© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
May 5, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from May 5, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing an upcoming trip to Fort Saunders, via Salt Lake City.
May 6, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from May 6, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the unrest among members of the Union Pacific Railroad's executive committee. Following their inspection of the line, they "broke up in a row" and thus, "no work has been let west of the fourth hundred and will not be until they come to some agreement."
May 8, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from May 8, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficulty in arranging travel due to the gold-seekers and notes the exceptionally high stage coach fares.
May 8, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from May 8, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family letting them know that he will be relocating to North Platte.
November 17, 1864 | Letter
In this short letter from November 17, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the wind and cold he endured during a 20-day stagecoach ride from Salt Lake City.
November 17, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from November 17, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family updating them on the progress of the Union Pacific line.
October 2, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from October 2, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his time in Salt Lake City following his second survey. He notes that Brigham Young gave him some excellent peaches and that he will head out again for three weeks, then return home.
October 2, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from October 2, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting that his work is right on schedule, but that no more track can be laid until the New York office sends out more splice joints.
October 21, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from October 21, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his trip to the mountains with the delegation of newspaper editors, noting that "such a set of ninnies I never saw on the plains." Reed also reflects on the magnitude of the work on the Union Pacific line and suggests that few appreciate the difficulty of their efforts.
October 22, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from October 22, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his return to Salt Lake City following his third survey trip for the Union Pacific Railroad.
October 23, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from October 23, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the "big row" being made by Colonel Silas Seymour.
October 27, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from October 27, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting his new assignment to "go west and explore on horseback the route out of the desert."
October 31, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from October 31, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his never-ending work and the arrival of a snow storm while he was camping outside without a tent. Reed complains about the inefficiency of the Division Superintendents, whose incompetency causes him a great deal of extra work.
October 5, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from October 5, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the upcoming arrival of a delegation of newspaper editors. He hopes that the Indians will give them a scare, as "it may do them some good and afford us some amusement."
September 1, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from September 1, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing more Union Pacific meetings. Reed expects to receive payment of $12,000 per year for his service, and he plans to go to New York "as soon as possible" to "settle all my accounts."
September 18, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from September 18, 1864, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his inability to write sooner and his overall good health.
September 19, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from September 19, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing Colonel Silas Seymour's attempt to delay construction of the railroad, in order to "injure someone's reputation." Reed states that he has written to the directors in New York City in support of General Grenville Dodge, who is Col. Seymour's target.
September 22, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from September 22, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his desire to resign his position and return home to Chicago. He is sick of the "wild life" and "untold dangers seen and unseen."
September 23, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from September 23, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing an upcoming visit by Thomas C. Durant, Vice-President of the Union Pacific Railroad. Reed also notes that he plans to go west soon and will be gone for most of the week, which he hopes will be his last trip for the season.
August 8, 1862 | Letter
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Master of Transportation, W. P. Smith, writes to the firm's president of the "rough" removal of a nurse from a B and O train.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement