Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling
Chandler writes of his sorrow upon receiving word that his daughter May has died. He writes that he visited a spiritualist in San Francisco in July and was told of the death of a blood relation, but he “did not know that it was our Dear Child...
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; San Francisco (Calif.); Civil War America; Fort Sumter (Charleston, S.C.); Pony express
Chandler writes that “some think we shall have war here, but the most think the troubles east will not affect us for worse… we have the News of the Taking of Fort Sumpter [sic]” Mr. Payne died of yellow fever; “It was a very sad affair.”...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Eureka (Nev.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling
Chandler has been working as a stonecutter. He corrects Jane’s notion that people in Eureka “are all a rough set of people.” He asserts that “this is a much better place to be poor in than New England.” Chandler discourages consulting...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Pony express
Chandler writes on the rush to Virginia City, and the high sales prices of some claims. He writes that his “most extravagant expectations are very likely to be realized in a short time, but from 20 to 100 thousand is not considered much of a...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Paiute Indians; Lowell (Mass.)
Chandler writes on the bonanzas of the Virginia City vicinity, and the large crowds of people. “Every house, stable, and tent is full every night and many sleep in tunnels or holes in the ground.” He has been keeping books for some companies...
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; 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.); 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 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Caribou Mines (N.S.); Sacramento Valley (Calif.)
Chandler writes that “Sacramento and all the valley has been all under water” and that “Horses, Cattle, and Houses have been carried away.” He writes that there is much excitement over some discoveries above Oregon called the Caraboo...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.); Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872
Chandler writes that he has become “tired of living in this country in this way” and he is “tired of a bachelor’s life.” He prefers a common name for the baby and gives consent to name the baby as Jane chooses.
Notations in pencil on the...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Mining claims; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890
Chandler writes that he is satisfied with present prospects and has purchased some house lots in San Francisco. Chandler explains his business interests and the wealth that surrounds him. “I was one of the first six to come here in /59, we used...
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...
