1899 | Book
An excerpt from Kate Chopin's The Awakening.
1899 | Timetable
1900 | Book
An excerpt from Theodore Dreiser's Sister Carrie.
1900 | Law
Virginia's separate coach law, approved in January of 1900 and enacted July 1900.
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).
August 4, 1900 | Newspaper
The restrictions of Jim Crow laws are tested by Virginia's Pamunkey Indians.
1901 | Time Table
1901 | Pamphlet
Meant as a primer for African American voters, this short volume includes a brief interview with William Jennings Bryan, followed by a comment on Jim Crow cars.
1901 | Book
In this excerpt from Charles Chesnutt's novel, the African American doctor protagonist faces the reality of segregation on Southern railroads.
1901 | Time Table
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.
September 28, 1901 | Letter
On September 28, 1901, Samuel Lincoln writes to George P. Cather proposing a buyout of a quarter section of Lincoln's land in Thomas County, Kansas. After assuring Cather that he is not another "land shark", Lincoln also offers to buy Cather's adjoining land if Cather is not interested in buying his. Lincoln feels that he cannot successfully sell or rent such a small parcel of land and that it would be more valuable combined with another holding. The 160 acres of land that originally drew settlers to railroad land as a great opportunity now appeared too small a portion to be of any value on its own.
1906 | Time Table
1906 | Time Table
The El Paso & Southwestern Railway's 1906 time table emphasized its direct route from El Paso to Denver and its speed, covering the trip in 6 hours and 50 minutes.
1907 | Book
An excerpt from Jack London's The Road.
March 1, 1907 | Time Table
By 1907 railroads were producing elaborate time tables with detailed connecting information, rates, and times. The Santa Fe Railroad emphasized detailed times and schedules for this large system.
1911 | Photograph
This image from The Modern Railroad (1911), captures a railroad fireman shoveling coal into the firebox.
1911 | Photograph
This image from The Modern Railroad (1911) depicts a large number of railroad mechanics posing with a locomotive.
1911 | Photograph
This image from The Modern Railroad(1911) captures two cranes removing a badly damaged Mogul locomotive from the site where it derailed.
1911 | Photograph
This image from The Modern Railroad (1911) captures a white, female passenger receiving a manicure from an African-American woman while aboard the railroad.