© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
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."
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.
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.
January 13, 1865 | Letter
In this short letter from January 13, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his work schedule and informs them that he hopes to head west again before March 1.
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 12, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 12, 1865, Artemus J. Mathewson writes to Samuel Reed following a return from a trip to New York . He states that "the committees had not met and dissolved and others had met & they were meeting nearly every day." He discusses some survey maps and profiles he presented to them and repeatedly asks Reed come visit him, seeming anxious to discuss the matter in person. Mathewson rewrote and extended this letter the next day.
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.
April 20, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from April 20, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficulty of traveling by stagecoach and mentions that he heard the news of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Reed notes that their party was the first to inform many people of the President's death. He also describes a memorial service in Omaha, NE.
May 14, 1865 | Letter
In this short letter from May 14, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his arrangements to leave Omaha at 8:00 p.m. that evening with two assistants. His bill for the stage is an exorbitant $1,200.
May 21, 1865 | Letter
In this letter from May 21, 1865, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting their arrival in Denver after a week-long stagecoach ride. Reed notes the ample evidence of Indian attacks along the route.
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."
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."
January 21, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from January 21, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his work pertaining to the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. He also notes that he has been named the Superintendent of Construction, so he will not have to go west again on a surveying expedition.
February 11, 1866 | Letter
In this letter from February 11, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family noting that construction on the Union Pacific has reached 56 miles west of Omaha. He states that his work is not "wearing on body and boots," but is "close hard office work."
March 26, 1866 | Letter
In this short letter from March 26, 1866, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family stating that he has completed his survey map and one of his reports and sent them to New York. His report will be submitted to Congress to demonstrate the Union Pacific's progress toward building the first transcontinental railroad line.
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.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement