Monopoly - Mono County Museum

Mono County
Historical Society
Brid
geport,
Ca I iforn ia
2OL5 Newsletter
The Delury
Monopoly
George Delury, Senior in 1880.
This is the saga of two guys each named George Delury who became household names in early Mono
County because of their combined 65 years of service as Mono County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder.
George Delury, Senior, the second of ten children was born on August 8, 1859 in Forest City, Sierra
County, California to lrish emigrants George and Elizabeth Delury. He graduated from Grass Valley High
Schooland worked as a young man in the Comstock Lode mines at Virginia City, Nevada. There he met
a local girl, lsabella (Bella) Ward, who was born in Virginia City on January 3, 1870. She would become
the future Mrs. Delury
The Comstock district began a slow decline in the early 1880s, encouraging George to move on to the
busy gold mining town of Bodie in the spring of L882. His brother, John, was already working there as
a butcher in Kilgore's Union Market on Main Street.
After working in the Bodie mines for a few years, George partnered with speculator Rosalio Garcia in the
late 188Os to buy the Temple Saloon on Main Street, offering "the finest wines, cigars and liquors' and
a free billiard parlor. Once he was on solid financial ground, George made the leap and brought Bella
Ward to Bodie and married her on July 26, 1888. Even though their home was in Bodie, Bella returned
to her family in Virginia Gity for the delivery of her first two children; Eva in 1889, and Savilla in 1892.
Delury was also a member of the Wide Awake Hose Company of the Bodie Fire Department and ran for
Company President in 1889. The Bodie Evening Miner reported on December 19, 1889, "although the
names of several popular gentlemen were discussed in connection with the office, George Delury
seemed to be the favorite and so George was elected President by acclamation."
The Standard Mine fire of July 26, L892 destroyed part of Main Street includingthe Temple Saloon, but
Delury and Garcia had it rebuilt and opened within a short time. Later in 1892, George was elected as
Justice of the Peace of the Bodie Township, a position that he took seriously.
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As reported bythe Br¡dgeport ChronicleUnion of January 3, 1903, 'his decisions
were always fair and square and (he) was
a terror to evil doers".
ln 1898, the Delurys moved to Bridgeport,
the County Seat, after he was elected the
Mono County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder,
unopposed on the Republican ticket.
The Temple Saloon in 1892, to the left of the Standard Hotel.
The Delurys lived in a house on Emigrant Street, where son
George was born in 1899, followed by his brother, John in
L9O2. ln 1904, the family moved to a house on Main Street,
next to what is now the Fire Station.
George Delury, Senior became a successful and very popular
County Clerk, ultimately serving the community for 26 years.
The Chronicle-Union of January 3, 1903 described him as,
"the strongest man in the political field, a man without an
enemy, who believes in the golden rule and tries to follow its
dictates.'
Bella and George in 1903 with John, Savilla,
and George, Jr in front, and Eva in back.
Bella became seriously ill in February of 19O4 after George
and she rode out to the Hunewill Ranch in a snowstorm to
attend Frank Hunewlll's funeral service. Bodie Doctor Ezra
Brooks attended to her at home during the week prior to her
death of uremia on March t, L9O4 at the age of 34. Bella's
brother, John Ward, responded to Bridgeport to accompany
Undertaker Amasa S. Bryant to Virginia City with her remains
for burial in the family plot at the Virginia City Cemetery. The
caravan was escorted to the outskirts of town by a long line
of friends in wagons and on foot.
George later suffered from a serious heart condition which occasionally made it necessary for him to use
a bit of his sick time, but what hit the fan during the last part of L924 did nothing to make things better.
financial audit in October of L924 of County finances was conducted by the San Francisco CPA firm of
Head & Strong which uncovered a $15,9O3.O7 shortage. County Treasurer H. B. Patterson was removed
from office and he eventually pled guilty to embezzlement of public funds. The Board of Supervisors had
assigned Delury in July of L923 the task of obtaining an expert to perform the audit, but he failed to do
so until October of L924. The Board had not followed up on Delury's assignment, therefore the auditors
blamed the Supervisors for the increased misappropriation of funds that occurred during that time lapse.
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Other discrepancies came to l¡ght. The books of the Superintendent of Schools did not match those
of the Treasury. The Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, the County Auditor and District Attorney
failed to count the money in the Treasury each month as required by law and report the¡r find¡ngs to
the Supervisors. Money had been deposited into the Treasury without notice or authorization of the
County Auditor, plus the books of the County Assessor were not up to date.
The results of the audit were announced on November 2L, L924, and the report was forwarded to the
Grand Jury and the Chronicle.Union by the Supervisors. The Grand Jury concurred with the results and
Delury resigned prior to November 24. Ruth Laughlin was appointed Clerk, Auditor and Recorder and
Gertrude Smith was appointed Treasurer to serve out the remainder of the respective terms. No other
officials were disciplined, charged or prosecuted.
