Jan Cleere - Nevadas Remarkable Women: Daughters, Wives, Sisters, and Mothers Who Shaped History

J an Cleere is an award-winning author of five historical nonfiction books, four of them published by TwoDot/Globe Pequot Press. When the first edition of More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Nevada Women came out in 2005 (the precursor to this edition), it became a finalist for the Women Writing the West WILLA award. The Nevada Womens History Project elected Cleere to its Roll of Honor for her work on Nevada womens history. Outlaw Tales of Arizona (TwoDot) was recognized nationally as the winner of the 2007 National Federation of Press Womens literary competition for historical nonfiction. Amazing Girls of Arizona: True Stories of Young Pioneers (TwoDot) was named one of the best books of 2009 by the Arizona Book Publishers Association and awarded best young adult nonfiction by the same organization. Levis & Lace: Arizona Women Who Made History received recognition from the 2012 Arizona/New Mexico Book Publishers Association. Her latest book, Never Dont Pay Attention: The Life of Rodeo Photographer Louise L. Serpa (TwoDot), was just released this fall (2015). Cleere also writes a monthly column for Tucsons Arizona Daily Star newspaper, Western Women, detailing the lives of early Arizona pioneers. She lives in Oro Valley, Arizona.

N o one writes a book alone. Without the assistance of the following individuals and organizations, my task would have been just thata taskand not the wonderful adventure I experienced as I delved into Nevadas golden history.

Carrie Townley Porter, former president of the Nevada Womens History Project, made my journey into Nevada history so much more productive and enjoyable. Carrie provided me with both a wealth of information and continued support in the writing of this book. She passed away in 2014 and will be sorely missed.

Special thanks to Shirlaine Baldwin for sharing the story of her grandmother, Ah Cum Kee.

Former Daughter of Charity Georgia Hedrick provided insight into the everyday lives of the Daughters, as did Carolyn Beaupre and Sister Margaret Ann Gainey.

Cherry Jones willingly offered her knowledge of Eliza Cook and introduced me to Elizas great-niece Janice Hansen, who related family stories about her Auntie Cook.

Tamera Buzick led me around the grounds of Washoe Valleys Bowers Mansion in the middle of a snowstorm, answering my unending questions about Alison Bowers.

The staff of the Nevada Historical Society, Reno, particularly librarian Michael Maher, helped me locate elusive articles and photographs. I am also grateful to the librarians at the Las Vegas Branch of the society for their assistance.

In Reno, Robert E. Blesse, head of the University of Nevada Special Collections, and Kathryn Totton, photographer and map curator, were generous with their support. When I needed additional information for the second edition of the book, Jessica Maddox at Special Collections provided me with a plethora of material.

Librarian Johnnie Kennedy at UNLVs Special Collections guided me through the archives for the first edition, with Delores Brownlee, Public Service/Photo Assistant at UNLV, paving the way through the archives for the second edition.

At the Nevada State Library & Archives in Carson City, Joyce Cox, head of library services, provided numerous documents, books, and videos. Historian Guy Rocha graciously gave me answers to my last-minute questions.

I would also like to thank Wynne Brown, Sue Fawn Chung, Joanne Goodwin, and Sally Zanjani for the parts they played in assisting me with this project.

Since I live in Arizona, I sought further information on Nevada from local sources. The collections at the Arizona Historical Society and the University of Arizona libraries contain innumerable and invaluable books and articles on Nevada history, and I am grateful for the additional resources that Arizona preserves about its sister state.

And to my family who endured a year of empty pantry shelves and cold suppers as my eyes never left the computer screen, thank you for your love and encouragement.

GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

Davis, Sam P., ed. The History of Nevada. Las Vegas: Nevada Publications, 1984. Original publication Los Angeles: Elms Publishing Co., 1913.

DeQuille, Dan. History of The Big Bonanza: An Authentic Account of the Discovery, History, and Working of the World Renowned Comstock Silver Lode of Nevada. San Francisco: A. L. Bancroft & Co., 1876.

Elliott, Russell R. History of Nevada, 2nd ed. rev. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1987.

History of Nevada 1881 with Illustrations. Berkeley: Howell-North, 1958. Original publication 1881.

James, Ronald M. The Roar and the Silence: A History of Virginia City and the Comstock Lode. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1998.

James, Ronald M., and C. Elizabeth Raymond, eds. Comstock Women: The Making of a Mining Community. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1998.

Lynn, Travis, narrator. A Quiet Contribution: Women on the Comstock. Nevada Experience Video No. 802. Carson City: Nevada State Library & Archives, 1998.

Mack, Effie Mona. Nevada: A History of the State from the Earliest Times Through the Civil War. Glendale, CA: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1936.

Mathews, Mrs. M. M. Ten Years in Nevada or Life on the Pacific Coast. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1880.

Seagraves, Ann. Women of the Sierra. Hayden, ID: Wesanne Publications, 1990.

Watson, Anita Ernst. Into Their Own: Nevada Women Emerging into Public Life. A Halcyon Imprint of the Nevada Humanities Committee, 2000.

Zanjani, Sally Springmeyer. A Mine of Her Own: Women Prospectors in the American West, 18501950. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1997.

ALISON EILLEY ORAM BOWERS

Addenbrooke, Alice B. The Mistress of the Mansion. Palo Alto: Pacific Books, 1950.

Earl, Phillip I. A Woman of Fortune. Nevada 54, no. 2 (MarchApril 1994), 2022.

Jeffries, Barbara J. Sandy Bowers Widow: The Biography of Allison Eilley Bowers. Reno: Barringer Historical Books, 1993.

Mapes, Gloria Millicent, Maude Sawin Taylor, Ella Knowles Gottschalck, and Harriet Gaddis Spann. Bowers Mansion. Reno: Washoe County, 1952.

Payne, Swift. Eilley Orrum: Queen of the Comstock. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1929.

Ratay, Myra Sauer. Pioneers of the Ponderosa: How Washoe Valley Rescued the Comstock. Sparks, NV: Western Printing and Publishing Company, 1973.

FERMINIA SARRAS

Hulse, James W. The Silver State: Nevadas Heritage Reinterpreted. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 1991.

Meadows, Lorena Edwards. A Sagebrush Heritage: The Story of Ben Edwards and His Family. San Jose: Harlan-Young Press, 1972.

Zanjani, Sally Springmeyer. A Mine of Her Own: Women Prospectors in the American West, 18501950. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1997.

SARAH WINNEMUCCA HOPKINS

Butruille, Susan G.