Susan’s Bluff, Nevada: Memorial in Stone

My visits to Susan’s Bluff and Nightengale Mine taught me about myself. I have loved ghost towns and mining camps for almost 40 years. Alpine Mine was fun to visit and photograph, but writing about it was like pulling teeth. Even with the stunning location, something was missing.

I came across references to Susan’s Bluff while researching Fairview Station and the Pony Express route, and the tale immediately captivated me. Thoughts of the story were in my mind day and night and I knew I needed to visit before they could be put to rest. I learned the history and excitement of visiting mines and mining camps, but what fascinates me are the people. Immediately, I started planning a trip and waiting for an opening in the weather.

In 1849, the O’Brien family traveled with a large wagon train of emigrants heading toward the promised life and riches in California. For the O’Brien’s, their journey through what would become the state of Nevada would end in tragedy. The family consisted of father, mother, daughter Susan, age 15 and son Mike, age 12.

Upon arrived at Goose Creek on the border of Nevada and Utah, the party needed to restock supplies for the upcoming desert crossing. Men departed on a hunting trip while the women and children stayed with the wagons. A group of Native Americans came upon the group demanding whiskey, food and supplies. Susan drew two hidden pistols, ready to defend the group. Seeing her determination, the group left and were not seen again.

The party resumed their journey, arriving at the Humboldt River. At Lassen’s Meadows between Winnemucca and Lovelock, several families took the cutoff to Oregon. The O’Brien family, along with remainder of the families, continued across the Forty Mile Desert toward the Sierras and their final hurdle, Carson Emigrant Trail. The party restocked and rested at Ragtown, between modern Fernley and Fallon, before continuing their journey with the O’Brien in lead of the train.

The party turned south at Carson Plains, east of Dayton, towards a canyon and the Carson River. In a narrow part of the canyon several miles past the turnoff, they were attacked by raiders. The first wagons including the O’Brien’s were unable to escape. Father and mother were killed and 12 year old Mike was tomahawked to death. Susan hid in a trunk. Pillaging the wagons, the raiding party quickly discovered her.

Susan was abducted, dragged through the canyon and up the steep slope. The raiders had made camp above the bluff and Susan was given to their chief. Nothing is known about the details of Susan’s ordeal, but they seem obvious. After the guards fell asleep, she attempted an escape. The guards awoke, but beaten and broken, Susan was unable to flee. Knowing her fate if she was returned to the camp, she ran toward the bluff and threw herself off the edge onto the rocks below.

When the remainder of the wagon train reached the site, they found Susan’s body at the base of the bluff. Susan, along with the victims of the massacre, were buried in the canyon. In remembrance of her, they named the site Susan’s Bluff.

As with many graves along the emigrant trails, the final resting place of Susan, her family and the other victims remains unknown.

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References

• Cassinelli, Dennis. Chronicles of the Comstock Episode 6: Tragedy at Susan’s Bluff
• Elko Daily: Stories of Old Nevada: The Tragedy at Susan’s Bluff
• Ely Times: Pony Express Stations, Part 8: The Northern Route (Stillwater Dogleg)
• The Eureka Sentinel: Pony Express Stations: Miller’s or Reed’s Station
• Harolds Club. Pioneer Nevada, Volume II. Harolds Club of Reno, 1956. Page 24.
• Hastings, Lansford W. The 1845 Pioneers’ Guide for the Westward Traveler: The Emigrants’ Guide to Oregon and California. Applewood Books, 1845.
• The Marker: The Story of Susan’s Bluff and Susan
• Paher, Stanley. Nevada Ghost Towns and Mining Camps. Nevada Publications, 1970. Page 75, 77, 79.

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