CHAPTER 1: EARLY YEARS, 1814-1879

As portent of a robust life, Lester Leander Hawkins, born March 17, 1848 in Cleveland, Ohio, weighed in at 14 pounds! He was as vigorous in his early life as he was in his mature years, and at peak fitness was described as "herculean" by his comrades. This fortune of strength and physical vigor, would hold him in good stead for his full life and was particularly fortuitous for his first adventures. For, at age three, he would accompany his parents on that great American saga, the wagon trip west, to a new life.

His parents, John and Mary McKee Hawkins, were to become the essential pioneers. Both had come considerable distances to Cleveland; both, perhaps, to stay permanently. John Hawkins, born in Poultney, Vermont in 1814, began his western trek in his early twentys, sometime in the 1840s coming to Cleveland. He had married several times, and had lost his second wife, Asenath Hutchinson Hoag Hawkins, at the birth of his first child, who survived, Theodore Perry Hawkins, born January 24, 1843. Across the seas, in Danmore, County Down, Ireland, Mary Hawkins was born in 1819, on May 24, the same day as Queen Victoria, though in Kensington Palace, London. Later, in 1836 Mary and her husband, William Thompson, a Mormon, came to the United States. They had their newly born daughter with them, Sara Jane Thompson, born in December of that year.

John Hawkins was a hard worker, though, it is reported, of restless soul. During the years in Cleveland, he had purchased property, a 200 sq. ft. block on Euclid St, where a YMCA was later located. With his carpentry talents, he went into the furniture business with John Herrick, who, after the family had ventured west, amassed a fortune in the business. In addition to their son, Lester Leander, they adoped another boy, four years old, naming him Daniel Robert Hawkins, born in 1846. Nothing is known of Daniel's parents or how he came to be a member of the family, but, cholera had devestated many families at that time. The moving force to head west, despite John's business interests, no doubt, came through Mary and her Mormon faith. In 1850, John accepted her religion as his own, and was baptised into the Church. Salt Lake City was the new home of the Mormons. That magnet, as well as their sense of being part of a great adventure, led to plan for leaving Cleveland, and to organize their thinking toward Salt Lake City.

In was in the following spring of 1851 that the family, consisting of John and Mary, Mary's daughter, Sarah (age 8), John's son Theodore Perry (age 8 yrs.), and their new young sons, Lester Leander and Daniel, began their epic crossing of the plains. Supplies, including the familiar "prairie schooner" wagon, were purchased and they proceeded south by canal boat to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, then southwest down the Ohio River on the steamboat "Diadem" to Cairo on the Mississippi. It was on the "Diadem" that the first story of L.L.(as Lester Leander was later called) emerged. Theodore Hawkins related, "On board the Diadem, L.L. broke away from Mother in play and fell downstairs between decks near the rail and came near going overboard. His cap, a nice blue one, went into the river. Mother said, "It was only the hand of the Lord that saved him." L.L. said, "Well, if the Lord saved me why didn't he save my cap?" Perhaps this story gives some indication of the independence of spirit of the young robust child that was to mark his later life.

From Cairo the family traveled aboard the steamboat "Robert Cambel" up the Mississipi to St. Louis, Missouri, then up the Missouri River to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where they embarked. There, according to Theodore Hawkins's description, "we...set up our wagons which had not been put together. These covered wagons were made with projecting sides, so as to accomodate a bed crosswise." "A man named Streeter had preceeded us and procured cattle and broke oxen to work before we arrived. The oxen, however, were imperfectly trained and gave much trouble at first, sometimes refusing to pull; at others running away. Father would go on one side and Mother on the other and herd them along until they became accustomed to the work."

The family wagon, with those who could walking beside it, set out, following the Missouri River on the Iowa side to Council Bluffs (now Kanesville, Iowa). Theodore recalled, "and crossing there, we camped on a bluff where Omaha, Nebraska is now situated. Here they "waited for several days until a train of sixty wagons was made up and placed under the leadership of Captain Phelps, a '49er, and then leaving civilization behind us, struck out on the plains of Nebraska. We traveled up the Elkhorn (River) and around (Middle) Loup Fork on the Platte on account of swollen conditions of the streams. At some of the crossing we knocked down the wagons and made foot bridges of them, and carried everthing across and swam the stock. The route was relatively smooth at this point, being mostly level, and, beside having grand open scenery, it had the advantage of at least six trading posts along the way. Famous landmarks, noted by other pioneer families in their descriptions, were Ash Hollow, Court House Rock, Chimney Rock and Scott's Rock.

The wagon train proceeded to Ft. Laramie, by now a deserted military post, where they crossed the North Platt River. The sixty-wagon train had expanded by now to over three-hundred wagons, mostly gathering their resources for protection. "Some massacres by the Indians had occured ahead of us," according to Theodore's 1910 history, "and trains halted until we caught up. Much hardship was endured and many striking incidents occured; but memory going back throught the vista of years fails to record any but the most vivid." "Cholera had been prevalent the season before and the graves of the victims lined the way. Emigrants, without experience and not knowing what difficulties lay before them, invariably started out too heavily loaded and, as their teams weakened, had to lighten up; so their discarded house-hold goods and the bleaching bones of their worn out stock also lined the way. The train was constantly protecting itself from Indian attack. "At one place, where a massacre had been perpetrated, we found portions of the victims' wagons burning." Their stock had been stampeded by the Indians at night and driven off. "Vigilance had ever to be maintained."

Other, more natural, memories were also recorded by Theodore Hawkins. "Once a Kansas cyclone struck our camp and great havoc ensued. At another time a prairie fire was about to engulf the train and we had to backfire the grass to save ourselves." And, another memory, shared by many pioneers, was the wild-life of the plains. "There was lots of game -

prairie chickens, hare, antelope, deer, elk, mountin sheep and bear. But the Buffaloes! Oh, the Buffaloes! On one occasion the Captain called a halt, for the scouts had announced danger from a band of approaching buffalo and our train lay right across the line of their runway. Long before they were in sight, by placing ones ear to the ground, you could hear

the rumble of their might tread. Every available horseman was ordered out to meet the herd and deflect it around the train. They rushed past like a living sea at a speed of probably ten miles an hour and were two hours in passing. They must have been miles in width as I could not see the further side of them from the wagon in which I sat near the front of the train."

From Ft. Laramie, the wagons proceed up the Sweetwater River, a tributary of the North Platte, past Independence Rock and Devil's Rock, through South Pass, Wyoming to Fort Bridger, a government station. The 1906 biography of Lester Leander stated that supplies were obtained here from the soldiers. "From the fort the trail wound through the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. The way was hard and rough. Nearly all these miles had been traversed with Mrs. Hawkins driving the oxen, often with the baby Leander on her back, as every man of the party was needed to act as scout or guard. The energy, bravery, devotion to her family, the sagacity and common sense displayed by Mrs. Hawkins during this trying journey and no less in after life, entitle her to a monument that might well commemorate what is best in womankind."

The difficult Wasatch Mountains, running north and south, divided the drainage of the Colorado River system from the "Great Basin" of Utah, in which the Great Salt Lake was located. It was the last great barrier for the Hawkins family. The extraordinary journey was to end, at least for a reprieve, in August of 1851, when the party, at long last reached Salt Lake City in the Utah Territory. The family had arrived in tact, and in Salt Lake they were to refreshen their strength, as well as their committment to Mormonism. "For a time they lived in the first house ever built in Salt Lake City. This they bought of 'old man Moore,' for a team. (PP. 16 LL. BIO.SKETCH) (PHOTO, FIRST HOUSE) A year after their arrival, John, more formally adopting the new religion of his wife, was "endowed" in the Mormon Church and their marriage of 1843 was "sealed," as was the Church's practice.

While in Salt Lake City there was a grasshopper scourge. "They ate up everthing green while hoppers, and when they got wings commenced every morning going into the air and before noon they darkened the sky so that you could not tell where the sun was." When air currents carried them over the lake, they dropped into it, and evenually washed ashore in winrows many feet in extent." "A famine followed and people had to live largely on wild herbs and roots before crops could again be raised." Despite all this, on May 3, 1853, John and Mary had another son, naming him George. By 1854, with George and their other children, Lester, Dan, Theodore and Sarah, ranging in age from one year to ten, they made the decision to leave Salt Lake City and head much further west to Franktown, the first Mormon settlement in Washoe Valley, in what was then Carson County, Utah Territory. Franktown had been established in 1847. Many other settlements were to be established by the Mormons, among them one called Mormon Station, established in 1850, in the north western area of the Territory, where the Hawkins family was also to reside for a while.

In June of 1854, the family joined a Mormon company, headed by Church elder, Orson Hyde, and captained by Hilyard Taylor, and headed west toward Franktown. They were also accompanied by Dr. Hurt, the Indian Agent, and Judge Drummond. The continuing journey was not to be an easy one. In fact, if not quite as long a journey as was the one from Cleveland to Salt Lake City, it would hold its own impressive rigors. Their additional 600 mile route by wagon would first take them north, around the northern end of the Great Salt Lake, across the twenty-six mile Great Salt Lake Desert, past Thousand Springs Valley, down the Humbolt River to the Humbolt and Carson Sinks, and to, finally, the Carson River in Eagle Valley. There were no real settlements along the way, only "a few families living at a place they called Ogden, and a few others at a place they called Ogden Hollow on the Bear River. They crossed the river by ferry, paying the toll with a brass kettle. Theodore stated, "Had there been no road we could have found our way by the bones and wreckage left by those who had preceeded us. At one camping place we found a large corral formed entirely by wagon tires closely woven together." One experience, probably the more dramatic, was described further by Theodore: "At Thousand Springs Valley the Indian Agent distributed presents to a very large band of Indians. Their camp was only a short distance from ours. They were invited to our camp and arranged in concentric circles seated upon the ground. Every Indian was given something, the more valuable presents going to the chiefs and head men. While the presents were being distributed, some jewelry was discovered on one of the Indians that had belonged to a girl who had been murdered, with others, a short while before. The discovery was made by a brother of the murdered girl, and he drew attention to it. Our wagons, as was the usual plan, were in a circle forming a corral for the stock at night in times of danger, and as a barricade against attack. Double guards were put on that night and every man slept on his arms. During the early hours of the morning the Indians began to invest our camp and every man was called to arms. The Indians, finding us alert and prepared, drew off. When daylight came we found the entire band had disappeared leaving nothing but a few howling dogs tied to lodge poles. Nothing more was seen of them."

The family, as well as the entire party, had avoided a confrontation. They were to arrive at the Carson River in Eagle Valley, where the present City of Dayton is now located, tired, but safe. Here, a man named Rose had a small garden, and the family obtained some turnips, radishes and lettuce, no doubt quite welcome to them after the long journey from Salt Lake City. While at Dayton, their scouts pointed up in the "Virginia" and said that there were men engaged in placer mining." Of course, this was prelude the fabulous mining claims which were to be made, making vast fortunes. But, for the Hawkins family, their interests, or ambitions, were elsewhere, and, only tangentially, would they know the hysteria experienced when the "Mother Lode" was discovered. They, however, continued on to the little town of Mormon Station, arriving there on the Fourth of July, 1854.

The site of Mormon Station had been originally scouted out by Morman Stephen A. Kinsey in 1850. By 1851, Kinsey returned with 10 wagons of Morman families, led by John Reese, Kinsey's uncle. A trading post was established, making it the first permanent settlement in western Utah, and a log house (PHOTO, LOG HOUSE) was erected, still standing beside a stockade. By 1854, when the Hawkins family arrived, the population had grown to 200.

They stayed in the town until Fall, when they moved north to Franktown in Washoe Valley. Here, Elder Orson Hyde had established himself with other Mormons and engaged John Hawkins to build a sawmill. During its construction, the Hawkins family lived in a tent. They also bought property in the town, about 2 1/2 acres, and were introduced to Alexander and Eilley Cowan by the summer of 1855. The Hawkins family traded a yoke of oxen for 160 acres of unsurveyed ranch property owned by the Cowans, laying between the Cowan property and Franktown. Here, they, with G. Colman, they "laid claim to the waters of Ophir Creek." Hawkins proceeded to build a "sturdy wooden flume to carry water to his ranch," and it passed behind the Cowan property. (SEE MAP OF FRANKTOWN, ETC. IN PIONEERS) This flume continued to supply water when the property was later sold to John Sturtevant, then to John Twaddle (later, in 1902, the water rights to the flume, included with the sale, were challenged by Theodore, Archie and Lewis Winters, who cut off the water to divert it to their private use. The famous litigation brought the Hawkins' sons back to testify in 1902, that their father, John, had built the flume and that the legal rights to the water of Ophir Creek ran with the property. The Twaddle heirs, who had inherited the property, won the case).

