Eilley Bowers - Economic Hardship

Economic Hardship

On April 21, 1868 Sandy Bowers died suddenly of silicosis-related illness, aged 35. He was buried on a hill at the rear of the Bowers Mansion. Following his death, it was discovered that he had seriously mismanaged the couple's financial affairs—loaning out large sums of money to friends and acquaintances without collateral, and mortgaging much of their stock—and had entered into negotiations to sell part of their holdings.

With the Comstock lode almost exhausted and the mining industry in severe decline, and occupying a house costing large sums to maintain, Eilley Bowers opened part of the Bowers Mansion to the public as a resort, allegedly on instructions received from her peep stone. The hot springs in the grounds were advertised as being beneficial to health, while dances and social events were held in the mansion with Bowers charging admission fees. Bowers borrowed funds to build an extension to the mansion, adding a dance hall and luxurious hotel rooms, including indoor bathrooms. Meanwhile, Margaret Persia Bowers was sent to live with friends in Reno to keep her away from the sometimes-raucous parties held at the mansion, and to allow her to obtain a better education than was available in Virginia City.

Bowers was by this point in chronic debt. The mines were sold to pay off creditors, and she entered into negotiations with the newly created State of Nevada for the state to purchase the mansion as a psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately for Bowers, the deal fell through, and she was obliged to begin to sell her possessions to settle debts. To maximize income, jewelry, silverware, paintings and clothing were raffled off with tickets costing $2.50 apiece.

In mid-July 1874 Reno was struck by simultaneous outbreaks of typhoid, malaria, diphtheria and cholera, and on July 14, 1874, Margaret Persia Bowers suffered a severe fever. Eilley immediately left for Reno to be with her, but before she arrived Margaret died, aged 12. Her body was brought back to Virginia City and buried on the hill behind the mansion, next to Sandy Bowers.