First Lady of Las Vegas – Legends of America
The image of a lone wagon slowly making its way through the arid Nevada landscape paints a poignant picture of resilience and fortitude. In 1884, Helen Stewart found herself in this very situation, returning to the Las Vegas Ranch with the body of her late husband, Archibald. The stark message she received from Conrad Kiel, a neighboring rancher, was as brief as it was devastating: "Mrs. Sturd Send a Team and take Mr. Sturd away he is dead." This simple note marked the beginning of a new chapter in Helen’s life, one that would see her rise to become a pivotal figure in the history of Las Vegas.
A Woman of Strength and Determination
Faced with unimaginable grief, Helen Stewart displayed remarkable strength. Without hesitation, she unhitched the wagon and tended to the horses. The task of preparing Archibald for his final resting place was daunting, especially given the scarcity of resources in the remote location. Undeterred, Helen dismantled the ranch house doors, repurposing the wood to create a makeshift coffin. With her own hands, she lovingly prepared her husband’s body for burial.
In a moment of quiet reflection, Helen read from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, reciting their favorite scripture, the Twenty-Third Psalm. Only after the last shovel of earth covered Archibald’s grave did she allow herself to grieve openly. This act of devotion and resilience showcased the depth of her love and the unwavering spirit that would define her legacy.
From Illinois to the Nevada Frontier
Born Helen Jane Wiser on April 16, 1854, in Springfield, Illinois, Helen’s early life was marked by adventure and migration. At the tender age of nine, her family embarked on a long and arduous journey across the plains, eventually settling in Sacramento, California, after a brief stay in Carson Valley, Nevada. This early exposure to the challenges of frontier life undoubtedly shaped her character and instilled in her a sense of adaptability and resourcefulness.
Shortly before her nineteenth birthday, Helen married Archibald Stewart, a union that would lead her to the rugged landscapes of Nevada. They initially settled at the Knapper Ranch near Pioche, where Archibald continued his business as a freighter and cattle dealer. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to acquire an isolated ranch at Pony Springs, where their eldest son, William James, was born. As their family grew, the Stewarts moved to Pioche, a thriving silver-mining town. There, they welcomed two more children: Hiram Richard and Flora Eliza Jane, affectionately known as Tiza.
The Las Vegas Ranch: A New Beginning
In 1882, the Stewarts made a pivotal decision to settle at what would become the Las Vegas Ranch. Archibald had acquired the land after O. D. Gass defaulted on a loan, mortgaging 640 acres of the Las Vegas Ranch and 320 acres of the adjacent Spring Ranch as collateral. Helen initially dreaded the isolation of their new home, having enjoyed the bustling atmosphere of Pioche. However, in April 1882, they embarked on the long journey to the Las Vegas Valley, bringing with them horses, cattle, livestock, and farming implements.
With determination and hard work, the Stewarts systematically cultivated the land, transforming it into a thriving agricultural hub. The Las Vegas Ranch became a major supplier of alfalfa, grain, vegetables, fruit, cured beef, and even wine. Their crops were hauled to local mining camps and the nearest market at Eldorado Canyon, where they could also purchase necessities and luxuries brought up the Colorado River by steamboat.
Tragedy and Resilience
Despite the challenges of frontier life, the Stewart family thrived. Five months after settling in, they welcomed another daughter, Evaline La Vega, known as Eva. Helen’s strong faith sustained her, especially after Archibald’s untimely death. She firmly believed that the Lord would not abandon them, despite the hardships they faced. Archibald’s grave would be the first of seven in the area known as "Four Acres."
As she mourned her husband, Helen was also pregnant with her fifth child. On January 25, 1885, she gave birth to Archibald Junior, her Archie, who would become her favorite. Despite the offers to sell the ranch and move to more civilized areas, Helen remained steadfast in her determination to stay.
A Hub of Hospitality and Community
The Las Vegas Ranch became a vital stopover for travelers on the Los Angeles-Salt Lake City route. Stagecoaches and wagon trains would stop by to refresh themselves and their weary teams at the Las Vegas Spring on the ranch property. Helen was known for her gracious hospitality, and her ranch house became the social center for the sparsely populated region. She welcomed all, especially the few women who passed through, creating a sense of community in the isolated landscape.
