The Journey Begins

By Arthur Pichler

A retired machinist, Arthur, wanting to write about the gold mines and the now ghost towns of Northern Nevada, will find an adventure beyond imagination. He will meet the waitress Maggie at a coffee shop in Battle Mountain located in mid-Northern Nevada. She will introduce Arthur to a man who lives in Spirit Valley south of town. Mr. Greyson will soon, after a cordial meeting with Arthur, send to his address in Reno a box with a letter inside. The box contains an old twenty-four-channel CB radio. The letter from Mr. Greyson tells Arthur that the stories he told him of meeting the people at the mines and towns during the years 18801905 did happen, for he was there!

He can, with the CB radio in Spirit Valley, go back in time meeting the people who lived and worked in the gold and silver mines and towns. The twenty-four-channel radio will allow one to go through the small door in the woodshed back to the years in the past to twenty-four different locations and pastimes in Nevada, Arizona, and California.

Giving the property to Maggie, a future love interest develops between Arthur and Maggie. This romance from the future and in the valley will transcend back and forth into the past. A ferryboat journey up the Colorado River in the year 1890 has many events almost ending into a life or death situation.

Maggie and Arthur will meet Mr. Greyson, who has relocated back in time to Jarbidge, a mining town in Northern Nevada. Arthur will visit gold mines and will witness the extreme hardships and dangers to the workers using the stone crushers and inside the mine shafts deep in the mountains.

During a time-travel visit to Searchlight, a town along the Colorado River, Maggie and Arthur are pushed into a life or death situation. Two men from the future find a way to venture back to the same location through the door in Spirit Valley. These men are hunters and a threat to the survival of the people in the old time period due to the modern weapons and unknown consequences. Arthur makes a life or death decision on what he must do. This decision puts a tremendous mental strain on his relationship with Maggie.

Spirit Valley, over the many years, is a sacred valley where the past and present Indian spirits live. Joe White Feather, a spirit man of the local Shoshone Indians, becomes close friends with Maggie and Arthur, who eventually settle in the valley. As a spirit man, he is a strong force in the lives and events that Arthur and Maggie have to endure now in the future and the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543462784

Arthur Pichler

Arthur M. Pichler was born on 1940...Had adventures of European- USA travels on a BMW motorcycle. Was through life a machinist and inventor. School years high school and Jr. college Canoga Park California. Always had interest in history due his mother, a heavy history buff shared much of her readings with him. When relocating many years later, year 2,000, to Sparks and Reno Nevada, had interest in the old gold mines and ghost towns throughout the west. Thoughts after much research about the old days of hardship, adventure etc came up with writing a novel about going back in time 1880-1910. Having visited the locations and doing research the stories came to life.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by Arthur Pichler.

Library of Congress Control Number:             2017916871

ISBN:                   Hardcover                                    978-1-5434-6280-7

                            Softcover                                     978-1-5434-6279-1

                            eBook                                            978-1-5434-6278-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 01/30/2018

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Contents

Beginning Of A New Adventure

A Time For Decisions

Two World’s Soon To Become One

The Venture Begins

The Venture Continues

Return To The Past With Craig

I have always had a strong interest in the history about the many abandoned towns and mines throughout the big mountains and high desert state of Nevada. A few months ago, about March 2013, I was browsing through the pamphlet section at the local book store in Reno Nevada. Two pamphlets caught my eye, due to the old photos that were on the cover. One pamphlet had a photo of 4 men in work clothes holding picks and shovels leaning against a steel mining cart.

The other pamphlet had a photo of several buildings that once was a thriving town somewhere in the State of Nevada. Inside there were photos of the homes, towns and decayed mines from the past. A few more photos showing large rusting Iron or steel structure’s used to bring the raw materials from depths of the earth. Also lying on the ground decaying with years of neglect and exposure to the weather, were heavy steel cables one inch in diameter and large 8 foot diameter steel gears and structural frames which are many pounds in weight.

As a retired machinist, this is of interest as to how they were made, assembled and transported to the difficult terrain locations and their application of use at the mines. Most locations did not have the a railroad so the equipment was hauled up with big wooden wagons using horses, mules and oxen for the difficult pull over very rough dirt roads at altitudes exceeding many times 8,000 feet in severe weather conditions.

There are names, time of operation and most interesting, detailed maps showing the location of the many places listed. Also the new roads, old emigrant wagon trails of today and in the past. Shown are the location of railroad tracks, campgrounds, caves and hot springs, a common thing in Nevada. I purchased the pamphlets and bought a fully detailed book map of Nevada I have several times visited Virginia City, a famous silver mining and tourist town not far from Reno and Bodie a large ghost town about 3 hour’s drive south of Reno. Bodie is a complete ghost town with many preserved buildings that has withstood the past years due to the dry Nevada climate. There are well informed State Park Rangers to help with questions that one may have as to the history about the buildings and mines. An interesting side note is many times you can see wild horses grazing alongside of the road. These horses are very cautious when you attempt to take photos or just get to close to them. However they are truly a beautiful sight to behold.

Upon reading the many stories and seeing the photos, I thought it would be interesting to travel to some of the locations and do some research about the many ghost towns and mines in Nevada, and to write stories about the people who braved the tough terrain and weather conditions in hopes of finding their fortunes. The pamphlets show the locations of many small places that appeal to me most. But time and visits will help with that decision.

