Octavius Decatur Gass

Octavius Decatur "O. D." Gass (February 29, 1828 – December 10, 1924) was an American prospector, businessman, and politician. A four term member of the Arizona Territorial Legislature, he was active in the early history of Las Vegas, Nevada and the creation of Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory.

Gass was born to John and Ann (McCleur) Gass near Mansfield in Richland County, Ohio on February 29, 1828. He was educated in public schools. Tradition holds he attended Oberlin College but there are no school records confirming this claim. His education did however provide him with a basic knowledge of Spanish and civil engineering.

At the start of the California Gold Rush, Gass took a ship from Baltimore, Maryland to California by way of Cape Horn, arriving in January 1850. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, Gass earned money unloading prefabricated shelters from a ship. The wages he earned from this job served as a grubstake as be went to El Dorado County to prospect. There he engaged in placer mining and developed a life ling friendship with Fenton M. Slaughter.

After a few years, and moderate success in their prospecting efforts, Gass and Slaughter moved to the small town of Los Angeles. Gass joined the local Masonic lodge on December 30, 1854 and gained full privileges on November 22, 1855. His ability to speak Spanish and deal with different cultures resulted in Gass being appointed zanjero (water overseer) for a time.

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