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  • | 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 J. W. Garrett to General M. C. Meigs, August 9, 1862

    The President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad writes to General Meigs about the treatment of nurses on his rail line following an incident reported by Dorothea Dix.

  • | Letter

    Letter from J. M. Nash to Adna Anderson, September 13, 1864

    J. M. Nash requests a guard to ensure that the African American engineer at the Lavergne station is not harassed or his work interfered with.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Henry Wilson, January 1, 1872

    In this January 1, 1872 letter, Henry Wilson states that on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company's lands in Iowa and Nebraska, "the class we most want is Farmers or Land buyers." In his estimation, the climate and environment are best suited for agriculture and the prospects for "persons dependent on their labor are not so good as in older States," which would make it difficult for them to succeed in America.

  • | 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"slender," as orders to undertake work on roughly 55 miles of the lines from Ottumwa, Iowa to Chariton, Iowa were withdrawn when the Secession Crisis occurred.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."

  • | Letter

    Letter from H. Thielsen to C.H. Allen, January 10, 1863

    In this letter from January 10, 1863, H. Thielsen writes to C.H. Allen to request a railroad pass for Samuel Reed so that he may occasionally visit his family in Joliet, Illinois while working as Superintendent of Road Repairs on the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. Thielsen states "I greatly prize Mr. Reed's services."

  • | Letter

    Letter from Grenville Dodge to Samuel B. Reed, December 27, 1867

    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.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Grenville Dodge to Mrs. Samuel B. Reed, June 25, 1868

    In this letter from June 25, 1868, Grenville Dodge writes to Samuel Reed's wife regarding the misunderstanding that led to Mr. Reed's resignation. Dodge promises to "fix the matter" so that Reed will continue to work for the Union Pacific Railroad.

  • | Letter

    Letter from George S. Rosser to Adna Anderson, September 16 , 1864

    George Rosser asks that small houses be built for the families of black railroad laborers.

  • | Letter

    Letter from George L. Dunlap to Jennie Reed, May 31, 1867

    In this letter from May 31, 1867, George L. Dunlap, General Superintendent of the Chicago & North Western Railway, writes to Jennie Reed, wife of Samuel Reed, informing her that he has granted and enclosed a railway pass for her per her request.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Genie Hathaway to Frank, February 23, 1880

    In the first part of her February 23, 1880 letter to Frank, Genie Hathaway rapturously describes the luxuries of riding in a Pullman car on the way to Chicago. She mentions several of her fellow passengers, one of whom is female world traveler. The second part of her letter describes the vulgarity of the passengers traveling with her in a "common car". Part of the letter is damaged.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Frank C. Bunley to George P. Cather, May 11, 1878

    On May 11, 1878 Frank C. Bunley solicits advice on a potential land purchase in Nebraska from George P. Cather. He also inquires about the proximity of the railroad to Cather's land.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Francis Sim to Mother and Father, May 5, 1857

    In this May 5, 1857 letter, Francis Sim writes to his parents and describes the details of his wife's mental illness. Apparently triggered by the death of their son, Sarah Sim's depression causes her to try to kill herself and her remaining children. Francis laments her condition and the loss of his son, as well as his struggle to try to maintain his farm while protecting his wife and children from physical harm.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Francis Sim to John C. Clark, August 15, 1858

    Francis Sim's August 15, 1858 letter to his brother, John C. Clark describes the results of "the Election" and his great satisfaction in the triumph of "the People" over the Democrats-a marked contrast, he observes, to the political events in Kansas. He also reports on the development of Otoe, Nebraska, and the corruption that marks land sales in the area. Though times are hard, he thinks that his family has enough, and he gives a full listing of his crops and livestock.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Francis and Sarah Sim to Mother and Father, February 5, 1860

    In this February 5, 1860 letter from Francis and Sarah Sim to Sarah's parents, Francis tells of the abundance of food produced on their farm and of the migration patterns of settlers in the region. He invites them to visit them, pointing out that they can make most of the journey by railroad and the remainder by steamboat.

  • | Letter

    Letter from Erastus H. Reed to Jennie Reed, November 2, 1862

    In this letter from November 2, 1862, Erastus H. Reed, one of the enlisted brothers of Samuel Reed, writes to Jennie Reed describing his new life as a soldier as "a stern reality." He offers details on his regiment's encounters (or lack thereof) with the Confederate Army, and complains about the hard marching they have been forced to endure. He requests supplies and news, and encourages "Sister Jennie" to write to him as often as possible.

  • | Letter

    Letter from E. P. Sherwood to George P. Cather, December 21, 1888

    In his December 22, 1888 letter to George P. Cather, E.P. Sherwood writes from London Mills, Illinois about the price of land and the availability of water in Webster County, Nebraska.

  • | Letter

    Letter from E. L. Wentz to Daniel Craig McCallum, October 13, 1862

    E. L. Wentz, of the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, asks for suggestions about providing shoes for contraband workers on the railroad.

  • | Letter

    Letter from E. D. Crabb to George P. Cather, March 16, 1923

    On March 16, 1923 E.D. Crabb writes to George P. Cather inquiring about renting a quarter section of his land for two or three years for the purpose of raising winter wheat on it. Crabb, a resident of Colby, Kansas, additionally listed his location as "East View Ranch - Home of Pure Bred Aberdeen-Angus Cattle", indicating an establishment in Kansas. Combined with his request of only renting for a short time, Crabb's request marks a shift from earlier land transactions where owners moved to a new location for the sake of land. Crabb apparently believed he could administrate from afar.

  • | Letter

    Letter from E. Benjamin to Adna Anderson, February 20, 1864

    E. Benjamin requests passes for black workers so that they may avoid impressment.