William Wetherill

William Wetherill was born in 1820 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, into an established colonial family. In May 1849, he departed Philadelphia for California, traveling by sea around Cape Horn and arriving in San Francisco in November of that year. By 1861 he had relocated to Aurora, Nevada.

In 1864 Weatherill served as representative of Aurora and Esmeralda County at the Nevada's second constitutional convention, convened to frame the state constitution in preparation for statehood. His conduct during the proceedings earned him a reputation for sound judgement and notable integrity. By late November 1864 he was actively staking claims in the Montgomery Mining District, and soon thereafter became part of the early Benton community. In the 1867 election he was chosen to serve as one of the Justices of the Peace for the Benton Township.

For many years Wetherill struggled as a prospector, often relaying on credit for basic provisions. His circumstances changed markedly in early 1870 when a Paiute man in his employ discovered rich float rock in Hutch Canyon. After being informed of the find, Wetherill traced the material to its source and located what became known as the Indian Queen Mine, recording the claim on May 20, 1870. He shipped ore to Reno and San Francisco and later constructed a four-stamp mill. Between the opening of the mine and its sale in January 1875, he earned approximately $250,000 and sold the mine itself for an additional $60,000.

Wetherill was widely regarded as a generous man. In January 1873 he loaned Albert Mack $20,000 to facilitate Mack's purchase of the Comanche Mill. He also acquired several properties from the Morrison estate, selling them to other parties. One of his most consequential misjudgments occurred in 1876, when he became involved with San Francisco investors who purchased the Comanche Mill and Mine from Mack. As both a director and a major stockholder, Wetherill suffered severe losses when the company declared bankruptcy.

Throughout his life Wetherill maintained a close and respectful relationship with the Paiute people. He frequently purchased food, clothing, blankets, and other supplies for them. When several expressed interest in ranching, he acquired the Blind Spring Ranch on the east side of Blind Spring Hill for their use. In the spring of 1877, he financed the vaccination of Paiutes living near Benton during a smallpox outbreak. He was often called upon to communicate with Paiute groups and remained known as a "friend of the Indians" until his death.

Wetherill also remained active in local politics. In 1879 he was appointed County

Supervisor for the Benton Township District and was re-elected in 1882. Contemporary accounts described him as an able supervisor who consistently considered the needs of ordinary residents.

In the mid-1880s Wetherill worked claims at the old Mono diggings near Dogtown. In the early 1890s he returned to Hutch Canyon to work the Poor Man Mine, a northern extension of the Indian Queen ledge. At that time the Indian Queen Mine was owned by John F. Millner. Disputes between the two men resulted in litigation, and Millner--represented by attorney Patrick Reddy--ultimately prevailed, leave Wetherill without his claim.

In March 1898 Wetherill was taken to San Francisco in a paralyzed condition. His later years were marked by illness and financial hardship. William Wetherill died in Benton on January 21, 1901, and was buried in an unmarked grave.