Later in 1856, Mary's daughter,Sarah, now twenty years old, married Stephen Kinsey, whom she had met in Salt Lake City, and later, when the family lived in Mormon Station, now called Genoa. They were married by Judge Orson Hyde, in his Franktown home and then returned to Genoa, where Stephen built a fine brick home for his new bride, just south of the Mormon Stockade. It still stands, as is one of the finer landmarks of the area.

(PHOTO OF KINSEY HOME) By 1857, many changes were to affect the Hawkins family, both were pivotal in their lives. On March 29, 1857, Mary gave birth to another son, William J. Hawkins, born in a log cabin loaned to them by the Cowans. William was 'the first white child born in Washoe County." By mid-year Brigham Young, head of the Morman Church, had been removed as the Utah Territorial Governor, In September, he gave the famous "call back," requiring all Mormons to return to Salt Lake City to defend the city against Federal troops. Almost all returned that fall, depopulating the small town of Franktown and the other Mormon settlements in Carson, Eagle and Washoe Valley). The Hawkins family remained, including Mary's daughter and her new husband Stephen Kinsey, living in Genoa. The Hawkins, with reponsibilities to their new son and family, and having just established their ranch with its precious water source, refused to go, and, in effect, by this action, severed their ties with the Mormon Church. Likewise, Mrs. Alexander Cowan, their neighbor, "refused to accompany her husband back to the home of Mormondom," (History of Nevada, 1881) and remained on the Cowan ranch. Whatever the dramatics of the unfolding events, life was to go on for the family in Franktown. "Hawkins built a good house and some barns and raised a good crop of vegetables and hay."(Pioneers of the Ponderosa). Lester Leander began what was considered "common school," during the winter months. The term "University of hard knocks," was used by the family, with no formal school available, and with the life on the farm demanding and hard, it was all they could do to meet the requirements of survival. Mary Hawkins, however, was to continually encourage the education of her chidren, despite all, and she engaged Lester's first teacher, Len Wines to provide her son with the basics (Len Wines later became head of the famous Overland Stage Company).

Meanwhile, the family neighbor, Eilley Cowan, now divorced from her husband, followed the miners to the Comstock, staying in the mining camps. Here, she met and soon married, Samuel S. Bowers. Together, they shared ten feet of potentially rich mining claims. By 1859 the claim struck one of the richest gold veins of the Comstock, making the newly married couple fabulously wealthy. Eventually, after a grand and infamous tour of Europe, they returned to the earlier Cowan property in 1861 and built a magnificent mansion, on the very spot where the Cowan log cabin had stood, in which the Hawkins' son, Wiliam John, was born. The mansion still stands, now restored and part of a state park. This intertwining of lives, particularly with Eilley Bowers, was to endure, for as the Hawkins children were to grow into young manhood, they paths would cross many times in the following years.

PHOTO OF BOWERS MANSION

The years in Franktown were hard ones. As Theodore was to remember, "We wore clothes made of buckskin and of old tent cloth and flour sacks which Mother colored with alder bark. We made moccassins of buckskin and rawhide." "In the fall of '56 the snows came early and closed the trails across the mountains before people had laid in their winter's supplies and food became very scarce-- flour going to $1.00 per pound, and everthing else in proportion. Our folks had some barley that had been threshed on the ground and was full of dirt. We ground it up in a coffee mill and made griddle cakes of it by mixing with buttermilk and using alkaili which we found encrusted around the margins of pools at head of Washoe Lake. The hulls of the barley stuck in our throats and the stones gritted under our teeth. In after years we alluded to it as "the days of chips and whetstones." The first peddler that came along the next spring (1857) offered me $80.00 in gold or one hundred pounds of flour for my dog-- I took the flour."

Besides these great hardships, here were many other tensions in the town. While the winter was as severe as it could be, the financial underpinings of the town had been essentially removed with the departure of the Mormons. Whatever value the Mormons had established in the improvement of their properties, such as the new mill constructed by John Hawkins for Orson Hyde, without a local supporting population, and without a possible future, the land's value became greatly reduced. It only infuriated the Mormons, such as Hyde, now in Salt Lake City, that others were taking over, or purchasing, their properties for a fraction of their worth. On the Hawkins ranch, the effort was made to continue their efforts, fencing and planting for spring grain and vegtables. But, it appears that the loss of the Morman business community, the severe winters, devestating slides from the mountains which covered much of the good grazing lands just east of them,as well as rumors of Indian uprisings to their east, convinced them, before their spring crops could be harvested, to return to Genoa in Eagle Valley, south of Washoe Valley.

One story is told about that trip back, as told by Theodore: "We had a pet deer that used to go out and range with the wild ones for weeks at a time and would occasionally come home, bringing a band of his companions with him. When within a gunshot of the house they would stop and finally get frightened and scamper away. Our deer would remain a few days and again seek his companions. When we were ready to leave Washoe we waited two or three days for his homecoming and then left without him. Just as we were coming over the divide into Eagle Valley our deer came bounding after us and followed on to Genoa."

John Hawkins returned to the furniture business in Genoa with James Bird, "having had a horsepower of their own construction to run the turning lathes. They consisted of a large wooden upright shaft set in a framework after the fashion of an arastra with a sweep. On the upper end of the shaft was a drum of some 14 feet in diameter, the rim of which was braced from the base of the shaft. A belt run from this drum into the shop to other gearing." Such inventions of self reliance were a part of John Hawkins being, sufficiently flexible to provide him and his family some income. For Mary, well occupied with her growing family, she was both able to provide added income, as well as encourage the education of her children. As stated by her son, Theodore, "There was no school and Mother used to do washing for a Frenchman named Larus and he, in return, gave us boys some instruction in arithmetic during the winter."

1858 found the small town of Genoa filled the tensions of an expanding empire, the flow and flux of the Mormon Church, the founding of Nevada's second handwritten newspaper, "The Scorpion" owned by Stephen Kinsey, Sarah's husband, Showshoe Thompson arrived in town, and a Provisional government was formed with Genoa as its capitol. In addition, the 1852 announcement of the Mormon Church had added a fervor, verging on hatred, over Joseph Smiths's official acceptance of polygamy in the Mormon religion. Over this fray of tension and activity, one incident, in particular, was to reverberate throughout the Territory, and the west from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, the hanging of William "Lucky Bill" Thorington, a friend of the Hawkins family, whose home was a few lots east of their house on Main Street and who was one of the most substantial citizens of the county. Lucky Bill was the classic victim, some say, of the self-appointed, often undiscipled, vigilantee groups in the west which took justice into their own hands --- sometimes with tragic results. Lucky Bill, a handsome man with a remarkably beautifull wife and child, had apparently gained his nickname due to his luck, or skill, in always winning at thimblering (or"thimble rig"), an early Nevada gambling game. Many took exception to his winnings, often to the point of revenge, though he had always warned them that he never lost. Thorington, moreover, had done well in business, and many resented his flamboyant success. His interests included The White House Hotel in Genoa, various successful ranches, including the one formerly owned by John Reese in Eagle Valley, and ownership of the profitable Carson Canyon Toll Road (emigrant trail made famous by guide and scout, Kit Carson), which crossed though the mountains south of Lake Bigler (later, Tahoe) through Carson Pass into California. Lucky Bill's undoing was in listening, and believing, the story told him William Coombs Edwards about a murder in Merced County, California, in which he was implacated. Edwards had fled Merced, through the Sierras, and sought out Lucky Bill, known for helping any who sought his aid. Edward's story to Lucky Bill was that

