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  • | Book

    The Road

    An excerpt from Jack London's The Road.

  • | Newspaper

    Arbitration as a Remedy

    This letter from the July 30, 1877 issue of the Pittsburgh Daily Post discusses the resolution of the railroad strike and argues that the railroad owners handled the situation poorly. Their inept decision-making required the railroads to seek government assistance to remedy their mistakes.

  • | Newspaper

    Among the Ruins

    This article from the July 25, 1877 issue of the Pittsburgh Daily Post notes the railroad strike's extensive destruction and details public and private efforts to keep it under control.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 9, 1869

    In this December 9, 1869 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the Company's continuing delay in settling his affairs. He announces an upcoming trip and gives a positive outlook on the Union Pacific's financial situation.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 3, 1869

    In this letter from December 3, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing affairs in Boston. Reed hopes for a "speedy closing up of my affairs."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 17, 1869

    In this letter from August 17, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a lawsuit brought by Captain Davis, a tie contractor, against the Union Pacific Railroad. Reed supports Davis, another victim of Thomas Durant's interference during construction.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 16, 1869

    In this letter from August 16, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family complaining about the slow progress of meetings. He laments that "I could do more business in a single day than the combined wisdom of all the officers of the road in Boston."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 7, 1869

    In this letter from August 7, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his two-day-long interview with the Union Pacific Board.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 5, 1869

    In this letter from August 5, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his arrival in Boston, which he describes as "a crooked place and full of crooked men, mentally and physically," for a meeting with Union Pacific officials.

  • Letter from Oakes Ames to Thomas C. Durant, January 16, 1869

    In this letter from January 16, 1869, Oakes Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad and the need to secure the approval of the government appointed commissioners in order to ensure that bonds for building the road are not withheld. He urges Durant to work with the commissioners, stating "we cannot afford to fight the government now."

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, January 14, 1869

    In this letter from January 14, 1869, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant discussing the location of the railroad line that was approved by the government commissioners. He advises Durant to have the line built as close to their instructions as possible, telling him "we are in the hands of this Commission and should do everything possible to secure their favor."

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, January 4, 1869

    In this letter from January 4, 1869, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant complaining about the large bills the company is receiving. He urges Durant to sell any excess unused material, fire "useless" laborers, and hire by contract whenever possible. He tells Durant that he, "as the Manager of the Construction, must feel any Slip up by which the Central [Pacific Railroad] should come out triumphant and we Bankrupt keenly, and it would be a burning shame to us to suffer it."

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, December 24, 1868

    In this letter from December 24, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant informing him of an arrangement Ames has made for the Union Pacific Railroad's acquisition of government bonds. He also complains about the "awful" bills the company is receiving, and urges Durant to do all he can to "weed out the thieves" in the company.

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, December 23, 1868

    In this letter from December 23, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the Union Pacific Railroad's impending acquisition of government bonds. He also discusses the issue of corruption within the company at length, stating "the Road must be costing us very much more than we are getting for it, or everyone out there is stealing." Ames worries that the company will be deep in debt by the time the road is completed and urges Durant to "do Something to Stop the thieves from Stealing our last cent and making the Road suffer."

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, December 3, 1868

    In this letter from December 3, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the financial status of the Union Pacific Railroad. He states that the company has a right to ask the government to advance it two-thirds of the cost of "work done in advance of the track," and believes the company possesses sufficient funds and materials to have all the security that the government would require for the completion of the road. He also tells Durant, "your idea of letting them [the government] have the lands or Land Bonds as Security is a good one, and I think will be a good get off for them from the infamous position they have taken in regard to our Road."

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, October 28, 1868

    In this letter from October 28, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant praising him for completing 7 miles and 1,940 feet of track the previous day. He calls it the "achievement of the year," and tells Durant that his work will help expose the Central Pacific Railroad to the public as "Dogs in the Manger." Ames also discusses some of the Union Pacific Railroad's financial affairs.

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, August 12, 1868

    In this letter from August 12, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant informing him that the company has decided to keep the grading of the road "down to 90 feet." He states, "we can't afford, with the magnificent Subsidy we have, to do anything but the best possible thing for the Road and the Government, while, at the same time, we are doing the best thing for ourselves."

  • Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, August 7, 1868

    In this letter from August 7, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the changes Durant proposed in the grading of the railroad. He states that I. L. Williams, the "Special Messenger of the Secretary of the Interior," has argued strongly against the change of grade and that "his opinions would be almost Law to the Department." Ames tells Durant "before making any change let us have the best Evidence that a change is required for the best interests of the Company."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Sidney Dillon, July 3, 1868

    In this letter from July 3, 1868, a frustrated Samuel B. Reed writes to Sidney Dillon regarding his letter of resignation. Reed describes his displeasure over his recent treatment by high-ranking company officials, but announces that "All I want is to be retained as chief of construction."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Grenville Dodge to Mrs. Samuel B. Reed, June 25, 1868

    In this letter from June 25, 1868, Grenville Dodge writes to Samuel Reed's wife regarding the misunderstanding that led to Mr. Reed's resignation. Dodge promises to "fix the matter" so that Reed will continue to work for the Union Pacific Railroad.