Famed Mule Mary Jane Simpson

© Craig MacDonald

Every year, more than 700 mules compete for stardom at the famous Bishop Mule Days. But few mules will ever gain the fame of one named, "Mary Jane Simpson."

On October 26, 1875, a fire wiped out more than 2,000 buildings and the Consolidated Mine's Hoisting Works in Virginia City.

The horrific devastation left more than 8,000 homeless, caused four deaths and ended the life of the most famous mule in Virginia City mining camp history. This mule was reportedly born of noble blood. Her mother was a thoroughbred from Kentucky and her father from the purest stock in Spain.

Named Mary Jane Simpson after a popular writer of the day, the like-able animal worked on the surface and way down under (1,000 feet below) in the Belcher Mine. For many months, in the bowels of the earth, she pulled cars full of glittering silver ore over a rail from the mine to the main shaft of the Yellow Jacket, where it was hoisted to the surface.

Mary Jane, and many of her four-legged co-workers, never saw the light of the sun, moon or stars or any other light except the miners' flickering candles and lamps. For 18 months, the amiable creature did not see a single blue sky or hear any of the sounds from the outside world.

She and other mules had their own stables underground, including a trough for barley, a rack of hay and tidbits generously provided from miners' lunch pails. Mary Jane particularly enjoyed treats of cake, apples, eggs, meat and bread.

The miners especially loved her reliability, dedication, friendliness and beautiful soft, glossy coat.

As is often the case, progress took its toll and steam machinery eventually replaced the need for her services. Mary Jane was put into a cage, hoisted to the surface, where she once again got acquainted with the sun and sky, before being taken to a Washoe Valley ranch for much deserved rest and recuperation.

But her Comstock reputation was not forgotten. The Consolidated Virginia needed her assistance to haul ore cars above ground, from the main shaft to the mill. James G. Fair, superintendent of the Consolidated, purchased Mary Jane, bringing her out of retirement to help haul 250-tons of ore to the mill during the 3pm-11pm shift. At each shift change, she once again earned treats from the grateful miners.

The Territorial Enterprise newspaper estimated that during her 18 months at the Belcher, Mary Jane helped haul more than $10 million in silver and gold. During her Consolidated employment, she hauled more than $8 million.

The great October fire that killed her, started when miners accidentally knocked over a lamp in a boarding house on A Street at the north end of town. The fast-moving inferno wiped out much of Virginia City and ended Mary Jane's life but certainly not her legend.

Her charred remains were lovingly placed in a grave just outside the Masonic Cemetery fence by Ben Smith, a Consolidated groom, who cared for her. Smith, who wanted to one day purchase Mary Jane, carved a wood headstone which read:

"Sacred to the Memory of Mary Jane Simpson.
The within was only a Mule
Still, she was nobody's Fule
Stranger, Tread Lightly"

On June 26, 1993, the Julia C. Bulette Chapter of E Clampus Vitus erected a more permanent monument to Virginia City's most famous mule, just a few feet southwest of the Masonic Gate at what's now known as Silver Terrace Cemeteries. It's a fitting tribute to Mary Jane and all of her co-workers, who played a major role in the enormous success of the mines.

Mary Jane and the mules, working above and below in these mines, were noted for their intelligence, uncanny confidence, incredible strength, sure-footedness, astonishing devotion, reliability, patience, work ethic and personalities.

Mules, past and present, are still much-celebrated today. You can visit the Silver Terrace Cemeteries (open daily but closed at dusk) at the end of North E Street, northeast of the business district in Virginia City. Their legend, heritage and talents are honored every Memorial Day Weekend in Bishop, California. And, in 1890, a Nevada Mining camp was even named in their honor: Mule Lick (Nye County).