© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
May 21, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from May 21, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting their arrival in Denver after a week-long stagecoach ride. Reed notes the ample evidence of Indian attacks along the route.
May 21, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from May 21, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his travel from Atchison, Kansas to Salt Lake City. He spent thirteen days and nights on the stage coach with nine other passengers and describes the weather and terrain he encountered.
May 14, 1865 | Letter
In this short letter from May 14, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his arrangements to leave Omaha at 8:00 p.m. that evening with two assistants. His bill for the stage is an exorbitant $1,200.
June 7, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from June 7, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his first few days of work surveying a route for the Union Pacific railroad. He comments on his living quarters, bed, and food.
June 4, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from June 4, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his preparations to start another survey the following morning. Reed outlines his potential route and notes the inexperience of his crew, as most of his previous group found other employment. He also details an upcoming Indian gathering, featuring all of the tribes in the vicinity of Salt Lake and Brigham Young.
June 29, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from June 29, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a strike among his workers. He notes that the men have agreed to keep working until he receives a message from Salt Lake City. Reed again notes the high food prices, though they have plenty to eat.
June 26, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from June 26, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his hard work over the previous week. Reed also mentions the recent change in his diet, as he caught two brook trout and another member of the party shot an antelope.
June 18, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from June 18, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family detailing the difficulty of the terrain. In three weeks he has only surveyed 24 miles. Reed also notes the pleasant climate, comments on the price of gold, and describes a few of the men in his party.
June 12, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from June 12, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his first forty miles of surveying. Reed describes the high prices for various foodstuffs—including $14.00 for 100 pounds of flour—all of which were purchased from Mormons on the trail, by order of Brigham Young.
July 3, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from July 3, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his interactions with a small band of Utah Indians and their Chief, Sandpitz. The Indians are friendly, but in Reed's estimation, "are the greatest beggars imaginable." He also notes the progress of his survey, which is over difficult terrain, and expresses his fear that the entire party will strike for higher wages.
July 24, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from July 24, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family detailing the party's lack of food. He sent a team to Salt Lake City for provisions 8 days before, but they have not returned and the food has run out. Reed again describes his difficulties with workers striking for higher wages and shares plans for his upcoming three-day scouting trip.
January 13, 1865 | Letter
In this short letter from January 13, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his work schedule and informs them that he hopes to head west again before March 1.
December 26, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from December 26, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his frustration over the lack of directions from his superiors. He also notes that he may be offered the position of Chief Engineer of Construction for the Union Pacific line.
August 2, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from August 2, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his three-day scouting trip. After his teamsters returned with provisions, Reed left and quickly encountered a barren desert and desolate mountains. He also notes recent Indian activity 80-100 miles northeast of their party.
August 17, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from August 17, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing new instructions from Union Pacific headquarters in Omaha. He is directed to survey a new line from Utah Lake to the Bear River Valley (Utah).
August 15, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from August 15, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his difficulties in surveying the route for the Union Pacific Railroad line, including the high cost of food. He mentions that the party spent four days in country with no drinkable water. Despite these hardships, Reed and his party have finished their first survey and are returning to Salt Lake City.
April 5, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 5, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his tiresome travel from Grinnell, Iowa via stage and discusses his coming work.
April 28, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 28, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his orders to leave for Atchison, Kansas on the first boat.
April 20, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 20, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficulty of traveling by stagecoach and mentions that he heard the news of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Reed notes that their party was the first to inform many people of the President's death. He also describes a memorial service in Omaha, NE.
April 19, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from April 19, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing how the numerous gold-seekers heading west from Omaha make travel difficult and expensive.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement