Letter from Samuel B. Reed to Wife and Family, April 18, 1867

In this letter from April 18, 1867, Samuel Reed writes to his wife and family describing a trip to the western end of the line. He details his attempts to "put the road in order" following a recent flood of the Platte River and its tributaries. Reed laments that it will cost above $50,000 and be "ten or twelve days before I can get a train over the road."

Omaha, NE
April 18, 1867

I have just returned from the west where I have been trying to put our road in order. Fifty thousand dollars will not repair the damage done by the flood. The ice broke first in Loop Fork. The bridge sustained the immense pressure and caused the ice to flow out on both sides cutting away the embankment about one mile on each side and depositing the ice in immense quantities along the line of road for four miles.

At North Platte, our bridge stands well, but little damage done. Between North Platte and Kearney the road bed was damaged in numerous places. East of Grand Island the water flowed from the Platte in a stream about half a mile wide, cutting the road its entire width and sweeping with irresistible fury over the country for twenty miles, then re-crossing the track near Lone Tree, taking off iron, ties and embankment. At Prairie Creek the bridge was carried down stream. East of Shell Creek there are from four to six miles with nothing but ties and iron left. At Elkhorn river about one mile of track is gone. The above enumerates all the most serious breaks in the road. It will be ten or twelve days before I can get a train over the road.