November 2, 1862 | Letter
In this letter from November 2, 1862, Erastus H. Reed, one of the enlisted brothers of Samuel Reed, writes to Jennie Reed describing his new life as a soldier as "a stern reality." He offers details on his regiment's encounters (or lack thereof) with the Confederate Army, and complains about the hard marching they have been forced to endure. He requests supplies and news, and encourages "Sister Jennie" to write to him as often as possible.
December 21, 1888 | Letter
In his December 22, 1888 letter to George P. Cather, E.P. Sherwood writes from London Mills, Illinois about the price of land and the availability of water in Webster County, Nebraska.
November 13, 1862 | Letter
E. L. Wentz, of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, asks for suggestions about providing shoes for contraband workers on the railroad.
March 16, 1923 | Letter
On March 16, 1923 E.D. Crabb writes to George P. Cather inquiring about renting a quarter section of his land for two or three years for the purpose of raising winter wheat on it. Crabb, a resident of Colby, Kansas, additionally listed his location as "East View Ranch - Home of Pure Bred Aberdeen-Angus Cattle", indicating an establishment in Kansas. Combined with his request of only renting for a short time, Crabb's request marks a shift from earlier land transactions where owners moved to a new location for the sake of land. Crabb apparently believed he could administrate from afar.
February 20, 1864 | Letter
E. Benjamin requests passes for black workers so that they may avoid impressment.
October 13, 1863
In this letter from October 13, 1863, Danforth H. Ainsworth writes to Samuel Reed expressing little surprise at the lack of "prospects of progress" on the Burlington and Missouri Railroad. He discusses the prospects for the success of and employment on the Burlington and Missouri Railroad, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Cedar Rapids Railroad, and the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad. He also states that he hopes to sell his farm soon, and wants very much to see Reed during his impending visit to Joliet, Illinois.
November 29, 1863
In this letter from November 29, 1863, Danforth H. Ainsworth writes to Samuel Reed informing him of his new position with the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad. He states that he is glad to have the position, even if it only pays $75.00 per month. Ainsworth also notes the progress of the work of their mutual friend and fellow railroad employee, John R. Boyle, and asks Reed to write to him at his new position as often as he has the chance.
June 16, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from June 16, 1865, Danforth H. Ainsworth writes to Samuel Reed describing the progress of the Union Pacific Railroad construction in and around Omaha, Nebraska. He states that unwillingness on the part of the President and the Secretary of the Interior to approve a change of the line to Mud Creek caused quite a bit of excitement in Omaha, noting that "the Omahas were pretty thoroughly frightened, and for a few days Bellevue stock had an upward tendency." Ainsworth also tells Reed that he wrote to Mrs. Reed to tell her "she might consider you beyond danger from indians, at least on your trip to Salt Lake."
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.
December 23, 1878 | Letter
On December 23, 1878 D.F. Vanniss informs George P. Cather of a death in his family delaying his trip to Nebraska. Vanniss wants to purchase a productive 160 acres of railroad land and asks Cather if he can buy it before he arrives to ensure that it is not sold to someone else. He tells Cather that he plans to make Webster County his new home, and wonders about the possibility of growing fruit in Nebraska-requesting that Cather send him a report of the temperature on New Year's Day.
September 23, 1901 | Letter
A year and a half after sending his first letter to George P. Cather, D.F. Shipre writes again on in September 1901, to inquire about purchasing or leasing land adjoining his current spread. He tells Cather that he wants the land as pasture for his cattle and estimates paying a higher price for the land than he did in his first letter. Inquiring about Cather's slow response and fearing it is because Cather distrusts land agents, Shipre informs Cather that he is only a farmer and a poor one at that.
March 3, 1900 | Letter
On March 3, 1900, D.F. Shipre of Quickville, Kansas writes to George P. Cather about the possibility of buying or leasing the land adjoining his current property. He estimates the cost at $100-$175 per quarter section (about 160 acres).
September 30, 1927 | Letter
In his September 20, 1927 letter to George P. Cather, D.F. Jewell asks about the possibility of buying or leasing some of Cather's land or selling or trading his own.
November 3, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from November 3, 1867, Cordelia L. Bailey writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, inquiring why she has not written in so long. She asks if Mr. Reed will remain in the West throughout the winter, and if it would be alright to send her son Walter west even though "the season is so far advanced." Bailey states she believes it would be a good time for Walter to go west, given that "the Indians seem to have been awed, or coaxed into a more peaceful frame of mind."
April 13, 1863
In this letter from April 13, 1863, Cordelia L. Bailey writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, discussing her anxieties about her enlisted son Walter. She states that he was in such poor condition upon returning from the South that she encouraged him to remain at home, even at the risk of being charged with desertion. Worry over his arrest prompted her to attempt to obtain his discharge. She also writes that because the government is employing all the domestics in sewing, soon "housekeepers will all be compelled to employ the Contrabands."
October 13, 1863 | Letter
An engineer/machinist escaped from the South inquires about employment opportunities on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
November 5, 1854 | Letter
Claudius Crozet comments on the problems with white labor on the Tunnel project, and the possibilities for increasing the use of black slaves.
December 28, 1854 | Letter
In one of his regular reports to the Board of Public Works, Claudius Crozet comments on the use of enslaved labor and the use of "time" that its employment enables. Because slaves were worked longer hours, often in gangs, and not paid by the hour, unlike whites, they could be transferred from one task to the next until their annual hire was renegotiated with the slaveholder.
May 6, 1850 | Letter
Claudius Crozet keeps the Board informed of the project's progress on the Blue Ridge and measures that progress in numbers of "hands" employed and the amount of rock and earth moved.
November 15, 1850 | Letter
Claudius Crozet reports on his disagreement with the Tunnel's general contractor.