First, I want to say that I really like that town. It's rich in history and a fun place to visit - especially during the Camel Races or when they close down C Street for the Classic Car Shows. The folks there keep that town alive and historically intact. The people are friendly, the reenactors look very period-correct, and you'd be surprised by what you can learn about the Old West when you visit.
Silver was discovered in Virginia City, Nevada, in 1859 with the discovery of the Comstock Lode. Irish immigrants Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin made the initial discovery in June 1859. Their discovery led to the "Rush to Washoe" and the rapid development of the town. Their find marked the first major silver strike in the United States.
Silver was discovered in Virginia City, Nevada, in 1859 with the discovery of the Comstock Lode. Irish immigrants Peter O'Riley and Patrick McLaughlin made the initial discovery in June 1859. Their discovery led to the "Rush to Washoe" and the rapid development of the town. Their find marked the first major silver strike in the United States.
With the boom, all sorts of people showed up to get rich. Some by digging, some by stealing. This meant that within a year or two, Virginia City, Nevada, was a lawless silver boomtown that saw its share of extreme violence on a daily basis, including frequent, bloody saloon fights, vigilante justice, and violent labor riots that targeted Chinese workers.
I remember being surprised to find out that it was well known for its dangerous mining operations, which resulted in a lot of miners being killed. One such tragedy was the Yellow Jacket Fire of 1869, which killed dozens. The fatal fire at Yellow Jacket Mine in 1869 was a disastrous fire in Gold Hill, just outside Virginia City. It caused dozens of deaths deep in the mines.
The Yellow Jacket Mine Fire of 1869 was one of Nevada's deadliest mining disasters. It took place on April 7, 1869, in Gold Hill, very near Virginia City. A blaze broke out, likely caused by a candle in the 800-foot level, trapping and killing at least 35 to 45 miners. Yes, anywhere from 35 to 45 miners were killed as dense smoke and poisonous gases quickly filled the tunnels. Besides poisoning the miners, it made rescue efforts difficult or virtually impossible at the time. The result was that most of the bodies were never recovered and remained in the sealed, collapsed, or burned-out sections of the mine.
Because of the gases, the fire raged for months, spreading to the connected Crown Point and Kentucky mines. The heat from the fire was intense and lingered for three years after the initial incident. In fact, the fire caused severe damage, forced the closure of the interconnected mines, prompted improvements in safety regulations, and highlighted the need for better ventilation.
The Yellow Jacket Fire of 1869 remains a significant event in Nevada's Comstock Lode history. And today, believe it or not, it's associated with tales of paranormal activity due to the tragic loss of life.
Of course, you have to ask if Virginia City's Fire Department Feuds of the 1860s and the violent confrontations between rival fire companies, which resulted in at least one fatal shooting, helped the situation on Gun Hill later.
The Yellow Jacket Mine Fire of 1869 was one of Nevada's deadliest mining disasters. It took place on April 7, 1869, in Gold Hill, very near Virginia City. A blaze broke out, likely caused by a candle in the 800-foot level, trapping and killing at least 35 to 45 miners. Yes, anywhere from 35 to 45 miners were killed as dense smoke and poisonous gases quickly filled the tunnels. Besides poisoning the miners, it made rescue efforts difficult or virtually impossible at the time. The result was that most of the bodies were never recovered and remained in the sealed, collapsed, or burned-out sections of the mine.
Because of the gases, the fire raged for months, spreading to the connected Crown Point and Kentucky mines. The heat from the fire was intense and lingered for three years after the initial incident. In fact, the fire caused severe damage, forced the closure of the interconnected mines, prompted improvements in safety regulations, and highlighted the need for better ventilation.
The Yellow Jacket Fire of 1869 remains a significant event in Nevada's Comstock Lode history. And today, believe it or not, it's associated with tales of paranormal activity due to the tragic loss of life.
Of course, you have to ask if Virginia City's Fire Department Feuds of the 1860s and the violent confrontations between rival fire companies, which resulted in at least one fatal shooting, helped the situation on Gun Hill later.
Though the town was made up of tents, dugouts, shanties, and various other structures, by 1860, Virginia City’s first street was laid out, marking the start of the fastest-growing city in the West. By 1861, permanent brick structures were built along main streets, and wooden structures were expanding outward. Many homes were thrown together with canvas-covered walls and empty whiskey barrels for chimneys, and the threat of fire was growing out of control in Virginia City and would soon worsen.
As for strange stories, there is a story of a fire that threatened Virginia City, taking place in January of 1861. Supposedly, the fire started in a wooden cabin on A Street. But since there was no organized fire brigade, citizens gathered around and threw snowballs at the fire. The rest of that story is that while the cabin burned down, a snowball fight took place between everyone there.
Later, cisterns were built, and a bucket brigade was formed. The bucket brigade was soon abandoned for lack of participation, which was a surprise in the Old West. This led to the creation of the Virginia Engine Company #1, the first engine company in Nevada.
After other Fire Engine Companies were created, rivalries among them became common. In 1863, a fire broke out in a saloon owned by Pat Lynch at the corner of C and Taylor Streets. A confrontation between two companies soon escalated into a riot. As crazy as it sounds, the fight resulted in a member of one of the Engine Companies being shot and killed by an Assistant Chief of its rival, the Virginia City Fire Department. This was to be the first of two violent confrontations between engine companies.
The Virginia City Fire of 1875 was a devastating fire that started in October. At about 5:15 in the morning of October 26, a few miners in a boarding house on A Street became a little too rowdy and knocked over a lamp. The resulting fire was fanned by fierce winds known as the Washoe Zephyr. The fire moved fast, too quick, and was too big. Then, water ran out, and it was decided to use explosives from the mines to blow up buildings in an effort to stop the flames.
In addition to the town's destruction, almost all of the city's fire equipment was destroyed, including the Gold Hill companies that responded to help. The massive fire destroyed two-thirds of the city, more than 2,000 structures. Along with the destruction were most of the Engine Companies, their firehouses, and whatever equipment they contained. It marked the end of Engine Company rivalries in Virginia City forever. The reason was that everyone had to start from scratch. The result was the formation of a new "paid" fire department, the first in Nevada.
As for strange stories, there is a story of a fire that threatened Virginia City, taking place in January of 1861. Supposedly, the fire started in a wooden cabin on A Street. But since there was no organized fire brigade, citizens gathered around and threw snowballs at the fire. The rest of that story is that while the cabin burned down, a snowball fight took place between everyone there.
Later, cisterns were built, and a bucket brigade was formed. The bucket brigade was soon abandoned for lack of participation, which was a surprise in the Old West. This led to the creation of the Virginia Engine Company #1, the first engine company in Nevada.
After other Fire Engine Companies were created, rivalries among them became common. In 1863, a fire broke out in a saloon owned by Pat Lynch at the corner of C and Taylor Streets. A confrontation between two companies soon escalated into a riot. As crazy as it sounds, the fight resulted in a member of one of the Engine Companies being shot and killed by an Assistant Chief of its rival, the Virginia City Fire Department. This was to be the first of two violent confrontations between engine companies.
The Virginia City Fire of 1875 was a devastating fire that started in October. At about 5:15 in the morning of October 26, a few miners in a boarding house on A Street became a little too rowdy and knocked over a lamp. The resulting fire was fanned by fierce winds known as the Washoe Zephyr. The fire moved fast, too quick, and was too big. Then, water ran out, and it was decided to use explosives from the mines to blow up buildings in an effort to stop the flames.
In addition to the town's destruction, almost all of the city's fire equipment was destroyed, including the Gold Hill companies that responded to help. The massive fire destroyed two-thirds of the city, more than 2,000 structures. Along with the destruction were most of the Engine Companies, their firehouses, and whatever equipment they contained. It marked the end of Engine Company rivalries in Virginia City forever. The reason was that everyone had to start from scratch. The result was the formation of a new "paid" fire department, the first in Nevada.
