Territorial Enterprise

February, 1883 - January, 1885
Alf Doten wrote for the Territorial Enterprise, the largest and most successful newspaper in Virginia City, sporadically from the time he moved to the Comstock in 1864 until the end of his life, as a freelancer and briefly as a “local reporter.” He also filled in for Dan De Quille at times when De Quille was detoxing from alcohol. After a great deal of financial and professional success as the publisher of the Gold Hill News, Doten’s fortunes took a very bad turn in late 1882, resulting in his family’s move in 1883 to Austin, Nevada, a more prosperous town where he might have more opportunities. They stayed for less than two years, but during that time Doten wrote 73 columns, “From Eastern Nevada” that were published in the Enterprise. It was his only steady work, and he gave it his best writing about daily life in Austin, a much smaller and quieter place than Virginia City. If nothing interesting was happening, he fantasized a bit, using fictional characters that typified (but exaggerated) the types of citizens of his new home. This series provides a wealth of information about Austin during the early 1880s

TE61 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday September 21, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Political Buzzing, Points and Prospects -- Still Hunting -- The Coming County Conventions -- Contending Interests -- Tariff Tribulations -- Senator Jones Thereon -- Cousin Jack at Home and Abroad -- A Floating Population -- Political Straws -- Reese River Races and Rackets -- The Mill and the Mines [Correspondence of the Enterprise] AUSTIN, September 19, 1884 About this time the ambitious aspirant for office and the wide-awake political buzzer are getting in their work very lively, in view of the equinoctial culmination of...
TE62 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday September 28, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Political Primaries -- Cassidy and Woodburn -- Cleveland Discounted Presidential Possibilities -- Irish-American Sense -- Some Legislative Propositions -- State and County Economy -- Constitutional Convention -- St. John, the Evangelist -- Whisky -- Military Revival -- Trout -- Catarrh -- Frost -- Mashed Tomatoes -- Etc. [Correspondence of the Enterprise] AUSTIN, September 26, 1884 Last evening the County Republican Central Committee met and selected twenty-seven delegates to the County Convention on the 4th of next month,...
TE63 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday October 5, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. The Democratic Convention -- Heavy and Unseasonable Snow Storm -- Congressman Cassidy -- How Judge Scott Got Caught Out -- Mill and Mining Matters -- A Satisfactory Piece of Machinery -- Old Ice -- Cowhide Cocktail -- Shoeing Cows -- Curfew -- Soreheads -- Etc. [Correspondence of the Enterprise] AUSTIN, October 3, 1884 The Democratic County Convention, day before yesterday, brought a lively snow storm, which lasted until last evening, covering the whole country with a wintry blanket about four inches thick. Thus far we have...
TE64 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday October 12, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. The Wild Political Epizootic -- Candidates' Trials and Tribulations -- Jubilant Saloon-keepers -- Badgered Soreheads -- Got His Fork in Where There Was No Guano -- Independent Candidates -- Coon Dogs -- Another Model Convention -- Hay Fever -- H. Ward Beecher -- Campaign Speakers -- Ore and Bullion -- Military -- Third Party -- Matrimonial Coaching -- Nuts and Blankets -- Grand Coon Dog Ball -- County Consolidation. [Correspondence of the Enterprise] AUSTIN, October 10, 1884 The wild, whirling cloudburst of politics at...
TE65 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday October 26, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Congressman Woodburn's Popular Reception and Address in Austin -- Lander Hill Aglow with Republican Enthusiasm -- Bonfires, Cannon and a Torchlight Procession on Wheels -- About the Public Land Donations -- The Senator Jones Standard -- Anxious Candidates -- Smiling Voters -- Salt River -- Coon Dogs -- A Bad "Pitch." [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, October 24, 1884 Again were the patriotic echoes of the old Toiyabe range awakened on Monday evening last by a grand Republican demonstration, similar to that of the...
TE66 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday November 2, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Colonel A.C. Ellis Enlightens the Austin Political Horizon -- He Talks Two Hours Without Serious Detriment -- Silver, Tariff, Chinese and Mcsweeney -- The Coon-Dog Ball and Supper -- Not Registered -- Cranky Notions -- Dry Compliments -- The Next Circus [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, October 30, 1884 The political discourse of Colonel A.C. Ellis, on Monday Evening, was the latest sensation in that line. The Austin Democracy were out in full force, had two grand bonfires on Main street, and the little brass cannon...
TE67 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday - November 9, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA Glorious Election Results -- Eastern Nevada Republicans on Top -- Good Effects of Senator Jones' Missionary Work In This Section -- Local Politics -- Anglo-Cornish Club -- Wheels Within Wheels -- Some Popular Democrats -- Soreheads and Coon Dogs -- Soothing Syrup -- The Mendacious Telegraph -- A Bonanza of Lies -- The Coon Dog Ball -- Up Salt River [Correspondence of the Enterprise] AUSTIN, November 6, 1884 The intense strain on the political mind of Austin during the present week has been terrible to endure. On Monday came...
TE68 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 16, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Austin's Grand Democratic Ratification -- Chinese Lanterns and Piute Bonfires -- Democratic Conundrums -- Local Eloquence -- More Trouble Threatened -- A Discolored American -- Honest Sentiments – The Democratic Raid on the Postoffices -- Civil Service Reform Needed -- Delilah St. John -- Ben Butler -- Local Incidentals. [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, November 13, 1884. The brilliant example set by the Democracy of the East and elsewhere, celebrating the grand success of Cleveland...
TE69 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . November 23, 1884. FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Political Bets, Spoils and Fancies -- The Silver Viscount and Depression -- A Heavy Milling Run -- The Mines -- Manhattan Civil Service -- A Stage Driver in a Bad Fix -- A Boom in Red Paint -- St. John -- Donkey Rabbits -- State Prison Warden. [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, November 20, 1884. During the past week Austin has been but little convulsed with politics, and people generally have quietly settled down to the realization that Cleveland is elected. Bets of hats, clothes and other...
TE70 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 30, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Thanksgiving Feastivities and Amenities -- Political Speculations and Propositions -- Legislative Views -- Old-Time "Prairie Schooner" Outfit --Cassidy's Injustice to Reese River -- Telegraph, Railroad and Odd Fellow Personals -- Vesuvian Sunsets -- Shaken Confidence. [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, November 27, 1884. Thanksgiving Day is always well observed in this section, and to-day has been no exception to the rule. Austinites are not famous for attending church any more on...

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