So me, my 1999 Dodge pickup and cabover camper will begin to set plans for a venture into the past. My truck has over 240,000 miles but runs great. The camper was purchased from a close friend who had it over 20 years but also in great condition. It doesn’t have a bathroom and shower so the great outdoors will have to do. Of course stops at truck stops will solve the shower problems when in need. I have a propane gas stove, a small wall heat lamp for cool nights, ice box and a 30 gallon water tank. My oldest son installed a recharging system that will run off the truck to the extra batteries when the motor is running for electric power in the camper. I have a small outdoor cooker that uses small wood scraps that can cook, grill and make coffee. For entertainment and travel updates a radio and CB plus a CD player for use when needed.

Seeing the actual places, talking to the local town’s people and just exploring the different locations should be a great source of information and experience.

During the late month of April, the weather is warm during the day, due to the high desert sun. Nights though is another story. As I began driving East on the Interstate Highway 80, I hadn’t decided where I would start writing stories about the individuals who came across the USA, to work at the different mines and seek their fortune. Possibly, I’ll make it a personal living story as it has happened? I hope to have locations and actual events but, will use fictitious names.

Nevada has over 45 mountains above 10,000 feet, 12 mountains above 11,000 feet and 5 mountains above 12,000 feet, the most mountainous state in the USA. Due to the average height of the Nevada desert where the altitude is 4,500 feet or more above sea level, the mountains as you are driving in the distance don’t seem to be that high.

After studying the photos and the different locations, brings to mind how difficult and dangerous a journey it was to cross the USA, to find the mine locations for the many people seeking them. Then, to start working the mines and set up a place to live. With the high altitude and windy cold winters is an environment hard to imagine what the people went thru. Even in the summers, there are still freezing cold nights and at times, but not too often, hot days. Many areas there are a lack of trees where livable dwellings were to be built. Many such homes were constructed by piling rocks and with what wood can be had, some sort of roof. The larger pieces of wood were used inside the mines to shore up the roof and walls of the mine a more important need at the time. Many also slept in tents made of any material they could find. Also the lack of nearby water and food supplies scarce. Due to wildlife is also scarce in many or the isolated locations. Many times people will have livestock, chickens but they also need the support of food and water.

I stopped at a roadside rest only a few hours from Reno to just relax. I cooked a nice dinner and began reading thru the pamphlet, Nevada Ghost towns and Mines publication. I decided to drive to Battle Mountain. This is a small town where I could start my travels and begin doing research. The book showed several mine locations in two separate areas but where several were located fairly close together. Battle Mountain is a good long drive East along the Interstate 80 hwy. Just before Battle Mountain, I found a small roadside rest area and set up for the night in my camper just outside of the town. I ate leftovers from dinner and listened to some music.

I woke up hungry and instead of making coffee and breakfast, I decided to eat at a cozy looking coffee shop a short distance south of town on Highway 305. A small place to eat but the fresh smell of coffee and a good breakfast is a great way to start the day. As I opened the door, there were small copper bells that made a small chime that caught the waitress’s attention. She approached me with a nice warm smile and said, Good morning will this booth be OK? The waitress had a small name tag on her blouse with colorful small flowers surrounding her name. Maggie. I replied, Yes, that would be fine thank you. She gave me a slip of paper that showed the day’s special. Since I was starved, I went for the miner’s special, ham, eggs, hotcakes and a glass of orange juice and of course a fresh cup of coffee.

After eating and on my second cup of coffee the place had only me as a customer. So, I invited Maggie to sit with me and asked, if I could inquire to her some questions about the area and possible information to the rural mines in the area. I had the mine-ghost town pamphlet with me and showed her the areas of interest I would like to visit. Also, if there are any old timers who I could talk to and stores where I can purchase a local paper and writings about the area.

Maggie thought for a few seconds and said, Yes, there used to be a man Jim Greyson who came to town weekly and would sit here at this booth a tell stories about the early days. The thing is the details of his stories about the mines and people were sort of strange He is in his mid-seventies. Too young to have lived at that time. His knowledge of the mines, town descriptions, names of the people and events was hard to see how he knew about such details. After a while many of the people had enough and thought wow, what a story teller he was. This was about two years ago. He doesn’t come to town often except to buy supplies. He also comes by to say a few words to me, for I always had a fresh cup of coffee and donuts for him when he comes to visit. Oh, Let me get you the morning paper a customer left.

I thought wow, this could be the start I was looking for and asked her, where he lived and if he would sit and talk to me. She said, He is a very private person and at times just not hospitable to strangers visiting his place. However, you may use my name as a reference and introduction. Also, a good way to have a visit is to bring him a good supply of stables. He lives at a minimum level of existence as you will see when you drive up.

Maggie showed me on the map I had, where he lives. She said, Drive south on Highway 305 about nine miles. It is just open desert so the dirt road off on the right will be easy to spot. There is a small old sign that says, Little Cottonwood Road. Turn right for about 2 miles. There is a really small sign that says, dirt road.’ Make a right turn and drive until a short distance to the base of a big hill. Drive up the hill and when at the top you will be able to see Jim’s place off in the distance. He has his place situated in a small valley about another mile away. He lives in a small old style trailer. There are chickens and goats and an old forty seven or forty eight year dodge pickup. There is a small spring fed pond with a few shade trees on the pond’s edge."