The scandal seemingly had no impact on George's
popularity and public support, as evidenced by the
resolutiori issued by the Board of Supervisors in
L928 that paid tribute to "our old and esteemed
friend and co-worker in the field of Mono County
History, George Delury, Senior'. As a citizen and
public official, he "actively participated in every
project and enterprise for the general welfare and
betterment of Mono County", serving'many years
of faithful and efficient seryice'.
George was still living in Bridgeport when he died
on October 20, L928 at the age of 69, with all of
his children at his side. Former Nevada Governor
Fred Balzar & Mono County Superior Court Judge
Pat Parker (he was on the bench during the audit
and aftermath) served as pallbearers at Delury's
internment in the Carson City Catholic Cemetery.
County Officials in 1914, L-R, Assessor J.W. Towle, D/A
Chas. Hayes, Sheriff James Dolan, Delury, Surveyor J.G.
Thompson, Judge John Murphey, Janitor Alexander Scott.
George Delury, Junior received his early education in the Bridgeport
Schoolhouse. At 15, he was the typesetter for the Chronicle-Union
and shared the school custodialjob with his brother, John, splitting
the eight dollar monthly wage. After graduation from Berkeley High
School in 1919, George attended U. C. Berkeley and in L922joined
the National Guard, while working for the H. C. Capwell Department
Store in Oakland and the Lever Brothers Company in San Francisco.
Delury returned to Bridgeport after L924 to care for his father, but
remained with the Guard until his enlistment ended in 1926, the
same year he was elected Mono County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder.
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George Delury, Junior, 1919-1920.
His duties began in January of L927 and the job had its challenges. There were no typewriters or copy
machines and everything was handwritten. Coleman lamps were used for lighting since there was no
electricity. Delury kept his ink bottle in the courthouse safe overnight so it wouldn't freeze. There were
no telephones, but once one was installed in the courthouse it was no more than an extension from the
telephone office at the Bryant Store. George's paycheck was $166.00 per month in the days when the
Grand Jury set county employee salaries.
ln 1936, as a member of Elks Alta Lodge #333 in Bridgeport,
George attended a dance in Tonopah, Nevada and fell in love.
Mary Zigler, a reg¡stered nurse at the Tonopah Miner's Hospital
knocked him off his feet. They were married shortly aften^/ards
on May 4, 1936 in Reno and returned to Bridgeport to live in a
house that George had built on Emigrant Street across from the
Community Church.
Mary was born in Virginia on June 5, 1909, the daughter of Rev.
Homer Zagler and his wife, Gertie. She was from a long-standing
Virginia family, living in the house that her great-grandfather had
built in L827-, driving herself to school each day with a horse and
buggy. Mary trained as a nurse in Virginia, graduating in L932,
She worked at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg,
Virginia before she moved to Tonopah in 1934.
There was no hospital in Bridgeport in
1936, just a doctor who worked out of
George and Mary Delury, May 4,
a first aid station on Emigrant Street.
It was torn down in 1938 and replaced
with a new hospital which later became the current Welfare Office. Mary was a
"permanent part-time" County Nurse, assisting resident doctors with surgeries,
baby deliveries and numerous emergencies for an amazing 50 years.
1936.
George Delury, Junior had an outgo¡ng personality and stayed busy participating
in various government-oriented organizations on the county and state levels. In
addition to Elk's membership, he was a member of Eastern Star, Kerak Temple
Shrine, Scottish Rite, Bridgeport Lions Club, Recorder of the Bodie Chapter of E
Clampus Vitus, Treasurer & Trustee of the Community Church, Chairman of the
local Chapter of the American Red Gross and Chairman of the Mono County Unit
of the Salvation Army. He didn't have time to get into trouble.
Dale Delury was born in 1938 and Darlene in 1941. Raised in the family home,
they attended the Bridgeport Schoolhouse, but received secondary diplomas at
Bishop High School. Dale earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from U. C.
Berkeley; Darlene has a degree in Home Economics from Cal State Sacramento.
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Mary Delury in 1937
ln 1960, a short in the oil burning heater at the courthouse ignited a fire after closing hours. George
was still working inside and was able to put out the blaze before it destroyed the historic landmark.
ln 1961, a modern full-service hospital was built on Kirkwood Street to
replace the outdated facility on Emigrant. The Mono Medical Center
was dedicated on April 8, L962 by former Vice-President Richard Nixon,
who flew into Bridgeport X that morning. George participated, but it was
nursing supervisor Mary Delury who was responsible for getting the new
building ready for opening.
On August 24, L963, Darlene Delury married U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery
Sergeant Coy Ziglar after dodging butlets from the Zigler clan in Virginia.
Even though the two names are different, it was feared the two families
might be related since Zig was a native from neighboring North Carolina.
When Mary was asked if it was funny at the time, she replied, "My father
George & Richard Nixon, L962.
didn't think it was very funny!" No connection was found and the matter
was resolved. After Zig retired on August 7., L967, Darlene and he demolished the old Delury house on
Main Street, replacing it with a boutique for Darlene, a sporting goods store Íor Zig, and living quarters
for them upstairs. Zig was later elected to the Board of Supervisors and served as the community Santa
Claus for many years, providing memorable Christmases for countless Bridgeport children.
