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
This disappearance is a true shame. This marker not only represented Nevada's only true Indian War, but celebrated the harmony between white man and native. The Paiutes on the Pyramid Lake Reservation also enjoyed this marker for this very reason. Therefore, this is one of the last markers I would expect to go MIA and the last one that needed any repairs! #148 was in excellent condition considering its remote location and proximity to a relatively well-traveled route. This story is similar to the disappearance of #198 in Washoe County, #20 in Esmeralda County, and #123 in Douglas County. Until I received such an email in February 2011, my thoughts floated up in the air with little to possible answers on the horizon. The date of #148's disappearance occurred within a two week period when the state of Nevada allowed a meager amount of money to be given to maintaining the markers. Within these two weeks, an estimated thirty three markers suddenly went MIA because NDOT removed the markers to reface them. However, the maintenance was to be done by hired sub-contractors for the state. Here is the email I received dated February 2011 by fellow marker hunter Scott Young. Scott 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 may shed much needed light on the case of many of our MIAs. #148 likely suffered the same fate, but the good news is that it may be entirely forever MIA. However, I can think of a number of markers that needed more TLC than this one. Once funding and supplies are replenish, we can hope to see this marker back up 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!
