The Letters of Helen J. Stewart

Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas 2009

Made possible by a 2008 grant from the Nevada Museums Association

Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs Jim Gibbons, Governor Mike Fischer, Director of Department of Cultural Affairs Peter Barton, Interim Director of Division of Museums & History

[Previous page: Helen Jane Wiser Stewart, 1870s. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection] Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….ii Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………..iii Editor’s Note on the Text …………………………………………………………….iv

Letters 1882 – 1899……………………………………………………………………………….1 1900 – 1905………………………………………………………………………………29 1906 – 1910………………………………………………………………………………52 1911 – 1915………………………………………………………………………………77 1916 – 1920………………………………………………………………………………95 1921 – 1926 and 1938………………………………………………………………….139

Name Glossary………………………………………………………………………..180

Introduction

Helen Jane Wiser Stewart (1854 – 1926) was a woman of indomitable spirit. Although born in Springfield, Illinois and raised in Galt, California, Helen J. Stewart became “Las Vegas’ best known and best beloved pioneer woman.” 1 Helen J. Stewart came to southern Nevada in 1882 where her husband, Archibald, had taken over the former Gass Ranch. Renamed the Stewart Ranch-- also known as the Las Vegas Ranch—Helen and Archie managed a productive farm and offered their tree-shaded springs as an oasis for travelers, miners, cattlemen, and others passing through the valley. After her husband died in 1884, Helen continued running the ranch until 1902 when she sold it to the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad. The city of Las Vegas was founded on this land in 1905. Her role in the town’s future is only one of the reasons Stewart is lovingly called the First Lady of Las Vegas.2 Helen J. Stewart was an avid letter writer. Full of family and business news, Helen’s correspondence is also a literary record of southern Nevada history. The letters, the bulk of which were collected by the Nevada Historical Society, are fragile and priceless. This volume was created as a way to share Helen’s correspondence while preserving the originals. The letters compiled in this book have been culled from several manuscript collections at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas: MS 001 (Helen Stewart), MS 052 (Daughters of Utah Pioneers), MS 058 (McNamee & McNamee Law Firm), and MS 061 (Stewart Family/Claudia Leavitt). Several of the letters are from the Stewart Collection at UNLV Special Collections. The majority of photos included in this book have been graciously donated by Jim Martin, Helen’s great grandson. This book is a beginning and represents our response to the research demand created by Helen’s correspondence. The Staff at Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas hopes to add transcriptions of Stewart related ledgers as well as any other letters that may surface. If you know of any materials that should be included in future volumes, please do not hesitate to contact the museum. We are actively searching for manuscript material and artifacts relating to Helen J. Stewart.

Crystal R. Van Dee Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

1 Las Vegas Age, 01/19/1924 2 Carrie Miller Townley, “Helen Stewart: First Lady of Las Vegas,” Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Winter 1973.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following people and organizations. Without their help and support this project would not exist.

Bob Stoldal, Board Chairman of Museums and History and pre-eminent scholar of early Las Vegas. It was Mr. Stoldal who inspired us to undertake this project.

The Nevada Historical Society for providing the original collection of letters from Helen J. Stewart.

UNLV Special Collections for allowing us to include some of their letters and photographs in this publication.

Claudia Leavitt for her generous donation of letters and artifacts from the Stewart family.

Jim Martin and family for their ongoing donations of Helen J. Stewart related letters, photographs, and artifacts. His contributions of locally produced pomegranate jelly and wine are also greatly appreciated.

Laurence & Harriet Stay for their donation of a Native American basket once owned by Helen Stewart. Although not part of the book, having the basket in the museum has provided inspiration for this project.

Paul Carson for his dedication to this project, including his research in writing the name glossary at the end of this volume and the daunting task of transcribing the bulk of the letters.

Museum volunteers Mary Blake, Bernice Coffin, Maureen Kane, Barbara Slivac, and Denitra Williams for their help in transcribing and proofreading the letters.

Dennis McBride and David Millman for proofreading the transcriptions.

Nevada Museums Association for funding the publication of this volume.

iii

Editor’s Note on the Text

In order to stay true to the spirit and content of the letters in this volume, transcribers have taken every effort to maintain the original spelling and formatting. Misspellings and variations in punctuation are not typographical errors made by the transcribers. Notes are in brackets, including comments on indecipherable words and estimated dates. Transcribers also noted the correct spelling of words when they thought it was necessary. Please refer to the original letters at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas for questions regarding the transcription.

Crystal R. Van Dee Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

Helen Jane Wiser Stewart, c. 1869. UNLV Special Collections. Helen J. Stewart Collection.

Archibald Richard Stewart, 1870s. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012:0016

1882 - 1889

Pioche May 6th 1882

Dear friend I received your welcome letter this morning I am glad to hear that you arrived safly at your home and that you like it how come you to be so long on the way was it very cold it was cold here and is now, I haerd thay got your Girl away I should like aboquet very much them is good size appricots Vet wants to know if that is the shap of them I persume the Children have so many thing to interreast them thay harly miss ther playmates tell Willie to save that mudthen [?] for Minnie and some day we will jump on the cars and come down and have lots of fun Mr Clinton came home the next saturday after you left Mrs Clinton is geten along nicely Mrs Ward is well Mrs Thompson and family is well Mr Clark went up to Salt Lake day after you leaft and was gone aweek Josephine and Mr Bell went home and was gone three days Mother has not come yet I got a letter this morning and she says Miller is not well the Doctor says his hart is affected perhaps you have not heard of Mrs Moores Death she leaft alittle Baby two weeks old, Mr Spraker also Died here this week Mrs Blair is quite sick She gave birth to astill born child thay had the new Doctor out ther for along time waiting then when she got sick he got frightend or dident know what to do and thay had to come in after Mathews and he deliver her in 15 minutes after he got ther so much for Mathews Mrs Behr and Mrs Mclane started East friday Morning Every thing goes on about the same here as usual we have taken abun [?] the house you lived in and have a nice yard we 12 trees set out and the Alfalfy is up it is vags [Vegas?] No 2, my little ones Grave is green tomorrow is Evas Birthday may God Bless her we are all well and I hope this may find you the same now write me along letter and tell me all about your self what dose tice [Tiza] think of the Vags now is she well I will close or you will never want me to write again

As ever your friend M.Carman

1 Pioche May 8, 1882

Dear Anty I hope that all are well and I have kept my hair don up and it kirled nice and we are well and School has stoped a long time ago I though wold try to rite to you and you must rite to us and we will rite to you I wish I was down ther and culd play with the boys and tisey [Tiza] and wash the dishes and dry them and want you to send Mrs Sturt and bring me down ther I think I will be caresy [crazy?] when I get down ther and we are going to highllory [?] the day after tomorrow and we have 75 chickens and 7 turkeys all doing well and Mr Clark has been to salt lake and brought sum new kind of chicken eggs and we have the promis of some guiwnies and papa says he can tend to and us children and his turkeys and chickens and and us children and papa had to tell me most all and Armie has wane the prise in speling the School down she got two pictures and we go donin to the grave most every evieng it is nice and green. Yesterday was my little sisters birthday we will close now

I Guess maby you cant read all this Mimie Carman

2 Duplicate of letter to Sawyer

Los Vegas Ranch Nev July 16th 1884

Mr Sawyer

Sir.

I write to you in great distress of mind Hoping you as a husband and father will aid me to the best of your ability I am left alone here and my little children Fatherless by the hand of a murderer. My beloved husband and only friend was murdered sunday the 13th at Mr Kiels one mile and half from here while defending the honor of his family from a black hearted Slanders tongue. The evidence is all circumstantial The man had been working here and while Mr Stewart was in Eldorado Canon, left and went over to Kiels and was kept posted on every movement going on at the Vegas and was supplied with arms and a horse by men on the Ranche and vicinity. Archie came home sunday about 10 Oclock after had eat dinner and rested a short time I told him of the Slander being talked as it had been told to every one stopping on the place and passers by The day before Mr Stewart came home they tried to frighten me into paying the man Schyler Henry off and letting him go. As he had got money and clothing of Mr Stewart which I knew nothing of I could not settle as it was something I had never done before. About 2 Oclock Willie the oldest boy saw his father saddle his horse and go down on the cattle range taking his Henry rifle which is no unusual occurrence going in an opposite direction from Kiels I supposed he was going down to see George Allen at his Coal camp on the road to the canon 10 miles from here Mr Allen had been stopping here several days but left early sunday morning for the canon The next I heard of my poor husband is this note which I copy as it was written by old man Kiel Mrs Stewart send A team and take Mr Stewart away he is dead C Kiel I left my little children with Mr Frazier and went as fast as a Horse would carry me. The man that killed my husband ran as I approached as I got to the corner of the house I said Oh where is he Oh where is he and the Old Man Kiel and Hank Parish said here he is and lifting a blanket showed me the lifeless form of my husband I knelt beside him took his hands placed my hand upon his heart and looked upon his face and saw a bullet hole about two inches above the temple and about one inch into the hair and looking more closely I saw where the Rifle had been placed directly under the right ear and fired off burning most of the whiskers off that side of his face to a crisp. (He must have received that shot after he fell) and across the cheeks bone & forehead on the right side he had been hit with some heavy instrument

3 breaking the cheek bone and forehead starting in an opposite direction from the way the bullet went in They told me he was shot in the shoulder. The hired man came with the Spring Waggon and I took him home and on examination found he had been shot right above the left breast comming out under the right arm. The men said it was a pistol shot. It is evident that Mr Stewart was finaly Killed in the house with no one as witness except this Henry and old man Kiel. They are both Archies enemies and would not tell the truth but swear against Archie I am here with a lot of roughs and my life and Husbands property in danger. If I have friends in Pioche I pray they will come and help me George Allen & James Wilson are here also Mr Frazier whose health is very poor he being hardly able to wait on himself but he has done all he can for me Mr Allen and Mr Wilson both have business to attend to but say they will help me all they can in the time they can leave their business both have inconvenienced themselves already PRIVATE [refers to the following paragraph] My friends here tell me I ought to be thinking of my childrens interest I do not know whether there is a Will but think Mabe there is but in case there is not I wish the Guardianship of my children and to administer on the property. They tell me I will have to apply in 30 days from the 13th They tell me I will have to go to Pioche right away. Write soon as possible and give me good Legal instructions in regard to this matter. If there is chance of any one taking advantage of myself and childrens rights before I could get there I wish you to take measures to protect us The man that murdered my husband is still at Kiels with a slight flesh wound in the hip It is dangerous To say or do anything as we are over powered by numbers and still threatened

Yours in distress Mrs Archie Stewart

Signed By

Mr Frazier G Allen J B Wilson

These gentlemen sign their names here to Coporate my statements Mrs Stewart

You can give this to the public except what is marked private

[this letter is used with permission from UNLV Special Collections]

Las Vegas Nev July 19th 1884

This certifies that I Hank Parish have received $ 15. Fifteen Dollars of Mrs Archie Stewart the amount in full due me up to date

H. Parish

Helen J. Stewart, 1880s. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0026

Pioche Nev August 15th, 1884

Dear Mother This man Steve Langton is going by the Vegas & I thought perhaps would be a good idea to give him work untill I get home which will be about the 27. He wants $50 dollars a month I will try him untill I get home anyway watch him close and see what he can do. Let him fix the waggon shoe croacked [?] nose [?] Johny or some other horse you think best and kill a beef if neccissary and go to the Canon right away if you think from his movements he can be trusted with the work.or take Prince & Nelly the two work horses in the stabl when I left. Let Wills keep whatever is due untill some responsible party can come after it. Steve Langton clams he can do most any thing We will try him. Old man Baily will come home with me and the children he is one of Archies best old friends. Sam Smith says Frazier gave him some points against me. I found that slander circulated as far everwhere as Ed Kile had came up this way. Look out for those Devils. I am afraid Sam Smith is a little shaky to depend upon. I had to pay half the expenses of the team Sam Smith drove the whole amount being $75 dollars and I had to pay $37.50 they fix these things pretty nice. Dont let this man know too much. Keep still dont say much. Look out for Hank Parish. Sam Smith when asked why he did not bring some witnesses said Mrs Stewart did not want any one brought up here. What a lie. You all know I offered a horse to go to Wilsons or the Canon and told him to use his discretion as a Deputy Sherriff and do justice and take Fraziers deposition I told him also that no one knew of the Murder except Henry and Old man Keil to my knowledge. To use his own Judgment in isueing Suppeonies. These County officals care but little wither Justice is done so they reach the bottom of your pocket they are all right. Money Money is what all these fellows want. I cannot Legaly get my Papers untill the 22 and to get ahead of these fellows I must wait my time no matter how impatient I am I will start home the morning of the 22 if I am alive and well. Tell folks there at home not to give this fellow to much. He is well recommended by men here but look out though.

Helen

Las Vegas Ranch Nev. June.2d,1887

Dear Sister & Husband It has been a long time since I have heard from you not-since my little Archie was a baby he is over two years old now and we all think him so sweet and cunning. I wish you could see our children Willie the eldest was 13 years 9th of last March Hiram Richard the next boy 11 last 28 Nov Eliza 8 years last 17th Ja Evaline 4 years 25th last Sept Archie 2 years old 25 of last Jan my children are a great comfort to me. Did Archie ever send you the older childrens pictures he sent them to his Father a long time ago. I still live at the old Ranch and My Father and Mother are stopping with me it is rather a lonesome place but I must try and take care of things. I would like to hear from you ever so much. Alex Forsyth tells me you have an excellent picture of Archie better than the one I have. I would like to get one taken from the one you have if you will kindly take the trouble for me when I hear from you I will send the money. Your Affectionate Sister

Mrs Archie Stewart El Dorado Canon Lincoln Co Nevada

Dick Gordon is married To a nice girl he will not be so wild anymore I hope. Archie Richard Stewart, Jr. (left) and Evaline La Vega Stewart (right), 188. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0027-0028

Galt July 28 1887

Dear folks at the Vegas This leaves us all well got your letter you sent by Indian was glad to hear from you if it was not but a few lines Flora got over the Measels all right when she got ready to go back they had no shorthand teacher at the College so she has not been since she will go to S.F. saturday she may stay and attend Heels College then if she can get a position soon she will go and finish right up if it does cost a little more. Jim Roach had a prety good crop of wheat they are geting a long nicely. Rachels health is not so good I dont think she ever will be well. poor child I feel so sorry for her she is such a lovely daughter such a good child. it may be the climat has something to do with it Andy has steady employment. Helen I wrot to you concerng the selling of your property if you want to sell and will you set your price on it then give me a chance to try and make something by rusteling around let me do it I might just as well make something as any body else If you are willing to take 15000 let me take a chance have all I can make over and a bow let me know what you would be willing to do just as soon as you can. Don has not said anything about his mony yet but expect he will any day when you send this mony send a letter at the time just as you did before then is no use to depend on the Indian School I dont think as then is no approperation for this year as I wrot you in my other letter If you feel like giving me a chance I will go and hunt up a buyer if not so so and that will end it so good by love to all from your Mother

D. M. Wiser

I supose you children are all forgeting me as I dont hear a word from one of you Tiza why don’t you & Eva writ Hi wher are you all this time and you Willie why dont you writ Willie you are old enough to come out School your self you are now or soon will be fifteen years you have missed all your primary classes I feel for you for Flora suffered so on a count of not going to School when She was youn Now Willie you had ought to be now ready to take a position when you could command $100 or more per month High what are you doing it is nice to idle your time when young but it kills you when you become a man So get right up and do something for your selve good you had ought to come with me by this time you would have been prety well Educated. So good by for this time now Helen writ let me know just what you will do. Hiram write when you can

Galt Aug 15 1887

Dear folks at the Vegas This leave me at Galt anxiously waiting to hear from you have not heard from you since you sent few lines by Indian. Am a fraid something has happened farmers all had a prety good crop but complain of hard times. The first sails were good $ 1.70 now $1.40 but few buying and every area of storag is full Jim Roach had 975 sack he think he will get 1.40 for his I wish you would write and let me know what you are thinking of doing. I am thinking you will all let that wine get away with you all if so cursed be the wine I have writen two letter to you that I am waiting ther answer I have thought prehap you have sold out is the reason you do not writ if not and you want to give me a chance as I prepose in my two last letters let me know. Flora has gone back to Stockton to School She is geting along nicely with her studies Lenas are well Rachel not very well I think if I do not get anything from you in the way of seling the place I will go over there a while why dont some of you writ evry week then I will be sure to get some of them What is Jim Willson doing do you ever hear from Jim Patton what are the Indians doing what do they think of School dont think this is much use in trying to work up a school but dont say anything about it for it might come around yet it might be more trouble than it is worth Hiram why dont you writ and tell me something not always keep mum

D.M.Wiser

Delia M. Wiser, 1870s. Nevada Historical Society. S- 284

Las Vegas Ranch Nev March 8th 1893

Dear Son Received your letter of Feb 17th found us well was glad to hear from you and glad you were there allright I sent you $ 20.00 cash the 9th of February and and $ 45.00 cash the 18th that will help you to make your start. I do hope you will try your best and make the most of your time and the money we send you. I had a dreadful dream of you last night I dreamed you came home sick Be careful of exposing yourself to Deptheria or Measeles of or Typhoiaid fever. Carry a little asseoafieleta in your pocket Hira and Jerry and the Indians have made two raids out to Mouses camp. We decided it was best to try and get our own in and kill them they are in pretty good order. Hira thinks of building a corrall out at the Willow Spring Hi was out at the Spring at the Sand and dug the water holes deeper. Will take some cattle there pretty soon. It rained all night night before last and is raining tonight it will make grass for the cattle. How far did Jim Wilson go with you. How much did car fare cost you did you get a through tickett tell me when you write. Did you go by Vanderbilt. Jim Pickett was here and said he saw you going that way. Jim Patton sold his mine for Forty Thousand the other day and has gone down to San Francisco You remember the young fellow by name of Simmons who came along the time Moore came from Muddy and camped at bend of creek at the Mesquits He was here night before last after a Baldface Horse that had run away he tracked him in here and found him He says they are finding Gold and Silver and lead all the time at Vanderbilt he is at the Mine found by the Mexicans about seven miles from Ed Kiels place There is ten men there. The R Road is graded past New York and going on to Vanderbilt twelve miles is graded. I have not heard any thing from Stanley yet. I am going to try and send you $50.00 this time to pay that Bill at Dons. You had better let Grandma pay it and take receipt for so much on account. We have had no School for nearly two weeks Mr Megarreyle has been sick McClanahan has not been down since you left. Did you send your Quilt and shoes back by him. Phil Wright was here and worked a week he would not acknowledge the $31.25 he owed us. Grandpa does not seem very strong lately. We have no water in the pipe tonight. I expect Aunt Flora has a new member in her family by this time. How is Aunt Sinas folks. Ed Kiel was at Canon last week with potatoes. I got a letter from Jameson last week. Love to Grandma Aunt Flora Uncle Ed & Aunt Sinas folks and love from us all to you your Mamma and Sisters brothers and all Jerry says give you his kind regards and wants to know how you get along. Love from all Mamma Helen J. Stewart

Las Vegas Ranch Nev Mch 9-1894

I Hiram Wiser have received payment in full for four years Ranching of Vegas cattle at my Muddy Ranch, and also full payment for work done by me on Las Vegas Ranch In fact-full payment to date for all due me from Helen J Stewart

Hiram Wiser

At the Stewart Ranch, c. 1898 – 1900. Left to Right: Lena Stewart, Eva Stewart, Tiza Stewart, Dreeme Gann. Nevada Historical Society. 435.

Quarterly Statement up to Dec 31st 1893 Post Office Los Vegas Nevada March 15th 1894

Office of The Auditor Of the Treasury Hon John B Brady

Dear Sir:- Yours of 28th Feb 1894 informing me of your receipt of Quarterly Statement – ended Dec 31st 1893 at hand In answer would say sent in statement for Dec 31st 1893 in this Way New Office No Service No account to Send in. If it should be different please let Me know as this is all new to me and I do Not understand We are so far from any Post Office It takes a long time to get reply 50 miles by wagon road. Awaiting instructions For a better understanding

Yours truly Helen J Stewart Postmaster Los Vegas Nevada

Helen Stewart’s Postmaster Certificate, 1893. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 001.

2nd Statement up to March 31st 1894.

Heading the same ______

The quarter ending March 31st .94 is near its close and ready for statement. There has been no service here yet. This is a New Office Consequently no statement to make. I hope It will be different soon

Yours Truly Helen J Stewart Postmaster Las Vegas Lincoln Co Nev.

Post Office Los Vegas Nevada

Dec 31st 1894

Third Assistant Postmaster General

Dear Sir

There has been no service here consequently there has been no statement to send the Auditor nor any dues to the assistant-Treasurer U S at San Francisco. Which I have written both gentlemen

Respectfully Yours Mrs Helen J Stewart Postmaster Los Vegas Lincoln Co Nevada

[typed letter]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Office of Indian Affairs,

Washington, October 24, 1895.

H. C. Cutting, Supt. Public Instructions, Carson City, Nevada

Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of 16th instant, enclosing a communication from Helen J. Stewart, of Los Vegas, Nevada, relative to the education of Indian pupils in the state public schools. You can explain to Miss Stewart that I am willing to pay $10 per capita per quarter for the co-education of such Indian pupils as may be enrolled in any of the regular public schools of your state. They must be educated in the same room, in the same manner, and with the same text books as the whites, but no subsistence or supplies of any kind will be furnished. A copy of the contract form is herewith enclosed from which you will be able to learn the requirements necessary for obtaining the per capita allowance.

Very respectfully, D. M. Norning Commissioner.

J.H.D. (S)

Manvel Cal Mar 24-97

Archie My Darling Boy

See your teacher learn all you can. Be good to the girls. Be neat and clean and orderly. Keep you room clean. Be sure to learn all you can I will come soon as I can. Dont go with rough boys. Do all you can to learn so you can help me by and by. With a hug and kiss

Mama Good by Sweet Heart

Archie Stewart, 1888. UNLV Special Collections. Helen J. Stewart Collection.

Los Anles Cal Sept 21 1897

Dear Tiza I thought that I would write a letter to you We are stopping at a new place The lady old maid she does not like his tobacco smoke I sent you be Powers 800 cartridges all I could get. I hope you will have much fun with them. [letter continues in Eva Stewart’s handwriting] Tell Mr Stewart to write to me How is old Bob. We could buy some things for you to sell again if we knew what you needed every staturday there are special sales. Write to us so we can know.

Your loving Brother Archie Stewart [Archie Stewart’s handwriting]

Archie says tell Mr Stewart he saw his brother. And if he wants to hear about him write to Archie and he will tell him about him. [Eva Stewart’s handwriting]

340 1/2 So= Hill St Los A Cal Nov 27th 1897

Dear Mama.

I send you a piece from the Pasadena paper which is also in the Los A papers. I thought perhaps you might see it or hear of it so concludid to write and tell you the straight of it. On the morning of the 25th Archie left the house with out telling Eva or I where he was going got down on Spring St met Pete Cochran who said he was going to Pasadena and insisted that Archie should accompany him so Archie with out coming to tell us got in his wagon and went thinking it was only a short distance and that he would soon return and when he had gone about as far as he Thought it was to Pasadena he asked Pete C how far it was Pete told him nine miles so Archie knew it was no use to come back then, so went on got to Pasadena Pete showed him around nicely but some how they got separated and Pete came home leaving Archie there alone and with only a penny in his pocket so Archie went to hunt him found he was gone and it was getting late so he went to the Police Station told the City Marshall he was lost and hadent any money to get home on and that his Sisters lived at 340-1/2 So=Hill St at first the Marshall thought he was an escape from the reform school and said “when did you leave the reform school to which Archie replied I did not come from the reform school” yes the city M say’s but dont you remember seeing me there and Archie said no “Sir” so then he commenced to question him and found he had nothing to eat all day so he took Archie home with him invited him to Thanksgiving dinner with he and his family and treated him nicely. Then he telephoned to the Chief of Police here and a policeman was immediately sent here to inform me that Archabald Stewart was at the City Hall at Pasadena and would be kept there till further instructions arrived, so I got Dennis to go with me and I telephoned the City Marshall to keep him there till I arrived went down got on first car to Pasadena where a fine gentlemanly policeman was sent to meet us and escort us to City Hall got Archie thanked them for their kindness, caught last car Coming back to L.A. Eva and I were from 10 in morning till the policeman notified me hunting him It has learned him a lesson and one he will not forget soon and he promised last night to go to school and be a good boy I am glad it happened and he hasent any more use for Pete Cochran. I think he got frightened and told more than was necessary when questioned by the Marshall as there was a news paper reporter there at the time. Dennis has taken Archie to the theatre with her she rented the little bed room with the iron bedstead in of Mrs Howell and eats out meal down town and breakfast with us at 25¢ per meal and that is just about what it costs us for two meals so you see that pay’s expences that is if we live very ecomical Mr Winters leaves in the morning he gave Eva Mrs Howell and me tickets for the Orpheum tonight paid

Mrs Hughs $12.50 havent paid for the washing that was left there to be done yet. Will pay music teacher Mr and Mrs Howell are awful nice, are all well and happy.

Lovingly T. S.

11/26/1897 clipping from the Los Angeles Record . Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 001.

Las Vegas Nevada Dec 8-97

My Dear Archie I hope you have been to see Miss Culvermell and had quite a number of lessons by this time. She likes you and is your friend. Be a good boy and learn all you can. Now is the time while you are a boy. Because when you are a man you will need learning to be a man and attend to business. I will need your help badly. So you must learn so you will know how to help. Since I came home I have been looking with disgust on these ignorent poor fellows who havent a cent to their names and dont know enough to take care of themselves. Let alone taking care of any one else. Now be good to your sisters and do all you can to help. Keep yourself neat and clean. Dot has three cute little puppies. Evas kitten has a little family. Beauty is looking fine I will see she has good care. Some cattle buyers are here tonight. Archie be careful of the Gas Be sure to turn it out. Be good and learn My Dear Boy

Your Mamma

Dear Eva

Write to me you are very tardy or are you forgetting me. How is your Music and How much does Nellie charge you for use of instrument. Practice all you can. And learn all you can. Tell me of your Teacher and have you learned to play that Waltz yet. Write to me all the news

Your loving Mamma Stewart

Los Vegas Nev Dec 8-97

Dear Tiza Eva & Archie Midnight I have just finished Dennys supper and he has gone to bed. He tells us there is a team on the road and it is Jessie Jones and two other parties going over to Good Springs to do assessment work. I guess we wont have any Dance. Uncle Ed and Willie are at the Canon will be home in a few days. Jim Wilson left here for home this morning. There are two cattle buyers here tonight they have been here two days. They offer for yearling $12.00 two year $15.00 Three year 19 dry cows $16.00 Hira wants $13.00 for 1 year 2 year $17 3 Year $20.00 Dry cows $17.00 It is a bad time to gather we will see in the morning if we will make a deal or not. I feel almost tempted to sell anyway if at some loss so as to be sure of enough money for you to have what you need. I am going to send You ten or fifteen in the morning. I will see. Now do the best you can learn all you can and encourage Eva and Archie in doing their best. I know you will so no need to write this to you. I apreciate you much more than you realize Tiza I know you are a little bundle of the truest womanly material that was ever put together. I sure appreciate the same fact and know it. I cant just tell when I can come to you. I want to arrange before leaving here so as to know how the money is to come to keep us there and to arrange for a regular supply of money It wont take so much when we get thoroughly established. After we get our first clothes. Now write and tell me just what you are doing. How Eva is doing and how she has arranged for Piano with Nellie. Is Archie going to his teacher Miss Culvermell. It takes so long to hear from you. Tell me just how your expenses are running Be careful to turn off the Gass in your rooms. Never forget and blow it out. You see what would leave the gas jet open and fill the room with Gas which if the windows were closed would be sure to cause you death. Who has the little front- room. How do you like Mr King. Write me all you can think of. Tell me of Mrs Summers Mrs Hughes and Nellie and Mrs Summers boy. How about Mr Philps Mr Schaefer have you seen them since I left If so, what are they doing and what do they say. Give my very kindest wishes to Mrs Howell. How did you get your trunks and bags moved Miss Culrut called on you and Eva . The young ladie that gave Mrs Howell the Pinks and me the roses Mrs Howell knows where they live and when you can you and Mrs Howell return the call. It would be nice for you to meet that Miss Roberson the Music Teacher & her Mother. Let Archie go down to Mr Madison Stewarts store every Saturday while Mr Stewart is there a couple of hours. It may do Archie good so he will not be so lonesome. With Love

Mamma

Los Vegas Nev Dec 16th – 97

Dear Archie; I know you are dreadful lonesome and I wish I was with you; Because I love you more than any other boy I know of. You are the best boy I know of and I want you to learn so you can help me. Are you going to the Norwood School now. Do you go evenings to Miss Culverwell. Go to her one hour each evening so you can learn Even if you do not go to School. My boy if you love me try and learn. I know you are lonesome for me because I am lonesome for you. Soon as I can I will come to you. So do not make it any harder for me than you can. Go every saturday and spend an hour or so with Mr Madison Stewart he is a good man. He stands very high in the minds of his fellow men. They hold him in high esteem. Do not mix with any men but The best and you will only see and learn good things and you cant help but be a good useful man. Life is very short at the best so make every moment of time count. There is some Cattle men here from Wyoming we are going to sell them One Hundred head of mixed cattle from the calves branded this year to two and three year olds and cows and seven Bulls. They are to be here the 20th of January to commence gathering. I think it will take them about ten days to get them. So if I wait until the sale is made you see it will take me a little longer. I send you this time your little Purse with $3.00 in ten cent pieces for Christmas present. I send you all by Ponies [?] 98 pounds of Las Vegas Apples for Christmas. They will go by freight and be at the Santa Fe Depot by the time you get this letter. So have Mr Howell when he goes down to the Depot to have them sent up. Let Tiza read this letter. She and Eva too. Now be a good boy. Be good to the girls do all you can to help yourself and your own loving Mamma

Archie I send inside of this an Envelope already addressed to me. Write a letter put it inside the envelope seal it up and drop it in the box at the corner and I will watch for it at this end of the line. I would write the letter for you but I guess I want you might think of something I could not think of Good Night My Boy.

