Butler's contention that a distinction under the Act is drawn between the voluntary payment of a bribe, and extortion, by way of the inducement or initiation of such payment, is a technical overdrawn distinction which is in keeping with neither the legislative intent of the statute, nor recent case law holding that in cases of misuse of official power, bribery and extortion are not mutually exclusive. Again, the wheels were put into motion, and as with the Germantown Road and North Watkins Projects, construction of the Holmes Road Project was advanced in priority, and approximately $400,000.00 in funds was appropriated for the purchase of the right-of-way through Whitehead's property.Īssuming arguendo, that Butler's conduct consisted of the mere passive acceptance of a bribe, it is the position of the United States that such conduct, whether the solicitation of, or the mere acceptance of, illicit payments for the desired "official action", was a clear abuse of Butler's office, falling within the proscriptions of the Act. Whitehead agreed to this arrangement, again with the understanding that the priority of the Holmes Road Project first be advanced. Whitehead testified that when he refused to acknowledge the debt, Hyden suggested that the priority of the Holmes Road Project could be advanced, and Whitehead would be paid for a right-of-way through his property as in the North Watkins Project, if Whitehead would agree to pay Hyden the $100,000.00 from the proceeds of such a sale. As of now, total production from the Tonopah district is just more than $150 million, a figure few other places could boast.On the Holmes Road Project, Hyden initially suggested the possibility of advancing the priority of the project during a conversation with Whitehead concerning the collection of a $100,000.00 debt allegedly owed him (Hyden) as a result of his actions in causing the advancement in priority of the Germantown Road Extended Project. A few of the old mines were re-timbered but never reopened. Hopes for a mining revival soon faded after core samples and nothing more were taken. In 1968, Howard Hughes and his Summa Corporation bought 100 claims in Tonopah, including the Mizpah, Silver Top, and Desert Queen mines. The final blow came in 1947 when the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad folded and its rails were torn up. At the end of the war, even these companies had left. A huge fire in October 1942 destroyed the Tonopah Extension mill and property, and spread to a nearby hotel, causing $100,000 in damage. By World War II, only four major mining companies were operating. The biggest single year was 1913, when almost $10 million in gold, silver, copper and lead was mined. Mine production from 1900 to 1921, the peak years, was almost $121 million. Tonopah’s mines maintained very high yearly production until the Depression brought a slowdown. It was not until March 3, 1905, that the post office changed its name to Tonopah. ![]() A post office (Willie Sinclair, postmaster), named Butler, opened at the booming camp on April 10, 1901. Within weeks, the population had grown to 250. The camp consisted of seven shacks, a number of tents and a population of 60. It was a two day trip, with an overnight stay at Crow Springs. The first stagecoach, coming from Sodaville, arrived in Butler on March 24, 1901, with seven passengers. By January 1901, there were 40 men in the camp. The town of Butler began to grow by leaps and bounds. Oddie and Butler were partners, receiving a 25% royalty on all gold and silver mined from the Butler claims. Soon, the cry of “Jim, how about a lease?” was heard throughout the bustling camp. Butler decided to lease out all of his claims for one year, from December 1900, to December 1901. On Christmas Day, 1900, 14 men were living in the camp including Butler and Tasker Oddie, Nye County’s new District Attorney. Work was begun on the Mizpah mine in October 1900, and a camp called Butler formed nearby. Six of these – Desert Queen, Burro, Valley View, Silver Top, Buckboard, and Mizpah – turned into some of the biggest producers the state has ever had. News of the discovery traveled to Klondike and soon, scores of eager prospectors were searching around Tonopah Springs, to no avail, for Butler’s lode.īutler finally went to Belmont, and on August 27, 1900, he and his wife filed on eight claims near the springs. Manuel Linares – Recognized For Dedicated Service.County OK’s $950k for Tonopah hospital tear down. ![]() Nevada tourism industry partners recognized at Travel Nevada Rural Roundup Conference.Local Volunteer & Service Organizations.Tesla Supercharger and Electric Highway.
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