Even though long divorced from Alexander Cowen in terms of practical law, Eilley filed for a divorce. It is surmised that the decision was based on the amount of property shared by Eilley and Alex. In the settlement, Mrs. Bowers received 160 acres in Washoe Valley. It is on that property that Mr. and Mrs. Bowers built their mansion. While the mansion was under construction in 1862, Mr. and Mrs. Bowers took their famed European adventures.

Mr. and Mrs. Bowers hosted a banquet at the International Hotel in Virginia City prior to their departure. They left San Francisco on May 1, 1862 for New York via the Panama anal. Then, it was off for Scotland, England and Europe. They enjoyed the good life, purchased treasures for their home and visited her family in Scotland. The trip did not last more than three years, and they returned to Nevada ten months later in March 1863. The return must have been even more exciting and memorable as they brought back with them a daughter, Persia.

Upon their return, Sandy was kept busy with the mining efforts in Gold Hill where they also had a house. One surmises, based on what the couple seemingly shared, Mrs. Bowers went back and forth some between Gold Hill and the Valley. However, Mrs. Bowers maintained the family roots in Washoe Valley. When looking at the mansion and the land, one realizes that the area would have been a wonderful, quiet and peaceful spot to raise Persia and Robert.

Sandy suffered an untimely death in 1868. With the mines on the decline and the sadness of a dearly departed husband, Mrs. Bowers experienced financial difficulties. She was slowly moving out of the mining operations. She seemed beset by many and varied challenges at this point.