plane Sought in Mountains." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 25, 1976), p. 2.

80. National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report. Tech. rep. 3-4017. National Transportation Safety Board, 1977.

81. "Missing Reno Pilot Found." pp 1, 2. In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Dec. 26, 1976).

82. Steve Sneddon. "1A, 3A. Wind Derails Breedlove at 675 Mph." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Oct. 29, 1996).

83. Search Continues for Aviation Adventurer Steve Fossett. CNN. Sept. 4, 2007.

84. Genevieve J. Petron. "The BRC Donner Award: A Retrospective." In: Piss Clear (Aug. 30, 2002).

85. A. Llorente and Asi D. Joiner. National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report. Tech. rep. LAX92LA376. National Transportation Safety Board, Aug. 31, 1993.

86. Burning Sky: A Burning Man Camp of Skydivers. Burning Sky. Jan. 2, 2025.

87. Howard D. Plagens. National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report. Tech. rep. LAX03LA270. National Transportation Safety Board, Dec. 28, 2004.

88. AP Wire. "1A, 13A. Woman Dies in Vehicle Accident at Burning Man; Second Plane Crashes." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 31, 2003).

89. LissaShoun. After Burn Report/dpw/airport. Burning Man. 2003.

Bristlewolf

1. Catherine Fowler and Sven S. Liljeblad. "Handbook of North American Indians." In: ed. by Warren L. d'Azevedo. Vol. 11. Smithsonian Institution, 1986. Chap. Northern Paiute, p. 450.

2. Regina C. Smith, Peggy McGuckian Jones, and Kathyrn E. Pedrick John R. Roney. Tech. rep. Cultural Resource Series No.6. Bureau of Land Management, 1983.

3. Verla M. Jackson. "The Wizards Beach Men: A Study in Contrasts from Pyramid Lake, Nevada." Master's Thesis. University of Nevada Reno, Dec. 2012.

4. L. V. Benson et al. "Dating North America's Oldest Petroglyphs, Winnemucca Lake Subbasin, Nevada." In: Journal of Archaeological Science 40.12 (Dec. 2013), pp. 4466–4476.

5. John Rice. "Jury to Deliberate Life or Death for Bristlewolf." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 7, 1980), p. 29.

6. Marilyn Newton. "Mystery Surrounds Life of Denio's Hermit." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 12, 1978), p. 35.

7. "Adoption." In: Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon (Feb. 28, 1952), p. 20.

8. We refer to him as Gress until 1973.

9. "Malin Class of 24 Largest." In: Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon (June 2, 1953), p. 3.

10. Ronald B. Taylor. "Hermit Key Figure in Desert Slayings Probe." pp 3, 20. In: Los Angeles Times (July 10, 1978).

11. A template man is a 1960s position that reads engineering diagrams and creates sheet metal templates as part of the aircraft manufacturing process.

12. AP Wire. "Bristlewolf is Not Crazy, Says Prosecution Witness." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 31, 1980), p. 36.

13. At the time, it was reported that he blew off fingers on his left hand. Later reports state that his right hand was injured. A December 6, 1978, court document states that he lost his left thumb, right thumb, and two other right-hand fingers.

14. Tom Gardner. "Friends of Slaying Suspect Called Him ‘Straight Gut'." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 1, 1978), p. 17.

15. John Rice. "Witnesses Tell of Threats from Hermit." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 25, 1980), p. 18.

16. Reports from 1978 use various names; we use Pinto Hot Springs for this location.

17. Marilyn Newton. "Is Lost Treasure the Key to Triple Homicide in the Desert?" In: Reno Evening Gazette (Aug. 2, 1978), p. 9.

18. It is about 70 miles by car, 55 miles by foot.

19. "Winnemucca Officials Study Shooting Events." In: Reno Evening Gazette (June 29, 1978), p. 8.

20. AP Wire. "‘Bristlewolf' Trial to Begin Defense Case." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 28, 1980), p. 15.

21. Clyde P. Ross. "Quicksilver Deposits in the Steens and Pueblo Mountain, Southern Oregon." In: Strategic Minerals Investigations, Short Papers and Preliminary Reports, Part 1. Ed. by Eugene Callaghan, S. W. Hobbs, and L. R. Page. 931-J. Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries, 1941, p. 250.

22. Howard C. Brooks. Quicksilver in Oregon. 55. Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries, 1963, p. 198.

23. Harry Sinclair Drago. Lost Bonanzas: Tales of the Legendary Lost Mines of the American West. Dodd, Mead, 1966, pp. 157–166.

24. "Black Rock Slaying Trial Delayed." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Dec. 4, 1978), p. 29.

25. Marge Scott. "Escapes Lead Humboldt Sheriff to Take Prisoners Out." In: Reno Evening Gazette (July 31, 1978), p. 3.

26. "Special Prosecutor in ‘Bristlewolf' Case." In: Nevada State Journal, Reno (Oct. 3, 1979), p. 10.

27. John Rice. "Jurors Hear Conflicting Descriptions of Hermit." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 24, 1980), p. 3.

28. AP Wire. "Hermit's Defense Begins." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 29, 1980), p. 13.

29. AP Wire. "Doctor Testifies Bristlewolf is Insane." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Jan. 30, 1980), p. 14.

30. AP Wire. "Bristlewolf is Murder Suspect's Legal Name." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 1, 1980), p. 15.

31. Inmate Search. In 2024, "Ronald J Gress," offender ID 14937, was listed as being age 88. The institution was listed as "INACTIVE-DEATH." Nevada Department of Corrections. Mar. 29, 2024.

32. AP Wire. "Jury Deliberating in Bristlewolf Murder Trial." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 5, 1980), p. 19.

33. Phil Barber. "Desert Hermit Convicted." pp 1, 6. In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 6, 1980).

34. AP Wire. "Bristlewolf Gets Three Life Terms." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Feb. 13, 1980), p. 1.

35. AP Wire. "Bristlewolf Fights Sanity Ruling." In: Reno Evening Gazette (May 11, 1982), p. 3C.

36. AP Wire. "Wrongful Death Suit Dismissed." In: Reno Evening Gazette (Sept. 19, 1981), 9A.

37. AP Wire. "Triple Murderer Beaten." In: Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California (Aug. 24, 1987), p. 3.

38. Bruce Barcott. "The Killing Bones." In: Outside Magazine (Oct. 1, 2004).

39. A web page at the Nevada Division of Museums and History mentioned Harelson's find from 2000 until 2008, though his name was misspelled "Harrelson." The specimens were over 25,000 years old.3, 38 , 57 Wizards Beach is where two bodies were found that dated from between 9500 and 5900 BP.

40. Bryan Denson. "A1, A5. Grave Injustice." In: Oregonian, Portland, Oregon (Dec. 29, 2003).

41. Rhyolite is an igneous rock, the extrusive equivalent of intrusive granite. Tuff is volcanic ash.

42. Jeff Barnard. "Indian Artifacts Looted." In: Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, Oregon (Apr. 13, 1995), A4.

43. James P. Barker, Cynthia Ellis-Pinto, and David Valentine. "Looting at Elephant Mountain Cave." In: Nevada Archaeologist 24 (2011).

44. Eric A. Powell. Cave Looter Solicits Murder. Archaeological Institute of America. Jan. 27, 2003.

45. Bryan Denson. "A1, A6. Grave Injustice." In: Oregonian, Portland, Oregon (Dec. 28, 2003).

46. Jeff Barnard. "Trial Under Way Over Looting of Indian Grave Site." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Jan. 4, 1996), 2B.

47. AP Wire. "Oregon Grave Robber Convicted inMurder for-Hire Plot Dies in Prison." In: Oregonian, Portland, Oregon (Dec. 27, 2012).

