Ten Years in Nevada

by Mary Matilda McNair Matthews

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1985

Reviews

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read about life back then for a single woman with a child. Mary Mathews worked amazingly hard to make her living, usually from dawn to dusk and walking many miles for everyday errands. Fires occurred on a regular basis and people were prepared to move in a moments notice because the entire town was built out of wood and flames leaped from building to building, often destroying everything a person had. If the fires weren't bad enough than the lodgers were because if they got mad they took pieces of the house with them when they moved! Mary Mathews lost parts of walls quite a few times when she asked a lodger who did not pay rent to move.

Throughout her hard work days, illnesses and caring for her son, Charlie, she still managed to help the poor - constantly. She cared for strangers, clothed and fed people from her own money and loaned money to friends.

The book is a bit rambling now and then but I enjoyed most of it anyway because Mary Mathews was such an amazing woman.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a fascinating and entertaining memoir by Mary McNair Mathews' about her ten years of living in Virginia City, Nevada. It covered so many interesting facets of living there during the silver mining days and what it was like to be a widowed woman supporting yourself. There are several offensive sections about Chinese and Jews that you have to wade through. But this was a very honest and informative book about living in Virginia City, including how the mining operations worked, stock buying and selling, boarding houses, traveling by train and stagecoach, running a soup kitchen, illnesses of the time, and trying to deal with settling an estate. Originally published in 1880 and then republished in 1985. It also contains portrait drawings of Mary McNair Mathews, her son, Charles W. Mathews, and her good friend, Rachel Beck.

[Candida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intimate look at Nevada history

I love Virginia City, and reading about Nevada history, so when I found this book I just had to buy it. I really enjoyed reading it. I have to say that some of the print is off and it can present a challenge to the reader divine what should have been printed, but the stories in this book will give so much more insight than anything else.

[Vince Pillig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most interesting but enjoyable.

Part s very interesting other not so good. Lots of details some good other s not so good. Good views from a woman s point of view. A different view of history.

[Gregory Crouch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting in places, but agonizing in others. MMM's opinions about the Chinese were particularly nauseating.