he had indeed killed the man, but in self defense. Further, he sought Lucky Bill's help by leaving a sack of money at the Thorington Ranch until he returned, while he continued to friends and refuge in Honey Lake Valley. While there, unbeknownst to Thorington, he committed another murder, a man named Harry Gordier, and returned to Carson Valley, to again meet with Thorington, once again claiming his innocence. After a highly complicated series of events, suspicions fell on several men, then centered on both Edwards and Lucky Bill. Finally, a vigilante committee was formed, chaired by long-time Thorington foe, Major Ormsby, who, with others, was all to glad to involve Thorington, no matter what the circumstantial situation. Immediately, an opposing anti-vigilante committee was formed, of which Lucky Bill was a member, attempting to thwart the Ormsby purposes and clear Lucky Bill of the appearances of complicity, or the harboring of a murderer. Lucky Bill was, indeed, betrayed by Edward's story, and guilty of believing him too often, and this was crutial in the downspirilling events to follow. The Committee proceeded to arrest Lucky Bill, presented their "evidence" at his quickly arranged vililante trial," tried" him (while erecting their scaffolding), and hung him, June 19, 1858, all in one day. As for the jury, Dan Hawkins stated, "They were selected from the mob." The highly complicated, controversial and extraordinary events were recorded by the Hawkins family friend, Snowshoe Thompson, who relayed the tragic story on his mail runs west to Sacramento and San Francisco newspapers (including The Herald), spreading the unfolding events throughout the state.

Members of the Hawkins family were on the streets of Genoa when the vigilante committee took Lucky Bill into custody. In a letter of March 12, 1912, addressed to historian A.M. Fairfield, Dan said, "In the company of my father and by permission of the guards I went upstairs in the Singleton Hotel and saw there at the far corner of the large room Lucky Bill, bound and reclining on the floor. As we approached him my father said, 'Well Bill, what is all this about? ' and he replied, 'Mr. Hawkins, these men have come here to hang me and I guess they are going to do it." The historian, Fairfield, asked Dan if the people of Genoa were glad Thorington was arrested, stated. Dan ansered, " Decidedly no. Only his enemies Ormsby, Swanger (Ormsby's clerk), John Carey - - Judge in the case -- and W.B Wade all of whom had business differences with him, rejoiced." Looking back in interviews over the matter, Dan stated, "To me, as a boy, Lucky Bill appreared a noble character; grand in Physique, gentlemanly in deportment, neat in dress, kind in disposition and to his family, generous and charitable, and the best story-teller I ever heard. I have sat up all night listening to his humorous antecdotes and quaint talks and never felt a blush at any crudity in his language although they were related to a barroom audience." Dan's brother, Theodore, was "very friendly to the Lucky Bill crowd and probably was one of them" (anti-vigilantes). The controversy raged for years as to Lucky Bill's guilt or innocence, remaining to this day not totally resolved. However, according to historians Fariss and Smith in 188---, "The majority of the old residents of Carson and Eagle Valleys, where he (Lucky Bill) resided are firmly convinced of his innocence."

After Lucky Bill's death his wife, Maria, and son, Jerome, took control of the Thorington properties. The White House Hotel was sold, and proceedings begun for liquidating all the Thorington assets. Theodore, in his letter of 1910 referred to this time: "After the hanging of "Lucky Bill," we moved onto one of the Thorington ranches on the river about four miles from Genoa and took charge of the dairy there." "While on the Thorington Ranch we bought the first cookstove we had owned since leaving Cleveland, and had never used anything but a tinderbox for lighting fires." As for Lucky Bill's family, his wife, Maria, later had a complete mental breakdown, and lived in the Stockton Insane Asylum until her death near the turn of the century. Jerome, their son, had, within a few years drunk himself to death."

Lester Leander in 1858 was ten years old when the Genoa events surrounding Lucky Bill Thorington took place. His youth, abundant energy and independence were to spare him from any closer participation in the Genoa saga. Family histories, though, begin to mention him much more frequently after 1858, and were recorded in family notes before the turn of the century. The first of these stories begins to explain the emerging young man. As recorded in his biography taken from those notes, "He responded grandly to the stimuli of that new country-- not sluggishly nor unwillingly; that he made the most of its possibilities; thrived on its hardships, dared its perils, accepting as a matter of course the responsibilities of manhood when scarcely more than a child. He took his first "job" when he was ten years old, in the spring of 1858. His employer was Peter Van Sickle, a thrifty ranchman. For a year's work it was agreed that the boy should have a fine heifer calf that he was to select himself." Said L.L., "He had no fences and I kept the stock off his meadows so that he was enabled to cut hundreds of dollars worth of hay. I was in the saddle before daylight and until after dark. I was never more faithful in my life. One day while we were looking at the calves I remarked, looking at a nice one: 'I believe when my time is up, that calf is going to be mine.' When the year was up I told him and asked to select my calf. 'Oh, said he, 'your calf died.' He never gave me one. Nothing in all my life was ever quite as big a disappointment to me."

