Headstone of Virginia City pioneer repaired

The historic tombstone of the man for whom Virginia City was named is standing once again, said Dan Willis, parks manager who also oversees the cemeteries in Lyon County.

"I was out there (Monday) morning to check it out," Willis said. "It looks good. Obviously, if you look closely you can see a crack where it was broken, but he did a nice job."

Willis hired Cal Dillon from the Comstock Cemetery Society to do the work. It cost about $300 to repair the marker.

The Dayton Cemetery monument marking the burial site of James "Old Virginny" Finney, perhaps Nevada's oldest known pioneer, was knocked over and broken sometime over the New Year's weekend.

Willis arranged for its repair last Monday.

However, a couple of days later Monica Radtke, of Radtke Tile and Marble, offered her company's services to the Historical Society of Dayton Valley.

She surveyed the destruction Thursday and arranged to have workers pick up the monument to make repairs.

"It's something we specialize in," she said. "If we can help out, then we should."

By the time Willis heard about the offer, he said, it was too late. He already had hired for the job, so he canceled her services.

"It would have been wonderful," he said. "I had already contracted it out, otherwise I would have taken her up on her kind offer."

As parks manager, Willis took over management of Lyon County cemeteries, ranging from Smith Valley and Yerington to Dayton, Silver Springs and Fernley.

Despite the remote locations of some of the sites, he said, there's been little vandalism lately.

"This is the first act of vandalism of any of our cemeteries in the last two years," he said.

In addition to Radtke Tile and Marble, Scott Arterburn of Chilcoot Monument Company in Chilcoot, Calif., also offered to repair the stone free of charge.

"It appalled me that it happened," he said. "It bothers me when people damage those monuments."

Fred Radtke started Radtke Tile and Marble in Carson City 35 years ago. Eight years ago Fred Jr. and his wife, Monica, took over the business.

"We're part of this community," Monica said. "We like to help out when we can."

The Lyon County Sheriff's Department is investigating the vandalism. Anyone with information should call dispatch at 775- 577-5023 in reference to case no. 09-0047.

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Department is investigating the vandalism. Anyone with information should call dispatch at 775-577-5023 in reference to case no. 09-0047.