Books: Reno

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The Verdi Lumber Company near Reno employs from 350 to 400 men in its
mills, box factories and logging camps, at a monthly payroll of
approximately $25,000.

In addition to these industries there are the Reno and Riverside
mills, and large stock yards and packing houses. Nevada is a noted
stock growing state for great droves of sheep, hogs and cattle;
Nevada's beef is famous throughout the United States.

Reno, as well as all Nevada, is proud of the world-famous Wingfield
racing stables, and not without reason. Mr. George Wingfield is a
great connoisseur of horseflesh and has spared neither pains nor
expense in order to add the best thoroughbreds to his stock. Even as I
write, the news reaches me that an expert has left for England to
purchase for Mr. Wingfield four mares and a stud, Atheling, a great
English favorite.

[Illustration: Honeywood of the Wingfield Stables]

At present Mr. Wingfield has in his stables about 75 horses. I had the
privilege of visiting them some time ago, and made the acquaintance of
some of his prize yearlings. They were wonderful animals, just as fine
as any I have ever seen, and I think I know and understand horses
pretty well. There is one, Honeywood, a beautiful stallion, who was
the winner of the Cambridgeshire stakes at Newmarket, England, in
1911. I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful animal.

The fact to be deplored is that the Federal and State Legislatures are
not taking sufficient interest in the reforestation of Nevada; they
should enforce the planting of two or three trees for every one that
is felled. I believe some such law is now in force in the state of
Washington and elsewhere. Near the big mining camps in Nevada around
Reno, the mountains have been literally stripped of all their trees in
the development of the mining industries. It has been a case of: "All
Take and No Give."

And now we come to "Divorce" which, if not actually an industry, can
all the same easily pass for one, for there is no doubt but that the
influx of prospective divorcees, of both sexes, contributes a goodly
portion toward the financial welfare of Reno. Not only do hotels,
restaurants, cafes and shops reap an abundant harvest from the luxury-
loving wealthy colony, but even real estate prospers, as many
"aspirants" rent cottages for the "season."

Lawyers are kept busy all the time; the banks are opening new accounts
for every patient who comes to town, and therefore on more mature
consideration, why should we not call it the "Divorce Industry"?

After all, what's in a name?

[Illustration: Views of Reno's Public Play Grounds]

RENO HAS ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF A BIG CITY WITH NONE OF ITS
DISADVANTAGES

The following is a reprint of a circular prepared by the Reno Chamber
of Commerce:

Location--Reno is situated in Western Nevada, twelve miles from the
state line, and on the borderland of the lofty Sierras and Nevada
plateau. The city lies in a fertile valley through which the beautiful
Truckee flows, and is surrounded by high mountains.

Area of Reno--Three square miles.

Population--Power company, telephone company and school census show
over 15,000; government census, 12,016.

Elevation--4,500 feet.

Climate--Winters short, moderately cold and open, with very little
snow. Cool, dry, delightful summers, with cool nights, allowing
refreshing sleep. No thunderstorms, hail, fogs or earthquakes. Average
number of days without a cloud in the sky, 195; partly clouded, 105;
and cloudy, 65. Doctors prescribe Reno's sunshine, dry atmosphere and
altitude for health.

Railroads and Rates--Three railroads enter Reno; the Southern Pacific,
the Western Pacific and the Virginia and Truckee, affording the city
transportation facilities enjoyed by few Western cities. At the
present time Reno enjoys full terminal rates or better for goods
shipped from Eastern points and the distribution rates to the Nevada
and Eastern California territory are also very favorable. All three
roads furnish ample freight handling and side track facilities.

Highways--Reno is the center of the highway system of Nevada, and an
important station on three transcontinental highways; the Lincoln
Highway, the Overland Trail and the Pike's Peak Ocean to Ocean
Highway.

City Government--The government is a municipality with a mayor and six
councilmen elected by popular vote. Appointive officers are city
clerk, chief of police, chief of fire department, city engineer and
city health officer. The city attorney is also elected.

Industries--Reno is not an industrial city, but may be termed the
office of the big industries of the state. Its biggest industries are
a packing plant, machine shop and foundry, soap factory, planing
mills, brick plant, flour mills and railroad yards.

Financial Strength--The six banks in Reno have a total capitalization
of $1,745,000 and total deposits of $14,782,751.92. Total resources
amount to $18,363,651.94. The clearings average $4,500,000 monthly,
indicating that Reno does a business of a city at least twice its
size. Of the six banks, three are national.

Tax Rate and Indebtedness--The tax rate of Reno, including state,
county and city taxes, is $3.55 and the bonded indebtedness $433,000.

Jobbing Center--Due to its central situation Reno is the jobbing
center for the territory of Nevada and Eastern California. Reno has
several warehouses and wholesale grocery, automobile supply, produce,
tobacco, building materials, hardware, bakery and confectionery store.

Cost of Living--The cost of living is about the same if not lower than
in the Middle West and Western communities. The surrounding country
supplies Reno with wholesome and cheap food and Reno's location on the
main lines from the East and California enables the merchants to sell
imported goods at a reasonable figure. One person can live well on $75
a month and the average family of five lives on $150 a month.

Housing Conditions--Like most of the cities of the country there is a
shortage but not an acute one of apartments and small homes in Reno.
However, the amount of building done in Reno this year was almost
three times that of any previous year, and the housing problem is
expected to be solved by the summer of 1921.

Health Conditions--The clear, dry air, altitude and sunshine of Reno's
climate are especially beneficial to health, and persons with lung
trouble find relief in Reno. There are no tenements or unsanitary
conditions and the city health authorities enforce the laws strictly.
Dairies, restaurants and bakeries are inspected regularly, and no
refuse is allowed to accumulate in streets or yards. The water supply
is pure.

Labor Conditions--Labor conditions are good in Reno, which is the
shipping point for the labor of the mines, lumber mills, ranches and
construction camps of the Nevada and Eastern California territory.
There is always work to be found in the trades and unskilled labor
markets. The supply of office and store positions is about equal to
the demand. There are no strikes or other quarrels between employer
and employee in Reno. The trades are on a union basis.

Schools--There are five grammar schools, a kindergarten, business
college, high school and university in Reno. Plans are now being
perfected for the establishment of a junior high school which will
take care of the eighth grades and freshman high school classes. The
scholarship standard is high and the best laboratory and playground
facilities are offered. The teachers are paid salaries above the
average, enabling the schools to maintain an efficient teaching force.

Churches--There are twelve churches as follows: Baptist,
Congregational, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Christian Scientist,
Lutheran, Methodist, Methodist Colored, Roman Catholic, Salvation
Army, Seventh Day Adventist, Spiritual.

[Illustration: University of Nevada]

Hotels and Apartments--Reno has excellent hotel facilities with three
large, first-class hotels and forty smaller hotels and apartment
houses.

Clubs and Civic Organizations--Headed by the Reno Chamber of Commerce
there exists a live and aggressive group of civic and other
organizations in Reno. Enumerated they are the Rotary Club, Lion's
Club, Woman Citizen's Club, Italian Benevolent Society, G. A. R.,
Women's Relief Corps, Nevada Bankers' Society, Nevada Historical
Society, Nevada Livestock Association, Nevada Mine Operators'
Association, Reno Clearing House Association, Nevada Highway
Association, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., American Legion, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Reno Grocers' Association,
Reno Automotive Dealers' Association, Washoe County Medical Society,
W. C. T. U., Spanish War Veterans, Washoe County Farm Bureau, Washoe
County Tax Payers' Association, Truckee Meadows Water Users and Washoe
County Bar Association, Twentieth Century Club, Reno Nurses'
Association.

Fraternal Organizations--Ancient Order Foresters, B. P. O. E.,
Fraternal Brotherhood, F. O. E., I. O. O. F., Daughters of Rebecca,
Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias, Ladies of the Maccabees,
Loyal Order of Moose, Masonic Orders, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal
Neighbors, U. A. O. Druids, Woodmen of the World, Women of Woodcraft.
There are four lodge buildings maintained by the Elks, Masons, Odd
Fellows and Woodmen of the World.

Public Buildings--Reno has many imposing public buildings, among them
the county court house, city hall, public library, post office, Y. M.
C. A., high school building, churches and university buildings. A new
post office and Federal building is contemplated, and $100,000 a year
is being spent on new buildings at the University.

Theatres--Reno has four first-class theatres: The Rialto, Majestic,
Grand and Wigwam. The first is a combination vaudeville and picture
house and during the show season the best road shows are brought to
Reno by the management and staged there. The other three are motion
picture houses which secure the highest class films to be had. Their
combined seating capacity is over 5,000.

Publications--Two daily newspapers, five weekly journals, and three
monthly journals are published in Reno. The Reno Evening Gazette and
the Nevada State Journal give full Associated Press reports.

Parks and Playgrounds--The city maintains two parks and one
playground, and there is a playground at each of the public schools.
Wingfield Park is a recent acquisition given the city by George
Wingfield and consists of a beautiful island of over two acres,
situated in the Truckee river within three blocks of the business
district. The city is now improving this park and connecting it with
the playground on the shore. The playground has three tennis courts,
swings, and teeters and is used constantly during the year. In
addition to the municipal parks the children of Reno have all outdoors
to play in.

[Illustration: Wingfield Home]

[Illustration: General View of Reno, Looking N. W.]

Hospitals--There are three hospitals in addition to the county
hospital and the state hospital for mental diseases. The St. Mary's
Hospital is also a training school for nurses. With a staff of thirty-
three physicians, these hospitals are well able to take care of any
emergency and the most expert treatment can be obtained in Reno.

Libraries--Reno has a Carnegie Library, University Library, county law
library and the high school library. The Elks Club, Y. M. C. A. and
Chamber of Commerce maintain reading rooms.

Telephone--The Bell Telephone Company of Nevada furnishes telephone
service in Reno with 3,729 stations in the city. Of this number 1,725
are business phones and 2,004 residence phones. The rates are lower
than most cities on the coast. The company plans to spend $300,000 in
Reno the coming year in a new building to house its exchange. Long
distance communication with most of the points in Nevada is also
provided.

City Water Supply--The city water supply is taken from the Truckee
river by the Reno Power, Light & Water Company, twelve miles west of
Reno, and is of the purest quality. It is snow water and is treated by
a purification plant near the outskirts of Reno. Two large reservoirs
store the water and give it ample pressure for distribution. A monthly
rate of $2.75 for an unlimited supply of water is charged each
residence. This allows for irrigation of small gardens and lawns.

Gas and Electricity--Gas is manufactured by the Reno Power, Light &
Water Company and distributed to nearly every home in the city through
thirty-one miles of mains. The minimum rate is $1.10 a month and
averages $2 per 1,000 cubic feet. Electricity is sold by the same
company for light and power purposes from three hydro-electric plants
on the Truckee river. For domestic uses the electricity is sold at
seven to two cents a kilowatt hour, and for power at a minimum of five
cents a kilowatt and as low as two cents for large users.

Street Cars--The Reno Traction Company has five miles of track in the
city and connecting with Sparks, three miles to the east. Cars are run
on the half hour during the day and on the hour at night until 12:30
a.m.

City Paving--Reno now has six miles of paved streets with five
additional miles on the program for 1921. There are forty miles of
sidewalks covering practically the entire city.

Sewers--Rena has thirty miles of sewers emptying in the river at a
point below the city.

Shipping--The railroads entering Reno do a large business in the local
yards, and Reno's importance as a distributing center is growing
rapidly as shown by the following figures: Imports 1915, 155,000 tons
of freight; imports 1920, 207,000 tons of freight. Exports, 1915,
45,000 tons; export 1920, 89,000. Several trucking lines also operate
out of Reno to surrounding points and handle a large tonnage which it
is impossible to estimate.

Building Activity--The building permits issued for 1920 totalled in
round numbers $300,000, which is twice the figure of last year.

Contemplated Civic Improvements--The city council is working upon a
comprehensive plan of civic improvements which includes paving work
already mentioned, landscaping the river banks west of the Virginia
street bridge, and improvement of Wingfield Park. A new bandstand
costing $5,000 is being completed in the city park and close to
$100,000 is being spent in purchasing an aviation field and building a
hangar. A free tourist camp ground is to be modernly equipped.

Building and Loan Associations--There are two Building and Loan
Associations in Reno. The Union Building & Loan Association and the
Security Savings & Loan Association. Both offer material assistance to
the home builder on long payment plans.

Fire Department--The equipment of the fire department is valued at
over $75,000, and consists of the most modern fire-fighting apparatus.
High speed motor trucks which can reach any point in the city within
three minutes after the alarm is sounded, are used, and twenty-four
men man the trucks on the platoon system. The department has a record
of efficiency and the loss by fire is very low in Reno.

