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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • February 18, 1869 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, February 18, 1869

    In this letter from February 18, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his disappointment in not getting to see his wife as planned. Reed also notes that a large cut west of Weber Canyon has caved in, forcing him to ride out and "devise some plan to rectify it."

  • February 10, 1869 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, February 10, 1869

    In this letter from February 10, 1869, a weary Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the extent of his work. Reed has worked so hard for so long that he believes that it "is unfitting me for future usefulness."

  • January 16, 1869

    Letter from Oakes Ames to Thomas C. Durant, January 16, 1869

    In this letter from January 16, 1869, Oakes Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad and the need to secure the approval of the government appointed commissioners in order to ensure that bonds for building the road are not withheld. He urges Durant to work with the commissioners, stating "we cannot afford to fight the government now."

  • January 16, 1869 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 16, 1869

    In this letter from January 16, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family giving a detailed description of Thomas Durant's interference with the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Reed explains how Durant's decisions, including pulling workers from grading duty before winter came, have "squandered uselessly" an incredible amount of time and money.

  • January 14, 1869

    Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, January 14, 1869

    In this letter from January 14, 1869, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant discussing the location of the railroad line that was approved by the government commissioners. He advises Durant to have the line built as close to their instructions as possible, telling him "we are in the hands of this Commission and should do everything possible to secure their favor."

  • January 12, 1869 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 12, 1869

    In this letter from January 12, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing Thomas Durant's hindrance to his work and the rising costs of construction.

  • January 4, 1869

    Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, January 4, 1869

    In this letter from January 4, 1869, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant complaining about the large bills the company is receiving. He urges Durant to sell any excess unused material, fire "useless" laborers, and hire by contract whenever possible. He tells Durant that he, "as the Manager of the Construction, must feel any Slip up by which the Central [Pacific Railroad] should come out triumphant and we Bankrupt keenly, and it would be a burning shame to us to suffer it."

  • 1869 | Artwork

    The Union Pacific Railroad - A Prairie on Fire in Nebraska, about 1864-69

  • December 28, 1868 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 28, 1868

    In this letter from December 28, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the arrival of Thomas Durant. Reed also states his longing to return home.

  • December 24, 1868

    Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, December 24, 1868

    In this letter from December 24, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant informing him of an arrangement Ames has made for the Union Pacific Railroad's acquisition of government bonds. He also complains about the "awful" bills the company is receiving, and urges Durant to do all he can to "weed out the thieves" in the company.

  • December 23, 1868

    Letter from Oliver Ames to Thomas C. Durant, December 23, 1868

    In this letter from December 23, 1868, Oliver Ames writes to Thomas C. Durant regarding the Union Pacific Railroad's impending acquisition of government bonds. He also discusses the issue of corruption within the company at length, stating "the Road must be costing us very much more than we are getting for it, or everyone out there is stealing." Ames worries that the company will be deep in debt by the time the road is completed and urges Durant to "do Something to Stop the thieves from Stealing our last cent and making the Road suffer."

  • December 16, 1868 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 16, 1868

    In this letter from December 16, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the progress on grading and decribes the recent weather, which has been clear. Reed again complains about Durant's interference, noting that "this work would all have been finished long ago if my arrangements had not been interfered with."

  • December 6, 1868 | Letter

    Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, December 6, 1868

    In this letter from December 6, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficult grading work still being done. His men work "night and day without cessation" because the work "goes very slowly on account of the hard frozen ground which it is impossible to move without [gun]powder." He places the blame for this difficult work on Thomas Durant, whose interference with Reed's plans caused the work to cost twice as much and take twice as long.

  • December 5, 1868 | Illustration

    Hoosac Tunnel—Entrance

    This image from the December 5, 1868 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the entrance to the Hoosac Tunnel in western Massachusetts.

  • December 5, 1868 | Illustration

    Hoosac Tunnel—Drilling Machine

    This image from the December 5, 1868 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a drilling machine working to create the Hoosac Tunnel in western Massachusetts.

  • December 5, 1868 | Illustration

    The Serra Viaduct, St Paul's Railroad, Brazil

    This image from the December 5, 1868 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts the lengthy Serra Viaduct of St. Paul's Railroad in Brazil.