[no date – c. 12/1897]

Dear Archie Your letter has not came. Why dont you write to your Mamma. Are you going to School. Sit down and tell me all about it. The Cattle men will be here in seven days or lose thier money. Then Hurrah for Los Angeles and the children I love.

Mamma

Las Vegas Nevada Feb 17-98

My Dear Children How much I would like to see you tonight. We have sold the cattle and Hira has gone as far as the Muddy to see them through our cattle at the Muddy. We will hear from them tonight by Denny. He will be in here in about a hour. There is nothing for me to say only to tell you to be good children untill I come. The folks on the Ranch now are Willie Lena Dreeme Mr Stewart – Uncle Ed George Allen Willie Gann and myself. Denny just came in. The boys have sold the Muddy steers and it will be five or six more days before they come home. Have to wait untill the cattle man goes from the Muddy up to Cain Springs.

With love to you each Be good and careful. Dont waste time nor be careless of yourselves.

Read this slow not in a hurry.

Your Loving Mamma.

Archibald Richard Stewart, Jr., c. 1897. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection.

Emeryville Cal Jan 25th 99

Dear Son Archie. This is your birthday you are fourteen years old. I wonder what course you will pursue. What you will do? What kind of a man you will be I think you have pride and manliness about you to try and be one of the best. Remember always I love you and always think of you every day and wonder what you are doing

Your Loving Mamma Helen. J. Stewart.

Dare to do right Dare to be true Dare to be good Everything will come right for you. 01/25/1899 Helen Stewart to Archie Stewart. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 001.

Los Vegas Nev June 21st -- 99

Dear Tiza Archie has been very sick for four days is some better tonight. I think he will be all O.K. in a few days. I got a letter from Mattie Shaw Sunday telling me she would leave San Francisco for this place Monday evening the 19th that would put her in Mamel [?] today at 11 O clock. She wanted me to meet her there I could not so sent word to her to come to Good Springs on the Stage and I would meet her Archie being sick. I had to send Lena and Willie. Where will Eva stay while Mattie is here I though maby she might bring Eva home with her Write to me soon as you can The Pictures on the Buttons I got was pleased with them and wrote you so at Emeryville also about the corset and chemise and dresses. Lena sent $2.00 for corset I told you of that and asked you to tell me the price of Lenas so could give her the change. The letter must have got lost. I sent it to Emeryville I got a letter from Aunt Flora She seemed to think it was real nice you girls had decided to go to school and study. And I think so I got a letter from Grandma at Nevada Mosouri visiting Aunt Jane Aunt Deborah Burdicks had gone home. There came a letter in last mail from Donny cal addressed to J P Flemming so Mr Flemming must be on the road here somewhere. Archie is getting better I think. Lena and Willie went to Good Springs tonight to meet Mattie Shaw Send me Bernards address Has Mr Schaefer gone home I hope you have a nice place and are doing well. I sent you by last mail an Order on D. W. Earl & Co for $25.00 I sent Eva an order for same amount. Have you seen Aunt Sarah lately. Send me thier address. How is Uncle Ed and Aunt Flora getting along. How did you like Aunt Sena. Did Aunt Rachael and Uncle Andy treat you nice. Now my darling girl do the best you can learn all you can and be good to Eva. I wish you could be together I shall be uneasy untill I learn where or who Eva will stay with untill Mattie comes back. I wrote to Mr Miles about his land. Dreeme and Hi are all O.K. They are cleaning their room today what washing and general cleaning. Carpet took up. Dreeme sent you a little Box sometime ago but has not heard from it yet. Write her a few lines. With love your loving Mama

Helen Stewart Los Vegas Lincoln Co Nevada

[no date – c. mid to late 1899] [incomplete; pp. 9-10]

$25.00 Twenty five Dollars apice just before Archie was sick I see you presented your order and got the money what did Eva do with hers. It has not come back here marked paid yet. How much funds have you on hand let me know. Mr Stewart was very kind to help me while Archie was sick and has been very kind since. He has helped me put up six gallons of Plum Preserves and about five gallons of Apple Jelly. Besides a lot of dried Apples. Tiza you had ought to study Arithmetic and Book-keeping too. So you will understand business Methods. Do the best you can. How do you like your place and the people by this time How long did you stay at Uncle Eds. Mr Flemming and Mr Dahling started for here and got as far as Daggett and some one told them they had to come through Death Valley to get here so they turned back. Mattie [?] Visit here was sad but we done the best we could by her with the folks and material we had on hand. I guess all here was new and strange to her. I have one wild cat skin. If I get enough shall I make a cape like Evas that Mattie sent her when we went down. Write to me soon as you can. Is Schafer in Los Angeles

With hugs and kisses your loving Mamma

1900 - 1905

Los Vegas Nev Jan 25th 1900

Dear Tiza Today Archie would have been fifteen years old. I have cried most all day through my work and all. I have had a dreadful time bringing myself to submit to what I know must be. I needed him so much. There has been strangers here every day lately Charley Garett and Jack Smith and another fellow from the Meadow Valley Wash are here tonight. I have had extras to cook for all week I suppose by this time you have the $30.00 order I sent you. I want you to cash it and use it to fix yourselves so as to give all your time to learning. I will send you an order in this for $20.00 Twenty Dollars more so if you need it you can Cash it immedially. If you have any old orders you can use them any time write and let me know what you have. The boys are both with their mine in their tents but not settled in business yet. I got letter (no 5) dated Jan 9th last Saturday the 20th This last mail our stage man failed to connect with the cars. Tiza I like the Wrapper I wish you would send me another one. I hope your Painting will be nice I wish you and Aunt Flora could paint a real nice one Something like those Dear Aunt Flora had. Paint on canvas for Mrs Brown at Manvel She was so kind to me when I was over there last summer I wish Eva would crochet a pretty Marble sack of fancy colored silks Red white & Blue or Black and Yellow for Mrs Browns boy Edgan tied with pretty Ribbon and send it to me to send to him. he is such a cute little fellow. Little Leslie is just as cute as he can be. He knows as much as some grown people. Tiza apply yourself and learn all you can. Of course you cant learn everything you would like immedeally but you will be surprised how much you can learn if you keep trying. Now I will know by next mail something about what you girls are doing or intending to do. Eva was to help Mattie and I was supposed there would be Mattie Mr Pool Mrs Shaw and Eva. Eva tells me there has been eight most of the time besides numumerable Kids and Dogs. See and see what she is comfortable and has time to get her Music lessons I am rather tired tonight with more love than this letter can carry

Your Mamma

I got letter No 5 Jan 20th last saturday it has been quite awhile

01/25/1900 Helen Stewart to Tiza Stewart [page 1]. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 001. the letters of helen stewart - combined.doc 30

Las Vegas Nev April 1st – 1900

Mr Charles Gracy

Dear Sir

My son William J Stewart will transact any business with you during my absence.

Yours Truly Helen J Stewart.

[this letter is used with permission from UNLV Special Collections]

Los Vegas Nev Oct 11th 1900

Mr Orr: Justice Peace Dear Sir. Mr F. R. Stewart and my son W.J. Stewart went over to Mr Kiels this morning and found Ed Kiel and his brother lying between the ditch and the house dead. It is either a case of Murder Suicide or both. Will you please come down at once and hold an inquest Hoping to see you soon as possible.

Yours Truly. Helen. J. Stewart.

Amazon Mine, Lincoln Co. Nev. June 24th. 1901

Mrs H. J. Stewart: My dear friend as I have a few moments to spare before Mr A – arrives I will give you my idea relative to the Main-Spring of all human action. Whatever most strongly attracts our attention, determines our actions. And our actions are always commensurate with the intensity of our desires. Now, please refute this proposition if you can. Dear friend, I have just read your letter twice, and with a feeling almost akin to pain. Owing to your state of health, I was hopefully of you getting away from your growing responsibilities. And yet, I desired your stay at the Vegas during my voluntary exile here. This, of course brands me with the stamp of selfishness. I plead guilty to the charge. But, I already have the proof of your skill as a physician; for already you have partly cured me of an affection of the heart; and I doubt not, but that in time your course of treatment, if persisted in, will effect a complete cure. Thank you for the poem. Your ability to select is very good. I am sorry to hear that my friend Mr F Stewart contemplates leaving the Vegas. He is a good man. I am sorry for your sake also. But I am of the opinion that he will not go. So do not worry over it. You seem to think that I am discouraged with the mining. Please disabuse your mind of that idea. You read between the lines of my last note to you and imagined that I was fretting about the low grade ore extracted from the 100 ft level. No! No! I will send you some ore from the new find on the most northerly Lode of the “American Girl” Gone the colors will suit you I think I have no ore at hand that came from the 100 ft level of the Amazon. The west drift is now in 84 ft and within 12 ft of the junction. The ore from that drift contains a small perc't of Copper – about $2.00 in gold, a trace of silver and 8 ½ perc't of Antimony. That is the average. The American Girl assays 9 per cent Copper, no gold and only a trace of silver. My only fret is I fear Mr Spaulding will not sink deep enough to get higher grade ore. We will move camp in about 2 weeks. I too, intended sending you a poem that I composed one ev'ng, but after reading your letter I concluded not to send it. Please accept my thanks for your endeavor not to hurt my feelings. I appreciated all of your kindnesses to Myself, and whenever it is in my power, I will most gladly reciprocate in kind. And if I have in any way offended you in what I have written to you, please to inform Me, and I promise you that I will not do so again. Consign what you may look upon as my foolish utterances to the flames, and in future I will confine Myself while addressing you to the prosaic in life, and leave sentiment to those more youthful. I have written to my Artist [?] friend, and if a book, or books should come to your office- read them & let Mrs W Stewart & others do so also if they wish to.

[unsigned – author unknown]

OREGON SHORT LINE RAILROAD COMPANY

Friday Eve Oct 25 1901

Mrs Helen J. Stewart Present

My dear Madam I was much surprised when Mr Smith presented me, with your compliments, a beautiful platter of fruit. They are so beautifully and artistically arranged that I am lothe to break this symetry by the prosaic process of eating. Permit me to express to you my pleasant appreciation of your kindly courtesy and thoughtfulness, which with the numerous other acts of courtesy by yourself and family will always recall pleasant memories of Las Vegas and its hospitable people.

Very Sincerely Yours Wm. P. Watson

Excuse the business paper

[typed letter]

SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES & SALT LAKE RAILROAD COMPANY. Office of General Attorney.

Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 24th, 1902.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Los Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mrs. Stewart: - This will be handed to you by Mr. Wm. McDermott, who Comes to take a complete inventory of the property to be included in the sale of the Vegas ranch to Senator Clark. He will explain the. situation to you fully, and I have no doubt that you will be willing to carry out the terms of the contract in spirit as well as in letter. Mr. McDermott has full written instructions that will aid materially In the final adjustment. As soon as the inventory has been completed, and the cattle and horses have all been rounded up, you can send the bill of sale and deed to McCornick’s Bank, with instructions to deliver the same to Mr. Clark or his representative, upon the payment to your credit in the Bank of the balance of the purchase money, namely $50,000. Meanwhile, I expect to get the abstract of title and examine the same in order that there may be no delay in closing the deal.

With kindest regards, believe me,

Yours very truly, C. O. Whittemore General Attorney.

[this letter is used with permission from UNLV Special Collections]

State of Nevada County of Lincoln

On this day of November A.D. 1902, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County, Helen J. Stewart, widow William James Stewart and Hiram R. Stewart, Eliza J Stewart and Evaline Stewart Coffey known to me to be the persons described in, and who executed the foregoing instrument, who acknowledged to me that they executed the forgoing instrument, who acknowledged to me that they executed the same freely and voluntarily and for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. In Witness Whreof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal, the day and year in this certificate first above written.

My Commission Expires Jacob Taner April 25 – 1903. Notary Public.

[typed letter]

STATE OF NEVADA LAND DEPARTMENT

Carson City, Nev. Jan. 5, 1903

Mrs Helen J. Stewart, 33 Floral Ave, Salt Lake City, Utah. Care M. J. Carman.

My dear Madam:- In reply to yours of 2nd inst. I beg to state that John Charland filed applications No’s 10491 and 10455 covering 400 acres of land for which contracts were issued in his name. Subsequently change of address notices, signed John Charland, were filed in this office authorizing notices relating to lands in said applications to be sent to Mrs Helen J. Stewart, Los Vegas, Nevada. If Mr Charland sold his interest in the lands to you I suppose he gave you a grant, bargain and sale deed and that you had the deed recorded in the County records of Lincoln County. If you have such a deed you should see that it is recorded, and that the Charland patents are also recorded which would complete your chain of title.

Very respectfully, E. W. Kelly State Land Register

Salt Lake City Utah. Jan 22 d 1903

F. R McNamee

Kind Friend I have made a Plat of Los Vegas Ranch with marks indicating the application and Patent of each individual connected therewith in the perfecting of the present transfer of Title to W A Clark of Butte City Montana by Warrantee Deed by Helen J Stewart with signatures of the sons and daughters following her signature in Warrantee Deed. The Archibald Stewart. Haggerty and Barton Lands were applied for about 1882 or 1883. Deeded to Archibald Stewart about 1883 About 1883 through mistake made in description in Haggerty Deed. New Deed was asked for with correct description of land; Which was given to Helen J Stewart Administratrix Archibald Stewart being dead. Same being a Quit Claim Deed signed by Henry Rives as witness. He then being District Judge. Following this Helen J Stewart sent money to pay for Patents on the Archibald Stewart Application and Haggerty & Barton Supposing that a Deed which our District Judge witnessed and sanctioned would carry perfect Title beyond doubt. C.O. Whittemore Attorney for W. A. Clark. questions the Haggerty Quit Claim but says as it has past the Limitation of five years after isueing of Patent he will accept the Haggerty Deed in case we cannot find Haggerty to have him ReQuit Claim it after making an effort to do so. The Charley Stewart Deed was given ten or twelve, years ago. I having made all interest payments untill this last Nov 1902 where I made last payment and sent money and applied for Patent which C.O. Whittemore had requested. Notice had been given Land Office at time of Deed so Patent through coming in Applicants name was given me. (The Deed Mr Whittemore claims cancels Bargain and Sale but a latter clause makes it a Quit Claim Deed which he claims is not sufficient to give good title to the land Patented so recent as Nov 1902. The John Charland Deed he questions on the same ground as it is a full fledged Quit Claim and Patent of same date Nov 1902 All of these Patents have only been recently Recorded as you are aware. C.O. Whittemore Attorney for W A Clark has asked as completion of Title that the Haggerty Deed and the Charley Steward Deed and the John Charland Deed be ReQuit Claimed since Patents were issued. He says if cannot get Haggerty Deed ReQuit Claimed without too much trouble he will not ask it, but accept it as it is, as it has exceeded the five years limitation after isueing of Patent. But insists on having the Charles Stewart and John Charland Deeds ReQuit Claimed. I have sent them both but fear Mr Charland may be gone away, or may have died he being a very old man.

This is a clear Statement of the whole case as near as I can give it. Now in case I should wish you to take the facts above written and produce a Title which no one would question. How much would you charge me to do so? Write me immediatly on receipt of this and should occasion call for fuller proof of Title and your price is reasonable you will receive Telegram from me asking you to do this. On having allready looked over Title for Oregon Short Line perhaps allready know just how they stand. If I make a failure of this Sale it will be your turn again. With best wishes and a “Happy New Year”. Hoping for an early reply.

Yours Truly Helen J Stewart 33. Floral Avenue Salt Lake City Utah

PS Since writing above have received Charley Stewart Deed. Re Quit Claim Jan 1903 and Recorded. George D Haggerty Forty Mile Canon Alaska. Whittemore not here but. Cherrington a lawyer in Whittemores Office and to whom he refered me in his absence in New York says they will accept the Haggerty Deed so all is O.K. now except the John Charland Deed Charland cannot be found presume he is dead. The John Charland. We will have to Quiet Title unless Whittemore will accept it as it is. Will you please do me the favor to write me at once what you will charge me to take the Charland Deed and pay all Fees incidental thereto and each as Clerks Fees Recorders Fees and all and give me perfect Title to same. I may decide to Quiet Title on the Haggerty Deed also so tell me charges for one seperately or both together. Please write at once and if it is necessary to Quiet Title on one or both I will telegraph you so as to get it done this coming term of Court.

Yours Truly Helen.J.Stewart.

Plat Map of Las Vegas Ranch, 1903. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 052.

[typed letter]

C O P Y

Forty Mile, Febuary 20-1903.

Mr. Henry Reives Salt Lake city, Utah.

Friend Henry: -- Yours of the 10th of January received, contents noted in reply will state that if you want my signature to deed for Mrs. Stewart send me One hundred dollars to me. care N. A. T. & T. Co., Fort Cudahy, U. T. the money to be paid over to me when I sign deeds. Otherwise I decline to affix my signature to any papers affecting the transfer of property under consideration. I make this demand because I need the money and feel the service worth at least that amount.

Yours respectfully, G. D. Hagerty,

At the Las Vegas Ranch, 1903. Left to right: Frank Stewart, William Stewart, Helen Stewart, Eva Stewart. Hiram Stewart, and Tiza Stewart. UNLV Special Collections. Helen J. Stewart Collection.

[typed letter]

MCCORNICK & CO., BANKERS. Established 1873 Salt Lake City, Utah

Mar. 16, 1903.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nev.

Dear Madam:- Mr. C. O. Whittemore has just returned from New York, and states that through inadvertence a contract instead of notes was sent to you direct. From that I can learn from Mr. Whittemore the contract is in every way as good as the notes. If, however, it is not entirely satisfactory, please let me know and I will take the matter up and see that our understanding is carried out.

Yours truly, W J McCornick

[typed letter]

MCCORNICK & CO., BANKERS. Established 1873 Salt Lake City, Utah

June 5, 1903.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Los Angeles

Dear Madam:- I have your esteemed favor of the 28th ult., and have delayed replying a day or two waiting to see Judge Rives, but he has not returned and they do not know at his office when he will be back; he is somewhere in Nevada they say I enclose a carbon copy of letter which I have written this day to G. D. Haggerty, and you will note that I am enclosing a deed for his signature. I think by all means it is the cheapest method to pay him the $100. and get his deed. You could not in any other way obtain it through the courts as cheaply. Now with reference to the case of Charland. I am waiting to see if Judge Rives will come back, although in all probability Mr. McNamee of Pioche or some other attorney would do just as well, but will have to attend to it at an early day in some way, so that this money that is coming to you may be released.

Sincerely yours, W J McCornick

[typed letter] June 5, 1903.

G. D. Haggerty, Esq., Forty Mile

C O P Y

Dear Sir:-

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart has sent us your letter of Feb. 20th, which is addressed to Mr. Henry Rives of this place, and referring the matter to us, as you do not say in your letter whether Judge Rives sent you a deed or not, and as Judge Rives is not here at present we are at a loss to know, and herewith enclose a deed covering the land in question, which you may sign if you have not a deed sent to you by Judge Rives; and if you will sign either the one or the other before a Notary Public, or other properly qualified officer and return to us, we will at once forward you $100., being the amount stated in your letter to Judge Rives. Please let us know how we are to send the money to you, which will be done promptly.

An early reply will oblige,

Yours truly, W J McCornick

[typed letter]

MCCORNICK & CO., BANKERS Established 1873 Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sept. 5th. 1903.

Mrs Helen J. Stewart, 436 So Hill St, Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Madam:- I am in receipt of your favor of the 31st ult acknowledging mine of the 28th. I think that it is quite possible that the Haggerty deed will be back here by October and that the Charland matter can be settled by that time. I will notify Mr Whittimore that you do not care to dispose of the 4 acres of ground in question. I am very sorry to hear of the sickness and death that has occurred in your family. I had not heard of it before. Judge Rives is still here. I will let you know as son as I hear from Haggerty and the progress that may be made in the Charland matter.

Sincerely yours, W J McCornick

“The Vegas” Sept 10th -03

Dear Mrs Stewart- Will sends some cancelled checks which McCormicks Bank sent here to you. Will has almost closed a deal with Lattimers for thier cattle, 37 head calves and all (only 4 calves) for $585.00 Will thinks they are a bargain if as represented, McWilliams was over to the Muddy, dont know what for We will soon have the water piped to the house. Mr Holt left this morning. Be sure to get back in time for the quarterly report. With love and good wishes

Lovingly Lena

Lena Carl Stewart at Las Vegas Creek, 1906. Nevada Historical Society. 431.

[typed letter]

HUNSAKER & BRITT Attorneys and Counselors at Law 714-718 H.W. Hellman Bldg. Los Angeles, Cal.

June 19, 1905.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Lincoln Co., Nev.

Dear Madam:- I have your favor of June 12th, in which you say that you have turned the matter of my purchase from you of the Corn Creek property over to your attorney, Mr. F. R. Mc Namee, of Delamar, Nevada. I have also received a letter from that gentleman stating, in effect, that the matter has been placed in his hands and that he will give it the necessary attention. I have been advised by my counsel to give you the inclosed notice of rescission, which outlines my claim to rescind the transaction on account of my not getting the property which I bought and paid for. In answering Mr. Mc Namee’s letter my counsel are sending him a copy of this notice. Trusting that your health has by this time been completely re-established, and that we may reach an adjustment of this present controversy that will be mutually satisfactory, I am,

Yours very truly, G.W. Markham

[this letter is used with permission from UNLV Special Collections]

[typed letter] F.R. Mc NAMEE ATTORNEY AT LAW DELAMAR, NAVADA.

Aug. 16th 1905.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart,

Las Vegas, Nev.

Dear Mrs. Stewart:-

I am inclosing you letter receiver from Hunsaker & Britt. In reply to mine of the 7th advising them that we were determining the conflict between the two surveys.

What have you done in the Matter and has any move been made to secure the Spring? Please return letter for my files.

With best wishes, I am,

Very truly,

F. R. McNamee

Aug 11th 1905

In, re, Werner Stuart

We are just in receipt of your favor of the 7th inst, in the Corn Creek Land Matter.

We are fully of the opinion that the first thing to be done is to ascertain the actual facts as to iTs location. With reference to the Official Government subdivisionx now in force. We will await your promised communication when you get the report from your surveyor.

Yours Very Truly Hunsaker & Britt, in, Dict. M. C.

[typed letter]

F. R. MCNAMEE Attorney at Law Delamar, Nevada

Sep. 5th 1905.

Dear Mrs. Stewart:- I have yours of the 1st and have written Hunsaker & Britt, and inclose you a copy of the letter. Yes, if we cannot get them down on the purchase price there will only be the one thing to do and that will be to return the money. Mrs. Mc. and the babies are doing nicely, and we can hardly realize that it happened. With best regards, I am,

Very truly, F. R. Mc Namee

[typed letter]

F. R. MCNAMEE Attorney at Law Delamar, Nevada

Delamar, Nevada, Dec. 25th 1905.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dear Mrs. Stewart:- I am in receipt of a letter inclosing deed grant, Bargain & sale covering the land you conveyed to Mr. Werner. It is in proper form and I inclose same to or a copy thereof as received by me and I would suggest that you forward same to your bank in Los Angeles, and advise them to pay Mr. Werner on his Attorney the $ 3000 on the delivery to the bank for your use and benefit of deed to the Corn Crrek lands in the form herein inclosed properly executed by Werner and his wife. I have advised Hunsaker & Britt, Atty’s that the deed was satisfactory as to form and that I had so advised you.

With best Christmas greetings to you all,

I am, Very truly, F. R. McNamee

1906 - 1910

[typed letter]

F. R. MCNAMEE Attorney at Law Delamar, Nevada

COPY OF LETTER SENT TO BANK

Delamar, Lincoln Co., Nevada, Feb’y. 3rd, 06.

National Bank of California, Los Angeles, CAL.

Gentlemen:- I am directed by Mrs. Helen J. Stewart of Las Vegas, to enclose you a form of deed – Gustave Werner and Maria Werner (his wife) to Helen J. Stewart, conveying certain lands in Lincoln County, Nevada. Mrs. Stewart, who is at present ill, will advise you on or before the 15th day of February inst. to pay to Hunsaker & Britt, Attorneys, Hellman Building, Los Angeles, the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3000.) upon the execution and delivery to you, for her use and benefit, of the deed properly executed by the Werners in the form I herewith enclose you. Kindly hold the within form until advised by Mrs. Stewart to pay the money, at which time kindly advise Hunsaker & Britt to deliver the deed and pay the money.

Very truly yours, F. R. McNamee

For your information McNamee

[typed letter]

I hereby acknowledge and declare that I hold in trust for Helen J. Stewart all of that certain Load Mining Claim situated in the McClanahan Mining District, Lincoln County, Nevada, known as the Iron King Lode Mining Claim, the original certificate of which appears of record in Book “M” of Mining Notices on Page 85, Lincoln County Records, State of Nevada, and the amended location, notice of which appears in Book “P” of Mining Notices on Page 262 and 266, inclusive, Lincoln County, Nevada, Records, and that this trust will be discharged at any time on or before the first day of January 1907, by payment by me or my assigns to the said Helen J. Stewart of Las Vegas, Nevada of the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5000.)

DATED Delamar Nevada, Feb’y. 17th, 1906. F. R. McNamee

[typed letter]

F. R. MCNAMEE Attorney at Law Delamar, Nevada

June 9th, ’06.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dear Mrs. Stewart:- I herewith enclose you DEED – Gustave Wernert and wife to yourself, together with bill for recording same, and have also made a note of the dollar advanced for recording the LUCKY DUTCHMAN for Will.

