Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, March 25, 1867

In this letter from March 25, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing the effects of another severe winter storm in Nebraska. He mentions that he has six locomotives on the east side of the frozen Missouri River and "would not hesitate to cross them on the ice if we needed their services."

Omaha, NE
March 25, 1867

I arrived here as I expected, without delay. Only one train came in after. The day of my arrival a severe storm commenced at North Platte blockading the road as the storm progressed westward. Twenty-four hours after its commencement at North Platte, the storm had traversed the entire length of our road and progressed eastward, blocking the C.& N.W. R. R. as far east as Marshalltown. The Missouri River is still fast frozen. I have six locomotives on the east side of the river and would not hesitate to cross them on the ice if we needed their services on this side immediately.

(According to arrangements when I left home, tomorrow cousin Anna Hurd is to be married. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be able to tend her wedding. Mr. Van Thorn (Sir William C.) has drawn one of the brightest jewels that can be found in Illinois and my prayer is that she may be prospered in all things beyond her most sanguine expectations.)