© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
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."
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.
December 10, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.
December 10, 1864
In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.
January 14, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from January 14, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing his busy work finding contractors for construction of the second 100-mile section of the Union Pacific Railroad line. He also describes a compliment given him by an important engineer, who called Reed a "pioneer" of topographical engineering.
January 17, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from January 17, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing the quietness of the office since the "notables" of the Union Pacific, who had been there observing construction and planning, have "left for the east."
July 18, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from July 18, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing a fierce political fight involving Thomas C. Durant and George Francis Train of the Union Pacific Railroad. Their larger-than-life personalities cause Reed to comment that "one stage coach or steam boat could not hold two such men."
November 1, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from November 1, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing his work surveying a line from Salt Lake City to the Humboldt River Valley in Nevada.
February 19, 1867
In this letter from February 19, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas Durant informing him that some of the estimates received from General Grenville Dodge for work on the track are much higher than what Reed and Durant anticipated when Reed was in New York .
April 10, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 10, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, requesting that he talk with General Dix, President of the Union Pacific Railroad, and settle the question of an increase in pay for Reed for the previous year's services. Reed tells Durant that Mrs. Reed is authorized to sign a voucher for the amount of $490 "if you will send her the money."
April 17, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from April 17, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing a visit from a group of railroad commissioners. He states that they "did not measure the width of the embankment or count the ties in the track except at the extreme west end" and "appeared to be well pleased with the work." He gives Durant an update on the status of work on the line as well as a detailed account of the iron chains and spikes received to date. He also notes that they are finally receiving an ample supply of railroad ties, but are still having difficulty obtaining the piles required for bridge construction.
April 7, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from April 7, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, informing him that he is sending the "report of surveys on the Pacific slope in 1865," with the profiles to follow the next week. He gives a summary of the work done on the railroad since he last wrote Durant, noting that "we have more than one hundred thousand ties on the line of the road." He asks if he should close a contract for another 50,000 ties.
August 14, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from August 14, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, updating him on the status of several aspects of the railroad construction. He calls Durant's attention to the fact that work on the bridge at North Platte, Nebraska needs to be commenced as soon as possible in order to have it finished by the time the track is laid to that point. He states that the grading is being done as quickly as possible and "40 miles will be completed by the first day of Sept. unless we have another strike among the men." Reed also notes that work on the car shop and road house at Omaha is progressing slowly, as strikes have been occurring among the laborers and masons.
February 5, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from February 5, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, requesting orders as to whether or not to employ the State Geologist of Illinois to "examine the country west of Omaha for coal ."
July 10, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from July 10, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, listing the engineers assigned to each construction task on the line.
June 21, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from June 21, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, discussing a bill received from Dunbar and O'Hanlon. He states that the only items on the bill which should be paid are those for siding and flooring work done on a mill to be used by contractors building the railroad. The other charges should not be allowed, Reed argues, because the mill was returned to the railroad contractors by Dunbar and O'Hanlon in disrepair, costing the railroad at least $7,500 to put it back "in working order."
1865 | Letter
In this letter from March of 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, submitting a list of the men he will need for a work party he will take with him to make surveys in the mountains of the Utah Territory. He notes that "if the line is run South of the Unitas and East of Green River a military escort will be necessary for the safty of the party."
March 23, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from March 23, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, informing him that he has sent the estimates for building the railroad "from the Green River to the east line of the state of California" and will soon send the report and estimate of the work done in the mountains the previous season. Reed also notes that he has had great difficulty obtaining piles needed for the temporary construction work.
March 26, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from March 26, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing the estimates he has been given for various contract work related to the construction of the railroad.
November 29, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from November 29, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, informing him that he has recovered from his severe illness and will be departing for his home in Joliet, Illinois soon. He expresses regret that he was unable to devote his personal attention to the construction of the bridge at North Platte, Nebraska, noting that it could have been completed in time and not delayed the laying of track. Reed also states that "the Indian scene and severe storms" have driven most of the men off the line and delayed the grading work, but assures Durant he is doing everything he can to push the work forward as quickly as possible.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement