Tales of the Sierras

Jeff W. Hayes (1853-1917) was a US author and businessman who introduced the telegraph to Portland, Oregon, in 1882. After working as a telegraph operator for years, he helped to organize the Nevada & California Telegraph Company, superintending the construction of the telegraph from Carson City (Nev.) to Bodie, Cal.," where he gathered the stories for his 1912 book “Tales of the Sierras”.Hayes states: “Some of my readers may think that my characters are too highly drawn, but I wish to assure them that such is not the case. The stories are founded on facts. I have not followed any well-trodden path in my style of literature, but have rather sought to be entirely original.”Interestingly, many of the stories take place in the now famous ghost town of Bodie, California.Table of ContentsTHE THROCKMORTONSSun Lee’s CourtshipThe Hermit of Telegraph HillWhiskey FlatLost OpportunitiesWELCOMING THE PRESIDENT"WHAT'S 'ATIN' YOU?"PIONEER AND MODERN TELEGRAPHY ON THE PACIFIC COASTBilly McGinniss’s WakeA MESSENGER BOY'S TRIP TO LONDONA PIUTE DETECTIVEACROSS THE SIERRASDIGGING WELLS BY TELEPHONEENTERPRISE IN EMERGENCYSOME REMINISCENCESOYSTERS CAUSE WIRE TROUBLETHE CARSON CANNING COMPANYCOLONEL DICKEY’S PAPER WEIGHTTHE COWBOY DISPATCHER