James Finney, State of Virginia native, died Chinatown Dayton June 20, 1861. About 44 years old, one of the first gold miners in Gold Canon, arriving in 1850 or 1851.
Old Virginny was so revered by other Comstock miners, they named Virginia City after him, voting at a community meeting. What little is known about him indicates he was a hard drinking but skillful miner.
Also generous, honorable, congenial, charitable and picturesque. History notes he located the first claims on the Comstock, at Gold Hill at the Comstock Lode.
He later sold his claim for a horse, a couple of blankets and a bottle of whiskey. He died in Dayton NV in 1861 from a fall from his horse while drunk.