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; Virginia City (Nev.); Spiritualism; Fortune-telling; Civil War America
Chandler writes about his financial losses, and a visit that he made to a fortune teller. He writes what an “Old Fortune Teller” told him regarding his past and future. He recounts the excitement of the city on Lee’s surrender to Grant, but...
Gold miners; Gold mines and mining; West (U.S.) History 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Mining claims
Chandler writes of his struggles against claim jumpers, who are a "real Murder and Robber party" and a lawsuit that resulted in a hung jury. Chandler finds legal justice difficult, writing that "It is hard to get justice in Cala [California],...
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; 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.)
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 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; 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...
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 1848-1860; Pioneers; Correspondence; Nevada County (Calif.); Frontier and pioneer life; Hydraulic mining
Chandler is working for the Ditch Company on "the big Tunnell [sic]." Chandler writes that the conditions for women in California are very good, with women earning from 40 to 60 dollars per month for housekeeping, nursing, etc. He also thinks that...
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 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; 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; 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...
