4 20 109 https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/3033a41d6a974ebbafacaa5d546e8f16.pdf a104d4bd969beee8b24d0d5e22c58697 PDF Text Text June, 1867, . f , h-Lrl. .'busy in tjie corn and so many weeks I have not had time to d.o ajiy-, thing else. I shall haul part of our ^Lumber before harvest, will itJ ; have to wait till after for the balance. f , i •sr , The horses and pattle arp looking fine, '-j ^ - ol Note: G,.B. Bailey to Gen, Dodge Cost Cf barn.T oj : ■ \ Snyder to Gen, Dodge, Omaha_, ilarch 8th, 1867. - I am very much obliged for your dispatch and letter of Feby, 28th, and for the interest you have manifested in my welfare and promotion. If this division of the road is given to me, I will try and.fill the bill, . ' I can tell hut little of the N.Y. movement, yet have an idea of th« larties who have been opposed to me, T.c.D. has certainly no reason to find fault as I have worked harder for him than ever for any other aan. There have been a great many men here who have manifested a disposition to get more than was due them from the road and as far as has been in my powe I have tried to prevent it. They don't want me here. , , . . IWed has gone to Chicago, Hoxle is here working hard to get < materisG. enroute. I fear we will not be able to do as much this year as was accomplished last, - , t • eakes Ames to (;^n» Dodge, Washington, July 8th, 1867. Yours df tht-25th of June in relation to the putting of Myers In the 4. U. Dept. Instead of having Uonre sent in by the tresident is P.O. I-have se»n,ltlBon and >» h|j^heen to the Secretary oi- War about • ♦ ' .•5 ' V •it y fV Jima, 1867, *••• ■- it, and he swiye "that we canho"t prevent Moore, or rather, we-cannot . get'the promotion of Myer s. ; ::m ■ Bankers has been here a'long time trying t6 get those accounts brought here by ^urant last March, settled, and has not as yet suc ceeded. I-don't exactly know where the block is,.but intend to find out about it this week. This^matter-of freight is getting to *be a very imprtant item with the Government, and we must get Stanton to appoint some one to attend to this matter exclusively,or have a bureau expressly for it, 'iivir, £.1 ♦ . If:.-/"/ We got the bonds for the second forty miles on Saturday which will be very usbful in their finances. I feel rather uneasy about ^ the Indian difficulties and am afrird that you will be interrupted in your work,bu<i hope you will not. I want to see the road to ahead to the mountains, and a piece up, this year,m'and if you have no Indian troubles, I sxippose you Will do so. I see by the papers you have had another overfl of the Missouri River since I was there, and it has washed away the Iowa' R.R. bank still more, which will sbow the difficulty in a low bridge. Has the Government Commission el*' foxmd the Rocky Mountain base. and if so, where does it lay? - t. -v n'- We are having'awful hot wdather heM eifd "liwsre a pretty full house, Everyone here nants to get away and ww MofJe fl o do so this ' ■ 1 4 i. ■ ' W M f U I ^ J T* ' I t t week. ■ * • • '■i J. F. Conway to Gen. Dodge, Iowa> July % k Jun p, 1867. . ^ I .would respectfully ask what cljance there is for me to obtain ^ commission in the regular army at the present time, providing I can successfully pass the required examination? - j: . I was a 1st Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment Iowa Vol. Infty. and was until mustej-ed out A.A.I.G. in the 1st and 3rd brigades of the 8nd Div. 16th A.C. * 'i • • I can get a strong recommendation f om Hon. N. B. Baker, Adju tant General of lowai and from other well known arties, including, I'believe, our representative, ^Hon. H. Price^ . ^ I prefer requesting this of you, General, as your long command over us makes you seeii like one from whom we have a rigut to ask favors, . 0 Notii Val King ;to Gen. Dodge, Plattsville, Iowa, July 10th: (Desires to know about.reliability of J. O'lleil.) S. Seymeur to Gen. Dodge, Black Hills, July 11th: I comj>l.e'WWl lay explorations, as I came up today, of the coun try dividing the valley, up which the line runs and the tributaries of crow Creek lyihg to the northward of it. The first depression is o^pposite * Sta, 500, through which a line may be run by .a aimt^ reverse around the interlocking points ■ ...'U v..wjvr! involving pretty Ijeavy work. " .. . * The 06 occurs further up, opposite stations 580 to 570, and I think will afford a feasible line into the valley up which we explored the other day in company with Gen. Augur and staff. July, 18G7. On looking down the valley, I think I saw the White Bluff on the north side or bank of Crow Creek where we crossed it on that day, but I may be misliaken, as to the point where the valley enters Crow •creek. ' At all events, I am satisfied that it will be worth examin ing in case 2/0U desire to carry your -line east cif Crow Creek valley as far up as the point to which you called jny attention when I was oui with you*thd other day. u' 'I If ^ou are entirely satisfied with the line that enters the valley some miles below your cam,p,-the valley up which^the present line runs is, of ftourse, all you could ask. My escort Of twent' Pawnee warriors left me rather uncermoniously about six miles east of here, and I have not seen them since, i send a fuli'rfeport of-the affairs.by this opportunity to Gen. Augur to which I referryou for i^rticulars. - I leaVe here at 12 for Dale Creek, beyond the sumiait and will be back heVSs Monday P. M. to reHtain over nif^t aia# ffturn to your camp on Txjesday. • - 1 have run some" lines about here over which tho levels will he taken during my sb'senoo, and 1 woiuld like to meet you-and Mr. ' Evans here on Monday evening too look at them, s Gen, Dodge to Col. S. Seymour; Cheyenne, July 17. /.f-v.: '' I am in receipt of yobr letter of July 17th, recommending changes on the located line over Black Hills. My experience tells f», that _ ■ itryi'- ■ ■ , ill , a July, 1867. mere observatiorl on a Iln4 eoiild not determine' changes you recom mend* I therefore prefer that the changes be macie on the ground. .. ,0 Mr. Maxwell's party will be through here within one week, and I place them at your disposal to run such lines as .you consider best. A few days' running will determine the question. Qr, £f you desire, I will turn over to Mr. Maxwell suKh instructions as you deem best to gu'ida' him. As soon as I finish my work here, I will accom^ny you over the line,, and we can take with us Lir. I^vans who located the line, and iarj. Maxwell, who is to make the changes, and you can explain to him, on the ground, your idea of the matter. ' . Gen.Dodge to Sidney Dillon, Cheyenne, July 15 (21DR274); » ; The loss of Hills put me back three^ weeks.. "When I got here I the line for miles east wae npt located, so I took .the parties and iran^t „4i»to, It night and day. and got it in. The last 30 miles of tj>e fifth hxandred is very light, but the 18 miles in the sixth hundred east of there is heavy, and you want to put on that noi'M. three hundred men immediately. I say that you now require five himdred 'additional men if you want to keep out of the way of the trtfok th^B year,, next put forth all your energy and get the light work go|ng ^ winter the heavy cuts taken out* • f'. The line 1 talked to you about, west of Lara-iie River, is work ing out all right. Shall throw out the heavy work'and grades over Rattlesnake Pass. ' tin July, 1867. • The country I put the parties in is meeting my expectations, .rand-.tf I have my health I will give you a good short line with-- ,nothing over 80 or 90 ft. grades. I am'sorry'Williams-did not con nect with me. Se3^our does nothing but comjiain of work done, lines, &c.; takes his ease and wants to be waited on. I have no faith in his judgaent. He does not kno^ enough about, the country to give a good opinion. He is first rate to criticize the work of others, but so- far as any help to me^, he is none. Llr. Williams would have been. I wanted Sejanour to accompany Mr.Blickensderfer to Denver and over the mountains by the Cache le Poudre route and by Cheyenne Pass, but he said it was none of his business to "^^ow him that country. I had to send Van Truiap with him; was too ^ bUtfy'id go myself. T was out of patiehoe and probably too hard, but it seems td me engineers ai^ hired to wot^, not to take a grand jheasure trip j and rfo far as t met concerned tWey will so understand I expect he will 'pitch *into me 'oh hie return, but I don't care; every body along noticed it and mitlCes him a standing joke. I shall push west frVito heW-^ihis ifeek.' Am laying out our town called Cheyenne. Cover ment is putting in a depot, ahd I have agreed to buiM to the post above us, about two miles of track. We can use the track for material. They wanted to put the post west of here, but I fastened them here. Peofje are flocking in here to settle. I shall send the comfiny an advertisement Whidll I want them to publish on neat cars and send to all the National July, 18G7 .vnrc banks who are selling their bonds. We ,mu^t get $200,00© put^pf Qur -town, and it can be done by work. - ^ •gee Mr. Aaes and telesnaph Sn:d er to contract for 10,000 cords of wood.delivered east of Carmichael's cut; also for all the wood Oo 'le can get at Pine Bluffs. We haye got to depend upon these two points for our winter supply, and it must be gotten out before winter, ■'as the snow last winter was so deep that we could not get to the timber. We will get no coal less than 30 miles and I do not pt much faith in Denver BrExnch xmless you are willing to furnish the money. I want to hear how you are getting along financially* .Write me at Port Bridger and keep me posted. liie Work liore is ready for opening*-,r>I gave all the notes to Kurd and he is'taking off theiWtrk. Bet masons to work,on the two bridges in Black Hills. It will.be October before you get any de cision from Blicke^Hiaerfer. I think it will be all right. Oen. Dodge" ti> Jesse L. William^ Carmichael's Caiup, July 17: 1 can obtain a line from sunvnit of Black Hills to Laramie Plains With niety feet, maxiaiam grade; can obtain same maximima fron crow Creek to Bumalt, at cost not to exceed two hundred thou- .and dollars. -1 r88B*«a that it be done. Telegraph answer to Fort Saundera. S. Seymour to Gea. Dodge, Chayii©n«, July 17: I have the honor to iafon» you that on Wednesday, the 10th July, 1867. instant, that, after a careful examination of the line from this place to Sta. 1200 (westerly over the Black Hills rang®) I had be come satisfied that a maximum grade of 80 ft. er mile could be adopted to the ground at abo^it the same expense as 90 ft., the ' present ruling grade; also that, in my opinion, the line at sta. 990 (where the high bridge occurs which grosses a branch of Lone Tree) could be so changed as to avoid the bridge, without material addi tional expense; also that the force of from 60 to 100 men and a large rimber of teams now employed by the company in that viciAity had been, an^^ were no' , doing work that, in my opinion, would be of no value upon the line, if changed in accordance with my suggestions; also that I would be happy to accompany you over the line as soon as you could makS'^lt'conyflAlent to do so, and point out such changes as 1 had to suggest, b6th-''»!th-refepencento the ruling grades and the avoidance of the bigh bridge .St: '• Ln the acting the 11th, finding that you were not prepared to examine the iUVe* tflth me> I' reiurned to the Carmichael s Ranch, and have since followed the line to the summit at Evans Pass, an-^ am happy to inform yotf that,' in my opinion, no serious obstacle .pccurs to a reduction of the maximum grade from 90 to 80 ft. per mile on the western dlope 6^ th'e Black Hill range, ^ I trust that it will be useless to argue with, you the great advantage of making this change in case.tt shall be ^uiid practi cable. We engine will hare two more cars over an 80 ft. July, 1867. than it will over a 90 ft. grade, s o that we nn y calculfite an ad vantage of, s'iy, 100 passengers and twenty tons of freight to every train that passes over it. The additional, va]ue to the company-,of the 80 ft. grade cannot, in my opinion, be less than a nuarter of a million dollars. I would therefore urge upon you the importance of running immediately a carefully located line with a laaximum grade of 80 ft. per mile (or 1.5 ft. per 100) for the purpose of instituting a comparative estimate of its cost as comared with a 90 ft. maximu,. t would also sugg s t that while this is being done, the force employed by kr. Carmichael should be employed only upon r'uch porti ns of the line as would not be affected by the ' '* . ■ > . • - change. ■ • Through the aeslstanoe of Ur. Hurd, Dlv. Engr. on Construction With hie small part, of two, an4 a 60 ft. tape measure, 1 have run an experimental line froms ta. 975 westward _(wn,Voh avoids the high bridge) and"the 18v<l and transit notes of whio I now hand you in order to enable you to make a comparative estimate of the cost of the two lines. 1 would reoormiendlth, ado^on of my line (with euoh improvemente as it la Bueoeptible of) at an additional present cost of from »75,000 tb »100,000. ' 1 think that even a better line than tha one 1 ran cm be ohtaKwaJ dry further careful engineering, but my facilities were too limited to allow of any further expermente of a eatisfaotory nature, ttaeltee which 1 hand you brings Inw" use moro of the work already done any other that I could July, 1867 suggest. 'r ">sr. On following the line from, the crossing of Crow Creek to a ' point some two miles west of the crossj.ng of Dale Creek, I was im pressed with the idea that the"engineer in making the location had sacrificed too much (jwf grades and cost to alignment, and that by the introdrction of more freqvent curves of easy radius, the cost may be materially reduced. iThe adoption of this principle, within reasonable limits, is most certainly justified in a co ntry where the surface in every direction is generally rock of the hardest ' Character. Some weeks-before levying New York, I wrote to you re- < questing that I might be furnished, upon the present trip, with a detailed map showing aligrjnent and topography of the line up the Lodge Pole^d over the Blade Hills. Such; a. map would have facili tated mV'extoiriations* very much, and might possible have led my mind, in some cases, to difTereVit .conclusions. Gten. Dodge to Oliver Ames, Carmichadl's Camp, July 20; 1 have obtained an eiabty foot grade from summit of Black ^ills io Laramie Plains. 1 can obtain same maximum from Crow Creek to summit on eqst side, not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars additional cost. I r»co«.ehd It done. AnHwer to Fort Saunders. S. Seymour to tWn. Dodge, Cheyenne, July 20:- ^ Tour note Of th#'ITth. instant 1 n reply to mine of the "same date. With Pefe'^renee'f^/ohal!ging the maximum grade from 90 to 80 ft per mile over tifcft Blt«i 1il*i ***«• fountains, was duly July, 1867, •.f r .fT C 4 V '4 from whicti, and subsequent conversations with you, I infer that ypu do not favor any change in the present location, and that you think that a maximum grade of 90 ft.per mile is the best, u - der the circumstances, that can be adopted; also that you would not roconciend the Company to incur any additional expense in reducing * the maxtmuip from 90 to 80 ft, per mile. You have, however, very kindly placedLIr. Maxwell, Asst. Engr, and party tinder my direction, for the purpose of making such exam inations in the field, between this point and Fort Saunders, as I ypy think proper, with reference to a change of line. Although the personal superintendence^of these surveys does not, in my opinio , .come within the legitimate sphere of my ^duties as Consulting Engi- , neer of i-he Company, and will interfere somewhat with my proposed plap of accompanying you over the line to Salt Lake, yet I consider the matter of the- -rades of immediate an^ primary importance to the company; and on the-deolelon of which will admit of no delay inas much as contractors ape xlow at work upon some portions of the line involved in tl^e change .of grade, ^aijd others will soon be upon the ground, , ' . . » ^ 'r)t.. I h*.» ooncludea to avail myself to the services of Ur. Haxwell and party as soon as he can be placed at my disposal, and will iw-aistely prepare the necessary insyuotlons to guKle hU»^ during lay abaonoe to Bridgera, Pass, and back to this place, with ilt', Blicken«d«vfer, 617 1 ■ I . July, 1867, In the mekntime, I will endeavor to commiinicate with the Pres ident of the Company in N3w York, and obtain his views and those of the directors, with reference to the amount of present additional expenditure that the Company would he willing to incur in order to affect the proposed change in maximum grades. And I would like' very much to have you lay your views of the question before the President; at the same time, so that he mhy have all the information possible Before him while considering'the question. 'i understand that you have ordered the change of line, sug gested in my letter of the 17th, so as to avoid the high bridge over hhe branch of Lone Tree Creek at sta. 990, and have ordered the con struction force under LIr. Camichael to commence work upon the new line, all of which I have no doubt will be approved by the company, r ' ^ I have so much confidence that the company will decide to change: the location from the present line to oile Whlbh I will recomaend,: involving a maximum of only 80 ft. per mile, that' I will ask you - to notify the engineers in charge of construction to abstain frca^ doing any work, for the present upon suchpprtions of the line as I shall notify them may be changed by the new location# and I will see that no delay in the prosecution of the work iS occasioned by ♦ ■ f ' such orders, , Oen. Dodge to Sidney'Dillon, Fort SitKlifcrfi# July 22d, 1867 il.'M Trouble never comes' singlyT Have btA Hill work straightened out# and now poor Brown—the best artU most promising July 1867. ;0f all, and my reliance for work west, is killed, and I must push out to his party. , IJ-v M . .1 I am suffering everjd,hing but death from my rides. How long I can stand it, God only knows. Add to this, the f^ct that I have got nothing but grief along with me, and you can imagine my humor. Your mill man will have to go on to branches of Crow Creek and-near the summit for timber; they will find plenty there for their mill until next year. , Indians on the Plains have been very bad • for two weeks; , they have been attacking everything and everybody. Raslirts has been of great aid to me. I believe he takes more interest in the road than^Seymour does, who seems not to care a damn whether the Indian a get the road or not so long as he can play gentleman and have a big company to foot the bills. He will be my everlasting bitter enemey, for I have taken occasion to give him soiiie pretty, strong Ucks at. his actions. He cares about as much for our as we do for Japan, and will sell any or all of us if he can bSiUr- aeyw>i«'. He has some good ideas about engi neering, but the devil of it is, no one knows when to trust him. He intends to come bock with Blickenaderfer and stay around the Black Hills; will do wfiHt he can to change lines, and cause delay, ■ 'iind y6u must all be careful abgut what you allow him to do; better hear Ao on changes before you make any, as he would not hesi tate to delay you if it suited his purpose. . ■ ' Ji" ''■ -^jI rr,. .- I only oautiw y6u*because I never knew the man before^ and if you know him, all right, it will not be necessary for me to cau tion you, . w . I Sick as I am, I believe I •shall g'6 through 'to'Salt Lake'if In diana do not kill off all my party. It takes the nerve out of them, losing so many. ' / i want two good engineers^to replace Brown and Hill—men of experience and ability. The whole thing is now on the' Shoulders of Evans and myself, ""eymour would not take a party, if the road had to stop. Told me yesterday that he did not think it policy to push parties out during the Indian troublesJ said there wQuldbe plenty of time next year; wheft the fact is, every cut must be worked this win ter, and the light work'ail deile'fbr forty miles west of here this fall. * ^ ^ ^ telegraphed you and Ames abovit Black Hillsj but got no reply •« George E, Gen. Dodg®f ^ecatur, Ala. 1;- ' When I firwt arrived from California in April I wrote you but have not heard t supposd you have fe9ej;i too busy to ■ n VOf-jT S ; a ' . ' • write lette s. ■ • * , . I have been appointed register in bankruptcy for the 4th Con gressional district, but have not yet qualified owing to the absence of Judge Busteed"il?bm the"««ate. Allow »• to thank you for this ap pointment, for lUlidttt interest in the matter I should have been forgotten. * " oj edi»^.- ^ July, 1867. .?r r I sincerely finite''that you will, make the "Reconstruction Act" so plain that a way faring man though a fool can understand it. Under Pope's order., enclosed, wl\ich I sjsnd you w© can carry Alabama dna secure it permanently to the Republican party, and without it we will ''have to give everything over to the rebels. An effort will be made to remove the di-sability fro some ex-rebels who are now acting temporarily wi'th us, t hope you will oppose any such project as it will injure us v very materially. It is better that the-disability should remain as it is, for ,the moment wie place any of these men where they have power they will use it to the injury of loyal men. Vie have them now where we can control them, and th,ey are powerless to injure us, I dont believe th'^ country will suffer on account of not being " to place these inen tniofficial positions. . We have seen the many pardons and I am bold to say that there is not ' a single man in Alabama that at the present time ought to have his disability removed. A little probation will do the... all good and be f a great laenefit to the cause and party, ' The prospedts for crops are good and everybody feels encouraged, and if Congress'will take a flm stand we will reconstruct this State and place It permanently in'loyal hands, and place men at the head of affairs that will do to trust. • Mas. Spencer is with me knd hm^'hBr regards. My regards to "'ii, your wife. J, M. Brown to Mrs. Uddge, St. Louis, 2;- July, 1B67. , f , itijt .. . . 1 have bedn lookihg for you or a letter from you some time, r ' . - Has Ocean gone to the plains? ." •s. ■ : George E. Spencer to Gen, Dodge, Decatur, Ala., 2;- •' In Our Legislature meets on the 13th of this month. Cannot 0,^ 8»f: you come to Montgomery, about the 15th and remain a few days? You could ti 1*14!'T help me a great deal and I" think secure my election, llo man is more 'endorsed or has greater influence with the Alabamians than you. If you will come I will pay your expenses and will also show you some good speculations that will pay you ten fold. Of course, you ^knpw that if I am successful and that you can rely upn me to do anything for either yourself, your Interests or your friends that you may desire. t think my chances are good, but with your presence would regarcf it as a certainty, • If possible do come. You shall never have cause regret ■it\""lf I have letters from Wilson, Logan and other prominent men, it would help nb greatly, A letter from Gen. Grant be in valuable, Could you get ae such a letter? What I want most ig to show the members that I would have more ^ influence if eiewl«4 ttoan the othep candidate^ 1 + Mrs, Dodge MtUwi General, Council Bluffs, 4:- ^ . Ic U.ytjf went,out to Park's mills to a picnic today, had a wery pleasant time. The rockets are,going off up town and the childi'^lMi wild with excitement. . I am very glad the 4th only 622 t . ' f-T. . July, ]867. comes once a year. I would like to know what you are doing today, and where you are and how you are, ' I received your telegram from Lodge Pole; am very anxious to hear now as I suppose you are going through the most dangerous part, but I think you will be careful you have had so many lessons in Indian matte s, • • There has been a report that Gen. Ouster was killed, but thought * • # • not true. Joe Blake's brother Charles was in one of the coaches on the Sknoky Hill route that was attacked; had an eye shot out and badly 1 T ■ ' .i. woimded. He was taken to St. Louis, is better now, • 'J I received a fine imperial photo of Gen. Sheramn today; a Splendid picture. i I. Gen. Dodge to his wife. Grow Creek Crossing, 4: v'T-' ' . ■ - , . ■ ' 1 have been in the saddle all day looking at line. Not a days work has been done since Hill was killed until I got here. I shall stay here and at Sanders for a week or more until I get my line ^p,ln to this point, then push west to North Platte. Gen. Gibbon will be along with the military force, several companies for the new post at that point. Gen. Augur and staff are hero. Their party with mine had a fourth • f t of July celebration while I was out on line. Speeches, made toasts, drank ftc, X learn it was quite a time. T ey named the new town at the oast base of the moiintains Cheyenne. The new military Post to bo built near here will ' e located r bout sixteen miles west of this place near wood and water, and close to the lihe. ' ' We no I July, 1867. 'doubt will build upi here a large town and it will rival Denver, Nearly all the party go to Denver tomorrow, while I am to work here, Ur, Blickensderfer goes down to look at the mountains and the rest go only to see the sights. We have camped here now 300 troops; will have 000 to go west with us. Note: M, A, Bailey to Mrs, Dodge, (Domestic matters) Gen.Dodge to his children. Crow Creek Crossing, 7:- ' . " ■ ' / 1 I am resting today, it bein-;- Sunday, and will write you a " f ■ short letter about our trip. The 3d day of July we reached Pine Bluffs, a noted hill on our line, an-' in the morn ng all climbed to its top o't obtain the first View of the Rocky Mountains, and a glorious sight it was. Away sixty miles dus west and 150 south-west stretched along the entire horizon the snow capped aio\antain8 towering away into the clouds. The snow reached thousands of f4et below their tops and the dark timber line was brought prominently forth marking the point where vegetation ceas es to exist or grow and where pei?petual snow exists. From that point over to Crow Creek we had to travel without water, and I am resting here try ng to get in our line over that country. The weattier is so cold up here that nights I sleep under two blankets and ywsterday I wore an overcoat all day; a camp fire felt good. Every day.«ore or gane is killed. Here now camped rl^t with me are 200 Pawnee Indian, 300 white aoldiers. Gen, Augur and his staff are going west with us; will be at least 300 soldiers, so you see we-' ^ -?•" j. ^ July, 1867. .vrar «T.C]; have plenty of protection. I saw 20 Indians the other day and the Pawnee scout killed a SiouxJ an Arrapahoe and his squaw scaped them and for a week, past nightly had a grand pow wow, scalp dance, ^'C. It would interest you, but has got to be an old story with me. - 1 iiop when I return to meet you all here, if the track is here. I want to-have you come out to.the new town that is to be.^ It is called Cheyenne, after Cheyenne Pass through the mountains. This • creek is called Crow Creek, because several years ago the Sioux and ■ the crow Indians had a great fight on it in which the Crows got badly whipped. The new fort to be erected here is called Russell, after Gen.Russell *ho was killed in the wab. . Mrs, Dodge tb the General, Cotmcil Bluffs, 7;-,,^ • This ie the thitd or fourth, letter; as yet I have recieved none, ahd most two weeks siflbe jou left. - I should think you would have been near some mail. Anrfte is not very well but good care keeps her up. I shall send Laura to St. Louis in a few days; have a good chance and ' she wAhts to go. I.Aiall.wait till September before I go down. It is a bad time W Aiwie away frcm home at least into a wamer climate • • Baldwin 1 euass foiled jou on th, mill. Hate went to see him and M'Waid Officer and Puee- would not slve up their claim, but Nate aays he thinks they e«.ted to keep It In their own hands or wouldn't let Baldwin ehengs. Tou better let him alone and not let him gel any chance to hold your money. July, 1867. ,^,£x/L Gen. Dod^^'to his wlfej Grow Creek.Crossing, ll:-..?a'.r , ' ' ' On my arrival here.I foimcl that not a day's work had been done by my engineering parties since Hi'11 was killed, and I have had to stop here and get In"31 miled of line between.Pine Bluffs and this • place sb-'workman could get to grading, and shall be here a week longer at least.- T have been out on line every day hard to work. People are daily crowding to this new town that is to be; have not yet laid it off. The Government engineer has. gone south then will-retiirn here. I got one letter from you tongght written on your arrival ..home. Am sorhy to learn llltle Annie is sick, but hope she is better. I expect to h'^ar from you often% I have written and telegraphed you-, ^ every oppcrtunity tout do notknow whether they all reached the mail. Got papers up to the 27th tonight, but hear jaothing from Congress or anything else and t wi-h I hbHe. 1 suppose the pleasure seekers are having a pleasant time','btat' I h.-ve nothing ,but,.gard work and no one to help me. Gen. Rawlins I think is improving. -Col. TSeymour takes his ease and finds flaws in other*s Works, K® la now pitching into the Black Hills line. Mr. Blickensderfer is out examining the mountains; has gone to Berthoud fas&,'to Cabhe la Poudh® and to Ckeyerme Pass. I hop® yo^ matters straight at home. Mr, Reed, Mr. ca«,nent Coleman, U,.rs;&t. left «veral toys aeo, anfl era 'I.. c. .. 'U'y- f july» 1867. • • » : * this are at Omaha. Casement said he would 50 over and see you; hope he will. He can talk and tell you more than I can write. My health is pretty goor^, not first rate, hut improving. The horses stand it first rate. V/e have cold nights very, and need overcoats, blankets &c. . t* e . I saw Crster's dispatch to Gen. Augxir tonight, in whic'- he says in two fights two of his companies had whipped the Indiens. Caf>t. Sa.u. Rohbins commanded one of the companies and. he speaks highly of ^ him. Kiss the girls, take one for yourself and write often. I want to hear from you-it is .lonely and I miss you more than ever. Krs. Dodge to the Goners^l^ Greenfield, 15, 1864. Ypur laafc dated the 8th came through in good time. I fear you will have a terrible hot tme of it now and almost feel discouraged, ■ afraid yotx will have an all euxiuwer campaign; was so much in hopes of your coming up next nOOrtto eaad resting-do hope Johnston will evacuate as ho has been doing.' ■ i . ' It Is pretty hot but nothing to atiat' It Is In St.. Louis, and I glad 1 did not stay there *ith the. qhildrap .during the hot weather♦ 'it think you every tfine 1 alt down Minerva's good meals, you don't kn6w hdW much. It is too bad y9U cant get fruit and other good things so plentiful at this time of year. - , .y ^ going over to Indlana|>»lio tomorrawx^a willsen4,,#o?^f,bQ?t,of fruit, but i da'Wj not send btittef %ithoiit'ffsi are pure J.t, keep. Can I .1". .lA . July, 1867. send things so the raiders will not get them? ■> 3n 0 1'" rAf^C Nate writes me often. He was about selling one of tlhe'stores or buildings in Phoenix block. Joseph did well at Pulaski, and if you get Atlanta and 'Sherifian stops I hope you'wlll try and gSt him a'^ance there.' It would be a fortxine. If you draw pay or get any money send it to me. I gave Joseph a check for most in bank for buying bonds, and may want to.use some. I'wrbte you about Pegham wanting me to buy-paht of hid place. He has refused $17,000; woixld let me have It i'or .that. i Gen. DoSge to".Is*wife, Che^eiuie* 15; ' ~ ^ Igot yours of 6th and Ella's of 4th of July, also dispatch in answer to mine in which you express a desire for letters< This is the 7th I have written and mailed. I have got but one batch of papers. You know youau'-t put '{)a|^4'r4 in an tn-rslap® latter or they will not go through. After reeetving this,, mail letters to m© care of Thos.'Pedrup," North Platte River Stag•^Statio^. You speake of warm weatheid here. W© are 6100 feet above the sea aag it is unco fortably cold; have not suffered a second from heat; in *a/d^le of dsy buree, momttig «tid ftight I wear my overcoat. At night 1 sleep under §t4Mrlet, .tft# ibjtaaket and my overcoat, , I feel vary anx-ksim abouJi:little Annie, and am very glad you do not go south with lieb. tfeae 1 Ai€A well aod I did not think ^ the ti'i p would hurt her, t aappoaaHi^tiAomes from teething, and I know • ■' July, 1867. . , ; ■ your good care will bring her out all right. I am sorry about the. liason breaking up on my brick building, I suppose Nate is taking charge of it. V.ho sent the picture of Gen. Sherman?, Now about Cheyenne. The people are already flocking here and, like Julesburg, at first it will be a second h^ll. I have got Gen. Augur to throw his protecting arm over it to keep .them from owning town and all. They are coming from all quarters and all expect to make a fortim;e some no doubt will, others lose it. From the town sight which is a high table land bounding Crow Creek you can see the snow capped RocKy Mountains for a distance of 100 miles north end south.fonning a semi-cibcle with the black hills for a foreground. .The view is a beautiful one, the location excellent, and here will aenter a large population. Govorraaent alon. will build up here a l^rge town, as It is to ba the depot for all posts north -nd south and also the distributing point, for.all pon nta In Oploorado. During this winter our traine will stop here and the travel west, will here leave; can take stage and other transportation. We ahrtl. aj-e bu.jlld a. large work-shop, machine shops, round houses, &o. and fl»*ry 1 hops here to meet you on my return from the mountain.. 1 .«.t you to see this country before you go to Washington. I shall leave here thie week and push rapidly west. Uy pfirWea hs,w«*ot a goed line ,thrcuB to North Platte throwing .-.nt the heavy wort't„ the •••Ulne Bow Ucmtains that I used to worry about. The last 18 mllea from the east has been a very difficult July, 1867. "'T* w r ' t n r- .w 7 j . » * r » line and we havfe 'worked'hard at it until I think"We have got a good line. I hear from New York that matters are prosperous and that they are urging us to push forward. Durant I hear is anxiotis to gefback, but our people are not willing. They will be fools if they allow him to take hold again. SeymoTor is tip in'Black Hills trying to pick a flaw in some of the lines. His escort left him six miles from camp and put after a lot of Sioux who had stolen stock; recap tured the stock but got no scalps. The sa&e band killed a man near our camp. They attacked the train, the man was out hunting for it and fell in the fight. I never go out without full escort. Have seen brie band of Indians only and the'few in h^r^ arb in small bands steadling. The first iburial 'in*Cheyehne has marked on the stone "Killed by Indians." ^ Kiss the girlsj give my love to all the folks; tell Jule tor write » me Ihe' news'and gobsip; and write often. I will write the children next* . :w *» Jyu ■ Note: Gideoh Wells to Gen, J^Wttehihgtonj B.C. It: firs, Dodgb to the General: ' ; T?ie wfeather has be on-almost intolerable for the last week. and 1 have beenn arly sick arid had not the streng.th to write for a week; little Annie too h«» not ^een wall .wm6 It .took strength I had' to take care of' X * - ^ . .. ^ - I received a long letter-frett N^th Platte, was glad enough to get it; part of the tthe Ifra-vW'Ve^n'entirely ignorant of. your doings, July, 1867 • J t '. though your telegrams came quite promptly to let me know where you v.ere, still I was anxious to get letters, to hear more particulars* I hope you can opiQe back without any detenti n. n 1 . If thei ^aby is well enough, I shall go to Kansas City the first of September, think I may leave her at home, but shall viot go or take her if,she is not well, I often think evenings I wonld;giV0 a good deal to look in upon y-u an(J see what you are at. ^ ' The girls are engaged practicing for a concert. I send a pro gramme. Little Annie says: "Papa, coma home," She does npt forget you, is'very cute and pretty, Hppe soon to hear Jour face is turned eastward. I want to know how much escort you have returning. Be very careful. - . ir Hon. J. W. hriJieS to Cen. Do^ge, Burlington, 19; ^ Yours of 26th inst, is at han'^, I suspect that there will be a session in July. Such seems to be the general impression. I do not believe that much good will come of it. * ■ . not a*a*ie of tjpo change in the Pacific Co. I h?ve h ard ' nothing of It si.m% home, and have not heard any news in fact. I would not attempt to go near Washington If I feared that my health wouird suffer, *"11 J. 1 . Brolirn tt) Oen, Dodge» St. Louis, 20;- ;t>ou sea by the enclosed card that my expectations in regard t« V Ibreign (JonstilatS mre not very bright, though I shoul'^ not refuse to tsipva my country here at home if called upn to do . X -i.. 'f!.. • * ;r-f i S'" 'i u. t July, 1867. I have entered into co-partnership with Mr. P. Beardslee for nearl ' i'.. ' three years, each investing $12,500 cash, though I had to give my note for near $3000 in consequence of being short of each. I used your money and consequently I '^ont to pay you now. I would like to borrow three to five thousand more. .. « Note: Copy of instructions to Messrs, Olenn & Talpey, Cheyenne, 20 Gen. Dodge to his wife, Cheyenne, 20:- - - _ ■ Todajr t got yours of July 17th in which you say no letters j^t, 1 do not understand it for*I have written twice and sometimes * three times a week and sent them by reliable conveyance as I supposed, • I shall leave here Monday and will write a few line§ now, some tomorrow and balance when I get to Saunders to the mail, I have been so busy all the time that I guess no one has ftny time-to.throw any bad Influence over me. * • '' ' ♦ f ■, * X ■ About twenty families arrived here today to settle in Cheynene, My tep.t is pitched opposite Gen. Rawlins and Mr, Evans and Mr» Van Lennep are mjr ohnme. We, while in camp, are poring over maps, profiles, ' discussing lines and all wound up in R. R. matters, but we all feel like gibing home. " ' Today When I read your letter and Ella's—God bless her-- made me homesick. Lettie wrot^ a fine- letter and she is Improvingr The chirography . of both indicate their character; Ella- oareful, quiet; Lettie bold, dashing-«ll buSinSWA, It does me so much good to get letters from them Littls Annie, doei sir# me? ^ J see Congress Is not doing any general business. You s»y July, 1867. nothing about it. It is better for me to be here than in Washington. Yon wrote nothing about the Brick Block except contracts are busted, nor nothing about Ebpire Block. Look carefully to our trees; dont let thorn died; have them watered if necessary. How doeB the Bluffs get along? You must have been Casement or some of the parties who left us here. I expect they had a gay time at Denver. 7^e get plenty of antelope and I have made arrangements for our cedar trees'this winter-live pretty comfortably^ No India troub- ■ lea lately. I wrote you all about what little there was. George and William do first rate. They take good oare of the horses an^^ me. I have fallen in love with the pony- ad tell Lettie I cannot ever agree to her selling'it. I hear nothing from Jule or Nate. I wrdfti you before to hereafter send mail,to mo care of Morris Redrup, statidn agent, North Platte River Stage Station. Sunday July 21st. We are all quiet today and o bserving the Sabbath; washing up and getting ready for our trip west tomorrow» I wish it .was 'east. I do hot enjoy it much. Rawlins, Dunn, Duff and Evans are -r congenial, but Seymour is here for mischief,and trouble-only finds fault. I hop© to get rid'of him at Bridger Pass. He says he is going back with Mr.Blickensderfer. Mr. B. is a fine gdntlemana attends closely to his duties and bothers no one. I wish Nate would write me how mattertt are getting along. Has he secured the money regular? 1 wroAe him bo see Bnyder and have the '"lovj'i .'aa . . - i0 ^ ^ ^ 633 .''fr'j'iww y . • . ■ July, 1867. ,money for my lumber- and I want to know if the wood.at the farm has ^een hauled over to the road yet. When you get back, hope you will' write about farm raatterws. Have they.commenced the barn yet? I hope the Nonpareil will get on its legs again, so that I can get it. I got a batch of papers from you up to the 5th July, and it was welcome news. We get nothing here, nothing except rumor. I do not even know.where track is, suppose it must at at L 30 miles beyong Sedgwdck, Wiioh will give it 100 to get here. I ho© it will be here on rjy return; it will help me four or five, days in getting in. Gen. Augur starts East tomorrow,^ and I will finish this so as to send it in. Col. Stevenson arrived heretoday with throe companies of Infantry to garrison this Post, called Fort Davy. Russell nnd sev- { eral of our graders, ti« men, &c# also came in, so that business is looking up in the new town, I am now in hopes to get back here the « « last of September or first of October, Do not think I shall,be delayed as long ahead as I. have been here. I shal], get rid of some of the drawbacks Id k week or,few© a;id there will be left only my own people. Today-te very hot, the warmest I hrve experienced and with snow '■ t in full view, the water in creek very cool; it is an aggravation. Wheft I ««t over to Laramle Plains it will be two weeks before I can reach another post office, so you mut not be surprised if you do not hear- from m© frOm Caunders. Three days from now t will write again. 1 e^e so many trains, military !c.c, arrive it looks like old army times# but there are none of the horrors surrounding it that there was then. , . July, 1867. pen. Augur and all his staff have been very kind, done everything they could for us, and he is a perfect gentleman; says he will bring his faraily to suamer here next summer. If the cars were here when I return I want to have you meet me here if you are at the Bluffs; vant you to See this country before you go East, Note:- To Mrs. Dodge from her sister, Minerva. 21; : Gen. Dodge to his wife. Dale Creek, 23; Yours written from Elkhorn July 15th, came to me today. I canno.t see where my letters to you are. Not a week has passed but what I havxs written you two sometimes three, in last week have written three, .sending a long .one back by Gen. Augur. I think Baile*y should sell all the cattle fit for beef that will bring a good price. I told him so before I left. Beef or work cattle ♦ . . ought to bring a good price. I do not want to sell at a loss but the oldest steers 1 want to sell. He can use what of the funds is necess ary to'build the barn. I will sell my farm now for |25 per cares, for prairie and fSO per acre for timber provided it is both taken together. To sell-Off any of t mber separate I would want $100 per acre. I hbpe Bailey is doing well this summer and will have good crops. He deiieH%fe t^, foh I believe he tries to do his best. How are the fruit trees, shade,, trees, «5c? ^ I am very anxious abbut little Annie, and as soon as I reach Saunders shall telegraph to -hear. You are wrong about the wt-itihg. I nsver telegraphed Nutt or Snyder nor any one in Omaha. Have only July, 1867. .v^:: ,vr,;r. telegraphed 6nyder once, then'on business, btit have sent at least a dozen to you. I have rhi4,">et struck a mall or telegrah route but- • shall tomorro*,'and all my letters and telegrams have been sent by messenger. Wo are now cataped at the celebrated Dale Creek where our parties united, a beautiful spbt. The boys are all o'ut fishing for "trout and have brought in several, and ve will have a mess for supper. It has been two days since we left Cheyenne and I shall be two or three days at Saundersj then I start for North Platte, then for Fort Bridger, then for Salt Lake. This country thro'ugh here has given me great grief. It is th the hardest country I was ever» in to get a satisfactory line. , I think ^ I have saved over two hundred thousand dollars to the company in change • Ir.f ou mi!* •'lot " , • of line. Port Saundera, July 28th. ' - • • .. i arrived here Taet ni^ ft hear had ne»s from the Weet. On the 23d Mr. Brown, chief «f the party weet of.North Platte, was out In the advance of his party some forty miles with ten mounted men as escort, and near Bitter Oreelc was ttaoked by 76 Ind i ans. He fought them two hours succeeding In'keeping them at bay until near night; he was mortally wounded in side. The escort t1M)k. him Into t',e stage road on Bitter Creek near Laolede, where he died and wea burled. , . , I shall leave hrfre on Monday with eame three hupdred soldiers as 'an eaoorti part gofe " " ®'"8ar Pass and part all the way ♦ * , i to V ri j- , ' V»V ■ July, 1867. •' t through, so that we are well protected. From Bridger Pass Mr. Blickensderfer and Col. Seymour leave me to return. The latter is a good riddance and I hope I may never have him with me on any trip again. He is the worst sneak I think I ever met; means mischief to our com pany, professionally dishonest and corrupt, and the quickdr the company get rid of him the better. At this place we have a fine two-story log building ere cted to winter our men in and keep our stock. Gen. Gibbons commands here and has his family with him. He will go west with us to select a Post cn North Plfette River. This killing of my chiefs of parties put me back. I have to stop to set them going again, often to run lines to make the connection. I do not see how the ranchmen stand it along this route with Indians in small squads prowling aroxind. Many of then live alone and many miles away from ai^y aid. At this point they have a good garden, * r • the Walter is tsJieh to it in a ditch and everything looks well; vegeta bles, potatoes, &c. The only thing that prevents raising crops is want of water or the early cold weather. Vegetables oats and wheat can ' » I • be raise* by qare; for corn, season is too short. I ««e that the Nonpareil is again on its legs, has anew editor. T. M, Wallwr, wo is he? I hope it will do Iowa good. Do you know how they fixed up what the coneem owed me? Now some $2500 with interest. Congress 1 see hange on. -I am anxious to know what date it adjourns to. July, 1867. so that I may know what to depend on. i: j -Va. t'l If ■ • ■ ' >1- . >1 • I hope I may never have to travel this country back again or any • * . . . f * way except in cars. From here to North Platte we will be in an alkali coiyitry, bad for men and stock. From the west we will strike a buffalo country and I hope we may get some. ■ : I ' I shall telegraph you when I leave, and before this you will have learned whe^e to direct my letters. Kiss the girls and baby. I look • '■r for a dispatch from you:today. : 'i . . ■ : ■ • Gen, Dodge to Sidney Dillon, Fort Saunder , 24: ■ *■" r ( ;. : : ■ I want answer to my dispatcli to company aooht change Of line w . t, 1- ' -J ' ^ " ■ * ' * ' ' it ^ and grade over Black Hills. I must push west. The Indians hold country from here to Green Rivor and unless I get out there we will fail in all our plans for 1868. Brown, chief of party west of I . . . . h ere, killed yesterday after fighting two hour^ and loslrtg his stock. Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge,"^Boston, 2Cf (telegram) ►.aJcr;:v . ... r - . Grade one hurfdred and si*teen(116) feet. Answer. Nothing ■■ I oq v • . must delay progress. unr ' . Oliver Ames • -elAW i, to Gen. Dodgft, N. ftaston, 265 i/,: We received Ifour'telbgi^affi sAylrtg'youJWMAd.Wake an 80-ifeet grade at $200,000 extra cost, and" telegraphed you ttlAt > liie^ grade of the charter (116) feet would answer. Wfe did not have. feWfticient. data to be able to decide the question. , 'jl fc . ' k. ■ ■» »v» ' !ftje great 49fitre of the country is la rdpld conpletlon o.. this July, 1867, road, and we do not wish to delay the work.by any very heavy outs, ■ when we can do this work after the road gets in operation, TTheri "'s are r unn:ng the road we can reduce grades but to get it running we I . • will make th^ ,grades 4n all places, if it will more rapidly comJbete the work, at the maximuia grades allowed by the charter, Durant and his friends are endeavoring to injure your and our t • . standing before the country by calling us slow, I dont wish to be liable to that charge by attembing to reduce grades to delay the work. Let everything be pushed ahead as fast as possible. Ur. Banker to Gen, Dodge, Washington, D. c, 26 : I received a letter from you some time since "bout monogram and forks. Am pretty much all my time down here looking after our Government accounts. Col. Bli~s has bee relieved and Col. Crilly is in his place, and a much more efficient officer he makes, I assure youl Gen. Meigs absent on leave and Gen, Rucker in charge. Succeeded • - f • in closing upthit lot of accounts you left them some time ago, just ten days ago, and now have to stay here almost all the time to put things ^ . . • It is mighty hot hpre and was all during the short session of Congreso; members were all very glad to get away. It is parfcularly dull her^ now, no excitement of any kind. Kh'Sn you selecte location for town at base of mountains where branch road f^oo Denver comes in, I want yov to advise me, as I have an i««a that a small investment will pay there and want to buy some July, 1867. ' land in an elislble place; think thR t will be the best spot*. That is my opinion; if yours iS different advise me, as I am totally in the dark here and yet no office news at all hardly. My investments in that way wont injure the company any an'^ may benefit me. You can give * me some information as to eligible spots aiid probable cost of land. Left N. Y. last Tuesday. Doctor, Crane and all hands wel . There was to be a meeting of the Board on VJednesday; havoheard nothing from there as to results. Hope things will pan out all right and that the work will go bravely on. Gen. Dodge to"his wife, P6rt Saunders, 28: • I got two dispatches from y u and answered. 1 write toda:,^^ It may be the last opportunity t shall have"until 1 refech North Platte 100 miles west of this place. By this'time Jrou must have the letter I sent in by Gen. Augur. I also sent letters by'Ur. Garter to Denver by Lt. Peale to Latham," «fcc,, none of which as yet you have got. The mails are very irregular. I find whole coac''^ IbAds of mail laying at mail stations out here, sane of it having been therfe two years; but it seems to me mail from here to Denver and east should ^jo straight. I have had lots of papers and several letters from you and have done lay • • best to get mine back to you. « ''' My escort got in last night from a long scout but struck no Ind- ' . 1 . , , - i^ans. My dispatch to the Nonpareil will wake up some of them. I got telegrams from Denver and Chicago requesting permiasion for them to take it off for Associated Press. All the North Indiarisi^t^e at war- July, 1867. _ with us now ami are doing great mischief, I hope our big commancl • f . • • f - t 400 strong may run into some of them. Poor Brown,' so yoxing, so able, to fall right as he had whipped -..e • ■ ■ , • - • * . . ■ the devils, and theonly one of our men hurt. It is a great loss to me and I see no way to replace him, Evans stops here and put the parties on location west. His wife is very side at Omaha and he no doubt would like to go back, I begin to think th'at engineering, * ■ r . with the load I am carrying, is no sinecure, but if I shoul'f stop now I a line would not be struck west of here this year. All say give it up I say no, and get new troops to ray parties. They are now working with 70 men as escort. The other day I climbed the high peak at head of Lone Tree Creek in Black Bills to get a view of the surrounding country and from it I could see Larsunie Pea^ 100 miles north; Pine Bluffs 60 ..liles e'ast; ♦ Pikes Peak 150 miles south and the liedicine Bear 100 miles west with one half of the so- thern circle fringed with the ragged, snow capped, Ropky Range whUe the country east looked like a great sea. From the top I picked sevi^ral florwers, pressed them nut in my diary and enclose one. No matter ho* sterile or ragged this country is it is dotted all ©far with roses, leaves and grasses, with singular stohes and For three days the wind has blown a perfect hurricane I., I and eft hi* and dust has filled every corner. Sinee we have been here the ladies of the Post' have 'given nightly fj;", July, 1867. a party, get up rides, &c. that the young men no doubt eijjoyed. I attended the one at Capt. Wards and Gen. Gibbons but the others did - * • not go. They are about moving this post, or were doing it and I en deavored to get it stopped until early in the spring. We need the troops on the line. Who is Mr, Walker, the editor of Nonpareil? It is strange I get *■ . no letters from Nate about business matters; how the block gets on and what was done with my intere't in the Nonpareil, how the Bluffs is ^ , prospering, <^c. Are they going to rebuild the Empire Block tliis year? How are the trees in tMe garden? I want to hear all aboiA it. After . you get this letter sen'^ your letters and papers 'to Fort Bridger, Utah^ .1 expect to reach there by September 1st, perhaps by August 25th, kftev .passing Green River we are out of the Indian country and shall have a let up to our vlgilence. The dash they have just m-de in here - • ' ' " ■ ' ' - ■■ ■ ■ : « , will put all on their guard, "Phe pony and mare are doing well and my health is only fair; do 0 .L' .' . , y,;, ttot improve so much as I expected. I hove too much on my mind. I fjjope after I reach Green River, wheKe I carl get vegetables and fruit plenty, that I shall do better. My itching difficulty is nearly gone. Gen. Rawlins improves wonderfully. I like him very touch but I cant say that all are like him; Mr. Duff . Mr. Bldcensderfer, Maj* Dunn and Mr. Corwith are all fine gentelmen and take more interest in cuf road than many Who are paid for taking it, ^ " Note:- To Mrs. Dodge from her niece Stelle, Elkhorn 28: July, 1867. .V39r Oliver Ames, to Gen. Dodpe, New York, 30:- ; - ^ Your letters are received. In the present position of our matters, 1 do not wish to undertake any. work that wll7 delay construotlon and wherever we can hasten the work h- grades being made 116 ft. and curves of one or two deSreesi I ehouldmake theai even if we had to reduce them after we get in operation.. The nr. is infusing the minds, of (^vernment Directors with the idea that we are not pressing fo.rward the work as rapidly as we should, and that if it was let out to contractors and he had the management of it "lie could get 160 miles' into the mountains this season. . 1 do not iish the Dr. to make any capital out of this, and the feeling of our committee is to pueh the road along with the greatest rapidty even if „ have to rut the Jargest grades and.curves that our charter allows. '' • Tou know very well what our feelings are about the road-to make it as perfect as possible consistent with the repidyty of construction demartled V,y the oouhtry.- *e cannot, of course, in the office say what is beet about toe line, ft in your Judgment and Col. Carter's the oh;.«e of high bridge was ■„,eeesary, our confidence in your looking ",ut for toe nest Interest of the road leads us to unhesitatingly ap- 'prove'of your work. It is of the- greatest importance to have this lit line looat.d earl» and have men put on all heavy work at once, "i'vear In cT deep cuts is soon wasted an- we ought to have the men working IBO and 800 milee ahead of tracklayers. Tour favor in regard to Seymour, Bliokensderfer and others is at hand and approved. July, 1867. J. L. TfilliaiaS to Gen. t)6dge",'Fort Fayne , - 51: ^ Youfs of 2ist inst. came today and by same mail one from ^Col. Seymour, 15th of Julj'. J " ^ -iij' Your telegram about 80 ft. grade never came. I was not aware that a revision of the line over Black'Hills was ifi the progracme or I should have been still more anxious to go out. It is all right,if the line can be improved but, as I have said to Col. Seymour in a note by this mail, we BhouM look also, as no doubt both of you will, to alignment and directness and not too mich add to distance and curvature. A judicious mediimi should be observed. You suggest that 80 ft. grade on west slope could be had with increase of 2 1-2 miles distance. ' That increase I thlilk'WlVyulxi be-qulte too great for a saving of one ninth in the rate of asdent. "eM;; , I hAve never advised an undue shortening of the line, at expense of gi^de or cost, for the purpose of lessening the Governaent subsidy 'to the injury of the workihg pf-the. road Yet with $48,000 per mile ' Vhe^Oovomiaeht might find ground to sub-lease a y marked or injudicious elongation of the 'line to avc^4»«^ ,JL.^at is only mofierately expenaive. THd work should be locai.e<i..«|)«i ^ound principles. Of course, if the general slope of'-bite mountain is indicated to 80 ft. grade it * should be adopted, btlt I desira to guard against a forced reduction at too gi^ •^'•acrifibe in alignment and distance,^You and Col. Seymour «W this. • ^ ' l.i. a; ji-h'u- cm'- • be«ir9fls|«|e hne July, 18C7. The -avoidance of a long and high bridge span at Lone Tree is well if feasible. Such a bridge on the mountain is a bad feature. I wrote jrou a week ago, care of LIr. House, in regard to your employing Mr. Webster or some other experienced engineer on the finished road. I told tir, Dillon that such an engieer was needed.^ I expect to be East from 10th to 20th of August; letters here wil I^Q forwarded; write often. I mij^t have added the consideration th t • • if you raust adopt 90 ft. or over at Rattlesnake Pass the reduction at Black Hills is somewhat less important. The case is not exactly as the one at Omaha.- I am very much gratified that you have nothing over 35 ft. east of Crow Creek. - o-u • uc -l .. I Can it be true that Mr. Brown has been killed by the Indians? • . I tought him a valuable yung man. ■ Mrs. J. V, Reed to Mrs. Dodge, Jollet, 31: t I think it is indeed unpardonable to leave your house as a guest, wJLth the pleasant remembrances of your kind hospitality ever - fresh, rna not up to present date have Informed you of my safe arrival ■ home. The only Sxcuae I can offer is, my cousin eas my amanuensis for a f.. of my moat urgrot letters at that time and I fully intended her to ■' include you aMons tWet number., I wM quite worn out with my warm, * duatry travel home together with my detention In Chicago with Idr, SchiminMly and aubsequent return# We have had quite a number of vlslta from our frlenda and not the least welcome or aurpBlalng was my husband's visit soon after his July, 1867. ' ■ . ; ' ' ■■ - . -.r- i return from the Black Hills. I hope he was able (on account of time) to cal"" and see you as he proposed doing. He left your husband well t • t and in good spirits. I am distriessed to hear of lir. Brown's death. I trust you will not allow yourself if possible any increased anxiety for the General's safety, since he is much more amply protected. It is a great trial to hear the long separations, the anxious days and sleepless nights that the great Pacific R.R. places between loving hearts and otherwise united homes. 'You have my ten'ier sympathy during these desponding days- I have drank of the bitter waters and can well afford now to bid you "Be of goo cheer."- You will be so happy in your husband's safe return-you will rejoice to forg® the ^ remembrance of yohr sorrow'i* Shorten-the sU>nm§lf' as'much as possible by making your firneds those promised visits. ; • ■ I am Just reminded of our pleasant journey.to. that desolate Julesburg, anri of the many laughable inci4ents that occurred to give tone and zeSt to the hours that"passed all too swiftly by. I may add that after parting company with D^r. 'White at Cotuicil Bluffs and bid ding you and Miss Julia goodbye, the "spik-it of the sport" had depart ed an-' onr journey was a quiet, coffloonplace affair. The >eat and dust almost overpowering us; hoi##Vd¥'» f must (in Justice to the gantleaen) that they were truly polite and ngree^hle as occasion required, I may go out to Nebraska In September or Octover, yet do not feel at all certain. My husband is anxious for me to take the children. July, 1867. t I but the accoamodations are so poor at Julesburg that I may not do so, Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, 1 (Telegram) ,ii f. ■ ■ • , '. . ■ Let the line be located and under bontract immediately. T'-. Oliver Ames t Gen. Dodge, New York, 1: I wrote you yesterday in answer to your letters of July 20th from Grc- Creek, ^e are in receipt today of one of July 11th from some place in which you express a fear that Biickensderfer may take all summer to make his decision. This will be unfortunate for us, as I hoped he would have felt the importance of an early decision of this question that we might have the liberty to issue our bonds in advance of the mountains regions, I hope you will suggest to him that the Boad is in actual need 'f an early decision of this question if it is to be pushed with the speed that the people of the country require. I said to you yesterday that we wanted to comiete the road as far west as possible this season, and that any grade or curve within the limits of our charter might be adopted to hasten the work. I do not, of course, mean by this that you should put in a hervy grade or Bhort curve merely tp save a little money, but to save time so that the grading i»ay at all times, if possible, be haead Bf th* traok-laylngl ' and «e .ahall not merely for a good allgtvr.ent run Into heavy cuts that will aWp the progreee of the track for months." Our reputation today eepend. upen rapid caastructlon. When thd road is competed ve can taprove the grades and curves though It vlll be" a heavy tdttttional Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - July 1867 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 July 1867 For additional July 1867 correspondence, please refer to "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - March to November 1867 (miscellaneous)," pps 864-866. For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/96d5b6f2d18cd1b15392cd24ad96fe33.pdf 2627c7744fb7f4a92a59c64ff906030b PDF Text Text July, 1867. but the accoamodations are so poor at Julesburg that I may not do so. '4, " ■ ■ . . TOliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, 1 (Telegram) Let the line be located and under bontract immediately. Oliver Ames t Gen. Dodge, New York, 1: ■' . I t , ' ' 4 V, • 1» , I wrote you yesterday in answer to your letters of July 20th from Cro" Creek, ^e are in receipt today of one of July 11th from some place in which you express a fear that Biickensderfer may take all ♦ summer to mak© his decision. This will be unfortunate for us, as I hoped he would have felt the importance of an early decision of this question that we might have the liberty to issue our bonds in advance of the mountains regions. I hope you will suggest to him that the road is in actual need <if an early decision of this question if it is to be pushed with the speed that the people of the country require. I said to j'ou yesterday that we wanted to comlete the road as far west as possible this season, and that any grade or curve within the limits of our charter might be adopte"! to hasten the work. I do not, of course, mean by this that you should put in a heavy grade or short curve aeroly tp save a little money, but to save time so that the Eradlng may at all times, if possible, be haead <k thS track-laylng- ■ and we shall not merely for a eood alignment run into heavy outs that will iWp th. progress of the track for months.' Our reputation today eepsnds upen rapid coBStructlon. When ihS road Is co»»st»d *o can Improve ths grades and eurves though It will be" k heavy additional • ■■ ■ ^t1 August, 1867. cost. . ►-V&er ■. .rfr-c:?.''' • iJS Your call for, engiu'^ers will be answered as soon as we can secure - I ^ * the ri-^t men. A Llr. Mansfield (a son of the gentleman whw got up our pamphlets advertising our bonds) wh has had considerable experience in \ i • the Rocky Mountains we have applied to, and who has an application for a place on the. road, but h-^ve not yet got his answer. We will be able 'if, ,in a few days I think to get the right sort of men; of young and in- ^experienced men we have any nuantity of applications, and I have been working over the large file of apJ)lications here for places as engi neers on our road, but they all seem to be too old now to answer. I have in view a very good locating engineer and have written him but • he has not yet answered. , , , V In,,your urgent need of men why not take House and some of the «-ia«n fr?«fthe office until you get supplied with competent engineers, .i. %:do axKU locaJ;^ the, heavy work of the mountains and to look after the construction, you war>t, men of experience and not the diass that ftlfijit have looked. after the work on the Platte Valley. ^ ' '.ff ' - . • , t .rdt . Mrs. Dodge to the General, Council Bluffs, l':-' * » , I, have at last reoelvad three lettere from ybu, began to -dleooerwd! U .as three weeks before I he'd'a letter, miKkise yon r not to Ta..' f nave not written very' lately, ddd not kn.-.here to dlre.t »nd anppos.d you h-d left Sannders long before your telegram ttwULKe you had Just arrlv?«. - ■ • ■ ".j "o» y • ■ set along ,, at yow " ''ilk , ^ iT • August, 1867. • « rate of travel you wont get back till winter. How strange that you will do every other man's work; not much advantage in being "Chief Engineer," when you have to take all the work of those under you. I send you nearly all the papers. You send a singular name • . * to send your mail to, I cant m'~ke it out, and have no Idea where the North Fortk Platte line stage station can be, and no one seems to knowl All matters about home are in first rate or'^er; horses fine, garden first rate, shade trees nearly all living- every one in front. They are harvesting out to Elkhorn; crops good, but corn will be late. Bailey is slow about his fence, had luiuber all ready though and guess they will have., it up this month. Cattle all first rate. Your brick blpok drags , . . Little Annie^ better; she calls "papa" and does not forget the t .1 •»' •' , Indian, J. L- Trillioms to Qen.Dodge, Fort Wayne, S; 1 wrote you a few days ago to Fort Drldger, In answer to yours froB rheyepne. Of course, I will not"be misunderstood in regard to lowering the BWimum grade on the Black Hills. I an in favor of it if a careful re-»*aB*natlon on correct engineering principles shall indicate it as proper. Col. Seymour has large experience In close IflMwfcHatlons of thia kind-more than I have-and it is well that he h., undertaken a thorough re-exmnination-,' for which he-is wery compe tent. I meant to sug^Bt_^a caution, which 1 presume is uiinwOeosary, against top much In «nd out curvature to" ovoid rook cutting tad flUa (- .»)• t V . ,. , •■' . ■ •: fr- , . ^ ; > ■ August, 1867, *-,► r r t I . ^ ^ . . .. , ... .. ,, ^. .. .. I - . 1 , Of only moderate cost*. We'must expect to encouJiter some work In the mountain section and with a mountain subsidy. The Col. no doubt will present his maps and profiles to the'Board and tfien I shall be better fitted to advise. I am against an undue idcrease of distance. Figures and estimates ought to sh'ow just how much to increase distsnce and curvature for lO ft. lower grade. I start on the 51jh to New York. Board meets on the lEth.- What Will ypu do for experienced locating engineers in place'of those valu able men killed by thn Indians? I fear I shall become'an Indian hater. . Haa npt^the race fulfilled its mission on the earth? I have never been more laboriously employed in engineering in- ^ vestlgatlons than ,,lnoe 1 parted with you at Julasburg. Staged a week at Oaaha, then two days at Kaneae ony-extreu.ely hot weattferi then at St. Loule and St. Charles four days, then a day at Quinoy, -and n<Jw for two and a in the railroad of floe here; All this time on the bridge investigations. Som,,one,should go again to Kansas City and dulnoy ,t.. oetober, after the rjv.r.shall'have fallen;and some Bf the fotodatlcns tvio full benefit of all "their etperionce ftto lt will ' f in. We can get the luii oeneiAi- HofOoever. hy helng a year;behind these brldfths .0: could bU, their outfit of pile drivers, dredge maohAes'. anchor cables, boats. AO. at half price. Ur. Ohanute has expended -frb»:tt.±nty to . . ,ort, thousand doH.V.> -tiit °i fls kind, Including ten thousand • - ^dbiur.; fe. a eteamboat. At' cp^lnoy cost of outfit la -u6h larger. Mr. Ohanute aounde the river every week o^two. It deepened V August, 1867. by the floods from February to July from, 5 to 18 feet and in one place 30 feet. This la^st was owing to washing around a protected point above where the Santa Fe contractors used to land. At St. Louis the whole bod of the river was, scoured put 18 feet, Dont you think it must deenen in the spring and summer at Omaha in places and „then fill up before winter where you took your soundings? Te ought to have had a system of soundings to ascertain these changes, I presume no definite action will be taken upon, bridge location until you return. The season will .be jtop. short after the meeting of ^hfe board in August to put in foiindation this fall, though the bridge is much needed and should be commenced somewhere soon, yet if you will notice the operation ait i(^saa City and ^uincy you will see that it must .rfct "be too anoh-hurried, iiy concern is chiefly to find a perfect- ' " « I . ly secure plan of foundation in the sad , and .ona which is practicable to be put in, and at such roaeonable exp nse as will not tfefeat the object. Of course, pitas and rip rap will accomplish it, but it must be deep and tide and pt in just right. The company, and not th^ crnlracto mist put In th» foundations. perhaps you *111 have obtained some good, general views on loca tion from Ur.' feliokenVlefer. Get ail the light you can from aU sources for the benefit of our great natiwl work. Write me about Rattlesnake Pass and Bear River^. - , ^ ,, . ^ ^ , OeA, Oodgi to his wife,TI<»i^ R.R^^rosaing, 3:.^^.; ^ , I '1 ♦ • ' ' •• . i*.h * ' •- ,■ , ■ August, 1867. I telegraphed you from the Medicine Bow River and have sent dispatch today to stage station; when messenger returns I expect to hear from you. Mo'nday I shall push west from here and shall telegraph you from some point dn road, v/henever I strikd it say 100 miles o r more west. 150 miles more takes me out of Indian country. There has been more interest in this country to me t"han ever; it 1^ mountain piled on*mounta4n, immense canyons, upland hills and per pendicular walls of stone; something new daily to attract the attention, eomething to develop, and as I travel over it I often think what scenerhtthere will be from the cars- I can take you through and show you all the prominent points. Yesterday I named the three prominent ^ peaks of the west Rattleshkae Range, ri^t where we crossed through there, Ella, Lettie, Little Annie. The centre peak is highest, the left next and th right amallest; all are joined together like three little girls should be and they will always he prominent points on the route,"1 hadbtrtr artist take sketch of them with a part of the party'on^^llha'^lfeheSt, which I-ehoUld judge was 7500 feet above the sea. The North Platte River is ^ bold mountain 2100 feet wide, skirted with small groves o^* cottonwood* C.lear^ cold water flows in it, all coming from the snow or the gi^nite peaks. After travelling two days without running VUter," the whole earth impregnated with alkali, in places some of it a foot thick, it.is .a great relief to strke such a country aft tAlS. oditotry otherw^sa is barren, rocky, alkali, ^ of sage brush, grease wood and cactus. It can be of no earthly use, August, 1867. « and so I think far a long time w3,ir s^« nothing grow or live here except it be the mountain inhabitants who" get .us wood, lumber, &c. The monhtains to .our south are full of 'fine timber, pine, nnd down the mountain streams, it will'come by the. millions of feet to our line, thence to go east or west. Coal aboun'^s I .think all along the line, and it will furnis^- us plenty of fuel, . I can hardly describe this country by letter, -but I can show« it to you next year and'point out all its inviting features. Elk lio^^ntain is the great land mark through here; at its foot lies Rattlesnake- Pass, Fort Halleck &c. In going Vest I stri'l^ into a^ entirely noW covuitry only developed partial ly by my own parties; from-here I can see 60 iailes west, it looks smooth and good for railroad purposes. From Fort Saunders I hear I have got a good line and the parties are to work locating it, changing, making new explorations. Sec. In ten days I expect to be at Green River or near there; thence to Fort Bridger, It is 60 miles; to Srlt Lak e 200, I wish I was there, I suppose you are having hot weather while out here it is cool, ccmfortablsi have had no very hot daysj now and then the AttftTsums but I have worn thick olothee, woolen shirts and sleep under-iti or three blankets every night. Our only trouble yom here west will be wate-r; j,t is scarce, but I have good guldee and'think I shall have-no trouble. I hope to get a long letter from you tonglth or Ih the morning; will ' i " 1 I ^ r, 0i4lW finiah this after uiefiUMin^ors get in. I- . r, a«W./ rr i-' •' ' , ■ ■y,. August, 1867, . f* Messengers have just got in, "but b'o letters. Send all mail here aCter to Fort £ridger. Got lots of papers. Mr. Appleton of Brown's party arrived today. They are in a cotuntry out of water and halted. I shall have to take them through, I- also hear today that Mr. Evans was called to Omaha on accoTint of severe illness of his family. . I leave here today, Llondiay, pushing -West. It may be ten days or two weeks before you can hear from me, ,^Loye to all and kisses for all. I look anxiously, fisr yojur letters. _ ,r • > '- ■ S. Seymour to Gen. Dodge, North Platte River, D. T. , 4; ,3. v^iiaving somewhat hastily expressed my views to you this morn ing in welatVon to the objectionable features of thfe route^between ■Fort Saunders and .this place over which we have just passed, as well ss the by which I thought .they mi^t be avoided, I embrace a * ' t ' f^w raqppjfcents leisure ,8t*t9 little more explicitly and in writing the reasons why I have allked you to extend your surveys considerably m ta .northwar(3^ of any route heretofore examined. My objection to ii 'th preaent route Mje,briefly these: 'Tav ■ r * nl3t. Although considerably cheaper than the route surveyed by Evans through the Rattlesnake Pass, yet it is very expensve. 2nd. Alt ough Brown's Pass is several hundred feet lowfer-than Rettlesnal^e Pass, yet ^he undulations of grade over thfe divides between streams flowing into the Laraaie and Medicine Bow RlverS makes a large aggregate of rise and fall, with, in several cases, heavy August, 1867» • 'tr>' maxinium grades, which should'be avoided If possible, or i 3d, The great scarcity if not absolute absence of running water over some portions of the route doming the greatest portions of the year will cause serious inconvenience and considerable rdditional expense in building the road, and, very much fear, render it compara tively useless for business purposes when completed. There is no permanent living water on the woute betv/een the Medicine Bow and North Platte Rivers, a distance of nearly fifty miles, and I judge from the formation of the comtry that an adequate supply for operating the road cannot b-obtained by the ordinary process of sinking wells, if at all. ' ' A road with the traffic ^i'dh we claim must pass over the Union Pacific Railroad, with subh grades as necessarily ihtervene over this portion of the route, shduld have ample supply of water at inter vals of not leas than ten miles in order to operate it with safety and success. "During the meftihg of the snow, say from 1st of April to 1st July, water tanks may be adequately supplied from the surface draingge, during the balance or three-fourths of the year I do not believe that a sufficient supply can be obtained to keep the trains moving upon the road. This tO my mind is therefore the most fatal objection of the three named. I belive as a general rule that the road shall follpw, as near as may be the principal water cdureee of the ocuntry through which it passea, partlcul-rly whan they lead in the general direction of the 1 . »- •.'^1 August, 1867. route which it^ is proposed to travers-although this theory pf •location would in :uany cases increase the distance materially, yet the saving per ®ile in first post in rise and fall of heavy grades, in facilities for abundant supplies of water, in avoiding a succession of cuts where snow 'would obsitruct the trains, in genera lly developing a better coun try, and the greatly diminished cost as veil as additional certainty of operating the road successfully* in my opinion, very far counterbal ances any. obj ection that may be urged ta the elongation of the line within reasonable limits. . , , j-t was upn this general principle that I recommen^^ed a change of location insnediately west of Omaha, and for the saiue reason I have ^ always urge# ft c?»»eful Stirvey of routes up the North Platte and through -the Laramle Cahert* It 1« rimit sett^^d that thd road is to come over the Black Hill Range of the Rocky idountaina at Evans Pass, • nd there fore I duty *8 .ponaultlng engineer to urge the adop tion of the proper"?principles in the location of the line^from that point westward* ' ' i ■ ■ .j,- ' * My knowledge of the topography_of the country is, of course, to-^' limited *t the tlM to. enable me to state with much particular ity the preoie* points or details of the location which I would recom mend but eenerelly I would follow down the westerly slope of the " Black Hills, with the leant pmotloab^r grade to the ^rmle Piains, end thence along tW north-e-berly aide of the river until by crossing 11-1 i»6«!d *%old all the streema that flow into It from the_eouth and August, 1867. .7X1 WWnr west, as well as the divides betwe^^jthem, and-at the same time enable me to cross the Rattle.snalje Hills either throu^ the pass made by the Medicine Bow ^^iver or some more favorable depression north of it and thus reach the valley of the North Plat^e at same point near the mouth of the Sweet TJater which flows into it from the region of the South Pass. If the valley of the Sweet T^ater is well supplied with water and also practicable few* ft rv^ad, and if^the countrj' southof it is barren of Water, I noul'd follow up this valley to the most eligible point for crossing the •divWt® Continent. ' "•*'11: have become so thoroughly impressed with the importance of this general houte and its great advantages as .compared with the routes al - • ready survftyftd that I must a»k you to have it caref^>lly surveyed and • * ' r f y ■ reported xipon'in oonneptton routes to ^4ch you may submit to the Board of Directors, (Mem, penciled on margin of above letter by Gen. Dodge) - August 5th. Col. Sey»<^.'8 stated he did not consider a railroad woul^ be built and j-un ovar, the route we .had travelled, but that we must work into the Nqrth I^ork of Platte and run up the Sweet VTftter. Vie also stated this to Gen. Rawlina denouncing the whole route as wrong and that r*ilf*ol«l would never be built over :t. ■ i Afi#® to Gen. Dodge, K. Easton, 5; ' j tf'.*! am tn ^^^eip of your favor of Wly 21st, and also letters 'from Seymour in rafftTftlHj^ t© locPtion of line to avoid high britlge over Dale Creek and take other changes that he thinks will lessen the grade and not increase the aost. ti if, oc rouse, -desirable to do this but it August, 1867. is not the desire of the Construction Gominittee to attempt to ,le63en a grade when It is going to delay- the -work. If "by putting in-practicahle curves that will throw us out of heavy work and the cost .and time of conistruction be reduced, such a change will meet the approval of the Committee. .t o* Vfe hoped that Carter #oHild have been able to go over the line with W end that yoursel'f. Carter and Seymour, after looking careful ly over Evan's line, tould have been able to suggest such alterations as would hasten the'construbtiori and save hundreds of thousands of dollars. As the road progresses the public become more impatient for its comi>letion and will be satisfied with nothing but most rigorous ^ prosecution of ^ e work. To '^o this we mu-t get the best line and ^ill have io slcrifice a perfect 'aiighment to rapidity of construction and to bring the cost within the paying benefits.. If we make the road ^ cost trvTmu^h it' will'neUr pay dividends. All-tha»e .things are to jbe taken into consideration, and to get the best -line the. best engiiltarir)^ talent will be required that can be procured. • ' Mrs Dodge to the Generalf Cound'll Bluffs, 5: * ■ I have felt bo ill for a week past-have-not wrlttenj aont think 1 .hall got much heller till 1^ 1= cooler. ' .e have hot, .ukty, St..-• . thinks w^l be a great deal of sfl^h«bs during this and next month, there is oon.lderahle among children no. and ..veral have died. do '.,in August, 1867. .■r"" "'" , Anni^ wes ^tfafeeh quite ^ick last evening and w&s bTuining with fever all night; cant tell yet whether it is from her teeth or chills aad fever. She i& mucir better this evening but has no/appetite and is very fretful. I have had to hold her nearly all day The papers in your district pblish a letter on your going west; cant Imagine who you could write it tp, whic'h. says the sole cause of your going was for your health,-as though ij.,was ^or pleasure instead of business. I." . «''a/'I'i''- , ■ I guess you'have plenty of phpbi'S.. Hoxip says hr., Snyder sen'is you h'good many. I have had no letters later than July 20th. Omaha^ August 5th. Dear Annie; I did not IteJlerfctand yolxr letter until yesterday when Mother told me trhftrt you had said» Mr. House said, "'hen he told the General that I ims In the habit of neglecting my-duty and going shop ping with my wife, he knew he was telling a base falsehood and telling it without the least fourt^fatHiom' . Ifte pay fixed t)y th^ Gs»e*»sj for was $75 per month. Mr. House has reduced that to $65* - r ^ Geo. U. Bailey. Geo. U. Bailey. Di(i^^"3istsr: Monday, August 5h» 1867. ;.i ' ii.'fj Poor.Mr» Brwwn, it is too bad. miat luck they are having! and Mrs. Evan^ died Saturday. George and Emma came rut Saturday night and wont tack yesterday. Minerva* j.. 'i;. •' ' *. » August, 18P7. r^Y^' r!J"..' it . James F. "Wilsdn to Gen., Do'^ge, .Falrifield, Iowa,!. 5«*. tc ' I leam 'that It is in contemjbation to have an excursion over -the U.P.R.R* next month*. If. this is so, I want yoix. to have , invitations extended to'the several members of the jujSioiary committee. They are all anxious to make the trip and see the country. The members are Geol.S. Bout1»ell, Groton, Liass; E. Woodbridge, V^rgines, Vt. Cuhchill, Ofe'wego, N.Y.;.Thos. 7/illi:ims, Allegheny City, Fa; Frank Thomas, Cvimberland, Maryland; 7?m. Lawrence, Bell fountain, Ohio; Sam. Marshall,. Illinois, C. E..Eldridge, Fon du Lack, Wis. and myself, Most of these gentlemen, want to., take their, wives or daughters. Marshall unfortunately ha,s neither. I wish you would manage it so as ^ to have this excursion go off. . ,? 1 did not-e^hd ths. preemption claim to. the recorder as you dire- ' cted', for I did not know blit place In a position which wbulff require explanation ih the evteht of an investigation being . ordered to ascertain irWat ioombohs of Congress are interested in lands. &c. onnthe line of the U.P.R.R. If It is not too late I can send the claim in the name t>f another I would like to have the interest, and see dcRhrn^ ifPbrt^ % it, but than®?h%» ^|i^about publSc men being Interbsto'd in property along the line of the road thdkt I do not want to do anything that would place me. in a fa^^^ position or ^e require-explnn^ tlon. ^ ,*i ■ ' Let'me hear ^ 'M WVb'hn as yt,n jffet this. . •'-» - j August, 18C7. L. Pe?Lt)Ody,,to-Oen. Dodge, Lynnfield Centre, Llass. 6: In looking over a late number of Harper I see yo^^^ name as engineer on the Pacific H.R. now so- raidly being constructed, and th thought, occurs ■^to,:rae that you are in just the position to enable- -you to. give me some desired information. My business at Savannah, Ga* owing to rebel influence proved a losing game, and I am now out of business and desire to get it again. My preference is for the law,^ and I think a new coimta?y very desirable where a business 'Will grow up and I can grow with it. If I can hit upon the ri^bflocality on your road, I have no dowbt I can, by industry and hard work, atone for the failure down in Dixie. Now, do you-know of the desirable locality? pne which I will not probiibly stand still hut on b^e qontry take a 2:40 stride In growth? My ci-rcumstanus^^ not edmlt of expensive prospecting and hence is a heoerslty with me'to icnow about where I am going before I start. ' _ . .. '^ile my preference Is to go back to my jirofession, becaus'e I the capital for that and have no money for land urchases, y^till f am willing towork at anything honorable Which will liiake me a living and In the end give me a home for my f^ily. So, if you have.in mind anything in connection with the'road which I can do 1 shall paeased to have you mention it, 1 do not Intend to take my faiuily (wife and one child) with me, but wait till'I can make a home for , » - i Dean and Matilda are In Lynn, and as well as usur.l. feuelnesffimf all August, 1867. ' * ' ^ kinds Is verV dull and we can Yiot see* much prospect of a* change. Gen. Dodge to his wife, In camp 30 miles west of North Platte 6: I have an opportTinity to sent^ to the Stage Poad hy Gen, Biggon who returns in morhl'ng. I am here on the last water, and mean to try the 60 miles or more we«t without it after one days rest. We have no grass to speak of aii'^ this ds truly a'barren, univiting coun try. - .1 -I Brown's party have been here two weeks unable to get.west for want of w^ter*. I shall try to get them through" to water to the west with'me'. Since I left North Platte have improved in health. Seymoxir *and Buckens derfer leave me to go Ea,st tomorrow. Soymoi^ has been nothing" W a <»rawback to me ever since he haa be n with me, ^ and even to" the cbinpany, and in my opinion is doing 'all he can to give the company trouble. I hope hereafter they will drop him. If you see Dillon you can sdy to him privately what 1 write. T suppose, however, they wnd^arstand ^ thing-when he^ is gone it a to J^e., < - . j , . I hopeffheii I reach Stage road again to get letters fromall of you. Got non. at Sortn FotiJ of Platto, tut left word If any came to send theffl forward to Oreen River. Thlo Is the hardest and I believe th..«»8t responfsible trip I ever took. The country does not meet my expeotmtions. The kllUne of my engineers, the demoralization that cam from It and the dlffioultlea to surmount' are iftOUEh to set any August, 1867. . t one but me back., I believe I am master of the situation nov; and will make it win. As long as I can keep well I have no fears, and, I, must say. Gen. Rawlins has be^n of great help to me. He enters into the spirit of the matter; takes as much interest in our road as I dol '• t • ' ' ^ ^ ,^8 soon as I get through this cotxntry and strike Bitter Creek I shall telegraph and, wpite. tell ing you all about it. Am plunging into # . ■ * • I a country that very few have ever travelled.an^ I hope to develop something that will be of benefit to us. Water is our ,great trouble. I ^^CradeSj work ,a,i3d everything else is favorable. Coal exists in great quantity but timber is scarce. n r SI r 'r > <7-, I must close as it is gettipg^ l-te. Kiss t^e ,girls and baby and Move to all. lOif, * it ' -noJ J. H* Brpfn. jtQ lirs. Dodge, Saint^Anthon-", 7:- ^ At last I am domicilled in this health and strength renewing place and this radically Hygienic Instituion, You have doubtless ; . "had enough descrllJions of the piace and the country so I will say . hcxthlng on thai,, subject^ ojccept, that it is beautiful and delightful. The air is pure, cool and bracing. The Falls are grand, and if we had no Niagara, would be sublime, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ The diot is not very attractive to an epicure, but with the baths , ftc. it lis oure to cure any ailing that human ingenuity is ''-M, able to cure, and no mistaAa..^ There are patSAAts here who in one, two I and thr#e'»i»%hP trt*tJB«nts have gained 20 and 30 pounds and one man told me he had gained 60 in less than two months. t-v r-rt M. Aggust, 1867. * . « Tell Ocean I have just finished reading first volume of Julius f- ■* .. Caesar "by Nap. 3d,'and if he wishes it will send it to him by mail. 1 shall be pleased* to hear from you or him. * * -I • " -i ♦ ?"f i: -1 E. E. Edv/ards to Gen. Dodge, Chariton, lov/a, 7: An effort is bein made by some Democrats in this place to have our Post*master, James H, Weaver, removed. Mrs. Dodge to the General, Council Bluffs, 8:- I If it is not bf muc I use to write you for I much doubt if yo ever get the letters. I expect the Indians will make a bonfire of all mail that go«r or comes on the TJ.P.R^R. and if they topthdre we are fortunate; but I shall nbt wonder to hear of all work being stoppp'd now, since they have commenced tearing up tracks and stopping trains as you will see b^ the papers. How foolish you were to persist in going out there this sun.ier. I pray you may get through all right but I have very many misgivings. -- - ■ r * f ■ "V ^ . r 4 t - Lettie and Ella are away to a picnic and I wish fh»y were homo; am afraid they will make themselves sick. Little Annie ha« beeh'Guito sick for several days'. Dr. l^r s* giv'i^n'her medicine today. * t orf? Jas. A. Evns to Gen. Dodge, 'Omaha, '6 (TelegramJ mwI.-. r,i. : d .t »{ ■ • . ! thinlc It is advisable that you should Vettii^ to Saunders, do watch change in location. This: is important ^o .preyaat.Jl^ft^dr. Jas, A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, •Omaha, 8!*- ' ' '• ,eni c * So far as outward appearances ahe concemad tor the preser; i^ 'V August, 1867. . r ^ , fiRy great agony is over, through the great kindness of ay friends hero, I was pennitted to follow the^remains of my beloved wife to the grave yesterday* - She died oij Satusday while I was at Denver on my way. The weather being very warm, it was only b2( great exertions that the sad event could be postponed till I arrived on the evening of the 6ththrough the kindness of being furbished with a special train. My dear sir, I am in great affliction, and I much fear that God visitations are not yet eneded. The shock to..my oldest boy, a very sensitive nervous subject, makes me tremble for his safety. H.e^.is verj' low, and I cannot le^ve him. 7<liat my .course may be hereafter I know not. I feel that at present my duty is at the side of my sick ohll(^. I know how badly I am wanted at Fort Sanders and west'of' there, "l5ut the ways of Providence are not our ways, and at present T canned . At Denver in much agony of miijd I wrote you as much, with regard to this matter, as I was anxious you should make some proviS-onfl for what 1 coneiderOd.a very prpbable q^ergency and the let thing that I would require would be that business and friends • ■ should suffer On account of my troubles,, 'J-' r * ' ' ■ O'Neill will, 1 presiime, take up the profiles an^ maps from Laramie over weist and do the! best we can with them. I have so written "i him. He is quite reluctant to proceed without my help, chiefly for the reason of friendship-to me, but I have talked to him about the ^ «itter and'If you ©an so manage matters aa to give color to the idea that t'fiave not 1i«4n»ill treated, he wll] remain and make a useful -J-f ,. , August, 1867. • « '• servant, f desire^^r ia^s" iake that this impressi'on should prevail and that he should be with you. Mr. Laxwell I am sorry to say I am not so confident will take up what you want should be done for the want of proper instruction, seeing that ha is unacquainted with the country, and unless you have received telegrams of mine sent to North Platte, I so fear that he will be delayed in knowing what to do. As you v/ere going over the line I thought it was best that you should fur nish him with instructions as if I attempted to do it without going with him over the ground I might be wrong. I shall telegraph and write to both of them today or tomorrow. u, . After you left m-e eft Sanders I commencerd platting the original locattlon. I t'-oughl/'Hhfs was necessary as it rwould enable us to pt on the*changes arid show the whole matter. I have the maps here with so far as conibleted and have 'arranged it so that the changes will speedily. " " « ' . , going Dillon requested me to write him about matters in the Bladt^Htlls, and I do so today, enclosing jou with this a copy of my letter,.for the reason as you are my superior it is rlBht that yoli DhotiW fcniiT'lilX t&a), .1 aa.j ahout business,mr tters. I regret that Voh Ini noi h«K» to saa it bef«ro it is sent as you might wish 'to modify it. Ui Jr.. - . v • " . : " And now, sir. I wie'^ to say thie. .-Lei no consideration of frlen ahip for me lead you in any way to compomise yourself; do and act in reapeot ta think the case demands, looking solely to business, , ' : '0 August, 1867. only, I fear much that there is a disposition to injure you if possible. How sad it is that people for private ends will forget that glorirus golden rule. _ . Please give my kind regards to GeVi'.Rawlins and the rest of the party and be assured that whatever may happen, I shall always con tinue to" be y-'ur sincere friend. ' ' " ' l-'i - ■ Jas. A Evans to Sidney Dillon, Omahfe, 8: / ' t Sometime in Jxme when you Iras at Omaha, yo.u asked me (as it was then evident that I should soon go" West ,to resume labors In Black Hills) to write you upon my reaching there, I was delajred Qn the^ way there, chiefly in completing the work that Mr , Hills was so tanfortunately prevented from doing. A great, affliction has now brought me to ObtaHli, tfhich will I trust explalU'Jitfiy I write you from, here. To tome to matters at once pertinent, and of interest to you, I find that there is a disposition to change and question the location ovdr the Black Hi11a Which it was my fortune, in the pursuit of my duty, to make. The means t«kOn to effect this are briefly as follows: where grades of 90 foot are t»ed arguments will be pressed in favor of SO ft, per miie Wider the asfliiilptiati tkat^for so desirable an end additional expenditures are warrahlSd#' ' i'l-f-r: - The first 90 foot grade we have on the original location of Crow tJreek, occurs where We leave the valley of a crest to get up '"*'oh the divide. It by Col. Seyswjur to throw the foot of the grade sufficiently further east to get up with an 80 instead August, 1867. . ; , ■ of 90 foot grade, hanging to the side hill,for a greater distance. This matter can be accomlished by additional expen^^iture for excavation and embankment. Here it is simply a question of cost and if the coni?hy will incur additional expense, I know^..an;d have always known since I became familiar with the locality that the court<ry was there for either^grade the company felt disposed to pay for. I have in my location acted up to my instructions and all the light I had. That a line of Sv ft. grade will in this valley require additional expenditure, the profiles when they ooiae in will shpw un- '■ mistakeably. It is ^ purely a financial question, that I am not called upon to deterfaine the. uattef aftd I dismiss it with the simple and selfevident remark that the lowest'.grade is, of. course,-, the best, every ( thing being equal, and if ndt obtained by sharp curvatures. After surjif^ting the divide rwith .either grade as wi-sdom may deteraine-the grades can fbr a distance be made below either maximum. On the qrlginal locatiO^ they are ed with a single exception wbich, while in com pany with^Oen.'^dge Eoldg b^r'tbe line I recommended and felt ^e- ^ r T ■ ■ ■ ■ sirous to chsnge. ■' '' ' This explanation brings u4 to Sta. 870. ifcere on the orisinal location a grade of 90 feel occur, again and continues to Sta. 973. mil^s oui oVi,r the g«md hy using oonsldorable curratuns I so ohangcd the profile as to rMucs *«Hr-.rltho«t ehanging the grade. If an eighty foot gradi irf the profile ,.111 he. quite August, 1867. « heavy an<^ work will be increased largely. The fact is'that here one line occupied the summit of the divide and drops away from even a grade of 90 ft. and there is no argument in favor of an 80 ft. grade that is not equally applicable to a 70 ft. ^rade, namely the willingness of those who furnish the money to use it for such purpose and I am very sure that had a lighter grade been used than the one given, similar argianents with-the same incentive would have been brought to bear in favor of a change. ' • , '' ■ Tracing the line still westwarjii.:brings us to Lone Tree Crossing, the change here is definitely adopted,.the chief-engineer having honestly but unwisely I think, sanctioned the change under what seemed to him a sort ^ necessity and-causqd chiefly I apprehend by the fact that In opening.the cuttin«ffcji|o^good building stone was found for pier and abutments. • . , • - I Want to be.quite understood with regard to this change of line and sttail he io'ffcP'txpllCit ei to make known what governed me in seiectlng the craAslng-of the canon'over the line now substituted for it. It couia not have blen.th'-ir ignorance as preliminary lines of mine 'ky be found cfoaslng the ground covered by the new line.^ The depth of the canon if bridged I was disposed to consider of small importance; it is -uite narrow not measuring so much as the grade line as fills that "Will b% found occur on either lines. 1 desired in every inatwnoe possible to place the line when , -tn-o r - • • 'i August, 1867. .; ) it could 'be done without sacrificing profile too much in a position giving freedom from snow obstructions. The original location running as it does on the south side of'canon and valley would always have been free from it, whereas I fear, in fact I know, that the change now being made will in winter be subject to continual annoyances from snow accumulations and is only a<iaisso.ble by availing itself of most of the excavations already done on the original line, 'The change is further allov;able by excessive curvatures and the use of a large amount of temporary superstructure such as trestle work &c short lived and of doubtful safety., -tu « ; The above is the only diVergenqe" from-my locati on up 1^ the tim^^ ^ was coMfJailod to leave; it cdmes into -feha original line several miles west avoiding a short piece of 90 ft. grade using instead 80. ft. at the expense of a cut; this is a little summit 24 feet deep in the hi^est place and'^000 feet fro A grade to grade. It would be easier to get an 80 ft, gHtila ower the old line than ower this change as where the lines approach, the grade line of thA Change is below the original line causing this cut above referrsft tC. There are other points where 90 ft, grades occur fdr short distahues. ■At these places the line curve will be put on prot'ila of changesi. get it will show at irtiat cort. i M ; - > With re^rd' to the line as located by me l have th;.s tp say and I W confl(J«it the future *1.11 warrant the a3euuy.tilen that taken all In all In point of pofile, alignment and freedom from snow h'i.iii >» 'c' ■ ■ - Augus t, 1867 . ' ' I it is on the right groimd. I do not say but there may be points where engineers and athers might differ in minor matters, as for instance the policy of increasing curvatureto reduce profile and vica versa, but in general terms the resiilt will show that the selection of ground for line over Black Hills has been judiciously and wisely made. On the western slope as near as, I can learn an entirely new line will be attempted. You .will then s^e what skill your consulting en gineer possesses in selecting ground of his own; a different thing 1 take it from passing" over the result of others labor and criticis ing. • . One word as to cxirvature that some, gentlemen on the road are So flippantly nlspoaeld to Ignoro. Tha, opinion that I have is that shnrpcurves are obJ^etlonahle and whan t'loy- are used for the purpose of lightning gradis'lt freqiwntly happens-that what ,ic gained in the one respect is lost in another. So important is this_matter consid ered that on BngUsh road, they are restricted to curves of.1-2 mile radius (about 2°) by aot of the legislature! based upon the opinion of men of sbility, man whoso work and rentation will live after theu, long after that of thwHHOMwnt consulting engineer of the U.P.-.RWill have dbnk inth meritad oblivion. I rear that the only result will be delay: as fast as the changes come in you will De notified of th.m, I regret much that my sore trouble comelled me to le.T. the Laramie Plains before all the data Vas obtained. ' ^ > uSit. . - j J ,/j 670 August, 18C7. . , 'r I haVe wirtten this letter first because I promised, to do so, anrl in the setond 1>14ce it WllL. perhaps lead to sQ»e way by which I can vindicate my labor frob." the aspersion of those whom I cannot believe are honest, or working as they should do, for the success and speedy comietion 6f this enterprise, ' *c , . vo "v 11 - I send a copy to Gen. Podge. ■ " ; 0 I ' Oliver Ames to" Gen .Podge, N. Easton, lO"; , :■ ' r■ -r V ' ' Your favor of 26th is received. I entirely concur with you in opinion of Seymour as an indolent man with a strong desire to crit icise other's work and do nothing hijnself. He has been from the beginnlng a supporter o/all the Dr. p'rojeets and has *ieen kept more for th^ purpose of wrltlW the Dr's reports .an " doing hie oorrespondepae that meets the public'eye,'and whitewashing his (the Dr's) rascalities than for any real engineer service he has done or will do the company. Jlr, Jesse t: ffllilame thtnka Seymour has a-very good idea of location and his opinione'nlj W of some service. We do nqt, want to put ourselves in any poeltlon'where Sejmour or "ura t.may,charge us 'with not giving all proper attention to their suggestions.for improvement of our line and t hove telegrhphad Seymour to make a survey of this proposed changes and report thf rfbmparatlve gain. If he. has found a better llne' u' 'U our duty to adopt It. If a 8 or 3 curve will throw U8 out of Mai^'ork and hasten completion-of the road I should do it. We ouot bake the beat possible road in the shortest time. You August, 1867. understand our views; and for the present act up to them. After Qctoloer we shall stand heater. Duff is sick with a fever.- I will write you tomo^r^DW. Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, II. Easton, 12; « / , I wrote, you Saturday in regard to Seymour. ".Tiat I wish now to say is that however much we may feel that Seymour is a lazy, inef ficient man prone to criticiJie others and.do nothing himself, we must acknowledge he ie an extremely plausible manj, with excellent ability as a writer land if 'h§ has anythingiOfia show for a decent line he will be able ■ to'make* the most of It. " » Now it will not do for us to.adhere to any line that we think can be amended by adoptiSi;^ his suggestl-ns. ite have a reputation to sus tain and ho line of any engineer of ours should be approved merely because' It la Our line. Seymour If he han make a point agajnst us and in the intera-st of Durant, vlll do It. As our consulting engineer and as long aa he retains this position, it 1. our-duty to. In all doubtful oases advlso with hlo and If he has any practical notions to get the,.. He has herAtoftfre sal up In his offlos and done, us very little good. If wo can'no. make him work and see how other people earn their money though hi'-ay be of no aervice to ur wa can feel that wa got a little wJrk'oui"'of him for the money he gets. , ,, ■ '' "Uur fdellng a» t have heretofore written P"®" thework ' with'the higUtt'-prMtiirtiBle speed, and we want mep„enough put on the ■? i ' i?.jf "jv: August, 1867 7' J' -It vork to put it through so -that the tracklaying may not be delaybd'i If we can get this-winter throbgh the Black. Hills doing the light work before vinter and the heavy cuts in the winter so that we can run over the Laramie Plains'to Bridgera Pass next year we shall fully answer the hihgest expectations of the country. But all these expecta tions.will fail if Government does not give us more efficient protec tion against the Indians. The idea of a Goverment like ours perc^itting these roving bands of Indians to take possession of the country is a perfect outrage upon its citizens who have settled in this coun try with full assurance thn.t they should be protected. I wrote to Government on receipt of telegrams of.the disaster at Plum Creek ask ing iimftedlate and efficient, protection. I suppose they will sajr as they^did'once'beftrlltfcdd. the matter is fiaced in the.hahds of Gen^ Sheman and their dont know of any better way to protect us. I think if you would write a dtrong ^Letter to Gen. Sherman and the Government settit^g forth the difficulties of" our .situation that it would be of great ae UB. I feel bout the engineering question that in running over throu:" a broken mountainous country, w© want to run a great many lines to fully develop the country and show us the best routes, and to do this we want active, enterprttia- and competent engineers. It is utterly Impossible to gat the'best line withopt fully perambulating the country and whenever a favprahle opening presents have it surv:ayed up and whenerar ypacticable running curves, will throw us out of ho- August, 18G7. ■ . j ' t work I should put them -in. One or two years use of the road will pay all the amendment that may he necessary to make it a perfect line. I hope your health will improve so as to be able to continue your work. Drff is now Gi«k with typhoid fever of a low -type; is so tht * • he' is confined to his bed. . . -1- , ' We have one of Grant's special meetings this week-to .see if he cant get soiJle contract that will enabla him to again take direction of the road- I think that "he will be disappointed. His injunction does not work to stui him. He will sobn find that he is not general manager. irbte;- Gen. t)'od£^e to Gen. Simpson, Aug.