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  • | Pamphlet

    Land Hunter's and Settlers' Special Low Rates

    Published "to aid in the sale and settlement of its lands", this pamphlet by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad introduces special fares for train tickets to Nebraska. "Exploring Tickets" were designed for those who wished to survey the land before committing to a purchase, while "One-Way Settler's Tickets" were targeted to those who had already made a decision to move to Nebraska. The company also offered rebates on the tickets to those who ended up purchasing land.

  • | Annual report

    Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company

    This collection of reports given at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company in 1848 includes extensive information about the financial status of the railroad. Whit'l P. Tunstall, president of the company, also presents an extensive argument for Virginia's railroad development, predicated on the successes of railroads in other states.

  • | Annual report

    The Mountain Top Track

    This December 1, 1856 report details the high maintenance costs for track running through the Blue Ridge mountains.

  • | Illustration

    Accident on the New York Central Railroad

    This image from the May 28, 1858 edition of Harper's Weekly depicts an accident on a railroad bridge near Utica, New York.

  • | Newspaper

    The Blue Ridge Railroad

    Comments on the prospects for the Blue Ridge Railroad, with comparisions to Virginia and New York systems.

  • Letter from John R. Boyle to Samuel B. Reed, January 2, 1860

    In this letter from January 2, 1860, John R. Boyle writes to Samuel Reed from Iowa City, Iowa discussing the difficulty he is having finding profitable employment in the railroad business. He states that his brother in Massachusetts wrote him that the railroad company there "is very timid in letting their road [as] money is more scarce south than it has been." He writes that he does not believe very much of the road he is currently working on will be built the next summer, and states "I don't hear of a road to be let any place in the country."

  • | Letter

    Letter from James Shaw to Samuel B. Reed, January 9, 1860

    In this letter from January 9, 1860, James Shaw writes to Samuel Reed encouraging him to send samples of trilobite fossils from Joliet, Illinois. He also asks that Reed keep him in mind when he returns to Muscatine, Iowa and gets "among the 'coal plants.'" In return for Reed's efforts, Shaw promises to send him "packages as valuable as you may send me."

  • | Letter

    Letter from C. E. Compton to Samuel B. Reed, January 17, 1860

    In this letter from January 17, 1860, C.E. Compton writes to Samuel Reed from Washington, Iowa regarding the disposal of some of Reed's land near the railroad track there. He states that others recently received $200.00 for their lots, but notes that they were much more accessible by the railroad than the lots Reed possesses. Compton nonetheless promises to do his best to dispose of Reed's lots for the best possible price.

  • | Letter

    Letter from A. O. Patterson to Samuel B. Reed, January 25, 1860

    In this letter from January 25, 1860, A. O. Patterson writes to Samuel Reed discussing difficulties with the Muscatine branch of the State Bank of Iowa, which Patterson managed along with his partners J. W. Dutton and Reed's good friend Charles H. Abbott. Patterson states that he will have to "commence anew," and tells Reed he wishes he would "sell out & go with me to a warmer country." He also states that he believes a grant to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad is in danger of being forfeited "on account of not having 75 miles done."

  • | 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.

  • | 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.

  • | 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.

  • | 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.

  • Letter from William H. Seevers to Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster, October 18, 1860

    In this letter from October 18, 1860, William H. Seevers writes to Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster regarding the sale of their land near Oskaloosa, Iowa for right-of-way and depot ground. He states that although the exact location of the railroad depot has yet to be determined, there is a strong probability "that it will go on our land" and asks them to send the necessary paperwork.

  • Letter from William H. Seevers to Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster, October 22, 1860

    In this letter from October 22, 1860, William H. Seevers continues his discussion with Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster regarding the sale of their land near Oskaloosa, Iowa for railroad use, stating that "the depot will no doubt be located this week."

  • | 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."

  • Letter from Thomas M. Isett & William C. Brewster to Samuel B. Reed, October 26, 1860

    In this letter from October 26, 1860, Thomas M. Isett and William C. Brewster write to Samuel Reed requesting that he travel to see to the possible sale of their land near Oskaloosa, Iowa to the Mahaska County Railroad Company. They note that "it is very important to have the station ground laid out to suit our land with a view of other Rail Roads," and believe Reed is the man to go as he knows "more about these things than we do."

  • | 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.

  • | 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."

  • | 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."