The equipment from the two surviving companies was combined, and later the town bought two brand new horse-drawn hose carts. These were the first horse-drawn hose carts in Nevada. I found it interesting to read how the folks there converted a sleigh into a horse-drawn hose-cart to use when the snow there became too deep. As for the historic fire equipment, you can see it all at the Comstock Firemen’s Museum on South C St. when you visit Virginia City. I love checking out stuff like that.
Of course, when I was there a few years ago with my wife, I bumped into a local historian who told me that Virginia City was known as "A place swollen with silver, greed, violence, and grief." One example of that is the "Bucket of Blood Saloon," established in the 1870s, that earned its name from "the blood-soaked sawdust that needed constant removal after nightly fights, shootings, and stabbings."
As for my favorite topic of vigilante groups, a local told me, "It's a fact that more than 20 men were hanged here in Virginia City for robberies and such by the local 601 Vigilantes between 1863 and 1864."
Yes, I smiled and nodded politely. And no, I didn't correct him. But what he didn't know was that while his facts were correct, he had the wrong Virginia City. He was actually talking about what happened in Virginia City, Montana, in the winter of 1863 and 1864.
It's true. More than 20 men were hanged by vigilantes for robbery in Virginia City, Montana Territory, specifically in Alder Gulch. During the winter of 1863 to 1864, Montana vigilantes captured and hanged over 20 members of a "road agent" gang known as the "Innocents." Estimates range from 20 to 27 road agents were hanged for robberies and dozens of murders in the mining district. Their boss was believed to be County Sheriff Henry Plummer. So the Montana vigilantes hanged him, too.
As in most places in the Old West, vigilante groups, also known as Citizens Committees, were formed because formal law enforcement was nonexistent, ineffective, or corrupt. Vigilance Committee maintained law and order and administered summary justice when the law was nowhere to be found or as crooked as Sheriff Plummer up in Montana.
As for the vigilantes in Virginia City, Nevada? In 1871, Virginia City's Vigilance Committee formed to stop the lawlessness. It is said their group was made up of citizens determined to restore law and order to the area. The group called themselves the "601s", which I was told was borrowed from other Vigilance Committees in Nevada and California.
Their group was known for issuing its own calling card, a handwritten note bearing only the numbers "601". It was handed out by masked members of the 601s. It was their official notice telling that person that they had to leave town within 24 hours. If not, then they were dealt with.
In the 1870s, if folks heard the church bell ring and it wasn't Sunday morning, they took it for what it was — the community alarm for the 601s members to gather. That church bell also served as a warning to outlaws that their time was up and they should leave. If they didn't leave, they'd face forced removal from the community. They would be fortunate if it were by wagon, stage, or horseback. They also faced being tarred and feathered and being ridden out of town on a rail. Of course, those who wanted to stay that bad could do so, never leaving at all. They'd be buried there.
The most sensational hanging by Virginia City's 601s was that of Arthur Perkins. They hanged him from the rafters of Piper's Opera House. He was captured by the 601s for shooting down a man in cold blood at the bar of the International Hotel. He was identified by witnesses and convicted of murder. After that, word spread that such poor behavior was not tolerated there, and Virginia City became a much safer community.
Virginia City, Nevada, was a rough place, and its first legal execution there took place in 1868. Yes, just a few years before the 601s were established. That was the case of John Millian, who was hanged in Virginia City, Nevada, on April 24, 1868, for murdering a popular prostitute by the name of Julia Bulette.
One of the people working there at the time was a young newspaper writer named Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name, Mark Twain. The execution was a big deal in the town, and it was treated with a lot of fanfare as any major event would be. It was witnessed by Mark Twain, who later wrote an account of what he saw. His recollection was vivid.
