Extolling the virtues of a Dayton icon

I've written a lot about Fanny Hazlett in the past. She wrote the only history of Dayton. Her writings were published by the Nevada Historical Society in 1922. But I've said very little about her husband, a well-respected physician, lawyer, and political figure in Nevada.

He was so busy I'm surprised he found time to be a doctor, and a doctor he was. He had an office on Pike Street in front of his home. The residence is now owned by our own living piece of Dayton history, Mr. Raymond Walmsley and his wife, Maybelle.

Dr. Hazlett married Francis Ann "Fanny" Gore. He was known as a physician with a reputation above reproach. He was generous and kind to a fault. He didn't care if you were rich or poor; he treated the sick all the same.

Dr. Hazlett wore other hats as well. He didn't just doctor, he also was the Lyon County Superintendent of Schools. A politician by nature, he was also Lyon County's state senator for four years from 1870-74. His next political office was that of Lyon County District Attorney in 1892.

Newspaper articles noted, "he was looked on as a man of unusual worth and stability with his advice sought by many, with people having the utmost confidence in him."

Dr. and Mrs. Hazlett were married for 31 years and lived in the same house on Pike Street. They had one daughter, Gertrude, in 1866. She died at the age of 45 from complications due to a ruptured appendix. The doctor and Fanny had four grandchildren, all Randalls, Dick Clark "Dixie," Ray Frank, Arthur Hazlett and Dorothy Gertrude, also called "Dixie." In the museum there is a family tree on display and it is very interesting.

Dr. Hazlett must have had a wall full of accolades. He had his finger into a lot of accomplishments and according to newspaper articles, did all of them well.

When the doctor died in 1895 he was so admired that the railroad made a special rate of $3.25 round trip so people could attend his funeral.

The newspaper said that the entire population of Dayton attended, as well as his friends in Virginia City, Carson City, Reno, Sutro and Silver City. Doctor Hazlett was buried in the Dayton Cemetery.

The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. The Web site is daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441.

• Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987, she serves as a board member of the Dayton historical society and a docent at the museum.