Life centered on the Thorington Ranch for several years. There, the family gained an income by tending the Thorington dairy herd, though John Hawkins and Theodore worked in Carey's Mills (later Woodfords) located where the Carson River comes down Carson Canyon, cut through the Silver Mountains to the west, and L.L. was working on the Van Sickle Ranch. It fell to Mary and her sons Daniel and George to perform the labors of the dairy. Finally, the family purchased a ranch in this location, a mile and a half south, between the mouth of the Canyon (Woodfords) and what became Markleeville. Many properties, previously owned by the departed Mormons, remained to be secured at rock-bottom prices. The one the family found was actually in Alpine County California, though at the southern head of Carson Valley. Here, they "cleared land, and (im)proved upon it." "John Hawkins was roamer. Mother H. worked (the) land." (REMIN. W.J.H.) Hardly settled on their own property, the Pahute War broke out in the Spring of the year 1860, sending fear throught the valley. On one false alarm, a Warren Wasson came to the Hawkins ranch and warned them to flee to Genoa, within the security of the stockade. The ranch gates were thrown open, the cows, calves, pigs and poultry turned loose and by night the family was in Genoa. Later, in Woodsfords, another false alarm rushed all the men to arms and their families to flee. The Hawkins had three saddle horses. "Mother took W.J. behind her, and L.L. rode "Charlie" bareback and took brother George behind him. Near Slippery Ford John Childs overtook us with his stage and invited Mother and Willie to ride. The stage turned over and nearly killed Mother."

Somewhat later, family notes record a sad fate for "Charlie." According to Theodore's letter, "When L.L.'s time was up with Peter VanSickle he came to the Thorington Ranch. We had a horse callied Charlie that was used for riding after the stock. One day L.L. concluded to get Charlie used to fire arms. He mounted the horse bareback and had only advanced a short distance from the house when his pistol was accidently discharged and shot Charlie through the neck."

In April, word reached the valley that the Bannocks tribe had joined the Pahutes at Pyramid Lake, north of Washoe Valley. The Pahutes had found two girls of the tribe, believed lost, captured by kidnapping, and placed in the basement of Williams Station, east of Virginia City. The kidnappers were killed by the Indians, and the station burned. In response, Major William Ormsby, the great foe of Thorington, and partly responsible for his murder, gathered angry forces to go to war against the Indians. At Pyramid Lake the Ormsby force was confronted and ambusded, with the consequence that Ormsby was killed. It was to be one of several skirmishes lasting for years. By 1863, Les Wines, who had taught the Hawkins children, and by now headed the Overland Stage Company, was to say, " One very strange feature of this Indian trouble during the year 1863 was that nearly all the depredations committed were against the Stage Company, its property and employes, and why this should have been the writer is at a loss to understand, for the Indians were always treated kindly, and fed and given emloyment at the stations. The policy of the Company was to treat them kindly, and the only object that can be conjectured was plunder of the Company's stations that were well supplied with provisions, arms and ammunition, and their stables full of fat horses. Respectfully yours,

Les Wines." (Les Wines was to later give stage jobs to the Hawkins children)

The new ranch's location was to provide many opportunities for the Hawkins family. "This ranch was right on the way to the mines where hundreds passed on their way out to the 'diggings.' Naturally, it became a 'tavern' and an outfitting station where all sorts of supplies were kept for the miners and prospectors. The ranch furnished not only the regular camp equipment but fresh vegetables, with milk and eggs for those who stopped for meals and lodging and there was a blacksmith's shop that was liberally patronized. Sometimes, as a result of the day's trade, Mrs. Hawkins would have a milk pan full of money. So, after many hardships, the family, by sagacity and hard work, prospered. But even then it was not all smooth traveling. The blacksmith shop took fire and in the conflagration that followed it was destroyed and also the buildings containing the outfitting stores. These had to be replaced and the loss as far as possible repaired." William (Willie) was to remember that the "Fire - 60 cows, corrals, burned - -everthing but cattle destroyed, all provisions destroyed." (Remembrances of Dan and Wiliam Hawkins)

"From 1860 L.L. worked at various things. Part of the time for John Childs on his ranch In Jack's Valley, clearing land and the like." When not engaged in his work responsibilities, John's wife, Kate, extended his quest for furthering his education. " In 1860-61, when L.L. was eleven and twelve, "He was one of the far-famed "Pony Express" riders in the prerail days." The Pony Express, begun April 3, 1860 by Ben Holladay (later of Portland, Oregon) and ending in 1861, when the transcontintal telegraph line was installed, carried mail 1,960 miles from Sacramento, California to St. Joseph, Missouri). As with the other "Hawkins Boys," L.L. signed up. "He took the bag from "Snowshoe" Thompson at Hawkins,' Ranch and rushed it through Carson Valley to Genoa. This was on horseback when the weather permitted and when the snow lay deep on the trail he wore, not the ordinary snoeshoes- but the Scandinavian skees, which he managed as skillfully as he rode his half-broken horses. "Snowshoe" Thompson, who carried the mail from 1856 to 1876 (from Placerville to Genoa and Carson City), became a local legend. He has even been honored in Norway, his country of birth, as well as in the United States. His grave is marked in the Genoa Cemetery (not far from the graves of John and Mary Hawkins), and exhibits in the Genoa Court House Museum have noted his career. There is a "Snowshoe Thompson Day" held each year in May.

Besides the connection with Shoeshoe Thompson, who owned property Diamond Valley, California, some distance from the Hawkins ranch, Hank Monk was another famed player in the local folklore. Hank (Henry), who drove the famed Overland Stage between the 1850s and 1860s, also crossed paths with L.L. Hawkins, who, much later, told tales of the Monk exploits. Monk was a capacious drinker, drove his team at a back-breaking pace, and highly courageous, dealing swiftly with would-be robbers. His route was from Placerville, California through Carson Canyon (passing Hawkins Ranch) to Carson City, Nevada. Famous names crossed his path, such as Horace Greeley (who gave him a gold watch), and Mark Twain, who noted his wit and humor. His last riders were President Rutherford B. Hays and General W. T. Sherman. (VOL. 5, THE GENOA-CARSON VALLEY BOOK)

"With this "Pony Express" business there is a thrilling romance associated in which the boy L.L. was the hero of two women who loved him, active participants. One of these women was Mrs. Bowers, the "Washoe Seeress" before mentioned, who had a motherly regard for the daring pony rider; the other an Indian maiden (Wah-No-Na) whose sentiments toward him could hardly have been called motherly. The two together saved the boy from the Indians who had marked him for destruction to prevent his carrying through the valley the hated "picture talks." (BIO, 1906 L.L.). Years later, Colonel Henry Dosch of Portland, recalled when he too rode the Pony Express and was an early friend of L.L.'s. In remembering LL. Dosch said, "He was young and slender, but tough fearless and ambitious, her (Eilley Bowers) brave, bonnie lad." (ARTICLE, SUN. ORE. AUG. 17, 1902) Theodore and Dan(now 17 and 14 respectively) also rode the Pony Express,

PHOTO NEWPAPER ARTICLE WITH COL. DOSCH

"About '62 terrible cold winter, cattle froze, only few left (Notes, WJH). By Spring, John Hawkins was hired by former New Yorkers, David and Harriet Walley, to construct their forty-room hotel, costing then over $100,000, a fabulous sum for its day. (OBIT, J. Hawkins)

