Streets and saloons of Carson, Nevada

RogerB

Work at the western mints was not all "work." There was time for play - but at the risk of the government job.

"James Crawford, Esq.
Superintendent
U.S. Mint
Carson, Nevada

March 28, 1878

Sir:
I have received a communication from a person in your city which states in substance, that the Assayer of your mint is in the habit of exhibiting himself in the streets and saloons in an intoxicated condition.

If this be true in any degree, a change in that office will be necessary. Please report the facts without delay, and if they are as stated, it will be necessary for you to recommend a well qualified person for the position.
Very respectfully,
H. R. Linderman"

[RG104 E-235 vol 015, p.123.]

291fifth

Demon rum strikes again!

PerryHall

So, what happened? Did he get fired? We need the rest of the story.

jabba

Did he run the streets Naked seems it would have to be extreme for that town in that time

johnny9434

good ole red eye whiskey

Smudge

Assayer needs to be trusted so his being drunk in public would be a problem.

AUandAG

I can personally tell you nothing has changed. You can still witness such events of "upstanding" individuals on the main street of Carson nightly (Carson Street).

bob

jonruns

I saw that there is an auction of some cool western saloon and brothel tokens today:

https://www.icollector.com/2019-WESTS-Token-Auction_a38239

Swampboy

I hope the assayer didn't lose his marriage too.

coinbuf

It's possible that some may confuse the Hollywood old west with the real old western mining towns, there are some similarities but the old west as portrayed in film is often quite different than the real old west.

StrikeOutXXX

I've read records of dismissing employees for intoxication - the below letter seems to imply while at work though.

For the Carson Assayer - wonder what type of due process they got back then, or if it was simply against Mint employment to be drunk in public.

NARA Entry 1, Box 109 of Record Group 104

RogerB

Yep. Showing up for work drunk was grounds for dismissal for workmen. For an officer any public intoxication could cost him his job.

CaptHenway

My Grandfather was an ironworker who worked the high iron on bridges and skyscrapers. He was also a functioning alcoholic. My Dad said that he would get off work and drink hard until 8 P.M., and then stop and be sober by morning. Was he unfit for the job?

Never missed a days work because of his drinking, and never had an accident other than the time some guy three stories above him dropped a wrench that hit him on his hardhat and then proceeded to break his collarbone. Being the Foreman on the job he climbed up the three stories and fired the guy before going to the hospital.

As a Foreman he would never tolerate somebody who showed up in the morning hung over. He knew the effects of alcohol.

OldEastside

Gives a whole new meaning to "See See"

Steve

Nysoto

At the First US Mint at Philadelphia, rum showed up on many of the expense reports. On June 5, 1793 punch engraver Jacob Bay was "drunk - to be fined".

In this 1795 expense report for the Coining Department, three barrels of rum were purchased, NARA RG 104, folder 45 Daily Expenses:

kaz

Well,the drinking water was pretty risky in those days!

northcoin

Just had to post these photos I took, given the subject. These are photos of the recreated Assay Office in Carson City as contained in the Nevada State Museum located in Carson City, Nevada. (Note at least there is no empty bottle of whiskey on the table. )

Question though, whether the evident working conditions might drive a man to drink.

The museum is actually housed in the original old mint building where all the Carson City coins were made.

Zoins

Who was the Assayer of the Carson City Mint in 1878, the year of the letter?

Frank D. Hetrich was the Assayer until he resigned in August of 1878. Later Annie Martin was the assayer the letter refers to a man.

ricko

I wonder if they had the tradition of a 'liquid lunch' in those days..... Afternoon production would certainly have been affected..... Cheers, RickO

LJenkins11

Interesting story, thanks for posting.

OriginalDan

@Zoins said:
Who was the Assayer of the Carson City Mint in 1878, the year of the letter?

Frank D. Hetrich was the Assayer until he resigned in August of 1878. Later Annie Martin was the assayer the letter refers to a man.

The letter was dated March 1878, I wonder if this had to do with the resignation 6 months later?

topstuf

Nevada history is cool.

RogerB

The jumble shown in the 2nd photo is a long way from anything authentic -- or is it just a pile awaiting the curator?

thisistheshow

@CaptHenway said:
My Grandfather was an ironworker who worked the high iron on bridges and skyscrapers. He was also a functioning alcoholic. My Dad said that he would get off work and drink hard until 8 P.M., and then stop and be sober by morning. Was he unfit for the job?

Never missed a days work because of his drinking, and never had an accident other than the time some guy three stories above him dropped a wrench that hit him on his hardhat and then proceeded to break his collarbone. Being the Foreman on the job he climbed up the three stories and fired the guy before going to the hospital.

As a Foreman he would never tolerate somebody who showed up in the morning hung over. He knew the effects of alcohol.

Your grandfather sounds like he was a very hard worker-and also a bit of an outlier. Many alcoholics would not have the forethought or ability to stop at 8pm.

thefinn

A good friend's mother was a high-functioning alcoholic. She was also a nurse. She'd come home from work, drink to excess, then get up the next morning and do it all over again.

northcoin

@RogerB said:
The jumble shown in the 2nd photo is a long way from anything authentic -- or is it just a pile awaiting the curator?

That is the completed display. It is part of a recreated Nevada Ghost Town exhibit. The museum also has an underground mining shaft that merits exploring.

RogerB

Oh, OK. Now I understand the "contrived mess." Thanks for the clarification.

logger7

We had a worker last year who would head across the street on his lunch break as he was getting "thirsty"; and ended up getting on the manager radar screen until he got fired. It was too bad as he had a toddler and wife to support. But I heard there was broad tolerance for alcohol consumption into the 1900s with judges even drinking on the bench.

Reno and Las Vegas were tiny population wise back in the 1800s from what I have seen.

asheland

Interesting thread.

AUandAG

@logger7 said:
We had a worker last year who would head across the street on his lunch break as he was getting "thirsty"; and ended up getting on the manager radar screen until he got fired. It was too bad as he had a toddler and wife to support. But I heard there was broad tolerance for alcohol consumption into the 1900s with judges even drinking on the bench.

Reno and Las Vegas were tiny population wise back in the 1800s from what I have seen.

Las Vegas was really tiny. One rancher and his wife. Las Vegas didn't exist as a town until after 1900.

bob

Icollecteverything

In the construction industry I met lots of guys who could not have a sip because they had lost control and had to quit. Can't blame a guy for having a few after busting his hump in the sun for 8 hrs. It's a bad sign when you get home and take a 6 pack out of the fridge and set it on the sofa beside you.

StrikeOutXXX

Here is Linderman's reply to the individual who "Blew the whistle" on the assayer. What is that name - Ino K. Noble?

RogerB

Jno = John or Johannes