September 12, 1867
In this letter from September 12, 1867, Juliet L. Elwood writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, discussing plans to travel to St. Louis and the possibility of accompanying her on a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. She inquires about the prospects of Mrs. Reed procuring a railway pass for her for the journey. She also details an encounter she had on the railroad cars during a day trip to Joliet, Illinois with a "military gentleman" who knew Samuel Reed. She states that she "understood him to say he was Prest of Pacific Road, but I think I must of course have misunderstood, as Gen Dix is President, or was."
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."
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 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."
October 19, 1867 | Illustration
This image from Harper's Weekly depicts railroad surveyors floating down Nicaragua's Rio Rama on a raft doing preliminary work to build a railroad across the isthmus.
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 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.
November 2, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the November 2, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly offers a cartoonist's conception of the relationship between railroads and rheumatism.
November 3, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from November 3, 1867, Cordelia L. Bailey writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, inquiring why she has not written in so long. She asks if Mr. Reed will remain in the West throughout the winter, and if it would be alright to send her son Walter west even though "the season is so far advanced." Bailey states she believes it would be a good time for Walter to go west, given that "the Indians seem to have been awed, or coaxed into a more peaceful frame of mind."
December 7, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a tragic November 21, 1864 railroad disaster near Lockland, Ohio in which two trains collided. At least four people were killed.
December 7, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a train running on the Central Pacific Railroad with a view of California's American River in the distance.
December 7, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts Chinese laborers working on the Central Pacific Railroad.
December 7, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 7, 1862 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts Donner Lake as seen from the Central Pacific Railroad.
December 7, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a map of the Pacific Railroad across the western United States from San Francisco, California to Omaha, Nebraska.
December 7, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 7, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts a very large gap in the mountains through which the Central Pacific Railroad runs.
December 11, 1867
In this letter from December 11, 1867, Grenville Dodge writes to Oliver Ames discussing the need to make preparations and increase facilities for getting water along the railroad line. He tells Ames that unless such work is done, "you will find that it will be very costly to supply it each year from Stations or tanks."
December 14, 1867 | Illustration
This image from the December 14, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly depicts men shooting buffalo for sport from Kansas Pacific Railroad cars.
December 27, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from December 27, 1867, Grenville Dodge writes to Samuel Reed, affirming his support for Reed's work. Dodge states that Reed has been blamed for the construction problems in 1867 "when you ought not to be." He also advises Reed to "steer clear of New York complications" during construction in the upcoming season.
December 30, 1867
In this letter from December 30, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to Henry Crane advising him of changes to the schedule of production and shipment of railroad ties. He also discusses moving teams of workers to different sections of the line as a means to ensure that work will be completed in time to lay track in the spring.