Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, May 31, 1868

In this letter from May 31, 1868, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a trip via horseback to "locate" another section Union Pacific Railroad line.

Weber Station, UT
May 31, 1868

Before this I expected to have gone back to the end of the road, but find it necessary to remain here some time yet and may not go east for two or three weeks. The line is not located over the difficult work and I am anxious to put men on as soon as possible.

I have been on horseback since my last letter to you from Salt Lake. Find it rather hard to break in. My horse is not the best in the world, but does very well. Yesterday I rode about fifty miles. Shall remain here until tomorrow P.M. or Tuesday morning, then go down through Weber Canon to Salt Lake Valley. Expect to spend most of the week in the canons selecting ground for the road.

It required the persecutions that the Mormons received to drive them into this inhospitable country, and I doubt if, under any other system of government tolerated on this continent, permanent settlements could have been made in the nooks and valleys of this country. For the great labor performed by the people here in creating fruitful fields and abiding places for the weary traveler in crossing the continent, they should receive great credit and the good wishes of all that have occasion to visit or pass through the mountains.