^ 13; (21DR280) ■ Gen. Dodge to his wife, Pqint of Rocks, 13. - . . . j. ^ . '«. Just arrived here, all well. Answer to Green River. ^ JameS Maxwell tb Gen. Dodge, Fort Sanders, 13: '' First dHattee of (80) eighty foot grade causes.heavy work and poor aliyiment. Secorta'one; impracticable. Last change gives high " crossing^'ot^r Crow Cveek hat no heavy cuts or fills; all other changes ^ save work. Qvene9 Stations (70) seventy and (1100) eleven hundred. Cannot^t me^n fof .secort. Stevenson wont. let detachment pass here. ■ . ■ To "oien; iWJtf K" Wother, Couno:i Bluffs, 14i- ^ • ■ fnw.Ilo|.th Platt.o orosslng, 25 "lies north ' of'stagiroh; is' received. 1 *,v. not .rltten ^ou for'Reason that l.ttire .hlch'^t. vr^e Wh during first part of, your Journey .ere not received by her, and I did not bellove thooe sent from here August, 1867. . ■ , would reac>- you this side of Salt Lake Ci^ty. I telegraphed you the mibstance of some matters which I thought of interest to you, sending dispatch to Fort Sanders before your arrival. It seems you did not receive it so I will write in. this more fully. First, the Nonpareil. Ur. S. P. W.alUer of Bellefountaine, 0., purchased^. N. Uaynards interest for'$2500- including good will and new outfit but not the accounts. Your claim in good shape, vi>i:-cash _ $1000, Maynard's-note (secured by Walker's n-te of $500j for $300- dated about Ist January lext- and Walker 4 Chapman's note for $800 due 1st January next. fn'sHort, you .have $11Q0 against Walker 4 Chapman due 1st of January, both good men, s^fe and prompt. I think you can safely say the fire w«s'a benefit to.you, for our anticipations in 1 placing Uayriard at the head were not realized. He took but little interest ih the paper, exhibited far less energy and-ability than in former times. Chapman was the live ma,! ewhen li. reinstated Burke Chap man became greatly dissatisfied and nothing west harmoniously. He sold out to Wa ker but Kaynard would not consent; after a time Walker bought Uaynard. They are collecting Assa. Accounts, have paid. $350 of the Uaynard 4 Chapman note $500. Walker comes highly recommended by Ohio State Pf ficnrs as a succia'stul publisher and editor; appears very gontl««a\ly, quiet ,„d'inda»trious-clos.-in financial matters. Ur John T. Baldwin IflfOirne m.imi' Officer 4 Pusey do not con sent to close'- up With him at thih Ume. h..«e^ his arrangement with August, 1867. you is indefinitely postponed. rv ' ► ' f . - - - - , . . . .. . ■While engaged upon t>acific . R. T "believe VCiu* can do better with ' f . money in operating in Real Estate and loaning than by engagin in business to which you cannot give personal attention. What has paid better than your investments in this town? T-^ke the investment I made in 1863 and 4, pincipal paid up and nearly $5000 real estate on hand. . \ I Your block goes slow. Wisconsin firm broke up soon after you I'^ft, and scattered; work re-let to Lir. Bond (friend of -Judge Baldwin) from Pairfield, at $3 per ct. for laying stone and $6.50 -for laying brick. Mr, Bond commences today; it a good and reliablejbu-il^ der and will push forward the work fast and do it well. • : f The fever for building rages high; new foundations laid every day; I could not begin to enumerate- Court House looms up, Sem nary progressing well, everything in and about the town looks promising. Strangers who come here take a different view of things and concede C . . our future to be promising. ' Cdllectlons have' come fitl^'w^ll and" I have over $10,000 lying idle, waiting for use; dare not let It 6ut, not knowing wljat your plan may be, now that the mill arrangement does not go off. I could make some r good loans, small amounts, improved real estate security, one years time; could buy some schooY orders at 75 or 80 cts- dmw 10 per ct. int., can get $1500 of them. "We hoid'now in the office $3500 of this paper and receive installments upon theb twice .each year. It is the 7 ^ m • vr.; August, 1867. : .M-'tI"!,, ,: ,i opinion of Mr, B. and myself that w.e. "better separate at expiration of • 4 our partnership ter^i - Sebember 1st, 1868, after that I can handle y ur .funds to better advantage. Judge will give his attention to law. Anderson nominated for State Senator; Ross wanted it but found chances againr t him and would not permit his n^^e to go before convention. John C Ballard's son, Elias, young man of 10, is here seeking • clerkship, no opening offers yet. There is a good opening here for a surveyor. Davenp ort is about, c/osing up to give his entire attention to an Express Co. I need a yojing^ man In my office who understands surveying i f •/ ■ Father and Jim heve been hauling hay together- have filled yoiir^ stable. I ■ , . ■ Wilson »ant» H>«|loiary (Jp-lttee invited on next exourslon they want td to r-iv v iiif - - • , . Oliver Ames to Gen. l^odge, Kew YonH .15: , 3ii»ve no recent letters from you and have nothing to fix . Lj ' your locality, so to Omaha \o be forwarded to you. Duff Is now siok with typhoid fever of a laild type, but every B^dt-Of.tnis fever is bad. He feels anx ous r bout John and wknts to •■h.en from Mm end low,. Sl..whereabcuta.' The last letter we had from ' yon wee from Fort th®n said that the Indians hbld the country west of you, mnd I Inferred that you would not proce'ed Uhtil you were satisfied the country was clear. | August, 1867, .v'snr ,.»r I would like to have you make a report that I can present to the annual ra eting of the stockltolderg on the 2d day of Qctober; say, - report what amount of road haa-haen surveye^d and definitely located, and say generally what you think may be of interest to stockholders. The report may-be up to September 1st, : SBfBiQB Maxwell to Geo, Dodge, Fort Sanders,. .15, *By teles^®-?^) Change between eight (8), sixty (60) and ine(9) forty (40) per eighty (90) foot grade impracticable. Change between three (3) eighty (80) and seven(7) thirty (30) causes heavy work and poor alignajeWt'but no Fock cuttii^. , ,, I think t at Hurd will adopt the Evans line from eight (8) sixty (60) to three (3^ fifty (50); below that he took my changes; he chang ed the Evafti"line from eight (8) sixty.(60) to nine(9) forty (40) and his workUinnot be • Iwprove % b • ut it wfjl not suit an eighty (80) foot grade and is the eontrolling point on that divide-save work on all changes between eleven (11) and fifteen(15) hundred-from there across crow Creek length-ning line eighteen hundred (1800) feet, get an eighty ^ftO) foot grade-«n,d do not think that the work is increased, T^ill send maps and profiles as soon as possible and write in full, Oan. Dodge to JaaSS" A. Evans, F^jrt. Bridge r, l5i ^ •' rfWatweltf "80 ft, grade impracticable, O'Neil reports 80 ft.'grade and improvement on both old lines. *11U»»8' ori«lilllg 18 Md. What line 18 Hurd bulldinc I get righi jt- ■ ■■ '• August, 1867. r # * . « ides the lUld' to build on is your line as improved on east'side, and the new 80 ft, line on west side. See Reed, and'answer. ' . rrt « ■ Gen. Dodge to Lir. F. Hiird, Port B'ridger, 15: ' » ■ * - 'What line are you building on? llaxwell reports 80 ft grade on east side is impracticable, but change made in Evans line a's help- ? . . ing it. 0*Nell says new line on west side with 80 ft. grade is best line. How is it? Answer here. " ' Note:- To LIrs, Dodge from'her Sister'Minerva, ^Iklioi^nplS: '■ ' •Q S. B. Reed to Gen. Dodge, Sanders, 16? ^ Have you decided on line-over Bladfc Hills? .1 think 80 ft, grade impracticable. -(jo.- . i * James Evans to Geni Dodge (JdUk>ia, 16 fr.) If ei/^ty (80) is impracticable on east side, better take old line all way through improvingiit all we ban; this will be better for company. Reed is on way to Black Hills) will telegraph 0 Neil to see him; if'he'cant, telegra^^ UiiJ at Sanderwj re-send it to Carmiohae\. ( t: ■ ' 1 start for Ponnsylvanl on" Monday,'will return^ here assoon as * • possibl . Do you want Me to go to "NbW-York? o(e.. Gen. Dodge to S. B. RweKt 3ridger, 17: (-Peleia^) line from whai I can leam as bost is Evans* line as 'ohanged'to save work by Mzxwell and Hurd. They report 80 ft.grade impractliable on east aide of Black Hills; on west side the new.line Atlgust, 1867. of 0'Neil's they report "best, get one there anri can (Jivlde. better than I can.. . ■; j i Oliver Ames to Oen. Dadge, N. Easton, 18: . K Your favor dated North Fork Platte, Aug. 4th is received, ^e ha4, been-without advice from you since Jujly 27th from. Fort Sanders and begun to feel anxious about you. ^e are new very glad to hear . . that you are all rights Your letter from Fort Sanders said the Indians held the country west of you and we naturally felt anxious • .. . for your safety. . , . , ^ have beer^ a jlittle stirred up here about our matters and from the cause, af Burant, ,who can never be relied upon. iVe have felt a little anxioutS that things should run smoothly until the annual election, the 2nd ^f October, when we calculated to put enough reliable men in the Board of Directors to have things in the future run on correct ly , We had a special, meeting last week and gaveout a contract to my brother, Ur, Oakes to construct the road 667 miles beyond the y MOO meridianj this takes the road on 914 ailes beyond Omaha and accord- i ing to jmr last report within 110 miles of Salt Lrke: This dontract has ho proTision to favor Durant or any other Individual and, will be managed ver much as the rped construction is now being managed, only we hope -tp^^very year have additional economies carried into the - 0ori8tirtistion »od by better line and better management make'the road instiv^^ton. t We want, now that w« are In the mountains wfain) the besfShginee' ing talent le regulred, to bar* an abundance of the beat men to aid Aucust, 1867. * ♦ ' you in finding the best line shtat can be procured, and then the best men to see that the construction is properly done and honestly meas ured. • • « • I have not h^rd anything from Seinuour since I received your '-" J' ; letter of Ju"'y 2 th. I suppose he is looking over the line at his leisure, and if he can make impVovements enough on it to help pay his salary it will be the first useful thing he has done since my connGCtion with the road. Gen. Dodge to his wife. Fort Bridger, 18: ' ' ■ -fl I got twolttterz today, one aboUt little Annie's sickness and one enclosing' last sheet of George Bailey's. I feel very anxious ^ •ft ' about little Annie, and have telegraphed you twice but got no answer. You write short and very complaining; if you knew the amoxint of anxieSy ^ have and the desire to get back I think you would not com plain so much. I dont understand you you mean by strange stories ' ' I since you left. I suppose there are plenty who will do all they can to injure me, but no manVo holds my position is free from attacks op who is not,free from Jealousy, especially those wh^ fear my power, and who are mad because I am in the U.P.R.R. The Durant crowd will do all they can to injure me, but 1 care not. v Kow abput George. I think he is certainly aimisSfa irtxsrtlt m treatment of him. I left ail my private mattter^ With him; he Wmfi gone When,! laft, but Left a slip for him I had n<3 one in Omaha to attond ... .1.- ^ ^ If rV* ' lo to," ". A, it M 68l ^ ni i 'nipilpWip^pp^riiPT August, 1867. . , , • I t the lumber. I went to see Snyder about it myself. He agreed to melte a voucher and give Ur. House and Llr. House was there and agreed to attend to it. > ., r If Mr. House dees not attend properly to his duties there.is a 0 sure and quiet remedy and I shall apply it. He never said ne word to me m about George except in his presence and desired me to raise hi wages. I censured him for leeting George.overdraw his account so much and House said he could not live on his salary; however, when the master is away no one cal tell what is going on. . .. You write very short letters to.my very Ing ones and think I am loafing away my time; while here all are fighting me because I work day apd night gnd take no rest; so it goes; if you only all keep well I can s^apd it. . ►rr . > • If I get home in time I shall go to Kansas City to look st the ■j bridge building there, perhaps, to St..Charles and you will go also. As long as the cholera is prevalent down there I hope you will not go, but as soon as weather is cool and there is no danger you oan go; you are best judge of that# , . I am just leaving for a two days trip to St. Louis Gap trhough river and .the basin to look at my lines run there. Shall then push on to Salt Lake and then start East. Wrote «na and Lettie two days sgo. Oot Jules letter and yours up to August Mki *ts» the.girls and keep good heart and spirits. - ' August, 186V. ■ S. Seymour to Gen. Godge, Port Sanders, 19: 5e Arrived here on Saturday*and found no serious difficulty in passing through the country vfliich had neVer he fore." been crossed with v/agbns. r>t "I ■ijo ' G»of- •* • • I* , - r - _ Hy observations satisfied me thrt there is a route still north of Brown's line that is worth at least a careful examination. I do not think there is a good route north of the MedicIHS-Bow through the Rattlesnkae Hills, and think perhaps that the Medicine Bow Valley f • . k itself may be too expensive, although its grades must be far superior to any other. You will f nd a route, however, between the'Medicine Bow Canon and Brown's line' which to me looks very favorable, and the summit of the Rattlesnake Hills see' lober than Brown's Pass. If the valley in which we camped on our return-tripi After leaving the divide between the Platte and M'ddiclhe Bow valleys runs down to the Platte, so as to"" strike a wide, open plain'or Valley lahding from the Platte towards the Sweetwater'Mountains, ^ ' Semoho Gap -(in wich we also campod) I shaD.l think if'fe^v^y faVbl^Um route,-for the reason that I can see no serious diffiw'ltife& between that point and this place if the line is carried north df Coopei^s Lake and possi bly around the north bend of Rock C^ek'above its mouth. And I under stand there is no difficulty lb goiftg'westwrard fraa- Semino Gap to the :.t:t • 0 Southward, of titter Mountains. '* ^ 1 would not heatiate to make all the northing necessary to seciue August, 1867. a cheap line and low grades, also plenty? of water, evdn at the sacri fice of several miles in distance, as I take it forgranted that our company wish to build a road not onl:/ as cheaply as possible but one that can be operated as successfu.lly and economincally as the country will admit of. I trust that on your return trip you will explore this country through which we have just passed, and I have no doubt'that" yPTi will arrSrve at the same conclusions that I have. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen.- Bodge, Port Sanders, 19: TTe arrived here agSiin on Saturday afternoon, from the west. after a trip marked by no imusual occurrence, and without ertcountering any difficulty in passing through the country. Our.first.day's march from Camp Separation was down the valley to the spring we found on descending from Mount ftawllns. The next diay* we moved northward on the Pla ts road about 7 or 8 miles^and'th«n diverged eastward over .1 , 1 . - aaplain across two ridges into a wide, smooth valley running southeastwardly, apparently to the Platte . Xn this valley are niaaerous lakes, mostly of ,good water, but'some impregnated witH alkali. TJe encamped just east of the Ga^p, at an excellent spring with plenty of grass and remained there over Saunday not knowing how far eadt df us the. river was. On Monday we marched over an easy <mufttry inclining toward the river and struck the stream at 8 or 9 miles at thelmoathof Medicine Bow, found a good forda bout two miles above the mouth of Medicine Bow, passed over and moved along^the valley to near \ ¥ I . ..i. August, 186V, ^ - r the mouth af Modicine Bow .and encamped,spending ^ • .the -l : balance i of .J C- the• day in exj^loring. On Tuesday I directed the train to follow the divide between Platte and tiedicine Bow, while I took one company and rode over Medidine Bow northward about five miles to examine the country. Found north of .Medicine Bow broken and rough, and ascer tained the Platte did not deflect • to eastward . as . . . fannis supposed, tut flows almost due north from mouth Medicine Bow into the canon by which It,paasaa Black Hills, md that Kelloegs Creek which rises on south aide.of Black Hills flows south-westwardly, not into the Platte, - bat into Medicine BOW.about two miles above where the latter enters ■ ■ the-Platte. Pas,ina back again crcsalng Uediclne Bow acme 8 or 9 milei(|| ■ above its mouth .w.-nide the trail on the divide and found the train far ahe«i of «a having an excellent road. We overtook the train a little bsdtore SiWiSiovn, they having descended into the valley of a small stream (dry) westward into the Platte where they foudd an excellent sring- .md some grass. Our march this day is estimated at ^ sr, Qd 86 miles hut without water. The latitude of this" eamp Is 41° 52" mom. -three or four miles north of Brown's Pass. tednaaday w, started due saat up the valley over the sumr,.lt and down a ravine toward.,„lIEdioine Bo i whioh ended in two laked of good water. Between this st-mlt and th.se lakes we found wagon trails and a stake Showing that your enginesr. had been continued on nearly due oast over country, h"avln8 a valley on Our left whicl^ August, 1867. • ' « can be followed to Lledic "ne Bow. After getting well away from the hills we bore off to f^ur right rather more than I designed and struck our-westward trail about 5 ot 6 miles fro;.-i our old camp on Medicine rP' Bow. This we followed for some time and then bore off to the left and encainped, oti Medicine- Bow a few miles below our camp when going west. The next day w'e bore" off more to the northward and made Rock Creek o"ver ' a good road with several lakes of fresh water. Friday we marched from Rock Creek north of Cooper's Lake over an excellent country to Laraiuie • " 'about ohe tftll'e lidthaw-'function'of Little Laramie, and Saturday arrived « here, '^'s stated beforo'. ^ The entire trip-iras very satisfactory to me and has given me, 1 think, a good view of.the country within the limits of which you ' will locate your road.- ¥y impressions are first that you will not find a go6d route north of Medicine Bow. and.-probably not by" following that stream to Its m-«>itth» Second, that ycu will find « goOB p3 p.^SlnZ north of Cooper's Lake, following In or near lha wallay of. Hook Creek to^ Its mouth, down liedlcine Bow 6 or 8 -lies north, and then up the valley we descended fr from the silmmlt piWiife the lakes befove desorihed, crossing Rattlesnak Hills 3 o 4»iles north of Brown's Pass, down,the Ta}.ley on which we encamped (Uarthats Creek) to the Platte and thenca westward by the wide valley and like. W p*»k»« of cont*l.ri©n• S ji '» *1 iSfufoi iinKro i T inttttt 1,0 'l^ilj-rwoesS • i V August, 1867. The most difficult part of this line will be in getting from Medicine Bow to su;.imit of Rattlesnake Hills, but I think careful examination will result favorably. By this line I think you will reach the North Plntte without encoiintering southerly branch of Rattle snake Hills and thus probably avoid canons and heavy wofck, and I tnink the summit of the northerly branch of these hills will not have an elevation exceeding YoOO ft. and probably less, some lOOtbo 150 ft. lowO er than Brown's Pass, I have thus, as you desired when we parted, given you a pretty full account iDf the country through which .we i»»sed.. 'If , you will ' permit, I suggest that you should have' surveys made to fully develop 0 the country as'fir north as Medicine Bow valley,and-espeoially along the route last Indicated ShBve, throuih the.divide of the continent. This line will'he a little longer than your present one, but I thinh ' will be so'mich mOre easily wbK^wJ when pompleted. as to be commercial- ' ■ ly much more valuable. 1 wish, for Uie. e^e of your professional ' 'reputation, that you should know you have occupied the best ground the country afior*d8, ' ;c • • » .. moith of Medlcin; -katUHdv^?" 3'. -uth Rock Creek about M'. I will send yuu ai my dateminatl,n^of latitude and longitude When worked ^t at '" ■ " Morth anii «ou1».-*.f Mwdlttlne Bow there is an abundance of coal. I found a good vein Just befors we d.econded f™m the divide into the^ valley of Martha'. Creek we.t of .r»ait on Prleday evening, which wa. August, 18G7. . , f . . 7 feet thick of godd bituminous coal, ef which I have specimens» . We start eastward tomorrov.- raornin^, and I expect to finish up and reach Omaha by the 31st. I find that ^ambert is at Cheyenne without a party, and ^axwell is here with a party but without an escort. He has agreed to^accompany me to make.surveys between Evans Pass and Cheyenne. VJH saw some Buffalo, plenty of Elk and any quantity of Anteldpe, My health is good and the-command apparently in good spir its, • ■' : ■ - Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New york,t81; - lo hiMtor . I" f- . ' . . Wo have a telegram from Seyrmour today saying th'atithe grade on eastern aloe has so much work dohe on it that he does not think that any change is practicdble'to redudo it. t have telegraphed him today that he may examine*thd western slope and leave his report at Port Sanders for your examination when you return. I hope amongst you all that scsnetiiing first rate will be adored. Dillon is sick out at Morristown and I shall' go out there this evening to see hhu, Bushnell has had an intermittent tever sin^e his return and la now confined to his bed but will be out shortly. Duff still confined to his bed. S'eward Q. Payne to Gen. Dodge, Grinnell, IbWa, Sis - . . report of the' 4th Iowa Infantry, after the battle of Pea Ridge 1 was wotmded at that battle in the head, was afterwards transferred to the Invalid Corps and in 1864 promoted tC Lieutenant In V, V.C, and in 1865 was mustered August., 1867 • out, T ■ ■if'- !• ,- r0tr ' trrt luf'i 7 . .K ^"Oliver Ames^tb Gen. Dodge, New York 22: (Telegram) .T' , t' - Seymdur favors your eestern slope*' • Will examine western and report to you and iDoard* * ,« ""Jesse L. Will lam S'>to Gen. Dodge, West Chester, Pa, 23: to ! TGiile resting at a frieijds house 1-2 a day I will write you, -• 'Havb been in!New York 10.bays. Saw kr* Huntihgton yesterday. In his mind their general route from the west seems to be settled. They.will run north of Salt Lake,^not crossing tbe^narrow point hut.Keeping entirely on north aide and. thence to the mouth of the Weber. He has no i^ea of going up Bear River. His engineers have run up Weber Canon| and ho thiwks it not very difficult, probably requiring no grade over 90 ft. I wish I could be there with you. ^ Saturday your dispatch from Fort Bridger was received by kr. Ames. I am glad you are getting along so well, hope your helath is improving. Ool. Seymour was, ab- ^ort Sanders on the 20th but we do "•*: ixfrti; hear frow»k.r.. Dlckensderfer, • ' .I cou^. not vote in the new board for the new contract. Price very hi^h, #80 to 196,000 per mile west of Crow Creek, not including the Wahsatch Range» but etopplng just east of it. fhls heavy work ghould with the light or'else the first contract stopped at wXJtMMiw Kiver. There are other objectionable provisions but I preAlMM# COpffwy will at, the proper time build thrbugh the itahsatch ^ i.v^ J#I3W rr, , .v. . «i. i . %ufi oJ "htj 1867 Range. > , . .. . -v. ... On your way back I think it would be well to note particularly r ■ - which of the bridge foundations should go in this fall, so that the t • • - - work may not be hindrered by higti water, particularly at Lararaie, Medicine Bow, &c. , I think it ma not,banecessary to lay the track over any of the t - heavy cuts or fills at the Black Hil 1 Range with temporary track. Examine and see if by putting on force in time you cannot take out the cuts so as pot to delay the track materially. This runnmgg over the cuts so as not to delay the track materially. This running over work with a promi'-e to cut down^in a year or two is a great cheat on many rofids. The cutting down is often not done for many years and the norjt is xliscretiable to all concerned. The bridge crossing remains unsettled and no doubt will until you return. I read to the hoard a preliminary report,*giving estimates of the three crossings with iron bridge at each. If I had a clerk here I k. I would send you a copy of results. I may say the difference between all thB e crossings is leas than I had supposed. I embrace the idea » of cutting down and filling up to 30 ft. grade in all the lines.. I made a suggestion in regard to starting point A. I think it ought to bQ pieced about a mile farther north bringing it in line of the bridge 'if South Oa&ha is adopted) avoiding the cnwe On the high tMStle and shortening the connection with the North-western one mile and with the Rock Island ft St. Joe slightly. I do not think the August, 1867, company would make any great sum out of their quarter section in section 2. As tn section 3, it has no value in either case except for cut lots. But I will talk wit-"! you -bout this, LIr, Dillon, who was there though the company's ground ought not to be much regarded. The board desire me to continue my investigations. I hope to go out in October and examine at low w'e^ter, taking Kansas City and Quincy 4 . . •• fin my wqy. I go to Havre de Grace tomorrow to examine bridge. • There is one fact about the l^iosourl soundings that had not oc- ■ " f-,- curred to me. The channel deepens in high water and fills up in low water, so that soundings taken on the ice are not conclusive as to the . .. X ' ' depths in high water. Llr. Chanutes' soundings at KansasCity show a difference of 5 to 18 ft. between February and May. At St. Louis t^ie river deepens 18 ft. Wien we get our pier in it will scour quite r. •) . '-a.. ■ .•, *#» I.., - .j-r ^ •" djeepbetween them. ^ ^ « '£oo: ■ tf . ' " > tae-t I . . ^ . I expect to be at home in 10 deys. (fwi Mrs. Dodge io the General, Council Bluffs, 25: I received a telegram Monday from Fort Bridger. You'did not .ay whwe to, satid I'ettara after le-ving there. You *111 Wv^ry slow If you f'Jay there a week in getting to Salt Lake. you wont have much time if you dont return here till October. Congress meetfi In November and I suppose you want to go to New York first. . . We.are suffering here from dry weather and unless it reins soon eota.and potatoes are gone up, we shall lose bur crop with the reCt * ■ » ' ■ "-r-J rttJtm t. Auf^ust, 1867. .. . ... » iinless ifc^rains. Minerva is in from Flkhorn; returns tomorrow. House . sen' nut and got the mules just as they commenced harvestinn;, so that horses have, to do all the work. T want to go down to Kansas City in about a weekj if the weather is not too warm. Am- not well, but hope to be soon. Hope you will * hurry back, I fear your stores will not be finished this fall; they proceed very slowly. Dont put your money in the mill. Have no,t had a letter of date later than August 6th. How shall you return? Have you plenty 43f escort? . ► Gen. Dodge to Oliver Ames, Fort Bridger, 27; Tha- ^0 ft. grade on Black Hills reported impracticable by the engineers aijd by Mr, Reed. I have instructed llr. Reed to build '6n Fvans line as changed by me to run west. ^ 1 see no necessity of an- further surveys in the Black Hills. Seymour hAs taken back Maxwell's party that was on way west to com mence location, i need th't pa-ty badly west of us. Wish you would teleeraph that .ork cannot be delayed for any more enrveys. ' ' 01lv<Bv ktaim t^o Gon. Dodge, New York, 28: ' 1 haae n telegra. from Ur. Seymour today sayi - that he add Blickensderfer have Texaainad eastern slope of Black Hills and find that it will cost by a slight variation of line $120,000 less on an 80 ft. maximum grade than it will co-t on present line, and I have . - • ' ■■ August, 1067. advised him that the chartge would be'iccepte'^' ir - as a favorable as re ported.' He also thinks the western slope may be improved and we have authorized him to make these examinations and report. *** . If he shall be able to present to us a ver^" much more favorable line, then our duty to our stockhblders and the-public aJfld -to bur reputation as engineers will force us to accept it, I hope your labors at Salt Lake will not be'^long, and that you will take good care of yourself and not overdo and break down your health - ' ■ Geo. C.Tichndr to Gen. Bod^e, ^es Uolnes, SB:— '-t It has been a very long time since I heard froBLfyo^. I pre sume you have a thousand thlngS to eneage your time" and attent on, K more Inportant than ;.ere letters of friendship, and while I would not seek to engage your attention to your annoyance, 1 beg te assure you J,hat an occasional letter from you, to who.r, I am so gre»t,ly indebted 'and to whom I am so durably aUcohea, would be most agreeable to methough more .0 Since so msr.y nueitione are askad m, dally regarding your health, whereabouts, *o. «.c.' "ou hava vSry.many warm friends all about here who feel a very great merest W you and-whose solicitude has heen awakened in behalf of youf"health.' 1 trust you will not forget those good friends amongst whbm -1 ^leg yen' flo class me. The late gwrrilla raid of the rreelhent afsn loyalty, in the remowl of stanton, Sheridan ani Sickiee, 1. generally regarded as tba "UBt hair whlbh ia to break the CWtlW »«ek", the general ( August, 1867 feeling now being that he must be impeached. Ll^^ny who have hitherto tT;, ; : • • -f, opposed it now favor it, and I am now clearly of the opinion thftt the sentiment of the next session will be much strengthened in that direction;indeed, I doubt not the pressure of public sentiment will necessitate his arraignment as amongst the first acts of the next I ■ * Session. Oen. Grant^s late action has removed all doubts in the minds of Republicans and has rendered his nomination for President a fixed and irrevocable fact. All that he lias to do Is to remairi' fixed • • and fim in the line of conduct his late action indicates, and the great voice of the loyalists of the l^d," radical or moderate, will proclaim him Presi'ent, while history will declare him the second Washington; yea! a greater than he. You were doubtless astonished to hear that. Kasson is nominated in this County as one of our candidates fo^ the'Legislature. When I see you 1 will give you an account of the mhnner in which it was done ana the'reasons for doing it. You can rest assured, however, that to ' . i I him it is no vi'^tory; it will prove the lost stroke of final and etemsl defeat suid political ruin to him and his friends. His envies nominated him, that is, they duped his friends into doing it. I have just arranged a list t>f'appointments fbr Frank PaLner to speak in nearly every county in the district. Withrow will also make a number pf speeches, and efforts are being made to haveCrimes, Jim Wilson and Harlan makes speeches at the Bluffs ant Other good points • , Jin j . , • ' ■ ' f* j . f ^ t \ i:/"* August > 1867. •- •' ■ • ,* " , -f ♦ • ■ "■"■; : in the district. T'* had a bloody fi^t in our county convent ion j as a • ♦ t ■ ' ' , ■ delegate myself I never fought so hard. Although Goodrell was beaten for treasurer ve nominated "'^odge men" for every office as vrell as ■ ' ■ ' ' • (Capt. Rapry Griffith) chairman of the County Committee. Severanl gentlemen here, of capital, are anxious to learn some- * « thing bbout that aabrpo City-Cheyenno, at the base of the mountains. If you can give me, hourself, or through some one else reliable information regarding its present.status and future prospects, please do so. The C. R. I A: P. P. R. is completed within four miles of our plac and the trains will run here regularly by the 5th of next month, which ' - M you are aware is a consummation we have long prayed for. ^ You haye doubtless heard of the death of Llrs. Spencer, as occur- ' * ' ♦ ' , *4 . ' ring at Tuscaloosa, Ala, a few weeks since. I get letters from Spencer regularj-y. He seems much cut down and grieved. He tells me that hi-s office (^g^ster of Bankruptcy) will pay $20,000 this year. ,, ; Barns'8 lroo,;|.en factory investment has proven a failure. He writes mi that he has lost every dollar Is had, and is now penniless and out of employment. He wanted me to say to you that he would like a ' • situation on t»i« r.P.R.R. Jf you can give him a conductor situation or something of■ the kind, please do so. • • , I am getting along very well, and all haAds seem pleased with my admin-tratlon of the Post office. Frank'Palmer wants to k'ow Whether that o.detshlp Is still vaeant. We have an eicallent < '' ; ' J., .»r>iv%.i f : v Ir< '. ' * '•' August, 18G7. . i-, \ , . 1 •'" 'v'"i condidute for it now.. Please, write me about it at qnce^ r LI. F. Hurd to Gen. Dodge, Fort Sanders, 29: (Telegram) .Cant get any grades he,re from suamit west; parties are -^t Dale Cfeek waiting for work. * ' ' * , Gen. DO'^ge to. his wife, Salt Lake City, 30:- .) i a..;. . , I arrived here Tv>es.dpy, Am refitting trains and stock which I hope will be finished tomorrow so that I can start back Uondgy. I expect to reach Fort Sanders in 30 or 40 days; am going over rou^ « . country and shall not be, able. to communicate with you until I arrive there, , i . . ^ •• . I got your•telegram that you were going to Kansas City; hope weather is getting cooler ao you y.ill. have a pleasant trip. THien one strk^s this valley and city after being two months in a wilderness, * * it strikes him forcibly. Its wheat and oat fields that cover every available corner of land; its gardens and orchards, its fine fruits and wines are all very »lcej.,bui when o^rco?ues in contact with its people and realizes how much oimre <the same labor would bring in any country, he cannot see anything that would induce him to settle here. As I look at the systswm here I cannort see how any intelligent, upright prsdn cEwi for one mtator* ogee any^thing but vhat is disgusting and abhorent I hiave seen Brlgham, hl« wives and children, and all the dignita- • • rles, but as yet I have not seen a woman suited but all appear to desire and wish that polygamy was a relic of tha. .past, an^ it must soon fall. August, 1807. ' * "■ .1 . . I stay camped 'at Camp Douglas three mil'es from the city. The gentiles mostly call on" us, though the momons give' us 'great attention. Brighaia Young was r t" the head and was very talkative. His wife, Amelia Folsom, of the Bluffs, that was,* was with him. She has how a fival, I "beDieve, or Is to have. "The'temple, tabemacl,'e Brigham's houses and gardens, the City Hall, State House, &c. are all fine build ings. The theatre is the best I have seen west of Chicago, better than Debars at St, Louis and about the size of W ailacks, New York. It has the finest scenery, appointments, &c.that I have seen; equals any New York. Couldock and his daughter are starring it now and the stock company of native talen is excellent. I have been twice; seen him'as lago and as thb Advocate in the Lost Cause* Everybody goes to theatre, men, women and children* All trade here i^ barter, swap, no money* Saw whole settlements with*not a hundred dollArs in i"'.* They'go'to \he theatre and pay in wheat; to church and pay iTi onions, &c. The numbeT of children is a^tondshing; it beats All I ever ' saw. I stood on corntr of one block and counted 72, all belonging to tha block. ' ' ' . tlrrf, chotlain, Lirs. fr^cy and sevei41 of the gentile ladies have been very attentive; send us fruit, get up parties nightly, andmlrs. Chetlain and Oerf, C. desire eepeclftlly to be remembered to you. Mrs. C. goes East this faff they Will never get her back hero; is very bitter on the I hope to see you before long; the days and nights begin to grag. \ 'M. ' ■ ■ ' August, 1867. ^ . Time goes fast as-Jt'ha-''e so much to do. I got a long letter fromNate ,a bout matters. JEverything goes jright except my lumber. House says that' Snyder would not receive it as it was badly sawed and rotten. I have written him. iiatters East in my department goes from bad to worse and keep me In hot water all .the time. Evans being gone, Hill and Brown killed, it p\its me to my trumps to keep things moving. I am glad you get along so well at home., garden and trees. iVe will have to leave for Wg^shington about November 15th as Congress sets ' Stovember 21st, and 3rou want to prepare; make up your mind what shall - Jbe done with house, horses, carriages, &;c. I think I shall sell off most of the stock this fall. I wrote « you that Bailey could sell to build barn with. If he has good luck he oufi^t to mak some money this season, Nate says he has $10,000 in 'bank now of adne and there must be 8 more in Omaha, St. Louis and New Yor, or coming in. , ^ I am glad Bal^iin did not take me in on my proposition, as the wheat and flour trade will be precarious this season. Shall put money into sdme^hing that will pay when I return. I am certain now that Dr. Robttlns can do well with us if he is not doing well at Kansas I City and while we are at Washington he can have oxir house, if he w&rts it", however, they know beat wh-1 to do. shall hava •<> short a time at home before we leave for Washing ton tWat I want to gilt mgr things in, shape. Kim 1 would like to keep, to look after our houaa, horses and f^rden and haul wood, &c.and I AiJgust, 1867. , . /' suppose you ' ill take one of. the girls on to Washington. George is the best, neatest and quickest boy I ever ha^i. -I meant to set out some small fuirt trees iftiis fall and will do it yet if n©t too late rhen i return. ••• ■ ^ Write me to -Fort- Sanders. Kiss the girls', the baby and let me kncrw how you get along. ' Do you' get rll my letteT^ now? Remember me to* the folks at Kansas City- Dr. Lettie and^'children.. n T ■ S. SeymcAir*^ th Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, "M; *. ' Have received orders from President Ames ,tb. adopt 80- foot maximum grade on eastern'slope of mrcktf ills, and to examina and j:>eport ori western slope. I desire your co-operation in thi's matter |and as haste is important* mxist have maps and profiles of preaent line to work'from on both slopes, also Uaxweil's party during time necessary, so that work wi'll not'lse delayed and facilitate maps and profiles for Blickensderfer. Please telegraph necessar- authority and instruct ons "immeiiately. Blickensderfer makes 22 feet dffference in levels from summit to Crow Creek. jess.-^ L. Williams to Gen.'-ffSdge, Fort I'ayde, 3lt iVrote you whild East two istt'-rs-to Salt I^ke and to Fort , .'O-* ;,'C r<ff ■ „ ,, . Bridger. The everlastlnfe briige qfieitKn U ■still m-eltled. The report "«.lch 1 read to the board «a« uflfcVetood t'- be preliminary, awaiting further look at river Vt low and hl,o the euo(W»f at Rnnoas Argiist, 1867, City, Llr, Chanute writes iliie that they hope to get all foundations in this fall. He has a boat and fixtures/ and sounds tbe depth of the water aJTtSr every little rise, and finds deep s-curing which is rather unfavorable, especially for* the Omaha site. The July flood washed away the aahd bar just wM^e one of his piers vidre to stand, 30 ft. deep " This freqrent sounding in the summer we have rather neglected. Kr. Rouse has sounded once at the Omaha side at the Li. & LI. Crossing, and found some changes from last winter but nbt Very great. I wish we had SOuh'dlft'^ in liAy after the^bi^ flood. Llr* Ames says he will go out with me In October. 1 will then ask you to put oh a party for two or three weeks or so to make r ' additional and aoareful surveys at certain points, fhe exact location of the li. crossing should be made, sites of lines exactly fixed, ».' • - I f* '- ^0, The exact location should be made through South Omaha so as to" get the rif^t of way and the feasibility and codt af cutting -^town 1 the summit hereafter^ with the grades I propose (different from Evans) tested. Then at Child's crossing, I should like to have the curves run through *the ridge and the cost of an ^00 ft. tunnel estimated. I made this deep cut from the profile much more favorable than you T * did, but I m8^ be in error. I mention these surveys now knowing » that you may be scarce of engineers. Perhaps lir. House or Evans could 7 do it or some new man the board may be sending out. ' There iS another reason far surveys- it ^ill help get the rlglit of i^dy. Eor this August, 1867. . ;■■ ■' , ' • A purpose too, everyth;ng should be kept indefinite until the right of way is obtained on both lines, , ' . ' ; ' To enable you to make proper fiqal locations from Black Hills to Salt Lake, you must have two or three additional engineers more expereinced^ in hilly location and construct ann than- those you havej '^i^^hout^ th-tS, no chief engineer coi^ld be expected to take the responsi bility-seeing the line as he can, but once or twice a year. You ought to have two $5000 engineers. I have stated to the committee earnestly that they should be willin- to spend $20,000 in additional salaries for the purpose. They seen »illing but dont know where to find them. I esteem Evans very highly for the work he has been dging for three years past. He is a man of good alignments, but probat-ly has not ' ne mijch at definite location and construction; however, I may be • - - « . , mistaken. Evans in the future might answer very well for one. The selection is wit^ you. Advise me ,at what time you will return. Grant's lettei^ to Johnson and other issues will make him the Union nominae-and. aXoct him. T t j'.'i: sso • . Gen. Dodge to Col. S, Seymour , Salt Lake, Sept. 1. f 4 1 have no maps or profiles with me of Black Hills; they ' ' • L, . must be at Sanders or Omaha, Maxwell's party must move west. Lam- ' ' ■ ^ " .-'A . : ■ . ' . bart's iaPty can.Jae used for Black Hills surveys. Judge *,.-A. Carter to Gen. Dodge, Fort Bridger, Sept. 1; ■ - !>«||, ■ , Your favor enctosing pass 6ver the TT.P.R.R.for myself and • < > 1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - August 1867 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 August 1867 For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/f5acdd14ccf23c59eaea7ab027645557.pdf 00c974b399a36455494aa575ea95852c PDF Text Text August, 1867. .V .T ■ pu-pose too, everything should be kept indefinite until the right of way is obtained nn both lines, ; - ■ - • . ; ^ ' . . . To enable you to make proper fir^al locations from Black Hills to Salt Lake, you must have two or three additional engineers more expereinced in hilly location and construct dan than- those you have; without this, no chief engineer coi:\;|.d be expected to take the responsi bility-seeing the line as he can, but once or twice a year. You ought to have two $5000 engineers. I have stated to the committee earnestly that they should be willin- to spend $20,000 in additional salaries for the purpose. They seem »illing but dont know where to find them. I esteem Evans very highly for the work he has been dping for three years past. He is a man of good alignments, but probably has not ' qe mi^ch at definite location and construction; however, I may be mistaken, Evans in the future might answer very well for one. The ... - ■ ■■ . > selection is with you. Advise me .at what time you will return. Grant's letter to Johnson and other issu'-s will make him the V . « T • r ■ k * Union, nominee-and elect him. ^ ,1 . , ,Oen. Dodge to Col. S, Seymour , Salt Lake, Sept. 1. I have no maps or profiles with me of Black Hills; they must be at Sanders or Omaha. Maxwell's party must move west. Lam- ' . . . .. . . ,,i ^ . . : • - . • hart's party oan^Jse used for Bi.ack Hills surveys. Judge "'.-A. (Spl^er to Gen. Dodge, Fort Bridger, Sept. 1: • »-'■ . i Your favpr f^losing pass over the TT.P.R.B.for myself and AxJgust, 1867. . ^ wife, Is at hand for which please accept our sincere thanks. I am glad to learn that you are enjoying your trip to the city so much. You did not say how Gen. Rawlins was getting along, but I hope his health is improving. Col. Mills with his command leaves Londay. ' I will send by him some Beaver,skins for you and Gen. R. They are not a first rate lot but the best I have on hand. Please tell Mr. Duff that we had no hair lariats on hand , and that I hired a Mexican to. make scme for him. They will not be dene in time to send by Col", ' Mills, but I will arrange to get them to hiij before he gets out of the country. I - ' • . ^ ^ ' Te are getting most encouragihg news from the Sweet Water mines. A considerable party reached he^e today-for supplies and lumber for: making flumes, Mr. Eddy writes that rich placer dlggins have been discovered and that a party of old miners has been organized with capital of ^6000 to bring a difcch into the mines, a distappe pf 15 miles. . ' A large quantity of Ittt&ber will be required there, and I may have to send my steam mill down or order out another from the states at once. This woul'd be k go6d organization for our project, but I fear ' r-vr, • your faith is weak, and that you consider iie rather whimsical in my actions-bxit time will soeui show that I am ri£d»^» ^ want you. Gen-, Rawlins and Gen. Billy Myers to have an interest in the Pioneer Coal I Oil Spring if yo^i think it will be of any value. Have written to Gen. September, 1867, B'lly to. send me 160 acres Dakota Sioux script today on it. We. will get up the stile in a week or ten days'. I will then go to work, put ting up stpne buildings upon it, . ' • • You.must let. me Jcpow as soon as.possiblr whether the ^,Road will run up Hains.Fork and by Soda Springs, up Muddy and south of Quaking ^spon or up the canon by our Oil Spring, and give me any other information that mi^t be mutually interesting, I cannot give-upthe Itober project as I consider it perfectly feasible and frought with "big money," £et me know wheteher I can get tie contract, and speak favor able word for me, , I wish sincerelypyou could have remained with us longer, and trust in passing you,,(H!n, R,-and all your party will make our house ~ yoiirt'homa*"and that you will give all your friends letters to us and it #111 lil#ayB afford us pleasure to serve the , y/ith wamest regards to Gen, R., Col- Mi?;ner, Maj. Dunn ajj^rall the party from myself and wife, ^ . I will expect to hsSLf from you before you leave the conntry, relative to the track of the rpad* , P,K. Coonor to Gen. ®odge, Stocton, Gal, 1; ^ ; r am in receipt of kind letter of July 28th, and am pleased to -hefiir *you. are progreeelng so finely with ^^.R. It will have a great influence'^Ti settling the .pormon question, but it will not do it 'tmalded by Government'lnte»f®'^'®nce, , . It eeems to m, at this distance, that the Indian war on the plaiW September, 1867, instead of being checked by the troops is intensified by their pres ence. If we had had one fourth of the backing and support that the present commanders have, there would be Indian war now, and the Gov ernment would save millions. I would cheerfully go to the plains again if the Government would give me authority to raise four regiments of voltinteers, and give me a roving commission for one year. If at the end of that time I did not settle the Indian question I would- bewilling to^ forfeit my reputa tion, . • j If I possibly can I will visit Washington this winter, when I hope to see you if fl) do. I thank you sincerely- for your recommenda tion to Rawlina, and for so many kind acts in the past. Remepiber me kindly to Mrs. D, Note;- To Mrs. Dodge from her niece Stella, Elkhorn, , ', ' Gsn. Dodgs to S, B. Reed, Salt Lake. City, 1:- - . , - What line are yr-u building on, on east slope of Black Hills? Have, you received any orders to build an SO ft. maximtmx grade? V S. B. Reed tO'-Gen. Dodfep, Julesburg, 1:0 (Telegram) House cannot Hake head or tail to O-'Neil's change; could not find notes at Sanders. .Col. Seymour is working in Black Hills. I have a' large force on grading there, < S. B. Reed to Gen. Dodge, Julesburg, 2:- (Telegram) ^ Same as copied before. 5 "^*' , o , ' * ( September, 1867. * Gen. Dodge tn his wife. Salt Lake, 3''' • f-v/»e;^hi '■! Tomorrow*SSorriiirtg I start out on my retnf^' trip, I *may *h'aVe a chance to v;rite you'from the South Pass-by some of the miners in that region. Should, I not, you will hear from me next from Sanders. I have with me as ea<K)rt two largS companies, one of cavalry, one of ■ infantry j»nd 2ob strong. '■ I have* to^ leave hfere in a -hurry without being- as well sho-i up as I wanted to."" This^ crossing mo Witalns is terrible on thu horses and mules shoes and feet, I can see nothing here that would induce me to live here; The doctrines openly'preadheil li%%'e''«i4*"Outrageous. I did not get to'hear Brigham, but -Sunday most of bul- party df , and he preac^ had on duty*of men marryingf says that "He wanted everyone to under stand that he did not marry hie wiv6s for love or lust, but because it wad commarded by Godrthat it should he done, 'that, they all, young and old should be made'motherir'in Isreel*" and wound up by saying" if the young men did not marry the girla, he and the old meri would." As to polygamy th^'^wo^m^'cbald not eruah it out or stop it, God only could and' tfien by 8 i-evelatlon," add. urged all to. take one, two threfe'ur' a dozen wives -b'they wanted. You see he begins to squint at latlon doing'4*%^ with that crime. . - ^ The amount of work that has been done here is Down 300 miles fhora ftis^re" whe*^^therei va ha'rdly. greau- for a grasshopper to live on, they are raising cotton; get three .or rfpur hupadred poun^ to ^ the care. Every womsn and oHlld works; either at the ginning wheel, September, 1867. " 5 rr loom or in the field, end if woman is made for the lif e tljey-. lead here, certainly the Lord's hand lays heavily on them. They are bear- » • ing a cross for their views that is beyond anything I exer expected to see. The on}y,amugTOent they have is the theatre and"a].l go,, young and old, big and small, babies gmd all. .. . I: .■ ^ hope ne^t year t o bring you out into this cotmtry. The scenery is magnificent, '^.o springs, the finest I ever saw, sulphur, soda,, iron; hot, warm and cold, and some of the;, -so strong one cannot hold his hand over the.1. Salt Lake is a-bqaut.iful sheet ^of water, but its shor s are very hard to get to and the lake isr ahallow; one twentyfifty of it ls salt, I have had no time to go-to it or go into it, but those that have say one cannot sink in it. prom here 200 Biles west country-is little more than.desert with isolated mountains rising out of it- then you strike a country , that is being prospected for mines; Nevada comes next and lastly , Caltifomia, I 3aw sons ateroscopic views of the o.p.n.r. that are beautiful* I "hBire sent to California for them and hope we will get . ' • . • ' _ - _ • I f '.L * I ho« your visit to Kansas City will prove profitable to your health,! Will send thl,s to the Bluffs and let it be forwarded from there I wrote the last letter to^Kansas City. I h^P® hear from you at Port ' Sanders, love to al^j kira,the baby. I will now'soon be with you have got.700 miles %9 fort Sanders. I go north 150 miles to Soda "eptember, 1867. • ' Springs on Bear River thence east to South Pass, thence north-scutoast to Uedicine Bow River, thence due easl to Fort Sanders, and mean to travel 25 miles a day if stock will stand it. Notes:- Gen. Dodge's RSminisceneces of Brigh^i^ fToung, Note:- Reminiscences of the Indians. Salt Lake City, Sept. 3, 1867. idy dear Lettle and Ella:-1 Tomorrow, a'fter all my mtileS are shod and all my wagons«repaired, I start home, going through a wild, mo" ntainous coun try hardly ever trod by white man, and you"will'not'hear from me until four weeks or more. Seven hiindred miles of-fcarohing arid then I shall ^ reach Fort Sanders. You could hardly believe that here in this mountain basin is a \ city as large 8ts Council Bruffs and ^Omaha put together; streets lined with fine shade trees, a mountain stTOam poUri'ri'fWfown the side of each ^ street. Tfth* a*ir the tr®erf-'ls the loaidsdi-w ith apples, pears, peaches, plums, grapes 'dril appricota all ripe, and pa's tant: Ua* been well supplied all the time. This is all that there is inviting here. Tfhen I see so many children running rround the streeta being bfcought up in the misery and crime that Vftey are! here, T am glad that toy children are not doomed to siich teachings. i You hare all heard of'Great Salt Lake, and Great Salt Lake City; both from my camp are in fullvview; one embowered intrees, the other a vast eapame of water looking like the ocean, salt, do^tted here and ' Septeu'iber, 1G67. .""'. OT " •there with beautiful islands. Oae drawback it has--its shores are muddy and marshy so that the beach is n6t> except at one or two places, approachable. Tt has nono of the beauties of■cur Eastern Lakes, though the water is twice, yesj three times as salt, and wljat is most wonderful all the mountain streams that come pouring down into it are from fresh water; so soBlewhere in it must be immense beds or springs of salt. I have been in camp since'I have been here, three miles from the cit-" and getting ready to return apd very busy, so much so have hardly had time to see the sights. I send you a photograph of all our party, that ia, that are with, me; then I have one company of cavalyry^and one company of Infantryj 200 in all» as escort to keep off the. Indians^^y^ The pon'" 1-s fi ine the black mare •as fat and plump as when she left. Raaraaber me „to all .the cousj^a; kiss iH©..and grandma for me- .fte good girls. La 8aid.,eh8 enclosed ,5^ programme of your concert, b ut I did notijget it, - : n " t i.'c Truly, your father. 0. M. Dodge. r Oliver Ames tO jOen. Dodi^e,. .11, Easton 3: Ypur favor of August I7th from Fort Br dger is received, and ■J ^0 . . > . . . • awe pleased with your sviccess in locating route on so excele llri® Sinoe date of your letter we have had a letter from Seymour sfaUng ar^ Rlickensderfer had run the western slope of Black Hllla and had, foja}d_,a„line that, could bo built on an So ft. grade with |120#000 loss money to the sutm^it, with a practice"'ly gcod ■y-fff September, 1867. r r ■ alignment anrl. with no heavy cuts to retard the work; and bringing the heavy grad farther east sp the base of th6 Rocky Llountains will be fixed three.miles farther east. This will be certainly the most ■ desirable route, and if so, should be adopted. , ^ Our grading here is going along well but weld go much better if Reed was r^n active, energetic man; but now we are constantly having delays for want of system and application to duty on his par+. It will not do for us to keep him another season. V.'e had a letter yesterday from Caseraent saying-the graders were idle for want of loca tion, rnd that Reed was off at Chicago to purchase some lumber that Miner could have done better on order from Reed« Trie fact about Reed is he prefers doing any thing but his duty. I presume you #111 find ^ the line he has rtm"anything but well done. He has probably run over the c6untf7 and made up his report more by guess from a birds-eye View of the country than from any actual levels and critical exaninations of the country, ' « . I have had a Mr. Kidder to go out on the line of the road, who trecommended as a first class engineer, and will report for duty i i about two weeks, Mr, Carter has known him fav-^rably, I hrve an application from Mr. H. f. Armstrong, of Erie, p., who hag held prominent positions f on several roads, desiring to take charge of a survey party, I hope |,p be able to get some men that will be first class on the oaad wh^n you leave for Congress, which will soon be, and you, for at least 6 or September, 1867. . . . *• ■ 8 months, will have-to be away and to trust to reports and if we do not have active, working, reliable men these reports' cannot be trusted. I hope you will be able to get a good line to Salt Lake. I sup pose it is fixed th6,t the line of Central Pacific ^oad will go oh north side of'Salt Lake, and if our line will be practicable that way vre better make it so. It is of the utmost importance to us to have the Salt Lake business'for our road. ' The 'Central Pacifi? are striving to get'thf^ side of the lake before We reach it, to isecure itj we muf't prevent it if possible. - - • I am "glad'to'leam thnt your health ia improving, apd trust you will ; get through safe and find a good line. ' ' ".w ■ - jt Oliver Ames to (len. Dodge, Nev? York, 5: (Telegrm) Seymour 'with ^ickensderfer have run eastern slope and ■ eighty (80) f t. grade; make cost less than ninety foot (90),and less time. Must adopt It; will examine weatorn slope. .. Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York. • 'Your letter of 27th of Augftet Is just received. Dr. Durant 'h«'a"Ue'w.st and will, 1 suppose, se.'yBu before his return. He made no alteration. In your line and 1 premme hecwver Intended to. The Dr., icvea authority and wahts the reputation of havlnp power through he does not exercise it. • * ■ I think you hove, from ^epbrt, *'Eward Una mnd would advise you to do all necessary things to perfect It. The town In Salt Lake September, 18G7. . ■> •; valley we shou d secure for the benefit of the company, and if the best point is three miles beyond Ogden^ I would secure land enough there foi* the town, as we dhght to have all the advantages that the railroad will confer to ens. ''re , to the benefit of the company. Wien yuu have the line west of Salt Lake as far as we can build located, if there is any work that in your judgment will promote the interest of thisi comany, to be done, I wmild put them on. ^ I am satisfied" that on the ground you can better decide this matter than we can here. We have let tl\e bridge, over .the ilissouri to Boomer, wlidse bid was considSeralbly belcw any other, and he is to put it through within a year The river"is now low and the season right ^ for his work» ■ , W€f"ha"Ve fwt got the map for the 9th 100 miles and had to nut in 50 mllei rif it. 't ^ > * • . B. Hughs to Oe:^.-Bodge,'Denver, S: v. . - . . , . - .j u , I have though^ some time that it was due you to state how I came to sunder ay eonneot on with your road, but the hope of seeing you soon as often caused me to delay. Thinking of the matter today, I concluded that it was due to myself to state fully the matter to you. After I had been here a month, Mr. Reed sent me a pass which I sent back to him, as you would have done, yourself, und^r the circum- * •taneVs,' I liaa^ then ,v roai would not come into Colorado and i. ' Y*ieaat»^ ' % Set)teiiiber, 1867. that you would have no use for my services, and I did not choose to accept a pass from.it on that ground alone, but after whad had passed I resolved not to accept a pass even^ if the road came to this city direct, as the duty of the company was to give me one ^d they had steadily refused or failed to do so, I could but concikude that the retention of the pass was an intentional slight and that it was a^ hint that my services were not wanted. J^ien I came .t'-- Omaha last September and found your party ready to o^e west, I called at the office of our stage line d was Its attorney, and a stockholder also In It) and found that no order had been given to pass It over the line and the agent In doubt -h-tto do. I tobk tlie'responsibility to .order you aqii your friends passed any where you oho'd to. go, promising, the.agent that he shouW have no annoyance. Holladay^ for a wonder, was satisfied with my action, hut ;Lf your fare had been paid you would hardly have gotten It again. I thought that seeing this , Hr- Reed, .'ho knew our agreement, for a pass, would have the men readily furnish "me one, and feit obrrespondIngly mortified at the manner 1 was treated. I think you have not asked me, none of your company, do anyt'utng which I have not cheerfully done, and tbls since I gave up the pass. I felt HP resentment hut simply that mortlfloatlWMmhloh. any other Kg «1^ » ,.i».0t'.d to feel urider the olrcumstahoea. ; . .. . t .. ..Tst^te t,hls to Vou to set myself In the proper attitude before * *■ "ir'vc712 XT September, 18G7. • t you and you only. I regard you as an upright man, certainly one I admire, so also as a frien-^- and hence the above. - ' S,B. Reed to Txen. ®odge, Julesburg, 6' (Telegram) e'i ' Have written Ames about change of location. Carter has gone to the mountains. I go Ust Tuesda-. 'There seems to be a dispsitinn to retard the work at the expense of somebody's reputation, yfhat about locating engineer llorgaff? —' . Hawkins Taylor to Gen. Dodge,''Washington, 6.s T '' ' ' If you want a furnished house, therd "is orje hare that will suit yo'u' exactly I think; It Is iocallad dn Pennsylvania Avenue three -r ■ . . . or four blocks west of the "Wftr Department. f. y ^ Note:- Augusutus Drahms to Gen. Dodge, Wheaton, 111, 7:- Gen. Dodge to his Wife, Camp on Beat l^ounta n ., ''jo t; . 1 ^« f . ' , if the'^hop that I may see some one from thfe 7,'ind Wlter Binea colne to Brldger or Creen River that I can get to mall this. I left Salt I^e after stopping .there a week to get a refit, and It was a poor one; then struck due north along the oast shore oS Salt lake, passing.through the toms of Sessions, ^amlngtoni Ogden Olty, B»le,ism City to Bssr "iver, ^ ^ • •• . The mow.es lo the, valley'settli In towns and have large fame, or small fawa In Ur»., Jk>dlse, In the surrounding country So that they appear to Wiwa .eO ^^ey really are. t do not belleW that there Is over dO.WO all told. 20 acres of land 1 a ah^« all any one September, 1067. . *•/> - r improves, and the good land that can be irrigated is nearly all taken up, so I see no inducement for an inteHigent man or woman to come to this-to the worse'than any hell they will ever see. After leaving Bear ^iver, I struck north to the waters of soda, passing through a mountainous, wild, picturesque country. Have had a very hard time getting through making roads and climbing steepes that look impassable. When we strike a valley they are beautiful; grass is plenty, water cool, clear and roars and tumbles over the rocks and boulders with a perfect looseness, but the countrj^ is too high to cultivate . it is full of springs and minerals; two salt springs we found yesterday; three quarts of salt water boiled down makes one quart of « . . . salt. Sulphur lakes, .hot and cold, baths here without naimber and with out 'cpat. No game here except bear and they are plenty. All the streams are full of mountain trout; some weigh 3 or 4 pounds, and we . them every night after camping. I have been trying to make Fort Sanders by October 1st but the • * . ■ q ountains keep us back and I shall n ot be able to do it, We march all day lopg-get up at 4, get breakfast, feed stock and break camp at six to toeJLf past and often eat our dinner by six P. L. I «m ahead hunting road all the time with a fine Pioneer Corps. Rawi:ns with me. He is om of the purest, highest minded men I ever saw, and that he muat (We with that dread disease consumption seems too bad. This country when it loses him, loses a great man.You would llle him; ^ ^ C wA- :,i September, 1867. • ^ hl3 ideas of right and wrong coincide with yours and he does, not hesfitate to makep them knbwn, For todayi goodbye. , Dear Annie* ILl ^day, Sept. 21st, Sweet Water,, north of South Pass. r : -.T T , ■ Jfe marched today twenty five miles and are camped for first night on raters of the Atlantic. For two days I have been struggling over the Bear and Green River fountains through a terfible snow storm. Some days we made 8, some 10 miles only and ouV poor mules arid horses .. suffered; many died or had to be left on the road. The officer Th command of escort is Inefficient and the labor falls on Rawlins and mysfilf. We ca:iped every night in snow, had to scrape it away to pitch M our tents and what little grass curdles got' they had to dig up from under the alow. After crossing the mountains 100 miles long I think the valleys of Gre n River come c^ut of a snov; back into warm weather ,.,and splendid grass and water, 'te also struck ga.ae once more'and have killed in all some five or six antelope, today, one; it being Sunday did not hunt much. I h,.ve not rested a sinsie day slnoe I left Salt toe. 1 .1-no. near discovered lately knov.n as the sweet Water or Wind Rl«r minos. Weonle from Idaho, lltah, Uontana and all other ere nocKine^o,^.m^and Sfoat retufne are espeCWdS . The Sna.e ' .114 Bannaek Indians V'®, a"'' friendly, W have aewi a good many all peaeeahle. Today we hav^ strUe. the'siouW »nd CheyenrW Septemloer, 1BC7. country and from this' on will have to be careful and vigilant for they are evi(Jently through here. Tonight we camp 7000 ft. above the sea, in sight of the Wind River Uo ntains, the Boar Liountains^ the South Pass and on the celebrated Sweet TIater. Tlie country is studded with pine, beech and beautiful streams fui:. of trout, in fact for two weeks we have had mountain: trout on ta''^lo daily. Antelope for meat, canne-^ fruit of all kinds, and now I have struck a country in which I h-pe I can make about-25 t- 30 miles a day, as I want to. ^ • *' We are 250 mfes frdm Sanders'aftd 5^0 fpom ^heyenne. The loss -'""of a week in the snow stonn puts me that far back, but even with that 9 I have marched 400 miles tlnoe:! left Salt Lake City. After leaving Soda springs, latitude 42, 1 struck the waters of Black.Foot, Soad, Salt, South Plney, Rreenj Haw Pork, Big and Little Sandy -nd passed the suunlt of the '^oiky Mountains tojiay at 10 ''• U. Ho one In the party tnew when they left'the wat.r«;.of the Atlantic and struck those oT the Pacific, thoti(<b *00 eould put pne foot In waters of one and the other In cf the ather. And nok, I wonder hhk you are »U ^oing. Are you getting ready ■ ■ to go to tashln-t«i'Mnd disposing of the house. or ■hat? Perhaps "you are at Kansas <Hty; I supposa you are and will he hack to ^ meet me, for I pou wartt to MS Le"'' ^ y"" very, very " much, and little Annie, docs she grow?. Can she talk and has she forgotVen me? 1 hope nOt. t came away, without my pocket alhiM with all the J.V >7'/^ September, 1867. ■ r .. s t. photographs ir'i» but hers I had in mir diary and she looks as cunning t as possible, •'The progfeuoafle'of ^tha concert I got just before leaving Salt Lake* I see Ella figure^ in three pieces and Lettie in one. I would love very much to ^ee.them. "ou often ask how we spend the .time in camp; here is-a «day5 work. At 3:30 A L. cook gets up; at-4 reveil le; at 5 breakfA'st' Chard .for lAe I hear you-s-ay-especially f -.ese fposty mornings) at six train rolls odt going oyer the mountains. I have to repair and "bui'ld a'rdard «S.o' I am in advunqe with men armed and carry picks, spades, a'xe.a, ftc,' artd'we work and ma^ch until 3. to 4 P. L, ; make ■ generally 25'miles whfert have good roads. We scoiir the country dur ing the march-to get its topography, climb the hills and mountains to ^ 'look Out upon Its vast i^iaggedrtess or its,luilimitsd plains as. the case nay be. As'soon'aS trainri get in have,our tents pitched with a fly between and*we #aih up, get up a camp fire, and Hawlins generally reads aloud to us from T>ana*B eeloctions of poems. He is a very fine ready and lovea'poetry, and ttfcrreAk/eiioy it*. Corwith, Dunn, Duff and Van Lennep go out to fish or hunt *, fire -^t targe, &c. At 6 P. LI. we get dinner and then* by tfc'8 we are away to. our ^unks sleepin- hard, often very tired. Old Army times are discussed, battles fought over, &c. Very little iiqUor ie drank; w* have trtiisky and wine with us, coo cacionsally take a'€o<id/^i^1»'e«k a out con3lder.ble'4rlfUdfl8 wil^aone; I dM,k:«i.rlj,.T,ry day thinkIn- it would help me up: so >u, 1. did not believe it, and Septeabey, 1867. T , for four weeks f UaVe drank, hardly anythln,^» ' Dr. Parry says my system hns the..old '^orinth miasma in it and'"the congestive turns that I am trotibled with arise from it; however, I arii getting fat and long t' see -yuu oil. I hope you c-on come to ^heyenne and meet me with "Ella and tfettie. I want them tb see the rbad, our camp, &C. but I can tell better when I get the-r'e' an^vsee hov; ithiters are and if it is- safety; I hope .tomorhow-lo find some bne returning to Fort Bridger who will takb this to the'mail station for lae-.' Kis-s the girls, remember "me to .allJ my friends. " » • • ■ . L - •, : ' :• urs. Cahrle Bhosm td Brs. Dodge, St-, Louis, 21: Youra-. oT the 18th was duly received. We were very sorry to learn 'of your' .illnasa on the-, cars, yet we feared it all. the time. Mr, B« is getting.Vftung" pretty wejl with constant watc'^ing and al.:iost total abstainance-, i,. oi T - ' ' ( ■ '' -Ranaas ^it.y, Sept. 21st, 1867. De«i^ sistor Letfctie; , r ' .d" ,. .. . ' , - ♦ ^ ! ... I hope your leg willdbe well .by the time I get home; does It hurt yolll very much? I hope At dont. ^ I Uama is f^p]t.ar>d was go dng home Monday but she cant because she -Wont be abl3 to go on the cars; bud I guess she will go home Saturday, i want tO'.S^e you SQ much, I will be glad when we get home, won't you? How Is the baby? Is she well and happy? I hope she is. When 4W you co»e herns fro^ Elkhorn? Well, good bye, I guess I must close, t fzwKS Slla Dodge. Septembrr, 1867. James Bvans to Gen'.' .Dods^, llfilxwell's Camp, 22: ••-t The opdi**tions of this party do not seem t' be sufficiently advanced to determine much yet, further :t;han this, that the gap they are now in wit- the line, seems to be the lowest and most available summit. Their levels carr:ied,to the top yesterday show it to be 240 feet lower than Brown's Sumait to the north. North of this point-there is no opening short of tho valley of- the Medicine Bow ^iver. Looking froin the'divide: away to the northward today I failed to trace the drainage from Maxwell's summit to the Platte valley. It must either break through the .RattJLesnake, hills' to <the West 'bn empty into Medicine Bow east of* Whiere that river mckos its last Canon. They will demonstrate it soon with a line and locate back on it.. On- thing is certain, that It would be an improvement on Brown's line and: must, be (throwing out the line by Medicine Bow valley, of-which we, know nothing yet) ilf seemtf m# the line that can be had here. As to tho operations of ^O'Neil's party, the best line* is north of Coopers Lake, grades ascending 30 feet des.-, to Bock Ci^eek 45 feet with light vork all the way.* The line w 11 run very neaw the extreme northerly.bend if Rock Creek,and if it did not canon giving a great many crossings of the Creek, the best line would be down its Valley; as it is, will cross it some ten miies below Brown and asoertd .t® toble making a much lower sumnit than the other iinos aild passing to the north of ^'ocky Ridg'c, that fohns so pfcminebt'''^ in the plains • ■ ' i,of September, 18G7. and which you can see from all points in this vicinity. ■ O'TIeil is nor on Rock Creek. As I can do so little here, shall go back to him tomorrow. My opinion is that na ximiam grades to Medicine Bow from ganders will not exceed 30 to 45 .and with ut much heavy work. I-think the "same arrangement can be made to reach the Platte River; it certainly can as far as the summit. The western slope from here I may l?e a little doubtful yet. T The folks are still ssweating in the Black Hills, As I came alon , three separate lines of grading could^be distinctly traced in plages showing that some of the changes had been changed, it seems they are determined to build the 80 foot line on eastern slope, so that the last line run by 0«Neil on western slppe v;ill be . taken. Considerable ingenuity is being xised to avoid Dale Creek crossing and as a conse quence Ivan's fass, alas.' for immortality, , -'i I want yo\i, .if you can,^to sell me.one pf the reserved blocks in Chyyanne. I think a little can be made out of it, and if you would as soon I would. di> It as others and if consistent, let me have it, Hope to see you «oon. ^ Panlb -'Varjia (^n,Dodge, X^eon, Decatur, Co., Iowa, 22: - . -r • SPhare a petition, in circulation in our county, praying thW &iji)oint«ent another Post Master in Leon, the petition is algn^ by aien who an© living in the county. Our present pos^-master Is a gyntawmanf ^ true loyal .citizen .entirely capable to fill thd September, 1867. • ' "office and he did fill the same to fehe satisfaction of'every'man. • It would-be the greatest calamity for us, j ust in Decatnr Co., should he be removed. We are willing-to redeem Decatur County from •Copperhead Yoke and'sham,e and our Postmaster, A. J. Snyder, Is one wh^owdrks to that 'effect. • 'Therefore I take the liberty to ask yourr honor. In the name ofthe loyal-p eople ot our place and vicinity, to pay your attention to this question which is so-imoportant to us. Some months ago, we sent up a remonstrance; please inform me whet'a er it is needed to send up a new one. We would ver- respectfully ask, to watch at Washington every movement, to destroy their plan above referred to. Jesse v. "*illiams to Gen. I^odge, Fort Wiyne;'24: . i , I hope soon to hear of your safe return home and in improved health. I have heard rothihg'from Col* Seym&ur fop six oh eight weeks nor do I know what is the final arrangement of location on the Black Hills. The ConMitt^e, I believe, got Llr. Carter to go out a.month - ago, and if in the multitude ot counsel, there-is safety, all will_ be arrragod for the best. ilr, A .es uVgBd Be to look out for one or tVo »«(l*nlBnced englneete to put at the head of locating partiia to act undSi- your direc tion aest. The heat lin I could hear of aaa Ur. LoB, of ahom I wrote you. now under W. tiln."r R'oberts. Both Mr. Biickensderfen and Roberts hWlng recoBBended him very highly for thf* service. 1 .rote hta but TTfJT-r' September, 1867. have not yet heard definitely, . My plan was for ,him to report to you « 1 t • * - • * * at Omaha by 10th of October, and for you to put h.'ici at the revision of the river surveys there, which will take him, field and office work, a month. He has much more experience of such heavy river, woric thsui any man you have, and there is an advantage in having a fresh mind to look at this whole subject. . . V - X : I . .. I.Will be here, two weeks from the middle of October, and will be with the party occasionally. The ugly changes al the & LI, Cross ing induces me to oxmine .a^ain vprj carefully the Child's Mill line _ the ridge, rock bott-.m, &c. I propose going by Quincy and Kansas ^ity and up the river at low water to Omaha. I am atill looXlhS ^91^ experienced and reliable engineers. As I sai-^ femora you should have for heads of parties men experienced even at greater cost. The board meets tomorrow but I could not attend jBxpeot to b.« in New York at the organization of the new board, frm thd 1st 4o 3rd'0§^ber. . I oonol^^de that Mr, Evans is still in your service West, Mr, House, I suppose, would not have time to make these river surveys and fYSR if he bad.the bridge experience nescessary, ' The tJ.P.R.H. fokks are now in good financial condition and nothing * " ■ J.',. o.. I must, prevent a rapid progress of the work. To this end they must orevide engineers to make the right location in time, and these pRrites laut have good escort, , , . . i . We.. ,raw rMak* rra*--' September, 1867 P. JoneS to W. Palmer," Lwn, lotJa, 26: The Cops, are making an effort to get our post-master removed and a Cop appointed'in his place. Peti' ions are being circulated in localities seven or eight and even fifteen m'les from'here, ^ore the people have no interest in our postal affai s,' and in that i»ay they hope to send a large number of ndmes to the Department, making' it " appear tliat the present incvmibent is objectionable to a majority of the people interested. • - ' An effort was made six months ago to' remove Mrl ^nyder, the" present incumbent, and a petition of rem6nsti*ating against his remov al was signed by all parties Tiere and h*e was retained. But now they ^ are trying to play a sly game and obtain his removal without knowf f . , ledge of those most interested. They are not circulatihg their petition among those who get their mail at t.iis office. * The object in addressing you on this subject is to get you to place the matter before Oen, Dodge, so that he may, if not-able to attend to it himself, place it In the hands of Some other member of Congress who will attend to it dnd defeat this attempted fraud. There is no fault found with lir. ^nyder only that he is a straight out Republican, and those most interested find ho fault with that. By using your influence you will confer a"favor in this community, W. "'aimer to Cen. Dodge, t)es Jloines*, October 4: yo\j please give t'"'.is matter your attention «nd ^frite ^ September, 1867. James onthe subject. He is one of your old Fourth lowmi soldiers, is a capital Republican worker, and a good fellow. ^ ff ' >.K Gen. Dodge to J. House, Council Bluffs,, 27.: . ^ ■ Send D. L. Hines, Springfield, Mass., one of• our maps proloj'giBrly prepared. ' ^ teakb me for.' my hearly report a table of grades, alignments and distances from Ogden to Humboldt ^ells, by north side of lake, so I can compaT«e "it iflth south side; use 80 ft. lihe over promontory also makd table of "^gt'ades, alignments and distance from Morris .profile and map of located line' from Ogden to Salt Lalce..^i wf :.T Jesse L. •TTilliaas to Gon. Dodge, Font '^ayn,e, 27 : ; Since my letter of this morning .have one for Mr, Ames, saying that Dr. Durant had subscribed 69,000 shares and tendered $55 per share- $3,795,000;"thereon Mr * Cisco-refuses to take it, insisting that the same requires par. But if, thi»©Qgh the committees of inspec tion, the subsopiption is received the-cdntrol passes,into the Doctor's hfinds again. v . 'o We were assured that late contract,.io the Eastern base of the . Waaatch at so high price was to quiet all diss^ntions but this does not look like it» * t ' , i >]<• J. M. Drown to Mrs. Dodge, LoUlaf, 27:~;,xj , ^ .t ■ T send you herewith bilf^^f #ipethl»g wtsich I paid to prenehman-Ribot. Today I sent you a haslet'of 1)etetoea, $1.25 a basi-et. September, 1867, gr'adients 'ahd work. 1 will keep enonsh on olde- hill to keep out o'f the alkali, except where I have to croas the valley to get. better alignment and lighterr work. ' ' • • - ' • " The maximiml'g^-ade wrill fce' O.V per hundred., which I have marked on the profile on the eastern side; on the western the .grades are lighter and I have n<jt marked t,hem as I did^ not. wish to try tp.. run to any set grade as long as I did not exceed the maximum -r The map and-profile is only put in in lead pencil, as I have no India ink, and have hot.bpien ahle. to procure any since .coming out. The map got injured in .oooiing up last night in passing through the thicket below here. It, hw^ver, shows me to be 10,3 miles north and ■J .h'» .1%, r - j • ' c 2 west-of Brown's line . . tti«..flavins im distance^ from ..the Medicine Bow to the natte 1* about »ilesv • • . - j <L. P. Prown tOiMrs. DodgQi Ellsworth, ^2: ^ Oman.! . noi, fully established hero„^and find^it a very rough place indeed, iw»s«« Iban I anticipated, but do^ot find that it is objectionable here more than elsewhere for a man to quietly atten.1 to hli oWi difficTaliy*. 1 Tc jeirrp - • ' > j ■ ■■ ■ ■ ..- The wokk on the railroad here as well as there is progressing rapidly. Conatftartron.tiwAjand «lll VuA:ti» »•«. "«• nait w«K., when paasenfrer train's will prob ably go they will plok "P the town and ,ove It or I'i Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - September 1867 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 September 1867 For additional September 1867 correspondence, please refer to "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - March to November 1867 (miscellaneous)," pps 866-868. For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/84a5a0f50138a284e357fb3275233ce4.pdf 107d31e41e0e1322012b3b8441b903b9 PDF Text Text September, 1867. • gr'adients'and work. 1 will keep enoiigh on oide- hill to keep out o^f the alkali, except whehe I have to crosis the valley to get. better ■ alignment and lighter work. ' » ■ ' ' • • ■ - - i^e maximum'grade -will be 0.7 per hundred, which I have marked on the profile on the eastern side; on the western the .grades are lighter and I have ndt marked them' as I did not,'wish to try to. run to any set grade as lortg as I did not exceed the maximum —r The map and profile is only put in in lead pencil, as I have no India ink, and have not .be»R able, to procure any since poiainG The map got injured in .coming up last night in passing through the thicket below here. It, hw^ver, shows me to be 10.3 miles north |and 2 west-of Brown's line . The .Saving ^ distance from^.the Medicine Bow to the Blatle i«• about .si^ jailesv - ^ •••" ' P. Thrown to.Lira. Dodge, Ellswor th 2: , ^ iv* lo . fully established herc^^and find a very rough place Indeed, w«pa« lhan I anticipated, but do.not find that it is objectionable here more than elsewhere for a man to quietly attend td hll bt««iWlMM-aiide#%?i«f«y«ntly our ho^se is riot like to hiWB9»V difficulty* i '[c jeiiTp -,j , ' .. The v.ohk on the railroad hero as well as there is progMsslng rapidly. Oonstru<rt4ho.»««J-.now ,run over 60 miles west of this place and will rurt n>tX ««• »«<• "Wit. passenger trains will prob ably go'threogh. im*th.. the, will pick np the town and move it or , October, 1867. • • not I cannot say, but. should not be surprised if a considerable pportion of it moves out there, and maybe the balance will be better off. The work has not progressed near so rapidly, however, as the northern road, 'for some reason, and must be cheaper and easier to build, too. I am very sorry that you had -so much to mar -the pleasiire of your visi't at Kansas City. Hope you have got entirely well. Artless wrote me about your being* iaick, and also that you were hot Well v/hen .you went home. ' . - . Kansas ®it,v, Oct, 1867. » ,1- . 4 Dear flhnie: ' ' < -t - e Your visit did me ever s-^ much good> though felt desolate ^nough v/hen the bus di^bVe SkWay. . : h • « Annie *8 eyes are sore again, the •oold'weather hurts them. liliJ ' • ' or I Truly, Lettie. ■WtJ i»c. B. Apple ton Qen. Podge, In Qalap, Pass Gr., 4: ' A'cCoiiltElhying you will find maps and profiles of my lines tun si'noe leaving you at Point of Ro'cks. Ly route back from there was first to Laclede Sf'tion, from thixft® I struck wast of north o^ossing the •Creek Brown wAs killed on and striking into a large valley west of it. I followed'f'is valley Aiy to its head and from there to the Clay Buttes, at whlOh point I am sorry say that there is not nor ever has been any sp^teg afl. (SoMlbfd by Sol Gee. In order to get to the Buttes we RAd to «r4oa AlUg^ divide which is a continuation of the mountains so the north of Little Snake R. and west of Luddy Cre'-h . I I I' October, 1867. - afterwgirds fomid that this rid^e gave out west of where I crossed it and that at a p-^int where you see an indicate d. line on the map. -From the Clay Buttes I went ^nearly e'^st to Lake Ldisfortune, which then • ,contained some water; then north to the Evan's road to a point 6 miles west of the summit and then up the opening we observed to the suxEmit This opening .branches a little this side of the. summit to the a-r^d E, I followed the east branch most direct but afterwards ascertained f ' that should have done better to have kept the other, as it would hnve lowered, an Eu.^it 60 feet or so. All my exploring for this and the preceding day I was accompanied only by 2 escort; the remainder of the hone©s being'-so exhausted as to be able to make only the shortest di tAnce between camping places. From the summit I Icept the, rlidge between the operning wo came up and the one north of it. I did not have time to give the country still farther nonCth ■•ai #^(*®ln(ation, ^erftCKihg Q^siP I four^d Cheabro had obtained a much sufMSi^fOr line and' drossing, of the Platte to the old one, and throwing out th» two Bi.immita Spring on the old line, ha^ our Oftl3ft'W.rja with the aforesaid line ' ^■^y running rdund that small summit but had not got a very good line. After reaching camp I ran a ocmn^ction with Fate's line up the opening near the Platte; an #xcell4ifft line dan ba.tobiained. that opning, better than Ay proflid'^alSSwfew^-!•••• had not .got along,fapd we were forced to halt a'day'f6r"hlftr at Bells ^ringa, got || October, 18G7. . ' ' , his Bhls, end proceeded to the mouth of the canon near Separation Creek where the coal indications were. From there ran a line down the creek, crossin the ireek as soon as it was.passable with a 40 i't. grade and'running a line up,the Evan's road opening which I had made up my mind was the best in that vicinity, I could not get them through by hanging t othe slope west of Separation Creek? the ground is too rough, also undulates. Up that opening the last water to be had was at Sol Gree or Sulphur Springs; from there we ran 8 miles west the first day, then made a dry cqmp on the summit, without water barrels r n^ a-small escrt, and from there made the edge of the Red Desert, on the evening of the third day out and camped,at Lake Misfor_ tune, where the water had become so bad that it was difficult to say if it was mud or water. I then continued the line across the Red ' Sink with the intention of trying to break thraggh the ridge.to the south of it a little to the east of whero I had crossed it in my explorations, but had to go into Bitter Creek with train on account of water, being unable too finish the line. (Capt. Proctor joined us at Lake ttiefortune) From Bitter CrSek I went back, tuimed the line east, went down Brown's Creek wlt^^ it and Ihto the Bitfter Creeknabout 8 miles jl^ybnd Laclede Station. Had*considerable difficulty to make this connection, had calcu lated t 0 find n^ter in a-dry" creak In pools sufficient for my stock, but poole wore then entirely dry; there had been water in them three October', 1867. . , days beforaf. v/hen we had cr-ssed the creek with train going, to'Bitter Croek As soon as we had reached Bitter .CrejoJt" a-three days srlow storm set in duhil^ which Mr. iloggan joined us and immediately afj-er, thirthing we could, then find water oVer. there, we went back to connect Brovyn's. old line with the last'line rtan down Brown's .Oreekj we were not able to do it. The w^ter in Lake ;Misfortxine was-ev^n wp^se than when we had left it before, stock WQuid not drink it*^ "Morganj^tells p^e.^that h© has written abotjij this, so I omi'^»-V • ; , ■ ot-"" . i. ; '.We'are at present at- Pass Q^reek, having to wait for rations, as transportat iwsorscaroe at the Post^that Capt, P. has had to send down 8 teams, renderin- our moving impossible* have also had to send down two teams, 'as ow.lng to a misunderstanding Hardin": sent us up t no rations bW;0«Pt. Prootor and have been_living as.y;:e b^st coul'^ lately, j; Ilhad.'aent4<eor'supplies |to Qctober 15th to, oome up with Capt. 1 ■■ ' :» rftt n I . .'m: ® am well aware thai-we hav«fino^;.fccomplish^d .as much .a s could be roMsbnably expecttd.s.indS ypu were with ue. All I can answer to^it is I ''fhat-whild'the wa^ty charge l used every m^an| Jn ray . powe^'%o push *Tis.»#«IWl>tia'throWgh,..but the.,scarcity, of w^ter and the extreme bad condition of my stock delayed me a great deal. 1 feel that on my «Jwo I havt'not had a square chance to do. well. I am not » '^i'all sailefled with the workj know,you cannot be, • . ^ . J ) A - a J a Octobei^, ' 1807, • r' * i Brown'r old sxiHUTilt is 7108,^ Appleton's Ist,^ sunmit 6820, near the Evan's road; Appleton's 2d siuruiii-t 7171, over the Little Snake Ridge-, 'It is impossible to avoid sionL-iit, over the Little ^nake Ridge. I think the best line, everything considered, west of Platte is Chesbor's lino and crossing of that river Then.on.Brown's line throug^ the Rawlin's Spring canon arui to where my line leaves it at the mouth of Canon near Separation Creelo, then following my line to near station 7500, then, south-west up the valley of Dry Creek ( a large valley) to, Bummit of main divide; then down opening to-near Lake Mis fortune and'out t- Bitter Creek (see indicated line..) . _ ' J i The: valley of'this Dry Creek thati speak of has not been explor ed, but I feel quite copfiident that a good line can, be obtained up it to' tha 'summit ,of the mafin divide. On this line the. summit of the Little Snake Ridge iwould Bot: I think exceed 6000 feet^ and would most probably-be less than that.». Yqu will see M-r. Quis.t at^Fprt Sapders, and 'dan make-inquli'ies of him. ' ta oart. "Dodge' to Oltiter Ames, ^he-jjenne, D.T. 7:- , ' Made no noz^ chejagesiJi Black Hills lines. The delay and work done would have graded-a better .line than we have got to the atiramit. All fof»»e {Kjseibie ehould be .put on from summit to Laraiaie plains, te'fcan fi*^ih!-kl*»'C«'ading if proper effort is made by middle December. The" change.at #uim .it is ©bJkP^fonable; makes heavy cross- ^ Ing of CroVCreeb^ No. wprk dene on that change yqt. Ocotber, 1867. ' S.'Seymour t'o 0*liver Ames,-Camp on Lone Tree, 10' : (telegram) Dale Creek ixjUte just surveye'd is two miles shorter and has ' two hundred and thirty-three feet less elevation than Evan's Pass' route. Llaximiua'grades one hundred fee-t in both directions. I think it will cost about two hundred thousand less and take three or four months less time construct. Will report more fu*lly after making further surveys about Evan's Pass and high bi^idge OllverAmfes to Cren. Dodge, N. Easton, 7: . ■ " >' i : ' Ychir letter was duly received from Salt Lake, but we have had do-much excitement ali^u't our ahnual election and making up a new board of directors and contract for building road that my whole thoiigbM h^8 been given to that. We have now got thr ugh thatEand our ne^w board is made up of the old board, removing frrm it Tuttlo, Dix, Lambard and LlcCormick, who ai*B in'Europe, and sHi'stituting for them John B, A lley, ' Benj. E. Bates, T. 'Olidden and F. Dexter-all of bos-ton-. Ve had a stormy time of it but are now all hamdny, and the Doctor agress to go along in hanidny 8md*foi* the best IntwM^tr of the rood. The board of directors is made up ^ nice gentlemen who wtLl loojs only to the true interest of the road in their actionl • ' : Carter has got back, and all of S«yiiotir^s wonderful Improvements of the line turn out to be of no account, as far as yet reported, " except the first Change to avoid Ih^ahlgh bridge which met ypur instant approval. The'engineering department in your at^ence to Congiess. I October, 1867. . *-4 - suppose you will put in the hands of some copipetent. assistant, and it occurred to me that if ^"eed is the ban you would like and feel tho t he is competent in your absence to'direct, that' we might get a man to take his placV more easily than, one to direct the -various parties In your-absence Reed has b^en over' the whole-ground and, hext to your- «adlf,* probably linows"'as much -about that has been done as any other^ person. Tou have to decide this- question soon, as your Congressi^hal duties will how take you to'Washington whfeire" you can for the next 8 or 10 months have but'very little" time ■.to; look after the Pacific R.R. I make' the a'uj^g^Btlon of Reed's name that you may haye the liberty to choose him It you think he is the best man for the place, but not with any desire to inf luerio'e^ your jud'-menV as it is our Ihterest to hav you select the^ best man 'eritlretty aloof from outsi.de influence. ■ The North Platte and Loupe P«»irk» bridges have not yet been changed as proposed; Win should be' '^rne bdfbhe winter prevents if pract!cable. I am proposing, when We get our matters here fixed up, to resign my place as President Irtlfavor of LicCbbmbS, who will be able to give more time to it and IS quite desirous of the ]3osition. ■ Note:- ^Corttract Diarant, ^mSs and others, Qot. 16m,18G7. . .. 5ol» Oeo. Spancer to Gen. Dodge,.Tugkalooaa, Ala, 22; *■ My great iifflfotion, and .Also sickne^f myself, and your absence bombined,'prevented *e writiag you since my darling wife's October, 1867. . ,Todsty I received your. letter Oct. 15 th. I ani now recovering from a very severe attack of the fever and have not yet recovered my strength. I am comjbetely broken down in spirits and care- but very little for the future, I fe^el that my duty is to j?emain here and help reconstruct th,is God forsaken and miserable country. It is truly an awful place to live in, but since we have the colored men to help us, we can out-vote them and 1 think if- it becomes necessary thet we can -ut-fight them. I have lost all my ambition and have but little heart •to engage In political life; "while I remain here T cannot help^doing it. I' am having'a, good peal to do iri my office and will make at least a god salanr ont of It, We have this state now in our hands and can keep it if Cong»f«rf wtLll stick to its policy. Since the elections. In Ohio and Pe'nnn , the rebela Jire very jubilant and talk of the time . * n j ^ When the-"' are again going to commence hanging. ^ tiiope Congress will * not back down one-viMSg' but go- aheacti-' and that the first .thing they ^ will do will b^ to pass a general impeachment law and then impeach * I the President", " We Will send ire Republican delegation to help you frovi, this State* 1 can go to Congress ,if 1 w^sh but at present do not'feel lilte.ltj ai* mdnths-may change view , I stand as well is any TJnicDnaan in blje atftt^ and do that there is any man'in the party that wields morf inf^Li^enco ^han, I do. ' ■ ' 1 have been trying'to persuade Tichenor to ,come here; v/e could. A.I - « "J . October, 18G7. send him to Congress if he would come soon. .1 shall go to the Nation al Convent on and support Gen. Grant, Does that meet with your views? ?rho shall we nominate, Vice-President? Senator "ilson came down here last stun.ier to fix up the Southern States f-r himself*. I am not a ^Vils.on man. Please give my regards to ilrs. Dodge, Bella was speaking of writ ing to her only a few days before her death and said: "As soon as I get well I must write to Mrs. Dodge." How is your health? "hrough • • • . * . t • • • the papers and from Tichenor I understand that It is very-poor. I ^ ' hope your trf^p did ,you good. I saw Phillip Henson a few d^ays- asoi- u\ hi he is at ^orinth and the rebels are persecuting-him terribly:. They- . have all Bp-rts-of ^uits against him, When f#uig«i-rto G^ongrees, this winter I am going to send you a petlttlBtoCor. a-'speicial pension for Tfta. Looneg, the guide and scout. He is broken down in heplth and very poor and a family to support, and Qftv»r ^ee«iv»d: for all his services only about $75 ahich you paid him. I have li34ra*y,atP«*g petition signed by. about 500 . persons asking Congress to paas a joint resotuticn giving him a pension. Dont you tliink you cotild get it'through without much tremble?. t ttvi^p^se, ytm are vet'y bucy and as ever hard at work. I hope you Will- not overtaok yowi^olf and that you will take, the world easier than formerly. Please let me jioar froov you soon^^,^^^^^ ..ry;;, p. g, I studied a Jong time to make out one of your questions, and ^ October, 1867 have conclxided that it was" "What is the porition worth?" I cannot yet tell what it w'll be worth."■ I lary make'ten thousand dollars out of it and may not dver fivd thousand. ' I dont think it'will be under the latter figure or above the former. I have now 90 cases and will probably reach 400 befoi e Jxine. The work is immense. It has been'so long since f have ready arfy of ycfur writing that at f'i'rst It puzzles me. I see that it, "is plain now. ■' e I F. S, Hodges to Gen. Dodge*, Camp,* 105, Head of Echo, U.T. 27 ' I have ^he honor to -report the location of Weber narrov/s (seven miles') c'bmp'ete. The Lost^ Creek'qee't ion "thorouf^ly exhausted" and two md-les of location at this point. A map and profile of Weber narrows and a profile of Lost Creek nearly finished, thus employing the two SDowstom'fi wS have alfeady had, but the weather has gieiherally been so fiW ahd the approach of* winter so near th" t I have conflUfeftvr myself to out dowr work eVery available' moment. ci r^' Reports of Lost Creek will embrace about sixty miles.of line, and four paasi^s within two to ilos of connection wlth'iUr. Bate's lino? that route is impractlca'le on account of heavy grades without slopes to overcome extraordinary elevations. A pass for thO north Is made on-fj 60 ft. grade without ttinnel o^ cut an#-As Just ICQ ft, hd^j^her than Echo; but to reach its vicinity requirAa^t miles of..maJtiAW grade, three of which show Very expensive Wohlt. ' : - rfl| , * ' ' Uade a reconnolsaance of the crest of this, ranger to. the northwari October, 1867, • t until I reached water flowinr; into Cache Vallej'", "Kill '^report on it as Scon as further inforrnat on, wri-tten for/ is-received. Hope" to show a better profile and'grade here than you expect, but running the serie's of reversed curves requires much time. • - Regret •fhat I'iiave been*^ unable to meet Ive^ of the C. P.R.R. owing of failure of mails and a change of his programme. He returns westward after reaching Rains Pork via that stream. On the 15th Sept. I telegraphed Omaha for 20 pay rolls, lOO blank vouchers and led pencils to bB^ forwarded to "Bear River, care* Myers. None have been 'Received. "On the 1st NovembSf shall forward"* g such vouchers and papei^s as 1 have, sanding remainder when the pay colls arrive. On the 1st of November I -shan draw on you for. :C one thousand dollars for current expenses.- "^he maps and prqfilea shall go forward as soon as complete. ' • ^ A.R. Anderson to Oen. Bodge, Sidney, 29": 'I i learn with pleasure the t you have "returned from your labor in the rest in comparatively go6d health. I hbpe you may be strong for your labors in Washington the coming serfeion. I l^arn that effort, growing out jjealopay and meanness, is being made t remove our friend Dr; Rumbaugh from the Hanlyville Post office. The Dr. does not care a fig for the offic^ but dont want the creatures to beat him. The fight is not based upon political grounds, as the incumbent and t ose trying to oust hdni are radicals, but is the rut- ' 1 October, 18G7. « . growth of a trifling, ae^an spirit of rivaly among a ^a 11 -bored set | of light-headed politicians. The Dr. is as good as any of,those oppos-. ing and ©specially ^is he-as gooi as the leaders of the moyement, prominent among v/hom is N, B. Loore, wlio wasn't a delegate to the On- - f-' •.gressi.onal Convention, yet was there fighting for Rasson, Anything.you can do towards holding this thing just as it is ^ would he good service, and I only sviggest to that end the propriety of writing Randall the nature of the fight, thp-t it is not pQlitical as all the parties are of the same.political faith and suggesting the propriety of leaving ,it just-as it. is. Hanlyville and the, entire com- * ■ ' • munity supplied .at that office are all satisfied. The effort to oust ^ the Dr. csaaes from Clarinda. - Well, General f -I got scooped put in the election, but after all dont care much. I would, however, ^1 ike office if appointed. I could enjoy that in connection with my other office business, and that would suit my financial ct>ndlti<*i better than .to post off to Des Moines during thre®'oft four of the rbest working months. And could you succeed in raising this session wl».%, you came so .near lifting la st, you will ^ ^laee^'me under i^newed dbligations of no ordinary character. I wd^lld he-flsssed to hear from you, General, if you have the leisti're. ^ ituf* 4ti' i -ixor, , , 738 ; yf*T n , .i. ■ * - jj,^ 1 . . . ^ i* -.To ■< r •N ; Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - October 1867 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 October 1867 For additional October 1867 correspondence, please refer to "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - March to November 1867 (miscellaneous)," pp 868. For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/3a56e94430df47571739d0ecc4afabde.pdf 6a90b764d80f2f3b186dd29c07e8e00e PDF Text Text October, 1867, r ' Jas, Llaxwell tc Ge-i. Dodge, Caaip on Medicine Bowj, 3'; '. Befqre you 'left you spoke to me about the condition of th stock. I ha ye eight head, erf nrules, six of which are very good animals; the other two are old and would not. be fit for another season's service. I think it would be advisable to dispose of them this, winter and get otherw before starting .in ^the spring. . . . You di'^' not gij^jfierany directions about where they were to be wintered. If 3;t meetS;;with your approbation I would like to take them to your farm, and leave "e 11s to take care of them so as to be sure and have them in the most serviceable condition^ next season. The wagon should also be thoroughly repaired., I would like to take all the pepperty belonging to this party, store it at the most convenient , • • place, make oat' a full inventory of all the articles and give them in charge 8«life reliable person. y . « • With a few exceptions all of my party are godd active reliable men who take an interest in- pushing the work end doJ.ng it in the best manner, several have bpen retained since last season, I would like to retain all that ere good men if it suits you. I have'nearly finished locating >on. my lu'elimino.ry; get a g^-od line with a ruling grade of eight-tenths perhundred, and light work with the exception of rbout three miles going down into the valley of the Platte where the work ie heavy but with a grade of six-tenths r November, 1867. per hundred. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ I , 'I': 0. .1'^ ' . ' , . Evans.has ohde'red'mo tcr locate Oh "Brown's lineV at which I shall start in two or fthree daj^a as soon as I finish the one I am now on. 1*16886 to answer at Sanders. Note: Nov. 4"'(21DR318 &c.) " ». r ^ , r- ' lunclvfcw er' > f"* ■ ) : : H H. A, Hurlhut to Gen. Dodge, ChicagA", .5': I 'J* T e ' ' • I have been reqiiested-5>y A. Batty, 1st -Lieiit, 40th U.S. Infantry, formerly Lieut. Colonel 57th Regt, Ills. Vol.^ Infantry,' to do what I can for hiiri In-obtainiTig for'him'two favors fromthe UL S. Government*; viz: first, a trevet commi.-sion equal to his volunteer ' rank; second, ah'^ap-pointment as'Aseist^t Quartermaster with rank',of Captain, ,.j' "O I saw Maj. 0en'.'^%lTAfe in regar* io the first who said it^ . could be granted upon getting commendatory letters from the superior."',. . officers. I saw Gen. Jno. E. Carae, who iiVs given^lP'ttMbtbr a cop^ of whl-sh I enclose recomme'hdlhg to the brevet commission. '" , .-u You may possible remembbr iae m a slight acquaintance and as having a brotbar,'^tfb rfbl. F.J. ^Vmit of srth Regt. Ills. Vol. Infantry, who'^er^dd under ybn. - i: , , r John R. Duff to Gen. bodge, Boston, 6: i I haVe not forgotten my promise te write to yo a as -soon as I got hom,e, but although it is a long time since we parted I have in November, 1867. reality just reached there. I arrived in Boston with my pony all safe-and sound a week ago last Fridaj' and only remained at home about ,a day when I started back West again to Rochester to accompany my sister home, v.-ho had been waitin;* there for me nearly a month. Lly mother, who had never been to Niagara Falls, thinking that hsol was so near there concluded to ac company me and so that has occupied the last week. I got home last night and nov/ I feel as though a short rest^ would d^, me good. I presaae by this time you have ully recruited and I trust your health is mijch better. Father :ays that you \7ill leafn all that you wish t know.aboi*t the affairs of the D. P.B.R. from llr. Ames and LIr, Billon, therefore it will not be necesary for him to write a-ything about it. Father says the Ames's and the rest conceded more t.o T.B.D. than he was willing to 'o, but he was sick and knew nothing of the proceedings at the time. I met T.6. in Chicago and „had a long talk with him. He inqulfe^d e^bout you and whajt. you had been doing in the Rocky Mountains. Of orurse I gave him a most flowery accoxmt and spoke in the'highest everything I-had seen, and he was pleased to syy during the qponversa^lon that he thought you were the best practidal and the best locating engineer, he ever kne--. Still ho may have made the threats that wo heard about certain persons being removed if he got the po^^n again; biit then I dont believe he j/flll get the power very soon. ■ ^ t ' -s , „ lIoveEiber, 1867. ' « ' I had a letter from Mr. Corwith thfe other day stating that ho arrived 'safely in Galena, and t^ionght he should coftie to Boston sometime during Noveasber. Gen, Rawlins^ T see by the newspapers, nrrivei in Washington after a six months sojourn in the Rocky Mountains As to Major Dunn, I do not know whether-he has been throivgh here or not on his way down East, (Maine)".