Skip to main content

This version of the website was created in 2025. See the Site Information Page for contact information, data downloads, and other details.

Search Documents

1290 Documents found

Sort by: Title, Date, Type

  • | Illustration

    A Snow Drift On The Pacific Railroad

    This image from the March 19, 1870 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts workers and a snow plow attempting to clear a snow drift on the Pacific Railroad.

  • | Illustration

    The Recent Accident On The Mississippi Central Railroad

    This image from the March 19, 1870 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts an accident due to a bridge collapse on the Mississippi Central Railroad.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, February 8, 1870

    In this February 8, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family from New York, having finished his business in Boston. His personal accounts are not yet settled, but Sidney Dillon has promised him that "they shall be this week and the balance remitted to me at Joliet," Illinois.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, February 3, 1870

    In this February 3, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family announcing that his business with the Union Pacific will be settled the following day. He also notes that he knows "the exact cost of the road from Omaha to the end," but does not give the figure. He further states that Sidney Dillon continues to discuss Reed's work on a Texas road, but "I had much rather build one in Illinois if I can make arrangements with Mr. Mitchell."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 31, 1870

    In this January 31, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family announcing that he will close his accounts on February 1st. He boasts that "there are no company books and vouchers in New York or Boston that are in as good shape as the construction accounts I return from the west."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 28, 1870

    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.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 22, 1870

    In this January 22, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing an outing to the museum at Harvard College, as he has yet to hear from the Union Pacific Company regarding his accounts.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 20, 1870

    In this brief January 20, 1870 letter, a dejected Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family informing them that his accounts are still not settled. He admits that he is "heartily sick and tired of the unbusinesslike way in which I am treated and do not hesitate to let those who are here know the fact."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 16, 1870

    In this brief January 16, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family announcing that Sidney Dillon wants him to go to Texas and survey 200 miles of road.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 13, 1870

    In this January 13, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family informing them that it will be at least a week until his accounts are settled. He notes that other accounts are also being reviewed and that the New York office "has largely overpaid some parties."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 6, 1870

    In this January 6, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family informing them that it will likely be some time before his accounts are settled and he can return home.

  • | Illustration

    Richard Cobden

    Richard Cobden, a leading Liberal in Parliament, was also invested in the Illinois Central Railroad. He took two major trips to the United States, first in 1835 and again in 1859. During his first trip he traveled on railroads for a total of just ninety miles, from Lowell, Mass., to Boston, and then to Providence, R.I. On his second trip, twenty-four years later, he traveled 4,000 miles on American railroads.

  • | Legal decision

    Seth E. Beedy Deposition

    Catharine Brown's attorneys deposed two white men who were on the train with Brown and witnessed her expulsion from the cars in Alexandria. Both lived in Maine and were deposed in December 1869. Seth Beedy was traveling with Benjamin Hinds, who knew and recognized "Kate" Brown. Beedy testified, "she was ejected by violence and that alone."

  • | Legal decision

    Benjamin H. Hinds Deposition

    Catharine Brown's attorneys deposed two white men who were on the train with Brown and witnessed her expulsion from the cars in Alexandria. Both lived in Maine and were deposed in December 1869. Benjamin Hinds' testimony was particularly significant because he described in detail the violence he witnessed, and because he knew Brown "since January 1866," perhaps from her work in the U.S. Capitol, and tried to intervene on her behalf.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 9, 1869

    In this December 9, 1869 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the Company's continuing delay in settling his affairs. He announces an upcoming trip and gives a positive outlook on the Union Pacific's financial situation.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 6, 1869

    In this letter from December 6, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family announcing his expectation of settling his accounts within a few days.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 3, 1869

    In this letter from December 3, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing affairs in Boston. Reed hopes for a "speedy closing up of my affairs."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Brigham Young, November 13, 1869

    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.

  • | 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.

  • | Illustration

    Ten-Miles Canon, Nevada

    This image from the October 16, 1869 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a Central Pacific Railroad passenger train traveling through Ten-Mile Canyon in Nevada. Just months after the driving of the "golden spike," the transcontinental railroad was in operation ferrying passengers through some of the sublime, dramatic landscape of the west.