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

TE71 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday December 7, 1884 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Turkey Talk -- Christmas Amenities and Liberalities -- Lander County Assessment Collection -- A Healthy Showing -- Revival of the Naiad Queen-- A Recompilation of the Laws of Nevada -- A Discouraged Fighter -- Heel-and-Toe-- Etc [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, December 5, 1884. Since the election times have subsided into a state of dullness not at all agreeable to saloon keepers or anybody else. Thanksgiving Day had somewhat of an enlivening influence, yet it was only for the occasion. Everybody found plenty of...
TE72 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE FROM EASTERN NEVADA. Zero Speculations and Suggestions -- Warm Houses -- Good Mud -- Experience in Selling a House -- Somebody Handicapped -- Something About Concentration -- Experience of a Boston Company Therein -- Ho, Joe! Manhattan -- Legislative. [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, December 13, 1884. The coldest night thus far this season has chilled the Austin thermometer down to ten degrees above zero. Now, how confoundedly indefinite that sounds -- down to ten degrees above zero. Not more than ninety-nine out of 100 intelligent folks know what zero means...
TE73 TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . January 11, 1885 FROM EASTERN NEVADA. TO THE STATE CAPITAL! An Affluence of Snow -- Austin Winter Holiday Amenities -- New Year Propositions -- A Miner's Death – Manhattan Milling -- Valuable Dust and Rich Crushings -- Thousands for Tribute -- Dump and Gob Pickers -- Dale's Gobblings -- Ruby Silver -- The Curfew Bell - Valedictory -- Off the Track -- One More River to Cross -- Go West, Young Man -- Battle Mountain -- Reno - Carson -- Railroad Folks -- Social and Legislative [Correspondence of the Enterprise.] AUSTIN, December 31, 1884....

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