Register of the Haskin-Tonopah Gold Mine Collection,
1929
Processed by Don Walker; machine-readable finding aid created by
Don Walker
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University Library, University of the
Pacific
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
URL:
http://www.pacific.edu/Library/Find/Holt-Atherton-Special-Collections.html
© 1998
University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.
Register of the Haskin-Tonopah Gold Mine Collection,
1929
Collection number: Mss91
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections
University
Library
University of the Pacific
Contact Information
- Processed by:
- Don Walker
- Date Completed:
- March 21, 1994
- Encoded by:
- Don Walker
© 1998 University of the Pacific. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Haskin-Tonopah Gold Mine Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1929
Collection number: Mss91
Creator:
Extent: 0.25 linear ft.
Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections
Shelf location: For current information on the location of
these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Haskin-Tonopah Gold Mine Collection, Mss91,
Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific
Library
Biography
To virtually "every living Nevadan more than forty years of age,
observes the WPA Nevada guide book, "Tonopah stands for modern Nevada, for
youth, excitement, hope and the great adventure of a lifetime." A major gold
rush began there in 1902, following the accidental discovery of a rich vein of
silver. By 1913, production had reached its zenith at $9.5 million, and, by
1921, it had fallen to half that figure. Gradually, one mine after another was
turned over to lessors. By 1930 the population of the town had fallen to 2000,
but Tonopah survived as a gasoline, machinery and food distribution center. As
late as 1940, notes the WPA guide, "residents are strong in the belief that
explorations will soon find new wealth."
It was apparently with that hope in view that Western Pacific Railroad
locomotive engineer, Joseph J. Haskin and his wife, Veda, of Oakland, Calif.,
acquired shares in the Electric Gold Mining Co. of Tonopah. When the president
of that entity, F.E. Horton, created a new holding company, Weepah-Horton Gold
Mining Co., many small investors like the Haskins were unable to pay the two
cents per share exchange fee Horton required to convert their holdings from
Electric Gold to Weepah-Horton stock.
Joseph Haskin may have been a friend of Horton's. His correspondence
suggests that he and his wife had helped Horton to sell Electric Gold stock in
the San Francisco Bay Area. His cus-tomers expressed concerns about the new
arrangements, while Haskin repeatedly reassured them. In June, Haskin paid his
assessment after complaining to Horton about being short of cash.
Joseph Haskin also invested in various Bay Area companies through his
union--the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers--which held a controlling
interest in the Pacific Brotherhood Investment Corp. In June 1929 this group
was investigated for financial malpractice.
Scope and Content
The Haskin/Tonopah Gold Mine Papers consist chiefly of correspondence
and clippings pertaining to stock acquisition and ownership change at a
particular gold mine near Tonopah, Nevada. The Papers also contain a small file
of materials relating to the malpractice investigation of the Pacific
Brotherhood Investment Corp.
BOX 1: HASKIN/TONOPAH GOLD MINE PAPERS, 1929
Folder 1: JOSEPH J. HASKIN--BUSINESS CORRESP., 1929
[N.B.--All correspondence is to JJH from name provided unless otherwise
indicated]
1)-Mary R. Bishop, Del Mar, Calif., 1-18
2)-S.A. Harmon, Emporia, Kan., 1-18 [incl.
env.]
4)-F.E. Horton, Reno, Nev., 2-1 [2 l.]
5)-W.B. Knight, SF, 2-5 [2 l.]
7)-F.E. Horton, Reno, Nev., 2-9 [telegram]
10)-F.E. Horton, Reno, Nev., 2-27 [2 l.]
13)-J.J. Haskin to "Frank" [probably F.E. Horton], 6-19
[ditto copy]
14)-Do., 6-21 [2 l., incl. env.]
15)-Veda L. Haskin to Weepah Horton Gold Mines Co., 6-22
[incl. notice of assessment from Weepah Horton]
Folder 2: WEEPAH-HORTON GOLD MINES CO.--MISC. CLIPPINGS,
1929
1)-"Transfer property--Electric Gold to Weepah-Horton
Co.," Nevada Mining Press (2-1)
2)-"Come back of Weepah Camp," source unident.
(2-4)
Folder 3: WEEPAH-HORTON GOLD MINES CO.--MISC. PAPERS,
1929
1)-"To the stockholders of the Electric Gold Mines Co."
from F.E. Horton, Weepah Horton Gold Mines Co., 1-25 [2]
2)-"To the stockholders of Weepah Horton Gold Mines Co."
from F.E. Horton, President, 5-22
3)-"Notice of assessment no. 1, Weepah Horton Gold Mines
Company" [May]
4)-Transfer of claim against Weepah Horton to ownership
of I.H. Johnson for one dollar, 6-12
5)-Assessment pmt. slip, n.d. [June] [2; one has note to
JJH from F.E. Horton]
Folder 4: TONOPAH BANKING CORP.--CORRESP.,
1929
1)-Veda L. Haskin, Oakland, Calif. to TBC, 2-12 [incl.
recpt. from Weepah Horton, 2-14; env.]
3)-Registered mail env. & PO Return Recpt.,
2-14
Folder 5: PACIFIC BROTHERHOOD INVESTMENT CO--MISC.
PAPERS, 1929
1)-George Stratton, investigator to A. Johnston, Grand
Chief Engineer, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, 6-1 [4 l.]
2)-George Stratton to Directors of PBIC, 6-4
3)-George Stratton to Preferred Stockholders,
6-14
