In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken the small mining town of Goldfield, two young boys met their untimely demise in the Consolidated reservoir on Columbia mountain. Horace Gill, a nine-year-old son of George Gill, proprietor of the Michigan hotel on North Main street, and John Lamsa, an eight-year-old son of Henry Lamsa, a local miner, drowned in the reservoir on Saturday afternoon.
The boys, along with several other children, had been frequenting the reservoir for weeks despite a clear warning sign posted at the site, which threatened prosecution for anyone who failed to heed the warning. Adding to the danger, the reservoir was enclosed by a wire fence, which the boys managed to push through to gain access.
On the fateful day, the children had constructed a makeshift raft from several boards loosely nailed together. The older boys, ranging in age from 14 to 10 years, climbed onto the raft and, telling the younger boys to keep away, they paddled out onto the water.
Unfortunately, the raft proved to be no match for the 13-foot-deep water, and both Horace and John were swept beneath the surface, never to resurface. Their faithful dog, also with them, was left to mourn the loss of its two young companions.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about the safety of the reservoir and the responsibility of parents to ensure their children’s well-being.
As the town of Goldfield grapples with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, one thing is clear: the young lives of Horace Gill and John Lamsa were cut short in a moment of reckless abandon, leaving behind a community to pick up the pieces.
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Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Violent Crime
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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