Second Biennial Report
Nevada Historical Society
1909-1910
pg 73
Hon. James W. Nye, the Territory's first Governor, who after-
ward was elected as one of the United States Senators during
the first session of the Legislature. James W. Nye was a man
of fine presence, rather stout, with a big, round, smooth-
shaven, full face, with the "milk of human kindness" oozing
from every pore, and a head full of brains and a heart full
of love for all mankind. His pocketbook was ever empty,
however. He was always "hard up" and said that he had no use
for money except to pay his debts. When he met a man whom he
owed he regretted that he did not have the money to pay him.
During ngressional recesses he spent his time at the State
Capitol. He was so very popular in the State and particu-
larlyso in Carson. He died of softening of the brain in a
private asylum in the East. His last days were very sad.
Hon. William M. Steware, the other Senator, left Nevada at
the end of eight years service in the Senate of the United
States, dating from 1864, and took up the practice of law
in San Francisco, with a branch office in Bodie, when Bodie
contributing large sums of money to the world's wealth.
He resided in the city by the Golden Gate for twelve years,
returning to Nevada to again become a candidate for the
United States Senate. he had but one friend in the State
who advocated his election, many classing him as a Southern
Pacific carpet-bagger. That friend was Sam C. Wright of
Carson. Before many days had passed, Stewart interested
Bill Thompson, quite a noted politician in Reno, in his
candidacy, and from the nucleus formed by Wright and
Thompson, his popularity began to grow. He had for an
opponent the Hon. C. C. Powning of Reno, but so well did
Steward manipulate the political cards that Powning did not
prove very troublesome, with the results that Stewart was
chosen and again represented Nevada for three terms.
Joan