Rawhide Telegraph and Telephone Stock Certificate, Grutt, 1909

Exceptionally rare stock certificate from the fleeting boomtown of Rawhide, Nevada. Issued to Charles Grutt and signed as president by Fred Grutt. The Grutt's were one of the leading pioneer families of Rawhide. The Grutts were highly respected as mining men and were involved in many of the mining companies at Rawhide including Grutt Mining Company, Rawhide Consolidated Mines Co. and North Rawhide Townsite Company. The Grutts were concerned about the lack of telephonic communication to the outside world from Rawhide. In 1908, they organized the Rawhide Telegraph and Telephone Company and within two weeks had built a line to Schurz(Shambeger, The Story of Rawhide). Small brown spot at top right fold, otherwise fine. A great piece. Click on image for larger view.