On May 12, 1860, Northern Paiute warriors, fighting to retain their way of life, decisively defeated a volunteer army from Virginia City and nearby settlements. The battle and consequent white retreat began with a skillful ambush north of Nixon and continued along the plateau on the opposite side of the Truckee River almost to the present site of Wadsworth.
On June 2, 1860, a strong force of volunteers and regular U.S. Army troops engaged the Indians in battle along the tableland and mountainside. Several hundred braves, attempting a delaying action to allow their women, children and elders to escape, fought with such courage and strategy that the superior Caucasian forces were held back during the day until the Indians withdrew.
Paiute war leader Numaga (Young Winnemucca), described as a "superior man of any race," desired only peace for his people.
 The bleak view across this lonely territory.
Only a hundred years ago, blood was shed among the grottos of the Truckee River (seen below). |
- Conquered, 'Late Removal' -
Date of Disappearance: May 2010
The disappearance of this marker is a true loss for all Nevadans. [148] Two Battles of Pyramid Lake represented not only Nevada's only true Indian War, but celebrated the harmony between white man and the native people of the Great Basin. Apparently, the powers-at-be thought this marker needed some cosmetic TLC and was most likely removed for repair-work, a reason being quite erroneuous considering the marker was in excellent condition.
The date of this marker's disappearance occurred within a two week period in 2011 when the state of Nevada came up with enough funds to allow maintenance of a few historic markers. Within these two weeks, an estimated thirty three markers suddenly went MIA as NDOT removed the markers to re-face them. However, NDOT had hired sub-contractors for this project, and their funds and materials soon ran out. A few weeks later, the clouds lifted and I received an email from fellow marker hunter, Scott Young explaning the travesty of this project. Scott had contacted the head of NDOT (Susan) and she replied with this email that she had received from Mara Jones at the SHPO. Susan said it was okay for me to share this information with you. Although this email explains what happened to [198] Steamboat Springs in Washoe County, it may explain what has happened to many of our MIAs throughout the state ...
"Marker #198 was removed by the marker maintenance contractor for repair, a text review and update. There has been a substantial delay in our regular repair process due the text plate supplier going out of business and forgetting to tell anyone and staff constraints. Subsequently, the contractor has found a new supplier and the process is moving ahead. There is a copy of the almost final draft for the new text plate above. We expect it to be in place again within six weeks and will keep you informed as to our progress. We have been in contact with the Steamboat Springs manager during this process.
The e-mails below support a thought/conclusion that I have come to over the last six months. Generally, the public doesn't seem to know who takes care of the markers and who specifically to call if they have information about markers. Gaelen and I have talked about affixing a sticker to the back of the makers with contact information. We will revisit this again. If you have any thoughts we would like to hear them.
Likewise it seems that we should also somehow indicate when a marker is gone for repair. The joint NDOT/SHPO marker maintenance database that will be up and running in about a year will be a "real time" resource for both agencies, saving us both time, money and energy.
This email has definitely shedded some much needed light on our MIAs. [148] likely suffered the same fate, but the good news is that its status as MIA may not be forever. Once funding and supplies are replenished, we can hope to see this marker back at its remote turnout along SR 447. More information will be posted the minute I have it. Until then, if you happen to find out any information in regards to this case, please
let me know
so I can update this information with full credit given to you!