With best wishes I remain,

Yours very truly, F. R. McNamee

Enc.

[typed letter]

SAN PEDRO LOS ANGELES & SALT LAKE RAILROAD COMPANY

William A. Clark President

49 Wall St., New York June 10, 1906

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mrs. Stewart: I have your very kind favor of the 1st instant. I am glad that you reminded me of the suggestion I made when I met you in Salt Lake City. If any one deserves the honor attached to the name of “pioneer” and credit for attracting the attention of capitalists to that country, you certainly do, and I take pleasure in handing you an annual pass over the Salt Lake Route which I hope may afford you considerable pleasure. I expect to be in your town on my way to Bullfrog in a few weeks when I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you.

Sincerely yours, W A Clark

(enclosure 1)

Helen J. Stewart rail pass, 1906. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 001.

Las Vegas Nevada July 15th 1907

Mr. F. R McNamee

Dear Sir

Again my affairs call for your assistance. Some one is diverting the water from Vegas Creek in such manner as to interfere with my rights reserved. Am only getting Fourteen gallons per minute when should have Forty-four. I can scarcely irrigate one acre. The virdure is dying for want of water. I have had no difficulty in getting sufficient water to irrigate my four acres until this season. About a month ago the water was all shut off my four acres except Fourteen Gallons per minute. Some days there has been none. Will you please call the attention of the R. R. Company to this matter that they may adjust it in time to prevent the virdure from dying as it takes considerable trouble and expense to get the things growing again. Trusting this matter can be adjusted at an early date. Enclosed find copy of Original Deed for reference.

Yours Truly Helen J. Stewart.

Helen J. Stewart, c. 1890. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection.

Las Vegas Nevada July 16th 1907

Mr F. R. McNamee

Dear Sir: Have been annoyed so much by continued interference with the Water Supply for my Four Acres reserved decided to write to you as you were meeting the members of the Company often and see if you could not call thier attention to this matter and have it adjusted I asked Walter Bracken, if he had charge of the Water? First he said no. Then he told me he was acting as Agent under Mr Whittemores instructions, assisted, by Mr Bettis [Bellis?] and if I wished to learn any thing about it, I had best to communicate with them. He told me he had been instructed by Mr Whittemore to go every day and see that the flow of Water into a ditch at the Old Mormon Dam about one quarter of a mile from my land did not exceed a limitation Mr Whittemore had placed upon the flow. At this point a great quantity of filth & dirt accumulates from a bathing pond & portable House in use causing an obstruction. The water here is affected also by use of water in Town which affects the flow by less or greater pressure as it may be used in Town The night of the Ice Plant Fire all Water was shut off at this point. That was a necessity to which all would willingly contribute; But it shows how easily a part or all of the Water can be taken away by those in Town from us below. For nearly a month now there has been less than Fourteen Gallons of Water per minute flowing into my Four Acres of ground. Yet I am entitled to Forty Four Gallons per minute. The result is things I have planted are dying for want of water. Will you please see what you can do by way of adjusting this matter

Yours Truly Helen J. Stewart.

[this letter is used with permission from UNLV Special Collections]

[typed letter]

F. R. McNAMEE Attorney At Law Caliente Nevada

Sep. 2nd 1907.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nev.

Dear Mrs. Stewart:-

Again replying to yours relative to the waters for the 4 acres burial plat, I am advised that immediate steps are being taken to supply the 4 inches of water delivered on your land, and quote the following from Mr. Cullen’s letter in reply to Manager F. E. Wells, “ Replying to your letter of Aug. 27th regarding water rights of Helen J. Stewart, beg to advise that the size of the head gate to the ditch leading to Mrs. Stewart’s property has today been increased in size to double its previous capacity. As soon as it is possible to get material on the ground , we shall have this head gate re-arranged so that exactly four inches will be delivered to Mrs. Stewart’s land.” I sincerely trust that that the water is coming to the land now in the required amount, and that you will pardon the delay in this matter , for you will understand that it is hard to get the department to take a matter like this up out of order, and there is no doubt but what they have been busy. Trusting that everything is satisfactory at present and will continue so, I am with best regards,

Sincerely yours, F. R. McNamee

Las Vegas Nevada Sept 9th 1907

Mr F. R. McNamee Caliente

Dear Sir: Your favor of Sept 2nd received. I am much pleased that your effort in my behalf has resulted so favorably. Trusting the time will soon come when the Co can get material on the ground and re-arrange so that the four inches will be delivered on my land in such a manner as to avoid friction with parties not closely interested. Thanking you for the satisfactory adjustment for the present

Yours Truly. Helen J. Stewart.

[typed letter]

F. R. MCNAMEE Attorney at Law Caliente Nevada

Caliente, Nevada, Oct. 18th, ‘07

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, NEVADA.

Dear Mrs. Stewart, I have your good letter of the 12th enclosing deed – Alvin C. Crosby et al to Fred J. Stoer, properly executed, and I thank you very much for same. I realize that it was a considerable trouble to you and also required a good deal of care and attention on your part to have it executed properly and it is surely refreshing to receive back a paper like this properly executed in every particular. Mrs. McNamee wrote you that she would be through Las Vegas on Saturday instead of Friday as she stated to Will the day we were coming up, and as soon as I can get a little time I want to go to Las Vegas and I will surely come and stop with you. With kindest regards and again thanking you very much, I am.

Yours very truly, F. R. McNamee

[typed letter]

SECURITY SAVINGS BANK Los Angeles

Jan.29-08.

Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear madam:- We are in receipt of your favor of the 27th inst., and in reply will say that we will be pleased to favor you with remittance of $1000.00 on receipt of enclosed check properly signed and accompanied by your pass book.

Yours very truly, W D Longyear Cashier.

Encl- JMR/H

Las Vegas Nevada Oct 6th 1908

Dear Tiza

Nephi just came down from town a few minutes ago and strangely enough two letters one from Eva and one from you. “She says Jimy seems to be improving when they brought him in they did not expect him to live but this last few days the Dr said he seems to be improving. She says she has been with him at the Hospital ever since he came. The Dr says he will have to remain there for about two weeks. But Eva says it will be a month or two for the English are so slow. She also says she may need some of her money so be ready to send it. She wants me to send and see about the street work and what she has to pay on it. also the water Bills. She says every thing there cost so much She says Jimy got a terrible hurt. She says she may send the horses home in a few days for the Dr says it will not be good for Jimy to be near a race track for a long time Poor Boy it is too bad I am so sorry. Such a faithful honest good man. The days cannot be all sunshine through our lives We must prepare for the dreary ones as well. I do not think you better go any further east unless you go for a short stay at Denver or Colorado Springs and it is so cold now it seems to me too late in the season as the cold weather would close the resorts. Is Salt Air and the Resorts in Salt Lake closed that ought to be something to go by. Evas letter is not very encouraging We might have to go to her any time there in Victoria B.C. or Oakland. I wonder who would or who could care for the Stable of Horses.

Was so glad you arrived in Salt Lake and that you had a fine trip though the rain will make it colder as it will put snow on the mountains around. Tell us all about the conference and the Danish Celebration. When I was there last Mrs Carman and I went to the Celebration out at Calders Park. It was realy beautiful. The Music Grand if you go to see the Carmans tell me all about them Did you meet Altons wife, you know they have a baby boy. Some two or three years old. I really wish I could have gone with you had I been free from some of the relations that surround me it would have been a pleasure. Wasent that trip to Mt Lowe one of the most enjoyable we ever took and the trip to and over the Santa Clara Valley. Mina enjoyed the Ball very much and it was all Wright But Taylor came just the same and went back to Town with Mabel and Rosenberg he said Mima was all right and admitted he was slow. Too bad to sleep in the upper Berth. But you would have never known there was a perfectly harmless man in the world with whiskers for the wind to blow through nor a woman with seven kids [letter ends]

The letter from his Nibs came last night to me Mr Stewart got it out of our Box. I thought I would read it and see so we both could know. Lovenly Mama

Las Vegas Nevada Oct 8th 1908

Dear Tiza: Enclosed is a letter from his “Nibs” one might sing to his Music in three or four different times Do not pay any attention to any thing like a threat. I think for awhile the best thing is to keep entirely out of his way. He will get tired of trying to be smart and decide to go somewhere himself and when he gets tired of floundering around and if you decide you cannot live with him just come right here and you can get a Divorce just as easily and quickly as any where else. His drunkeness just before leaving here is more against him than any thing his fertile brain can make up against you. So when you are ready come to me and if you wish it we will fight it out together against him if it must be so Write me immediately just what we will do I am at your command for any thing for your good. Do not leave Salt Lake to go any further East at this time of year it is too cold. We can communicate easily from there and by telegraph or Cars we are not far apart. I wrote you a few days ago about Jimmy so expect to hear from you today or tomorrow Write to me right away your Loving Mama

Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas Lincoln Co Nevada

This letter will go on the Limited tonight so you ought to get it tomorrow by noon of the 9th of October.

Tell me the date you get this.

Tiza Stewart, 1905. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0087

[typed letter]

L. D. S. Bureau of Information

Salt Lake City, Utah Nov. 11, 1908

Miss Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Lincoln County, Nev.

Dear Madam, Your favor of the 6th. inst. came duly to hand In reply will state that on April 22d. 1855 a company of elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received instructions respecting their journey westward and left Salt Lake City shortly afterwards. Elder William Bringhurst was in charge of the company and I understand that the first house in Las Vegas was built by these parties, soon after the above named date. Trusting that this information will answer your purpose,

I remain,

Yours truly, Benjamin Goddard

Stewart Ranch, 1902. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0071.

Las Vegas Nevada Feb 3d 1909

My Darling. Girlie Your beautiful “Christmas Present came awhile after Christmas but was so delighted to get it. The Piano cover was so dainty and pretty. I do not think you could have had any thing prettier than Wild Roses and the Butterflys in the clusters of Roses was sugestive of many happy days. They. The papers are full of the Cold Blizzards in the east. I do hope you will not undertake much travel during this very cold period among so many of the relatives there will surely be some safe resting place during the stormy period which is liable to be from now on untill the 1st of April I got your Postal dated Red Cloud Neb Jan 22d have no word from you since you said in your Postal you were leaving that evening for Talmage Neb. Eva and Jimmy are doing farely well. The Papers were full of the Wonderful performance of Em and Em and their Little Jockey Eva sent me a Christmas Box in it was Handkerchiefs Perfume Powder and a little Seattle Canoe with a Pappoose in it and two Silver Spoons with Cliff House Designs and Golden Gate. Carman sent me a Little Earthen Shoe full of Fruit Cake and Minna Sent me a Auld Ang Zine Book Lena gave me a years Subscription to the Paciffic Monthly and in the February No is a piece entitled “The Prospector" that mentions Las Vegas perhaps you can get it and read it. Lena also gave Willie the same subscription. Mrs Bonel gave me a lace handkerchief and a jar of Fig Jam. The Bill for County Division has passed both Houses and only waits the Govenors signature Frank Williams was elected State Regent Senator Clark has decided to build the Machine Shop here in the near future. Squires folks have their clothes in the Steam Laundry with $15.00 charges on them Got a letter from Delia Roach yesterday that Uncle Jim was dying. We are going to have an Artesian Well bored this side of the R R on this forty acres of ground we live it is to be completed by the 20th of March or the man forfets so much money. Brown went Busted in the Potosi proposition they want me to buy there house. Miss Squires is teaching School. Miss Thomas took her place last week as she was sick the two will go to Searchlight Saturday so Marie Thomas told me last night when I met her at Mrs [Gibbons?] at the Ranch house. Lena and Willie are out of the Hotel Business now. Mrs Lockett has not got her little Dolores yet she enquired for you when I met her. We have built a new room where one little old dinky bed room was and it is a nice cozy little room. Lena and Willie are going into the Little Bell House below the Hill. Mina is still here. Give my love to Aunt Angeline and enjoy yourself all you can and above all keep warm. Everyone here thinks we are ready for a town but it will not come one day.

Write often I am thinking about you all the time did you do any painting for Aunt Angeline or any of the folks. Mrs Steadman has taken a little boy baby to raise. I send you a letter that came a day or so ago. With love write soon your loving Mama

Let the winds roar and keep warm. Don't take any chances. Aunt Angeline and the folks will know when the storms are dangerous.

Tiza Stewart, 1909. UNLV, Special Collections. Stewart Collection.

Las Vegas Nevada April 15th 1909

My Darling Girl Was so glad to get your letter and to learn you were so well and cheerful. I will think of you every Saturday night and how much you are doing and how weary your feet are. Poor little girl it is too bad for you to be so far from home. I wish things were sweeter in life for you If you only have your health and can keep out of line of cyclones and Blizzards and I can get to see you sometime when you are through sight seeing I will be a happy Mamma. All is not happiness and joy in this world so I will abide in patience and pray that good things may come to you and that I may see you soon again Jimmy went to Albuquerque to Race and sell his horses. He had some trouble with the Racing association and he has sued them and won the case the 8th of the month and they appealed it and he will know tomorrow how he stands. He won 2 races which they paid him and two for which he received nothing atall. If he does not sell at Albuquerque he will go to Salt Lake and Butte to run his Horses. Eva is still at the little house. Mother has a little home out at Elmhurst. Ed & Flora and the kids are out in Arizona at Tuscon. Mrs Steadman is still occupying the little house All here are well have not heard from Dreeme or the children for sometime. Mary Crosby Nee Thomas will have another little one in June. Minna has gone home to Bunkerville she has been gone nearly six weeks Nephi Crosby and Willie have gone Partners in Gardening and useing the Artesian Water. Mr Tyler came to see us today, just in from Los Angeles. The R R is putting in their Machine Shops here now they have lots of Japs and Mexicans and will soon have white engineers and plenty of others The Nevada Hotel has a fine Grill Room, and has built on a fine new Annex Mrs Shorty Blake is at the Nevada Hotel nursing one of the Alunite Ladies who expects the stork every day. Mrs Blake has been here nearly a month and been busy all the time. Did you know Shorty Blake was insane has been so for three years her daughter is in San Bernardino going to School with the sisters. Mrs Steadmans Baby is a beauty and she is growing very fond of him. Tiza send me the address of some of those relatives of Grandmas that you think is nice. How did Aunt Angeline treat you. Did you like them. The values of property have risen considerable here. I think money invested in lots and then put houses costing about $750 or $500 on them would pay good interest Lockett has $1500 with the Hotel as security bearing interest at ten percent or it would be one hundred and fifty dollars a year interest. Good night with much love your affectionate Mamma Helen J Stewart

Las Vegas Nevada

Mr. Stewart sends his love to you.

[typed letter]

F. R. MCNAMEE Attorney at Law Caliente Nevada

April 24th, ’09.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, NEVADA.

Dear Mrs. Stewart, At the time of the transfer of the Wiser lands by the widow and surviving heirs of Hiram Wiser, it appears that Contract No. 7095 and Contract No. 7097, together with the Application Numbers were mentioned in the deed to Stoer, but that the description of the S. W. ¼ of the N. E. ¼, and the S. E. ¼ of the S. W. ¼ of Sec. 15, Tp. 14 S., Range 65 E., M.D.B. & M. were not mentioned by the legal sub- divisions. There was a sweeping clause in said deed conveying all lands owned by Hiram Wiser at the time of his death and by his widow and heirs, but the purchasers are desirous of having the title clear on the record by sub-divisions. I am enclosing you a deed for the S. W. ¼ of the N. E. ¼, and the S.E. ¼ of the S. W. ¼ of said Sec. 15, to be executed by Delia M. Wiser Goldworthy, your mother. I would like very much if you would explain the matter to her, and have her execute this deed and return it to me.

I am enclosing you $ 5.00 in currency to pay any expenses of Notary Fee etc. that may be entailed.

The folks expect to come up this summer and of course will see you, and should I go to Las Vegas in the near future I will visit the ranch. With best wishes.

Yours very truly, F. R. McNamee

Enc. Reg.

Time silence and absence are pitiless destructives Do not let these tear down the structure love that has grown with your birth and my being. Your Loving Mother Helen J Stewart Las Vegas Lincoln Co Nevada

Las Vegas Nevada June 26th 1909

Darling Tiza I am so lonely to see you this morning. The wind seems to be coming in with a lonely sigh. All Nature seems joining in the cry come back, come home to those that love you. Eva and I are makin aprons the kind you wore before leaving here. Jimmy is in Salt Lake. Racing has been closed there all Race Horses leave there today. Jimmy’s head has been troubling him considerably. Eva will stay with me awhile I am so glad she can stay the wandring life of the Race Track seems to me so unsatisfactory. I wish you were here with us. I dread you going into the warm humid atmosphere of the cities of Chicago and New York-unless you take great precaution you will suffer not-being used to the weather. So many people of those cities die of heat prostration in the summer months. Tiza here is a description of an eastern Storm [drawing of a hand] “It is so grand and true to nature I am going to send it to you "From sky of lucent blue the sleepless current poured fircely, vengifuly on a stricken land, the gracious heaven so strangely contradicting its violence that the tortured ear, the buffeted body, felt that this shrieking horror must be part of some ruthless dream and the soul must soon awake on earth to profound and holy calm or else-rise above it. Hour after hour it swept-on howling in the chimneys untill fires were hastely and fearfuly extinguished and many a good wife prepared neither bit nor sup for her brood; rudely shaking and rending the ancient frame houses; groaning drearily through through narrow halls, then tearing open doors to rush through startled people with yells of hateful laughter; overturning in one blind, raging moment the towering village elm, the joy of sleeping generations; and, in its climax of pitiless fury, burying good Farmer Evans in the wreck of the barn that had been his pride. Truly there is no force in nature so cruel, so implacable so desolating as the wind. And yet though I too begin to feel, in some degree, a dread of its too rigorous greeting, I should hate to spend my remaining days in a breathless calm." [drawing of a hand] All are farely well. The 5th of July we celebrate the birth of Clark County. I think there will be many visitors to Las Vegas. With much love your Mamma.

[typed letter]

SECURITY SAVINGS BANK

Los Angeles July 22nd, 1909.

Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada.

Dear Madam: - We are in receipt of your favor of the 19th inst., and in accordance with your instructions will advise you if your pass book is sent for by your daughter.

Yours respectfully, C. W. Wilson Asst. Cashier.

JMR/E

Eva Stewart Coffey, c. 1909. UNLV Special Collections. Stewart Collection.

Las Vegas Nevada Aug 21st 1909

Darling Tiza Your letter came a few days ago was so glad to hear from you, and am hoping and praying every day that you will survive this heat and get back to us again all safe. I am so lonesome to see you. When Geneva and Leslie was here they were saying all the Time I wish Aunt Tiza was here. Geneva in particular was so disapointed you were not here. Tiza come home and we will go into something here to make us a good living and be happy to be with each other once in a while. Now Tiza do not stay in that storm swept country. Come home I am so lonesome to see you. And if you do not want to stay here any longer than a month or so we will go somewhere else awhile. Tiza if you say so I will have your Bank Book sent to me here and I will take care of it and you can send to me at any time for it if you want we will set aside so much for an emergency fund and lean so much at intrest. We have money out here with gilt edge security bringing 10 percent of course those chances are not every day but they may come along at any time when one is not looking for it to come. Now if you want me to keep the Pass Book just say so and I will arrange So you can have some money to draw on at any time you want by just sending. If necessary and haste is the point to be gained you can have it Telegraphed to you at any time for a trifle as compared to the loss of time Now write me you are coming home and make me happy In fact set the day. With all the love this letter can carry Your loving Mamma. If you need money in a hurry just telegraph. And it can be sent to you in a day.

With love Hoping to see you soon Your Loving Mamma Helen J Stewart

Eva sends love and says tell you she wants to see you All join in love and best wishes. Write soon as you get this

Las Vegas Nevada Sept 7th 1909

My Dear Girl Tiza The time untill your coming home seems so long I cannot wait to see you. Have you gotten well of your sickness yet. I have been afraid all the time you would not have gotten entirely well and that you might need better attention than you were getting. I wish you would write oftener than you do. I am so glad to get your letters I wish you would let me know where you are staying so if you were severely ill I could come to you. I sometimes think perhaps the Dr may be with you or near as Kansas City is his old home. When the Dr was sober no better Dr or better man to be found. But Drunk, just like all the other whiskey bedizened human beings. More beast than man education business love of Mother Wife offspring all gone. and the Mother might as well have so son. The wife as well no husband and children certainly are better off with no Father than such a one. Lena went to Labor Day Ball last night. Willie did not go. Eva is still here with me Jimmy has been in Reno has won several Races with Elmdale Em and Em he left in Ogden. The little boy they have seems to be creating quite a sensation with his feats in riding Mina is still with us Mrs Steadman still lives in the little House The Ranch has changed Hands again. A Butcher from Oatis named Lefurge is one and the Milkman Sanford is the other. Edith Bracken is very ill in Salt Lake not expected to live and Mrs Bracken has gone up there. Grandma is still at Elmhurst Hick Towner came home yesterday. Mr Towner is at Krauses place. While these rates are on to Kansas City and points east might be a nice chance to travel if one knew where you were. Have you heard from Aunt Angeline or or any of the people lately. Herman Spanogle and his girl have had a quarrel so the wedding will not be so soon. But they have plenty of time to make up. They say Clyde is engaged to the sisterinlaw of Farnsworth in the Bank here Mrs Gann Dreeme and Wills wife and Leslie and Geneva have gone to Los Angeles for awhile. Now do not wait but write to me right away with much love. Your Loving Mama

Helen J Stewart – Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada.

[typed letter]

FIDELITY TRUST COMPANY 310 Columbia St P. O. Box 612

Goldfield, Nevada, November 8th 1909

Mrs. Helen J. Stuart, Las Vegas, Nevada,

Dear Madam: - Enclosed find one of the badges used at the American Mining Congress which I take great pleasure in sending you to add to your collection of curios. I call your attention to the head of John Mrshall who was the discoverer of gold in the far west and to the cast of the Consoliddated Mill which is of so much interest to all as the greatest mill in the country. I am so much attracted to Las Vegas that I am coming down to see the conditions again.

Very truly yours, James G. Givens

Goodsprings, Nevada Feb 4th 1910

Mrs Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear friend: I have just received a letter from Mr. Deady of the Nevada Land Office stating that there is no reverted school land to be had in Las Vegas valley, so I am sending the money for this 40 acres back to Mr Joseph in Salt Lake. We have eight forties, anyway, which is better than nothing -- or worse, as the case may be.

Regent’s meeting will be held about the middle of March, at which time I shall stop off a day in Las Vegas. With best wishes for all

I am Very truly Yours Frank Williams

6 St Aubin Place, John’s Hill, Waterford, Ireland.

March 9th 1910.

Dear Cousin, Just a line or two to hear if you got our letter which I had written to you a good while ago. Mother is wondering if you received it? she often speaks of her friend in far away land and usually draws down to us of those historical days when she was in the Eastern part of America. There is nothing that would be more interesting to her than to hear from you; and she would be so glad to any time you come across this way to call here and visit our happy home. Nothing would enhance her more, than to receive a line or two from you. There are quite a number of us at home; but all doing for ourselves; three unmarried Sisters and four brothers (inclusive) bachelors. Mother hopes this will reach you safely and trust you are keeping well and strong and that we shall write further again when we hear from you. And I shall now draw to a close, joined in best & kind regards from Mother who will be very pleased to hear from you at any time.

Bye Bye

From your Cousin James Stewart Irwin.

[this letter is used with permission from UNLV Special Collections]

Los Angeles Cal Sept 27th 1910

Dear Eva and Jimmy

How are the Biscuits and the Housekeepers and How is Pa Lena and Willie what have they decided to do. How are Fran and the Pups. Found Mother quite well and her friend improving. Los Angeles is growing very fast one would not recognize the old place we used to know. I would not like to live in the middle of the city noise and confusion unless I was one of the large Merchants or owner of a Block. What can I do for you with love your loving Mama Helen J Stewart

1911 – 1915

[typed letter]

LAS VEGAS AGE Conservative and Reliable News From The Land of Opportunity Chas. P. Squires, Editor and Proprietor

Las Vegas, Nevada June 19, 1911.

Mrs. Frank R. Stewart, City.

My Dear Mrs. Stewart: I hand you herewith the pen with which Governor Tasker L. Oddie signed the act for the Incorporation of Las Vegas. I hope you will see fit to add this pen and the accompanying letter to your collection of interesting relics of this section. I shall always be glad to assist in any manner possible toward adding to the already splendid collection of historic relics which you have.

Yours very truly, Chas. P. Squires

THE TRAIL INN

Lenexa, Kansas May 16, 1912

Dear Mama – Your letter read and in reply will say as to a loan I will not break into my Los Angeles account, but I can make you a loan from the First National Bank here if you will let me know how much you want. Let me hear from you soon as I expect to leave here the 10th of June for So- Dakota. Any time I can make out those deeds send them Gen Del. or to Mrs. J.R. Boyde, 430 W 16th Kansas City Mo In haste.

Tiza over [indicating to turn the page]

address Mrs C T Rucker c of Gen Del Kansas City

Your last letter looks a like it might have taken a Turkish bath as possibly the L V postman took a carbon copy and put it into the envelope before it was dry - and it might be possible that some one carried it several days next to his heart in warm weather I will enclose it and you can see what you think.

Lovingly [?] Tiza

Left to right: Tiza Stewart Rucker and Eva Stewart Coffey, 1910. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012:0086

[typed letter]

Helen J Stewart Grantie or Grantor as her sole and separate estate

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR United States Indian Service

Fort McDermitt School, McDermitt, Nevada, July 6, 1912.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada,

Dear Mrs. Stewart: - I have been so busy that I have not had time to hardly get turned around here. Things had been badly neglected, and that put much work on me. We have a nice place here and like it fine. It is one of the most beautiful ones in the west and we are much pleased with the place, the Indians, and the climate. We have several employees. You will recall that before I left Moapa, I spoke to you about an exception taken to the dded you made at Christmas. The following is a copy of the latter, or such parts of it as apply to this deed.

[letter is retyped] “The validity of the deed from Helen J. Stewart to the United States has been passed upon by the Department of Justice, and in a letter from that Department dated April 17, 1912, copy enclosed herewith, the opinion is expressed that, depending upon the facts set forth in the abstract of title the deed is sufficient to vest in the United States a good title to the property described herein. It is said however, that some evidence should be procured to show the marital status of the grantor at the time of executing the deed; and that if she was married at the time her husband should have joined therein; also that before the purchase money is paid the abstract of title should be certified to the date thereof, and should show all taxes paid and all liens and incumbrances of any character released and discharged of record. The deed and abstract of title are returned, and you are requested to procure the supplemental evidence suggested therein.“ C. F. Hawke” Second Asst. Commissioner.

The following is the letter of the Attorney General of the U. S. by his assistant in the matter.

[letter is retyped]

Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. April 17, 1912.

The Secretary of the Interior, Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 15, 1912, transmitting an abstract of title to 10 acres of land, more or less, situated in the west/2 of the NE/4 of sec. 22 T.20, S.R. 61E Mt. D. B. & M., Clark County, formerly Lincoln Nevada, desired to be procured for the use of certain Indians. With the papers is the general warrantee deed of Helen J. Stewart to the United States of America, dated December 30, 1911, given in consideration of $500. and describing the land by metes and bounds. The abstract is certified by the county recorder as to Lincoln County, Nevada, to date of Feb. 27, 1912, and by the County Recorder of Clark County to March 18, 1912. The date when the name of the county was changed from Lincoln to Clark is not shown on the abstract. depending upon the facts set forth in the accompanying abstract I am of the opinion that the enclosed deed is sufficient to vest in the United States a good title to the property particularly described therein, but suggest in this connection that some evidence should be procured to show the marital status of the grantor at the time of executing the deed. If she was married at the time her husband should have joined therein. Before the purchase money is paid the abstract should be certified to date thereof, and should show all taxes paid and all liens and incumbrances of any character released and discharged of record. Very respectfully, For the Attorney General”

It seems from the above that the Department of the Interior and the Hon. Atty. General are under the misapprehension that the purchase price is not yet paid. It seems also that they have made some error in looking at dates on abstracts, or failed to note them properly, as the dates of both certificates are after signing of deed and the one of Clark county includes the deed in question, and is made after it was of record, and that the recorder of said county has made a certificate covering all that is asked for with the single exception of TAXES. It would thus appear that the only questions left were a certificate that the taxes were paid to date of deed, and the additional showing as to your marital status.

