Information about the use of oxen in the region is scant. On the other hand, many a pioneer settler who traveled overland to the west, used ox teams, because they could carry heavy loads and handle difficult terrain.
One of the earliest accounts of oxen used for freighting, occurred in November 1860. At that time, Mark Haviland rented his wagon and and six oxen to J.E. Shearer to haul merchandise to Virginia City, Nevada. On the toll road between Virginia City and Silver City the wagon and ox team overturned down a steep embankment. There was substantial damage to the wagon, one ox was killed and another seriously injured. Haviland sued Shearer for $150 for damages, and was awarded $120.
In 1907 was the last time oxen were used commercially in the Honey Lake Valley. At that time, the Lassen Mill & Lumber Company had a contract for a million board feet of lumber to the Nevada mines of Goldfield. The lumber came from the mills in the Janesville area. It was then hauled to the Barham Dock at Honey Lake, near Baxter Creek. It was then placed on a barge and shipped across the lake to Amedee. An ox team there, then hauled the lumber to the NCO railroad depot to be shipped. The oxen were needed as the ground near the lake was too soft for horses.
That is some fascinating history about how timber was shipped to Goldfield from the Janesville area.