Julia Bulette was murdered on January 20, 1867. She was a beloved prostitute and her murder is said to have caused a lot of grief throughout the Virginia City community. Her killer, John Millian, was a French immigrant who was convicted after being found with her belongings. He was hanged before a crowd of thousands while still maintaining his innocence. Although the town had a reputation for having a great deal of violence, the high-profile legal execution of Millian in 1868 is probably the most documented event in Virginia City's history.
As for the Anti-Chinese Riot of 1869, it's said that a mob of nearly 400 miners marched on Chinese workers on the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. Those 400 miners destroyed property, beat up the Chinese workers, burned their shacks, and forced them to leave town.
Virginia City, Nevada, was plagued by prostitution, violent criminal activity, saloon gunfights, vigilante justice, out-of-control fires, and racial tension, which earned it a well-deserved reputation as a lawless, rough frontier town. It was a notoriously violent 19th-century boomtown driven by the Comstock Lode silver boom.
All in all, it was a place where mining companies and workers, and rival fire companies, sometimes fought it out, sometimes rioted, sometimes shot each other, and sometimes killed each other. It was a place where local law enforcement struggled to contain the violence and hold back the vigilantes from acting. The high volume of deaths that took place there is why it's considered one of the most violent places of the Old West.
When you visit Virginia City, Nevada, you'll love the place. My advice is to immerse yourself in the history of the town. Browse antique shops, visit the Fourth Ward School Museum, The Way It Was Museum, and tour the Mackey Mansion Museum. Most museums and shops open between 10 AM and 11 AM.
And don't forget to explore the Comstock Lode and visit the Comstock History Center to see original steam locomotives. Take a self-guided tour of the Silver Terrace Cemetery or book a paranormal tour at The Washoe Club Haunted Museum. And yes, you have to check out The Red Dog Saloon and The Delta Saloon. Street parking is available on C Street and in designated spots around town. Nothing is far to walk the town. Of course, along the boardwalks, there are stores selling Western wear, jewelry, and local antiques, and don't forget to stop at Grandma's Fudge Factory to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Unless things have changed over the last couple of years since I've been back, you can watch live entertainment when the "Virginia City Outlaws" put on their shootout, or visit the Silver Queen Hotel. And by the way, every time I go there, I try to make sure to hit the Old Red Garter because I'm always looking for another hat, and they have a great selection.
Supposedly, it was in the 1870s when an outlaw by the name of Pete killed a saloon keeper over a disputed hand of cards. He realized he was in deep trouble and ran with the entire citizenry chasing him.
With the determined citizens of Virginia City calling for someone to get a rope to hang him, Pete ran down the wooden boardwalk, with the citizens right behind him. The story goes that he panicked and hid behind a row of boarding houses on D Street, looking for a place to hide, when he saw a few wooden outhouses. He immediately jumped inside one of the outhouses, slid the latch shut, and hoped no one would check it.
Meanwhile, the citizens were frantically searching for him -- supposedly right outside of the outhouse that Pete was hiding in. Believe it or not, soon enough, the citizens crowded in that area, unable to figure out where the killer was hiding.
During this time, the crowd supposedly started talking about the town's new sanitation requirements of making the citizens move their outhouses. A couple of the men decided to move an outhouse into the middle of C Street to show the town fathers what they thought of the new sanitation requirements.
As the story goes, they decided on one of the outhouses there. And yes, it was the outhouse that Pete was hiding in. Pete heard the whole thing and then felt the outhouse shake as it was lifted. The outhouse was lifted with Pete inside of it. And yes, the men were moving into the middle of C Street when a Sheriff's Deputy recognized the very scared outlaw peeking out through the outhouse's crescent-moon hole. The Deputy yelled for the citizens to grab him, and they then took the very humiliated killer into custody.
Supposedly, the story goes that the citizens didn't immediately hang Pete the next day. Instead, they washed him down first. Then they kept laughing about how "Stinky Pete" hid in an outhouse. It's said they kept laughing even as they put a rope around Pete's neck.
I've often wondered if that's a true story or just another Old West tall tale.
Tom Correa
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