Police Department--Reno also has a very efficient police force of
fifteen men. An identification bureau and emergency hospital is
maintained by the police department. Only sixteen burglaries occurred
in Reno in 1920, and eight of the perpetrators were apprehended.
Eleven robberies were reported and six apprehended.

Reno Chamber of Commerce--The Reno Chamber of Commerce is an
organization of 1,300 members employing a managing director, a
secretary and a traffic manager on full time. These men maintain a
credit bureau, mining information bureau and traffic bureau, and are
carrying out a program of civic improvement and state development. The
rooms occupy the fourth floor of the Reno National Bank Building in
the heart of the city, and are used by some thirty organizations as a
civic center. The business and community life of Reno revolves around
the Chamber of Commerce.

[Illustration with caption: THE TRUCKEE FROM RIVERSIDE DRIVE]

[Illustration with caption: LOOKING NORTH OF VIRGINIA STREET]

Aviation Field--The municipal aviation field consists of some sixty
acres of land one mile south of the city, and is headquarters for the
aerial mail service. The county is building a hangar costing $30,000
and the government stations over thirty men at the field. Two mail
planes arrive each day and are repaired and overhauled at the field.
In the event of the mail service being extended to Los Angeles and the
Northwest, Reno will be the point at which the mail transfers are made
for these points.

University of Nevada--The University of Nevada is located in Reno, on
a beautiful eminence overlooking the city. It is an accredited
university offering for study all the regular courses for
matriculation and bachelors degree in mining, agriculture, arts and
sciences, civil engineering, electrical engineering and mining
engineering. The teaching and scientific staff number 75 and the
registration, 465 students. The state is expending $100,000 a year on
new buildings at the University and it costs $170,205 a year to
maintain from state and federal funds. Laboratory service is afforded
the mining, agricultural and stock raising industries of the state and
the University is looked upon with great pride by the citizens of
Nevada.

Fishing and Hunting--The country surrounding Reno abounds in game and
fish and outdoor life is the fashion. The streams and lakes are all
well stocked with game trout and a good basket of trout can be caught
in the Truckee river within the city limits of Reno. Deer, grouse,
sagehen, rabbits, coyotes and wildcats are plentiful on the ranges and
can be reached within a few hours from Reno.

Valley Farming--The valley in which Reno is located contains some
30,000 acres of fertile land, and is especially suited to the raising
of garden truck, fruits, chickens and grains and grasses. There is a
ready market for all the produce that is raised in the valley. A small
farm of a few acres can be obtained within a mile of the city for a
reasonable figure, and a good living earned in spare hours after work
in the city.

PART 2

RENO TRAGEDIES

Mrs. Smith did her little six months in Reno and the world's sympathy
was with her, and the recording angel, I dare say, winked solemnly to
himself and said: "Another domestic tragedy!"....

It is certainly a tragedy to be told outright by the husband one has
borne children for and has been a good wife to, and has loved and
cherished for the best part of one's life, to "cash in one's old face
and make room in his heart and home for a younger and more fair." This
was the case, apparently, with the Smiths.

And yet during my short stay in Reno, I have heard of more tragic
cases than that of Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith had been left her child and
money. We can't buy happiness with money, it's true, but we can at
least buy comfort, and that is something after all. I knew of a
different case where there was no money to buy comfort: a mother, with
a baby in her arms and the one desire in her heart, to make it
legitimate before it should grow old enough to understand..... I met
this heart broken mother in a hospital in Reno, six years after her
arrival there. I had heard about her and went to see the child.

"The divorce colony, all frivolity and gaiety," you say? Pardon me, I
know better!

This devoted mother had loved the father of her child. She had left an
impossible husband and gone with a man who had shown her sympathy,
kindness and love when her life was all unhappiness. She had fought
bravely for her freedom, but for some reason had been unable to obtain
it. The months had dragged into years, the woman toiling day by day in
a shop to support herself and baby, until years of work and worry had
claimed their prize at last, and she had fallen ill; and it was then I
heard of her and went to see her. I could still see traces of beauty
in the now hardened lines about her mouth and sunken eyes. It has been
said that "absence makes the heart grow fonder," but alas! there are
too many cases where "absence makes the heart grow... yonder." The man
whose wife she had hoped to become forgot her in less than a year and
passed out of her life....

I shall never forget the day I saw this fatherless child, with her
little pale face, rose-bud mouth and big brown eyes, which when she
lifted them to mine were filled with unshed tears. I knew that this
little lonely child of fate understood.... even at the age of six. I
just wanted to take her in my arms and cry....

One beautiful morning a mother arose and called at the door of her
daughter's bedroom. What, no answer? She opened the door and looked
in. Why, the bed had not been slept in! The mother knew that Marjory
had been despondent of late, and she knew why. Can you imagine the icy
hand that gripped that mother's heart when she looked upon the empty
couch. An hour later Marjory's beautiful young body was found floating
in the stream that runs through the University grounds among the green
trees, with sunshine filtering through and the birds singing their
glad notes of life among the leafy branches. As pure and sweet as a
desert lily, and as dainty as an apple blossom was this daughter of
Nevada. He who said "Truth is stranger than fiction" well nigh spoke
truthfully indeed.

Why wish to leave, Marjory, when you possessed youth, beauty and
loving friends; when the month was June and all the world rejoiced?
Indeed, why?

If Marjory's stiffened lips could have answered, she would have said:
"Yes, but my lover proved untrue: yesterday he was married to the
Queen of the Divorce Colony; today they are on their honeymoon, and I
am in the great unknown...."

It is between the hours of twilight and night. The last fading light
of the setting sun is reflected upon the waters of the Truckee River,
in a silvery, rose-tinted hue, indescribable in its delicate beauty.
There is a strange lady seated on the veranda of an imposing Colonial
home overlooking the river. She is writing; sometimes she stops to
gaze upon the glory of the sunset with great dreamy eyes, whose depths
seem unfathomable. How the soft twilight glow enshrines her face! But
now the sun has disappeared, yet the light seems still to cling about
her beautiful form. In a brighter light you might see that her lips
are crimson with the glow of youth, though her face is pale. Her hair,
parted in the middle and dressed straight back, and her white gown
give her the appearance of a Madonna. In her bodice, she wears a white
rose which from time to time she caresses in a dreamy fashion.....

Just here Eileen--her name is romantic isn't it?--is attracted by a
young man who comes up the street whistling as he walks full of the
joy of youth and life. He runs up the steps, two at a time. The lady
on the porch lifts her eyes just one moment, but womanlike she sees
much in a glance. She sees that his eyes are of a wonderful dark blue;
that his hair is thick and wavy; and that he is tall, straight and
strong. How lithe and supple he seems, too, as he runs up the steps
and disappears into the house. Has he seen the lady Madonna? She does
not know. There is indeed something strange about this dark haired
man; something out of the ordinary and fascinating....

The Holbrooks had been immensely wealthy at one time but owing to
gambling and unsuccessful mining deals their fortune had dwindled, and
at the death of Mr. Holbrook his widow had found that her sole
possessions consisted of a beautiful home and three lovely children.
Eileen Reed had come to Mrs. Holbrook with a letter of introduction
from a friend in the East, and had been taken into the home for the
period of her exile.

It was young Holbrook who had tripped up the steps and entered the
house without apparently seeing her. Having a keen woman's
understanding, I wondered if this apparent ignoring of the lady's
presence was not what first caused her keen interest in the young man,
for Eileen was not accustomed to being ignored. She bore her crown of
beauty with added brilliance and grace because of the passing years,
and was fully aware of her power to sway the will of those about her,
and move the hearts of men with her irresistible charm and perfect
splendor, alike persuasive, compelling and all-powerful.

She had never really loved: a poor girl of a respectable family, she
had taken up nursing; had married a wealthy doctor, and had been in
the position of the penniless but beautiful wife of a rich husband.

At dinner Eileen was presented to young Holbrook. I happened to be a
guest at dinner on that particular evening, and noticed a slight
effort on the part of the new arrival to interest the young man.
However, young Holbrook was cordially polite only. After dinner they
sauntered out on the piazza and chatted, for some time. During the
conversation, Eileen got the impression that if he had expressed his
opinion about divorces, it might not have been altogether
complimentary. He had grown up in Reno and for more than fifteen years
had seen the divorcees appear and vanish, and oh!--what a tale he
could have told.

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