- • ■ - • - * - My little brother was perfectiy delighted with the Indian pony and every afternoon goes out to ride. The Te xah saddle that I had made in Omaha attracts considerable notice. I left a boix of specimens either in Gouncil Eliiffs or your office in Oiaahaj also a laria-t rope artd a pair of buck horn^. ' Tf "you see them will you be so kind as to hawe them taken care of for me -until the next time I come out? « Please give my ri^gards to Mrs. Dd ge and thank* her' for her ' courtes" and politeness to me while in Coundil Bluffs; with best ' wishes for yourself. '* « Tit Elijah Sells to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 111., 6: •- '' My son, David, is a Captain in the Regular Army (41st Infty) and by dr^er of Oeri, Sherldar? has been on Court Martial duty in" Now Orleans during the entire yellow'feve'r season. His reViment'la. l*n ^ Texas on the Rid Grande, and'he is quite anxious , for his wife's sake , to remain upon detached sOi^ice at New Orleans.' ^en at Dos Moines, a few day's a^d', I tiad b convew^tttlon with Col. Gee. Tlohenor, who thought you would be willing t'O interest November, 18C7. * ' • yourself in Davi-i's behalf to .secure him an appointment on Gen*. Hancock's staff, ' " Jno. Morgan to Gen. Dodge, In*Campon North Fork Platte, 7: ' i ' I arrived and went into camp at this*point lest evening on my way in to*Fert Sanders ri^h my party, I am compelled to leave the field this early on accourtt ^f my-escort having "to return *-to- the Fort by the 15th inst., and-I am not sure that wfe could do much -more workfrovii this forward on account of-the variableness and inclemency of the weatherj as we.have been having severe cold and heavy storms iBor the last two weeks* There is a severe.storm of wind and sno w raging while I write and no signs of ita' oeiaslng, an,d. I jaay be detained, here two or three days. .■\'j o. I have sxicceeded In "wsannecting Mr. Brown's" Mne, with that of Mr. Apple ton's west and south of the* IfLrge Dry Xedoe east of. Cla^ Buttes _ I found a very good line 'getting doWn off the" summiit and I think a grade line of 40 ft, par mile oan be obtained pn all except about ont mile of the line on the west jslope^ I have also .explored the whole f t^e main stUAalt range betw?on the lines mentioned, I co-uld not find any depressibrt leading thrc\ugh the divide lower than where we have crossed. I also eicplorwd thp ootintry between the weist foot'.of the west summit nnd thfe hsadr; of Bitter Creek, some ten miles^ west of Bane 11 brings. I found grod ground over all but about five miles of the route, which is crossed nteafly at right angles by high and abrupt ^ <■ ' -.' -y '"EVAIVi N 1 . ^..,-|| ■ ■'- / »>'»' O' November, 1867. ridges. . , ■f ' ,1,1 ,. "* j .ii..' ''■' My last exploration was over that portion of the country lying between Clay.Buttes and Black Buttes on Bitter Creek some ten .miles west of Pond Statioa. I find the ground for fiftasn miles east of the Black Butte very fayorable and .the ascent not over 40 ft. ©r mile, with a summit corresponding with Mr. Appleton's last summit but more flat anr^ tide ?ind-about on© hundred feet lower. The ^approach-^to thi-a simimit from the east is easy with an undulating grade, and I think a contiaauous grade may be had by a more thorough exploratior^ than I v^as able ^>o give it on account of my hcrrse giving out £iQd having no means of obtaining another. My mpvements haite also tteen materially impeded by scarcity of water for animals and no conveniencius for carrying needed slippl'fes. I hefve also. been.hisery considerably retarded ^n my KluVMttienJIrf by the want, of alacrity in .movement on the part'of thu ^ • commander-ol^ my e84ort who has failed to* render "the required assistahoe on several occaelons,' and I have, been compelled to move alorineiv. through an Indian country withbilt ascorjb, i will Vwa-it your instructions and orders aboiyt the disposition of my party at Sanders or* at Cheyenne, and wo"uld be jyleased to-see you in persofi if I can before you go East, when I can explain to ,you . more ^lly toy Views of oountr*y in whldh I hmt9 «been opeijating jSj^ also as to the Work dOn© * • ' ... fhos. H. Bates to Gdn. Dodge, Sanders, 7; • j, November, 18G7. We completed the "'e-Ucino Bow Survey the 2d.lnst.. and con nected with Brown's line ^t Statin 3582. This is a line Brown started d^yn.the iiedicine Bow and ,abjindoned..it at Station. 3604 on the bank of the stream, bein^; unable to prosecute it further on account of hieh water. We came up the Lledicine Bow valley all the way withour train; got a very godd line, but of c nirse it will be greatly improved on a located line. In other words, the.iledicine Bow has a fall of 257 feet in 29.miles or a grade of about 9 feet tq the mile. There is no difficulty in getting froqi the mouth of Rock Greek to the end of my line on a grade of from 8 to 15 feet per_m-lle with only one crossing of the Medicine Bow. The .great objection, most seri QUO one to the Medicine Bow Line, is the frequent crorsing of the stream, but the channel of the atreaxvi can be changed in many places and very ohoaply. It.will .not be necessary.to bridge the Medicine Bow;^trettla,work will answer every purpose. My line to the valley west of Hattlesnak^i Hills .is shorter and more direct than a ny other that lias as yet-boen run. I cannot givr you a clear idea of the line until you get my map and the balance of my profile. It will take us about a week to get our outfit ready to tart back to Salt Lako-everything got pretty badly smashed up. Gen. Gibbon ,iuuB set all his artizens at work fixing and repairing Bell's train and as soon as he gets him fixed up, he will have ay outfit -repaired when I shajll st^rt the partj bank to Salt Lake. I shall remain here until riovember, 1867. I get the*map and profile, and until I hear from you. T would respectfully request a leave of absence for a short time to go East to attend to some very important business, Uhen I came IVest I left many things unsettled and among them an estate of my father deceased, I have severan hundred dollars due me in Washington, J^.C. from the Washington Chesepeake Canal Company. If you will be good enotig'n t6 give me a leave'of absence, please on receipt of this to send me a pass for myself and E.c.Snith, Judge Drake's nephew, i/rtio desipes a leave also. Jesse L. Williams to Oliver Ames, Fort Wayne, 7: With a view ^o'n rapid progress of the bridge next year, 1^ if such be the aim of the board,*I deem it proper to give some stiggestion as to stone for the |)iers, a more definite shape. « It may be possible to procure fetone fast enough from a single quarrv beginning next'spring even if the one most convenient, the Bartlett quarry on the St, Joseph road was of a quality suited for the facing of the piers, which 1 doitot. "While this quarry should be oened early in'the spring and a track laid to'it to procure backing and the large amount of rip rap required, yet I think we should be ■ 4 . Also prepared to.open t e Fairview quarry on the Platte and also the Granite quarry at Dale Creek. Having these quarries tested and their extent.fully examined there will be no disappointment. As present advised, I should say, face the lower part of piers '|| Nove'jiber, 1867, t from two feet below low water to tw- feet above high wate? with the I . • J- ' V • ■ * ' granite, if it turns out well, and all above high water from the Platte quarries. The transportation from these two quarries will probably be about the same cost. Should the ^artlett quarry appear durable, so much of the piers as are under water which at the upper site woiild average 7 or 8 feet, might be faced from this quarry. At the Burlington bridge they procured stone from several different quarries at the same time with a view of hastening the work. As I before suggested, I think a few stone of the several layer§, both at the Bartlett and Fairview quarries, should be gotten*this fall and 4aced in some small water course or other wet place that you may have a satisfactory test duriVig "the winter. I respectfully suggest that these views concerning, the testing ot the stone if approved be communicated to yolif Aj^ent at Omaha or the superintendent of masonry. Notes- TOa. Ward to Gen. Dodge: (Geological •''' section of Bartlett quarry:) Gen. Dodge to E. House, Couficil 8. Send me list of^lots'and price. Sold following parties. I h've divided Morgan^s lots as near as I could and sehd you five contracts for Haj. Litchficld. IJartshorn to gen. Dodge, Coi«yd<5tt, IbWa, 9P ^ ^ election news is bdd, very bad, bdt a§ -l'' November, 186'. ' - , - - - - ; - f V . believe that the Republican party is the party of progress, and ; I' , contending for the rights of the oppressed and down-trodden,' and as I feel assured that there is a great and good God who does all things well I have faith to believe that in his good time (and that will be at the Presidential election) he will give us the victory. It onlj^ remains for us to be true to freedom, country and the right; do our whole duty, like men and victory will be ours. ■Among my brother "Rads". hero there is a strong prejudice against Grant; we; were so infernally sold on Voses" that the boys are slow to take hold of any ne who was with him in his drunken swing around the circle. I have been and am a grant man, and have been working in a quiet way t<? make a sentiment in his favor. I want to send from this county a 'Grant-Dodge delegation, ^nd as I have never failed yet in having a delegation to represent the sentiment of the county, t think you will-find you can count on Wayne. ^ have no fears on that point. The late eleotloM left me In possession of an Elephant. I was elected to represent the 5th Dist. in the State Senate and shall have to spend the winter in Dee Uolnes. I propse by deeds not words to prove oy gratitude for your kindness in procuring for the lioniter the publicatletn of the Laws. I roaeived the appointment i went to conaWefable expensd to be ready to enlarge the paper in time for the meeting of Congreas Noveaber, 1867. . , in December, believing th^t that was th^ session for wjiicji I received it, but I fear from what I have seen in some of- the papers _that the desig nation of the sessions ha® been changed and that the first, the one for which the Monitor is selected,^ only applies to the few days ses sion in March and will end at the regular time of meeting in December. If that is so it will be a sad disappointment to-jae ;and upset all my calculations, and I shall esteem it a great fa-vor if it^ is as I now fear, that you will-have my contract extended to cover what was al ways designated-^s the first session, the meeting in December. Thos. H. Bates to Gen. Dodge, Sanders, 9: ■ ^ ' I have received your dispatch directi,ng the location on Brown's lino fho» tl^e summit of the North Platte. I am very much afraid the season is too far advanced to do any work in a satisfactory mamwr. I shall, however, do the best I can; shall start the party Bovn .8 tHey can be^^otten ready.ana Mr. Bvans returns with Instruo- ' ■ ■ U-i -' tions. « . , If it meets with your views I would like to send the party to Bate the location and remain here myself a few days until I«get the notes worked up and then go East on a short leave ab 1 before requested Edward C. 9aith for whom I requested a leave, of course, will have to * • • ' remain. 1 have drawn the following! drafts. oen. filbbo. desires oe to run out the military Veservatlon at this point and d- some other work for him. I oh.lI try and do It. November, 1867. Gen. 11. Bailey to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 10: O .',t t ceme in this morning" frr^m Julesburg dh my regular tVip and • I . • found two* letters from you. One discharging me from your employ and the other stating that you had written to me In the fore part of the • week directing me to com'e'over and go down to the timber with Llr. PlatWr. If you still desire to have me go down with him I am at - your service. ^ ■'^ITou have befriended me and I do now and always shall oe you a deUt of gratitude. Tomorrow I will get testimonials of the other Route Agents, the Post master hare and -the Conductors. oi\ the road of my conduct. Oh! General, after all the different pdsitlns I ^ ^;|g| have held, the Gove'mment money I hove- expended, the bribes I 'have spumed, the honorable manner in which I left tha service after i • having expended nearly three millions of dollars and serving .nearly six years without ever doing a dlshmest deed evenUo the value of one penny; always having before me my mother's advice "Honesty is.the best policy", and now to be accused of anything while holding a lo'-, dirty ,^,!, .ten cent office, it nearly breaks my heart, not on my own account, but , jiy pr wife and mother. ' 't . Gen, Dodge to J. E. House, Council EXhffs, ' . - , 1 Jhaye had to take lot 8 block 167. « it w , I send orer.my river map to have Purgeson's sounding put on. 'S I November, 1867. • • f also the located lines r;an by Hudnutt and forwarded to me at Washington. If Evans does not cone in, send Reed profile of the -20 miles from Little Laramie west with the grades changed, as I Changed them J;o throw out the light cuts. Send it to him up to where the change of line is to be made for 30 ft. r-rade. ■ ■ , ...h ' Geu., ^odg6 to J. E. House, Council Bluffy, 11. , „ ^ ^ , If. Capt.-Bailey leaves, place Boker in charge of books, &c. until I get back in December. ; Mr. Bailey 13 buying the corn and hay for mules this winter and tr. also putting up scm.e sheds, for mules.^ I think wp better get all the grain now ps it Is raising fast.,, _ . you can pay lir.Edd:; JlOO Pfr month if that is what Hill.- agreed to pay. Cannot Eedy worK. on maf®' office if hp is going to stay in city?. '.' T " ;«! A rt x.*L_ /.an have him come back. The letter I If you want Hofftoan jou i , i A A. -j *.« . -also one to Evans if he does not Vrroto tcy Rudnutt forward to him r -jax ^ . «• j. t> «./! iMid »went back with him. It seems to come in. I think Bvane areti Roed ^ . . , 1 stronp" enoiigb to take a common safe, me that the buildin- ought to be strong enoug ^ + rA„+. laf it. for it will fall of its own if it is not we get out^ » j weight. . V I want our papera-law and lot, puVphpre they will be safe, and taking one Fro.t has'got saves buying one. Ldo not know how large it is. Chapman says he sent over the lot books-one with 200 November, 1867. pages, start Cheyenne in. -i5:;7uS- 'ttfiif ff?! v, r run :: ul [ - £• I do not want any delays on*those lots, Myers an6 Bowenger. If they ask it I suppose we will have' to give It, but it is not right to ask us any more time. I want you 'to gb' out as soon as possible And see who has not paid up and cancel the sales-excej>t those of officers who are y4t aWay aftd not h4d a^chance to* pay. Llerritt,* Cuttis, Clark and the officers who bought and* are with our parties are to pay when they get in. * Duff has a pair of horns and a lariat rope tfifere at office; see that they are taken care of. Forward my letter t6 Evans Tight off. I will authorize you to draw when I get to New York, I ^ J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 12:* i- --V *■ I failed to aemd* prof iles last ni^ft-'lis I telegraphed you. Have had to make new profile from Sale Creek to Laramie jEHver, as Mr. Kurd*8, that* wiaa sent me by Schimonsky, was profile of the- 80 ft. grade I send the 80 f .t, "gTade to Sxttteiiti and 80 from tpQW down. I do not know what has become of Evan's Black Hills profile^ tip],ess Dr. %rant A. took Mhem West with him. ^ Mr. Dillon called ^ flhV offfd^l this mcrrnlng; is getting ^long quite well. He intends going West this evening and will cross the Black Hills if possible. * - wil' go to Cheyenne-^'Aboh a© I get through with the hurry at ■* .v.'*'. n. 'TTW November, 1^67 . ' , the office and get work up closer.. Mr. Jtidder is making out the accounts and I suppose will be off ei;e long.. Hi.s bills far .expenses of party rafiae jfn very heavy, but I sxippose on the conditions that he was hired re will have to" pay them. I will have Eddy com in the office as the Captain has 1-eft.I will keep Bocker" at the .land matter as that'will take soaie time t- fix upD. C. Bloomer to Gen. Dodge, Coi:ncil Bluffs, 13: _ I enclose statement in reference to the Steps I have tkken to'procure'a pension for Mrs. Mohan- an Irish woman who has frequently been"employed In your family and.in your brother's/amily. ^ It has hung up in the penSlort office a long time. ; , . M. h. Mophersoh to Gen. Ddge, T9interset, 15: . I dont suppose you can do ^.nything in the way of appolnlms'nts this winter for me, as 1 em a radical of tl?e deepest dye, but should there be anything at your eommaad which will pay $2000 and expenses ' 1 will accept provided I do not have to awear alleglanoe to Andy. Uy preferences are for a superintendenoy of Indian affairs. AS appropoa ti this 1 want you to wote. far the Impeachment of the drunken old cusa whd now sleeps in the TOite House. 3. Goodrell tc'Gen. Bodge, Defi MOlnes, 16: r • Capt. Thomas Seeloy, Register of the Ladd Office at this piece, h.e thle day sent his resignation as Heglster to the President I herewith enclose letters-from our friends P. *. Pataer and heo. C. A', " ' *4''.. ■ , .u.;,v: ■/!.;■ •:i*>' '' »/. i' November, 18C7. Tichenor recomiiiending Felix G. -Clarii. Gdii. Dodge to J. E.. House ,• New Yoj^k, 16: " ,f, , IjtvV. 0,1 fj. . i! I r, ., Hurry up map.of locatiori 6th" l^undred miles,• Secj^. of Interio demands its filinjJ hfefore hq, -will a.ccept of work or road built on that portion. Send it toi fa®, at Washington. . • I en close draft for ^:10,^000.. Pub on stamp and use it. F. J. Hodges to Gen. .Dodge ^ Bear Riv&r Statlp^n,- 17: ^ Jl ■ Tjie locatiori of Weber narrows being finished ,and the map and profile forwarded, I have the honor tp submit the following report. Rev.'Thos li. Stuart .to ;Gen. ^odg", S'lk Point, D.T. , 11: I do not desire.the offiQe-for myself or any of my friends. | I only desire that'saae godd Republican.have it. ^ Gen. Dodge to J. F. House, New York, .18: Send A copy of ^heyenne map to me at Washington, and I will have It lithogi'8,r«»a. Put on It the Government depot atvd Fort David Russell, Riin Denver branch inter main line just at edge of town. J. 0. Hudnutt to Gen, Dodge, Chicago University, 18: Col. Williams will be here tomorrr w, and as he has the bridge proper-ln kiind till, I truat. be ready to report to yon in fnll. I will forward a copy of my work as you deyro. 1 am open for an ongagement with ysu if yon deaire and think I can fill the bill. 7.54 . November, 1807. • t ' ' Please make the acquaintance of Senator Patterson of N.'. ( if y^u have not done so already) as he^ is an old college chum of mine. t • Gen. Lodge to J. E. House, New York, 18; . . Under the new contract fro 100th meridian west we must get • . i. the actual cost af each station house, tank, round house, machine shop, machinery, turn table and all other buildings put up by the contrac tors; buildings built by the company after road went into our hands are not to be included. Get each separately and send me as soon as possible. It will form the basis on .which .to make estiiuates infutrrre add you need not retui^a any more estimates on old plan. Get time schedules from Snyder of road to Uheyenne and send me; also send me » « the proprotionate estimate based ori 50,000 per mile of Henry's; it is iri ay desk; also your proportionate estimate on same. You will also construct a proportionate estimate, dividing proper parts as for grading, bridging, tieing, track-laying, telegraph equipment which, ie to ,"be In cash cost !|7500 pr mile for f llowing distances and pritea, C9(»i»tncing at lOOth meridian and going west. 'u t r' Is.t. 100 miles at rate of $42,000 per mile, 2nd. 167 167 « " - 45,000 " " ' 3rd. - lOO 4th. KIO 6th. _100 'fith.^ 100 " 96,000 tt " 80,000 " 90,000 " 96,000 "X*"' '•v ;$ • ■ -i 'Af,, . * v-». . 1 ■■'(o November, 1867. * ♦ • * The proportionate changes i.e. grading, would increase over Black Hilld and decrease again in LsLraniie Plains, increase again over main divide and into the Black Fork. * Morgan I learn is enroute in. I wrote' to Davis of the wrk to be I done on land motters, arid I w^nt the land map painted up and forwarded as soon as practicable, and tne R.R. line and stations pt more pro minently on it. I left you an order of instructions about getting finaly estimate on road as far as constructed with actual cost; as near o; practicable; tais is entirely independent of Send me that rough tracing of map on P.O'. paper that Appleton sent into me. Did Hudnutt get my letter? 1 J. A. Evans to Den. Dddge, Omaha, 19: • ' '■ Being here it seems conveneitti to vh^ite you respecting matters l^est. The location la completed to the Platte«by this time. I.have the maps and profiles here to within lO miles of Medicine Bo*, the rest will follow as soon as they can be made up. The location iSf of course, by Staxw'ell's line wekV of Medicine Bow. The^matter is nearly In the following state: East of Rattlesn.ake Hills Llax. grade. Brown's i-66 feet. „ It " " " Maxwell's 2>9 ffet. ' - , ti " " Brown's- 80 (not less than) n ir West of Maxwell's,*- 45 feet. N'-wember, 18C7. •« II ■ U: «r West of North Platte River . " " Browner -• G3 foot, • • . 1 .".r JV • nr " Bates' - 85 " It appears than that Maxv/ell's Ijne is tigst east of Platte and Brown's west of that river, including the crossing'of the Platte, . it.^elf. Now, the most "desirable thing is to §o connect those lines as to preserve the godd points in both. I am of the opinion - that - we can connect on the western slope of the Rattlesnake Hills-thereby availing ourselves of the lower altitude of Llaxwell's svunmit and at the same . Ki . .. . ' : time maintain ng as a point in the line Brown's crossing of the North Platte. river. r The maximum grade on west slope of Rattlesnake on Brown s line (00 ft.) are near the summit. If the connection proves favofable we will reduce t^ia materially, starting as we shall from a lower sunLuit. I have given instructions to have this line run. Trgiins are running regularly to Cheyenne; time 24 hours. Durant and Dillon are hero-expect to reach summit with track this fall- if l>rejBent weather continues a few weeks then may do it, still there Is c«n»l.derablo grading to do. ^ ^ As soon JW^'Rpil's party return wili have them lay off town •at %id0rs. Regards to your family, who I understand are with you. . , J. A. E^'ano to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 19: I find your letter Cf the I6th in'the office thl^ evening. IflN**# you fully with reference to lines west* at rashlngtcn'today. Ilovember, 1SC7. supposing you to be there. f'?■). !' Brhwn's line is much the best west of Platte. Maxwell's iine is much the best east bf there. What I want to do now is to use Maxwell's suHi.:ait ahd Brown's crossing of Nbtth Platte by connecting the'lines on the western slope §f Rattlesnake.Hills. I think we^can do this. Parties will set about it at*once. J, E, House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 19: It . nYour letters of the 16th fnom New York came to hand this ^ . ... I morning. The draft Cf $10,000 I placed to your Cr. in the First * r • National. I have commenced the map of the 6th hundred'and will send ^ 11 to you as soon as completed. Mr. Blickensderfer left this morning, which releases Mr, Lambach fTomfurther*Work for him for the present. I am in hopes now to soon get the most of the office Work done up. The meandering of the river is completed and am now platting the notes: will transfer them on the river map and then make the changes • ■ f • ? . : on your map. and, senW it to you. The masonry of Loup Fork is progressing finely with every pros pect n w of, completing before extreme co'ld weather sets in. I have made three different plans and estimates on the cast of repairing North platte bridgej one as you designed, another as Mr* Dillon and the other as my plan. They stand'respectively ae regards-cost, yours |l2,e00, Dillon's $10,000 and the last at $25,000 which includes new November, 1867, • e superstruction throushout. t,will send you a tracing and estinate of each in a fev; days. The Doctor a-d LIr. ^iHon have examined them but as yet have ,a.dopted neither, Toiiorrow I am to laake an examinatdion and estima.te for a temporary pile bridge across the Lissouri River, Mr, Dillon starts for New York tomorrow, I do not know Whether the Doctor will go or not, flur track reache-^ Cheyenne last Thursday. I have i>pt been up but will try and get away on Thursday of this week. I received last week another remittance from Talfey amounting to about $5000. Morgan arrived here with his party Saturday morning. He has d'isbanded the'most-bf- .them} the balance ..^, back to Sanders to work up the- notes of survey, • : I - , ,: Mr. Evans ca .e in l^ondajE) momixig ^and goes back on Thursday, He brought in notss and p«,,rila of loe*ted line to Rock Creek. He speaks nf'SOM Chang.® necessary to be made on it. - .Jh. matter of right of way .over the different bridge lines, Mr. Dillon time. He says he will conf 1 t • ■ ^ with the Oootor bwfere he .leaves,and tell me more abouy it. The sals of your lot on Jacks cm Street is an unsetlled matter. It «ees>s that parties have commenced a suit or .set up a claim that the deed to th»en you purchase, d from was a forgery, its merits will probably be dttermined at this of Court. The party who desired to .p».-..s« In the meanwhile are willing to await the d^ision. Their mdTieyls on deposit awaiting perfection of title. N'verni er, 1867. Lr, Evans will take out burial ca'ses for th ae bodies when he goes. He thinks there will be no difficulty in*making the transfer as the climate and aridhess of the soil is such that\decompsitioh dods not take place so soon or tc such an extent as in other local ities. I never sUch delightful weather a*5 we are nov/ havlhg, iind if it only continues a short time the most" of otir work on repairs will be well out of the way. ' 1 disbanded the Kidder party as soon as the surveys viere compete but they are still hanging around; do nlot know) i^at for or when they intend leaving. I hope soon, as I have had janough o f. them. ^ J. E. House to (rejfi; trodge, Oma'^a, 21:- • Please inform me what salary yott' weT© to pay John Morgan, and if his services were to commence when he left Pennsylvania, or at th- time he reported to the party; also if traveling expenses were to be allowed from end of track, ftc. He has left the employ of the Company end has auth^riaed Gen. Casement to 4ign'his vouchers« • There is soi.iething very curious in his action^; came in on Saturday morning ... .t^s at the office all day, apparently aTl right and soufid ; cn Monday he acted as thoggh he had bwen drinking but not to excess.- He left the office in the mottling ftnd that was the last time I oiaw him. In writing t casement he claims that he is Verglnlj ton^rtfs insanity and ere long will be ho*pele\sly insane; family troubles the cause. His accounts November, 1867. « with the Company are all right, having drawn.but Evans goes West tomorrow night. I will not be able to go with him. The Doctor has not left and is wanting something every day, so I thought I would defer the journey till he was well out of the way, I could then gi*e it more time, also want to get off the map of the • • 6th hundred miles; have it about half finished. Will send you River •-'W map tomorrow. - . . . i'*";.* - Jesse L. Williams to Gen. D-^dge, Fort Wayne, 21: I returned yesterday from a 10 days tour among the bridges, Had fine weather and was much interested. If important that my report !)« ready by 27th I shall be much pressed. I want to show you the report before I hand to Board, but how can I accomplish this? Will ot have time to go to Was ington. If I must submit report on 27th, . j ' ' ', ' could you not run over to New York and meet me and the Board? Think I shall start East next Monday night; dont know that the report will be called for. CoX. Hudnutt will send you copy of profiles &c. He estimates on your new line wast.from Child*a Mill Bridge, as best. We find it beat to- throw bridge up river 75 ft. at west end to a void deep cut throu-h ths^t aide. Evans, or whoever run that lino made a sharp an ^ . . , . ^ I had Mv. Colburn*s comany to Cuincy. He explained to me fully their difficul^^a as to water for runn ng their traina, FfSB Danville November, 1867. . , . . Ills. west of Jacitsonville n6 stream except the Langanon has a drop of water in it. Between those points the Company have expended $70,000 in experiment to get water to but little purpose. 'They dig r; • wells and put in tile feeder in everj' direction 6 ft. below ground, tho being in water in wet weather but none in the drought, I give these facts that you may profit by them in your locations. The amount of water required to run a R.R. of large business is very ppt to be underrated. One :,iore point. Did you notice in highest water whether the flood reached the 1-4 71, Sec. 2, proposed as exchange grounds? 1 was sur * ' prised to find it so little above lew water at upper crossing and Child'a Uill. It may be that the water would soak into engine pits; If so the highest part of it should be used. I suppose the river 0 flows into the Little Lake. I - , i'n , J. F. House to Cen. Dodge, Omaha, 22: - - . • - w. f ^ ^ I sond you map of river surveys; have marked oh the presert 'U9 - bs^ijts as shown "red line," have not extended it 'down to Child's Mill AB there seems to be something wron"^ in the work of the old map and I cannot find where the trouble is- have not '.ad time to make full examinations. The changes have been so sllj^it in that vicinity that it- is hardly worth whUe making a note of it, Tho work-Horth of Omaha •earn to check first rate and Is undoubtedly ddrrect. Tracing of Appleton's map will be sent tonorrow. It has been November, ?867. decided to bridge the river temporarily, have cKMBmfenced getting ont piles. J. . T^ans to 6en, Do'ge, fjmaha, 22; iLct'rgan passed Sanders before your instruction-s reached there He has now reached the pariy. LI; • House will explain. I leav for Sanders this afternoon taking Apploton, how in charge of party, with 0(Nel 11 and Maxwell are ex|)loring in Rattlesnake Hills, 7.111 'send maps of everything as soon as possible. ^ If ydu Want me* to send tracings directly, either toNew York or Washington, notify me by telegraph at Fort Sanders,. , J, 0, Hudnuttr to Gen, Dodge, Chicago University, 23: Today I sent per express duplicate copies of map,profiles, &c. and reorts to Ur, TTilliaiiS at_Fort Wayne. They would have been ready sooner by a few days ^xcept that U . 7. modified his plans some what after his visit to Kansas City and Quincy; in particular with 'regkrd to width of wattr-way or length of bridge. If. Snyder to G n. Dodre^C^ha, 23: ^ Yours 17th at hfthd. Congdon's estimate would have been made out aoonei- but-., hava both been over the entire leneth of the road for about two week* organizing business to Cheyenne. 'l aKed c. to have hla estimate of equiment required on four trains daily ea*Il way. We will require that number each day. «r> ■■ November, 1867. . TVe got "buaineas well .organized at Cheyenne'and "our earnings a' e very good, . ' The discharged conductors an^ braketaen' under the ?.dvice of Harbach and soine insiders are filing up the-affidavits on my case and forwarding to llr, Ames at New York, offi.ce, t ■ . - t ; All that I ask o'f "tiie .Coiupany is that they wil] probe this matter thorous-hly; look through every transaction that has taken place and sai-isfy themselves from the record's in the* office or testimony of reliable men whether' I have been working for my employers or myself. If they can f nd that I' hav^ ever uttcde one dime outside of my salary I their want interest them to s dfscharge solely and me.' have If .never' thoy find Qngagod that in I any have transactions wo^rked for | that Jy positiori' could affect'directly or "indirectly» it is sim|)y asking Justice to have'them sustain me. . ^ , J, E, House to GenC Dodge, ddaha, 23: . I send'you, this evening Appleton*s map, I have as yet done nothing towarcls right of way over the-several bridge lines. LIr. Poppleton tells me I can accomplish nothing, until some.one of the lines in leteralned upon. That e .na-Jorlty of the lota are owned by non reaiaenta and those who are here svade the price of their lota and la-pro^emente. I h^ve talhed with Ur. Dillon and Durant about the matter apd they have told me to'liaW <nit the required Grounds for depot"and rlcht of way and send'traeing to New York. That seams to be .... 1-. Noveiaber, ' 1867. • i "- ' the tin'^erstandinj^ no-.v. I'r. Snyder is to stat'e the required '^mount of ground that will he needed. I am anxious to carry «out your -instructions, hut don't see. how I can do anything at present. shall start for Cheyenne on. Monday nin-ht if nothing prevents more ,than I Imov; of nov;.- Map of 6th hundred is platted to I-aranie River; it will he a small task to put on topogra phy. "'ill send you a tracing by last of week.- , U J. T'odges to Gen. Dodge, Fort Bridge , 25: , , I have forwarded to you at Omaha complete returns of expenditurefl'and'receipts for August, September and October 1867. Map, profilB-and report of location of iVeber narrows. Map and profile of locixtion of head of Echo. Prbfile of preliminary from Bear River to both Pioneer Hollow.and. Little Muddy., Profiles Kos. 1, 3 and 4 of Lost creek- lines and two communications of the 27th October and 9th Ilovember, 1867, respectively. ■ • Us roconnolBsanooa of rim of baaln now comprise its entire eastern crest from Sulphur Crook northward to fifteen miles above Salth's Fcrk(moulh of) . Hie-lKiM which have, been run show the only eodd routes. That which Ur. Heed abapdonei appears to be In as favorable (Q locality-ae any from two miles north of auaklng Asp lo my line of last summer. It Is my, oplnlpn that there is no ether except with long ■ tiinols and remalnlne map and'reports will be forwarded at the awliast momani. ^ KovsUiber, 18C7. • » It is due tWe California engineers to .state that they first dis covered the Echo route upon which I have located. Their stakes being placed 500 ft, apart I stumbled over them while reconnoitering the route. Their line was run to IK ft. grade and" shpws .some heavy work. Final location will somewhat cliange", it may be, my line as my report will state. East of the Stunmit it is located With much care; west of it we contended with eighteen "inches of snow for a day or two. The desired information about my late reconnoissajjc^ of ^'ahsatoh is not yet received. ' -K , ' t * i start today torreconnoitre < on horseback .the,^.route , down Hains Pork. Uy party mows to Rreen Rlvor to comply with instruotlono there ^ on account of an accident t^ my ttanSit I.oannot run in curves, hut will approach location as neaP as possible. As soon as this Is fin ished I Shall send the p-rty back to Salt Lake for discharge, procecdinc myself to Omaha where I can have reference to my. notes, without ,rt,ich It is impracticable th vrite report of Boar River line. There aro also o'her coneldertitlone of the highest oharaoter both official and personal for reporting at Omaha. . , Oen. Dodge to J. B. House, Washington, 25: ... _ Morgan was employed at Juleeburg and received pay from the date of dlmpatch to him at Juieeburg, alBo transportation from end of track to his party. I made no agreemmnt with h,m as to pay. It ,a. my intention to make him Divielen HnT., but as ha has left do not Noveaber, 1867. . • » think,we should pay him over .^150 per Jionth. I am sorry about Morgan as I had supposed he would make a ,goocl man. It sedms to me the bridge over the river is a cost not called for. You can do all on the i(ie you can on a bridge and save all the cost. I am looking for my Oregon map; also 6th hundred. H. J» B, Oum...lng3 to Gen. Dodge, Winterset, Iowa 26: A soldier dies after making application for the additional * f boxinty. Had he. died in service they would have got the $100. This • « does not seem right, but does seem to demand additioanl legislation. John A. Jackson, to Gen. Dodge, Pulaski, 28:- Hov; kind and good you are to answer my letter of long ago. I thought at. the time of writing it there was but little happiness in living .in the rebellious States if you dared differ from traitors, but sine- my husband, in the face of oaths and indults, voted for Gov. BrownlftW' an-^ other radicals, with open tickets, it has grown more iiitolerahle and aneers and ^slights ore met with oftener. To a gentleman these "things make but little difference unless he meotti th.m ftice to face; to a laay they act as sloj. poison, sappins l»alth, strength anrt life. Dn'er such olrouu^tanoos you must know What pleaaa- .unveakahle we. should feel If the Government chore to confer a co,pl»««.t upon us^ In the face or our enemies for having atood by. our co<intry. when.to be her friend was t6 be disgraced In t' ■ li -j . I'.liJIU., Noveraber, 1SC7. their eyeS. I could never tell you on paper what we have"undergone since the close of the*war; annoyances and persecut:ons in a thousand ways entirely unexpected or merited have been our portion. I know you are and ever were a frieh-' tb sufering loyalist, I know you would gladly confer favors upon all deserving ones,-to show to rebels the difference between traitors and loyalists, as you kindl: did v;hen you governed us as a military commander, were it left with you. Mr. Jackson I fear could hardly get an appointment or even a rsoommendatlon to the present Inoumient at the White House for office, as 1 believe he Is deol'edly "opposed to-raaiiale 'going, abroad or holding. o-^fico if he can help it. 1 . .. . .You will find our friend. Col. Uullins, from Tenn., very much of a.aOBtleman, X hope you will know him, also Ur. Arnell. ExoBee, mo for writing at such length,' an' allow me to Insist If you ever oome to Tenn. to pay ue r'vlslt at the same homestead.- „0 on. would be more pleased to see you than Hr-, Jackson and myself^ J. K. House to Gen. hodge, Omaha, 29: T have lust return-d from Ohbyftniie. spent one day there; ..he townis improving rapidly, but "no hW Pales have take^ place for j +hn'-f» lots selected o-^id held Bo»> time. Mb. Talfey Informed me that tho. e lo b. Officer, that are not paid le no fault of theirs, a. the paymaster has not been there in some time and their .ur^h. funds have been u.,d in buUdlng on their lots; that as soon as money came they would^ ..n Noveaber, 3 807. . » • « - pay promptly, , : . 'a ' The w'eather is quite'severe, .snViv;.having Callen on Monday to the depth of 6 8 inoJiatei and was snowing on the moutaihs, so that I had no view bt Long Peak or the Snowy Range* I felt considerably disappointed. * ' ' - , The track is completed to t'-e 526th mile post. . The' road is in very good "condition as far west as Sidney* but from there on there is no provision'made as yet- for enclosing tanks, &cl all trains going west are delajred very mticb on that account, everything fi'ozen up, no shelter, nd Nothing as'it'oughf lio be. I understand that men are t - be sent' out at oAee to make such ifflprovements as are necessary to keep pum^s and men from freezing while pumpihg water. The masonry at Loup Fork is cdmploted arid the bridge inost . raised, ..will bb able to use it next week. * * • i ' ♦ 1 smn& you Hodge's report will send you ^ tracing of the map in a few days, thW profile has itet.arrived yet.., J. F. House to"®tfn". Dodge,.Omaha, 30j- ^ ^ ^ I send you'thls day by Merchants Union Express a tin case containing map and profile aent, in by Hodges. I have looked over them tut hasltly. t eee he has mKlit a voided Improvement at the head of Boh- ahd reduced grades very much; also, his, line at the narrows shoM pretty wall. I would have made copies of them before sending but"it would have taken too muoh time, and If you return thla month November, ]867. ^ , • y" you would have had no opportunity of examining them. . • I saw Hr. Reed in Cheyenne .and asked him for the actiial cost of all budding, machnery &c. He says it will be some time before they can be gcrt at as part of the accounts are in the Omaha office, part he has, &c. I am inclined to ^hink they ca'-; never be gotten at accurately, . . 'j I have commenoC^ the estimate and will get it up as soon as pos sible. The statepeni^ you asked for of original esttaate made by LIr, ,Honry I have not sent ,but will next week, ily trip to Qheyenne has ■jJUt me behind with ay ,work .but L will catbh up In ,a few days, ,I sent you ^efi:ies thl3 v>oek of loo^ted line as far as Evans has fnrnlshecj ^ them tb lee« Map of St^ihundred miles will be sent on Lioniay, and I Will have it end as,near as possible whero it ought to, and i^r, Evans will have the stakes corrected on the 7th hundred. * ' ' ■ i* The weather is quite boifcdiand the'river is filldd with ice, wit •very prospect of closing up. oBhe pile bridge Is commenced but no piles have yet been driven. Mr.,ClebTlrp has gone West to stake out coal altSM^a! Ante lope i HI lledele. and Cheyenne. f 'ten'. Pod'ge'te>- F, Hou«A,Ma«hing+on, SO . Any m-^^8 going to Sew. York muat be sent, to,me. 1 want to see them before they are fMed in the New York office-no matter what for or of what klrid. I want thw profiles arid maps of Hodge's work, just as ^ 770 November, 1867. . ,• they come inj should have them here, before I leave, Christmas. They may be sent to-^ort Sanders, but I got a letter from him stating that he* would soon send them that came jBst after I left. ■ _ • - l'fear snow will closd wof-k at BiSck Hills before track gets to summit. Presideiit fixed east base au.w'ek ago about five miles west of Cheyenne, Please see Snyder about sending estimate of machinery &c.,that I wrote for before I left omahar-I cannot ^Uvide machinery- . 100th meridian and contract west until I get his estimate. J. L. TTilliams to Gen. Dodge, Fort- Wayrie,. 30.:- . I learned from New York that no: meeting wOuld b© held on the 27th, 30 I continued at work at my aatimates and .reports and am .now about through, 'heave tcmorfow night to attend-meetin- of Ft. Wayne Board An New York on 4th December. Have come out west to look over the bridge subject before I hand in my report.,! suppose-I will be in New York all next weeki If they permit it^ I want it done while I am there. - ^ ' >''J The re,;;=rt lo not qufte done,- Ml D «1U enploee .to you a state .ent or the. llnoe. cost, length, fto. .hich 'Ib very nearly If not exactly as It will be. The importance ef-the subjoot and the differ ent interests Induced me to go muc:. Into detail In estimating founda tion' masonry, putt .ne'fair relatlwe prices to every Item at cut u.te. according to the B-.l of my Judgment end with the beet light I December, 1867. . " t could get. I have never in estimating any work taken more pains, thou^-there may yet be .contincencids.and changes inrelative cost; yet it is as near right as .Cam" be.iaacl. In estimating the cost, I add at lower Omaha and also for 4 piers at Child's Mill. I have conferred with both Chanute and McAlpin'. At Chi3.d s mill some of the 4 piers may possibly be founded in some different way but I think the'dost will bs the same. As a matter of course I did work better at moddrate».^^iepth much easier and, much cheaper, and so the estimate shows. . Col. J... 0. Hudnutt came over and staid a day with me this week ♦ • Xeft with m© for you a copy of his report, estimates and profiles.^ ■hiese I will send you mail today. 0. 1. Clark to Oen. Dddgo, Des^olnes, 1: \ t ^ r . ■ : . • j., ;; jQu have not already made the acquaintance of Josiah allow me to introduce him to you as an old oomrad. and'ver, parUoalaj frUpd of ,mine. He Is one of your oonstltuenta and haa b.en for aooatlme a elerk In the 2nd Audltor'a office. • ■- Jaa. A. Svan» to 0»n., Dodge Fort Sanders, !• yotailettora.of the nth, 17th an"d "zad of Hoveobor arc here B, laat letter from Oaah. »a, ie oonalde'r.d aVeriy to oil except the latter, ifeon yourlottar af Inatruotlcna're.ched Be the party in charge of tiorgen had paa.e? here on their .ay tc Omaha, nr. U. haa aa Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - November 1867 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 November 1867 For additional November 1867 correspondence, please refer to "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - March to November 1867 (miscellaneous)," pp 868. For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/8fb81312804b9c567e3a3655656fd4d0.pdf 4347b2eda677e02ba123b2e9db015f98 PDF Text Text December, 18G7. . , could geti I have never in estimating any work takeji more pains, though' there may yet be . contingencids. and changes iprelative cost; yet it is as near right as .fcaot be.JbacU In estimating the cost, I add at lower Omaha and also for 4 piers at Child's Mill. I have conferred with both Chanute and McAlpinv At Child s mill some of the 4 piers may possibly be fotmded in some different way but I think the'dost will be a;bout the same. As a matter of course I did work better at moddrate-depth much easier and^much cheaper, and so the estimate shows. i ^ ^ , ... - Col. J.. 0. ' Hudnutt » came f over #and staid a day with me this week • • 'A# left with me for you a copy of his report, estimates and profiles.^ •hiesd I will send you 08,11 tod£^. ^ ^ « . Oi 1, Clark to Oen. Dddgo, Des joiner , 1; ' ' If you have not already made the acquaintance of Josiah MoUioa;'fldq.,-you will allow me to introduce him to you as an old comrade end very parti«»laf Jrl.»d o;C^mlne. He la ono of your oon.otltuents and has been for ametlme a clerk In the 2nd Auditor's office. Jas. A. Evans to Oen.^ Dodge , Port^Sanders, 1- yoU« leVt9ra.of the nth, 17th ai^d 23d of Hoveubor arc here • g, last letter fro. Oaati. oonaldor.d aVeply to oil exoeol the latter.- I4.e-n your l.tt.r .f ^.tructions'reaohed me the In charge of Morgan had pa.a.d hep. on their way to'Omaha. Mr. U. has as December, 1367, . ' •' j i-",' you know left the road, Appleton.and two of his party are here now doing office work. !, '■ Bates has gone East; his party has gone to Salt Lake City, He ' • (Bates) wasted several weeks §f good weather here, and now the weather *'is such as to make outside work impossibl at present, I have watched "the movements of this party and coae to this conslusion- that aside from the man Smith they re as a party nearly useless. The present head of the party is certainly not^the man you require in the emergen cies of next season* W ,, - Maxwell's axvA O'Neill's parties are here now, weather-bound. Location finished by O'Neill to Updicine Bow- and thence by Maxwell line to North Platte and from Medicine Bow to siumnit of BrowN's Pass, I am keeping the parties here th.inking that perliaps the weather may yet enable us to finish work east of North Platte. Winter commenced here in earnest one *«k since; it has been stormy since and is snow ing now. The mncationa are ralther unpromising, still v.e may have after this'stormy time some'godd weather yet and by taking hay with us may be able to" finish, T am particularly desirous to'mkke connection from Maxwell''s ll«e to Brown's. , The changws spoken of in one of your letters east of Medicine : BOW are made andt the line now is final. VliUe this bad weather continkel the'parties «Mt:do office wofk, and as soon as it improves will ^ke'e'^er* available man out there and settle the question. It may • " December, 1867. . J if result in the loss of our animals. What you .say about lines over Black Hills cannot be otherwise than gratifying to me, and now to f, crdwn the Whole absurdity I am told that in consequence of some mistake in their levels they have a 90 fobt grade after all. As soon as this pressure is oter I itend making a elose cas&i5arison between the lines, which, in the shape 'of a report to you, will, I hope, sometime be per mitted to see'daylight. If you can, where you are, make some arrangements by vhich our new town here can be made --eoure so that we will haye no trouble with "outsiders. Ithal I would eug(?S8t la thkt'it be oonsidered a military reservation as at present and so far ba" outsiders are concerned |in the future. You will un«erstand by 'what 1 say that whaUcLs required U_ that we have emclualve right there-perhaps If would be well for you to write to Augur about it# With reference to next seMoiis wdrk I have this much to say that aside from your.elh I am 'fa'dt losing respect for all in hlyh position on the r.P.R.B. the last dsvelppmsnt Is- thaf beoauas I was honestly and isgltlmatsly making a little In my tie orntract-they must need go back and curtail It one half. glYlng It to two parties whom 1 verily relieve eteal more from them annually thwi-lcshall make In a proper " from my little eontraot. tt kioms to me now that this country Is to be m,"fut»rs 'home fo^ all tl4llHMtA». oohneotsd with the R.R. or otherw'lse. and for the' next .Wson lf ation can be made to^ ^ December, 1867. warrant my devoting my whole time to engineering., I will take charge iinder you cf the work to Green River or to Salt. Lake, if you wish it. When in Omaha and in connection with the curtailment of the tic contract Dillon t'ld me that they wante-^.me to continue in the engieering. I told him that I cared nothing about it, that there was nothing to be made pecuniarily, and that if, a desire were shown to make a li,ttle reputation srme one woiild bo furnished an opportunity to steal it away. The fact is I suppose that I am disappointed in men, and, I am very sure that had it not been for my. promi^-e ,to you to see to this work here I should have dropped it then. A. J. Poppleton to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, Nov. 30: Yours of Nov. 21st enclosing letters to Oliver Ames, Pres. from,Charles W. .Hamilton, in relation .to the preemption of lirs. Augus ta D.sreenle® is received. • . I,d0 not feol satisfied with the Coimlssionor's decision and I have had this deoieion reversed so often by the Secretary of the int erior, that in myraatter of my own nt clearly hopeless, i should always appeal. If, however, the dompan, t^lnk Itbest to withdraw the appeal, 1 Will take ploasdhe In followins any diro-tlon to that effect. l!ere n my own matter t would press it to the tribunal of last resort unless at least h's hslesdmid tb the Compan, sufficient ground for tation and depot purf^os^. ^ , I Knew t:rs. Creenl.si during the whole time ehe was In the country / itJ •- fe' December, 1867. * ' t ^ • • T . . - • , , In my opinion she *was in no sense a bona fide settler. She was simply a paramour of'Oeor^e Bridge, who used her, among other purpose s, to make the pi''eemption for his benefit. She lived on it just long enough to t"' e the oath and then left T-Tebraska and has not been here for 8 years, rK'-J Ifotc:- 11.' P.. Morgan's lots, -blieyennej* - - Note;- Checks- drawn in favor of G. m. Dodge in check book, not included in vouchers. ' Note:- List o "checlcS drawn on the 1st National Bank, that."do not appear on the stubs of checfk book. ' i * ' ; s.. ^ Seymour to r?en.Dodge, Nev/'York, I have received this morning by mail from"Port Sanders a dispatch of which'the following is a copy^ "Omaha, .Oct* 'SSth, 1867. Col.S . Seymour;- Suspend all further survey^ in Blfick Hills* ^r, Lambert's party Is needed for other work; (Signed) G. U. Dodge Chf. Eng. V.'ill you be good ertotigh to inform me at whose instance or by whose authority tfte afeove 'ISpHtOh was sent and oblige. _ .. ^ W, SnydT to'Oei^. fco,3.'^e, Ottah*-* « ' ,**» , ■ ^ • J. thlnW'Hyira tiers Is flgmrlrrR for promotion and will probab ly ask you ti assist film. I dofiH know how he expected to work It, bu It has always'appeared to me that ho triad to black us In accounts instead of aaslatlng. It may be that ho wanto.to hol,J the rod over U3. If ho has any favors to' ask I th»ali:U no more than fair that he ^ !»■ .■'ill' i") Deceraber, IS 67. i should first audit some of our qld accounts, at least put through his office claims that we are justly entitled to and which ought to have I been paid months since. We want nothing but what is just, "e stand no show with speculators; have to bog hard for everything we get and furnish passes for all his relatives, friends apd acq^iaintances, J. F, House to Gca. Dodge, Omaha, 2:- I sent tills day by Merchants Union Express map of 6th hun- t ■ ^ . .. dred miles. I hope it will prove correct; have endeavred to make it so. -The discresancy in stations is unavoidable; there are so many breaks that it is almost impossible to get the correct distances. I have looked it over crofully, added and subtracted differences and am. oonfldont tha (Sth tandred'miles ).lll end about «here It is placed. The Commissioners.EO out tonigh tto examine frcM the 490 mile post fo the 610th. Track la laid beyond the 526th and Is measured to thot point. 1 have ordered L-mbert In rnd am non engsrsed In settlnE up- his aooounts for the qettleBent.' I shaU let him go,- we can do ♦ noch TDetter than retain hln. t am surprlswd J"" ' .-•e have been kept so ouch at other business It is hardly more than oo-e«.d. 1 will Pbt as many men at work n It as ban- be employed «.ct will eet It off as soon as possible. Ur. Lamhecl* will probably not b. called off to do other work till it is finished. He thinks it December, 1867. will take to the last 'next week. I smi sorry that it couad not have been done before; one map of the 6th h" ndr^ed miles and work done for LIr. ^lickensderfer took up so much time that It was impossible to do more. What action was taken in regard to the bridge location at the last meetin.':; of the board? I received this morning the profile of Ifr, ITudnutt's line through town,'and the telegraph crossing, •bu'' no expla nations. The river is still open and" the weather quite pleasant, but little snow on the ground. Baldwin was here yesterday; all well and prosperous at the-Bluff: He will finish.''is grading this week. I hear nothing further regard ing the clahm to yur lot on Jackson oi». . Llr. Poppleton is now absent and will be awa'Jr o bout 20 days. When he. ceturns wl^l find, out whether there was any action taken at this tena of court. J. E. House to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 3: t , Enclosed please find L,r. Henry's estimate of th-e Ist hun .red .illes. I did not.find the original j'ou spoke of, In fact did not >ake a thorough look over the prpers in your desk but this.is an ,«ei- «py of the basis we u'ssd-as copied In the bisk and is what was Ussft a bMto for estimates to oontraotors after tlie' line was ohsnged down Mud Creek, I oannot make a basis for new estimate till after 1 get the quantities; am now busy mkktng out estimates from the 100th vr-■ December, 18G7. ,•« .v. r,*> ■ meridian'to Cheyenne; will finish it as soon.as I. can-; ' . U Ur; Van Lennep has coiae in and is engaged nt the present for me on plans, maps, ^-.c. He works at )is.report during spare time, also is getting,up plan for case to hold speciments 5^0. I propose closing .j. , 'the upper part with sliding glass windosw. ""hat do you think of it? Note:- Admission fee, received, Military Ord;er of the Loyal Legion. Ren. Dddge to J. E; House, Washington 3: * ■ I enclose the Wilson contracts, whic'. cancel and change. Set out aJtount of 1st payment so that they will not stand on books aga'insl me.' Make .out Quit Claim Dee a for .them to (blank) and send \ them^tome, Ho Cr.Jwill be given at present to let accounts for Mmt. but iota wtll be macked-n^HH as other lots, where ^Qnit Claim Deed is sent out* "• * h j. * ' Gen* Dodge to Jr House jr Washington 3.- I haTS mo profile I.- her^ . trpm Fort Sanders , -T to Sta. 4727 located line, t got today profile fro^ 4727 to 5280 and to 358 (7th hundred. Send M a# ebWn possible profile,from Fort Sanders to 4727. note:- Idat, Of Washington correspondents. * . ■ ■ ■ a Note:- Bruftk 1867* . " ■ '-o.j-l i- . j[#T a 1 f» J". ,E. House to Oeji. Docjgo.^ . I send yau this dwy by Merchants Union Express tracing of map OfCheyenne. 1^have not^put on the Denver Branch as y u requested, not knowing where it will come in or in what part of the town I left a ' December, 1867. . ' . r , it off. You can mark it on with pencil for'the lithorgraphers, or if you ^111 wait 8 or 10 daj'S tlie line will be run and then it can be located v/ith some certainty. . , ■ I an at work upn a. fire proof building for paints, oils and. varnish for Kr.. Snyder. iTie Size is 20 x 32, 15 ft. story in the Clear with flat roof; outside wallstto be.16 ft, high^ ' The wor' still goes on slowly briding the riverj unless they get to driving piles soon they will have but little ure for it, for the winter will be half gone before the bridge is flnlalied^- ' Our bank account to date is overdrawn $803.32, I,®^jpect a small remittance from Talpey today or tomorrow which I .hope wiil carry us j along till you authorize *me to draw or forward me a draft. I have three blank drafts signed by you as Chief Engineer and by ordering me to draw by telegraph'1 could make it to meet the present wants. Mr, Snyder went Yest with Commissioners last riight to look after yho west end of the road. It requires a great deal of work to make it suitable fo winter; tanks and houses are in bad condition, in fact there are no tank hou sea west of Potter; pums are oUt. of order and it is almost impssible to keep a euppry of water on hfwid. The weather here is still m'ild and the river' d^an'; water has fallen greatly since oold weather c<?mmenced, '-^e elefation of surface of waur today is minlaium 1.15, the lowest watSr we have ever had. The Ferry has difficult work crossing. BV/ h'ta 1. H December, 1867. f .1 have vouchers on hand to date, viz: ■ • ■ . I-L. L. Hills, $4086.51. Vv. f- "• Hodges. ♦ ji I ,, Van Lennep ".'liy-'f: ■' I I 'f, 'i Jas. A. Evans. Thos. H. Bates % P. T. Brown J. E. House , . Thos. H. Bates y&n. Lambert I Thos. H. Bates J, E. House i ,r.- 7099.67. 605.25. 5040.47 6254.54. 3498.69 4851.63 2817.06. 3428.81 3320.46. I 'Oil f;- Vf 2 .11, . * f a-'-i/c n IZ^-hn ..,' 1 897.96 Town lot. - ^ ' Shall I forward them to yoti at Washington, or to. New York or hold them till yo^i arrive here?" Appleton's and Maxwell's have not arrived. When ^as here there were some of his vouchers incomrlete and he took them west to correct. _ Jas. A. Wvans to "Gen. Dodge, Fort Sanders, 4: . ^ "^Maatwell anrf O'Neill left for the Rattlesnake Hills yesterday f follow Vhis^evening "and ovetn-ake them rt Rock Cre~k. We shall take forage*and hay *lth u8 and settle;i.he queation east of Platte River. The winter has fairly Set in and there will be but little more work done; ne heavy snow close, up everything. The last decision * * *■ with reference to Dale Creekie to trestle it. ^ ^ December, 1867"' * ' • • T I wis'-^ you could make? such arrangements with regard to the new town as would Jbace us ab'ove* the caprice of'anybodj'- he-re. It seemo to me that an intimation from'Gen. Grant or Gen. Sher*man' to subordinates o n the ground ^c-Ud be 'sufficient. If I have anything to dowith it it would suit me best to piace the milit a*ry and everybody on equal footing as nearly as pos'sible; of course, parties'here would have the advantage of being on the ground and it would be impossible t-^ neither is it desirable, tp proevent it. When the time cctoeS to lay it off, I propose with your consent doing it in this way. ffrst, taking a much smaller area than at Cheyenne and second, making tho lots smeller in the business part of the town. A8 tot the oodo Of'selling-I reoomiend thafa iMmlmuin price be fixed and that tM afeent be paid a:peroentage upon all sales, resefving risldiy tW alternate lota until-the lots on either side of.the reserv^e'ite dlspneed of, then increase tho ^Initauni price ^ certain per cent. Thines hero on We V^ad ,8o far aa gradinB la concerned are movinc along Verj- nicely but at great expenso»-.Wis work must be costing in the Black 'Hills'fully 50 tier cent more than if it was done by contract, ' moat of It being done by the c<aap4ny under Superintendents. I estimate there will be conelderable delay at the Sale Creek,crossinc '•The folks aVo after S.mH. wry -aharp and it Beams to me with out much cause. He sMst have tho paUence of a m-rtyr to stand it. December, 18G7 . < sufficient tp.j justify an attempt to return; I am therefore anxious to have,my salary increased so that my early return may be facilitated. :in your efforts to promote me last spring you succeeded admirably and no doubt you would meet with lilce success now. J.' E. House to Oert. Dodge, Omaha, 6;- ilr; ' Yoiiro of the 30.th ult. 'jdst received. I have forwarded no matter whatever to New York except to your address and that ohly for a short tima. All-maps, .profiles, &c. have been sent direct to Wash ington. * Hhen Lir. ^urant was here he too k away with him a tracing of the '' • twwn of'^heyenne with the Idts..colored up that contracts were issued for, also those that were reserved noted. I can think of nothing more that has gone to'the New York office. He demanded that and took it ^ direct from this oi'fice, Mr.-.Hedge's profiles an'i maps were sent ^ ilov. 50th; Dec. 3d, map of .6th hundred.miles was sent. I sent to your ^ address New York about Nov.* 12th pr'files of Black Hills line to Laram e Hlver. All coaiiurUcatiOns^ and information received at this office has'bee^ forwarded to you proojittLy and to n- one else. Mr. Snyder has just returned from the West, saw him about estimateHe says he sent it to yotS-soiiieitime agoj^irected to the New York office. He has given me the original, am having-a oopy^^ad® and will send as , Boon as completed." • f, , < 784 • ■ » , ^ | ■ December, 1867. A part of Maxwell's party came in this morning; will settle with them'tpday. Mast have some funds as soon as it can be sent. The remittance from Talpey was consumed before reaching here, bding mostly orders drawn by chiefs of parties and vouchers for himself. Mr, Evans ^.eft Sanders on the 3d with Maxwell anri O'.Neill to make the connection between Maxwell's, line west of the divide and Brown's line dpwn Pass Crebk. It seems from what I can gather that Maxwell gets a good line over .the jaoutains, but connects with Bates at mouth of Medicine Bww. Brown gets a godd line on west side^t North Platte, Bvaas wants to make the eastern part of Maxwell s line available and the western part of Brvwn's to North piatte. He thinks it can be done and has gone out for that puriM>se. -The party started sometime ago, got atorm-bound at Little Laramie and were obliged to return. There is about 10 Inches 6f snow at Sanders, none to speak of in the Bla'ok Hlllo. The track la t»elTe ulles west of.Cheyenne. The meesurecl dletance from the Initikl'point .to Sta. 0 oT lir. Evan's Black Hills line is 518 miles and 256 ft, • • I am Esttlng alone nicely with the Oregon mapj pushing It with all the force tha't can work on it. The lot. mr-tters ore pretty well worked up, and our abstract books are Just the thine When I ,.a at Cheyenne'Talpey told me that t^ie d.linquenoiee emong the officers would be adjusted as soon ae the paymaster oas,e._ Capt. Lltohfleld eaid h»-.»buld take thoee Uorgan lots, and that ( December, 1867. * , is the last of it; has not been to see ae since nor paid any money. It seems to me those men are presuming too much on your generosity. Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, Washington, 7: You send me estimate of cost on 1st hundred miles but do not send me the memorandum that the proport:onate cost was dividdd on for $50,000 per mile. Henry added a certain proportion for each to bring cost up to contract price so that intere"st could be calculated, Board have had no meeting yet,' will have'none until latter pert of this month. Bridge question will* not be decided for present. Gen. Dodge to a. E. House, Washington, 9:- ' • Do you know whether Lr. Davis is at work on the land to make ' u . . the report? I ordered him to write to me and have yoU get land nap under ray so I can sutait it with repo'rt. They are preesing-me in New York for these matters. Will send draft iii a dyy or two. I herewith.enclose draft for'five hundred dollars which place on books. Send me the vouchers to go to New York 'with kbstracts made up. • ■ T - I will examine and forward. , . P. E. Appleton to Gen. Dodge, Fort Sanders, 9:- • I write to ask you concerning Liajor Chesbro^s salary for the l„t e.aeon. 1 do not feel'justif i'ed In iJaying him bill 4V5 per month, . the ralary that he had last year, nor scarcely authoriaed in paying him .ore, ae no arrangeiaent"for an advance has ever been made. The ■K'i: December, 18C7. i - T • % - u only thin.r^ in reference to the matter was Llr, Brown's verbal promise that he shon]d have ^100 per mnitth given before starting out last t • • • spring. I think he has been worth it and would recommend the advance. I am sorry to have troubled you with writing, but have done so for- fear that I shoul" not see you before I accompanied the body of * my friend. Brown, home. . J. B. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 9: Enclosed please find Q.C.Deed s for those lots in Cheyenne embraced in the Wilso^i. contracts. I hove charged town lot act. with '*■ ' # . . * j , ■ the amount of 1st payment and have canceled them on contract book. ' ' ' • 'V . ^ - I have had t-wo deeds made .out for each lot, one calling for the orig-ina-^ purchase money, the other left blank. Please return those you do not use. I could not tell by your letter whether you wanted the original • 1 ' 2 c Jprice inserted or not, therefore had two copies made. -r. WiU send you profile tomorrow from the Big Laramie to Sta. 4700 ,1 supposad.,^ou did not care for those profjms as they were already at the office before you left. I have discharged l^r. Lambert and placed Ferguson in charge of ^^.is party with instructions to inish the'towns ' ' ' ' ^ 'I » this side of Cheyenne as sonn as possible. ^ J. E. 5puso to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 10;- , : l toaay by mall prefilea from Sta 3<fo8-io 47S5 of 6th hun6r.d miles. The Oreson. map'ls ommplet.a and tracing *■ commenced December, 1867. will send it in a few days. The driving of pile in the Llissouri River was co-jnenced yesterday^ in the P. LI, There will be tw steam drivers at work in a few days. The grading on the west side is completed. Today will have the foundation staked out for a fire proof building for pdint, stores, S;c. and it will be out up immediately. Kr, Cleburne is kept constantly on the road west, staking out « • '4 . sida tracks, tanks, wells, coal sheds and looking after all the work that is being done. I never saw such delightful feather as we are T now having, it Is almost eq.ual to those pleasant days in early Oct er. 1 have hoard nothing fro;v, the west since the 1st of the month; H. U. Hoxie to Oen. Dodge, Omaha, 10:- I Your lettors to Lir. Snyder came this P. M. ahd find him on his way to Cheyenne. He will return the last 6f the week and will •anewer then giving statement you require. « .. .* i * , When Pongreea»en know how much it cefets to build this road thoy will hardly meddle with tarriff I think. The fact the fuel fbr the entire road hea to be brou#t from Missouri and Iowa and dont cost less than $30 to ,|35 per ton on an average and much more west of juloaburg, seems to ms .111 r.fute all their arguments-- but Hr. S. will answer artd-not I. I sm'sMtVtnC >«»Poraily at the offtoee-. Should like the Asst. sup.rlnt.nd.nt pUoe and hope my friends will get if for .ae. Road is . , r.' December, 1867. done about 15 miles west of Cheyenne. 1 think Reed wont reach the summit. He is slow; makes an excuse he has not had thcirm which is his own fault. No^water is the trouble and he is the one at fault. I trust you will' take care of LIr. Snyder anrl myself at meeting on 20th. Regards to your wife. Gen. Dodge t' his wife, T-'ashington, 11:- I arrived here this A. M. and have been'to work all day. Have an appointment with See. of Interlo'r for tbmorroW and hope to get throuBh. though I may run against a stump I met Oen. Grant "and all his military familyV they». ere all gla to see me, thot«h Grant pitohed into me for runn'.ns for Congress. I was on Floor (»f House today "and they howed me consi-derable atten tion-cLuatered'round me and all congratulated me on taking Kasson's place. .Gotir. Sanders of nibraska is here, also Gen. Rice and Col.G.G. carpenter who.uaed to"be my chief Commissary. The Mexican Minister, Remoro, called tonight but l' did not sse him, do not know what ho wantedJ Kasson was In House, saw me'there hut did not come near me. Jao. Evans to Gen. edge. Fort Sanders, 11; I find your letter of "Rov. 26th on my return from the Rattleenake hijle. The maps and profiles will be sent as soon as thoy can >e made, wbi.; will he in the courae of a week, and aucb other December, 1867. < I infomation as may be pertinent. _ . • #ii:' . There is no possible way of connecting the two lines of Llaxwell • • ^ p and Brown on the western slope without such. an i;mdulation as would increase the total elevation at the same time in creasing distance very • - ^ • t - - X *" - •* ^ S much. It seems-to me now that east of the. Platte there is no question but that Brown's line is the one for us to take. The notes are in such a state of forwardness that^ii^ a day_or so it will be possible for me to make such a comparisoneand submit to you as will enable you ii-' fair understaodii^S Qf matter. This I will dQ in advance 6f sending you the map, &c. The track lo. now within 5 miles of Caraichaels. It may be that tlle^ Mil-succeed in getting 20 miles of mountain work, .' J0S, Ai. Evan»*fto Gen. Dodge, Fort Sanders, 12: A x»0|»«i*«on of lines into th valley of ^itter Creek, start ing from- our crossing of Kedicine B»w River will show the following charaotoi-istlcs:- Tn,e'X'may be considered as three distinct lines, 1st:- Valley, crossing Platte near mouth of that stream* ■ - . 2nd. By Maxwell's Plntte at noarly oamepoint U'.-- Jpa., By r-r,wn's sttimlt, croaainc Platte about 5 miles bel«w A'/- ' mouth wf Kas Cfeak. We will suppose teat Ko. 1 & 2 o^e Into the Brnwri '4(nd AppflOtOf^ W r; December, 18G7. :.T L ■ Distance No, 1 154.5 miles. No* 2 159,75 miles, 'No. 3 ---139,8 " j •*» o • ) V •r Mftrn' itiv ;.'vJ Elevation No, 1 1532 ft. Depression 1290 ft. " 2 -—1880 " 1644# ---2060 " " - "" • 1824, j" ■■ ii Maximum Grade 1 85 ft. i ■ K-Jt '.o . ... ■ ~ 2 86 ft,- '■* •'-oxtf/'unr'icl He -uz ' 3 --- 65 ft, " d-.M-n • It will be seen that'the shortest'line has the'lowest maximuiu grades and the greatest amount of elevation and depres.sion. The line by way of Medicine Bow Valley has the least amoPnt .of undulation, is nearly 15 miles longer'and much the worst profile as well as the greatest difficulty of "construbtion and the worst alig];iment. The Shortest line shows the best all things considered. We are getting up a map now nearly co..*pleted showing all the lines; will send a Upy as eboh as completbd, ' Am furnishing Heed with profiles OS feat as made," re'tainlns a copy iVdre and -.endins one to Omaha 1 expect"to be in Phileadiphla abiut the lOtb gf January- will mi you what day- If you do not donie to 0.iah«before. .pehhaps you will need relocation, by" that time and It uay be that the Information you wish will reach you In that way as qulclc as any other; h«f« we can December, 1867. • « meet there. I would not suggest this but my stay East will be very sljort, and I would like to talk with you about arrangements for the coming year. . • • M J. E, House to 6en. Dodge, Omaha, 12:- ^ ^ Our account at Bank is overdrawn to date about ten thousand (5:10,009) and should drafts come in as rapidly for the rest of the month we will be behind $20,000. I must now hold vouchers to the amount of $500^00. - • The Oregon map will be sent tomorrow, it is nearly completed. I then let Llr., I«abach. go hpi^ie to remain during the holidays. He takes the notes and rough map of the 6th hundred miles along witfi him to work up The tracing ;ent you was made from a map on Pos^ office paper an^' ver^ roughly at that. kr. Cleburne is at work on the land map colbring up land; will have a tracing mVde 6f land map and send to you when the coloring is cmmpleted. ^ . . . , . ^ Yeatax^y was very disagreeable, rain and snow alf day.^ , - 14. 'Jelun Warford to Oen. Dodge, Adel, Iowa, 12. , ; I am,satisfied that his hoart'is nearer right (politcally) ' toah'Ifoel»s; however, that is not saying much for I4r. Smith. Ur. S. has been a Democrat for many years and I think is still a Democrat, put my motto is, let any one have the office in prefewenos to a ranegade Reublicaiit r- ,v ■ ; s;. t. !■ ft 'M'.. December, 1867. ^ ■ :■ ,4 ■/ X . . '■ . £it H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodce, New York, 13: Below is copy of resoliition passed by 'f'rustees iStli irist. "Resolved that the Secretary be instructed to telegraph Gen. Dodge to come to New York an'-T lay'before * the Trustees the'profile of the work to be done the coming suuuaer on the road as far as located." Will you please furnish as desired'soon as possible, < J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 13:- • I have today paid Evans' draft of $2500» and have ? ' ' r . 4 • |3500, reported th-^ t is still out. The January Bank statement must be made, and they want to call in all their discounts,.and as we , ' ' r . now stand, will need {17000 to balance accounts.' Voxichers will be ^ sent today amounting in aggregate {48,974.80. Those returned in December are not ready. I have again made an'unsucoassful search after the Henry estimate I sen.-' yon additional data, Vhlch I hope will he "e-'ough to make the matter Cleer to you. They"are the only figures we used'in making estimate to contractors. I also'send estimate of 3d hundred rn ldes, ..commepcing at 100th meridian; that is as far^s I have it completed. : I send-summaiy of Evanls. eatlmate of laet'wlnter whidh'mny he of help to yen in the absence of all figuroaj also Some memortod* of yours made in New York last winter. " ^ The land map Is heing colored up and cannot he pushe^^any faator December, 1867. • t ' at the present. 7'ili get off the tracing as soon as I can. Llr. Hodges arrived this morning. He will get up his Bear Hiver « . . .. mpp, &c, then wants to go home; wants t do his work here. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, 13:- Your favors 1st and 7th inst. reached me here this morning. * I propose to remain until everything is in shape. Track to Col. Carlin quarters. Fort D.A.Russell is completed. We are delivering them now about forty cars daily. Every pound (some 4,500,000) of their freight has been moved from Julesburg besides 7 large v.arehouses and we are shipping for them now from 100 to 150 tons daily from Omaha. We can close up their entire shipments in one week. Thora was.aoao delay a couple »eeks since In the movement of aU froioht and construction material, owin- to the scarcity of water and freezine o pumps whan tai>ka «9r« not encloaed, but weather is fine now; have had wells depened and anticipate no more delays. I am h; ving 6 large snow plows constructed and 24 smr Her ones. Will « n have them, distributed at each engine house ready' for work. As soon as 1 osn get depots, tank houses, section houses and coal sheds completed I will put up some snow fences" H this end of the road. Am working how every can>enter I can got to enclose our buildings. . Rssd dent keep up with his work; tanks not sncloscd, cuts and embank ment. not in .hsp. to run trains safely; nit a bridge between Sidney and Chsyenn. that ought pass muster. 1 have to gO over every foot of the i • • . .." - December, 1867. u :' ■ * 1 j ' work but "dont like to write New York about it fearing 'they' will consid- • v'' - _* . , » li-A er me a hnbitual gr wler. I think track will be laid, if weather pemits, to point 20 mile * < . . t « west of Crow Creek. Then I am informed it must stop as grading can- " • r not be got out of the way. Track is now about 12 miles west of Crow Creek. , -L. Gen, Casement has started for Washington. We had several closet inte.rviews with Dean before leaving. As I made him' pay us some $30000 for freight that he expected to get free, the Generals is ndt'orfd of my warmest friends. Next year the party laying tack and all other contractors this,would prevent ought to a repetition be obliged of to this pay tariff years rafes swindlingon their -there freight; | has been '' ■ ■ ■ - • - .1 plenty of it I assure you. '-al '■ * Wells Fargo & Co., who li-d"the dontract for transportation of freig'^t west of road, got an increasing'Stale-of pricaa .«ohthly after August, and their freight was not crowdSH upoii them. ■ Bad'they taken from Julesburg or Hills Dale as'fast aS thef could thei*e would have been no difficulty, ''^hey wanted Decetnber prices, ahd Uyers and. his j^jents have always been easy with thfern .With'the fe *oe|rt.lron -of abott 10 days, ^en.we could not get a watei^'artd immediately after Qpening to this place, iiiere"has'never been any^deley In salving U.7. frei^t. We urged Uyers to let us Ship When they were i^9ving forward very little. Pike i» the ma'ster of c^rteonl^s- bUt haa.baori absent several days Track is not as far west as it ou^t , he and fair ■m: Deceober, 18G7, 'wV/y f < i weather cant ho collated on much long,er, ■ 1 ' I enf"! ose statement of facts for the DGpart,r.ent if any complaints are made abotit delay hero, Frieght is not go.ing forwa^ d to other posts as fast as we arp deliver'ng here, Vi^eather fair today an" Caf.euent's force at^work laying track. YIe are. in much better shape for winter than ve were tivooweeks since, and I keep praying,for a little more fair weather-. ■ , ^ Tiie :now bridge near Loup fvr'k is completed and trains crossing it. Te hope to have the Ills sour 1 bridged in two weeks. Business first rate, think we will do well during the winter. I dont want to work the road west •f' here this wintor, as tpaffic will b^ oi^l^.tho supplies for contractors, and that freight 6an be carried by -teams cheaper than by mil If we have- any showl . 'o — ' tr6 are delivetihg freight at Fort; Aj Russell faster than they can takfe «er«Pof it. hJ-vo. given them 2,000,000 IbB. aidgs. alone this past »eek besides large fluantitiSs of Imiber and hay. They have received everything that »«» »t Julesburg, InoJudlng buildings, So. and we are unloading for them the «. U. freight that left Omaha evening of 12th. At Omaha we are giving them all the cars they want and bring ing through prwptly. tare not no^ a loaded car slde-traoked between hare end Omaha. ITlll give <1. !i. Department preference over all othor shippers. ■rMd": December, 18G7. ' . , till their freight is throiigh, an^ If' quantities are'not larger than stated by Gen, Llyers. I will ship everything from Omaha this week. Gen, Dodge to J. E, House, 'Vashington, 16: ' • T send you profile to Sta. 358, 7th hundred miles; also Hodge's profiles, &c. I nolice grades on profile of location do not aV id shallow cuts as much as'they might and do not know as yoCL or Evans laid them. I will sfend the data and^oii can both of you ISok at it. I looked ovef* them hastily; and'the new grade may not fit as well as study may find one that will, T?hat I want is to avoid the cuts. I have tried to. ' ' ' •' « M. R. Morgan tc Gen, Dodge, Fort Leavenworth, 17:- , , -fours of the 10th is at hand. So f as I understand, ^ your brevet bill is a good one. 5 send you a copy of another ■ letter'ofm ne on the subject of an increase of the Subsistence Depart ment*. We nbodan Increase very much. I hear from Small that Gen, G. H. Th'omas has written to Gen. Garfleld. advocating greater increaaS * thah any of us have thoijght to as-k for. It would Ve the ,goo.d of the service to have an act passed llaiuins the iet^th of eenrtee- of Department officers tn Wash^neton to 5 conaequtive years." and that they Shall not_servo^there again *ien once rallevod until they have served elsewhere for at least two years, This -.ould give the officers in the bureau some better kMwledge than they now poseess aivl en-ble them to administer the affairs of thetr December, 18C7 , ^ . Department more Intelligently. YJhen. your, bill passes Augur must give up his co:.iancl, - r Snyder to Gen.. Dodge, Omaha, 17: ■ ■ ■ C - . * ■ I ■ The above is svfficiept equipment for our business, until track laying commences next spring. I anticipate a very large traffic next year; am adding daily to equipment turned out by our shops here, and think I could almost make all that will be needed next season. We make better coaches, freight cars, &c. than any that have been purchased.. , ^ ■ ' a c ♦ •• 0,» F. Davis to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, .ly*- ^ ^ ■ , I hnve hod 'nother list of the lands prepnred. Tie now have fkrae I'ists; one for entry at Land Office,, one to retain here, and ono to transmit «.» (Wpy.of land map of let 100 miles, and are now app- -■ raisins the lands In aocordands^wlth your sugcestion. The greatdr partof these lands must. In my.opinion, be appraised -t $2.50 - per acre though },h,y.«ill. soon be.worto more as the Gsvernment has so «ch' lend ad!!<.l«li« ® less by using land waj-rants. The list of land with appraised value b. .».ddy to transmit in a very few days when the traolns of the land map is ccmpleted with the lands of the Cmapany shaded, &c. : I visitednthe Land Oepartmnnt of the Ills. Cent. JL and of cedar Kaplds i-, Uor R.R. presented your letters,''w;s very kindly re ceived end every attention shown me. The sysWm or-the b.R. t Bo. R.R. December, 1867, , is not yet perfected as they have not yet obtained a title I think to all their lands, besides have recently been burned oVt, losing bldnks, maps, Sue, but in so far as they havfe gone 1 Mnk their system is an improvement to that of the ill. Cent; many of the'details being much more simple. I presume we might", as experience or judgment TO uld ■ dictate, improve on either of the above .rentioned systems. Our township plats, prepared at the Surveyor General* s office are superior to any I saw", an'd I having them mounted on cloth-much needed as I saw from the condition of those used by 111.. Cent,- then tiney can be bound. I s'an'd herewith sampl*e of blank used by the 111. Cent, as a tract book, being bound with the township plat, a sufficient number of them to contain all the lands in the township this with the plat i^akes a complete record", cOrrespnding to the plat and tract books of a Government land office. I would reeomtwend something simi lar for our use, and in getting up the blankb would almost wish to consult th/c.C. &MO. R.R.R. Land office again, as thfy have similar blanks to prepare and have use^ so much good judgment and skill in pij^pvAng their blanks thus far. Thi^^ tract book witlv the plats are in wy ojbalon tbe most importanl records to bo prepared and I should • -ij ' t .. . like to have them as complete as possible, . You .nontion the copying of the floW notes ffo. -the Surveyor . 0ener«l*8 office." • prosuae' you refer to the deBcriptlvo lists yhloh Deceraber, 1867. • « are found in the Lnd offices., To transcribe the field, notes in full would be.a tedious and expensive job, but a copy of the descriptive lists would take but a short tine and would probably be all that we would require, fhe plat;^ show the streams, bluffa, . timber, marsh or swamp land, 5:C. The descriptive lists give the soil, its quality, on every line, also whether rolling or lev^l and describe the whether past in mSund or'stone, &Cs Copies,6f thd descriptlv' lists could be bound with the plats and tract books and would make it.all very com plete, lucre so than anything I saw at Chicago, As the lands iepe ftot to be entered before oprip.g, I am anxious to hrve the necessary proceedings-had to cancel all homesteads on the R.R. lands^ before that time so'that all the lands claimed by.the Cmmpany can be'entered at once. It will take some little time and.vA,rouble to look up these homesteads and cancel them. - - Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, Washingtorr, 18:- " " - Yrura* of Dec. 12th is before me, also letter Jemclosing 03ttaat,s'. »:o. I do not nnderstand .iactly youf statonont aW over draft. I save j/ou » check coverlne you notes before I left; and If ,ou look s.t the books you vrlU see ft charged up and that whan I left . halane. -a. In bank (after yJur note w s taken Up) of some 2 or t3000 and whatever the drafts have been given on you In excess of- Peeeips for lot. and drafts remlttsd you, would he tfie overdraft. If hank etlll holds that note It fa wronc, or if atlil ehargsd up to me it is wrong. "'.ri '^fCj Lr-f.', December, 18C7. * ' I shall not go to Omaha iintll Febrti^ry or Liar oh, but shall be in New York fbr a couple of*weeks. I go there tonight to lay before Board profiles of line, &c. ' ' ' Note:-(M. H. Adams to GenC Dodge, Harlan, 18: ' ^ tPetitiori for a mail roUte from'Dunlap .to ^arlan. J . W-. Note:'- Waahington, D. C . 18J- ^ ; ,r>rj.N|- Jbseph s, WllsoO, Comlssioner, encloses the Register arid Receiver at Omaha, copy of the;decislpn of the Secretary of T^ecember 5th, 1862, an-^-instruct ions in relation-thereto , f Jas, 'A« Evans to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, .19 Your of the 16th is received. With reference to coming ^ seasons work, the arrangement shadowed forth in your letter seems to qle to be very good. As to present., chiefs of parties, so far as 08 Niel and Llaxwell are^ concerned, my opinion coincides very neary with yours. 0*NeiL in his place is quite valuable, if a portion of line be riven him with full instructions what to do. I know of no one that Would suit me- better. Col. Hudnutt I dont know at all, but his repui ' tatiion IQ' ▼ery good, and I have no doubt he will prove a very good V- man. Mh»»ell ia altogether too slow for the rush of next *yeTar. If these pa^V^wa in the field between end of location and ..Green River, there is no reason why we could not keep out of the way of everyt ing an'^ combete the location by middle of Jul3', then BOme of the parties could be disbanded. December, 1867. There is a coimtry to examine between Dodge' s. siiqjmit and Bitter Creek that will take a little time, and it world therefore be prudent to.have an additional party to make it so as not to delay location. Escorts should be ready by 1st of April or better still, raiddle of March, from Sanders. We must establish a supply post at North piatte and another aboHt I,a Clede or a little below on Bitter Creek. The escortiJhnuld be .art Infantry, .part Cavalry, numbering, all told, abo\it 75 fotfr*#aeh party. . . _ ■ ■1'have been so shaping everything as to close up my engineering with the close of the year. The coming year will be a busy.one and I am; vbiry certain that there are opportunities outside that pecunia rily* are much better than^the profe-^sionj still, in cutting loose from » it thers is much that i-s diaagreeahle, the . greatest among them perhaps is the' breaking up ojf associations-snd again the utter abandonmentof that desire that we all have of seein a t'->ing through with that we ar^^once embarked in. Suauaing it all up^ I hove come to the conclu sion that if the Compcyiy are disposed to pay me $6,000 they can have my services for tou can consult with them ^about this if you see fit. • .vC Whatever the result may be.t want to make the comparison of line In the ftlack fl llls. This can be done whether 1 am in company employ ovno±:^mnA like to meet you in New York about^Sth or 6th of January. t i ■ •• ' > 7 • I . J.J*" * ' ,■ - J"" December, 1867. J. F. fious-^ to Gen, Dodge, Omalia, 19 ' • I received your letter of* the 16th last night. The grades you speak of" on prof' To were left as they were returned to me. I do not knowwhether Ur. Evans laid them or not. I will look over profile and correct 8 3 you suggest. - - • • « I send you this day by lierchants Express profiies" from Lathum to 'Denver, b' "Browh" add from'opposite Lathui to a connectibn with LIr. Evans Black Hills line at Sta. 640 and by Mf. Hills. I take it you do not care for profile dov.Ti Crow-f"reek by Evans or of the different lines run by lir. Hills. • " • ' T " 77111 also send you tracing of our mr-p on fe '^Cafte of 4 miles to the inch, with Ihi lines marked that were run. this toeing the. only ^ map we have showing the whole countryV The profiles have not arrived from Sanders; 'ere nearly completed When Mr, Evans left- I suppose they will be here in a few days, H) need |20,000 very badly. The n-iver closed Tuesday night, nnd people were crossing on the ice yesterday* . . . H. L. LlcComb, Chairafl^ of Committee to Gen. Dodge, 20:- Resolved:- That the Chief Engineer be instructed .to ascerttln smd report to thlr, committee a» earlj as praotloable the coot to t the oompan-."of the rlcht of way to conheftt with the present road of the company, together with cuch 'amdhnf -if' lamd a. in hi. judgment may be required for the use of the company In connection therewith upon the December, 18C7. . following lines as laid.dowtt upon the maps in the Engineer's office. Lin© No» 1 on Child Mill crossingj Line No. 2 on old 11, & LI. crossing. r. -< f I certify the fordgoing td be a tMe .c6py of a resolution adopted by the Bridge Committee Dec". 20th, 1867. J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 21:- Llr, Talpey telegraphs me that parties holding valuable propei^'ty' in Cheyenne wiSh to make full payments on their lots, payninterest to.the date of O.uit Claim Deeds. I send you blank deeds for signdtrre. As.there are but 12 -r 15 of the old lot .on hancb that are signed, I suppose' you have no' objection to their paying In full and giving Q. C.deeds. I will make no transfers till I hear from you. T received .profile and map of 7th hundr ed miles t'^ the crossing of MediOine Bow RiVer. I ma having them coj)ied and will send them this P. ll.j will take no time to modify th® grades as I suppose you are in a g»eat hurry for thei§. ► i received "Qur telegram with reference to the Childs ilill and k. A K. bridge lines. I do not exactly understand what you want, but will star® l^drty to locating'from Train *s table to the intersection wlth'nur preeent track, leaving BJPO ft, level grade froa brow of bluff for depot groundsi will loc ate line on 30 ft, grade. I hope you will write me- fully what you want done. -r. . December, 1867. . « ■ Sen, Dodge to J. E. House, New York, 21:- I have been instructed to obtain right of way on the LI. A- Li. bridge line from transfer grounds Bluffs to intersection of our. track oil Mr. Willi-m'zs line. To do this I want the line immediatel laid accurately on the map in cQnnect4on with sections and lots, showing exactly wh?t it nms through' and lyho the .owners are; also .the side line running from Train's table into our old line to shops. I also want ten acrets "of ground laid off on the Train's table, shcrJm on map, taking in the level grade as shown In Mr. William's profile so that Mr. Poppleton and the citizens of Omaha 'can gee exactly what we want. Lay this ten acres s.o that it will be available for side tracks, station and freight house, &c. I'think the side line going ^ to dapot can turn off near the side of the bluff, * ' Second, iocate ^e Child's Mill lirie on the Government surveys and throni^i Council Bluffs from ti'ansfer grdtfnds In soo. 2 to. our Inter section on the main Uno In Uud Creek. Oive the map -ahewlns the locations on loia "side to my brother at Sfaffs, on<1 put quietly some good man to work to sea what ft'ght of #*y will cost from river, to Bud'creek on Bebraski side. ' 1 want thW all done Immadlately.and the parties put to work so that PopplaWn and Davis can work It.upon 11. d 11. line for Omaha, and B. 4 D. can work It up on Chllds lilll line in 1 wa, and get It all haok here within three weeks. All the reports ere to come to me. Deceinber, 3 867. The upper . Oniahfi line has been viptually abandoned, all the engi neers and Gonipanies connecting with, us deciding virtuallj^ against us, but nothing need be saLd on this. Omaha will have to act decidedly in this matter-no proraises will effect anything; the business men must guar antee what eyer conclusion they come to in the matter. The first thing is to fix the'mattep correctly in connection with Government and Cit:' 'surveys. The U. 14. line Jn Iowa as laid by LIr. Williams was verywhearly on the & Ll.surveys to river, and curves into sec. 2, "after'it reaches point north bf that 1-4 sec. ^ • J. E. House to Gen. DoflgS, Omaha, 22: (Telegram)f ' Do you want new lo^ation'made or right of way determined over the linea last' fall? How much level grade at Ll.^ A M. crossing ■for diSht grouhds? • .-.tpi .T. E. House t Gen. Dodge , Oinhha, 22:- | You will see by .the above statement that there ^s a credit of $40 fb00 Octobc 2rrd which was the note I gave .at that tAme. In the checks reWrrtcd to ifMe there Is none eharged to you or $4,000 nor have 1 drawn ouch a check durtng the wUhln time. I send SQU a lodger balance to data. I have vouchers which have not been returned to balance my accounts.' 1 am oatlsfled »he acocunte ere kept correct since the Captain left. 1 have devoted considerable time in corroctinc errors in postinc; found man-Ohargee not prfsted at all, aome in your favor and some asalnrt 806 ilDecember, 18C". The. charge that appears sgainst Jas, A, Brown was caused by mis take in his accounts, that is, charges on hhe journal''Were not posted on tiie- ledger'. There has been no vouchers returned by hlra 'for services in the engineering party last Mnter, LIrl Evans thinks'there will bo enough to nearly settle bis account- he worked 38 days, and the greatest part of the time with his man ahd team. Capt. Bailey drew the last balance due Brown of fS20.77 fefefore the ml-Stake was discovered. Tn looking over the accounts I discoveMl4l. th« error and telegraphed him not to pay Brown, which was codiplied with,' but he used the money and promised to pay it back, the 20,th Instj it has not• come -yet. Bhould T receive that amount, BroWn account will stand Dr. $152 instea^i| of fST-S.??.- I hcfl» all te Satisfactorily explained. Your telegram of the 23d received. The line -at the Li. & 11. crossing from the Train table to t^he intersection will have to be located over'if there irf- to be .2000 ft. level grade; in fact the whole lino "should'be re-run ad there was no looat .on made on the east side of the fiver as I under«%a«d It, also at Childs Hill from the east bank of the river toHlift transfer grounds. Ferguson run two lihes part Of the way, one (iirect from the oroeeing of transfer srounds, the other kept farther etst In order ts-koep on.toble longer.^ :nilch one do you wl's^ located? - r I do not eitpecf f. «0 »UOh th e week ae the party ha. Just arrived '. A.. December, 1867 and want to get fixed up a.little before going to work; also the holidays are upon us and they need a Mttlc recreation. I will put Llaxwell in charge and will look over the location of lines myself from the LI. & I»i. erossing to the intersection of built line. In your telegreca you mention that right of way shall be obtained over Hudnutt^s lire. I sxipose that has reference to the telegraph • t ' ' >" . crossing.or do you.mean all the crossings, and if you do, shall I pre seed to assess damages where p-rties are not willing to give right I . of wayj or only take agreements from those who are willing to give? • . I will put parties to sounding, and will, sound 50 ft. on each side of oentar line, and will ctt it up in cross sections of 10 ft. square which 1. suppose will be all you require. . The piles are nearly driven for the temporary bridge and the superstructure' on; trains will be crossing in two or three d'ays. t Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, TTew York 23: I telegrahh'ed you today to put parties to work ort rfv^r sounding the Childa *111 and U, fr. k. crossing. I want a party'at each place all winter under one of • 1,he V ,assistants; , Uaxwell , ■ will'fclo for one and aeme other for the othpr. » u . The main centre line over river should he used for the base lino, and the ,river sounded on every square of 100 ft. 1-2 mile north and 1-2 mile south or more if time allose. The eoundIng lines must ex tend to eeoh bank of.rlv^r and be reliably anchored-on S.oh Side, .so December, 1S67, . • , - . that we wlli have no difficulty in^finding them in spring of summer. ilaps and profiles of soTuidings can be kept up as the work progresses / by working on them stormy daj's I notice on the LI. & M. crossing where William's-line-strikes the table he is in 8 ft. cutting, whereas-for good location he should be at grade. It may raise the bridge, or place west portion of it on : grade. I' want a li-e run at ii. & LI. crossing giving 1500 to 2000 ft. level on Trsi n table and then ascending 40 ft, to part rhere it » intersects present track. " ' You will have to get 'enough of the old parties together by apply ing to Evans for what assistants and you want, t The' work on river ^ must all be finished by March 1st and we cannot get tti Work* oh it too eaily, those survej^s heretofore we have been too careless, and 1 now want the work done carefully, accurately and thorou-hly. Mfeke the map of the section wunded on large -scale,so as to-show the lines 1 • ' if * . * ^ , rw . - of sounding, deth of water and of sand. I want a.prpfile of line from Fort Sdnders to North Platte for N«>w "^ork office-send it to me at Washington. .. a,nd Be to -raehlngton copy of need profile froa »•««. pf .Bitter creek, to mouth, of Peins F»rk-al.out 41 ....lies; It 1865; alao .. cof of Bate-'k paoflle of Webor tianyon, some S or 4 latleB, r«n to an ft* gradee J, F. House to Gen. Oodge, Omaha, ^^4. fa. December, 186". , I received yonrs of the IPth coritaining draft for $20,000 which • ♦ I pXafed to your credit in the Omaha.Natlonal Banh. I also had your • - I account closed at the First National and. gave them a check for $21,466.30 on^the Omaha Na tional. . ^ ■ x I sent you yesterday a statemept of your account at the First National, also the amount due you on-bookacco nt and vouchers on hand. I did. not Intend it to be a ciese statement, but very near. The dif ference In the 8unount reported to yuu and that for whi<£h I ~ave a check can be. accountjpd for in checks drawn after statement was sent, and inie'J!|»at oh..hot® and overdraft that w,as.,not included. - I shall commence^ location of-ii.. & m. line on day after tomorrow, and wtll ^ork up all the maps, &c. as fast as possible. I have not got'Un. William's profiles of U. & M. line to t-e intersection nor the notes, but you stated in,your telegram ithat 2000 ft. was needed for ■ depot grounds, therefore a new location will have to be made. The intersection nlth tb. built line .111 not vary far fro., .here the • Dey line stert. out, or at f,{;the3t Juat beyond the Bellvue road erooBlne. *h, not uoa the pre.eut line to the shop and depot croimde? YOU are ».ire that'.* o«in.t.get to th, Train table at the Bridge '• eroBBln's • r •ith-anythine le»8 - than.® ol.o 1 ft. Brad Ke byturning off at the also that the curvatures will edge of the hluff as you euggjeatedf ^ " b,' very .bar, not lees than ^ 18° ■, " I cent toda:- by r. B. Bipreee. Washington, liax.ell s prol-ne. December, 1867. • • to North Platte, also B^-own's original. I send theru'just as they were received from Sanders, 'ot even opening them. 1 am very busy in the office getting up profile and alignment of siack Hills loc?^tion. (The profile I had at this office'and taken off by LIr. Carter was never returned. I wish you would"send the copy you have that I may compare them to the usuimuit) . Lend map, estimate of built portion of road froia 100th mi^^ridiah west, y'^'ur lot matters to look after, work on the line of road, &c. take it ali in-all>- there is enough to do. I will get through with it if en"aigh time i& given. I have already spent time enough trying to join together the detached portions of the*Black Hills chenges to make them intelligible I and vinderstood-to make'twice the number of miles of location, and yet ^ I am as far from the end as ever. •! can make nothing from the notes neither alignment nor level; have sent to Cheyenne to ge^t them from Lir. Hurd, but his are ho better. Are there any note^ at the New York office that will throw any "light on the subject? I h-ve the copy of Alignment sent you for file in "Wasbington, but as 1 undsrstond It that does not show the 11 ^e as it Is on the ground: also the profile is Incorrect, for notwithetanding the olalu »f reducing gradas to BO ft. the.-e is a: eo ft. grads pn the east side of siMniit a-out 1500 ff. lnng. I had an intiiaation of it »hen 1 was at Cheyenne and when lir. Evans was last her, he told me it was a fact. Deceraber, 1867. « ' I .' ' Poppleton tells me t -^ay that the Page claim to lots was decided against hi thereforo the title to your Jackson St. lot is good. Will you still soli for $1200? A. J. Poppleton to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 25: Yours of the 21st inst. in relation to right of way fro o bridge crossing was received a day or two since, enclosing also a copy of resolutions in relation thereto, ii , House is now engaged on the map and location of the lihe, and as soon as completed, I will lose no time in bringing the matter to a conclusion and hope a satisf actory i ' . , one. If you are in a position to do so I wish you would advise me just how far.I may go in giving any assurances of the location at the point indicated. If the reqtiired deed is secured I do not regard your letter as giving me any power in that respect, yet if I could even say that the deed indicated in your letter woiild probably secure the location f •- * r would.be of material service. EnclPe«d I send you a decision of the Secretary of the Interior received at the Omaha Lend offioe yesterday, which seems to me to he o6.ereat Interest to the Company. I presiie you have already seen it. 1_ aont think it correct,but it is beyond remedy as .the Secretary la the ultLate power in the matter. Its practical effect will .he to greatly retard ..ttl.m,nt along the Ine of the road and to prevent . tne acquisition of th.'title to the town cites 'MTe laid out unSil ■ ■ r' . December, 1867. . , w. the surveys here have been made and your lands entered. In view of # " • • ' " ' , • • • • 's. , this I would suggest that ufiless a change can be effected in this ruling it wm^ld be the policy of th- Company to enter the first SOD " r» • . % t • ♦ ^ miles of it s land, so as to open the new sections to settlern§nt and « thus enhance the value ftf their own land. Hitherto settlements by pre-emption and homestead have been going on rapidly at $2,50 per acre. ^\is ruling, of course, puts a stop to all entries by settlers. J enclose these letters thinking the decision may not have been made pblic in Washington -nd you therefore not seen it, .J, Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen, Dodge, Tuscarawaus, 27:- In looking about for engineers, I find it not improbable th^^ I can secure the services of Co.. H. C. Lioore, recently the Cen. Super intendent of the Terre Haute & Alton R.R. wMch has passed'into the * t hjuids of Pennsylvania men and thrown Col. Moore ort Of employment. He . 1 _ . .. is an old engineer and an excellent man, but now'getting to be some what advance^ in life, say 65 years old or thereabouts. I think he has much energy left and would head an exoloring party well, but I did not like to mcko hjoa em offer until I had BUbmitted the propriety of doing »o to you, as he may be an older man than Vou would" like to 0ngii<», nop ao I, know thnt ho wouia go for liiat I car. offer, hut If you• tftlThk'ht would suit 1,7m least try hi;.. # . . I MV. J.t .^.sed no u-^n, tut em looking" iMui, for tB* .mo.t available material. 9 December, 1367. .T. Shyder to (leVi. Dodge, Omaha 26*- , t* •; vo close out toda- ever y pour\d o.f U. S. freij^ht that Myers has to ship; could have done it yesterday had his men bpen ready. Trains on -time aind everything going aipng sra'oljjily.- J. E. House to Gen. Dodge,. Omaha, 27;- ... . I received your letter of. the 2 3d in reference to the so^md- •fng the -river. I havte done, nothing .yet. towards it; have been at work locating the lYiilliKirer line on the & U. crossing, v;ill finish this week.. You speak af .William's line being in cutting at the edge of table lio ifonfier, there was a mistake of 6 or 8 ft. in his levels which I discovered'yesterday. I-have flniahed laying off the towns of Cheyenne and Hills Dale. The track is measured as far as laid. I have telegrahed for that partj t,0 caiil<l«to Omaha; it. is in charge of rerE-ason and will put him in charge of the Chllds liilj soundlnj.,., Will put Maxwell in charge here.* I shall endeavor get .this work done by March let if I have to employ 50 men at Mh 4)olnt to dc it. and. can supply the.i. with rods. The ich, with the exception of one or two days, has not been strong enough to work on. The weather looks throatenln.i now and I prsiiiae will be vAry cold. ^ , I ahs 1 haveHo go to ,|n«,-;will try and leave here on ttnday and Will be absent all the week. I' shall get matters all working on the ' river before I go, so that no delay may airise from my not being here. December, 18G7. , , . . I will turn over tracing of- land map 4^1 Davis's hands this J?. M, 0 n. Dodge to J. E. House, New Yo^k, 27:- E wrote you f^lly about lines. The only lines I want to obtain right of way over is M-. & ii. crossing and Childs Llill. Did not Williams leave a copy of map of his ILnea? * . The 1;, & M. liine on Iowa side -ruhs direct east, up old 1.1, M. right of way tftltil it reaches point north of. center, of N.V?. 1-4 sec. 2 then curves "and rund^ direct; into Childs Llill;. wants to be obtained on the direct llne-from bridge to cent'sr of N.'". 1-4 of Sec,.2. I wrote Poppleton to have the citizens fix the rlgtPttw© wayJ you to turn over the map showing what ground v;e ne«d6# on.M»«: M. orossing; y^Q-i,,to ^ obtain It on Ch fds Lllll line west of Hlsioiirl RlYec ai^d B. & Dodge on Iowa side on C'ilds Mill line. ■•• • •. . Note:- Jas. LI. BloSSom^ to Jesse L. Williams, Bdise City, ,Id^o, 1 ,i i-.t^ 0» F. Davis io Oen. DoAgO# Omaha, <-8;- 1 send you-tnday by D.S.EJopress a tracing of our land map Vlth the lan-'a of the Oraapany colored. The ten and twenty mile ll-mlta are also shoan by a ' Ight ahadlns of India IrA; tha.,traolnf5 is not joined together, as U could be foruarded more easily before joinIn.-. The map Is for the first one hundred,miles, .ahlch goes nearly or quite to the west boundarr of l«n|e ona. west. I send with the tracing a llbt pf .tha rallroa^ lands aa selected 5#— > \/ * December, . 1867. • « ''' for*entry, with the appraised .falue of each tract as nearlj' or cdirrectly as I .could make it without? a careftJl •examination of the lands. • The appraisement of tho lands near the railroad is based upn actual sales. 0--the more distant-lands where the appraised value^ls $2.50 per acre, • r m^y of the lands are worth more and would"drt a very short time com mand a riicher price, but so long' as Government lands adjoining can be had for that price I do not see as "we can appraise them higher. The figures in pencil on the list are the Land office fees as we estimate them, and are probably not far f' o> the actual amount. We have two complete lldts of the Wllroad -lands here;one for entry at the Land Office and one to retain here. We are preparing lists of homesteads on the railroad lands; oill prdeed very, soon to contest-. them as" instructed in your letter of 23d inst. . .. - I will also'attend Imediately to the gettin- up of the tract books, also of the copying of the-descriptve lists, &c, and all ^ . steps necessar- to bring the land into market in the spring. Gen. Dodge t" J. fri ftotiee, Nelr York, 28: ^ Referring to ycmr letter of Dec. 23d, I only, want agreement taken for right of way and ascertain the cost as line hap not yet boe,n adopted. 5h.n Cltr ascertains cost w. .xpect to oaks some revision for payment of.it or some propoalklon looklns towards It. B.e n.-.R.'.. C. > R.n. and B. » t.R.R. and aU the engineers h.vs gl«n an opinion agailSst all 0ro..»«g« except Childs Uill and December, ]867. sustaining fully my report. Tills sts^geried our bo^rd. ' Johnson, of C.,& R. I* was strong. Dunlap and Slaon and Sykers, of N.?'., all went in strong for Childs Llill; so you see Omaha must be prompt to overcome any opposition to right of way. LI, & L. corssing also costs twice as much as Childs Mill. Let B. & Dodge, have both linos from transfer grounds to Childs Mi;^l to obtain right of way over, and we can select the one we v/ant. I ;had_the President order Seymour, and Williams to send you mapc of lines» prdfile^s, plan and of his surveys so yo . could make a more tWormigh sounding .at LI. & Li. and Childs-Mill night whe.re the piers come;' You better sent a man ^to Kansas City and gst a plan or bring their boring appartus so we can go down to bottom and ascertain accnrately what we hayo got to contend with. This work cannot be done t-o thol»su^ly and we ought to be ready now. Our shops may be able to bet np'berlng apparatuses. , j.-o President Ames ordered Seymour-to send out to you the notes of all these surveys in the Blank Hllla-i , You better get your grade notes and profile notes f roim Burd.; • s»i*j sp^iie. ope HP io copy his profile; he Will hkve that corrPtt. irh««» U>hat 90 ft. grade and how came It in? Whosa faiilt is ^ , ■ ■ ' '-"tfo Oen. MJ*ri for >» on receipt of thia ana ask him If U can lel'm. ha*. l«''wall tenta .at Tort Brldgor or Omp Eouolas. I "ant' them about Waroh' 1-t and .1X1 receipt for them or buy t-.e .. TelX him e can T^ecember, 18'"". • t I must have them lo get my parties under way. Send me his answer immediately upn receipt of this. I go to New York tonight where you can hereafter address me. Will send you another draft after I get to Washington. How about the Cheyenne lots? are the parties paying up? I will sign deeds and send them back for Davis to acknowledge. I notice Snyder puts ^heyenne down as bein" 515 miles from Omaha while you place it 518. He counts I suppose from depot while you from initial ..point; see him abo^ t it and see if it is so. IS anyyi^ng be^^ng done to Korth Platte bridge? I havo a"de the estimate fo.r 100th meridian to Carmlohaels under the Ames contract, will send you a oopy to base your monthly estimate on hereafter. It will be dlffloult as we can only estimate the contractors property. 1 will also sand you copy of what.was turned over to the Company by contractors In the settlemcSit up to tbo 100th meridian. Re.« sends,, profile to New York office of located line up to Uettlolne Bow. but h a old srades and no changes. Evans will soon be here and I will .see him about it. The grades on last proflie sent me ar. objectionable on account of the numerous light cuts. I wrote Rvans to come t- taahln^ton as soon as ha got hla maps ..-d profll-s of all lines west finlshaS and to .bring them. on. Tell him. heusay mlBS my letter. r/Qcember, 1867. n'- Gen. Dodi:e to J. E. Hous*^, New York,' 28:- I "rote **'llliains today to send'you laap and profiles of" " . . '. I .. . I ' , bridge line, and also had Scymonr ordered to send such as he had. Copy them and return them to the parties you receive them from so that * • ' . I . the Poard can have them here when they diisouss the question. We will need from 1000 to 1500 f ft level on thain's table and can use dd track to run to shops on temporarily but In our right of way must secure the best direct connection we can. I got your amount, see my ledger, &c. showing a balance against me of over $6000. When l'get to Wash ngton T irill look -up my last atatcuent, which shored lihen I left that I W ahont even, "ith-a $0001 { balance egair.ct me with the'coa'pany I W'-in.fl be about $8000 loaer in past year? work, so there uust be soisethifiis' rottsn in It for I should have credits on Cisco instead of debtor. I enoloae draft of Bates. I drew on Cisoo for JEOO ii pay It; charge it to Bates and oredlt Cisco. Did I svor receive pay for icy instruments, or how. do thoy stand? -ach party lust take' cars oT its own under.my .old orders. You con do-' lots Ii" fast is they want the i. 1 -raUisr have cahse than any body's paper. I closed yestdrdky an arrangement with the Cdorado people, the Denver . Pacific ".P., to hoild road from Denver to Cheyenne neat y^-^.lses. Colorado gives $500,000 In cash and memh,rs or stockholders of C.P.B.P. to furnish balsnce. pf money; to be -'vw{.v Doceui"ber', 1867. • « built uncier my supp.rviaion, This will rid ^heyenne and hr.ve ths Press blow it as a great help to Cheyenne, ilachine shops, if branch will be at Cheyenne, as we shall use, our there, , . , • , * You can sell my Omaha, lot for .';-120G,if you can get no more-got all you can. . . . . . There nef)4 be on^y 1500 ft. level on Train table. You can lay 800 • • »l. ' ft. and make a slight rise say 15 to mile on 800 and then start 30 ft. grade, also 50 ft. grade. I believe we will have to use 40. We have got 40 all way Town Uud Creek, however, profile will show best. The line must be carefully la,id as it will be about the best and is » , t» . j ' one yon will have to get right of way on. I supposed Hudnutt run and ]ocated that LI. & M. line on both sides of the river. If you cannot proper notes of Black Hills line and loc.-^ting havo it re-rtm by some of party at Fort Sanders. Best way is for yov . to talte..your mftp and profile out to Cheyenne, meet Hurd there and settle-the treublc. I must h^ve a correct alignment, profile, grade * w « ' - to. for nla in onr offlca on or abonl sonlo aa tfiafmap of the 7th hnn<lr.d that was sant ne,. Do you *.ep Baker? " hat kind If a na is '*' } I ' he ? • All parties want to ha at Omaha by Feb. 15th to start out. Salt lake parties each must meet Blloken.darfer "at Omaha by 1st of Februa 7 to ..dompany hla West to ntah.' If you know whore chiefs Bates and Hod».. ore notify thou. Havo your otatiinory on hand-oirly .0-as t have full aupply to all; better give order to Kites, Forllo A Co. December, 1867. • « - ''*■ " T shall be out in Febriiary dr liar^ch to stay until I ^et my part ies started, Ife are to build ^00 miles of road next year v?hich takes us to the summit of the TTahdatch, and I sha^ 1 put 7 fie'ld parties in. How many teams ai*e "out to the Elkhorn" How manj' at Sanders? J, A. Prown is still to work for Durant, and if he owes* us we can take it out. Has he credit for t"he $152 or about that that I gave hiti check for? It was for proviiions that he bought, &c. I broiJght 'boucher in for it. I hav'^ gotten y ur letters up'to December 24th . ' . Charles Bender to Gen, Dddge, Brooklyn, '30: ^ ■ ~ I take the liberty of addressing you for the purpose of " bringing to your attention ra y new system of suspension bridges, which I consider as a profitable design for bridging the liissourf at Omaha. Having had several Interviews wlthifr. Durant, lie has very kindly referred ae to you as'being the proper person to consult in this matter. J. 0. Hudnutt to Gen. Dodge, Chicago University, 30:- I have deferred answering your last letter until I pould ascertain for a certainty that I coul'd get away from my engagement here witeoul too muc'i friction I am now at perfect liberty to make an yc. I can report -t Omaha the first of Febrimry have only one request to aak. and that la to take with me ,y eon. a -lad of 17» who has a strong constitut on anfl Is quite a naturall C' ... ' fA. December, 18G7. He can work in any capacity as lineman, rodmaji, S^c. Be^rond hii I have no favorites or to, introduce. I haveihad long experience in construction both of canals and railway's, ' " • ^ - Gen. Dodge, to, J. House, Washington, 31:- I send in separate packa^es_ of deeds sighed; get Davi s to acknowledge thorn.If he cannot,, send tfie.-i over to Nate, they both I believe kno? ' my signature and I acknowledged the bundles. Write un^'er my'si^a-tur''-, Agent & Trustee . » L. Williaiiis to. gen. Dodge, Fort 7/ayne, Jan. 1:- '' 'I Very unexpectedly I received dispatches, one that I munt attend meeting of board in Ngw-York onr2nd inst. I leave in 2 hours. Ames and Durant had informed me that the contract would be pt off till the 22d January; but:the?f have proba ly changed their views. If 1 understand the bridge question, the high bridge route in • T lot crossing at Ch'^lds ItiXl and cutting thrpu^ ridge at 30 ft. maxfiaum erad.,'taking out: «b little aa .ill answer now but aiding hereafter to fill trestle wQrk on east side of river. 2nd. nrsslng at lower part of Omaha, old Day site or near it using present 66 ft. gKade fpw,a;.hlle and then either cutting down praeent grade to SO ft. uklng earth to yil trestii ? east of river' r ourVinff short to left, and followtap Uissourl slope with 50 ft. X r 'i •«. .. . • ,,4. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - December 1867 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 December 1867 For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/efabd2967e7296bf37e91ce52737188d.pdf 36bead797b4f17e5827589c604faa38c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 - March to November 1867 (miscellaneous) Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The War Period, Book 6 March to November 1867 (miscellaneous) For an index for Book 6, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March-November 1867 (miscellaneous) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/deb909775bdf5709ab02ee8783426fe1.pdf ad6b41506e2416202787791ed48811b8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence. Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 6 Index Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1866-1867 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1866 1867 civil war General Grenville M. Dodge https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/92b653f4d3c555f45e90834170bb00a9.pdf a5c0d9034eddd906a2c3cab072bff823 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - January 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 January 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/d56b2514db9ebd246b8467faf9fafc4e.pdf 84d40092e8d16a9ee84819e97f0dad91 PDF Text Text January - Feb. 1868, & Misc. * • f* «.-r . ■ ■ f : »■ '■*• ' ■ • . . . .r r^. • ^ . . .. . made, here fiirnished, having in view the proper point to bridge the river, and the approaches to the bridge from the east and the west. -[il : yA note; Additional maps, profiles and estimates of btidge across . . ' . . m . the Missouri River. ,, Note: Various original memoranda with eeference to bridge. Note: Gen. Dodge reports August 13, 1867, to the Board of ComII missioners, in reference to the 12th section (21D. R. 280j . Note: Gen. Dodge reports October 191, 1867, to the Board. o,f Commissioners, in reference to 14th Section. (21 Dr 304) Note: Gen. Dodge reports October 26, 1867, in relation tp^ 14th Section. (21 DR306). , . • - * C ..i . Note: Gen. Dodge's instructions .jto Jas. A. Evans, (21 DR313); 0' . - ■ - Note: Gen. Dodge's instructions, Nov. 4, 1867, to chiefs of field parties (21dr317^^ : Note: Gen., podge to J, E. House,, OmaJ^a, Nov.. 4, 1867., (21DR318) .Note:, Gen. Dodge reports Jan. 20,. 1868, to > Board of Commissinners, in relation to the 16th section. (21 DR 322); kfl 'i Note: Gen. Dodge to J. A. Evans, Omaha, Feb. 1, 18jS8, (21DR324) Note: Gen. Dodge to J, J. Blickensderfer, Omaha, Feb. 1, 1867, (21 DR 328); r ■» . » Note: Saml. B. Ree;d to J. E. House, . Cheyenne, Feb. 1, J.868. C. Shaler Sm^l^ to G^n. Dodge, Feb. 1, 1368. No word yet from Wolcott; have written again February 1868, .today. •I' I enclose scrap cut from San, Francisco paper. Please inform me whether it refers" to work on your road, 'if soj is it let? If not, will you entertain plans for its construction and bids for the work? I have just finished a ^lan for a permanent wro^^2ht iron trestle for a similar ravine in New York, which I find to be cheap er than wooden bridge with stone piers. ■ l ./ •: H, M, Hoxiet to Gen; Dodgd, Omaha, Feb. 1st:- Mr. President Ames goes back on Mr, Snyder for appointing me as Asst. Supt, Tells Mr. Snjrder that he had no authority, and says the Construction Dept. won't spare t&e, &c, Says-also that they fiannot afford to pay an Asst. more than $2500, and that the Credit Mobilier are paying me $5000', Now I don't want to fail in this thing, think It is due ma that I hive the requisite energy-and capacity not only td act as Asst, but as a Supt, I'ow that the appointment has gone out to the world. It would be an injustice to me not to approve it, after Siy long services, eftd wotild not only injure aa'S'~ personally, but would cast a reflection on Mr, Snydor. ' • < ir, Snyder had Mr, Amos' letter in which he said that Mri Sfiyder couid make the appointment, and that it irould be approved. Can you help me out in this? Can you have W. S. ordered.tO": New York to explain this and the Bean case? j^loase give this at tention and act early. fi' e'f }i H. M. Roxie, Omaha, Feb. Isti ? • , ■■ February 1868. , Mr. Ames is making a big fight on Mr. Snydlr on the Beaij case, and has written,two letters alregidy which show that W. S. is to have a big fight. Can't,you arrange it to have Mr. Snyder ordered to, New York before the Board, then he can explain.- Mr, Snyder should go to New York beforerthe opening of spring v;ork to arrange somg; mtters about construction* Make a point on this.- ■ -x' W. Snyder to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, Feb. S2nd: ■ ■ ' -xr The weather ..continues splendidj no snow, and no bloqkacjes. We ^ are crowding material to Cljeyenne, and already have a nice.amount of iron there* Keep every engine'and oar busy, and wi^l havg ^^a-A fair start whgn track-laying.CO ipences. Have unloaded a small o amount of iron here to ^cara back to Chiqago promptly,but ex cepting a vory few days we have been able to transport west faster than>th9 Chi, & could deliver to us. They are doing finely in getting our material herf'and help ue'wljerever they can . -- The Sweet Water-mines are beginning to draw more travel this way, I moan to have the minan well-advertised as they will help ^ us financially, and.in gatting-jiaen tOatjptfgCGuntry, Mines lately tin disoovored near Taos, Ifmr l^exico, will alj|0*help us, This^line is now getting m^t of fW travel]^ and we can hold it this m year. We are putting In the piles at Worth Platte bridge and will not be long completing the work. I am more uneasy about the bridge between Sidney and Cheyenne Pobruory 1868, than any other part of the road, fearing the spring floods will carry out some of them. Am jnaking them firmer, and will have a supply of bridge timber at hand for contingencies. If there is not much snow this month, we may have no trouble with them, I have written Mr, Ames recommending the renewal of bridges ^generally, and the use of atone exclusviely. Stone can be•procured .'•in any quantity at and near Sidney. The wooden bridges are liable to fire, have no foundation and are not safe, business very find for winter, tj^nt to bring out the iron so as to have a fine show, with paying business this season,., The earnings this year will astonsih all, NAte: ^'o Gen. Dodge. - Friends of Col, E. F. Hooker are solkcitouB that ho should bo appointed to office, Des Moines, February, 1868, _ ^ • n. P. W, Palmer to Dodge» Des llainos, Feb. 2: ^ «. p^. /- Enclosed I send you a Republican recommondation for Hooker, so that if any ojjening should be apparent, you can get him in. I am^ just in receipt of. your letter of the 17th and can appreciate the labor that .met press u^n you. Jf you could take tine to come to our Cqngpeeslenal Convent-ion on the 6th of May, the rest would do you good, -and j^pur numarous would be glad to take ,yQU by the hand. R. Rowett to Oon.- Dodge, Carlinsvills, 111#, Feb. 2nd; r HwPBwith please find a letter from Judge Posey of Florence, February 1868» Ala, it speaks for itself. You must please pardcft for taking'" the'liberty of sending ii. to you instead of* sending it to Ciren. Logan • Gen. Collom,* or some other member froit Illinois. I send-it to you because*, if I mlstafee' n6t, you are acruainted with Judge Posey. I became acquainted with him while" in your command, stationed at '■•Bailey's springs and Flo'rence^,'^ahd I can truljr say that I the?J:'''i»0- ' garded him as the most loyal man" I ever met^ ln Alabama, not -oicepting Porter Ribb and Mr« Pattin; 'and if ti^"''^6vemmeht"has«'anything to bestow on any one in Alabama-, in-nay opinion, "Judge •l»osey is th3 m'ost deserving man in the state. And, General, I think I know you oil enough to know that- if you knew him as well as I knov.'-him, -foi ii would give you great pleasuro to assist him*, and' thereby do the Government' a service as well as reward one of i^s'fIrm suppoi:*t'^& when the Government needed support. ("3" r Jas, A. Fvana to Gen, Dodge, Fort Sanders, Dak",''^Jfrdi < ' Herewith please find ostimate of quantities from Sta, 3000 east of Big Laramie RlVer tO" crossing Of Medicine Bow, I 'send at the same time copy of Mr. Reed's and c^he to Ihie Omaha office. ^ 0 jyj addition to the above,* you will find a tsble of changds'-bf ■ grade. They arre already made on all the profiles hOre, including Reed's and those at Omaha, Change doed^ not affect quantities materially, but you will see that we use 0,8 grade ascending west. We had It before (faseeridlng, arid as we ahall* have to dse heavier grades still brft^eert Medicine Bow and'summit ctf RattleaiSAlW Hills; 84*'* February 1868. • it does not seem to be very objectionable..' ff#*'. I wroie to Mr. Stevenson, as agreed upon, requesting hijn-to. ' coiranunicate with you immediately. Expect daily to hear by telegraph from men to whom I have written with roference to a head for the third party. ^ ." i- - • Thinking matters over, have come to the conclusionto organize a small party to operate near* your summit, spending my time -with ' them myself until that country is' fully explored. Shall take Appleton with me. This can be done jvtriie Mr. Hudnutt is locating from :' North Platte west. As fast as located will meake profiles in camp and send them to Reed by •messenger, ;ianding at -the same time the notes to Fort Sanders where profiles and maps will be made up foryou.' In this way. If the weatbuKr .will permit, I .think we.oan fiurnish line as fast as they will want it, . 'c.' This work is so »<*®ent that it .will be difficult doing it upon very economincAl priha^ples. Will do "Uiid best I can, but do it as fast as It can bH done;' ' ' •• '■*" I hope there will be rto delay in escorts. Have than organized and ready sOmeHlrne «h«o month, so that they will be on hand. It ma^ be necedflia*y take out some hay for a time. We shall ce^»^^ talfil^have to dte- stoek#' ' etv • There la 4bs«lt iMwlnew tewn. If w^ wersr^-^ ready to lay It out^'we i9'ouia'"h!ave a, pepttiSiti^h ofa thwaand before spring, . r ■' '■ M " lit. ■ February 1868. * ""'P f Shall have about 15,P00 ties mare than enough to fill ray con tract. Will'fumi'sht i-hein la't 90i Ha^e written so'tojMri Dillon. They will certainly want them; If you can ; hink sov and can induce others to, I will thank you* I * . ir • »>•••■• j Smith & Latrobe to Gen. Dodge, Baltimore, 3rd: . : We enclose you a letter frois, Mr,i Wolcott, in v;hioh he agrees to accept the position a,t Omaha for the salary offered. Further n - investigations as. to Mr. Wolcott*3 professional ability have elicit ed exceedingly satisfactory.-replies. We have received .orders to press on vigorously with the St. Charips bridge egid have brought ][ Mr, Temple from the Kansas City bridge to resume his place as first assistant on that work. i.-. c Jar Note: W. L. Ggsslein tojj. E, Hottse, Omah^, .3rdr Anxious to obtain employment. •.rl - r ' 'J. Blickensderfer to Gen. Dodge, Tuscarawas, 3rd: na f e» • Tha failure of Beqker and one <kther with whom I was acquainted and on whose services I confidently calculated ^hAl'put me to VOllsiderablc! inconvenience, and it may result In my being obliged' to visit Philadelphia again before I finally determine whoa I.ah4ll-eTj^ge® I hope, howeverj I shall not be. delayed in ray departure for the.west, certainly not more than a few days. The mm% pramislng applications-come from the East, but unless iwy i'eliably' iidvlsed, I really do not^ like to engage a man for assistant without having seen and conversed with him. How are February 1868. . 'I you on this poiait? I always think I would giye more f'or five min utes talk with a maa than for ^1 the recommendations, he can bring, •i, will write you again before I leave home, advising you how I succeed," ' 'nb-v • , The enclosed letter of Seymour will explain what has become' - of the barometer I requested you to 'detail for me." ' •: T t ■ R. G. Thomas to J. E. House, Alliance, Ohio 3rdT wants Sit-^ uation for his sjon in ther Engineer Department,- (NOTE.) Note; J. A. Evans to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 3rd; sends es timates from 3000 to Medicine Bqw. Note: E. N, Winslow, Hyanis, Mass,, 3rd; concerning appoint ment of Mr, Phinney. . ' . , ' . .* "■ 'fi'- Note. R. Ewing, Jr. to Oen. Dodge, Cheyene, D.T. 4th; asks donation of a square in Gheyenne for a court house., -n'" .—"o* bnM J, L. Williams .to Gen. Hedge, Fort ayne, 4th: , The Board jh— on the 6th and Fridge .Commissioners on 7th (Friday). Will you be loever? If .so, bring all papers .retorring to bridges, *■" lat' I suggested to ycfu lit hue of Edy-tetters to have Mr. House esti mate the riuJt)#r of yards Which would be taken-off the deep cut on the M, A M. line in consequonco .of the 8ft. misktae of the leveler. Did you reoelT# any estimate of this reduction? I must advise the Committee whtt ahtnge to makd in lay estimate* I wrote to Col. Hudnutt to make the eatiitate for a|e*^te»t did not hear from.: m February 1868, A. I • r -f.' •him, I don't kiiow whether there is -a profile here." Better bring or send your copy of Col. Hudnutt's pf'ofiles. I should like to 3,ee any estimates that you have made, or any estimates or plans which Mr. McAlpine has made, perhaps yx»u have reported'to Mr. McCombv r = •: o i ' * ' • " I wish to make any corrections irt my estimate that may be nec essary, to present a fiar comparative view."of the several .Copies, and then leave it cjiiofly to the Board to decide. " .'.'t I -have not yet s.een ,001. Seymopr and do no.t lyiow exactly what bridge papers and plans are her.e, and.ythioh w«re s«it to Washington -:0r to Omaiia* • f rf"; ,, „i : , " ? ■ .. . : J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 4th: . .••,:-j(Enclose.d harjewith it-3,end you abstracLt and vouchers .engineering and town lot a/c for the month of January 18686, amounting .to $9204,91, which I have placed io your .credit, ; : : .X Note: Omaha, 4th. Stateiaent/Pace of Ledger, frrnow Oi B. House to Gen. Dodge, 'Omaha 5th; The above shows the transactions for .the't •f months, and pra^remitlie'-^orreetneas of the a/c. I would like to have'« rWitemtnt frcMi tHe New York office of your a/c to Pebt jlat - tadiaee how togethftf we are. ^ ' I have had an index of vouchers laade; have remembered all the vouchers and entered them (except the mining had them arranged according to date as nearly as possible, commencing with No, \ and February 1868, Z"-' closing with No, 1486 the January return. This will explain the large numbers on vouchers, * v ' ' , ■ . . . ^ . I have given ±he matter of account* considerable attention' of l-r.te, have the work well sys'tenatized and hope hereafter there will be less mistakes to rectify. 'O Your letters of the 30.th have been received containing instructions to Mr. Evans, also draft for 20,000, . ' , . Am working on river with large force--45 men. . Jit 1 Note: P. S. Hodges to Gen..-Oodge, Boston, 6th: ®nclesing, Maps of Lost Creek line, profile No, 2, Lost Creak line, also his report for 1867. W. Snyder to Gen, Dodge, ,Omaha, 7th: -• mrJtf I send you thid morningr oopy of my report of .operations from April Ist to December 81st '67, ;.A ■■■;♦' r' Earnings of transporting contractors, men and material charged upAt half regular rates. r e« ■ . I presume Mr, Am« will not ob ject ta lay sendiag you-this copy tut wish you would not give it publicity; wtrthguji l^nowledge. irinther fine yet* W. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 7thir< - ^ f Tours 3rd Bsoeived this evAning. Did not kpcw there was to be a-Swiating in Hew Yofk yeelerday, but am glad ot it, because affairs here let'iftA result'•• what'If^dy, ought t® be settled at oncsj, 9tnmf*9 ! •( *0 February 1868. . -^1' _r -I haire already troubled you so much with my. personal matters that I hestlate to write more, yet I will venture to say that'i d fv which I think ought to bo said to justify myself, i ', In the first place, the Directors know but vehy little of the affddrs of the road here. Every emiriLoyee might ;vrite them -twice daily and het they would know but little of the actual working of the lino, reasons why, &c., &C.. Letters won't explain it; a, man must be on the grjDund to-etudy causes and consequences, p@licy, "'^iflafety, profit ;o loss, everything.. My instruction^ have always been very limit^ed. Distractions ir^ the band of, directors have di verted attention from here, and I have been left to how out my .own way, and the question ought to. be now, ^whether, the road has been I in managed properly, honestly and eoonomically, Tlie >oniy way to test that ^estion is to make the examination probe every depart- "ment, see 'where tiaa leaka have Iswenf if any, aad discharge at once inc ompetent or dishonest employees, I want now, and always have wanted, such an investigation by a thoroughly competent person. I urged it upon Mr, Ames when he was here last, « Since Beam was removed we have had a different administation on trains. The loafers have been removed and everything on the * road his ittprovMd, Whiskey is no longer the prinelpal motive power, uAderstand their duty now, and knar they have got to per form It^ They have fuore respect for, themselves, and treat patrons of the road respectfully. There is now some character to the trans- k! I' February 1868, portation department, and the travelling public appreciate it, , The directors ought to know that old R.R. thieves from all^"^ parts of the States are flocking here. They look upon this road as a Government institution, and come here to steal al\ they can. It is not necessary to stock this road with men known to be thieves, as others can be procured. My policy has been to clean out those characters as soon as their sharp practice was manifest. If a man comes here without a dime, borrows money to ^bring his family, has. no income but his salary from the road, and in six months on wages as conductor of $3 per day saves money enough to live at the rate ; of $12 per,day, and loan money to his friends, it is sufficientf evdience to ma that there is some stealing. His discharge from another road on same ground only confirms my belief. And I don't believe in s .litting hairs or paying $1,000 to conductors to work up the case, ^It is safe and cheaper ta get rid of the man at once, ^ 'That the business men of 0«aha have a prejudice against me, . is, I think, a mistake I have refused -irantir^ passes to many ot.. them, and have deolinai giving any special freight rates. They have all been treated alike, civilly always, I thihk, and have no fiwre right to eomplain than a New Yorker who pays his fare and freiRht bills. In purehaslng, of course, we buy of tho man who. sells tho cheapest. Our supplies come from Chicago and the East. for the aasne that Pmlyijimerchanta do not buy of each other— we can do better, Mha hd4 th^^^dhnle or any part of this February 1868, road, .its 'merchants might claim sdra# special favors* '- In the question of finance they fflust expect the road to study its o\m interest, doing, of coursei all it can consistently' to'build up all the places on its line. In'Speaking of* the business men of Omaha, I have-no •reference to John Harbach or E. Creightori. I have more friends ~ here than both of them, and their testimoney in a matter of this'* kind is vrorthless. If the directors think that all the business"''■'' men of this country are Christians, then it is perfectly safe to run the road without a head. « If to make myself popular with all, ' I give every man who asks It a pass arid slffp his freight at hilf tariff, there would not be much money for- our pay rolls. ' If these" men growl'at my exactions for the road, may it no be presumed that-' I am looking out for the interests of the Cdtapany? If I have arij^ "pets'* to ^om special favors are shown, or grant any favors On ' account of locality, ^ligion, politics, relationship, ®r for any. ' other cause, it can eaallt fe e ascertained hy having an examination made. My position was given toe to look after thd welfare of the ^ road, oarft as much and spertd as little for them AS possible, J have tried te fill the bill. Any ♦ who has authority to give passed can mAka himself * poptilAr,*iikl"mny^>tiiAn wh6 manages' this road will meJ^e himself uni.xjpular'Wth Certain classes If.he attends to his legitimate business. i ~.f'er Tou are right on my feeling as to situation here. Salary is ' no object, and glory is not a part of my Creed, I will not act -as February 1868, Supt, without power to discharge any man who neglects his ddty or •don't know enough to pa»:*foi*m it. The ^se" nov; made is a good one, "let it be decided at once* "They can offer me no salary or induce ment that will keep me here in charge, and responsible' for -the man agement, if my hands ar^e to he tied and the road plundered under my own eyes. " ' The Sweet Water mlries 'eCr^h alrea^ 1fi:*i¥igihg home travel," ahdr 'w I am having the discovories thoroughly advertised. '"a • ' Half of the contractors^ :dop.osit3 and business was taken'from •'the Oiriaha National and given to Kountza, Creightoh & Co, by "Order • of H. C. Crane, Secy, to Lindsey, acting cashier for them. The Company business Is still with Millard, Creighton probably worked the change by help of a party f3X)m hero. It is not fair, and I so •wrote Mr, Ames. Millard and CaldWOll have always helpd the road while Creighton and Kountze wdtild not, I wrote Mr,. Ames in full on the subject, but of course li^e no control ovfer the.'contractor's fundw. The Omaha National did moi*4 in '6(7 $0 supply us with'currency, 'than Hountze could haWe done with .thalr largen-capital and this change has provoked me. '.-•ineal? • MT Will go to Cheyenne tomorrow avertIhg iTaather continues fine and supplies are rapidly'^going forward, Note: a. J, McDonald to Gen, Dodge, Polk City, Iowa; 7th: ; Note: Jas, A. Evans to Oen. Dod"-e, 8thf' That the list given him whan'in 'Vashlngton*givoa the names of ten men,.and that he February 1868, , r r-r'; f-'. shall need'as many moroj that his experience showa that the cpuntry ^furnishes the best material for subordinate positions in the par- ,,ties; commence laying out town 10 on Mopday; has purchased trans- .f. portation, &c. &c. , . > - r-- • H* M. Hoxie to Gen, Dodge, Omaha-, Gth; •r* 1:1 , Mr, Snyder sent you today his resignation for you.-to ^-^resent whenever you thought it absolutely'necessary. You c^ be the Judge of whether you j/ant use it or not* : vr, ' .u. X You are also authoriaa^W tender my reei " nation as both Gen, Transportation Agent and Asst* Supt;* ;^](;ienevor you think necessary. I don'.t want to stay here unles^ it is sati.sfactory to all parties, i thought and still thijik that I can be of more service in both oapatclties than as sJLmply T, Agent, I shall be content ^ either way. You are on gT?ound and to you I leavo everything. " My kindest regards to ^rs. Dodge the girls. ^ « '•Q. Shaler Smith to Qeu:. Dodge, ^Baltimore, 8th: , 'ijYours of the 4thdbs hand. Wolcott's endorsers are-Moriey. Chief Bngr, Iron Mt* R.R.» and Fenaeay, Prin. Asst. Engr. Nprth Mo. R. R, His experience mostly dwelt on is that at Quincy and on the bridges on the IsVuaus Panama R.R. I take it that he is an excellent principal asslstwit with a large stock of experience in his line but abt a map to be^a chief engin.^er of l^rge .w6rk. Hole. Eads to Williams Feb* ?: . ^ - Notes Jae, A-. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, 9ths Enclosing February 1868, descriptions of tbe structures required from .Eig Laramie to Medicine Bott. . •, ' . r- I Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodj;;e, N. Easton 10: ... • , j ^ ^ On my return this morninc" I find your letter ..enclosing a paper with a.very interesting account of Sweetwater mines, I will • • • ...bring this matter before Shattiick when I am in .New York this week, I herewith enclose a letter from 11. A. Armstrong. There are a . . ■ . .. . . number of letter.^ from him in the office well endorsed^ and he is very t • * * persistent for a place on our road, V.'hen at New York next week I will try to send his recommendations to you, .1 know nothing of.the many any way. s p * iJl. ••* a ' ' J. L, Williams to Gen., Dodge, New York 10: In my rough copy that in adding 10 per cont for contingen- • t ■ eies, we added to each line ^86, 45B, This is wrong. To Childs Mill * • line the sura is $85,608, and to Bellevue line $87,158, ^ ■ • OR: I understood Mr.^Doan to say that the south line from High Bridge at Trading House through Bellevue to his intersection being 500,000 yards loss earth than the straight lino. Col. Seymour says it is ^ 1 mile longer. If this is so, then you should compare with the long cheap line, for If ever built that.line would be adopted. The differ- ■ 9 ■ ence .in cost would be $175,000 to say nothing of the trouble which ought to bo estimated double work. Col, Seymour told me today that Mr. Doan is maing up a compaiison. Febru4ry 1868, •' :T of Childs Mill and Bellsvue lines for next Thursday. If so, I had bettor ^ive him copy of my estimate of various items in Childs'Mill Bridge as I did you, so'that his estimate will bo fair. In running over calculations I find that West abutment at Bellevue will be 6nly'5 ft.'instead of iS ft. more than at Childs Mill . I forget the extra height from low water. Write 5 ft. instead of 15 ft., irat leave the'sum ij21,500 stand, aad it "'ill be near enough correct. J. B. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 10:- Enclosed please Tifid monthly estimate to contractors for January, also appointment and instructions'to'Winslow"B. Bent for the sal^of KjlTat Sanders. Please state whether they me^t your approval. In making up January'estimate the'same data was used that'yod fur nished me-except Dale Creek Bridge, which is now made from the St. r . ' ' B, IJ. furnished mo by Mr, Reed-instead of the total quanityt as ySu had it, I find that you have estimated Statioh Houses at |700-* they cost $2500, also tanks at $500; cost' of same IS $1500. Idid riot " , 'o' ■ ' 'a.' r - ' ' - • , change your figures as T supposed you had some reason for putting them 80 low. ' ' W Mr, Hudnutt arrived here on Friday last and is nbw in charge River parties. The lino I wrote you about chaning at Childs felll has been done; making a much better profile and does not'injure the February 1868, location of Bridge in the least. I \7ill send you profile in a few days, and will also be able to furnish you profile and map of soundings next weeb—if you desire then, I received your.letter in reference to keeping an account with the Bridge. You will see by the vouchers returned that I have writte • • • .on the face, River Soundings, I will take up these vouchers and • « • open an account with the Mol Bridge, commencing with the Williams work of last fall, you have also requested mo to go to Cheyenne and see ., wh^fiit the troulble is. When I-^ras last there Talpey was absent- and did not see him. I requested a statement of the names of the delinquent parties. He replied that-he would furnish them in a few days; have not heard anything, from .him since, . ^ Note:* Alliance, Ohio, 10: R, G, Thomjas wants situation for his con. r ,, ,- ! V ■ fif' a * h-c " Note; gjnd Jto4itor, ,U,S.Tr, to Lieut. Isaac pamewood, WashingtonlO: J. L. V^lliamg to Gen. Dodge, New .York 12:- • • f '' Lost I forget it when you are .hero, I will say that Mr, * • . .y . . , CBlburn, consulting engineer of quincy Bridge, seems to prefer the Linville Trusaea any other^laru At the Quincy Bridge all is wrought iron exaept advises that this ^ also should be wrou^t ir on for long^spans. I would so make ^ thjs specification whell-lj^er you adopt this plan or Mr, Post's, The Post plan is much the same, but says he should February 1868. " ■ ,'^ ' • t r * .- f •' . r ^ rf. want to mafee some changes in the upper chord which he thj.nk§ de fective. • :i • • • »t' This specification of Quincy'Bridge I have lost and Mr, C, has no other hero. If I find it as home I will*send it to you, Mr, C, thinks that his requirement for the strain in each square every bar, but you had'better reserve this right. ■ff ry w . » * ^ ^ r ^ ^ In contracting I should certainly advihb the'Lin-' ■* . / * ' ' ' ii» ■ ville trusses or the Post Plan, though wo shbMd say nothing'6f this till *e got the lowest bids for all plans, " If I had time to stop at Pittsburg or go to*Detroit and see the Inspecting Engine'er t could obtain for you much inform ation that would aid in making* youS? bpecifications But i must hurry home starting on Thursday evening. Shall be back at the ''' ■ ' fi ' meeting on the 12th of Ma'rch, Then* I bhail stop a day srt Pittsburgh. Will not that be in tiiife for your detail specification? Only a general specification will do for the advertisement, would it not pay for you to go and see Mr, Linville? He is either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, *He told me hfe' would be at Pittsburgh till the 20th or 25th, Re i5 now President of the Key Stone Company #io are building the Dubuque Bridge, I advise 250 feet spans except the shoro'spans. February 1868. You should consider whether any of these; should be deck bridge. - At Childs Mill nothing is saved by'making the West Sp?tn deck bridge or the abutment must carry to grade to sustain emlet. J; Blickensderfer, Jr., • • -.1 . To General G. M.; Dodge, Philadelphia, 1^:; Dear Sir: • "lo* nr-: , I informed,you soon after my return home from Washington that - Mr. Beckarfwhom I had engaged to head the third party and another inteded for Asst; at $160® both declined going. As I passed through Philadelphia on ioy:way home, from Washington I ^had engaged • another, Mr. Dechart, at $1800 and thus supposed Xi had my party full ^ This Dochert wrote me late last week an^ I got his letter late on Saturday that he could not go for the price named, stating he had supposed the pay was in gold.. I was thus completely foiled hav ing failed to angage any other in Becker's place. Th0ymen->of lower'g*«atfe I can get'ln any desired quantity but they are not competmt to maihttigfc parties,. I an here, now ejideavoring to on- ' gaga othWMB, but'tKH^'all ■claim the ratep are too low, O'Brien " i saw, a!nd he appeaf^ to be a good man,' I would take him at^ once , • "but ho doos* ri bt- want lo. go. it. all, And nq,t under, any circumstances 'for the wAteo offorod;, at last hw finally;^aid he would let me •vt f In a week's tine. He eiitpifntiryou to engage him ia.take charge of "the finished lltib, and keep it Jaaj^epair, . This Off V I b ic ol/ii Xi!r T •»! CT- ' • 1868 February, subsi^t- and $2500 at Utah to thajrJgcy rath'^r $2,000. at do would . Con in friends' through you .with negfistiatirig Is he says He encQ. strong him give to as so you on claims his jireeslng are wh-o gress and you from employment get to fails he If success. of hopes I offer. I .prices the at will'go.with,me he bettor, no do can Penna. the over here from go will I think I words. own his quote the thence.:via, there, men som# see to Pittsburg ti Erie'Rad'd necess If and others, see to Pittsburg to Road Valey Allegheny can I all up hunt will I and country, the Of partil other to ary can I until success my .of two Or day every you advising find, West, go found.before'I.can be must men assume 1 as them, find . ^ find ©an if-I truth- the tell to bU't $2,500 at go will Dechart h" in be go appear not does He .him. take till'not I man better a of desirous ently appar and timid, seaiiij health; good ^ery . j_ . , ■ . ■ ■ ^ comfort. i!><fsoAal considerable the to instruments- the charge you whom to inquire to wish j Son stumb- a is This -them? uses that one the to W fAr^y the of "Head eq^uipage camp 'Or blanketS bedding, '"hat ma»y. to block lirtg " write Please party? the furnish" compettry the dt^as l%ldplng f<A* Pittsburgh. Ry., Ch. ? fi P.W. Supt.^. Asst. Layry, TX' I. oAre me extent? ehat, so If and the'men,- for arms any furnish you Do entirel are -who- month, per $1Q.0 at engaged men "good two have I any get can I improve. will and places, suprodlnate compeienV owt^ their at out go will who chainmen and rodmen good of quantity have 1 allowed; be may them of Two them. allow will I if expeoae not February 1868. . * . ' I •., 'ST . fully de-terxninod in all caries, and do not like to encourage them, as they must run the risk of suiting the heads of party and be .subject to dismissal at will. . ^ ^ J« House to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 12:- *■ • »« Yours containing list of lands also resolution of Eebruar "■ 7th, has been received. I have given the list to Davis to attend ' ■ .,0 to. By the K. Y* papers the resolution ia a condensed form is published. Have you any objections in my publishing it entirely :in the Cheyenne papers? , - . r ~,r.- Those lots reserved by Gen. Stevenson for military men I suppose are.to be held good; the reason I ask. Col, R.J. Dodge call ed here today and sayd the General reserved lots 5 and 7 in block 414. (Talpey's report also shows the same). The Colonel says he wil pay for them^before leaving town; should he call before getting an answer to this, I will received his moeny and give him contract, but will in no other instances till I hear from you. H. M. Hoxie to Gen. Dodge, OB^a 12:- - '* Things here moving along tolerably smoothly. The bridges ' '* ' "r., WVst of Julesburg are giving us more trouble than all other things . , comblnsd, end will until we have stone,in place of wood. An> engine .Itind tw® liftrs went thrpugh. over 7 miles west of Potter last night; iK win be ot K. tonight. , _ ^ We want more shop room here to do the work required"and especially February 1868, ' the blacksmith shops- want mo're machinery. We want also 'tfbre yard room than we will evef be able to have here. ' ' ' Wg commence today the injiJiiction suits on coal mirieSj and time will tell what to do. ' * ' * • Muchmore is making a splendid M, of T. bo far we have less . more disdipline on the-road. ' The military are all right now. Gen.\yers and myself good friends. Regards to all. Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, New York, 13;- I enclose letter of Mr. Hane". Make the return aslrequired and send to mo \Tith Mr# Hane's lottef, ^ • dl 'Gen'. Dodge to J. S. IJcComb, Washington, 13:-^' ■ The report of the engineer of i.he Burlington & Missouri ^ * ^ River Rail Road Company having blrf^rr ro^^red to %ie for examination 'and report, I have the honor to sufemlt a comparative estimate and the t ' ' . : , ■ ■ ■' rin following suggestions: ' First, a fair comparison for competing roads approaching from the east must be a oommon pdint on "the east side of-the Missouri 'y. ''iflfur n fid?! River, as all freight will be landed on east side of the Missouri River by the Union Pacific Railroad at a common depot. To reach this 'point the Union Pacific Railroad must build by Childs Mill line.6.24 miles of new track, to Union Pacific Railroad transfer grdunds and by Bellevue line to trasnfer grounds at Trader's Point 8 miles of new track. < " JtiCW s»i hJcLn • February 1868, Second: The North Western. Railroad^. The Chicago,, Rock Island & • * ■ " . 1; ' Pacific, the Council Bluffs & St» Joe Railroads by their charters an • . agreements are bound to concentrate or build their roads to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and our comparison is therefore brought down to the f point whether the Chicago & North-western Railroad, and the Chicago , & Rock Island Railroad shall build their line, and make their transfer at Trader's Point, making 5 additional miles of distance to be added to their distance from Chicago} or whether the Burlington & Missouri * « River Railroad shall build thb 5,miles, and add that to their distance from Chicago, The Burlington & Missouri River railroad now onw or control the Council Bluffs & St. Joe railroad to Council r : Bluffs, and no doubt will run that track from the point they r strike the-Missoiiri-River Valley to Council Bluffs or Trader's rfte-iPoint. . • , - - nrtl t niay also assume that a bridge at Bellevue must cro-s at or near the 'i'Oint adopted by our surveys, and. in surveys of Mr, Teilson '.end Mr. l^oan, anel tlKs hnl grounds that can be used by the compa nies for transfer groiinds on east side of the Missouri River is th * " Platrxer farm or trader's Point. Tlv^se grounds are 5 miles south fr 'V from the Union Pacific railroad transfer ground near Council Bluffs ' therefore using each of those points the comparison to a common . • cipoint in "Wha Papal 1 lion Valley would be via Trader's Point to Point "S" in'BWipilllon Valley by Mr. Dean's line as follows: : Bwrlington>M*e8gwi Railroad, Smiles. ^ Chicago ft North-we|||pp:j railroad 13 miles. f''' liV * February 1868. A A, bnnX.'' T Chicago & Rock Island Railroad; h'-i Council Bluffs & St. Joe Railroad f'l .-iiorttibO <xt „ ^ r With five miles of Branch to CcUn " • 13 miles. • tfHwwpHMfTin . oi " or "at iO cil Bluffs. -» ' 'Second:- Uiing the Union Pacific Railroad Company's transfor grounds d* the initial point 1i6 Point "A" in Pappillon Valley by ntvg i'iati "I • way of Childs Mill, crossing Union Pacific Railroad surveys as jbdblMi f : ^ ,, follows: Chi .. . Chi cago & Rock Island Railroad, Chicago & North-western railroad cago & Rock Island Railroad, 11,16 miles. - ^ lb. ft.. Chicago & North-western railroad 11,16 " " ^ CoWc i I'D luffs St. Jo Railroaa •'' 11,16 ^"1 • Burlingtbri "& Missouri River railnad 15.16 ' " ■' Or if the Burlington !c Missouri River railroad should build ^ their road by BellSvue to the point "a" in Pappill on Valle , they "i- would only save seven miles over the line by Union Pacific railroad ho transfer grounds and Child^s Mill crofissl^-and our present line to point "A" in pappillon* HTIey, and Would have to maintain -»gr n five miles" long to obtain the local trade of' Council Itt rt -Tt'. . Bluffs and Omaha, ♦il: .'Uo""' The proposed Trader's Pdlnt trasfer'i^xmds dh St, Joseph rail road, the initial point of Mr. Dean's sui^ys^are barely above high water; the count^ in all directions sui^lifoundl'ng them is overflowed at every high witter so that It is a perfect "Jfea of water from the Lower Council uiuffs Steamboat landing to Ptfcific'City, the overflow extending east and west from bluff to bluff. These grounds are toi|| day threatened by the near approach of the river, It having in the , ••'ft* \ February, 18^-8 * . ? , elFht years ',7orked south and east over one and the Council Bluffs & St. Joe Railroad'iTP,xst for future security move'their entire line from opposite the Council Bl ffs loxver landinrt to Pacific City two inlles"ea3t. "tast'year this road was unable to run for nearly three months on account of the damage to it by hiph water caused by rise of the 'Missouri t?iver. In addition to the overflow of the Mis souri RiVer the lines and •^rounds on east side of River opposite Bellesme are subject at all times of the year to overflow by- tbevhs, ..s , . -a • waterr, of Mosq- ito Creek, a jitream running diagonally throurrh the low bottom, and that often in heavy rains overflows its banks, 'while the transfer grot^nds neah Council Bluffs of Union Paftiflc Company are surrounded on all sides by a prairie above ! i/rh water, . * r - .■ * f ~ - ,, , with all appDoaches'to It from the east and west by railroad or wagOn road above the hlrhest overflow and is threatened in no direction by encorachments of river or creek. ■ ' '• • t . . In submitting the estimates for this line, I have been controlled • - ^ ^ , »" . .. •' • V ■ ,r, in prices, material and work by the estimates of Mr. Williams, as per r • r, . , ' , • , t 4. • ■ ) -j- his repoirt, I have cut down materially the masonry estimated by Mr, Doan. He estimates for part wooden truss, we for all iron truss; he estimates all pile foundations, we two foxxndations of iron piles - , ' -I ' ftc. Our quantities agree with his, al-^o length of bridge, and I take his quantltios for t'e approaches east and west so that for some kind of str'^cture our estimates would not materially differ Pebrvary, ISGB. from his. J'• ^ '• Tri'n*", »f f . 77. Sryder.t Ger. Dodye, No'^th Platte, 1^:-^ Weather contimies warm and we are a'ettlnfT alono- solendidlj^ .. » f ^ ^ r . < • , , r r ^ - V . .. , ^ in the shipment of ..material^ to Cheyenne. Trains all on time and ^ poad in Good shape. Haye had very fev( ^cci|,dentr> this/vinterj noi^e .^^that were exnensive^ ^TJe lool^^for ^ome co|jJ i7eathe3;',.i'et, btit feel snre that storm and floods cannot do as much damaGe as Iqst i^spriny. Are pnttina in the additional piles here at bridre., and will,haye It safe before the ice aoes on.t. il have asl:ed Mr. Ames fon anthoritjy to purchase anqthsr steam pile driver-will cost -dth enrlne car &c, comnlete atjout .$4.,CC0. Will have to do a larce amount of pilin/r on ^he roadthls season^ ,.' . • r ^ ' ■ ■ . ' ■ ' ; . ^ ^ • I ■ . and two rood steam drivers will be necessary. New machine chon here ICC x ISO is, ^n.ploSjed^ roof near\y ..cpm.- pleted and if machinery comes out can le^ in operction ^y >i^,ril .let, next. It is by far the best buildln- on the road. . . .. i , ■** - . r.' • , . . 1.. . .T Will start for Cheye'^ne torl^'t and if npsslbie win n-o to Pt. Sanders before I return, to investigate the fuel, qiiestion. .It is 4 . . . . .. , ^ - f t 1 , 4 . r, 1 . " * costlns too much money to haul coal from Omaha to all poinis onJilio I - r I "4,. ' . 4 > -..^(-1 .4 ~ . • ■■ riff road, but there has been no other resource. , ^ f ♦ . t ' » • , • • ' 4 . .>«v"■ IP t 9- r ft, ^ i ^ ^ ^ \ PassenGer bminess Increaslnr some. There a.ro hundreds of. mountain men now In Om.aha waltin" to be passed pp.t by^,con,tractprs.To .save money and prevent fraud it will be necessary yor some, one./'epresentatlvo of the Company at Omaha to employ all the men that are February, 1868, passed to . end of tracv, ^a^d_ to have st7pervisi9n of thel v„ ^hlpm^nt, Instead of having ^:a],f a dozop cpntractor's afroi^ts there flyinr passes wi\t]-iout ].lralt,, an^,..seipdin ^.ir.^n vrho dor.t propose ty work and .would otherwise pay fare. The cos^ last,year fror? this source was alto gether too large, '•^le morals of our,train men have improved very much,,.within the past rhee weeks; whiskey dont circulate as freely as formerly. .The "blowers" have all disappeared;-eVery,^man ?ippears tq know his business, and attends to it. ^ ^ ^ James A. Evans to Cen. ^Dodge, Por^ Sauqders^ IS: - - ^ Laraml" City is laid out, hut before wa can. do anytl.in.r one .1. 1 ^ of two things seems^to be necessary; either that .a portion of the res ervation should bo relinquished to us, or that General ^herman or ' "< ' ■ ' - • • • • ., . ^ . .1 „ - - General Augur issue an order to Gen. Gibbon here ..to permit, .^ettl^ement >-y*- . . f ,, upon the reservation, as it nc-y is subject to our approval. . . Gen. G. will throw no obstacle, in the^ waj ^o^ layip.g ,put thft^town; in fact, is favornnie to it and will, I thinlc^, do evorythinv. to aid, but he requires some kind of an order from his superiors-before he can permit settlement, Ve are in a hurpr about. this, metter. I tele graphed you about a week a,ro about., it, anji shall again..before this . t . .. , r. ~ . . , . VJ let .er reaches you unless some reply comes to my former message. Your telegram with regard to map Is received and.will bo aomplied ,]y?. 1 February, IS68. ' . ^ » « r. with. After con3uItln(* with parties about your trees, the prevailing opinion seenis to be that the last of March will be the best time to .. I. . , * ^ • • • . . take them up. If you have any one at Councn Bluffs familiar with your ground and that has some idea of how you want them, planted, 'let me know. T have a man in view to do the work for'yoi^^' T expect to be at the Bltiffs in a few days, and will call at J-our house and lool: at the ground. ' ' Note: Chas. VT. Sparhawk to Mr. Home, Carbondolo, 13:- Ntte: E.'?; J. Good ft Co. to J. E, House, Chicago, 13:- B. F. Bane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 13:- ' " Mr. Dillon is having daily sittings on your vouchers and ' they \7ill be Edited and placed to your credit in s few days. To make a correct showing it id necessary that I should be furnished with all sales of lands made to Dec. 31st, 18G7, showing first date of sale*; second, description; third, amount of purchase; fourth amount cash received, a-d last amount notes or other evidence of Indebtedness ♦1th lonth of time it has to run. Also furnish a statement of all moneys collected from such notes. Please have attended to Immediately, H*. M. Hoxle to Cen, Dodge, Omaha, 14:- Your letters to Mh. Snyder and myself camo last night, f rf * . / " Snyder In at Chej^enne and will be absent a weok. I shall send his r . .. . f . • • ) • ■ ■ l-^tter to him tonight. ' February' 1868. ^ f ' About'tshe question of salary, I thinlv I ought to have at least ^3600 per year. It should be more, but I told Mr. ^nyder that I should stay this year if permitted, at any price, as.1 wont give up beat, Uow I have this ppoposition to make. .1 will take the $4000 and attend to Transfer and road. The contractors can well afford to give me what the Company wont give, I leave the matter in your hands to fix up and shall abide your decis'ion. In the meantime 1 shall draw $5000 for last year, and live as econdmincaliy as I can. , , . • , ' w j, . . " - Frank Palmer is ahead in your Dist, The C.R.I.P.bill passed. I did them some good "turns in a quiet way. Everything go hg along • » K - >, • smoothly. Please remember me to Allison, Grimes, Price &c, and to your family, M . R, Morgan to Gen, Dodge, Ft. Leaven-vorth, Kas, 14; You owe me a latter, but as'l want you to help'me,'I cannot stand upon ceremony. I send you herewith a copy of a*note written this day to « friend which wili show you what I want. I*take it for f, I,. I -,,,, . , , granted that no officer of the armj' is worth a continental who does not possess soldierly pride. It injures an officer to have this pride wounded, particularly when it is incurable, Wlien an officer ic injured, a'good officer, the army Is injured. It wounds any officer possessing self respect, to be placed under a junior by commission. ; f:- ' . • p - _ • I therefore you to do what you can to have staff officers placed on an equality with officers of the line in this respect. February 1868, As matters are now, I am liable to be coramanded by a Lieutenant. I did myself when first enterin'ji; the army have a etaff officer, a major, under my ^co'Wandi ' Siich things must injure "the army, and I for one wish to see such-a state of things rendered"by regulations im possible. :/ 'if 'tc/ui*:? ' * Note: A. A. Humphreys to Hon. Henry Wilson, Washington^ 14:- J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 15:- " * * '' * ' *• Yours of the 9th asking information about map has been received. I made tracings and sent them to Mr, Evans as requested by him. He made some metnion about stations being put on and it would have to go to Sanders for that purpose, ,I wrote you several ^ys ago telling you that W, B, Bent had ^ • « . . » ■ • , , gone to Sanders as agent, also sent you a copy of instructions furnishod him, Mr, Bates and Hqdges are here; do not hear anything from Mr. Blickensderfer, I fill have Bockee go doWn on Monday and see about your timber land. What disposition do you want made of Max'.Toll and Apploton? In the absence of instructions I shall send them to Mr, Evans and let him dispose of them as suits him beat. It will also bo necessary to mMce some change in the stock; shall I use my judgment in the matter of selling and buying? Some of the mules are hardly dufficlont to stand another season's work. Stock Is quite cheap, and they will sell to better advantage now, than after they become totally February 1868, , unfit for service of any kind, and thefy can be replaced to better advantage' here 'than further west, y • - - • r • ■ Thg new appointees are-beginning to report, and am .fearful that we will have more on our hands 'than we will Icnow what to do vith, unless som.e of them be a'^t: too the Salt Lake parties, .1 have not .been able to do as much towards -etting soundings ready Id: send you • 'as I ekpected viheh I last wrote you, but time I hope Will bring all things right#. ' Mr, Hudnutt is now looking after the sounding partitss and has also the working up of the notes under lii-s supervision, Mr. Lambalch has been engaged for the past month in making a map for Mr. Snyder from Chicago to the Pacific Ocean and British possessionf south ta 34° latitude,^ It is for advertising route for passenger travel. Looks .very wail. a Ttm :::■ '''XO Your tolegbam just received. Will act immediately, - H 'ifff.t ,-/■ ' :r Ji L - 'ft J;-.-,l ..' 'h »'*'■' rion. Wote: Jas, A. Evans to E, House, Pt. Sanders, 15:- a: ' , - • "I-i' , - ■ -"8 r-nsflw Hote: W, K Besnt to J, E. House, Ft. Sanders, 15:- 0. Ghanute to Oen, Dodge, Kansas City, Mo, 16:- Your favor of the 31st January was handed me yesterday by • 0 ■ ..i- ' '.J uo .If : , ' Dr, M, ', Robbins, r- ' ■ I ''i .1 , r ".o ' .' • I regret that I cannot give you as full and valualbe information about the bridge we propose to construct here as I should like, for want of sufficient information about all the circumstances of the case; February 1868, . -i frT my own aj^pointment only dating from tthe 1st of this month and otir surveys not having progressed su£ficlently tO settle every detail of the work, we have as yet only commenced the accumulation of materail and ascertained the following facts:. "" ' • -■ 1st. .The Narrowest .point We can find in the river at medium stage is a' out 700 "feet between banks, and it is 1300 at the point v;e propose" for the location of ox^^ bridge:, ;diich will be a uut 1400 feet long. I send you a rough map, which wiTl' sdrve to give you: an idea of the locationj": the red showing '«^r contemplated lines', Crossin-g q* ' just below the great bend of the river, and about 1 1-2 miles below ■ the mouth of the Kansas/.Khef'HTe compelled to approach the bridge through a bluff of eartti irfbee* 'jO feet high,, with an 8^. curve, and to ^ cross the river at an angle of 720 with the current. As the current hugs the ,south lifrr Kansa* City shdr«',' '«ir firWt span cannot be much more than 100 feet. Next we propose a draw 360 feet long, then 2 • 1 • • • ^ . spans 250 feat each, which brings us upon the sand bar, and 2 spans of ^ • t • • 150 feet each take us to the bank. We shall require in addition about 1-2 mile of trestle work to pass flood waters. We find an extreme distance of 36 feet between high water of 1844 and low water of 1860, and the north shore being a bottom 3 miles 4 • wide, a ''high bridge" is quite out of the question. The conditions I of a law bridge are fixed by the act of Congress making ours a post • j route viz: "Draws 160 feet span ii: clear and the adjacent apand 250 February 1868» feet each; the bottom chord t6 be 10 feet above the highest water : .mark (the extreme variation at St. Louis .between high and loiv water I. is 41 feet 4 5"*4 inches; at Quincy it is 2C feet and at Burlington -*i': 19 ft) It so happens that'we can save very little money if any by • disregarding the act of Congress, ahd building upon state charters, and WG shall probably comply with them in every particular. 2d. The bluff on the Kansas City side is composed of robk Ciul towards the'bottom, and this rock which is nearly bare near the s.hore, .• say 15 feet under low water-^ "stretches quite acrbss the river, dipping however so that on the other shore it is 4bout 80 feet iui-ler low water and overlaid with sand, We shall go to the rock with all the piers exposed to the full wash of t,he current, the deepest being about 38.ft, below'"low water, and the water 24 feet deop. -f. ■ 3d., The^ coot of the entire structure will be about $500 ,000 for a R. R. bridge alone; should a;.*agon Ip'idge'be added,,as has been • proposed, it will be'aboattt $700,000* 1 1 a •• n a 4th, (OUST ordinary^i)i»ra will be 7 feat wide oh top, with a cat ion of -3-4 inch, per foot each side; the piers at the end of the draw will be 8 feet wide, and thar draw, pier 30 feet in diameter. « 6th. Wo have not fully decided upon the superstructures, buu will phobably erwct a Howe wooden truss; iron ds now too dear, I send this information for your pwn exclusive use, and have hitherto i»eftffied to glWe It to' the newspapbra or to the citizens of the place February 1868. as all our plans are not yet perfected. n The bridge afSt. Charles is to Consist of 4 spans of Terick's iron suspension truss with wooden top chord, 325 feet spans, with a draw 214 feet long or 200 feet in clear, to. slide up and down.T?erti- , cally.upon guides and to lift up 107 feet.- Ours willmbe a pivdt draw. We have no doubts of . ourability to confine the river "permanently t ^^^its present channel; the peculiar location selected, just below the great bend of the river, enabling us to do so by suitably shaping the one,shore against which the whole- forpe of the. upper river impinges, •'cl • S can perhaps give yoTi other information about strength and cost of superstructure, method of putting down loundati-onej when ycu have your own plans further'matured, and should be very ^ happy to meet.you at any time and tell yop the littie we kpow. You may find a short trip; here, after the river opens, and lyepbeing oper ations, more satisfactory than correspondence end if you.will drop me a note a few days before hand« I sha" 1 laafce it appoint tp meet you. -.-o - fS- , Hoping to have been of some slight usej, add not., te-have tired yon with this long letter, I remain. r w. S.'Hoitgea to Gim.-Dettge, Odaha, 16j ---P: ' wn-' - '1 arrived here oa thfer liMUt and am-prepared to pccompany Mr, Blicksnederfer westward* the momeint he reaohaf^^ere, Capt. Bates started for Salt Lake? yesterday, tly object in writing is to send you-the following' extract from a February 1868, ? -r .r.. -• • . t ^ letter just received written by V. Ives of C. p. r. r. engineers. "Stevenson" (his first asst,) made some examination of the country between Bear Lake Valley and fiache Valley and found no lines possibly practicable except via Blacksmith's fork ( stream flowing into Cache Valley) and this only possibly so, as he was obliged to leave his work sooner than he would on account of heavy snow storms. Thought there is a heavy divide between Bear Lalce and the Fork, Stevenon thinks it possible to get a line through here but says it "• - t * will require very heavy work ed grades, but will probably save 20 or 30 miles in distance over any other route. Had it not been so late in the season I should have made a detailed survey of it. 'f ■ ■ t ' On the strength of this letter I wouJid siibmit the suggestion .f » of thorough instminental survey Instead of the reconnoissance sug gested in my report. My report being hastily written is im.perfoct and it is my intention to attach thereto some addenda, I stibmit r. .' iT'. two in this letter which I desire to have inserted. In relation to reconnoissance of crest of Wahsatch ^Duntaina, • • - . ' . : ' particularly refirred to in summary of report, add, ' " t. "This marked depression is formed by a characteristic featurQ of the country, one that is presented wherever the lowest passes are found. Streams leading on the eastern slopp of the high range of < * « t » ~ a . » mountains to the east of Cache Valley (ibuble upon themselves and flowing through this depression empty into Cache Villey-a succesgj^Qj^ February 1868. * • • • • • . . . t ^ ■ ■ nj *. 1 . . . ^ ^ . low ridf^es form the divide betxveen this depression and Bear Lake V • ^ - Valley." - • 1 '"S ''■.* ■ ■ T '■ .V • . . I . ^ In relation to attempts to improve head of Echo, after the I • • - . '• - . . . .. . words "Attempt to improve this line in 1865 was abandoned as imprac ticable" insert, - "Vide Reed's report on surveys made in 1865, page ■ ' ■ . • . . . ■ j; 3, clause 3 and4," , "h: : V. Note; Gen. Dodge to J. E. Hoiise, 17:- (Washington) t ' , Note T. H. Bates to J. E. House, 17:- 9'fM' ■ ■ Note: A. L. Mortimer to J. E, House, Waterville, Ma. 17;- , ? t *^0 J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Philadelphia, 17:- I have just seen Mr» Morris and engaged liim for chief of party at $2000 per annum, I go west tonight but party will not bo together at Omaha before Saturday or Monday next. fO ■ ■ . Please assign Mr, Maxwell to me as second in the party of Mr, • • • ^ Morrle, as X desire to make that arrangement. All the rest of my men are engaged, and I hope there will be no father delay. Note: New York, 18, M. L. Sykes, Jr. acknowledges receipt of my letter of 15th, and hopes"l will keep them advised, and has written . • . . r . ■ r. • V - ■ ^ . .. Mr, McComb protesting against action depriving their company of perfect equality in respect to transfer ground, supcriptions, &c,, ' ' '' .'nuol H. J. McComb to Gen. Dodge, Wilmington, Del., 18:- ■ . .c r.'^v "• : , V, • Yours of 17th 4nst, is at hand. Tell Ames you must have a e- .... . . . V. February, 1868, thousand shares of this U. P. R, R. stock at 75 or,80 and offer him 3000 shares West Branch Coal, Iron & Liunber Company, stock,at 6 per share worth 10 or more, I send you a book containing every informa tion a out it. and cost for balances.. Say to him a friend v/ill ^ ■ • .-i . carry it for you until you can pay for it in f\ill. I think if you press him hard you can get it out of him. I wrote Seymour Saturday night after I got hone about our advice to send tlie maps as you requested to me here. It has not come to hand, I will go to How York tonight or tomorrow and will get them personally and send them to you, buy Senator Grimes' stock in Pacific ^ Road. He hfas 880 shares. Get his ;-.est figures and let me know. Dont r^^Q^tion my name in this at all. Ask Wilson for your act. Perhaps , J^etween Grimes and Ames .we may get 1400 or 1600 shares. Dont let the boy from the Now York pffice take back with him the profiles, of these surveys, J shajl bo in Wasliington tiiis week, ■ ■ c *.!x ■ Saturday or Mopday i^ext, .. I have a plan to submit tp you for an operation in Pacific road, ' - • - o ' n1 r w whereby we can make, a good deal of money; keep shady, W.Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, 18:- r . Your letter of 9th and dispatches of 16th and 18th receivod here this, morning. I, telegrapb. id Mr, Hoxle to send you a dispatch giving amount to be, charg^ad to oonstruction to Dr. Is', also for February 18S8. ■ ■• ■■ f ■ '. : ■ . ■ , . . " > ';o - ' '-■ . ■• • last month* Will hereafter have the statements sent to your office monthly and will forward you a copy. Have put on Mr. Ham (brother of the N.Y.Ham) as Gent. Accountant aad, if I am not mistaken in his capaicity, will be able hereafter o get up all statements promptly. Heretofore have done most of the systematizing mysftlf, tut with ail other work could not'give it ■ c tv.\ - :c 1 proper attention. Weather splon&id yet. drains all on time and business good. Have about sixty miles of iron here, and am bringing as fast*as possible. Went to'Sanders Saturday, returned last night", H. do'.vn on the^^ route and never a better time to work a large force than now, I think a thousand morS men could be started to advantage. Masonry at Dale " ■ r. • r ' r • ■ Creek vYill be comoleted next week; timber mostly on the groi nd and a large force framing timber. My opinion is that the bridge will be ready as soon as the grading Is. If I'ine weath r continues track might ve laid to the summit and iron accomulated there instead of here. Sand ■ ■ - • ' g * ' ^ ^ engines can take only nine cars iron from here to the'summit. • * ' ' A ^ There is today cohsiderable excitement here*'in regard to the discovery of gold and silver near hale Creek. Some"of the laborers on grade have gone on to prospect. These discoveries will help us ' ■ , - r j-f some in business, but hurt us more I fear in constrviclion, •»ri o"' ^ , r . The N. Y. office 1ms not tola me what they think of last year's lie ^ ■ : ''Alv-' ' ■"■\?'V^v; February 1868. ♦ -rt •• operations. I think we make a "fine sliowing. ' W, B. Besnt is at SaMarsrwaiting the conset of Gon. Gibbon to sell lots. There.appears to be a demand already for. good locations, and I think the Cotiipony will make some money there;,"'"' MuchmorO;is a man superior to Bean in every respect. Came here in '66 with^first class testimonials from Chicago roads and is thorough ly fMillar with:the movement of trains. AIthought not in the ring. Bean selected Muchmore to control trains in his absence. He Is i thorough.in.discinline, a gentleman at all time's, and strictly temper ate; attiruhtes which his predecessor did not possess. , rn/'. . The road-will make moioey by paying Casement I-IO more phr mile> and charge him tariff rates. I will advocate opposing by |,he company the transfer of materials, at Omaha. Indications are favorable for our getting' this year most of the Sant'e Pe trade. Last week we received hero from Omaha, sixty-thousand (60,O^0) pounds mdee» for Fort Hinon, New Mexico, s.i^t from St,-Louis via Chicat^' and Council Btttiffs. Smoky.Hill route Is getting desperate on rates, anA we may.htoPi'to out dotn. If Indians are quiet we,.ought to get thio year also a good portion of the .-Montana freight, - flflll go to Omaha in morning. Hoxie-will make a aplendid railroatier/ itod can already fill the bill better than any man who could be sent herSr ' If the Dlroctors will only-place a little confidence in usand let us alone, wo can make good reports of business. February 1868. Win, J. McAlpino to ^?en. Dodge, ,10:- ■ r f. : .In 1852, Major (then) Rw Delafi eld'made a repoi^t to Congre on the improvement of the Hudson river belo;7'Albany, .1 am exceedingly anxious to procure a copy of this report, and I believe that if'yoU' - cannot procure it-, from the Congressional document room, that on ap plication to the topographical efigiheCr or. Engineer Bureau, they w6uld supply you with a copy. May I a$k.:you to make such request and if you succeed to forward it to me?' *.' "o r ' I have received your'report on the branch of the U. P, R, B. to Montana, Oregon, Ac will youdo me-the favor■to send a copy to Chas. Hutton Gregory, President.JOf InSt* of G. Engineersj No. 25 Great George St., Westminster, Londxjh!® In writing to htm-today, I have instanced your work and quoted fmiatfingri 1-1, what I regard as a con-- 'oentration of eXprfeibion bf AmericaiiP program.; in few words than I ever met .wilh. "The creator fiormbdo tho^ route; the .inptlct ofitheq^-r Buffalo sought it, followed by. the savage-and noy-replaced "highest dovelopeman't of civilisation, the Railway." I quote frora^ recollection and itfuy nol have the words exactly rights • I am to (fellvey an address at Albany upon the "Public Wcxcks of "that State, and their irffluonce ort arid from: those of the West, and the School of englhCiW'ing ifhloh they have developed**." shall-take, the liberty of q««ilaag«jrO»ir. expression in one of my illustrations. •* le - ..r. ifmL ■ Kf' ■ -■ 'i , February 1868, I am -.Yaitinc until the return of my brother, vrho has some of my plans of iron columns, when I will forward you the specifications which you desired. My general idea of an iron pier would be, two columns of 8 feet diameter driven to^ GO feet below low water, with an expanded base ' e • - ,: .w first of iron and then of concBete- X braced above the bed of the river, with a startin from 2 feet above to low water sloping up stream 1 to 1, The u^iper end su.-ported on two small columns (18" would answer) or if logd are encountered on one of 3 feet diamter, r ' The ice breaker can be of .iron, but I greatly prefer wood - and I ■ also like the idea of extending the wood outside of the ^two main columns, merely as guard of fenders, . , n:' • " • • ■ ' The other plan which I shall submit is to make a foundation of « iron piles extending, to within 4 feet of low water, cap them with a >V j heavy ^llage of tiniber (below water) and erect thBBe on a stone pier of such size as you wish. Six such piles of 4 feet diamter or 8 of r. ■ ' 1 ' ' T' " * > ' 3 ft. wQUld gl"tee the neceqsary support, ^ ^ ^ Please drpp me a line to express your wishes on the above points. Note: W, ..B. I?ent to J. F, House, Ft. Sanders, E. T. 18:- Note: J. H. Linville to J, L. '.lilliams, Philadelphia, 18:- Edward M. Stan-ton to Go®, Dodge, Washington, 18:- • * « .. The General of the Army has sent to this department for instructions, Sanii^el B* WeilVs letter to you of Feb. 3rd, respecting February 1868, the building of shanties and selling liquor along the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. Tlie views of the Department are set forth in the accompanying copy of a letter of this date, addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, which is sent for your information, A. A. Hunphreys to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 18:- I send you cisclosed copy of a letter to the Hon. Henry " Wilson, with project of a bill upon the subject of brevets. Note; J, L, Williams to Gen, Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 19:- * Has hearddnothing from Bridge since he left If corssing » . , » . • • • is to be at Childs Mill would suggest a competent Engr, to mal:e survey and final location before water rises. The tunnel is the ugly feature in this line, but tlieir'engineer think& there is a little, objection to tunnel being on a curve, especially with double track. JO ■' ■ , . • - . . ^ . . J. L, Williams to Gen, Dodge, Port Wajme, 19:- ^ ' i: ' ■ ■ - • .1 . .. In pursuance of your suggestion I enclose tracing of general " - • . .. • - , . . . plan of trestle b Idge from which I made my estimates, togetlier with a bill of materials which f have made with much care, having*the*v;luable aid of the draughtsman of the P.R.W, & C,Ry. office. That you may better judge of the comparative merits of this plan, I explain the principles on which It la made# . « • ■ 1st, Prom long exporleiice arid observation t decidedly pi'efQi' short spsn in a case like this. It is cheaper md safer to stretch only so far as a stringer with a corbie will give the necessary February 1868. strength without bracin-r. Viflh |i£ ^ 2d. The stringers r.ight be doubie length - 36 faet- but with the corbie and the double stringer., trnd the bolts and the cross ti^s the Ti \ , . .. connection is perfect, w>iile at 18 ft. length you get better tiinbbr> -. - in the fohest.^hen thelong timber has been culled, and also at a . less price. :i fV" 3d. By hewing thp stick 16 inches square, and splitting it, you can better detect defects, and placing the two halves 3-4 of. an^. inch ^ apart they season and last.betteiv -The corbie has the,same advantages. A stick 16 ft, long 14 x 16 inches makes,4 corlbes, or the will sprin,'^ by, to get one out of. a log- the side.s being sawed into to " . otw avoid waste. i ■ * • 4th, I prefer only one length of post from sill to cap, even. , though the Bent were 50 ft< high. The few,Joints the better. The 4» * lateral jwid longitudinal bracings steady the posts in all directipns about as well as tf thera was a cap, .Tl^ extra cost,of delivering the^e long posts is compensated in the smaller cost of framing. I have heretofore bviilt upon this general plan; have seen it tested and havp much confidence in its. being the best. With 4 piles t - - • - Tinder each. Bent it will bo very stable, T. ough the span is 2 feet iBor:e than is genorally used yet, the deep stringers and corbies.givd • • - • - E e ■ , . extra stran^lV# thn sanction of some of, ou^ soundest engineers but must be F-oll fun4 ^the strdingers eppecially, of cho.^ce pine. February 1868. It is less complicated than the longer spans and can be repaired by ordinary carpenters. The side walk is only for workmen and watchmen, I have taken less c&re to arrangfe exactly the /ill of iron, .. . ^ bolts, &c. than I have in the timben work, but it is probably about right. The engineer will, of course, revise the quantities of iron and timber, if you build on this plan. * •' In revising my Estimates for trestle bridge, I think there is less margin than in the River Bridge, thodgh'with good"management you *can build for it. For all the timbeh except piles, caps and strings for temporary track, further time might be gtven for delivering, and the framing and raising need not be contracted until the bridge is well advanced. This I'would let to a good, honest mechanift, who, " himself, does the^work, * ' The* high embahloiient on the bottbm Is &'heavy' Job, The base will be made from the River bottom, but a largo part by a train of cars. It should be started as' Soon as lobated. For all this work and fro the tunnel you want an accurate and thorough engineer. The plan of trestle is of course, adapted to all crossings, I made a comparison Of 54 ft, spans, using same number of piles per 1000' ft, putting 12 under bach Bent, It cost $l6 per ft. over the 18 Ft. Spans, and would be less afife and more difficult to renair. We should not allow the stringers and posts to bb picked u^p -at Chicago, Clinton or odds and/sendrf,- but go into a Virginia forest, 'i'yrr- ■ fri February 1868. For the stringer there should be prompt action to get them in time for temr)orary bridge, - , . ,, Mr, Cochran, the builder of our shops here, thinks the whole A ^yill V ,of posts and stringers, will be sawed at the mill. , , Si H. 11, Hoxie to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 19:- - • 'fo! ■ ' '■ tS3. . .rtfi- •K . Got your .report this mom+ng .ajid gave it to ,Duncombe. I ■/ant three more - Mr, Dun combe wants one. copy sent to each member of Iowa General Assembly. ^ ^ . . . , Snyder out West; will return,soon. I telegraphed you about f- .. « . f construction act, yegterdaj-; will send you January act, today, I think, . ■ - . .. 'K . Weather warm and,,pleasant and work in^Biack Hills progressing, • - Mr, Snyder telegraphed me that lOQO.men more could be worked at an advantage on the grade. I am sending them out fast as I can. Our.bridge still holds good, although the ice is very rotten, J, Duff to Gen. Dodge, Boston, 20:- li '5 '" , Yours of IBth is received and contents noted. The Hanni- , , bal & St, 3to^..it. is thought will,pay a dividend this year. The Land Grant Bonds were practically taken oare of (so I am told by Mr. Joy, the President of the C. B. & q, and who has large interest in it). The interest on the out-standing bonds can be paid by the interest accruing in the lands that arp already ^old,, ^ou must remember that > hoXI'G .f'.lMC ..... •m February 1868, . r»'J ttur,'-. - -.-- n.fT ' ' I do not advise you to buy U. P. R, R. Stock, although I think it ^ ' very good, 'because I never advise any one ^in pecunfary matters, r . ' - . - »• " •• ' *Vv' I do *not expect to be in Washington until after my son's marriage which will be about the middle of March, Keep me 'txjs'ted about Con- \ gressional action relative to TJ, P. R. R ' J* L, Williams to Gen. Dod.^e, Fort Wayne, 20:- . I send you yesterday some suggestions as to locating price of Childs^Hlll line,'if adopted, I think. Col, Hudnutt in his ^profile flattened the grade in curve to 25 o? 5 tb'nths at my suggeso ° tion. This will do if curve is 4 or 5 , I turst Mr, Wolcott may down to 4° or 4|-° at the outside. ' { rm i >'• I see ny way to get the tunnel straight, as if yoy dfld, the ^eep cut at each end would be on curve'still sharper, 'f' think much care arid skill should be used ifi this location and In fixing precisely the lind of bridge, 'I hear nbthing from New York'or Omaha, If*we can get the high grade into Mud Creek Valley down to 6,1^, 'then a few years hence, *ith out present traffic, the Company will cut down the Blkhorn grade. The lntermeiS.ate 40 ft, grade can bo Cheaply, as when ^ol't would hot stop a train of 25 or 30 cars. You may find atone at Childs Mill for foundation and head walls of tunnel with 1 mile haul, . - t. i Sidney Dillon to Den, Dodge, 20 (New York) February 1868, ■Iv.Cf Mr. Renderday, our clerk at Fort Sanders, :wote me a letter saying that he was afraid that Evans was down on.him. T wish you would see Evans about it, as he is a man I sent there end is a first rate man. He tbdnks that Evans wants his own men. You set it right before you leave; do it in a way that will make it pleasant for them both. I think Renerday is mistaken; Evans is all right, or means right. ' ' Wm, J. McAlpine to Gen, Dodge,' Stockbridge, 20:-" T. . I have received your la-fet^r in regard to the expansion of tbe iron columns| but I cannot perceive the nature of the trouble to whioh-ydu allude, .The dix story buildings in Broadway and elsewhere •dfem to'ha-vfe bean built without regard to expansion, (it the bridge sfeta should be an inch highdr in summer than in winter, I can see no objection, '"here.thi ii^ braces are introduced between th® columns, their eloping length is more than the vertical length, but in such ehort bitoa'thla difference.in their expansion is inappreciable, even less thftn It would be on the Mteaers of the trusses above. In 'to filling the odiuxBas with masonry and resting the cA Bridge thafeon^instead of tipoh'th iron rim, I may remark • that.the .t I adhesion between the Inasonry and..the interior surface of fhe iron and ■Ute projection of >ts flanges would result-in bringing any weight which m4.|5h't-'%e placed u^-on the fllilng( of-whatever material^ upoh_th . c ' ' shell within a #ls%Miee. of tai. or fifteen feet belpw the tof). The Inglish npaoti«a ''Wlh llans, but. I m-m.perfo^otiy ple^r that the true Febmiary 1868, 'Ttii. /! method is tq rest the superstructure directly upoq the rim of the "ot; , : .columns, that is, upon a properly prepared cornice, on which the .. t cross bearing beams will "rest an4 to_which they will Ue-rbolted,^ i :"" I am now drawing out sketcheg for a pier which would be applicable to a case like yours, -yhich I will be glad to show you when we meet next, i My fourth lecture will be .given in Albany .next week- on the "School of :Engineering developed by the Public W.orkq o^ New York." • to n 'prefaced by a discussion or"'^he effects :which they have produced o.Cr"' upon the West as well .■as-upon the interest^ of thfi State itself." I would .be glad to have you there, ^s I shall take care to ' ■eT'M'Kl give the proper plaCe in the profession to the old Canal Engineers ^ • : ■ ^ of the country. If you can give'me any points in regard to the Canals of your state, I would be very glad, , f - ■, 0- - The fifth lecture will be given in Boston, and the sixth i. V ,! IfV'ltther at Chicago or Cincinnati. r^If yon-meet any of the gentlemen of Chicago ho would bo interested in the matter, you can saygto Miem ♦" that if 1 oan sooure hn appreciative audience in Chicago of tolerable • ' ■ size i would prefer giving it at that place. One ef my subjects not ::C ' ^et touched upoli is the "jamerican Railway practice, constrasted ith .that of ICurope," and I would give either a separate evening to • ' J Wfotmdatl'onfi* or enb^ay it in the Railway lecture. ' J. L, Williams to Oen. Dodge, Eort Wayne, 20:- . /v' l!-" Mr, John ■Bochrane'of thj-s city infors»di-ai«>. today that in case February 1868, •f ' the framing and raising of the trestle bridge or-the- entire building c of it, shall be let ]Dy cbntract", he would be. glad to give you a bid; could you secure that Mr. C. will be notified by sending this letter ^to the engineer in charge pr otherwsie. ■ : For 20 years lip, C. h^s beer, our chief builder in this city; ^ those who wanted*^ their^builfltngs erected in a faithful and complete manner, even at an extra cost giving -the work to-him. For 8 years past he has performed all framing and roofin{i, &c. by contract, . o-f the extensive shops of the P. Ft. W» &. C.N.W, ^ompany here. He will be very highly recommended by their Ghi-ef Engineer. He is compe teht and reliable; no one will perform such work more satisfactorily. •J. L. Williams to <r0n.-Dodge, Fort V/ayne, 20:- ' ■ t enclose Mr. Linville'-s letter.-^-It is valuable; please talce notes or copy and return fetter to^laa, as. I want tOrpreserve ■ such letters. . c ' 'YOU sde that •|jhe''.%ttbos ca; not be less than .8 1-2 ft» diameter. Mr. L. seems to think if but one column at each .end, it shotild be larger.''Hi thinks it'should enlarge at bottom,and this is my opinion. » whether on rock oh sand. He- thinks-,masonry better than concrete, an •' thltt Is juflBlieBt, but it will cost more. The masonry should be good, Und laid in. full mort^kr or cement,^ then if iron shall corrode masonry wdTl stand until ijKm can be replaced in some way. * "'^ It may b« wiell to mcnpidor whsHHiB Br^e ^hould be 14 or 16 ft. 129 ' *1 Pebruarj'' 1868, 3? x-.f. - clearj ^uincy & Burlington are 14, and Dubuque 16 ft, ^ Better have the very best plan 6f iron ice breaker devised and ■ estimated; then, if considered.saf$. We must see wlfiat we can do ' V7ith ®ood. • ' . • ^ ' Note: Steward' Hass to J. E, House, eouncil Bluffs, 20:- ; /lo ' Ir.' !: e. ' House-'t'o Geh. Dodge, ' Oiaaha, 21:* c " ■ " Enclosed pflease find reports of the recent examinations avweic ' made for'high bridge crossing at •Bellfevue^'- ,' 'fn' n i I have endeavored to furnish-you with all the inf orraationvthat *'1 have been able- to- obtain in. the short time allotted to me, Mr, '-i Doarr'is line strikes me as being impractica^^le from the-west side .grr- -j £he river to his connection in the Pappio, Valley, He-could no ^ have sereoted higher ground had Jbe tried eVerr ^o Jiar.d, He evidently ' took "the view that saving of distance waqi the great desideratum and ■ made his surve^'<tccordIngl!y» g'-''; j ■ ■ * i ' I hope that your ideas were carriedout fuHy in the examinatlons*! have made* Save notostopped one moment^ worked Sunday .T* nig ts and all the time, '' ■oitfl?' . ^ made no copied Of the'soundings of Chiid'g Mill or M,&U, '7« please return thfem when you get through using them, ^ " 1' will send you'a ft tfettemeht ts tpwn lot act. in a few d ys, go by IT. £. dxpress 4hf ® morning, . ^ ir/sriyddr W»eHmJ Oodfeav Onaha a.?- - . " "t "O : f YoUrd'Xl'th about the Ohteyenaae hc?ttel received-today. There 4 150 February 1868. . " ' is a hitch in the Train House which, .as near as I can get at it, is that they all want an interest in it, but nobody wants to advance any The Denver Branch and location of large shops decide the fate-'of-Cheyenne,' If :.'Richmond C, don't mo^e soon other parties will put up one or nore good hotels. Our off er -bf free freight is worth 15000 to Richmond •€,'and''I • will tell them that tliey-nust move quick or I will charge them-drariff rates. * •- ■ ol-'o'J. E. House to Gen.-Itod^e, Cmaha, 21:- ' In sending off'maps, profiles &c this morning, 1 omitted this ijiizp. You speak of'It, In .one of your letters as showing country south of Glenwood. Thinking you might want-to refer o it in your examinations of this question, I send it, : Mr. Evans is/here organizing and getting ready for the season' wofk. I had the stock brought'in from Elkhom today and aM getting thoB ghod.will dhlp thsm Monday, " , ■ mThe■toe'ia unsafe and n© more soundings can be donb^on the water. V/lll *o©t> working'at Child's Mill'on the last line run (by the way, one of tho profiles sent this morning shows last line ^n crossing the Rivorf you will roadtly see there is a* marked improve ment) by aeftdlng skiff down to cross owef-will Work Hefe'as''We can cross R, Bridge "while it lasts," ,»*rU h 1'' A " finydoP to Gen. Bodge, Omaha 21f-' k- « r-H" ff, W. B. Wlllard, Su-t. of this Dlv.-of the*ir#st8fn- Onion Tel February 1868, ' }■ Qompanyj' will '.vrite the C-en. ,Manager of this line at V/a'ahlngton.'.that ' '8-11 dispatches' to an d fron^ you will bd free over their line west of the Missoiiri River; same as to despatches of Mr. Ames, and others on R. R^> F;u3lness. If you prefer having the dispatches sent over our line . fr^ . to Port Sanders,..'direct to my pare here'and thp will transfer at + once to our office. Weather hot.. . 0':;. . .0 rin iJ-r; H. M. HO'Xierto Gen-. Dodge^ Omaha, SI;'** 'nr Messrs, Millard.& Kountze start in the morning for New York as a coTPniittee to. repr^spnt the. citizens of Omaha before the "Bridge Committee", Of course, it is needless for me to say a word . , about themxor their mission to yoa,'but as a prospective citizens of this city and state, I want to explain one'or two matters, Ist. In regar^to the lapds voted by Omaha to the:N,W;RY,; • fif ■■ the amount ramaihlng-due i&o*; Ihji-|(ayor has *again'issued a proclama- -yjfi -^ tion to the voters calling an election to vote on he question of the issue of another $60,000 to pay, the-$7500 due the :N«V>'.Ry#, and I ' 4 . am assured • that It will earry# The responsible'citizens of Omaha please themsalrcs that it shall.be paid, and I firmly believe it will, .1" , jor ' ■ ' • 2nd, Location of Bri4g#»«You■are aw^re that I wad always against 5 the tolegraph crossing as I think that would bo a failure as a bridge. A High bridge is my idea, ^nd train crossing my choice; why? because it would accomodate 4-road3* It^woUld build up2 towns. Council T ^,:^ ;j Bluff3 and Omaha; .would not di-vlde and distrct the people; would not February' 18681 make 6 small towns- but 2 large cities; is central for all roads from the East and common to all. Giying neither a large advantage over the other; would concentrate.all the business dt the eastern • - • terminal station of our road and not make three terminal stations for us and therefore three sets of men—keeps the v/hole business under the eye of one man .and Jiis assistsints. J5 • The people of,Ojaaha appeal .to that Committee and to you ,in .a spirit of fairness that this should be done, They^appeal to your., magnanimity_and gpod, fello-vshlpP v ■ ■ t The reason why I write this is,that.the citizens of Council Bluffs and Omaha are at present very ..much alarmed and dont know ^ where to look for help, but to you, and I have be jneeked to write, • V " • 0 " r ■ I am done. « •J :v: H, J, McComb to, Ge^. Dp^gp,, u'ilmlngton, Del. 2;:- t •• /* -• r f ,I have yours of the 17th inst, I saw Tracy and have no doubt ..but tha.t hte .will be found all right; for location, and exhcnage grounds, « . .. . ^ I could not get your report to me, Seymour had It, in his office and , l>e. away at .V,aPhington,, , . , , , . I am with, you entirely, pn this business, ^d sha^l^ do what I can to carry out what Is the olearly defined duty of the Union Pacific •a • Railroad comjiany - tP-wit- cross at Child's Mill; it is the point fix d by the God of the Universe, and must be recognized- in_lt9 full accepttation by his creatures, and so bridge it, ^ ^ iif ■ W .133 February 1868, "XiJnu How do 'you progress with yOur plans?' When shall you he ready? I'sned hy this mail the papers you asked'for just received from New York# i will see you in Washington Monday, I think, * ' J. L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, Fort Wasmo, 22:- • ^ I have yours of IStR and 19ty, It is well 'to mal^e"thorough survyes at Belleuve. Who heads the party? If Hudnutt is there hs might help as he made the other surveys and estimates, and could make all on same principle. " I would first fix point f or * excharige ground 1 1-2 or 2 miles further south, as certainly Joy will not go farther north than the proposed new point. Then run to cKiids tdiil line"from that, so as to get distance and cost. Then ruft down river'to proper exchange grounds^ opposite Bellevue and run a high bridge line, on striaght lino with 2900 ft, tunnel", and'also the befet line'crossing south'With 800-1000 ft tunnel, same as Ghilds Mill. Let your engineers first compare those two lines west Of Bellevtie, ftnd decide which is the true engineering line, on the basis of my report,' say $80,000 per mile, which for the entire business of U. P. R. R. is as near right as can bo gotten at. At least so mnk Jarvis, Gardner, Sheiver, Gen. T. •". 'orris, Blickensderfor, &o. ' ' .-(! »- ,, , • ' t hat Some compar'laon I think will show l,ho long line to be the "true line. Mr. Joy £ preavme does not expcet the 2900 ft. tunnel line to bfc built, but uses it to'give shorter comj^risons. It would never bo built, I think, though I have no figures to make comparisons, but you ^ February 1868. • r' Should have it done. Having fixed the proper lino, '.vest -of river, then i -direct your engineers to maJce:a • careful engineering comparison, in- - ■ eluding dding the business and building the.road, and maintaining and running ♦Omaha branch. In the comparison -I would assume that about 9-16 of whole UP. buainess coiro from N« Western & R. I. Road, and t • * 4 7,16 from Burlington & St, Joseph Road*; »- r . . - n The only way tO'bring the matter properly before the Board is by comparison, giving the figures and bringing it.all into a nut-shell. How else will such mgn as MePee, Banlcs, Asburn, Cisco and Macy underiwa-'sjand how to vote? I dont mean a scientific, algebraic comparison " ■ which confuses, but'plain statement of figures. • /• e You ©tight to have an assistant-engineer at Washington to figure all the time for you on such matters. You, of course, have no time; only direct. I will Assist you when I can, x. "Uti ^ W. Snydor to Gen, Dodge, Omaha 7JSb a I you %po long letter tl^is evening without knowing the result of yesterday's ^meotinq in New York, I now place in yoxir ' hands my r^ecignation as dupt, of this Road^ I take this course for the reason, hat I wish you to b« relieved of all anxiety ot responsi bility In my departaant, and am not willing that you should Jeopardise ■ ' your own interests in trying to defend me,. ^ tf. I,have always believed that my-appointment as Supt, was owing w • ' 'toe your kind efforts, and I know that you have been my firm sup ortor C j. * February 1868. ,■ rc T' rtf^^ ■since. I can assure you. General, that I am .deeply "grateful for the Confidence that you have manifested and that I have endeavored not to abuse it. I can leave the road with clean hands and with-the satis faction of knowing that I have tried to perform my duty. J * H.* M.* Hoxie to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, <i2:- . o I wrote a letter last night-to you in behalf of citizens of Omaha, I'did it-because they are very nsuch alarmed and I want them • - i \ tO~Oome to your terms and to look to ybu and. you only. I'gues S) they will keep their promises hereafter with you. ' j Our bridge still holds good-iron and all material goftii«>along nicely. We have had no'sno- to delay us'an hour so far. eWfPk in the Black Hills progressing^with a prospec '-Of being ahead Of the track in the spring. Evans and" Hudnutt %oing #e3t tonlghti Blickensderfer not yet here. • f o , ■ jjy wife and I join irf our best to you and yohrs. i nX ' " w. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, ' Yours of the IBth received last evening." Irwlll looko out ' for'^Sfth '^nd Colwell and"will take good care of them, " * ' Wells, y.'CJo. have some f400,000 wotth of wAgons and stock which they used for Govt. trains last year"and which I think they would sell cheap. We ought to get this way part of the Govt. shipments to New Mexico. I dont know hot much goes there or who to figure with. I February 1868, wrote you from Cheyenne that we were getting via Chicago and Cheyenne goods for parties at Fort Union froifl St. Louis. ' We made no deduction from tariff rate to secure it. Are getting constatly freight and passengers to a:nd from ^anta Pe, Pueblo, and all say our route is the 'best, less ftagon transportation and a tIu?ough a much better and safer country. You ISsaow/ of «course, all about the routes* If War Departmdnt would order the Government supplies this ' way, I ^^think the contractPrs haS rather haul frOTft-Ckeyehne thfth Cayote at same rate per mile. rr. .n !. e to ^ Wi Shyd©'r''ta Gen, Dodge,' OAtsbia, t ' "■ ' T enold^#*''^tatement Of items making thd |509,542,38, charged to Construction April ""1st to Deomeber 31st. Charge for "improvement of track® is fof rAAaing banks wft4n absolutely tiecessary, and not for ordinary repairs'. Engineering ts 'for small items supplies furnished from department, "Poreggn expenses" are items foregin purchases——- belonging'legitimately to Construction,} -a . HblM: , H, Bates to J. E. House, Salt Lake City, Utah,22: Note: H. W. Nichols to J. E. House, North Platte, 22?-- H. M. Hoxid to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 82:- ' • i j t Andrew j. Stevens,.my brother-in-law, who ie now D. S. Consul at Windsort» C. W., and Who la an intimate friend, of G^ seward, and ^Ov, Morgan-of ll«4r York> -atfiA* whb you once knew at Des'Moipes, as a Banker, Is an applicant for the position of Governor of the new February 1868. territory of Wyoming. I dont know what his chances are, but if you see Seward you may l^am. Stevens ^is a good man>. How good a':govemor he would make I don't know^ ^ rot'i 'j '• J. L* Williams to Geq* Dodge, Port WaynOj - 22:r-: rtT-"rT : fr.i. Next week I will tyy to find time to.make specifi-cations of masonry in piers^ I will state size of piers, &c. But, did ^ou not. receive a tracing^of stone piers, wooden and pneumatic piles &c which I tsent you several weeks ago? r ^Jat if you uild piers ofi. wooden piles or sink the masonry deep to the rock as they do in Quincy, Burlington and Kansas City, you cannot .pijt In foundations by contract. It must be done .by comp^J^y* I would trust no contractor with these foun- ^ dations. He would take tgo many short cuts. Nor would any prudent contr'ctor v/ho intends to perform be willing to fix a price. At Dubuque a mason may do this, but that is a simple and easy job, : rofiThe Company had better-also furnishthe outfit, such as steamboat, barge &c. In case of tubes tnd tubular piers I do not advi.se even. -In that dase the Compfuiy would probably buy,a steamboat and perhaps other-outfit, , . . . .' . I should think 8:l>*2,ft» would do for diameter of iron columns, one under each trusw with-iiHsn piers,, I think.I would make iron bridge 16 ft, clear, as It places Columns farther apart and gives more sta-.- « bility. With stone piers I would make it 14 ft. as the stono piers February 1968, would be increased in cost by a wide bridge. You should employ some competent engineer to .make specifications I for iron bridge and iron piers, and pneiamatlc on hydraulic piles. W. .Snyder-to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 23:-. Yours of 17th relating to N. Y. matters received. Have ftp,!;» '"rlever written to Mr. Dillon on matters pertaining to the road because i' ■ , - ■ j:'f • " my instructions wont permit me to do so, and have not written him in ' my own behalf because I was determined my case shoiild be settled cn "its ov/n merits and without my interceding with any Director, I can work for my friends a ghftat deal better than.I can for myself. .Have written Mr. Cook in full on the bridge question. " He wrote me from Sept* last Monday that he >tas quite ill, worn out by his trip to DeS Moiaeft sold work with'-the legislation,account C. R. i & p. It is a mistake Omaha merchants getting passes. Not one of thdm has a pass and I -m d«tly obliged to decline giving thp®. Since I took the road .'no pas a eft have bftifi given account the shipment of freight.' If we Should coftonande the'system it would be impossible to make proper dlatinction betw;een large and small shippers .and the consequence would be that we would have to give ail passes. I can assure you thatwo^aake no distinctions on account 6f-location or any other cause. J*. L> WtlMMttui♦to..O«n, Dodge, 'Fort Wayne, 24;- I consider"the wkele qi^estion on Bridge location much mixed. . / t'.Ofi fU. ■>-* t- "l? ■ ■■ . • * . ■'■ . '■' "-'1' '• .tl ^r/■ IMJ, fe lryo'-- Febmiary 1868. 0 • •>Xq'-f ' .' Hfe. On* . The wh6le question should be presented at the moetiris of the 11th and . n" , I approve of your surveys at Bellevue. I .also respectfully request XV' . that.while'your line parties are at work you direct one of them to make ■ ' a careful survey'ajld-location of suggested connections from the west ft,*• .? *: abutment on the !!♦ '(& M. crossing over the train table, and along the face of the quarry bluff to intersect ths Ainsworth line, so that this also together "with tha .Bellovue line can toe laid on the '!Big Map2 .Showing what sort of a cUrve you could get in-"what is the cost of ' ' the 1.1-2 miles and of the whole Ainsworth-line to'Point T, or Mud Creo:. ii'i' "with this connection, that it may be compared with the present track .dvemthe 66th grade, Thil grade from a point £1® ft. west of l'.> f.' might .increase at 6-10J^fr«xcapt in a curves which should be redziced If .in propottion. I recollect you told me that you had directed Mr, House, to examine this, hut did not xinderstand that he had made any such definite sturveys and estimates as to meet the object I have in view, Ae there will be tout 10 days till the meeting after you secure this, would At nOt be better to telegraph? However, you know your own business- I need not have niade-thiS suggestion. Now for the reasons. I understood Mr. Ames to say in N. Y. that if the Bur ling ton ItoAd declined o6ming up to the compromise exchange »' ground south of Council Bluffs, he was in favo^ of crossing at the Train table, and leaving the Burlington Road to build a separate bridge at a future day if they chose to do so. I hear that Mr. Ogderjk February 1868. and Mr. Sykes. have-aot heartily consented to -go furthe-r s6uth than the original exchange grcfund, at my pointO. and.your point A. The IT. Western :^olks i think still hanker for the M. & M. grossing. All crossing from this place are, as I think, only by way of suggested r:> » comparisons. I was at Chicago three days ago and was told that Mr. DHnlap had gone to OmaJja, and the papers say that he and other offi- .jt": cers of N. Western had been at Cheyenne. I think "this may be on Bridge business. ■ ■ ^ ^ nl • - * ? Row I have nothing to do with all "these conflActing interests of tha Eastvem roads except that I want a good and safe high, iron bridge and Jin' the right place and one Bridge, if they can be brought unite. But -I want to prepared with the suWeys of the connection with Ainswojrth line, so that if the ITwoard should adopt the M.&li. as they may do if Mr. Djirant on his returri shall fall in with the N. Western, I may then, if It is practicable, insist upon the Ainsworth, jLine to be constinie'tel while the Bridge is being built. Withetit having a more definite survey and estimate I could not act Intelligently or safely*. It may be that Mr, House knows all" febout this connecting line, if so he can report; but, of pOurse, I can only get the best through you I will take hold of tfip^asonry and pier spe6ifications. I find Col. Mason's specifications do not require quite as good masonry as they re building at Qulncy and Burlington. I will modify a little thoxigh not materially increasing the cost. « N ' * • *1 141 February 1868. . ^ > •: ; ', J, L. Wiriiains to^dn4 Dodge, Fort '"ayne, 24:- . '"t bnc i . Some days since I sent you Mr. Linville*s letf^r«Jand now enclose one .from Jfr. LIcAlpin. Please preserve-both.' i ' " ■ Last received yours of 21st, ^probably written before^ you'received j plan and bill of timber for trestle. Will you ^end that plan to Wolcott or shall I have another copy madfe? ' ' . . 'rt:;" ; McAlpin's views on iron piles or columns are entitled to great weight. No one in the country has so fully investigated this brnach. Et, :M. Hoxie to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 24:*^ fitol? t'* ' ■ ' TfYour. draft on Omaha National Bank is paid. Mr. Lindsey id, Cf promised long ago to pay it and I supposed he had, J Im -otj" Weather still good, Blicke nsderfer hnd everybody e-lse here, ^ . . • and all'going west. Brldgte still holds good..- rth. r;:'- (• f yj I pae'-i^u stood by Stanton: bully. . ' •;/•!* ie''! -nxilA • ■ 'W. Snyder to E. ifitmse, Oinaha, 24-:- " .'rteiuer . I encloea oomiimnloation from Gfen. Dodge, O. Kr,, iffiiich please Jos return. I have written Sen. DodgO that the only items that" ought to toe charged to contractors, in addition to the |7,500 pbr mile April , lat to December 5lst, '87, . P . .1 -ir- >I I/; ; ' Rep. of track |77.881^51. , : * ' ne® n-' :am ie''.! in t rteiftef Rep. of track J "IhrrN Brtagell Br44geto"!Tff y 20,319,85 ? ''J x:i I 98,201,46. ' • ■ ' ■ . ■ • 'C " *1 Our act. of |704,92, "Engineering" is for supplies furnished . . ^4 s. d 4 4 if. "■<0 *r!j prricS'WOj'* X' ." 'O.t? . •rt'mjtAMrn irr- ■ • ' a. t' 142 February 1868. . ■ " ypur office, and of $50,24,39 "Foreign Expenses" is for items of '■ r ponstruction which ought to be paid for by the company. The only item to be charged the contractors for expenses in January, New Bridge, $9,519,52. tr.'-- M. Rv Morgan to G«n. Dodge, Ft* Leavenworth, Kas. 24:- I was glad to hear from you. I know your work and. know you jsrorked hard. You are one of the working kind. In j'elatipn to that about which I wrote you last, I would say A that if there be added to Par. 14, page 11, Army Regulations 1863, w -the words, "Nor shall such officers be commanded by their juniors by commission" it will be satisfactory to the great majority of us. I have explained to you why the appointment of lieutenants to serve with \i,B until they; are promoted in their regiments will not do. If you cannot do anything else* let have 26 captins in all instead of 16 which we have now* This would require an increase of 9 captains. It is a littlq Small and some others nho are entirely depdendent on their are still captins, as they were at Ithe be ginning of Uie war# ? •* . <*• j ' - 1 I suppose kiMw that Gen. Easton, the worhy head of the Sub sistence Department, -jfhooi I suppose is about going on the retired liqt, wrote letter opposing any increase of the Subsistence Depart meat, aM got ften#. ?G(repat to endorse it before vthe old raan(Grant) kaevr that ere all felt th^.necessity for an increase. I do not think there ia ene of ua ca|t• h(|re. eh©, if put on out oath, .would not state •* ''r 1. V I. f 1. i 1 .'r~ ' ''.'Wv ^ ■iWili February 1868. that we considered an increase bf'our Department • necessary. LIhs. Morgan wishes to be remembered to yourself and Mrs; Dodge in which r join. e." ■ I - Our increase of pay runs out the end of Juhe'« You mlj^'t put in V provision ^o some bill to<'tide effect that the other provision remain in force for two years mOre," Gen, Dodge toGeo. A. Haynes, Washington, Jan. 12:- ' • ■ By presenting tliis to JI House Div." Engr, Omaha, he will assigns you a position in one of thb field parties that take the field in the spring. He *111 rfTso Inform you at what time you will have to report for duty.n !ftre %a'»eS per month and' found, in the field. ^ Dfbdge to Hon. E. M. Btanton, Washington, 24": - r.t IIP I Union Pacific Hailroad Company filed-their map show- ' In^lAklr line, und«r the law, and o com pied the ground upon which the 'military r^flhratlo# of Port is' ifo'w located in 1863 and ^ 1665. That fesdrvAtion wcis made by my order cln 1866 when command er of the District of the Plains. It is a temporary reservation, " ' ' not established bylaw, and requires only the order of the Depart ment CoraoaTider to release it, and has been ont down once or twice r.rn- by order of the De^iartment commander since established. The depot .f gr0un,jg the west base of the mountains are located on this ■ * raservatibn'Soita one and-A half or two mil4s north of the post of Port Sanderd." They were fosated oti this reservation^for the reason that the grades, grounds, water, &c. there are more suitable than at any other point in that vidinity for a depot. February 1868, ft I adopted tbem after consultation with-Generals Au^ur and Sherman who fully understood the question, and preferred tiiis location a s being most benefitial to the government, as well as to the railroad, and would accomodate gov^nmant business bettor. The commander of the District, Gen. J. E, Gibbon, deems an order necessary from his super- ■ lor officer that he iwy allow the company to enter upon that portion of the reservation selected for the depot. We were not aware of this tiAtil we had entered upon-J^e. g,round3, and we ask that, such an order be given. "Te prefer to be on a military reservation until civil law is estahlished in that counti^ for the projection of our property and the people connected with our enterprise. In my opin,3rpn the order can be properly given by -th® Department Commander, but as the pppers have reached you,-I now prefer that the decision he made by you y _ p. S., Hodges to Gen, -Dodgd, Omaha, 24,:- ^ On the 0th Feb» I.-forwarded to you, by E.xpress from Boston, my report and papers of operations in 1867w On the ICth'inst. I add ressed you a communication froin hero, .with an .ex ract fpom letter of Butler Ives, Engr. C. P. R.R. to tl\e effect that a line can probably be made from Bear River via Bear Lake Valley, and Blacksmith's fork to Cache Valley, but with heavy work and grades. Assuming, that I am ordered to make tjie careful instrumental survey which its Importance seems to demand it is propablv that it will not be determined befo«»e tjie parties Under Mri pvaps have finished •,r i" ' ' ■ '- rr Februarjr 1868, • ' V-'' r "^ ' 'to Bitter Croek, for I timderstatnd he intends to do this work in six "V» ■ ■ weeks- if then' his parties should be marched westward on location, ' . even to Hurabbldt Wells, and on proposed lines of your report to Snake River, may I- solicit the transfer (after the completion of * ■ ' my assumed work) to the Rfift I^iver extension to Snake R'ive'r", with whic-h country r am already familiaer, and from thence down the Snake. '■ - ■ 'What I desire is the largest and most indepdndont field of opera- 'I . <' ,''•*0 tions, that Ih your jiidgmentT" T «m capacitated for, without dis- , .1 ' arrangement of' your pagans* - ' ' '• ' ('V ' lir. Eliclftft&derfep ail)R4* aSTfeht" assistants arrived Saturday" evening, ' , ' 2Zd* Proposes to leavlJ 'tflfliiorrow, 25th, and proceed directly to ^ Salt* Lake City ar*i*tViVlg thoi^e ^n" iidftday the Ts't. MfercCi wherfe he ** ' ; C' will make hid plans and overlook Country dubsoquently, •4 • Note:- Jas". R, Maxwell' to Gen. Dodge, Omaha- 24:- i •• '{ . .i-zdyroT Ifote:# F. M. oade to J. B* House, Denver, Col. .24:- -'' c t ,• 'Note': T. C. Clftrk' to'Gen. DOdge, Quincy, Ills, 25:- ' 'J' :J, R. House to Gbtl, Ohffge, Omaha, 25:- , ' " Send me two-" drafts, one fci> $SC,0(k) arid the other for $10,000 are'necessary. ' Hh.'.SviliG has iXirchased his supplies, ^:c and they are to pay, . - r Our act. is ttow 'ovoridrawn about'$10,1)00 with $3000 in bills to pay. H, li, Hoxitrtb Gen, Ikjage, oathk, ' ' T had written you and Crane a letter contai: ing one from Febrtiary 1868. Duncombe. Law suits are terrible mean ihings. I think we are better able to stand it than tliey, but I think that the property would not be worth much to any person. I have a Ho. 1 man who can do the business at the nine under my directions. You must give tloe directions about compromise if any is given. You or Crane I look to for orders. Weather still good in the mountains. Davis, Sprague & Co. are hauling out 50,000 ties; say they hav- enough out to last first 100 miles. Prom what I hear. Creighton will bo behind on his rock work. Reed's work not progressing except Dale Creek Bridge very fast with some exceptions. Miller &. Co. Imow how to do work. They all go for r r us in the way of getting men out. The company should control that • . • • ^ /• . • ' > • • • .. . t S t. fand fill orders of Reed for men. C. Shalor Smith to Oen. Bodge, Baltimore, 25;- r . . . . ■ - . ■ Yours of the 18th was brought to my notice this morning. A severe illness having incapacitated me for business during the past j ten days. I will make out the shoot of specifications with pleasure but deem it but Just to^ myself to say that the Hydraulic Pile is not as yet a public invention, it being a device of my own-gotten up for the St, Charles crossing, and which I propose patenting-not to prevent the Profession fiMDm having the benefit of it, but bo prevent 1'. • • ■ i • f ' - « I some scamp from patenting it over my head, as was done in the case of George Parker's caissons at Haver De Grace* I f' Are you going to call for bids immediatolyt as if you are no tin a hurry I can soon give you the insults of the trials a t St.Charles, February 1868« as we will begin sinking there before long. May I ask if it is your intention to call for bids on the work as • * a lump or for separate bids on the foundations, the masonry, and the • ' ' ' supers true tion, ?nd whether you will call for competing designs as • - '' well as bids? I doubt much if you will find the contract system as econominal (in the foundation work especially) as that of employing first class experts at a fixed compensation to"do the work from be ginning to end for you and reporting only to you. ■ r, uV , I. Hascall to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 25*- ' ■ a ' ' ' Enclosed find pjipers asking for the appointment of W. V.. * Corlett to the Position of Justice of the Sumpreme Court of'the pro-^ posed Territory of Wyoming, Piease make such a disposition of them , C .' . as will accomplish the end desired. I prestme Gen. J. 3. Casement will work with you for Corlett*s appointment, knowing as he does that Corlett is the man for the place, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: » a The undersigned concur in the opinion that #. W. Corlett Is a suitable person to be appointed a ^stice of the Supreme Court of the proposed Territory of Wyoming, 'Dated Cmaha, Nebraska, Feb« 24th, 1868, •e • . J. S, House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 26 :- I have beffli delayed on the statement of town lot act, * f . The office has been so filled up with men preparing to go west that it February 1868. • • has been next to Impossible tp do. any -.vork. They gett off this P.?'. I ho "o although the prospect looks very discouraging at present. It commenoed srowing last night and .is still snowing hard; it has falle to the depth of 6 oiy 9 inches^- but noimid as yet, and I hope the road will not gpt blocked up, Mr. Evans telegraphed from Sanders * yesterday that it was storming furiously. Mr. Elickensderfer intends starting tonight. Mr. 7/alcott is here and I have turned over the River surveys, party, maps, &c. I t - • • • • retain l^r, Ferguson and Uartin here to assist Mr. Walcott. Mb, Clebume and,.Henry lamback, Jr,, wi;}.], be employed aft last season on the road |,aylng out buildings, .measuring track t I haye received your estimate for.January 31st;.have also been to see Mr, Snyder, a^^d will return you an estimate for January 31st as he renders the Constr, Act, He says tho only items to be.ohanrged • " , fL."'.' . to December 31, 1867 . .. Imp, of track, f Ne - bridges ^77.88l,51. 20,319,96. 98,201.46 Items to be charged January 31st, 1868 8,319.52 (New Bridge) . . . , , 106,520,06 Tqur• to me is f; ' Tft * 103,930.00 . J ,wro-^o you yesterday for funds.^ Money seems pretty tight here, • • although the banks do not refuse to pay my checks, yet they do not , ■ * w a quite relif^h s\^ch large over drafts. , W. Snj^der to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 2719 . The,few yprk.offlce.hfts the new '' 149 01 wtt Tir. ■■' February 18GS, Eontract with CaseiAent, but I have his frieght billed now at tariff rates. " - Had a spare hoQr up home last night and wrote Mr, Dillon a private letter on business matters, Hoxie's appointment &c He is ^'wbrth !^5000 per year to the road, *and bet'Swen the company and con tractors he ought to get it. Show all of last night, but trains on time. ,0.^ j Hote: G. H. Seymour to 3". F. House, Council Bluffs, 26:- J. £i. Williams to Gen. D6dge, Fort Wayne, 26:- ' ■ .# •. f r» I enclose herewitR lettsr from Mr. Clark, Chief enginear of Quind;/ Bridge, r.ith specifications for superstruetion of that bridge of wliich with the change he suggest, you make of some use. He agrees with Colbvinr as to preferrirtg wrought iron to cast icon chord. Please consider this question. I wish yovi could see Mr. Linville, Engineer of "Linville " Truss and Vice Pres. of Key Steam Co, ' He'has ha^-mora oxperlenco with this iron truss than • any of them. ^ - Note Mr. Clark's STiggestions as to change in tests of iron. Please fil6 and preserve theae letters witi: Linvllle's and others, Dont fail to Bind to Mr. Clark yoar notices of letting and specifi cations# ' * - . -1 • S. B. Reed thinks If we build stone piers, we could face with Dale Creek gran iii. i' 'wish It could be done up to'high water. It would give Charioter to the bridge. He says it Is best quality of granite and so does Professop Hayden, February 1868, 'i7u*i€r': Wm. J. .McAlpine to Gen. Dodge, Albany, 27:.- I enclose to you a form of specifications for .a pier .wholly of iron. __ I will send one soon for iron piles with a stone ft pier above. My brother has made a rude sketch to illustrate the general idea. We do not have .the pieans of giving you a plan, of the ■ ^ works, but will do so if j'our desire^ ^ ^ J I . • • •..- . .. . f. I! ef - *; ^ I think that these specifications embrace all of the points POTV- . ^ j necessary, but ^if I ha.ve omitted anyt:?ing that you desire please •A"# ,. j advise me and I will add itT,, " ^ - • • < ■ htr.t • " . , , Note: T. .7, Gickiea to John Duff, New York, 27;- , . ' ■ - I . . ■ V in" j . Note: F. M. Cgise to Gen, .Dodge, Denver, 27:- T if , ^ Proposes to maCke changa in plans of bridges and way j- ■ • • , 'I "V " , . . stations: f t , ^ - T ba , ♦ f-! • , .-!( Not<05 W. i;, Talmage to Gen. Dodge, Bradford, Iowa, 27;- ra report 1st of March. r Jesse L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne 28.:- Accompanying specifications for .masonry &c. discussing method of building piers and putting in foundations., f • • . - »%• ' fs'' -'" Blickesnderfer Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne 2B:-_, ^ . ' I arrived here yesto day evening with all the men I expect to t^e me to Salt Lalce, Mr. Maxwell included, . I found Maxwell a little inclined to fee dissatisfied with a t secondary position in one of my parties, and disposed to think as he • - \ had already been several yerars in the service here that he should have been selectedjs chief of a party. I trust, however, that he February 1868. will be reconciled to hiS position, as I tol'd hini at once that the first place had been and must be assigned to Mr. Morris. Morris I am more and more pleased with the longer I am acquainted vith him, . .. 4. * ^ f > .. . and he seem^' to have the faculty of reconciling the'men to himself readily and Maxwell is yielding to the same influence. The second assistant I engaged, under your directions, at $125, per month and assigned to Mr. Hodge's party, is I think a young )■ man of good promise, but I noticed or thought I noticed as soon as I mentioned the subject to Hodges, that he did not want an assistant; indeed, he said a'bodt as much' lit the time,* but I 'stated that this was an arrangement designed, and *1 had no doubt Ke would find him useful. i I observe, however, that Hodges appears to have nothing to say to ^ this man, and I think is disposed to treat him cooly. * * I write you these'matters not for 'any special purpose, but that you may be poaCed in re ard to n hat appears to be the animus <Sf the -parties/ Bated left Omaua in advance of us and is no doubt wall dn hia way to Salt Lake. At' Omaha I saw Gen. Augur and Gen. Myers, and although Gen. Augur said he had'recelve'd no orders of the characte'r referred to in your instructi m or Indeed any orders on the subject, yet they both saidt they i^ould accomo'datW us to the extent of their ability. weather here is remarkably fine , no snow on the ground; very little In the BlWdk Hills stnd none on Laramie Plains, ifr'vi, I'i-'K.; tj^v ^ebruary 1868. Part of my party left in the Salt Lake coach this morning, and the balance, myself included, go in the morning. I have made what appears to me a satisfactory arrangement ibith the stage Co* for our transportation■through th Salt Lake City. I observe from the papers you have at length taken the jj, fPresident in hand. While personally I should regret hasty or incon siderate actions j I am fully persuaded that every principle of right " feeling requires action when the President has clearly violated his official trust and such action the Country will sustain. J. EL House^to Gen. Dodge) Omaha, 28:- ■ . j. Enclosed please find monthly estimate to contra ctors. January 31st, 1868, . ^ -m - • Tour $103,930 items I have changed to $106,521, Tie reason for.doing so I^obtained from Mr, Snyder - in a letter to me, he gave the following statement as the amouAt to be charged to contractors from tl e GongAjruotion a^ot. J6 Xfc :- . :: Imp. of track i $77,881.51 tff New Bridges, Dec. 81, 20,319.98 " . - Jan% 31. » ,r 8,319.52 106,520,98. ' .V ♦ r r , .,.y . The Engineer act. is tor supplies furnished this office; amount . f ^ ^ - 704.92. Foreign expenses ' 5024.39 is for items of con struction whiish ought to be paid for ty the company.* I will retain the eatimaie you sent me until I hear Which one you return to k. Y. Office, 1 have also retained Copy of one sent you a February 1868, •: ; ;r Note: W. B. Bent to J. F. House, Ft. Sanders, 28:- olA . Cannot sell lots; Is vaiting orders from V/ar. Dept. I y 'Tij'd fXC : Duff to Gen. Dodge, New York, 28:- Enclosed I send you the report of Mr.- Sickles on the subject of Pneumatic f»ile^. "I think it is very full and interesting. I think that in the event we used that kihd of foundation that Mr. Sides would be a valuable man to direct the operation of'linking the piles, '•* I do not know that we could get him and if you think it best I will N . mention the subject to him. . • Nothing~new here. Durant is expected here in a few daj^. t 'l'ieio ' f. hope the Senators will come'up to the scratch on the . impreachment. I fear some of them will want stiffening. Regards tc^^ your family* ' '■ * , : *; » John A, IrtmlBss to Hon< S. C. Pomerory, Omaha^ 28:-'^'^ rj,Q anii do what w« can for appointmoiat of-'Col. Merrell as Judge Advocate with the rJAK of feajor# J r od S. nillemip,''e'SR. Dodge, New York',"38:- ♦ Your*letter was duly reeeived. You as&i my opinion about '1 '?i (M. ( . <K the stock in Pacific R, R. You know all that I do about it. I would not sell my steck*at any price, neighter would I buy a large amount at 75 cts, on the dollar. If you want any more than I have bought, I think I can get it for you, I think I will arrange that other matter of yours today, let me hear from you, neither would I advise you to have Others take it for you to^ a large amount. February 1868, Lewis Merrill to Gen. Dodf^e, Omaha, 28:- •:rvr' I have just telegraphed you in regard to appointment as Judge Advocate r/ith rank of Major in the vacancy.made by the resi,gnat . tion of Major Montgomery of that department, , • I have'written to Judge Casey and several members of Congress . asking.their influence and assistance but the trouble with me is that outside of gtourself, I do not "know a man in Washington whom l oan ask to take the matter in hand and push it, I knov? that such things need ^to be stirced up by some one'who will iake a personal interest in the matter, I take a liberty with yoU in asking you to undertake this matter for me, but I am induced"to it'by.your kindness to ifie and friendly conduct towards me before, and, too, by the fact that I have no one whom I cah.aak to take the trftbble for mb,- l:havie sant ay--application for the appointment to Gen. Rawlins ' endofaed by Qeni 1 enclose you a copy of the latter and endoiweBHant, dddlfig an •ndOrsament made by Gen, Thomas on my application for afj^tointment As Inspector Generatl, and refer in my letter to previoua endorsements of She-rman, Augur and yourself on a former appli- ' cation while I was at Loavenv/orth*- d ' • • s > I suppose it would be deAlrabl© to have letters from tty frleMs in s" or an endorsamsnt from, them upon the c opy. of my application . Can I ask you to undertake this trouble for-,mo? I v;rite by this aiAll t® tlW fblllStlfqf memliohs of Obngreas and have asked each February 1868. of them to hand-auay recoramendation.he'may be willing to make to you or if willing to do anything more active in the matter to consult you in regard to'it. . - ' ' • • Can you find time to drop me a line of adviCe in the matter? I am totally ignorant of how to go te work in these things, never in my life before having asked for any'appointment of any kind, of to tall me how the matter stands. Would it do any good for me to Come to Washington ! *■> i i ' There is no news of any kind here totell^yoa. The impeachment business stirred up a little shirldy at first, but everybody has about settled into the idea that it will be quietly; taken care of;and no attempt be made tp resist i, ; ' Note:-."Statement "D" of town lot act." c V rtio or ■ . f-r J. L. Wllltams to Gen. Dodge, Fort Wayne, 29:* I enclose Col, Mason's apecificAtions for Bridge. Today I have mailed a prettSr full minute specificatiop for masonry and foundations* loss minute as to foundations than the masonry. This is about as I would build or at present adTisO' as to stone; perhaps hefore you make contracts I may Want to change in. some particu lars. This willTWiXd let ClaaiB Mdabnry, but not better than at \r Burling ten and QutMiy. A better'. >* I"' boBie change; S ■ ^ IT'' e of qwfcraries, ..might compel V Im nrj'fQ giwing extract from'feniriar''s letter I may have - Ur February 18G8. omitted to state that the blue stone at Kansas City is the same as our Bartlet itone. . r , ' • . ' ■ r Of courage, •my. specification is only suggestive, intended to ■ . aid in getting tilings started about right. -I am always ready to t profit; any further light from any source? ^ . • In all this Johnson and Stan ton matter I hope 'nothing will occur to ^lessen thje confidence in Grant. He is the hope of.the Nation, So far he stands right. You see that Indianais all right for Grant. ■ - - r. I suppose meeting of board will be day after -the stockholder's meeting, which is 11th of March. , ^ . We will kriQw ;iow to use my es^tiraates which I sent you. It is due to you that you should hav^ them. Eng^ineers, generally withheld their details for the reason that ^any one disposed to criticise; can Always find some point in any estimate that may be criticised,- I do not expect to be draim into any controversy; want you- and the Committee to Jiave -all the light that my investigations may throw upon the sub ject, if any. ^ . In looking ,p ver my letter and finding m many personal allusionB If make it private, , J- do not assume to make too much of the cost ~ of our Brid-e. It may, after all, be made safe, with good luck, for much below my estimate. But the w>jole things whether stone piers or oolufi^, im such a bottom is am experiment. Mr. Sides* and Mr. Mc. Alpin*3 experience at Harlem in a hard bottom full of boulders is Pebmary 1868, nothing like the Missouri. " -r. ).- I think you had better find a local bridge' engineer of consider albe science, experience and force of Character. That $2,000 per year, more or less, dn •such work; then let the Board order th^ Chief Engineer to put the coluimis dowil to the ihoVt' practicable'point and of such size as wi-Il be abundantly safe, under any possible contin gency, whether* each pier shall codt' $40,000 or $60,000, ' ' As a builder of supers true tl'on ^'1'%'oixld rely most upoii''feoomer, especially if under advice of Pos4r»- But in piers and 'with sutSr foun dations neither of them have any experiencb. They are hot worth a button to you, .■ ' ^ •' H. M. Hoxieto" Gen. Dodg4> Onifcia,'' 201- ' t _ "'t "Mr, A. A. Bean- and alT his old men are "here evidhetly ^ awaiting something to fUTO up. He has tfTs old train dispatcher, LithgoS, an(P all "35ho heat'of the'pimife here. Reports are in circula tion in Chicago thAt there'%111 be an important change made in" March, These reports \fo dbht TWt the: do the road and its managers M * . ^ harm and do no one any good, , * • . Wdirtt ift the Blacic mila -sl^ill gitfTslilorfg, andVe send a few iieil*-out each day, SilrMgbii#•<3lN?i'G li Co, *30 last ^fi^t Ahd I sent «15 for glsnerrfl rftlrjlfbo#!", flio ^ep^ntry ^ «fUll df aen'sEn^ they "dan be had no* at a reasonable price, ^ . » " ■ * I'am informed that Mr, Rood will be herdOThTlhsday, 3d March, y' ■ ♦ r February 1868. Machinery f<pr North Platte- shops «Bhould be hurried forward. Recards to I.Irs. D. and far.ily.^ - » — ■ J, O. Hudnutt to Gen. Dodge, i'ort Sanders, 29:- I arrived irith my party about two hoxirs ago. Find Mr. Evans absent, but have pitc" ed and made .myself at home. I brought about 40 meii'ir some .for t^iiJther parties. If Jihe weather ^remains fine shall b^ on myj way to North ^Platte in two days, ,, Mr. Evans thinks w© e^mll- finish locations to Green river in about six working weeks. If there should be a chance on ^the Oregon or Salt Lalce surveys aftor thes3 are^ done I shall bo rgiad to servej you . ft-Nono* -the paa^tiso. ajpi% here ^.y^et except mine, l.lr, Biickonsderfer and. party-will^ pass near h-era on coach tor.ight, H. E, House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha,- ao:- n*J ' Enolosed nlease find statement of town lot, act. State ment "A" exhibits, tq,t«l amount jsf cash received on all sales to Dec, 31st, 1867, al»o ,shops' 24 and 3d »^j|ypien>s rtWith intauj^pt added to eachalso .. , . I; - statement "B" exhibits amodrit of 1strpaymen-t, also the price lot was sold "for on those oontracts made by y9ur order Igiat fall, and for iriiioh town lot rec;.oivod credit. ^ Statement "G# ej^htblta the amount"of canoelled contracts which have been charged to town lot^ • , , , «" .«r •) .'--r • » " nfr -t' 'Utt ib ft <v.- f rr!*'". I '! > i. ■ f? . '•. < February 1868, Statement "D" exhibits the amount of sales from January 1st to February 29th inclusive,* " " • • "Statement '"E" exh3i>lts"'ihe combariaon'between abstract of sale^ and ledger act. to date. '" ♦ j» Private Diary Mem. 25:- "Gave J. F. ViTilson check on First National Bank for $8,250 •in payment of tJ, P. R. R* stock at 55 cts. on dollar, one-half stock to go to me,-one-half to go to Wilson, he to nay in-t. on his part of money, i » ■ ■ " . . ■ -• • Private Diary Mem, 29:- On summit of Promontory Pass, Hudnutt connec-ted with C.P. R.' -levels w"*ich ocming through from Pacific Ocean, Hudnutt's elevations T^ere '13,2 ft, higher than 0. P. R,R. elevation- making his datum lino that much lower, t • - ' •• '■ • Note: Jas, A.ltivans to J. E. Nouae, Sander, Mach 1:- ' Send Vduehors to amount $900,49, " ' Note: Steward A: Haas to JT. "i, HOUsb, Counofl tfluffs,*'March 2:- v Return vouchers signed to cover Evan's bill, Private Diary Mom, March'aft- **■ " ' S«at. John Duff $7000 draft on P. & 0. 150 Cham ers St. Row York for which he is to •give'i6e tJ. T* R, R- ^took at 75 cts on doll- ■ itt also sent DUrf 3 drftftfc, 'fBSO, oAe $600p total, $1750; to bo applied on V. P. R. R, stock act^ ^ \* ' Qen, Dodge to J. R, House, Washington, March 2:- Send ne deeds for the balance of the Rawlin's lots; ho has Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - February 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 February 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/4694fd40fa343c238197b157746ffbe2.pdf 36c995e692704883039f9dc470e7444f PDF Text Text February 1868, • Statement "D" exhibits the aiiount of sales from Januarj*^ 1st to February 29th inclusive.- • •" TSiatement exhibits the comparison'between abstract of sale^ and ledcei* act. tb date. '' ^ • Private Diary Mem. 25:- ■ • -Gave J. F. Wilson check on First National Bank for $8,250 •in payment of Tl. P. R. R* stock at 56 cts, oh dollar, one-half stock to go to me,-one-half to go to Wilson, he to nMy in-t, on his part of money. ' ^ * ' ■ . ■ * " . . ■ . ■ Private Diary Mem. 29:- r' On summit of Promontory Pass, Hudnutt connec-ted with C.P. R." -levals w ich "Wore crming through from Pacific Ocean. Hudnutt's elevations wre 13.2 ft. higher than G. P. R.R. elevation- making his datum lino that iiltich lower. « • ■ . . • • ■ifote;' JA* A.avans io'J. E." l^ouse, Sander, Mach 1:- ■ Send VduChers to amount $900.49. ' ' Notes Steward ft Haas to J. 4. House, Council Bluffs, March 2:- Retum vouchers signed to cover Bvnn's bill. Private Diary Mem* March 3:- - -wi* Seift't John Duff $7000 draft on F. ft G, 150 ©hairi-ers St. llew York for which he is to 'give ifie 0. P« R. R* eWdolk at 75 cts on dollalso Seif't Ikiff 3 d&'AftB, one $850, $600p total, $1750; to be applied on D. P. R. R. stock act# * ' "t i Oen. Dodge to J. R. House, Washington, March 2;- Send me deeds for the balance of the Rawlin's lots; he hi March, 1868. I deeds fpr two or three: I want them for the halance, < • . . ~ f rtO'cC'" Note: Gen, Dodge to J. E. House, Washington 2:- Send drafts.; one for $20,000 and one for $10,000, n.'> . ' J, McCoaib to Gen, Dodge,. Vi liming ton, Del, 2:- ■j;.',; • , ^ The Board Is called- to jj^eet the. 10th Inst; apd ;i; will bring up the brlgde natter then, if you are ready and can have hand; If -not I will have It put off, Dont fall ^o advise me,l^ time which ^ ^ you would prefer. , , . . . ; .1 would like to see you hera^ery imich on the buslnessyou f . ; *»efer to in yours of the 24th duly at hand. Leave any day at 1-2 ' v > past 12, noon- dine with ma- heipe ..at my hc^i]fiei.,h.av9 7 hoiirs here in and can return if you wishL eame nigl^t i^n sleeping car. Telegraph me the fday before that I am uure to be at home, .The Predient of the M.C.R.R, is here, ancj I am arranging that lease, U. 3, Marshall bought some of this sto^k at bankrupt sale in Oxford, Mlsalssippl two weeks siinco at 6 cts per share. This Is a • ' .big thing and no I mistake. . , - Bring any members of your,family along, or any other person • • % » you please. - Ba g^a^you come any day this .'eek. I want tb have a % , *0. talk with you abput, this Air Line, to Jew York, } ' ' " t *■ -- !. , Gen. W. Sherman to Gen. Podge, St, Louis 3:- (Telegram); r'i" ^ Dispatch of 2d received. Will telegraph to Gen, Augur and write you by mall today on the subject. * " vir ' ft March 1868, • V '.: Geh, Sherman to Gen, Dod^e* St. Louis 3:- I sot your dispatch last nisht and have answered it, ' and" have sent to Gen, Ausur one in se^sral terms to facilitate the progress of tlfe roa'd by conceding the use of ground near-Ft. Sanders "for depot, &c. But what you want is a permanent title, not that mere temporary use that we are empowerefd to grant. T advise you to cause the most accxarate plat to be made that you can, and delineate thereon the ground you want, with its metes and bounds, and what part of it Is included within our Ft. Sanders Res ervation. Then In the rikme tif your company make an applic -tion for the indefinite usd of the space delineated bir for an absolute title. This paper should go to the Secretary of War,'wlto would properly sen^ it down, flhrdugh General Grant and myself, to General Augur, the ^ Department commander, all df -whom would doubtless recommend the grat hi "X-.: l-he depot, as you s*y, be as far off from-the-post as two ft ; ! miles• > (: PM In case the land has been publfely dedicated to use as a military resefnration, an Act. of dongress might be necessary to con-' vey It to yod* but, as the nubile land surveys have not yeft reached the Laramlo Plains, I tdke It that'our occupation'of that resefvation can be limited by a sim de'order'oP the Secretary'©I* War, so as to leave ihe Railroad Compafty 'ini'right of selection, under the Bill you shov/ed mo in tlidhlngton this winter, ■ - kur March 1868. ^ , , I should not be w'illing to! drUer the modification of the liMtes of a reservation, after the map has been made and field in the War Department, as S- believe is the case with the'reservation in question, but I would not hestitate to .grant you ,the right-of way, and the use of any reasonable part "of the reservation for Side track and depots, '^ut myj grant Would only be tempoijary, and could be modified, alterstfy or annuiiodfby my successors in office or by higher authority. , . In a similar cawe, .at Fort Riley, Congress granted twenty acres for depot Within th® redervd, and a fractional seqtlon.An it^ western edg®. ^ JrnJ' " ' r. John Oibbon to Gen. ©odge, Port Sanders, 'ti" p il I send you a'cbpy Of €uri r;ndorsoiiiCnt.1 have just made on a'letter of G- 3. corns. BArlett at Cheyenne, in reference to the des truction bf liqudr iri this vicjnity; -the Interior Department having decided that this Is hot Indian country, but public lands of theU.:. . r ; prequeilt corapallnts have been received frpm your K.R, people t that these whiskey sellers squat along the line of the road, make their handt druri* «id interfer terribly with"%4ieAr work, I have alwAya on these compalinte sent and destroyed;Ahe whiskey and<>in some cases arrested the sellers, but, if this is not Indi^ country, the law will not eu-^porVtte, and *1 ghall-have to stop it, OWould it not ' be a good Idea to provide by law |,hat until your track is laid the provisions of Sec, ^0 of the Act, Appd. Feb. 13, 186B shall applyto all March, 1868 * public lands beyond the limits of organized towns, and withir;, the limits of the B-.Ri grant 30 miles on each side the lin0.771thout some such provision I am afraid your work- for; the next year will be sadly interfered.with, ' ."•'V ■ - r . . . . ^ j Laiamie City is all laid out :and people are waitir^g anxiously to .buy, but Y/0 have to Yrait the action of the War Department in regard to placing it^n the military reseinration. , J. L. Williams to Gens-Dodge, Fqrt Wayne, 4:- ' i • f ^ I presuaje yOh have Mr, .House's recent soundings at the "tt. as well as the Child's Jjlll crossing'? If the M, ft-Mr crossing should come up it would be important to know.wheter Morlay's "report of rock vinder the woat abutment was .correct, WithoUt'this there is no safety. All the other foundati ns at that crossing must bo on iron tubes 50 bo 60,feet below ICw water* The.east abutment on ■ the sand bad wodld'look exposed, yet I think It Could be'made safe, . . as the river Is now going west. Should it hereafter turn east', I 4 S ffftesxxne f10,000'or 115000 owrth of rip rap would stop it at east abut- •>rlI "Toiji ^ MiallahKll reach New Tobk on the lOth Will you be thor :lMnt. next weekt' If nbt I alOuld like, to have" any facts that, would be ^important* ' ' .r .,;v,.c'. J. L. illlama to G#n, Dodge, Port Wayne, 3:*- ' ro.r a/.' ' 1' ■ I.' You, of eoubse, understand that I desire to know "the feaf" „ IKlfetIi and cost of lum, Orosslng, by Ainsworth line, only 1 '•ak ' f■* ^m March 1868. ♦ . » ' •that I may present and urge this variation-in that line in case the union upon one bridge shall fail, and our company shall decide.Ito * « build-here, Mr, House will, .of course, run the line down below the quarry and connect sq as-.to give the distance from exchange ground to point T,, so as to enable us to estimate the comparative cost. He should also make a location of a track to the shops. The plan of reaching the shops and river business would probably be, to start from the station, which, upon this plan, would be upon, the bluffs near the line of Train's land, thence north descending 60 or 60.ft. to ■ the mile until this grade would meet .the present track, thence switching back to the shops; or, perhaps he can curve around into the present track near the mouth of the ravine, which would be more convenient for use. To cross this ravfene by high trestle work would not do. The * ' * * m expense of this track -to shops should be charged to tliis crossing. It is more important to have this plan of th,e , location matured and f - * fully eatimated so as i.lh Childs Mill line, from what I hear f:;^%Jlew York. I am toXd, though I trust it is not so, that the Curlington folks still repudiate every plan except Bellevue. The propriety of one bridge fo# all roads is plain. The very wide bottom on east side at all points, as wei.1 as the opst of the ' * ' ' I * bridge, should forbid more than one crossing, if it can be well avoided, f Were the exchange grounds on west side, and trains from the Eastern Roads, which have 52 ft, grade, crossed the Bridge then we pould adopt March, 1866. 52 ft; in the ascent to the bridge as at Kansas City. But as it is, the U'. P. trains feing loaded f®r the'Platte Valley grade, i^e must adhere to 6-10 grade in the eastern ascent notwithstanding its great cost. To use permanently an assistant togine on this high trestle •work cannot be thought of. 1 must make a point, so far as I have any influence, to get the grade down to 30 ft. from the point where the U. P. trains start westward, Tobulld'two of these expensive and per ishable ascents within B of Wh-other is unwise. The poiht ' last proposed, 3 miles south bt Council Bluffs'i looks like a fair compromise. With two bridges the temptation will he 'E^trong t'o fall back to the- low bridge or to a steep grade on the east si^e, n-e'ither of which is admissable. , The M.&.Il. crossing, curvin^lnto the'Aihsworth line, Mil be, "I presume, ■ 21-2" mll'eV'l^hger than the Childa Ull line, StidttldT the two upper roads uhlte in this, then''the"Buriiti^^'h road, someday, would build at Belleview, making two pllices ol!' exchange which would be inconvenient all round. But if the two tipjper-roads fix exchfVi'ge gro\ihds at last pi^posed, throe li!L'i"es south of Cotinoil Bluffs, then "the Buhltngton 'st/Jbaeph Road permanently cross on the Child Mill Bridge, whatever tliey may now say. For, suppose their traffic is shortened 5 miles', tkey could not afford to expend mbreF'than $80,000 to save a mile $400,000,'only one-third cost of thb brfldge and connect ing line*. March 1866. - - I am notified to attend a ppecial meeting on the 10th of March; hut whether the bridge matter will be decided then, I know not, t Note: Wm. Smith to Hon. J. A. Garfield, Louisville, Ky* Jan.81 t • • Note: Wm. Smith, Pay-master, to Hon. A* Garfield,. Louis - ville, 31; , „ '■ In relation to,.Bill now before the House for increase of Pajr Corps, Eetter Brig. Gen. M. iimall, C. J, enclosed in relation to same matter. Gen. Dodge to J. E, House, Washington, February 4;- ^ , . , . I have employed George Wolcott* Eng., to take charge of Bridge and Bridge piers. He. is now on Quincy Bridge and will be in Omaha in a short time, when you-will give him such information as he may need and turn over to him the .parties together with ray instr ctions posting him fully in the matter so that he can continue the surveys intelligently. . . , #1 ** 0 We better keep account of all Bridge expenses and return vo^ichers 9 in that-way so that if a Bridge aompany is formed we can charge up to the one work and expenses, • • t ^ I shall send soon some one to take charge of repairs io ^ » • • • « as to organize tho repair force early in the,.3pring and get my Omaha office ready to rej^afve and aonsolldate the reports of the different field and other parties. Mr# Woleott will obtain his funds &.c, through you as usual. . 11. P. Stoall to Gen. Dodge, Louisville, Ky. February 8:- March 1868, Enclosed please find cop^ of'a'Mil which has been presented to Congress and 'erred' Sh^Military iftiars, and of a letter ©f protest from pay-master Wm. Smi-Ch to Gen. Garfield, President of said Gemmittoe; My fattier-in-law, Col. H. C. Pratt, ia a graduate of West Point and served in the army 24 years before he was transferred to the Pay Department. The claase affecting rank Is v^ry unjust and degrading, and Congress will never pass such an obnoxious bill understandingly. The samS'iaw'might bo kp'piied^^o^ther Staff Departments'and many old officers who have'sefrvdd their country faithfully would be degraded from the positions given them', lav and the custom of the'^afmy. 'Hihls ' " bill I ask shorn'of you to this use unjust very possible clause. effort Please in see yur Gen. power Garfield to ifave | and - read to him. j.' Smith's letter for'the origfnal letter hh may'not have received, I ask you to do all you can as an especial favor to me. Pleas© write and lot me'kno'v the result. - ffhen' you see our old fri-jfid, Cer.. ShoMdan,' give ""him'my I'cWe. Please present my kind regards to your wife, and write soon. ' '* Gen. mSe' to fitouae, We : York, February 9:- '' " f telegraphed'*you t8''au£horl2!0 sortie one to 6'ell iMs^^at Port'Jjandersi 1.^'laying'out town, I want-to have a man right on ground, . . i ' I want, as soon aa possible, tracing of map Evans brought on her February, 1^68, au'l took back vith him showing last yearns sujrveys. Did ho leave It with you? ■r: ; :Jr. George Wolcott to Gen. Dod-re^ Quinoy, 111, 11:- - ,• r , I receipt of yours of the 4th inst, I will leave here for Omaha onr-Tuesday or Wednesday next, which will be as soon as I can close up ray work here; If, liow^r, I, should finish-before -that time, will leave sooner. Oon. Doags to J. E. Houso, Waahlngton, X,5:- .; ■ : ' • t-ra I tolagraphod jwu- today tho. meatlnc tho Board the fight fell between Ohilds «ill,ana Bejlevi.e. - Joy and the O.B. & Mo. intereete liked Jiel.levue and came near carrying the- day. They proved on paper that they had good transfer ^ St. Jo. ». Hnear the Plainer fazTn just eaet of thic- ' " crossi*^, r, ^ . . I- .want ,0^. 1«c«lve Bprsonal attention ,<«, .this question, examine - carefully that botton and report fuuy eaai to near the Bluffs until you pbtaiv. , , . , , „ "'•i.n-.good', high ground for trans fer, then run this line to the. point wnepe C.R.I.& P. comes on to route from Maaqulto Valley near Jlosqudto Ryw . a-leo to south line of S, W. 1-4 2 where our .grounds are,. Sm,.., ^'^^.'the river at Dpan's cross ing. He made^ his. jwirveye only two WBev '8',ago«» and send me profile of examine soundings, J5 -h'?! Z'l ■T f I alsQclWiiipi^ja- llpo ^ravine, not on^ warAo*irt»d u]^ ^th • » • t ' ■» - I- >• r r Childs Mill, Ravine, tlxe, south s, northerly line. Hq^runs/- • (,,> in- ■ February 1868, • ' « . right across eour>try from tile high croscing at Bellevue crossing ' near S. E. 1-4 Sec. 24- and struck nearly through middle.of SocV 2G, He has three long^" tunaieiis-- 2900 f1>^ in al-1. ' ( .•: i ■ Tha great point is oh distance end the crossing, they make a ''grari(f> shot7ing, booause T had «n6t this data to meet it with. Work t " this up; 'you bave a map on small- scale showing boih sides of river as far south as Glenwood and north to Florence- put your lines oh thdt and send then to ine, <1 will trans-fer them; also connect- yhur line with Sec. corriers. I want- to get distance sund the profiles of the low bottom east of* Bclle-'/ue, also nant to feld#'the'dictWice bi' the river from-Doan's line betTfeen G. B. 5: 3t. Jo R.' R. 'and hie croshlhg. •It -appears lo- me- that River must bd 'vbry near there aid threatens thaJ line. He connects* with our road in Pappillbn VaMey at some'point' near cwest line Sec, 53 Pappilloh Valley. I- want that distance on oiir built road to dur Childs MilL-'line in Mud al6o' fix his int^- ~ sec ting point- by aectfort cort#ft4i»B; OUr bo^d' in tifU^eeks. I iateistr have these maps', -yoUr re port with full dietanoef on all the" lines, Weue by Puosd'ay nigth, Feb.25, ben^ D'<^gd'tb" J. E. Honse,• Washington, 15* . - ' . ' ' 'I wrots f«u and telegraphod ydU today. " Since thbn have got letter that Hudnutt is there. I want him to look at the Bolle\nie crossing as compared with U iildiB llill>'> "hottons east; the danger from encroa6l|i«nt of river \ittd'smytJilUg that bears on the question. tiV f. 1 ,i' ■ «-si' !•? February 1868, and :7rite rae^ Both of you want to exanino the .question carofMlly, Their lines on west.sfde of River cost $500,000 for west ^anproach; also reduce cost of Dhild*s Mill, I think the narrow crossing and up « the ravine tl;e Mills is in aqd ,t^hen into Doan's line will show much shorter distance; however, when I get the figures before me I can show it up. . . . . . , ' . . Considerable attention .should be (jiven ^to the Transfer Grounds selected by Doan on.G. B, & St, Jo. Rpad. I do not believe we can got down .to, .and ^fupthor, I .belie^^egirh©-^ were all under water, ascer tain that It is said that one or two miles east of there is good, high ground. I know there is not under the Bluff, Wherever they are you can start your line from centep of them to run to C.R.I.&.P, and to our Transfer grounds, . , . ■ ' ■ or , Hereafter, in your. soundings at Childs Mill and sotxnd for piers 250 ft, from center, to center.; that, is the span they have con eluded to,use, Al, Childs* ^*111 put west abutment on rock and next piers on rock, from there comes span of 250 ft, •' f. You must vrork, thise case up first ^ I must have everything before me by Tuesday, week after next, February 25th, Gen, Dodga to Ji. E. House, Washir^^on, 16;- I have your ptate^ejit of Acts, Feb. 5th, We cannot get statement frpm N.. Y, Office. , they ^ve not credited or audited my . r 0 m 4 • • • vouchers for months; aro.npw at it,, Acts, there sjtands $150,000 Fobrijary, 18 68. against me while I have $200,000 of vouchers to be (fredited up. I suppose they will fix'it as soor. as they get time. Be careful to save ). my ciiplicate vouchers and keep keep rin!yy returns straight. Charge lot Act. with Rawlin's lots; send me Quit Claim deeds and make them donation. Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, Washington, 18:- I enclose copy of estimate; as I return it you will see some changes, ^ letter I wrote Mr,'Snyder : oday "will-.axplain the $103,000 item, I desire him to see Ihhis estimate and to criticise my construc tion of his construction accounts; also shdw him the'contract on which I base my actions. Note : (Sen. Dodge to Jas, A. Evans, Washington, 'CO JJO', • ' ft ■ ■ S Special orders to Div. Engineers, • « ^ "j Gen. Dodge to J. 1?:. Rouse, Washington, SI:- "''**'' Confer with Mr, Evans about stock, I believe he has bought some; also about aeelling. It la now a' pofcr time to seell; in spring will be better, but you are on groxmd and c: h tell. You oan publidh the ReDoluti?>n passed by Board on Cheyenne shops. Maxwell goes to Utah, llppleton with Evans,' There has been no'more men sent out than iJr. Bvana will need', ffim, at Elkhbm, wants to go out with one of the teams; send him along. Rote:* J. Keller to J. E.* House, Grahd Island, 24:- Concerning* lots ih Grand Island, February 1868, S ■ It'-' Gen, Dodge to J. F, House, vTashirigtori, '25;- . —:.n J ..^„r ; . . Send a party .to OheyeTrme, and have them maJtce aurveys -fior taking the water out of Lodge .'.Pole Qreek and Grow Cpeek and take 'it track of'Cheyenne so as to supply , the surrounding country, town and ■ "our shops, •' s . I thinlc the water should he started out so as to take it hack of Port and town on'highest ridge between Crow and Antelope Greeks; hut we can take it out of Crow Creek first-and run it to Port and town, and out of Lodge Polo next,/I4i_will require careful examination-and considerahle experience to get ditches in.hest and cheapest routes, YoU'better go out-th6f-6'and consult with Stevonson about building his Post, and also look the ground over carefully.' r i|. ■ . J -Vz-iii Ann rt twAA-t. Tnrtr«A !cjny«VAVfl nn t.hfi Bftllft-OTlfl ■ - You aan diredt more surveys on the Bellevue liO f line if yOu. desire as the meeting of Board^Wlll'^ nOi take plAoe before 11th to 15th of March, I want kll liifprmation on that question possible. Kotei' UlWlPfaiWAloolt to Gon, Dpeiffe, Omaha, ?9;- ■ In reiatl'oli to Bridge; will have soundings completed in a few days, <^c m." ' '4,-* irotet- Jas. A, ivanh to C. P.'Rouse,- Fort Sanders, March'3:- Pnclosefd letter from Rooewater. ' i •-V0 p. House to 6en. ^oage, Omaha, MarOh 5:- •, ' •-a ^ ' If I reooiweTjrytfer'I'ettor in re^fcird to the I'Trigating ditches at Cheyetme, also tlmt I could order furthbf feurveys at Bellhvue, if I 173^ February 1868, thought necessary; I hardly see hoT7 nOrQ information cQuld bd obtiineu or that would be more satisfactory, I went over all the ground except Doan's line from thd west side of River at Bellevie to intersection of ovLT road in the Pappillion Valley, and enough of thit to know .where of I stated. It would be Impossible to get the exact pogition of his lino without his notes as he left but few traces after him; such as an occasional stake on the highest ground, and'it is impossible to tfind any of those for the-ground is covered with snow. There has also been so many lihes run by Mr^ Hfi^lson l^at. fsummer that it is hard to . toll which belong to Mr. Doan. . '•*' ■ The profile of soundigg is as complete as could be^made; tho ice on the river.has become unsafe and not sufficiently out to use boats All the information furnished you in ray report was obtained from actual observation and in the main p^int is correct. I have tha profile and map of the irrigating |^.tch run at Chey enne last fall, but thipk it cgin be somewhat improved,; Before going to look this miitter up, 1 would-like your ideas ras te where the ditch should rxin through the town, whether to follow down the middle of - streets pr at one side, or diagonally through t^e bl£)cks-also at what point do you thinjc iV poesible to get the water from Lodge Pole. I can see no way-at)Ut^ of paaip;Wa^baek apd the only pojnt_above is ■ whhro the sedimentary and granite rocks join- so our maps show and Lodge ' Pole is So ftmall at that potnt that 1 am afraid it would lose itself i!arch 1868, before reaching Crow Creek, J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 3:- ' • . -.r, You need not return me the profile of soundings as requested. I have had new copies made, . . , . There seems to be some ^ock somewhere in regard to the order from the War Department giving us permission to sell lots at the new town of Laramie City. Bent wrote me on the 28th that Gen. Gibbon received a dispatch from Gen, Augur that War Deps^tment have not yet decided to give up portion of reservation for use of R. R. Co." What is to be done in the matter? We can do nothing toward selling lots, and many persons are already on the ground with lumber, &c. to erect buildings and are prepared to buy and pay for lots. It is leading to considerable dis- " t « • • • satisfaction and complaint, , ^ ^ ''' • Note: J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 5:- 1 / . oi; ; • ' . tr- t Forwards vouchers amounting to $12435, 91-10 of which he ' ■ *f; i" r'": . 0 ■ '5- - • placed to ray credit; has given Brown Ord, for vovichers 1547; has stopped payment on Bailey act. and asks what he shall do ^in the matter to prevent trouble. '• t f- . Note: J. 0, Hudnutt to J. E, House, Ft. Sanders, 3;- Encloqes vouchers for February 1868. : ' If u Note: Jas, A. Evans to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 3:- Wants duplicate of Stewart &: Haas Bill sent him &c, &c, • fS I ' ■ r. ^ % - t; ,■> I ^ 'w'. * ; ' I. j- — March 1868. 0 ■ nr'i T'l- ' M. L. Sykes , Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Nevj- York 3:- . . ' Our Gen. Superintendent, Mr*. Duniap, is considering the question of bridging the Missoi^ri temporarily with a pontoon bridge, and is inclined to think it can be done* successfully with the co-oper- . . . • r f • ation of the U. P. Your professional knowledge and experience would no doubt have great weight in considering the practicabiIty and* desirableness of such a work, and if you can excuse my presumption in troubling you, would be happy to get your general* ideas on the subject,' or, if* you will communicate with the D. P. Company and will ascertain their views. Note: "^as. A, Evans to J, E. House, Ft. Sanders, 4:- Concerning map 'to Ids s ^nt to Gen. Dodge, &c. J. S. ITcComb to Gen. Dodge, Wilmingtor., 4:- < ^ ' i> I have yours of the 2nd inst. and agree in all your conclliusions about the necessity of an 'action on Bridge 'question. WoudDLd not ' ' ■ r - r%. ■ advise the printing of your specifications for bridge until fianlly decided. ' ' r. -'j , I ; • »• ' e ■ I want you to be at the offi'ce in New York next Tuesday if pos sible, that is the day the board meets, and next day will be the new election. I go to* New York at noon today to r'etum tomorrow night, . ' -■ ■ ' ■ • ' ■ J- ;: ' and shall be on hand to receive you by any train you may be pleased to indicate that you will be here on. • ■ F" i - ' Please give you aqueduct bill a lift in your House. How comes on the Air line? Marc> 18-38. '•x Note: Chas. Y. Roosevelt to J. E. House, Omaha B;- Asking information as to his v/ork and pay in'Engineer Corps and if that cannot be ascertained^ his discharge, George Wolcott to ben. Dodge, Omaha 5:- Herewith I return you the letter, plan of tr'estle work &c. of Mr. Williams* w..ich I roceived from you a short tiine since. When I last wrote you I thought that I would finish up the sound ings at the Child*s Mill Crossing this week and so be "able to corimence the examination of the approach a.t .once, but we do not g'et along as ' ' I ' , *■ fast as I anticipated. Wo keep two rods runhin'g all the time, but still it goes slow, very slow, * I have just received some boring tools sent for by Mr, House some time ago which I intend to try immediately, and if we can make then work I will be* able to ascertain accurately the kind of material we will have to contend with in foundations, . j will send you map and profile of line connecting M,& M, Crossing with Alnsworth line tomorrow. Note: J. L, Williams to Dodge," Ft. Wayne, 5:- j a.,-,- Has been indulging In-some comparative figures from memoran da of Mr, Doan's upon the basiS of Ma surveys and-estimates on the one line, and thb statement of the same in h4» report as to the other line, and ineldses copy of comparitive stat^jpljatj, • . ' * ' • • . ' X .'41 .lee' "'i' fiJ' fiei- -jio X ' r ■ . 'f'. .-•J „i ■ - c" . .' .H S'a . lAWri'i March 1866. 5. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 5:- Mr. Chas, Y. Roosevelt, who received an appointment from f' . • . - ' • ^ • • 1 - you Feb. 7th and reported here Feb. 24th, and sent out with the party •. » ^ ■ \ 4. ji, ^ •( • • . • j ' ■ under Col. Hudnutt to Fort Bankers, came back yesterday bringing bit ter coraolaints as to the way he was treated by Col, Hudnutt Mr. Evans . ^ j h.' • , ' • - I ^ . aad others . . T'r. Roosevelt reported at the office on the 24th. I introduced hira to Col. Hudnutt, stating that he had an appointment and was assigned to, one, of Mr. Evan's ^parties, that he should take him to Fort - ® 4- ■ - - 0 ■ , ■ ■ - ' -n Sanders with the rest of the party. I supposed that was sufficient V "Cfl-'Z a" .. ' ' . to insure him a position in one of the^ parties; it was the same infor- • -■ .1 i,. .' . ^ mation that I gaye.^to others. . , , . From what I can gather frorr^ Mr. Roosevelt the party arrived late at Sanders "on Saturday ni^t and that he left for Omaha on Monday. His exciise for coming was to ascertal i*iat rank^ salary and position he was to reoo4vfi, also i«^en the party was to leave Sanders; not being hblS to get anything Satisfactorily from Evans he cme^to me. My reply wai that I thought he acted hastily in leaving, that I had done my part of the d^ty He-was assigned to Evans; that I could not enter into tha^i^Wills of. fiiaking up Kr. Evan's separate ^parties. I offered to send him back with letters to Evans, <^0. or give him a place in the river party, but, he declined both; wanted a formal dis charge from me. My reply was that as he was not employed by me I March 1868. . ' ; , ■ could not. give him one, that if he wanted to resign he could do so. I ?ill enclose his letter to me upon his arrival at Omaha, th'^t you may judge somewhat foj' yourself the spirit he is in.y I hav e endeav ored to treat ill kindly apd with the utmpst-respect, but there are -instances when too much is 0xpected--as in the present case—or else he is trying to moke capital out of somebody. _ Saml. R. Reed to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, 5-- ^ »_ I find a letter from James Howden, referred to me by yofl, about us6l»g. riitro-gl^yq^rine. Hav^ ansv/ered. . Work progressing well; weather pleasant. Arrived here last even ing. Will write you in detail in a few days. ■'ote: u.]?. K. .Ireeman^to J. R. House, Ft. Sanders, 5:-?^ ' ..Waijtti a lot donated tp the "Frontier Index," ^ • Note: J. C. 'Savery .to Gen. Dodge, Wshington, . . , , Enclosed letter from Phil. H. Skineer who watts position in Q. M. G. 0. n;:. . .1' " Jas. A. Evaos..io Gkini Dodge, Ft, Sander ,^6:- , , I start fpov.haifd to orrow with two parties (Hudnutt and O'Neill without escort as usual. The-military are a little behind, and there is no "ortalnty if ue wait, for them that we will be able to * do anything before thS l»t Apri", I cannot \^ut,^ Regard it as unfortu nate, our being depen/ient uppn thejn^ at all, .Thp delay has been in I ordering the transportation that was not done at all " efore a day or Ma^ch, 1868. . f t-wo since. There are IndianSuin the .vicinity of the Platte. Shall have to bunch the parties fdr protection until they Choose tc join us. The town here has been laid oiit-fop weeks. Bent is here doirig nothingjpeople'anxiously lifSiiting-"forilots. 420,000 doiild be realised iimnediately if he could sell. Gibbon has no order to perrr.it settle ment on reservation. ... ■ ■'J Grading to Laraffiie Biver frill the f ini she'd cApril 1st;, track there ifet. May- then if feeshets should not oonnect- there will be a great cry for ties. It looks very «uch to me*as if the overshadowing policy would defeat itaelf. • ' • V-m j i. In a few days after reaching line shall be able to furnish.Reed with Proffie to summit *of Rattlesnal®, If there reports wsj?© only prompt we could'finish location In the time 1 Spok# of, 1st June at farthest and pevhapa middfe of May ■» I want .to .get. thijough with it certainly aS^sSon as possible. • '"'i* 1 ■ Jas. A. Evans to Gen, Dodge, Ft. Sanders, 6;- .. .*• u I am fast doming to the eoncf^sion that our tow\\here will prbwe a failure. I "doubt if'the matter opened up today Whether as feuch could bo realiStedoht'of it as wight have been done two weeks- "ago. fiiere i^oes not seem to lbe'Ainf end to, tht delay. It is more than "likely thtt the track'will rUc^ here bof^c the matter can be na^ right, and then again it* may never bo reached. .ii, ,1 u-^ , v.ui "t ■ ■ March 186S, If we have any town here of valxio to the company we must he about • . 1 It immediately. I propose, with your saiiction, doing as follows: Bent, myself Gibbon can organize into a company, comply with the law relating to town sites, and lay out a town on Willow Creek', six -^iles « — east of here. As a mere R. R. point it is superior to our present town as laid .out, from the fs^ct that it Is nearer the foot of the grade. The disadvantages are, althought there is a living stream there, the • ^ supply of water is riot as good as the town we have already laid out, t ' ■* • that having a similar stream running thT^ugh it and the Laramie River in ad.ditlon, - ■ Mjf. object in interesting Gen., h-ibbon in the matter is that although he has no more real power than any othex"", his moral influence from his positiop is gr^^t and it would lesse if not do away entirely with any difficulty with squatters. I have said nothing to him about this, but I have no doubt*he,would fall into the arrangement. Of course, it would .haye to bo «ad«- tq .hi -, ^ - ...ut-u. -Tbere is .a claim bow on tha.l^nd and some^buildings there which wtuld have to-ba:puroh*afd; this.could be done for a trifle. By this means, it seems to me, we could haye .a town, then the title would be ' unquestioned- «et.rid of .the. delay. You mj.ght give us a certain number bf^thP. lots or an Interact in the town. If you think ' well of this^rojoct, .upon i^oiving answer by telegraph as there is no time to lose. Would telegraih you instead of writing but fear a leakage. I shell nay nothing to Osn. G. until your>answer comos. March 1868. r . . t We are having bad weather at present. This inorning expected to g'tsLrte two parties^ but the snov/ will cause a delay of a few daysa any rate, perhaps by that time the escorts will be ready to starV ■ ■ ■ - . I v/ith thera. House is sending me r.oro men than I require. The're are as many as 6 or 8 here nor that could bV well dispensed with and still they kee'p coming. We are co crowded that there isf no place to stir hardly, as they have appointments I cant send them back, but I woul''"' really like to know what to do with the-^. I started the map you spike of some timo ago, but-illApa arid profilos for the ccming"locationg has rather delayed'iti'and it is impossible to do anything now until £hc crov/d lessens. Have asked House to make i it at Omaha; they have all the material there and can get it up in better shape and now quicker. Your letter With reference*to Gen. Hawlin s friend is received and I will, of course, Comply. The only way I cAn dispose of the surplus men la to attach them to the several pities are supernumerays this will I fear go some ways towards dieWtWing their morals. I have always found this to b^ the case. « •' » Phil. H. Sklnnor to J. C. ^avery, WaskAngton, 6:-, ,n -j i; '* " At' your request' I make- the following ..stAVt-oment in regard to the perfod^durilng which't held a! posit ion int^e quarter Master Gen'ls. Ma#ch 1868. . ■ "Office.* On the 1st April 1865, I received an appointment as Clerk of class one in the Q. M. Geil's Office,' thrOTigh the influence d Senator Hariah.. I held that position until the ^ 1st- October last, being in service ^Tiet«t.wo years, and seven^months when I resigned. •When in Office ay duty »as the, examination of and report uiDon of unpaid vouchers issued, by the*Q. Department. I was in s,ection "C" Aocoimting Sranch,* under, the immediate charge of Brvt, Brig. '^en. Morris S. Killer, and It is_ in -thai, Branch that I desire to be reinstated. . '.f ...u. •/ j • ; , ; I recoiyetd a very <rj-atterlng.endorsement fndm Gen, Miller, also a strong letter ^ora Senator Harlan, both urging my re-appointment. These papers, aro. on file- in-the o:''fice of the Secretary of War My odd/appointment was made out by the Secretary of War, and It is through him I think a new one would ^ have to come. J . i . Hqpiag these facts wUl afd you in your kind office- , . (Jan. Dodge to J. E. House, Washington 7:- ol I Gen. ohorman ^ K* V telegraphed < < i • « Augur to let us go on to reserva- ' Ion, .'toiiyy ^ received Sherman's decision of War Department to same effeoti "i " > * • I J., Blie^onsderfer Jr, to^Gen. Dodge, Salt La e City 7.- I arrived) h^re with men from the last on Thurday ni^t last, and thia nisrning, rocjJiVjed jours of 24th Feb. with enclosures, and the subject to Which it refers shall in duo time receive Atfention. March 1868. . ; ,'ot. ■ Some remarks mad% bf ^out-self While I Wfts in Washington,. in con- a nection with others by Mr, Hpuse, among whiph the statement that Mr. BateB* account was largely overdrawn,-has arreste-- my, attention and served in some measure tb' place me on my guard, but your letter and the enclosed note from feAiiHaey is, of course, much more explicit. You have not In any Of your communications state.d from v.'hat date 'the accounts must pass through my hands, but I. shall, unlessotherwise instructed, direct all vouchers for^services rendered or. materials or supplies furnished subsequent to Feb. 29th shall bo retu.rned .to me, and, if permitted, would suggest that Mr. Bates be required to settle his account for services, &c. pr'evious to March 1st without delay. This might b^ ing matters to a crisis with him and save an entanglement * ' i ' J* of accounts. A requisition from you or Tsh^'. House on4i-iWi''d,o do this promptly would no doubt have its ef^fect, ..j ... . T I found the country oast of Bridger's Pass free of snaw,."and but little hhere or betweon that an d Grden river. - From Green-River west ward over the rim of the Basin and the Vahsatch, the snow was about three to four foot desp and gettigg'soH. I ffear that except in the immediately neighborhood of Green River and in the lower part of Weber n o wo rk pan be done for some tira'e yet," 1'shall nevertheless put par ties, iq the field Immodiately, working as best I can until the snow gets out oi the way and' following up as fast atf I can. I conclude this feo be better than to do nothing. ^ March, 1868, »• rrr-'f I find that. Hodf;es and Bates and Maxwell expect all their "board hills and subsistence to be paid after leaving Omaha,, pot. only, while •• -on the,way^ere but while in thi5 city prjspayatory, to ,goine into the field, claimin-T-'that, this-has always,heretofore been the custo^! and a ■ no-^time denied, and that Evan's men are so paid.- Is.,this view of theirs connect? Prom your instruc.tione I, h,aj(^e supposed that .all men t ' • paird-their own boardinf; expenses, here untAl they .wjent into, .cajnp and that this was the case_ w.lth ^Evans' men.,,,' Hddges seems to..thlpk two.-four-jmle'teams will be insufficient. t»a^portation .for a party, .o*^ tha* he wtll.have no use for . a two-mule team. *•»! -C ^ • 0 f Since my arrival hare the.we44;h.e.p..has. .been unpropitioiLs, • and . ti^re, is a ano-^rfetorin,h®ho-today.,., aithouf;!; ,the tempera,tu^e^ if mild. ^ ► fUote: Thos. iU.yincent to. - Oen. Dodge, Wafihin7ton, 7c.^ ,r In relation to claim»of.-TTm, Christy, ■ Lieut.» Co.,''Di' 8th ..Iowa Cpvalry.,. for pay as commjanding officer while reported uponrolls , pf. company as Serijeart^Wftj^r- . ^ ^ . ' I. • . « » . ITote; NichoT-ac -Underwood to-Gep.,..podgo^ fxovidencej IL.Ii7:- r .riiV ' ,Wants citi^.ation. 'jf" Tif Sc'.tr, '* 'wt fT;-' , . W. Hoxle.to Gen. Dpdge,.. Omaha-yr ^ .... . , ..„r first sno.- of .the..season that stopped*ourr tratna fell yesterday, and tho_wePt e»d«oX,,the'road 1«. blocked-Mr.-#nyder is at Cheyenne and has Just telegraphed me that he would get a train out March 1368. Monday'.' wl^^iWe ieeFincfey "so^far, Hnd T hb^e' thlo -ibnt'last irorthan tOTTiorro^, ^ i hear there is to he* a general fl^ht In New Yor^ ofi ihe'^lith. I hopb not as this jjreat work should be pushed this Bbmraer. •' Our ifo. Rivor'^ Bri^e wbnt out"*^ the 5th1 > Wd d^'d ¥idi. IbBe Trruch of the'mteriai. Ne sfiall now see 'the'need of a tri'df^e', Shd tfie parties" in^New Ybr!c w'lll'eush to completion "i'he permanent' bridge. Regards to Mrs. Dodge a?^ ^*he rebt."' "' ^ '"f N. Snycfer to^*ben. Dodge,' Cheye^ine;'^:"- " Arrived here Thursday night and'ain's'how-4iOuhd. Rave' first snow storm of any account and the only one 'that" has'R'elayed any "" train an hour. Large force out yesterday and* today' shoveling out the^j . .. . - ' . . f .. » cuts, and'fern ^re we can "et ipassenger trains through tomorrow, I 1 eft'home Kbnd'a^ morning and lo6$red at entire'rba'd by"daylight. We ■'are 'in first nate' shape-for business. ^ • '"""w Reb?r hfesf fia(5roTiPii'i'i'l notice from %ew^^or^ of'^ean*! Stpp^intment T> as M, of T. for contractors. If the Directors cbnsi'de'r thli^'^fair play '"tfien I dont know wliat fair play Is, If Bean was abused they might have reinstated him and put me out, T ^at would have' been tangible. You can 8ee easily ow the present arrangement will Work as Bean has •'f-t II lot 'oT his elB'{hen'*at OfilSfld wailing fo^^hlm lb start here. p '■ '"*#0 •ftilC'fa herb •seine 'Mfty- five at Omaha. » r, wj#*.-* .M .«e^ e ■ .'j e,' ,fr ( ' " » 0 ^>Kil '^arch 1868. < t ■ Mr, Reed says he will lay, track soon as weather pertnits to summit and acci.mulate the iron there. 1 .' i:;, ■w It is said Davis, Sprgaue & Co. are getting along road -.vith ties. Dale Creek Bridge timber is not yet all on tMs side of the Missouri. All that we have received is on the grpimds at Creek. From what J can learn Denver will have difficulty in raising $500,000 for the branch. Will start for Omaha in the rorning. Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, iT. Easton, 8:- • - -v I S'^e bj the papers that the Indians are troubling the miners * - ' ■ "'in the Sweet ^Water region, and they may be able to give us serious trouble. Just so soon as any apprehension of danger shall exist among our engineers, trackmen or graders it will greatly embarrass our op erations, To prevent,this ^Government should immediately send an effi4ient force into the country and see that our line is thoroughly pro- , ' • t tccted. ' « We than ^r ,men-r graders,, this season scattered over three • err" four huxlATad miles ojff yovir located line^, and they must of necessity have 'a largo Govemaent foijoa to afford the full protection that our ra ennood,* It-it eoonomy fqr tha Government to do this nov/ effectually. Lot there be aoftto-of security estabiishod and large sottlementz C like"Ch^nn» »4J.l^bo established along the line of the road", and will give all tht protmctiong i^eded in two years without cost to ^ovornment I hope you Will pr|is» ^on^ .t^p, attention of Government the importance of their interest and ouri of having our line fully guarded. March, 18GS, ^ We are having In Ne*^ England a thaw that is carrying off al*! the snow and no prospect of a freshet, and i^ it shall operate in the same way in Nebraska We shall hav'e no damage tor our track to interrupt the operations of the road. The loss of -th ^Bridge at Omaha so early disaopointed us as we hoped to get over 150 miles of iron before It • . broke up. I suppose Blickerisderfer is otit on the line, and hope t»he recent storm at Cheyenne has not interruptdd his operations. ^ C. Shaler Smith to Gen. Dodge, Baltimore, 9:- " . I have been quite ixnwell fot- scj-e time -pastj^and now tftke the first opportunity'to send you the -specifications desired, You will find sdmfe other data on the first page, of the estimates ^ I sent you some' time' since f think this will cover all you w^t. J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 9;- » c Enclosed 1 send you a proximate estimates from thp IffiOth moriaian to enti of 6th hunSreJ mllos, advlnd ghem np In «>elr appropriata order. Theoe e^lmatos have h"en prepared by my supervision, Ind are mad'e as closely as possible tlth the data at my hand. I aakod Mr. need'to give ths'qiisntitles of Exc. in caeh s eotion, also the Ft. "b.'m. timber, .rtiioh he promised at one;time to do. t have faijed en tirely to get one Itie from him. Re-gaVe me to understand (in the last .envcrsation I had with him on the subject) that we were not supposed , ' B>ow What nU'lteia cost the oontractore, any more thiw, an outside ■ tll-ri orti.: ^ » , V T . ' March 1868, • t • - party. Since that time have asked him for no outside information. In making up equiptneijit, shops, Scc., I have been soverned by tho * • original estimate of the 1st hundred miles. In estimating the rth t ' hundred miles over the Block Hills I calculated it as all earth Ex . and then deducted the rock excavation as estimated by Mr. Evans on his original line. I knew of no other way- as there are no notes in the office showing what is rock or what is earth. I have endeavored to give such prices to rock, earth and timber as would cover the cost and - keep within the bounds of what they are paying. I may have given to rock a dgreater prl,ce than.it will c.ost, .yet I believe some of the work will even cost more» _ ^ , 'I hope these estimates are such as you v/anted. "Tie havs been a lonr time in getting-them out-but the most of the time Martin has been at work alone, and It was a big jpj) to estimate by stations and make two copies. , . • In posting, (Amt« .vouchers received from Bates) the same Amt. to hi» credit twice. Have charged Bates with the Aibt. ($2378,96) and gave you credit, Mr, Blickensderfer reports that he received from you $100 Judy ^th; $10, July. 27th, and $40, Aug. 7th. I accordingly charged him -the amount, glving^you credit. Upon receipt of your letter of 17th ult. stating that you had on Omaha National Bank for |ll,000, I immediately charged your Act. anA>l»Te bfsOt Credit, Checks for twt $6000 have been received, however. 18^ .■xmri. ■ March, 1868. My last statement was made to date Feb. 4th, and also taking into consideration the changes *in last month's accoiont, caused by past errors, will account for the non-comparison betv.oen the two statomenta. The iown'ilot act. statement sent you will show the amount that Act. 'has received credit for and for'which no money has been received. Note: T. L. Graham to'Gen. Go^g^'," Pr.nceton, R. I.- " Ufants situation on l?6ad as Engineer. — ^ ... Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, Boston 9^r- '."•oi cv" Your favor of the 5th inst is received. The :Sridge questlon is greatly dlstrssalAg the ,'and they are doing every possible thing to fix the looation at Omaha. TM'e ^eeh of Joy before the Committee was very clear on the-'bmaha qaeatdon, and I see no way to fix the Bridge at that locality 5ut for thsm'to put through a track on the Dey line; that will be as' eaiy gi%J»a as we now have. The short er distance would enable us etc put on engines to help. trHna over the first grade'h I pro'posed to the" Omaha Committee that if they would put through the Dey line, cutting it ^oW« lo -say a'aOft. maximum grade, I would do irtsit I could to favor their lino and I think the Whole Committee would 't^ke the -same view. • Therd is no question hut what Omaha would be damaged double the eost of a satisfaototgt lino on . ' J . * 1; the original Dey localion In regard to the'o>.goh branch; had a letter an- pmaphlet con- 'taining the proo.edlhca'-ofii'm'seting at (.ortl-nd, Oregon, fayorlng a 'm March, 1868. oonnecrtion our road, ' I vrrote then that I -..'ould .lay their matter "before director^ at our next moeting, and "a commlttoe would pro"bably be appointed to take their case into consid'eratior. " I acn fflad t'o aeo' that your encineors hiafve started out. We want our location .to bo .ahead of the grades enouyh not to "bdr" d^olayed. "We have decided to get a lot. of power drills to force oiir work along, and if we have any tunnelling to do -we cannot get on It "too early. J. House to Oerf. Dodge, Otoaha, 10: " ' ' ^ ' " I seno\ you today "by TJ*•-'•^^Tpreas map of 6th hundred and as much- of 7th hundred as located, being to Sta,' 1497-46. ' I have made thefi up in compliance with'insthuptlbbs frcfil Mb. Evans,' and "forwarded them tw yop -as per^ his'order., '' . Jas. A. Evans to J. E. Housb, Pt. Sand':>r3, 10':- I send you vouchers amounting to $1972.55, the receipt of which please.acknowledge'andTl,will'send^duplicate.• - • Parties leave on "Thurdday would kav8 gbne a week ago but for the snow. r . It. Oen. W.T. Shefm^iit't'o Oen."l56dg^;' S-t^tbuis, tii;-• I- liavo»y«ur-lotIsor Of larch^6Ch, and the'report, for - which I am much obliged. - Oen. Augur, to whbm 1 telegraphed'on the subject of the reserve at Ft. -SandoUs, answered: * ' ' ' t . •No trovble- at Sftndera a'bout location of road or a mere depot. WJiat is wanted here Is part r,t the reshrVe for lown; will write March, 1068. • concerning it." I hcTe also his lettei^' to the same effect. 1 want' yoii ■to xmderstand tliKit both Aii'atr ^anrT 1 are'-more 'than friendlylto your > great enterprise, but, of 'course, dont want" to plant a diry," little torwr; right along side of- oUr miIttrary posts. As'soon as 1 see the surveys, I will approve of any restrictron of the reservation that will / ■ he reasona+yly fair to the Post of Sanders. , . TTliat I want is to-kno.-» the ground that wc do.Ohw, so thaV we may not cramjulte the folly^ of improvise for'the benefit" oif your company or ranchoo . If your location-wad'prloir-*». ours, and 5rou have a legal right to the site-of the'fort we Slipuld naturally trade off with you, .. viz; by relinquishipg-one.*6001100.-,to ,gfet. ybur guarantee for outs. I think a map has been filled,vttut I Mil instrul'l Sen.'Augur^ to grant a liberal ground.,«>nJiigutAls. to-the roaCT^s.he-dan conoistenty *'.Yith a due regard to tf.e-rights of the United:States; Jas. A. Evans to (^on. Dodge,Tn. Sanders, 11:- *; • Your of Veb. 98th- received today, I am somewhat acquainted with the man Stevenson; not nearly 30 well as 1 am with his brother Samuel. He, Tlmow,. -would fill the bill If he-could be had. That I judge to bo impossible from a I'ott^r of his written t'o me some time since. . His broUw^^ spy-be as gond but my ac^iuaintdnce with him'is slight, not sufficient to warrant me TLn ^coramondlng him'. f , . T sent you the map some-tlmo ago by mall'to WashTngton. The map you t^lagraphod for I had to turn over to Mr. H^uso. Ho is now'making March 1868, . . , ♦ ^ I • it. Te coimnenced i-t here, but so much preparation was required in ^ , V furnishing notes, .maps &c. for. the parties going but that we could not finish it here, ... . « The delay about town Is quite annoySpg and a serious loss; wish we had laid out the tbwn elSeirhere. You will.receive a letter from me that will explain ray views,..and I suggest,that, as Jihe means of securing town sites in futures. Those familiar,with the business think this month the best for taking up trees* Will take up a.quantity i-'mediately. Plfease nAka ^arrangements to-receive and care for them when they reach fe ouncil Bluffb, " ' .. . . We 7/ere all- ready to start* two'partiels a weeir Sfgo vflien the snow came. We start Hudnutt and O'Nell to-oiuow. The military as usual a little behind. They "lii perhaps be able to start next llonday and overtake both parties"^ at "Medicine Pow. I anf anj^ous to get out there and* patch up line to Brown's summit, ao as* to give It to-'Reed immedlately. Shall have to keep both parties together•until -ebcort joins us, when Hudnutt can go to the platte. This being obliged to.^ape our movements in accordance with military gait is the most annoying lihing I know of. Mr. Lawrence' (Gen. Blair's acquaintance) hda not arrived yet. The party is all reW- Ho telegraphSdW wrote i*e. that-he would be here before this; shall htart Mm Idcatlng^tn Pltter Greek Valley. Applteton and party will go t* whore lino coracs Intb Bitter creek Valley, March, 1868. r and give th,© country b twee^i there an^ abaut_ Dodge's Summit a Tuore . thorough, exaiainatiou in advance of Bu{3nutt's pp.rty. This organiza tion is somewhat bulky, and, as some of them, may be-.disbanded w5ien location is completed, think it better to hfre some teams^than to purchase any more. I have m^de my arrangements accordingly. You -j. will perceive, that,. with ordinary^ luck as to w eather, 5:c. this location will only occupy a.small part of the season. S. M. Reed to J. E. House, Cheyenne, 11:- . . • Encloses^^ estimate for Febypary, 1868..,. ■, i Jas. A. Evans to J, E. House, Ft. Seders, llj- . ; • . ' • ' • 4. •' ' * *'1 ^ ' '' Encloses vouchers, &c. ,. ■ :X© q.o/ .E" Oliver Ames to Ge -. Dod-e, North Easton. Mass. 13:- ' Resolved : That the Vice President be appointed the General Agent of this : oad, wij,h power to aasont to a change of the grades and location of the road, as jprovided in the contract with Ames, and do all other tl^in s necessary, to expedite the construction of the road and teleipi^^.in eonpjction. with the contractors. « *' In passing- the above ^e^olution it was understood that the power conferred appoied only to tho road under construction and was not to give pov.or ov^ th«3Chief epgliiQi^r or his parties in their location of the Road. I understand this to bo as heretofore; you are to locate the Qaadr and give us the location. The Board of Diroctors would have power to aeoept or reject the location. I ll i irtniiii hi ' 'Jl. March, 1866, » have a Comnittee on location and construction who last.yoar I took chai'ge of. the locntiou and construction. That. Committee this , . . - o , .. . .. .. year have .un'-;oubtedly the power of location, but the construction has been put out to contractors,. The location is in.the Board of t . - - . . . . . Directors and by thev Conferred ujjon the Committee , I hope you will not consider this assumption ,of authority by >Durect as a final settlemtn of this question. If he could by. these annoying exl^ibitions of his peculiar character drive us all out of the Road, lie would do, it, but -1 do.nt intend ,to be driven out or coaxed out, but wlll„adh,ere.to the strict interpretation of the Resolution, ^ ' and if he abiiaes .the power we must repeal the resolution conferring it, !,• B, Blickensdeiyfer, Jr., to Gen, ^odge. Salt Lake City, 13:- ' *- ■ t In writing you today I designed to say that I was not advised-what would minimum radius of curvatur-e allowed, but forgo to .do 80. , ^ , I understand the limit of curvature to be that of the Balti more «;.Ohlo f^ailroad, and have usually considered t is to be six degrees 'i : : r or 195 foot radiu-, but have no special authority or advice on the subject. Will you pl«Me instruct me, as our operations in ^.'ebOr • ■' ... Valley nay require a positive knowledge of the limit allowed, * Blickensdefer, Ji^, to Gon, Dodge, sSlt Lake ^Ity, 13:- During the earl^- part of this week we had rather pleasant weather here, but yesVerday And liistnight theife was quite a Ahow March 1868. * ♦ storm, and this' mofning the snow covers the entire vallej'- several 'inches in depth. This afternoon, however, the indications are'for fair weather again, aftd I hbp^ the snow will soon disappera. In considering what disposition to mhke of the parties, I have decided to try*to gSt ^ne of thetn (Mr, MOrris) over to Gheen River and Bitter Creek. How we shall fiucceed in getting over the snow in the Wahsatch, I do n6t knew, t'endeavohed to get two teams from the Qr. Mr. Dept. at Bridgdr, but failed entirely, so we must get them over from here or'wait until the drfoW disappehas. CaJjt. Bates I have directed tb'wo'rk in 77eber "Valley, where I thiiok We can get along. If Morris cannot get over the snow I will put him to work as far up ^ the *Weber as the sndw will'al^ow, drtd Idt him work up as the snow disappears until he dan get over. dodges I have directed to proceed to Box Elder, and work his way I. eastward from there across the Wahsatch to Bear River, as fast as the snow will let him, to examine definitely whether a line can be got through from Hams Foi-k via Cache Valley and Sox Elder, as there seems to be some prxispect that way, and the previous'examinations do not t ^ s. - * seem to have fu"'ly settled the matter, _.l hope.in this way t.o h^ve the line from Bitter Creek to Black's Fork and the diffore it part# of Weber Valley located^ and the character of the line from Ham's Fork,to Box Eider settled by the time the snow w gets out of the way on the line from Bridger to Echo, and then ^ 196 March, 1868. , . t concentrate the forces of the final locations of that part of the line. The parties bave all had their instmctions for several days and we are organizing. I think early ne;st week iii;l.l sqe some of •the'^ off, and the "balance will sooh follow-. - Have you made any aVi^nig^eTnexits to lot me "draw on you in New York? X" could use drafts on Hew York in many cases to better advantage than drafts on Omaha. The latter are 1 pr • cent.-disct. while the former could often be'used £ft par. - _ „ - - - J. Elicksnderfer, CTrV 1?. llouse, Salt lake 13:-;.C'.i^ , . - u 4* , • leaving Omaha I have drawn the following drafts on G. Dodge 1000.00. 2590,00 No. 3> February 29th, ftells, Fargo Sc Co. $1625.25. No. 4, Udrch 9th, •" '* ^ Thomas .B. Morris 1000,00. ' ■ No. 5, 12th, P. S. HOdgds, , 2590.00 7^m, J. McAlpine to Gen. ^odge, Stockbridge, Mass, Enclowed t send y«ru th# a^cifIcationa for a stailiiig in ■ iron'instead of those for u'woo^fl oae aenU March ,^d; also the speci fications for a foundstion of iron columns for a stone pier. Plan for the fiami fs forirardsd in a day . or tw. , . .. . On examining your letter again of February 2l8t, you appasr to be strongly in favor of an-Iron stalling.and I haye therefore sent the specif icati ns for onc-as mentioned.- I am perfectly certain that the stalling in wood and its extenBion for the protection of the mafn : 197 March 1868, ' -'i.; column lo vastly sn%0rior t6 any that can he got up in iron, although I could have arranged one of irori at considerahly less cost than the one I send you. Bo^ih the- wrought ijpon boiler plates and beans unless made of peruliar metal will oxidise very rapidly. ■ : ■ I would agree to build as effective a one in wood, and replace and .Igeep it in repair for fifty years for one half the cost of one of the same efficiency in iron. In the specification sent you Mai^ch 2nd, I fear that I omitted to express .distinctly thi^t the diagonal hracings between, tjhe main columns sho-Uld be extended from low water to the. bridge seat- if so, it should be corrected. . 4 .> . The snecifioatipn for Uie foundation of a stone pier require that ■ « » ■ t * . ■ . j. i -the pier shall XfiBt on rlgb^ cast-iron^columns, which with their expanded bases, ,will i» .ttaQlje to support-jsny possible load which can be brought ®n theiir. ' '"ici , . " • ;. ,:Ao . . I send this beaaude GSni *411iams appears to jbe^^strongly in favor of stone piers, and this foustfjaliion.wij,l prove to be as cheap as any safe one on wooden piles. -If you degfre any furhter information^that I may have on this B«»Jaot, I shall be happy to send it to you at any timel^"^' ,• i Note: J, A. Evans to- J. E: .House, Ft. Sanders, 13:- Wants tents for ^'yers party, Appleton will have charge of Ft. Sanders Office. •-r l ' ■f:- r .-iLiLv; Jlilfl:. .!■ .L Llarch, 1868 ♦ , 'i ' » •. » t S. B. Reed to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, 15:- t ' . , * • In case there is no arrangements for so much land as may he required for station, and town lots on the reservation ^at Sanders, will the station he moved east or west? My reason for asking tl:is question is this: I am now ready to do the grading for the sidings as far as they are located and wish to put the men at work immediately^. We are doing well in the heavy rock excavation. If we have good weather hut little will he left April 1st, Dale Creek Bridge is heing push'ed rapidly. I to laying tqack slowly, ei-.pecting Jbo get to the Bridge as soon as finished. Whiskey, Thieves and rohhers trouhie us seriously, # Samual B. Reed to ^en. Dodge, Cheyenne, 16:- I have written to Ghas, 'e. Barney, giving him a situation ih I my department,in accordance with your request.— ^ Note:'B. *7. Burn to Gen. Dodgo, Iffaehington Has no authority to entertain ft claim-for additional bounty unless accompanied by the discharge of the claimant,' - -!c.J Gen. Dodge to J. E. House,^Washington, 16:- If."*: lo I only drew $5000 and $100,0total six thousand," f ran Omaha National Bank instead of $11,000. The lotVou send as not having received ca«h "fori, stand same as all other, agelnal me on lot aooonnt. T have f*.lvea Tcney on them toJjur •XI -v 'JU V, March, 1868. ^ " • ■ - « t . • ■j , and used it on salary act, without sending it to Omaha, and these lots v/anted to be treated same as all that have had firsj; payment made, Myers, Litchfield and those charged on books for cash of first payment . U . vv . . • f is not included, I sent you two drafts but through some mistake directed tb Des '. • ■ , '..j _ i Moines instead pf to Omaha. I telegraphed the P M, there today to send the latter to you at Des Moines, Jas, A. Evans to J. E, House, Ft, Sanders, 16:- • U., i .: _ , _ ' ■ r ■ Enclosed please find vouchers for $1843,33 for which ploasS give me credit and acknowledge receipt, and I will send duplicates. The voucher of $545.00 was made by the parties here. They were organized, as apeedily as possible,' but some of them were without cooks. - and could not start their several messes. The question in my mind is, were they in.a technical sense in the field. If so, the difference l^etween the bill and their expenses in ca-p is very little. If the decision is otherwise, I can charge the bill to the several chiefs ' ''J* 'i f of parties, and-they can distribute it and charge the members of their * ■ * parties. : V ^ When will the dead lock about^this town be opened,? Your telegram to Bent ,1s just ^received. The way the matter looks to me is thuslyj befoi*« the bw4ter can ^go ^to Washington and back again it will be im- • J. 'i: material whether we have a town hero or not, please send a goodly supply of blanks and of profile paper. - • i • March 1668. H. S. McComl) to Gen. Dodge, W lmington, Del. 16:- :1' V • : ■" Y9urs of the 16th inet reached me at home today via New York, and l?y it I notice the CentraJ, people got the start of ue. This shows them to be ifide awake,, and. J, confess I like their vigilance, ' . They are all Of one..mind, .Our people have diverse Interats and too many ' separate axes to ..grind- to .bring the force power which the pres- • •■ tig® of our Compiny warrants. • What does Mr, Ames think.of their Coup D' *elat? Wednesday next we have a meeting of the Board, and I rill then .bring,, the matter to ' the attention.of some of our people, I oannot go'down to Washington until'after that tine. Meantime"I hope you ^±11 do what you can to ^ stave off action, until iwe can agree Upon some organized effort, and the persons* to execute It. 'l"P ■- . . ' . I agree with.you that our fqlks csnngt expect you to make the - fight alone. - I think you are fully aljye to the importance of this •^■iwJrk and its cont®wpl**ed branches,.a»d belj.eve. you could put it •*. * through with a ll«tle-®f "the right kind pf. help-Coadjutors,. Please ^ep me advised of ill opponents moye-^ents by tglegraph if necessary, at my ex^ns®. u ' ' w please^ rfWitf'iife copy of Air Llhe Bill, .jt * *- Note: *^enry^ Allen to Qen, OA^c, Chicago, Ills, 16:- Cbncemlng situation in Bhg. department, ' L. Williams Yo Gen, Dodge, Philadelphia, 16:-. _ • March 1868. , • ' The enclosed specification for iron bridge as it now.stands • with my altex^ations has the-approval of Mr. Linville, and I doubt if y0a can"better it. At Dubuque they agreed, after contract fort bast iron Upper columns was^ade, to add $7000 or $4 per foot for wjpought -iron coltunns, which they are building. Galhoon advised wrought iron. Mr. L, says he now has 3000 pbwer instead of 2500. At Kansas City they use 2800. He is now calculating for B. & 0. road .at.500 lbs. He increases yoiitf a little. Now as to cast iron columns; ,my interlinpa^orjs on erasures are merely suggestions after considering fully with Mp. Li them for what tihey are worth, afitor.getting a clerk.to make -a fair copy. « Mr.'L. Says 8 ft. colTimn will de for bridge seat, but ho seemed ' to think 8 ft. was quite little enough.fer,stability. Says in.Europe for high bridges oven of less span they use 8 to 10 ft. At St. Louis engineers p> eferred 10 ft. PerhajSijthis. inoreaae is as cheap, a way as wo can increase siability., This increase of columns will balancce •lanting ih' ■ " -a little He thinks'1 1-2 ia-. at bottom and ono 4n ^it itop is enoughs enoughs MMe WKNm arough calculation, calculation, said thisza would-boar wouia-ooar wholeni bridge. If we put weight all on mas.onry can only have a copying and plate with 10 ft. of good maabhry belpw it, »me as in stone piers; we must" 1")St on' orv cblsumris-nOt on both. _ ^ After much rW^te'ctlon X suggest an ice •bJ'S^aker of w ood as I hav described ft. Wwt'li, iK««ld lllie to sue a dra^Lrvg and ^^tlmat- of March 1868, * each, Tant to see just how wuch timber is perishable. Mr. Sickles • * t> * , here will do, and may be better. The iron cap,bridge is as Mr. Alpine suggests. . .. As to paragraph A., you will see that these, vertical flanges would be in the .wair of masonry. It cannot be necessary if we rest on masonry. ■ Paragraph B. this is only in case we rest on columns, and this is • ■ — • # •' ^ . not strong enough. ^ , Paragrapli C« Would have no tJLmber in the column,^ nor is it needed, Many of the questions I reserve;,but wish Sickles would make rough drawing on agt other specifications throughout and also estimate; or if f he does not come over, perhaps you can get some other engineer; but get him if you can. Your time is short. Linvillo and I think he should estimate coliimns as higji as 9 cts. per lb.; ■per'haps 10 cts. will do for masonry in coltunns; wrought iron, bolts, &-C, 10 ota; long Dod 9 cts. But in his estim ates on all plans ■ h© shcnad add much more for contingencies, outfit ec. It bears no comparison td Tiilne. Look at the European drawings. You will see ' * * t I great preparations a^d scaffolding, &c, ■ I return to you Side's report. I shall have no time at home; if I get back, wont get here till Wednesday morning, I have no copy of the other opedfiCftions. Oet |our clerk ,|,o fill anbthor blanlc, •end send i.his Oine to me. ^ , y-" March 1863. u c'c Ja's A.'EVans to Gen". Dodge, Ft. 3an''e'rs, 17:- • -J . 'v *' T leave for North Plattfe to join "'udhutt's* party tonight. Hudnitt and O'Neil, as I wrote you before, left several rl'a^ ag-^ and are now*" in the" neighborhood' of their'initial j)C(^nts. The other two parties are here' co"".pietei'y organi"ze'a and-ready to-start whenever the escorts are ready. ITone have yet loft to 'oin the parties that are already out." The whole araouhVof it i'^ theV are-reluctant'to go. I hope, however, they will _go week. *• r You will recoliecf 'my giving you a report o4^ the'"l:<l>c'Ation over . the Black Hills in Hay last, in fbicl, as* soori as location was finished I would like to get it very nucKj'^hevlh^ kept no cop^I I require it so as to embody it in my annual report to*yt)U, which ia ndw all com plete with that excdption. r telegrapttfed* blouse- today to-feea' if it was in ihe office at Omaha,'biiV have rto reply yet. If you have it With you 'rleaBe "aend Vt to me, and you'wlGl tel' it- again "Im'-feiy jfpport Jem p. o* o: to you. The Seymour line compared Vfith the old I'iAie is about aSilFollows: (You will find it" forth fully in report) ' -J -" .'on Distance Increaaed,*" * 80G ft. „ I , Curvature ^ §• 15^ per .cent on:the-wholo amount Distance Increaaed, Ciu'vature '. t I of curvature, ^ * ** * ' *■ i" ' I r Cux^autro * on'Wvei bf'"'3°-and' upward it is increased 100 por cent, "atorlai moved In except over old-line and raaxlmuni grades on f March 1368. Seymour line 166 per 100 ft; on old line 1.70 per.100, a saving in grade of 0.04 per status equal to 2.112 ft. pei\mile. On the line as f built 6 curves-occur which, adopting the rate of equitation of the Pen. C. R. , v/QUld more than compensate for„the saving of 2 ft. per t I - • J -y\ • - mile in grade. It was hardly worth while delaj-ing the work a good part of the summer for a consti-mation. eo utterly insignificant. . The town-matter drags along so slow that I fear it will never do r - the Corap.any anyjgood. Syhere-slu^ll we lay owt the next one- Little ^ } Laramie, Rock,Creek, Med, Bow andPJatte?, You will please write me about this so .that we can. secure the land and lay them out. I suggest, as we have a tpwn called North Platte, that if we do anything at the I • ■ ■ ^ Cross, of Platte west of us the .town be c^-lled Brownsville. • — - - 3 . ^ . T am lB;ter©«.^ad with parties here in cutting.hay/ We would like to secure the" contract for supplying the Post .the coming year. If you'ha-Nrb. occasion, io w<'lte f'ycrs and feel disposed to.monton the attter to him you could.holp no very much. The ^-ovornment has always bo n ulct-lttilaSd badly her onctracts; somebody being ready to take the matter In hand for verjr low .figures and ei.ther failing, to perform or giving small measure. Since 1 been in the countr y the hay has cobC'Ico,' $70, and $00 per tcul ^thQ,\igfi let low.^^ It would he better ^o give parties g^od pricda a'ad have thO'hay baled and weighed. As soon as T reach North Platte will -rite you about line, cross ings of Pivcr, <^-c. 1 , V; . ■*!!. " v'. , " ■ March 1868, »:r.«p/. 'o' . J. L.'V/iilianis to Gen. Dodge Pittsburgh, • 171^- " ■ The suggestions 1 sent you j'csterday, as to colufnns' were baded'on'the idea of stone column fillings, and^tho bridge seat rest- , V • . .. ing on masonry wholly# if we had fock, that has*advantages, tut if on the Omaha sand v;e had better consider it an open question, both as between'masonry and concrete, and alfeo as to resting on iron' piers of T on masonry. If we rest on masonryi we must avoid building stone work close'on the flanges, "foc^there will be some settling in masonry and soraething\uSt breaker If oiufin of masonry is loose then» the iron has no we'ight nor d6et the support; bilt x^ith concrete, this has Some elasticity, and w% might ru evory creviee full on and undcr^ flang'es and get benefit from both concrete and iron. • • I should like your englneef- tn estimate a-hd draw" plan'with a view" to filling with'concrete, an 'resting both iroh and conr.,ete as follows:"'Columns 8 1-2 ft# 1 -3-8 th'ttfft ^vlth the vertical flanges as in printed specifications. On both plans- this, and tho plan .s^nt yesterday - would make Ice breaker column's 3-4 inch, thick. Let your engineer ascertain what, large contracts of' concrete have been done* ffeb - stone hauling#^ . r: Note: "^Jas#* At Evan a to J# 1# House, Ft. Sanders, Enclose a voucher antt .-^ants ..it -paid. Concornlng new town at Sanders. Note, J. A. Straight to Gen, Dodge, Dos Moines, 18: March 1868. Makes apnlicatioi; for-appointment as. Minister to the" Argontine Republic, NoteL J. n.-Linville to J. L. Tilliams, Philadelphia, 18:- In re^tion to strain-to which test bars of cast irpn are ■ 'WI'!. J. McAlpine to Gen., Dodge, Stock bridge, llass. 18:- , I'returned from Albany yesterday, when I was called to ap pear before.«»Seilat^i Committee and give some engineering information on an important enterprise which^ un'^'er discussion tjiere. Before leaving I drew up the-specific;.-ions you desired, of a |)ier for 4h0 DmWibl bridge composed, of iron columns , also one (Jf stone resting bii-follow .U'on piles; but being unable to got time here to make the drawings I took my sketches with me and employed a draughts man engaged in an office where I had Q<^e other business to copy them. I Will leave it to you to fix tK® jimount to he paid him, whic^ should only he a mo ^rate -sum# . - - . I also arranged specificatiori( and have detailed it in the drawing) of an ir<^ stalling. The spwjificatlons were sent to you from this place, and the drawings by Express from Albany, . T had them directed to you at the offide of th? U,P,R.r...in New York, to meet you there'in case you attended"the meeting of the Board on the 11th, but requested oh thtS envelopes that they «hould he. forwarded if you wore not there,* ' , , ' * : . eo7 ■A ' • Marclil868, I sent the drav/ing of the stone pier resting on iron piles in case you should feel any preference for that arrhngetaent, and v/ill "siay'tliat the cost'will "be only a little greater than by the other plan. I » • * At the same time, however, I wish to record myself as recommending the plan of carrying the columns up to the Bri '.ge seat and dispaneing with the masonry pdles. I deaire also to repeat in hegard to'the stailing, that r like the one* constructed in wood laid protected in iron, owing to the superior elasticity of the frame-and. the ease wjth v/hich it can be Vholly or in part replaced, i - .' i-.J'.- * 1 see by the papers that thai gentelmtn cbmpeslng the former board Yrere r^-elected b^ a unanimous vote'on. the llth inst, I u.darstand from my brother tfiat no action was taken J in regard to the location or plan of the Bridge, but there l^.to be another meeting of the Baard on the 25th inst. Do you proi^Dse to be Jth'ero at that time and will these ♦qTiostiona be acted upon? i > t ijo^ j / / ' . ^ I should be happy to give you any information at any time in re gard to the kind of fbundatioris thatvwe have had und^ di .xussion; in • further expiana^iort-of the plans .1 have isent you, or in regard to any lodifications that Ihay suggest, itself. Do not be restrained by any feaf of glvln^'mc troiible, as it is, on the contrary , a pleasure. " 1 hkve no time to make a bracing of the drawings sent you, and would feel dbliged if you would 16t one of your young men make one for me on tracing llnon, if you can conveniently do ao._ **4.. .J ' t T»\ March 1868. Jas, A. Evans to Gen. Dod^e* Ft. Sanders, 18:-^ ^ ' Your very ^encouraging telegram of yester-'ay, with'reference to town, io receive(f,' I suppose it will come through the several channels in a few days and' the thing will open. It occurs to me that our business will have to move down there. As soon as track reaches town telegraph and all other business will move there permanently. Mr. Bent will require an office, and while we are about it hadn't we better put up a buiading on one of the lots, something after *tlie fasMon'of the enclosed sketch? The" building here can be occupied as a dwelling for the present and afterwards will make a good section house. ' If Vou will send p^r-raission, will start it at once. The luAber can be furnished under the contract of Sprague Davsi &*Co. with the U. P. R. R. Co-^pany. Please write me about the matter. The expense would be about $1500, rather less if any thing. ■ • ' ' . . .' H I Heads of parties all on Hand. Api^leton'takes charge of officd. Goo. T?olcott to Gen. Dodge, Gmaha,* 1:0 •* - Snclosdd I return you rprooffif'of w^ecifications as requested I have examined thdm all carefully and, arf as I am able to judge, ■ ■ I 1 ' » , - they appear to be all right. The plan of iron columns extending from foundation to Bridge seat is something'entirely new tr mo, 'and consequently do not feel Hyself competent to judge of'their merits. I would think, however, March 186S, that two columns 8 1-2 ft. in diameter would make too lirht a structure for the^support of so important a hridee as this; the greatest danger being as in all cases from heavy gorges , as has lately been experienced • f at Kock Island and Davenport, I may under estimate the strength of , pie^rs built -in that way, but it seems ta rrie as though it would be very • V. ■ ; liable to be swept away by a heavy gorge,.. . For foundations I think iron cylinders filled l*ith concrete will have to be used nr. Iron .piers . Wooden pile.s I am afraid we will not be able to drive deep enough- to securS safety, - . ... ' . . • '-j.. In the specifications for superstruction in paragraph relating to the testing ^of iron by co.ntractors, I would suggest that the engineer or some, person appointed by hi-" be present during the process, in or^^^ . that it may not b© ISft entirely with thp contractors, • ♦ • • « . ... I have run one line, through from the Childs Mill crossing to the • transfer grounds, but it does not strike the grouhds to suit me, and I have to try it again. I fear we will have to swing our toy a little * • • - - ' 4 at the orosslng in order to got it all right, ./a'l T. G. Dwant to Gen. Dodge^ Ksw York, 19;- . Please forward to this office ae early as practicable de1 oyaa copies ofN/iitaps and-profiles of .the ^-ifferent routes run between Ft. Sanders and Great Salt Lake, over routes that may be regarded as * ebmfetlag far ths final looation; also a auTmnary of the differont line showing their relative length, cost, maximum grades, &c. with such March, 1868. - - J-: ^ . ■ ' ' . •; /X otlisr chcir'3.c'tiGi'*istr 1 cs &s should, b© tsksn Tftth considGrstiori Tby ths'"* ^ .