Ira Ray Sawyer & Virginia Leslie

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer (aka Ray I. Sawyer)
1st of 2 children of Mabel Clair Chatfield & George Reuben Sawyer
Born: Oct 12, 1906, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California
Died: Oct 10, 1991 (age 84), Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; heart failure
Cremated: Ray’s ashes sprinkled along Mt. Rose Highway in Reno, Washoe Co. Nevada
Occupation: Disc jockey on the border of New Mexico and Texas, professional musician, played Hammond Organ
Avocation: Clamper (ECV: E Clampus Vitus) a fraternal organization that researches western history and parties a lot
Married: mid-1930s, Virginia Lee Leslie, Texas
One child: William Weston Leslie “Bill” Sawyer

Virginia Lee Leslie
7th of 9 children of Newton Lee “Nute” Leslie & Caroline Armitta “Carrie” Bell
Born: Mar 15, 1910, Harper, Gillespie Co., Texas
Died: Jun 27, 1997 (age 86), Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; Alzheimer’s and heart failure
Cremated: Ashes sprinkled near her husband Ray’s along Mt. Rose Highway in Reno, Nevada
Occupation: Landscape oil painter
Married: mid-1930s, Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer (aka Ray I. Sawyer), Texas
One child: William Weston Leslie “Bill” Sawyer

1. William Weston Leslie “Bill” Sawyer
Only child of Ira  Raymond “Ray” Sawyer & Virginia Lee Leslie
Born: Oct 14, 1937, Eureka, Humboldt Co., California
Died: Jun 23, 1997 (age 59), Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; cancer from smoking
Cremated: Ashes sprinkled on Geiger Grade on way to Virginia City, Nevada (near ECV Monument)
Military: Army, stationed in San Francisco and Paris, played tuba in 6th Army Band
Occupation: Owned Nevada Piano Service: tuned and restored pianos, Nickelodeons, band organs, and player pianos; musician, assistant museum curator at Harold’s Club restoring musical instruments
Avocation: Studied music at University of Nevada, Reno, played tuba for UNR band, composed and arranged music
Clamper: Served as Noble Grand Humbug of the Julia C. Bulette Chapter No. 1864
Married four times, no children

Married (1): Dec 20, 1956, Donna L. Ainsworth, Sacramento Co., California
Divorce action filed (1): Jan 2, 1958: William W. Saywer vs. Donna Sawyer, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (Reno Gazette-Journal, pg 32)
Married (2): Sep 3, 1965, Shirley A. (Douglas) Ritz, San Bernardino Co., California
Divorced (2): Nov 17, 1969, Shirley A. (Douglas) Sawyer, Marion Co., Oregon
Married (3): Jun 24, 1980, Gloria Jean (Brady) Norsworthy, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada
Divorce granted (3): Mar 14, 1983: Gloria Jean Sawyer vs William Weson (sic Weston) Sawyer (Reno Gazette-Journal, pg 24)
Married (4): Jul 8, 1983, Carolyn Marie Moor, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada
Note: Bill and his 4th wife Carolyn met at a Clamper Ball and were married until his death, just shy of 14 years

Carolyn & Bill Sawyer

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Timeline and Records

Two children Mabel Clair Chatfield & George Reuben Sawyer:
1. Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer (aka: Ray I. Sawyer)
1906 – 1991
2. Russell Sawyer
1918 – 1918

Nine children of Newton Lee “Nute” Leslie & Caroline Armitta “Carrie” Bell:
1. Newton Seff Leslie
1895 – 1965
2. Hugh/Hughlay A. Leslie
1898 – 1919(?) 
3. Bessie Jewel Leslie
1900 – 1930
4. Katherine May Leslie
1903 – 1971
5. Frank James Leslie
1904 – 1992
6. Rovilla Leslie
1907 – listed in 1920 Texas census
7. Virginia Lee Leslie
1910 – 1997
8. Edith Faye Leslie
1913 – 1990
9. Lloyd Dwight/Durran Leslie
1917 – 1983

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Sep/Oct 1905: George & Mabel (Chatfield) Sawyer, the parents of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer relocate from Wyoming to California

Oct 12, 1906: Birth of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer (aka Ray I. Sawyer), the son of Mabel Clair Chatfield & George Reuben Sawyer, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California. The boy is named after his paternal grandfather, Ira B. Sawyer.

Mar 15, 1910: Birth of Virginia Lee Leslie, the 7th of 9 children of Newton Lee “Nute” Leslie & Caroline Armitta “Carrie” Bell, in Harper, Gillespie Co., Texas

Apr 17, 1910: Federal Census for Hemet Township, Riverside Co. California:
Lawyer, George R.: Head, age 37, married 1 time, married 7 years, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, Farmer on general farm
Mable C.: Wife, age 26, married 1 time, married for 7 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born Colorado, father born Illinois, mother born Missouri
Ira R: Son, age 3, born California, father born Ohio, mother born Colorado
Ira B.: Father, age 69, born Ohio, father born Vermont, mother born Kentucky, own income
Note: Sawyer is misspelled as Lawyer

Feb 4 & 5, 1920: Federal Census for Hemet Township, Riverside Co., California:
Sawyer, George R.: Head, age 47, married, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, farm, fruit grower
Mabel: Wife, age 36, married, born Colorado, father born Colorado, mother born Colorado
Ira R.: Son, age 13, born California, father born Ohio, mother born Colorado

Jun 24, 1935: Reno Evening Gazette, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 12):
Sacramento Man’s Automobile Stolen
Ira Sawyer, of Sacramento, employed at the Country Club, reported the theft of his automobile to the police this morning. The car was taken between 10:00 p.m. last night and 1:00 a.m. this morning. The missing car is a 1926 Buick coach, with the California license 9D-59-49.

Ira “Ray” Sawyer

mid 1930s: Marriage of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer (aka Ray I. Sawyer) & Virginia Lee Leslie, in Texas

Oct 14, 1937: Birth of William Weston Leslie “Bill” Sawyer, the only child of Ira  Raymond “Ray” Sawyer & Virginia Lee Leslie, in Eureka, Humboldt Co., California

California Birth Index:
Name: William Leslie Sawyer
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1937
Gender: Male
Mother’s Maiden Name: Leslie
Birth County: Humboldt

Oct 1937: Newspaper birth announcement, Eureka, Humbolt Co., California:
A son, William Leslie Sawyer, born to Ira Sawyer, Oct. 14, 1947 at the General Hospital in Eureka, Humbolt Co., California.

Apr 5, 1940: Federal Census for Hemet Township, Riverside Co., California:
Sawyer, George R.: male, white, head, age 68, born Ohio, working on own account, elementary school 7th grade
Mabel C: female, white, married, wife, age 57, born Colorado, high school 1 year

Oct 16, 1940: WWII Draft Card:
Name: Ira Ray Sawyer
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 34
Relationship to Draftee: Self
Birth Date: 12 Oct 1906
Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, USA
Residence Place: Sacramento, Sacramento, California, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: Sacramento, Sacramento, California, USA
Employer: None
Weight: 174
Complexion: Light, Eye Color: Gray, Hair Color: Brown
Height: 6 1
Next of Kin: G R Sawyer
Household Members
Name: Ira Ray Sawyer Age 34
Mrs. G R Sawyer, mother, lives in Hemet

Sep 22, 1949: Reno Evening Gazette, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 13):
Two Held Here For California
Two persons were held by Reno police today for California. Booked was Ray I. Sawyer, 42, who gave a local address of 503 Lake Street. Sawyer is wanted in Sacramento on an embezzlement charge in a telegraphic warrant with burglary in Chico. … The two waived extradition proceedings…

Sep 23, 1949: Nevada State Journal, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 14):
Suspect Booked
Wanted in Sacramento for questioning on an embezzlement charge. Ray Ira Sawyer, 42, 503 Lake St. was booked at city jail yesterday. He was immediately released on $2,00 bail to return to California.

May 4, 1952: Nevada State Journal, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 3):
RENO’S PROPOSED natural amphitheater as the artist Stewart Walters conceives it, is situated seven miles from the post office. Ray Sawyer, local organist who planned the Hemet Bowl in southern California, says that the space in front of the stage may be filled with portable seats, or may be used to stage pageants, such as the proposed “Pageant of Nevada,” the story of Nevada’s pioneers, which will be presented each Labor Day if the plans can be carried through. A natural bowl, the site could be made into a great attraction for Reno and give to the people of this community an opportunity to see and hear the world’s greatest artists under the Nevada stars. (Note: includes picture of artist’s rendition.)
Reno Backers Hope to Have Open Air Auditorium Here to Seat 10,000 by Summer’s End
Reno may have an open air auditorium capable of seating 10,000 persons comfortably, with ample space for automobiles, before the end of the summer. Those who have conceived the idea hope that on Labor Day, 1952, the first “Pageant of Nevada” may be presented to the pubic.
The land for such a bowl must be a natural amphitheater, and there is such a location on a well travelled road within seven miles of the post office.
The stage of concrete, the pillars on either side providing the necessary amplification equipment, the dressing rooms on either side of the stage, and toilet facilities arranged for, would leave ample space for the seating of 10,000 spectators, each with an unobstructed view of the stage.
Grand opera in the open air, a ballet, presentations by the Reno Little Theater, are among the attractions suggested thus far. Lower admission costs would be possible because of the ample seating capacity, and the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra or the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra as well as some of the more pretentious ballets could be staged under the stars.
Ray Sawyer, local organist, who was instrumental in starting the Hemet Bowl in southern California, conceived the idea of this open air amphitheater modeled somewhat after the Hollywood Bowl.
Tests Made
Tests already have been made of the acoustical qualities of the natural amphitheater, and it is found to be more than adequate for any demand that might be placed upon it, so that musical attractions could be offered there,
Athletic events, such as boxing contests, wrestling matches and similar attractions also would be available for such an amphitheater. Mr. Sawyer says that it is a natural bowl, with the construction cost reduced to a minimum because of the fact that the benches are natural ones which would permit either boards or concrete to be used.
The plans are in the formative stage, but everyone privileged to see them feel that “entertainment under the stars” may provide a need in this community and may enable the people of Reno to bring to this city many attractions they would otherwise be unable to enjoy.

Song request card Ray Sawyer from Verdi Inn:

Jul 19, 1956: Reno Evening Gazette, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 9):
ELECTRIC ORGAN, JOB, BOTH LOST IN CLUB CLOSING
Losing a job might be bad enough, but Ray Sawyer, Reno organist, has an even more serious problem. He lost his job and his electric organ at the same time.
Sawyer filed suit in Washoe county district court asking Charles Gannon and Harold Gannon, operators of the La Vie en Rose club, on South Virginia Road, to return the organ, which is valued at $500.
Both the job and the organ were lost with the closing of La Vie en Rose, Reno night club on South Virginia Road, Sawyer claims in a complaint filed by his attorney, Harry D. Anderson.
The complaint asks $800 which Sawyer says he would have been paid for eight weeks of music contracted for at the club and also asks for return of the organ.
Charles Gannon and Harold Gannon are named as operators of the club, which Sawyer claims was closed and locked, with electric organ inside, July 8.

Aug 6, 1956: U.S. Departement of Veterans Affairs:
Name: William Sawyer
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1937
Branch 1: ARMY
Enlistment Date 1: 6 Aug 1956
Release Date 1: 24 Jul 1959

mid 1950s: Virginia and Ray Sawyer:

Mar 5, 1960: Death of Mabel Claire (Chatfield) Sawyer (age 76), mother of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer, in Los Gatos, Santa Clara Co., California

Mar 7, 1960: San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Deaths, Funerals in Santa Clara Valley
Sawyer—in Los Gatos, March 5, 1960, Mabel Clair Sawyer, beloved wife of George R. Sawyer of Los Gatos; beloved mother of Ira Ray Sawyer of Stateline, Calif.; dear sister of Marjorie Tuck of Berkeley; Mrs. Jacquelyn Mallon of Oakland; grandmother of William Sawyer of Stateline. A native of Colorado.
Private funeral service Tuesday, March 8, at 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Hills Mortuary.

Mar 13, 1960: Death of George Reuben Sawyer (age 88), father of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer, one week after his wife Mabel, in Los Gatos, Santa Clara Co., California. George and Mabel are buried at the Los Gatos Memorial Park (Evergreen Garden) in Los Gatos.

Mar 15, 1960: San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., California:
Deaths, Funerals in Santa Clara Valley
Sawyer—in Los Gatos, March 13, 1960, George R. Sawyer, husband of the late Mabel C. Sawyer. Father of Ira Ray Sawyer of Tahoe, Calif. Grandfather of William Sawyer. A native of Ohio, age 88 years.
Funeral services Tuesday, March 15th, 1960 at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Hills Mortuary

George and Mabel Sawyer

Jul 5, 1962: The Mountain Democrat, Placerville, El Dorado Co., California (pg 1):
One person injured in highway accidents
Only one person was injured in a series of weekend accidents, according to the California highway patrol reports.
RAY IRA SAWYER, 55, of Stateline, was injured when a car he was driving was struck from the rear by an auto driven by Anna Marie Lanbage, 24, at Tahoe on US50 Friday night one-half mile east of Latrobe road. The Lanbage woman was charged with driving too fast to stop safely in traffic.

As I Was Told:
For 14 years Ray Sawyer played the Hammond and Wurlitzer Organ at the Verdi Inn in Verdi, Nevada. He was also the first person to play the organ and the piano publicly at the same time, with a hand on each. (Shhh… don’t tell Little Richard). He also performed at Harold’s Club and the Mapes Hotel in Reno and had his own band, The Ray Sawyer Trio –Aura (Chatfield) Edwards

Ray Sawyer in Reno, Nevada

Sep 2, 1973: Nevada State Journal, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 32):

Virginia and Ray Sawyer:

1974: City Directory, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada:
Name: Virginia Sawyer
Gender: Female
Residence Year: 1974
Street address: 485 W 4th St Sp 19
Residence Place: Reno, Washoe, Nevada, USA
Spouse: Ray Sawyer
Publication Title: Reno, Nevada, City Directory, 1974

1975: Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer wrote a book on gambling history and typology of a gambler:
Reno, Where the Gamblers Go! Raymond I. Sawyer, Sawston Publishing Co., 1975

Dec 20, 1976: Nevada State Journal, Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada (pg 3):

As I Was Told:
Ira “Ray” Sawyer became a Clamper and was the oldest member to join ECV (E Clampus Vitus). His son Bill, who went through the chairs and became the Noble Grand Humbug, sponsored him as a member of the Virginia City, Nevada chapter. The Clampers helped Bill’s wife when he became sick, and then again after he went to the silver hills.

Jul 8, 1983: Bill and Carolyn’s wedding day, with parents, Ira “Ray” & Virginia Sawyer:

Bill Sawyer was 6’9″ and wore a size 16 shoe—and it was too small. He studied music at the University of Nevada in Reno, played tuba for UNR band, and composed and arranged music. He owned Nevada Piano Service and tuned, restored, refinished. and reproduced pianos, Nickelodeons, band organs and player pianos. As a musician, he played tuba and bass. He was also the assistant museum curator at Harold’s Club restoring musical instruments. —Carolyn Marie Sawyer, wife of William “Bill” Sawyer

Bill with band organ

Band Organ:
The popularity of the band organ is thanks to an attractive carved facade and full rich sound – all of which are able to fit in a relatively small space. In addition, all Wurlitzer 153 band organs were equipped with Wurlitzer’s duplex roll system; this allows for continuous music without waiting for a roll to rewind. Despite having only 3 bass notes from the 150 scale, the musicality of this organ is still quite vast being able to play traditional marches and waltzes as well as more popular fox-trots. Wurlitzer 153s can easily play in the keys of C and G and with some creative arranging occasionally support the key of D. The 3 automatic registers, as well as percussion, add contrast to the organ allowing for several different levels of expression.
Source: https://www.mechanicalmusic.org/post/wurlitzer-153-band-organs

Wurlitzer band organ

The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus
ECV is a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Western Heritage, in particular the history of the Mother Lode and gold mining regions of the area. There are chapters in California, Nevada and other Western states. Members call themselves “Clampers.” The organization’s name is in Dog Latin, and has no known meaning. The motto of the Order, Credo Quia Absurdum, is generally understood as meaning “I believe it because it is absurd”.
As more of the “established” organizations such as the Masons came to the mining country, they looked down upon the more rowdy nature of E Clampus Vitus. ECV, in making fun of the sashes and ceremonial attire of the “upscale” fraternities, began dressing in red long johns and pinning on badges made of cut-out tin can lids. This practice, called “wearing your tin,” continues to this day, although the badges are more professionally made, and members usually dress in a red miner’s shirt, black hat and Levi’s. ECV titles reflected the tongue-in-cheek nature of the organization. Officials were called “Noble Grand Humbug,” “Roisterous Iscutis,” “Grand Imperturbable Hangman,” “Clamps Vitrix,” and “Royal Gyascutis.” All members are officers and all officers, the organization professes, are of equal indignity.
Clamper meetings were held in the Hall of Comparative Ovations, generally the back room of a saloon. Some chapters even built their own Halls of Comparative Ovations. The Clamper flag was a hoop skirt, with the words “This is the flag we fight under.” Meetings were held “at any time before or after a full moon.” New members were called “Poor Blind Candidates.”
Despite the humor and rowdiness of E Clampus Vitus, the members do take their brotherhood seriously. When a member became sick or injured, the group would collect food or money to help him out. They frequently trekked through the vastness of the Sierra Nevada to reach lonely miners who otherwise would have had no Christmas celebration. The society was also careful to help out the widows and orphans of fallen members. Especially the Widders.
There are currently forty-two ECV chapters in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Washington.
The organization has raised historical plaques in many places throughout the West (often those sites such as bordellos and saloons overlooked by more traditional historical societies), with a traditional “doin’s,” or party, after each plaque dedication. These are now common in historical areas around California and the West — when in the Gold Country, a Clamper-placed plaque is never far away. The fraternity is not sure if it is a “historical drinking society” or a “drinking historical society.”
Source: Wikipedia, on-line encyclopedia: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Clampus_Vitus

HISTORY and RITUAL of E CLAMPUS VITUS
Becoming a Clamper is not an easy task. Certainly a man may express a desire but he must be invited. Clearly, the prospect must have a genuine interest in western history. Other requirements have been listed as a good sense of humor, a relatively thick skin, a cast iron stomach, an open mind, a flare for the ridiculous, and an appreciation of absurdity. If the invitation is accepted, the candidate is presented by his sponsor at a doin’s and must survive a time-honored ritual at the hands of the Grand Imperturbable Hangman. It is also important to know that an invitation is only given once. If refused it is never tendered again. But who, we ask, would refuse such an honor? After all, among our members are college professors, truckers, U.S. Presidents, clerics, sheriffs, mechanics, miners, judges, laborers, pilots, bartenders, senators, carpenters, lawyers, plumbers, entrepreneurs, authors and just about anything else you could think of. Each treated the same or, as we say, “with equal indignity”. In the words of a noted Brother, “Clampers are not made, they are born. Like gold, they just have to be discovered.”
Online source: matuca1849.org/OrderOfClamperdom/GuideToClamperdom, by Judge Frazier, Vice Noble Grand Humbug

