February 8, 1870 | Letter
In this February 8, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family from New York, having finished his business in Boston. His personal accounts are not yet settled, but Sidney Dillon has promised him that "they shall be this week and the balance remitted to me at Joliet," Illinois.
February 3, 1870 | Letter
In this February 3, 1870 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family announcing that his business with the Union Pacific will be settled the following day. He also notes that he knows "the exact cost of the road from Omaha to the end," but does not give the figure. He further states that Sidney Dillon continues to discuss Reed's work on a Texas road, but "I had much rather build one in Illinois if I can make arrangements with Mr. Mitchell."
February 27, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from February 27, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the progress of the Union Pacific Railroad. He notes that workers have laid track past Devil's Gate and that grading is finished for forty miles ahead of that point. Reed is pleased that the work is "moving smoothly," but he is "sick and tired of the hurry and hustle attendant upon so much business." Following Reed's letter is a note from the compiler, giving a flattering, if not entirely accurate, picture of the Union Pacific's construction.
February 26, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from February 26, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family in Illinois describing the recent delay in mail service due to a severe winter storm stopping traffic on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.
February 18, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from February 18, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his disappointment in not getting to see his wife as planned. Reed also notes that a large cut west of Weber Canyon has caved in, forcing him to ride out and "devise some plan to rectify it."
February 16, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from February 16, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his preparations for the upcoming building season and his favorable position within the company. He writes that he receives all orders from the company secretary and "no person has any right to dictate to or order me to do this or that." Reed also notes that his salary for the upcoming year will be $10,000 to $12,000.
February 13, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from February 13, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family letting them know that he has arrived in Omaha after a long journey from New York City.
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."
February 10, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from February 10, 1869, a weary Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the extent of his work. Reed has worked so hard for so long that he believes that it "is unfitting me for future usefulness."
December 9, 1869 | Letter
In this December 9, 1869 letter, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the Company's continuing delay in settling his affairs. He announces an upcoming trip and gives a positive outlook on the Union Pacific's financial situation.
December 6, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from December 6, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family announcing his expectation of settling his accounts within a few days.
December 6, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from December 6, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the difficult grading work still being done. His men work "night and day without cessation" because the work "goes very slowly on account of the hard frozen ground which it is impossible to move without [gun]powder." He places the blame for this difficult work on Thomas Durant, whose interference with Reed's plans caused the work to cost twice as much and take twice as long.
December 3, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from December 3, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing affairs in Boston. Reed hopes for a "speedy closing up of my affairs."
December 3, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from December 3, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the continuing effort to grade the railroad bed "as rapidly as the frozen ground will admit," but the work is so difficult that "we can not make much progress on light work in the hard frost."
December 28, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from December 28, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the arrival of Thomas Durant. Reed also states his longing to return home.
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.
December 16, 1868 | Letter
In this letter from December 16, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the progress on grading and decribes the recent weather, which has been clear. Reed again complains about Durant's interference, noting that "this work would all have been finished long ago if my arrangements had not been interfered with."
August 7, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from August 7, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his two-day-long interview with the Union Pacific Board.
August 6, 1867 | Letter
In this letter from August 6, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing various business items regarding Union Pacific Railroad construction. He also mentions that several of the railroad's "best men" have recently died, due to illness or Indian attacks.
August 5, 1869 | Letter
In this letter from August 5, 1869, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his arrival in Boston, which he describes as "a crooked place and full of crooked men, mentally and physically," for a meeting with Union Pacific officials.