January 9, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from January 9, 1860, James Shaw writes to Samuel Reed encouraging him to send samples of trilobite fossils from Joliet, Illinois. He also asks that Reed keep him in mind when he returns to Muscatine, Iowa and gets "among the 'coal plants.'" In return for Reed's efforts, Shaw promises to send him "packages as valuable as you may send me."
January 17, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from January 17, 1860, C.E. Compton writes to Samuel Reed from Washington, Iowa regarding the disposal of some of Reed's land near the railroad track there. He states that others recently received $200.00 for their lots, but notes that they were much more accessible by the railroad than the lots Reed possesses. Compton nonetheless promises to do his best to dispose of Reed's lots for the best possible price.
January 25, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from January 25, 1860, A.O. Patterson writes to Samuel Reed discussing difficulties with the Muscatine branch of the State Bank of Iowa, which Patterson managed along with his partners J.W. Dutton and Reed's good friend Charles H. Abbott. Patterson states that he will have to "commence anew," and tells Reed he wishes he would "sell out & go with me to a warmer country." He also states that he believes a grant to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad is in danger of being forfeited "on account of not having 75 miles done."
April 13, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from April 13, 1860, Danforth H. Ainsworth writes to Samuel Reed discussing his position in Iowa City, Iowa as resident engineer. He states that he "would like it pretty well if I had only a respectable salary," noting that he had wanted to work on his farm but did not have enough money to "take on the first year's experiments." Ainsworth concludes that he can stand his position so long as it is not often necessary to explain delinquent payments to his suppliers.
April 30, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from April 30, 1860, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed stating that the prospects for railroad work west of Iowa City, Iowa do not look good for the season. He notes that the governor of Missouri vetoed a state bill which had appropriated four or five million dollars "to finish up some of those roads now only part finished," and concludes "R Roading seems to be dead." He asks Reed to let him know if he hears of any work.
June 14, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from June 14, 1860, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed describing his plans to go down to Alabama in September in search of work. He states that, if he is successful in securing employment, he would like Reed to work with him. He also details the work on his farm, and expresses a strong desire to visit with Reed and his family.
July 6, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from July 6, 1860, Charles H. Abbott writes to Samuel Reed discussing the completion of the harvest and the prices of crops. He states that he heard Reed "had a great time at the Douglass celebration at Joliet [Illinois]," and teases him about the fact that the Joliet state prisoners also strongly supported Douglas in a mock election.
August 20, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from August 20, 1860, Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster write to Samuel Reed seeking his opinion of a business proposition made to them by the Keokuk and Des Moines Valley Railroad.
September 17, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from September 17, 1860, former Democratic governor of Illinois Joel A. Matteson writes a recommendation for Samuel Reed to take with him while he is in the South. Matteson states that he worked under Reed's direction in the past and writes "should any person want the services of an engineer of great experience they can find no person of better capacity to do any thing in his profession."
September 19, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from September 19, 1860, John Wilkinson, rector of Christ Church in Joliet, Illinois, writes to the Reverend Doctor Lord of Vicksburg, Mississippi introducing Samuel Reed to his "pastoral care." He states that Reed "contemplates passing the winter in your city."
September 21, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from September 21, 1860, Samuel Reed writes to his wife informing her that he has arrived in Cairo, Illinois. He notes the poor state of crops there and offers a brief description of the landscape, characterizing it as "the most forbiding looking place I have seen in the west." He tells her that he and John R. Boyle will travel to Memphis by railroad that morning, and then proceed to Vicksburg, Mississippi by river.
September 25, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from September 25, 1860, Julia B. Abbott writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, discussing various family news. She notes that she attended the anniversary exercises at the Theological Seminary in Andover, Massachusetts and enjoyed it very much. Among those "celebrities" she saw and heard were Professor Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher.
October 26, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from October 26, 1860, Chester Weed writes to Samuel Reed regarding the possible sale of right-of-way and depot ground near Oskaloosa, Iowa to the Mahaska County Railroad Company. Weed states he would like to be sure they get the most possible out of the land, but does not want "our interest so tied up that we can't give right of way to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad if they ever want it." He asks Samuel Reed to go out to Oskaloosa as soon as possible and see to the situation, as he is much better acquainted with the "lay of the land."
October 29, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from October 29, 1860, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed discussing his search for railroad employment. He states that they missed out on a contract in Oskaloosa, Iowa, but he remains determined to find work in that area as he believes "there is nothing to be made in this western country now as there is too much competition in the way of RRoading." He notes that there has been much "log rolling" with regard to a 70 mile extension of the Cedar Rapids road, and also tells Reed he is worried he may lose some money on his present work in Washington, Iowa.
November 8, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from November 8, 1860, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed informing him that he has just finished his work, is "settling" with his men, and will therefore be unable to visit Reed in Joliet, Illinois. He asks Reed to inquire about the nature and pay of some winter railroad work for them both, telling him not to take if for less than 15 cents as he believes "work will be plenty in the spring" and not to "touch it at any price...if they have no money."
November 26, 1860 | Letter
In this letter from November 26, 1860, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed from Washington, Iowa describing the character of work on the railroad there. He states that the work is "very light," and approves of the fact that the company "has ordered their expenses very low." He notes that after he paid all of his men he received $2,600 instead of $5,600, but believes all will be well eventually. Boyle also writes that he has not heard back from "those Cedar Rapids people" regarding some work, but he does not believe they have enough money to offer work in any case. He says that not much will be done over the winter with "the country in such a disturbed state."
February 19, 1861 | Letter
In this letter from February 19, 1861, H. Thielsen writes to Samuel Reed offering high praise of both his and John R. Boyle's abilities as contractors. He states that he believes the prospects of commencing work in the spring appear "slender," as orders to undertake work on roughly 55 miles of the lines from Ottumwa, Iowa to Chariton, Iowa were withdrawn when the Secession Crisis occurred. He tells Reed that the "character of the work though is what a contractor would call magnificent."
March 8, 1861 | Letter
In this letter from March 8, 1861, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed discussing the prospects for employment on a railroad in the near future. He states that he would prefer working for Mr. Thielsen to working on the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad as he does not believe that railroad will be capable of "doing anything as long as those troubles between the north and south exist." Boyle also notes that he rejected an invitation to work on the Cedar Rapids Railroad, believing it would be better to "stay on our farms than work on a R Road that has no money." He declares that if the troubles between the North and South were settled, there would be more work available.
October 13, 1861 | Letter
In this letter from October 13, 1861, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and daughter while they are traveling to visit relatives in Rock Island, Illinois. He states that there has been no "excitement politically or financially" at home aside from a proclamation by a Captain Danforth of the "we have laid down the lanset and taken up the sword kind."
March 17, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from March 17, 1862, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed discussing their shared opinion of the war as "unrational." Boyle states that he believes "we are decimating and depopulating the country" and expresses worry that there will not be enough work for all of the men once the war ends. He claims that agents from Australia and Canada are encouraging people to emigrate, and proposes that Reed work with him in a future venture.
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