In this connection I note that the State of Nevada, by its statute provides that the property of a married woman shall be her own and subject to sale etc. by herself the same as if she were single. It also provides that in order to hold the property and transfer it in this manner, free from interference by her husband, she shall file in the county where the property is located an inventory of her personal real estate, as provided by law. Other property is subject to sale by the husband. I take it for granted that you have filed an inventory of your real estate property either in Lincoln or Clark Counties, which would make the matter all right. If not filed in Clark County, in order to hold your rights, and avoid any trouble, you should at once have prepared and filed with the County recorder, a copy of an inventory, prepared according to law, showing what was your individual real estate. Such a paper filed, and a certificate of its filing from the County Recorder, would straighten out the tangle in this case. If you have not done this you should do so at once for your own protection. Any attorney in Las Vegas can prepare this for you. I presume that you can get a certificate that there were no taxes due and unpaid at the time deed was made to the U. S. or that there are not now any taxes charged against the property I purchased from you.

As I will be unable to get my accounts at Moapa finally settled until I get these certificates, to clear the title, or get relief on my official bond for that place, and as they will hold up the $500. payment until this is done I would urge that you get the information for me at as early a date as possible. Please let me know by return mail if possible how soon to expect the additional certificates. I learn that Dr. White has resigned and Dr. Murtaugh of Yankton, S. D. is to be your agent at Moapa. I do not know him but hope he will be a good man, and be well liked. Thanking you in advance for an early reply, and wishing you a pleasant and successful year, I am as ever,

Your friend, Francis A. Swayne Superintendent.

[typed letter]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR United States Indian Service Fort McDermitt School, McDermitt, Nevada, July 30, 1912. Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada,

Dear Mrs. Stewart; - I am in receipt of your letter of the 16th, and wish to thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. The certificates as to taxes and date of division of the country are all right and very conclusive. However there is still the one exception that they took relative to your marital status, on which I have no proof to submit. The Auditor for the Treasury has already held me up for the $500.00 payment until the evidence is furnished. Unless I can get it I will of course have to refund to the United States the $500. paid you for the land. I am enclosing herewith an affidavit to be signed my Mr. Stewart that I believe will clear the matter up if he will swear to it. If you would rather do that a quitclaim deed from Mr. Stewart showing that he has no claim to the land transferred will clear the matter up. The filing of a list of the land which you claim as personal, not subject to the controll of your husband, and a certificate of the filing of the list as provided by the Nevada code will also have the same effect and also avoid any possible complications in any future sale you may want to make. I trust that you will see the necessity of my getting the matter cleared up in some manner at as early a date as possible, so that I may not have to repay the amount paid for the land. Any attorney in Las Vegas can advise you as to the best method to take, if you are not satisfied. Of course you know that as far as I am personally concerned I do not question the title, and know it is all right, but the people at Washington, simply want some evidence to show that you had the right to deed the land without having your husband sign with you. It is raining here today for the first time in a month. It has been quite warm for a few days. I believe the thermometer touched 93 degrees for a little time one day. Mrs. Swayne and I like the climate very much. The Department has just allowed me a new team and sereral other nice things. I was much pleased to hear that the liquor situation was being properly handled down there. I have had to go after a few cases up here, and you know I do not handle them with gloves on. I think I have it all cornered for good here now. Trusting that I may hear from you within a few days so that I may get the matter cleared up Mrs. Swayne joins with me in sending best wishes.

Sincerely, Francis A Swayne Superintendent.

Las Vegas Nevada Jan 5th 1914

Security Savings Bank. Los Angeles. California.

Dear Sirs:- Enclosed find Order on Term Deposit No 60500. for all moneys over and above Two Thousand Dollars in your Bank. In the names of Miss Tiza Stewart and Helen J Stewart. You will kindly oblige by sending same to me by Registered Mail.

Yours Truly Helen J Stewart.

Please Return Bank Book.

Las Vegas Nevada Jan 5th 1914 Security Savings Bank Pay to Helen J. Stewart. All moneys over and above two Thousand Dollars And Charge same Account of our Pass Books No 60500. Helen. J. Stewart.

[typed letter]

SECURITY SAVINGS BANK Established 1889

Los Angeles, Cal. Jan. 8, 1914

Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Madam:

We enclose our Draft No. C-7597 On Wells-Fargo Nev. Nat. Bank $ 326.40 In payment of your No. request Received in your letter of Jan. 5th Pass Book No. Term 60500 herewith enclosed.

Very respectfully, W.D. Longyear, Cashier.

AGW

[typed letter]

Las. Vegas. Nevada. Jan. 12/1914.

My Darling Girlie. It has just seemed I would never catch up with myself again ; After Eva was so sick, and so many days and nights watching her left me so tired it seemed I could never get rested again. And now I have been so sick for over two weeks myself but am feeling real good yesterday and today; I was elected a Delegate from our Mesquite Club “To the Federation of Womens Club’s to be held in Carson. City Nevada in the first week in October, Eva was taken sick and I could not go It was too b bad She had to be sick, and too bad I could not go as the Delegates were to be entertained at the Governors , and many nice things were planned for them. We were to be given a Banquet at Goldfield. Tasker. L.Oddie. the man Demmie planned for you to meet at her house in Berkley is now governor of the State of Nevada and our meek friend Frank Williams is now State Regent , and is now quietly preparing to run for Congress. When Senator Newlands was here sometime ago The Clark County Democrats had a Love Feast , and at that time set in motion some things for the bennefit of good Clark county Democrats , among them our friend Frank. He is getting to be a recognized power among men of Honor and principle. Better come home and set your Cap for him He has one of the Good Zinc Mines over in Good Springs. They have been working the Zinc under a new process. and making money. But for some reason within the last feww weeks Lead has taken a downward price and there is talk of shutting down for awhile. Searchlight seems quiet, Eldorado Canon is not doing much now. Las Vegas, as a Rail Road Town is a Howling success. and progressing It is increasing in population and in values. They have 50 flowing Artesion wells in the valley and several fine farms besides the Old Las Vegas Rancho, We have two Artesion Well’s on the piece of land we are living on here. It is a good country to live in and a Good country to invest in. I have four lots in Town. For the first one I bought three years ago I paid $375. The seccond one I bought one two years ago and paid $500. In December of this year 1913 I traded 23 1/2 acres on the opposite of the Tonnapah Track for two more adjoining them. The last two I got of W.R. Thomas. I could now sell the four lots for $4000. I had a House on one of them I was renting for $10. amonth and annother at $15 but a fire burned one and I am now getting only $15. They have now a Fire Limit and all buildings in that limit must be Fire Proof and my Lots are inside the Fire Limit so hereafter I will be obliged to put up Adobe buildings or Cement and as they are more expensive than Lumber buildings I will have to to go slow. We have had a Divorce Cyclone strike our loved City, there were or are to be 9 cases in the next meeting of the court. our neighbor Lefurgy living at the old

House is one of them. Liquor seems to be most of the trouble, Mina is to present Willie with a n Heir sometime in April, Would you like to give her your little things you left with me. If so let me know in your next letter. Tiza the Coat you sent me for Christmas is beautiful, everyone has admired it and the Hat is very becoming. The little Hankerchief’s were so dainty and sweet. I was so glad to get them and Evas corset waist so dainty and sweet. Tiza were you able to do any thing with the Furs for yourself I was afraid not, Let me know what you done with them Dreeme told me some Trappers on the Muddy and caught some of the [letter ends]

William James Stewart, 1820s. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012:0014.

[typed letter]

Las Vegas. Nevada. May 11th 1914.

Dear Tiza . was so glad to hear from you again, You are traveling so m much and so many of my letters have failed to reach you, I always draw a sign of relief when I hear from you there are so many of those dreadful storms back there and one never knows where t they will strike, Tha I am always looking at the names in all the acc-idents, always with a fear. Minas baby is now four weeks old and we are now quite encouraged about it, Did I write you that it had to be taken with instruments, which nearly cost the life of both the Mother and child, The Baby is just finished relieving itself of the bruises on its poor little head, It was so hurt with the Instrument, it could not use its lower jaw to nursefor ten days, The nurs took the milk from the Mothers breast and fed it every two hours for ten days. It never cried untill it was ten days old. Mina takes the best of care of it and the little crinkles of fat are now gathering around its little neck and its little cheeks are getting round and sweet. and such wonderful eyes, It acts as if it knew many of the mysteries of life now. In regard to your Bank Book you have a Ballance to Jan 1st 1914 of $ 3326.40. with what I have for you. I have made several investments in City and outside propertywhich are good. The Deeds you sent me got here too late for me to make a Deal with the men I was intending to but may have annother opportunityto make a Deal which will be good. The Artesion Water has been mostly found on this side of the Valley. I have not heard from Dreeme for some-time Do not know if Leslie has been on the opperating Table yet It seems to me all the time that something is happening to make so much unhappiness. Mr Rice was over from the Muddy a few days ago and said Mr Gann had sold quite a herd of cattle and they were going down to Los Angeles in a few days they may have gone now. Dreeme wanted me to come down but I could not leave home just now. Jimmy and Eva have decided to seperate, Jimmy has gone back east and Eva applied for her Divorce June 5th. 1914. It seems a relief to me. It always seemed such a pityfor a gentle character like Eva was as a girl to be placed by marriage where she was, as from a Moral standpoint there was nothing to be expected but destruction. It may be with the help of some good man she may yet be able to so adjust the conditions as to yet be very happy and get much good out of life. The things in life for her now are sure very distressing, and I am glad she is here where she can get the support of home. I have often wondered how your affairs were progressing, and if yo were happy. I hope some happiness has come to you for it seems at the best there are so many dissapointments, How about your friend that makes the funny Pictures, The one

that invited you to visit her, I believe she lived in Missouri near Lexington, Dicky Meyers sent me an invitation to the Graduating Exercises of his Class , it doesent take long if one only thinks that way strong eneough to get some of the things we want. I wonder if Flora will marry again. If you get this within a few days, Sit you down immediatly and write if only a few lines to let us know just where you are, I have the sweetest Pair of little indoor Slippers for you when Iknow where send them. Your last letter was Missent to Las. Vegas. New Mexico so in Addressing you next address to Las, Vegas, Clark County. Nevad be sure and add the county. With Love from all.

Your Loving Mother. Helen. J. Stewart.

Las Vegas Nevada Dec 29th 1914

Security Savings Bank Los Angeles California

Dear Sirs. Enclosed find Bank Book No 60500. in names of Miss Tiza Stewart and Helen J. Stewart. Which you will please Ballance and return to me by Registered Mail and Oblige.

Yours Truly Helen J. Stewart

[typed letter]

SECURITY TRUST & SAVINGS BANK

Los Angeles January 2, 1915.

Helen J. Stewart, Los Vegas, Nevada.

Dear Madam:

We return herewith bank book for your account, balanced to date, in accordance with your request of the 29th ult.

For our convenience will ask that you and Miss Tiza Stewart both sign the enclosed card on both sides where your initials appear, filling out all the blanks and returning the card to us at your early convenience.

Assuring you of our appreciation of the continuance of this account, we remain,

Yours very truly, R. B. Hardacre Assistant Cashier.

RBH-K Enc

To Jan 1st 1915 $2080.80

Las Vegas Nevada April 20th 1915

My Darling Girl Time brings many changes yesterday a young girl came after flowers and on looking at her closely I discerned it was Aida Lake she spoke of you and how much she would like to see you. she is a sweet modest young lady real sweet. Yesterday morning young Jack Tuck accidentily shot himself through the heart with a shot-gun and died immediatly. He was buried today. Mother has had a Parelitie stroke but is some better she is at Rachels. At her age she perhaps will never be real well again. Dreeme was here and at her Mothers. She staid two days with us seems to be growing older and wiser but no happier. She left Gevena and Virginia with Mr Benson. Leslie is with Ganns folks at Logan raising cantalopes. I hope it will be a good season so Lad will make some money. Eva has a friend Clarence Stay. They seem quite chummy it looks a little serious. Mina and Willie and baby are well. The baby is just as sweet as can be. Mr Stewart has a garden and a chicken hatchery he has ten hens setting and some allready hatched out. Willie and two men are fixing a well for a gasoline Engine and Pump. For irrigation Purposes. Tiza it seemed to me such a long time since we got letters from you. I wrote you a long letter then wrote you again sending a letter from Dreeme and one from Mrs Gann. Then wrote you a Postal. I had made up my mind that you had gone on some trip and got so buisy you could not find time to write to me. The years are passing so fast. and life is such a serious question. Tiza I would be so glad if in your meandering you found some good kind man to love you and care for you. The world is lonely without-some strong arm and a loving heart to know it all your own. To sit by your own Fireside have love within and the cold world distant. How glad we ought to be to that we are in the U.S. of America. The Old World is full of sorrow. Today is the day enjoy it live it and each day that follows as one of the Joy Gems of life wear it in your crown and the dawning of each morning will be filled with glory. We here are living in Quaker Simplicity not living beyond or less than the day has for us. How much I would like to see you would do me no good to tell. I have longed to see you untill there is a constant ache right where the heart keeps such a constant throbbing. So you are well and happy I ought to try and be satisfied but sometimes I find it hard to feel so. The beautiful things you sent me Christmas were a joy. I have not my dress made yet. Mr Stewart wants me to put his Postal Card inside my letter so we will get the premium his date is 19th mine the 20th you will perceive. Maby you will bring the conquering Hero to the Pacific Coast to view the Exposition. I was approached by the commissioners about taking my collection of Baskets to San Diego but as the State appropriation has not been so much as they expected

and as I cannot take them for nothing I imagine they will stay here in Las Vegas. Let me hear from you soon if only a stray Postal if you are busy.

Lovingly your Mamma Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

Part of Helen J. Stewart’s basket collection, 1910. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012:0028

Oct 27. 1915

GOLDFIELD HOTEL Goldfield, Nev.

Here I am on my way to Speech Making as a Delegate from Las Vegas to Yerington Nevada. To the Federation of Womens Clubs. We will send you papers.

Lovingly Mama Helen J Stewart

Im going on down to Galt Eva Willie Mr Stewart Mina and the baby are well

H.J.S.

10/27/1915 Helen J. Stewart to Tiza Stewart. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. MS 001.

1916 - 1920

Las Vegas Nevada Dec 2nd 1916

Dear Tiza. We are all quite well I have been having La Grippe and it has sure been giving me a great time I have had quite a time with my eyes and earache and sore throat am better now. I have been Elected President of our Mesquite Club, also Nominated by the Republican Ticket as one of the Board of Education. Endorsed by the Democrats and Elected by all my friends. I have also just received A Commission from Governor Emmet Boyle as one of the Delegates to the Twelfth Annual Convention of the American Civic Association to be held in Washington D.C. at the New Willard Hotel December 13th and 14 and 15th 1916 It is quite a honor and if I had plenty of money would sure go and come by and get you and we would go together Lottee Shell and married a Government Chemist and they live in Washington D.C. I wrote to Rachel yesterday. Have not heard from Mother for sometime. How are you getting along with the “Study of Medicine” Tell us about it. I wish you had never got interested in that study atall. I am afraid it has not made you happy It has sure made many a lonesome day for me. I hope you will not be troubled too much by that disagreeable friend. And I hope your friend whom you often spoke of is still your friend. I will feel happier and better satisfied if I know there is some one there that loves you and will be true to you in sickness and trouble. Let me hear from you right-away. I hope you are well and happy. Will and Harding and a fellow he calls Cal are going out to the Mines tomorrow some men are talking of buying our Manganise Mines. I hope we will sell some of them soon. Dreeme and children are over to the Muddy They are attending High School over there. With Much Love, Your Loving Mama

Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

[typed letter]

SECURITY TRUST & SAVINGS BANK

Los Angeles January 3rd, 1917.

Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dear Madam:- We have your letter of the 29th ultimo and in accordance therewith beg to enclose our Cashier’s check to your order for $80.80, which represents interest due January 1st, 1917 on Term Account No. 60500 standing on our books in the name of Miss Tiza Stewart or Helen J. Stewart.

We also return the pass book for the account, balanced to date.

Inasmuch as we have found it advisable to make certain revisions in the form of joint agreement filed in connection with such accounts, and as the change has been effected since your account with us was opened, we wish to ask that you and Miss Tiza Stewart be kind enough to sign the attached card on both sides where your initials appear, filling in the blanks thereon, and return at your early convenience for our files. The changes in the form of agreement were thought desirable, under certain decisions as to the laws governing such accounts, and act for the protection of the owners of joint accounts.

Assuring you of our appreciation of your continued patronage, and trusting that when we may serve you further, you will not hesitate to call upon us, we are,

Yours very truly, G.M. Wallace Assistant Cashier.

GMW/BP Encs. Registered.

[typed letter]

STATE OF NEVADA Engineer's Office

Carson City March 28th., 1917.

Subject: Grape Vine Springs

In replying, refer to No. 4068.

Helen J. Stewart, c/o Leo A. McNamee, Esq., Attorney-at-law, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dear Madam:- Referring to your protest against the granting of the above numbered application of Mr. John W. Tuck, will advise that a report has been made by a representative of this office after a recent field investigation of the filing. From this report it appears that no evidence could by found of any diversion of the water from Grape Vine Spring for irrigation notwithstanding such use is alleged in the protest. It further appears from the report that Grape Vine Spring probably rises on land belonging to you, but that fact would not justify the denial of an application by another party to appropriate the water when it is not covered by a prior right. Where water applied for is on private land the applicant must of course provide his right of way to reach it independent of this office. Or, in this instance, diversion of the water might be made outside the boundary of your land and still serve the purpose of the application. For the above reasons it seems that your protest should be overruled and application No. 4068 should be approved. However, before such action is taken you will be allowed a period of fifteen (15) days to file any additional matter you may desire bearing on the protest.

Yours very truly, W.M. Kearney State Engineer.

Dic. C-S.

[typed letter]

STATE OF NEVADA Engineer's Office

Carson City May 21, 1917.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mrs. Stewart: This is to inform you a hearing will be held on Saturday, June 9th, in the County Courthouse, Las Vegas, Nevada, on the matter of protest to water application # 4068 of John W. Tuck. The water applied for is from Grape Vine Springs and was filed by John W. Tuck on July 21st, 1916. The protest was filed by Mrs. Helen J. Stewart under date of April 9th, 1917, and supported by statement of Mrs. Edith Morgan and W. C. Morgan. The hearing will be conducted by Mr. F. O. Broili, special deputy engineer for this office.

Very truly yours, J. G. Scrugham STATE ENGINEER.

JGS E

Las Vegas Nevada Aug 17th 1917

Dear Tiza I have been having one of my sick spells but am all O K now. Eva had a letter written to send to you am not sure if she sent it or not she was trying to fill it with so much news for you to know. Every young Man In Clark Co has been dreading the Draft. This far Clarence is out of it. If they get their quota in this 3rd call Clarence will escape. His name was in the last drawing But he was not drawn. I hope they will get enough this time It seems he means so much to Evas happiness health and general wellfare. I hope your Beaux is just the one to make you happy and if he isent you better come out in Nevada and Marry some of these Rich Mining Men. They are not so young as they used to be but they are making the money. Prof Frank Williams old Friend is making lots of money in Zinc. Most all the Old Timers at Good Springs are Rich. Sammy Yount and wife made several Hundred Thousand went to Los Angeles and bought them a lovely home But they say she is homesick for the Desert Sammy Yount comes out every little while so he doesent mind so much. Mrs Yount was out a few weeks ago and staied a few days with her Friend Mrs Jarmane. Frank Williams and his wife are living at their Mine. They walked every where for awhile then their Mine began to pay them they bought an auto and now they ride. Dear Dear [?] I get tired waiting so long for all the good things to come. I believe I am getting more lonesome as I grow older. Tiza it seems strange to me about your teeth getting so sore. You remember the time Willie went to Los Angeles to see you the Doctor gave him some Medicine that salivated [?] him and his teeth have never been right since. Be careful he does not play some trick on you be careful of him if he wants to stay around you there. Take your friend and run away to this place for a change and fool him. What became of Miss Hill and her niece do you ever see them. There has been numbers of nice people from here visiting relations in Kansas City. Had I thought you would have cared to meet them would have sent you their addresses. Will Gann has been spending a week in our City getting his teeth fixed Dr Benson is in Good Springs with an Auto furnished and $200. a month salary with $25. out of it for up keep of Auto. Leslie went over there last week to learn to run an Auto he may help the Doctor. Mr Stewart has not been well for a long time now been fairly well most of the Summer Write some with love Mamma

Lovingly Mamma Stewart - Helen J Stewart- Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada.

Dreeme Geneva and Virginia are expecting to be over here in a few days. then we will all write you a few lines. Wish more love than this letter can carry your loving Mama. Bring your sweetheart with you. If you love him & he loves you we will love him.

Las Vegas Nevada

Nov 21st 1917

Security Trust And Savings Bank Southeast Corner Fifth and Spring St Los Angeles California

Dear Sirs:

Enclosed find Bank Book No 60500. Name of Miss Tiza Stewart and Helen. J. Stewart. Please send me $ 100.

100

Las Vegas Nevada Dec 27th 1917

Security Trust and Savings Bank. Los Angeles California

Dear Sirs:

Enclosed find Term Deposit Bank Book No 60500 in the names of Miss Tiza Stewart And Helen. J. Stewart. With application in Bank forms for $150.00 One Hundred And Fifty Dollars. Which you will please send me with my Bank Book after Ballancing to January 1st 1918. By Registered Mail. Find sufficient postage attached for same. Thanking you for past favors and the present one. I wish you

"Merry Christmas" And "Happy New Year"

Yours Truly. Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

For Reference W. D. Longyear

101

Las Vegas Nevada Jan 29th 1918

My Darling Girl The Christmas and New Year have passed and we have all been sick most of the time. I have been real sick and Eva too but we are better now. Mr Stewart has been real sick and is not much better. Mina and baby are petty well. Willie has been having Lagrippe but is better now Mr Gann died last month and is buried here at Las Vegas Willie and Mrs Gann and Geneva called Dr Benson go over tomorrow by Auto to appraise the Estate. They will be gone several days. Dreeme and the children have been over here all winter going to School the Doctor will take Doctor Fullers place here at a very good salery next week Dr Fuller goes to Reno. I wish you were here out of that fearful cold weather. We have had a nice rain winter her The Blossum buds are forming on the Peach Trees now.

10 A M Jan 30th Willie and Mrs Gann and Geneva and Dr Benson left this morning by Auto for Logan to be gone several days. Red Cross Work everywhere Bed Sock Sweaters and Comforters and Night Shirts and Bed Pillows and little sacks of clipped pieces left from the cutting out of garments. Have you got it so bad back there. Oh Dear I am sometimes so tired of all the great confusion of existence. I am very busy in general rule. Last year I was President of our Mesquit Club here with a membership of 45 women. This year I am only on general committees and I am quite relived. This year I was elected a Member of the Board of Education and am clerk of the Board We have had this year under construction the Clark County High School a Building which has cost with equipment and all about Fifty five Thousand Dollars. The Pupils moved into it in December 1917. I am also a Member of the Wood Lawn Cemetery Association We have ten acres just a quarter of a Mile North of the Old Las Vegas Ranch on which we have an Artesian well. And the whole ten acres with a row of Cottenwood Trees all the way around and ornamental trees all around the inside walks and [illegible] It was a Kind of a surprise to the Grand Old Desert to have such a Cemetery But the increased demands of Las Vegas made it appreciated. Very few people now send their loved ones away. The place is so pretty they bury their dead here. We have ordered shrubs and plants, this year to still beautify the place. The School Board work keeps me busy guessing what will happen next. I do hope you will so arrange your life that there will be a promise of happiness now and as you grow old a companion to smooth the rough places and if you are sick and need sympathy and care so you can get it. At Best it seems to me life is quite a struggle. And in these dreadful War times it seems to me the chances are for a great Herculanian Struggle The Germans are so thoroughly prepared for War

102

and we are just like a Hornets nest just getting started up but they better beware of our sting. I would like awfully well to see you. But it seems something is holding you away. Wish Love always your loving Mamma Helen J. Stewart – Las Vegas. Clark Co Nevada

Left to right: Helen J. Stewart and Birdie Gann, c.1915. Nevada Historical Society. S- 279.

103

[typed letter]

STATE OF NEVADA Executive Chamber Carson City

April 15, 1918.

Mrs. Helen V. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mrs. Stewart: Governor Boyle directs me to advise you that he has taken pleasure in appointing you as a delegate to the forty-fifth annual meeting of the National Conference of Social Work, to be held at Kansas City, Mo., May 15-22 next.

Notice of this appointment has been sent to William T. Cross, General Secretary, 315 Plymouth Court, Chicago, Ill., who will send literature.

The Governor hopes you will find it convenient to attend the meeting.

Very truly yours, Homer Mooney Secretary to the Governor.

104

Leslie, Ark., 4/25. 1918

Dearest Mama. I left Snow Ball the 20th and I expect there is a letter there for me from you by this time. I havent had my mail forwarded yet. I done a fine business in Snow Ball sold 3 player pianos, and 2 straight pianos and 3 organs, and took orders for more but they had not got there when I left. Some of my pianos were a month coming from St Louis and Cincinnitti. they got out of the factories all right, but were held up on the road pianos are not a necessity and consequently they are the last thing on the freight list to be shiped. Food stuffs, farming implements and even sewing machines come first, so I just had to sit still and sweat it out until they came, but I cleaned up when they did. I have two orders for Player pianos here. I could sell four, but I am only going after the cash. They will be shipped from the branch house at Harrison Ark., so I will get them soon as we have them in stock. It has been very cold and rainy for two weeks. Lots of rain, wind, Thunder and lighting a general variety. [letter ends; page missing]

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4/30, 1918

Dearest Mama

Your letter just red It was forwarded from Snow Ball, Ark. Was glad to hear from you, but sorry you have been sick you must be careful with your self do you dress warm enough ? You need not worry about me freezing any more this year, it will soon be hot enough to sit on ice. No I did not send the book of Views from Denver it must have been from your friend Mr Balis. I sent you a library table cover which I embroidered and crocheted. It was sent parcel post from Snow Ball, Ark. the 12th of April and insured it. If you have not recd it let me know and I will investigate maybe it went to Las Vegas, New Mexico Let me know right away. It would be so nice if you could accept the invitation to come to Kansas City, to attend the meeting of the Annual National Conference I could meet you there any time. I know you would enjoy it and surely they can get along at home without you for a while. I will pay your R.R. fare both ways and just wear what you have, until you get there and do your shoping when you get to K. C. everything is so much more reasonable in the east, and it wont cost you a cent while you are here Let me know if you decide to come. You meant May 15-22 of this year did you not. The trip would do you good and I am sure you would like Kansas City. I will look for a letter soon, Love to all

Affectionally Tiza Leslie, Ark. Searcy Co.

