He was born on July 28, 1822 in New Jersey. He arrived at Mormon Station (Genoa) in 1852. He was a blacksmith by trade, but was also known as a shrewd trader. He quickly made his mark in this new territory.
On October 6, 1855 he was married to Mary Gibson in the Carson Valley in the Utah Territory. The judge performing the ceremony was none other than Judge Orson Hyde. In a few years the Mormons of the area would all be recalled to Utah and, as the judge left, he place a famous curse on anyone usurping Mormon lands without paying for them. This was one of the first marriages in this area. That could be expected since it was estimated there were only 100 men in the Carson Valley and far less than 10 women.
In 1856 he made what would probably be his best trade. He ended up with land on the Immigrant Trail. He built a two-story hotel in 1857. This was the first substantial station the immigrants would have seen since entering Nevada and the last station before they began their journey over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The hotel had a bar, store, huge kitchen, and long dining room for guests. There were soon five barns to care for immigrant livestock, stone warehouse for goods to be sold to the immigrants, and a blacksmith shop to make final repairs on the wagons. (The hotel was torn down in 1909 and by 1950 there was little evidence of the stone outhouse buildings.)
On October 6, 1855 he was married to Mary Gibson in the Carson Valley in the Utah Territory. The judge performing the ceremony was none other than Judge Orson Hyde. In a few years the Mormons of the area would all be recalled to Utah and, as the judge left, he place a famous curse on anyone usurping Mormon lands without paying for them. This was one of the first marriages in this area. That could be expected since it was estimated there were only 100 men in the Carson Valley and far less than 10 women.
In 1856 he made what would probably be his best trade. He ended up with land on the Immigrant Trail. He built a two-story hotel in 1857. This was the first substantial station the immigrants would have seen since entering Nevada and the last station before they began their journey over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The hotel had a bar, store, huge kitchen, and long dining room for guests. There were soon five barns to care for immigrant livestock, stone warehouse for goods to be sold to the immigrants, and a blacksmith shop to make final repairs on the wagons. (The hotel was torn down in 1909 and by 1950 there was little evidence of the stone outhouse buildings.)
Carson County was actually created on March 28, 1854. Van Sickle made his first land claim on January 17, 1854. He made additional claims on July 1, 1856 (360 acres) and November 12, 1859 (316 acres). On February 27, 1860 he purchased a lot in the town of Genoa from none other than Snowshoe Thompson. He was not immune to gold fever as he laid claim to six quartz mines on November 19, 1860.
The pony express would use Van Sickle’s as a station - changing horses here in 1860 and 1861.
In 1861 the territory of Nevada was created by Congress. Henry Van Sickle was elected as one of three County Commissioners for the new county of Douglas. It would be only the first of many offices he would hold. In 1862 and 1866 he was elected as county treasurer. He was elected a county commissioner in 1870 and in 1874 and 1878 he was elected to represent the people of Douglas County as a Nevada Assemblyman.
Van Sickle’s heroic legacy will always be associated with his killing of the murderer Sam Brown. There are many versions of this story. (One is presented at the end of this biography.) But they all agree on one thing. Sam Brown was evil. He was also a coward. His victims usually included unarmed men, drunks, or drunks who were unarmed. For some reason he went after Van Sickle who was not a drunk, not unarmed, and not afraid! The bottom line is that Van Sickle waited for him after a long chase with many shots exchanged and when he came around a corner he unloaded both barrels of his shotgun at close range. Brown was left with much of his face missing. This was a time in Nevada’s history when there was no law. When the Mormons left there the law went with them. A quick vigilante coroner's jury was initiated two days later. The jury brought in a verdict that Samuel Brown had come to his death from "a just dispensation of an all-wise Providence.”
The pony express would use Van Sickle’s as a station - changing horses here in 1860 and 1861.
In 1861 the territory of Nevada was created by Congress. Henry Van Sickle was elected as one of three County Commissioners for the new county of Douglas. It would be only the first of many offices he would hold. In 1862 and 1866 he was elected as county treasurer. He was elected a county commissioner in 1870 and in 1874 and 1878 he was elected to represent the people of Douglas County as a Nevada Assemblyman.
Van Sickle’s heroic legacy will always be associated with his killing of the murderer Sam Brown. There are many versions of this story. (One is presented at the end of this biography.) But they all agree on one thing. Sam Brown was evil. He was also a coward. His victims usually included unarmed men, drunks, or drunks who were unarmed. For some reason he went after Van Sickle who was not a drunk, not unarmed, and not afraid! The bottom line is that Van Sickle waited for him after a long chase with many shots exchanged and when he came around a corner he unloaded both barrels of his shotgun at close range. Brown was left with much of his face missing. This was a time in Nevada’s history when there was no law. When the Mormons left there the law went with them. A quick vigilante coroner's jury was initiated two days later. The jury brought in a verdict that Samuel Brown had come to his death from "a just dispensation of an all-wise Providence.”
If you look at the current route from Lake Tahoe to Carson City and Virginia City (the main reasons to use Kingsbury Grade in the 1860’s) notice how far south the route goes, before it heads back to Carson City. Perhaps this is because there was no quicker way to get off of the foothills to head for Carson. Or perhaps it is because the Henry wanted to be sure travelers had to pass the Van Sickle hotel (station) marked with a red dot.
Henry Van Sickle is mentioned in Alf Doten’s extensive diary. On June 23, 1867 he stopped at Van Sickle’s Station. Camped there was Company’s B and D of the Third Infantry Regiment on their way from California to Utah. They must have presented quite a picture to the residents with ten wagons, three canons, and a drove of cattle attached. They were heading to Salt Lake City to ensure the Mormons followed United States laws (no polygamy) and to keep the road open from the mines of Virginia City to the soldiers of the North.
Henry Van Sickle is mentioned in Alf Doten’s extensive diary. On June 23, 1867 he stopped at Van Sickle’s Station. Camped there was Company’s B and D of the Third Infantry Regiment on their way from California to Utah. They must have presented quite a picture to the residents with ten wagons, three canons, and a drove of cattle attached. They were heading to Salt Lake City to ensure the Mormons followed United States laws (no polygamy) and to keep the road open from the mines of Virginia City to the soldiers of the North.
Van Sickle’s ranch was described in the 1881 History of Nevada by Thompson and West as 1800 acres two and a half miles south of Genoa. The value of the ranch was placed at $25,000. In Douglas County only Fred Dangberg’s monstrous ranch was valued higher.
In 1892 he was thrown from his horse. He never really recovered from this and died on November 28, 1894 in his house in Genoa.
He rubbed shoulders with the famous mailman Snowshoe Thompson, shot arguably the most notorious murderer in the history of Nevada, saddled horses for the Pony Express, help create the first the territory and later the state of Nevada, was married by Judge Orson Hyde, and re-routed a major highway from Carson City to Lake Tahoe! Henry Van Sickle is indeed an important historic figure in our state.
In 1892 he was thrown from his horse. He never really recovered from this and died on November 28, 1894 in his house in Genoa.
He rubbed shoulders with the famous mailman Snowshoe Thompson, shot arguably the most notorious murderer in the history of Nevada, saddled horses for the Pony Express, help create the first the territory and later the state of Nevada, was married by Judge Orson Hyde, and re-routed a major highway from Carson City to Lake Tahoe! Henry Van Sickle is indeed an important historic figure in our state.
- “History of Nevada 1881” by Thompson
- “Genoa-Carson Valley Book” by Ellison
- “Alf Doten Journals” by Van Tilburg Clark
- “Letters from Nevada Territory” by Marsh
- “Records of Carson County, Utah and Nevada Territories, 1855-1861” by Ellison
- “Nevada Observer” online
The image at the top and the three following images are from the document that Van Sickle wrote. He is claiming the bridge he uses is only for his personal use and 'not a toll bridge.' If he did charge a toll for others, he would have to pay a tax on it for the use of Douglas County schools.
Van Sickle is most famous for ridding the country of Sam Brown. Therefore, following is an account of the murder of Sam Brown from the Nevada Observer:
Of the many desperate characters who terrorized the State in the early days was Sam Brown. He was simply a human brute of the reptilian order. Big, slouchy and slow of movement, except when he made one of his fatal springs, he impressed one as a huge Saurian lying in wait for his prey. His hair was coarse and tawny and his sandy whiskers so long that he kept them tied under his chin. He was absolutely repulsive and loathsome. No one ever had to be told of his character, as his looks constantly expressed it. He began his career of bloodshed in Nevada in 1860, when he carved a man to pieces with a knife. There had been no trouble between them. He saw his man, picked a quarrel with him and glutted his thirst for blood by stabbing him again and again. When he had finished his work, he wrapped the blanket of a card table about him and fell asleep on the floor alongside the mutilated corpse.
He shot men down without the slightest provocation and no peace officer was anxious to arrest him. With half a dozen wanton killings as his death score he swaggered about the saloons of the State vain of the fact that every one gave him a wide berth. Hearing that a man was being tried for murder at Genoa, he remarked that he would go up and clear him with his testimony and that he would make the court accept it. When he entered the court room next day his appearance caused consternation to the judge, jury and spectators. Some of the latter jumped out of windows and others got down behind the benches, expecting him to begin shooting up the place merely for the fun of it. The only intrepid man in the court was Senator William M. Stewart, who was assisting the District Attorney in prosecuting the case.
