24. Harry's Letters, June 1866

Carson June 4th 1866

Dear Nellie:

Your letter of May 6th, although marked "per steamer" came overland and for that reason got here one day sooner than the mail which arrived this morning.

I am delighted to know that Wash has concluded to accompany you on your voyage hitherwards, although I am able to offer him but indifferent inducements, in a business way, to come. But, although there is much depression in trade just at present, I cannot help regarding Nevada as a promising field for any young man who may be disposed to take it as he finds it and to "grow up with the country" as the saying is. You may assure him that if he concludes to come, he shall be

amply provided for, if my efforts in his behalf will avail anything.

I shall expect you both when Rhoades returns -- trusting the children will be no hindrance to your doing so. He expects to leave New York by the Steamer of the 10th of July. His brother got a letter from him this morning -- He was then in New York -- 10th of May -- and was then expecting to go East in a few days.

The piece of dress pattern which you sent me is very pretty and ought to be becoming your "style of beauty". By the way, I have just got a new suit of clothes -- the first in a year -- a modest, dark, broadcloth plaid -- cut in the modern English style -- short narrative to the coat, broad pantaloons

Etc. Etc. a la mode and "nobby". I prefer a more decidedly American style, but fashion is fashion and I haven't time to fight it.

I am making my calculations to go to San Francisco in the latter part of July to meet you. But until I get a telegram, announcing your departure from New York, I shall make no definite arrangements about a house and furniture here. It is possible that I shall conclude to defer housekeeping until after the warm weather has passed. I don't want you to be roasted into a fever with the first duties of house-wifery -- and if the weather in July and August is as hot as is was last year, we will have rooms at one of the hotels until the cool winds of

Autumn set in.

I am glad you are making such full preparations for your journey. One cannot be too well provided. By the way, you should have a brown linen "duster" suit for mountain travel. Such an "over all" arrangement is absolutely necessary to the preservation of one's better garments in this part of the world.

I shall send this hastily written letter by the overland mail by way of our Experiment, and will make it a fore-runner of a longer and more neatly written one which I will send by the next mail steamer.

Love to Mr & Mrs Byron Verrill, Add, Flo, May Gosse, Lue, the little ones &c. Tell Wash to be sure and not change his mind -- and request him to kiss his big sister for me.

Affectionately

Harry.

[printed Carson Daily Appeal ROBINSON & MIGHELS]

[Postmark CARSON CITY NEV Jun [3?]

[Stamp removed]

Overland

Miss Nellie Verrill

Norway Village

Maine

[in pencil June 4 - 1866]