As I was about to leave and thanked Maggie for her help and a great breakfast, she handed me a box of donuts for Jim and said, To help things, buy a large bone for his dog Brute. Believe me, if you was to get out of your truck. My friend Bob the local sherriff said this is a must do when he visits Jim on patrol. My camper has a good ice box and also, I have a cooler chest for when I’m not with my truck. Restocked both iceboxes with ice than I made a list of food things such as a big slab of bacon, soups, oat meal, dry cereals, dried beans, bread, salt, pepper, lots of coffee, tea and for the first night, if I get to stay overnight, couple of big steaks that we can grill over the open fire. Oh, a case of Olympia beer is a big suggestion to," Maggie stated, as I was going out the door.

As I was leaving the store and started my truck, I had to go back into the store for forgetting the dog bones might be a big thing to forget. I went in to get a bag of several bones and then again, started up my truck and headed south down hwy. 305 towards Jim’s place.

The day was passing by and about 3 in the afternoon by the time I left the local store and was on my way. I watched the odometer and as nine miles was approaching, I saw on the right side of the hwy. the dirt road Maggie mentioned. It was easy to see, for it was the only thing breaking up the dry flat desert even lacking in sagebrush. As I slowed down there’s the old weathered sign saying, little cottonwood canyon road. At this point, I was thinking, where are the trees? This is a smooth well-traveled dirt road. The hills off in the distance were quickly coming up making for a slow climb and slower speed On the right the dirt road with its very small sign, came up fast. And yes, it said, dirt road. The road was easy to drive over until I came to the bottom of the hill. Or I mean mountain. The drive up about two miles or so was slow, and very bumpy due to rain wash out and my camper weighing over 1,500 pounds at the time wishing I had a four wheel truck.

However, I did make it to the top, I stopped and could see about a good mile or so away situated in a nice valley is Jim’s place as mentioned by Maggie. Driving a very slow pace and avoiding the possible chance of sliding off the road, I finally got within about 30 yards distance from Jim’s place when all of a sudden, this monster dog of a breed, I couldn’t guess, came running and barking at full speed towards my truck. I thought he was going to leap onto my truck hood but instead jumped against the driver’s side of my truck. I rolled up my window fast, for his teeth were big and his mouth drooling. He had now a growl instead of a bark. So I drove very slow closer to Jim’s place. Then another surprise, two big geese, flying about 2 feet above the ground with their heads low making very annoying sounds, as I remember, geese do.

I grew up with such geese as a kid. They are great watchdogs and mean to boot. They will attack your ankles leaving you in great pain. This I know from past visitors coming to my parent’s place, where I grew up as a kid in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

With the barking and geese making noises I didn’t need to use the horn. I sat in my truck for just a few moments when the vintage trailer door began to slowly open. A man with a long grey beard about five feet five inches tall came out. He looked at me and slowly walked to my side of the truck and made motion for me to lower my window. He said, Can I help you and what are you doing here! His voice had an unfriendly tone. But, I smiled and said, I had a nice visit at the coffee shop with Maggie and she sends her regards plus a bag of fresh donuts.

Thank God, this brought a smile. He introduced himself as Jim Greyson and asked, Who the hell are you? I said, Art Pilcher. He pulled his dog away from the truck and invited me to get out. I did slowly for besides the dog, the geese were eyeing my ankles but Jim chased them away. But, the first thing I did remember before getting out, on my seat was the bag of bones with lots of meat on them for the Brute. I decided to start things off good with Brute and selected the biggest one I had. Jim noticed this and said, good thinking.

I walked to the rear of the truck. Opened the door of my camper and first thing I did was hand Jim a cool bottle of beer I had in the cooler chest for this introduction occasion. Now I got a bigger smile and Jim said, Welcome and offered me a firm handshake. I mentioned, if he had a wheelbarrow for the supplies I brought and said, yes. He came back with an old iron wheeled wheelbarrow. He was very thankful for what I brought then he said, Let’s sit over there under the shade trees and enjoy the great bottle of beer you brought. After a while of just relaxing, the sun was beginning to disappear over the hills a couple miles away. I motioned toward my truck that I have a small barbecue and would like to start the steaks I bought. So friendship established and the start, I hope, of a very interesting visit to come.

After a long evening of talk about his place and eating a great steak dinner with baked potatoes, corn on the cob from his garden and of course a cool beer as a chaser, I mentioned why I came to visit. I told him my plans about possibly writing stories about the people who worked the mines and about the hardships they had to endure. Darkness was approaching and bringing with it a bit of a chill in the air, Jim said, It’s been a long day. let’s get a good night’s sleep and with early coffee and breakfast, I’ll start to tell you all you wish to know.