Another hot springs came into the Hawkins family. There was a springs on the Markleeville Creek canyon, just south of the Hawkins Ranch. The Freemont-Carson expedition had camped at the s prings in 1844 and noted it in their journals. By the time the Hawkins came to the area (reported in the records to be 1854, but apparently not possible) in the late 1850s and homesteaded the meadows and timber property around the springs. By 1864 the hot springs had gained a reputation, becoming a resort for bathers who soaked in tubs eight feet deep and twelve feet in diameter. By 1866, John Hawkins leased the property to C.H. Kilgore, who ran a dairy there with Dan Hawkins. In the 1870s logging operations cut the timber surrounding the clearing, floating the logs down the Carson River to the Nevada Mines. By 1874, Alvin Merrill Grover, forming a half ownership partnership with Dan Hawkins, built a bathhouse, enclosed fencing around the pool, now four feet deep and 40 feet in diameter. The property remained in the Hawkins's family until 1895, when Dan Hawkins' half interest was bought out. Since 1960 the valley of the hot springs has been owned by the State of California, and in 1959 it became a state park, known as Grover's Hot Springs.

In 1865 and 1866 both L.L., Dan and and William J. had left home. William J., at nine years, "left home," and herded cows for Peter Volumn, on his ranch at the head of Carson Valley. He would earn $40 per month. L.L., now age eighteen, took cattle from the ranchers to graze them on the hills about Leviathan. In brother Dan's words, I (Dan) was keeping the toll-gate at Mammoth at the time, and sometimes he used to come and spend the night with me. Once he brought a wild steer to kill. He rode a large mule but partially broken. In the morning while I was getting breakfast he saddled the mule, got into the corral and lassoed the steer. The corral was like a stockade with a shed forming one side of it. Leander called to me to come quickly and bring my revolver. When I arrived the steer was charging him with great fury. L.L. avoided several thrusts with the slightest margin and was afraid the mule would be killed. At last he rode up under the eaves where I sat, while the steer was at the opposite side of the corral facing us with the lariat tort. 'Shoot quick,' said L.L., and I fired, cutting the honda off his lariat. The shot was fatal. Leader dressed the beef, packed it upon the mule and distributed it to his customers-- the woodchoppers, coal burners and station keepers. He was always breaking horses for some one and not only got pay for it but had the use of the horses to herd with. It was in this way he earned money to commence school."

In 1865, L.L.'s younger brother, William J., following suit. "Willie," following his older brother in many respects, also set out, at age nine, very much on his own. In 1865, for "$40 per month and board, he herded cows for Peter Volume," on his ranch at the head of Carson Valley. On his vacation, he would "break horses, split posts, drive logging teams, and work in a sawmill." "Shortly after he went to live with Sarah" (aunt, Sarah Kinsey) who had begun a school in Genoa. Willie was 14 years old at this time (1871). It was at this school where he was to meet young Agnes Parsons, age 12, the daughter of John Parson, another Morman, who had come from England in 1855. Agnes and "Willie" were be begin a friendship lasting decades, and eventually resulting in their marriage and permanent residency in Portland. REMOVE QUOTE FROM LL. ABOVE.

The Kinsey and Hawkins families, as well as many of the Mormon families remaining in Carson Valley after the great call back, shared their particular disaffection with the Church. Agnes' father, John Parson, had had a particularly devastating experience. An English Mormon since 1845, he had been brought to Salt Lake to help set up a Mormon University. There, he rose quickly in the hierarchy, and, having lost his first wife, he was remarried by Patriarch John Young, brother of President Brigham Young. His view of Mormonism, however, differed significantly with the heads of the church over polygomy. He had found sympathy and then joined with an anti-polygamy Mormon sect, called the Morrisites, headed by Josepth Morris, He was even made an "Apostle" of their group, and experienced a "revelation," relayed to the heads of the Church, that the true direction for the church was not the one of polygamy. This outraged the Church hierarchy in Salt Lake City, resulting in their sending out a Mormon posse to attack and arrest them. Despite the dramatic appeal by John Parson from the Fort Kingston stockade, the possee's brutally attacked, resulting in the death of seven members of the Morrisite group, including their leader Joseph Morris, and one member of the possee. The surviving members, including John Parson and his family, were arrested and taken to Salt Lake City for trial. John Parson, by now completely horrified and disallusioned by this act of his church, appealed to the Territorial Governor, resulting in their being pardoned. The governor then provided protection and an excort by General Conner's troups out of Utah to Carson City, Nevada. It was in Carson City area that the Parson family was to reside. It was the family's intense belief in a good education that led them to send their daughter, Agnes, to to board in Sarah Kinsey's school, some eight years later.

As example of the Parson backbone, there is a paragraph underlined in the one remaining

book from the Parson library. In "A Logic of Facts," by George Jacob Holyoake, there is a an aphorism quoted from Burke, with some pertinent facts by Holyoake, " 'In all exertions of duty there is something to be hazarded' - and the brave man and wise friend of mankind will risk the fate which surely awaits him- the fate of Galileo, Newton, Solomon de Caus, Volta, Fulton, Winser, Arkwright, Gall, and all others who present themselves, with truth in their hands, at the door of this great bedlam called the world- the fate of being received with stones and hisses." Agnes Parson, the young friend of Willie Hawkins, was to bring her young, but direct, experiences of the world, into the Kinsey and Hawkins families. The drive to better themselves, through education, was strong in those families, and they gave as much encouragement to the younger members as was within their powers of pursuation and support. Agnes, who inherited her fathers gift of the English language, in both speech and word, was to go on to Norman School in California a good decade later.