48. AP Wire. "Wife Testifies in Case of Indian Grave Theft." In: Elko Daily Free Press (Jan. 8, 1996), p. 3.

49. Martin Griffith. "1A, 10A. Black Rock Indian Cave Looter Fined class=" tcrm-1000">$2.5m." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Dec. 14, 2002).

50. Bryan Denson. "A1, A7. Grave Injustice." In: Oregonian, Portland, Oregon (Dec. 30, 2003).

51. AP Wire. "Trial Moved of Grave Looter Now Accused of Plotting Killings." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Oct. 30, 2003), p. 7C.

52. AP Wire. "Amateur Archaeologist's Trial Moved." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Mar. 8, 2004), p. 6C.

53. Martin Griffith. "Indian Cave Looter Loses Appeal Over class=" tcrm-1000">$2.5 Million." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Apr. 24, 2004), p. 1C.

54. Jeff Barnard. "Jury Weighs Charges Against Convicted Indian Grave Robber." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Oct. 27, 2004), p. 8C.

55. JeffBarnard. "Murder-for-Hire Suspect Acquitted of Two Counts." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Oct. 28, 2004), p. 3C.

56. Rachel Kaleilehua Delovio. Personal communication. Nevada State Museum, Jan. 7, 2025.

57. The Pleistocene Nevada Exhibit at the Nevada State Museum. Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, Division of Museums and History. Jan. 1, 2008.

That Thing In The Desert

1. Christopher Dyer. "Burning Man: The World's Most Dangerous Art Festival." In: The Mirror, University of Northern Colorado (Sept. 18, 1998), pp. 5–8.

2. About Our Trojan Horse. trojanhorse2011.com. June 27, 2025.

3. Jenny Kane. "David Best: Burning Man's Architect of Loss and Healing." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 12, 2016).

4. Patricia Garcia. "Susan Sarandon Drank Timothy Leary's Ashes at Burning Man." In: Vogue (Sept. 11, 2015).

5. Brian Doherty. This is Burning Man. 2006.

6. On the Death of Michael Furey in 1996. trippingly.net. Mar. 20, 2015.

7. Bob Egelko. "U.S. Not Liable for Injury at Burning Man." In: San Francisco Examiner (Nov. 3, 2000), p. 6.

8. Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office Steve Finell. "Record of Death: Jim Keith." Sept. 7, 1999.

9. Anjeanette Damon. "Rumors Abound in Death of Conspiracy Theorist." pp. 1B, 4B. In: Reno Gazett-Journal (Sept. 28. 1999). See the 9/29 correction.

10. Ginger Petunia. Craig Nielson's Memorial. pbase.com. Sept. 5, 2023. Memorial]. [2]

11. M Otis Beard. 9 Ways to Die at Burning Man. Medium.com. Apr. 25, 2013.

12. Tim Anderson. "Easy Ride for Holiday Travelers." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 4, 2001), p. 1C.

13. Martha Bellisle. "Man Pleads Guilty to Slaying." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (May 20, 2004), p. 3C.

14. AP Wire. "1A, 13A. Woman Dies in Vehicle Accident at Burning Man; Second Plane Crashes." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 31, 2003).

15. Lenita Powers. "Chest Injuries Killed Woman at Desert Event." pp. 1C, 4C. In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 2, 2003).

16. Michele Leung. "Woman Who Died at Burning Man Remembered." In: San Francisco Examiner (Sept. 3, 2003), p. 10.

17. David Brooksher. "Sam Rich." In: Black Rock Beacon 1.5 (Sept. 4, 2005).

18. Katie Power. Desert Death. Nov. 10, 2005.

19. "Sam Rich." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 7, 2005), p. 7C.

20. Lloyd Dykk. "CBC Radio 3 Loses Rising Star: Broadcaster, Comic Alexis Mazurin Dies at 27." In: Vancouver Sun (Oct. 22, 2005), p. D11.

