John Sparks

Henry Harris

Henry Harris was an African American cowboy. Born in Texas circa 1865, Harris came to Nevada in about 1885 to work for rancher (and future governor) John Sparks, who was establishing a large ranch in northeastern Nevada and southern Idaho. Harris was a valued employee of Sparks and other ranchers for over fifty years. During that time, he earned a reputation as a great handler of horses and became a well-known African American cowboy in the state.

Anti-Semitism in Nevada

Except in a few published writings, blatant anti-Semitism was a rarity in nineteenth century Nevada. After 1900, mean-spirited references to Jews could be found in private correspondence and diaries. While anti-Semitism never became widespread or organized, isolated activities marred the otherwise friendly environment enjoyed by Nevada Jews in the twentieth century.

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