Hurley Family Emigrant Letters (Ref. U170)

U170/

rain, ‘Persons who have lived in a dry country like this for several years do not take kindly to the rain…’. Irish farmers ‘may think time hard and dull.. but they are much better off than many out here who can scarcely dispose of their products at all. Distance lends enchantment to the view’. Michael is still unemployed, but is more content and ‘has a better chance now to cultivate his mind…and a better opportunity to attend to his spiritual affairs…’. 2pp 3 July 1896 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada, to ‘My Dear Mother’. Father Kiely visited at length. Father Kiely noticed ‘a lack of trees, the tide out and a long dusty road to Ring…’, he praised the parish priest and noted the new church is a ‘fine building’. He is sorry to hear the crops are suffering for want of rain. ‘We are making a great effort in the cause of silver. If the movement is successful you are apt to get better prices for farm products next year. The fewer who leave Ireland for this country…the better all round. Many a man cannot find work enough to get grub…’. 2pp 1 December 1896 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada, to ‘Dear Mother’. He has postponed writing in order to remit his usual Christmas gift. Mentions Michael recovering from an illness. He had a ‘long conversation’ with Father Kiely who ‘says you are lively enough to live several years yet’. Notes his cousins ‘big luck with Anglin. He was a good Protestant. I hope the Lord will reward him…’. Mentions ‘Our Election did not go as we of the West would like, Dullness depression, depreciation and cutting down is the order of the day.’ 2pp 11 February 1897 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada, to his brother Tim. He advises him not to ‘work too hard or worry needlessly…Be hopeful of the future…and trust in God for everything’. America is ‘still in a very unsatisfactory condition’ and ‘getting worse’. He is still at work but the company is doing less business. Recalls his being a ‘great caretaker’ to their sister Kate and ‘the little one who went to the angels’. Mentions a forthcoming prize fight in Carson. 2pp

18 June 1897