VERY EARLY VIRGINIA CITY LETTER WRITTEN BY GEORGE S. WATKINS THE CELEBRATED CATTLE KING OF MADISON COUNTY.

VERY EARLY VIRGINIA CITY LETTER WRITTEN BY GEORGE S. WATKINS THE CELEBRATED CATTLE KING OF MADISON COUNTY.

Watkins, George S. (c. 1837-1931) Written by Montana Territory pioneer, gold miner and farmer George Watkins. He is writing to his sister In Hainesville, MO. In the letter Watkins writes about the brand-new gold diggings on the Snake River and “Very Steady” former “Negro” slave striking it rich. He makes reference to the overall scarcity of money and his early farming activities.

The letter is written from Virginia City, March 4th, 1869 which is interesting as at this point Virginia City was still in Montana Territory (created in 1864). However on November 8th of 1889 Montana was declared a state.

Historically interesting autograph manuscript letter from the pioneer days of Virginia City, Montana, talking about the discovery of new gold mines on Snake River.

Virginia City was founded in June 1863, when the gold discovery near Alder Creek sparked the rapid establishment of a mining district. By the 1880s, the depletion of easily-extracted placer gold led to a significant decline in population as disillusioned prospectors moved away.

The author, George S. Watkins (ca. 1837-1931), originally from Jessamine County, Kentucky, was a Virginia City’s pioneer gold miner and the celebrated "cattle king of Madison County." Watkins arrived in Virginia City on June 2, 1864, and after several years, moved to Madison Valley, where he dedicated himself to farming and stock raising. Watkins purchased thousands of acres, including much of the Madison basin, and established a summer cow camp complete with two large cabins and extensive corrals. According to THE MADISONIAN, dated Aug. 1, 1896, Watkins had sold 1,000 head of cattle to the Buford Horse and Cattle Company who were going to trail them to Custer Count on a drive that could potentially last two months. . In 1898, he began downsizing his holdings when the Madison Dam flooded his ranch near Ennis and eventually sold all his property.

The letter in total reads:

Virginia City – March

4th, 1869

My ever Dear Sister,

I was very glad indeed to receive a letter from you a Short time Since I would like to See you all very much and See how every thing looks in Mo now I believe every thing would look Strange and different from what it did when I left. I imagine Sometimes that I am at home and also I have dreamed that I was at home and then wake find it was but a dream. You always in every letter ask me to come home and when I am coming home. Well I will be apt to come home sometime but I don't know now exactly when I will come home . I heard the other day that a negro who formerly belonged to F. Miller had gone home. I think he made considerable money out here he is a very Steady and well behaved negro.

We have had the most Splendid weather during this entire winter that ever fell to the lot of mortals to See in any country the Sunny land of Stila not expected, the cattle all look well and fat, this winter has been a perfect summer for stock. There has been only a few days that the thermometer has Stood at 5 degrees below zero.

Times are rather dull in this part now money is Skarce and stock is high. I bought a lot of stock and am going ouot to the valley today to receive it. I think I have got 400 dollars the best of the trade. There is considerable excitement here about new mines in various parts of the country. The last excitement is good diggins struck on snake river about 140 miles from va City. The snow on the range is too deep to go there now. I hope the mines on snake river are good it will be every thing for the boys in this country.

I am keeping Livery and feed stable in virginia City now. I have now over two hundred tons of hay. I will have 3 teams drawing hay into va in a few days.

Ask John if he can play checkers. Tell him I play a good game now that is my only amusement in town almost.

I was sorry to hear of cousin Mary Jane _____ continued illness. It must be dreadful to be sick all the time. You you must give my love to all and I remain as ever your affectionate Brother.

Geo. S. Watkins

Three pages of text written in ink. Retains original transmittal envelope addressed to “MiFs Mathe Watkins.” Small fold tear to letter affecting one word on two pages, very legible and in vg cond.

Sources: University of Montana, Mansfield Library

The Madisonian – Aug. 1, 1896, pg. 5.

$1295.00

Watkins, George S. (c. 1837-1931) Written by Montana Territory pioneer, gold miner and farmer George Watkins. He is writing to his sister In Hainesville, MO. In the letter Watkins writes about the brand-new gold diggings on the Snake River and “Very Steady” former “Negro” slave striking it rich. He makes reference to the overall scarcity of money and his early farming activities.

The letter is written from Virginia City, March 4th, 1869 which is interesting as at this point Virginia City was still in Montana Territory (created in 1864). However on November 8th of 1889 Montana was declared a state.

Historically interesting autograph manuscript letter from the pioneer days of Virginia City, Montana, talking about the discovery of new gold mines on Snake River.

Virginia City was founded in June 1863, when the gold discovery near Alder Creek sparked the rapid establishment of a mining district. By the 1880s, the depletion of easily-extracted placer gold led to a significant decline in population as disillusioned prospectors moved away.

The author, George S. Watkins (ca. 1837-1931), originally from Jessamine County, Kentucky, was a Virginia City’s pioneer gold miner and the celebrated "cattle king of Madison County." Watkins arrived in Virginia City on June 2, 1864, and after several years, moved to Madison Valley, where he dedicated himself to farming and stock raising. Watkins purchased thousands of acres, including much of the Madison basin, and established a summer cow camp complete with two large cabins and extensive corrals. According to THE MADISONIAN, dated Aug. 1, 1896, Watkins had sold 1,000 head of cattle to the Buford Horse and Cattle Company who were going to trail them to Custer Count on a drive that could potentially last two months. . In 1898, he began downsizing his holdings when the Madison Dam flooded his ranch near Ennis and eventually sold all his property.

The letter in total reads:

Virginia City – March

4th, 1869

My ever Dear Sister,

I was very glad indeed to receive a letter from you a Short time Since I would like to See you all very much and See how every thing looks in Mo now I believe every thing would look Strange and different from what it did when I left. I imagine Sometimes that I am at home and also I have dreamed that I was at home and then wake find it was but a dream. You always in every letter ask me to come home and when I am coming home. Well I will be apt to come home sometime but I don't know now exactly when I will come home . I heard the other day that a negro who formerly belonged to F. Miller had gone home. I think he made considerable money out here he is a very Steady and well behaved negro.

We have had the most Splendid weather during this entire winter that ever fell to the lot of mortals to See in any country the Sunny land of Stila not expected, the cattle all look well and fat, this winter has been a perfect summer for stock. There has been only a few days that the thermometer has Stood at 5 degrees below zero.

Times are rather dull in this part now money is Skarce and stock is high. I bought a lot of stock and am going ouot to the valley today to receive it. I think I have got 400 dollars the best of the trade. There is considerable excitement here about new mines in various parts of the country. The last excitement is good diggins struck on snake river about 140 miles from va City. The snow on the range is too deep to go there now. I hope the mines on snake river are good it will be every thing for the boys in this country.

I am keeping Livery and feed stable in virginia City now. I have now over two hundred tons of hay. I will have 3 teams drawing hay into va in a few days.

Ask John if he can play checkers. Tell him I play a good game now that is my only amusement in town almost.

I was sorry to hear of cousin Mary Jane _____ continued illness. It must be dreadful to be sick all the time. You you must give my love to all and I remain as ever your affectionate Brother.

Geo. S. Watkins

Three pages of text written in ink. Retains original transmittal envelope addressed to “MiFs Mathe Watkins.” Small fold tear to letter affecting one word on two pages, very legible and in vg cond.

Sources: University of Montana, Mansfield Library

The Madisonian – Aug. 1, 1896, pg. 5.