Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1860-1890; Pioneers; Correspondence; San Francisco (Calif.); Northern copperhead; Morning sickness
Chandler writes on various legal affairs pertaining to his property ownership. He writes that he is sorry to hear that Jane doesn’t “enjoy [her] breakfasts better” adding that “some mornings I am in the same way.” He adds, “I think you...
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.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling; San Francisco (Calif.)
Chandler writes on his interest in mining claims around Virginia City and Alpha. He writes that “fortune has seemed to frown on all my undertakings until the last few months” but now “I can realize more money from my last years work than I...
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; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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...
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.); 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.); San Francisco (Calif.)
Chandler gives Jane an update on his Washoe mining stock and plans to return to Virginia City within a week. He mentions that "[he] holds some of the richest claims there and they are raising in value." He hopes that Jane will write her feelings on...
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...
