Steve and Rob were sittin’ on the front porch a few days ago talking about where and when was the best place we ever were. They both agreed it was the year 1892 up in White Oaks was .Number one. Here is a first hand, eyewitness account for our kind readers enjoyment.
The place was just plain electric. All optimism, excitement and hustle and bustle . There were fraternal or church meetings most nights, always with good attendance. 
Parties and dances could be found at multiple homes Friday and Saturday nights. The was a Committee for every dang thing. Plans for the new bank, New first class post office, Plans for the new schoolhouse , Road and bridge maintenance, Drama club, Baseball team, Rodeo and horse racing, Ladies organizations, and Lawsuits going every which way.
Parties and dances could be found at multiple homes Friday and Saturday nights. The was a Committee for every dang thing. Plans for the new bank, New first class post office, Plans for the new schoolhouse , Road and bridge maintenance, Drama club, Baseball team, Rodeo and horse racing, Ladies organizations, and Lawsuits going every which way. 
There was a store where you could buy anything you could possibly need. And lots of choices. People nodding to each other on the streets, ladies gossiping, fine horses everywhere carriages even bicycles. The North and South Homestake and Old Abe mines were all running 24 /7 . The drone of the stamp mills could be heard dimly all over town but no one minded as it was the sound of money. Smoke from the mine boilers went up to the clouds round the clock. Miners coming and going at all hours as shifts change. Bars full always . Kids and dogs running around. Nice quiet residential areas, well maintained. Conversation on all kinds of subjects. Statehood and the Railroad being the most common. The town was becoming a political force in the territories. People still coming in. Hard to find even a plank rent house. Lot prices high if you could find one. New additions being added. Ore wagons heading to Carthage twice a week. Wagons of goods from Las Vegas arrive almost daily. The corrals are full, blacksmith with more work than they can do. Sawmill and lumber yard running full blast. Prospecting crews all over the land In any direction. Placers on every draw and creek.
With the boys on the hill overlooking the town ,reminded us of looking at a well organized ant hill. It was like you dropped a small town from Ohio or Indiana smack in the mountains of New Mexico. Civilized, orderly, successful. Industrial, wealthy like no other gold camp the authors are aware of. The only word to describe the scene was magical just perfect Kindness, respect ,help your neighbor all were in full display all around town. In sum total , at that time, in that place was as close to utopia as the authors ever saw. Please note “Petee” Rob’s boy is taking the picture. Sheba seen on left.