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Rare Bodie News Page, CA - Bodie,Mono County

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 600.00 USD
Rare Bodie News Page, CA - Bodie,Mono County
IMPORTANT NOTE ON BUYERS PREMIUMS:

Lot 100 to 343 have a premium of 15%.

The rest of the sale is 19.5% as noted in the listing.

Lot Pick Up: Holabird-Kagin Americana,
3555 Airway Drive Ste #309,
Reno NV 89511,
Sunday - December 9, 10am-4pm
1896 - This is a rare and unique four page sample of an old Bodie newspaper, “The Mining Index” dated May 15, 1896. While it’s just the usual ads of the day, the importance comes from the fact that the “Editor and Proprietor” James W.E. Townsend was a person who influenced both Mark Twain and Bret Harte. A clever and witty personality, Townsend worked at or owned several newspapers throughout the Comstock and California gold regions. Because of his penchant for stretching the truth, often times to make a point, Townsend became known as “Lying Jim.” Some of these enhancements include; “The public school is doing well, and has an enrollment of six children.” “There is an Indian child in the camp which has ten toes on each foot. Each extra equipment of toes is on the rear of the foot, normal in shape. The ankles are centrally situated, to give the toes a chance to sprout naturally. The great disadvantage is that the mother cannot tell by looking at the feet whether the child is going or coming.” “Jeff McClellan is going to South Africa as a mine foreman, not superintendent. This makes it safer for the company.” “We have to pay our taxes March fourth, and would like to have our delinquent subscribers march forth and settle up.”

“Our devil says he don’t mind carrying the paper around on snowshoes, but thinks he had his eyesight injured by smoke while calling down stovepipes and chimneys to look after their paper as he dropped it down.” “The Bodie papers are changing to tri-weekly. The Bridgeport paper still continues weakly as before.” This four page sample, which measures 12”x 18”, may look a little shabby, but there’s no denying its uniqueness and the character of the person who created it. -61888