October 30, 1869 | Illustration
This image from the October 30, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the Union Pacific Railroad in Weber Canyon. Just months after the driving of the "golden spike," the transcontinental railroad was in operation ferrying passengers through some of the most sublime, dramatic landscapes of the west.
November 13, 1869 | Letter
In this November 13, 1869 letter, Samuel Reed writes to Brigham Young thanking him for his assistance during the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad.
January 28, 1870 | Letter
In this January 28, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his work balancing construction accounts for the Union Pacific Railroad. He states that he "shall get clear of the U.P.R.R. Co. with a clean record as far as money accounts go." Reed continues to wait on his personal account, however.
1877 | Artwork
July 20, 1877 | Newspaper
This article from the July 21, 1877 edition of the London Times gives an account of the strike's changing scope following the arrival of Federal troops as well as the suspicion of its growth in other cities around the country.
1878 | Pamphlet
This 1878 Burlington and Missouri Railroad publicity pamphlet provided information to potential settlers about land in Iowa and Nebraska. It featured information about land agents, land prices, social and cultural oportunities, potential crop yields, and other information to entice settlers to purchase railroad land.
February 23, 1880 | Letter
In the first part of her February 23, 1880 letter to Frank, Genie Hathaway rapturously describes the luxuries of riding in a Pullman car on the way to Chicago. She mentions several of her fellow passengers, one of whom is female world traveler. The second part of her letter describes the vulgarity of the passengers traveling with her in a "common car". Part of the letter is damaged.
November 14, 1883 | Broadsides
This General Order from November 14, 1883, circulated by S. T. Smith, General Superintendent of the Kansas Division of the Union Pacific Railroad, notifies all stations on the Kansas Division that "standard time" will begin at exactly 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 18, 1883. This order coincides with the establishment of time zones throughout the United States, a development necessitated by the speed of railroad travel.
February 10, 1889 | Letter
The C, B & Q Master Mechanic for West Burlington, Iowa, reports on the work history of several engineers who were re-applying for work in the wake of the 1888 strike. Master Mechanic West indicated employees with hash tags (#) who should never be rehired.
August 24, 1894 | Newspaper
Edward Rosewater, a Republican leader and editor of the Daily Bee, accuses the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad of lavishing free passes as bribes to get Thomas Majors the Republican nomination for governor in 1894.
August 30, 1894 | Newspaper
Carrying on his crusade against the railroads in politics, Republican editor Edward Rosewater criticizes the appointment of receivers for the Union Pacific and the Oregon Short Line. He argues that the judges are in the service of the Union Pacific and the result will be continued monopoly power over rates and service in the region.
September 3, 1894 | Newspaper
Bryan's candidacy and his move to fuse with the Populists and campaign for free silver went against the Cleveland White House administration. In Nebraska the Democratic forces divided and some remained "gold bugs," staunch conservatives on the money issue and others remained reluctant to break with the Democratic presidential administration on such important issues. The Republican State Journal seeks to exploit the deep divisions in the Democratic Party.
September 7, 1894 | Newspaper
William Jennings Bryan's World Herald calls attention to the demands of workers and the situation evolving around the Union Pacific receivership.
September 12, 1894 | Newspaper
In the middle of the 1894 election season, word spread that various railroads, including the Union Pacific, gave orders to their employees not to act in or speak about politics.
September 14, 1894 | Newspaper
Even newspapers editors such as Edward Rosewater who took strong stands against railroad corruption followed the doings of the railroad business. A visit from a "railroad man" to any town was a newsworthy event and a moment for speculation about the state of business affairs and the prospects of the town.
September 27, 1894 | Newspaper
William Jennings Bryan's newspaper reports the events of his nomination at the state convention, emphasizing the joining of forces to defeat the Republicans and the deep history of the Democratic Party.
October 9, 1894 | Newspaper
The U.S. Senate campaign in 1894 featured long speeches by candidates at town gatherings across Nebraska. John Thurston presents his case for defending American interests first by contrasting McKinley as the American with Democratic internationalism.
October 18, 1894 | Speech
This article from the October 18, 1894 edition of the Nebraska State Journal summarizes the first debate between Republican candidate John M. Thurston and Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan during the 1894 Nebraska Senate campaign. The article also presents each man's speech, in full, as well as their rebuttal statements.
October 18, 1894 | Speech
This article from the October 18, 1894 edition of the Omaha World Herald summarizes the first debate between Republican candidate John M. Thurston and Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan during the 1894 Nebraska Senate campaign. The article also presents each man's speech, in full, as well as their rebuttal statements.
October 22, 1894 | Newspaper
In this roundup of Western news about "progress," the Omaha Daily Bee depicts the Indians as unable to manage relationships with aggressive, and presumably corrupt, railroad companies. It applauds the decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to restrain the railroads from building across Indian lands. The other news of the West evokes the progress that comes with railroads and that such decisions denied Indians.