Will write more soon

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Las Vegas Nevada May 12th 1918

Darling Tiza. Evas boy baby was born the 28th of April I wrote you soon after but have received no reply Only a Paper from you about the Bienial Meeting and the article about the Bees. Bees would be a fine investment- if they would only keep thir stinger end to themselves. I like their Honey and think they would be profftable. If Eva had been well and Mr Stewart in a different-state I would have been both pleased and proud to have taken the trip. More because I could see you and you would have been pleased to see me take my part in such goodly company. Willie and Mina are farming this year they have sweet Potatoes and Tomatoes and corn. Clarance Stay Evas Husband is working for the Standard Oil Co he gets $114. a month in half monthly payments payable the middle of each month. They are thinking of going up to town to live as it is quite away for him to come and go. The boy is doing fine and Eva is so pleased with him. He is a beautiful well formed boy. and Eva says she hopes he will have good brains so she can work him into something useful as well as ornamental The war being on all values in Real Estate are in “Status Qua” that is at a Stand still. I sold Toms Camp about Christmas time at $2400 Dollars in payments of 4 of 125. and the Rest in monthly payments of $75. with a mortgage on the property and interest at the rate of 10%. It is slow. I have 4 lots in town that are quite valuable but the buildings on them now are only bringing me $20 a month. Outside acerage at this present War time is of little advance in value your 40 in Township 21. Range 62 South in The South West Quarter of the south West Quarter of 31 is quite a valuable piece of Land. The Land in Township 20. Range 62 – in Section 15 is not so valuable now but may become so later. The Manganise people are thinking of building a R Rail Road out that way. different conditions may change values. Of My lots in Town I have been planning one apiece for you children and one for myself. An Apartment-House built on them that close in would be a very good investment-now. Of course the War is making changeful [?] conditions every day. June 10th I am almost as bad as you. My letter has laid here have been sick and busy and Eva and baby and Will has been sick quite a while. I do not think he will get well very soon. I did not go to either the Bienial of Kansas City could not go. Leslie is at Fort Stevens Oregon in the Medical Corp. Willie is in Los Angeles today. Dreeme and Dr Benson live here in Town. Girls are over at Mrs. Ganns all are as well as they can be for some time Send a fun [illegible] by Postal or [illegible]. Have not received the present yet Did you try to find it –

Your Loving Mama Helen J. Stewart

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Las Vegas Nevada Sept-18th 1918

Darling Tiza I sent you a Clark County- Review with a notice of Mr Stewarts death. He had been suffering so long and desired to pass away from the pain that though he dreaded the approach of death and the final disolution. Some say it is well to let others go when they suffer so. But for me give me life as long as the Lord sees fit. To be born is life to live to enjoy to suffer and to die. But there are moments of Joy and there are loved ones and ones that in a way make us glad that life is ours. and Pain and suffering for them a secret jury. At 64 I am again alone in one sense of the word and my children and Grand children around me to help some. I would be too lonely for expression were it not for the two families here with me I will not write much today. It seems I cannot write anything interesting. We were up many nights with Mr Stewart and Eva and I were so worn out and exhausted the last ten days and nights we hardly knew we slept and for two nights after he was gone we could not sleep I seemed every atom of my body had for awhile stood still and every nerve and muscle and movement of my body had become tense. Well write me soon as you can and will try and do better now As my own health is better than it has been for awhile. Dreeme has gone to Moapa Geneva is making us the R R Store House Virginia is going to School Dr is R R Hospital Doctor Will Gann is working the Ranch. Dick and Archie Meyer are in France.

Lovingly Mamma

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Las Vegas Nevada Nov 6th 1918

This is to certify that I Helen J. Stewart. Will unconditionally to My Son William J. Stewart, Tiza J. Stewart, Evaline LaVega Stewart all property in my name to be divided by them as the majority may see fit.

Helen J. Stewart

Eva Stewart Stay, Clarence Archie Stay Jr., Helen J. Stewart, 1918. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0003.

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[typed letter]

STATE OF NEVADA Executive Chamber Carson City

December 5, 1918.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada

My dear Mrs. Stewart, I am most deeply grateful for your card of congratulations which reached me only today and I sincerely trust I will be able to live up to all the expectations of my kind friends in Nevada. I look forward, as one of the most pleasant functions of my office to the entertainment of you in Carson City again, and Mrs. Boyle and myself hope that this pleasure will come to us at no greatly deferred date.

With all kind wishes, I remain,

Most sincerely yours, Emmet Boyle

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Las Vegas Nevada Jan 20th 1919

Security and Savings Bank Fifth And Spring Streets Security Building Los Angeles Cal

Dear Sirs. Enclosed find Term Deposit Bank Book No 6050 Name Miss Tiza Stewart and Helen J Stewart.- You will please kindly adjust same Sending to me All Ballance above One Thousand Dollars This begins the 1st day of Jan 1919. The Bank Book And Ballance above One Thousand Dollars you will kindly send by Registered Mail to Yours Truly Helen J. Stewart. Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

[the following is written upside down on the letter]

Las Vegas Nevada Nov 28th 1918

W. M. Fitzmaurice. Treasure And Tax Collector.

Dear Sir. I am sorry that my lack of knowledge of the situation

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Las Vegas Nevada Feb 21st 1919

Dear Tiza Your Postal came last-night I am quite well Mina and Helen are well. Willie is still out near Searchlight as overseer of the State Highway Road. They are going to have a road all the way through to the East. Tiza I got a letter from Clyde Spaurgle [?] surprised about us all and he was going to take a trip overland to Cal with an Auto His address is Bridgeport Nebraska He is associated with his brother in the Bank there. He is married and has one child I believe. You better write to him it might be a chance to come with them in an Automobile. Eva and Clarance are getting ready to go to Good Springs or about 4 miles from there to take a Lease on a Mine of Gold 25 ton and 40 of Silver they feel quite hopeful Dewey Mcholson is going to work with Clarance I hope they will Strike it rich. Dreem and Virginia were down yesterday. Dr is going to Barstow. Leslie and Geneva are at the Logan Ranch Mr Gann is at Home Leslie has been helping her. Dreeme talks of staying in Vegas untill June 1st so Virginia can finish her School work here. Maby they will come and stay with me. Geneva has a Morman beaux and Leslie has a Morman girl. But the New Morman girl and boy are educated people. So let the World Wag on we cant help the choice of any one. They cannot be any more unhappy than the rest of us. So Amen says the congregation. Let her go Gahleyee says the wag, Tiza try and get all the good and happy moments you can they are going fast. If you have a good Beaux or have selected a good man hold on to him because they are not in the majority. Keep well and be happy and write to me right away and Keep me posted where you are all the time. Evas baby boy is crying to beat the band His is a beauty and intelectual. The present you sent was just what was needed with love from Mamma Your Loving Mamma

Helen J Stewart Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

Write to me right away

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[typed letter]

H. E. FREUDENTHAL Certified Public Accountant Pioche, Nevada

March 4, 1919.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada.

My Dear Mrs. Stewart:

In receipt of yours of February 28th, and in reply thereto, the land you ask about is all embraced in Patent No. 4882, issued November 18th, 1902 in your name. The application number was 9887. You ask what I am doing, still in the book-keeping line, with the hope of making sufficient to change my place of residence. Although I suppose that where ever I may locate, I may be like a good many other old timers making an occasional visit to the old place. Pleased to know that you are so well and with kind personal regards to you and all the family, I am most sincerely yours,

H. E. Freudenthal

HEF/FJ

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[typed letter] Las. Vegas. Nevada. August. Sunday, 3, 1919

Dear Tiza. You said take the letter in sections and write as the days filled in the material; The day you left we , went back to Johnsons Office and Phoned to Pete Mesher could not get him but Will found him on the street and we came immediarly home; The children filled in the rest of the time and I need not tell you how I put in the afternoon as you can form some idea by past experiance in that original amusement; through the day we followed you on your journey and about noon we decided you must be in Salt. Lake City; and today we have you nearly if not at home in beautiful Kansas, the home of Corn fed cattle and lovely women; and Fishermen There was a man here this morning to buy Fair View; the place where the Resivoir is and where we were going to put the Fish; He and Will are out now to look at the place They are also going to look at my land below or south of the old Ranch; Of course I realize that land is a safe investment, and time does not decrease its value, but youth is impatient, and will not wait for increase in value. They must dig up the germ that age provides for the future every-once in a while to see if it is growing; thereby retarding its growth; or sometimes alltogether stopping it; We have not been to Church yet today, Minna has just returned from Mrs Doolittle’s Helen has gone home and Eva is taking young Clarence , through a course of sprouts and Daddy as usual is out in the Garrage , petting the humorin[g] the Auto so it will perform it’s duty to the Public in the next twenty –four hours. and Eva is Talking to the Coal Oil, Stove and the baby at the same time; Yesterday we picked Figs in the forenoon and in the afternoon Eva perserved them and put them in Jars Does the Fisherman; Like preserved Figs. Helen was all around the yard this morning calling, Hoo-Hoo Tiza. Hoo-Hoo Tiza, and no answerShe and the boy have a Movie Show under the Arbor between the two houses; Eva has a big can of Ice Cream, so we will all go and assist her a few moments. The 4th annother day has passed and gone and Eva and I have a pair of sore hands from picking and peeling Figs, But night finds 8 quarts of nice Fig Jam and that is some recompenseThis morning of the 5th finds Eva buisy putting up seedless raisen Grapes; Will went to Ardon on the Plaster Plant aSurvey will be gone untill sunday may not come then if too buisy. Clarence will be home to dinner in a few moments; Helen has gone to meet her Mother. Wed –th Pete Buoel and Miss Potter the Secretary for rhe Pioche silver company were here the Mine is paying says Pete; I gave them some Figs to take to Pioche as they left on the evening train. Dr Mattins Mother-inlaw came to see me for a n

114

hour she is about my age and is battleing with the question as my self what to do in those last days. Eva is buisy investigating the proper method of Canning String Beans they are on the stove now cooking to beat the mischief if a success we will send the receipt to you. She also has a pan of yellow Free Stone Peaches in a pan undergoing the process of preperation for canning. They sure look good. Helen and the boy are having an Indian dance and you have missed something by not being here. Thursday and Friday were spent in canning and picking Fruit Today the 7thJust got a message from Mr Johnson who leaves tonight for Los Angeles. and asked for Mrs Bouels address at Lenas, Mr Bouel was swimming and got hurt against a raft but not seriously Up to Noon today no news of any imoportance. i received a letter from my Harrisburg man and he seems to be some Basket Collector

August the 8 tha 1919

Time and tide wait for no man and today is annother of those days whve wonder how much have we accomplished; The last ten days have been cool; but today is again warm; Noon ------Just been entertaining some of your company; The twoo Ham Boys were rhere enquiring for you. They are both Lawyers The youngest has been Adjutant, in the aviation fields at San Diego, But was relieved from the Army yesterday , and here to see his brother today; They both expressed regret that you had gone home before they had an opportunity to see you; Mr Ham has been left alone at the offices since Mr Thomas went away and could only laave Sundays. Their Father and Mother and Young Hams wife are at Bear Lakes San bernardino. Clarence is just home from work for the day , and tells me our mutual friend Al .J. Clark has suffered quite a severe Rupture, from heavy lifting of R.R. Ties which he was loading on a Truck. So let Maggie have him poor fellow. Just received a letter from our Principal of Las Vegas High School in which he telles me our School will begin the Ist of September. We received your card from Salt Lake. and one frm the train That is the Leaflet. and last but not least a Card from Kansas City but no address. I have taken Helen through her words, and she does very well Mr and Mrs Waite and Spud and Pete mesher and Dorathy Montgomery the widow of Bert French have gone to Yellow Stone Park for three weeks. Just received a card from them from Salt Lake. Got a long letter from my Harrisburg man Gottschall, Nothing to draw any conclusion from. Not any money in sight.

July 16. 1919. Time drags heavy on our hands no word from you since the Kansas City, letter --Noon Eva Got a card from you saying you were going to Berry ville

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This afternoon A Mr Irving and wife and a Mr Crozier from El Dorado canon , and a Teacher from Columbia Colliege were here to spend the afternoon, I found the woman Teacher very Interesting , She was very much interested in my Baskets My other People who went to Salt Lake no word from them yet. I wrote to our Governor but fear he will not get it as I see by the paper he goes to Salt Lake to the Meeting of Governors Pete Buoel was here a few days ago and told me he had been appointed, to appraise the value of my land; But as his injuries were troubling him quite a little and he had been so buisy he had neglected the matter some. I am not sure wether he will be so prompt or not. Time will tell; I wrote to Dreeme and the folks thanking them for the curtisies extended to us during our visit over there. I see by the Saturdays paper that Miss Geneva Stewart and Miss Virginia . Benson passed through on thursdays Train to spend the summer at the Beach; I have no reply to my letter as yet, They are all too buisy agitating the question as to who will manage the Estate left by the Late Mr WR Gann to allow much time for the ordinary curtisies of the time; and by the time they are through aggitating the matter some of them will be under the Sod. They all seemed to be under the depressing influence of the monetary systemas governed by that particular source when we were over there; Money properly used might bring a certain degree of happiness. But if all the relatives have a quarrel on hand how uneasy it must make the Spirit of the Dead I think like Hamlets Ghost he would walk around some. Clarence has just arrived home so must close this I expect to send it to you today.

Your Card received from Pittsburg, Kas With Love Mamma Helen J. Stewart – Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

All well and send Love, The children have looked all over the House for you.

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[typed letter]

Las.Vegas, Nevada. Aug. 30, 1919.

Dear Tiza, My Darling Girlie;

Now it seems to me that you might as well have stayed with us awhile longer; I think Joe, could have stood your absence a little while longer; Your letter was a pleasant surprise last night on account of the strike we have had no Mail for over a week no Trains running atall Will has been one of the Sheriffs Deputys to Guard the Trains stopped here that were carrying Scabs to Los Angeles to fill the Electric Car Strike, The men here struck in sympathy with those in Los Angeles, But the R.R Men here stopped them and would not let them go no further. The first Mail from Los Angeles came in this morning. Eastern Mail came in yesterday. We have had no Nevada Mail for about Ten Days; Our Children have missed you very much they have looked for you behind the doors and in all the rooms and given up the search in vain, once in awhile they call your name, but no answer; Eva has been very buisy putting up ever so much fruit so when you and Joe come we can have plenty of good things to eat ; We have not got the Fish in the Pond yet but we will look after that as soon as the weather gets cool enough to transport the Fish from other Pools into ours; I have some fine Fish Hooks I am saving and if the Fish are not big enough in our Pond we will make a camp on the Colorado River The Green Corn and cantelopes and Tomatoes are ripe and the Peaches too are Nice and Ripe and sweet and the Grape Vine is full of nice Purple Bunches of Grapesand the Cows are giving plenty of good rich milk, and it would be so we could Make Joe quite comfortable; So be sure to prepare to bring him the next trip and make it soon, if you dontwe will eat up all the Jelly and the Jam. I have tried Sugestion to a finish with our young friends, and still they sugest something else; They are much like older people always wanting to try something new; I cant blame them much life is rather monotonus at the best, and the varieties grownups get are none too inviting, Peter Buoel went in to Los Angeles just before the strike and he has been bottled up the same as all other Nevada People and things ever since, and as He was appointed by the company to appraise my land , I do not up to date know any more about what is to be done than I did some time ago. Soon as I learn will see that you learn of it soon as I can let you know. Since you have adjusted the other matter different, How would you like to take a mortgage on some of my best property as security with interest, more than you could get in Bank. If since affairs have changed for you You would like to do this let me know.

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Sept 6th The strike seems over for awhile so will try to send this. Got my first letter from Dreeme this morning. They are well Leslie making like mischief. The report up town is that Mrs Gann has sold out for 16 years time in payments Henry Rice the County Commissioner told Willie so yesterday. Maby it isn’t so Dreeme did not say anything about it. I will send your Bank Book Monday by Registered Mail to Berryville. With much love from all Mamma Pete Buoel will be home Saturday night or Sunday morning. Write often if you aren’t well be sure and let us know Your Mamma Helen J. Stewart - Las Vegas Box 310 Clark Co Nevada

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Las Vegas Nevada Oct 14th 1919

Dear Tiza Your promised letter has not come yet. And I am getting uneasy about you for fear you may be sick or working too hard. Mr & Mrs Wait met me after the High School Board meeting last evening and asked me to Duck Dinner. While there Sam Gay our Sheriff came in and in a jolly remmiscent mood told of how Dr Rucker sewed up a number of fellows over in Bouel Town and dilated on the fact that he thought Dr Rucker one of the best Surgeons he had ever known. He told of how he had a sevre cut on the head and how the Dr had sewed it up and it had left no scare. There has been Coal Oil found hear the Charleston Mountains on the West side and Everybody that can is slipping out of town quietly and looking for Oil There has been found Oil indications near some of my land and when I get a Gusher I am coming right back after you. Will left this morning on a four days mysterious trip for Jim Ladd and Stevens one of our Attorneys here. A Man had offered me Two Thousand Dollars for Toms Camp and a friend and his wife came to me yesterday and told me not to think of selling. Well I hope it is so. But most too good to be true. Do you remember the Mastodon Bones we found between Tule and Corn Creek. You know they found them in Brae at Los Angeles. The other day we found at a spring near Tule some Black stuff that looked good. Where did you and Holt find that stuff you told me looked like Oil. I want you to tell me. If the men that are hunting for Oil now find a seepage there will be a big Oil Boom here There are some Oil opperators from Texas here who are investigating the Oil question I will close this and write more as I learn. Lovenly Mamma Helen J. Stewart. Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada.

[letter ends on top of first page] Evas baby is just as cute as can be Eva is feeling a little better than she did. Mrs Gann was here with us other week & settled her Estate and gone to Barstow to be with the girls and Dr Benson I am going to enclose Dreemes letter to you so you can read it. With more love than this letter can carry Mamma Tell us about the Millernery business Write soon as you can.

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To Sam Gay Sheriff Las Vegas Nev Nov 18th 1919

Dear Sir.

Frank Royer Stewart-was born at Altoona Pennsylvania in Dec 1851 was 67 years when he died. Prior to 1885 with his brother Madison Stewart was a contractor on the Kansas Pacific In 1885 went from Denver to Lower California Placer Mining Staid there about 2 years From there to San Diego staid about 2 years From there to the White Hills Arizonia staid there about 1 year. From there went Vanderbilt California. From there to Shadow Mountain where he built and opperated a Quartz Mill. From there to Sandy Nevada where he and his partner Halsey kept a store and Post Office. Came to Las Vegas in 1894 or 1895 where he kept the Books and tended the Post Office for the Stewart Ranch for a number of years. Married the widow of Archibald Stewart 1903. died September 1918.

Helen J. Stewart

Helen J. Stewart, right, shows a Paiute basket to unidentified friends, c. 1918. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0110.

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[typed letter]

G. M. SPICER Attorney and Counsellor 431-432 First National Bank Building Long Beach, California

January 23, 1920.

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, Las Vegas Nevada.

Dear Mrs. Stewart:

You will remember, no doubt, that during the latter part of August of this year, during the railroad strike, one of the Salt Lake trains was held in Las Vegas Nevada, for about thirty hours, and that during this time the passengers on the train were seeking some sort of diversion in your little Nevada City. I happened to be one of the passengers.

While there we met Mr. Smith, one of your County Commissioners, who accorded our party exceedingly courteous treatment in that he attempted to entertain us, that we might enjoy our brief sojourn there. He succeeded admirably, and I must assure you that my introduction to you and the pleasure of viewing your voluminous collection of Indian baskets will not soon be forgotten by me.

Some time ago I told a friend of mine, Mrs. Ada A. Wiseman, who is now in your city, that I would be glad to have her meet you while she is there, and hence this letter is written for the purpose of introducing Mrs. Wiseman to you. I am sure that the meeting will be mutually profitable. And, listen! Have her sing for you - don’t forget.

Trusting that you will not regard this letter as a trespass, and that you are in good health, I am,

Very truly yours,

G M Spicer

GMS:C

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[typed letter]

STATE OF NEVADA Office of Surveyor General Department of State Lands Carson City, Nevada

March 2nd, 1920.

Helen J. Stewart Las Vegas, Clark Co., Nevada. P. O. Box 310.

Dear Madam:-

Replying to yours of the 28th ult., I beg to advise that your State Land Application No. 9887, was filed in this office on Jan. 21, 1889, and that State Land Patent No. 4882, issued thereon for the lands embraced therein on Nov. 13, 1902. Said patent was sent to you at your above address at the time of its issuance.

Very respectfully,

C. L. Deady State Land Register.

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Mch 22nd 1920

Dear Tiza We did not receive your letter from Puablo but the others came I have written you in letters and a postal. I am getting stronger every day and the rest of the family are quite well. Sunday I went out riding with Clarence and Mr Dobbins. They went to the Gypsum cave where Selenite is piled up like cord wood. Clarence and Mr Dobbins went in the Cave. I sat on the rocks outside. While waiting for them to come out there was a party of 12 young people accompanied by Mr Waite and wife and Spud Lake and his sister and Miss Jewell & Miss Smith and Mr Brown our Assessor and a young Lady from Ogden. They all went in the Cave except myself and Miss Jewell. They say this Selenite is valuable in the New Electrical processes. Mr Dobbing is going to take some back to Philadelphia with him Clarence is about to take a lease on a Gold claim near the Old Wall Street Mine Assays go $108 a ton he is not sure yet. There is some Joknin with the assayers. One sent to Salt Lake only went $4.00 and the one to Los Angeles went $108. quit a difference. If they go it will leave me here alone untill they come back they want me to go with them but I think I can stay here so near the folks. I see by the papers you have had a tornado near Branson. Wasent that near where the Dear creature lived. I was quite afraid for you for a few days you are traveling so much. We have had very changable weather here Rain & Snow this for a change Snow and Rain, and to cap it all a slight Earthquake. Such is life if it isent the weather it is something else. Mr Dobbins is Talking of buying the Old Ranch and being neighbors to us. Many new people are coming into Vegas I am glad the winter is over it has been a very changable Spring cold and rain alternately we have had a heavy snow and cold in the last few days I am afraid we will not have so many Peaches. They are still talking Oil Mr McFarland of Indian Springs is boring a well near Ely and they are finding Oil and Gas So we may yet have a Oil Boom here. I have been out riding twice since you were here and attended a Musical. The boy has hold of my arm helping me so you see how well I am writing. Things here are going along in a quiet progressive way. I will write more soon, Wills vacation was OK made him some sick but he soon get better The Ganns are all O.K.

Lovenly your Mamma Helen J. Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

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Las Vegas Nevada April 27th 1920

My Darling Girlie Tiza The noise and cooing in the big Old Cottonwoods, and spring is sure here. We have had so much wind I am just tired of it. But the last week has been wonderfully pleasant Eva and Clarence & I and the baby went to El Dorado Canon Sunday with Bill Crozier in a Studebaker. We had a lovely trip saw the Old Wall Street Mine which they were working with a Gasoline Hoist, There was quite a number of people there and they are taking out some good ore Then we went down to Nelson and there we met our Old Friend Clark Alvord, he enquired particularly after you. Motored us to some near Bar & Eva and I took Root Beer It was real good. He asked to have his cook get us Dinner but we had brought our Lunch and had eat it at the Tchitticup [Techatticup] so much was all O.K. from Nelson we went down to the Dunbar Mill which is on McGregors old claim they are letting the tailings spill over his old company place. McGregor they tell me he is dead. John Parks lives in Boyle Heights he has made good investments there. Then we went to the Tchitticup they have a Mill there grinding up the ore night and day, Then we met your old friend Jeans he and a man by the name of Copp [?] were buisy at a furnace drying out the moisture from the that had been Cyanided. The desert was covered with flowers of all variety I never saw so many. The Land above the R R on the Old Ranch is going for $500. an acre so Clarence told me last night. It is too much to be true They have taken up lots of Oil Land North of yours in Section 15 – Township 20. Range 62. so if they strike a Gusher there you will be in the [illegible; letter ends]

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Las Vegas Nevada May 24th 1920

My Dear Tiza We received your short letter from Newport. We have been so anxious about you too many Tornadoes in your Country. Some people were here this morning from Nevada Kansas. The man is the Father of Mrs McPeak whose husband is Teacher of the Grammar School here The folks here have a new craze it is Potash. They have found it above Mebein Creek Tomus old place. They have bonded it allready for a large sum to N.Y. people. Now any time with a short notice I can put about $1500. Fifteen Hundred for you and the chances look good for more But for Gods Sake get away from the Cyclones. Come Home chances are as good here to make money as any where else. The Baby is at my hand now. He says are you writing to Tiza I said yes. He says tell her to come home. Boy loves her. If you decide to come home in June or July we will go to the Coast. Los Angeles or Long Beach. We will cut out the Muddy Trip “ To Hot” Dreeme got the Farm Loan from the Government. Mrs Gann is living at Moapa with Will and wife. Sending the child Margeret to School while they are Taking care of the Cattle. Will and Eva each have a garden Mina has about 50 young chickens. I am getting better all the time. How is the Millenary Business It requires time and patience & knowledge to succeed. I am wearing my Hat you trimmed for me It is just what I want. School Days & Club Days are over untill next fall I am glad of it Clarence got dreadful bad news Sunday His brother Pete next in age to him about 22 years was crushed and killed in an automobile accident in Detroit Michigan. He lived three days. Poor Mother. He was a great help at home. Had been all through the War then crushed to death at Home.

[letter ends on top of first page] Now write and tell me if you will come home in June or July, and what your plans are untill Autumn Eva will write in a few days she says Baby is talking and saying everything and seems to be a natural born investigator. Write to us soon. Lovenly Mamma. Helen J Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

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[typed letter]

Las Vegas Nevada. June 8th, i920;

Dear Tiza; received your letter, and it was some letter, we were getting quite anxious; And when we look your storm pictures over it does not seem very reasureing; I cant understand how you can feel secure in such a country; You may have good friends there and a lover but it seemes to me death stares one in the face most any fine morning, or pleasant afternoon. I believe I will take the Desert any day for mine, and again we are just about as much up to date as any place in the good old U.S, yesterday passengers were going to and from the Kiel ranch all day in a Flying Machine. Isent that some class, and none of them were spilled out. Your , Surprise Box came day- before yesterday, I was going to write right away but Clarence said wait a day and a letter will come telling us who the things are for. Some of them we could easily guess. as to the Telephones and little purse and I half way guessed the Large Purse was for me; It is just as pretty as can be and I can use it with any dress; Our Club Doings are over for awhile much to my relief; and Scho School Days also if I can find one of our papers with the report of closing exercises I am going to send them to you.Talk about Tobacco and Rice and cotten We have planted and growing in our valley now over 400 acres of Cotton and some capatalists here how are talking Rice and Tobacco, Wait untill they have the Colorado River harnessed to a big Dam which they are now are now surveying; In fact men are there now working ; and soon the project will materalize and we will be supplied with sufficient power to run all the Pumping plants we can install, and Stamp Mills besides having power to run these Trans continental Rail Roads. This power has been running to waste since the days of Father Juana-Apteri [?] and his great dreams of the advancement of Humanity; This Southern Nevada has a promise of a wonderful future; They have found Oil at Fallon Nev—Nevada Our country here is much like around Bakersfield Well I hope fpr all these good things soon I hear the Arioplane buzzing over the house now. It looks poised high in air like an immense big Bird. It makes a loud noise like a blubbering flutter; The Baby called to Will Bill? Bill? A Big Bird. The baby comes to me when I am writing and says Mamma Writing to Tiza Tell her to come home. There isent a day passes but what he speaks about you Your young ladies Milk and Fruit Diet sounds O.K. I am glad you are under such religious influence; Nothing like a good Ministers influence

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Our young people are planting Onions and Potatoes between the corn Rows so the Onions will get in-to the Eyes of the Potatoes and make them cry and water the Corn rows You want to be careful of these guessing Kissing Stunts For Kissing leads to graver Deeds and constant vision brings of love and Wedding Rings. I have been readind of the manner in which the Banks aretrying tom controll the High cost of living by not giving the Proffiteers the cash to buy up and dispense at an exhorbitant price .As I turn the leaves of your letter I Come again to you and the Minister; It might be a good idea to have a real live Minister in the family, So go ahead sister. I hear the Arioplane buzzing again they are charging ten Dollars from Las Vegas to the Park’s Ranch and back to town I will look over your Book of instructions I may be able to profitt to a considerable extent

The Book entitled Rogets Thesaurus, was given me by Mr Busteed some time ago, and is an excellent Book as it gives the varied meaning and uses of the same word; I am glad you were interested and I appreciate your sending me the Book very much; and will try sometime in the near future to make you proud of my efforts The Cyclone Pictures come to my notice again as I turn the Letter over again. Did your friendof the Agricultura Photo turn of mind take those Cyclone Pictures; Yes I see he did well they are good, but i tell you they are Terrific;and I hope they will not get to be the fad here; And if I were in Harrison or any where else that i thought thier Path might be I would not be long in giving them the Right of Way; Sure Mike any one wanting those beautiful Twisters, can have them for the asking But ex use me for lack of appreciationof the diversions of your State and beautiful City; Now Tiza you better come Home to the Desert and take one of those Lots up in town and Build on it and have you a good income the rest of your days; There is lumber eneough now on them to do the finishing on a good cement Building; Besides see how many Doors and Windows here might be used to a better advantage, than at present , Think a while ans see if yuo dont think it a good plan; Bring Oscar with you do not leave the Dear Creature there to be killed by one of those Rip Tearing Cyclones. The next time it comes it may not be so good to your town as only to take a few houses. I dont like the way it Skips and jumps around; it is like to change it’s mind and strike anywhere So while the coming is good you better say Good Bye Cyclone Country I am going to the Land of Sunshine and Peacewhere Gods promise to the Franciscan Monks is to be fulfilled; when this big Dam is completed and the Great Waters of the Colorado are controlled by mans will and ingenuity and our Cotton field’s which are allready a fact begin to Bloom then to give thier Snowy Bolls, to the cotton Gins and soon we will be known in the Cotton Marts of the world; Then if we can get the Big Pumps to going and Pump water over this wonderfully proliffic Valley land Nevada will not only be known for her Gold and Silver Mines, and wonderful store of Chemicals , but

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Agriculture will take her place, and Vulcan and Pomona will join hands and walk down the Avenues of time I send you Paper of May i5h The Age in which you will see the closing Exercises of the High SchooI; Yuor Mamma Being Clerk of The High School Board and the first Woman in Clark county to be elected to that Office I thought it might interest you more. There are a number of other Articles that many interest you Clarence is most ready to go so I will close with much love and hoping you will take a sudden notion to come Home to us All join in love to you

Lovingly Mamma Helen. J. Stewart. Box 3i0. Las, Vegas Clark Co Nevada

Lovingly Mamma Stewart

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[typed letter]

Las vegas. Nevada June 18th 1920

Dear Tiza ;

I was just writing a letter of condolence to Clarences Mother I do not know if we have written you of it or not two weeks ago this sunday clarence got a telegram saying come home if you can brother is dead; Clarence could not leave home so did not go. We just got a letter telling us of the particulars; He was joy riding with a friend and three young ladies when a Big Touring Car rushed in-to them broadside and caught Clarences brother and tossed him and the Car in air; His neck was broken instantly. and his whole body crushed; with all this he lived two days in the greatest agony; He could not have been saved: We were no more than over this sad news than a little lady who has been stopping with us at night while her husband was locating Claims in the Phosiphate fields; and still was staying with us of nights; untill he returned from work on a twelve days Contract he and a partner had taken of Clark Alvord; where they could make some two or three hundred dollars which would have come handy in their present time : They had a little house just below the hill rented of us and the little wife stopped ther of day times; She had some friends to Lunchen and Clarence had just been home and eat dinner and given me a letter from her husband at El Dorado Canon and she was so anxious to hear from him I decided I would hurry down and give her the letter; Ihad just given her the letter and they had asked me to join them in some Ice Cream and Cake which I declined telling them I had just had Dinner and had got to the gate and ready to pass throughwhen the Sheriff and Corroner from Searchlight drove up to the gate. The Sheriff who was Sam Gay said I have bad news I said some one at the house hurt he said no I have bad news for Mrs Erwin; and handed me a Telegram which said Mr Erwin fell in a shaft and was killed, They wanted me to go in a break the news: but I thought Sam Gay was big and strong and he could better tell her the sad news They were having a nice little joyous luncheonwith a lady and her husband and children it seemed too bad they had to go from joy to the deepest sorrow; it was a dreadful shock, I took her up to the house with me and the friends remained there awhile; In the mean time the Doctor and Coroner at El Dorado Canon were buisy and by evening the friend and partner had the remains here at Las Vegas with the Undertaker; poor little woman she was heart broken; The two brothers of Mr Erwin were very good to her and took her home with them.

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We got a letter from her yesterday and she has made good friends with his brother and sisterinlaw and they are going to let one of their boys come home with her she is quite interested in the Mines at El Dorado Canon. Tiza Mr Miller has offered $20. an acre for your land the 40 next to him and pay in thirty two installments. Ithink he would do better in payments, What do you think. Do you want to sell. Dr Martin has a bond on his lots opposite the Post Office corner for $ 15,000 Fifteen Thousand Dollars they are wanting a to build a big Tourist Hotel. There seems quite an idea about this place as a future resort when Los Angeles gets too full for utterence. The boy has been having quite a cold which has kept him and friends buisy with a handkerchief; Are you coming home in July as you promised. If Joe and Oscar go away to Seattla You sure will be coming to the coast. Clarence is most ready so will have to close. Will has been having something like Seccondary Flue so the Doc calls it He is better now We all are quite well now. Let us know if you think of coming out. Would you like to go the Beach awhile. By By. Lovingly. Mamma.

William and Mina Steart, 1920. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0008

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[typed letter]

[first page missing]

Mrs. Helen J. Stewart, August 15, 1920.

and it was with that in view that I purchased your property. I thank you very much for your kind personal allusions to myself in connection with that great enterprise. I think it probable that I will go for my family about the middle of September after the old timers meeting, that is to say, the Pioneer Society of Montana, of which I am now President for the second time. We will leave over our road sometime towards the last of September and I will endeavor to arrange if we go through your place in the day time to have Mrs. Clark and my little daughter make you a short visit.

With all my best wishes, I remain,

Yours sincerely, W. A. Clark

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[typed letter]

Las. Veagas.Nevada. Aug.31st.1920.

Dear. Tiza Your letter of Aug 21st now before me and as I look on the calander to see [?] the Date I find this Saying from James Maddison” Monopolies are the Sacrifices of the many to the few. It is a strong thought strongly expressed; or rather Crystalized thought; The 7th of this month or rather the 7th of September is Labor day here and is to be fittingly celebrated by our R.R.Fraternity, and to cap the climax we are tomhave a Big Circus with us on that day, Glory , Glory wont it be fun for the little boys and some thing interesting for the big Boys to furnish the dough for Ice Cream and to see the Elephant, Ex Senator Clark was here to Visit me about the 16 th of August and went on to Butte Montana where He is President of the Pionneer Ass ociation. He will be returning here about the last of this month with his wife and daughter and is going to bring them down to see me. He said of my Baskets They were a Wonderful Collection of Indian Baskets and they were undoubtedly the most Interesting and valuable that he had ever seen. He might want to buy them , shall I sell them; I am wondering how much to ask if any one should ask me How Much? I might trade them for the Old Ranch from the Ranch House east Now Mrs Milliner Tell us about the fall styles in Hats. and how to make over our old dresses so as to look like new. B.M. Lawrence got into a shooting scrape over at Old Ivanpah and as a consequence was shot five times , and had an arm broken and was shot in the head. I guess he is getting older and not so quick On the Trigger as he used to be. He is now in the San Bernardo Hospital undergoing repairs. He did not want them to prosicute the man who shot him I said to a party he is of more kindly spiritthan of old the party replied he was not so generous as I thought He was only waiting to get him out and make a mark of him. He said to me if he were the man and B.M. got out he would be making tracks to some safer place; Mayby that would be wise. I believe I wrote you of my sickness and the Babys we were troubled with something like Summer Complaint. The boy was very sick and it took me down to 95 pounds, If I lose much more I will sure look like a scare.crow. We have a new Milch Cow and boy and I are both on a milk diet. Boy says it is fine. He has been up to the Typewriter several times and written you a letter in which he says the same thing each time. Aunt Tiza Come Home. he emphasises the come home. He told me yesterday unless you wrote to him he was not going to write to you any more. So if you want to hear from young Hopeful you will have to send him a

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special. We have had a splendid rain that has cooled the atmosphere and we are enjoying some nice cool fall weather. All are feeling quite well now. Brother Bill is running for Long Time County commissioner I hope he will be successful it looks good for him now we can tell better after the primaries. I believe I told you in my other letter about Dreeme and Virginia and Leslie Starting to Los Angeles and their Car giving out on the Desert and they had to give a man $23 Dollars to Tow the –m in and $42 for repairs and when in the evening they started home they found their Electric Lights were outv-of order and they had to leave them and go home a wait to have them sent home by parcel Post. Geneva and Mrs Gann were in Los Angeles and they were going to bring them home with them but repairs here cost so mouch they had to return home from here.

With Love Mamma Helen J Stewart Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

[written on the top of first page] Let us have a few lines soon All send love.

Boy says come home

Helen J. Stewart (left) and Helen Jane (Wiser) Stewart (right), c. 1924. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0106

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[typed letter] Las. Vegas. Nevada. Oct 21st. 1920.

Dear Tiza. Had been waiting sometime to get some word from you, glad you got the Pomegranates; so sorry that you teeth were so bad. Will was having so much trouble with his teeth; Sam Gay got him the chance to take some boys to the reform School. They were to be sent to Elko and the man met him at Salt Lake and took them on from there; After the first day in Salt Lake Will had to pay his own expenses; But his way was paid to and fromon the Cars he made two trips and during the time had his teeth attended to; I think his health will be better from this time on. He is now running for County Commissioner Long Term, as Will is now a strictly temperate man I hope he will succeed, as it will give him a new impetus in life, besides receiving the Honor from his fellow citizens. Eva is expecting a visit from the Stork most any day now. She is ready for the event, perhaps by the time we get an answer from this letter we can write you if a boy or girl. Minna has gone over to visit her folks and boost for Will among her relatives; I do hope Will will be elected as it means much in the future for him Clarence is buisy being a good Daddy and husband, Mrs Gann has bought out a Mrs Hill here for $I2000 Twelve thousand Dollars. There are six houses and they bring in a rent of $I24,00 a month. Then she has four extra lots besides. I believe she has made a good investment. It will give her a Home independent of any one where she can work out the peculiarities of Old Age, without any interferencewith the happiness or plans of others It is much better for Old Age than a farm away off from every one ; She has been very anxious for me to come and stay awhile with her; but home arraingements will not permit at present. There is a boom here now in Land and Real Estate In town. Tiza bring the rest of your goods and come here and you and I will start a real Estate Office. We will build us a cozy little Office by the Post Officeor rent a desirable location. I will be ready soon as Eva gets her present from the stork. After Election may bring some change one cannot tell if it may be for the better or worse; We hope for the better times There was a man here yesterday who wants to buy our Selenite Gypsum and as there is a demand for Gypsum now for buildind purposes we many make a sale. It is to be bonded today untill the Ist of December. cannot tell how it will work out. Got a letter from aunt Rachel last night saying that Aunt Flora and Aunt Acenith would be there on a visit and wanting me to come too, in the first place I have not been well eneough to feel like visiting any one and again I do not believe I would be very happy with any of the –m again; The great Fever of life has burnt out and there is nothing but ashes; and some of the Coals have burnt so deep that they have left scars and they have hurt in the burning; Will Gann is over on the Jury and during the time of the two juries changing places he visits with his Mother she seems very happy with the change it must

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seem good to her to have the priveliege of spendind a few dollars without having it doled out to her by little bits or having to make her spending money by raising Chickens; Then sometimes find some one had been ahead of her in spending it at the Store; I will close for today and write soon again; I will be looking anxiously for a letter from you, if things dont look good just pick up and come; Do not stay among the Negro strikers they are Beasts; The boy writes a letter to you every day he gets at the Type writer and rattles the Keys and says Come Home Aunt Tiza. Then he looks wise and says to Daddy when he comes Home Is there any mail and further remarks if Aunt Tiza doesent write he is not going to write any more; So send him a picture of a little Dirl. As he is expecting one every day; and send something sweet to hear on the card. With more love than this letter can carry from us all Lovingly Your Mamma

Helen.J.Stewart. Las.Vegas Clark county. nevada.

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. Nov. 18th.1920

Dear Tiza. The baby came at half past eight this morning. It is a bouncing boy of ten pounds; The nurse did just get here; and the Doctor was just in time to tie the naval string; Mother and child doing well, They have a Mrs Reed for a nurse as she is a woman of fifty and seems to have a lot of real good sense it seems to me we will get through all. O.K. Clarence is now buisy passing the cigars around and it seems to me the Daddy will recover in time; and if he keeps buisy at the business. He will be a buisy man from this time on.. I sent you a Las Vegas Age giving you the Election returns; Will was elected Long Term Commissioner by an Overwhelming Majority; We were proud of the way his friends stood by him and glad that Will could have a chance to prove the Metal that was in him. Will is going out to the Mines today to do Assessment work; we have a Sale on for our Gypsum, of twelve thousand Dollar, with a payment of Thirty five hundred by the Ist of December it is too good to be true, we have waited for so many mining Deals to prove themselves, out there are Eight of us in the Mine. The man asks One thousand out of the first paymetnt so as to be sure of his commission I guess. The first payment would leave about 1800 with our family; I guess we can wait that long, to see. If we do not get it twill not be the first time we have been left. As for me I will not look for it untill I have it sure. Our little man was Expecting a Sweet little Dirl Baby but I guess he wil get to liking the little boy after while. Be careful of yourself in that cold country; and avoid any chance of Pneumonia; I will have a job of taking care of the boy for several days, and will be real buisy especialy if his Daddy goes in-to the store very soon. The boy loves his Daddy more than any one. Eva is fine so far and we will take good care of her Lovingly your Mamma. Las.Vegas Clark County Nevada.

Helen. J. Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark County Nevada.

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. Dec.9th 1920

Dear Tiza. The new baby is doing fine and his Mamma is also doing as well as could be expected; Eva is very ambitious and is trying to do all she can and sometimes it is more than she should do; I dressed the baby and washed its little things for a few days untill she was able to care for him herself then she dressed him herself untill the present time; He is Perfectly handsome. He looks like he might be a priest or a Lawyer. Clarence is buisy delivering the Goods as Eva says she keeps teasing him all the time; Eva is an A Number One Mother; and she has some fine babies to work with. The boy is quite confused in the way we say little baby boy, and little Brother, when he strictly gave order for a Sweet little Dirl Baby. He told me the other day he thought that Little Dirl baby would make a nice little brother after-while. They have named him Francis Stewart. Stay. Quite a pretentious name. I am looking forward to the time when we will see Stay, and Stay Brothers Attorneys at Law. So save up your cases The oldest member of the Stay Firm has just made a business call and is climbing up behind my chair and insists that is the most comfortable place to sitbetween myself and the back of the chair; I hear his Mother calling him so will get my equilibrium soon again; He seems to think he owns me. Mrs Gann is living up in town at her new place. Winnie Gann and children are living with her now. her heavy payment on her place is the Ist of january.. Our Mining Deal is delayed untill the I5th , it may be and it may not be a deal; One thing in its favor there is a great demand for building material; The Lakes are doing a great deal of cement work in town particularly Side walk buildind. Will goes over in the Moapa country with one of the new commissioners and one of the old today. He will be gone several days. after the Ist of January he will take up his work as County Commissioner Long Term it will be for four years; I believe he is ready to make good; It is the beginning of a new life for him; I am so glad he was successful. He allready has a self reliant look in his face. I only wish your work would take you out West with us or near eneough so we could see you every once in a while. I have a fine Divorced man for you He has plenty of Dough, and a goodly smattering of brains. I see by the paper that a Doctor Rucker by name of W.S. Rucker. The Powers that be thought of transferring him to the Pannama Canal. He is spoken of in this manner by those that knew himand admired him (I never could understand why a manwho showed such a fine graspof the sit situationaffecting the countrys disabled as Dr Rucker did in his famous report to the secretary of the treasury, should be transferred; I gather from what the Surgeon Genneralsays that the Director of

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the Beaubureau did notapprove the transfer, but that he had the power to make it and and exercised it for good reasons of his own; It seems there was much jealosy. that has ruined many men and women. Clarence must be going in a few moments and if i send this today must close keep warm and do not get in-to any of those heavy winter storms Get ready to Hibernate like a Bear by that time. Lovingly your Mamma

Helen.J.Stewart Las. Vegas Clark . County Nevada.

Will says he will write soon as he gets back. Lovingly Mamma Eva say’s she will write in a few days ------Helen J Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

Clarence Archie Stay, Jr. at Mt. Charleston, 1921. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012:0104

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1921 – 1926 and 1938

[typed letter] Las Vegas Nevada May 3d 1921

Darling Girlie We are rather anxious about you I sent a letter to you sometime ago and day before yesterday it came back Then we got a letter from you. Telling us you had no word from us for five weeks. This seems strange to me. I have written to you at I2I9 Holms street two letters and this is my seccond at 605 east IIth Street. You better pick up your things and come Home times are lively here and you might do better here than there. They have found one of the biggest Borax Deposits in the world near Old Fort Caleville, I wrote you in one of my letters about it and how the Gentrys had become suddenly Rich and Peter Bouel also. Mr Harry Gentry died last Sunday and was buried at St Thomas It sems after struggleing a whole li e time just when plenty come to them he must die They had built up a lovely Hotel for that country place and were doing a good business. Yo remember they started the Hotel some years ago, and every one was laughing at them Their Hotel is on the Overland Arrow Head Trail. and many Auto people stay there over night; Come on and if you do not like it here you and I will go to Los Angeles to see whatwe can see or do there, The boy was just reading a letter he had written to you He said Come Home Aunt Tiza we want you to come ritght now; He is looking for you to come every day so come and dont keep us waiting We are going out Prospecting Sunday; We believe we have found something valuable. Come Home if you possibly can arrainge it so. We will go out and find. us a mine and become suddenly Rich, Come dont wait

Lovingly Mamma

The boy was real sick a week or so ago but is Fine now , The new boy is a beauty and just as Smart as can be. Send a Card or some word right away Lovingly Mamma.

Helen J. Stewart. Las. Vegas Clark County

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Nevada

[poem included on second page]

The.Valley’ Chieftain’s Call To The Mountain Maid

Hear the Pine Birds sing, Hear the echoe’s sweetly ring,

Fountains Darkling, sparkling, O’er the fern beds darkling.

- - ** - - Come to me your warrior bold, With feet so light and heart – of gold, In his fastness here, The mountain deer Has naught from you and I to fear.

*-* ** ** Come over the mountain to your lover true Come my mountain Flower, Come Oh do, Oh linger not for the storm’S so cold May delay for us and dainger hold.

** ** ** Come to the valley to your own true love, Come to the home of nesting Dove I’ll care ever abnd guard you Sweetheart, Till the Great Spirit calls us to part

** ** ** In the Desert land of the Blue sage, Where the Rock Bowl is the rain guage Where the dry earth kisses the Rainbow sweet, There my Dear we will meet.

One of my latest Verses. How do you like it.

Helen J. Stewart Your loving Mamma Dedicated to Daughter Tiza.

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Just got your letter so will send this I had it ready to send in Kansas City Will write right away, Lovingly Mamma Clarence is in a hurry

[no date – c. 1921, Helen Stewart to Tiza Stewart]

[incomplete; pp. 3-4] you better come Home easyer times not so much money and lots of love Those who love you through thick & thin. You & I can keep old Maids Hall and if you still have the same opinion as when here we will put on the Door No Admittance to Man Wicked Man. That would be rather though on me though as I sortie like the Men. You see I can get Money now for my Land any time I want it. So if you need some money send word and I will CASH IN on some of it. If you cant leave Oscar bring him along. You could still count on the friendship of Joe if you left him awhile if it wont stand the test of a short absence it isint worth having. Clarence is still busiy on the Job and Eva is some better then when you were here She still has some days when she feels badly The boy I gave him sugestion treatment of all kinds of persuasive methods I use to bring him into line but he is so buisy doing things I cannot keep up with him. He has been asking his Mother every day for five or six days to Write to Tiza and tell her to come Home. How is the Old Nick he get it into his little noggin I can say. He acts and talks like a little old man very often there He is the little boy again. Will Stewart is Sheriff of Clark County for a few days Sam Gay has gone to Carson with a Prisoner and so Will takes his place untill he returns. Mr Wait has gone to Logandale to see about some criminal there whom a Possie are after. Caldwell Ranger Oil has gone to $ 3.00 a share and many people here are happy as many of them have Stock in Ranger Oil. Clarence has stock in some Wyoming Oil which is gradually coming to the front Come Home soon. With Love Mamma. I think Eva has a letter to send or has sent it.- The Boy wants you to come Home he wants his Aunt Tiza. Lovingly Ma

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. MayMay 8th i92i

Dear Tiza; We have been House cleaning and I have handled and dusted and washed Indian Jugs. an cleaned and dusted untill I would like to go out in the mountains and find a Wic-i-up and stay there awhile. House keeping as a Profession does not appeal to me at this stage of the game. If i was young and up to date with the activities of life I might view it from a different Stand point Everything seems to make me so tired. I suppose one of these days I will take a notion to sail sky ward and forget it all. Evas babys are just as sweet and dear as can be.The little boy is still waiting for Aunt Tiza to come Home he writes you a letter every few days and reads it y to us which he never fails to say come Home Aunt Tiza. Johnny Lauterette aboy hood Schoolmate of Wills is here with considerable money seeking an investment, They will form a company and bore Artesian Wells and sell land in 8 and Ten acre tracts. There is going to be built a Big Dam on the Colorado river about Twenty – five miles from here and just above the big bend which will furnish Electricity for running Rail Roads and mining Machinery and giving us Heat and Light and Power this will be a wonderful country when it is finished and many men with money are rushing in here. There has been found a great body of colmanite in which Mrs Gentry and John Perkins and Nellie are to have a share Pete Bouel sold it to Borax Smith of Oakland California For Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars they have had their first payment of fifty thousand do llars it gives them twelve thousand dollars a year apiece untill paid. Pete is back in New York now with annother deal in a silver mine in Pioche. Our mining deal has not materialized yet but as there is much demand for Good Gypsum and as ours is first class we hope sometime in the near future to make a sale. Minnas Sister Lottie and four children are visiting here and they sure keep things alive around the yard I wish you could hear Helen talk she says most every thing and forms good scentences,. Well Dear Girlie write to us soon Lovingly Mamma. All are well and Doing fairly well Mrs Ganns Ranch deal fell through She is trying to make annother. Will Gannnis [Gann is] out after cattle now Winnie and he have made up Clarence is ready to go Good Bye. Write soon.

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[typed letter]

Las.Vegas.Nevada July 26. I92i

Dear Girlie. Just received your letter was real glad to hear from you I did notbattend the Federation though I was appointed a Dellegate. The Babies were not well and I did not like to leave Eva alone with them I want to help take them through the Summer without sickness if I can the baby is getting teeth now and is a little cross but will be better soon. I am sending you two News Papers about some of our wonderful Friends you will see what the public thinks of them and later we will see how things arrainge themselves, so Hurrah for the Hurrah8s We are all quite well now Minna is not very well today Will is attending a Special Commissioners Meeting . One of the Commissioners a Mr Cashman from Searchlight is single and a very handsome man I will have to stop now as clarence will have to rush off to town very soon with much love from Mamma. Tiza Try Some Slippery Elm Bark one Stick simmered and some water and a lemon to make a Lemonade and drink a small Pitcher full every night. Make a regular Lemonade and add the stesteeped Slippery Elm Bark. Take care of your self with much love Mamma . Helen.J.Stewart

Las Vegas Clark County Nevada.

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[typed letter]

Las.Vegas.Nevada September2I.I92I

Dear Tiza. I wrote to you at Eureka Springs and Bates-ville also I hope you received my letter sent to Eureka Springs as I had it full of news for you. Our Summer has been very dry. You could not guess who came in here the other day. so will tell you. Mrs Harry Beal and two grown up Sons and a young daughter. The one the Doctor was so fond of is grown up and married and they left her home with her husband and Her Father Harry Beal to keep house while they were away She was on her way to Salt Lake to visit her Mother whom she has not seen for several years. I did not attend the Fedderation Meeting at Salt Lake the Children were not well and I thought I had better stay home and help care for them. The young boy Francis is a fine little fellow just learning to walk and talk and I can tell you it keeps Eva and I both buisy.. Clarence had an Overland Car but it was so difficult to get the parts here , that it was out of commission most of the time so he traded if off for a Ford that was a little out of commission and he is now buisy every bit of spare time putting it in repair, and by next sunday. We expect to have an outing. Eva is going to learn to run the Machine and if you stay in one place long enough for us to catch up with you You will see us some morning at your Hotel door waiting your pleasure to take you somewhere; A good Ford these times is better for the person with small means than the larger ones; because you can get the repairs at any time right here at home or at any of the repair stations on the road if you are traveling; We are anxious to get out in the Hills this winter as much as we can. You better come out and go with us and help to find a Big Rich Mine; Telling us of them finding Platinum and Gold and Silver near the Manganise makes me anxious to go out and see if we cannot find something of the kind near our Manganise; One never know untill they try. All are well at present Mrs Bouel has just returned from Los Angeles where she has been to place Dorathy in School. She was entertained at Lenas the day before she came Home and said Sam and Lena and Mary Thomas girl Helen and Sams Grandaughter composed the Household and Sam said they were a very happy household; Let the bells ring Merrily and Lets Hope they will keep on ringing; If any one can be happy for even a short space of time For Gods Sake dont frighten the Happy sprite away. People are still talking about our Clay, But as yet no sale the Freight Rates have been phrohibitive and with the reduction in saleries of R.R. employes and threatened strikes it is not a very good time to realize on any thing. There is a boom in Las Vegas Real Estate from the fact of preperations for the Building of this Big Dam on the colorado River just 38 miles from here, They have a fine

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Road under construction to the Borax Mines near there they say these Borax Mines are the largest in the world they are Colemnite Borax. To look at it you would think it was fine Gypsum. Many men have passed over it taking if for Gypsum. There again is where knowledge is power. This is a wonderful Mineral country and there will be another wonderful finds I am thinking our next big Boom will be Coal oil. There are many indications of same. Better come out with us awhile and look the situation over with a vision of the future. The boy has written you a letter which I will enclose. The noise of passing Autoes is something to reconed with. There is about a hundred passing every day, and at the little spring above the old Ranch House the trees are full of campers and their Tents come out and we will start a supply station on the side of the four Acres. It is a chance to make some money with close attention to business; and no matter where we are we have to stay close to the situation if we make money. .Well will say By Bye, as little Clarence says. They are just as cute and sweet as they can be. Come out and see. if you cannot leave him bring him along. We will be good to him.

Love from all. Your Loving Mamma Helen.J.Stewart – Las Vegas Clarks Co Nevada.

Send word to us right.away.

[written at the top of the first page] Mina said tell you she got the Organdy for Helen and would write soon as she has your address. Helen is going to School now and She talks real well Kearney Indian had not seen her for a long time he said to her can you talk she said with Emphasis Yes I Can Talk.

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Las Vegas Nevada Feb 7th 1922

Darling girlie The 23rd of January I was summoned on the Jury which lasted a little over two weeks the tenth day I got excused as Eva and the boy were quite ill. I served on the 1st case a Murder Case Judge Orr a former Pioche man was one Judge. Harley Harmon and Stevens were for the State and a young lawyer from Los Angeles by name of Hinman was for the defendant. After 5 days and with the Judge and Lawyers The Jury of 8 men and 4 women retired to the Jury Room and after 5 hours and 55 minutes returned a Virdict of Involuntary Man Slaughter which gave the man at the discretion of the Judge from 2 to 10 years. The Judge gave him from 8 to 10 years with good conduct it may be made less. We were treated fine first class accommodations Fine Room and nice new single Beds and bedding. Shower Bath and all necessary Toilet articles. With a fine nurse and Lady Baileff and all the ordinary little meddicines needed And Three Meals a day at the best Restaurant in the town. by the way it is called the Las Vegas. What do you suppose were the first words said by our new baby boy Francis. He said (All Right – Tiza) wasent that funny. We asked the big boy if he did not want to go and see Aunt Tiza. He said let us have her come here. He thinks you are a long time coming. Did we tell you Clarence had traded his Overland for a Ford and we were soon traveling over the Country every where in the Mines Clarence Senior says any where a Donkey can climb Old Henry is sure to go. So you better come out and help us find the Richest Mine yet found. Clarence is now interested in some fine Gypsum. Our Clay looks fine Eva says she will write to you soon as she gets up steam or gets rich. Eva says her Bowells are so bad she is thinking of taking Giant Powder to make them move. I wish you could see the little boys they are sure cute. Helen is going to School and says many words and scentences and she seems to be quite an Artist. I had some of her pictures to send you but I guess the boy got them he thinks Helen is wonderful

[letter ends on top of first page] Mrs Gann and Dreeme are still here Leslie & wife also. Dr Benson Geneva & Virginia are down at Barstow. Dreeme is here with her Mother. With Love from Mamma Helen J. Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

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[typed letter]

HOME AND ITS LOVED ONES. ------O------

There are thoughts that come, when we’re lonesome, Of those whom to us are so dear; Though they’re far away at the moment, In thoughts we may have them quite near. It’s so sweet to think of our loved ones, Our home and the solase found there, Our day-dreams they bring consolation, Our absence they help us to bear.

Sad the fate of him with no home-folks, To dream of when he is away; One place just as good as another, For such a poor being to stay. But the man with a home and loved ones, There can be just one spot on the earth That fills his cup with contentment, And that’s just around his own hearth.

That home may be a grand mansion, Just full of the treasures of art; Or if it’s the home of the toiler, But cheered with true love from the heart, A magnet that draws on the heart-strings, Of one from that home when away, There’s no other spot that can hold him, In no other place can he stay.

To Helen J Stewart From R. R. Tannr [Tanner?] Dec. 10,1922 304 Herbert Ave Salt Lake City Uta

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I've been over night and day and done all I could and just had to take hold and do things with out them letting me or waiting to be called on She’s been very weak but has had a good appetite very good for a sick woman especially her and eats good except yesterday she dident seem to want anything but this morn I took her milk toast 2 egg omelet and cup of coffee and she relished it. heartily And seems very cheerful and bright today. The weather is wonderful now at daytime and only hope it will continue to be from now on.

Friday Dear Tiza Jan 18 [1924]

Will left with Mama Tues eve for Los Angeles received wire they arrived O.K. going to stay with dreeme part of time sending your wire special delivery today started this letter several times but interrupted so busy helping Eva get her ready feel [illegible] not to hurried [?] it off but been sick too.

[This letter is not signed, but the handwriting is Mina Stewart’s]

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Cypress Apts 2204 South Hoover Los Angeles Cal 2204 South Hoover, Los Angeles Calif. Jan 18th 1924.

Dear Tiza. Am writing your about you Mother – Eva has probably written you that she is here sick - but before I go farther into details will relieve your mind she is doing very nicely - She arrived here with Will, and my Mother Wednesday morning – and went to the California Luthern Hospital that afternoon I have, dreaded writing this letter to you – Tiza - She has Cancer of the uterus (womb) the Doctor told me it was over the cervix (mouth) and had spread over considerable area of vaginal walls – and was serious - I’m not hedging at all with you – because I know you want the truth – an operation is out of the question – she is too frail – and old – and he told me that they were not doing any operating hardly at all now with that trouble - They are using the “Radium Treatment” they insert a small tube of radium into the ulcer and it sends off rays - like the sun rays and kills the growth – he says there have been some cured, some it retarded and saved their lives, and others of course are too far gone – and it does not cure them - Your Mother has had two treatments – and seems to be getting along nicely - She eats and is or does not suffer – She was nervous last night – but got queted down the last part of the night - she likes her nurse and that helps-- Will sees her in the mornings and I go at two and stay tell they run me out – at eight o’clock at night - She takes another treatment tomorrow and then Sunday, Monday & Tuesday rests – and Tuesday night she can come home with me and stay for awhile then she will have office treatments - I do not know how long that will take, depends on how the trouble responds to the Radium treatments. When she came in she looked like a ghost Now I noticed today she has a little color – and her nails were blue – an they are getting pink now - More like a well persons - I cannot help but think she will get all right - I left orders for them to call me any hour of the day or night that any change might occur – and I will write to you and let you know and wire you if any change occurs The Doctor will let me know immediately and while she is with me I will take the very best care I can of her – She is very dear to me. With best love to you and the hope that you will not give up to too much sorrow about it I am as ever your loving friend as of old - Dreeme

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Los Vegas Nev. Jan 20 – 24

Miss Tiza Stewart.

My Dear Tiza I've written several letters since Christmas and really I can’t get my brain together to remember whether I’ve written you or not. If not I've thot of you daily really evey since you left and we’ve all talked of you and we allways remember you in our prayers. Really I dont believe I ever appreciated you as I should before and Helen speaks of how nice you are always to her. Well your mama has been very poorly ever since you left and still looks pale bad and awful We persuaded her to have Dr. Mildren down the other day and she is to be examined tomorrow at Martins Hospital by Mildren before he can tell her what the trouble is and I really think she has kept a lot from us all that should have had attention long ago I believe over [refers to turning the page] Want to thank you many times for the nice things you gave us again as I only wrote a hurried few lines before Eva says she’s written you several times and thinks you've not received them Helen was delighted with the sewing basket and I think she will surely sew now with everything so handy The hadkfs were sure nice and just what I needed and the pillow slips were so nice and good and large We will keep you posted better than before and surely hope mama will get her health back. Love to you from Helen and I and in haste write more next time.

Lovingly Helen & Mina.

[penciled on the envelope]

I don't want a Packard I don't want a Ford I want a bold [illegible] Man to pay my [illegible]

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Saturday 26th [01/26/1924]

Dear Tiza -- Just a line your Mother got out of the Hospital a week ago- and is with us she is getting along nicely- and seems to be responding to the treatments just fine-She took her first office treatment yesterday it was an X Ray treatment they told her she might be nauseated afterwards, but she wasn't, ate dinner, and slept very good - This morning she is up and is adding a line to the letters I am writing Eva, Will, and you so you can see she is still a live member of of the world - Lena and “Sammie” called in their closed car (Nash) and took us to the Doctors said they would call Tuesday and take us – when she gets the next treatment. We have the Apartment full of pretty flowers her friends have sent her - Will went home Monday night – and Mother accompanied him.

With love as ever Dreeme

# 2204 South Hoover Cypres Apts

[Helen J. Stewart's handwriting]

Darling girlie. Dont worry I am doing all as good patients should do and responding to treatment and am girlie a different person than when I came in here I think I will get well. Dreeme will help me write she has been with me through all treatments will write you soon with all the love this letter can carry Mamma.

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# 2204 South Hoover, January 29th 1924.

Dear Tiza -- Your letter received - Your Mother took another X Ray treatment this morning. She seems to be doing very nicely - The weather is fine, and our Apartment has a southern exposure - and today we had the windows open nearly all day and the sun was warm and nice - Your Mother has had so many pretty flowers sent to her – Roses, Scotch Heather, Roses ferns and to day the prettiest basket of ranunculus fresias and stocks – Mr Cashman and Mr Craign from Las Vegas, called on her yesterday and brought a beautiful box of ferns & sweet peas - they make the apartment look so bright and cherry - The Rotary Club – of Vegas are going to send her flowers every week – That is nice of them is’nt. Lena and Sammie call in their closed car [written between the lines: Hot Dog] once a week and take us to the Hospital for treatments. She goes again Saturday morning – that flow has almost stopped, and very little odor – now – Her appetite is good and she sleep fairly well - She looks so much better than she did – and the Dr. seems to be pleased with her progress He told her that these treatments would last a month – and then she could go home again if she wanted to and stay a month and then return - to go on with the treatments - Will Write you every few days and let you know how she is getting along Hope you are all well as ever with love Dreeme

Virginia is entertaining your Mother Guess she is teaching her to “Shoot Craps” next she will want to teach her to smoke cigarettes am afraid (over) my young hopeful is real sporty. And she will demoralize her grand mother as well as entertain her.

[Helen J. Stewart's handwriting]:

Dear Tiza I am getting better every day. waking up and taking notice I am so much better than the day I came in. The treatments are helping me The Doctor says I will make the grade. He seemed real pleased with my case today --- I got the little shawl day before yesterday. and the stockings today Do not worry girlie I am going to get well. Am improving every day. Dreeme & the girls are taking nice care of me with love & hopen to hear from you very often Wish Oceans of love Mamma

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[typed letter] Los Angeles Cal March 4th 1924

My Darling Girlie Just returned from the Doctors his afternoon he is wonderfully pleased with my progress towards recovery; After examining my blood corpsicles thouroughly they had decided it is an ulceration caused by injuries received during Childbirth (not a Cancer nor a Fibroid Tumor) as Dr Mildren first thought it might be/Let it be whatever it may be, I am gettingwell and as soon as I gain strength will be OK I thimk You see I weighed only Ninety pounds last Summer and the Nurse on lifting me at the Hospital said I weighed about eighty pounds I weighed about three weeks ago and I we weighed 99pounds week after I weighed and weighed 100 pounds and yesterday weighed and weighed 104 pounds so you see it looks good from every point of view. Have no letter from home for several days They must be rather buisy. Mr Creswell a Los Angeles man and a cousin of Mrs Gann Has just returned from Washingtom and says the Appropriation for thr Boulder Canom Dam will pass the House 5 to One.Let us hope soWhen Sam Yount came after me to take mr to the Doctors. Frank Williams came with him to see me Frank was just returning from Reno where he had been to meet with the State Regents/Frank looked fine/ His wife has been back east for some time where she went to see her ?other who was very Ill but died before she got there. She remained to settle the Estate It seems there is annother Old lady an Aunt of Mrs Williams who is now very ill and she will remain awhile with her then return in the spring. Her Mother left her quite a bit of property and some money/Now should the Aunt die and leave her some more she can have eneough to fix her Home in Vegas and keep her children in School. While Frank is good as gold she has had to undergo a great many hardships. If Congress passes a Bill for an appropriation for a Preliminary Dam People at Vegas will get in the midst of a Big Real Estate Boom I hope I will be able to see the right time to sell my outside land; there are some Real Estate Men wanting to buy my land north of Rag Town/ I have not heard o from them no nor seen them for several days. Going to a Hospital makes quite a hole in ones Pocket Book but that is better than being Dead For when you are Dead you are Dead a long time. But if alive and well one can tackle the World and get from it some part of one share of this worlds goods; I would like to sell all of the outside land and concentrate in one place. For the piece of land north of Rag Town I am offered Three Thousand down and an option for ninety days on the North Forty at One Hundred Dollars an acre for

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ninety days/ I have not seen them for several days so do not know what they think by this time Mr Creswells Return from Washington and his report of the 5 to one for the Dam may stimulate them to a better offer. Soon as I hear from Home will write you again. Dreeme is not very well today Geneva is working in the Local Post Office here Virginia is home with her Mother The Doctor is living in Barstow I think he has a very good practice there. He was here for two days/While he was here I staid at Lenas and Sams They have a lovely Home but Lena is not satisfied she would like a smaller place: It seems to me people are hard to satisfy but with so large a house and so much nice furniture to care for it is quite a care especially as the years creep on one.I am going to try every day to do the best that is in me, my Darling Girlie I sure do appreciate your solicitude and kind response at a time when it was life or Death with me but I was so sick that at the time I did not care much wether I lived or died I do not know how much the rest of my life is worth to those I love But I will try and make it all I can to them So Darling Girlie Bye Bye now and write soon/ Dreeme is sick today but says tell you she will write soon With more love than this letter can carry your loving Mamma. Helen J/Stewart.

Helen J. Stewart in Los Angeles, 1924. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0024.

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Los Angeles Cal March 27th 1924

Dear Tiza Received your good kind letter and enclosed Order for $50.00 and the Gloves they were just as sweet as could be and a perfect fit. I have not been able to go the Stores yet; But Dreeme will go with me in a day or so. I am wondering how much you have denied yourself to send me this present. It looks as if I were going to get entirely well I now weigh 108 pounds and am gaining of every day The fact of gaining in flesh looks good. I got a nice letter from Clark Alvord said he was not going to give me the Que-O [Queho] Mountain Sheep Net and Hunting knife and cactus Fire Maker with Rod. Untill Que-o was found or they were sure he was dead but since I was sick and needed “cheering Up” he was going to give them to me now whether que-O was dead or not or never found. So he is going to give it to me now. his letter was sent to California Hospital. Eva & Clarence sent it to me here after it was returned to them. He is a perfect type of the Good Old Fashioned Miner. I hope his Mines will turn out good and he will become a millionare. We have had quite a heavy rain here for two days the Streets have run full so one could not cross them from one to the other. Geneva is working in the Post Office here. Doctor is at Barstow. Virginia is here with a friend and Dreeme is making a dress for Geneva and I am waiting to have the Doctor give me final examination to see if I can enter the World and its activities. Have you had your teeth fixed yet. What are you planning for the future. I am at a standstill for awhile it looks as if I would have to have someone Push the Cart and give it a Start. I was just beginning to think I could use what means I had and the brains that would not be worried by others short comings; To make some Money when Old Satin intervines and brings this unfortunate sickness upon me. Thank the Lord of Glory I believe I am today better than I have been for several years. I am anxious about Eva and the children. Eva was real good to me when I was so sick I think she will get some rest now for awhile. Soon as Dreeme has her dress for Geneva finished. We will go down town and see the sights. and see what Garments I will need. Dreeme is very buisy so cannot write now. But will write soon as she has the dress done. With more love than this letter can carry your Loving Mamma Helen J Steward 2204. So. Hoover St Los Angeles California

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. May. 15th 1924

Dear Tiza Our Town and the space between here and the Colorado River Boulder Canon Dam are the Scene of much excitement today Uncle Sams Navy Boys from the Nevada Battle Ship are the guests of the Legion Boys and the City of Las Vegas. Quite an Honor for Las Vegas and the boysfrom the Navie” I guss all Las Vegas that have Cars have gone to the river today. Mrs Henery of the Oil Station was just here Minna has her Car at the Station for repairs. Will is out doing Assessment work so will miss the grand doings. I had to wait a month or six weeks to see how the heighth of the treatment would be and as I felt so well thought I might as well come home as it would cost me less for the time at home than to stay there. Dreeme was awfully nice to me She has a budget by which they can all four live at the very small sum of $15. amonth bycombining. and Dreeme doing the cooking I paid $ 8.00 a week for an extre Room for the girls while I was ther and took them out to Dinner about once a week after I was able to be out Dreeme did not make any money on taking me in, The girls could have saved the $8.00 aweek by crowding themselves. But Geneva was secretly married at the time and it gave them a chance to fool Dreeme a longer time Geneva was working in the Post Office when her Mother found it out in lifting the Mail Sacks She found them so heavy and wondered what made her feel so bad, Come to find out she was in the Family Way. Rather a joke on the parties to the Sedret Marrage. Geneva then told the Post Master that she was offered higher wages and Quit the Job without saying any thing further or providing a substitute The Post Master came to see Dreeme then Geneva ha[d]to tell her Mother. and claim her Husband then The Cat was out of the bag They were married at Santa Barbara last September and Virginia knew it all the time but had never told. I think Dreeme felt quite humilliated to think her girls would treat her s[o] Dreeme thought she had their full confidence.. Eva and the boys seem to have a cold or horseness that seems to hold on to them ever since I came home and I too have a touch of it. Clarence is still buisy Sundays trying to find the The Rich Mine I hope he will find it very rich some day soon. Tell us what you are doing and if you think you would like to come to the Coast this summer Here at Las Vegas it is too warm now. We are having some very warm days.Unless something of which I do not know intervines I will go down to Los Angeles about the 3d or 4th of june as the Doctor says the Radium Treatment will be at it’s hiegth

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As far as I am concerned myself I am gaining flesh every day, I stepped on the Scales at the Union Pacific Depot the night I left Los Angeles and I weighed 110 pounds and stepped on the Scales here yesterday and weighed 112 pounds gained two since I came home so you see I am on the improve Minna and Family are quite well and every one else. Will close now with a Bushel of love to you and hoping to hear from you soon Your loving Mamma Helen J Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

Helen J. Stewart in Los Angeles, 1924. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0084

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. July.I4th.I924

Dear Tiza. It seems to be quite an effort for me to write any more but I am going to try and see if I canwrite any thing; Dreeme Benson came in night before last tosee her Mother and make arraingments to store some of her furniture and take her Mother down to Los Angeles with hershe will staybhere some few days and then go back to Los Angeles, Leslie and his wife and the twins are stopping with Dreeme now Virginia is head Nurse. Geneva will have her baby about the 3d of August if they have made the right calculation. If she has twins it will be a pair of shoes Her husbands name is Clarence Schuh. They seem very happy and he is very kind to Dreeme and the girls. I did not get to finish my letter so here gors again. Clarence just brough your letter of the 10th down am glad you are there and not blown away with a Cyclone. Do you think you would like to come out here and keep house with me a while if so pack your duds and come. Will go down to Los Angeles awhile if you want to. Sam and Lena have taken a Trip through vorther California and to Oregon and across to Idaho to see a friend of Sams I think they will have a good time the wild life will appeal to both of them Our folks here are all well Yesterday the Mormans Babtized sevrn converts all children in our tank It is now Holy Ground I will get an Indian Tomorrow to Clean the Tank so it will be ready when you get here. Clarence is ready so By By and Bushels of Love, Enclosed find brothers Letter He has been watching to be sure that I send it write soon and often

Lovingly Mamma.

Helen J, Stewart Las Vegas Clark County. Nevada.

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. Oct I4th I924

Dear Tiza, No letter from you for some little time. I have not been feeling very well for sometime. I think it is the extreme warm dry weather we are having. The Desert is very dry. No rain and a great deal of heat The farmers that have Hay will get a cood price for it Hay is now 27 dollars a Ton and they are not selling. they are holding for a higher price. We have cows to feed one of the reasons I am Interested, Evas Baby girl is well and growing every day. She Goo-Goos now and smiles. Brother thinks he was very instrumental in bringing the little girl in-to our house. He sent a letter to the Stork and at night he knelt in Prayer and asked the Lord to send him a baby girl. This he asked in the name of Jesus who he says is the best men that ever lived and further everyone follows Jesus because he was the best man that eve lived. Brother is a very serious minded child. A short time ago Franci eat too much Green fruit and had a Stomach ache. Sometime ago I bought for Clarence and Helen an Illustrated Bible. The children have been reading it and brother has learned the Lords Prayer. We were listening to them talk. Brother said to Helen go over and get your Bible. They then went in the room where brother was lying sick and knelt in Prayer. Brother repeating the Lords Prayer while they both bow knelt with bowed heads. When through. Clarence said this we ask for Jesus sake Amen. The next day Francis was better and they were sure it was their Prayer that done it The Dear little ones I am so glad they are so sweet and good. Tiza it seems to me if you are uncertain of things there you better come Home and stay awhile with me. if you will come we will fix up and keep house together. If there is no Man in the Question there is nothing to prevent. And if there is a man be sure he is a Good one. And if times are not good with him bring him along as we will set up a Real Estate Office together. There is two Millionnars here in town this week one of them has offered $15000 for Mr Ullms House and has Rented it and paid the Rent of $ 15 $ 1500 Dollars in advance. Must have some money I guess Ullms have moved into the Hotel a few days untill they can fix up something else. The other one is here to buy Gypsum. Now idf Congress will only make a slight appropriation for the Boulder Canon Dam to let us see they mean busines Las Vegas will BOOM SOON. THE SOONER THE BETTER. THIS PRESIFENTIAL ELECTION is holdind money tight untill they Money men can see which way the PRESIDENTIAL FROG is going to JUMP Helen is going to School and learning very fast, She is talking plainer every day. and growing so tall She is a very neat orderly child and best of all seems to vhave a good memory It is all very pleasing to me

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The Highway is wanting RIGHT OF WAY through our field though I dislike very much to give it to them I will be obliged to or face Condemnation proceedings. Today is a day of glorious SunShine. A Typical Desert Day. I would like to be in an Auto with a good driver and away out over the Desert Just To ride and Ride away the hourstill the night then home again Will is going to run for County Commissioner again. The same old Board is trying for it again, Since he wants it I hope he will be elected. Clarence is in the First Grade this year and he is learning very fast He is a Very bright little boy. Eva is doing quite well She is sending out her heavy washing only doing the Babys nice little things She looks better then she has looked for sometime Ihope she will have good health and live to raise her Children she is a wonderful good Mother. Our Scenaro Writer is down in Los Angeles trying to put on a pla It is just about Dinner time so I will close With more Love than this paper can carry

Your Loving Mamma. Helen J. Stewart. Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada

Helen Stewart in Los Angeles, 1924. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0023

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. Oct 26th I924.

Dear Tiza. I was just beginning to get very unesasy when here comes your letter I had on just addressed and ready to send but it was to the wrong address. And then there was so many interuptions for a few days. First here came Annie Wilson and party from Hollywood in a slick and shiny Auto which nearly took my breath away. And following her Lily Pee-poo and husband John Henery. The husband dressed like a gentleman and Lily dresse in a grey silk dress and hoze and Hat to match looking like she has just stepped out of a Princesses Band Box Just think of our servants of the past trying to shine us down. Lilys cultivated voice sounded like Silver Bells A few moments more have passed and here i have for guests The Governor of the State and some Government men who are hunting for traces of an ancient prehistoric Race who have lived here Ages And Ages ago. They had just been to Lehmans Cave above Pioche which they declare to be on oof the wonders of this great old U.S. The Governer has just given me an appointment ON THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH Committie of which The Governer is Chairman So much for So much. Yes Will will run for County Commissioner again this Novembert, I think he will be elected. Judge Lillis has been to Los Angeles and had an opperation on this throat had a tube put in and when he talks it sounds as if he were trying to whistle softly poor fellow i fear he will not recover very soon if atall. Now Tiza from the work you are talking of taking up I think it would be just as well for you to come and spend the Winter with me. If you want to I will fix up so you and I can keep Bach together It can be easily done. I do not think much of the thing you think of doing for yourself I cannot see the idea of staying in a country or state when that condition faces you. If there is a man in the question and you feel like making sacrifices to be there with him then it is different. I have been in love with a man and know how blindly one followes the flickering FLAME untill it gradually fades out or dies out from neglect or as the old saying “Time silence and Absence are pitiless destructives. Well love is a delightfulexperience They say it is Better To Have Loved and Lost than never to have loved atall. I think it is a delightful delirium from which it is a pity to be awakened at any time. So if you are in love feed the Flame and love on . i believe Moore says

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We linger in pleasures that never are gone Like the waves of the summer, as one dies away Annother as sweet and as shining comes on. And the love that is oer, in expireing gives birth To a new one as warm, as unequalled in bliss and, oh? If there be an elysium on earth. It is this, It is this

So while you are stil young hold the treacherous little God close to your Heart Well I would like to have you with me. If you feel like coming let me know Do you want me to dig up some funds and send to you Francia says tell Aunt Tiza to come Home He has been telling it to me every few moments since i began this letter Evas baby is just as sweet as can be and clarence is going to School Helen is learning very fast, She talks very plain now. She reads scentences and counts up to 17and is learning more every day clarence Senior is buisy in the Grocery Store. Leslie also is working for Boggs.Brothers. I will close with more love than this letter can carry So Let us hear from you soon. If that Sweet Heart of yours doesent find what he is hunting in a buisness way there he better come out here and make a still hunt for something better. Mamma.

Your Mamma Helen J. Stewart Las.Vegas. Clark County Nevada.

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It Keeps Eva Buisy all the Time Keeping the children clean And Nice. Raising a family Las Vegas Nevada is no Joke Feb 6th 1925

My Darling Girlie Your letter came had been looking for it sometime do not wait so long again. Life is too short to lose any of the sweet things of life. Yesterday is gone. Today is here Tomorrow is a dream. A Man by the name of Taylor has bought the Parks Ranch for Forty-Five Thousand A Man by name of Hunt has put in Eighty Thousand Dollars here Today they tell us the Boulder Dam project will be left over as an isue in the next Meeting of Congress in December 1925. It may make some difference here but the Wise ones who have money can invest and wait for returns later The large body of Land owned by the Meussdorffers down on the Flat from Three Mile Springs was offered by them today for Twenty five dollars an acre. I rather think Millionare Hunt will buy it will know in a few days. The Prohibition Officers have been rounding up the Bootleggers They got quite a number in their net among them Jessie Jones of Good Springs who was a Bartender for a Bootlegger Saloon Keeper. It is the talk that these Stool Pigeons for the Bootleggers will get Ten Dollars a day and Expenses while serving their sentence from the Employers who realy are the offenders. We have had very little rain here Crops seem slow moving. Range Stock is very poor. Leslie and Mary have gone to Dreemes Ranch at Loganda[le] Mrs Gann is still there Geneva and Virginia with Little Bobbie Motered up from Los Angeles last Saturday to Barstow staid over Sunday and left Sunday evening at 5 o clock for Los Angeles. Genevas husband seems a real fine man you did not tell us the name of the people you are with. I sent you the Las Vegas Age you did not speak of getting it. I will try and send you another Evas baby has been very sick with this cold or La Grippe or whatever it is but is much better now brother is going to School in The 1st Grade he is progressing fine. Francis is just as cute and smart as can be. Helen is doing fine. You would be pleased with her progress All are farely well now With Much love your loving Mamma Helen J. Stewart

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[typed letter] STATE OF NEVADA Executive Chamber Carson City

February 24, 1925

Mrs. Helen Stewart, Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mrs. Stewart: In connection with the proposed Exposition to be held in Reno in 1926, it occurred to me that it would be desirable to have your collection of baskets and Nevada relics available for display.

It is possible that the legislature may be willing to pass an act permitting the appropriation of a moderate sum of money for the purpose of purchasing your collection in order that it may be permanently kept on exhibit within the state. While the proposal is only tentative I write to inquire as to the lowest figure you would be willing to sell the collection for the use of the Nevada Historical Society.

With kind personal regards, I am

Yours truly, J.G. Scrugham Governor

JGS:LB

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. March. I0th 1925

To His Excellency

Governor. J. G. Scrugham.

Kind. Friend: I feel honored to receive a letter from our Governor, and that he is interested in my collection of Baskets gives me pleasure. A reply was due ypu earlier, but having had the Flue and other members of my family sick I was unable to write to any one. In regard to the value of the Baskets I thimnk you have traveled over this good old U.s.and having seen many Art Collections would be better a able to decide their value than I The fact that you have personally viewed most of thaem would give you a better right to appraise them; Ishould feel much pleased to see them exhibited by the State; If they should decide to buy them, or Exhibited under my own personal supervision, if it could be so arrainged. Iregretted very much that your hurried visit to The Wonderful Buried City prevented your calling. The young man Mr Shellbach brought me the specimen which you so kindly had framed I thank you ever so much. Trusting to hear from you soon with Kindly Regards to Mrs Scrugham.

Yours Sincerely.

Helen J. Stewart

Part of Helen J. Stewart’s basket collection, c. 1910. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0032.

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas Nevada. March IIth.1925.