The high Nevada desert, most of the time, has cool nights. A good solid sleep in my camper came to be. The early sounds of a rooster bellowing his commanding tone and the goats making their ba ba sounds in the distance was all that I needed to get me out from under my cozy sleeping bag inside my camper. I opened the door and there was Brute. This time he wagged his tail, meaning the bone I brought made him a friend. I did bring him more plus dog treats for a later time. To keep him happy I gave him one of the treats. Oh, the geese were there too. They were hoping for some kind of treat also. I had a box of Cheerios and threw a handful on the ground. I walked over to the shaded area where there was a coffee pot sitting at the table with 2 cups under the shade tree. Believe me, it is a smell that people who camp out relish forever. Jim opened his trailer door and out comes a breakfast that would feed a king. The eggs are fresh from his chickens and the bacon sliced heavy with a taste like, wow, combined with the fresh biscuits and donuts from yesterday. As I was eating, over to my left side, were the geese again looking at me with their beady suspicious eyes. I decided to throw them a piece of my toast and of course that brought the chickens over with a noisy request for the same.

I remarked to Jim how serene his valley is and so quiet, except for the animals. No jet plane noises or highway sounds to penetrate the air. He said, Yes, it’s just a great place to live. I asked, Do you get lonely at times? He replied, As he gets older the animals and the quiet nature is all he needs. There was a hesitation, for I thought he wanted to say more, but didn’t. Oh, near by over the hill beyond the pond there is a samll Indian village. They stop by and visit when going through my property to the main road.

I said, Do you mind during our talk, if I use my tape recorder at times for memory’s sake. He said, No and any notes you wish to write down is OK too. He then asked, if in a hurry to leave? I said, No as I wanted to get as much information that he was willing to talk about.

So we started. I asked, about how many mines are in the area? He said, I hardly remember the amount. There could be twenty or so years ago. He threw names at me such as north of here, the Battle Mountain, Galena, Buckingham, Copper Canyon to mention a few. Then he started naming mines to the south of here such as Lewis, Betty O’Neil, Dean, Pittsburg, Hilltop and more. So I said, Have you been to most of the mentioned mines? He only smiled and didn’t say yes or no.

He started focusing on two mines in the Northern area Cooper Basin and Old Battle Mountain. He mentioned, the first people who decided to start working the mines and the type people soon to follow. The early housing, mine equipment and mentioned many names and also the Shoshone Indian tribe in the area. There was occasion where there were gun fights and problems with the Indians in the early days and of course the severe hardships all the people had to endure. As for women there were few to be seen. Most women were in the larger towns however, many did favors for the men when they cashed in their earnings. There were occasions where the store owners had wives and if there was a school, teachers also. But on the whole women were not a regular site to see.

What amazed me about Jim’s talking, describing the locations and the different people is how he could have remembered them in such detail and figuring his age, how did he know this. I didn’t want to get him suspicious or intrude as to how he knew, so I just didn’t push the issue as to how he knew. The tales about the events, shootings, mines that collapsed and Indian problems went on and on. My first 2 tapes ran out and as we finished off the pot of coffee he was only on the first four mines mentioned. Jim said, That’s all for a while today.

He asked, Are you interested in taking a walk over the next hill? There is a small abandoned mine that might be of interest I can show you. Wow, That would be great. Before we left, Jim went into his trailer and brought a flashlight. We walked maybe a mile with Brute leading the way around the pond and over the hill on the northern side of the valley. At first I didn’t notice the mines opening coming from the side of the hill due to a small rockslide blocked part of the opening. He couldn’t remember the name of the mine being it was short lived, but did remember that it was in use for only a year or so. We ventured into the mine between a couple big boulders and with the flashlight he brought, we slowly walked back about fifty feet or so, and had to stop due to a partial cave in many years ago and Jim remarked it’s too dangerous to go further. What shocked me, Jim mentioned names of the men who worked the mine. This blew my mind on how he was able to bring up names from long before Jim was born.

As Maggie at the coffee shop mentioned, the listeners to Jim’s tales began to wander away for they thought he was making up the names and stories. I also began to wonder but decided not to show this for when I leave I will try to search the area newspapers, maps and any information I can find to find if there were such names as he mentioned.

There was mention of bad weather conditions where the snow level exceeded four to six feet in depth. People and animals were starving for lack of food due to the harsh weather conditions and lack of warm housing caused many a death and sickness where life and death was a harsh reality due to no doctors, lack of medicine and the many miles from any town.

We returned to Jim’s place and prepared dinner, grilled chicken, beans and another cool beer. As we were eating he talked about the peoples different ethnic backgrounds where a lot of the people hardly spoke English but to the person, they knew how to work. It was dark now and I was tired for not used to walking in hilly terrain as we did to the mine and back. I thanked Jim for a great dinner, said our good nights. Again up early in the morning for fresh coffee and eggs. The stories went on and on in such detail that I was happy I brought my tape recorder. I went thru my supply of five tapes and many pages of notes. For dinner he asked, Have you ever eaten fried rabbit? I said Yes, when I was a kid back in the Catskill Mountains. I and my friends did a lot of hunting for rabbits and tree squirrels. My mom, though, made a big issue. If you shoot it you eat it. After a great dinner and some more stories, it was beginning to get late. I said to Jim, I must return to Reno for my family and friends would begin to worry and I wanted to go over the many hours of information you took the time to tell me.

The next morning I was up at sunrise and after good cup of coffee, I told Jim, I was going to have breakfast with Maggie and tell her all is fine with you and tell her of my wonderful visit. I left Jim my mailing address and cell phone number if at a later time he wanted to contact me.