The Clampers Creed
As I pass through this life, may I always be humble; may I never take myself serious-“a stuffed shirt”;
may I always appreciate a little of the “rediculous”; may I always be a two-fisted Clamper when the bottle passes my way and if I imbibe and can’t hold it like a man, then may I always be able to “Pass it to the next brother”; may I never forget the stout-hearted men who settled a great Western wilderness and the heritage we have today; may I never fail to appreciate a bit of Western lore. —ANON
Source: Webmaster XNGH-P Peter J. Van Alstyne

Oct 10, 1991: Death of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer (age 84), the son of Mabel Clair Chatfield & George Reuben Sawyer, in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; from heart failure. Ray was cremated and his ashes scattered along Mt. Rose Highway in Reno, Nevada.

Oct 10, 1991: Nevada Death Index:
Name: Ray Ira Sawyer
Birth Date: 12 Oct 1906
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 10 Oct 1991
Death Place: Reno, Washoe, Nevada, USA

Jun 23, 1997: Death of William Weston Leslie “Bill” Sawyer (age 59), the only child of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer & Virginia Lee (Leslie) Sawyer, in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; of cancer caused from smoking (squamous cell nasal pharynx)

Jun 23, 1997: Nevada Death Index:
Name: William W Sawyer
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1937
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 23 Jun 1997
Death Place: Reno, Washoe, Nevada, USA

Jun 23, 1997: Social Security Death Record:
Name: Bill Weston Leslie Sawyer
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1937
Birth Place: Eureka Eure, California
Death Date: 23 Jun 1997
Father: I R Sawyer
Mother: Virginia Leslie
Notes: May 1952: Name listed as BILL WESTON LESLIE SAWYER; Feb 1968: Name listed as WILLIAM L SAWYER

Jun 23, 1997: U.S. Departement of Veterans Affairs Death File:
Name: William Sawyer
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1937
Death Date: 23 Jun 1997
Cause of Death: Natural
SSN: 530206713
Branch 1: ARMY
Enlistment Date 1: 6 Aug 1956
Release Date 1: 24 Jul 1959

Jun 24, 1997: Reno-Gazette-Journal, Reno, Washao Co., Nevada (pg 17):

Note: William was cremated and his ashes scattered near the Julia C. Bulette ECV (E Clampus Vitus) Monument on the Geiger Grade on the way to Virginia City, Storey Co., Nevada.

In Memory of Julia C. Bulette Marker

Note: In 1988 Bill served as Noble Grand Humbug of the Julia C. Bulette Chapter No. 1864 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E. Clampus Vitus, Virginia City, Storey Co., Nevada

Clamper definition: “Most Clampers are dedicated to the Clamper ideals of preserving history—mainly by posting plaques at little-known yet bona fide points of historical interest—doing charitable deeds, and drinking a lot, not necessarily in that order.”

Jun 27, 1997: Death of Virginia (Leslie) Sawyer (age 86), wife of Ira Raymond “Ray” Sawyer, in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada, in a nursing home from Alzheimer’s and heart failure, four days after death of her son, William Weston Leslie “Bill” Sawyer. Virginia was cremated and her ashes scattered near her husband Ray’s along Mt. Rose Highway in Reno, Nevada.

Jun 27, 1977: Nevada Death Index:
Name: Virginia Lee Sawyer
Birth Date: 15 Mar 1910
Birth Place: Texas
Death Date: 27 Jun 1997
Death Place: Reno, Washoe, Nevada, USA

2020. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.