Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; Lowell (Mass.); Westford (Mass.); Correspondence; Boardinghouses
Jane Chandler writes about health of family and acquaintances. She writes about her financial circumstances and what led her to go to work in Lowell’s mills. Speaking of her financial situation, she writes, “I am as willing to work for a living...
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...
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; 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; 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 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.); 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...
Virginia Serenaders; Minstrels; Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Mining claims; Lowell (Mass.)
Chandler discourages Jane from working in the mills. He compares factory girls to servants and then describes California women, writing that "you would think to see them that they were mostly queens." He writes of the variety of females from...
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 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...
