Nellie Cashman – Pioneering the Mining Camps
Ellen "Nellie" Cashman, a name synonymous with resilience, compassion, and entrepreneurial spirit, stands as a towering figure among the pioneers of the American Old West. More than just a prospector seeking fortune in the rugged landscapes, Nellie Cashman was an extraordinary woman who carved a path of her own, leaving an indelible mark on the burgeoning mining camps that dotted the Western frontier. She was a true "angel of mercy," offering succor, support, and unwavering kindness to those who braved the harsh realities of frontier life. Her story is one of adventure, determination, and a profound commitment to humanity, solidifying her place as a legend of the West.
Born in 1845 in Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland, to Patrick Cashman and Frances "Fanny" Cronin, Nellie’s early life was marked by tragedy. The untimely death of her father when she was only five years old cast a long shadow over her childhood. Amidst the ravages of the devastating potato famine, Nellie, her sister Fanny, and their mother embarked on a perilous journey across the Atlantic, seeking refuge and a new beginning in the United States.
The family initially settled in Boston, Massachusetts, before relocating to the bustling capital city of Washington, D.C. It was here that young Nellie began to forge her own path, securing a position as a lift operator in a prominent hotel. This seemingly ordinary job offered her a unique window into the political landscape of a nation on the brink of civil war. She often overheard snippets of conversations concerning Civil War politics and, on one memorable occasion, had the distinct honor of meeting General Ulysses S. Grant. The general, recognizing the spark of adventure in her eyes, encouraged her to seek her destiny in the West.
Taking General Grant’s advice to heart, the Cashman family ventured westward, arriving in San Francisco, California, sometime between 1865 and 1869. While Fannie soon embraced domestic life, marrying and starting a family, the adventurous spirit of Nellie Cashman burned brighter than ever. Captivated by the alluring tales of the gold rush and the promise of untold riches, she secured employment as a cook in various mining camps across Nevada, including the notorious Virginia City and Pioche.
Nellie Cashman proved to be a quick learner, diligently saving her earnings and observing the intricacies of frontier commerce. In 1872, she took a leap of faith and opened the Miner’s Boarding House at Panaca Flat, Nevada. This establishment became more than just a place to eat and sleep; it was a sanctuary for the weary miners who toiled in the unforgiving landscape. Known for her generosity and empathy, Nellie often provided food and lodging to miners who had fallen on hard times, embodying the true spirit of compassion.
Descriptions of Nellie Cashman paint a vivid picture of her character: "Pretty as a Victorian cameo and, when necessary, tougher than two-penny nails." This seemingly paradoxical combination of grace and grit defined her approach to life. Her time in the Nevada mining camps was just the beginning of her remarkable journey, one that would see her establishing businesses, engaging in prospecting ventures, and consistently looking after the well-being of the miners who populated these rough-and-tumble communities.
In 1874, news of a significant gold discovery in the Cassiar Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, reached the ears of the ambitious prospectors in Nevada. Nellie Cashman, never one to shy away from a challenge, joined a group of 200 Nevada miners and headed northward. Upon arriving at Telegraph Creek, she once again established a boarding house, providing a much-needed haven for the influx of miners seeking their fortunes in the Canadian wilderness. Her unwavering care for the miners continued, providing assistance when they were in need and nursing them back to health when illness struck.
A devout Catholic, Nellie Cashman also demonstrated a strong commitment to her faith and a deep concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of the community. She began collecting donations for the Sisters of St. Anne in Victoria, with the intention of helping them build a hospital to serve the needs of the growing population. Her efforts were met with gratitude and support, and the Sisters eagerly embraced her assistance.
Sometime later, Nellie journeyed to Victoria to personally deliver $500 in donations, a significant sum at the time, which would contribute to the construction of St. Joseph’s Hospital. While in Victoria, she received alarming news that 26 miners had become stranded in a severe snowstorm in the Cassiar Mountains. Without hesitation, Nellie organized a rescue expedition consisting of six men and several pack animals carrying 1,500 pounds of essential supplies. She embarked on a perilous journey to find the stranded miners, fully aware of the daunting challenges that lay ahead. The conditions in the mountains were so treacherous that even the Canadian Army deemed a rescue attempt too risky. However, upon learning of Nellie’s determination, the commander dispatched troops to intercept her and persuade her to return to safety. But Nellie, fueled by her unwavering compassion, refused to turn back until she had located the missing miners.
After an arduous 77 days, often battling through snowdrifts as deep as ten feet, Nellie and her team finally located the stranded miners. The number of miners was actually greater than initially reported, with over 75 men suffering from severe scurvy. Nellie immediately took charge, incorporating Vitamin C-rich foods into their diets and providing diligent nursing care. Thanks to her efforts, the miners gradually regained their health and were able to return to civilization.
