Carson Mission Member, Eilley Bowers.

Allison “Eilley” Oram Bowers (Information Taken from Wikipedia )                                                             

 Eilley Oram Bowers has become a local icon, but her roots were in Forfar, Scotland. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at age 15, as a means to move to the United States.

When she arrived in Nauvoo, a year later in 1842 she married a Scottish widower, Stephen Hunter. He was 30 years older than Eilley. When the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, the couple moved with the body of saints and eventually settled in Salt Lake City. Hunter came to believe his wife couldn’t conceive children, so he took a second wife; polygamy at the time was legal and practiced openly. In 1850, Eilley divorced her husband feeling the practice of polygamy was unacceptable for her. She supported herself by working at a local general store.

In 1853 she married her second husband, a farmer by the name of Alexander Cowan. They left Salt Lake in 1855 when called to the Carson Mission to settle. Alexander bought 320 acres of land, including a hot spring located at the foot of the mountains in Washoe Valley. Alexander cultivated the land while Eilley opened a boardinghouse in Gold Canyon.

When Brigham Young in 1857 recalled the members of the Carson Mission to Salt Lake because of the impending Utah war, Alexander left, and Eilley stayed. She hired assistance with the farm and continued to operate the boardinghouse. For a short time Alexander would occasionally visit Eilley, but in 1858 he returned permanently to Salt Lake for unknown reasons.

While Eilley worked at the boarding house at Gold Hill, two of the boarders were “Sandy” Bowers and James Rogers. They owned a 20-foot mining claim in Gold Canyon. In 1859, Eilley purchased Rogers’s half of the claim, and the following year she married Sandy; however, she didn’t divorce Alexander Cowan for another nine months. In the divorce settlement she claimed Alexander deserted her and was granted half of the 320-acre farm in Washoe Valley.

Eilley struck pay dirt, literally. Between Eilley and Sandy, they became multi-millionaires making $2.4 million a month. Eilley Bowers became the first female millionaire in Nevada; her husband became the first Comstock millionaire.

Mrs. Bowers wasn’t particularly popular with the local population. The two were known for their conspicuous displays of wealth during the recession caused by the fall of the price of silver after the American Civil War ended.

Bowers Mansion

A tragic series of events occurred which left Eilley penniless. Her husband suddenly died at age 35. Shortly afterward, she discovered he had seriously mismanaged their finances. She tried desperately to preserve the mansion by offering it as a resort with beneficial hot springs, a social hall, and a hotel. Nothing was sufficient to keep the bank from foreclosing on her loans. The mansion cost $400,000 to build and was sold at a mere $10,000 at auction.

By the late 19^th century, Eilley was destitute. She was placed in the Washoe County poorhouse. Eventually Washoe County had no desire to pay for her expenses and transferred her to California where she had once resided shortly after the mansion had foreclosed. She died penniless in 1903 at the King’s Daughters Home in Oakland California.

Eventually, the abandoned home was purchased by Henry Ritter. It was renovated and reopened as a resort in 1903 and continued as such until 1946. Currently, Washoe County Parks Department administers its operation. (See Cleere, “More than Petticoats, Remarkable Nevada Women,” 3–13.)

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Orson Hyde's Curse

Orson Hyde’s Curse

Elder Hyde received instructions to return to Utah. He hurriedly agreed to lease his mill to Jacob Rose for an installment of one span of small mules, an old worn out harness, two yokes of oxen, and an old wagon which Hyde used to convey himself to Salt Lake City.

In 1862, Judge Hyde attempted to recover money for his sawmill, valued at $20,000, which had been acquired by R.D. Sides. Because Hyde received nothing but promises for the payment of his property, he pronounced a public curse. In an open letter, he hoped the people of Carson and Washoe Valley would be “visited of the Lord of Hosts and with thunder and with earthquakes and with floods, with pestilence and famine until your names are not known amongst men, for you have rejected the authority of God, trampled upon his laws and his ordinances and given yourself up to serve the god of this world to rioting in debauchery, in abominations and drunkenness and corruption.”

