Get Along Little Turkeys

© C. MacDonald

Miners and townspeople in Carson City, Nevada were ecstatic to get a most unique holiday gift from California in December of 1866—turkeys for dinner!

Turkeys were reportedly nonexistent in the Carson City area east of the Sierra and the hungry folks would pay anything to get the delicious holiday delicacy. But how turkeys got there in the first place is an incredible story.

It all started with Henry C. Hooker, a New Hampshire native, who came west to strike it rich in the California Gold Rush. When he got to Hangtown (now known as Placerville, off Highway 50) in 1853, Hooker figured out that a business selling hardware and other merchandise to the gold-seekers might itself turn into gold. Indeed it did!

His hardware business flourished and he also started purchasing cattle and driving them over the Sierra to Carson City to sell for top prices. Life was good until a devastating fire burned down much of Hangtown, including Hooker's hardware business and hidden money. The clever entrepreneur again figured out a much-needed niche and decided to fill it. He knew turkeys were not available around Carson City, and with the holidays approaching, if he could somehow get the feathered critters to Nevada, he might hit the jackpot. Hungry miners and others would give anything for a delicious change from sourdough and bacon.

With all he had left, Hooker purchased 500 turkeys for $1.50 each, hired a helper, got two dogs to help herd the animals, and began one of the oddest events in Western History—a Turkey Drive!

The distance between Hangtown and Carson City was more than 60 miles of rugged mountain terrain. To complicate matters, portions of the trip would be over a snow-covered region of the Sierra. Hooker had the turkeys walk through warm tar, then sand, to give them protection while making the journey through the snow.

It must have been quite a sight to see two men, two dogs and 500 turkeys leave Hangtown amongst sneers and laughter from some who thought the ludicrous idea was doomed from the start. But Hooker was not one to give up, even though the turkeys usually poked along as they headed east toward the Summit. Wrote one scribe in jest: The dogs hardly panted and Hooker's horse even put on weight. Camp was made in the evening whenever the turkeys decided to stop. The little critters roosted on the ground.”

Although difficult to control at times, the turkey herd made it up to the Sierra Summit and then began the treacherous trip down. At one point, over enthusiastic barking dogs caused them to stampede—taking flight over a ledge, causing a horrified Hooker to later recount: I had the most indescribable feeling of my whole life…Now my only earthly possessions were lost!”

But strangely enough, after the turkeys landed below, instead of scattering in different directions, they cackled to each other and miraculously reassembled. Hooker and his crew made their way down the precipice to find the birds waiting for their journey to continue. They drove on to Carson City, where cheering miners and townspeople paid plenty for the rare delicacy in time for Holiday meals.

Hooker's hunch had been correct. He returned to Hangtown and later moved to Arizona, where he ended up a successful ranch baron, thanks--in part--to his creative Turkey Drive in the holiday season of 1866.

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