Recognizing the potential dangers of living in the wilderness, Helen took measures to protect her family and property. She was a skilled markswoman, and any unruly visitors were quickly put in their place with a demonstration of her shooting prowess. The local Paiute tribe also came to respect and honor Helen for her concern for their well-being. She developed a lifelong interest in their native art of basket weaving, eventually amassing one of the finest collections in the West.
A Vision for the Future
As her children grew older, they yearned for the comforts of civilization. Helen encouraged them to be patient, assuring them that civilization would eventually find them. She painted vivid pictures of the future, describing the "glint of the rails, the smoke of the trains, and the homes and church spires" that she envisioned in the distance.
Helen Stewart was a strong advocate for education in the Las Vegas Valley. She initially taught her children herself, but later hired James Ross Megarrigle, a graduate of Oxford University, as a tutor. Megarrigle became the first accredited teacher in the region, remaining in his post until his death in 1894.
In 1893, Helen was appointed postmaster of the "Los" Vegas Post Office. (The government had changed the spelling to avoid confusion with Las Vegas, New Mexico, but the original spelling was reinstated in 1903.) The ranch also became the site for the new Los Vegas voting precinct.
A Railroad and a New Chapter
The rumors of a railroad running through the valley became a reality in 1902, when Helen Stewart signed a contract with Senator William Clark of Montana to sell the ranch to the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad for $55,000. She retained 160 acres, including "Four Acres," as well as rights to the crops, cattle, horses, and water from the Las Vegas Creek. Each of her children deeded their shares back to her for the sum of one dollar, with love and affection.
In less than three years, Helen acquired 924 acres adjacent to the land she sold to the railroad, anticipating the rise in land values that would accompany the railroad’s arrival. That same year, she married Frank Stewart, a ranch hand she had hired in 1886. She had come to depend on him, but only accepted his proposal after he signed a prenuptial agreement giving up all rights to her property.
The Birth of a City
The year 1905 marked a turning point for Las Vegas. The Great Auction was held, and one of the main streets was named "Stewart" in honor of the First Family of Las Vegas. Helen described the sudden growth as "waking from a dream and (finding) all the comforts of an advanced civilization with us. The hardships were no more."
Helen embraced the social whirl that came with the arrival of new residents, enjoying the cultural events that had been unavailable to her for so long. Her kindness and lack of unkind remarks endeared her to all.
Legacy of a Pioneer
Helen Stewart’s interest in the history of southern Nevada led her to become involved with the Nevada State Historical Society. She also joined the Society of Nevada Pioneers and founded the Mesquite Club, encouraging members to do as much for the community as the mesquite tree did for the valley’s first inhabitants.
She collected relics of local history, including the pen used to sign the act of incorporation for the City of Las Vegas. Her collection of Paiute baskets became so extensive that the Governor expressed interest in purchasing them for the State Historical Society.
Helen was elected to the Clark County School Board, running as a Republican with the endorsement of the Democrats. She accepted the post of Clerk for the Board, but stipulated that the clerical work be done by the principal of Clark High School.
In 1916, Helen was among the first women subpoenaed to serve as jurors in Justice Court. Eight years later, she served on a jury for a murder trial, the first time a woman in Nevada served on a jury for a capital crime. Despite the skepticism of some lawyers, the women on the jury proved to be harsher than the men in their judgments.
A Lasting Impact
Helen Stewart’s legacy lives on in Las Vegas. The Helen J. Stewart School for Mentally Impaired Children was named in honor of her granddaughter, Helen Jane Stewart, who was born in 1914. The school stands across the street from "Four Acres" and Helen J. Stewart’s grave.
On March 6, 1926, Helen Stewart passed away after a long battle with cancer. Her funeral procession was the largest in Las Vegas to that time, attended by people from all walks of life. Delphine Squires, wife of newspaper editor Pop Squires, dubbed Helen J. Stewart "The First Lady of Las Vegas," praising her indomitable will, strength of purpose, and courageous heart.
Helen J. Stewart’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and community spirit. She transformed the Las Vegas Valley from a remote frontier outpost into a thriving city, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Nevada.