Pictured L-R: Bill Briare (holding a framed print), unknown, Las Vegas Mayor Oran K. Gragson (center, holding statuette), two unknown men holding three framed prints. The location where the photograph was taken is unknown. Oran Kenneth Gragson (February 14, 1911 – October 7, 2002) was an American businessman and politician. He was the longest-serving mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1959 to 1975. Gragson, a member of the Republican Party, was a small business owner who was elected Mayor on a reform platform against police corruption and for equal opportunity for people of all socio-economic and racial categories. Gragson died in a Las Vegas hospice on October 7, 2002, at the age of 91. The Oran K. Gragson Elementary School located at 555 N. Honolulu Street, Las Vegas, NV 89110 was named in his honor. William Hubert "Bill" Briare (July 13, 1930 – December 8, 2006) was an American politician. In the 1960s, Briare served in the Nevada Assembly and as a Clark County Commissioner. In 1971, he lost his first campaign for mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada to Oran K. Gragson, but Briare was elected in his next attempt in 1975, defeating Harry Reid. He was the former mayor of Las Vegas from 1975 to 1987. Briare was a member of the Democratic Party.
The Old Buck Station, where the Hill-Beachy freight line stopped to trade horses. To get to Buck Station from Illipah, head west on U.S. 50 for 20.2 miles. Exit right onto the old Elko-Hamilton Stage road (very poor, heavily rutted) and follow for 11 miles. Bear left at fork and continue for 9 miles to Buck Station. Buck Station was an important stop on the Elko-Hamilton stage line. The station was the scene of bustling activity during the late 1860s as travelers rushed from northern Nevada to Hamilton. The Hill-Beachy freight line used Buck Station as a place to switch horses. All was not safe and secure at Buck Station, however. In May 1869, the Wells-Fargo stage was held up. $40,000 was taken, and four men were killed. The money was never recovered, and legend has it that the treasure is buried somewhere near the station. When the robbers were caught, only a few miles away, they had already hidden the money. Once Hamilton began to decline in 1870, Buck Station lost its importance, and by the late 1870s the station was no longer used. In the 1880s, a small and very successful ranch began operations, continuing in business until the 1930s. Today there are extensive and fascinating remains at Buck Station.
The Old Buck Station, where the Hill-Beachy freight line stopped to trade horses. To get to Buck Station from Illipah, head west on U.S. 50 for 20.2 miles. Exit right onto the old Elko-Hamilton Stage road (very poor, heavily rutted) and follow for 11 miles. Bear left at fork and continue for 9 miles to Buck Station. Buck Station was an important stop on the Elko-Hamilton stage line. The station was the scene of bustling activity during the late 1860s as travelers rushed from northern Nevada to Hamilton. The Hill-Beachy freight line used Buck Station as a place to switch horses. All was not safe and secure at Buck Station, however. In May 1869, the Wells-Fargo stage was held up. $40,000 was taken, and four men were killed. The money was never recovered, and legend has it that the treasure is buried somewhere near the station. When the robbers were caught, only a few miles away, they had already hidden the money. Once Hamilton began to decline in 1870, Buck Station lost its importance, and by the late 1870s the station was no longer used. In the 1880s, a small and very successful ranch began operations, continuing in business until the 1930s. Today there are extensive and fascinating remains at Buck Station.
From the Syphus-Bunker Papers (MS-00169). The folder contains an original handwritten letter, an envelope, a typed transcription of the same letter, and a copy of original letter attached.
Harley A. Harmon was born in 1882 in Wier City, Kansas. His father, Elmer Harmon, was an attorney who moved the family to Los Angeles, California when Harmon was nine years old. In 1903, Harley A. Harmon unsuccessfully ran for Los Angeles City Clerk. In 1905, Harley A. Harmon joined the Union Pacific Railroad as an engineer and drove one of the first construction trains to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Harley A. Harmon was stationed in 1908.