News from the Comstock

In The Spirit of Mark Twain Virginia City, Nevada

Brothel Fire Investigation Continues

Reward Offered for Information

Virginia City, NV. Feb. 20, 1999. The Ongoing investigation of the November 28th fire at the Moonstone brothel in Lyon County seems to be going nowhere. Despite persistent rumors of arson, no serious leads have been forthcoming from local sheriff's investigators.

Local officials will state that followers of "brother" William George. head of Virginia City's decade-old Keep Right and Pure Campaign may be responsible.

"We have some evidence which points to the campaign," states assistant deputy John Hyde of Dayton. " We are pursuing various leads right now."

No indictments have yet been handed down, but many locals claim to have heard Bro. George and his followers openly and gleefully gloating that the fire was "the will of God almighty."

Nevertheless, property damage amounting to over $250,000 has brothel owner, Ethyl Rosenstein, near financial ruin. "Unless arson can be proved, my insurance company will reject my claim," states Ms. Rosenstein emphatically. I'm offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for this cowardly act "

Anonymous tips can be called in to the Lyon county sheriffs department at (775) 720-4090 or to the Territorial Enterprise.

Controversy Swirls around Brothel Fire Investigation

Virginia City, NV, Dec. 6, 1998 - The recent fire at the Moonstone Brothel east of Carson City on November 28th of this year is the subject of much debate and speculation. Local and state investigators have not ruled out arson as a possibility in the late night conflagration which sent staff and patrons out into the chilly November night in various states of undress.

Chief investigating officer, Frank Schmidt, of the Nevada state Arson Investigating Committee states emphatically: "We are ruling out nothing "... There have been some rumblings of late from the anti-brothel forces in Las Vegas, site of a recent Christian Coordination committee meeting where discussions centered on repealing Nevada's county option legal brothel law. Right now , only Washoe and Clark counties have chosen to ban legal brothels. All other Nevada counties sponsor legal prostitution.

Christian Coalition Regional Coordinator, Shiela Ward, of Carson City states..."The 1997 Legislature saw a bill introduced in the Senate by Mark James, from Clark County (Las Vegas). He was trying to define the ads in the yellow pages of the phone book down there where soliciting sexual favors. I can't remember how many pages there were - LOTS. But it was defeated. We lobbied for it through letters, not actually testifying. We will be monitoring and lobbying the 1999 Legislative Session and will keep you posted through Action Alerts which can be faxed or emailed."

And Brother William George of Virginia City's ten year old campaign, Keep Right and Pure, states: " I can't help it if God leads someone by the spirit to take matters into their own hands." Brother William adds; "We don't actually advocate violence against brothels, casinos, or abortion clinics. However, if God leads an individual to action...well, that's His will."

Brothel Fire
Moonstone Brothel Saved by Lyon County Volunteer Fire Department

Virginia City, NV, Dec. 1, 1998 - Patrons and on-duty staff had to evacuate Lyon County's famous Moonstone Brothel Saturday night November 28th at approximately 11:45 P.M. Located twenty-five miles east of Carson City on highway 50, the Victorian structure was spared major damage by quick thinking staff who immediately called the County's Volunteer Fire Department.

"People could hear that fire siren all the way up to Virginia City," relates a patron whose name was not given. "We just grabbed whatever we could and got the hell out of there!"

"Thank God we got that new siren," explained Volunteer Fire Chief, Joe Wasserman. "Otherwise we would surely have had a major disaster on our hands!"

An inquiry will be forthcoming according to the Lyon County Sheriff's department spokesperson Martin McGee. No indication was given when the brothel, one of Nevada's oldest, will be re-opened for business.

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