The saga of Mary Jane Simpson

The following event took place in Virginia City 140 years ago on Oct. 26, 1875. Over the years Comstockers have referred to this date as: “The Day Hell Paid A Visit To Virginia City.” Early on that October morning, a fire broke out at a boarding house north of town and within a few hours a half square mile of Virginia City was reduced to ashes. The fire destroyed an estimated 2,000 buildings, along with thousands of feet of timbering and hoisting works in the leading Comstock mines.