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July 1, 1862
Pacific Railway Act of 1862
The mechanism for the creation of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, this document is a demonstration of the intricate relationship between the business of the railroad and the business of government and expansion.
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September 23, 1863
Letter from Marion K. McMurphy to Samuel B. Reed, September 23, 1863
In this letter from September 23, 1863, Marion K. McMurphy writes to her brother, Samuel Reed, asking his opinion of employment with the "Union Pacific Railway." She also informs him that she received a letter from their enlisted brother, Erastus H. Reed, who is still doing well.
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April 25, 1864
Letter from Peter A. Dey to Samuel B. Reed, April 25, 1864
In this letter from April 25, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed informing him that the Board of Directors has assigned him to survey the land between the Great Salt Lake Valley and Green River in Utah. He states that "President [Brigham] Young has volunteered to furnish you party and transportation for your work." Dey gives detailed descriptions of the areas through which the line will most likely have to be run, telling Reed that "it will be safe to sacrifice distance and straight lines to cost of construction."
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1867
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.
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June 19, 1867
Letter from Sally A. Kendrick to Jennie Reed, June 19, 1867
In this letter from June 19, 1867, Sally A. Kendrick writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, thanking her for the books she sent. She notes she is glad to hear that Mr. Reed has recovered from his illness, and wishes she could travel "over the glorious West" to see them. She states she is "glad that the church has two such men on the Union Pacific Road as S.B. Reed & General Simpson," as they will spread good impressions of Christianity as they make their way further into the West.
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September 12, 1867
Letter from Juliet L. Elwood to Jennie Reed, September 12, 1867
In this letter from September 12, 1867, Juliet L. Elwood writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, discussing plans to travel to St. Louis and the possibility of accompanying her on a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. She inquires about the prospects of Mrs. Reed procuring a railway pass for her for the journey. She also details an encounter she had on the railroad cars during a day trip to Joliet, Illinois with a "military gentleman" who knew Samuel Reed. She states that she "understood him to say he was Prest of Pacific Road, but I think I must of course have misunderstood, as Gen Dix is President, or was."
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December 24, 1864 | Annual report
Report from Division Engineer Samuel B. Reed to Chief Engineer Peter A. Dey Describing Survey from Green River to Salt Lake City, December 24, 1864
In this December 24, 1864 report, Samuel B. Reed describes his surveys and explorations of the land from Green River, Utah to Salt Lake City. He gives his recommendations for the route of the Union Pacific Railroad line, including the availability of timber for railroad ties and coal to power the locomotives.
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1877 | Artwork
View on the Platte Valley Plains, near Columbus, Nebraska, as seen from the Union Pacific Railroad
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1907 | Book
The Road
An excerpt from Jack London's The Road.
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November 14, 1883 | Broadsides
General Superintendent S.T. Smith's General Order Implementing Standard Time, November 14, 1883
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.
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September 7, 1867 | Illustration
Cheyenne Indians Attacking a Working Party on the Union Pacific Railroad
This image from the September 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts Cheyenne Indians on horseback attacking a party working for the Union Pacific Railroad.
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September 7, 1867 | Illustration
Group of Workmen on the Union Pacific Railroad
This image from the September 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a group of workmen employed by the Union Pacific Railroad.
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February 27, 1869 | Illustration
The Union Pacific Railroad—Terminus at Echo City, Utah
This image from the February 27, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad at Echo City, Utah.
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February 27, 1869 | Illustration
The Union Pacific Railroad—Scene at Weber Canon, Utah
This image from the February 27, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly shows Weber Canon, Utah as seen from the Union Pacific Railroad.
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June 5, 1869 | Illustration
Completion of the Pacific Railroad—Meeting of Locomotives of the Union and Central Pacific Lines: The Engineers Shake Hands
This image from the June 5, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a large celebratory gathering around the place where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines joined at Promontory Summit, Utah.
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August 28, 1869 | Illustration
Omaha, Nebraska As Seen From The Old Capitol
This image from the August 8, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly shows the city of Omaha, Nebraska from the site of the Old Capitol building. Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie's Magazine featured stories about highlights along the transcontinental route.
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August 28, 1869 | Illustration
A Prairie Fire In Nebraska
This image from the August 28, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a Nebraska prairie fire near the Union Pacific railroad. Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie's Magazine featured stories about highlights along the transcontinental route
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September 11, 1869 | Illustration
Sherman Station, Wyoming Territory
This image from the September 11, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the rail station in Sherman, Wyoming Territory.
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October 30, 1869 | Illustration
Weber Canon And River
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.
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1865 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Thomas C. Durant, March 1865
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."
