An Early Goldfield Family-Rilla Alice McDonough Haney and Children

The Children Left to right:
Alice Theresa Haney b. May 12, 1891
Robina Marie Haney b. Oct 19, 1894
James Martin Haney Apr 11, 1890

Boomtowns begin with gold, silver or other precious metals swiftly followed by prospectors armed with shovels, picks and hope.   Goldfield was no exception.  However, there is also opportunity for folks other than prospectors in a boomtown.  Miners need food, lodging and desire drink and entertainment… and there were plenty of people willing to supply the need. Rilla Alice McDonough Haney was one of these people.   Although Rilla was a married woman, she and husband, Martin, had separated in Eureka California shortly after their third child was born in 1894. How she heard of the new gold camp and the reason for the move to Goldfield alone is unknown but it was a bold move.

The sisters, Robina 12 and Alice 16

In 1904, after ensuring her three children were safely settled in respected boarding schools or with trusted friends, she made her way to Goldfield.

In 1906, Rilla traveled back to California, packed up her children and returned to Goldfield.  At this time, Goldfield was rapidly growing into the largest city in Nevada.  By 1907, the population would reach over 20,000.

According to family lore, she opened and operated a restaurant.  Sadly, the name of the restaurant is lost to history.   But serving food was a good choice with so many single men who had no means or desire to cook for themselves.

Population growth brought more families which, in turn, meant the need for schools.

By the end of 1908, there were four fine stone built schools in Goldfield.  The two oldest children, James and Aliceopulation growth brought more families which, in turn, meant the need for schools.  By the end of 1908, there were four fine stone built schools in Goldfield.  The two oldest children, James and Alicee were 16 and 15 respectively when they arrived in Goldfield and may or may not have attended school. were 16 and 15 respectively when they arrived in Goldfield and may or may not have attended school.  Robina, the youngest of the brood, was an impressionable 12 year old at the time of the move.

The names of the students were written on the photo… however, the order in which the names match the girls is unknown.

This photo is the same class inside what was probably a private home surrounded by spectacular wall paper and interesting hangings.

Years later she would recount the enormous culture shock it was to move from a beautiful seashore in Northern California to the middle of the dry and hot Nevada desert!

Within three years, Alice would be married. Robina, did attend school and later oversaw little girls in summer school. The outdoor school (photo above) shows her with the summer class  –  She stands in the rear, a young girl not much taller than her charges.   That it was summer is obvious due to a sprinkling of bare feet.