George Kipple, adventurer

Among the Patterson papers is a letter dated August 27, 1880, six days shy of one century before my birth. It’s addressed to J. Patterson, and here’s where I get a bit confused. My family, as I’ve noted, has many people named John Patterson–direct ancestors as well as varying degrees of cousins. I know that some of these Pattersons were involved in the Tuscarora Academy and Tuscarora Female Seminary, two schools in Academia, Juniata County.

This letter, from George Kipple in Willow Creek, Nevada, is sent to a J. Patterson who had been, it seems, Mr. Kipple’s former teacher. I’m guessing this was at the Tuscarora Academy, sometime in the 1850s. Kipple refers to “your instruction at Old Wisdom”–I can only guess that “Old Wisdom” is an affectionate name for the academy. (This map of Willow Creek Reservoir in Nevada contains a Midas-Tuscarora County Road. I wondered whether Kipple’s presence in Nevada was the reason for this name, although Wikipedia tells me that the community of Tuscarora, Nevada, was named after the Tuscarora, a  warship in the Civil War.)

Kipple speaks affectionately of his time with Patterson, noting, “Were there more men like you the world would be much better by your presence and example.” He tells of his travels west, of having served in the Civil War; moving to Bell County, Texas, and serving as sheriff there; moving to Mexico, joining the army, and serving under President Lerdo de Tejada before narrowly escaping as de Tejada was overthrown by a group including  Porfio Díaz; and of moving throughout the west before acquiring mining claims in Nevada. He tells of the difficulty of mining in Nevada, of traveling twenty miles to get mail at Fort McDermit; and of taking on more mining claims than otherwise allowed by changing his name to George F. Mayne.

The transcription is below. I’ll note that the handwriting was difficult to read in places, and I’ve omitted a few words and taken shaky guesses at others.

Willow Creek Nevada
Aug 27 80

Mr J. Patterson

Dear Sir

My uncle informs me that you wish me to write to you. I must gladly comply. There is no part of my past life I recall with more pleasure than the short time I spent under your instruction at Old Wisdom. Had the time been longer I have no doubt I should have been a much better man. Since leaving the old state I have traveled considerably. I shall try to give you an idea of some of my travels. I first went to Texas in 1866 and went over most of that state. In 69 I was appointed sheriff of Bell County of that state. The country was at that time overrun by desperados of the worst class. I had a hard time of it and many narrow escapes. But I stuck it out until the state was reconstructed. After a trial of cotton farming I went to Mexico. I can say that Texas is the finest agricultural state in the union. All of the state can be cultivated except the extreme western section of it which is the best cattle range I know of.

When I got to Mexico I found no opening except for a military man as I had some experience during the Civil War. I at once entered the service under the rightful President Lerdo de Tajeda. I worked myself up to the rank of colonel and commanded the Legion of Tampico, the oldest and best organization in the Mexican Army. It was composed of eight companies of infantry, four of cavalry and a batter of artillery aggregating about 1400 men. I (?) myself that I did (?) good service until Diaz the late President organized a revolution and drove the rightful ruler from the country. I stood to him until the last and had some difficulty in escaping. I should have been shot had I been taken. After that I was in the Indian Territory, Kansas, Colorado & New Mexico. I cannot say much for (?) of them. I finally set down to business on the Verde River in Arizona, took up a claim which promised to turn out well and started to develop it. After spending a considerable amount on it I sold for a trifle and quit Arizona. It is the richest mineral country I have seen but it costs too much to bring it out, it being mostly quartz mining. I stayed a short time in California and then came to Idaho Territory. I followed mining there with considerable success until last spring. I then came to Nevada and now own several mining claims which we are developing. They promise well but mining is the most uncertain business in the world. They may turn out well or not. Nevada is good for nothing except for mining purposes. In the hills the winters are very severe and there is great scarcity of timber. Agricultural pursuits are out of the question. Our camp is eighty miles from the town of Winnemucca. There are two mining towns forty and fifty eight miles from us named in miners’ parlance Being Eye & Gouge Eye. We have to get our mail and supplies from Fort McDermit a military post twenty miles from our camp. The Paiute Indians are very plenty in this country but they have been peaceable since 78. The miner is a queer sort of man, no matter how well he may be doing at any place if he hears of a better he goes to it at once no matter what the distance or difficulty may be and very often finds the new place a hundred percent worse than the one he left. They are good hearted. No man can come (?) to a miner cabin and not be well treated. They are very quick to  take offense and are not particular how they get satisfaction. Every man goes around and ready for business. I have the reputation among them of being a good hearted and high handed fellow. With all our faults I venture to say we are a class and not much worse than some who think themselves much better. But I am taking up too much space with myself and other miners. Let me say I could never forget the kindness shown us by yourself and brother when I was a poor schoolboy. Were there more men like you the world would be much better by your presence and example. By the way I must tell you a man can only take so much of a claim in one name and I did not want to sell or give up any of mine so I took the Rip Up claim under the name of George F. Mayne by which I am known here. I will write you soon again and tell you all about the country &c. I should like very much to hear from you and the old families in the neighborhood. Hoping this may find you well and that I may soon hear from you. I remain ever your &c. George W. Kipple

Address your letter to George F. Mayne, Fort McDermit Nevada
To remain until called for