Streets and saloons of Carson, Nevada
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
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.]
11
Comments
Demon rum strikes again!
So, what happened? Did he get fired? We need the rest of the story.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Did he run the streets Naked seems it would have to be extreme for that town in that time
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
good ole red eye whiskey
Assayer needs to be trusted so his being drunk in public would be a problem.
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
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
I hope the assayer didn't lose his marriage too.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
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.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
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
"You Suck Award" - February, 2015
Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
Yep. Showing up for work drunk was grounds for dismissal for workmen. For an officer any public intoxication could cost him his job.
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.
Gives a whole new meaning to "See See"
Steve
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:
Well,the drinking water was pretty risky in those days!
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.
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.
I wonder if they had the tradition of a 'liquid lunch' in those days.....
Afternoon production would certainly have been affected..... 
Cheers, RickO
Interesting story, thanks for posting.
The letter was dated March 1878, I wonder if this had to do with the resignation 6 months later?
Nevada history is cool.
The jumble shown in the 2nd photo is a long way from anything authentic -- or is it just a pile awaiting the curator?
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.
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.
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.
Oh, OK. Now I understand the "contrived mess." Thanks for the clarification.
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.
Interesting thread.
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Las Vegas was really tiny. One rancher and his wife. Las Vegas didn't exist as a town until after 1900.
bob
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.
Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.
Here is Linderman's reply to the individual who "Blew the whistle" on the assayer. What is that name - Ino K. Noble?
"You Suck Award" - February, 2015
Discoverer of 1919 Mercury Dime DDO - FS-101
Jno = John or Johannes