George Delury, Junior retired on June 30, 1965 after 39
years of service, but stayed active in the community and
was the Voting lnspector for the Bridgeport Precinct. He
lived long enough to enjoy his grandchildren by Dale and
Darlene. George passed away on March L5, L987 at 87
and was buried in the Bridgeport Cemetery.
Mary Delury was 79 years old when she retired in 1988,
but received no retirement compensation because of her
part-time status. With no regrets she remarked, "Nobody
asked me how old I was or lf I should quit, so I kept working. I enjoyed the work.' Mary remained as sharp as a
tack and stayed in the family home on Emigrant Street
until she joined her husband on July 23,2005, age 96.
Dale has a daughter, Michelle; Darlene's sons are Doug
and Don. Darlene still lives in Bridgeport. Zig passed in
December of 2AL4 after 51 happy years with Darlene.
Darlene, Mary, George & Dale Delury in
SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND PHOTOS
Mary Delury - Darlene Delury Zig,lat - Bodie Evening Miner - Bridgeport ChronicleUnion
Mono County Histofical society - Mono County Clerk Recorder's office
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L97t.
IN MEMORIUM
STANLEY LLOYD HUNEWILL
September 3O, 1934 - July 9,2OL4
Stan Hunewill was loved and respected by all lucky enough to know
him. He was a gentle and friendly soul with mischievous ways and
and a twinkle in his eye. Stan was born in L934, presumably on
a horse in Glendale, California, but lived his life workingthe family
ranches in Bridgeport and Smith Valley, Nevada. He received his
early education in the Bridgeport Schoolhouse and attended Smith
Valley High School, transferring to the Menlo School in the bay area
in his senior year to gain college credits. After two years at Colorado
A&M he switched to UC Davis to be near his sweetheart, Janet Blíss.
Stan graduated in 1956 with a degree in Animal Science and married
Jan in 1957 after she earned her degree. Then it was time to travel.
Stan joined the U.S. Navy in 1957. After completing Naval Officer's
Candidate School, he attended the Naval Post Graduate School in
Monterey where son, Jeff was born. Then it was three years as a
Meteorolo$st at the Naval Fleet Weather Central at Pearl Harbor
in Hawaii. After release from the Navy, the Hunewills lost no time
beating their way to the Bridgeport ranch where they added Betsy
and Megan to the family. The Hunewill children grew up working
the ranches to eventually become partners in the Hunewill Land
and Livestock Company.
Stan took the reins of the Circle H
at24
due to his father Stanley's
He introduced Holistic Resource
ill health and never looked back.
Management, the continual rotation of cattle to fresh grazingareas
to preserve meadowland resources. Many expressed their love and ì
respect for Stan during his memorial held under the trees at the Bridgeport ranch in 2Ot4. After Amy Smith
sang Buckeye Creek and a closing testimonial was offered, there was not a dry eye in the place. lt was truly
a fitting tribute for a great man.
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THE MONO COUNW HISTORICALSOCIETY
The Mono County HistoricalSociety and the Mono County Museum are supported by memberships,
donations, admissions and sales. No operating funds are received from Mono County or other public
sources and the docent is the only paid employee.
During 2OL5, the museum will be open May 2l through September 3O, Tuesday-Saturday, 9am4pm.
Admission: Adults & teens t3-L7/S2.OO, Seniors 55+7ç1.59, Children 6-L2/$1,.OO, Children under 6
are free. Museum telephone: 760-932-5281. Visit our website at www.monocomuseum.orq,
The 2015 Founder's Day Celebration is scheduled for Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7.
Events include a ranch rodeo, wagon rides, vendors, quilt exhibit and the Children's Stampede on Saturday
morning down Main Street. A dinner and historical presentation are slated at the Memorial Hall on Sunday.
The coupon below is to be used for new memberships, membership renewals and donations.
Life'and Patron Memberships are valid for life. All other memberships are renewable each year
effective January 1. MCHS is a re$stered non profit organization per Section 501(c)3 of the
lnternal Revenue Code and a public charity under Section 509(a)2, Federal Tax lD # 77-OL9L728.
Memberships and donations are tax deductible.
Mono CounV Historical Societv Board gf Trustees
Kent Stoddard, President & Curator
Ed Oliver, Vice-President
Nancy Alaniz, Secretary
Josie Annett, Treasurer
Lynda Bryant Pemberton, Non{fficer Voting Trustee
Mary Lent, Non€fficer Voting Trustee
MONO COUNW HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSH¡P, RENEWALS AND DONATIONS
Family
lndividual
-$1O.OO
-$1oo.0o
Life
-$15.00
Patron
Sustaining
-$25.00
Donation
Organization/Business
-$50.00
-$5oo.o0
ADDR treQ
Make checks payable to MCHS
Mail this coupon and remittance to the Mono County Historical Society, PO Box 4L7, Bridgeport, CA 93517
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