The drive out now, mostly downhill, wasn’t as bad for I knew what I was into and after an hour or so I was parking in front of the coffee shop. As I entered the coffee, the gingles from the bells made their greeting sound. I was greeted with a big smile from Maggie. I ordered coffee and a breakfast and mentioned to Maggie my meeting Jim and the big smile when I gave him the donuts. I reflected about the many stories he told. She asked, Do you agree that the stories were in great detail and also wondered if he made up the names and locations. I nodded my head and said, Research back home might see if they are true. So to my surprise, a friendly hug and goodbye. Maggie said, Drive careful and I hope to see you again in your travels. I said, Time will tell. I started up my truck, filled it up with gas and headed west towards Reno.

Upon returning to Reno, I had to settle some personal things to catch up on and was planning what to do next as to further the research on my project. I have a 93 year old mom who lives in Apache Junction Arizona. The hot summer is passing by and decided to take my camper and spend the coming holidays with my mom and sister. I have a laptop computer and there are excellent libraries in several of the local towns to keep me busy.

There is close to where my mom lives in Apache Junction, Goldfield, a reconstructed ghost town located on a hill looking towards the beautiful Superstition Mountain Range. Of course, the stories about the lost Dutchman Mine is long into the local folklore. During the hot summer though, this is not the place to be. The fall, winter and spring, the temperatures are just great for walking and exploring the local sites and spending time with my family.

My mom is a real history buff. She reads several books a month as long as I can remember. So I will have many conversations about my Nevada adventure and the talks with Jim. I played a few of the tapes and showed my mom the many notes that I took during the long talks with Jim. I asked her, How can a person remember and bring up so many details as to names, locations and events? She said, Possibly he did deep sleep dreams or self hypnosis and was able to bring up the past vibrations that could still be in the area. This is a farfetched theory I was not too sure about but, I’ll keep an open mind to it for he did have a remarkable memory as if they were true. So computer time and library visits to search for facts to support the stories about what Jim talked about, is soon to follow.

In Jim’s area the mines were active during the early late 18th thru 20th century. Cooper Canyon and Battle Mountain was mining that used high pressure water blasting to create gravel and slews from where mostly copper was mined. There are many smaller mines more isolated into the mountains where there was and probably still is gold. On pages 56 and 57 there are some good photo’s showing the big equipment still there rusting away with wonderment to the size of the operation that was active at the time.

I did read about a heavy snow winter around 1880 where the snow was high and loss of life was heavy for the area people who lived and worked there. This backs what Jim told me. The puzzle was still there as to the stores, towns, mines and he mentioned the numbers of people, names and just remarks about what was going on. So, no conclusive facts I found to say yes he was telling true stories or he is one great story teller.

Time was passing by and a long return trip to Reno Nevada was to be under way. There are many towns with museums where I took photos and added more notes to my book. Goldfield and Tonopah to name a few. Tonopah has a great railroad exhibit and lots of history information.

Oh, just a side note, the opposite direction to past history in Tonopah. Is area 51.

I have a post office box in Reno and the box jammed packed with mail and of course junk stuff. There was a notice I had a package too big for my mail box in storage. With interest I retrieved it from the office clerk and saw it was mailed from the sheriff’s office in Battle Mountain. The box was about 5 inches thick and 8 by10 inches square. My curiosity was growing as I began to unwrap the package. There were 2 envelopes and of all things, an old CB radio carefully wrapped in bubble wrap. The CB though didn’t have a microphone to transmit. The CB radio was in good condition but of the early type used long ago with the old 24 channel selections of the time. I opened the unsealed envelope from the sheriff’s office. There were a couple pages of typed text to read. The letter started saying, dear Mr. Pilcher, my name is Bob Hoover the local sheriff for the Battle Mountain area. The other envelope was sealed and marked on the outside with big print, for Arthur Pilcher’s eyes only.

The sheriff wrote, at times, say bi monthly, I patrol the rural desert roads and stop by to have a cup of coffee and see how Jim Greyson is doing. Jim, the past few years doesn’t come to town as often he used to so I looked forward to a good cup of coffee and visit. Jim is a nice man and I enjoy the chance to sit and visit with him. He also gives me a dozen fresh eggs from the chickens he has. Once Jim calms down his dog Brute, we’ll sit under the shade trees next to the pond and talk about what he and I have been doing.

This last time however, Brute didn’t come to greet me and there were no geese, chickens, or goats to be seen. So I called out several times with no response. I then knocked on his trailer door. The door was unlocked and I entered and saw, on his small kitchen table, was the old CB radio with wires attached to a car battery. Jim must have been gone for a long time for the battery was totally dead. Also, there was a letter written by Jim asking me or whomever, to disconnect the radio remove the small key from the back and wrap it carefully with a sealed letter that said, For Art’s eyes only. He provided the box with your mailing address and $10 dollars for postage. He had another envelope and paper to write a message for me to use for reference to you. Oh, he did mention to place the small key and larger key on the table into a smaller envelope and seal.

I decided, since I had a four wheel truck, to drive around the area and see if I can get an idea where or what has happened to Jim and his animals. I spent a good one to two hours with no results. Over the hill behind Jim’s pond by the old mine, I saw a young teenage Indian boy riding his horse. I asked him, If he has seen Jim? He mentioned, that a few months ago Jim asked if he could feed his animals for about 10 days for he was going away for a while. Then he said, Jim arrived from, where he couldn’t tell you. My dad and uncle were driving through on their way to town and many times Jim wasn’t here, although his truck and animals were. They also looked around but figured someone might have come by and he went with them for a spell. I thanked the boy and said, any news about him to please contact me at the office in Battle Mountain.

