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.); 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; 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; 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; 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 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; 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; 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...
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 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; 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; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Utah Expedition, 1857-1858
Chandler writes that he has received Jane’s letters from October and November, which were miscarried to Omega. He also writes that “the Mormons have been moving for Salt Lake and sell out cheap.” He predicts that “Uncle Sam will have a...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Mining claims; Hydraulic mining
Chandler writes that one man from a "party of raskals [sic]" that drove Chandler from his claim tried to repay him, but a thief stole the money from the man. Chandler washes his dirt by hydraulicking. Chandler writes about a storekeeper in Alpha...
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...
