Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Sidney Dillon, July 3, 1868

In this letter from July 3, 1868, a frustrated Samuel B. Reed writes to Sidney Dillon regarding his letter of resignation. Reed describes his displeasure over his recent treatment by high-ranking company officials, but announces that "All I want is to be retained as chief of construction."

Fort Saunders
July 3, 1868

Sidney Dillon, Esq.
New York.

Dear Sir:

You, no doubt, have had laid before you, my letter protesting against the way matters have been conducted at Laramie since I have been absent in Salt Lake. Mr. Ames telegraphed me to meet him at the end of the track, which I did. We talked over the matter and did not arrive at any satisfactory conclusion. I promised Mr. Ames to return to Salt Lake until the question was decided. I shall do the best while there for the company I can, but if I can not be sustained and upheld by the company and reinstated as chief of construction I shall expect to have the company appoint my successor at once. You know how annoying it is to be constantly followed and misrepresented by others. I can now see through the whole network of misstatements that have been made to drive me from the road by ambitious and designing parties here. If I were to convey own personal interest I should go at once to New York and have the question settled without delay as General Dodge did about No. 1, but I have pledged myself to President Ames to return and will do so.

All that I want is to be retained as chief of construction, whoever may be appointed to assist, advise with me instead of being controlled and directed by the superintendent. As long as the company have confidence in my ability to do the work, it is no more than just that I should be sustained in my place and not pushed out of the way and others that refused to assist me during my absence but accepted the place when advised to by Mr. Snyder.

Mr. Evans has heretofore been a friend but I can not understand his course since he has been in my office at Laramie. I understand you are soon coming west, if so, I hope you will investigate this matter, do not take my word, but probe the thing to the bottom and do what is right.

S. B. Reed