I called in on my radio to see if any other officers heard any information as to Jim’s not being here. They checked the office patrol records and mentioned, I was the last visitor about 2 months from this date today. Upon my return to the office, I’ll post a missing person report that will be reported on all of the local county police files. He will be listed as a missing person until we can find out what happened. There seemed to be no sign of foul play so possibly due to his age, he wandered off and possibly was injured or got lost in the desert. This could be so but the animal’s not being here, adds to the puzzle.

Art, After you receive the box and the sealed envelope, if you can call me as to what happened. I would like to know, for Maggie and people who knew Jim are also concerned about his whereabouts. Did Jim in his letter to you, mentioned if he is ok or just left with some explanation where he is or went to? Jim’s old Dodge truck was still there with two flat tires so he didn’t, drive away. I won’t file a missing person report until I hear from you. Thanking you until I hear from you, Bob Hoover.

I took my mail and the box with the sealed envelope inside to the local Starbucks coffee shop to sit and read with a good cup of coffee. The envelope was thick with several hand written pages. The opening line was, hello Art, after your visit I decided to include you to a situation that you will find impossible to believe. But Art, study what I have written in detail and please tell NOBODY what you are about to find out. Possibly after you read what I am about to say, you might destroy the letter or keep it in a safe place.

When I was telling you the many stories about the area mines and towns, you had patience and respect not to push to how and why I know so much about the past in such detail. I know in your head you added the years to my age and figured there was something I was not telling you or I was one great story teller. Well Art, The stories are all true as it has happened!

To begin with, I left a sealed letter for your eye’s only and another for Sheriff Bob Hoover. In his letter I mentioned that I was leaving with all my animals. I willed the deed to my property and signed the truck’s pick slip to Maggie at the coffee shop. The property, due to the isolated location is not worth much so Maggie can do what she wants with it. Maggie is a great gal and many times she saved leftover dinner foods for me and brute to take back to my place. After you read what I have to say and want to venture into the opportunity I am mentioning, possibly you might make her an offer to buy the truck and property?

I mentioned to sheriff Bob in the letter to him, a longtime family friend came by and after a long talk about returning to the East coast outside of Boston where I originally came from to spend time with what’s left by the family. This was a heavy decision which I hope Bob sees it as a good explanation of leaving as I did. I bid Bob goodbye and thanked him for his support and great coffee chats. Bob should inform you about his letter so you can, if you wish, to possibly talk to Maggie about the truck and property?

Now back to your letter. I will start from the beginning. I bought this property via a local real estate company about 15 years ago from an old timer similar to me. He mentioned he wanted the truck to stay with the property and with no increase to the price. The truck was at that time in running condition so I said, Great. I was driving an old ford car then. He mentioned the paperwork and pink slip was on the visor. He made mention the glove box was locked and the there is no key for it and made no reference to what is inside. So, here I was, the owner of 20 acres of high desert land with a small pond and shade trees. He said, There are about 10 laying hens, one mean rooster, 2 very protective geese and 2 goats great for fresh milk. Besides the truck he left me and the old trailer if I wanted it, I said, Sure, I’ll move into it right away. The man’s son came by picked his dad up. Both smiled, shook hands and said, Enjoy your valley. That was the last time I heard from him.

I started up the truck which was a great surprise, and decided I’ll sell my old ford coup in town or donate it to some church for it had over 180,000 miles on it. I stopped at the local sheriff’s office and met Sheriff Bob Hoover and asked, If he was going on patrol out my way, for I need a ride explaining about leaving my car here? He said, He could rearrange his schedule and be happy to drive me out for the price of a cup of coffee, so we could get to know each other. After a couple cups coffee and some apple pie we said our goodbyes to Maggie, whom I just was introduced to by Bob. Then he drove me home to my valley.

He remarked, the previous owner was a private person and didn’t talk much but ok as a person. It’s a nice valley but you might think about getting chickens, goats and a dog for it gets lonely here at times. The winters are long and you will be isolated for weeks at a time so fresh eggs and goats milk and their company, even if it’s animals, is good to have. I said, He left me the chickens, geese and goats so I’ll look into getting a dog soon. Bob continued, There is no TV, radio and too far away for a CB, due to the isolation, so some music via some sort of player and reading will help during the long winter days. You have some neighbors about 2 miles over the hill beyond the pond. They’ll probably stop in and visit you at times. They need to go through your property to get onto the road out to the main highway to town. They are from the local Shoshone tribe and really nice people to know.

