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February 5, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Francis and Sarah Sim to Mother and Father, February 5, 1860
In this February 5, 1860 letter from Francis and Sarah Sim to Sarah's parents, Francis tells of the abundance of food produced on their farm and of the migration patterns of settlers in the region. He invites them to visit them, pointing out that they can make most of the journey by railroad and the remainder by steamboat.
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April 13, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Danforth H. Ainsworth to Samuel B. Reed, April 13, 1860
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.
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April 30, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John R. Boyle to Samuel B. Reed, April 30 1860
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.
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July 6, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Charles H. Abbott to Samuel B. Reed, July 6, 1860
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.
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August 11, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, August 11, 1860
In this August 11, 1860 letter to John Kellogg, John McConihe writes of his speculation with gold rush miners and his anticipation of the appointment of a congressional delegate from the Nebraska territory. He also notes that a telegraph is being built in Omaha and that he feels this will lead to further settlement in Nebraska.
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August 20, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster to Samuel B. Reed, August 20, 1860
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.
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September 17, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Joel A. Matteson, September 17, 1860
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."
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September 19, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Reverend John Wilkinson to Reverend Doctor Lord, September 19, 1860
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."
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September 21, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Jennie Reed, September 21, 1860
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.
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September 21, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, September 21, 1860
In this September 21, 1860 letter, John McConihe writes to friend and business partner, John Kellogg, about his beginning freighting business and his hopes for future prosperity in that area. He mentions the upswing in the optimism of Nebraskans about their future prosperity since the completion of a telegraph to Omaha.
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September 25, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Julia B. Abbott to Jennie Reed, September 25, 1860
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.
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October 18, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, October 18, 1860
John McConihe's October 18, 1860 letter to John Kellogg reports his frustration over the death of one of his mules on the supply wagon he has sent to the West and reports the close results of the election for a Congressional delegate. The telegraph line has been extended from Omaha to Kearney, and this, coupled with a stagecoach route from Omaha to Denver, indicates to him that Nebraskans "are getting to be of some account."
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October 26, 1860 | Letter
Letter from Chester Weed to Samuel B. Reed, October 26, 1860
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."
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October 29, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John R. Boyle to Samuel B. Reed, October 29, 1860
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.
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November 8, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John R. Boyle to Samuel B. Reed, November 8, 1860
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."
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November 26, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John R. Boyle to Samuel B. Reed, November 26, 1860
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."
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December 23, 1860 | Letter
Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, December 23, 1860
In this December 23, 1860 letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, McConihe recounts the fate of the freight he sent to Denver and his plans to send another supply train west in February. McConihe also informs Kellogg of his plans to return to New York and expresses his confidence that the Union will "be patched up" in time for him to turn a profit the next year.
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February 18, 1861 | Letter
Breif report on slave market in New Orleans
In this February 18, 1861 letter from A. J. Rux to E.H. Stokes, Rux briefly describes the state of the slave market in New Orleans.
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February 19, 1861 | Letter
Letter from H. Thielsen to Samuel B. Reed, February 19, 1861
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."
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February 22, 1861 | Letter
Letter from A. J. Rux to E. H. Stokes, February 22, 1861
In this February 22, 1861 letter from A. J. Rux to E. H. Stokes, Rux describes the sale of a female slave named Harriett for $1,000. He confides to Stokes that he is "ashamed" of the low price he received, but notes that Harriett's "same old complaint" and break out attempts were so frustrating that "I sold her where I don't think we will ever hear from her again."