1) This letter is sent from B. L. Snelling to Warren Williams. WIlliams is one of the largest sheep ranchers in Nevada at this time. Mr. Snelling is explaining why he hasn't been able to do any fencing. The snow is too deep - it is eight inches. He, also, can't find any help. So?
Benjamin Snelling is listed as living in Genoa in the 1900 and 1910 census. In the 1910 census it clearly states he is not in Genoa. He has left his family and travelled 350 miles for a job. Not enough for sympathy? At the time he writes this letter he is 71 years old and he is working 350 miles from home mending fences!
2) Benjamin Snelling was a member of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry. This regiment spent most of its time dodging union soldiers along the Mississippi. Most of his regiment surrendered at the battle of Selma, so I assume he became a prisoner of war. His brother, Charles, was another Confederate soldier. He was captured by Union forces in Missouri and hung without an official tribunal for crimes he may have or may not have committed.
3) But here is the kicker. On December 24, 1894 he, Mary Jane his wife, and at least some of his ten children went to a Christmas Eve dance. They were living in Silver Lake, Oregon and the event was held at the J. H. Clayton Hall above the Christman Store. An 18 year old bumped a lamp while getting up causing the coal oil to flare up. Francis Christman, the owner, grabbed the lamp and headed for the door. But since it was the only way out, he was trapped and the lamp was knocked out of his hands.
From the instant the lamp was bumped, hardly more than two minutes passed before the entire building was engulfed by flames. Of the 200 in attendance, 43 perished that night including May Jane Snelling and Robert, a son. Daughter Clara was very badly burned. (She was still living with her father in 1910 in Genoa.)
Yet, Benjamin Snelling persevered. He would pack his family up and move to Genoa and would live another sixteen years after working on a ranch mending fences at the age of seventy-one.
Benjamin Snelling is listed as living in Genoa in the 1900 and 1910 census. In the 1910 census it clearly states he is not in Genoa. He has left his family and travelled 350 miles for a job. Not enough for sympathy? At the time he writes this letter he is 71 years old and he is working 350 miles from home mending fences!
2) Benjamin Snelling was a member of the 2nd Missouri Cavalry. This regiment spent most of its time dodging union soldiers along the Mississippi. Most of his regiment surrendered at the battle of Selma, so I assume he became a prisoner of war. His brother, Charles, was another Confederate soldier. He was captured by Union forces in Missouri and hung without an official tribunal for crimes he may have or may not have committed.
3) But here is the kicker. On December 24, 1894 he, Mary Jane his wife, and at least some of his ten children went to a Christmas Eve dance. They were living in Silver Lake, Oregon and the event was held at the J. H. Clayton Hall above the Christman Store. An 18 year old bumped a lamp while getting up causing the coal oil to flare up. Francis Christman, the owner, grabbed the lamp and headed for the door. But since it was the only way out, he was trapped and the lamp was knocked out of his hands.
From the instant the lamp was bumped, hardly more than two minutes passed before the entire building was engulfed by flames. Of the 200 in attendance, 43 perished that night including May Jane Snelling and Robert, a son. Daughter Clara was very badly burned. (She was still living with her father in 1910 in Genoa.)
Yet, Benjamin Snelling persevered. He would pack his family up and move to Genoa and would live another sixteen years after working on a ranch mending fences at the age of seventy-one.
- 1994 Associated Press Article remembering the Silver Lake fire, December 24, 1894. December 29, 1894 Morning Oregonian Article
- United States Census
- Nevada State Journal obituary
- Find a Grave website