The truck started and ran good for the several trips to town to build up the supplies. I always stopped by the coffee shop for coffee and breakfast with Maggie for just conversational company. Many times if they have extra donuts or left overs she saves them for me. Maggie inquired if I had a dog? I said, no.If you would like to have one, she said, The house at the end of Ethel street, my neighbor have puppies for sale. Take the first street first right south of here then first street left is Ethel. I decided, now is as good a time as any. I thanked her and stopped to look into getting a puppy. There were 3 left. One was a monster of a pup and started to bark at me but had his tail wagging so that was the decision to take that puppy. After paying $20. The owner had a bag of puppy food and mentioned he soon can eat anything he can swallow. So, I had company for the ride back home. He was getting bigger by the day so I decided to name him Brute. Brute is great company when walking around the property and if anyone came driving up they stopped about 100 feet from the trailer out of fear they might get eaten. Due to his size, he was difficult to restrain, but after a few minutes he quiets down. When you was here for the first time, you know from experience.

Art this story will now begin to evolve into a tale you will find hard to believe but, believe me Art, it is the truth. I noticed the truck had an old CB radio. Due to the rural distance I never was able to get any voices, not even static so I never turned it on again. The glove box also remained locked. But after a few weeks I was curious to see what was inside. I was able to pry open the glove box with a screwdriver and inside was a sealed envelope with no name or information about what is inside. Since I now own the truck, I opened the envelope. Inside there were 2 key’s. Key’s for what? The hand written letter said that in the rear of the radio there is a slot for the smallest key to turn the radio on. Also, it mentioned when leaving the truck, leave the main truck key on until you return. Return from where? The letter mentioned the old weather beaten wood shed that leans at a 10 or so degree angle. The front did not have a door but towards the back behind some firewood and stuff. About 20 feet or so was a small door with an old padlock. The door was only about 4 feet high and about 3 feet wide so one would have to kneel down to go thru it. The letter mentioned this was for the other bigger key. I wanted to see what was behind the small door? I unlocked it and was surprised to see just a wall made from the same old dry wood the shed was built with. The previous owner made no mention about opening the glove box and maybe he never did, since the truck’s paper work was on the visor. There was no further information or notes about the keys or what they stood for. So, I just put it aside for a few days.

Art, this now will be of great interest and begin to answer some of the questions, I’m sure you wanted to ask, but didn’t, as to details that now you’re finally going to get the answers you have long waited to hear. I later opened the truck door and turned on the truck key. I then turned on the CB radio and still no static or sounds. As mentioned in the note inside the envelope, I inserted the small key into the key slot and turned it to the right at the rear panel of the radio. Wow, was I in for a shock! The radio was making loud static noises that I never heard before. I started to turn the channel knob slowly hoping to get some outside radio chat. All of a sudden on channel 2 loud and clear there was 2 and sometimes 3 different voices talking. Art, this was not radio chat. It sounded as if I was listening in on a conversation between these people only a few feet away. Also it was a bit difficult due to the heavy slang as possibly they were from the deep south. I sat there and listened for about 10 minutes. The discussions were about the wood needed to shore up a mine shaft and things that needed to be done. Then they parted their ways and the radio became silent but the static remained. I turned off the radio via the small key and took out the truck key and went back to my trailer in a very confused state of mind over what I just heard.

Where did these voices come from and how near it must be due to the high volume? I just couldn’t sleep thinking at what I discovered. The next day I inserted the key into the radio again and using the same channel. This time there were different voices. I listened for a time for workers were moving some sort of equipment. I again wanted to try the other key in the sheds small door but this time I forgot to turn off the radio. As I approached the door and inserted the key and unlocked the padlock. I removed it and slowly opened the door. To my surprise and shock, there was no wall of wood as before. I was looking at an open area a lot like the country here. But, there was a dirt road. I was hesitant to poke my head out thru door but I had to see what was there. I could hear voices and horses walking by for they were close by about 100 feet going down the road dragging some sort of equipment. To tell you, it really startled me. I was too scared to venture out, so, I just sat there. I don’t think they could see me or knew I was there. Their voices started to fade away as they went further away from me down the road. I decided after 10 minutes or so to close the door. I was feeling a bit shaky at what I just witnessed.

Another day and I just had to see if I can do what I did yesterday. This time, I changed to channel 3 on the CB and left the power on and again opened the door slowly for not to be discovered plus I was a bit nervous. This time, I was at a different location. I still stayed inside looking out for again it seems that I was invisible to them. The new location was at the entrance of some sort of mine. I could see the dust and hear all kinds of noises coming from the mine. I guess I was about 50 feet or so but close enough to hear voices, as dirt and rocks were being shoveled into a small mine cart. When the cart was full, 2 men grunted as they pushed the cart past my view. Art this is hard to believe it was happening for how can it be. Did I go back in time or move to a different location or what. I really wanted to venture out from the door but was just too scared to do so. Each day I tried different times of day which matched the time of day it was here. I again decided to try another channel. As I was moving the channel dial static returned until I hit channel 4 and again voices but this time different like a heavy German dialect or possible Polish. I returned to the door in the shed and again opened it slowly. This time I was on a dirt road in a town. I could see an old building, but not that old, which looked like a store. There was a horse and wagon hitched to the post and there were 2 men talking in that strange dialect. I was about 50 feet away and again they didn’t seem to notice me or the door for I was across the road a few feet down an alley between two buildings. I began to wonder if at a time when at the end of a road if I came out of the door if they would see me. I studied their clothing and shoes and decided if I did venture out and they saw me, I wanted to be as they were. My courage is becoming stronger every time I opened the door and peered out. After each time I made notes as to the location, clothes, shoes, hats and way they talked to each other.