As the Cassiar strike began to wane, Nellie Cashman turned her sights to the silver fields of Arizona in 1879. She first settled in Tucson, where she opened the Delmonico Restaurant, a venture that marked her as the first woman business owner in the town. Despite her habit of freely offering food to those in need, her restaurant proved to be a success. However, her time in Tucson was relatively short-lived. In 1880, she sold the restaurant and moved on to the burgeoning town of Tombstone, drawn by the allure of a new silver rush.
Upon arriving in Tombstone, Nellie briefly operated a boot and shoe store before establishing the Russ House Restaurant. A popular anecdote from this period recounts an incident in which a disgruntled customer complained about Nellie’s cooking. Legend has it that Doc Holliday, a notorious figure of the Wild West, was present during the exchange. Holliday, known for his quick temper and even quicker draw, allegedly drew his sidearm and requested that the customer repeat his complaint. The embarrassed customer, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly recanted, declaring that the meal was "Best I ever ate."
Nellie Cashman continued to dedicate herself to her Catholic faith, raising funds for the construction of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tombstone. She also served as a nurse, providing medical care to those in need. Before sufficient funds were raised to build the church, she persuaded the owners of the Crystal Palace Saloon, a popular establishment in Tombstone, to allow Sunday church services to be held there. In addition to her work with the Catholic Church, Nellie also raised money for the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the Miner’s Hospital, and countless individual miners who had fallen on hard times. Her tireless efforts earned her the well-deserved title of "Angel of Mercy."
When her brother-in-law passed away in 1881, Nellie Cashman invited her widowed sister, Fannie, and her five children to join her in Tombstone, providing them with a stable and supportive environment.
In December 1883, a tragic event known as the Bisbee Massacre occurred in the nearby town of Bisbee. Five killers committed a robbery, leaving four people dead. The perpetrators were apprehended and brought to trial in Tombstone, where they were sentenced to hang on March 8, 1884. As the execution date approached, the town transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere, with free tickets being distributed for the event. An enterprising businessman even constructed bleachers around the gallows and began selling additional tickets.
Nellie Cashman vehemently opposed the spectacle surrounding the executions. Outraged by the citizens’ behavior and believing that no death should be "celebrated," she befriended the five convicts, visiting them regularly and offering them spiritual guidance. She implored Sheriff Ward to impose a curfew on the town during the hangings. Ward conceded, and the vast majority of onlookers were prevented from witnessing the event.
After the executions, the men were buried in Tombstone’s Boot Hill cemetery. However, Nellie learned of a plan to exhume the bodies and sell them to a medical school for study. Appalled by this prospect, she hired two prospectors to guard the graves for ten days, ensuring that the remains were left undisturbed. The graves remain at Boot Hill to this day.
Later that year, during a labor dispute, a group of miners attempted to lynch mine owner E.B. Gage. Nellie fearlessly drove her buggy into the mob and rescued Gage, spiriting him away to safety in Benson, Arizona.
After an unsuccessful gold expedition to Baja, California, Nellie’s sister Fannie succumbed to tuberculosis, leaving Nellie to care for her five children. In 1886, Nellie sold the Russ House and left Tombstone with the children. She traveled to various locations in Arizona, including Nogales, Jerome, Prescott, Yuma, and Harqua Hala, setting up restaurants and engaging in prospecting activities. Later, she ventured to other mining camps in Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico. Despite their constant travels, all five children thrived under Nellie’s care, becoming successful and productive members of society.
With the onset of the Klondike Gold Rush, Nellie Cashman headed to the Yukon in 1898. In Dawson City, she established yet another restaurant and mercantile, providing much-needed support to the miners who flocked to the region in search of gold. In 1904, she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she opened a grocery store. Throughout this period, she continued to acquire mining claims, working on them whenever she had the opportunity.
Nellie Cashman finally settled down in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1923. In January 1925, she passed away from pneumonia in the very same hospital that she had helped to build – St. Joseph’s. Her giving spirit and unwavering commitment to others had earned her widespread recognition throughout the West, and her eulogy was published in newspapers as far away as New York. This diminutive woman, who often dressed as a man and never married, had left an enduring legacy as one of the first women entrepreneurs in the West, as well as a miner and an "Angel of Mercy." Over the years, she had been affectionately known by various names, including the Frontier Angel, Saint of the Sourdoughs, Miner’s Angel, Angel of the Cassiar, and The Angel of Tombstone. Her life serves as an inspiration, reminding us of the power of compassion, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of a better world.