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April 2, 1867 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, April 2, 1867
In this letter from April 2, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing contracts with Boyd & Reed and I. H. Lacy to construct ten miles of road each. Upon completion of their contracts, the Union Pacific Railroad will reach 400 miles, or 25 miles west of Julesburg, Colorado.
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April 5, 1867 | 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.
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April 18, 1867 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, April 18, 1867
In this letter from April 18, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a trip to the western end of the line. He details his attempts to "put the road in order" following a recent flood of the Platte River and its tributaries. Reed laments that it will cost above $50,000 and be "ten or twelve days before I can get a train over the road."
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April 19, 1867 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, April 19, 1867
In this letter from April 19, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the recent flooding on the Platte River and his attempts to get the road repaired by the following week, when the Union Pacific's executive committee will arrive to inspect it.
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April 25, 1867 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, April 25, 1867
In this letter from April 25, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family with mixed feelings, noting that the first train in ten days has passed over the road, but that a "large amount" of work still needs to be done to get the road in "good order."
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April 27, 1867 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, April 27, 1867
In this letter from April 27, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his feelings about the hard work he has done getting the road repaired and putting trains back on their regularly scheduled runs.
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December 11, 1867
Letter from Grenville M. Dodge to Oliver Ames, December 11, 1867
In this letter from December 11, 1867, Grenville Dodge writes to Oliver Ames discussing the need to make preparations and increase facilities for getting water along the railroad line. He tells Ames that unless such work is done, "you will find that it will be very costly to supply it each year from Stations or tanks."
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February 27, 1869 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, February 27, 1869
In this letter from February 27, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the progress of the Union Pacific Railroad. He notes that workers have laid track past Devil's Gate and that grading is finished for forty miles ahead of that point. Reed is pleased that the work is "moving smoothly," but he is "sick and tired of the hurry and hustle attendant upon so much business." Following Reed's letter is a note from the compiler, giving a flattering, if not entirely accurate, picture of the Union Pacific's construction.
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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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May 11, 1869 | Newspaper
Account of the "Golden Spike" Ceremony, Promontory Point, UT on May 10, 1869
This account of the "Golden Spike" ceremony at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869, as printed in the May 11th edition of the Salt Lake Telegram, describes the festivities involved and lists some of the important attendees. Following the article, the compiler offers a one-sided picture of the situation regarding pay for the Union Pacific's construction crews and details Samuel Reed's actions after the ceremony.
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February 10, 1872 | Illustration
Snow Sheds Covered With Snow
This image from the February 10, 1872 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts snow sheds on the Central Pacific Railroad.
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February 10, 1872 | Illustration
The Snow Plow Clearing the Way
This image from the February 10, 1872 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a snow plow on the Central Pacific Railroad.
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May 11, 1878 | Letter
Letter from Frank C. Bunley to George P. Cather, May 11, 1878
On May 11, 1878 Frank C. Bunley solicits advice on a potential land purchase in Nebraska from George P. Cather. He also inquires about the proximity of the railroad to Cather's land.
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October 23, 1878 | Letter
Letter from N. T. Waters to George P. Cather, October 23, 1878
The October 23, 1878 letter from N.T. Waters in Illinois to George P. Cather requests information about available land in Webster County, Nebraska. Waters' primary concern is that the land contains a stream with drinkable water, and asks specifically about sections of land seen on a land map provided by the railroad.
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December 23, 1878 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Vanniss to George P. Cather, December 23, 1878
On December 23, 1878 D.F. Vanniss informs George P. Cather of a death in his family delaying his trip to Nebraska. Vanniss wants to purchase a productive 160 acres of railroad land and asks Cather if he can buy it before he arrives to ensure that it is not sold to someone else. He tells Cather that he plans to make Webster County his new home, and wonders about the possibility of growing fruit in Nebraska-requesting that Cather send him a report of the temperature on New Year's Day.
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December 21, 1888 | Letter
Letter from E. P. Sherwood to George P. Cather, December 21, 1888
In his December 22, 1888 letter to George P. Cather, E.P. Sherwood writes from London Mills, Illinois about the price of land and the availability of water in Webster County, Nebraska.
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March 3, 1900 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Shipre to George P. Cather, March 3, 1900
On March 3, 1900, D.F. Shipre of Quickville, Kansas writes to George P. Cather about the possibility of buying or leasing the land adjoining his current property. He estimates the cost at $100-$175 per quarter section (about 160 acres).
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September 23, 1901 | Letter
Letter from D. F. Shipre to George P. Cather, September 23, 1901
A year and a half after sending his first letter to George P. Cather, D.F. Shipre writes again on in September 1901, to inquire about purchasing or leasing land adjoining his current spread. He tells Cather that he wants the land as pasture for his cattle and estimates paying a higher price for the land than he did in his first letter. Inquiring about Cather's slow response and fearing it is because Cather distrusts land agents, Shipre informs Cather that he is only a farmer and a poor one at that.
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September 28, 1901 | Letter
Letter from Samuel Lincoln to George P. Cather, September 28, 1901
On September 28, 1901, Samuel Lincoln writes to George P. Cather proposing a buyout of a quarter section of Lincoln's land in Thomas County, Kansas. After assuring Cather that he is not another "land shark", Lincoln also offers to buy Cather's adjoining land if Cather is not interested in buying his. Lincoln feels that he cannot successfully sell or rent such a small parcel of land and that it would be more valuable combined with another holding. The 160 acres of land that originally drew settlers to railroad land as a great opportunity now appeared too small a portion to be of any value on its own.
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March 16, 1923 | Letter
Letter from E. D. Crabb to George P. Cather, March 16, 1923
On March 16, 1923 E.D. Crabb writes to George P. Cather inquiring about renting a quarter section of his land for two or three years for the purpose of raising winter wheat on it. Crabb, a resident of Colby, Kansas, additionally listed his location as "East View Ranch - Home of Pure Bred Aberdeen-Angus Cattle", indicating an establishment in Kansas. Combined with his request of only renting for a short time, Crabb's request marks a shift from earlier land transactions where owners moved to a new location for the sake of land. Crabb apparently believed he could administrate from afar.