The people took their chances with the Lord, but the mill of “the Mormon God” ground slowly. The curse pronounced in 1862 took effect in 1880, when a dam broke and the consequent flood wiped out the very site of the old mill town below it and ruined Sides’ farm; in 1882 another flood swept away the adjoining town of Ophir; later one carried off the remaining evidence of the Mormon settlements—the old Mormon meeting house—which was left in ruins on the shores of Washoe Lake. (Mack, Heart Throbs, 7)

Much of what has been quoted comes from a book by a famous author, Effie Mona Mack who wrote articles included in the series, Heart Throbs. The conclusion made in her writings is significant enough to quote here. “Western Utah, soon to become the territory of Nevada, could have fared better had she kept her Mormon Colonists. Their zeal and ability to develop virgin territory was ably demonstrated by what they did in Utah.” (Mack, Heart Throbs, 7)

There were those who did not heed the call to abandon the area and move back to Salt Lake. Some of the members were not faithful before they moved here and had little inclination to permanently dwell among the saints. Of the original group that came to the Carson Mission, it is estimated that one third stayed in the Washoe Valley/Carson area.

Carson Mission Called Back to Salt Lake City

Called Home

In the midst of this beehive of activity, on 5 September 1857, came instructions that spelled the immediate end of the Mormon colony. Chester Loveland had arisen in time for a 6a.m. breakfast when he heard a knock at his front door.

When he opened it, there stood Peter W. Conover, Oliver B. Huntington, and Samuel Dolton, bringing an express message from Brigham Young. Urged on by the president, they had made the journey in eighteen days, although in traveling so rapidly they almost died of thirst and starvation. (Armstrong and Seable, Meltiar Hatch, Colonizer)

“Utah, they informed Loveland, was being invaded by the United States Army. The Saints in the Salt Lake Valley needed manpower and weapons of defense. Would the western Utah community return immediately and bring all the guns and bullets they could buy?” (Arrington, Mormons in Nevada).

President Loveland, along with four or five boys including Peter Conover, saddled up to take the Salt Lake message to the branches throughout the various valleys. Loveland read the express to each congregation and emphasized the need to buy guns and ammunition. They also asked for donations.

The next morning Rob Walker took $1,200 worth of gold to San Francisco to buy ammunition. Two young men who came from Salt Lake to deliver the express, Peter Conover and Oliver Huntington were assigned to ride to San Francisco, then return with the needed supplies. It was reported there were robbers on the road, so two other young men volunteered to go with them.

At Angels Camp, the men stayed at a local tavern. They sent a telegram to Rob Walker, then received word he had obtained the ammunition. The load arrived several days later.

While Peter and Oliver were waiting at Angels Camp, the Sacramento Bee circulated a false story about the Mormons and a man named Harney. Harney, it fabricated, had started with 15,000 men to hang all the Mormons and on July 22, engaged in a fight. The Mormons had killed 600 of his men and he retreated to get more reinforcements. As Peter Conover read the article he laughed.

The tavern keeper, a fellow named Travers, had received the men warmly. After hearing of the false report, he offered his warehouse to keep the ammunition.

Peter Conover wrote:

I had my teams in the yard ready to start as soon as Walker arrived. He had bought twelve thousand pounds of other goods which he brought along with the ammunition.

The next morning the same paper came up with the statement doubled. The miners who boarded at the tavern were determined to take the ammunition away from me as soon as it arrived. It arrived on the 15^th of September at night, and was immediately locked in the warehouse. I then removed the end gate from the big wagon where the twelve thousand pounds of goods were. Just then about fifty men began to pour in with a big Missourian at the head.

I said, “Gentlemen, I am very glad you have come, for I need to unload so that I can get away from here as quickly as possible.” The captain said that was what they had come for, and when they found the ammunition, they were going to have it.

The first thing unloaded was a big barrel of whiskey. The captain took hold and helped lift it on the scales to weigh it. We then put it on the platform, and I bored a hole in it and drew off a bucket and called all the hands to come for a drink. They came, every man.

 We began weighing and loading the goods, with others helping us. The captain didn’t know anything about carrying powder in boxes, so we handed out the ammunition along with the other goods. It was now about eleven o’clock.

The captain was very disappointed about not finding a single keg of powder in the wagons and got very mad about it. He swore that if he had the man who printed that story in the newspaper he would hang him in a minute, for there was not a pound of powder nor a gun or pistol. Then they left, two or three at a time, until they were all gone. On the 20^th we reached Genoa at about three o’clock in the afternoon. (Journal of Peter Wilson Conover)

The saints in Washoe Valley and elsewhere had been industrious. They planted crops, built homes, and cultivated crops. The forest was plentiful, fish and game could be obtained and the scenic beauty of the area was enjoyable. The saints, understandably, were concerned about leaving it all behind. Some of them had come at great expense.

 The Mormons in Carson County unhesitatingly sacrificed their years of labor; they left their unharvested crops standing in the fields and obeyed. Property was abandoned or sold at a tremendous sacrifice for what could be obtained at short notice. A correspondent to the New York Tribune described it: Brigham Young ordered the Mormons in Carson Valley to move to Salt Lake, and they went. Many had been established those five or six years in the valley, and they had become wealthy, they had made farms which furnished them with all the comforts of life and many luxuries, in so far as they were obtainable in a new country, remote from the great centers of commerce. They had fine houses, fences, barns, orchards, gardens and fields, and at the word, all these were sacrificed by men who had nothing to fear from refusal. Gentile neighbors were abundant and friendly and willing to protect any Mormon who should refuse to obey Brigham’s request; but all sold their property for such prices as could be obtained at a few days’ notice from gentiles in the valley, and started joyfully to obey the word of Brigham. (Angel, History of Nevada,165)

“They all gathered with the Saints in Eagle Valley on September 21^st. The company, which consisted of 450 souls, both emigrants and colonists, and 200 wagons, was captained by Chester Loveland and was divided into divisions” (Arrington, The Mormons in Nevada)

The Carson Company was a welcome sight for the fearful saints in Salt Lake. They brought all the ammunition and weaponry they could find in their own territory as well as in California. In fact, after they left, the old settlers were hard pressed to find enough to defend themselves against the Indians. The company brought 2,700 pound of ammunition as well a large stock in possession of individuals, substantially aiding the munitions for Salt Lake.

Because of their hurried flight, the Mormons were unable to find suitable buyers for their properties. Even if they found a buyer, the Mormons were taken advantage of. One in particular was Orson Hyde.

When Orin and Meltiar left the Carson Valley Mission, they both went on to leave an indelible mark on Utah history where they permanently settled and had a large posterity.

Carson Mission High Council

Carson Mission High Council

After Orson Hyde returned to Salt Lake, Chester Loveland, as president of the stake high council conducted the affairs according to the “order and former patterns of High Councils organized in stakes of Zion.” ( Minutes) Eleven additional men were called to serve as members: Aaron B. Cherry, John Lightle, Thomas Parks, Nelson Higgens, Simon Baker, William Kay, Christoffer Layton, William Jennings, Miltia Hatch, Seth Dustin and Jerrad Roundy were numbered according to age, the oldest members first.

The president read from Doctrine and Covenants Section 3 then allowed all who cared, to speak freely. “Nelson Higgens arose and spoke of wise men being made by hearing each other speak, by so doing, Solomon was made a wise man. John Lightle arose and spoke of being true in their duty and of doing honor to their callings by being punctual to their appointments, to watch against evil doers. William Kay spoke of giving counsel to the people, that by being wise men themselves and the spirit of the Lord assisting them, they would know how and what council to give and what to keep back, to answer fools according to their folly.  President Loveland then spoke of the “necessity of their faithfulness and diligence in duty and to administer council in equity with mercy and justice for the good and comfort of the saints; that a stronghold might be made in this part of the sand for a stake of Zion.” 

Following the initial meeting held in September of 1856, the council met once a month during the tenure of their stay. Gathering council members, scattered throughout the mission, was a difficult hurdle. According to the records, many of them had to travel from outlying parts. 

Sermons were given “calculated in their nature to unite efforts in the discharge of faithful duties in the sustaining of the mission.” Accountability and conditions of the mission were frequently reviewed and presented by High Council members.

Gold fever had dominated California, creating hysteria among all walks of people including portions of the saints. Elder Orson Hyde, though not present in the December 6, 1856 meeting sent a letter to the council and the saints requesting them “not to go into Gold canyon [near present day Virginia City] to work whereby disturbance might be raised by intruding on those holding previous claims. This counsel should be acted upon which will be for the most peace and happiness of the saints and the community at large.” The prophet Brigham Young had always advocated an agriculturally based community regardless of the supposed access to quick riches dreamed of by the multitudes of people flocking to California and Nevada.

In consideration of the mission purpose to establish peace and a healthy presence in the vicinity, schools were established with monetary assessments from the membership. William Jennings, one of the council members and future owner of the ZCMI department stores, requested a hearing to be conducted by the High Council on his behalf. He felt wrongly accused of “swindling” or giving a wrong statement about his payment of the school tax.

The court case was based on two attempts to collect Brother Jennning’s taxes. Brother Hamilton, the appointed assessor and tax collector paid a visit to Brother Jennings asking for the school tax. In response Brother Jennings said to him, “you can sell my property to get the school tax for if I had any bullion or gold dust you could have it.”

Another witness, Brother Dewey, testified that after the assessor left, Brother Jennings hefted a flask that held a pound or more of gold dust.