He saw the effect of Brown's presence and before Brown could pull a weapon Stewart covered him with two Colt's revolvers and ordered him to throw up his hands. Brown, paralyzed with fear, obeyed, and Stewart ordered him to the witness stand and he was sworn in.
"Now, Mr. Brown," said Stewart calmly, "you have bragged that you would come in here and swear this defendant free and make the court accept your testimony. I am here to tell you that if you attempt any of your gun play here or give any false testimony I will blow your fool brains out." Stewart kept him covered with his weapon while he examined him and made him admit that he knew nothing of the case whatever. Stewart, still covering him with his weapon, made him admit that the defendant had a bad reputation and really succeeded in making a fairly good State witness out of him. When charged by the defendant's attorney with "intimidating the witness," Stewart insisted that he was merely preventing the witness from intimidating other people and then asked the witness if he felt that he was in any way being intimidated. Brown, who had bullied the entire State for years, was loath to admit that he was being "intimidated," and finally extricated himself from his dilemma by stating to Stewart that he was under indictment in Plumas County, California, for an assault with a deadly weapon and, needing an attorney, retained Stewart as his counsel. Rising from the witness chair he proffered Stewart $500 as a retainer, which Stewart accepted, and Brown asked the court to adjourn while he treated every one in sight. It being late in the afternoon the court adjourned and Brown, apparently in good humor, treated everybody and, mounting his horse, rode away. He had not gone far before he reached the residence of Henry Vansickle, a German rancher, who also kept a sort of wayside inn about three miles from Genoa.
"Hello, Van," was his cheery call to Vansickle. "How are you feeling?" "Tip-top," was the rejoinder. "Guess you are feeling too well and I guess I'll take a shot at you just for luck." Pulling his revolver he proceeded to pump lead at Vansickle, laughing as he did so. Vansickle sprang for his seat and after two shots had been fired, which missed him, he got inside his door and, passing quickly to the rear of his house, armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun loaded with buckshot and, saddling a horse, rapidly reached a spot where he knew Brown would have to pass. Meanwhile Brown, oblivious of danger, and supposing that Vansickle was quaking with fear in his house, rode on his way, in company with a man named Henderson.
Suddenly, at a turn of the road, the men were confronted by Vansickle. He ordered Henderson to get out of the way and give him a chance at Brown and a moment later he discharged both barrels at Brown, who fell wounded from his horse. It was at long range and the wounds were not serious, for Brown remounted and returned the fire with his pistol and, putting spurs to his horse, rode away as fast as possible. Vansickle followed with his empty fowling piece to William Cosser's house where Brown took refuge.
By this time several persons had followed Vansickle and, knowing that he had but two charges, brought him fresh ammunition. Vansickle watched the house after reloading and Brown finally came out and made another attempt to flee, with Vansickle in pursuit. The latter had the fleetest horse and soon overtook his man and emptied both barrels of his gun without effect, while Brown sent three wild shots in return. By this time Brown was in mortal terror and realized that he was up against a man who was determined to kill him,
He finally reached the residence of Mrs. Mott and, leaping from his horse, begged her to protect him. He got inside the house and Vansickle, who had loaded his gun, again waited for him to come out and renew the battle. But Brown, who had shot down so many inoffensive people who were making no defense, did not dare to face his Nemesis and made his way out of the rear of the house and stole away in the darkness. Vansickle prevailed upon a passer-by to enter the house and he soon returned stating that the bird had flown. Vansickle then rode on to Luther Old's hotel, expecting to find Brown, but he was not there and he waited for him. In about half an hour Brown's spurs were heard to jingle in the darkness and Vansickle knew that he was again within striking distance of his man. As Brown was dismounting from his horse Vansickle stepped up at short range and covered him. Brown, with a scream of terror, begged for his life.
"I've got you this time, Sam," was all Vansickle said and, discharging both barrels, blew everything of Brown's head off above the eyes. This was on the 6th of July, and on the 8th the coroner's jury brought in a verdict that Samuel Brown had come to his death from "a just dispensation of an all-wise Providence." Vansickle was fully exonerated and a wave of exultation passed over the State that a monster of murder and iniquity had been thus disposed of.
Of the many desperate characters who terrorized the State in the early days was Sam Brown. He was simply a human brute of the reptilian order. Big, slouchy and slow of movement, except when he made one of his fatal springs, he impressed one as a huge Saurian lying in wait for his prey. His hair was coarse and tawny and his sandy whiskers so long that he kept them tied under his chin. He was absolutely repulsive and loathsome. No one ever had to be told of his character, as his looks constantly expressed it. He began his career of bloodshed in Nevada in 1860, when he carved a man to pieces with a knife. There had been no trouble between them. He saw his man, picked a quarrel with him and glutted his thirst for blood by stabbing him again and again. When he had finished his work, he wrapped the blanket of a card table about him and fell asleep on the floor alongside the mutilated corpse.
He shot men down without the slightest provocation and no peace officer was anxious to arrest him. With half a dozen wanton killings as his death score he swaggered about the saloons of the State vain of the fact that every one gave him a wide berth. Hearing that a man was being tried for murder at Genoa, he remarked that he would go up and clear him with his testimony and that he would make the court accept it. When he entered the court room next day his appearance caused consternation to the judge, jury and spectators. Some of the latter jumped out of windows and others got down behind the benches, expecting him to begin shooting up the place merely for the fun of it. The only intrepid man in the court was Senator William M. Stewart, who was assisting the District Attorney in prosecuting the case.
He saw the effect of Brown's presence and before Brown could pull a weapon Stewart covered him with two Colt's revolvers and ordered him to throw up his hands. Brown, paralyzed with fear, obeyed, and Stewart ordered him to the witness stand and he was sworn in.
"Now, Mr. Brown," said Stewart calmly, "you have bragged that you would come in here and swear this defendant free and make the court accept your testimony. I am here to tell you that if you attempt any of your gun play here or give any false testimony I will blow your fool brains out." Stewart kept him covered with his weapon while he examined him and made him admit that he knew nothing of the case whatever. Stewart, still covering him with his weapon, made him admit that the defendant had a bad reputation and really succeeded in making a fairly good State witness out of him. When charged by the defendant's attorney with "intimidating the witness," Stewart insisted that he was merely preventing the witness from intimidating other people and then asked the witness if he felt that he was in any way being intimidated. Brown, who had bullied the entire State for years, was loath to admit that he was being "intimidated," and finally extricated himself from his dilemma by stating to Stewart that he was under indictment in Plumas County, California, for an assault with a deadly weapon and, needing an attorney, retained Stewart as his counsel. Rising from the witness chair he proffered Stewart $500 as a retainer, which Stewart accepted, and Brown asked the court to adjourn while he treated every one in sight. It being late in the afternoon the court adjourned and Brown, apparently in good humor, treated everybody and, mounting his horse, rode away. He had not gone far before he reached the residence of Henry Vansickle, a German rancher, who also kept a sort of wayside inn about three miles from Genoa.
"Hello, Van," was his cheery call to Vansickle. "How are you feeling?" "Tip-top," was the rejoinder. "Guess you are feeling too well and I guess I'll take a shot at you just for luck." Pulling his revolver he proceeded to pump lead at Vansickle, laughing as he did so. Vansickle sprang for his seat and after two shots had been fired, which missed him, he got inside his door and, passing quickly to the rear of his house, armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun loaded with buckshot and, saddling a horse, rapidly reached a spot where he knew Brown would have to pass. Meanwhile Brown, oblivious of danger, and supposing that Vansickle was quaking with fear in his house, rode on his way, in company with a man named Henderson.
Suddenly, at a turn of the road, the men were confronted by Vansickle. He ordered Henderson to get out of the way and give him a chance at Brown and a moment later he discharged both barrels at Brown, who fell wounded from his horse. It was at long range and the wounds were not serious, for Brown remounted and returned the fire with his pistol and, putting spurs to his horse, rode away as fast as possible. Vansickle followed with his empty fowling piece to William Cosser's house where Brown took refuge.
By this time several persons had followed Vansickle and, knowing that he had but two charges, brought him fresh ammunition. Vansickle watched the house after reloading and Brown finally came out and made another attempt to flee, with Vansickle in pursuit. The latter had the fleetest horse and soon overtook his man and emptied both barrels of his gun without effect, while Brown sent three wild shots in return. By this time Brown was in mortal terror and realized that he was up against a man who was determined to kill him,
He finally reached the residence of Mrs. Mott and, leaping from his horse, begged her to protect him. He got inside the house and Vansickle, who had loaded his gun, again waited for him to come out and renew the battle. But Brown, who had shot down so many inoffensive people who were making no defense, did not dare to face his Nemesis and made his way out of the rear of the house and stole away in the darkness. Vansickle prevailed upon a passer-by to enter the house and he soon returned stating that the bird had flown. Vansickle then rode on to Luther Old's hotel, expecting to find Brown, but he was not there and he waited for him. In about half an hour Brown's spurs were heard to jingle in the darkness and Vansickle knew that he was again within striking distance of his man. As Brown was dismounting from his horse Vansickle stepped up at short range and covered him. Brown, with a scream of terror, begged for his life.
"I've got you this time, Sam," was all Vansickle said and, discharging both barrels, blew everything of Brown's head off above the eyes. This was on the 6th of July, and on the 8th the coroner's jury brought in a verdict that Samuel Brown had come to his death from "a just dispensation of an all-wise Providence." Vansickle was fully exonerated and a wave of exultation passed over the State that a monster of murder and iniquity had been thus disposed of.