Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Hamilton (Nev.)
Chandler addresses concerns that he has been unfaithful to Jane, and asserts his innocence. He has had some “sickness and bruises by a fall from a building which hurt [him] very bad.” He writes of his living circumstances for the past several...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Mining claims; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Northern copperhead; Medford (Mass.)
Chandler gives an update of his mining investments and property holdings. He lists many common acquaintances, mostly from Medford, whom he has seen. He writes Jane to “Tell father to be a peace Democrat, if they do call him Copperhead, I am with...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.); Utah; Paiute Indians; Dodge, Richard Irving, 1827-1895; Mormons West (U.S.)
Chandler describes his new prospects in Nevada near the Carson and Truckee Rivers. He describes the Mormons in the area as an “awful looking set of people” who “look nearly as bad off as the Piute [sic] Indians which are our neighbors.” He...
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 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Virginia City (Nev.)
Chandler writes that the times have been “running very rough in the Spring and Summer as well as with most others.” He blames the U.S. Government for mining stock failures, and mentions that he “resigned [his] position in the Lady Bryan mine...
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; 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; 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; Eureka (Nev.); Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872
Chandler writes that he is putting all his money into a new mine. He describes Eureka and its resources. He expects to go to the World’s Fair in 1876. Chandler writes that he favors Greeley over Grant. Chandler extols the virtues of California...
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 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; 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.)
Chandler writes that he caught the ague fever in Acapulco, but is now “safe and sound although [he] had a very long passage over 26 days.” A man named Mr. Payne has been quite sick since arriving in California. Chandler finds “trade in Washoe...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Hamilton (Nev.); Bradley, Lewis Rice 1805-1879; Mormons West (U.S.)
Chandler writes that “times have been very dull in regards to selling mines” and that “Capitalists are afraid except they see all their money in sight.” He writes that he is near the Utah line and that the Mormons “are very cautious about...
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; 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.); 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...
