Mason Valley News du lieu suivant : Yerington, Nevada • 50

iwnri Renewed from -Tow Times That section was later broken out of the "Mason Valley News" and became a separate weekly for a short time, eventually becoming Lyon County's "Leader The suggestion to include Fernley Wadsworth and Silver Springs. In July. 1958, it was bought by the "Mason Valley; and it ran as a weekly section until 1967. Leader-Dayton Courier" which is published every week to serve those Lyon County communities. publication was separated in 1987 into the "Dayton Courier" and "Fernley Leader" and later combined into today's "Fernley A A If if Yeringtons name nearly continues, "Since the, establishment of a post office in the valley, some twenty-two years ago, it has always borne the name of Mason Valley, although, the location of post office has changed a number of times." The name of the community here had unofficially been changed to Greenfield some time before, since some people objected to the name Pizen Switch.

In fact the Mason Valley Tidings paper had listed below the name, "Greenfield, Lyon County, Nevada," in the March 29, 1894 edition. But then by the time of the April 5, 1894 edition of the Tidings, that was changed to 'Yerington, Lyon County, Nevada." But the story in the March 22 edition of the Tidings, gives some history on the post office here. It reads: David Cooper was the first Postmaster, and had the office on what is still known as the Cooper ranch. Afterward it was removed to by Keith Trout In just over a year from now will mark the 100th anniversary of the official naming of the post office in Mason Valley and thereby the name of the community as As earlier articles in this annual edition have told, this community was known informally as Pizen Switch in the early days. But the post office here was never known by that name but was known by 'Mason Valley'.

According to the Mason Valley Tidings newspaper, the March 22, 1894 edition, the official name of the post office would become "Yerington' as of April 1 (1894). According to the story, the. change was made in accordance with over 100 petitions signed by citizens, requesting the change, and addressed to the "Fourth-Assistant Postmaster-General." The newspaper story The 1988 "Lyon County Reflections" edition featured a story on the naming of Lyon County and told of conflict opinions as to whether the county was named after General Nathaniel Lyon, as was -more widely thought, or after Captain Robert Lyon. General Lyon was a Civil War hero who died in battle in August, 1861, while Captain Lyon was a hero of the Pyramid Lake Indian Wars of the 1860s. Lyon County was one of the nine territorial counties of the Nevada Territory, which was created and approved by the Territorial Legislature on Nov.

25. 1861. Historians differ as to the source name of the county although most older historical sources list Nathaniel," including Myron Angel, who edited the Thompson and West History of Nevada, which was published in -188 1 Also, an 1862 book by J. Wells Kelly, DK rectory 1862." says the county was named after General Lyon. But at least two other history books claim the county was named after Captain Robert Lyon.

But a letter to this publication from the Nevada State Library and Archives provides the answer to this controversy. The letter, from State Archivist Guy Louis Rocha, says for some time the agency was unsure until it came across proof substantiating the General Nathaniel story. It seems the State Archives has an early Lyon County seal which has a likeness of General Lyon, in a reverse image. Rocha's let-. ter states, "This seal was -compared to photo reproductions of line drawings of the General" (and found to be his likeness).

the Geiger store. When the village of Greenfield was laid out it was again moved and has been here ever since, J.S. Craig being either deputy or Postmaster up to the date of Cleveland's first administration. A.J. Littell then held the office for years.

He was in turn succeeded by J. C. Gallagher. Last year an effort was made to have the postoffice sic name changed to Greenfield but the authorities held that Greenfield was not desirous on account of there many offices already established having that designation, and they added, that "this department will not entertain petitions to change the name of fourth class postoffices sic unless the name selected is held to be one not liable to cause confusion in the distribution of the mails." Yerington was suggested as a pfeiiy name for our village and postoffice, and also as a compliment to one of Nevada's most rep-, resentative men, who has been identified with" almost every enterprise of importance inaugurated in western Nevada for many -years. The name is euphonious, easily pronounced and we think will be generally received with favor.

The person being referred to there is undoubtedly railroad man H.M. Yerington, including work with the Carson Colorado Railroad Co. around this time. Help with this story included information supplied by Guy Louis Rocha, State Archivist. 1 Great Home Cooking in a Friendly Atmosphere Featuring Our Special Broasted Chicken Open 7:00 am.

to 9:00 pjn. Monday through Saturday 415 North Main Street Yerington 463-2024 Page 46 Lyon County Reflections 1993.