Manuscripts and Notes Chiefly Concerning the Comstock Lode, 1859-1936

Summary

Creators:

Smith, Grant H. (Grant Horace)

Abstract:

Material gathered in preparation for books on Mark Twain, John W. Mackay and the Comstock Lode. A collection of Shakespeareana and a few miscellaneous essays are also included.

Extent:

4 cartons, 1 box 5.4 linear feet

Language:

Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

The following data is given on this collection by the son of the donor, Grant H. Smith Jr., after he had spent some days in trying to establish some semblance of order among these valuable and interesting papers:

The material on the Comstock Lode and vicinity represents many hours of research and study on a subject which was dear to the heart of my father, Grant H. Smith. Much of it is written with a love and passion characteristic of a nearly gone but not forgotten breed of men known as "Mining Camp Men." They were refined and tempered in the mining camps of the West -Virginia City, Butte, Downieville, Jackson, Sutter Creek, Chinese Camp, Dawson, The Klondike, Tonapah, Goldfield and many other roaring booming mining camps.

Many of these men, though they often spoke their minds on various subjects, never put their thoughts on paper for posterity to enjoy. Many of the younger generation have tried with questionable success to capture the flavor and spirit of these adventurous days. While my Dad did not possess a glamourous style, his inquiring and thorough mind compiled a world of important information on the Comstock Lode and other related subjects.

The original manuscripts have been torn apart and reshuffled as his ambitious program: a story of John W. Mackay, a history of the Comstock, and the real story about Mark Twain in Nevada, was never realized. It had to be condensed and shortened into a bulletin issued by the Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 1943, under the title of A History of the Comstock Lode. Therefore there is little or no continuity in the large Mackay-Comstock manuscripts and much of the material is out of place. The real value will appear in the notes, clippings and letters included in the separate binders and in the short, complete articles, short manuscripts, and data on production and methods of the mines.

The Shakespearean collection speaks for itself.

Acquisition information:

The Manuscripts and notes chiefly concerning the Comstock Lode were given to The Bancroft Library by Mrs. G.H. Smith in Oct. 1945.

Physical location:

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Rules or conventions:

Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Related resources

Other descriptive data:

The following data is given on this collection by the son of the donor, Grant H. Smith Jr., after he had spent some days in trying to establish some semblance of order among these valuable and interesting papers. It is hoped that it will make future study and research easier. Material included:

Carton 1.
• Basic data on the Comstock, 1859-1936. Miscellaneous Comstock articles. Part of the original manuscript on the Comstock.

Carton 2.
• Material on John W. Mackay and the Comstock Story. Includes data on the discovery, development and production of the various mines and ore bodies.

Carton 2A.
• MS of "John W. Mackay, Bonanza King"

Carton 3.
• Mark Twain material -final manuscripts together with original notes, and drafts.

Carton 4.
• Miscellaneous Comstock notes (three letter files)

Carton 5.
• Miscellaneous notebook, original drafts, typewritten sheets, including duplicates, rewritten chapters and rejects. (Of little value.)

Carton 6.
• Shakespearean collection.

The material on the Comstock Lode and vicinity represents many hours of research and study on a subject which was dear to the heart of my father, Grant H. Smith. Much of it is written with a love and passion characteristic of a nearly gone but not forgotten breed of men known as "Mining Camp Men." They were refined and tempered in the mining camps of the West -Virginia City, Butte, Downieville, Jackson, Sutter Creek, Chinese Camp, Dawson, The Klondike, Tonapah, Goldfield and many other roaring booming mining camps.

Many of these men, though they often spoke their minds on various subjects, never put their thoughts on paper for posterity to enjoy. Many of the younger generation have tried with questionable success to capture the flavor and spirit of these adventurous days. While my Dad did not possess a glamourous style, his inquiring and thorough mind compiled a world of important information on the Comstock Lode and other related subjects.

The original manuscripts have been torn apart and reshuffled as his ambitious program: a story of John W. Mackay, a history of the Comstock, and the real story about Mark Twain in Nevada, was never realized. It had to be condensed and shortened into a bulletin issued by the Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 1943, under the title of A History of the Comstock Lode. Therefore there is little or no continuity in the large Mackay-Comstock manuscripts and much of the material is out of place. The real value will appear in the notes, clippings and letters included in the separate binders and in the short, complete articles, short manuscripts, and data on production and methods of the mines.

The Shakespearean collection speaks for itself.

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

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