The story of Alva Gould is a poignant testament to the capricious nature of fortune during the American West’s most fervent mining booms. Many an overland passenger in Reno, Nevada, buying fruit from a decrepit old man at the depot, would be entirely unaware that they were contributing to the meager support of a man who once held the keys to immense wealth. This man was none other than Alva Gould, the original locator of the world-famed Gould & Curry Mine on the legendary Comstock Lode, a discovery that would yield millions but leave its primary discoverer penniless.
In 1891, the Gazette in Reno published a revealing portrait and biographical sketch of Mr. Gould, highlighting the stark contrast between his humble existence and his monumental, yet ultimately unrewarded, contribution to American mining history. His life story serves as a cautionary tale of the cutthroat world of 19th-century frontier capitalism, where ingenuity and hard work often fell prey to greed and deception.
Early Life and the Lure of the West
Born on June 15, 1815, Alva Gould was an early pioneer, driven by the promise of prosperity in the American West. He embarked on the arduous journey across the plains in 1849, arriving in Sacramento, California, by 1850. For several years, he immersed himself in the challenging work of placer mining in California, gaining invaluable experience in the methods of extracting precious metals from the earth. This period honed his prospecting skills, preparing him for the discovery that would etch his name into history, even if his pockets remained empty.
By 1858, the echoes of new discoveries called him further east, leading him to the vast, untamed expanses of what was then the Territory of Nevada. It was here, in the barren hills overlooking the Truckee Meadows, that his fate would intertwine with one of the richest mineral deposits ever found.
The Discovery of the Gould & Curry Mine
The dawn of 1859 brought a pivotal moment in the life of Alva Gould and, indeed, to the future of Nevada. On January 6, 1859, his diligent prospecting efforts paid off when he made a significant discovery of silver on the ground that would soon become the celebrated Gould & Curry Mine. Just sixteen days later, on January 22nd, he formally located his claim, believing he had secured his rightful fortune.
However, the burgeoning Comstock Lode was a magnet for not only honest prospectors but also opportunists. Among these was a man named Curry, described as a mine jumper or “floater.” Curry quickly moved to claim or “jump” the location Mr. Gould had painstakingly identified. In a testament to the harsh realities of the frontier, Gould was forced to accept Curry as a partner to retain any claim to his own discovery. This initial forced partnership was merely the first in a series of unfortunate events that would systematically strip Gould of his rightful share.
The Great Swindle: Losing a Fortune
With the claim secured, Alva Gould, alongside his reluctant partner Curry, made arrangements with a party of prospectors to develop the mine. As development progressed and the true richness of the lode became apparent, the allure of immense wealth proved too strong for their partners. Through manipulative dealings, these prospectors managed to swindle Gould out of his interest entirely, leaving him without a single dollar from the mine he discovered. His groundbreaking find, poised to generate unprecedented riches, brought him no personal gain.
Curry, meanwhile, managed to sell his interest to Henry Meredith. Meredith’s involvement, however, was brief and tragic, as he was killed in a battle with Native Americans at Pyramid Lake in April 1860. The mine, already a symbol of both immense potential and ruthless ambition, continued its trajectory of complex ownership transfers.
George Hearst and the Acquisition of the Mine
The story of the Gould & Curry Mine then weaves through the hands of other prominent figures, most notably George Hearst, the shrewd mining magnate who would later establish a vast empire. Hearst, having learned through General Orlando Evans that a Dutchman named Charles Dennis had traced the float to a high ledge on the Gould & Curry location, saw an opportunity. He proposed to General Evans that he present a rock sample to Henry Meredith, John H. Bostwick, and Sam Curtis in Nevada City. The initial agreed price for 200 feet of the claim was $4,000.
In early December 1859, General Evans set off for Nevada City via the Carson Canyon Route, while Meredith took the Henness Pass Route, narrowly escaping death in a snowstorm. Upon arrival, Evans had the ore assayed, revealing an astonishing value of over $9,000 per ton. Bostwick and Curtis quickly agreed to the proposition, sending the initial $4,000 to George Hearst.
By the following March, Evans, Curtis, and Bostwick met Hearst and Meredith in Virginia City. It was then that Hearst informed them that the purchase price had inexplicably doubled to $8,000. Despite the sudden increase, the parties put up the additional $4,000. During this period, Hearst had been busy forming a co-partnership with Bill Lent and other influential figures from San Francisco. This powerful new consortium subsequently succeeded in “freezing out” Evans, Curtis, and Bostwick. With Meredith already deceased, there was no one left to challenge their complete takeover of the burgeoning mine.
The Aftermath for the Original Discoverers
While the new owners amassed vast fortunes, the original investors and discoverers were left with mere crumbs. General Evans, despite his efforts, managed to extract only $21,000 from a property that would eventually yield millions. Bostwick sold his interest for a paltry $1,500, and Curtis departed with an even more trifling sum. Hearst and his San Francisco partners, having consolidated their control over the Gould & Curry, soon expanded their holdings by acquiring Len Savage and Charley Chase’s interest in the adjacent Savage Mine, further solidifying their dominance on the Comstock.
Alva Gould’s Continued Struggles
Alva Gould, the man so shamefully wronged and stripped of his discovery, remained on the Comstock until 1865. His spirit unbroken, he sought fortune elsewhere, traveling to Montana and then drifting through Cheyenne, Wyoming; Salt Lake City, Utah; and eventually returning to Colfax, California. For several years, he turned to peddling fruit to make a living. Approximately fifteen years prior to the 1891 article, he relocated to Reno, Nevada, where he continued in the fruit business, a familiar, albeit humble, figure to travelers at the depot.
His unwavering resilience in the face of adversity was evident even in the early days of the Comstock. During the harsh winter of 1859, he ventured to Placerville, California, for essential supplies. Snowbound on his return, he found his fellow eight or ten miners on the lode in a near-starving condition, contemplating robbing “Dutch Jake’s” store in Johnstown. Gould immediately took action, departing for Honey Lake to secure more provisions, demonstrating his enduring commitment to his community even when his own prospects were dim.
A Pioneer’s Unjust Reward
It is undeniable that Alva Gould was among the very first men on the Comstock Lode, preceding even the famed Henry Comstock and James Finney. He was instrumental in the initial explorations, even furnishing the money and sending Comstock to San Francisco with the very first lot of ore for assay. Despite these foundational contributions, his life became a profound financial failure. As the 1891 article concludes, he was, in effect, a living illustration of Pope’s assertion, “that man never is, but always to be, blest,” always chasing the elusive promise of prosperity that had been snatched from his grasp. Even in his advanced years, he was reportedly contemplating a move to New Mexico, hoping to begin anew, a testament to his indomitable but ultimately ill-fated pioneering spirit.
