Pioche, Nevada Peddlers – Legends of America
In the annals of the American West, the story of Pioche, Nevada, stands out as a vibrant example of frontier ingenuity, legal loopholes, and the enduring spirit of the pioneers. In 1872, the town became a bustling marketplace for Mormon farmers from southern Utah, who sought to trade their produce for the riches of the mining boom. However, this commercial exchange was fraught with challenges, notably the imposition of a tax that led to a series of clever and comical events.
The Promise of Pioche
In the summer of 1872, Pioche offered the Mormon pioneers of southern Utah their first real market for their agricultural products. After years of self-sufficiency and localized trade, the booming mining town promised a lucrative opportunity. Farmers eagerly drove their wagons laden with fresh produce to Pioche, hoping to sell their goods to miners and other residents willing to pay for quality food.
The Mormons, known for their industriousness and agricultural skills, brought a variety of products, from fruits and vegetables to poultry and dairy products. The demand was high, and the initial trading was brisk, creating a lively atmosphere in the town. However, this promising market was soon met with a series of obstacles that tested the Mormons’ resourcefulness and resilience.
The Taxman Cometh
As trade flourished, local authorities saw an opportunity to increase revenue. The sheriff of Pioche was instructed to collect a license fee from each vendor selling Utah produce. This tax immediately created a problem for the Mormon farmers, who were used to a different economic system. Accustomed to fair trade and community cooperation, they found the tax to be an unfair burden.
In response, the Mormons adopted cunning tactics to circumvent the tax. Instead of each farmer paying for a license, they decided to camp a few miles outside of town. From there, one designated member would bring several wagonloads of produce into Pioche, attempting to use a single license to cover all transactions. This strategy worked for a while, but the local authorities were not easily outsmarted.
Deputies in the Woods
The sheriff, realizing he was being outmaneuvered, hired several deputies and instructed them to scour the woods and canyons surrounding Pioche. Their mission was to catch Mormon farmers selling produce without a proper license and collect the required fees. This led to a cat-and-mouse game between the farmers and the deputies, with each side trying to outwit the other.
However, the deputies soon realized that the legal receipts they were given were not necessary for their scheme. Instead of using the official receipts, they issued bogus ones and pocketed the money. This corruption went unnoticed for a while, as the farmers believed they were complying with the law by purchasing the licenses. The deputies were profiting handsomely, but their scheme was not sustainable.
Exposure and Chaos
The exposure of the corrupt tax collectors came about unexpectedly, thanks to the antics of Pioche’s reckless and waggish sports. One day, a Mormon wagon filled with chickens was slowly making its way down Meadow Valley Street. The wagon bed was essentially a large coop, packed with chickens ready for sale. A mischievous individual opened the rear door of the coop, releasing the chickens into the street.
Chaos ensued as the chickens began hopping out of the wagon, scattering in all directions. The town’s sports, known for their love of excitement and pranks, joined in the mayhem. They yelled, hooted, and chased the chickens, scattering them even further. The Mormon farmer, horrified by the sudden loss of his valuable property, desperately tried to catch the fleeing chickens.
Revolvers and Bogus Licenses
To make matters worse, the sports drew their revolvers and began firing at the chickens, ostensibly trying to help the farmer. However, the shots fell uncomfortably close to the Mormon, who feared for his safety. In a state of alarm and vexation, he abandoned the chase and ran to the sheriff, seeking protection and justice.
When the Mormon farmer sought legal recourse, the sheriff asked to see his license. The farmer produced the bogus license he had purchased from one of the corrupt deputies. The sheriff, of course, did not recognize the fictitious name and promptly arrested the Mormon for trading without a license.
In the meantime, the chickens hauled from St. George had scattered, and the Mormon was left to deal with the legal fallout. He had to hire a lawyer and remain in Pioche at his own expense while awaiting trial. The bogus license, bought in good faith, was worthless. The farmer could not locate the deputy who had issued it, leaving him with no recourse.
Justice and Loss
The sympathetic jury acquitted the Mormon farmer, recognizing that he had been a victim of circumstance. However, the lawyer demanded his team of horses as payment for his services, leaving the farmer with nothing. The innocent and injured Mormon had to start for home on foot, robbed and plundered by a chain of unfortunate events that left him with no legal redress.
The incident, however, brought an end to the corrupt practice of using licensed collectors to plunder Mormon farmers under the guise of law. The exposure of the scheme and the sympathetic verdict in the farmer’s case made it clear that such tactics would no longer be tolerated.
Legacy of Pioche
The story of the Mormon peddlers in Pioche is a testament to the challenges and resilience of the early settlers in the American West. It highlights the resourcefulness of the Mormon pioneers, the corruption that sometimes plagued frontier towns, and the importance of community and justice.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life in the Old West, where fortunes could be made and lost in an instant. The story of the Mormon farmer and his chickens has become a part of Pioche’s rich history, a tale told and retold as a reminder of the town’s colorful past.
Pioche, Nevada, remains a place of historical significance, a town that embodies the spirit of the American West. Its story is filled with tales of miners, pioneers, and the everyday people who shaped the region. The legend of the Mormon peddlers is just one chapter in this ongoing saga, a story that continues to captivate and inspire.
About the Author
William Daugherty wrote this account for the Reno Evening Gazette in 1891. The Gazette was first published on October 12, 1876, and continued for 107 years. In 1977, it merged with the Nevada State Journal to become the Reno Gazette-Journal, which continues to publish today.
Also See:
- Pioneers on the Nevada Frontier (Reno Evening Gazette)
- Tales of the Overland Stage (Reno Evening Gazette)
- Nevada Mining Tales (Reno Evening Gazette)
- Nevada – The Silver State
