Virginia City in Storey County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

William Wright aka Dan De Quille

May 9, 1829 – March 16, 1898

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 9, 2009

1. William Wright aka Dan De Quille Marker

Inscription.
Worked as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise from 1861 until 1885, re-joined the paper in 1887 and continued working until the paper ceased operation.

While as a reporter he was the author of several books. His most famous was the “Big Bonanza” published in 1876. While the book first met with little success today it is considered one of the foremost written on the Comstock Lode.

Dan De Quille left Virginia City in 1897 to live with his daughter in West Liberty, Iowa. He died in 1898 and is buried there.
Julia C. Bulette Chapter 1864, E Clampus Vitus
June 24, 1994

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1781.

Location. 39° 18.606′ N, 119° 38.981′ W. Marker is in Virginia City, Nevada, in Storey County. It is on C Street (Nevada Route 341), on the left when traveling north. Marker is mounted on the front of the Territorial Enterprise - Mark Twain Museum Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 53 South C Street, Virginia City NV 89440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Reno Area.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: The Territorial Enterprise (here, next to this marker); John “Snowshoe” Thompson / James T. Fennimore (here, next to this marker); Mark Twain (here, next to this marker); Virginia City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Delta (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans And The Boston Saloon (within shouting distance of this marker); Banner Brothers Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders of Julia C. Bulette Chapter (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia City.

Also see . . .
1. Dan De Quille. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Territorial Enterprise. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 28, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. Frightful Accident To Dan De Quille. A Territorial Enterprise, April 20, 1864 article written by Mark Twain. Mark Twain and Dan De Quille were friends and room-mates. They often wrote humorous spoofs on each other for publication. (Submitted on August 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Additional commentary.
1. Dan DeQuille
Dan DeQuille worked at the Enterprise for over thirty years as editor.

Dan De Quille image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikipedia

2. Dan De Quille

During the mining boom years, he was the mining editor, and was in charge of all articles regarding the operation of the mines. He became pretty much an expert at mining operation. The only time he left the Enterprise, was in 1875. He had been asked by John Mackey, James Fair, William Ralston, and Sen. John P. Jones (These guys made millions off the mines.) to write a book on the history of the Comstock Lode. He contacted Mark Twain, who was then residing in Hartford, Conn. on how to go about writing this book. Mark stated that he would write this book under his guidance at his residence in Hartford. Twain wanted to make sure his friend was not going to be bilked out of royalties generated by this book. DeQuille went to Hartford and lived there for a year and a half while he wrote his novel. The novel is called “The Big Bonanza”, and is the only book he wrote. He returned to the Enterprise after completing the book in his old position as editor. “The Big Bonanza” includes a 25 page forward that tells more about DeQuille, and how the novel came about.
Source: Don Harton, Tour Guide, Mark Twain Museum.

— Submitted September 24, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Additional keywords. Comstock

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 29, 2014

3. William Wright aka Dan De Quille Marker

This is the lower marker seen in this view.

Lode

The Territorial Enterprise and Mark Twain Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Harton, circa May 2009

4. The Territorial Enterprise and Mark Twain Museum

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 29, 2014

5. The Territorial Enterprise and Mark Twain Museum

This is the far left building.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,656 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on April 19, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on August 25, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on April 19, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California.