Nevada Genealogy Trails Esmeralda County James R. Davis Biography

JIM DAVIS got his education and equipment in the field. He landed in Goldfield without a dollar, but with fifteen years of more or less successful mining work back of him. He was born in Kansas thirty-three years ago, and began mining when he was still a boy. Mr. Davis went from Colorado to Goldfield with the first rush, and from the start his operations were successful. His first fortunate venture was the location and discovery of the Sandstorm Bonanza, which gave him the name of Sandstorm Davis. In the early days of this mine's history a quarter of a million dollars were taken out. When the excitement of Bullfrog lured many of the Goldfield men to try their luck in the southern camps, he prospected there and secured 100 acres of rich mineral ground which is now the property of the Bullfrog Gold Bar Mining Company, one of the most promising of that district. This property has nearly four millions blocked out, and with the completion of a mill will become a great wealth producer. Mr. Davis has always had active management of it.

Following the selection of the property in Bullfrog, Mr. Davis secured the property of the Great Bend Mining Company near Diamondfield. At this time the property was undeveloped, but now the company has extensive workings. Much high grade ore has already been shipped. Next, following, was the purchase of the Round Mountain Sunnyside Mine, the original bonanza of that country. Mr. Davis went there first in March, 1906, when the Manhattan excitement was at its height. From this mine have come the richest specimens ever seen in Nevada, and it has produced in bullion at the rate of $50,000 a month. The last and what promises to be greatest of all, is the Nevada Hills, in which he is one of the principal owners, and in the short time Mr. Davis has been interested in this property, the progress has been so marvelous that it is believed it will be not only the greatest mine of the Fairview district, but one of the greatest in the entire state.

Mr. Davis directed the affairs of the Combination Fraction, ground which has already produced three hundred thousand dollars. He was instrumental in turning the great Combination into the big merger at four million dollars, which gives himself and Mr. Loftus a substantial interest in the merger and makes him a director in the Consolidated. He has an eighth interest in the quarter-million-dollar Goldfield hotel, and is connected with various other enterprises, which are making of Goldfield a city instead of a camp. A mining venture that has the stamp of approval of James R. Davis upon it is sure of hearty supporters, and the name of Loftus & Davis is one to conjure by. As a man Mr. Davis is honored by all who know him. He is quiet and reserved, except to those who know him best.