Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, August 7, 1869

In this letter from August 7, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his two-day-long interview with the Union Pacific Board.

I have been two days before the Board and they are beginning to think somebody is to blame for the extraordinary expenditure of money during the past year; and I think, by night, they will come to the conclusion that the company alone in giving supreme command to one man are responsible for all and they will give me credit for doing all in my power to keep down the expenses as much as possible.

Dr. Durant has gone to New York; Bushnell to New Haven to return Wednesday next. In the meantime I have not much to do but answer such questions as President Ames may see fit to ask me. The subject of those two letters has not come up yet, but will in due time. I regret very much that Captain Davis commenced suit, think the whole matter could have been settled without trouble here and he would have received his funds sooner than he will now. We have not reached his case yet.

Tomorrow, Sunday, I shall go to church in the morning and in the afternoon ride out to see I. W. Brooks, President of the M. C. R. R. President Ames has just come in the office and I must close.

About this Document

  • Source: Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family
  • Citation: Nebraska State Historical Society, Samuel Reed Papers (Union Pacific Railroad Collection), MS 3761, Unit 1, Subgroup 14, Series 1, Box 2, Letters to Wife and Family
  • Date: August 7, 1869