Sandy and Eilly Bowers began construction of a mansion in Washoe Valley in 1861, while at the same time preparing to tour Europe. They were Nevada’s first millionaires and they spent enough money to prove it.
The Bowers were advised they should give a banquet at International Hotel before they departed on their journey. For this, they ordered every luxury anyone could think of.
In a speech to his guests during the party, Sandy announced, “I’ve got money to throw at the birds.”
Sandy and Eilly had started in poverty. In 1857 they weren’t far ahead of living hand-to-mouth.
However, their destiny was to have adjacent mining claims that had tons of gold ore in them. Four years later, they did have enough “to throw at the birds.”
These days most people think they have that much money when they come across the state line. Remember to thank them.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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