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 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Chinese language
Chandler writes that he has been building a log cabin. While he is writing the letter, several men are around and one "Chinaman," a cook, is asking questions about the meaning of words that Chandler is writing. Chandler allows the "Chinaman" to...
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 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.)
Chandler writes that he likes “the mining business first rate although it is very hard generally.” Chandler also writes to his wife that he feels bad because he hasn’t been able to send Jane and others money, but “we can’t pick up the...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865; San Francisco (Calif.)
Chandler writes that he has “had rather dull times to sell stock in mines but the prospects are better now.” He writes to encourage Jane to come out to him. Chandler describes Virginia City and the mines. He writes of “Old Abe’s Thieves in...
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; 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...
California; Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Hartland (Vt.); Native American
Chandler addresses his friends regarding his stay in California as a gold prospector. He writes, "I am bound to stick a while longer." He also wonders why someone named John "would be content to settle in Hartland." He guesses that "there must be...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.)
This letter was written on Chandler’s arrival in San Francisco by boat. Chandler recounted the circumstances of his journey, the food, and the differences between cabin fare and steerage fare, and the “very bad” circumstances of deck...
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.); Paiute Indians Wars, 1860; Hays, John Coffee, 1817-1883
Chandler writes about the retaking of the first battle ground of the Paiute Indian War of 1860, the discovery of Captain Edward F. Storey’s body and his burial, which Chandler attended. He writes that General Haven and Colonel Jack Hays came over...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865; Civil War America
Chandler writes that he has “cleared six thousand dollars on the rise of stocks within the last month, mostly in the Lady Bryan.” He doesn’t “feel like going to Mass or any other Black Republican state while the war is going on.” He...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.)
Chandler explains his problem with a land deed, and enlists Jane’s help. He explains that he has lost a lot of money “by bad debts and fall of stocks.” Chandler writes about his money problems and leaves instructions for Jane. He also writes...
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; 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...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.)
Chandler visits Oakland from San Francisco, and describes the Oakland area. He has had trouble settling his accounts in Virginia City because of the recent Indian troubles, and writes that the Volunteers and Regulars have had a brush with them...
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 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 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...