In the Fall of 1866, with all the earnings of his industrious efforts over many years, L.L. Hawkins began college life. Despite his lack of more formal education, he was accepted at Oakland College School, at Berkeley, California, setting on a course which would change his direction entirely. His class of twelve members became the very first in what became the University of California. Among his first friends was classmate George J. Ainsworth. George, a handsome, polished and well educated young man, had had all the advantages that wealth could bring, in startling contrast to the early years of L.L. He was born and raised in one of the wealthier families of the Pacific Northwest. As a youth in Portland, he had attended only the finest private schools. Despite their greatly varing backgrounds in youth, they became excellent friends, sharing not only their common classes in Civil Engineerig, but the Zeta Phi Literary Society. This chance meeting led to a life-time friendship, and, in time, remarkable business oportunities for L.L.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS, BERKELEY

L.L., contrary to the family means of George Ainsworth, had forged his own way, and continued to do so, using all his energies to find work. At any and every opportunity, he continued support himself, however simply, and to pay for his college tuition. On his vacations, he would return to the Carson Valley area, and would "break horses, split posts, drive logging teams, and work in a sawmill, or do anything else that presented to earn all he could." Family notes recorded by Dan, he noted; " On one of his (L.L.) trips home he visited me at the Hot Spring Valley (Grover's) and I rode back to the home ranch with him over the divide. Suddenly he stopped among the timber and said, "Dan do you think if I should holler at the top of my voice that anyone would hear me? I said, "No." "Then here goes, said he, and he made the woods ring with a regular Indian war whoop. "There," said he, "I have been wanting to expand my lungs and try my voice that way for a year, but could not do it down in the city. You have no idea how much good that does me." On another summer trip back to the family ranch, he and Dan decided to climb to the top of the Silver Mountain Range, between Grover's Hot Springs, to the south, and Carson Canyon, to the north. And climb they did, up to the 10,000 ft. level, and a splendid 360 degree view from the top of the rock outcropping at the peak. Here, with chisel in hand, L.L. carved; "L.L. Hawkins, Age 21, August. 1869, STET," (editing abbreviation for: "Let It Stand!"). It was in perfect Roman script, with serifs. In time, the peak was called: "Hawkins Peak," and noted on all California maps. One hundred thirty-three years later (2002), his great nephew, William John Hawkins, III, also climbed the peak, and cheered not only L.L.'s memory, but the exhiloration which L.L. must have felt in one of his first (later of many) mountain climbs.

PHOTO - HAWKINS PEAK

In the following summer, L.L. and some other University of California students, including his classmate J.M. (Jack) Bolton asked Joseph Le Conte, the Professor of Geology and Natural History, to join them "in a camping party for the Yosemite and the High Sierras," as recorded by Le Conte. "The party was forthwith organized, ten in number. Mr. Hawkins, who understood something of mountain life, was commissioned to buy the necessary supplies, and the general outfit, such as camp utensils, pack-horse and packsaddle and have all in readiness that we might start the very first day of commencement." Thus, July 21, 1870, they left Oakland, "at a sweeping trot, Hawkins leading the pack."

SEE PHOTOGRAPH IN YOSEMITE

Joseph Le Conte wrote Journals of the trip, published in 1875. The title was "A Journal of Ramblings throught the High Sierras of California, by the "University Excursion Party.""

In the journal he described L.L. ("Lieut. Leander Hawkins") thus, " Strong, thick-set, almost herculean in build. Mounted on a fierce, vicious Indian pony, as wild as a deer, which he rides with a rope around his nose, instead of a bridle, and a blind across the forehead, which may be slipped over the eyes at a moment's notice, he is evidently a most fearless rider and horse breaker. He is, besides thoroughly acquainted with camp life and mountain life. He is, therefore, the most indespensible man in the party. At first he did everything; but he has gradually taught us the mysteries of cooking, dishwashing, and, above all, packing a horse. He is also treasurer and commissary, and always rides ahead, toward evening, and selects camp ground. Generous almost to a fault, he is ever ready to help every one, and really does more work than any three in the party." By July 30, after an adventurous and hurried travel from Oakland, the party arrived, in Yosemite Valley. "The view which here burst upon us, of the Valley and the Sierras, it is simply impossible to describe. Sentinel Dome stands on the south margin of Yosemite, near the point where it branches into three canons. To the left, stands El Capitan's massive, perpendicular wall; direct in front, and distant of about one mile, Yosemite Falls, like gauzy veil, rippling and waving with a slow, mazy motion; to the right, the mighty granite mass of Half Dome lifts itself in solitary grandeur, defying the efforts of the climber; to the extreme right, and a little behind Nevada Falls, with the cap of Liberty; in the distance, innumerable peaks of the High Sierras, conspicious among which are Cloud's Rest, Mt. Starr King, Cathedral Peak, etc." All over the valley the expedition explored, having the time of their lives, its beauty, the vastness of it, and the pleasantries of fine companionship. They were tired from their travels, but stopped sufficiently long to reflect, to swim in the lakes, to enjoy the food, to feel at one with the mightly scenery. By August 5, when they visited Yosemite Falls, they chanced upon John Muir, about whom they had heard a great deal. They urged Muir to join them on the trip to Mono. " Muir is a gentleman of rare intelligence, of much knowledge of science, particularly of botany, which he has made his specialty. He has lived several years in the valley, and is thoroughly acquainted with the mountains in the vicinity.

Once a storm hit the group, "Our provisions- sugar, tea, salt, flour, etc., must be kept dry!" shouted Hawkins. In the quick activity to keep the provions dry, all in the party got soaked to the skin from the downpour. Debate followed on whether to seek other campgrounds, when a "Hurrah' was hollored. "Hawkins and Mr. Muir had scraped up the dry leaves underneath a huge prostrate tree, set fire and piled on fuel, and already see! a glorious blaze." Before, shivering, crouching, and miserable; now, joyous and gloriously happy." Thus, experience after experience, the expedition had its great pleasures. Intersperced with all the hiking and climbing, Le Conte lectured the group on his specialties: glaciers, salt and alkaline lakes, deposites in carabonate springs, moraines, with the many exchanges of John Muir and his expertise. By August 14, at Mono Lake, Muir was to depart the group. Hawkins continued to keep the group organized; always reconnoitering, a little in advance, finding campsites, repairing lost horseshoes, coralling horses which wandered at night, in sum, keeping the expedition on track, seeing that all were not only care for, but content and happy. Most of the group slept in the bow covered shelters. Le Conte and Hawkins often preferred to sleep out in the open, with the fullness of the stars and the warm night.

The party continued on to Marleeville, L.L. invited the group to stay at the ranch owned by his brother Dan (Grover's), not far from the family ranch near Woodsford.. "Beautiful ranch, nice meadows for our horses, rich butter and milk for ourselves, baths, hot, cold, and warm, issuing from fine springs. The place has been rudely fitted up for bathing." "This is indeed a most delightful place, and the party seem to feel its effects upon their spirits." "The meadow is surrounded by high almost perpendicular, and apparently impassable mountains on every side except that by which we came." Over those apparently impassable cliffs must we climb to-morrow, if we would go to Tahoe. Hawkins had intended leaving us here, as he lives in this vicinity, but he has kindly volunteered to lead us over the mountains into Hope Valley, from which the road onwards to Tahoe is very good." After hot baths in the springs, followed by ice-cold showers, and a good meal, the part slept here in a hay loft, as they often had. Le Conte, as Hawkins, preferred the open air, on a haystack under the stars.