■ Compa-ny in deciding upon the final-location. Also .copies of the re ports of the Dlvislon^engineers and fer tiie'year 1807 and your ' instructions-to ther,-for-that year. Ale-^ names of Division engineers employed at the present time as. assistants, salaries paid and Copiee-r of your instructions to them. 1 ■ j. , ., .J. P.- .Tracy to Oen.--Dodge, New York, rO:.-t •;*! Yours of 17th received. I am hopeful Ubout loWaeffLegislature and can hardly believe the enemy can accomplish anything against ud. You speak of- the McGregor and 8ioux City influence but we have cause' to think some of them are identified -.rith parties here who are Working against our interests y bu*^ I have written our friends gat Dod'^Moines. Our case Is now being argued and counsel arc fl'llr^ bilir » ' I telegraphed Wr, Ja;-, and hawo ]iic reply, whlbl;-ife not as satis factory as expected; still .booo-her will ennaont to the 01 rid Mill Crossing. Ho, doesn't sa</ ponit.iVQly but-tries to argUe Ine. into bolibf that Pello-ruo is beat for us. * - - , . - , Note:- Tf. Snyda^p, to O^.r Dodge,'Omaha, 1< : r.i Items of construction^ acts'! .7 ■ -r James A. I^rons U> Cen. Dodge, North Por^ of Platter 20:- O^Nell is on the line-east of Rattlesnake, and we are ready to commence location from Nortk Platte West^ Laf/rence and'Pamp-^lly are still at Sanders waiting for escort, which is.promt red from "day March, 1S60. t - ■today, Tney may posaiily leave "LliePO on Monday nej^t*. ' I have arranged the vrork in the follov/ing manner O'MGil locates to North Platte; 'Hudnutt .from North Platte west. 0*Netl"on reaching"" Platto will double over either on to the divide or into 'Bitter Creek■ according to "tlhe progress that Nudnut't makei.' ' Lawrence and Pampelly will go dirocMy to LaCledo. Shall start Lawrence fi^om the locating down valley of Bitter Creek, ' Pampelly -will work eact with-hie party toward Lodge Siimmit in advance 'of- Htidnutt, sV'as to develop country fully without delaying location, TOu will dee bj' tlils' arrangement I shatl have at le'ast'two 'partle:r to dispose of, ^hat will you have done with-them? - ' * . r j. • Th-^re is considcra'ble sno-r hero. The further I come west ti e more I find, TWill !b'e necebsa'ry to purchase baled' hay and freight It to pnrtles from Little Laramie' fof ai time-, ' 'j ' ' |n selecting':'t5Ur S2 ibVs I iook" whaV sbemod to me the best part ■Tof* the town,' f delayed* the' mhttor as ion'- as 1 could, but as* it' was" " t ' ' * necessary for me to leave before the town*matter was settled, thought it best to comply with, your letter before leaving, * Gen, Dodge to J. E, House, Washington; 26:- . . • - • 'The Oompany liAVo'called on me for fol'lo?/in'-; information which you will^mAko up and Send me: ^ ' Ist, Map and'profile of 6rown*3 original line from Ft. Sanders to Medlclrp Bow Hivor, it'" - ^ ' ' ■ I,larch, 1868. • T 2na.' Of Maxwell's location ffom Medicine Bow-Valley, line to TTorth-Plattc River where he connecJ,s Wltii'Bates' line. • • 3rd. Map and profile of Bates' line frojr. Medicine Bow River (mouth Rock Crook) own 'Medlcin'O Bow Vailey'tc ITortlr Platte, ti.ence over Wfeht'Ranee o^" Rattlesnfelze Rills to-his connection "With his line he run East from Green River to Red Butte Bphings'near Plant*s road; - '-^th' Map and prcSTlle of'Bates'- line from •Green River to mouth of Big'Sandy- to Plant's Rover^ Where t".e intersects with his Medicine Bow line and with Appleton's^— j . ' _ - 5th, Copies'of all'my instructions to parties IrTthe field dur ing-the year-1867, including j>«iQgraifl"ilc instructions. Look over my telwgraa^ and- lettars as well as* the teleflraph and-letter hook. -.6th,- Namea of engineers employed-'dtu'Ry pn and psry"; when you have the information. . ' ' • - Th4 maps want-to show topography, stationS,* and, e'-frerytiling fully say 2000 ft. or 1-2 mile to. Inch-er even -mile-, If- it-can hS dSne- bn that scale. It is probahlp yt>u: m&y-hav4 tb'go to Ft. SaAd'^rs to get all the .iuf©mailo»-you want; . - .u - --^r^ • -f." ■ - I also want copies of Rodgc's and.Bfttda* surveys in'Utah during 18G7, maps and proflle-iJiflvdlng -their'BSAr River, Sam's'Pork, Lost Creek and Weber Canoyn lines. Put a £©w to work on tfils, but do not interfere with the partlea lij -the field. You Can'take draugRtman to' Port Sanders if necessary, tjut I do not wanf this to irterfore iflth' I.!ar3h, 1SG8. . - • ^ the r7ork of locatlh^l5arti'eG, f6r a§ fiSt a-s~that comes, in T ^ant It worked up, turhed*over to Reod, and copy sent- to mei Yon inay therefore have to exmplby extPa" hanfls bn this, » ir. E.' House" to Gen. Dodge"^ Omaha, 20:— ' • o . ■ > Drafts fbr f;30,0C0 came tbBSy.'It '-111 talce It all to meet the oVer-drafts to date. ' ' ' ■ I' send you map of rebervatl'on at" Pt; Sanders. Had to send to Sanders for thV? noffes hefoVe t eouhd maice It hhlerf at;Counts-'for' tlXfedelay. I have furnished Gen. Auf^ur copy^ • ' -*. t j j I have" made no chahjres in the town "lot abcolintr-stich as ray stat msnt to you Showed", ' Melrery mhde the' stateinert to you to show that 'coi:- tracts had gone Out df my ha d s tb that ambunt for which'no monoy had j been received Tjy me, and: that you \f0re chnrced';vl th; th.e» arabiint on the books. • • Mr. Biipkencderfer has drawn about *7,000 in all to date, for which I have received po'Vouchers as yet. ' " ' » Note: .T. H. Smith to Gen. Dodge, Des Mbln^s-,'20« • Rocommondatory of J. A. Straight foh pbSltion'as- ftlAister "to the-Argontlne Rojyablld.' • * ' " : " ' , NtJRe! Jesoe^ I>7 Wllllaihs to G^n. Dodge, Pt, Wayne, 20:* ' -Olvoo dlotance fl'om Oenter to center of column on 14 ft, clear road-wayj and 16 ft. Wle&r rOadway. Advises filling columns with concrete and use of Gate*s stone bfeitka'r. , . "ac ... 'U / t /»v T-", Ilarch, 1868. F. M, ^ase to .T. K. House, Che^'enne, 20:- Relatir.,'^ to the Denver Branch survej^s. » • ,» Gen. Dodne to J. B. flouse, 'fa.shino-ton, 21:- " 4 ' « T • • I forget whether I notified you of my.substituting your last estimate for the first one; the one jjow on file in New York^is one you put 106,000 In,for constmction. Have jrov. sent the money due Brown to his people? ^9^*., you should do so. I do not exactly understand about his credit. You want to notify Bates to his voucliors^to square his account -ith you up to March 1st. After th't his vouchers will go througli ^Blickensderfer. He may draw on,^you, by direction of^B. I do not know how that will ' e, but takes charge from Marcl-i 1st, as J understand it. • - • * * • - . a . . . * • '■ <T ¥ sent an order for certain profiles, m^ps, &c. TThen .sent .on I want a statement of grades On the different lirjes- elevation, depres sion and distance. I am in receipt of estimate to Cheyenne; have not . i * - had time to examine them. As eoon as you get your map of Ft. Banders reservation to Sherma he will fix the town matter, do .he writes no,. You do not want to ask ' ' . i. 4 • for any more than wo need to sell. ^ « , , . ' • . I .. • r » ^ . ♦-W ^ Note: - B. Johnson to Geji.. .Dodge, ?ad.hinc''On, D.D-21:6 . , Substantiate® the claim of Lieut,. Wm, .Christy, Co. Gth Iowa Infantryftr pay as Commanding Officer.. I^arci:, 1863. ^ ^ -J Note:- P. R. Randall to ren. Dodce, Ottuniwa, Iowa, 21:- Wants situation as Civil ISnf^ineor on U.P.'R.R. Noto:- J. Blibkensderfor to J. B. House, Salt La]:o Citj^ Sends lists of drafts drawn on G. I!. Dodge. J. L. VTilliar-s to Gen. Dodge, Ft. "Wayne, 21:- Yours of I'^th is at hand, I d5d not intend to adopt ?'r. T . - 4 - , . ' I.TcAlpine*s views more than ''r. Sickles, "but part of each. I am yet in a state of mind to weight all suggestions from every quarter. When .. .» ^ . . . . r. -' r. I ■ . ~.. we meet in New York, it will be time enough to close up the spocificatlons and print them. The iron rlm.^d tho filling ought, as far as possible, to be on and the ^sarne body giying us the support of "both iron and filing. ^ By filling with concrete, filling it under and over the flanges, we gain this object ds far'up as low water, where there is no expansion. Above water the expansion would operate slightly to press or break the concrete, but so large a body of concrete would'tend to keep the iron cool and th.e lengthening would be very trifling. Masonry will settle a Tittle, and if bui'lt close on tope of the flanges \7ould break ■ .( . . ■Sf , ♦ » - I , . . ... something, oi' else throw the wliol'e weight of masonry coiumn on iron rim. Both modea of filing have their advantages. On rock bottom stone miglif be" best. By last mall' r sent a letter to Linnvillo, correcting some mistakba. ' ' . . . . . - ^ » . •< .,f . . ... 7 One othe'^ oonslderation as to the columns: engineers rely much upon the adhesion of the sand outside for hearing support. But if we ,tmci . rest bridge on the^stone filling alone, building it free from the iron rim so that the latter will slide on it, then the column of masonry gets no benefit from the supporting power of the sand v/ithout, but is sustained on y ,by its base. •'* i , It .seems to me that concrete and. .iron rim can be, brought more nearly .into the condition of one and the same body than solid stone masonry and the iron rim. I am not sure but that the rim should be the same thickness from bottom to top, the lower section having som BUnport frc^ the sand without and concrete w.ithin, which thp -i,. upper Section has not. As abipresent advised I should estimate 1 p.g 1 3-8 inch rim. «•>.: i •£oi ' 0,-: Oliver Ames ta Ghen. Dodge, North. East en, 22:- •Your favor of March leth in reference to having yonj. par.. ties iarly .in the field, is received. I feel that you are an . ^ight in this matter, and we do not Intend to have your lines interfere^ with. I did not think that the resolution authorizing the Dr. . • to change the grad e and location with your assent would give him a power to ditturb your lines, except In some cases where it , . ■^Sht ly exepdite the oonatruction of the road, and in this case cfchsnge the line to get the noad alon®. ,, I know that the Dr. is for assuaijag vikl^ the power whenevo °ver he has a chancej but 1 trust that ^iithis power was given so1qi« - for th( purpose of advancing the road undtJP this Ames contract and fn,, +. March, 1868. .3981 tUruM . summer alone, you will find it annoying. ' Swt The Directors meet this week and th Bridge ques'tf'on will'^come ^'ch 'fi'Cl up, I hope, be settled. Omaha is makihg a great struggle for it y- ' . there, and may get it if her offers Are liberal. / yiO- M. J. Morgan to Ge a. Dodge, Pt. Leavenv/orth, Kas., 23;- tllc 1 thank you for the pacific Railroad pamphlet. I read it (jwith great interest. r , ;so <l M i "r ■; r -.■■v; all look to you, as the' laOBt experienced soldier on the ; jlllitary Committee, to see justice done us. Why do you not put L. r^homas on the retired list? He is an old man, Ms seen his best days should not be punished for any foolishness he may display.- He enetered the army in 1823. pass an act making retirement in the armj compulsory at the age of sixty, as it is In the navy. Allow officers JlUgk^ still to do what duty theu «&n and get pay therefor, ' f-xag : ' By Schenck's pay Ijill, for which we thank him, I, if retired O' a' ^ Major today, would get the same pay as I would get if retired • twenty years henoa still a Major*.- For example old Doctor Wood . . . ' -ntered the army ih 1825 and "W**® promoted a Surgeon in 1836, when I • ©lit# was three years of age. He has been serving all this time, and yet he 1 ifere retired-tsnder Gen. SchencK'a bill, we would get the eam® P®y* Mt the retired officers have half of the peroentum increased als® provided long service#' Thus a retired officer will be en titl*^ to'^oils"IhAlf the pay per annum to whiel) he was entitled at the^ March, 18 C8, . date of r^tirenert. This incliides the per "centtfTn for length of ser vice , * •> , n r. * *1 . 'J. G. Wehster to Gen. Dodge^ Omaha,•23:- • * r-' I arrived here on Frldajr," called On Mr; Hoij-se and deliv ered your mebsa"e htmi' "On Saturday .Mr. ¥olcott corarnence'd the survey eoTirtecttng" "the'"bridge line at^ & M.' crossing wtth'dJhe Ainsworth line. I have lockOd Over*■ tl?©-jp;round;'"do'not'SCO any'difficnlty in *'■"layifl.i'a Tirte'aiOng-the bluff,'heoping the^grade-'line"so that there will . be "bub*a{^omall arnoi^nt of worl^ 'ln ercept Ofw'hSt t^'.ore .woitld be on'^bhe Ainsworth line. 'Mr,—House-says 'th?lt-It was impodsible'-to fOllo-.v alon"- on the bMo on the bluff when the other "siirt'eyd^arfe-mad©ias the'bluffs were covered with ic©,-«ftd-tt was"ijirpossible'd:,©"climb nip and down the sides of them, . - •1 have called-on Mr. Snyder-at His requesft, ahall Vo out to morrow with t]io pay-master andk loolt o\rer IThe road, "Woiwmlrc the bridgtes, T have made inquiries of a ntJmber of persons aboiif change of the course of tho .river bi is Spriny. Thdy all say th.at- therd has not been any change of apy account tfris ©pring.- • «.f • lU Web'ter "to J. L. WlllleTns, Omaha, 23:"- - • ♦ -' • Mr. Woloott cumrwmeed d!he WuifVey -©foTtndbtl'nV the linb" across the river at what is o.elled tl.e M. ^ M. croacitlfr vnh tho Alnswoi«im line. I H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New Tork, 23;- Llarch, 1858. '• Wave "boeh exp'ectin';' to hear fr»OTn:yoi) in ne-'ard Ijo the- o-* >]j!) af^vanced to Gen. Grant. If the arrnaGement is to "be carried ou.t, - have the honos and mof'tga'^o mad^ in^favor'of T.G.TJvirsrnt*' and see thnt * tlie'p^.per" anff aocnritir ahcall ■ fi •• T * 'Note: - ' Lfeut. Ben. D. Bosvrell to Geh. Dodre, Washington 83;- - Sncldses ^esicnattorl of Isaac N. Peck, 'Postnia3*er-at Gorydon Iov7a and rscommondinr Wn. Boyle. Wtn^ J. WcAlpirte to Gen.--8oJdGe, Stockhridre, 23r- "« i t , Your Tax^or-Cf the 80th inst, was received this P.M. enclosing twenty dollars, whiC.h.l will forward to Mr. Brake, the draughtsnan. I''am'very * glad indeed'to firid that you" arc' in fa-fe r 'of • wooden sfalli'rtgs (covered with Vron), T l.ave been Confined to'm.y Bed for neretrly^d: *©wlc, and'Ifav© •asKdd my brother'totdraw^dut M'ntari'-amd send to you. ' I infer .from your ^letter that there'is i "nonslbilfty that your Company may decide .upon a I'ow bridge,'" And « dheap, tompdrary stn;cturo Even In this cane you must have safe foundations, and I do not see ftky -way in whicJt-you'Can proctrrd' 'tnbnr #l'thrnit "irori cOlMinnS" or Spiles, and you and I carf aVrange-tWiEJaw fof piHSdent cliorfprteSs and'so ^hat they ' can be made useful for the permanent 'structiires. Thus two eighty ft. column's" lO'oh'18 ft.'expanded of iron base fTmy be first driven .to 50 ft." beldw low' WHtdl' aPd filled with sand, and those will bo ample .to bold uj^ the' 'idhd "of the "tbmnorary * March, 1868, bridge, by which I suppose you mean one of wood, and-at any time there after the sand can be thrown out at a cost of say |300 a pier, the columns driven deeper and the expanded base of a concrete put in which will enable them to carry the load of the permanent bridge. Or two 6 ft. columns could be used for the'temporary bridge (driven to the full depth and filled with concrete) and when'the perm.anenf bridge is required two more of the same size added, as at Cbepston. Then on the first ideas, which strike me to meet the case you mention and I am sure upon consultation with yor. we can modify them or hit upon some other plan, vhich while it gives an expansion and the only safe plan for founding the temporary bridge, will also avoid any consider able loss of the present expenditure in adfipting it to the permanent structure. . ufoc Bt( <tc- Referring to the remafck in your letter, I most fully sympathize with your feelings as Engineer of th. great enterprise, the Pacific ' Railway, At its very threshold to erect a "Monument" which will embody the most recent developments in the profession, even in Europe, and" which will compare so favorably in regard to safety, economy, '"rc n " eiegrance and adaptability, with the other bridges which are being erected over these turbulent, treacherous western rivers. The few '■^bridges of thl# oharacter built in American are all abortions, as com pared with the I'eoent ones in Kucop%# and: yours will be superior to k . aJUl-'K/ /*-• :i.vi March, 1868. ^05^,. the latter. I agree with you it would he a crying shame to lose this opportunity of erecting the "tlonuinont." . ^ rioij'w rti V. When can I meet you in New York to have some further discussion? *tO House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 24;- •> Yoiu? letter to Mr. Reed was duly received and forwarded to- ,1 day., I called l^r. Evan's attention to the same thing in letter of t'. i &"*"" the 11th Feb. which is as follows : "Allow me to call your attention to the high grade betv/een stations 833 & 8^5 of seventh hundred. The profile you submitted s/iows elevation of grade at Station 833 to be 6777 and at the station 895-6793. Is it correct and if so bant it be reduced? Should you make changes please notify me." His reply was that the f profile was correct, and did not think it advisable to make change, giving as reason that work could not be reduced very much without undulating the grade, &c. It was ntt satisfactory to me, and when he . ' 8^' came down I called his attention to the same thing again, but he felt disposed to not make a change, therefore sent you the pro!ile as retiirned 'to me. "'QoXpvafc ineevj Note: Hon. /V'Sfeiuhders to J. 3. McComb, New York, 24;-....., IMUmI a response to resolutions of Committee on the location and Constihiction of the Missouri River Bridge. , ^ Note:- JT w T.4r»-wi11ii t.o J. T.. Williams. Ph 1 ladelnhia. 24;- oi l!J t ' . H. WLnvilie to J. L. Williams, Philadelphia, 24:- Considers It impossible to buil(| jjart "deck" and part throu^ bridg'" r' " "Te'r* March 1868, Geoege Wolcott to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 24.- . . , Yours of 17th enclosing notes of Mr, Williams is received, I commenced the work metnioned at once and have run one line around as ,directed and telegraphed the result to you and also to Mr. Wmiams Hew York, • , n'v' I started my line at sta, 7440 100 ft. from the centre of west CX'r abutment and run a 4° curve until I struck the bluffs, then I to ' to a 10° on to Train table, thence across table to the face of bluff, c- which I follow as nearly as possible to the intersection with the r Ainsworth line. We cannot get round across Train table with less r durvature without increasing the cutting across depot grounds. '^4t On my present line I make 169,000 cub. yrd, ( telegraphed you 147,000) on the line proper and it will take about 115000 yrds to grade ft WflM -r depot grounds, sajr 400 X 1300 ft, across the table I get abodt 1300 ft. il ©r pf tangent. My gradesrun level across trestle work, then descends OJt t'f . 0.2 per 100 ft, to the south end of depot grounds, then 0.6 per 100 ft, tnolir- to the intersections with oIh line. By running the bridge line 200 ft, up the river it «iay help us to get round, I will try that tomorrow, *14. |;oy To Gkew the Bridge would make a very awkward crossing and help us but ewn littie with our curvature. I think my present line is about as good wU as can be had. .1 intend to try everything that looks feasible, and •OiKt Trill send you results as soon as I can get them, fr wH# im .' >< > # * * i •H- March 1868, 'OT ftJt .i-llV c"-- t®eJ. Blicksnderfer, Jr., to Gen. Bodge, Salt Lake City, I regret to "be obliged to report that we had a severe storm yesterday and last night, and this morning I measured 4 1-4 inches snow On a level here in the city. The whole country is covered, and I fear in the m.ountains the fall has been quite heavy. The weather for the week previous to yesterday had been pleasant, and I hopedthe roads vrauld soon be good and our parties able to work, but this will set us back. I v/ish it were otherwise as I know your anxiety to pros ecute the work at Green Rivor and head of Echo, and T will spare no effort to reach those Jjolnts as early as possible. Morris' party is in Weber "Valley on its way east, and Hodge's and Bates' must be on their working ground", although I have not heard fro-' them for several ^ o' .n oor days. After receiving your message of Saturday, on'reading it over again hO;: .n m after answering it, I thought I had not properly understood it, as it did not ak first strike me that ybu wanted another party organized to examine route around north ehd of Salt Lake Westward, and I therefore Jul! l.L fjooj. telegraphed you again saying if that was what you wished I could orga nize another party fob bhw work. As I have not yet Jieard from you in * , " answer to this massage, but on continued scrutiny of your telegram ^"1" ' fjfi " |t. Veel satisfied that is what jtau desire, I will, unless I hear to the contrary, organize a fourth party, at the head of which I will place Maxwell, and set them at this work. March 1868, I hope by the time they are ready for the field that the weather j'«will have become settled, so the v/ork can go on without further delay. . - H ■ ■ , W. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Oma^g, 24:- Snow storm down East and themometer here 90^ in the shade. We are getting along Aicely; everything on time and running smooth, beds keeps in first rate order and we are in no danger of floods. Reed is laying about four thousan'^ (4000) feet of track per -V , • ff>day. Dale Creek Bridge ought to be completed April 15th, . >. We are sending out large force of men to the contractors on gndding, Davis, Sprague & Co, have put a large force of men to haul ties to line of road. All iron that acctmulated here while the bridge lasted has been sent forv/ard, Mr, Webster got here last week. He started V/est with our Pay master this -"orning and will have an ppportunity bf seeing the whole road by daylight, stopping where he may wish to examine bridges, &c, &c, I like his looks and talk, a * •efvCX^w Business improving, St, Louis freight for Denver &c is coming this way, Omaha i» full of men looking for work and if necessary five Jhji.1- thousand more laborers could be gotten here in one month, neia Gen. Dodgf to S. House, Washington, 25:- ' /I • TinnmU . Sends receipts and wants vouchers made out and returned, d225- 'wOlmA iw iWKnG V v'eihoii ^oAriw 9mm tm immt uc, . " •^' 225- iwKKiG Wf immi ISO I .ooiiOi Jtoniiniix# March, 1868. C. C. Cole to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 25:- Our mutual friend. Col. Godfrey, desires the appointment of Pension Agett at this city in ylace of :.!a j. Thompson, "Cop," appoint ed by A. J. of course," A. j. Trill be removed and Thompson must follow • ■ - • n him out. I prefer Godfrey's appointment to that of anybody else. "Will you help him? You knov/ him and his military record, and his fight for Dodge*. What say you, can he and his friends rely upon your aid? J. E, House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 25:- ' I received your letter of the 19th this morning.- I have 'already commenced a «ap of the country between" Ft. Sanders and Salt Lake, showing the surveys of Mr. "Reed and Evans. It was also designs to embrace the surveys of Bates and Hodges to Snake River and also Bear River; but the scale is 4 miles to the inch. The stations and general alignment can be shown on that scale,« and will be much mo.e convenient to refer to. A map'on a scale of one mile to an inch will ' he so wide and long (unless made in detached portions) that it will be ' difficult to handle and work over. I think a scale 4 miles to the inch'to be much the best- and it will put the work forward at least 40 days- if you will allow that scale to be used. . > I will have to go to Sanders for the notes of Bates, Maxwell, Brown and Appleton lines. Have a few of their profiles here but not alignment notes. I sent you last Fal and winter Hodge's profiles and March, 1868. « , maps of the Weber Canon and Lost Creek lines. If you can spare them a short time I would li]:e to make copies of them, as I did not do it time. Also if you would senr^ me a rough map showing Bates, Brown and Appleton lines it would facilitate very much the getting of the notes together correctly, Mr. Evans has a copy of the same map, . but he has gone West and may have taken it with him.. It would not be necessary to make it to any scale or put on topography. The point J. .is connection of the lines accurately shown, giving st- A tions &c. wh ;re connections are made- so that my work may not be altogether blind. 1^ I have nothing in the office showing the position of any of these lines With any degree of correctness, I have profiles of Mr. Bates f, marked 1867, but they do not show their location nor give any description of the country- nor what su veys they embrace- but am in hopes to find out when I get the alignment notes. ^ . a »#W -n Note^ B. F. Ham to Oen. Dodge, New York, 25:- ''.V .rtoI ^.Encloses statement of accoiints to December 31st, 1867, 0 •; o'. ottm fHf D. 7/illiaras to Gen, Dodge, New York, 25:- u-I* ' Nothing done yet. I received Wolcott's dispfctch and your §11 letter. They wont build low bridge I think. Did you receive Linville'a letter which I sent you, making cor rections as to the tests Which he gave me in Philadelphia? If you did • • ^ not, better write him for a duplicate before you print iron superstucture specifications. fl227 • ' ' ^ it. itM .V ■ v" ' \t/1 ■I ■ •"' vt-i r." '" '■ March 1868. V'' 0^^' I think I mus't go n'est toraorrow evening; hope they will act by I ;■ " ■ " '•j "t . ■ I ;• ^ that time, V Wolcott written report and map and profile I suppose are same as . '■■•""^ouse telegraphs. Presume his telegram ^y today is his subsequent * examination on your subsequent instructions. It is very indefinite, lo but no doubt you will have his fuller report, of which send me a copy. i I infer that Ainsworth line from High" Bridge will cost about same r 5 1 ■ ' eCf ♦ - ■ , u ^ 'v . as cutting down high grade, but it is one mile shorter. Is it not better? * ^ If) : 1 Amfctao o«. IfUfK' l»WM|| X ' J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omhha, 26:- ^ ^ r 1 - * * I have received 'communications of late from the A'gents who -bit©«•?■: v:-'" are attending to the sale of lots at the different st-tions about fi / rallowing them something for attending to our duties. They claim that the C. & N. 7f. R. R. paid from $5 to JlO for each lot sold. It seems to me that I's the best way to compensate them, as but ' few care to avail themselves of a lot at half price - for remuneration. They as a general thing do not stay'long enough -at a place to make it 190^ ' ' ' an object. I can pay them 1»y voucher, an"' that will not conflict with the price received from the sale of lot. Please advise-me what he -ton g- . T ■ 'Mf >• ' . . 2.'..-; " had bettor do, J. E, House to Gen. uoage, 0«aha,Z6.- Enclosed nlease find ib'onthly eBtimate''f?)r^T^bmary^l868, I M -at.: , A J i iaaxt I e to' 4? t.1 ' ^ March 1868. --'"•r would have sent it sooner but did not get Mr, Snyder's statement of amount expended on improvement of track till this week. Did you re- £ar.I ' ceive the estimates-sent you fro"" the lOOtli meridian to end of 6th -Xio. hundred, and if so, wepe they v;hat you wanted? iroi I intended starting for Sanders tonight to look up those notes ■bf»d::6f Bates, Brovm, &c, but we are having a furious snow storm. No train left last night for the west. Telegraphic reports say it is storming fearfully at_Cheyenne and Black Hills. Shall not start now until I can -see my way clear and be sure of meeting with no detentions. I have commenced on the Bear River line and can make copies of profiles and also copies of Bates' profiles from mouth of Big Sandy to Sta, 8100, Tho Bear River line am platting to a scale of one mile to an inch, will then peduce to 4 miles as I wrote you yesterday, and all tho other lines will plat to the same scale and reduce afterward. Should you decide that a general map to the scale of 4 miles would answer all purposes, no time would be lost- and if such a map Irill " not do, I will have tho full data to make it on as large a scale as ■ you mentioned in your letter of the 19th,m X' . emo In-looking over the profiles of Bates and Hodges, as well as all the others, I find therr are no grades laid. Do you want me to do it, ' and if so shall I be-governed by anything loss than the maximtjm estab lished by Congress? Tour instruction to Mr. Bates for location was ■ tullA tif-'T '.i f- * r * •v- March, 1868, not to exceed SO or 100 ft. -■'.Toofi ,tl 4n'' *■ It-t If you do not want more than the surface line I can use the copy I made for the office and leave it in pencil-and send you the original ones, as returned by Mr. Bates and Hodges. By so doing it will facil itate the work very much and also give us the same paper to use for like*purposes should it be desirable after the lines are estbalished and located. J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 26:- I receive numerous applications for your report of the Oregon Branch, as well as the report of 1866. I have received but one copy of each and wish you would send me a quantity,, if you have 'o£ no objection to their being distributed. * Note:- 0. L. Godfrey to §en. Dodge, Carydon, Iowa, 26;- • Makes application for appointment as Pension Agent at Des Moines, Iowa. Uil fUn't Note:i> o ? * Wl Wa. M. Li*ttlel to Gen. yodge, Des Moines, 26:- Asks that a bill be Introduced in Congress for the reim bursement to W. Fullerton of the purchase money of a certain tract of land, the warrants of whioli have been cancelled by Comr. G.Land Office • ' ■ w. Snyder to Gen, Dodge, Omaha 26:- ►daia# Yours 20th received this morning. We are snow-bound again fetweeif^Pine Bluff and Cttteyenne, but will work out of it by tomorrow morning. Storm l.as ceased and we have three hundred men shoveeling. r March 1868. . 8 "H'il rttoar' I fear the sibbrm"^may interfere*with work at Dale Creek,' as in the mountains it was reported as terrific. ^ a The Dale Creek bridge business has been managed like many other ' parts of construction and still drags. Nobodj^ appeal's to know much about it- what iS to come or'where from, and I fear track may be de layed account of non comnletion of bridge in time. Will do eur part of it in shipping the material as fast as we can-lay hands on it. Two new engines on Iowa side of river and will be brought over ' tomorrow. Our equ8pment here is in first rate shape, passengers say ' our road is in better chape than any between here and New York, and I mean to keep it so. Am making about seven cars per week at our shops here. The N. Platte shops are ready for the machinery. i We are nearly through driving piles at N. P. Bridge, and have made a first rate Job of" it. HaVo had to rebuild about half of the paQ'tor's bridges Julesburg to Cheyenne. Am intending to talk V ' strong for stone bridges at once on west* end of road, as I believe it " - be economy to construct them now rather than pay the cost of thdm rijf .t/: ,,, ^ in losses. * ' Everybody here appears be crazy on t'h®' Bridge question. Our S'i vi' V news all comes from outsiders. The Omaha want it at Telegraph Pole because that will be likely to make general transfer on this side of ' river. The location at the Train table will, tei my opinion, make the general transfer on the Iowa side. There is not room enough hdre. March 1868. J o We all want to see a high bridge. My experience rt Rock Island was sufficient to convince tne that a draw, even in a stream where the 'Ofj channel never changes, is not profitable or safe. Have had several conversations with the Doctor on his New York -a; man and gave hi my opinion freely, which coincides with.your own. i-j- Mr, Cook understands him thoroughly, and knows how he is influenced. Have written C, about him again, j Freight and passenger business increasing daily. I wrote Mr, " ti'iAmes some time since about reduction of rates and will continue to urge it. We can cut down one quarter all around ani I think business will increase enough to make it pay; besides stopping the fight 1 at Washiiigton and elsewhere, Am going to Cheyenne as soon as possible to leave here, nifS to 'i John pierce to Gen, Dodge, Denver, 26:- aiMi ofi ' Mr, Case h as just returned from his survey of the line from Jt i^a,!the:i Platte to Cheyeraw. He finds a cheap line to grade but with heavy t grades. The average grade from Cache la Poudre to the summit is over 48 ft, to the mile, and there will be one mile of 105 ft. grade at the fliO .summit, which I think be reduced to 90 by making the line longer, and can still be furthe# reduced by a t\uinol of 1000 ft. The 105 ft. grade gives 25 ft. catting at the summit, . ^ ^ • ' t This will bo the best we can do unless we.run^a ■w. ^ line • - up /j.Little > no tolafm/ fe;fne- March, 1868. r'sviv.: Crow Creek, which will he at least eight miles longer. The summit made is to the east of Round Buttes and is the lowest pass in the divide between Lone Tree and Crow Cree' ; and the line run keepsthe crest of a divide and, of course, strikes the pass at the highest iL possible .elevation. The summit is aand rock not very hard. Aside .. .. , from the mile at the summit the line is a fine one and will cost about - ■ the same as that from Denver to the Platteo on the East side of the "rivor, about 3000 yards per mile or perhaps 4000. There will be but t few bridges, as the line is on the crest of a divide. ^ I am disapiOinted in not hearing frc^ you before now aw to your - opinion in regard to the line from here down, as we wish to put this portion under contract now to work in ^ounty bonds and subscriptions in work &c. reserving our money for the heavy end of the line. The failure to.hear anything from the contract with your people, which I sent you a month ago signed by our Company, is placing me in a disa greeable situation and one which I am unable to either explain or understand, and there are not wanting those who was willing to inti mate that I have misrepresented matters and acted in bad faith, or at least have allowed -myself to be misled in the matter. On my assurance that the contract would be signed and returned as soon as it reached you^ our people have called in the first assess ment on the stock, which has been paid promptly, and they now ask me • "• ' ■ 1 Kit-nrl '■ ,t tt urn .Mm March 1868. what has become of hliat contract, and why- if your folks were acting in good faith as I represented- it is not heard from. It is due to me at least that I should know the reason of the delay so as to be able to protect myself. ' ' ' Gov. Evans ia in Chicago raising money for the read, and writes md Ijhat he can get two hundred thousand dollars, he thinks. The Cheyenne people promise something but I dont think they will do any- ' thing, as they wfite me that ""there is no money there, and everything is dull, while there is opposition to the road with many there. We are tied up until we hear from you in regard to the contract 'and line, and I hope you will write soon. Casd will send you a pro- \ file of the Cheyenne line in a few days, h'i -o ■ : ^ 'We are blocked in by the heaviest snow storm ever, know here^ ^ over two ft. on a level and all communications cut off. -jvUbI '* Snyder write mo withdrawing his prop-sition to bring ties for us from the Black Hills, but gives no reason for the withdrawal. I ""*^have said nothing of it here as if it was known that we could nofe get them from there we should have to pay a big price for them ];iere. 1, M. Hbxieto Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 26;- berm-d ■ : ^ written so often Of late because I ha e been " very busy making preparations for spring wot-k, getting transfer in ord^r &c. Today'and yesterday is our second b:\,ockade of the road with snow, and it is a terrible one; the worst for years west of North M March 1868. • - • - Platto. The weather hp-ving been very warm-mercury at 88 in the shade for three days- and day before yesterday weather changed in the mountains and sno'.v fell and wind blew. YJe had no^ train out to Chey enne yesterday or today-and none out of here last night. Have a * large gang of men at work, and will be ready by night. Everything else connected with the road is in good shape. Men are beginning to know their business and attend to it. The old demor alization is worked out. It took severe measures to do it- lots of . them had to be discharged. It will be better hereafter and there wont, be so much swearing and running after lewd women. The coal matter is terribly mixed. I dont think v;e have lost Tnuch, but .those fello s are unscrupulous as thunder and would do most anything, I shall not- have the mine started at present, but shall •only do those things that are required to save the property. Please say.to Dodge that my wife is in good health and sends »*' regards, a» do I# ^ Qeorge Wolcott to J. L. Williams, Omaha, 27:- (Telegram) eld Movjng Bridge line two '2) hundred feet north with same U«curvatur reduces cut across Train table about one-quarte 1-4, gives eight hundred feet.for trestle work; rock sounding on centre of abutment five feet deeper. " TTote:** Oeo, C. Tichenor to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 27:- ^ , »B«oiiiaendatory of Col. G. I4., Godfrey for Pension Agent at Des J'oines, Iowa. March, 1868, . Note : ThoaTfl.~Bates to J. E. House, Salt Lake City., 27;-; Sends receipt of Wells, Fargo & Co. for case containing map of Medicine Bow, cdrmm J. E-. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 27:- o." t > '-t' Your letters of the 21st inst. came to hand this morning, Tou' notified me that you would not substitute my estimate for January for the one- on file in the New York office, but that the correction coiild be made on February estimate; therefo e in making up February estimate I deducted the January estimate as you returned it to me, and it was "sent forward yesterday, I will make up another February estimate, and deduct January amount- as made up by myself- so that our copies will compare with those on file in New York, If .1 under stand your letter rightly, you submitted my January estimate for yours. I sent Mr. Brown draft on New York for the balance due P. T, Brown, Jan. 24th and he acknowledged the receipt. ^ , I notified Mr. Bates when he was here that his account should be closed up an soon as he arrived in Salt-Lake, and notifed himrby telegraph not to incur any additional expenditures, but to send his vouchers forward at once; that Mr. Blickensderfer would arr mge all supplies, outfits, &c. When Mr. Bates was here we looked over the act, together. Ho claimed that the charge-against him or premium on gold draft of $1939,87 is not right, as he r tvirned gold vouchers to the amount of $4003. and If He to be charged with the premium it ^ ■' ' ■ vV'V <1 ■ ■ , March, 1868. mox, ' Sa . f40i - oO . ought to be added to the gold vouchers in order that he tnight get the proper credit for it. We only gave him credit for the face of his goid vouchers, , .v I gave Gen. Augur a map of the Ft. Sanders reservation, and he promised to send it to Gen. Sherman with his approval endorsed on it, I also sent you a copy of the same map, I have heard nothing from $rhe matter since. Mr, Carter's maps and psofiles have not arrived. F. M. Case writes me that he has made a connection with our line at Cheyenne, and wanted a tracing of our map for five miles on each side that he might show it 6n his map, I asked him to send me a tracing that we might have thf^ data here. He speaks of getting a very good line and the distance is 105 miles. . . I hope you will ^et your vouchers audited soon, for -I am very anxious, myself, ^botlt the acoouiit. Have no fears but what they v/ill come aut right in the end. In all my settlements with Chiefs of .parties have examined all the act, through, journalized and posted * « them all over, so as to be uure and make no mistake. Your balance of f29,505 on March 1st is $5000 more than it ought to bo owing bo tiM charge of $11,000 when you only drew draft for « $6000, The correction will appear on statement of April 1st, Also you recollect giwlng Nate $5680 in August 1866, We have no v tichers e an file for that amovint. In Juno 1867, you charged yourself on those ■ r March, 1868. * ' " * . r • A ^ i, T . ' ^ . books for ^5100 and gave First National BanV credit. I have nothing to shov; for that amount, I can also figure up on the old journal, charged to yourself exclusive of the above, for dver $15,00 and you have not returned vouchers for more than half the amount exclusive of salary. 1 "M cvff ■ . n V 4 ^eil J. E. House to Gen.* Dodge, Omaha, 28:- ' Enclosed you will find my copy of February estimate, made Up "from the January estimate T returned. I wish you would 1 ook at bn* the amount of the second item on February estimate returned the 26hh. g^tn afaid it iw wrong although compared twice; it should read #7,515,000 and am fearful it reads 7,575,000" '^oJR I go to Sanders tonight and will be abSent 10 dayS. Will look after the irrigating ditch, if the snow is not too deep, ■ ' J, Biickensderfer Jr. to J. . House> Salt Lake City, 28:- tXlw *■ Sends lists of drafts drawn on 0. M. Dodge up to date. Con- ' 'ijerning acts, of P. and H. previous to his taking charge. Biickensderfer, Jr to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake City, Utah, 28:- On receiving your answer >.to my message a few days ago, I decided not to organize a fourth party now. This conclusion was arrived at chiefly from your remark that I should make it a temporary organization. So far as the man are concerned this could be done, teams could be hired, but so far as outfit is concerned, comprising Bhetler, that is, tents, bedding, mess arrangemente and, everythjj^ TdUggs L March, 1868•. >*)ir ■' Qf that kind. I did not see hosw I conld send a party into the field even for a short ti®e without considerable permanep.t outlay, and I decided to wait your further instructions, I was the more reconciled to this course, as ^ think no p rty can ,v/ork very ef ectively anywhere yet for ten days of two weeks, and if on receipt of this letter you think I should nevertheless organize this party, please telegraph me frt 'to. that effect and I will do so immediately. . . I hoped to have heard from you "by letter today, but there seem to be intermiption of mail communications from the East, I learn that ^ Bitter Creek is very high. , Mr. Morris and party left here on Thursday the19th for Green River, as you have been already advised. The storm on Sunday and Monday last delayed him, btit the roads are so bad and his teams so ■m'-- w-r' weak that he has not yet reached Weber station at mouth of Echo, Considering the expense of party day by day I have today telegraphed • , him to hire another team, divide his load and get over to Bridger • • without delay. I am the more easily reconciled to this course from I,-,. , the fact that I had his entire outfit weighed including supplies and f everi'hing he is obliged to carry. In spite of my effort I found his load amounted to 8819 lbs. being 882 lbs per mule, and this after I>nr .'♦ limiting poraonalbaggage of each ®an to a small valise or carpet- •^^Qu^aack, "hd "the supplies to no more than enable him to reach Bridger, k. ^J» with the exDOQtatlon of purchasing some on the way. I '■ ■ ■} iio ! wo-i tm» ®i>| .. March, 1868, . id8' ftlrfiiiif:.Ccn I have retained a statement of his outfit and the wei^t, which I would like at a proper time to submit to you. If he were to hire hoXlr: another team of 6 mules, thus making his tranportation to consist of mf»r'. 4 teams and 16 animals , he would still have 3306 lbs for a 6 mules team, load enough for such a trip as he has to make. I think a team 0"® dan be gotten at a cost of say $12 or $15 per day, which for 20 days would be say $3oO. "a sum which I think would be more than saved in the accelerated time in which it Wouli bring the party to its work. Ho'dges has commenced his work at Box Eider, b; t he has reported nothing yet of interest. Bates' partV is at Weber Canyon where I expect to see him (during the coming week, endeavor to finish up ther^^ and send him up to the narrows. 0« cGeo, Wolcott to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 28:- I enclose h-rewith map and profiles of lines run co necting M. & M, crossing with Ainsworth line. Line marked "/B" commences at Station 7440 100 ft." west of centre of west abutment with a 4° curve, and runs to the station 14 where I compassed to 10° in order to get round on to Train table, and from thence cross Train table on to* side hills as described in a form-r " f . r » • letter. ' Line "B" starts from Station 7440 on a tanget 200 feet north and parallel to same. I run a 4*^ curve to Station 14450 then • compassed to ■■ 10° and round on to ^rain table connecting tith line "A" at souflh enU . .tl' - V. . " March, 1868. . ' of table. The only difference between the two lines being a re^uttion . of excavation of about 1-4 for depot groimds across Train table, and a alight increase of trestle-work. The sounding of rock at centre of jv- west abutnient on original line gives 21 ft, below low water; on line oi 200 ft, north we find the rock 26 ft, below low water, making a dif ference of 5.ft, «" rfi The two lines I think show about as good results as can be ob- "tained; on a location the.i^ine along the .bluffs would be improved a little. It is impossible to run a line along those.steep side hills in the right place without some little time, and at present with the ground wet and thawing it is almost impossible for men to work there, "•snf Moving the bridge line farther north wpuld be of no material advftntage if any, aij as Cor skewing the bridge line, I consider that out of the question entirely. Hoping tho enclosed maps and profiles will give ail desired information, Shq amottmmoi , J. L, Williams to Gen. Dodge, Ft, Wayne, 28;- J'se-tif g- ' . . Reaching home this morning I find first Mr. Webster's letter of the 23d, giving his opinion from a view of the ground that a toler able fair line can be had cvirving into tho Ainsworth line; and secone, Mr, Wolcott'S telagram of27th, both of which I enclose, ^ ' Mr, Wolcott finds less excavation by crossing 200 ft, above,but 150 ft, more treatU and .6 ft, deeper 1^o_the rock. .1 think I should ^ — leave the Bridge line i«!» "or would I like to "skew" the Bridge «♦« 241 March, 1868. * ' " ■■ hut place it about at right angle with the current at a-full bank stage. But I presume Wolcbtt has sent you a written report more full. From all we have, ihcludirig Mr. Webster's letter, who cannot have a practiced eye in such locations, there seems encouragement to - . believe a feasible line can.be had, and if sc it would se^m that this is hhe true line; bi t whether it will be adopted.depends upon the managing men. The Omaha people seem to have no choice between this and the old line; so Dr. MtHer ani Mr. Herford, with whom i came here, stated. In the Board I offered,a resolution looking for its adoptibn in case found feasible, and if not, then the connecting '" track should be so laid as to afford the greatest facilities for cut- - I ^ting down the summit. It was referred to the Executive Com.mittee and ^""^^will probable not come before the full Board. In as much as Mr. nr®"' Wolcott's examination has been hurried, and as his practice in such locations may be leas than Mr.'Webster's, I would suggest that you require him to"make a careful location under Mr. Webster's supervision, ' who f presume is the ranking officer, or by any one that you may direct, seems probable that the Ainsworth line including the connec tion with shops will cost no more than the future cutting down of the summit with the present connection-with old track, 5500 ft. in length. 'It may'cost leaq but the one la a present expenditure an^ the other ^ chiefly a futuhe outlay- After the-present parties shall have done with the road. So t Hbuijt it being done, but I think we ought to present ^ mi " - March, 1868. ' it fully and fairly, I commit it al] to your discretion. Itis per haps not proper or decorous that a Government Director should give any directions or suggestions to. subordinate engineers. What I had ■ done was in an emergency and at your request, T i , The cost being equil, what excuse could be offered for the per manent increase of length of 1 1-16 mile? especially with means so abundant. The oma a people still talkin- of having the straight line adopted on or north of the Dey route. It will never be done to the latest generation. Hudnutt's surveys show conclusively that from the '.o Train trable the ridge cannot be corsped. From the Saratoga-table it might have been done by winding up the river, but with all the grades ^ and windings if the line were located and the two submitted for cal culation to a Board of Engineers, they would show it cheaper to run '' the ^ud Creek line. • ' ' i'ta ^ L. Williams to Oan. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 28;- -k*' ■, Remarks on specifications and recommend change,r M P. Ham to Qon. Dodge, New York, 28:- .^too <-?*« a 'CIi cT r, ; Your letter of the .27th is received. The Boardadopted the South Omaha crossing tlnuanimously. Omaha donates depot groundd and right o-f way, ahd 1250,000 either in city or county bonds. Council Bluffs gives quarter section next north of the one owned by the Company and right of way and also agrees to erect depot buildings It also gives #200,000 in city or county bQnds,,,^ ► . , March, 1868. - ©ridge is' to be high bridge'.--" Mr , billbn'Bays your telegram received. Arrangements not made yet. He will take care of you. biixi * Jesse L. Vi'illiams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 28:- ' ' • Much depends upon the organization for building the Bridge. -1 Althogh the U. P. Company will keep p. majority of the stock, yet I do hope there will be a separate management from the building the railroad. My only reaso.i for this is that if built by onr company the Vice President will contiiolchiefly and he will make a flimsy job of it; always endeavoring to cofctrol the plans which would drive from it ®- every competent engineer. If he could have his own way no engineer not entirely subservient and who would make estimates to order wouid^^ -X»t» atay in his employ. This would not do for the bridge, nor will it ^ answer for his penny-wise and, pound foolish economy to be intorduced on the bridge. Why will not Mr. Dillon and^Duff, Ames and others see this? Why win they not. act in the. same liberal policy "that governs Mr. Joy. At Quincy, Burlii^ton and Kansas City? There they give the control of the engineering and of the. purse to such engineers as Colbutn, Hivetsburg, Cxark and Chanute- telling them to build a subatantial bridge as cheap as -they can. They should do the same at Omaha. Such I a® sure would be the polciy of the U. P. i-be North Western & Pock Island but for Durant. .arflfbXi j ^ right time and try to shape this thirtg ttp. It is vWry important. Lambard and perhaps Bushj| March, 1868. - ,::r ;f . nell are in for a Bpeculation on this bridge as well as. the Vie Pres- £i»^v ' ident. ^ ^ It : Col. Seymour's report, which I enclose, is a curiosity. Perhaps 4I< V' ' I was a little rude to him. i could not forbear rising immediately - on his finishing the reading and asking whether he did. not know that jupt where he recommended the low bridge, the east bank had worked away 500 to 700 feet in three months. As to dredging, I toM the Board that they might work two dredgestfor two days in the draw, at cer tain stages of the river, and one day afterv/ard there would not be a. hole big enough to bury the Bridge Committee in. Duff, McComb, ^ Cisco, Macy and others declared immediately against any low bridge. Jhe whole repor t is full of fallacy, and if he had any influence in ^he building of the road it would be neaessary to expose him, and ghttbaPeak that influence^»^i ''ia er'l ^ •y 'ixJf. ' 'iTohn jTohn Pier^a pieroa to x-o Sen. wen. Dodge,-Denver, uoage, - Col. 29:-^^, ... Yours .lust received. We have found a vein of coal nine miles north of the Caicho ;La Poudre and three miles west of the line run by Mr. Case; nine feet thick and of a first quality, as far as I can just equal to the beat at Boulder. This is reported today by a man who was'sent down to prospect. If correct in his location we can swing "our line around to the ooal without injuring the align ment and with very little mord :d bel'n:;. lt>i "/i ®esidea this a heavy vein of coal has bisien found naur the mouth V? March, 1868, « of St, Vroins Creek and about 4 mnes from our East side line. On the east side of tho river red vein of over three feet pf good coal has been found,'but there are about 20 men at work there and if it is there it will be found. The beds that are worked on Coal Creek Suet and St, Vroins are about 12 miies from the east side line and 11 ;>r'V. r.,from the west side line, though the sam.e veins are known to exist ' within 3 mnes of the Blatte Valley, Stt t We shall send a party out as soon as the snow will permit to -see what improvement can be madeat the summit near Cheyenne and • "examine a -line to the newly discovered coal beds north of Cach la Poudre, Mr. Case will send you a copy of line to Cheyenne as ^ soon as it can be made. He says the summit he makes is the lowest there is in the divid-iie, but you will see that it gives heavy grades I do not think the west side line can be improved to any great extent except herpahs by running the grades differently. We ' Bhall conmonce work as woon as the weather will permit. • ';fi£X "ti jShyder to Gen, Dodge, omaha, 29:- : * t* twii f " ,>»• » much obliged for y^ashbum's speech received in Glcfo e ^J'^oday: ' ' ' - ' ^ 3 ^ correspondent is John Richly, as notoriously dis- -jcisiX« honest as any man "who over crossed the ^^issouri. His statement 4hat freight is handled by .wagon frpm omaha to Columbus or any other point on the line of tWli mad .by wagpn, or that it can handled by wagon ^ March, 1868. . ' ^ ."'r 6ov rates charged by us is false in to-to. The old freighters fight us because the road has killed their business east of the mountains. Richly is an old nuisance whose trade has been taken from him by men of progress settling in Columbus and doing business on principles adapted to this generation. The location of the road adjacent to his land has made him easy financially but he is qualitifed for no better '.pursuit than keeping a rach of the Powder River route, plundering pilgrims an'" selling whiskey to Indians, know John Richly. I know that you replied to V'ashbunn and gave Congress a better idea of this road and country than they ever had before. Ho talks wild. .Of course, he knows nothing about the expense of operating a road in this country; that we have no fuel on the line of roads from North Platte to Pine Bluff at each of which places we have to pay $12 per cord and transport by rail to all the stations intermediate; that all our coal is tr^insported by rail from the Missouri River and costs |10 per ton here for.a comparatively poor quality; that we have Indiana to guard-against, makiug it necessary to employ many men to guard those that work on track repairs west of Kearney, and that owing to tUfe phobability of danger wo have to pay more for laborers than is paid by any other roa;d; that wages for mechanics and laborers of every description are hlfdier here than elsewhefo* and supplies of all kinds cost more. Wakhburti is an old scold on railroads and in his previous attacks has been wht'ijped as T think he will be in this. - ^ ^ ^ I^Iarch, 1868. We are getting frei^t "fro'^ St, Loiiis now for about all competing points in Colcorado and New Mexico. Our prospects for business this season are excellent .yJ "' Gen. Dodge to J. E. House Washington, 29;- r.l. - -.r I have been looking over your statement of Cisco Att. r tMtii ledger, Sc. The balance of $29,000 against ™e cannot be right,' as I have not used any ^oney out of Coi^pany and in fact have not takfen up as'TOuch as ®y vouchers for* saletpy would amount to. When I to go New York I will co^ipare your statement with their s with a^^oimt of vouchers sent, money owing me by chiefs of parties &c. The account should bal ance or a little more, the amount I have drawn from Cisco. ^ I think I can straighten account when I get back to New York. They have no t given me credit for over half of my vouchers; they are slow in auditing them. I shall try to hurry them up.u-y Vx(>o Note: F. Hodges to J. House,' Box Elder, Utah, 29;-t;/o iX# Sends vouchers for February, 1868, nM' Bates to Gen. Dodge, Salt^Lake gity 29:-. . I suppose that by the first ef August the line will be pretty nearly located from Green ^iver to Salt Lake Vaiiey. ^ we lr> soon as I can be spared from location I would much prefer to ' be assigned to the charge of construction under Mr. Reed and take the immediate charge of tlie work from Green River to this valley and go on and get the worti' giUAred out, plans perfected and everything to g nJwo P March, 1868, , , ■-*, ready for the contractors. The disposition of the forces lies between you and Mr. Reed. I have written to Mr. Reed on the subject and I Xi: write you for the purpose of ascertaining if you will favor my propoT p. Sit on and will see that it is carried into effect. It is very evi- ,1* ^ildent that some of the engineering force will have to be put on to construction, and i would like to be detailed for this duty. -ni Be good enough to let me hear from you on this subject. hltto Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake City 21,- : Since writing you,last I am in receipt of your tvo letters r of Feb. 28th and March 6th.- .- , 3 You will have observed by my former letters that I anticipated 1^ your desire to examine route by Cache Valtoy, the reasons for which I «-ixplained to be the fact that I thought much or most of it could be done before I could otherwise well employ the party My action, al- ♦lihough in advance of instructions, was I hope nevertheless correct. I wrote you from Cheyenne, as I said for no special purpose, but ito keep you posted^in regard to the feeling of parties here. Similar ffi remartcB apnf,.-contained in some of my later letters, and ^ trust this freedom on my part has not been objectionable. Your remarked in reference to these things are very ju t, although I am under no appre hension of serious difficulty her of trouble in coping with any that may raise; but it is nevertheless very gi^atifying to know that you repose the confidence ir\ me which is to be inferred from your letter. 249 0. ^arch, 1868. •30ei iiC'ir' and are so willing to sustain any action I may take. For all this I am obliged to you, • . . -C . -r Since my last the weather has become more favorable, especially 1 for the last tew days, and the organization of the three parites has been completed. Mr, Hodge*s party left for Box Elder on the 13th; Mr, Morris' party for Green river on the 19th, and Bates' leaves for Weber today. They go with the transportation specified in your in structions to me, except that'I have consented that podges should so ^ ' modify his (as he desired) as to o^iit the two-niule wagon and put the two mules on one of his large wagons;-thus giving him one.six-mule team and one four-mule team only. I have no doubt that both Hodges 'and Bates will do well, but how Morris will get to Green river I do not know. I had sent Maxwell to ^t. Bridger to see what supplies '' bould be gotten there, so that we could reduce our load from here to a *^'®lnumum. He reports on his return that there is a good deal more •nov; in the Wahsatch ''ountaina now than there was when h e came over from Cheyenne, Morris is very anxious to try, and I hope he will f aucceed. If he does not 1 must employ him m Weber valley until he can get over, but, unless I m^atake, I Would much rather have orga nized his party at Sanders and have endeavored to reach Green River oii . j .1, from that point than from here, p ' % We have obtained tents of pretty good quality in full Supply from Camp Douglas, and also many other supplies such as coffee, sugar, Mpch, 1868. tea, &c., &c. The animals, wagons and other supplies^ &c., we got in the city. I have had to draw on you pretty heavily, as it see^^s to ®e, hut I think we did as well as circumstance s would permit, and we now own our entire outfit and transportation, - - A young man I got to assist me at Headquarters, hut who could not leave the East when I did, arrived last Tuesday night. He encountered a severe storm west of Bridger and froze his feet pretty hadly. I think, however, ho will nscover without heing permanently injurec. , J. 0. Hudnutt to,J. E. House, Rav/lins Sprngs, 29:- , Two of my Chicago hoys got homesick and could not stand guard and so thought they would go home. I send this package hy them, j ^m out 12 miios on my Unej all right; have men enotigh left. Have collected $20, for Eddy from Mr, Woodruff, Escort have not come; will overtake me in ten days, I got up from North Platte with 42 ft. grade. Sa-^l, B, Raed to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, 29:- ■» tuAf ;ii' rrj. t " 'f - ■ I Yours of 16th and 21st are received, I had changed the grade between station 800 and 900 before receiving your letter. At some other places I have also made changes. Generally where changes have been made the grade is higher than laid hy Mr, %ans to avoid snow as much as possible, I have had test leveljrun over the work to . 251 aw anf lo , aa Maafl I 1 Iii i iiiaiil March, 1868. statidn 1500 and the engineers are ntlw staking out/ My grades at station 840 'is 6782.6; at 856- 6773, at 870-6783; at 805-6793. In borrowing material to make the high bank the cut at east end will be equal to emb. as re'gards snow. - - ^ have the station ground graded at Laramie at once, I regret exceedingly that nothing can be' done to suppress the ^iskey traffic along the line. A fevmights since two men in Carmichael's Ganip were shot (badly wounded). 1?:elch, a contractor, was robbed of $1100, and nearly killed contiguous to a place on his Vork called ■ 1 Robbers Roost. One "^an was shot dead through a window at Cregithon's Cajnp. Horses arri mules are frequently stolen from some part of the ^ ?/ork. If these depredtations are to be continued, it will soon be * * s worth a man's life to go over the work. Let us have martial law if nec , J Iv . essary to keep of the whiskey. Every pay day the men lose several days; the work is materially retarded in consequence. ^ * • • • ' Dale Creek Bridge is not completed. We are doing' well on it. Boomer is raising the truss work. The t estles will be nearly comDieted this woek. Have not made comparative estimate for cost. Work , is let to station 1500 at ^^edicine Bow; shall let more as soon as line is located. Grading thrcu^ first range will be completed in fifteen days if weather is good. We have just had the worst stor® of the season; lose two weeks in ileaning cuts of snow^ Please write •• as soon as convenient. March, 1868. ^ ' GfeH. Do(3l08r»Hio J. Tfoiise, ^ tt ' ' 'I. think;'yotrr map TTi<ir^'do', birtr-'-sencf copy:,/of, one Evans »"•' ^elit me,-* '■ ' '♦»' ' ■ * T havfe ttfe profile of adopted lirje for location from errd of . 7"^'■-located lin*»-to Salt Lal*e,- and yon need- not" maKh profile of that. • It is profiles of line that I mentioned that 1 lack. ' s l&ill'the llh^Htnin-*ajttei*f#^Pe pi*t-aflr-Tour^ irihp', not'onTy the line •»'f- l-ocated-west-^of• Pt San(Wiw, '"bnt Brown'o preliminary'west of Sanders. , • Jpach line- wants trr b© tnaEV^ed: whO' run-, "by and date, and* also letter put'tO'-eeoh'1 ine eo'profile-Pfin he mtfPkied same'. ' '4T ,~iT i(' A' ' ' ■* 1 hope to'rp out lrra,5f^elf or two,"btft "ftifty ■nTot"'he*'a'ble to. Will •* send the profiles you refer-to. The.map I -hatne' 'does not shoW MaxHwell'B.located line--fircrf Medicine-Bow-to North Platte; hiP north ... lines'that was a)||A0en«d.' vV' fll. Note: C, H. Hudson to J. L. Williams, Btirlln^ton;"<50^- 4 .» In. answ.eh-to my letter of -«Wth, that they put in their , fioundatione amd-fbuilt th^-lr false-werk-by th^ day; vrork theii^" own Xorce. Laid atone in,cold weather, uelhfr cement, letting it freeze. Oliver Ames to Oon/"Dodge, North Eaf!toh,'-30? ' -• * .-> Ww at'* weryfgipafely delierhted With'yduf -Success in the . contwowiipey .wlth.PptBhbnm, It -shows the necessKyi of having' sdme one there that thoroughly understands the whole subject.' . ■ ' t -J, ' ' '8 ,t , 4-1 .♦-'f r I r? S March 1868. If the railroad corxnit'tes shdl L hav; report'"if Mil'frivln^'T to Conpress^ 'after the road shall "be completed," pfO',vfer^ to fix our rates, would it he attended with much trouble? The law allow.s-us' K) per ^ cent oh our 'stocTc arid 1'1,'hink the* latjut 'o'f US' will -he saMsfled with . t' that, an'd the "Committee would not be allowed to cut ifs duhn below that. •»' - ' T I . . . . T T' . Your letter enclosing extract from Bllckehsdcrfor?s and Evan's is received. The'recerft-sriTSIr has made their'Biirveyn still lrfOre dif- • i. r ficult fend they >111:' not prow get rftr imrk isfefore thb" first df "Xpril. Dr. Durant and Dillon propose td Tto dUt Dn the Work* nekt week ♦ Y r .'lf .^and let if out ac Tabt, as'possible. I th.lnk I haHre nevet* seen the • r- Doctor more pliable fend anxious, tb ptease everirbody than'nbw." it may^ 'however, be' fhh the*'purpose oT 'getting pbPer'lfi 'ifl^'structibnt5f road. I hope, however, he will he as he now-pretends", *of»y fenkiOus'to push for'«r^h4ite roadi . . .t -v .r .0 • I havebrdeffed,tUhhelllnR'ftafehinory (two SetS) so that we can - carry along two phasew at once.'It Ife sAme'^s usdd Ih'bur Poosac tun- .4^»-.«el and i»«there an8weTpng"a,gobd'-purp6ee. 'vie have'also*drderod some of the same drlU's for fhroa^h'^cvts. * '• ^ ^ ' I dent-fehink'thafe^SetAobr- lHlnt* to* go 0W iH the work this sum .. mer. He had quite enough of It ladi aftd Wltft' a i^esult^ftnything but satisfactory^ - ^ } J. Biiekensdorfer, Jr. to Gen. Dod-e, Salt Lake City, 30:- Thls morning I recelrdd "y'-urs of the 17th Inst. from New 4 March, TR^R. t • • T York, arrd It; 'orf corrse, Wel55S t0''ex!llaln-';fou'r talsgram'^f Slst inct. '-• On considerln/^ the subject again' I have concluded to organize a fuurth party imnedtatsly at the head of which I' 'yill place Maxwell. r«7 •!-will-Jtee'p It ae' ^all tts pos»i»hle'©ohsi^terft'with'ef fic'iehcY, will ■♦lire the transnnrtation-lrf suell-ir-waY li-hat it'may he dtncMrge'd at ► any -tide, and fit' -eut the. party* on as ieconoTnicailr a scale as'I'ban when-permanent ou-trlajh-aiuKt bo' 'ihcurrecl. It will "be considered k tem porary organization, tcr be'used as Ibng as necessary, and disbanded - , . whenever it majy bo* deemed'proper to do sb. I will," ahless othenyise v.. ^.instructed, u«© iU in «cho-Canyon,-if the"snb;^Irill'^llbw a pffht3' to work there,-or in UTeber-narroirs*- t-ransfehrlng Bates'tb Bchb, 'Ss I nay deem best, and» will only use it at north errd'oT Lake" in case it cannotr work in Bcho. After I^ see that the line from Gre'^n River to Weber is fuAly^proMded for-or' the-'looatibn'^So far-advarced as'to meet all Jrbquiromentg, it can be e^nt.to examlnd PI-omontBry Point. ^ „ .Hodges is.,f#f ,ln Cache Valley andntwell at work, and I do not like ^ to reaall him-.wntll thia werk in that'countfy-Id done. ' "•* ' *Se8t assurodi-4Joneraliy"Iiwill'do my'UtmOst"to 'carry Oiit your ^ views as aoon as I ftilly understand thertj but should you doOiri'^any of my plans or movements ae not well taken or 9ub jeet'•t'O' criticism., I trust you-will promptly call lay attWhtl'on to the fact, f maybe' too , timid abou^ indproRlng the neoeesargf expenditure to pu'sh"%«tt'ers as fast as you wish. Should anything of the kind Appear, please call attention to March, 1868, ' ■ " Morris hafd-'only Jf\i^t"pasded-Weher home s€atioM today,'Trh'en I 'telegraphed him to send M^roirell bach and pat "on more te^ms and push off t?<5 Gfreen Ri'fl^er.''ITe dayc roads 'aj^e* bi^e^'kinm up all. the way hand in ,a let'te'f*"elated 29th received'-'he -gaysr "170 'made three' mllds yes 's terday and three tdday; are'moving* sloVly," iJtfT, liave^-passed'rfTo.st every thing on the road roln-Q:-to i^w^etwlater. ' Yesterday th Stage stuck three hours and-had to tPlg Out., Have hired Yl-team'of "8 catt1e*tD kedp along, and. todaj^- wlth ^ nrains and 8 bulls to bnV""wk'^h','^ hdtT'tb rest every 60 ft." And touxJtr mdre' of thb same sdrr. As'soori' Sr He" reaches • •' snow, he-Will,- If there IS liny pros'pect'"bf his' doing- b'ehter, get sleds -r -put hie^'W-.y^rr bc-ds oh-tMfem 'wnd try^ it in that way.^ I-'h.ope'whe'n he getg^ out of the Canyon of valley he' will'fincJ a firmer'rb'ad-bed. ^ ' If wo orree get fairly into'the Tie4d ahd-the'snOw' is'n'oVtoonruch , in ou»v,wttgr',.-wt-'9hall'I* hcpefbe heady ^ '"»d"W ■ m. McAlpine to Geh.'Mdge; StOcAiridgd';'Msrf'.' ''' ""I h»d, intwnded'to arrange'my''btisihess ^matters so as to be in New York'a% tWe-ttme'of <thd meeting of ^ouh boar(^, Aopfnm also that I might meat-yott-there, so that I^could fUilnlsh any additional informa i tion in my peosesslort that 'night bft desired by you. I have not yet, j however, raoovered from my tllfiesy aftd t "^syJed "l8y'Y?rb€her, who has - ■ been With Ine'ah ifrfrWhf, and '6n 'Ws6' calctHatiohs, to go . to Torkvitwwiy.pl ace. ■IThile th&f^ he V fan old ftcquaintanVe in f f »»»y fm r tj r. ♦ rt»» * ♦ ■ • • ♦ March, 1868. . f r-/ Mr. Duff and had some conversation with him on the subject, informing him in regard to the weight and quantities of a pier .and foundation e' composed of two columns, eight feet diameter, with staelings both of wood and iron, and the necessary braces, protection filling. Etc. He ^also gave him the quantities in a foundation supporting a stohe pier. I was glad to leam that the Board determined to take a broader view of the question than that of a mere temporary bridge, and I am sure from the tenor of your last letter that it must have been gratifying to yourself. As I understand it, the Board fixed the location of the bridge at Omaha crossing and determined upon a high grade, ^ and appointed a Committee with power to select a plan and contract for the work of its construction. Am I correct in these particulars? ' Seymour alluded in conversation to the force which the high wind that occur occasionally might exert on the columns if the latter extends to the bridge seat. I regard this as very slight compared with the strength of columns as large as those designed braced and h-i ' ' 'tied together as they would be If this force was exerted in the di rection of the axis of the bridge, they are held at the bottom of the river by the ground and at the top by the trusses, and they become simply beams supported at both ends with the wieght distirubted over a portion of its length. If the force is in the direction of the axis of the pier, the amount of surfaoa exposed is very small and opI poses a semi-circular front and the legnth of the pier to resist the March, 1868, , c pressure so that I regSird any danger frc^ this source scarcely worth considering. I am very glad, however, to hear of these objections when wade "and to have an opportunity of meeting them, as sometiines a few words ofexplanation or a statement of the results of experiment or actual practice clears up a dotibt that would otherwsie remain in the minds of those vdio have not had opportunities to practically demonstrate " these questions, peculiarities snaetimes at particular localities m^ght also be overlooked unless a free discussion is had in regard to any point that niay seei^ doubtful, '' During my illness 1 have been translating a French book, '#iich ^ gives an account of severM bridges covering the different systems Which are most practiced in France. Thhse show some very-ingenious ""'devices for driving Iron oftlssons and for performing the excavation within them, but French like, their Ingenuity makes the work more cost ly than many simpler modes. It Is as if a fine piece of mechanism was ' used for driving an ordinary nail- an ordinary carpenter would send it home while such a machine was being gotten ready. For their reason their ■iork showa an inatfwlseable cost which oomparas unfavorably with other methods of for«lng foundations. They do not seem to have understood the great eo«i«*y affected by the use of the expanded concrete base. - ktw; i ^ twdjwy fro® tho Eranklin Institute, they JMle . 1 I j mU io hi't r < March, 1868. request me to send the translation for publication in their journal, which I will do as soon as I am able to properly revise it. In the letter ref-rred to I am informed that there has not been a sufficient ■ ' number of the copies of the journal for March published to send j^ourself and a few others the completion of my paper on Pile Support, I am rorry for this as the portion in the March number is devoted principally -to iron columns or piles, I have asked them to send me some extra copies and if I receive tbem I will forward you one. Did you receive the February number which I sent you? e 'jr.. , XM.'? You will be more in the way of hearing any objections that may be I' raised to the system I am advocating than I will, and I would be ob liged if you will ciemmunicate all that you am meeting with, even if you consider then trivial. ',-^v i « erai House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha 31:- / .. r .r Your s 25th inst. inclosing memorandum receipts for money to amount of eight hundred thirty-seven dollars ($837) is received. •Vouchers will be made out and returned with March abstract. - t ' Nd.te: J. O. Thompeon to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 30:- In relation to his retaining his office as pension Agent at ' Dee Moines, if a ohenge is made in the administration. J; a; lilliamean iV) Gen. ,Dodge, Des Moines, 31:- , ♦ , a 'I ' od t fv;,, ^ ^ 1 have liseei Uie ®atter of your declination to be a candi- ♦"datA ftfmfCongresn discussed a great deal recently, and much nl ^arch 1868. . ' dissatisfaction has been expressed at your determination. There is a •jfi^'e-spread feeling that a few ^en knew your deteri^ination not to be -'oa candidate while the general impression was that you would be, and hence the few took advantage of their knowledge and fixed the matter I • of the succession. -.ili.' If I may be allowed to advise you or give you my opinion it would . eCosbe to the effect that you ought, to, if you possibly can, be a candidat or rather accept a re-nomination wh'ch you can have without asking if you will only say that you serve.. If your health and business would permit j^ou to do so there is not a man in the State whose chances for the United States Senate two years from now would be equal to yours, an that is not a position to be cast off when it would come by the natrual course of events without seeking. When you retire fro® Congress the Ijwwa Soldier will _not have a representative of his class in any im.portant place in Washington. I wrute you freely as one friaiSl ®ay write to another without presuming to dictate or do more than give my opinion for what it is worth, and btlieving that you will receive any expression .of .opinion from mg, in the same kindly spirit in which it is offered. Now, my dear General, I want to iay a word abou1< something else than Congre'ss or nolitics, and that is, if you dd positively decline to again return to Congress and gd 6n tO ilW*pacific R. and there is any place or position you can secure forme on the road I want it ^arch, 1868. .f I am not doing much here in the way of making money and there is apparently but little that I can do, as I have no money to do any thing with. I would like to go out with you when you go West the ^>'^next time over the road, and see if I cannot get something to do or get into something that will pay in that new countr . •: Write me soon and let me know something about your final deter mination about the mattef of the nomination and when you will probably . I. go West.^, c -.-jttCwif. - I Gen. Dodge to J, E. House, Washington, 31;- . You can give the Station Agents five dollars (5) each for sale of lots. That is a fair remuneration. The Agnets on N.W.R.R. do business for the C. R. Mo. R. R. and have no connec tion. Our Agent ought to do this business as part of their duties. 0' I.have sent you 25 reports of Oregon Branch and 10 of surveys *of 1866. Th^y are very scarce, I received estin.ate up to end of 6th hundred but have nbt had time to examine them. After we cross Black Hills price of grading in 'I; advance of track should be reduced to about its cost. You must lay J-. grades on profile., do not want to eKoeed 9o'ft. when It oan 1» aVoid ed, at some points you will h-vs to go higher. You oan make profile ;nnd grades in pencil or those you keep, and send original forme to -do .end company. Bs sure snd get all date on maps and profiles. In March, 1868. .WU .-OTJ wofcking up grades on Bater.' and on Brown's line, they should bel corner to corner intersection in Black's Fork, * h J .q« H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York 31:- "1 .' ' fiJ ' Yours received. Doctor will ireet Hoxie and Dunscomhe at mines next week. He received map all right. What time will it he convenient for you to have my boy go with you out on line of road? He expects to have a good time and I want he should, but I would not ls.t hin go except with you. Let me hear from you on the subject. Note: Gen. Dodge to J. %. House, Washington, 3i:- rt ♦ Encloses draft on U. P. H. R. $20,000, 1 "lo Note. Samel B. Feed to Gen.* Dodge, Gheyenne, 3l5^r:X»iPa ofc ' V In relation to pass for Oov. WoC. Note: Copy of letter on Southern connection. Act. of trip to St. Joe to make arrangement for throu/^ connection. Rough draft of , ft. • i, - , ^ agreement with Iowa roads. J H Knight to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, April 1.- t/iX i .u * * Beaded by Gen. Gibbon a number of officers at Ft. Sanders salted . on *r. Bent and pro os.d to hi" to take a number of lots In Laramie •O . W city not exceeding five provided that three -nonths tim. could be ohtalned for p«y»ent, conditioned that each officer should .ithln 20 days erect a good, substantial house on one of-the lota thus obtained. / Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - March 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 March 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/8b940197ce784f266e5dd4153289ccb2.pdf f15ae98d9a56d8a86095b7c59bcb76af PDF Text Text March, 1868. wofcking up grades on Bates' and on Brown^s line, they'should "bel corner to corner intersection in Black's Fork. xX<tAo*i iq« •to r H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York 31:-' ' Yours received. Doctor will reet Hoxie and Dunscomhe at mines next week. He received map all right. What time will it be convenient for you to have my boy go with you out on line of road? He expects to have a feood time and I want he should, but I would not l.et him go except with you. Let me hear from you on the subject. Note: Gen. Dodge to 3. E". House, Washington, 31:- Encloses draft on U. P. R. R. $20,000, 1 lo aX«a *Tu;J .r-i.T • t ^ i Note. Samel B. Feed to Gen.* Dodge, Oheyenne, 31 ofi \ In relation to pass for Oov. Woo-^". 't-.r Note: Copy of letter on Southern connection. Act. of trip to St. Joe to make arrangement for throu^ connection. Rough draft of • • < ' /r, agreement with Iowa roads. J. H. Knight to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, April 1:- "i f Headed by Gen. Gibbon a number of officers at Ft. Sanders waited Mf on "r. Bent and pro-oe.d to hi" to take a number of lota In Laramie , City not exceeding five provided that three -ontha tlte oonld be ob- ■ „ talned for p.y»ent, conditioned that each officer ehould within 20 days erect a good, subetantlal houae on one of-the lots thus obtalned• I April, 1868. • ' , ^r. Bent says he could not sellrthe lots on these ternis without your • authority, an-'advised us to rnake the application to you with the 'X vo request that it be granted-and that you telegraph him in regard to it. dSl I am therefore instructed to address this letter to you. Will you be kind enough to instruct Mr. Bent by telegraph in regard to it. Be is aware of the contents of this communication. Note: Monthly statement showing face of ledger, :- itt 09 X « p ' ,.^■1 Note: F. M. Case ta J. E. House, Denver, 1:- " f - Sends-tracing, &c. - • - , I Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, North Easton,- 2:- -"i.-j Kf* . I am greatly obliged to you for the very effective speech of *'**'yours on Pacific Railroad. It cannot but have a large influence on Sends-tracing, &c. the minds of all disinterested parties, ■^bur letter saying that the Railroad coff^nittee woulff report a bill totake effect after the completion of the road was shown to me by Mr. Duff. I think there can be no objection to that if we can sero ■ • cure fair mjnded men on the Committee. The great snow storm m^st delay your parties for a week or more. r r' *1 Tou spoke to me once of the importance of an early'commencement of the work on lihe Bitter Creek country, so that the grading may be completed before the country is dried u; so that we cahnot work there. Will you obJx ^ . write me showing the necessity of our starting work in this region im ) mediately that I may say your views before our Trustees^ Apri], 1868. .e-iox F. M. Case to Gen, Dodge, Denver, 2:- f. .'*0 f i,c .vj!d I send by mail to you today tracings of line and profile. ,)^ fl am too unwell to:?ay to write much. I can get a better profile over the sum-it and am only waiting for the sndsw to leave to go up with . party to do it. Have reconnoitered the bluff sufficiently to think the summit I .went over the lowest and most easily approached. When - I go up again will look around still more. I think-a fair li e can be .§ot with a maximum grade of 75 ft., though I may make it 80 or 90 now to save work. I have estimated from the profile of the line as rim which will not vary materially If; rlo' ' from the line to work from. I send an extract of my report to the Directors, as I am too poorly to write it myself. Will write more ^ when I feel better. ■ ■ ' Jas. A. Eyans to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 3:- ^ It is to jbe ^9p8d that you did not furnish passes to 'tm I Hurlbut and Trumb ill. Sorry that I did not meet you at Sanders. 1 go west again on .iiO Tuesday and shall not return probably until locationis finished to , <♦ Green River, which I hope to complete this month if weather will per- • •.1 '"it. ♦ ; w ,,ov Note ; F, M, Case to Gen, Dodge, Denver, 3:- f ij Giving comparative estimate of the west side line with line on east side of Platte, with figures as reported to Directors. ■{ no i ( ij April 1868. Ilnih .isiw I Ncte:- J. E. House to Jas, A. Evans, Omaha, 4:' Concerning Mr. Fenno's account, . "c lo Note: W. S. Fenno to J. E. Houses Ft. Sanders, 4:- 'y ♦'Mil 'inol-M,' Concerning his expenses from Omaha to Ft. Sanders. . . ^ J. Biickensderfer to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake Citjr 4;- ;» ,7*?"! Mr. House telegraphs me that you will be in Omaha next week, but I have so fully advised you of my moveT^ents and actions that I have but-little to conmiunica^e, I will, however, report what I have already written, that on the receipt of yours of 17th, I decid ed to organize a fourth party and called Maxwell in to take charge of it. Re is now here actively.at work preparing and will take the field next week. His party will be somewhat smaller than either of the others, and can be disbanded at any future ti'^e if dee-ed proper. I will send him to Weber or Echo if the snow gets out of the way sufficienlyt, as 1 • I now incline to think It will. If not, he will examine Promontory Point and afterward assist in clor.fng.up gaps between Green River and ; ; -JHte , fQ-ber. ^ ^ r-v ' Morris* party passed Weber station no Monday going east. He has "had a very hard time and I have heard nothing of him since he passed y-eber. I th n directed him by telegraph to hire additional teams to help him over to Bridger or Green River in order to get to work at the earliest possible date, and h% had advise^d »e that he did so. ^ 265 i ' <1 April 1868. Hodges is somewhere in Cache. Valley, hut I haye not heard fro™ hi™ for about a week. As soon as i'faxwell gets away fro™ here I wish to get out to see the.parties, and gather a better.knowledge of the country ™yself. I will try to push on and ™eet your expectations and desires as far as practicable Note: j. Blickensderfer, Jr. to J. E. House, Salt Lake City, 4;- ..r Sends lists of drafts drawn on G.M. Dodge. OT/iT X *^Not^^ Geo, H. Hurlbut-to J.-E. House, Chicago, 5:- ^ Of t Sends Col. Hudnutt's vouchers. Wants his expenses from Cheyenne refunded him &c. ix-n ■ L i' Note: Jas. A. Evans to J. E. House, Cheyenne, 5 - ..t Encloses vouchers to amount of ^1518.36.' Dislocated his kneww getting off cars, nn f'e* i t ■: BehjamAn Dolbear to Gen. Dodge, East Portland, Oregon, 5:- Having read With interest your report upon railroad lines branching frc^ the 17. P. R. tr Oregon and Washington Territory and terminating upon Puget sound, I beg per'^ission to address you, and to inform you thftt until within one year past I have resided at Steilacootn on Puget Sound since 1854, and that I have long been satisfied that the building of one hundred miles of railroad to connect the ' Columbia River with Puget sound would open a lincof trade of vast -'fceneflt tb Oregon, to Washington and ^ntana Territories and prove a 866 April, 1868. profitable investment to the builders. ytji r^r'-r- -tijB 'We have waited patiently and in vain for that Institution called f'^%Re "Northern Pacific Railroad Cc^pany " to build or even to begin their work, but they do nothing but beg in the Halls of Congress and '* ' leave us no hope. ' ,I arr determined, poor as I am, that they shall no '•act the Dog in the manger and prevent others "-ore enterprising from building. If they will not build, why do they stand in the way of ■ others who will do the work and open a line of trade across the Con tinent ? The peculiar business of that Institution seems to be to wait and beg. 1 1 c; uf Four years ago I took the Bill granting lands fo the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and another rai''road bill and from the two, I, * manufactured • a Bill to suit myself and forwarded it to my brother in in the Treasury Department to be presented to Congress. Mr, Denny, the Delegate from the Territory, failed to do any thing to further th matter because the road would terminate at Steilacoom instead of Sei 'v at-tle, ' the little * own where he resides. Had ^r. Denny secured the ^ passage of the Bill he would have been returned to Congress, but now he has the satisfaction of remaining at home, in qtiiet. .A yeat since I left my home about the Sound and came to Fort or rather the City of Vancouver, where I remained two months perfecting a Bill to incorporate the Puget Sound and Columbua River Railroad * ' 267 •u '. -nni S! April 1868. - ' Company. They are named in the Bill eleven persons (myself among the number) as Commissioners. The Delegate has forwarded to my address the printed Bill on v/hich I find the following endorsement: Tri'' r r- ^ to incorporate the puget Sound and Columbia 00 X "C'f ^ It}..'.' . /■ ."i 10 ^ 'River Railraoad Comany. " .Nov. 26th, 1867, REad Twice, referred to the Committee on the Pacific Railroad and ordered to be printed." The underscored lines are ptinted on the back of the printed Bill; this shows that the matter is before Congress. A letter from Hon. SaJnue] McCaw, of Steilacoo®, dated February 3d, 1868, says: "the news reached Oly^pia last Thursday that the Bill h^-d passed the House of Representatives and a second reading in the Senate with a fair prospect to become a law." I see nothing of this ^atter in the news papers and therefore think that the dispatch to Mr. MoCaw has not been confirmed. The Bill called for the sa®e amount of land p r miie as has been granted to the "-orthern Pacific Railroad Co^ipany" where 'it passes through Ihe ^aVrltories, and should it become a law the grant will be a rich thing for the Company building the rpad. A lit tle effort from proper parties will make it a law. Enclosed you will find a printed statement which was signed by Generals Grant, Shonnan, Ingla s and Medical Director Gen. Barnes and 'Sii. I fifty officers of the Regular Army. A particular object for this communication is to innuire if I can interest you privately in locating a termiinus upon tlif Sound for this road in case the bill should pass. April, 1868. Note: E, Apple ton to J. S. House, Ft. Sanders, 6:- ; 11. ^ ■ n 1 r ■ . ^;h. . ■ ■ • ■ -.4 ■ • Sends notes of located line, &c. ♦ ' i ^ J. L. Williams to Gen, Dodge, Ft. ^'ajuie, 6:- Encloses suggestions as to South Omaha crossing, &c. Note: peter E. Falcon to Gen. Dodge, Burlington, Iowa, 6:- Wants information concerning Missouri River Bridge. - Thos. H. Bates to J. Blickensderfer, Jr. Bait Lake ^ity, 6:- I have the honor furnish field notes Nos. 1, 2 &3 containing transit notes and topography of my survey from Green River at • . 1 mouth Big Sandy to intersection with Brown's line on Medicine Bowj also copy of levels from Station 8090 to mputh Medicine Bow, together ^ with a map on scale of 10.000 ft. t one inch, with traverse table \ calculated from the courses and distances of the survey, Mr, Ho^^se telegraphs you that he has "no map of any kind shewing oJ Bates' line, either jln O.maha or Ft. Sander(s office, Rrofile only of err line from mouth of Big Sandy to Station 8100, and from North Platte to Brown's line." Gen, Dodge instructed me to forward map and profiles » of my survey to him through ^r, Evans, Division Engineer at Sanders. On the 26th day of November, 1867, I turned over to ^r. Evans at Sanders . tn a map on a scale of 10.000 ft. to one inch of my survey from Green . River to intersection with Brown's line on Medicine Bow; also profiles from station 8090 to Station 10.949X93, which intersects with Brown's April 1868. . KJaoo r. ^ TJ'V line at station 3582'of his'nui^bers. The profiles of the line from Green River to Station 8090 had been forwarded to Gen. Dor^ge prior to receiving instructions to*forward through Evans, On 27th of last month I forwarded to Mr. House, at Omaha, by Express from this city, a map on scale of 1000 ft. to one inch of the line from Station 8090 to Intersection with Brown's line. Note: J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to j. E. House, Salt Lake City 6:- Concerning Bates notes, 5=0. I T J'V: Note: Henry UcKenty to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, Dakota, 6:- tp.'ir," ' , sites, &c. ^ T T J Is following the road westward, and wants charge of town 'to the current at Omaha is this: That the great westerly bend at the t<3 " r ' Saratoga table must contineu for many year*, and work in nearer to O'i "" the bluff. Then if the hard point At and above the Telegraph Pole nralt' . shall remain, as it will probably will, being on rock, the current thence must continue in a south-'easterly direction, undermining the East bank at and above the shops and thence, making a bend, will bear . L. "illiams to Gen. Dodge, Foht Wayn^, 7:-^^ '"t*" • The theory which I have adopted for the probable future of a rno 'r «0 : against the westerly bank at or hear theT M. & Crossing. It was this action ana raaoton that cut out the west bank last sutmer. While 1 a" fully aware of the'uncertainty of all speoulatlons as to the course J -4^ April, 1868. , iKff this riyer, yet I think so^^e such progra^^e is reasonable. Look at llJBO it. c J(. ■ c»J *'j Now, if this theory should be found nearly correct, then it must soon wear in to the noint where I thought of placing west ^hutment. But, until it shall wear in westward, the west span will pass but little .water. Heretofore the river has been quite straight from Tel egraph pole to the quarry; but now it inclines to become serpentine- .& ly washing first east bank and then farther dovm the west bank. It may be that the wash eastward will continue,, and, taking a larger sweep might hereafter abriad the railroad line east of the proposed east abutment. In-that case we should have to. try our hand at rip-rapping in a north-easterly direction from the proposed aburatnet pier, ifliich- * though not so light a job as Mr. Joy represents, might be practicable with plenty of money. ^ • 1. - > , kro Tc •You may perhaps doxJb t "the Safety of my proposed dyke on the sand ■'"'"bar; but would a treatle bridge be any safer, even if on piles? The 'dyke could only be movod by the channel encroaching and undermining it, but title same cause would imdermine the trestle bridge no matter how deep the piles were. . The dyke, by lessening th height of the trestle, would make t' at ®uch safer-while it is so much done toward a permanent «mi,ankment will apply to the embankment on the west sid.e bridge at this site cannot be very short. It must necess-^rily ^ pass between the abutments-nearly the whole river. With the Council i;o Jc ■ April, 18G8. .018r Bluffs roadway and tlie thick willows on the east side,'and the street embankments at Omaha on the low bottom, no great amount of flood can be passed on either side out of the channel; but whether it should be . 2000, 2250 or 2500 ft. long can better be determined after the measure ments of flood section which I have suggested. The longer the safer^ I go to Pittsburgh tomorro" ; probably Home by Sunday. Write me "" here, and when you go East advise me by telegraph when you will pass. " I consider wither plan on such a bed of silt somewhat expensive. Note: Joseph S,, Wilson to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 7;-^ :: fm Decision on lands matters. y o. Chanute to J. L. Williams, Kansas City, Mo. C: . | •rfoii'iw , Yours of 3d i« just at hand, add as we are very glad to have friends profit by our experience^I hasten to give you an account of the wreck of our curb No. 4 which you may remember we expected to ' put down 32 ft. be low low water and drive piles to the rock. The washing away of the shore above the bridge line last SiMnmer « has materially altered the current linos at high or medium water. althou^ they remain abou^'the same at low water. We find that the direction of the vein of strongest curren,t, .after impact against a shore, is in function of the velocity,- so that the angle varies with the stage of water, and aS a necessary consequence the point of impact also being governed by the upper bend* The velocity is governed April 1868, not by absolute height of the river above low water, but by the height of the flood wave coding down, so that we find greater speed froi^ a sudden freshet on a low river than fro™ the great flood fro® the ®o\anWe had put a curb No. 4 down about 16 ft. through the sand, whe a dudden flood from the heavy rain in the beginning of March came upon us. The low water current lines were about as dotted, as the water rose they changed as. shown. The current vein in vibra ting from the shore scoured on one side of the curb to the depth of about 25 ft, while it did not cut at all on the other side, which was in slack water. The weight of the sand on the side which had nlot scroued pushed the curb over, Tiiile the scour' tmder its edge allowed it to settle towards the current side, andih the process it first bowed in the center and then broke to pieces; so much so at least that it is cheaper to build a new curb than to try to repair and use the old one which is canted over and in fragments, j - . The conclusions irtiich Irq have drawn from the mishap are: 1st,, That Mr, McAlpine is probably correct in his estimate of the danger of unequal settling Of ft pile foundation not driven to a resisting strat um in-i rivc^' subject to sdour, and 2d.- That any pier in the Missouri should have enough mass or weight in.proportion to its surface to hold the thrust ofia bank of sand saturated with water, 25 or 30 feet •: n: Mia #'V .v> " April, 1868. . '03t high.: ' ' t' ' --r: *0 3' #5;vr I am contemplating a plan for, this foundation of btiilding the pier first a:nd putting in the foundation afterwards; that is to say, to make the outher shell of the pier the curb, sink it by dredging in side and v/ater jet,s outside, building .on top as fast as it goes down and filling the inside with concrete and backing after the rock is reached. M ' 0^ ■ -Jo .JTsr "> T.: J. E, House to N. P-.-Dodge, Omaha, 9:- , r-i Mr, Evans telegraphs under date of 8th inst; .^Evergreens fo Gen, Dodge left end of track today, prepare to receive them." It takes a freight train 40 hours to make tl:\e riui in from Ghey- 'enne. That would bring trees here Saturday morning. Should they • come by passenger train they would arrive tomorrow morning, I will see to getting them to Council Bluffs when they arrive, and thep notify yc«i tJaat you may be in readiness to receive them and have the® transpla nted at once, " r ' ■ jfote: Jr^as, A. Evane to J, E. House, Ft, Sanders, 10:-; tb ed* "io lot of vouchers. v Sends duplicate lot of vouchers. Rote: Iowa Southefcn R. R. Meeting. ResolutSons to build it without Government aid, if not crippled by rival projects. d. L, Williams to Gen, Dodge, Port Wayne, 11:- • Inclosed copy of letter from Mr, Chanute will be interesting and important in your bridge investigations. As a general resiat it April, 1868. , confirTns the recommendation in my report of November 25, 1867^ of pneumatic piles or columns sxink at least 60 ft. below low water.The shifting current as shown by this letter, with the deep and imequal I , scouting made perhaps in a single day, shows the necessity of great stability in the columns; especial y if run up to the bridge chord. The conclusion is forced upon us that the Missouri River is far more formidable in the difficulties presented than the Mississippi or any other river within our knowledge. These difficulties * can be overcome -;C not by underrating- but rather by full appreciation of them. I learn from another source that the work at this foundation h d cost from ^Ib.Op to ^20,000. Che first curb or caission lying as it does' in the way of andther one at the same point, the suggestion has beendnade, I understand, to so change the spans so as to bring this ' pier 50 ft. further west. No doubt the entire damage to the Bridge Company will be doublfe the above suP. Contingencies of one kind or another should be expected in all such work., ^In my estimate I think they are amply provided for. ■ The change wo.uld place the 250 ft. span not next the drqw as re quired by the law but over span further east. • D. C. Dodge to Gen. Dodge, Denver, 11:- _ ] Understanding that you have the locating of the depot groxmds of the Denver & Pacific Railroad, there is a party who has considerable J < land adjoining this place who i? desirous of having it located I ^ - i . if, , r ♦ • April, 1868. . ' ' t on his land if practicable, and says he is willing to give a portion of the land in order to secure the" location. If you think advis able, I will ascertain what he is willJng to do and let you know. The parties connected with the road, who reside in this place, I 'do not think would favor the location. I think the location of depot groun-is should be made with a view of extending the road farther south where a road from the different points in the territory can make connection with it. Kote: J. Blickensderfer Jr. to J. E. House, Salt Lake City, 11:- ♦1 pn ^ Talpey to J. E.'6ouse, Cheyenne, 11:- '1 i-oo nvti ; T 1 i Q 4ner' 1 r* r«(a1flt.1nn t.O 1 ot. S Sends uniaid bill for advertising in relation to lots, Sends list of drafts drawri-^ amount to date. T BldJ •^1- J. Blicksnderder, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lak'e City, 11:- I't yesterday Tour two letters of 20th and 25th of March wjsre received ' I am happy to be abfe to rapcTrt 'that I have met your views in set tling accounts, as I allowed the assistants their transportation and expenses of board until they reached this city, but nothing afterwards I • until they got into* camp, except simple waftea. "-1. In regard to my doings with the parties I have heretofore written you so fully that I have little to add; except that Hodges is scP^ewhere in Cache Valley(I have not heard from him for nearly two weeks, although he was requested to write ^e frequently) Bates is on Weber I April, 1868, .Ar.af and Morris near Green River.i The latter reached Bridger on the 6th having, after the receipt of ny telegrar at Weber Station^ hired extra help and worked his way over through the snow on sleds, taking his 'Wagons to pieces. The trip must have been pretty hard one, as he lost two mules in the snow, which with every effj rt to save them died, although they hauled one to camp ona sled and Intended going so with the other, but when they came to it, it was too late. I regret this loss, but my anxiety to get over was so great that I pressed Morris and he went at it in earnest. The extra teams he hired were driven as he says by men accustomed to the moxmtains, and he sends certifiai.. cate of what are said to be relinble men to show that the thing was ^ not the result of neglect or carelessness. He left Bridger on Thurs- • • • day with escort for Bitter Creek, and as we had a terrific storm last - ■ night With much smw in the mountains, I ®ust say I a*^ heartily glad i he il» over. r,^ Maxwell's party .leaves for the field on Monday. I will set him 0 ^ to work from mouth of Weber westward for the present. I have hired Ic "' for him two six-mule teams at $9 per day each, a driver to accompany each team, whose wa^ee are paid by the party furnishing the teams, took six-mule teams because I could get no 4 mule teams for less, -nmn except one which was so indifferent I did not want it. I have the op- 'i" tion of ptirchasihg the teams at an agreed price $3100 or rather of k taking them any time prior to July 1st at that sum, they allowing m^ April 1868. any wages previously paid on the hire as so much toward the purchase ■ money, I took this option because I thought circumstances might take it cheaper for us to take the teams. I shall most likely visit some of the parties in the field next week as I wish to see personally how they get along, . 5. -ft ni i Oi. )Ui . ... Jiote; E. vr. Fullerton'to Gehl Ibdge; Cofydon, Iowa, 13:- In relation to an'entry of land made by himself and the aiTiount in which he deisred to be rei^^ibursed. Ox J. L. ITILLlams to Gen. Dodge,-Fort Wayne, 13:- "» i have Written two or three letters to you at Omaha; the last enclosing copy of Mr. Chanute^s diagram of his currents and his misfortunes. It will"be foimd suggestive. His 25 ft. scour on the i^ side of a pier and nothing on the other is a thing to be thought of. The plan of two iron columns 8 or 9 ft. apart would have the advan tage of allowing the sand and rip rap to equalize somewhat' aiid thus in part ayj id the pressure which ovdrturned his caisson. But how would such a current at such an angle operate upon a draw pier nearly 400 ft, long? It would require 1 think a better foundation than some of our friends imaginei • ".-no 1 think I suggested to you that Mp, Wolcott's estimate of excava7 '."f J . tion on the Alnsworth line station grounds might be materially lessen ed; 100 to 150 ft. wide Would do for a long tl™e. When tho trestle .shall be flXled ™ore can bis excavated. Tho immense tiwtwfer business ^ .■v'T Aa- ,, . April 1868. at the Pittsburgh terminus of the Penri, Central is done on a TSidth not j exceeding the above. It is not my duty, however, to say T^iore upon ,1, , , this subject. You and your assistants will no doubt state the com- ; .. parison fairly between the two lines to the Committee. Some members of the Board seem, still to have an idea that the line west from Omaha to the Elkhorn will be changed, and thus the saving of a mile becomes of less impo tance. Any such change at 30 or even 40 ft. grade must follow the west bluff up the river for some ^ miles to get distance; and such a line must cross the City near the ' Court Hour.e, "With its numerous windings, 3^t could not possibly short- ' en the distance so rr^uch as to prevent a line more cheaply worked than the Mud Greek line or, if a better line, certainly not so much better as to justify building a n6w line jr. Nothing in the future can be more certain than thai the Pappillon Valley will always be the route of 'the TI. P. K. R. TJhichever line the Board should adopt from the end of the Bridge,-they should not do it on the mistaken promises of a future ^ straightenin'^ of the line over the high country. Note Gen. Dodge*s advertisement for proposals for building Bridge over Miwaouri River, Note: P. E. Appleton to Gen. Bodge, Ft. Sanders, 13;- ; D Sends Maps, 4:0. t'»1 tun a Ifbte:' De^rbit B^idga ft 'li^n wwrki to L. Williams, Detroit, 15 Request copies of specifications for superstructure of B. idge April 1868. John Pope to ^^enT DcJdge, Detroit, Mich," 16:- - ■ I have heen intending for some time to write you and thnk you for your kindness in sending me the docuTr.ents which I wrote you for, but I have been for the greater part of the time confined to my house with rheumatism and in little condition to do any hing. Received also your report on the P. R. R. for which please accep my 'i " ''thanks. .. . . We are watching 4ith profound interest the result of irapeachment. The question is thoroughly understood by the people everywhere and if .1 piatters now stand, either the President will be convicted or the t •> pv rrnrf.}- Republican party be defeated. Theee is no retreat without disaster I from the position the party has taken on this question. We hope for ' ' the best, though at this distance and with our limited knowledge of the situation, we do by no means feel confident. T hear frorft pretty reliable sources that it is the purpose, in case of a new President, to send me back to Atlnnta. I hope if you f hear auch a thing mentioned you will discourage it, as I would not "return to the command of the 3d district under any conceivable circumstances. , please let ae.hear from you when you have leisure, and believe me as ever your friend^ ti l' , UoTcJe-i , iItiiftim>iaffaAjr8aff§ms to be promieing, as unuaul. -lol , cei-oo April 1868. . . . .. , Note;. Thos* H,.-Bates to J. E, House, Salt Lake City,. 16:- • • . « Encloses vouchers to amount of $63.75, ; v,1 :' Note, J. Blickensderfer to J. E. House, Salt Lake City, 16:- .1 . Sends lists of drafts dravm up to date. Note: "^as, A. Evans to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 16:- fi'i . Sends vouchers for $1554.04, bipVi^«'E[ote: H, Higgins to G«n. Dodge, Grant, Iowa, 17:-!. W' Wants docr'^ents, speeches or any ®atter of public interest wM'Bh Tnhy be of use in the coining Presidential campaign, , Wm, J, McAlpine to Gen, Dodge, Stockbridge, Mass,, 17:- >j I ic' Some days since I observed in the papers a statement that the plans for the foundjpition of the piers for the Omaha Bridge had been ■ iadopted by the Board. If this is so, and has been made public, will you be kind enough to inform me and also ifriat plan was finally decided "''ftiipon, 1 • I have felt ®o much Interest in the question that you will par don for dqairlng to learn as early as possible whether the plan * which has engaged so much of my attention as the best one for crossing thaae rlvera has m^t with favor or otherwise, I gave a letter of introduction a few days since to my friend, Jas. Dodge, and English Engineer who is visiting this country. He is connoted with London "Engineering" and I am sure youvwill find ■ ' • f I him a ™ost pleasant acquaintance and well informed. .C'>pc a '■ Fote: Ja's^ A?-^vanVto J. F. Rouse, Ft-. Sanders,• 18:- Sends mapB, &c * Note: J. Blickensderfer-, Jr. to J. E. House,. Sa]t Lake City 20:- Has received notice of the Wykoff account; it is o, K. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake ^ity, 21:- Yours of the 30th ult with map of country between Wasatc Mountains and Humboldt River and description of. lines was received several days ago, and^ I have given the subject brought up by these papers a cursory examination but it will require a little time, to make me quite 'familiar with them. ^ The suggestions of your, letter, however, as regard the questions in reference to route fron mouth of Tfeber to north point of Salt Lake are no doubt well ptt and will be attended t^ at once. I have already written you that Maxwell is charged with that work, and he is in the field engaged on its now, I find myself preparing for and becoming.rather anxious to get Into the field myself, new that the parties are all at work. I would like bo make rapid trips from one to another party, spending a few days with each and moving forward in advance of them, and taking near out from one to the other. But I confess to some serious ioubt in regard to the propriety of travelling alone in that manner through this country. For example- 1 should like to go from here to.YTebef; thence to ■cbth point of Lake And back over Promontory Point; thence ^ i-'-*. X , . '>/s J ' o' c ' 'In M I fy^n April, 1868. . , ,, « f - up Cache Valley to Hodges, and thence across to Ha®'sFork and over to Green River, or perhaps fro® here to Green River via Bridger and then back via Ha®'s For,, Cache Valley, ©ro^ontcry point, &c. Could pot an arrangement be Tnade by which a small escort of cavalry might be obtain.ed for me personally? A corporal or Sergeant and 8 or 10 men well mounted would ^.nswer every purpose, and although we would occasionally ride briskly for a day or two they would not have a hard tas:^, because they would rest and recruit whenever I was with one of our rrties, and I think we would heed no supplies except those we could carry on our horses, or possibly would need a pack mule or two but unless absolutely requi-ed would rather do without this incumbrance. As I am almost totally ignorant of military matters would like to * hear fro® you alwut this. I would very much like to visit all the parties, and I think I could be useful to the®, besides acquiring ®uch knowledge personally, and may be often by a mgre inspection decide questions which ®ight otherwise consume much time* '- cinot»li0r X wisti X c9-rin.ot> find liop© , good saddle horse. 1 have purchased one a pony, that looks pretty well I kno" he will not do half my work- if I once get going y.f * briskly. Col. Lewis has some good horses at Camp ^ouglas, more than they need, and he says it was decided some-time ago to Bell off the ^ surplus stock at his camn, but the order does not come. Now, cannot ■o®c arrangement be made to get ®e a godd horse froi® there? If I once April, 1868, start, one horse will not do tnore than take me to one extent of my lines and back before he must rest, if I u.^e him' day by day wh le r ^ with the party; and to take a second trip will require a second horse. 1 write these things because they have come to my mind. Please give them such consideration as they are worth. I think I shall go to Green T?ivcr, as suggested in your message. from omaha, soon arid will communicate with j'ou from there. I wish to see the line at Gr een River and likewise try to make up my. mind how soon we can work at head of Echo, owJ 10 J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to J. E. House, Salt Lake City, ; Yutirs of 13th is received. The amounts advanced by you to Lew is ard 'Vykoff are correct, and I have credited them in account. J iix: ■ I am obliged to you for settling with Bates and Hodges without bring- . V Siu^lng their old accounts into mine, as I preferred they should not. ■' - As your letter has just reached me, I have not seen Capt. Bates or any of the old employees since it came to hand and cannot say what account will be given of the animals on the list. As far as my know ledge goes there were but 10 mules here before I came belonging to th Jit'i R. R. Company and no horses., if Capt. Bates' statement is correct; but to tell the truth 1 suspect the three horses on your list are the same he sold me. • I will see him soon wlhien I shall ask for an explanation« You do noA say so in exact terms, but I infer from yotir letter . u, ,5 -«?> ii;,a «eo''' isfr^'je ^ •4 xMfm ly"' . ■r..z r April, 1868. ,( • that in settling his account.with you he took credit for the three horses on your list amounting to $275,00. Is this correct? 1 send you toi^orrow by V7ells, Fargo & Go's Express a package of vouchers amounting as per schedule accompanying to $21,775,88 which if correct-please pass to ®y credit. Among these is a voucher fro^ ■> 'Capt. Bates for three .hoaraes amounting to $510, These, as I wrote you, were turned over to me by him, as his property and if they are the same-three which are on your list, his creidt on either your account with him or on mine should be cancelled. There are some item on one of Hodge's bills (that of F. E. Brown) in regard to which I was in doubt, I noted them in red ink, and request you to advise me whether it has been customary or is proper to allow such items, Mr, Morris lost two of his mules in making the trip hence to Green River, h ving been worn-Out and strained in their struggles in the snow until they died. what kind of certificate or affidavit is required to enable him to obtain credit for them? With the vouchers I send receipted invoices of property from Messrs, Morris, Bates and Maxwell, chiefs o' parties. Hodges did not get his int^^ proper shape and it must be corrected and hetumed to him for signature. Duplicate of all I send are retained here until-dt. a™ advised of the safe arrival of these at omaha, I leave for Valley tomorrow and JBhall go as far east as Green River before 1'i-otiirfil# . IrM# ■ " • t'»(n XII, j.nt April, 1868. '' • Note: -Thos. H. Bates to J. E. Houre, Salt Lake City 22:- Wants to return.vouchers for board of men during the winter T'® ® . in Salt Lake. -Thos. H. Bates to J. Blickensderfer, Jr. Bel:T,ont, 23:-, n Enclosed please find a coTiiTnunication to Mr. House on the subject of the accounts disallowed by you, also duplicate vouchers fcr the same. Be good enough to trans-it the letter and vouchers to Mr. House, with any enrlorsement you may see proper to make, .■ 0, E. Davis to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 23: • I-jfelt" '- o' Will you please .obtain and forward me?at your earliest con- ' venience from the General Land Office, a map or maps of the first ^ two hundred miles of the U. P. R. R. owing the ten mile limits on ■'either side of the road?' The ten mile limit that I h ve marked on our plats may not correspond in wwer- respect with the limit as shown ' on the maps in the General Land Office, I want this line exactly in '' *"aking the division between the U. P* R. and S.C. & P.R." I think the U. wUli^fcin by using the ten mne limit from Gene^r-al Land bffice. office, ■ " '• '. •■' 0 .1 iir*® ,;xpw*e... ^ ■ Oliver A^es to Gen. Dodge, Nv Easton,. 24: Your letter frSm North Platte is received this morning. I have fearea th 1. trouble wlhhe the Indiana and see no say to avoid 1 unless the aov.ms.ent ,111 feed then or give them auoh severe punish ment that they will not feel that they can rob with Impunity. 1 see ^ Tf (. April, 1868. . v;r ,IH nothins but exter'^.inat ion to the Indians as the result of their thiev Y»r , , ing disposition, and we shall probably have to come.to this before we f . can run the road safely, . ■■ Your letter on the water ajid depot question I presented to our j {^^o'Jimittee and urged its importance. I have sent a copy of it to Durant and Dillon since they went out, .and a letter to thei^ urging their acting on your suggestions. t.w u<» • ■ ■ Your rei^arks about the condition of road are ver * satisfactoyy. I think we should have the tunnel work got at as early as possible and 1 i T I ^ whatever hard places there ®ay be should be put under contract as soon as possibl". I A . -fc ^ . If you can do anything to make Genls. Grant or Sherman feel that it is of great importance to Government to have our line completed, and that protection by larger bodies of troops is absolutely necessary you will do a grand work, / Jas. A. Evans to Om, Dodge, Ft. Sanders, 24:- Our parties will finish location about May 1st. I hear from them often. a a aiwqn i^ere is a good deal of activity here; all sorts of projects. ,5Phey have let a good deal of work at the town, round house with 20 V .3 '■». i ^ '— stalls black mith and other shops. Carmichael starts on Monday next for Green River with a large force. This house is to be fitted up for the Commissioners, so that April, 1868. we will be in the new town very shortly, " > ax i Indians -^ade an attack on Boyle's men near Rock Creek yesterday wounding four menj one or two will die^ The carried off 12 head of stock. From what I can learn there are about 200 Indians between Laramle and the line. I arrf inclined to think that they will make things pretty hot here this' summer. Track is tonight three miles this side of Dale Creek Bridge and will be here by the first May. Dillon goes East in the morning and dill not return for so^^e ti^e. ^Oie Dr. If he goes at all will return ' soon. Reed and Sey^iour awe going West of Green River and perhaps to ; Salt Lake. The object I presume is to so fix matters that the conw&l^^ ting may make a little ca ital in some way- out of the work there. J, Williams to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 25:- naamoMk v:' Offers to sell certain property and his figures, 0. Chanute to J. L. Williams, Kansas City, Mo. 26:- • Yours of 13tr and 14th raise so many questidns 'of interest, that I allowed them to remain unanswered until I had leisure to notice , all the points you make. , With regard to our own woyk, we propose to shift the spans as you eutoest, but not to use columns as we can go down to rock quicker and cheaper with the plan we propose and secure much greater stability. As to the bridge at omaha, concerning which you ask ®y opinion. ■ 4 : P April, 1868. ^ I fear that it will have hut little value, without a personal study and exat^ination, hut I give you the impressions derived from your map and report for vhat they are worth, 1st. Location- It seems to me that the most expensive and trouble jR 1, some site has heen selected. Being on a straight reach of the river it may he necessary to protect hoth shores for miles in order to secure the channel within its present hanks. A bridge on the Missouri should always be located near the tangent point of the second pair of reverse curves or at thn head ofa straight reach, and there should if possi ble be a rocky shore on the concave bank, as the tendency is to scour ; the concave and fill up the curve side. The protecting one bank then ^ holds both, and shallow foundations on piles become safe on the cuvre bai^. ^ . I r 2d; Length of Bridge- I should doubt the propriety of cutting off the flodd overflow, and in that case would put all the foundations V down still deeper, as the bed will scour. A good rule woul^^ be thr t « the flood discharge and cross section being known, the obstructions I **' ■ caxised by embankments and piers should not rr ise the surface of the river, so as to give it more than ve locity of 12 feet per second ghrough the bridge in floods. This will r.cour rocks, and be diffi- ' ' • .> wtn "\jult for steamboats to stem (a mnag pgr hour.) 3d;*- Rip rap will stand in the Missouri, but will require conttlf» Htw *1 B* , April, 1868 ^r:rcr ■ ■ !-■ r f ■ ■ . stant and ti'^'ely repairs. The^bulk of the stones thrown around pier No. 3 have been carried 70 feet fdown stream. As soon as they get a go good footing against the bar formed by the eddy behind the pier, but little more wear will take place. Curb No. 4 would have been safe against the flood we had if it had been coTtipleted as proposed, but a s succession of floods without renewal of rip rap washed away would have . . . ::ni ' ' • destroyed it. 4th, PlanA- I ani very glad that pneu^'^atic olunins are to be I 1 • adopted, as It will furnish a fair oo«iparlson of cost with the method we have adopted and time employed. We need besides a good set of air machinery In this country, and yours should be 'f the best. ' I hope that Mr. MoAlplno will be selected to carry It out. As to the W particular dimensions you mention- I fear th,y are too light, although this Is with ma a matter of Judgment and not of experience. 1st. I fear a shell 1 1-4 Inches thlck(fllled with concrete) would he broken by a blow fro- a steamer or a raft of drift, parts exposed to shocks are generally made 2 1-2 Inches thick In Europe. 2 d - The Ice breaker columns should be put down as deep as the others, otherwise they may scour out end pull the' pier over. I should say you ought to go down 65 or 70 feet below low water. * ' * 5th. Are columns 8 1-2 feet In diameter stable enough? In case ' of scour on one side very little material will flow between the col umns, as It will arch itself on the tangents to the linos of adhesion '«d.t w April 1868. * ' ■ ? ' of the sand as shown in plan, and it seei^s quite clear that the si^all columns under the ice breaker will be ushed over by a scour of 20 feet on one ride. Take the tube of 3 1-2 ft. in diamter, call the angle of repose 15° and wei^t of 1 cubic foot saturated sand 120 lbs. The thrust would be 30X0.588X3.5X 120 lbs. 111 tons. Weight on base, "X"000b. Weight on shell--llX60X12X450 lbs. XIO p.c. IT tons. -12X2000. Concrete, 9.62X60X133 lbs- 38 tons. 2000' Ice-breaker say this proportion - 10 tons,. Considering the columns as a beam these may be calculated as two bent levers of which the moments are exerted on the base, which we will call 6 ft. in diameter. Movement of thrust 111 T.X40 on the edge, 1480 tons. 3 Weight 65TX3 6 1-2 tons, 30. Movement oh case, differences 1.473 1-2 tons. It does not see^ possible that the weight of the column, of 30 ft. water and the resistance of the soils houlrl hold this thrust and prevent the column from turning upon'one edge of its foundation as a pivot, tipping over and dragging the rest of the pier- after it. I have made calculatio'ns of stability of 8 1-2 ft. columns, in the same rou^ way, which shows them barely stable under a 30 ft. scout on one side, even wit^^ the weight of the bridge on them. I should like to have you send me your calculations of st'-biTity ~in order to compare with more accxirate ones*l Intend to make. The scour now at pier Ifo* S is S3 ft. below low water. I cannot say how m^ch deeper it would go at a pier, as it is down to the rock. April, 1868. .ofvef (* The deepest scour in the river bed iast year was 30 ft. below low water, but it is rnuch rrore at a pier. As this question seems of general interest, I have begun preparing a paper giving a resume of European practice with the air process, which 1 shall publish probably In'the Journal Franklin Institus Sup- » • • « • . . • erstructure. Connect your spans over th-^ piers by all means; you will save from 15 to 25 pc. of iron, and with wrought ir n there is no objec tion in tension on the.top chord between the points of reversal of # • •y-strains, and with a high bridge you can roll it into place over the piers without the us© of scaffolding^y' ^ ^ Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, 21:- V »v - i . - 4. V, „ QTr>ThO Q rfi at. Wl The parties on the Pacific slope are at work. Lawrence reached there on Friday and Pumpelly on Monday last. Appleton has joined the lattw. I thought it best to send him out, for the reason that he is familiar with the country. Thi k I shall be oble to go myself about the last of week. ^ , The party arrived here the afternoon of the da:' you left. The Oootor as you notions but did not get the .tart.of ne in any -ay. I convinced hW. that so far as the line to •e. : oreen River was concerned he could bring on his 8000 men as soon as .10- h» pleased. I a" quite satisfied.that the only oourse.,lnsurlng comfort mi April, 1868. -t . . • t in dealing with hi"i is to put on a reasonable a^no^^nt of assurance. I gave hiirt to understand that we could locate line faster than he could ■^arch men and transportation over the road. After that everything was right. Seymour kept in the back-ground and didn't trouble any. I dont know of what use he is here, unless it is to drive team for the rest of them., • - * Ints at the new City are selling quite fast; think it will be considerable of a toHr\^ With reference t our building here- the Dr. • . t ; and Dillon have decided to have it fitted up for the Commissioners, so that we lirill have to move to the town soon. They expect to cross ^ Cale Creek Bridge today. The design is to turn line over to oper ating departTTient so soon as a siding is reached, so that Reed will have but little road to operate. o . . t Note: D. P. Toodruff to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 21:- . Wants to return to Omaha and work in Omaha office. ' '" J Blickensderfer Jr. to Gen.Dodge, Salt Lake CtJjy, 2^ :- " * . . You will remember that before parting from you in Washington J requestO''^ you to ark your Board of Directors or whoever h d the matters In hand to fix the amount of my compensation and I understood to say that some tim© in "arch the* Board would »'et, when you woq^d request them to do so. ' ' Will you be kind enough to advise me oif the decision in the . .A yf-f, ; .11../ April, 1868. * premises? I request this for the reason that on the first of 'June, I would like to ur'e all that ^ay be coding to "'e to that day, and should like to know precise iy what amount I ®ay be entitled to draw. Note: H. C. ^ayinond to Gen. Dodge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 22:- Has just received telegram and packed and sent trees by Express. Next Fall will move to Council Bluffs. Note: Knox & Shain to J. E. Hou-e, Philadelphia, 27iSends l-IDOO ft. steel chain, &'c. rift' i »• - Note:* Modification of an agteement between the Denver pacific Railway and Telegraph Company and Sidney Dillon, Oliver Ames and their assistants. ^ F. Hodges to J. E. House, Ca^p No. 18, Cache Valley, Utah, 28:- 7/e will leave this canyon in a few days and travel around go Brea Lake by Soda Springs, connecting from the east wi h These Cache Valley lines and estending them to Beftr River. I expect ^.-4^ - to be back to Salt Lake by the 15th of June, f,,' J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 28:- ii.w uof Enclosed you will find m-onthly estimate to Contra6fcors for f- ' t the month of *arch, 1868. I have written to ^r. Evans concerning the laying off of twon at Sorth Forkj 8h»ll .ndeavor .to be prepared for it. Have al»e written hi® about having notes for Oonmlasioners prepared at his office. April, 1868, I gave orders to have track measured, on the 20th, and to have notes sent In at once; have not received them up to this time; expect ' GoiTipany will call for report every minute and I a™ not prepared for theri. They are on the way, have been delayed somev/here. Mr. "Hudnutt telegraphs from Laclede that he is waiting for sup 0 plies and orders; that he has located 90 miles of road; sent maps, profiles and notes to Evans, I have profile 25 miles west of North ^ •Jt piatte Crossing, but maps nofarther than when you were here. Am getlines pretty well tggether on the map- have the profile allcopied, '^f*} ■ fja now inking up the original and working up table of grades. . I was out with the Doctor and Mr, Dillon yesterday P, M, looking over depot grounds and the river crossing. They have decided to have • more lines run-before making a decision on the grounds they want. They now propose running north of the Breweryj making the curve on 'the trestle instead of the table and station, "depot grounds at edge of bluffs, &c. That will carry the line in filling nearly all the ' way. They contend that it is.better to spend more money on the grad- . kf ing of grounds and have them of greater length than to have them as " short ai laid down on the map. ^ - " V. ^ Mr, Wolcott. ts running line tc^ay., - ^ * ' s"* "»j tft Samuel B. Reed to Crcn, Dodge, Cheyenne, MwiNot > "^Can you get a P, 0, establiehed at Green River Stage Station 295 April, 1868. . r C , 'X i for the convenience of our V'ork in that vicinity? There will be give hundred to one thousand men on the work convenient to the Stage Sta tion most of the season, and as soon as the road is completed to that place, the office can be moved to the station. Note: T. F. Fisher to Gen. Dodge, Iowa City, 29:-. Wants sltu?5tion in surveying corps, ; t Ir Note: M, White to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 29;-; : ct'ui Yours of 25th was duly received, I went down to Mr, Pull man's office but he was olif of town, I sp oke to his brother Albert about it and he said that his brother would like to have you take the amount, I will see him on my return and arrange the matter with him, and have him write to you about it, ^ ^ " I leave today for the end of track with Gen, Sherman and D , Dlirant and others* The othefr Co'°®isaioners have not arrived but will I think tonight. We will not exa^^ine the road till 40 "^iles are finished, V 4. • :: *1 rr} Note: Jas, S, Wilson to Gen, Dotlge, Dept. Interior, G.L.Ofifce,30 " ' In relation to claim of E. W. pullerton for reimbursement of certain money paid by said Fullerton for counterfeit Ian warrants. Note: Jas, S Wilson to Gen. Dodge, De{)t, Int, G.L,Office,30:- Acknowledges reciept of my. requdest asking for map of Ist 200 miles D.f.R.R, with lO- mile limits which he will forward April, 1868. as s oon as it can be made. Note: W. Denton to Hon. W. b. Allison, Ft, Dodge, Iowa, 30:- T/ants to be informed in relation to contracts for heavy S:.-." . ■ work on Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Ft. ^anders, 30:- Col. Hudnutt joins Blickensder i'^niediately reporting yo him at Bridger. Lawrence, as soon as he makes connection with B*s line near Green River, will report to him likewise. O'Neil will come back over line revising it, when he will strike tho stage road at North Platte. Pumpelly's party will go on construction. I can use o'Neill and part of his party laying out towns, turning over a small party and a rather inefficient one I am now using, to Reed. This work will not last long and it seems to me that engineer ing at this end is closing up. The hired teams with the parties are turned over to Company from today. n ' I •• Jas, A. Evans to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 30:- ' Yours of 28th is refteived. With feferenae.to town at North Platte- I design to have O'Nelly lay it out. He will be there now very soon. Col. Hudnutt will go to Blickensdefer immediately; Lawrence as soon as he makes connection with B'xe line which will be in a few days. Pumpelly will( or rather hi-s party) go on construction. So ^''1/1 ^ f i « i ^ April 1868. • "^ *• * there will be only the old party to provide for. The location will be finished to Green river this week. We have worked it through without regard to expense and have been quite successful, bont you think so? We have been in the field about a i^onth and the thing ^ • • • . • • is done. I a^ very confident that the ^atter could be organized in such -a way as to insure a location to Salt Lake City in two weeks. You can readily see that "^y engineering is drawing to a close here. I I With reference to '^easxiring track &c, send on your papers and . . t I will do all that I can toward attending to it. ■ fiiiE. Coates to J. E. House, Ft. k, Russell, 30:- I send today by Express on pair Elk horns for Gen. Dodge shich he desires you take charge of until he returns fro"^ Washington. ; 1 I'Note:* Abraham Bockee to J. E. House, Council Bluffs, 30:- Concerning his private accounts. Order on Mr. House to pay Eddy his s-alary, ^ ^ ; • ' ^ Wote.- F, S.-Bodges to J. E, House, Cache Valley, Utah, My 1:- 'ep.t •tcrf' Concerning hfts account. , Hbte: H. C» VanLennep to Gen. Dodge, Lime Springs, Iowa, May 1. vfen n I- IP relation to mail and route. oP" T. Baldwin to gGen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, May 1} Your telegram received all right. West is here and everything Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - April 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 April 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/55043f76e481f5b4212d7dfbeaac0843.pdf 5a864c4d71d2571c927e260a8249608a PDF Text Text fipril 1868. there will be only the old party to provide for. The location will • r . • , . be finished to Green river this week. We have worked it through > without regard to expense and have been quite successful. Dont you think so? We have been in the field about a nionth and the thing • » . . " * is done. . . ,. p I very confident that the ®atter could be organized in such ' r • . -a way as. to insure a location to Salt Lake City in two weeks. You can readily see that "^y engineering is drawing to a close here. I With reference to Measuring track &c, send on your papers and I will do all that I can toward attending to it. ^ - I • , lUE. Coates to J. E. House, Ft. D. A. Russell, 30:- J , - , . . I send today by Express on pair Elk horns for Gen. Dodge shich he desires you take charge of until he returns fro"i Washington. t' ' • ' M 'a v.'Tim • Note:* Abraham Bookee to J. E. House, Council Bluffs, 30:- ■ - -r-' ■ Concerning his private accounts. Order on Mr. House to pay Eddy his s-alary, ' • , . . • , ' . Note. F. 3. Hodges to E. House, Cache Valley, Utah, My 1:- annvf* Concerning tea account. • , , i HWH It '"' Note: H. C. VanLennep to Gen. Dodge, Lime Springs, Iowa, May 1:- ne*! t tt l eM tx In relation to-mail and route. *•* BeMPi* to gGen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, May Ij Your telegram received all right. West is here and everything May, 1868. • t has been done that can be until the "organization is perfected, and I go to Des J^oines the first of next week to fix it up. .. I agreed vfto let E. Creighton have 10,000 in order to get Dillon to take the same amount. Dillon got me to put Oase^^ent down S'OOO and prornise to see Dunlap, Sikes, Keeps and one or two others that he wants in it, I will see Tracy and have hi-^i take some. I have not seen Gen.,Myers yet, Y. u had better write him about it. Strong wants .ptock and wants to be a director, which I have■promised him. The N. W. receipts are over 200,000 per i^^onth which the bankwill get. Dont know of any person here who will take stcok excppt you. Strong and myself. If A%s goes into it with others na^ed including Allen and Cool bought it will be the strongest bank in the West and in less than three years will do the largest business of any bank in the M west. ieoi. t?'" I have hanted Nutt'a office where the telegraph dfice is for the ^'"'ban^*- 'Bttainess brisk, an.d-great de%nds,fo business and dwelling houses. '' ? " i ■ k.f • Patrick Henry to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Bufrd, D.T.I 'Accept ®y sincere thanks for your trouble in forwarding to ®e the' speech of the Hon. 0. ^orton delivered in the U.S.Senate on (bh the 29th of January 1868. , * 4 I Sincerely ad®ire the honorable gentel®an and agree with hi® on May, 1868. r the constitutionality of the recohstfuction act. I have distributed this speech'for perusal of the officers and enlisted men of the regi ment and wou]d be thankful for similar favors in future. Hoping that your own career will be-as successful as a statesman as it has been as a soldier. .1 ' • ' I Note:' Monthly statement. May, 1868. nl eJnow Andrew J. Stevens to Gen. Dodge, Windsor, Ontario,• l':"® I have just learned frcm Mr. Hoxie, of the P. R, R,, that he had a conference with you respecting my transfer to the Territorial service, and the same letter advises me that you.will give me your support. For this assurance, you will* please accept m;^ jsa thanks. ^ ^ I am aware that there will be many competitors for the place that I am seeking, and that to be successful in ray application I.must be armed at all points, I therefore write you requesting that you will become my confidential adviser aS to the modes of my procee^ling and I shall be governed by such cousel as you will find it to, my inter ests to give me". ' ' • ' • ' • ■ * " ' is far aa political claims go, as I have been an active, working ^m'ember or the party from the days of. the Pittsburg Convention in Feb. 18C5, down to the present time,. I think ray record will compare favorably with any on© who may dispute with me his right for the place that I am seeking. But, I base my claims for the anpointment 300. May, 1868. upon other and higher considerations than ray equal political claims. . , , I have resided for a long time in the TTest-knov; the wants and nec- ,j rw essatles of a new country- in the way of schools, churches, libra- - lin d"' ries, &c, and fully Icnow the amount of hard work that should be performed by the Governor of a new territory; and in order to properls'' shape and give the desired impetus to society- in the crude state that one is destined to find it in a co-munity like that which will first find, a resting place in Wyoming. It is,upon these grounds that I you will urge my appointment rather than upon my equal political merits. I shall follow your suggestions and shall be prepared to act as ^ 'you may advise. - ,,r t*/ ' J. L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 1:- Tho profile and the sketch of our west abutment received. In regard to the abutment, I feel relieved since you have come to the concltislon to sink it to the rock and to build of stone. The • M-ver will be a^Mlcnst it perhaps by the time, you get it built. A Wl oltr You inquired Why I proposed the wings separate from the piers. ( '' I prefer them as one connected piece of m.asonyy but how to get the apartments and wlhgs. down 21 feet altogether is the question. It Would require ul i-ml»«naM| caisson. Hence the idea of first sinking the pier by-means of a water tight caisson settled to the rock by pumping out the sand, then making tighy rnd pumping put the water as Chanute .J. A, •% May, 1868. .c tci .-.rv ' dldwlth his west pier in 21'feet of water. The pier which really forms the abutment and Sustains the bridge is thus made secure. The wings are merely to act as retaining walls and check the wash. These I thought might be founded one at a time by sinking a-wooden crib strong ly tied together, pumping out the sand to the rock, filling with rip rap to low water, covering it with timber, and on this building dry wall or rubble cement masonry which, if it did settle a little. would nevertheless answer; being independent of the abutment would leave that unhamrtrd. But, if you can get the entire structure safely founded as one it is all the better and would look much more workmanlike I will explain further in regard to the cross ties on the tres tle work. In ordinary trestle bridging on new railroad these are placed from" one-to two-feet apart- in the clear, but on. important roads, especially when the bridge is as high as ours, every precau tion should be taken not only for safety but to make passengers ■feel reasonebly aafe. This 3-4 of a mile of high treetle work will look very pokerish and will be largely commencted on by passengers. Placing the ties 6 inches apart with strips to guide the wheels in c case the car should get off, would not only look safer but is in * reality much safer. Probably in three cases out of four with our VfrU.^i^o^erate speed a car off the track would maintain its course until the train could be stopped without breaking through. On the Burlin gton Road Tassissippi bottom"( a model road) there are two or three trestle bridges of only ten feet in height. ■ ' ri.;;:: I'lA Kay, 1868. . ; They are all built according to my plan except being one or two feet wider. I think-you will be better satisfied with our trestle work as I propose. You had better subscribe to the Franklin Institute Journal beginning with the February number which has Mr. McAlpin's pneumatic lecture. The May number will have Chanute's eassays, ^ I am satisfied that McAlpine, Parker and Fleming and other able engineers who met at St, Louis and who had never seen the upper Missouri, have an unlidequate idea of the treacherous and moveable ch aracter of the sand from Kansas City to Soux City. At either St, Louis or St. Charles there are no such depth of very light silt, no such changes in channel, nor is the direction of the current so vari ant at different stages, ^ the upper Missouri, except at such a point as Childs Mill, it is impossible to place piers so as to be parallel with the current at all stages. This difficulty we must consider and provide for. The greateat possible depth of column is the surest protection within our reach. It prevents damage from excessive scours and, of course, adds stability. ,I have no hesitat ion in advising 70 feet instead of 60. The drawing you now have shows 64 feet including 4 fleet of concrete below the iron. But this will be difficult to get in and likely fail- in some cases at least- for below tVle iron tubes you cannot exhaust the water. At Harlem, amonget the clay and boulders, and mtid May, 1868. ■ r SiclNles could go down with sheet piling; but he told in e that ■ it might in some cases be very difficult. I would dispense with this expedient and run the coluransand concrete to 70 feet, giving the base all the enlargement you can properly. if I get time I will experiment a little by way of comparison upon a plan like this: Bridge columns 9 1-2 or 10 feet diameter, 70 ».;f • 1. feet below low water. Ice-breaker to rest on only one 5 ft. ■ ' ' columns at upper end, sunk as low as.the others- giving 15 feet in 'Iti aldr; clear to equalize more readily the material. This would re quire greater strength of icebreaker bars. We might first place a '' ■ platform 16 inches timber just under low water and on this lay phoeniz beams securing a strong floor and brace between the ice " breaker column and bridge column.. From the center of sloping ice ■ breaker bars to the Upper bridge column at low water place a strong brace at 45° connected with the floor. Would this not be strong enough for any ios drifts in the Missouri? Think of this. It is very evident that Mr. McAlpine's plan of ^ column of 2 or 3 feet dimaeter at upper end sunk 40 or 50 ft in the Missouri silt would be liable to topple over like a pipe stem, N ^ V iven 3 1-2 feet seems unstable in view of Kansas City results. The iA lo great inequality of scour on the two sides of the pier " reSlating from the changing currents is a difficulty I had not fully anticipated. It is wise to foresee every possible contingency and be r r iA can ■tA .• May, 1868. . • , ■ prepared to meet the*^* While I would not be driven about by all sorts Jmitlri'. of views, yet It is prudent to gather and profit by all the experience we can up to the time of commBCing work. The Kansas City results are uglier than w.e expected and much to the point. ■ We know that ir^n column piers are not now an untried experiment; ■ but we also know that the Hlsso i-i Elver silt is an untried material. At Harlem and in th® South I suppose the material to have much more consiBtenoy and bj h® "-eans so liabl to changes. So in Europe. I'll tic : venture the opinion that in all European column piers the engineers have found clay, mud gravel, ooarse sand or something affording a few ^ greater resistance to the was', and to the settling of the column than we have at Omaha. If you have copies, in print, of the specifications of masonry in the Missouri Bridge, such as you sent me, please send a dozen copies. I ««y add that i-he danger of breakage in the column by driftwood or steamboats 0oes not strike me as imminent. The drift would be turned off by th® l«®-'breaker, and it is only light steamboats that the wind Would be lively to drive against the pier.y^ Note: D. Van Lennep to J. E. House, New York City, 2:- ' Sends his address and wants his mail forwarded to him &c. I *1, I j Yl, Barnes to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 2, i'J »fec ft/ . X sm inforn)ed ttiat ^Governs|^nt^ls about to establish a new 9 roil : . .-r r- w-i i 306 ' - M f*' ' May, 1868, • • • - t ' Post near the Swe'etwater mines or in tha1> vicinity and that it will probably be a post of some importance. I should like the appointment Of Post Sutler or Trader if it can be secured. Gen. Grant I believe is the appointing power. I have an idea that, securing this appoint ment, I may be able to make a little money out of it ^land if you can consistently do it, I would like your influence with Grant in my be half. In case the Mongonia coal scheme should fail me I do not know but tiiis would be as good a chance for me as anything I wo'uld be likely to strike int IMA *rI have just gotten your books aboar^' the Elkliorn, and shal go tC| work on them at once. If I get this sutlership I shall^go in with John Tiernan, who agrees to furnish the money necessary to run the mach ne. You likel?- remembAr him as one of our St. Louis friends. T Geo. E. Spencer to Gen. Dodge, "ainesville, Ala. 3;-tv. no For the last month I have been travelling conrtantly hold ing my courts. I have not had a moments leisure or I would have writ ten. Yesterday I met and had a long conversation with Fairfield, Register in Mississippi. He Informs me that he has been unable to pu chase a single share of the Mi'^s Cent. R. R* Stock. He says that West the President of the road, has been holding meetings and tellir^ p May, 1868. , .a*>'^r , the stockholders not to sell their stock, and if they wish to sell that he will give 10 cents on the dollar for it. The best way to get possession of the road is to purchase a few of their bonds and put it into bankruptcy. The road is^ hopelessly bankrupt. ^Tomorrow I start for Tuscaloosa. I hope that I shall find a ♦ • better state, of affairs than when I left. Randolph, the editor, is now being tried, by a military commission and I hope he will be convic ted. These peol ie. are perfect fiends in human shape. I hope Congress .will nrt admit Alabama, but that they will pass the Stewart Bill. If we are admitted we will lose the State in November, Such intimi dation exists over a greater portion of the state that we will be ^ unable to get one half of our voters out. This a am fully convinced of. The only way for us to succeed is to be kept under military rule until the people get sick of it. Then submit the 'Constitution of the people, and when we can have the prestige of success-we can fi " safely reconstruct until then it is unsafe to do so As yet I have seen no. library worth purchasing; the majority of the bankrupts return nothing. . f v rr . Please write me. twtfl e H, Gray to Gen. Dodge, New York, 4:- , ■> -.v-' : Yours of 30th ult, is received. As to Cotincll Bluffs pro- • • - p., iperty I will see my brother and let you know in two or three days, I am very anxious about the Portland brnach and wish you would May, 1868. . ' write imnediately and let me know how you think it looks, and If I can do anything- to assist it. '. I hear the Indians are very bold and troublesome along our line. Am glad Washburn got pitched into, . r, ^ d 1 To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs^ 4';- 'I'.'il'-o • Your s with real estate circular received. I have not attend ed any m.eetings of the real estate organization. If they do a good work I wili assist and advise you to do same, perhaps you had better leave the matter with re. I shall not respond to the circulars. I haVe been expecting to hear" from you relative to.the sale of lands I gave you. It will be a good investment for the nurchaser. ' X Oliver Arabs to Geh. Dodge, K. Easton 4:- ^ Your fpvors of 28th April ai-e received, I am exceeding y gratified with the success* you gave in getting so good a line, and the rabidity with which you have laid it is astonishing. I suppose you last year looked over all of that line and now if fixing it have all the explorations of last season to aid you. I have the very highest opinion of Blickensdefer*s judgment and ability as an engineer, and think when ho -has made a careful survey of the route his decision may bevelled upon as about aa good a line as we can make by re-examination. ' I have no doubt there will be cases on line run withi dugh great ^ ■ l-f'i Ji;cula aiio'xfls May, 1868. ' expedition as this has where in grading it, it may be slightly changed at great saving of cost and not injure the line essentially while it will greatly hasten construction. In laying base, the line we frequent ly run into hard places that are not shown at surface and which by a very slight change of line can be avoided without essentir^ injury to ooeratioh of road. I will do everything possible to preserve the line as laid out, but in construction your own good judgment will at once admit that changes may be made that will not injure the line which will hasten construction and reduce cost. Snyder's indebtedness has been paid as fast as he has asked for it, and ^ am quite surprised to learn that he is $700,000 now in debt. In March he reported his whole indebtedness $600,000 and we authorized him to draw for the amount and' not suffer the Company again to get behind. I think he drew for about 4 or 5000,000 and the sharp pinch in money market came on and he held up for a time. I think he wants to make the road earnings pay the contractor's freight expenses and rim behind on this. • .to: M • Dty brother will be in Washington probably Friday of this week. J. T.'Baldwin to Ben. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 4;- ' • Tours of 29th received. Herewith nlease find deed to Judd Cor 10 lots in Riddle tract* ♦ I leave thie evening for Des Molnes. West left on last Friday. I am to meet him at Dee Molnes to arrange about the Bank, under the May, 1868. . ' , present arrangement for stockholders, I am inclined to think he will want --ore stock for Allen than we can spare and entrust all the par ties we want to* If we succeed, in getting all into it t at I wrote you about it will be a big thing. Nutt wants in and wants Strong in. ■ I have agreed to let Strong have some and promised him a directorshipl This will secure the N. W. deposit which is a big thing. Gale declines acting as president unless he can get a salary that will justify him in giving, it his whole time. There is no one here to act as President unless. I do. I would like it well enough tohave the office, but dont care any furhter than to get it in operation. I think Al-len would rather Gale would have it and you had better ex-^ plain th« matter to him. You had better write to Gen. Myers about some of the stock ahd I will also see him. I will write you from Des Moines. ..1 'J <>,! J. B. House to Gsn. Dodge, Omaha, 4: • ^ Enclosed herewith I send you abstract and vouchers for Engr, and tarwn lot accountfe for the month of April, 1868, amounting in total • to twenty the/ttsand nine hundred and thirty-four ( $20,934,61.) dollars. Also please find monthly statement on face of ledger, Mr. Blickensderfer has sent in vouchers to amount $21,775,88 but too late to appear on this abstract. Will forward.on a separate ab stract. , ''-w't stfi .1 ' r aiftatris ■ oC. lO I , i,r.wv- i I evseX "*0* aeflr is mlM oi';; ii liay, 18 G8. . ;■ ■ ^ y T , 'Nete: ' Svaits to.-J. B-. House, • P -.'. 'Sanders'; 4:- ;v^ T V Coinmiesionerg are all at Sanders. ; r»* f; H. W. Kelly to-Ren. Dodge, time Kiln, Ala;;. 4:- ' ^,r ■ . It is so long since we have met that ^ I was fearful you had forgotten mo, had I'not met-Gen.* Spencer last week on the cars K ^ and was'.gratified to learn from him that amidst all-the changes c ;■ which,.have "taken-plan-in-the'l-ast-eight oi" nine j^ears, r.you still r inquire for some of your old friends, and '■^bought you might--bo pleased to hear from me. HI •• I Sinee I came South in February 'Gl, I hawa -^Jeen .dngaged on the same road., TlaG first two-years"as general purchasing agent or crm- . mtssary, and also general-manager-or''''WalkinE-Bo3b*''' on--the-work 3wle»""blather of John-Boyle, who stands as high" here as , a R.R. Contractor as John R. does •ihTlowa.'''-About-that time o'r in . . , thjo fall <1 .urns promobed to Asst.** Gupt, and placffd in charge of the "hole work, but mji principal duty was in .rtftuflng the 't'hains over 20 mileq, of one ^roed. ani4,^0-over a connbctlrig^ r*oad' iittb iGelma with coal and. iron; as a jrerj'- large, proportion of all the fenfl used in the South, the la^st. Iwo yeare of the-war came off -our hoadh'nnd it was pften a mnttor of. astonichmont thaf the H.S'Goverhnr^nt * . * * did npt make,an. effort.long before-®en-i Wilson made-his" raid to destroy that poptlo> of the State of Alabama,'as I believe that alone ifoild have brokon down the confederacy. " • - May, 1868, • lJy"5pfedltion on the road.exemptfed me-from bonscrlption, so I had no trouble in keeping out 6f th» army. SinceHhe surrender I have had the" entire*ma''a§emGnf and'hbfi'Crol of everytl'.ing connected as all ■' the meihbers 6f*th^ dompany vrcre'so broken Qp by t?ie war th-^t they had ■ neither'the iheflhs'fi&r spirit 'to dssist'^me in anything, dnd^f repaired s all the damage''d'oAe md by the raid In rebuilding''the bridges and "'dhops'and everything^elsb'withdut a dollar to begin on and kep the road dp ever'since, but? Q-.TihgH^ the scarc'ity of mPnSy'it has barely paid expenses. Last Decembe#* Elected a ndii^ President "artd'^oard of Directors - auid they* ende -making "a great effort "t6"put*" tiie roS'd in''a"shape to go ' jdtead and t hot5e 'wIlt ^iJcceed both for'the "sake of 'tlio c'c^untry gen- ^ - <e rally, as it wi'll open the "^richest "^Iner^aT region In the'world both tfi coal,* iron'^ nMtrble aild lli&estone, arid there are oom' very extensive iron irt'^houi'sb >)f. bdrfctV-uctl'dn, "^ut Ifoi^theMi Vapltal Is a Tittle '• ■• Pacary" t^-lnvGntlrn* ttf'<ho' T5dcltJi yet'.,"^ a'nd aisb"' on my own account, as # • I am trroTi' .of bompary without "money," though i have done prett^'irell-nrr as^ it l^s" very difficult'for m'o* to save ^ anything out of thfft ^'itck, iSjt 1 have got everything the company owed me but hftd-> tb. take' it" ih properly'' iMt is 'not'ndW available.'' A8*y<m are no fioubt tired of : eadlng"* this'"long letter, I will • elose-byetfytng-I.ahmildAb^ pld&aSd to hear fr<»i'you, and would also like to hoar .a** kittle df ybilr operations on the Dnion PacificR.R. May, 1868. n nt t . , Note: N, B. Baker to Gen. ^odge, Des I.^oines, 4:- ^ - Wants F, Ensign appointed Pension Agent at Des Moines. E. F. Ensign to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 4:- - :;r If there is to he a change in office of Pension Agent here, I would like to get it provided the matter is not already fixed. Col. Godfrey assu^res to have everybody pledge d to him. I know ..--that Palmer has given him po definite assurances. The latter advised me to drop you a-line, If-y^u or Mr. Palmer can throw anything in my hands that will bring a little money it will be very acceptable. More glory than cash in the law so far. ^ Glasgow is here- has an array of 10 delegates, I believe L's , ; nomination will be unanimous. , Please let me hear from you. ^ ^ » v, , ra*iww5 1 Rote: Joseph Wilaon to Gen. Dodge, Dept. Inteior, G.L.)ffice, 4.- ofl,' - Sends advance proof sheets of his report for 1867. W. Myers to Gen. D<^ge, Omaha, 4:- , ., . Yours of the 29th is received. I have not seen Durant or e£ ®lllon ii) regard to Gilson's effort to get some of the R. Road. Did you mention the "Patent Mills Coupler" to any one? Tho is the man in the road to de0 with in such matters^ Snyder is very favorable a«d has ordered a number cf them- in fact, has fitted out one entire train. .-v •vjw--' May, 1868. . 1:^81 efiiM I have written Copelin of St. Louis about the* Tnattcr"" of the E.D. TJ.P.R.R, of which we spoke, Cpoelin is a strong man and works in a quiet way He v/il"l a'dvise me from time 'to time. ' • ' • The Indian question is still unsettled. Murders are frequent and 'the railroad seems now to b e the favorite point of attack. ^ ' Sherman is now at Laramie. Augur will be here th-is week. He has f' ordered 200 teams to move stores from Phil. Kearney to Sweetwater. Do you imagine tbat ttiere is any chance in ray case to get my old "place in the corps? because I am fixed in the purpose of resigning as soon as I learn that "nothing" can be done i ^ n:iii ■, ,o V'hen will you he hack? "'ff nl w Note: Estimate of traffic for Missouri River Bridge at Omaha, R. E. Talpey to Gen. Dodge, Cheyenne, 4:- ' Since yo'ur ha^^e come 'and gone there appears -to he a general spirit of dissatisfaction gaing ground. Rumors are aloat that the Company will not huild round'houses, &c. here hut at Laramie '^ity. and there Ir a general stampeded for the new town much to the dissat isfaction of the extensive property owners in Cheyenne. The people claim the R. R. Company held out the inducement for them to settle here hy saying it would he one of the most important towns on the line of the roadj that extensive machine shops, round houses, Ac, would he located here. It would he the point of intersection of Denver branch, &c, and on these representations had fiath in the enterprise, expendc]^^ ul' ■tuX • I - . liiyflM May, 1868. their money liherally, built up..a big town, &c. and now that Spring , . has come instead of carrying out the promises, thej' lay out new town and offer property for sale. The company have not sold one-tenth of their property here, and I firmly believe that we cannot be able to collect, one dollar due on second payment if the Company does not take measures to push forward the improvements contemplated. It is currently reported p.11 over the city that Dr. Durant stated that the Denver Branch ahould-upt, intersect the road at this olace if V -sonr it cost hiTn five hundred thousand dollars individually. That Mr. Reed stated that all the expenditures would be made at Laramie ^ity and it . ■ '^■-%ould be f e place; that Cheyenne would be .-depopulated within 60 days, ~ ' &c, Of coarse, you know how people in a town like this run with any thing of that kin-^ am What I want is for you t.9 write me a letter giving me the necessary information to quiet such reports, and I will have them published in nil the papers here. People are talking loud, saving Gen. Dodge promises so and so, I think it would be well to stop it as sron as you conveniently can. '■'f Let me hear from you s oon as you take any steps about the new town on the Platte or farther west. I want to sell the property for you. I am today settling my Wells, Fargo business and intend going up into the S weetwater country, apd will be back about time you get out. Wrtie mo at Cheyenne« t . ♦ ■ of - ol ' ... ""'n-. 515 irtelb^I May, 1868, W. Snyder to Geh. ^^bdge, Omaha, 4: ^ Y '1* ' In accordance with your request of April 29th I send you my estimate of the number of passengers and tons of freight that will cross the Missouri River bridge at this point say from July 1st to '' December 2lst, 1869, and during the years 1870 and 1871, I have made prices for the transfer of freight and passengers Bp what- I consider a paying rate. These rates are less than half ^ * the present cost of transfer and can be increased or diminished ' as circumstances may warrant. I have based my estimate on the pres- ' ent busihess at this point, with allowance for the natural increase as indicated by the permanent emigration to points on line of road, ^ and the augmented traffic that will naturally follow the opening of an all mail communication to the Pacific. Have made my figures inside of what I believe the actual traffic will be, W. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 4:- • . -r: c Yours April *29th received this morning. Indian affiars grow Vo better. Men driven in by them daily at different points on the line. One hundred Pawnees will be on- the line tomorrow- Kearney to North Platte, bend will help us. * ' y * Track to Sanders last night. Will opbn to Laranie 11th for business. Work on extension opens lively. There will bo no difficulty in going beyond Green River this year if work is propery systematized, and Indians tolerably quiet. A® going to Laramie tonight. I May, 1868. NoteL Jas. A. Wilson to Gon. Dodge, Dept. Interior G.L.Office,5: ^In relation to land of Wn. Clebruns. - . , Note. B. F. Walton to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 4:- Watits assistance, and gives Gen. Williamson and others as reference, ■ ' C. W. Davis to Gen. Dodge, Springfield, Ills. 4:- Mrs. Dodge has I suppose told you the purpose of ray visit r - . , i lij to Washington. I would have liked much to have talked with you there iucxJ-A f 'or raet you in Chicago had it been possible. ^ The cjuarry business of last year was a losing concern, and I ra now anxiously looking for something else to do. In Chicago, St. Louis ^1^ 'i y and the other la ge places hereabouts trade is not only very dull but there are too many to do it, and so I've thought that perhaps Council Bluffs, Oraaha or. still farther west would be better for rae. What littlft •Hpi^tal I had was used up last year, and so I've ' ' gob to bdgin again, which I am willing to do. You know something of ky qualificationsj what I'm capable of doing and ray willingess to do it. As i boy I was brought up in the grocery business, but afterwards for between six and seven years wa^s in the book and publishing house O' S. c. Griggs ft Co., Chioggo, only leaving it to |;o into service, I do not lliiow What more I can say for I rely upon your judgment more than-upoft own. Should there be anything connected with the r May, 1868. . " ' » w 'Railroad that"yod think me'fitted fotj•or that you think that I can learn, or if there is an^ advice you can give rae, I shall be very thankful, ' * . . . Note: David Van Lennep to Gen. Dodge, New York 5:- Sends moss agates for Mrs. Dodge. Wants-copies of my report Will send his report in a day or two. ' - H. Crane to Gen. Dodge, Now York 5:- Mr, Dillon has,retuned from the west-, and has a copy of the law of Iowa with regard to Corporation. There is nothing said about the incorporators being resident or non-resident in the State. How is this? . Is'-tt necessary or not that they should be residents of Iowa, or can we have residents of any state in the organization? It is I supposed to get up Article of Incorporation soon, and I want any and all information I can obtain on the subject. ' •T No'te Benj. P. Ham to Gen. Dodge, New York, 6:- Will "remember the sale -to him qf *70 shares U.P.R.R. stock at *^^5 "p.cj a^ the payment for sawe In Credit Mobileir, and wants to know if it can be settled up. r P. S. Hodges to Gen. Dodge, Logan, Utah, 6:- . " ' ^ In a corflance withtyour reques* made in Washington, I make ' the following statement of moTements made since leaving Omaha Feb.26 We have a very fortunate trip across country. Snow for 20 miles May, 1868. -8it Brid^r'.s Pass anc^ for lf25 milec from^reen River into Ecjio C.anon. Acrivefi at Salt Lake ^th of' March. . - " Pound my party-organlz.ed and ready to move, haviny thus been '' ■■ prfe-^ptfred in accordance with a letter from you to me, stating that it was desirable that I should start- out by 1st March from Saltr Lake. — Two weeks were spent making maps while the weatheif.>w«.s stormy. On the 18th of March, we pulled out. A party of.IS-including .a new . 'assistant brought out ±ix_K.r. B" ickensderfor. Transportation consist- • ■ ing'of 6ne six-nmle'and ' one four-mule ■ Instructions to examine " • country between"'30uthern end of Cache Valley eastward to Bear ,River. A line was.first trled'^via Box Blder Creek and continuod some { 10 0*-lO-;-mlles ever-the-divide to waters-draining into Cache Valleyabandoned ae IWIMWMltieabl?* — A -line'neas then started near Bear River Station (no<r%hf-and run via a- low paaeolnt© Cache Valley ' thus • avoid- - ing-the*oaiiyon«w|iAch-tii® Bear Rlver'dlne of last year traversed. Through thic*peiss, eitmated 2 miles south of 3nd oanon, a fine line and-vary ohcap oan he obtained^ with a summit'^cut of 60 ft. grades easterly 50 ft. per mile; westerly 90 ft; per mile (perhaps much less can-be obtained.)- ' •> ' - fe ^ ^ ^ - • - ' The.i.liiie'swae oontimaedrsAretii^-nQar tl.e southern-end of Cache Valley'to Bleckaaith^-e Perk^ striking--eatd-Btream some 15 miles above ilts confluence'With' Beht Rlweri and'-c(jdtirued with feasy work "and grades to ?ta* "I.'^IS (28 miles fro*'initial point)-Whore 00-ft.' grado X"' n. May, 1868. .fand rouch work coimnencG® vrlth the mouth 6f the canyon. AfteV^ 1»-2 miles grade ease e upto 50 or 30'At. §ta.l670 th'e dtrea'm forks.TIave run 4 1-2 miles up the main streaA'or'rirht' hand fOrfer-Snd 6 1-2 miles 'up ieft hand fork. Have also run Tines up Paradise Pork, Maddy Fork and Logan P'ork as far as -could Tjd <l6n& advantageously from the'^rest- ■ wardl There being'no rcJads fa^ up''th(SSe canyons v;e did not get over 7 or 8 miles in each. fhe painty t-eday get their"line' to Franlclln 30 miles'north,To " morrow over to' Thicker* s Perry and Connect with last yearns' line;Then •' "move wagons ai:»ound by Soda Spring's to Bear'^Lake Valley whsrd we'will start iri an^ riift'*soutli '!tn'direction*of afongrfhA wagon road, conne6^?flg ^Itf these Cache Valley lines producing the^i eadtVard by ^ most favorable to Bear'R^ ver.'fiave partially exnlored'comtrj at head of ^felifccksftl'th's ^'ork snow'wfts'tOo' deep and'dbunlry too'muddy t'O'"go As faf It's t ftfeslrcd. Bid nAt enough of the^sumit to form on opinloB. Have also explored the head waters of thAse othdb Cache Valley streams sufficiently to satisfy myoelf thatKt]:ey are in all probability inpHictlcable'^ ^ "v , Tlie weather has generally been fine an^-warwi,- The'graSc was greefi in-the'valloys and grain mostly sown a ihonth age.' The jimo^mt of snow thia'season comparatively small; we ha4e been But little'troubled by it. Pound ItM to B*ft. deep on bdx llder divide. Streams will not be Very High this yedr uniess'we ftsve'1 ^avy'rains'. .,V-v W May, 1868. . , v;^-- On this account I would suggest that the western desert line be ' rnn early. Have previouslj? mtide requests for detail to survey of / Raft River bhanch to Snake River after present line is finished. Expect to be .back to Salt Lake by middle of June. Special orders from rui you will be necessary to obtain increase of transportationand of other ,00.' limits needed for the desert trips. ■ L* . This people expect an immigration of 19,000 souls this year to arrive in "August, Grasshoppers have already made appearance in vast numbers. Flour has gone up from $5.50 to $7.50 per 100 lbs, • A Sacramento paper informs me that Ives has started out to final- ;.oIiy locate G.P.R.R. line to Salt Lake ®ity, * ^ ■ ■ Met with several accidents this trip. Nearly lost 4 men by drwn- ' ■ ing. oOur pack mule knocked off trail donw some 800 feet into Bxacksmith*s Pork; was rescued with loss.of bedding of 5 men. Saddle horses " knocked off same spot into river and got out. 6 mule team, by caving *raway of dugway in Logan Canyon, was upset rolling over twice into the tiver. We.rescued teamster, wagon, load, harness and 2 mules, but the other 4 mules swept off and drwied. • Bought 4 more mules, had wagon repaired and had party off with delay of but 24 hours. J, T, Baldwin, to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 6:-^ - !• or,' 1 have been talking this bank matter with Allen and West, Allen thinks some person had better go fee Washington and have the agreement to the change and transfer made in writing and thAt Mr. May, 1868. «T-' West may fully and plainly understand the transfer and change. So we concluded that Mr. West should go. Alien is fearful some opposition •may arise "before the arrangement can be completed that may stop it again. Allen asks $5000 bonus for charter for $50,000 bonds and $42500 Cy. of the bonds to be turned over at par, thereby giving us the advantage of the accrued prera. and interest which is now worth $2000. This reduces the bonds to $3000, The question with me is, 1st. ^ill the contemplated stockholders be willing to pay this bonus for the advantage of his charters with Cy, ^ ; 2d, Rather than pay the bonus would it not be better to get a new charter without Cy? I did not explain to and I^illon 'about any bonus. uo-you think they would be willing to stand it? ^ My opinion is that the advantage of getting issue is more than equiv alent to charter without Cy. : 'Allen gets West a pass to" and from Chicago and wants you to try and get him pass from W, to Chicago. We dont want to be out any more moeney than can help for fear it may not go off. I will write you from here in a day or two. . WS Si#!.!/«• if- j» - ij • #TihJ Palmer will bo nominated unanimously, Note: Jas. A'. Evans to J'. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 7;-^ Line is located to Green River. Has turned two parties over to Blickensderfer, &c. ■ ■ : n» ; ■f I in' ■ May, 1868, H. M, Hoxie to Gen. Dodge, oOmaha, 10:- * - I enclose a new freight tariff which takes effect Monday llth. May, You will notice that it is a reduction of 25 per cent on ; ' ' old tariff. We shall have passenger tariff ready to take effect on Wednesday 13th, and will be about same reduction. Please say nothing ' about passenger tariff till you get it. Road opens tomorrow to Laramie. Snyder out there. T.C.D. also and'is stirring them up, I enclose a circular I got this A. M,"through Congdon, I've no remarks to make on €he subject. Reed I learn is going to Salt Lake to see aboui grading,* Commis sioners examined two sections I understand,' " ^ ^ A Mrs, Hoxiet went to New Hampshire yesterday. Regards to Mrs, D. and family. H, W. Gray to Gen, Dodg^, New York, Send cut and buy the three first pieces of property you mention end'if you think best the 1-2 int. in 99 lots of which you seem to be a little doubtful; have thew- put in name of G.G.Gray. When papers are all right and title examined wont we have chance with Portland branch when old Johnson is convicted? If Burligane has been to see you about railroad in China, you had better post yourself up about it pretty fully. If they really want railroads there' do you supfTibtoe that the^ would wait for any man May, 1868. -.OL , "vo" . ' . who ever lived? It would, pay you better than a dozen Pacifies, and , 5 if you could get a contract to build a road in China-say from Sahnghai to Pekin- we might ws well make ten millions and perhaps be made great swells by the Empire. See him and find out exactly what they want. If he will give you letter to the Government that will put you on a proper footing, I will close up my business and start with you for there in 60 days, Dont neglect such a great opportunity. Winants made untol "millions out of R.R.'s in Russia, and they were not nearly so sharp. ^ > ; Much obliged for report on pacific Tariff bill. Please keep me - ' postedon looks of Portland Branch. I hope you will succeed and will ^ gladly do anything in my power to assist it. I sent you today some whiskey. If you do not receive it go to • ■ • . . Express Office; I simply directed it to y^ashington as I did not know where you lived. Let.me hear from you occasionally. T. C. Durant to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, 6:r General Order No. 1. For the purpose of facilitating and perfecting the early location of the line between this point and the Great Salt Lake, and enabling the Com.pan to place the large construc tion force and supplies i*iich are now moving westward, upon the most difficult points without xinnecessary delay, it is hereby ordered; Ist. The consulting engineer. Col. S. Seymour, and the chief May, 1868. ...... i. ( constructing engineer, Samuel B. Reed, will pass through the line at once and examine the details of the locatJon at all difficult and ex- . pensive points. , o.* 6th, In ordet' to prevent unnecessary delay in the work during th absence of the Chief Engineer from the line of the road, the consult- > ing engineer is hereby envested with full power to perform all the duties pertaining to, the office of acting Chief Engineer, and his orders will be obeyed accordingly by every one connected with the engineer department Any orders heretofore- given by the Chief engineer conflicting with orders that may be given by the consulting engineer during his absence, are hereby rescinded. y - J. T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 7:-f- ... 'j a' .'cK^ The Congressional and State Convention is over and both pas- ' Bed off very harmoniously. The result ji-ou will know before this reach es you. I attended the District Caucus this "'orning, at which time your name was put in nomination for delegate at large, after which and .:»« very xmexpectedly Gen. 'fillia-^son was nominated. For fear of a serious conflict both names were withdrawn from th- Caucus with the understand in that the question of who should be delegates at large should be settled by the joint convention. After the adjournment of the tem porary organization Williamson pitched in and went to electioneering ^ for himself and against you. He thought if you wodld be elected it ' ■ ■ t would defeat him which he did not think would be right, and that you May, 1868. ^ j . had no claims for thr position and was not entitled to the appointment. ^ ■ At the request of Palmer I had a talk with Williamson and induced him to consent to withdraw, but he was again induced to make the fight. Some of our delegation there got a little weak kneed and .wanted to -•'withdraw your name- they fearing the location would be against you and W, both. I told the-^ it would never do to withdraw your name and that both could be elected, at least you would be, and that if either would be defeated it would be W. ' i The Convention met and it was soon decided' that the delegates would he seledted without regard to locality; consequently you and W, were both elected. Chapman, Majmard, and Lyman worked hard for you. Bloomer was quiet. Chapman had a big speech prepared for your benefit but it so happened that it was not necessary to say anything. '' ' Williamson will try to make you bel-ieve he was your friend and wanted you to be the delegate, but I know you were the only- one he ' opposed and he said and did everything he could against you which I dont think he would have done if he had thought both could be elected. It is generaly believed that if the contest had been between you and Williamson that the latter would have been woefully beaten. When I get home I will see Creighton about the Allen bank charter. He is authorized to speak for Dillon and if he is opposed to paying Allen the bonus, I am to telegraph you, and the ipiderstanding is that West is to get a new charter and in either case the May, 1868. ^ papers are to be all nade out in Wa.shington before West leaves. There are none of the Rocli Island people here; - think you had better write Tracy if you think it will do any goody/ s., [ Andrew J, Stevens to Gen. Dodge, Windsor, Ontario, 7:- Our mutual friend. Judge Wright, upon learning that I de sired to be transferred to the Territorial service, sent me a letter of recommendation addressed to you, iiiiich you will find enclosed hereAs suggested by Judge Wright, I should be pleased to have you and the other members of the Iowa Delegation .simi^larly endorse my applica tion. i»;,i • f 'Vievmerti *' '■ I shall be governed by your advise and direction in this matter, and trust that my application will prove successful, Note: Norman Williams to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 8:- , Has requested his brother to send me full reports of the p. R.'D. &c. , . " "iedt W, Myers to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 8:- j. , m ^ I haw written to Cincinnati, Gen. P. W. Strader, on the busi nesi Of Chief Engineer for the E. D. C-pelin is working quietly but atrong irl the direction you indicated. Please keep «e advised. I am writing to my friends as though you ' gyj'tl^rely i^iorant of the project, is there any chance for my getting the majority? If not, I want to quit the service and am arrang ing to that end. Respects to th-; Madam. Nothing new. Augur is coming in May, 1868. • ' • Note: E. B. French to Gen. Dodge, Treasury Department, 8:- • ' Enclosing letter for Lieut. Damewood, late 29th Iowa Infty. G. Tichenor to Gan. Dodge, Des Moines, 8:- ; > - The Conventions have all be.en held, and I am overjoyed to tell you that your friends have accomplished everything they -ought to and more. ^ * •. ' Palmer was nominated by acclamation upon Glasgow's own motion and ■jyj^'tl'iout one dissenting vote or throught-notwithstanding Kasson s few freidns did all in their feeble power to provke an issue against palmer. Hoyt Sherman, Gale Noel and a few other swall fry of Kasson's feeble household, split themselves wide opan on Kasson for Elector at ^ large. This we urged the"! to do. This much 'having been accom lished—there beatn fellows of the late Urbane Johny K,--swore like- the army in Flanders and avowed they would be revenged by beating you for Delegate at large, and to do this they got the co-operation of Gen. Jim Tilliamson, who had in ^ under handed manner got the soldiers over the State .pledged to him m advance of the mention of :'<Sur'name- and then with him sought to beat you on the question of locality (both -of you being in the same district) but we met them feere and the eastern, northern and southern parts of the State united in ashing the privilege of presenting you- and when Josh ua Tracy of Burlington, in hladkip, loud voice ,«onounced your name ■ litre CS tnAW t •/ .t ( . I ^8 «4 Tvy jyj' V ■ .A - d ri-Jr. May, 1868 • VI " it was greeted with a perfect tornado of applause, and you got every vote except those that had been pro'^ised by Vfilliainson* s and Kasson's few friends, and the announcement of pour triumphant election- on the first balfliot- v;as greeted with v/ild enthusiasm. Williamson feels deeply ashamed of his action in the matter-had it not been that he lives here we would have turned in and beaten him, and we would have done so had it been necessary to elect you. I will tell you all about it when I see you, meantime say nothing about it. He (Williamsbn) will try to explain it, and I suggest that if he writes you about it do not answer his letter or if you do, feign to believe him until I see you at Chicago. I have it arranged with Melindy and • . . ■ 4 will arrange it with Hedrick to make you Chairman of our State Del egation, and I hope you will be at Chicago as early as Monday, May 18th I am one of the Delegates at large to the Soldiers National Convention and I will be_at the Frem-nt House on that day. You will readily observe that Dodge's little 5th district was a power in the State Convention, since we got two of the four delegates at large and one of the two electors at large (Glasgow-ff. The truth of it. was that we cleaned Kasson out so effectually that the other parts of the State were ready to give us all, if we had asked it. Anderson, Lyman, Chapman, Blooraer, Henderson, Charlie Hourse and myself did the whole job fro-^ the beginning to the end, and you can bet we are con tented, find he^i^. "hist" Cain Noel and put in Anderson the May, 1868. first mc^ent possible. Charlie Nourse and Frank Palmer tell me to saj^ ' to you that they were never so happy in their lives and that they go their last bottom dollar on me, t • I will write you more particulars in a day or fwo and will tell you all about iat at Chicago, Please write or telegraph me when you . • . * . . . will reach Chicago Pnd where you will stop , Ask Gen. Grant ow he likds" Iowa. Since writing the above the Judicial Convention has been held • there and John Mitchell nominated for Circuit Judge, which is another victory to the Dodge men. Hurrah for us. Note: Jas. A. Evans to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, ^ "■ Is getting anxious about sale of his property in Ornafiaj'^ Wants Mr. Lambach to go out as maps and profiles will have«to be made htere in future it seems to him. C. G. Weirick to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 8:- ' ^ «i long looked for appointment came on the ^d of this month, but'as yet no order for tho P. M. to'pay me. This is very strange a s "h " "t ■ " they are generally pretty prompt after the appointment has been, * ■ ' i If you can do anything for me you would do me a great favoc;. * S(y appointment dates tho 1st March. ' ' **' •* * Sidney Dillon to Gen. Oodge, Mew Yorky . e — j ^ preparing steam drills for the large tunnel withift 100 miles of Salt Lake. Will you please inform tie'as-soon as practicable ^ how near water can be obtained to the tunna^» i;. e. 'i 1. May, 1868, Gen. Dodge to Ji- E. House, Tffashington, 8;- I'H . '■ The main ditch wants to be co-'menced on.the table land east of Cheyenne. That would bring it nearly outi.side of the laid off town. I If it came inside no doubt a street could be found hhat you could get J-- . i it through town on or several streets could be used. If I remember right the ground east of town woitld be about 1 1-2 or 2 miles from , , the depot in town. -j h«nn The valley of Lodge Pole fall^s so rapidly that any slope it could I wind out on to the summit between Crow Creek and Lodge Pole and brought .1® ■ over into the ditch you take Crow Creek out of, or even into Crow || . Creek itself. Lodge Pole I should think would bo started out several • -miles below Camp Walbach, It Is now most important to get Crow Creek out. It will afford water sufficient for the present, but Lodge Pole, summer, might have some influence in location of Crow Creek. ^ Note: H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 9:- Encloses »<ticiea of Incorporation of Bridge Company. Wants mo to look it over-and euggest alterations, if any. Note: . Jas. A. Evana to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 9:- "ia n. Wants statement of his account. Note: A. H. Burrows to Gen. Dodge, Osceola, Iowa, 9^- that an attempt is being made to remove Wm. Po'^ly, P. M. at that place, rnd hopes I will not sanction it. May, 1868. . '.I « ' B. M. Hughes-to Gen; ^odge, Denver, .9 o.t or.f/"" . I' 'I Capt. Bailey is here and badly crippled; poor fellowj just Innthe" condition that his friends should try to help.him, VHiile he was in bed suffering from his wound, his partner, one 0. P. Cass, effec tually rvTined their busihess and then took the benefit of the bankrupt act. He is a bad man, an had I known in time that George was in with him,- I could and would have warned him and saved his losses. Young, just starting in life and"thus cast down, it is a paty that his friends should 'tand back, and for one, I wont, nor will you I am sure. He has a re utation oinsallied and many excellent qualities, and must succeed. Now I wish you to help me to get for him the place of Gen, Frt, ^ Agent or Passenger Agent or both on the .Branch Hoad to the U.P.R.R, You can rrurely secure this alone, stnd if I can help I will d9 so by any appeal to our men h-re, If they have anything to do with it. He (George) is just now in a condition to be discouraged, but I shall try to help him, I know you will. Please re|)ly at once, L, 7;illiam8 to Gen. Dodge, Ft, Wayne, 9:- " I inferred fro^ your remark in regard to Mr, Walcott that possbly you might wish to find a local engineer for the bridge of more forei and oatperience, • ' ' . . Willard Pope, now engl^&r- 6f Detroit Iron Bridge Company May, 1868. . ' , and who was employed at the ClintoQ Bridge under Talcott,"speaks well of Mr. C..Kirby for-such a position. You must know something of Mr, Kirby as he was engaged on the N.W, east of Council Bluffs. Mr. Tal cott would unequivocally recommend Mr..Blunt, for some years on the Galena Road and how division engineer on that work. Mr. T. says he had some experience on bridges in the south. He looks like a man of ere rgy and force"of eharacter but rather rough. Mr. Talcott would prefer him to Kirby but TalcOtt" rather fell out with him while under ■' Blair. Mr. Hudson, the local engineer at Burlington Bridge, in chief charger under HJortsberg, struck me favorably when I was there, Thoug the bridge is about done now I presume Mr, H. wauld not like to spare him; yet if you want him, very likely he would go - to build so great a work. His experience there would give him decidedly the advantage ^ over others, it tj-if ' Of course, I haye said nothing to any of these persons, 'f you desire you can learn about about them at the Chicago Convention. I should think from their character and position they have held that these men all have "hat we call vim and energy, if they have the nec essary science. The N. ' W, Road at.the coming election will passout of the hands llvo'of Ogdan and his friends into the control of the Keep party. Whether that^ would see Mr, Blunt loose 1 dont know. I presume he would not ow #3000. . ^ t> ■ '■ May, 1868. IrDiay se6 you at the Chicago Convention. Better "bring your Bridg plans and specifications in.your trunk for conference.The.time is •nov.'short: I shall therefore probably go East before that Convention, Was at Chicago yesterday,. I saw Boomer, • I presxime McComb did not go out ^, I did not quote Seymour with th idea of attaching any importance to his opinion as to bridge matters, B. F. Allen.to Gen, Dodge, Des Moines, 8;- • « I have yours with Vouchers returns, I also return as re- • quested the letter in relation to the balance, ^o the best you can with them. If they insist on the army regulations but few wan be paid. During the war-this class of vouchers were paid by the million^ Under the circumstancea which they wer§ issud it would have been '■'impossible to hare bought the articles at regulat on prices or to have made anything in due form. I think the Q.M. General ought to tak& those things into consideration, and if he is satisfied there is '\no fraud he ought to order them paid, .» ■ j . • • . I suppose by this tim Mr, West is in your city getting posted in relation to the fc ormcil Bluff*s Bank, which I hope will be arranged satiifactorily to all concerned, • Xj, L. Williams to Gen, Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 9;*^ • / ' 1 received your note e closing the specifications and invit ing thereon my suggestions, I do hot think many changes are needed, although I would advise to keep the whole subject op«n and under your^ Mgty, 1868. « control so long as may be without delaying the work, and in the mean time gather all additional experience. This is more reliable than men's dpinions or theories not founded on such experience, ' As to the iron superstructure, I have no sioggestion to make other than that the upper chords should be bf wrought iron. You noticed Mr, Chanute's suggestion of connecting the chords of the various spans so as to increase strength and save iron. I doubt if this is wise. Would not the expansion work a-difficulty? Then in case of failure in one span other spans would be involved. In regard to the pier columns, I observe that you require them to be sunk 70 feet when rock can be reached at that depth. 1 would re quire all to go 70 feet, for ie men can live so far down on the rock they can on the sand, and therefore It is equally practicable. Per haps the columns at the east abutmnet and the pier next to it might stop at GO feet, but this should depend upon the probability of any force of current against the east bank at future time, The main question remaining, -which-I think you ought to keep open for further consideration, is the diameter of the columns. If final ly deemed best to insure stability, to make them 10 feet let us enlarge them. My rough estimate of 10 feet for 70 feet deep indicates $8 or flO,OOd additional cost to each pier, over the 8 1-2 ft. column at 60 ft. deep. What is |100,000 in the entire cost of the bridge if thereby you insure safety? 'i''' . • I! iw . • : May, 1868. ^ ^ As to bed of concrete 4 feet deep below the iron column, this is in each case a question of practicability. In some cases it may be practicable, in others not. A very important question bearing upon the safety of the bridge is, in my judgnent, the manner of paying for . the sinking of the columns. The difficulties and expense at the base • • 10 or 14 feet might in some cases be very great and I should want the contractors who really will control the work to have no personal in terest in stopping the columns too soon. While the superstructure, conrete, and the furnishing the iron columns ready for sinking, the sinking of them, the machinery used therein and the platform (which must rest on piles well secured) on which the machinery is to stand ^ and on which the vertical position of the column depends, should be paid for at its actual cost, t 1 The form of ice-breaker an^^ the number of columns under it should be left open for the present. Is the upper Missouri liable to float very large fields of tinbroken ice, like the Mississippi? You probably have observed the facts. Think of this. , , \ *■ Hjortsberg gave me some results with one of his piers at Burlington, which, however, I would not speak of publicly. He says that a cake or field of lanbrokon ice perhaps 300 ot 1000 feet square struck the pier west of tha draw, by working on it, raised the stone o f the staoling or ice-breaker and injwedi the upper end of the pier so that he will rebuild it. The ma onry was very substantially built May, 18SS. and the elope of the nose of the Ico-hreaker I think about' 0 inehes f f ■ * < ' - " f. f ■ f. • ■. . ■ . I base to 1 foot rise, Qulry? What would such a field of ft ce do to I j • . «, V A ,, , . "O ■■ our nroposed ice-breaker at Omaha? I also father from him that t}.ere was considerable soo^\r under the ice at Burlinrton, hut notrln- else . . .. I ^ ■ * , • * " - f . . - » , ^ torn out. At Quincy the ic'e floods are less formidable, beinf^ broken by the Keokuk rapids. Though I haveno particiilars, yet 1 believe they lo'st a' yood deal in their false works, bridye, &c. Mr. Pope i)rags mud' of the ice-breaker at Clinton, which has a slope of 2 base to 1 rise. He' says thaii.creat cakes of ice strike it, slide upon it, break it in two and float on. Mr. Rjortsberg thinks it wotild be hette if obr ice-breaker did not quite connect with the bridge column, but •«, ^ i stop one or two feet above it so that a shock would not be communicated wit!, all Its force to the column. Re thinks that there mi^ht he a fastenin" of Iron braces or ties between the ice-breaker and the column, which, while It would connect them for all purposes of a ^ - . r I ' ri -f r V"" ' • ■ . , t. . . j brace, would alleviate the shock throuph its sllyht elasticity, I do not kn^w that thl- can he done, hut after all, is the ice likely to be so terrible in the Missouri? If it is, its j^reat fo)Ce should only be in the channel. The ice-breaker, if a verj- strong one is required to a difficult part to arrange. Mr. Rjortsberg also made suggestions in reference to rip rap 4 • , * - ""Cip* "0 - fTo^^r -e hot ".' f-'r® *r> I l . ' • fi- ' a*f 71/'''o - ' R . 'd it " •'37 ♦-tpw fwi ray, ims. \^around the piern, which^ i suppo-e hased on the resplts nt Burlinr- ^ ^ ton. He succests in the /irst place that the sand "be removed as far dOTTT. as possible and raip rap nlacod as low down as can le. This is nothlnr new to ns. "Hie tronble is, how to ";et the sand away. Then in addition he spaaests a wooden crib snrrotxndinr- our niers, sides «V-» * ■ 1 • r - •■ ■ , . , r t. '■f ^ ' r r _ and ends, with a span say 5 or 8 feet on all sides. This crib can ' " • ) be raised up above the water say near to hiprh water, so that we could see^ when the rip rap berrun to settle down, the fiH^ the span between wih stone. Tijis rip ran would settle down as the sand would get waslied from the base. As it settled, a vacancy would, of course, ' * • I' y» * ^ • • ' ■ * ^ * *' be discovered at the top of the crib, which vacency would immediatol be filled witl fresh, rip rap following dovm thp under^nininv^ and ultidiately an island of rip rap woaild be formed insuring safety. This timber Crib when decayed would not have to be renewed as by that time the rip rap would have become placed. But this ia bungling and underslrable expedient if we can do without,it. Perhaps wo had better spend our money in going deep with polumps or enlarClng them. All this is very sensible but expensive. Rip rap thrown on * . . . * top of Missouri silt and not held or followed up.by iiope, stone will * • not protect upper end of pier. Urith th^ coluTnn the jnalr^ securitry is great depth. The piers at ^urllngton I thought as strong as they could be built, Mr. Hjortsberg's plan was to put above each-disconnected- a wooden ice-breaker on piles to receive the first shock; but this had^^ May, 1868. f\ f . not been piit in. For the Missouri ice none of the piers on that plan are too strong. If the .Missouri ice is as heavy we inust be ear ful and build strong./ ; i r; . trry ;Note. Wn. A. Myers to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 10:-f * 0I2 "■■1^ no Wants to know if he is to be retained. o.'J ■ Loti nS t<S Dodge to Gen. Dodre, Council Biijjfs, 10:- Your favor of the 29th April duly received. We have taken . >'■ •'••all seeds that have co»A-4Jirough the P . 0. for you, also many kinds of ' trees and" shrubs that have come by express, and every tree and shurb is set out. with exceptions of a few grape whic : will be furnished to1^ morrow, • : -t. •»„ -v - ^ Hi 11 and Churchill, wholesale grocers of Chicago, came here a dr y or two since to establish a wholesale grocery store, but Stewart & Haiss discouraged them;, told them they wanted to sell out to themtn Tact, I suppose did not want them to come. They proposed putting up a large building for the purpose, but they gave the t^ing up and re turned t)o Chicago, Such men would be an advantage to this place, if as represanted. _ <• ^ ^ " *1 Oeo, WoJL-cott to Gen.. Dodge, Omaha. 10:- ^ . -.4 -1^, . - „ Yours of April 30th is received and contents noted. • • • . . - A daily record of the rise and fall of water has been kept for some time past, and will be continued throughout the season. Occasion- ^ ally Qf the course and velocity of currents, soundings &c. are May, 1868 also being' taken and I intend to contiritie theml -but I am f earful I will not be able to get proper soundings during high, on account of the rapid current. I am using at present a 4 oared yawl boat and I find then the water -gets up three or four feet, Lt is ^ilraost impossible to hold the boat against the current so as to get sounding on any particular line. I may, however, be able to devise some method by Which I wil-l be able to accomplish it. Our line as now iTm. strikes very near the centre of S. 1-4 Sec. 35, trestle on east side is all on tangent, on west side if new line is adopted it will bring trestle work on a 4° curve and about a 0,4 grade, Mr, House or myself will send you a map showing new line and ^||| depot grounds this week. a , ^ T ' In my bill of timber for trestle bridge I calculated ties for floor beams 5 feet from centre to centre. If you intend putting them only 1 foot apart the d'uarttities on my bill of timber for bridge ties will have to be doubled, I prestjne you have received copy of bridge plan &c ere this; it was sent some time ago. H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 11:- . e ^ ^ f Enclosed I send you copy of Contract between -the Denver Pacific Ry, A Tel. Co, and Sidne Dillon, 0, Ames and associates, Kr, ^illon wants your opinion as to the appointing "Case" to take charge of the construction of the Denver line, • Tours of the 9th enclosing estimate for March received * i May, 1868. , „ I t • Note: F. E. Appleton to J. House, Ft. Sanders, 11:- 9 ' Has drawn on G. M. Dodge for ^;300 salary, - H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 11;- I want $5000 interest in the new Bank, I believe Dillon has written you. He tells me that the thing is in your hands. Dont forget Sidney Dillftn to Gen. Dodge, New York, 11:- * I saw Mr, Sjfke 3 today. He says he would like stock in the Bank but is not able to take-it, and likewise saw Mr. Keep. He is a banker. He thinks it will be a good thing if well managed. He wants to see Coolbough about it, as he is an old friend of his; if all right will take say $10,000 or more, We want him. Idid not see Dun 'lap. I am sure he will take his if he is retained on the Road. I think*you had better set them down say $5000 for Dunlap, and Crane wants $5000. Cant you get Tracy of the Railroad? I can get it all taken by other parties. Keep is going West in a few days and will see Coolbough, Mr, Ames takes $10,000, P' Jas, A. Evans to Gen. Dodge,.Ft, Sanders, 11:- ., ^ The enclosed oirc lar was hrnded me on the evening of the 9th. As it seemed to- involve a probability of my receiving orders from a multiplidity of sobrtes none of which commanded my respect, 1 resigned. At the urgent request of Mr, Durant and with the understandng that so far as I am concerned no orders from S. an May, 1868. .'V: reacfi 'me, 'I have consented "to •remalri'^l6ng®'enough to Vihfjth'Vp office work of line already located, and it -may be incidentally do other thing that are necessaryT I dent, of course, object to making myself use ful, but nothing'can ever induce me to-do business with the man Sey mour, of any kind. My course with reference to the order brought on quite a discussicTn with regard to itw merits, and notwithstanding the ' orderly S.S. had an evelope quite full when hq handed me mine I do firmly believe it is The only signed copy in existence at present. • fn regard to yours of the Slih received yesterday making inquiry as to line- we located on the projected line from the Bitter Creek summit thereby.saving largely both in elevation and distance. ^ I have been asked to take charge of the construction west of here but«have declined and for the following reasons. 1st. Everything connected With it is chaos and they are building so fast and the work is 80 light thit there is no time to orgarJLze it properly, during the time it would necessarily take to bring order out of the confusion most of the work would be done.. Don't,you think I was right? If the work woet of Green River was given me- at present being some distance in advancej perhaps I might do it, •. You cant hardly iiwliglhe how much I have desired to have you on 'the ground during the pjaat two weetka. Reed is the weakest backd man I think I ever saw. Durant has gone Sast to be absent n<|Mijrly a month. ^ Hay, 1868. Wr. McAlpine to Gen..Dodge, Stockbridge, 11:- ■- ' ' i have just returned hoT^e after an absence of ten days and find your two letters of April 28th and May 2d, and the specification for the piers for the Omaha bridge. I was confined to my room for six weeks by a epld n>->^ ana Its result ants, biit was forced to leave home eveivbefore fully ^ was necessary to complete ihe arrangements for raisins our Niagara Bridge (the longest span ia,the world, 1268 ft, with tho 4^, "loorlSO ft. %bove the torrent.) I was also compelled to arramra for starting the Bridge at Oswego, which I have premised shall "be P^®ted this seasonk and I must start off immediately ag^in to commo^^ - ■ ^ on the dif ferent water-works which I have in hand. Besides all th I am in daily expectation of a»meeting of the Commissioners, qj. which I one, of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge whore the foundati have to be placed more than 70 feet| below low water. <4 . In*Spite of the interesting'professional characte i am ons will the foundatlons'bf itie Omaha bridge are all absorbt in take precedence of any other, arid I hope you will conti these works, ^ mind and to write me in regard to any difficulties that occur to your Or 5^ aented by others. If yo desire it 1 will go to Waa>,. ■" ^Ston Qn«nd a few days and discuss the question fully with you. ^ spena ^lll + , these points presented in ybtir several letters, aerioi Letter of April SBth. let. On the support « POWq the^columns May, 1868. • « when they are not extended to the rock.. The lateral adhesion of the .earth to iron piles or columns in moderately good soil may be taken as equal to a half a ton per square foot of its external surface in i contact with the earth (for the safeload which this portion of the sup- \ . port gives, ■ . Your fine sand when undisturbed by the river cufrent will give probably a high ■eo<^ efficient, as is demonstrated by the difficulty of driving a wooden*pi^e beyond 30 ft. in such sand The support de rived from the area of the bottom of the pile( which wilJ be far below any scour or the effects §f gftturation) might perhaps be taken at ten tons per sqaure foot, but for greater safety I would prefer to take i-i- five tons. I calculate the supporting power of your columns as Jollo ' Depth bolww low water 60 ft,, scour 30 ft. bottom cone 8 ft. high,leaves 28 ft. of depth in contact with the earth which multiplied by 26.7 X (3,5X3,14) 747,6 square feet and gi^ves 37 3.8 tons, supporting power. To Which add the bottom support, namely - Concrete 12 ft, de. 115 sq.ft ares 5-565 fcone supporting power, and 565 X373,8-938.8 tons total suppower. The lower conical section of the column being filled with concrete, the expanded base of concrete below it becomes an in tegral portion of the column itself and therefore its area instead of that of the iron must be taken. The weight of the Bridge and the effect pf the wowing load I have assumed at 5000 tons on each pier, Sach of these oalumns wll then have nearly twice the supporting power^ May, 1868, , -.r r , regained or each pier nearly foxor times ar much, reme'^bering that I (o-; . have already reduced the assumpticns of support to a safe limit. If jaivii;'iyou asRumo the-scour t-o pxtend. to-40 feet below low water the two columns will.have a safe, sustaining, power of three tii^es the load assumed, ^ ' . The concrete base is taken at but two • feet • more diameter • than • t the; bpttom of the column. At Harlem I extended it outward in quick sand to 5 feet more dip.meter, and I have no doubt but you would ...do o. at Omaha to an equal or with cheap iron roofing to a still greater n.Lir extent- so that you might even dispense with the conical icon base and obtain a concrete area of at least 13 ft, diameter, which would give an additional support of- 100_ tons to v^ach column more than I have above taken, and if the conical iron base is used and the concrete expanded 5 feet'beyond it, it doubtles whaj I have above calculated for the bot- - torn support (i.e. a greater expansion of the base.) This I also regard as entirely pTactidahle. In that case (i.e^ a greater expansion of ' '•! the base) tlii 4spth below the column (9! the concrete) should be greatV" or, say to 5*#*. and'I assure you that you can obt.ain a depth of 5 or ' 6 ft. Ijelow the bottom of the iron shell without any doubt whatever. tn the plbft wfrildh I submitted; to you^ I proposed columns of 8 ft, diameter. I see that you have enlarged them to 8 1-2 ft. Under every oondit on ih Which I have examined the qu( stion 8 ft, seems to me to bb kffple and eaeWpC' for stability ( in the line of the axis of the bridge » • . 4 ''" ' 4 -• il.Wt May, 1868. •■ ■ •- • even less diarneter wou'id answer,*^ " ^*5*" 2d. The columns treated as coltunns of support. Hodgklnson' formula is as follows;--W-44.34XD3.55-c!3.55 LI.7 for columns ehre the length exceeds 30, diameters. (3.55 and 1.7 are the powe of D.d and L.) W. being the breaking weight in tons and D. & d the dimaters outside and inside of-hollow cylinder in inches, and ; L. the length of the columns in feet. ' ^ 1 jjy -bi-other has worked out this formula in thS case of your Bridge,using logarithims to raise D. & c, and L, to th e fractional pov.'ers. I gave-him. two cases viz; assuming the length of the •t.' • '' 1 columns at 110 and at 140 feet. The former being the length . assumed after a scour of 30 ft. had taken place, and assuming thr^ ^ at a depth of 10 feet lower than thS scour, the sand would so firmly i ^ depth of 10 feet lower than thS scour, the sand would so fii •• . embrace the column a.s to prevent lateral expp^nsion and thus in effect make thie equal to the bottom of a column and the latter ' • r » , ' • . n' '*t\ (140) fet. and receiving no lateral support from the surrounding Sand asBun ng the column to extend to the rpck. In neither case did he calculate the additional strength which the columns will derive from the horizontal and vertical flanges, nor from what I gorgot to mention to you, vix: the increased thickness of the che/il or of the increased depth of the vertical flangas which would be given between low and hi^ water- to further aesist the shopks from floating bodies- nor from the cross bracing between tae columns. May, 1868. . m ! His result is as follows; A column of 8 1-2 ft. diameter 1 1-2 inches r ; -thickness of material ^nd 140 ft. long will break with a load of 13532 ton, and 100 ft. long with 20387 tons. The columns not being subject to much vibration may be safetly loaded with one fourth of these weights, and with the additional strength drelved from the flan ges, &c. as before stated, may be regarded as 20 times the necessary strength as mere columns of support. ^ na-i. 3d; Reasons for carrying the columns to Bridge seat- The unlver- « '^Sal practice among engineers who have used these columns. They offer less obstruction to the flow of the water, and consequently lessen the scouring effect, They are more symmetrical and produce a m.ore strlkgIng effect. They will be vastly more Interesting as an engineering work and peculiarly appropriate at the portal of the greatest work <6f fltt the age. They much reduce the wiight upon the foimdations. They may bo erected in a tythte of the time and at any seson of the year weather or floods. They have superabundant stability both vertically and - against the thrust of the Bridge( if any) and against floating masses nr The relative cost of iron and stone above low water will depend upon the locality. In your case I doubt whether you can get sultrbly dubable stone for the piers except at a greater cost than has been con templated,! antj these circumstances would change the comparisons of cost. -• oUm ■ : ■ ■ 'j/ i: . - , . I have just returned from Niagara where I found that th^y had May, 1868. . V been obliged to cat out and replace a great many of the face stone of the towers of the great Railway Bridge, and to build walls outside to protect them. Some of the beautiful structures on the Erie Canal, not a quarter of a century old, are failing from the disintegration of the stone. This subject has been too little regarded by our American engineers. 4th. The difference-of expansion between iron and concrete. The expansion of the iron shell under the greatest changes in temperattire will 'be about three-fourths of an inch, and of the masonry filling two-thirds as much, which difference distributed over the length of the column will produce no appreciable effect^ I do not regard the concrete filling as giving any vertical support to -the Bridge (thtt is excpet the filling of its two lower sections) but it undboutedly adds to its strength as a "Column of support" and considerably to the inertic and stability of the column. 5th, I do not regard the continental experienae with this kind of piers as at all equal to that of the English engineers in England and in the Colonies. The recent discussion on my paper at the Institu tion in London on t'^ls subject showed that even the latter could learn •onething from our side of the water. The more recent practice of the continental engineers, and to a less extent of the ^nglish, has been nather in fa-vo r of the use pneiimatic and hydroslatic cai&sons instead of colvimns and piles, even when the latter was, in '-y judgment May, 1868. ,• emphatically the most appropriate. In your case, however, there is not a shadow of question that the columns are the only plan to be con sidered, unless you desire to experiment, as Chanute has done. The Clyde Bridge columns (just finished) v/ere sunk in sand 87 ft, below water, the Saltash caisson is 90 ft. below water and a bridge ICQ ft. above it resting on iron columns of that length. The Chepfston Bridge over the T7yo. was on columns 142 ft, long, 6 ft. diameter, metal 1 1-4 inches thick sunk 48 ft. in the ground with 44 ft. depth water and 50 ft. clear headway, making 94 ft. above the' groimd. The Charing Cross Bridge piers resting on 2 columns 10 ft, diameter, metal 1 1-8 inches thick 07 ft. long wit 3S to 45 ft. penetration. Two of these columns carry four lines of railway. Your plan although higher is relatively as strong and stable as these. The iron columns of the Chepston Bridge have been subject for sixteen years to the blows of se-going vessels, and those of Sharing 'Cross to the smaller Thames vessles, but moving with great velocity on the ebU tide. A good many vessels have struck these columns and been crushed, alth^S^OTlh their shells of 1 1-8 inches thickness only aided by vertical flanges and concrete filling with no staolings- have never boen injured. I can find no record nor did I ever hear of one of these colTimns wfiich had been injured by blows, except one at.Moilin, in France, Which th finglish contractor asserted had been previously in- » jured in transportation. May, 1868. '1 > "' r.t . The tro cases of unfilled columns at the Pedee and Harlem, which I have "before cited to you, which had only 8 or 10 ft. penetration shows not only how immovable these columns are but how strong they are to resist impact even when entirely unprotected by stae lings. My brother reminds me ot" -a case in point at Harlem, where a column by carelessness got 8 inches out of perpendicular when at a depth of less I than 15 feet into sand, the interior excavation being whooly removed, •' there was applied to right i.t the following power: Treble sheere blocks with a luff jof double sheere blocks, and a second luff of the VTfl- same carried to a powerful crab of 96 to 1 and six men straining upong its ninche^ with their utmost power could not stir it a hair's breadth, TJd could only restore tt to its vertical position by loosening the earth around it with an excess of air pressure continued for nearly ''"a day, •y* - ' , _ jjn." Wi Irt your casa with your eight foot columns driven to 60 ft. below I k ' r water and scourad out to, 40 ft,-a pressure applied at 90 ft, above would break the column before it would yield laterally in the '' *20 ft, depth of sand at the bottom, but if you apprehend any danger y von <from this source, extend your columns if you please ten foot deeper. It will eost but little more than the metal and concrete, n., ^ 6th, Can the columns be driven exactly vertical. Th A-erican yV.vS^..tlexpevtenco, excfpt at Harlem, has been xinfortunate in this regard. At Harlem we drove the"^ without a variation of an inch to 50 ft depth. •360 Uay, 18868. at&i «to:# TO uld have driven them with perfect e±actness if it had been nec essary. With a fl±ed platform (not a float) you can drive the column in your sand with perfect sccuracy. At Harlem we controlled them with four guy ropes, and we never allowed the column to varry an inch from its vertical direction even when the bootom struck sloping rocks. The true secret is to piace it correctly at the beginning and enever allow it to swerve from that direction. % brother says he will pledge himself to do this ar-^yst without >extra cost, and I agree .witli - a -We Printed Specifications. 