Letter to Home-Sept 1864

CRAIG, DOOLEY, WEBSTER, LEECH

Posted By: Mike Dooley (email)
Date: 12/7/2001 at 18:02:35

[Transcript of a letter written by William Dooley to his wife, Sarah Craig, following his arrival in Virginia City Nevada. William Dooley settled in Van Buren Twp., Van Buren Co., Iowa with his wife. He departed with the Webster wagon train (about April 1864)to earn money for a farm. His wife and children stayed with her brother, William Craig while he was gone. He stopped in Virginia City, Nevada to work while the Webster wagon train continued to move west. Transcribed by Michael J. Dooley on December 7, 2001.]

Virginia City
Sept 11th, 1864

My Dear Wife [Sarah Craig],
It is with much pleasure I take my pen to write you hoping this may find you in good health as I am at present, for which we ought to thank God.
Dear Wife,
I am glad to inform you that I arrived safe here on the 2d of this month after a [unreadable] and long journey. I however enjoyed it very much! And now find myself in the territory of Nevada working for $40.00 per month and board but get my pay in gold coin, which of course is a [unreadable] currency by me. Times here at present are as dull as I ever experienced in any place. Hundreds of men are lying idle and no prospect of a change only the approach of a Boisterous Winter. Perhaps you would like to know something of the appearance of the City of Virginia. It is a town composed of many fine buildings and has evidently the appearance of a Business City when times are not in such desperate condition. It is surrounded by mills and hoisting works used for mining purposes. And every day a hundred whistles and bells can heard at the hour of 7-12 and [unreadable].
But enough about the City for this time. I will give you a full history in my next. I saw the Websters [leader of the Webster wagon train] yesterday. He is well and stopping about 120 miles from here. Robert Leech [also part of the Webster wagon train] is well he is stopping at Humbolt City I believe. I will conclude for the present with my kindest love to yourself, Isabella, and John. Also to all friends who inquire for me. I am your ever-loving husband,

William Dooley

P.S. Write immediately on receipt of this and we can
Tell all friends and neighbors who desire to come to this country I would advise them to remain a home. Good-bye with my kindest love to you all.
Dove Ct. Letter 70.

William Dooley
Virginia City
Nevada Territory

[Genealogical Notes:
William Dooley: b. March 17, 1832 at Cloghanmore, Kinnitty, Kings County, Ireland, d. November 21, 1922 in Van Buren Co., Iowa; buried in Passmore Cemetery, Van Buren County, Iowa.; m. October 01, 1855 Sarah Craig b. July 27, 1832 in Queens County, Ireland; d. May 05, 1898 near Selma, Van Buren Co., Iowa; buried in Passmore Cemetery, Van Buren County, Iowa

Isabella Dooley: b. March 10, 1858 in Van Buren Co., Iowa; d. February 18, 1932; buried Iowaville Cemetery, Van Buren Co.; m. February 25, 1884 Oscar A. Dulin, b. February 26, 1856, d. April 11, 1928 in Van Buren Co., Iowa.

Rev. John Alexander Dooley: b. September 10, 1860 near Kilbourne, Van Buren Co., Iowa, d. February 23, 1941 in Minneapolis, Minnesota; m. December 03, 1889 Rev. Hannah M. Lippencott: b. May 13, 1868 in Illinois, d. February 1942 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Reverends Dooley were evangelical ministers who served numerous churches in the Midwest and operated a shelter in Minneapolis. ]