Hurley Family Emigrant Letters (Ref. U170)

U170/

extreme drought. Before a months wear the soles and uppers of store boots apply for a divorce...Why not, in a country in which the marriage tie between man and woman is so easily severed...'. He is at work assisting to keep the railway track in order. Nevada would be a 'fertile and luxuriant state, was there sufficient moisture'. Describes 'nice comfortable cottages on the outskirts of the town', and a 'nice Catholic Church, attended by a very eloquent Irish Priest...The appearance of the congregation is very respectable on account of the rich clothes...'. He notes those from every nation under heaven may be found in Carson, from 'The long-tailed sombre looking Chinaman, to 'the black haired red skinned Indian', and including Mexican, German, French, Swedes, Swiss, Italians, Spanish and Portuguese. 6pp 24 June 1873 Letter from Denis Hurley, Ormsby County, Carson, Nevada, USA, to 'Dear Parents agus muintir go leor', Clonakilty, County Cork. He received their letter and 4 papers and had great pleasure to hear that all at home were in good health, 'When I got the first papers and saw the address thoughts of home burst upon me and "my spirit filled up and my longing eye filled" '. He is obliged to his 'pious, eloquent and learned friend' Jeremiah Holland for his 'solicitude on my behalf'. Sends regards to various friends at home. He hopes '...this will be a better year with the people of poor Ireland than the last' and advises that 'Those of them to come to this land must not be chicken hearted...[and] make up their minds to suffer the hardships at times...', and not to spend their money on drink. 6pp 3 October [1873] Letter from Denis Hurley, [Carson, Nevada, USA], to [parents], Clonakilty. Describes meeting an acquaintance from home, who is paid 3 dollars a day. Describes the food in America as requested by some of his neighbours in Ireland. Gives details of the boarding 'house where Michael stops' kept by two Irish men named Roche, and mentions Chinese and 'Red Indians'. His brother Michael 'thinks he will easily get me into his own work, which is not too hard.' 4pp 16 March 1874 Letter from Denis Hurley, Carson City Nevada, to 'Dear Parents', Clonakilty, on 'La Feile Naoim Padraig' (St Patrick's Day). Regrets death of neighbour D. Ryan and J. Coghlan. Comments on the custom of giving a dowry with a girl getting married and the divorce situation in the States, 'the marriage tie is not to them a knot which they cannot open with