My Darling Girlie. Well we have all had La Grippe or a seccondary Flue The baby and i had it first it went very hard with the baby. I thought for several mornings it would be the last; You ought to see her now, she is beginning to pick up and get some flesh on her body. The dear little thing she is just as sweet as can be Imam real glad she is a girl. The boys are just dandy boys and she is a sweet little girl. so what more can they want. Day before yesterday was Wills birthday and I was surprised to go back over the years and find it made him 50 years, Could it be possible that 50 years had passed since that eventful morning in March 9th I874. To be sure I am not mistaken I will stop now and go and look into the first leaves of my Binble that has been my companion and friend since childhood, and in which those most wonderful Events of my life are written down for future reference. *******------Sure enough it is true. I see some others there also but we will desist. We did not hear from you for so long I decided you had been very sick or was snowed under. If you leave where you are do you think of coming WEST The folks are now living in a Tent House. I do not know just what their pland for the future are but they will sure have to have a better place t live in sometime soon. Will is very buisy as Chairman of the County commissioners and today he is out doing some Surveying for Mr Riley the Real Estate man. Pete Buoel is getting a real nice Home for Mrs Buoel in Los Angeles, They are buildind while they Rent Eva has been real sick for four or five days but is better today. Clarence has located with Ike Alcock some mines in El Dorado Canon. He seems to think he has done well. there are going to be built two Custom Mills and if so Clarence will sure make some money I shall be glad as they are getting quite a family and it is time they were located in a Home where everything they do counts for the future. The Peach Trees are in full bloom and if old nature will only keep on smiling and keep old Jack Frostin his right place up in Alaska we will hav lots of fruit this year It is very cold of nights. The young Figs are forming on the Fig trees and Wills new Three year Orchard is full of bloom Appricotts and Almonds there will be plenty if the Frost only keeps away And peaches galore. Did I tell you Sam Yount had bought the Wilson Ranch. Lena and Sam and we will be neighbors yet Anice Summer Resort Will and Jack Penance were buisy yesterday removing th Debres from the Ruins of the burned House. They lost everything Just got out with their Night clothes. There aremseveral very rich Men here buying up land.

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They are looking forward to the consumation of the Boulder Canon Dam ssite It is the men with the Vision of future events that make the money We have several milch cows and about fifty chicken I am elected to make French Omelet for supper the boys have direcred me tomput in ten Eggs You better come out and try the Farm life and bring your Sweetness out and innitiate him in the mysteries of El Dorado Mining there has not been so good a time to go at mining there since wemcame in-to the country, They are allready laying the foundation of the Custom mills and will furnisn money and men to get out the Ore for the MillsSo Hurrah for the old Gold and Silver Camp. Let us hear from you right awayas i an so uneasy these time fssickness. Mrs Gann is not very well. Dreeme is at Dagg[ett] Barstow with the Doctor. Virginia is working in Willard Georges Fur Establishment the most aristocratic in Los Angeles. Geneve is Married and in the Baby business. Leslie put one over on them he had Twin boys and they are just handsome. Write to us right away. Of course if some handsome widower leads the way we will get left. By – By

Your loving Mamma, Helen.J Stewart Las Vegas Clark County Nevada. Oh yes you forgot to tell us the name of the people you are living with. And if you get sick very much come Home right away or telegraph usso we will know about you

William J. Stewart and his daughter Helen J. Stewart, 1920s. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. 0012: 0007.

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Las Vegas Nev Mch 21st 1925

Dear Tiza: Will and Minna seem to be getting more than their share of trouble Their House burned. Then Minas brother came in to the Hospital sick The Doctors sent him into Los Angeles to be opperated upon. But he died before they could do so. He got into Los Angeles at 7 in the morning and died in the Hospital at 2:30 two thirty. His father and Mother and Will went in with him. They brought him back here and yesterday with the body by Truck to Bunkerville Will went with them you write to Minna she will be glad to hear from you. Mrs Gann is not very well. Will Gann is in California Minnie & children in Reno. Minnie is cook at the Insane Asylum Dreeme & Doctor are at Barstow. Geneva and Virginia are at Los Angeles. Leslie & Mary at the Ranch at Logan. Clarence & Eva are Minning Mills are being built at El Dorado and it looks as if they would be Lucky I hope so Life goes fast – and it takes some money to keep us going. Are you coming out away from those Cyclones. Bring the man with you there will be a good chance for him at El Dorado or Near here. Go in the Post Office at Nelson at first later in the situation

Lovenly Mamma Helen J Stewart- Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada.

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas Nevada. April 4th I925

My Dear Girlie; It seems you kept me quite awhile waiting to hear from you But to get a letter and to know that you are well is something to make one a little better satisfied. A number of people here have been having a light attac of Stomich Flue; But it has been severe enough to satisfy most of them that they had something the matter with them I have been rather ailing for sometime but a dosage of Calomel and Salts following has made me feel much better. Evas baby was very bad off for awhi but has gotten much better and is now cooing and growing fat. Brother is in School every day of School. I wish you could hear him recite he has a voice clear, as a Bell and just the right inflection He has learned much this winter in School I do not see how he could do much better. Francis at home echoes his work every day by repeating after him so part of the Lessons. I gave sometime ago to Clarence and Helen an illustrated Bible. About six weeks ago Little Francis was taken suddemnly ill Brother became very much worried and went to Helen and asked her to bring her Bible over and they would Pray for Francis to get well (We all heard but pretended we did not) They went back in the Bed-room where Francis was lying sick and they knelt down Brother Led in Prayer Repeating the Lords Prayer He said this we ask for Jesus Sake, He was the best man that ever lived , Every-body follows Jesus.Good Lord Make my little brother well this we ask for Jesus sake Ahnem Amen. Next day brother was well and they are sure it was the Prayer that done it. If grown ups can be heard I am sure he can hear innocent little children The boys have been baptized in the CatholicChurch. I cant see that it makes much difference which church it is. To me it seems to be what kind of a christian you are. I find all the Churches Baptize in the Name Of The Father Son and Holy Ghost. If we seek religion we must all get it fromthis source Governor Scrugham Of Nevada was here the other day and wants me to Prepare My Basket Collection For The I926 State Exposition And RotaryMeeting from all over the United States. My expenses and a Salery and a salary for one of my own people to help we will be allowedAlso the State will Copy Rightmy Book and Manuscript leaving me a good proffit in the Sale of the Book for the Indian School Do you want to come and help me. I would like awfully well to have you Can you leave Dear Old Kansas and the People you love there long eneough to come and help me. They have found a wonderful buried City near St Thomas and the Eastern Scientests are going wild over the finds. They are going to have a wonderfu

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Pagent over there the 23 of May. They are starting tomorrow to Gallup New Mexico and to the Zuni country and are going to bring a lot of them here to rebuild THe BURIED city. They are also going to get all these Pah-Utes buisy Our friend John Perkins was to see me yesterday and told me that Mrs Gentry and Nellie and Laurie Gentry had gone to Salt Lake City to get material for the Occasion Our Boulder Canon Dam Site Proposition Appropriation is delayed untill next December meeting of Congress. The Wise ones will hold on and wait with patience and make money Senator Hiram Johnson of California has beenmad[e] Chief Chairman of the Irrigation Committie at Washington D.C As he is a strong man at Home I expect him to do things there The Swing Johnson Bill seems to be attracting much attention. Oh Let IT Come Soon” Things here are very quiet waiting results. We need a real Good Fortune Teller Or A Prohfit. If you have any there send them out. I believe I told you Sam Yount had bought the Wilson Ranch.Lena wanted a Ranch maby they will come out to live with us. I will close my letter like the Indian. Every-body is well today. Lovingly. Your Mamma/ Helen J. Stewart.Las Vegas Clark County. Nevada

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Las Vegas Nevada May 7th 1925

Dear Tiza. Have been looking for the longer letter you promised to write. Did you decide to come & help me Exhibit the Baskets at our State Exposition next year. It will take some little time to prepare them with Data belonging to them. Mr & Mrs Sprague were here yesterday. Mr Sprague is our State Senator Also has charge of the Exposition & Exposition building for which the State has made an appropriation of Two hundred Thousand for the building there of. We would be there six months under Salery. Expenses to and from all paid & expenses while there. Brother could help me so much if he and Eva could be there. I would not attempt to go unless some of my own could go with me. Brother made his first little speech in Public night before last we all went to hear him. He brought down the whole house. He was cheered I think out of 150 pupiles he was the best Eva was very proud of him. The wife of the Mayor of the City came to Evas Auto to Congratulate her. I wish you could come home awhile. Dreeme is here with her Mother She wants us to go down to the Beach and get an apartment for the summer. The big Nevada Pagent will be May 23. Hurry up if you are coming with bushels of love Mamma Helen J Stewart Box 310 Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada.

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[typed letter] Las.Vegas.Nevada. June. Ist. I925

Dear Tiza.

I have been waiting to see if you could not find time to write me a few lines. I have had the Flue in my eyes so I was unable to see any thing very destinctlyfornearly two weeks. A traveling Optician came through and I thought maby if I had Glasses I could see. So i was fitted to Long Distance Glasses and Near But found out it was not so much Glasses . As a remedy for Flue. Many people in town were troubled the same Some are getting over the same disease and some are just commencing to have it. And I have found I did not need Glasses as bad as I thought for Then I had two of my teeth extracted and that seemed to make some difference I have just two teeth left and as soon as I can find the right Dentist I Am going to have them extractedand Baby is going to Cut her last set of teeth. One at my age might as well begin to write the Last Chapter of the Book of Life Through [though] many of ones friends are constantly saying. Why? You are growing younger every Day. Coui. Cook*Coo. Oh Dear aren’t they good How they are giving Taffy to the Dear Old Lady. Yet it is better than saying How Old You Look Helens Mamma has been up town most of the morning and between the thre children one cannot think much they are having such a good time. Will has gone out to the Lucky Dutchman to do Assessment Work. We still have the Mines and Live in Hopes of them someday making us rich Even as the Forces that make the future move very slowley Yester-day the Shriners from all over the Good Old U.S were here in Vegas Annie Carmans husband Mr Erb who is Buyer for the Salt Lake Hard Ware Store was among them. They sent us word they would be here on the $[4]Oclock evening Train we went up to the Depot at half past three and stai untill about six Oclock. They marched and countered marched to a finish. They were dressed in Grey suits and the Red Fez and they looked elegantly dressed They were good to look at. Annie is going down to Long Beach to 558.Rose Avenue to stay with her Mother and Minnie and the Girls. Ruth and Helen are married to Civil Engineers. Ruth was married last year while I was down there But I did Know they were there at that time. Annie has a great friend whose husband is in the Post Office in Kansas City his name is Frank Sweet. Evas children are quite well now. Clarence stood the Highest in his class Eva is very proud of him and in Recitation he was the best in his class.

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It has given Clarence and Eva the Swimming Head. I suppose now they will think they better make some more of those Intilectuals. The baby is quite well now and Francis is as fat as ever. Eva is a little thin but nursing a baby is not conducinve to beauty. It is a great help though in giving a woman a vocation in life. It cuts off all the fancy edges and brings us down to the real thing in life. The reproducing of our kind And when you once decide upon the Job you have something to occupy any extr time you may find along the way. Well what do you think of doing the Summer, following the ways of A Will OT The Wisp. Or will you decide to come Home with me awhile I would like awfully well to have you here awhile with me if you could spare time away awhile from there. There will be Rates on from this month on for three months I think maby they will extend them from the East also. It would be nice to go to the Beach awhile and run over the Pebly Beach. I do not know of any thing else that would interest you so will close. I am looking every day for a short Postal or a real letter.So do not Dissapoint me. With more Love than this letter can carry. Your Loving Mamma Helen J,Stewart.

Las Vegas Clark County Nevada.

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Las Vegas Nevada June 27th 1925

Dear Tiza I have been very sick was taken the 8th of June. And setting up 4 days ago. I am all right for getting well now I think by being careful. What are you doing there Making some one happy and happy yourself Or are you playing a lone hand. If a lone Hand you better come to me and we will fix same maybe try and be happy. If you did not like our Summers here We could to the Beach awhile. Annie Carman Mrs Carman Minnie and her two girls are down at Long Beach now at 508 Rose Avenue. A good many people here are going to the Beaches and some to Yellow Stone Park. They are talking Boulder Canon Dam stronger then ever and the Meeting of Congress in December. You have read the papers and will know as much as I about it. At Las Vegas now. Some Rich Men are buying up all the Land they can close in to Las Vegas They are paying from $25. to $35. $50. $100.$150. and $200. an acre acording to how close in it is. The higher prices are in the City Limits. I am offered $10,000 Ten Thousand for my lots back of the Post Office But I am going to take my chances for more money in the future. I would like to have you with us. But if you have some one there that you love And they love you and you are situated comfortable I would be selfish to ask you to come to us. Life for all is very short and for me not many more years at best. But Life is sweet even at my age. Then how much more it means to you. So prepare for future happiness regardless of any of us with the mate who will care for you when youth and beauty are gone. Dreeme is here with her Mother and Minnie Gann sent Margaret and Willie to spend the vacation with Mrs Gann they arrived yesterday. Will went to the Depot to meet them Deeme too. Will Gann is near Fresno working for $ 3.00 a day. he has been to Reno to visit Minnie and the children and took them out riding and to the Movies. Evas Baby is trying to talk and calls Da Da and Eddi The boys are doing fine Clarence Junior has had his first school year He can write and read and count up to 100. and recites two pieces. In a class of 26 he was the best of all in study deportment and attendance. I will stop now let us know what you would like to do. Will is building a new House. It is going rather slow to completion as he has to depend on old material to fit and again his Salary is small. With more love than this letter can carry. Your Loving Mamma, Helen J. Stewart – Las Vegas Clark Co Nevada.

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[typed letter] Friday 5th, 1926. [February 5, 1926]

My dear Tiza: I have just written your Mother, and I know she is not able to answer will you write and let me know how she is getting along. Of all the people I have met, of all the ones I have known she has been the dearest the most understanding, her love and sympathy has help me through some of the darkest hours of my life, just to know that one person loved and understood has meant more to me than any one will ever know. We had a good trip home, and Mother stood it fine. With love and best wishes, from you old pal and friend,

Dreeme

If at any time there is anything I can do let me know

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Los Angeles Cal March 15th 1926

W.J. Stewart and Sisters. Las Vegas Nev

Dear Friends. I can certainly appreciate your great loss from your position as well as my own. I too have Experienced the loss of a dear good mother, and know how deep your Sorrow is. I have always felt a real friendship for Your Mother, and admired her wonderful qualities. Sorry this is the way of life. but we all must go the same route some day. Accept my Self and our family’s heartfelt Sympathy.

Sincerely S.E.Yount

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[Written on Hotel Sal Sagev stationery by Tiza Stewart, c. 1938]

Mrs Helen J Stewart was a wonderful woman pioneer of Nevada For 20 years before she sold the Stewart Ranch to the Los A - & Salt L. RR Co. in 1903 she has lived at the Oasis of “the meadows” (Las Vegas) and through that place for scores of years had been a water[?] spot on the Old Spanish Trail, and later the Mormon Trail her situation was extremely isolated & with remarkable fortitude & faith she had braved the hardships of pioneering. She had literally “lived in a house by the side of the road and had been a friend to man” "Kind" Mrs Stewart passed away Mar 6 – 1926 more than 20 years after civilization had found the way to her door. It was with singular fittness that the minister who preached her funeral service chose as his text The 23 Paslm twenty-third Psalm. The words of this Psalm had been her constant comfort and ideal in the long years of loneliness. Through all the privation she had been constantly comforted by the still nature and greene pastures that framed in her vision of the peace and tranquility of a great civilization while she sacrificed much to realize that vision. She was constant in her practical deeds of kindness and charity. At her funeral came hundreds of men and women to pay a last tribute of respect. Among Them were many Prospectors and miners whom she had befriended and also Indians whom she had counseled and helped. She was laid to rest in the Vault, which was erected on the private burial ground on the old home Ranch and in which other members of the family are buried Mrs Stewarts maiden name was Helen Wiser she was born at Springfield Ill in 1854. Six years of age she accompanied her parents on the trip across the plains. The family settled in the Sacramento Valley of Cal There she grew to womanhood attended school and was married to Archibald Stewart. Archibald Stewart was a Rancher, and sought the opportunity for independence and fortune on a Ranch at Pony Springs, about 30 miles north of Pioche. It was on this Ranch their oldest child the late William Stewart was born. From the Ranch the family moved into Pioche, which still retained a considerable prosperity from its boom days as a mining center of Southern Nev. Here were born two more children Hiram & Tiza. It was in 1882 that the Stewarts moved to what was known as the Las Vegas Ranch or the Ranch of the “Meadows” located near the old Mormon trail. There was still some travel over the trail but permanent homes were widely scattered. The Kyle Ranch the Kyles, Father & son, occupied the Kyle Ranch, near the Taylor Ranch, and were the nearest neighbors. 45 miles away at Indian Springs lived the Chas Lawson [?] family, but they were a two days journey by teams. The Yount family lived at the Manse Ranch for 3000 head of cattle. O.D. Gass proprieter the Ranch was purchased by one Archibald Stewart in 1882 at about the same time the Kyle Ranch (Taylor Ranch) was developed about one mile north. Mr Stewart was killed shortly after his arrival at Las Vegas Mrs Stewart, however, remained at the Ranch rearing her children family and

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superintending of the general Ranch activities. considerable produce was raised to supply the markets created by the mining camp of El Dorado and the travelers who still continued to frequent the southern route. In May 1905 the Ranch was purchased from the Stewarts by the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Rail Road system. Lots and choice sites for homes and businesses were then sold at public auction and these the starting gun for the building of the present city of Las Vegas was fired. The next attempt at colonizing Southern Nevada came from the desire to utilize the Colorado River for navigation. Committing it to the grave. Just a few weeks later was born another son, Archibald who died at the age of 14. During the summer following her husband’s death Mrs Stewart and her children lived fearlessly in a place where they were exposed to the many desperate characters who roamed over the region. During this period of trial Mrs Stewart never flinched from the performance of her duties nor did she yield to the temptation to take her family within the range of protection of more settled communities, a gentleman man named McGarrigle [Megarrigle] a graduate of Oxford University who had been attracted to Virginia City and later to Pioche came to the Ranch and was hired by Mrs Stewart as a tutor for her children. Later her own father joined her, and then relieved her of some of the cares & responsibilities of the Ranch. Every few days some party would pass over the trail, and few among them were women. When a woman did arrive at the Ranch she was made doubly welcome. Later Mrs Stewart took a second husband, Mr Frank Stewart, a Colorado man. He died in 1918. Mrs Stewart often told her children that civilization would come to their isolated corner. She expressed the Vision of rails, smoke of trains, and home & church spirs that some day would transform the scene of grain fields near the home. It was in 1903 that a large part of the Stewart Ranch, with its adobe buildings & the big spring was sold to the L.A. & Salt Lake R.R. Then two years later on May 15th 1905 the town of L.V. was formally dedicated. The Stewart Ranch held many of the historic associations of the early time of the south west. Here was located the old Fort said to be the oldest building in Nevada erected in the early half of the century by the Mormons as a protection from Indians. Here also was one of the first smelters in the west. Some of the early travelers over the old Spanish Trail, probably Mormons, had set out apricot and fig trees, & also planted cuttings from grape vines brought from France and remnants of these were still on the Ranch when Las Vegas became a town and city. John C Fremont in his journey of exploration in 1843 had camped at this Oasis in the Desert. “The Meadows” had also been the temporary resting place of another party, the members of which subsequently separated one division reaching Cal in safety while the other met horrible death in Death Valley. After the founding of LV Mrs Stewart continued her old custom of hospitality entertaining many travelers at the Ranch. She delighted in the companionship of women who were attracted to the conveniences & comforts of a RR café [?]. The

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people who constituted the modern society of the community no less loved and appreciated the wonderful qualities of Mrs Stewart than those of the older times. She became a charter member of and was one of the first Presidents of the Mesquite Club of Las Vegas. She was also a member of the U-Wan Study Club & did some important service as a member of the County board of Education. She was deeply religious and was a member of the Episcopal Guild. Mrs Stewart was indeed an authority on everything connected with the history of Southern Nevada. She had made a valuable collection of Indian Baskets & curios, and it was the misfortune of the State that this collection could not have been acquired and placed in a permanent Museum. Her finest basket exhibited fifty two stitches to the inch and contained the feathers of a yellow hammer’s wing [?] woven into intricate design. It is fortunate that such a woman should have left children and Grand children to transmit her name and character to posterity. Her son Hiram died in 1903. He had married Dreeme Gann and was the father of two children Leslie and Geneva. Her daughter Eva is Mrs Clarence Stay and was the mother of three children. Her son the late William Stewart had a daughter Helen.

Tiza Stewart in California, c. 1930s. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. Stewart Collection. 0012: 0099

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Name Glossary

Benson, Dr.: Second husband of Dreeme Gann Stewart Benson.

Boy: see Stay, Clarence

Boyle, Emmet: Emmet D. Boyle [1879-1926], thirteenth governor of Nevada.

Carman, Mary: Friend of Helen J. Stewart living in Pioche, Nevada.

Carman, Mimie: Daughter of Mary Carman at Pioche, Nevada.

Clark, W.A: William Andrews Clark [1839-1925], U.S. Senator President [D- Montana], President of the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Company.

Coffey, Jimmy: First husband of Evaline Stewart, divorced in 1915.

Cutting, H.C.: Superintendent of Public Instruction, Carson City, Nevada.

Demmie: Demmie, Gann, sister of Dreeme Gann Stewart Benson.

Dreeme: Dreem Gann Stewart, married Hiram Richard Stewart in 1896, widowed in 1903; married Dr. Benson.

Eva: see Stewart, Eva

Freudenthal, H.E.: Friend of Helen J. Stewart, a public accountant living in Pioche, Nevada.

Gann, Mrs.: Prairebird Gann, known as “Birdie,” mother of Dreeme, Deemie, and Will; long-time friend of Helen J. Stewart.

Gann, Will: Brother of Dreeme Gann Stewart Benson.

Gay, Sam: Sheriff of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Geneva: see Stewart, Geneva

Givens, James G.: Fidelity Trust Company, Goldfield, Nevada.

Goddard, Benjamin: L.D.S. Bureau of Information, Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Haggert, George D.: Part owner of the original Stewart Ranch which was deeded to Helen J. Stewart in 1883.

Hardacre, R.B.: Assistant Cashier, Security Trust & Savings Bank, Los Angeles, California.

Irwin, James Stewart: Cousin of Archibald Stewart in Ireland.

Jimmy: James Coffey, first husband of Evaline Stewart; divorced in 1915.

Kearney, W.M.: Nevada Stated Engineer, Carson City, Nevada.

Lena: Lena Carl Stewart, married William James Stewart in 1895; divorced 17 June 1912.

Leslie: see Stewart, Leslie

Longhear, W.D.: Cashier, Security Savings Bank, Los Angeles, California.

Mary: Mary Brown Stewart, married Leslie Earl Stewart in 1921.

Markham, G.W.: Attorney in Los Angeles, California.

McCornick, W.J.: Banker at Salt Lake City, Utah.

McNamee, F.R.: Frank R. McNamee, attorney for Helen J. Stewart at Delamar, Nevada, and later at Caliente, Nevada.

McNamee, Leo: Attorney for Helen J. Stewart in Las Vegas after 1913; was in law practice with his father, Frank R. McNamee.

Mina, Minna: El Mina Hanson Stewart, married William James Stewart on 9 January 1913; mother of Helen J. Stewart [Jr.].

Mooney, Homor: Secretary to the Governor of Nevada.

Nibs; His Nibs: Dr. Carl A. Rucher, first husband of Flora Eliza “Tiza” Jane Stewart.

Norning, D.M.: Commissioner, Department of Interior, Office of Indian Affairs, Washington D.C.

Sammy: see Yount, Sammy

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Sawyer: Attorney at Caliente, Nevada from whom Helen J. Stewart requested help when her husband, Archibald, was shot and killed in 1884.

Scrugham, J.G.: James G. Scrugham [1880-1945], Nevada State Engineer [1917- 1919]; Nevada Public Service Commissioner publisher [1919-1923]; Nevada Governor [1923-1942]; publisher, Nevada State Journal [1927- 1942]; U.S. Congressman [1933-1942]; U.S. Senator [1942-1945]; promoted Nevada’s Lost City as a tourist attraction while governor.

Spicer, G.M.: Attorney at Long Beach, California.

Stay, Clarence: Clarence Archie Stay Sr. [1889-1962], married Evaline La Vega Stewart on 31 December 1916.

Stay, Francis: Francis Stewart Stay, second son of Clarence and Evaline [Eva] Stay.

Stay, Clarence: Clarence Archie Stay, Jr.: “Boy,” first son of Evaline Stewart and her second husband Clarence Archie Stay.

Stewart, Archie: Archibald Richard Stewart [1834-1884], married Helen Jane Wiser at Stockton, California on 9 April 1873; was shot to death at Kiel Ranch in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada on 13 July 1884.

Stewart, Archie: Archibald Richard Stewart, Jr. [1885-1899]; died on the Stewart Ranch, Las Vegas, Nevada on 20 July 1899.

Stewart, Eva: Evaline La Vega Stewart [1882-1947], daughter of Helen J. Stewart and Archibald Richard Stewart; married Jimmy Coffey, divorced in 1915; married Clarence Archie Stay 31 December 1916.

Stewart, Tiza: Flora Eliza “Tiza” Jane Stewart [1879-1955]; daughter of Helen J. Stewart and Archibald Richard Stewart; married Dr. Carl A. Rucker, divorced; married Rudolph Anderson in May 1931.

Stewart; Mr. Stewart: Frank Royer Stewart [1850-1918], no relationship to Archibald Stewart; married Helen J. Stewart on 23 July 1903 at Ventura, California.

Stewart, Geneva: Geneva Stewart, daughter of Hiram Richard Stewart and Dreeme Gann Stewart; married Clarence Schuh in 1924.

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Stewart, Helen J.: Helen Jane Wiser Stewart [1854-1926], married Archibald Richard Stewart at Stockton, California on 9 April 1873; mother of William (Willie), Hiram, Tiza, Evaline (Eva), and Archie, Jr.; married Frank Royer Stewart at Ventura, California on 23 July 1903.

Stewart, Helen J. [Jr.]: Helen Jane Stewart [1914-1956], daughter of William James Stewart and El Mina (Mina) Stewart.

Stewart, Hiram: Hiram Richard Stewart [1876-1903], son of Helen J. Stewart and Archibald Richard Stewart, married Dreeme Gann on 5 December 1896; died at Los Angeles, California on 20 June 1903.

Stewart, Leslie: Leslie Earl Stewart [1898-1983], son of Hiram Richard and Dreeme Gann Stewart.

Stewart, Willie: William James Stewart [1874-1931], son of Helen J. Stewart and Archibald Richard Stewart; married Lena Carl on 5 October 1895, divorced 17 June 1912; married El Mina Hanson on 9 January 1913; father of Helen J. Stewart [Jr.]; died in Las Vegas, Nevada on 6 January 1931.

Swayne, Francis A.: Superintendent Fort McDermitt School, McDermitt, Nevada.

Tiza: see Stewart, Tiza

Virginia: Virginia Benson, daughter of Dreeme Gann Stewart Benson and Dr. Benson.

Wallace, G.M.: Assistant Cashier, Security Trust & Savings Bank Los Angeles, California.

Watson, William P.: Associated with the Oregon Short Line Railroad.

Whittemore, C.O.: Attorney for the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad.

Will: see Stewart, Willie

Wiser, D.M.: Delia M. Wiser, mother of Helen Jane Wiser Stewart, lived on family ranch at Galt, California.

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Wiser, Hiram: Hiram Wiser, father of Helen Jane Wiser Stewart. Helped Helen run the Las Vegas Ranch after the death of Archibald Richard Stewart in 1884. Hiram had a ranch on the Muddy River in Nevada.

Yount, Sammy: Second husband of Lena Carl Stewart.

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