Her older sister, Ada (or Emma, married Captain Charles Hilburn (or Hilbron),[2] an old mariner who retired from his many voyages with a small fortune, and lived at Coos Bay.

[6] While living in Port Orford, Dyer's early poetry was published in the Albany Democrat and the Golden Era, signed "Minnie Myrtle".

[7] With the quick ear for the musical, which characterized all her writings, she adopted the pen name of "Minnie Myrtle",[3] and sent her productions—both prose and verse—to the neighboring weekly papers.

In one of these, in which he thrillingly depicted a battle on the border with the Indians, he expressed a desire to become acquainted with the sweet singer of the Coquelle, whoever she might be.

His entrance into journalism brought him again to the attention of his unknown correspondent, “Minnie Myrtle," who was then living in a mining and lumber camp at Port Orford by the sea, not far from the southern boundary of Oregon.

His version of their relationship was set forth in Memorie and Rime:— "Tall, dark, and striking in every respect, ... this first Saxon woman I had ever addressed had it all her own way at once.

I knew nothing at all of hers, but I found her with kind, good parents, surrounded by brothers and sisters, and the pet and spoiled child of the mining and lumber camp...

"[9] After a week's ride, the bridal couple reached their intended home in Eugene,— "but only to find that my paper had been suppressed by the Government, and we resolved to seek our fortunes in San Francisco.

[10] There, he found success, being elected in 1866 for a four-year term as judge of the Grant County, Oregon court.— "Often I never left my office till ... dawn.

She became the spoiled child here that she had been at her father's, and naturally grew impatient at my persistent toil and study... She was good all the time...

In fact, he felt that he was gifted and the duties of providing for a family, and the annoyance of children conflicted with his dreams and literary whims.

[12] Dyer filed for divorce on April 4, 1870, claiming they had a third child, Henry Mark, the year before and that Joaquin was "wholly" neglectful.

[13] The court declared them divorced on April 19 and Dyer was granted custody of the baby while the two older children, Maud and George, were left in the care of her mother.

Before his arrival, his private life was severely criticised, but Dyer published a letter at Portland urging the public to accord him an honorable reception.

He visited his family, but offered no assistance financially, and then left for the East Coast at which point Dyer bitterly assailed him.

[6] Dyer sympathized with her husband's projects, and she believed them to be justified by their practical results.— "Mr. Miller, felt that he had gifts of the mind, and if his system of economy was rigid and hard to endure, it was at least a success; and if he needed all his money to carry out his plans, I am satisfied that he thus used it.

[18] In the preparation of it, she was liberally assisted by Charles Warren Stoddard, Sam Williams, and other lesser literary luminaries.

Her business manager, Mr. Kinne of San Francisco, had left for California leaving her penniless and with her board bill in arrears.

[6] A couple of years later, she was in San Francisco, writing for Sunday Call, and thus endeavoring to support herself, her mother, and three children.

Joaquin was willing to pay her a monthly allowance if she would remain in Oregon, but would not give her a cent while she resided in San Francisco.