Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890; Sons of Temperance of North America
Chandler writes that he has been forced to put up a water wheel at a cost of 500 dollars, and has been "Camping on the Bank of the Yuba in a factory cloth cabin and not sewed together very well." Jane is advised to “tell the boys not to vote for...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Assassination
Chandler writes that he is thinking of settling down soon, countering Jane’s assertion that Chandler will not come home. He writes on the reaction to Lincoln’s assassination.
Notations in pencil on the first page at the top...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); George Law (Steamer)
Chandler mentions the George Law disaster, and that he knew some who were on the ship. He finished working on "the big ditch Tunnell [sic]" and is now staying in Alpha with a young man. Chandler also suggests that he would like to stay two or three...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); California Social life and customs 19th century
Chandler writes that his steam engine has failed, and they are putting up a water wheel to pump in the mean time. He hired a “Chinaman” to work with a rocker, and the “Chinaman” made “between 24 + 25 Dollars pr Day.” Chandler also...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.)
Chandler describes his brother Charles’s arrival and writes that he “doesn’t think mining will suit Charlie very well.” When Charles first arrived, Chandler “did not know him from the man in the moon, neither did he me.” If he does well...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Mining claims; Paiute Indians; Washoe Tribe of Nevada & California
Chandler writes of the hard winter due to cold, but that he has “a very warm stone cabin, a good stove, and plenty wood for the present.” Chandler writes that “the richest diggings ever discovered are here,” and he almost had an interest in...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.)
Chandler is unhappy that Jane hasn’t written in “about two months,” and pleads with Jane to write “oftener.” Chandler mentions his assessment fees and writes that he does not plan to get in any more debt if he can avoid it. Chandler has...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Mining claims
Chandler writes that his “luck has been poor,” and pleads for Jane to not be discouraged. Chandler writes of his new partner, Simon Adams, and mentions that Adams is “quite a gunner he kills hares, Quail, and we have had a nice hare for...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.)
Chandler writes that the rivers are very dry and that the work pays about four dollars per day. The claims are considered very good and when the rains come they “shall be prepared to work to good advantage.” “I mean to take things cool at...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Territorial enterprise (Carson City, Nev.)
Chandler writes that “it has been very hard times here in Mineing [sic] operations this year.” Chandler laments separation from his wife and regards his condition as if “everyone’s curse is on me.” He mentions that the editor of the...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Hartland (Vt.)
Chandler writes that he is happy to hear that they have another daughter born to them, and proposes to call her Mary Jane. He writes about a woman named Mrs. Hanabal, who is from Hartland, who may have gotten pregnant without her husband. He asks...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Nye, James W. (James Warren), 1814-1876; Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Chandler writes that he expects to sell soon, and that “the mines here are proving very rich especially about Gold Hill and Virginia and that one would hardly know the place now as one year ago.” He also writes that “Governor Nye is here”...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Nevada History Civil War, 1861-1865; Paiute Indians Wars, 1860
Chandler writes that his “interests have suffered some for want of attention” and that some of his claims were “Jumped.” He still has valuable claims, and has had offers to sell. He writes that “the Southern feeling or Secession people...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.); Territorial enterprise (Carson City, Nev.)
Chandler gives an update of his anticipated stock values, writing that he manages them via the Territorial Enterprise. He describes the drought conditions of California and Nevada. Chandler reassures Jane of his intentions and plans to come...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; Pioneers; Correspondence; Mining claims; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Utah; Truckee River (Calif. and Nev.); Carson River (Nev.)
Chandler has moved to Utah Territory in the vicinity of the Carson and Truckee Rivers. He built a stone cabin, and is boarding a family from Massachusetts at present. He writes that he “sometimes gets homesick for a while, but when I come to...