Before parting from the group, another memorable event was recorded by Le Conte. "Mr. Hawkins observed, yesterday for the first time, that his horse is badly foundered. He takes another horse here, and by preference a powerful young horse, upon which never man sat before." "He mounted his horse just before we were ready to start, and in half an hour he had tamed him completely." After resting in Hope Valley, just below "Hawkins Peak," climbed by L.L. in 1869, L.L. departed the group to return to the Hawkins' ranch below (where now lived his Mother, Mary, and his brothers George and William J.) "Everyone of the party was sincerely affected. He had been the soul of our party. I don't believe we could have gotten along without him. So generous, so efficient, so thoroughly acquainted with camp and mountain life. He scents out a trail with the instinct of a bloodhound. As he turned, we all waved our hats and cried "Three cheers for our noble Lieutenant! Hurrah! hurrah!! hurrah!!! His face flushed and eyes filled; I know he was gratified with the heartiness of the salute."

L.L. was to remain life-long friend of Joseph Le Conte. His introduction to John Muir on the University Excursion was also fortuitous, for he continued that new friendship also, well into the next thirty years.

SEE PHOTO OF CLASS OF 1873

L.L. continued with his studies and graduated with the class of 1873. It was the first "Commencement Day" to be held on the Berkeley campus. Graduation was held in the assembly room of "scarcely completed North Hall." The graduating address, given by the University President, Daniel C. Gilman, was of particular interest, almost as if it were a credo for the future life of L.L. Hawkins. Gilman said in his address: "...With these external rites let us strive to perpetuate the old spirit of the scholar, the spirit of labor and self-sacrifice, the love of learning and culture, the desire to gather up the experience of the past for the benefit of the future. With this high commission, the University of California sends you forth, the first of its four-year classes. You are twelve in number; be jurors, sworn to declare the truth as you find it; be apostles, bearing everywhere the Master's lessons." Indeed, the class became known as the "Twelve Apostles." L.L. and George Ainsworth graduated with their Ph.B. Two of its other members, James H. Budd and --------, were to become governors of the State of California. Little is known of the correspondence between his professor, Joseph Le Conte, and LL. But, in the year of his graduation, 1873, Le Conte wrote a book summarizing a series of lectures which he had given at the University, entitled, "Religion and Science,", which was "an ernest attempt to reconcile the truths revealed in the Scriptures with those revealed in Nature." In 1874, L.L. gave a copy of the book to his father, enscribed, "To John Hawkins Esq. from his son Leander L., University of Cal. Berkeley, Feb. 28, 1874. Not long after, John Hawkins was to be "estranged from his wife," leaving Alpine County for San Diego, California.

L.L. was to use his new knowlege in Surveying to help gain the necessary funds to continue his education. One story was told by his brother, Dan; "While a teacher at the university, L.L. was solicited to go to Monitor in Alpine county to do some surveying, a distance of some four hundred miles. He got leave of absence for one day, Friday. He left Berkeley Thursday at the close of the day's session and was back in time for to take his class Monday morning He went by rail to Carason, thence by stage to Genoa and the remainder of the distance, thirty-two miles, on horseback. During his brief stay he surveyed a mining clain and a mill site for patent for the Coloraddo Number Two Company; and made a survey for a connection between a winze in a tunnel and a drift from the bottom of a three hundred and fifty-foot shaft. This was a difficult bit of work. In order to get his direction at the bottom of the shaft he suspended two copper wires in the shaft with plumb bobs settled in thick syrup. In giving instructions to his assistants at the beginning he told the chain men always to count the pins after receiving them from each other and also before delivering them to another. All the men signified that they understood what he expected of them. Then L.L. picked up the pins, counted them and passed them on to one of the chain men. The fellow did not count them as instructed, and L.L. asked him how many pins he had. 'Eleven,' was the reply. 'How do you know? queried L.L. 'Because I saw you count them,' said the man. 'That is not according to my instructions,' was the reply. 'Count the pins.' When we arrived at the first tally the other man insisted that the other had failed to pick up one and was positive he had not lost it. Then L.L. decided to go over the work already done in order to find out who had lost the pin. On re-measuring the tally-point was one chain farther along. It came out that the cocksure man had lost the pin!"

After his graduation L.L. was to continue as an "Instructor in Mathematics and Surveying, and to continued until he received a graduate C.E. (Civil Engineering) degree in 1879, the first graduate degree to be issued by the University. His classmate and friend, George Ainsworth was also to continue in Civil Engineering, taking a post graduate course for another year, until his father, Captain John C. Ainsworth, then President of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company requested him to "perfect himself in the practical knowledge of steamboat business." By 1877 he had been promoted to the Oregon Steam Navigation Co.'s main office, in Portland, Oregon. When the enormously successful business was bought out in 1879 by Henry Villard, "Captain George," as he was now called, "was placed in charge of all the steamboats on the Columbia and Willamette rivers and on Puget south belonging to that company." Captain George was not to forget L.L., his Berkeley classsmate and friend.

In 1879 a local newspaper article was to state: "A Deserved Appointment" Mr. L.L. Hawkins, a graduate of the University, Class of 1873, and since that time engaged as Instructor in Mathematics and Suveying at the State University, has been appointed to an important position in the employ of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and will leave this city for Portland on Monday next. Mr. Hawkins has been one of the most valuable instructors that the University has had, and the notice of his appointment to a more lucrative position will be received with congratulations, mingled with the regrets of his many friends."

SEE PHOTOS OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

"mines too soft and muggy" (notes from Harry Hawkins)

PHOTOGRAPH, WALLEY'S SPRINGS HOTEL???

Dan and L.L. discovered Grover's Hot Springs?? (notes from Ione Fettic)

1857 John Hawkins, Alex Cowan, R. Thompson, others petitioned for a road from

Franktown, south to C. Loveland's Ranch,

1858 Stephen A. Kinsey elected Recorder of Carson County

1858 Territorial Enterprise printed in Genoa -- Mark Twain never worked in Genoa- 1859

1862 Mark Twain

paper moved to Carson City and in 1860 to Virginia City.---TWAIN, TWAIN---

1863 John Hawkins elected County Recorder, Sept. 2

1866 Stephen A. Kinsey elected County Clerk

Carson Canyon, (also Rocky Canyon, emigrant Canyon and Woodsford's

Canyon)Thorington built road through canyon , 1853

1870- aerial view of San Francisco??