21. Lincoln Anderson. East Village D.J. Dies at Burning Man Festival. AM New York Metro. Sept. 12, 2006.

22. Adam Goldstone, Edgy and Eclectic D.J., Dies at 37. AM New York Metro. Sept. 12, 2006.

23. Justin Berton. Friends Mourn Burning Man Devotee Who Hanged Himself. SFGate. Sept. 13, 2007.

24. Justin Berton. Docs, Cops Busy Putting Out Fires at Largest-Ever Burning Man. SFGate. Aug. 31, 2007.

25. Scott Beale. Comfort & Joy Statement Regarding Burning Man Suicide. Laughing Squid. Sept. 7, 2007.

26. Heather Cassell. "Rumor Stemming from Burning Man Suicide Untrue, Officials Say." In: Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco (Sept. 19, 2007).

27. Erika Kupfersberger. Napa Valley Register. Sept. 7, 2011.

28. Lydia Warren and James Nye. "Woman, 29, Killed at Burning Man Was Hit by Fur-Covered ‘Shagadelica' Party Bus Filled with Festival-Goers." In: Daily Mail, London (Aug. 29, 2014).

29. Emerson Marcus. "Woman, 29, Dies After Accident at Burning Man." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 29, 2014), 3A.

30. Jenny Kane. "Burning Man: Reno Burner Died on Playa." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 20, 2015).

31. Sally Ho. "Man Dies After Rushing Into Burning Man Festival Flames." In: Los Angeles Times (Sept. 4, 2017).

32. Jenny Kane. "Burning Man Death Details Emerge; Family, Friends Still Wonder Why." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Feb. 9, 2018).

33. Amy Graff. Police Report from Burning Man: 44 Arrests, 1 Death, Armed Carjacking and Plane Crash. San Francisco Chronicle. Sept. 9, 2022.

34. "Sherman Michael Nicholson." In: Reno Sunday Gazette-Journal (Sept. 19, 2018), p. 4D.

35. Sam Gross. "Carson City Man Killed in Head-on Crash Between Pickup, RV Close to Burning Man on Sunday." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Aug. 26, 2019).

36. In Memoriam — Shane Billingham. kiwiburn.com. Sept. 9, 2019.

37. Sam Gross and Jenny Kane. "Details Emerge in Death of Man at Burning Man." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 1, 2019), 3A.

38. Dan Gentile. The Police Reports from Burning Man 2022 Are Out. SFGate. Sept. 9, 2022.

39. John Everett Williams. Banner, McKenzie, Tennessee. Sept. 9, 2022.

40. Siobhan McAndrew. "Burning Man: Drugs Suspected in Man's Death at Nevada Festival, Medical Examiner Says." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 4, 2023).

41. Siobhan McAndrew. "Kendra Frazer's Boyfriend Says He Lost the Love of His Life at Burning Man." In: Reno Gazette-Journal (Sept. 3, 2024), 3A.

42. Brett McGinness and Siobhan McAndrew. Burning Man Death on Saturday Night is Third in Past Three Years. Reno Evening-Gazette. Aug. 31, 2025.

43. Aidin Vaziri. Burning Man Homicide Victim Identified as Russian National. San Francisco Chronicle. Sept. 4, 2025.

44. Siobhan McAndrew. Nevada Sheriff: Kitchen Knife Used in Killing of Vadim Kruglov at Burning Man; No Suspects. Reno Evening-Gazette. Sept. 17, 2025.

45. Behind the Scenes at Burning Man. ems1.com. Sept. 2, 2014.

Gerlach's John Doe

1. The SFGate article states that he was at the Rainbow Opan Mine; however, the photos in the article suggest he was at the Little Joe Mine.2 In addition, around the time the article was written, one of the authors visited Lee at the Little Joe.

2. Meredith May. "Black Rock Unplugged." In: San Francisco Chronicle (July 27, 2008), E1.

3. David Matustik. "Authorities Search for Child Abuser." In: Austin American-Statesman, Austin, Texas (Aug. 7, 1987), p. 21.

Conclusion

Epilogue

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