The next morning early, I drove the truck to town and asked Maggie where I could buy old clothes and shoes. She said, Each every Saturday at the school parking lot there is a flea market and there are all sorts of old tools, clothing and just junk. Well it might not be junk to me. I returned Saturday early and walked the aisles looking for clothes, shoes and old style hats and the third table had clothes and shoes under the table that would do fine. The lady at the table must have thought I was strange to purchase almost the whole table for a settled price of $48.00. But there were no hats, so I asked her, if she had or knew where I could find old hats to match the clothes I bought? She said, she has a friend who is coming a bit later who might have what I was looking for. She called her friend on her cell phone if she had some old hats? She said, She will have several hats to look at in about a half hour. I bought us both a cup of coffee and we talked about the weather and how nice a town it is and mentioned I just moved out into the desert. The ladies friend drove up popped her trunk and there were many styles of hats to look at. I decided to buy several different styles and paid about $25 for the bunch.

Feeling good about my purchase I stopped by the coffee shop and had breakfast and a cup of coffee and told Maggie of my good deal. She looked at me in a strange way for it is a bit strange that I would buy such a large amount of old stuff I mentioned. I thanked Maggie again and started my drive home. As I was driving my mind started to work on some sort of plan on what I was going to do.

The next day doing the same procedure, I tried a different channel on the CB radio. This time it was channel 5. I opened the door slowly and again I heard different voices. This time almost in front of me, I was witnessing a fight between 2 men. They were rolling around in the dirt and a crowd began to assemble. The fight was nasty in that as one man was down the other man got up kicked him in the face and blood flowed everywhere. I moved away from the door a bit shook up. A couple other men stepped in and pulled the kicker away. Wow, I was only about 70 feet 1 away and again no one seemed to notice I was there. Thank goodness for I was very up tight from the violence I just witnessed. I made reference in my notes about the violence. I returned to the trailer and again started to make plans for another try to a more quiet area where I will try to venture through the doorway and see what will happen. I kept notes about each location and channel for reference to where I might venture to.

I decided to return to channel. 2. This location was situated at the end of a dirt road looking down a hill towards a few buildings about a mile away. I didn’t want to show up close to anyone in fear they would see me come out of nowhere. This, I’m sure, would scare them as well as me. I opened the door and sat and watched from a good distance of about 100 feet some people just walking away from me down the hill on the same dirt road as before. I studied their clothing and returned to the trailer and choose what type of clothes I wanted to wear. Also a worn out hat and shoes hoping it would do. I was very uptight and nervous to start venturing out of the door. I also wondered if I could return back into the door back to my time.

I again put the CB on to channel 2 and went to the door. I slowly opened it and poked my head out. I marked the ground before I ventured out with a small colored stone for I know they couldn’t see it but wanted to be sure I could. There was no one in site, so I carefully eased myself out of the 4 foot high door stood up straight and walked about 5 or so feet. I turned around to see if the door was still there. It was gone! My heart raced with fear but started to think out what to do. I saw the colored stone and as I returned to about 2 feet away, the door reappeared. Talk about relief! Art I’ll say this. It was a big relief to see that it was where I marked it to be. Again I stood up and decided to walk down dirt road for a distance of about a hundred yards when a voice said, Hello. I looked to my right a bit startled. Several feet away there was a young man with a warm smile. I replied cautiously a warm hello also. He asked, Are you coming to look for work in the mine over the hill? I said, Not at this time thank you. He nodded and waved his hand and continued walking down the road. I started to walk back to where the door was and again noticed it was gone. But as I got to about 2 feet away and saw the stone the door came into view. Thank God. I looked around to see that no one was watching. I pushed the door open and returned back to my time and the trailer. I was breathing heavy and high with excitement as to what I just witnessed. I actually talked to someone who thought I was from that area and time.

Art, now you know that the stories I mentioned do exist and I was there to witness it in person. I did several visits to many different locations and got more comfortable to being around the different locations and talking to the people I mentioned to you when you were here. For a cover story, I mentioned, I was a writer from an Eastern publication company looking to writing about the area. This is how I got the many names I mentioned when talking to you.

You now have the same radio, keys and more of a start then me as to what to expect. I explained what you must do if you want to venture into the past as I did. I do want to caution you to be sure not to bring anything from the future such as cell phone, money and most important listen carefully and talk slow and watch what words you use. Get familiar with the slang words they use. As for money, you can buy from Reno or Virginia City silver coins dated from the time you wish to visit. $5 or more is quite a lot of money when handled carefully. Study the clothes, shoes and hats which you can buy at the flea market I mentioned? I forgot to mention that for example, if you were into the past say a week or so when you return your time away is only about 8 hours of your time. Why I don’t know, but it sure is a nice thing to have as to the environment things that can happen being away for long periods of time. I did some research in that you can bring your things thru the door but cannot return with anything from the past. If you could bring gold back out, how nice it would be. But it just will not go thru the door! Also be aware if the battery runs too low if a return is possible? I never wanted to find out and had a strong charge before venturing back. The CB will, with a strong battery, last a few days our time or a couple weeks in the past due to the low draw of current.

Just for you to know I used channel 7 for my relocation into the past. The town now is abandoned but for a few retired people but active back in 1880s it’s called Jarbidge. It is north near the Utah border. I met another