It was found in the book "Pioneers of the Ponderosa." "Pioneers of the Ponderosa" is a wonderful reference book whenever researching people or places in Washoe Valley.
The book was part of the Fulton collection and the 'John' (see bottom exhibit) refers to John Fulton. I am guessing by the date of the book it refers to John Fulton Jr. Fulton's grandfather was a president of the University of Nevada. He bought the Best & Belcher mansion in Virginia City and moved it to 6th Street just below the University property.
Our John Fulton was an accountant with the Sacramento Solons AAA Baseball Club. He developed property in Carnelian Bay on Lake Tahoe. It is still known as Fulton Acres. He loved all things Nevada and he could be found roaming the most obscure and desolate parts of the Nevada desert.
Exhibit 2
The two original letters were written in the hand of Sarah Winnemucca and signed by her. Sarah Winnemucca was the first Native American female to write a book. She was a strong advocate for Native American rights and her statue stands in the Capital building in Washington D. C. Her father was Chief Winnemucca. Chief Winnemucca was a well respected Paiute Indian in early Nevada history. He single-handedly tried to keep his tribe from going to battle with the invading horde of white miners and settlers, but was unsuccessful. When war was evident, Winnemucca joined his brethren and fought alongside them in the Pyramid Lake Indian Wars.
The first exhibit seems to be written to George in Lovelock, Nevada. Actually, George Lovelock was one of the few people living in Big Meadow in 1863. If it is indeed an 1863 letter, that this has to be none other than George Lovelock. [Click here to learn more about the Lovelock entrepreneur.]
The book was part of the Fulton collection and the 'John' (see bottom exhibit) refers to John Fulton. I am guessing by the date of the book it refers to John Fulton Jr. Fulton's grandfather was a president of the University of Nevada. He bought the Best & Belcher mansion in Virginia City and moved it to 6th Street just below the University property.
Our John Fulton was an accountant with the Sacramento Solons AAA Baseball Club. He developed property in Carnelian Bay on Lake Tahoe. It is still known as Fulton Acres. He loved all things Nevada and he could be found roaming the most obscure and desolate parts of the Nevada desert.
Exhibit 2
The two original letters were written in the hand of Sarah Winnemucca and signed by her. Sarah Winnemucca was the first Native American female to write a book. She was a strong advocate for Native American rights and her statue stands in the Capital building in Washington D. C. Her father was Chief Winnemucca. Chief Winnemucca was a well respected Paiute Indian in early Nevada history. He single-handedly tried to keep his tribe from going to battle with the invading horde of white miners and settlers, but was unsuccessful. When war was evident, Winnemucca joined his brethren and fought alongside them in the Pyramid Lake Indian Wars.
The first exhibit seems to be written to George in Lovelock, Nevada. Actually, George Lovelock was one of the few people living in Big Meadow in 1863. If it is indeed an 1863 letter, that this has to be none other than George Lovelock. [Click here to learn more about the Lovelock entrepreneur.]
In the letter Sarah is already advocating for Native American rights. She is asking the recipient to be kind to her uncle. He was living in Silver City during the Pyramid Lake Indian Wars and did not take part in the massacre of 75 whites in the first battle.
The second letter mentions Willie Biscuit (see exhibit two). In 1863 he would have been a young 24 years old. He would go on to live 108 years. Willie is most known for contradicting the common story of the death of the white hero Major William Ormsby. He was killed in the Pyramid Lake Indian Wars. Ormsby was a very popular and successful businessman in Carson City. His death was reported in Thompson and West's "History of Nevada." It was graphic and made Ormsby, a hero who suffered many injuries, almost immortal. But it was Chief Winnemucca himself who put the final two arrows into Ormsby's body to finished the foul deed of the savages!
Willie Biscuit gave an interview to a Reno Evening Gazette reported in 1932. In this interview he said that Ormsby did not die valiantly climbing a hill to try and reach safety, but died in the canyon with the others. He also said the Chief Winnemucca did not deliver the final blow to Ormsby, but when he came upon his friend [his two daughters, including Sarah, were raised in his household] he tried to stop his fellow Indians from killing the major, but was too late and unable.
Exhibit 3
The second letter mentions Willie Biscuit (see exhibit two). In 1863 he would have been a young 24 years old. He would go on to live 108 years. Willie is most known for contradicting the common story of the death of the white hero Major William Ormsby. He was killed in the Pyramid Lake Indian Wars. Ormsby was a very popular and successful businessman in Carson City. His death was reported in Thompson and West's "History of Nevada." It was graphic and made Ormsby, a hero who suffered many injuries, almost immortal. But it was Chief Winnemucca himself who put the final two arrows into Ormsby's body to finished the foul deed of the savages!
Willie Biscuit gave an interview to a Reno Evening Gazette reported in 1932. In this interview he said that Ormsby did not die valiantly climbing a hill to try and reach safety, but died in the canyon with the others. He also said the Chief Winnemucca did not deliver the final blow to Ormsby, but when he came upon his friend [his two daughters, including Sarah, were raised in his household] he tried to stop his fellow Indians from killing the major, but was too late and unable.
Exhibit 3
So this is just a copy of a copy of a letter. But its contents deserve to be public!