Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, January 15, 1867

In this letter from January 15, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing his desire, but his inability, to go west soon. He mentions that the Union Pacific's directors continue to talk about the possibility of bridging the Missouri River between Omaha and Council Bluffs, but "there has been nothing done yet about settling the question."

Mr. Reed was taken down with typhoid fever [in September, 1866] and was not able to resume his duties until the middle of January 1867 when he was called to New York.

New York
January 15, 1867

The prospect of soon leaving this place was good yesterday, but is not so good today. I still live in hopes of going west in a few days.

There has been nothing done yet about settling the question of bridging the Missouri or how the work is to be dons on the plains and in the mountains. In the mean time the days and weeks are passing.

As soon as it is known how the work is to be done, all hands will have as much work on hand as can be attended to.