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  • | Book

    The Road

    An excerpt from Jack London's The Road.

  • Report from Samuel B. Reed to Oliver Ames, 1867

    In this copy of a report from 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Oliver Ames, President of the Union Pacific Railroad, detailing the progress of the railroad's construction over the past year. He describes the totality of the work that has been done on the railroad from October 1, 1866 to September 1, 1867, giving very specific accounts of the miles of track laid, telegraph lines built, railroad ties used, bridges constructed, amount of earth and rock excavated during grading, and the like. He also discusses the great difficulty he has had in obtaining ties for the railroad, particularly from the Black Hills and in the area of Laurence Fork, Nebraska. He writes that there have been "serious delays in grading and in furnishing ties caused by the decided hostility of the Indians, our grading men have been frequently attacked, some men have been killed and a large amount of stock lost." Reed also includes an account of the materials on hand as of September 1, 1867.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, September 22, 1867

    In this letter from September 22, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his desire to resign his position and return home to Chicago. He is sick of the "wild life" and "untold dangers seen and unseen."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, July 30, 1867

    In this letter from July 30, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his return trip after leaving Chicago, where he was visiting his family. Reed apologizes to his wife for visiting "several" saloons and other "dens of vice and crime" in Julesburg after his return. He gives a detailed account of his activities, which illustrates the availability of such diversions along the western portion of the Union Pacific Railroad.

  • | 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 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

    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, April 5, 1867

    In this letter from April 5, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the expected arrival of Union Pacific Vice-President Thomas Durant. Reed also notes an attempt by a representative of Ames & Company to overhaul the construction department's books and vouchers.

  • | 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 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, May 18, 1868

    In this letter from May 18, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant chastising him for superseding General Grenville Dodge by granting Col. Silas Seymour the full power of Chief Engineer. Ames states that Durant was not given the power to "direct the Chief Engineer where he should locate the Road," that the Chief Engineer is responsible to the Board of Directors, and that it is ultimately up to the Board of Directors to decide "whether the Location is properly made or not."

  • 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, 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 1, 1868

    In this letter from January 1, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the financial status of the Union Pacific Railroad. He notes that several creditors are "clamorous for money," but that the company has "really nothing to raise the money with." He tells Durant that it would be a disgrace to have to suspend construction for want of funds and advises him to "discharge all unnecessary men at once and get no more ties and timber than is absolutely necessary for the Work."

  • 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, 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."