Hurley Family Emigrant Letters (Ref. U170)

U170/

7 May 1903 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada to his brother John. He does not think that himself or Michael will invest in Irish farms at this stage of their lives, ‘They would naturally look forward to a life of ease and retirement now instead of commencing again to struggle on an Irish farm’. He has acquired a plot of land adjoining his own and is growing vegetables, and is getting electric lighting installed in the house, ‘This is a great place for comfort and convenience if you have the means of posessing them’. He has not heard from Michael for some time. Advises that ‘If We are above poverty and have health and contentment we have a fair share of the pleasures of life’. Hopes the new Irish land bill becomes law ‘and will result in prosperity and contentment for the country’. 2pp 11 August 1903 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada to his brother John. He is glad to know they are well and that they ‘have such a corps of pupils attending the schools’. Mentions appointment of a new Pope. He is growing his own potatoes for some time . Michael is ‘about 200 miles nearer to you now than I am’, but he is moved around much. 2pp 15 November 1904 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada to his brother John. Glad to hear John’s son is growing in health and strength, ‘When we were little, we as well as many others, had to put with many inconveniences and drawbacks which were not agreeable….Now with changed conditions and improved circumstances you need not follow too closely on the old footsteps…’. Sends £1 for Aunt Ryan. He has worked every night this year, ‘But there is pleasure in toil if we have health and a contented and benevolent mind’. Mentions an election ‘…which went overwhelmingly Republican’. Michael is in San Francisco ‘…peculating…I hope he will sometime be successful’. 2pp 30 January 1905 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City, Nevada to his brother John. Remarks on death of his Aunt [Ryan]. He has ‘no encouragements for emigrants’, most of whom ‘would be better off at home..,. The Irishman must compete with the hardy sons of all nations here’, but people are free to come and take their chances. The principle sources of employment are ‘mining and railroading – both dangerous to life and limb The pay is good if a person gets a job and can keep it…’. Farmers must work 16 hours a day and must ‘run reapers