Posted on: Esmeralda County Nv. Query Forum
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Esmeralda County.
In the book, Goldfield Remembered, published by the Goldfield Historical
Society several years ago, was the following piece.
William D. Hatton first arrived in Goldfield in 1904, about a year after
the discovery of gold in the bone-dry desert.
Hatton, who was born in Wichita, Kansas was then a young lawyer who had
been sent to the Grand Canyon to check mineral prospects for his employer.
With the news of gold in Nevada, his employer urged him on to Goldfield
to get a report on the mining activity.
Goldfield was a vibrant growing city and Hatton wisely decided to practice
law there and sent in his report, and his resignation to his employer.
He relied on personal experience in mining and geology to take on cases
for the mining companies.
His wife Mary was Goldfield's first school teacher and they were well known
residents involved in community affairs and services.
In 1917 Mr. Hatton left Goldfield for Los Angeles but he could not stay
away from Nevada and returned to Tonopah to continue his law practice.
Mr. Hatton was a Nye County State Assemblyman when he was appointed to
the 5th Judicial District to fill a vacancy. Judge Hatton retained that
position through 1954, a 22 year career as a rural judge. he served Mineral,
Nye and Esmeralda Counties.