Sale 41: Western Postal History

Lot 872    

Ophir, Oct 23/66. Manuscript postmark on cover to Bow, N.H., franked with manuscript canceled 1861, 3¢ rose, Very Fine, a scarce manuscript usage (Gamett and Paher Rarity 9).
Scott No. 65    Estimate $150 - 200.

Realized: $85

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Lot 873    

Palmetto, Nev./Oct. 7. Forwarding cds on 1¢ Columbian Expo. multicolor postal to Feels Marsh, Belleville P.O., card with 1893 Chicago World's Fair Station Expo. origin machine cancel, card forwarded to Columbus, Nev., card with handwritten message including "Have not yet run across the Borax Exhibit…", Very Fine (Gamett-Paher Rarity 8).
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $140

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Lot 874    

Palmyra, Nev. Cds on neat cover to Ohio franked with 1861 3¢ rose cancelled by unusual (fancy?) cancel, Very Fine (Gamett-Paher Rarity 10).
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $300

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Lot 875    

Pine Grove, Nev./May 25. Manuscript postmark on 3¢ pink entire to Carson City, postmarked in transit blue "Virginia City, Nev./May 26" double circle postmark, reduced at left & small tear at left, still Very Fine (Gamett-Paher Rarity 10).
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $65

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Lot 876    

Sprucemont, Nevada/Aug. 6, 1887. Magenta double circle postmark on cover with printed address to Boston franked with two 1¢ Bank Notes, cancelled by matching magenta star cancels, reduced at left & small sealed cover tear at top affecting postmark, otherwise Very Fine (Gamett-Paher Rarity 7).
Estimate    $75 - 100.

Realized: $60

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Lot 877    

Star City, Nev. T./Oct. 16. Neat cds on 1861-62 3¢ pink entire with Wells, Fargo & Co. frank to Jamestown, Cal., most of flap missing, Very Fine and scarce (Gamett-Paher Rarity 9).
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $425

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Lot 878    

Stillwater, Nev./Nov. 1, 1887/Jas. W. Richards, P.M. Neat cds on registered 2¢ entire to Sacramento and uprated with 10¢ brown Bank Note tied bold star in circle cancel, Extremely Fine and attractive.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $105

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Lot 879    

Taylor, Nev./White Pine Co. Cds with manuscript "Oct./18, '86" date on registered cover to Carson, Nev. franked with 2¢ and 10¢ Bank Notes, tied target cancel & second strike of cds, cover with printed corner card "A.C. Cleveland/Cleveland, White Pine Co., Nev.", Extremely Fine (Gamett-Paher Rarity 7).
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Cleveland Ranch is located in North Spring Valley. The postal designation Cleveland was named for Abner C. ("Cleve") Cleveland who had joined the rush to White Pine, taking up a ranch in Spring Valley. During the mid-1860?s, Abner C. Cleveland and Daniel Murphy became partners in a cattle venture in Spring Valley. Cleveland became a Nevada State Senator in 1870.

An Indian skirmish occurred near Cleveland in 1875 that proved to be nothing more than an absurd situation. Readers had to think that a major Indian war had broken out in Spring Valley and would soon spread to encompass the Hamilton area. A full page was devoted to the telegrams that were flying back and forth asking soldiers to protect the embattled ranchers.

According to B.F. Miller in Nevada in the Making, published in Vol. IV in the Nevada Historical Society Papers, two Goshute offered to sell a mine to two miners for fifty dollars. The men agreed to pay after they had a chance to inspect the mine. The miners refused to pay when, upon inspection, the ledge proved to be worthless. In the dispute following the refusal to pay for the mine, the Indians killed one of the men. The other, Leathers who was one of the early discoverers in the White Pine District, escaped to the Cleveland Ranch. Cleveland proceeded to go on the warpath. He captured an Indian, who in trying to escape, was shot and killed. Things escalated and a scare developed. Governor Bradley was asked to send aid, and he immediately arranged to have troops moved to the scene. The troops, under the command of Major Dennis, frightened the Goshutes into a near panic. They had no desire for war at that particular time. The debacle ended when the Indians gave up the murderer of the white man. The mob immediately lynched the Indian, and the "war" was over.

When Murphy died in 1882, Cleveland took complete control of the ranch and the Cleveland post office was established on July 24, 1882. In the early 1890?s, the mail service was so unsatisfactory that W. N. McGill and A. C. Cleveland agreed to go B. F. Miller?s bond for fifty thousand dollars each. Following the Dorsey mail frauds, the government required mail contractors to furnish a bond and this bond had to be secured by unencumbered real estate. McGill and Cleveland also agreed to help finance and equip the various routes if Miller could secure the mail contracts and act as general manager for the service.

Cleveland was an important man on the Nevada political scene. In 1902 he ran for governor, but lost to Governor John Sparks. Cleveland died the following year. After his death, his widow Kate (Peters) Cleveland took control of the ranch. William N. McGill attempted to buy the ranch after Cleveland?s death, but was refused. Cleveland was a primary stop on the Aurum-Osceola run. The stage was running twice a week during this period. Postal operations continued until February 15, 1905.

Realized: $80

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Lot 880    

Treasure City, Nev./Jun. 23. Blue postmark on 3¢ pink entire to Philadelphia, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine (Gamett-Paher Rarity 7).
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $60

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Lot 881    

Truckee Meadows, N.T./Feb 22. Red cds on cover to Maine, franked with manuscript canceled 861, 3¢ rose; cover slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, a very scarce Nevada town (Gamett and Paher Rarity 10).
Scott No. 65    Estimate $200 - 300.

Realized: $575

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