A lawyer and an adventurer, A.P. Crittenden was an early ’49er, with strong sympathies for the South during the Civil War. He traveled the West from Texas to San Francisco and landed in Nevada. Author Paul Franklin has studied the drama that ensued when Crittenden explored Aurora and Virginia City, and how he made his fortune over mining claim disputes. The Nevada State Museum in Carson City is hosting Franklin for a lecture from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17.
Crittenden’s relatives worked in Nevada mines as assayers and, Franklin says, supplied him with much insider information on the various mines, enabling him to play the Comstock stock market. Then, he spent his wealth in colorful ways.
Now retired, Franklin is a consultant, splitting his time between a number of start-ups in the Bay Area and his passion, Western Americana history. He particularly enjoys researching mining and its technology development in the West. He recently published his first book, “Anatomy of an Ingot,” which follows the careers of three mining engineers and assayers who figured significantly in Nevada’s early silver mining boom.
The museum is at 600 N. Carson St. Admission is $8 for adults; free for museum members and ages 17 and younger. For more information, contact Bob Nylen at rnylen@nevadaculture.org or 775-687-4810, ext. 245.