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Story
August 12, 1873
Eureka Daily Sentinel
Eureka, Eureka County, Nevada
What is this article about?
A report from Columbus details a declining town of 250 residents, including 15 gamblers, 50 laborers at $4/day, and 50 destitute beggars. Labor is scarce, water is undrinkable, whisky is strychnine-like, and prospects are hopeless, with Barnes planning a newspaper but unable to hire at fair wages.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
[From the Reno Crescent, Aug. 9.]
Reports from Columbus do not speak well for the prospects of that town. The population of the town is estimated at 250, of which 15 are professional gamblers, 50 laboring men, working at $4 per day, and 50 dead broke, who live on what they can beg of those who have money. Labor is below par and the number of laborers is steadily being diminished. As fast as a man is paid off and discharged he joins the gamblers, the army of brokes cleans him out. Barnes of Gold Hill is in Columbus with printing material for the purpose of starting a newspaper. Our reporter, a practical printer, says that Barnes offered him work but he would not stay in the town for less than $20 per day and there was nothing to justify Barnes in paying 20 cents no bargain was made. It is reported to be suffocating water simply horrible being tinctured with borax, salt, lime, sulphur, arsenic, assafoetida, etc. Strychnine whisky as milk in comparison. Citizens of Columbus on their prospects congratulate themselves; to come there can be no future punishment for them.
Reports from Columbus do not speak well for the prospects of that town. The population of the town is estimated at 250, of which 15 are professional gamblers, 50 laboring men, working at $4 per day, and 50 dead broke, who live on what they can beg of those who have money. Labor is below par and the number of laborers is steadily being diminished. As fast as a man is paid off and discharged he joins the gamblers, the army of brokes cleans him out. Barnes of Gold Hill is in Columbus with printing material for the purpose of starting a newspaper. Our reporter, a practical printer, says that Barnes offered him work but he would not stay in the town for less than $20 per day and there was nothing to justify Barnes in paying 20 cents no bargain was made. It is reported to be suffocating water simply horrible being tinctured with borax, salt, lime, sulphur, arsenic, assafoetida, etc. Strychnine whisky as milk in comparison. Citizens of Columbus on their prospects congratulate themselves; to come there can be no future punishment for them.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Columbus Town
Gamblers
Economic Decline
Poor Water
Nevada Settlement
What entities or persons were involved?
Barnes
Where did it happen?
Columbus
Story Details
Key Persons
Barnes
Location
Columbus
Story Details
Reports describe Columbus as a failing town with a population of 250 including gamblers, low-paid laborers, and beggars; labor diminishes as workers lose money to gamblers; poor water and whisky quality; Barnes attempts to start a newspaper but cannot afford hires; citizens see no worse fate possible.