1873 | Legal decision
In 1868, Catherine Brown, an African American woman, was ejected from the "ladies car" on the Washington, Alexandria, and Georgetown Railroad Company when traveling from Alexandria, Virginia, to the District of Columbia. Brown sued the rail company and the case was appealed to the United States Supreme Court - the first case addressing race and public transportation to appear before the Court. Although the legal status of the railroad under Congressional rulings that had applied to earlier iterations of the company became a basis for appeal, the rights of African Americans became the most notable outcome of the Supreme Court's decision for Brown in 1873.
April 4, 1892 | Journal
As African American civil rights are threatened with increasing segregation, a writer for a noted African American publication analyzes the situation.
August 11, 1877 | Illustration
Although there was no large-scale unrest in New York, crowds did gather in Tompkins Square during the Railroad Strike. Tompkins Square had been the site of civil unrest and rioting at several points in New York history, including during the 1863 Draft Riots, and police feared speakers would rile up strike supporters.
1859 | Illustration
Noteworthy for its marvelous illlustrations, this feature article portrays the joys of railroad travel.
1859 | Illustration
"Except for us" - sun coming out after a cloudy journey.
1859 | Illustration
1859 | Illustration
The artist envisions the lasting legacy of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
1859 | Illustration
A visual representation of the relationship between photographers and painters.
1859 | Illustration
Chivalry is part and parcel of the conductor's work.
1859 | Illustration
The plight of the tardy traveller is part and parcel of the narrative of travel.
1859 | Illustration
A key illustration from the article features artists and guests riding the engine.
1859 | Illustration
The characters encoutered along the rail journey are part of the artist's experience.
1859 | Illustration
American railroad progress is compared with the adoption of the technology in England.
1859 | Illustration
1878 | Government report
Robert Pitcairn served as the Pittsburg division superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad and had ordered the double-heading of trains on July 19th for all eastbound traffic. Because trains would be twice as long but run with fewer trainmen, workers on the Pennsylvania refused to run the trains and the strike spread from the Baltimore and Ohio onto the Pennsylvania lines. Pitcairn describes his view of the violence in Pittsburg, emphasizing the restraint of the military and the riotousness of the "crowd." Pitcairn places special emphasis on the role of the women in the crowd.
1878 | Government report
Roger O'Mara, Pittsburgh Chief of Detectives testified on February 11, 1878 to the committee appointed to investigate the railroad strikes. He emphasizes the inability of the local police force to serve warrants and restrain the crowd.
1878 | Government report
Norman M. Smith describes the moment of firing into the crowd in Pittsburgh and his impressions of the military and the "mob."
1878 | Government report
Testimony given on February 12, 1878 by Soloman Coulson, a Pittsburgh police officer, described the violence at the railroad roundhouse and the makeup of the crowd gathered outside the roundhouse.
May 1, 1863 | Government report
Major Erasmus L. Wentz, supervising work on the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, testifies as to the quality of contraband labor over that of Irish workers. Wentz notes that the contrabands work for less pay.
June 17, 1868 | Government document
The U.S. Senate Committee on the District of Columbia hears testimony about the forcible ejection of Catherine Brown from the Alexandria and Washington Railroad coach. Multiple witnesses are called and the circumstances of her removal are described.