© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
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."
December 10, 1864 | Letter
In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.
December 10, 1864
In this letter from December 10, 1864, Peter A. Dey, Chief Engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, writes to Samuel Reed describing the way in which Reed should prepare his survey report for the Railroad's directors. Dey also mentions that Reed has his full support and that he (Dey) voiced this sentiment to members of the Board.
1865 | Letter
In this letter from March of 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, submitting a list of the men he will need for a work party he will take with him to make surveys in the mountains of the Utah Territory. He notes that "if the line is run South of the Unitas and East of Green River a military escort will be necessary for the safty of the party."
April 10, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 10, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, requesting that he talk with General Dix, President of the Union Pacific Railroad, and settle the question of an increase in pay for Reed for the previous year's services. Reed tells Durant that Mrs. Reed is authorized to sign a voucher for the amount of $490 "if you will send her the money."
April 13, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 13, 1865, Artemus J. Mathewson writes to Samuel Reed describing a taxing visit to New York , during which he was required to draw and shade profiles of the work done on the railroad the previous summer in the mountains of Utah. He notes that he repaired some of Reed's survey tools, and asks Reed to write a letter on his behalf to Thomas C. Durant requesting reimbursement for the "expense of the luxury" of room and board Mathewson incurred during his illness in Utah. He tells Reed he is uncertain that he will be able to accompany him "out on that miserable desert" for the next season's work.
June 4, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from June 4, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his preparations to start another survey the following morning. Reed outlines his potential route and notes the inexperience of his crew, as most of his previous group found other employment. He also details an upcoming Indian gathering, featuring all of the tribes in the vicinity of Salt Lake and Brigham Young.
July 8, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from July 8, 1865, Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, reminding him of the matter of money due to her husband for an increase in salary for the previous year's services. She states, "if you can give the subject your earliest attention I shall be truly obliged for the favor."
July 22, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from July 22, 1865, Artemus J. Mathewson writes to Samuel Reed discussing his work on the railroad "in cutting out the deep cut from Chi. to Lockport." He states that he has not yet received a reply from Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, regarding reimbursement for extra expenses he incurred after becoming sick while working on the railroad in Utah the previous season. Mathewson also reminisces about the time he and Reed spent together working on the railroad and describes the land they traveled over in great detail.
August 27, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from August 27, 1865, Artemus J. Mathewson writes to Samuel Reed discussing the advantages and disadvantages of running a railroad line through various areas in the mountains and valleys of Utah. He states that he has been reading the reports of Captain Howard Stansbury, who led an expedition in 1849 to survey and map the valley of the Great Salt Lake, and tells Reed "your operations last year and this will give more of real value - and mayhap twice that amt than Stansbury's whole operations." Mathewson also notes the increase in Indian hostility both on the plains and in the mountains. He tells Reed, "like you, I think you have been lucky to keep your scalp."
November 1, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from November 1, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing his work surveying a line from Salt Lake City to the Humboldt River Valley in Nevada.
December 26, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from December 26, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his frustration over the lack of directions from his superiors. He also notes that he may be offered the position of Chief Engineer of Construction for the Union Pacific line.
January 14, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from January 14, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing his busy work finding contractors for construction of the second 100-mile section of the Union Pacific Railroad line. He also describes a compliment given him by an important engineer, who called Reed a "pioneer" of topographical engineering.
January 17, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from January 17, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife describing the quietness of the office since the "notables" of the Union Pacific, who had been there observing construction and planning, have "left for the east."
February 5, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from February 5, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, requesting orders as to whether or not to employ the State Geologist of Illinois to "examine the country west of Omaha for coal ."
March 23, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from March 23, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, informing him that he has sent the estimates for building the railroad "from the Green River to the east line of the state of California" and will soon send the report and estimate of the work done in the mountains the previous season. Reed also notes that he has had great difficulty obtaining piles needed for the temporary construction work.
March 26, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from March 26, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing the estimates he has been given for various contract work related to the construction of the railroad.
April 7, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from April 7, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, informing him that he is sending the "report of surveys on the Pacific slope in 1865," with the profiles to follow the next week. He gives a summary of the work done on the railroad since he last wrote Durant, noting that "we have more than one hundred thousand ties on the line of the road." He asks if he should close a contract for another 50,000 ties.
April 17, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from April 17, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, describing a visit from a group of railroad commissioners. He states that they "did not measure the width of the embankment or count the ties in the track except at the extreme west end" and "appeared to be well pleased with the work." He gives Durant an update on the status of work on the line as well as a detailed account of the iron chains and spikes received to date. He also notes that they are finally receiving an ample supply of railroad ties, but are still having difficulty obtaining the piles required for bridge construction.
June 21, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from June 21, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to Thomas C. Durant, Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad, discussing a bill received from Dunbar and O'Hanlon. He states that the only items on the bill which should be paid are those for siding and flooring work done on a mill to be used by contractors building the railroad. The other charges should not be allowed, Reed argues, because the mill was returned to the railroad contractors by Dunbar and O'Hanlon in disrepair, costing the railroad at least $7,500 to put it back "in working order."
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement