Group of Eight Western Union Telegrams, August 1879 — Eureka, NV Coal-Burners Strike / Fish Creek Conflict | Annex Auctions
Ends August 31, 2025
Group of Eight Western Union Telegrams, August 1879 — Eureka, NV Coal-Burners Strike / Fish Creek Conflict
A historically significant group of eight Western Union telegrams sent from August 11–20, 1879, from Eureka, Nevada, to Governor John H. Kinkead in Carson City. The telegrams document an armed labor uprising involving the Eureka Charcoal Burners’ Protective Association, whose members seized control of coal pits, threatened to burn the town, and resisted arrest by civil authorities. As tensions escalated, local officials requested state militia intervention. The messages include detailed updates on militia deployment, weapons inventories, and the evolving civil unrest. The incident culminated in what is now known as the Fish Creek Massacre, one of the most violent labor conflicts in Nevada history. One telegram spans three pages.
Dimensions: 8 x 5 ¼ in. each (approx.)
Provenance: Ron Lerch estate
Pickup & Shipping: Free pickup in Sacramento. Shipping via FedEx within the continental U.S. for $30 + 1.5% insurance (unless waived in writing). Combined lot shipping available.
Condition:Very good overall. All telegrams legible and complete, with expected fold lines, light toning, and some edge wear. No major losses.
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