Upon hearing that Brother Jennings had gold dust, Brother Hamilton returned again to Brother Jennings home for the assessment. In response, Brother Jennings said, “search the house; you are welcome to all you can find.”

Ultimately the first church court concluded that Brother Jennings was of a “wrong spirit. . . If he was honest, he would have paid on all he had and saved the trouble.” President Loveland arose and said, “it should be their motto to save and not to destroy by carefully handling any case so it may be unto salvation to ourselves and parties concerned. I am here to do right independent of any man.” He then asked Brother Jennings to repent and ask forgiveness of the school committee and council. After some equivocation Brother Jennings gave a satisfactory acknowledgment of his sin and promised to live his religion and do better. The record states that, “at last Brother Higgens motioned that he be forgiven. It was seconded and carried unanimously.”

At the conclusion of the evening the council agreed that the goodness and mercy of God was shown towards Brother Jennings. “It was for his salvation hoping in the future Jennings would appreciate and live his religion.” Much to his credit Brother Jennings remained true to his commitment to the council, later becoming a very successful man in Salt Lake.

In March, the council met intending to discuss a letter received from Salt Lake in which the brethren believed the saints in the mission were in danger. Letters sent to friends and family soon after the mission’s arrival about the unsettling affairs with the “old settlers” had been received.  The letters hit a nerve and the disturbing news spread through the country like wildfire. Families in Utah sent letters to the brethren requesting to have the mission, “come home, come home, come home.” The letter ended with, “Get together those who are true and faithful and seek unto the Lord for wisdom and he will guide you aright.”

President Loveland did as counseled by the brethren and journeyed to visit the branches and invite their presidents and counselors to meet with the council. Beginning the evening with prayer, the president instructed each member to express their minds and “unbosom their feelings if we shall stay or leave.”

Quoting John Lightle, “We stand as the true representatives of affairs here and ought to know what will be the best for the saints to do.” Recognizing the fact that civil affairs with the “old settlers” were more amicable, everyone from branch presidents to council members reported favorable conditions. “Brother William Kay, in substance, said that he had no doubt in his mind but what the mission could carry out the designed will of the presidency to make this a gathering place for the saints from California and Oregon.” President Loveland concluded the evening expressing his “heart felt gratitude for the good spirit of the Lord manifested through the council and brethren present. Union and faith were with the brethren and good could be done for the upbuilding of the kingdom by the united strength of this stake of Zion.”

Orson Hyde Returns to Salt Lake City

Orson Hyde Departure

In November 1856, Orson Hyde received a letter from Brigham Young, authorizing him to appoint a replacement and return to the Salt Lake Valley.

Elder Hyde hurriedly made an agreement to lease his mill, which was valued at $10,000, to Jacob Rose. Rose paid an installment consisting of one span of small mules, an old worn out harness, two yokes of oxen, and an old wagon which Hyde used to convey himself to Salt Lake City. That insignificant amount was all the payment he received for the mill. Elder Hyde never again returned to Carson Valley.

Chester Loveland, president of the stake high council replaced Elder Hyde. Loveland and his associates organized the county into four school districts, later enlarged to five, to promote better education. The saints were instructed to live their religion and to mind their own business. The old settlers began to see the Mormons not as a threat, but as responsible and industrious colonizers.

In a special meeting held by Loveland, each of the colonists expressed his willingness and desire to remain in the valley and fulfill his mission. Loveland reported, “The spirit of union prevails among us and the people with whom we are surrounded.” (Arrington, Mormons in Nevada)

Turmoil in Carson County

The Old Settlers

Turmoil arose from the ‘old settlers’ living here before the saints of the Carson Mission came. They had little respect for their new Mormon neighbors. Residents who desired to live under California law instead of what they called ‘Mormon law’, schemed to mobilize a vigilante group to enforce their own will.

Orson was patient and peace-loving, but he felt there would be conflict and wrote to Brigham Young that they were resolved to stand their ground and do their best. Brigham Young’s response to Hyde’s fear that conflict was inevitable was that Hyde and all the Mormons should leave the region rather than fight. However, the scale of local conflict never developed to the point that would necessitate removal or abandonment. (Hatch, “History of Christopher Layton,”)

In February 1857 a letter written to Brigham Young from President [Chester] Loveland reported, “In regard to the difficulty that existed between us and the old settlers of Carson County, I am pleased to say it has died a natural death. There does not appear to be anything to prevent us from building up a permanent stake in this country and carrying out the designs the servants of the Lord had in view at the time we were called to settle here.” (Arrington, Mormons in Nevada).