Lot 1082
Sutro Tunnel Agreement, 1866, with Stewart et al to Construct A Tunnel and Cross the Comstock Lode. 1866 broadside of the original agreement for the construction of the Sutro Tunnel. A draft of this was signed by Sutro, William M. Stewart, Louis J. Anin and others. "The said tunnel shall commence in the foothills of Carson Valley, between Coral Canyon and Weber Canyon… and shall extend to, and cut and pass through, the Comstock Lode to its western wall…, at some point between the north line of the claim of the Ophir Silver Mining Comapny, and the south line of the Yellow Jacket Company, and at a depth of not less than one thousand eight hundred feet below the top of what is known as the Gould & Curry croppings." The agreement provided that if Suttro could not obtain $3 million in subscriptions or $300,000 in cash deposited for the construction of the Tunnel by August 1, 1867, that he would forfeit and sign over his right to the Sutro grant to Stewart et al. This is arguably one of the most important agreements in broadside form regarding the history of the Comstock. Sutro was successful in building and digging the tunnel, which was completed in 1877, but this and subsequent agreements with Comstock mine owners, led by Mackay & Fair, represented by Stewart, renegged on their contracts with Sutro when the Tunnel was finished. Sutro litigated, but lost to a loaded Court. He subsequently sold his stock in the Tunnel, and moved to San Francsico.
Estimated Value $500 - 1,000.
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| Realized $1,035 |