1st. As before remarked I see no ason for making the cbluinn Inoro" than 8 ft, diameter, or mo e than an average of 1 1-4 thicnk(inches) although I would strengthen them with deeper flanges or more of them from near the scour line and where 'they are subject to impzct from floating bodies and also by wooden diaohragms of se-soned oak opposite the ends of the brace between high and low water as I showed on the plan submitted, ^he diaphragms will absorb a portion of momentum of shosks ( as the wooden ice-breakes d9) and donvey it to the four shells of the two columns, and thus dis tribute its force, . ' 2d—I see no sufficient object in placing the horizontal flanges On the outside of the columns above high water. 3d-*The columns should be carried up ;rm le- itv ei Xi er'i 10 {ioiaMtbf' 1' '-v '^ ' ' -r May, 1868 • - i t * - as high axthbridgw seat, and where t'le depth of the water will aL- -low it, I think heavy wooden braces might be placed betw aen the column below low water as shown on the plan, 4th, The ice-breaker only needs a vertical support at its outer extremity and at the "rest" on the upper main column. The wooden fooor is abundantly strong to carry the filling. I prefer the upper . end of the ice-breaker to be nearly as board as it is at the main column. The two small upper columns wlill have but little service to perform, excppt to hold up about one fourth o f the wieght of the ice- * breaker, A blov; in the direction of the line of the pier will be sus tained by the inertia .of the ice-breaker, and the strength of the wo main columns, ifiiile amch a blow as a floating body could give, strikging at an angle to this line, even at the unper extremity of the Staeling will be amply met by the stiffness of even small columns, 5th, I would prefer to use closely packed stone in the icebretfter, instead of concrete, as it may be sometime a necessity to refflbVe some of this Ifilling in order to replace an injured timber. It mi^t be well to cover the upper portion of .the timber with boiler ^ - .f . ■ • ^ plate iron, .eaiol • ,r' 6th, The superstructure of the Bridge should bp supported directly upon the metal of the cbluaa; fhe English practice is. generally, not al ways, to support it upon the concerta flllixigfbut as the friction and adhesion of the latter to the shell is very great any weight placed ^ ipon tho concrete will be .conveyed to the shell within the distance of the length of two pf the secionts, or within 20 ft. of the top and hence below that distance, the shell almost alone must carry the weight. 7th I like your idea of extending the columns to the rock aod I would do 30 even et a depth of 80 ft. In this case they heoome wolumns of support and may be reduced In weight. There is no dif ficulty in leveling off and embedding the base in the rock at any . depth and attaching the columns firmly to it by interior braces bolted to the rocks and columns,^ • , ^ j Letter of MaJ 2d. 1st. There is not a modem built bridge in Bnglnad.with a shell of more than 1 1-2 inches thickness and generally much less. It is only those first built in Europe and American where they are thicker. On the Charing Cross Bridge a shell of an inch and an eighth thickness is strengti«*edy by vdrtical flanges which is the beet disposition to make of the metal. I . 2d. The icp-breaker columns should be carried below any possible scour, but there is no danger of their pulling the pier over, as their fastenings would giveway long before they everted any dangerous tend ency in that way, and they would become " a broken lever" long before they would act as " a bent one. 3d—in regard to going deeper then 80 ft. below low water with the main column, I pre«.». Kr. Chanute is in d«ger of erring as much upon one side as he did on theOHher in planning his works, nevartheiess 353^ May, 1868, .mr \zr^ it is a subject which should 'Se carefully examined. Tf"youapprehend a scour of more than 40 fett^you ought certainly to extend the columns that much deeper, 4th, Are columns of 8 1-2 Ft. diameter stable enough?2 With caisson of considerable length and width, a scour of 30 ft, ^ deeper on one sidd than the other might occur and produce the effect described. In the plan of columns proposed with the character of the silt and sand at your place, and with the current sufficient to abrade the bottom to a depth of 20, 30 or 40 ft, these currents around the circular forms of the colu-^n could not possibly produce's scour of more than a foot or two deeper on one sfde than the other. Even in ^ stiff clay there could not possibly be more than a few feet differenc3. It is not p ossible to conceive any such arching-of such light material imder the circumstances stated. .3. I 7 • " 5th, Mr, Chanute quotes almost exactly my'published language in ■ e :: .'j , ' regard to the proper and improper use of rip rap. It is pselss to attempt to place the rip rap until after some deep scour has been made and then if freely and judiciously used it-may prevent a future deep er scour, ' ^ , 6th, As I have before stated it is not possible for the sand to scour out more than a few feet deepar-below than above- any one of 1 e columns, and therefore tha no ouch pressure as.estimated can be against thsm. In the line of the piers these two main columns 354 ■■r, I •u'- - wO^tj ' May, 1868 are evidently two thousand times stronger than necessary to w ithstarri any possible pressure from the sand. The unfilled column at Harlem, which was struck by a steamer of 500 tons moving 5 miles an hour, and was abssolutely unaffected by the blow. My brother and myself stood on a platform connected with it and within 20 ft. of the column. Your * fillwd colTunns with twice the penetration, one-third more diameter, thordughly cross, toracljd tr another column of the same and loaded with the weight of the Bridge, would withstand more than ten times as severe a blow, " ' - * Bth/ "How far can you go'down with the air pressure? My brother and his workmen worked under a pressure equal to a depth of 85 ft. below th© water, and believes as I do, that another atmos phere added would produce no serio^ inconvenience. In other words that a 100 ft. below the water is readily attainable. This is conI firmed by the exp rience at Saltash, and although they suffered in- , convenience there at 90 ft. depth, yet our experience at Harlem enables ua to judge of the cause of their trouble and how it might bo prevented. In conclusion I have to ask of those who object to your plans of columns what substitute they.have to offer^ On the other hand I will say to ytm that after the study end consideration which you have given, Rlld iri^ suitable and experienced assistants you can construct your piers either wholly W Iron or with masonry resting on iron piles or ,¥v.' -I edA May, 1868 • n 4+1, ' ' V *, ';' " 'dXJn^blf® rt* colijmsns with a certainty of complete success. Note;- If you desire to further discuss the stability of these columns you can take the horizontal resistance of the sand below the scour at fully ten tons per superficial foot for the serai-circumfer ence of each column, 133 tons per foot of height, or what in this case would be below the re'sistance, say the diameter of the column (8,5x10 -85 tons. These two columns are so braced (horizontally between high and low water, and tied and braced vertically) and tied together at thetop by the weight and fastenings of the bridge that they might almost be considered as members of the same structure. Thatis, that the resistance of each column adds perhaps one half of that of the other, when pressure is applied only to one. The weight of the two « columns, concrete, braces and part of the staeling and of the bridge will give an insistent weight of 1500 tons or each one may, for the reasons before stated, be taken at 1000 tons (or together at 1500 tons) for the reiistance to a thrust in the line of the axis of the bridge. The resistance in the line of the col\amns is much greater, as it ha that from the smaller ice-bi^eaker and the vertical cross bracing be tween the main oolumns renders thd whole pier as one mass, with the sand resistance of all the columns. - The pressure from an ice gorge or of flood wood would act as against the ieund resistance at the bottom with a leverage equril to tl^j^ depth af the water; but the weight and even lateral stiffness of the May, 1868. . Bridge on the other hand, and a part.ot the weight of the columns would have a much greater Leverage, Hence I assume that you have only JfO resist a force equal to the pressure of the ioe or flood wood without leverage. The sectional surface of the columns below low water being so much less than that offered to the current in a stone pier or wooden piles I believe that the gorge would be much less like ly to form, and would be rapidly removed from below by the almost xmobstructed currents, and therefore that such gorges will never exert as much effect upon the colia?lnS as upon other forms of piers. Aside from this consideration if they are driven to a depth of 20 ft. lower than the scour they h ave abundant stability, and therefore that the only question to be considered is their strength to resist such press ure's, A rough calculation entirely satisfies me on this points but if you desire to lidd to this strength, you can intorduce interior cross bracings of iron. * ' ' • ■ - Again if 'yoU wish ti give greater stability to the pier in the line of the axis'of the Bridge; you may substitute four oolumms of 4 ft, diiameter for 2 or 8 and place them such distance apart as you please and cross brace in both directions. The cost of the metal in 4 columns would be but little more than that in two of twice the di ameter, The dost of sinking would bo something but not very much greater. I see no necessity for this change and I only suggest it to you to meet an objection. • ,;«rA ::.i.wAiWA.; ■0...: .. ■; V o: X Msiy f 1868. • ' -» t ; ' There is a difficulty in the discussion of a new and in some respects complicated subject like this "by correspondance as one would do verbally, because sometimes &. single word in reply reveals to you that you have omitted to state some materia,l point, ' I would be glad to spend an evening or two with you, and then I think the whole sub ject would be satisfactorily developed. I am daily in hopes of receiving a printed copy of the discus sion at the Institution of Engineers in London- on ray pwper, in which soma of the strongest men In the profession joined. They devoted two meetings to the paper, to the exclusion of all other matters, an un usual time which showed the interest it excited there, P, S. The^ above has been written from dictation, which has pre-^^ vented me from arranging it as orderly as if I had written it. If I have omitted any point on which you wish my opinion please remind me^ Note: Jas, A, Evans to J, E, House, Ft. Sanders, 12:- . ' fii j Inclosoa ><li^pj.lcate vouchers for $2017,88, R. Anderson to Gen, Dodge, Sidney, Iowa, 12:- f r You have ere this heard the details in regard to our late Convention. John T. Baldwin told me that he had written you ih detail Certain parties conceived the idea of silencing one or two of your guns by opening a fight between you and Williamson, but they very soon found that would not work. We succeeded, however, in adjusting the whole matter satisfactorily, and you both went in with a whoop. After 3ir May, 1868, the Convention Palmer sent for me and told me what you had told him in relation to my appointment and also assured me that I was his first choice for that place. So I feel pretty confident of the place if Wade goes in. Chapman was at the Convention- went over with me, V/e roomed together and he worked for you wisely and earnestly. Chapman is a good fellow and deserves well. The same may besaid of Lj^an, Indeed, we found your friends as true as steel. Wishing you a pleasant and profitable time at the Chicago Convention, and the greatest prosperity in the future. . v>. a 'i «» W. Gray to Gen. Dodge, New York, 12;- t Yours of yesterday is received. I think I can borrow the vl0,000 for one year for you at 7% but cannot tell until I'm authort ized to make the offer. I can lend you the money until you make some * arrangement to borrow it for stated time. How about conviction now? I've been betting on it, but it nov/ looks as if I should lose my money. H. S. McComb to Gen, Dodge, Wilmington, Del, 12:- I received your letter of the 1st, containing specifications •' ■'j* Uie one about youi* surveys and location, &c. &c. I regretted not to be able to go West with my associates, Durant and Dillon, but the Illness of my children made it impossible for me to go, consistent with my duty to my home, , May, 1868, I have eecureci the Miss, Central Railroad on very favorable terms. . js TThen can I see you, here or in New York? If I do not see'or hear from you soon I will go down to Washington to confer with you on this business. ■" •" ««»»*«> J, ruff to Gen. Dodge, Boston, 12:- '' ' * Yours of May 1st I found on my return home today, which • r- • /, *• • * f' ' will account for my not answering. Money is'worth here on time seven per cent. None of the Savings Banks loaning uhder that," You can borrow money on call at^six per cent, but you are liable to be callefl on'at any time,'and it is higher than seven on time. If you desire T can get it at seven for one or two years out of a Savings Bank, wher6 it can remain as long as you will probably want it, • 4 ' k . .i « I am very glad to'hear that you are"getting such a favorable line and trust that we may be able to get to Salt Lake a long time in advance of the Central, , , )!■ . r ^ Please send n»e*a memorandum" 6f the cash account between us, as 4iine has got mislaid. Do not'fail to send Andrew back to Tennessee, as I consider it very important for our great enterprise. Regards to your family, H, S. McComb to Gen. Dodge, Wilmington, 12:- I sand you by this mail letter from Baldwin ft Dodge- and the ih-R**"' 'j ''' ikmiacii''.: May, 1868. • < ^ map therein referred to as showing our lots. This is only a moity of ,,, the size you i^epre.sented these lots, on the map you gave me at the time of purchase. These lots are mere "flea bites" and would make ' a:': the purchase, if allowed to stand so, a pretty dear one. Please write *<"'• i . . out and have it corrected at once, I agreed to sell part of the pro perty and represented it very much larger than this would make, it Note: Ma j, jR..D Cl^ke to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 12:- I think he should have an annual pass over road, .■ .. IV J, T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodgo, Council Bluffs, 12:- ' • -•'! Youbs of 1st and 7th inst. received. I got home yesterday and went over to see Creighton about paying Allen bonus. He thinks .Allen asks unreasonable price, and did not want to say for Dillon, Thought we had better get new charter, I dont think it would make ' • . . much difference with him or much with us whether we get Cy or not and that a n<^w Bcink without Cy would suit about as well as Allen charter, I imderstand that we can buy broken bank Cy at 3 pc, and get it changed • • • • • . for new; if so, it would be cheaper than to pay Allen the bonus, " 4 . If I have anything to do with the Bank I should not be in favor * • • of discounting Tapit little, and that to the legitimate produce or stock 4ealers. I thipk the most money in vouchefs and exchange, Tracy will take |5000, I have not heard from. Dillon since he left. He is all right for the Bank, I saw Tracy last Saturday, He Ma^, 1868. ■ ' fr !* t ■- is anxious that I ^ould get a contract on the R. I. Road; gave me let ters to Casey requesting him to let me havo it. They want to build 40 miles from this end by V/inter, I think it would be v/ell for you to see him* or write him about' it. Will you be here after the Convention? We will put the Bank in 'operation as soon as the papers are all fixed up, and will want all your U, P. Exchange business and improve ments looking up line. Property advancing, Pegram was here" TThile' I was away. He told* Nathan that he would try and fix up the Henry claim when he got back to St. Louis, H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge', New Tork, 13;- Yours of 12th inst. to Mr, Dillon received. The parties to be interested in the contract for the Denver branch not decided upon yet, Durant and Dillon do not think Case is the man to take charge of that work, A Mr, Janett * a friend of Mr, Dillon, has highly recommend ed Robt, E. O'Brien, now'employed as consulting engineer by the C. & R R.R, located at Chillicothe, Mo. He is well recommended by J, Edgar Thompson, Pres. Penn, & Cent, R.R. and others. Do you know him? if! "f A, L, Chetlain to Gen, Dodge, South Pass City, D.T. 13:- i ' 4, • , I am here on business connected with 13.S. Revenue, I find thils quite a lively little town. About 200 houses are built or in ' process of construction, Atlantic City on Rock C-reek now contains about 1-2 the number of buildings arid population. Money is very scarce May, 1868. <■-' tT. here, and but little is being done to develop the quartz ledges, Placen or Gulch Diggings have not so far, with a few exceptions, proved a success. Some placer diggings have been discovered 12 to 15 miles south of here which bid fair to be very rich. Some quartz mills I leam are on their way here. Soon after they begin to operate new life will be infused in the development of the quartz ledges, A large part of, the miners here are a miserable, worthless lazy set. It will fit"' he latein the season before times can be good here or money plenty, . I am satisfied that there is a very large number of very rich extensive quartz ledg.es in this vicinity, which will in time be worked with profit. I have secured some "feet" in a few of the best ledges, vrhen I wrote you last Fall about getting a portion of your large claim, ' ' • . . it was under a misajpprehension of fact, growing out of a letter I re ceived from Judge Carter, I supposed then that you night have more I . . • . than you could work;* ^ There is some upgfjihension felt that the Indians will be trouble some in this .vicinity and retard the development of the country this season, Washakie's tribe on their way to Ft. Bridger were attacked by » a large body of Sloxix 50 miles from here, which resulted in Waahakie*8 losing 4 warriors killed, 8 wounded and the capture of some 75 * ' of his how»4»^ . - . j ' - i. ' J ^ ■ . 1 , , 1 shall return to Salt Lake City soon, ljty,wife is still at home , i. ■ * "• and will not join me this spring, in fact. General, we feel too poor May, 1868. ' ■ * 16 travel aroimd much for pleasure, "tty salary lia6 never "been raised. What I get barely gives me a support-while exercising the strictest dconomy, I shall hope to get a leave of absence and go to Illinois about the 1st of September* "Before you receive this Gen, Grant will without doubt be on;the Presidential track, I would give a great deal to be at Chicago on the 20th Inst, I would very much like one of your R. R. maps, should you have any to spare. Remember me kindly to Mrs* Dodge, your sister Julia, and to the little girls. Shall hope to sfee you all next Winter, My regards to Gen, RaWlins'should-you-see him. Wishing you health and success, P. R. Reed to Gen, Dodge, Molina, 13:- ^ I ' -f?-i I 'lOJ' • ^ hardly know how to begin to write. We are so completely astounded at the news in this impeachment matter. Our best men-are losing all faith in our public men. Trumbull, Grimes, Fessenden and others may t.lk, but our people think there is a cat under all that meal. We fear they went to defeat Grant's election, . I have never srfSn our people so excited bdfore. Yesterday I '' hearda several and't Wrtiy say all our most reliable Republicans of Mo, line say they would US soon vote for one man as another, or.one party as another for they would be betrayed any way. look at our case. We have the plainest indication in the world that the people from the K; * i) r K A, ^ ^ • 't May, 1868, .';:>3X ^Atlantic to the Pacific want Grant for President, They never were so unanimous expressions. We feel here the action in the matter is de signed to break this up, and I fear it will break it up. The people here feel like giving up everything. , The Chicago Tribune of yesterciay p^it on a wry face and talked about the grave convictions of U.S.Senators in their solemn duties, regretted exceedingly the result they had come to, but we must bow very low and say amen. The Tribune is in the plot, I cant write; I am too made to write, I g«e you are to be in Chicago next week, I fear it will be of very littl-? use for I think w© are all broken up. I want you to write me something, for we are all in the fog and want to learn something. Dont fall to write something, I now expect to go to the Bluffs next week. . ': • j . Col. H. R, Mianer to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Sanders,.13:- ■ wut I reached this Post day before yesterday with my family en I pou£te to Brtdger. I find that every officer at this Post has an in terest in the new town Lararaie, and that I am left out in the cold, and I desire to appeal-to ygu in the matter. You know that I was upon this ground twelve months in advance of any one now here; lo- ' cated and built this Post with the exception of a few buildings put up after I left; that the first Engineer Camp on Dal© Creek received every aid and comfort at my hands, and that from Sept, 1866 to June 1866 May, 1868, , it was my pleasaret ln^'every conceivaljle way to aid you and yours, and ■ I undertal<e to say that no officwr here has-rendered anything like the aid I-have, and many having interests-in Laramie have been here but a few months. When I came here in July 1866, the reservation 'line included only the Pole Creek road and the very ground occupied by < the new twwn was kept free from Ranchmen at al by my own efforts and that groTind was-taken in to the reservation by my own action, thus "saving you the-annoyance and expense of getting rid of occupants and settlers who migth have been in your way, I have talked with Mr. Evans, who is familiar with every fact I have stated, and-he feels that I should be considered in return for '■ ray past efforts for the Company, but it seems that Mr. Bent needs ^ authority from you or Mr. Durant to enable him to give me any of the reserved lots. I appeal to you as you know all the facts, believing that you will do what you believe to bo right in the premises. ' ^ould you favorably consider my application, will you please give the necessary instructions, as I may leave for Bridger before hearing from you, ..*c j- ^ ' i t 'Ik W ^ M ' J, E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 14:-' - ' : • - -01 ' '♦Hiciosed please find my report for 1867. I was in hqpes to have been relieved from making one this season, for I do consider it the "biggest bore in the world," If my duties were to bring out "new information or treat upon an entirely new field where something f-r '•v. •/, ■: , May, 1868. , . t, ;. . interesting might be developed, there might be something pleasant in '1 it, but I have not t^ ,gif^ of language or thought to make an inter esting subject out of nothing. Therefore my report cannot be other wise than very stale, a repetition of the same subject that has been iJ* so often reported on before that it is worn out entirely. - It To Gen. Dodge from his brother, Council Bluffs, 14 , : Your letter of 8th received. I will see Burke about your '*• income tax. Your store room was well rented. The demand for rooms and houses has fallen off considerably since yo\\ were here. Better t*"^ito be rented to Express Company for $130 0 than for merchandise at • • |1500; good pay and their business will add to value of property on ^ Main St. Your up town building I kave rented for three years for $1300 per year, which is considerably less than your figures. It was vacant for some timp and season was getting advanced, and after considering the offer a week I thought best to rent. They offered me * » $1000 for the store room and cellar, but I preferred to rent the whole -building for $1300. I have painted the front and it adds vastly to • its appsarnacje; have also contracted for a tin roof to be put on un der BftSkatt's direction. This is an immediate necessity for preserva tion of the building. The occupants are new men and will open hard- • - i., .ware &o. store, and I think will do a good business, hai': I If the building was smaller I could get same rent, it takes m.ore T fiiMital t« fill a store room of that size than most of the now comers • i.' ■ ' have, May, 1868. * * " • - considerable inq^ry''for property but I have not made ahy sales for you since you left. I believe I requested you in former .letter to let me know if those parties to whom you offered the lands down near Mosquito will make the investment. One tract of it is in rather a "hanging" state, having as I told you purchased for Lockwood but still under'my control. Lockwood has returned here .and I think will stay for life; has strong-notion of going into agricultural, implement and seed business.* _ ' * - 'palmer will fail to come lip to time on his purchase, and I think -..c (XOii.v i can get Hughes to sell for $20,000, which I guess was what Palmer was to pay. At that figure it is a good investment. Peter Reed, Jr. is very anxious for me to soil 10 or 15 of his Riddle lots- I can put^ them in at a low figure for cash. I mention these so you can have an eye out for persons wh6 want to invest here, -i : Your trees and shrubbery, vines &c. are doing well-season very favorable. fear that the conviction of Johnson \uider party pressure-squeez ed through-will be worse for Republican party than his acquittal. '*v ■ V. If the articles are not fully sustained" the Senate 'ought to rise above party feeling and have courage to acquit.y ' Mother devoted a good share of htfr time to Lettie^iftien out of school) and looks after her very close, and I think Annie will find Council Bluffs a better place for her than Washington. She is very May, 1868. (ji J. ambitious and apirite(J, and her generosity boundless, and it does not 11 . do to give her full swing. I c • :d 'w. P. Hepburn ^o Gen. Dodge, Clarinda, Iowa, 14:- As you are doubtless aware, our annual Convention has been . ^ held, as well as that for the party in the District, I am sure that you will be gratified to know that they were both characterized by l:v:thd utmost harmony. That there were no serious differences of opin- . dqiayoii i-ons, and there was an entire absence of damaging rivalries. Many regrets were expressed and earnestly felt that you would not e-noliij. be again our leader in the Congressional campaign, but public opinion quickly centered upon Mr. Palmer as one eminently qualified to take 1^ the place made vacant by your refusal longer.to serve. We are looking forward to an active and bitter campaign in this portion of the State • • .-.ilJ ranks many weak kneed Republicans (co called) men who weredrawn into the party during the progress of the rebellion who have never had a sentiment in common with the principles of the Republican ' ' ■ • . . "fioo nf'j party} who have long been anxious to return to their wallow who make 1 4 . the iasue of Amendment to the Constitution the pretext for return, •:i; who will no longer act in concert with us. Others again are caught ' ■':< ■ by the lyumtiuggery^pf "Pdndleton's plan" and will be carried over by that. . This tendency to change can only be counteracted by placing good, .. . . Jb.L. >■. ■D i# i :o-. ' .f ffcify mem o 369 Kay, 1868. vitK'i «<?.;•wholesome, political food in their hands, 'and'ray purpose in writing you in to inquire what aid in that direction you cah furnish us. If you have'the documents, that could hs sent, I could forward you the names of a hundred men that would be benefited by arguments upon these subjects; 6r if you could send them here we would distribute them. We are now engaged in making classified lists of the voting population of the County-classified as Republicans, Democrats and Doubtful- and into the hand of the latter class at least good, sounx Republican documents ought to be placed. I wish to obtain the Congressional Globe for the first Seassion o the Thirty-Eighth Congress. These numbers will complete my history of national* legislation dxiring the rebellion and up to the end of the ^ 39th Congress. If not too much trouble 1 would be glad if you would send these numbers to me. It will greatly oblige me. With many thanks for favors already received, H. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 14:- Your letter of 18th inst. received. You cah s8© by the con tract for building the Denver Branch ''that the calculation is to start at Cheyenne, and Mr. Dillon says that he has no doubt but that the contemplated erection of shops and buildings will be Carried out; that he has no knowledge of any contemplated change, . ■ The building s that are being put up at Ft, Sanders are all right and wer e commenced now because the temporary buildings at Cheyenne May, 1868. would answer iiranediat© purposes, and it was desirous to get up the buildings at Sanders at once, .i.ao:. J. L. Williams to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Wayne, 14:- •is the great Union party, on which the hopes of the country chiefly rest, going to make shipwreck on this impeachment rock? I hope not and yet I fear Such from it. The only hope is in Grant, Am pleased to notice "that he has kept aloof, perhaps it would have been wise to have omitted the impeachment, allowing things to run along for another year, but being in it, the great point now is to find a safe landing on the other side of the river. Our* radical friends may be so severe on Tessenden, Trumbull and Grimes as to destroy our 2-5 majority in the Senate, so that no Bill can be passed over President's veto. The main point is to keep all united on G;rant, What day will you reach Chicago? Telegraph me when you will pass t t * there, I will see you there, or on your way out or back, when we will talk on Bridge and R. R. matters, t ' .'jt J. V, Hayden to Gen, Dodge, Philadelphia, 14:- I hope the bill for $10,000 is moving all right, I'feel more and more anxious to go out again this summer. My article on those lignites has been copied into all the principal ne'wspapers; Nation, Tribune, the Philadelphia papers. Mining Journal &c, It will do much toward increasing the interest on the road. I beg you will see Senator Pomeroy to know that the bill is not May, 1868. • ^ -lost, or not tacked on, I will send you two articles more that I have written soon. I am writing several more, J. L. Y/illiams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 14-: —j;- ^ •>fj99'nuaa o;" Have read with interest yours of 2d and 4th, I A , In turning over the several questions connected with Bridge, un- ^ der the light of new facts and experience, I reach occasionally in my own mind, a point which I wish to communicate. 1st,--Value of rip-rap. In the Mississippi where wodden piles cut off 10 to 20 ft, down rip-rap is indispensable and may these be depdndd upon. But at our site it is unwise to depend much upon it unless we could excavate deep and place it. Should we not treat oiirs rather as a pile bridge? Our columns are in fact piles, and like the wooder^^ piles of an ordinary pile bridges we must put them so deep as to stand, notwithstanding the deepest scour, at least for one flood until we can fill the deep scour aroxmd them. But, of course, we must have rip rap ready on the bank and as a deep scour is made close to any coliunn, ♦ • . as there will be in the channel by first flood, fill the hole with stone; then it will stay. The upper pile under ice-breaker will es pecially need the support of stone all aroiuid it as soon as the scour is made, Th© piers under west half of bridge may thus be protected 4 • during the building. But on the sand bar no use in wasting stone until the channel shall turn in that direction. ' Put down the columns ♦on £»1 fx id edJ fnM lodof. ^ May, 1868, • 70 ft, on to the rock if it lies higher, at any expense and any time. But as we cant always have low water to work in half of them will not • be over 65 ft, below lowest water, ew " .2d, Stability of Columns- Mr, Chanute overrates the side pressure of the sand to overturn the columns. This is natural after his misfortime. His caisson presented a wall of 60 ft. We have, opening - through which the sand will equalize it to some extent and to make oiu? • • ice-breaker safe against overturning I would have only one column * - 5 ft, diameter at upper end, leaving 14 fit, space for sand to eqaulize One column is McAlpine's plan, but his is too light. It requires a 5 ft, column sunk 65 or 70 ft. at that exposed point, ^ Whether the Bridge columns shall be 8 1-2 9 or 10 ft is the ques tion, being 139 ft, high and with a 35 ft, scour only 30 or 35 ft, in the ground with 100 ft, out,.10 ft, seems small enough, I have thought of this idea; 10 ft, to low water then taper 1 ft, on all sides, 8 ft, at Bridge seat. Then, if columns should get a little out of plumb the % line of gravity would still fall within the base. They would look far better tapering, I am told the trouble of cutting themwould not be material. Think of this. If the practical difficulties are too great then we must decide between 8 1-2, 9 or 10 ft, all the way. If 10 ft. most engineers would favor masonry instead of concrete, letting the Bridge rest on the masonry, I suppose either will do. May, 1868. r j ■ n ..f. The difficulty and delay in getting'tli^ coho'ret to harden at the hase should he thought of. '" 3(i, Ice-breaker. I aw glad to see in your specification the ^ alternative reserve of either timber or iron ice-breaker. I think we 'shall fall back upon-timber, according to my first plan which I drew two months- ago, which I think you have. Its elasticity is such an ■ advantage in case of a shock. The lower 5 ft. which is the heavy par will last 15 years. But T think the floor of the ice-breaker, as floor bbtween the Bridge columns, should be of Phoenix '' "' bars inbtead of timber; for this^ reason, this floor must be fastened that it cannot be removed and must not decay; to put it below low stage where we shall work would be very difficult. With" iron this floor maybe put 2 ft. above low water. Only the sides being of timber they can be replstced. Your idea of filling between bridge and columns with concrete is good; but r would fill but 10 ft above low water which is as high as ice wilX Strike. "Higher than this might throw too much weight on the floor. The ice-breaker crib is filled ■ ■ ' ' '■ " . with stone, I will submit to you a detailed specification of ice-breaker as 1 now have it in my mind. I would bevel off the sloping nose of crib to a flat surface say 2 ft at 45 ; on this bolt strongly the half of a 2 ft oak tree, giving a rounded nose. Under each edge of this stick May, 1868, . V;-" lay an iron bar 1 by 5 inches, let into under side of stick and firmly fastened to the Bridge column and to the ice-breaker colunn. Over all place a covering of 3-8 inch wrought iron extending to centre of bridge column and 8 or 10 ft, above low water, ' When we meet we will talk over your specifications. Hear nothing from Bridge Committee or any member of the Board as to the time or financial plan of building this Bridge, I doubt wheter they v/ill be ready to Sink columns in August. The stone abutment and wings on the west side can be put in only at extreme low water, and must be done in August or September of either (68 or '69, This requires an efficient Supt. full of resources, ^/' Capt, Geo, T. Robinson to Gen. Dodge, Seminole lgency,I.T,15:- Your letter of April 28th, I have'just received and I assure you that the only papers I have ever received from you was'the one I \ • ■ spoke of in my last letterj no other papers have i seen, neither mess ages or newspapers, ' I had a letter from Major Reynolds, the Seminole Indian Agent, sayhing that he had called upon you and that you had give him a fine map for mo, since which time I have not heard'from the Major I although the Interpreter has done so and he is now expected here daily, I am not alone in this, suffering forar the pilfering of mails. Nearly every officer stationed on the southern frontier complain that they cannot get their maisl. Thousands of dollars have been taken "regular ly from the mails running between Fort Gibson and Fayetteville, Two May, 1868. , M or three minor arrests have been made, but no one convicted. Arkansas 11 . needs reconstruction as much if not '^ore than any state in the Union; it' , and never will these rebels throw up their hands entirely until a large number, a fearfully large number of rebel sympathizers are • • routed out of the army. I had always supposed that the Regular Army was composed of good men, and true to the core, instead of which I f find the majority of the old officers in the District rank rebels. Contracts are let to men in Texas, who served entirely through the war in the rebel ranks. ?he old chief of the Cheorkees- ^oss, a ten times over bankrup, is one of the principal contractors at Fort Gibson. He was a rebel Colonel, and so on. I could give you a list • « a yard long. Every clerk in the_Q. M, Dept. of this District served in the Southern army, while young men of your own acquaintance, trul " t loyla, are almost starving for the want of just such emplo3rment. But enough of this, I could not reach them if I should try, I am a "Nigger Officer" my communication is stopped, my nose is placed on the grindstone, and I must grin and bear it. But I live in hopes t. General, to see the day that the army will be rid of these men who t '. wile wearing the uniforms of the Government, drink to the health of - Jefferson Davis. You say that ere long you may come to this coxmtry, carrying ^ through a railroad project. Speed the day say I, Show this beautiful country once to capitalists, and the thing is done. Since I was 12 ' 'J years of age, I have been what may be called a homeless wanderer /■ iPT'J-, May, 1868. • ■- t/ • following a railroad project, and in all my wanderings, I have never seen an entire region of country so well adapted to railroad and the supporting of railroads, the land rich, about equally divided in prairie and wood, 3ill the hard wood in abundance, the best of the tim ber in abundance. Coal plenty and of good quality. I wish I could be detached from my company and be given a roving Commission for a while to thoroughly examine two or three lines I have my eye upon from Kan sas through the Indian country, across the Red River and into Texas. The information gained would be df value to somebody, if not to the government. I have a map for you nearly finished", of all the informa tion I can gather that is not on the regular maps, some of it is impor tant' in a railroad point of view. The maps now out are woefully defi cient in any information of i'^f)ortance, streams are placedwhere there are none, ahd where there are streams, none are shown. People suppose that this is a country of barren plain, whereas one is never out of sight of both vood and prairie land. I never was good at description if I were so I could have you here sooner than you expected to be, bringing your backers of capital and energy to commence the Work. You will have hard work to get the Indians io give you the right of way, a the land you require. Their prejudices are hard to be overcome, but it, must come and soon too. ■U.d . . . , • . • I am astonished beyond measure at your confident assertion 1' i ' that you will finish the Pacific road next year. I have beeh bo long May, 1868. ^ buried in this wilderness, There never hear of outside progres-s that it seeT.s but yesterday that I was building a pon6on bridge over Loup Fork for you, and now the iron horse is rushing over and beyond that fiver hundreds of miles, I expect to feel very much like Rip Van * r Winkel then I get the welcome order, taking me out into Gods country once more and wake up to the improvements that have been m.ade. Let me hear from you Generaa»,whenever your time^.will permit you to drop a line* Oliver .Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, 15: r.-«B , My brother enclosed me today, a circular issued by Durant making it the duty oi certain engineers to report to Seym.our and Reed, j, or rather place their maps and profiles at thtier disposaj. .that they^^ may aid them in location of line. The whole circular is one of those peculiar exhibitions of character iSiich Durant everywhere exhibits ., .and which shows the impolicy of giving him power which he is sure to abuse always. I think at our next meeting, we should definitely fix up the pov.-ers we intended to give him or repdal altogether the resolution 4 making him agent for this work. I understand from my brothers letter j^hat Evans has resigned, and that Blickensderfer wants to. I hope you will be able to induce them both to contiue, Durant has no power for the location. The power granted him was simply intended to auth orize him in the construction of the road, to change grades and loca tion were thi work developed unexepected obstacles, and to expedite May, 1868. ' construjction grades and' locatipn may Jae changed. I hope yoTi will not feel that any such powpr as Durant claims was expected to be exercised by him, and will not be sustained by the Board of Directors. JThen you return from Chicago, come this way, we would like to talk these road matters over and Xix the power that Durant shall have, if any such thing can be done.^ .Tooc , , Oliver Ames to C-en, Dodge, New York, 15:- ' . I have a letter from my brother yesterday saying that the Cdhtral'^l^cific R.R. Company were pressing their raap and location up on the Secretary of Interior, to allow them to lap over to the east side of Salt Lake. This should not be granted, and I think that my brother feels that you will be able to check its adoptation. I fehink it is our duty to put on parties of -surveyors west of Salt Lake so" far* ad we shall be «able to complete it. . V would recommend as fast as your parties complete their surveys east of Salt Liakd to put them west, and-have the line .surveyss fully up to the point where the Oregon Road will join ours. The occupation of this territory is important to ua and will give ug control of this traffic to our road. The surveys eaat of Salt Lake I understand are in an advanced 6tate, and»wyou will have a force soon.that may be re leased from the location to be pushed farther west. If you have not^ force enough to do this work and secure thia work in season, I would advise its employment at an early day. j uv, May, 1868, William Musser to" Gen. Dodge, Crump's Landing, Tenn. 15.- • ■tr.X;. I wish, if you will do me the favor, you to assist me to get pay for the service I was engaged in under orders from yourself. There is also one month's scout pay due me, . I should not ask this favor if my health was not injured. You recollect when J gpt so severely hurt? My breast is so affected that I am not able to do the, labor necessary for my living, and I think that it nothing more ^an just that I Should be paid for my services. As to Harrison, I dont hold myself accoutable for his actions, I can face any person with a alear conscience wherever I have been during the war, , - If you find leisure and please answer this, you will oblige. ^ iNote: Gen. Rawlins to Gen, Dodge, May 17, 1868. * '' J. Blickensderfer., Jr. to Gen, Dodge, Salt Lake City, vw " I arrived here on ray return from Green River late this even ing, in company with Mr, Reed and Col, Seymour, who telegraphed me at Gi^an River they were coming. On Mr, Reed's arrival at Green River r him jyrofilo and map of location there, which was completed the day "before their arrival there. Col, Hudnutt is now rim of basin, and Morris and Lawrence I presume are at Bridger tonight on their way to head of Echo, I found the snow had very mueh diminished on the Wahsatch and rim of basin, and parties can now work well; could probably have done so a week r ■ ■■ May, 1868. .8301 darller than this. -jj* re;!? i o I write you this short note hastily and enclose you copy of an order with which I have been served, which will explain itself. I presume It is all rl^ht-, though I should have been pleased to receive it throu^ you, Ylhat it will result in has not. yet appeared and, of . - course, I, can only conjecture,. A package of letters, directed to me at Weber, in pursuance of my r/.-: order, was by the .stage a4|eaitL.at that place forwarded to Green River because I did. not happen to be at Weber on arrival of package, and I must now await their re,turn. They maj be some from you. I shall remain here but a few days .unl.ess, my presence will be required by Mr. Reed and. Seymour, and then visit the parties, making my personal head quarters in the mountains to push that work forward. It will no' take • ' me long to give you all the heavy points east of this, I wish you were here. Note;- J. T.t Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Cotmcil Bluffs, 16:- In relation to bonus to be paid Allen for charter. Did not xeel 111m» taking the responsibility of making the offer. If all take 'Stock who want it, will Afevd to raise to $200,000. Edward Hf. Williams to G«n. Dodge, Altoona, Pa., 16:- My brother Norman .has forwarded to me your letter of 4th irtst., in which 3rou state your desire to procure copies of the printed reports of the Engineers who made the surveys for this road. I should May, 1868. be pleased to furnish yoi" with thera if in my -poiwer, but unfortunately '-the early reports of this company are most of them out of print, •I have myself never been able to obtain a complete file. If I should hereafter be able to obtain copies for you, it will give me pleasure '« to forward them. --i - . . . Note: ?'m, M. Wilson to Gen.. Dodge,', New Eivginia, Ipwa, 18:- ' io o' In relation to bounty claim. Would like to have the argu- / ' . full on the gre^ impeachment trial. Received remarks on the Pacific R,R. and heartily concurs with me in them. •G,W, Beymer to Gen, Dodge, Afton, Iowa, 18:- on .1 , '' • ' ' Mr, William Keating, P. M. at this place, has just sent in -his resignation and recommended the appoinihmeat of H.C, Beymer to fillip 1^* . vacancy. " * ' Youn influence in securing this appointment will be appreciated. M C Beymer 1« politically "sound," and takes but little Grimes in his Oliver Ames to Gen, Dodge, North Easton, 18:- _ lot* iiir . Your favor of May 14th is received. I had previously re- ^'ceived 1-he letter of ra y brother analosing circular from Durant. I wrote you from Naw York on the subject. This General Order No. 1 dated Ft. Sffndera'is without signature thou^ it purports to come from. '"Vice President and General Agent of TJ.P.R.R, , - " At the last tweeting of BoArd of Directors Durant was anxious a W May, 1868. .. - resolution should be passed giving him, with construction engineer, authority to alter the line where in the construction it became evident that the change would expedite the progress of the work, and this only - t ■ • imder the Ames contract. This order of Durant as far as it confines itself to construction and a change of location to facilitate construeI <■ tion may be within the scope of that Resolution, But when he inter- ■r feres with your authority as Chief Engineer and the control of your H • - parties he is entirely beyond his limits, and should not be recognized, I will write him at once, I enclose the Resolution, / (ry _ 0, F. Davis to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 18:- t r . I returned from Chicago and Cedar Rapids last week, where I ^ obtained some very valuable suggestions in relation to the preparation of our records, jcc, 1 - v We are having almost daily applications, from those desiring to ■ '■* settle on our lands, for the neaessary authority to do so. They are J " willing to take their chances as to price when the lands come into market, provided they have the first opportunity to purchase at the ■ , appraised value. ! jr: I enclose herewith the blank for pre-emption rights, allowed by the C.R. & Mo.R.R.R. upon any of their lands wheter certified or not. This exactly ooVWra the case above referred to and in my opinion is Just What we want, and will be greatly to the advantage of the company to allow settlements of this kind; and L hope that early action May, 1868, ' may be had on this matten, provided it meets with your approval. You will observe that the Company retain the control of their lands; that they need not be entered at the ".S. Land Office and, of ^ course, will be subject to no taxes, and that the more settlements we . i • have the higher similar lands in the vicinity of these settlements would be appraised. This seems to me a matter of great importance to the Company, I am now very busy with fhe Homestead claims. We acre contesting claims taken upon did sections but forfeited by non-residence &c, Jas, Wilson to (Jen. Dodge, Dept. Irrt, G. L. Office, '18:- oioffw , Referring to yours of 28th ult. and our reply of 30th ult,, I have now the honor to enclose herewith a map of the 1st 200 miles of the Union Pacific Railroad west from Omahar, with the 10 and 20 " totlo" limits designated thereon, I have also noted the conflicting limits* of the Sioiix City & Pacific Railroad,- and the Bu lington <?: Missouri River Road; and roads obtaining grants of land under the act of July 2d, 1864, which Extends the grant of the Union Pacific Road. Within these limits the lands granted are the joint property of the foaBdHI psipdtrtlvely Interested, but, of course, such lands cannot be patented to the roads jointly under the law until .it is .shown that both lines are oompieted along that portion of the route. If, however, the companies should agree to such a division as will obtain a recog nition of the specific tracts which each shall receive, then the tracts ... ..v* . V* May, 1868. ' ♦ < : , enuring to each ean be patented as each may complete its road. Hoping - the enclosed map may prove satisfactory. James W. M^Dill to Gen. Dodge, Afton, Iowa, 18:- , . Wm. Keating, Esq. has tendered his resignation as Post Master at this place, and desires to retire from the office. He recom.mends Merritt C. Beymer for his successor in office, -IT can and do most heartily recommend Mr. Beymer for the place. .' He is-a sound, radical Republican, a., good business man, and every way well qualified for the position. I hope you will use your influence < • w to secure for him the appointment, i(>r . Note: P. E. Appleton to J.. F. House, Ft. Sanders, 18:- , . Sends vouchers for $300. There has been such a demand for « profiles @f the line as fast as notes came in, that he has not l^ot a ■ \ .{jJ been SLblo to forward them. a.C"' To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 18:- * . . y Yours of 13th inst. requesting deeds is received. I will forward today deeds to Hyatt to execute and have him send same • • direct to you. He lives in Bruce, George Co., Md. The deed for 120 acre tract I will forward to your address, Washington, iomorrow • • . . . The Palmer purchase of Hughes did not go off. His men have gone • back on their agrements. This throws it back on my hands I suppose. * Jwn c i -'o ! 9011 , flo IP* no IfO , May, 1868. I haVe written to Hughes and will see what he will do. I would advise that your friends purchase* lots of hi^n, including the Main St, prop erty or if they prefer the 80 acres of- land. If he will put the lots low enough that is the safest investmen-t. If you wil-l write me about the amount you want to invest I will make a selection and obtain a proposition, and submit It to you and them for acceptance. I have hever been satisfied with that R.R.Adn. Investment; par ticularly dissatisfied sljice I learned that the lots were only 33 ft. front, and as I wrote you before T want' those same men to obtain some more lots nearer the business centre. The Investment'you now make l*s a bargain- the 120 acres to act. In eluded. I can obtain eay 20 lots in Riddle Tact for an average |of $200 each. Those south of tract $150 each. P.R. Redd, Jr. Wants to sell the 80 acre tract on Crescent City'road 3 1-2 mllesout-just this side first ridge- where the old ditch fence Is, can be bought for $12 per acre. It Is rough but convenient. I was offered this for It last fall but did not accept. It Is owned In St. Louise. Bottom lahds and lots will, I prUume*, suit your'friends better. Hughes once offered that 80 of hlB south (adjoining) R.R.Adn. for $3000. I will see what he now asks. Donessan has been here and we have divided the Adn. lots-land still undivided. He asks $200 l)«r lot for this; $3000 for his 20 ft. on Mam, (opposite your building) running through and fronting 27 ft. on Bancroft, $100 per acre for this land. He does not care May, 1868. about selling except some of his lots., Price on land double its value; other prices not unreasonable. • Everything here wears a cheerful aspect; great many, good men with money coming in to stay- frame buildings going up in every direc tion- a dozen on Main and Pearl St. The exjyrerae high prices of real estate*, rents and living at Omaha work to our advantage; however, much Omaha may outstrip us, we sujr'ely have a good growth ahead. I do not hea:^- much ,about Cheyenne. Larajnie City is inflating now. If you "Will send me a pass for Lockwood, I will have, him go out, and see what if-any thing can be done with your Cheyenne property, and collect $216 which Bailey owes on a-lot he sold. liockwood wij.1 prob ably open an ggricultural implement warehouse here in the Fall. His means are in use until then. If you have anything out in that direc tion for him to look after, he can do it aV same time he goes to Chey enne. Make the pass to Laramie City; hA^ wiai* want to go and see Capt. bevis, who i# "an old friend. - The $20(i',000 donation is at a stand still. Our people will vote it if piit in such ^bpe thw^y can stand the tax. We cannot s.tand the tax of 5 per cent in one or twcr years aside from our other taxes. Money, you know, is scarce among our people. Judge Baldwin thinks it could be City issuing 100,000 Script and then township vote fl00,000. Then Durant's manner and conversation causes our pe®ple to lack ionfidence in good intentions of company to give them transfer of passengers .and frei^t^ will give us no guarantee. They should give us a general guarantee. We have b.een jayhawked by the railroads in one respect. They give us nothing better than barns for depots. Our town v.. - has, of course, been greatly benefited in a general way, but unlike I ' . the Pacific at Oma'^a, we suffer for the want of specil favojrs. urw , I v;rote on another sheet for you to see White for rie^ thinlting you would return by way of New York.. If not, call p^n hiin the first tiine you go there. .ton of) I , ' To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 18:- , b.*ic , • ■ I have this .day forwarded two deeds: to C.C.Hyatt, Hyattsville ITd,', for him to execute and forward to you, and which you wiii probttf able receive at same time as this. I- have attached to each deed an ^ -'1. abstract of the title. If you will notice there are but two convey ances from patent. I" deemed this necessary in Hyatt's case as his deed • arc special warrants; makes it an Invariable rule, like Hayes, Dixwell, and other large West real estate owners- are afraid of our records. I enclose warranty .dWWd' from C. Baldwin and myself for 120 acre tract in Sao. ao, ThajJ* iHt due me on these deeds as follows: .... ' G. G. Gray, • acre acre tract tract B & D D $3000. , ^Ic C C Hyatt 1500. G. y. Dodge, Trustee 36 l/2 . n n It n 912.60 ' 'nAt : . J * 366 fO-'nj! o . , i*"' ■■' ■ May, 1868. I think I shall be able to make a purchase of Hughes for you di- ^^.j^^rect. Am in correspondence with him, add will write you what I can - do when I hear from him. • , . ; • Note: J. Blickensdefer to J.E House, Salt Lake City, 19:-, Concerning his acts. Sends list of drafts drawn on G. M Dodge Note: Jas* A. Evans to J, E. House, Laramie, 19:- Wants 8 window blinds sent him. • * • . X f I' Note: if Jas« A, Evans to J. E. t House, Ft. Sanders, • .19*- Wants lists of drafts drawn by him. , Gen. Jno. pope to Gen. Dodge, Detroit, Mich, 19:- to'l Gen. Joe E. Brown of Georgia, is at the St. James Hotel in Chicago. Not as a delegate but as looker on (deeply interested) in the Convention. He really carried the election in Georgia for recon- » ^ and is altogether the strongest man in that State. He i stands committeii with the Republican policy, and I have no doubt came to Chicago to give us his adhesion to the part. He is so well known a person by reputation that I need say nothing more about him, excepfe that he has been firm and faithful through the most terrific abuse and the greatest temptation. Without him the party in Georgia is nothing. He writes to beg me .to go on to Chicago, but you understand why it would not be judicious for me to do so. I wrote him, however, that I should write to you and that you would take immediate occasion to see him. I advised him to talk freely and fully with you, and that you May, 1868. would introduce him to those most influential in the Convention, so that he could have the opportunity to present the views of -the Georgia Republicans and of the Southern reconstructionists where they would have lAost weight. r hope you will see himat once and introduce him as generally as you can. The vote of Georgia I can surely tell you depends on him and he can be'secured easily. I-deem this so important that I send you this letter by Capt. Moley, one of my Aids. I know Gen. 'Brown well,- and have a high personal regard and re spect for him. Yoh will like him and I am sure enjoy his acquaintanc^ W. S. Fairfield'tO Gen. Dodge, New York, 19;»- • * t have taken some pains to inquire into-the matter and at present find no party willing to loan for a year at 6 per cent on 5.20 hut the market is growing easier and it may he done soon. Business is getting better in our department and,requires all our capital- and more, therefore cannot conveniently evailourselves of your suggestion ko consider the operation out there. Suppose you will he here soon and tell us more about It,. Things are not much clearer now than before impeachment, and you live us no light. Is Grant still the man?. I have ndt heeird from Mrs* mdga'. The package was sent; presume she got" it all right.- to -i'.: ^ ''4 f; ,k.c.v. rij: vilwl •' ' 0141 UO" .S T ■:.u* oi aid JbestvftA T . ' .*r. M/. , , May, 1868. voY .. Notei- 0. Chanute to J. Li V^illiams, Kansas City,-19:- , Has read^the pamphlet of Col. Seymour, but does not recom mend his plans. Believes a draw-bridge is allowable in this riever, (. only where there is a. well-defined channel next to a rocky shore, with : -powerful interesta committed to keep it there. ?:ould advise a high bridge if connections were to be made with other roads at a specified level and distance, and dxplains pressure and friction on tubes or .piles. . ^ . ,- 0. P. Hurford to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 20:- . . . . We.havp organized the Omaha ft Southern Nebraska R.R.Company and we think we can arrange to put it thoough to Lincoln City within the next tweSrve months. We need a preliminary survey from the mouth ; of Salt Creek to Lincoln, and we desire to know if, you cannot send an engineer over the lino for us. It will nolr take long. We only want a line rxm so that we can apply for State apd Gen. Government aid in the shape of awid grants^. ^ , ' We shall, look i.o you for considerable help in our enterprise. We hope to get the grading put under contract as far as Lincoln this Fall We shall get about $200,ODO i^ Countj bonds along the^ line of the road ' Please lot me hear from you in regard to your making the prelim inary survey for us. J. T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 21:- 34 Herewith please find form of subscri|>tion of stock for Bank. May, 1868 ,v- ' Creighton is not at home or I would have gotten him-to sign. You had better sign and Get Ames and Dillon to sign, and have Mr. Dillon get all to sign he wants to in New York. If Goolbaugh takes stock send it to him and then retxirn to me or to Allen. YJhen it comes back to me I will see Creighton and others. You must hurry it up for it will take some time to get it round. Theye cannot be but little done until the stock is subscribed. If this form is not right you can have a new one drawn up. I got this from Millard. "Wm. B. Allison to 6en. Dodge, Washington, 21;-» TElegram. Harlan, Wilson and myself concur in believing that>the nom- 'J ination of Colfax with Grant would make, the strongest ticket. Note:- Resolution of the people, of Wayne County, Iowa, desiring that a road'shall be built through their country immediately, so as to give them-ah eastern and western connection. Note:- J. J. Woods to Gen, Dodge^ Maquoketa, Iowa, 22:- Recommende John Steen of Daoorah, Iowa, for Route Agent on Union Pacific R. R. Jas, A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Ft, Banders, 21:- Your note from Chicago reached here today. Thinking that as yon are on the move and that some of my last letters m.ay not have reachad "ytfu(although snr^ that J have written you quite fully u io May, 1868, about everything) I will report some things- With reference to my res ignation, it was brought about by my receiving a circular v;hich placed (..♦ me in a posibion to subject to Seymour, which I couldn't do for a minute therei^ore I could,see no other opening but to resign at once. There ' was no time for a consultation with you or with any one, for had I * « waited to communicate I wal liable to receive an order at any time, which would have only been disobeyed and then a dismissal, and I preferred keeping what little_,^advantage I may have had to trusting to him. At the request of T« C. Durant I afterwards agreed to stay until the notes of the location were put in shape, with the understanding, however, that while doing it the "circular" so far as I am concerned was inoperative. Teu have seen the circular by this time, and as I wrote you, it is-aupposed to ba ,.the only one with any signature. Mine was handed to me by Seymour, who seemed to have an envelope quite full of-thcm^ but my action was rather prompt, I had received some notice of what was coming, in fact, had seen the document in blank a few hours, berore, ac that a very little time elapsed between the de livery of one and tI%B naiiding of the other. If I am not mistaken it was a .plan, of Stfymour fpom the beginning, and if not further mistaken he was much chagrined at its failure. Since tliea I have agreed to take Reed's place during his absence. f i^'i# T juevxfl oj 393 ' ■ , ^ y) .> : ' ' .V ■ ' ' May, 1868. , vi?.-: t ^ ^ Which I hope will be short, as i'i 'is no sinecure. Track, grading and bridge all in a pile together. I think it will be difficult if not impossible to prevent delays, still I think they can easily build to Green River and perhaps to Bridger this season. Everything, of course, is being done in an extravagant manner. Tomorrow the track will be at the 6th hundred mile post. Your request of the other diay, even if changes had not taken place, I could not have complied with; being a cripple for how much longer I cannot say. When you was here I expected to be about before this, but at present can see no end to it. There is a little improve ment, but it takes d4ys and weeks to make it perceptible^^/'^ Note;- C. C. Hyatt to N. P. Dodge, Hyattsville, 22:- * In relation to sale of land; was satisfactory. ^ ' nflt' r -jT Note: W. Snyder to J. E. House, Omaha, 23:- I Gives data for April estimate. ' ' ™f nm' r j-/ ■ To Gen. Dodge* from his brother. Council Bluffs.^ 23:- ' ' I am in receipt of your letter from Chicago. In reply - it '.as Donlphuns Int.rsst .hloh I referred to in mentioning his prioe ♦200 per lot. I believe ftughes will let you have an interest on same terms. Palmer .as huyirte and which you were paying palmer, hut cannot tell definitely until I Mr from him. If he will not I can put $5000 in the Riddle tract in6C'other property equally ae good at prices I would be glad to Invest if I was wanting more. When I hear from Z ).'o *' .!T May, 1868, Hughes I will write something definite, ''' ■ ■< Your Hall is going foward well- so Bassett reports, and so it seems - - - ^ . to me, Lawson has about finished his contract and Casewell is pro gressing, In the centre within a circle are four figures representing the seasons. They are not finished but promise to be very fine. The stage scenes are to be painted by a man from New Orleans, When fin ished the Hall will look grandly and in advance of anything hereabouts, I fear the final footing up of the building will exceed even the estimrtes recently made. Every bill which comes in is larger than the estimate before work is done. In fixing the express office I found the counter the smallest item. If I had paid $270 instead of $125 for that it would have been an expensive fitting up. The window and door shutters to both fronts cost $100, The fitting up of coxuiter inside ' ' ' r into pigeon holes, drawers, &c, cost about $150, Painting first es- / timated at $133. I cut it down to $100aadB they have done a very fine job- counter grained black walnut, fronts of room and base oak. Parti tions, sleeping and baggage room oiled finish, Morse furnishes the wire frame for counter at Chicago price $85. So you see the get ting up will coat about $600 instead of 500, my estimate. It is, how ever, for all time or if to be removed would be worth nearly what they coat. Impress Company wouiLd gladly take counter with them if they re moved, fhey have ocbupied the room a week and are much pleased with the location, Nothlai couLdfe-«» mwn the attention of business men K May, 1868. to Main St. as the removal of Express Office. A dozen frame are nov; being built on Main and Pearl, below. Considering the street being a new one for business, I am more than satisfied with the disposition I have made of that room. For the building up town I have procured good' occupants, but the income from it will fall short of your anticipations. I did the best that could be done. Buildings are not so scarce as in the spring. Several new ones-frames, have been built on Broadway. Dwelling houses not so difficult to find. In other respects our town shows well. Goof^, substantial men coming in ahd quietly going into business- after looking around are satisfied the're is great growth for this town. Do not talk as they used to about Omaha swallowing us up-will not be bu|^ one large town, &c., but say two cities will be built here and that present progre'ss is not a sure'indication which is to be the largest city . Many look upon Omaha as having a Keokuk growth and Council Bluffs a Burlington growth. ' •- - ' I find Loclt#oo(!r and others who have lived 25 years ^in Illinois have \inlimited conJfiienoe in advance of real estate. Say framing lands within a convenient distance of this town will sell for A $100 per acre within ten years, They have lived through in that State the time and growth we are now experiencing, I have not yet iftade suoty sale of real estate for you, and no pros pect of any from that source to apply on building. If that May, 1868, • sale of* our- is consumTTiateai write Gale that your means are in such shape that you will run short for fun^s to complete Hall, and if convenient to pay his note. I think he intends to pay it anyhow hut might omit it if he thought you did not want your money. I can credit up $1000 or more which I now hold in certificates. Hammer's account is $1159, $300 paid. I settled with Lawson with Bassitt's approval. There was due him between $700 and $8000 on the old*contract with the other wofck he did at same time. I have complain ed of Lawson's charges ii% several instances, but upon investigation found they were about right-. He does his work well and is honest. ■The counter which he built at so low price, is a very"fine one-not slighted in any*point. - • - ' From figures 1 have been giving-you in this letter, you may know that It has taken and will take between two and three thousand dollars to finish up the building express Office, Hammer, Lawson on first con tract, Lawson on Hall, fre scoeing and scenery painting and other items I forgot to'mention, painting roof of building, &c. If, Judge will pay hia note I can furnish the money here to meet the bills. 1 spoke to Mr, Burke about your income. He promised to Call in and help mfe make it up. ' Lot McComb retain R. R. lots and make up to his satisfaction in Riddle tract lotw or some other, property, without you can re-sell May, 1868, . i the R.R.Adn, lots there. There j.s no sale for^them here. ^^$30 each is. all they are worth. The nomination at Chicago of Grant and Colfax meets the approval of all I.have heard express themselves. Colfax is well and favorably known throughout the West. The new Democratip paper here is a meaner one than the Bugle. Burke Pomeroy style and principles, ^ tfo-- Palmer^ is at work getting up a new hotel for John Jones. l ^Wh®^ Hall is finished, I-shall make up a statement of cost of ;building and file the bills separate. I think I have mad a valuable selection in Wyland as an assistant in office. He promises well. H. C. McComb to Gen. Dodge, Wilmington, Del..23:- I Who is this Wra, S. Rowland who writes me from New York, representing himself as;having charge of the Air Line Railroad to New York? Do you know him,^and has he the authority he claims? I want to see you badly. Come up here if only for part of a day. C. Tiohpnor to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 23:- . ^ After seeing you on Thxirsday after the Convention I received a letter from hoiM sayiag my wife was quite ill. I therefore left the city on that evening for home without even seeing you. On my arrival I am gratified to find my wife much improved, and in a fair way to be entirely Well in a day or two. I regret therefore that I did not acoompan""' you to Washington as I had intended doing. I now think I May, 1868. ♦ t will go there in a week or two, as I shall not feel contented until I set an inside view of the situation there. • ir: / The ticket gives xiniversl satisfaction here, and all coTninend and acknowledge the hrilliancy of your achievement in the nomination of Mr. Coifax. We all know what you have done, and are all ready to knock .under to you as having literally controlled the action of our State f delegation. You must go to Grant's cabinet. You are emphatically today the strongest man in Iowa. You know the services you have ren dered Grant, "ou nominated Colfax. You therefore have every claim t • for a place in the cabinet, and your selection is certain to make you U.S. Senator if you want it. TThile everybody disagrees with Grimes, that is every Republican, < t I find that large numbers of good Republicans think he acted honestly and was not controlled by any such thing as bribery or dishonorable purposes. I agree with them in this, and sincerely trust that our delegation in Congress will continue to treat him with that respect which his age, abilities, and long and valuable party service merits, and • f • will do nothing that of itself will drive him from the party. You t know that there is no man in American who deplores more than I do the failure of impeachment, yet I cannot allow ra y disappointment to carry t t ' me into such ungenerosity as a blind and senseless condemnation of such a man as James W. Grimes, and I know that even with his great ■i- May, 1868. ' * ' unpopularity at this juncture we'would be farbatter off as a party in this State- with him with us than against us. Therefore for his sake and for the sake of the party I trust he may remain with us, and will unequivocally announce his purpose to support Grant and Colfax. In case of the'total failure of impeachment under the present articles, I think it would be well when the representatives of the Southern States are'admitted- to find new articles and thereby hold Johnson in terrorum (as the_lawyers say) for the remainder of his term even if he is not convictdd.' Of course, it would be better to convict ' , : t - . :■ if possible. In case it is developed that Johnson will re'^ove, suspend or cut off the heads of the radical office holders, please let me know, as ^ I am especially desirous to hold my office throug- the Presidential campaign, as I can render very valuable service to the party. I think Tom Ewing should and will stand by me, and if you have' an opportunity you will toll him so for me. I want to be remembered to Gen, Grant, also to Mrs Colfax. V/ith . ^ • ' . . . ' I " f '- prudent management Iowa will give them 50,000 majority. / Please let me hear from you as fully as possible regarding the posture of affairs in Washington, and what you think of the necessity or policy of my going down there, please re-ember me kindly to Mrs. Dodge and the family. ■ ''.■ra'-, •< ^ ."^ May, 1868, . .'•Drjki ,7fvr: John T. Baldwin to Gen. ^odge. Council Bluffs, 23:- * ■ Yours of 22d received. I could not get to'Chicago. I sent you at Washington subscription paper for getting subscribers. Sub- 'scribe for yourself and Coolbugh. Obtain New York subscriptions as soon as possible and return to me. I will get Allen and Tracy, Allen has pledged for Tracy, The articles of association will -be filled out as Soon as the stock is subscribed. . . , , I have not heard yrhether you have decided to take the Allen char ter or get a ndw one. Let meT know about this. West wrote me that the Allen bonds cannot be used as Capital for our Bank; if this, is so I cant see that we can use the Allen charter. Write me when I may ex pect the subscription returned, J, L. Williams to Gen, Bodge, Ft. Wayen, 23;- '' .Tou will, of course, regard Mr, Chajiute's cautions on pag" 2 about exposing his calculations and his vi^ws. I presmme he expects me to show all hie correspondence to you, but, of course, you will not use his name with others too freely. What he says of Col. Seymour's plan I will read to some of the bOard when I see them. His views as to the points were a low bridge is practicable are exactly what I stated to the full Board in Syemour's presence, but I did it in-faF more emphatic language, '1 think I knocked his plan and estimate into a cocked hat with that Board in about three minutes. I was mad and intensely iildignant that such nonsense should be brought before the May, 1868. Boarri, ♦ Wr ."fv . Although Chanute may go to extreme of caution in regard to the stability of tubes ih the Missouri, yet we would be unwise to throw aside his suggestions without full investigation. While McAlpin's observations are great on this .subject in general, yet as to the Missouri River, its' ice and current and tha effect of the current on its silt, and the effect of obstruction placed in it, such as piersMr, Chanute has vastly more experience than anybody else. Indeed he is the only engineer that has practical experiejnce in the bed of this river. To us it is invaluable; though as I said, his misfortune may drive him to extreme af caution* j I want you to consider the effect of sheering of a field of ice. What I mean is thisi Our channel may .be diagonal under the Btidge so that the dtftrent strikes the piers at 2o° or 30° angle-. Then a cake o strortg ice say 300 .ft, wide may 6nter; its lower end being but 200 ft. what would be the affect of this jwadglng power on our columns at 9 miles per hour? • . I must think that McAlpine has no just idea of all the phases and powers which the Missouri River and its ice and its scour may assume. For myself 1 should not want'to present plans and imensions so much in detail as he does, for a difficult riv^r, which I have never seen and which is unqueaticmably so different from other rivers of the ' ' J t itXt il > tlj. May, 1868. .world. Mr. Chanute evidently failed to appreciate this river as he now does. I did not fully understand it myself previous to last year. Mr. Talcott certainly knew hut little of it (though he had made a rail road along it) Vlien at your house a year ago he said he would drive wooden pile under a pier, cut the- off 5 ft. helow water and throw in riprrap. Mr. Chanute to guard against ,the diagonal or wedging thrust of ice fields, built his atone piers extra size with a heavy bottom. But, I am keeping you from Chanute's letter, which is really ver interesting. Tou and I^aeem to be acting jurprs with all engineers to furnish facts and opj^ions. They are very kind^ Gen. Dodge to I enclose herewith carefully prepared estimate and plan of •an iron.truss bridge with iron columns for piers and iron staelings for ice-breaker for>he M. & M. or Omaha Crossings. These p4.PMI eatirnates have been made having in view the pecu- '* * # liar character of this river and its deep silt soundings, and they had no view the covering of all contingencies. They are made and submit ted After studying thoroughly this class of foundation as used in Europe, and after consultation with some of the mort experienced en gineers in the United States. . ■ Iron are carried to Bridge seat, as water can be carried - ; E ,' n ^ t iv' May, 186B, in upon them at all season's of tlie year night or dSy And .will he a great saving of time." A'lthough these plans are comparatively new to this countrjr for so extensive a work and perhaps might be called ex perimental, still I am convinced that they are the true plans for us to adopt, notwithstanding the severe criticisms made upon them I therefore earnestly recommend that the Company adopt th,e plan as sub mitted. The estimate I feel confident will cover the. entire cost of bridge. p. M. -gheible]? to Gen. Dodge, Rome, Ga., 24:- * f'.r' Enclosed find a letter from Col. Spencer. After considering its contents you would much oblige me by writing to Gov, Bullock at yQ-^jo vQry earliest convenience, I am a native of Pa., have lived 20 years in the South; been honored with the degree of A.l'. ag Marshall College Pa., and was Secretary of the late Ga, Constitutional Convention, Geo, E. Spcner to Gen. Dodge, Rome, Ga,, 24:- If When I was stationed here in 18G4 I made the acquaintance of p. M. Sheibley, Mr, S. is a man of Intelligence, ability and influence He is and has bsen steel true. Ho wishes to be.made Supt. of the Western & Atlantic ^.R. He is competent. As a financier he has few equals. Please write Gov, Bullock, and endorse and recommend Mr, S, Your IStter would help him and perhaps do a good, some help. I have just May, 1868. written Gen. Rawlins asking a word from himj please a word or so there. The stage is awaiting and I must be brief. Anything that you can do for Mr, S, will be.gratefully appreciate. ,Hote: A. R. Spofford, Librarian, to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 25;- . 1.T00 Acknowledges receipt of reports (fee. W. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 25:- I was on line of road from 4th to 22nd, opening to Laramie, XTiwx'&as. and have been hard at work closing up correspondence since my 'he turn. Have sent you copies of new tariff, and think we will make more money at reduced' rates than before. Everything going on rapidly. Am giving Casement all the material he can use, and I think we can get west of Greuen River this year. Will write you fully 50on as I get rid of accumulated business on my desk. Benj, Dolbear to Gen. .Dodge, East Portland, Oregon, 25:- ' , I took the liberty, though a stranger, to address you during the month of April*'ttfOa the subject of a building a railroad from Puget sound to Columbia River. Your able re-^ort dated Dec. 1st, 1867 contains 'lyV^owerful arguments in. favor of the building of this, and the very great interest I feel in the subject must be my apology for addressing a stranger occupying so high a position* L ''' May, 1868. My residence since October i8S4'has been at Steilacootn on Puget Sound, but for one years past I have been in Oregon, expecting to re turn to the Sound again the approaching Autumn, . . ' There iS a point lying midway between Steilacoom and Olympia which I desire to bring to'your notice. It Is a harbor capable of containing all the s ipping of the world and deep enough to float the.great Repub lic or a vessel twice its size. Around this harbor is a tract of country embracing some five to ten sections of one mile square, very thinly settled,which could be purchased for a sum not exceeding five dollars an acre provided the purchase was made by a secret agent be fore any stir was made about its being ithe terminus of a railroad. The land once in the hands q-^ a person like yourself could |be laid off as a tov.-n- a railroad built to ^he Columbia River. This rOad would be the great thorW^fare of the North-west, transporting »11 the im ports and exports of that immense region embraced:in limits of tashingtdn, Oregdn, Idaho and Montana. • ^ . The object df this note and the one previously written, is to interest you and you alone, without the advice or knowledfie of one else. t6 take the proper steps to bi.lld a city or to found one at the a'ovo naJiad point and build a railroad, beginning at that point an running to the'Columbia about si* or seven miles east of the "outh of gowlits River. The distance dbes not exceed one hundre^. miles and «he cost of the road would probably not f greater than the Illinois May, 1868, '.a -, ^ • - « < roads. Of the first forty miles thirty would he^ "built over sandy, ;t Tgravelley prairie. This would reach the Chehalis "Valley, a rich, thin1' t iy settled country, whose inhabitants find a market for their produce , at Olymphia- a town of seven hundred souls, and Bihe present capital of the Territory, There is a great deal said about the building of the Northern Pacific Road, ^nd sora e peominent men in the City of Portland, Oregon, * have lately been to the Sound and bought land upon its s ores, hoping to secure the terminus of the road; but as that Company are always I talking and begging Congress and never working, I presiane you can, if ,.'typu are sufficiently interested In the matter, secure the land and lay 1 out your town and have the road half inilt long before that Company r « will strike the first blow. In that event your town will get'the start and secure the trade for all coming time. Every well dressed . - intelligent Eastern man visiting the Sound now is suppoed to be con- "1 ■ nebted with the Northern Road, Hoping for an early reply, Three years ggo I got_up a bill for the incorporation of the Puget Sound and Columbia River railroad company and forwarded it to my brother ' in.the Treasury Department, who placed it in the hands of our delegate, ' « . . " Dr, Denny; but he failed to secure the passage of the bill because the «^d tww to terminate at Steilacoom instead of Seattle, the little -i) May, 1868. town where Mr. D, resideH, ' .i- -•nl ^o~lt oril It.' ' A ye'ar ago I came from home to Vancouver'on? the Columbia River to see what could be ''one to renew the application: to Cngress to charter the Company and grant lands to aid in the construction-of the road# ■"ith the help of Mr, S. W. Brown, receiver of public, money in the Land Office at Vancouver and some others, the bill was forwarded again by Mr, Flansders, our present delegate, who brought the bill before tie House where it was read twice, j?eferred to the Committee on Pacific Railroad, and ordered printed. The printed copy was forwarded to me by Mr. F, 0 on the 25th day of November last. The telegraphic nbws last received here and published in Portland states that on May 12th, »68, in the House "Mr, Price, from the Committee on the Pacific Rail- ^ road, reported back the bill with amendments to incorporate the Puget Sound & Colurabua River Railroa'^, After considerable discussion the bi'l was referred^ to the Committee on Public Lands." Here the matter rests for the present and time alone can determine its fate. The bill called for the same amount of land'as was granted to the Northern Railroad Viz: 25600 acres to the mile- quite ah item to those building the road, Genls, Grant, Sherman, Ingallfl, Medical Director, Gen, Dr. Barnes and some thirty officers of the A Mi y bfesides signed a paper addressed to the Chairman of the Committee on mliltii^y affairs, recommending the May, 1868. road as a military necessity. I acknowledge that I am personally interested in this road, and in its terminating at"the point previously namedi If I were not I would not take the trouble to labor as hard as I have to accomplish it. ^ • But few men work without the hope of reward, ^ith regard to my honesty ' I would respectfully refer you to Hon. Chariest Prosek, edltbr and owned of the Pacific .Tribune at Olympia, the largest and best paper published in the territoryff—.-Jto Hon. Saml. McCaw, member of the Legis lature from Pierce County, who lives at Steilacoom, My desire 13 that you a^one, without the knowledge or advice of other men either "big or little ones", should undertake this work and that i be allowed to render you what assistance I can in the urchase of the land mentidtitfd and location of the road, and that when the bi^l to incorporate the Company above named shall become a law, you may own sufficient sotck in it to enable you to control the road and eventually connect the same With the U. P. R. R. While the building of the road was being accomplished your lots at the terminus of the road would become very valuable, in fact, i"^ensely so. 1 hope that thie letter and my previous one is not an intrusion, Had I been cortiitn that the other would reach you this would.not have been written. Note:- johft to. Gen. Dodge, Hamilton, Canada, 25:- May, 1868, Wants position in rolling mill, trfaich he hr.s: heard will be t built by Union Pacific! R.R". j T ' f ! ♦}' f ' James Edmunds to Gen, Dodge, St, Paul Minn, 25:- • • ' After writing to every representative and senator on v/hom I supp'osed I could -rely for accommodation for reports of the Pacific Road, I have lately receLved from you two of these documents, both of which appears to the Coripany publications. Hence i concliide that I was Wrong in assuming, that .the-rapor.ts are published as Cong. Docs, The first report you*sent conveyed no new information. Having been in harness some fifteen years, and having written many arti cles in that time on every proposed route, the generalizations of your Oregon and Montana report" T could have written myself, What I- am in search of Is the newest Material for Use in advocating the various road^, I found much that #as new (or rather in fuller detail) in your report of surveys for 18^6, If you will be sto kind as to send me your report 6or 1867 (if hot yet in print, Wltert published) you will confer a great favor, - ^ r Will you also please'inform me to whom I ought to apply for the fullest and latest reports of the Company? Arguments based upon the financial sucbesa of the road worthless unless supported by the exact figures, and those I have are more than a year old. Note:- 'Henry tl to-«teft. Dodge, Philadelphia^ 25:- Wants assistance in getting commissioned in Regular Army. May, 1868. . "'r ■ , Geo. CL. Wright to Gen, Dodge, Des Moines, 25:- - , It is rumored that Gov. Grimes will resign-. How much truth • is in it I do not knowi Will you be good enough to advise me by tel egraph the moment you know or can learn that he has resigned , I trust the matter to you. ^ I should like to know as soon as any other one. This is for your ears alone. • .-A," ■ The whole country is satisfied with the work at Chicago. It is - -- • the strohgesf ticket tliaVooul d have been imde; of this there is no doubt. We should sweep the yard clean next fall, Iowa is good for 40,000; of this I have no doubt. I am for the ticket strong because the head is right, the platform is sound and because Indiana is in the bill. How we hoosier* will go for the cops now. The Iiord bless you, keep you in good health, and in the future t as in the past, true to the demand of the times. Let me hear from ■1.1.^ you. . ^ thwre,!).*'any change in the Assessor's office in this district • during your tem? Without there are good reasons for the removal, I wish yoH .would let Col. Noel alone. Of course you know what, is best and .1 shall not complain whatever yau conclude to do. ^ •if Note: Hortfcee Captron to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 26:- Haa diacontIrrued sending his monthly report, but will fur- ♦ ' « nish if I desire any najaljer of copies, of sane. May, 1868. J, TV. Kellen to Gen. Dodge, Mt.. Ayr, Iowa, 26:—' • ' •We have been infomod that you are using j^our influence and supporting a bill granting lands to aid 'in the construction of- a rail road on or near the State line between the State of lov/a and Missouri known as the Iowa State Line Railroad, -and that you are /under the iranression that the people in t^Tis part of the state iare f'avor^bly inclined to the construction of said State Line Railroad; also that you have been ihfofmed that malTy 'of thb bounties in this tier have vo'ted upofi 'thie q^fesliion and have decided in favor of tha State Line R. R. ^ This information and your actions as abo,ve sta+ed take Ufe bsurprise, and we led to believe that you have been, misinformed as to our 4n this enterprise, and that Mr. Robinson and the friends to the -State Line ^bad'hav** ^ifceived yoiv fes" to the wifiies, wants and desires of your constituents in this part of your, district. I presiine you are* aware that' the State line R.R. traverses the extreme northern part of each county west of Appanooso Couhty, and In some cases crosses the ^ito lino* and? traverses paht of Mo., as shown on their late'st map, thereby Aissing each County in this tier, and giving no 'particular sKlvantage to the south part of said coxmties over a road rilnnlng through the centre of said Cotmties. A road along the line of the State will not be to the best interest of thdiB tier, but t;, I 412 ^ May, 1868. • I - will forever prevent us from having a road through the center of those , counties. I presume you are aware that a reliable Company has been orga nized with Gen. M. Drake as President to build a road from a point some 20 miles south east of Bloomfield in Davis County this State, riinnin^, via Bloomfield, Centreville and west thr ugh the centre of the Counties to Nebraska City, and have a contract to grade and iron the road as far as Centreville-. This is the road that will most benefit the citizens of this tier ♦ ' ' ... V of Counties ' and the road the people are • t interested • in, and we believe this is the road that should receive aid by the grant of land. This road can be-built much cheaper than the State Line ^^oad and will ben- t .) efit all the citizens of each county traversed, rnd ^ can candidly say that nine-tenths.of the people of "inggold county wShh and hope for « t . ' . the cojBatruction of this road, and in fact I may say that all will be better satisfied with the road through the centre of our county, whilst nine-tenths would mortified and deplore with lasting regret to have the road on or near the State line. We have no confidence in Robinson, President of the State Idne Road. His Company wae organized in 1057 in a small town in Decatur County, representing a capital not exceeding $25,000 and he has not perfor-ed more than $5000 worht of work on his road. We believe that the Iowa Southern Company is a good company and worthy of the confidence of our people. Our people are very earnest in this inatter and to this end we had a large mass meeting today, and a'ttempted to express our views upon this enterprise by adopting the enclosed prea-^ble and resolutlcns, and we your constituents earnestly petition and reqxiest you to follow or crrrry out cur wishes as therein expressed. I will again say that nine-tenths of the people of our county endorse these resolutions. 'Vo therefore hope that you will consult and favor our interests by your vote and influence, I learn that the citizens of each county in this tier are holding similar meetings, and I pre sume you will receive similar resolutions from each county. This will indicate the earnest feeling upon this enterprise. ^ I have made this letter longer than I had intended , but being earnestly engaged and feeling that our deepest interests rested v;ith this road I must be my excuse. Now, sir, we feM and hop'- that you will act for the greatest good and bene3rit of your constituency. We there fore cc-mit our dearest interest to your keeping, believing that your ' f t action will be in accordance to our wishes and desires. I will add that no County in this tier has decided by ballot in favor of the ^tate Line Road, nor can'that road secure one half the a^^ount of stock that can he secured for the Iowa Southern. We would be satisfied if the grant Is made to the State as trustee for the use and benefit of my Company thdt will teilld the road. Similar to other grants of land for constructing railr«^^* M Llay, 18G8. ■"n- r Sam, Forrey to f'en. Dodge, Leon, lov/a, 26:- Tho other day we had a railroad meeting in the interest of the Iowa Southern R.R.(The Drake Road) At that meeting I heard read a letter from Judge Louchridge, one of our Iowa, M.C., stating among other things that there was a prospect of a land grnat in aid of a railroad for Southern Iowa, and that yon and Mr, Wilson favored giving the same to the Iowa & Missouri State Line Road, on the ground that a majority of the people of_the South Tier Counties in Iowa were in fav or of ?aid I ^ State Line R,R. and that part of.the Counties had do voted, X, . I would like to correct this impression of yours and Mr. Wilson's The people of no county in Iowa have voted a dollar in favor of said I, & M. State, Line R.R. The Road could not carry all the township on this line, for the» reason that they have lost all confidence in the Road and in E. Rohinson, its President. Mr, E. Robinson is a mormon preacher of considerable note, and all of his peculiar faith support the road with groat interest, but the majority of our people have nevtroubled thetaselvos about the matter. We have always hooted ai the idea of a land grant; we thought that was played out in Iowa or you flteould have h ard from us before this. W« cannot conceive how it should be supposed that a F.r. along the outer edge of the County would meet with more favor than one that ■ May, 1868. passes through Ihe cfenter bt the-county. The center of our counites contain the we alth and influence and to suppose that we want a road to cut off our trade and prevent our towns from being built up, we do not underbtahd.* *e have never attempted to throw cold water on Mr. Robinson's enterprise for the reason we hhought it was not necessary. That the Road w6uld never be built, and that Rbbinson had a right to ride his hobby as long as he pleased, and we v;anted the friendship of all, but to suppose that the--j»sbple of this county or of any other county in this tier of counties would prefer the 'l. &'M, Road to the Iowa Southern (which propases to go through our County seat) is simply not the facts in the case, I have made this matter' a study ik part and feel that I state thi^ sentiments of the people correctly on this matter, not only in our part of the State, but both east and west. I would further state that Mr, Robinson is' a man o'f great energy and enterprise, and if it can ♦ I • be done he will put his road through, but it must be done without the I majority of our people and against' our interest. It will divide the trade of the counties, prevent our twons from improving, and always prevent our people from being a compact and united people. If you want anj' further evidence of the truth of these statement let me know what evidence you require and 1 will try and furnish it If possible. m m May, 1868, ^ , i ■ To Gen. ^odge from his brother, Council Bluffs, 27;- The enclosed letter of Mr. Hyatt's will expliin delay in forwarding deeds. I have today sent him the Lockwood bond cancelled, and he will soon after receipt of this letter call upon you in person and hand you deeds, for which you will please pay him ^2412.50. I am very glad Mr. Hyatt is.going to call upon you. He is one of my best correspondents, ^ Note; Lieut, Jno, B. L.-Skinner to Gen, Dodge, P, 0, Dept. 27;- -Notification of the pppointraent of John H. Reed, P. M, at Alaska, Union County, Iowa. Note: Baldwin & Dodge,to S. R. Craig, Council Bluffs, 27:- , <• Have sent a plat of the railroad and upon vrtiich the blocks '' • • • . > owned by him are designated by a blue^line. Please remit $5 to cover expense of map, &c. ^ / roc: J. W, Barnes to Gen. Bodge, Omaha, 27;- , . . I have inveBtig;atjpd the matter of the military post at Sweet water mines, and find it a very small affair indeed, and not worth the seeking. I have an idea tht there may be a city laid out by the R. R. Co, Q this next winter or Spring somewhat after the manner of ''heyenne. Is this not so? And if there should be, cannot I get the chance of selling the .lots for the. Company, ^uid be allowed to make a little ■' j '• n'r May, 1868. * . ' "" .' t-ir) oT speculation for myself and perha s some one elSe? * . . , . . , • - I would be pleaded if you would give me information in regard to this at your first leisure. The coal works at Uoingona do not look like being placed in my charge. I have done but very little at your military history, having been sent to St. Louis about the first of May, and been ver^- busy since f r • - • retiirning. * ^ ' *Note:' J. M.* Windsor and others'to'Gen.* Lodge, Bedford, Iowa, 27 '' ' ' ' Proceedings of citizens of Taylor County, in relation to land grant to Iowa & Missouri State'line R. R. * - Williams to Gen." Lodge Ft. Wayne, 27:- ^ I congratulate you upon the fortunate result at Chicago Convention, and^the'effective part you took in it. Of this last I took the liberty of informing Mr. ^olfax in'a note'from Chicago, thoug V\" course he would have' learne'd it fr'om other sources. ' ^ Bv this time the most ardent Wade men must be convinced from the Tjnmistakble public opinion, that success on their "part would have been disastrous. Everywhere the ticket is felt to be the very best. Now I trust the attacks on the 7 Senators will graudally abate, • • • and that the Union party oan remain a unit in both houses, and thus render the President hRmleS8,y L, L, Bedell to Gen,* Dodge, Cheyenne, 28:- • I am InfortBed by a prominent politican of Coloradowho is May, 1868. " C-" well posted, that in the event of TZestern Dakota being organized. Judge Carter of ?t. Bridger, will be appointed (lovernor. This will not do. The U. P. R. do not wish the capital located at South Pass City or Ft. Bridger, as is likely t^o be the case if "Carter is apnoAnted. We want it here. ■ I presume you do. I hope you will see to this, and if possible avert it. We prefer a man from here, but at all events, the Capital • J. Weaver to Gen. Dodge, Bloomfield, Iowa, 28:- r':: ' Enclosed please find proceedings of R.R. meeting held at our 'town, touching Robinson's land grant and matters generally. Our pedpie are deeply in earnest upon .this subject and are perfectly appalled at Robinson's effrontery-, I say to you candidly. General, that the old fellow has no road at all, and the people her-e are not with him, nor is he with them, nor does he desire to be. He has no grading or work done on his line except about 12 miles(partially fin ished) near the Des MoineS Hiver; nor can ho raise one dollar in our County or in the Counties west., ? o- " ' ' please to give the resolutions your careful attention. ■ ^ 1 often retieflKHSh olden times, Trimble sends his^regards. My regards to Mrs. ®odge. w I : J, L, Williams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, 28:- • n - r,i 1 enclose the tracing of an iron pier with sections of timber ice-breaker'and also views of columns, pile platform CCr sinking them May, 1868 in the strong' cilrrent, &c. You will, of coiirse, regard t lis as only a contribution to the mass of details already.in your hands. Examine particularly the ice-breaKer.. 0,f course, I prefer all parts of pier to be of iron, needing no repair, if we were sure it would not fail us from .severe concussion, .If elasticity is important (and I think it is) you will find that this plan secures it in the highest degree# ' , . ^ The tapering column is a ijeautre .that I am in doubt about, If iron men see-not much practical trouble in building it, I should pre fer it. Below water, we want stability? while 8 ft. at the Bridge seat is all that is Essential, But for decay by corrosion, the 10 ft. sec tions might be reduced to "1 1-4 inches; bilt I have estimated 1 1-2 inches, « ' Tfhile 1 think that Mr. Chanute from-peculiar circumstances has been driven to extreme views in one direction, it is equally plain thfct IJir, McAlplne i« likely to be influenced by too strong a desire to bring out a cheap iron pier,.having in the first place named $45000 as the total cost of one pier. I think we have done well in striking a medium, and your plans are.now well matured and not far from the best. And I would consider nothng settled irrevocably until it must be. It is a new thing in-this countpy and it is our duty to avail of all expereince in the detail so long as the work is not begun, The proper sixe of column is probably between 8 1-2 and 10 ft. 420ri. May, 1868. S. ,vi»" ■ I also send you a ..detailed estimate of pier 8 1-2 ft. and of 10 ft, tapering to 8 ft. as per plan. Also timber ice-breaker and of a ■ pile crib around foundation; also a general estimate of the bridge upon these bases. All this will be useful to you. The general esti mate is for you only. It is bes.t to let Bridge builders make their own estimate. Put this estimate with your bridge papers. You will • ■ see that it is .everil hundred thousand dollars smaller than the estijnate of Bridge proper in my-^rinte^^d report. This is owning not so much to .the smaller cost of iron piers compared with stone, as to the ,W i . • fact that in the former I added very largely for contingencies-that . -being a preliminary estimate. For safety there should be further additions for .contingencies made in this estimate. Then, in the former estimate the iron superstructure was ^30 more per foot than in this. I i ' Still my estimate is something less for this iron pier than for mason ry on pneumatic piles. The cost of air machinery and the sinking of ■ . the columns, and the contingencies connected with such work are items .' ■ with which I am, of course, not familiar except by reading and the V .' views of others. . ► ■ the wast abutment is estimated upon the plan of building the ' J 'winga aiparately on a orib sunk to rock. But in the front wall or pier the masonry must go to rock by water-bight caissons and pumping, This plan of detached cheap wings I wish you to understand was gotten up with a view to adding ajupther span hereafter and converting the May, 1868. , ^ abutments into a pier. Now that we give the bridge its whole length at first, I would prefer a regular old fashioned abutment .and wings connected, all the masonry going to rock and built together, if you think you oan get it all down nuccessfully in 21 or 22 ft, water. But the pier must go to- rock. The wings, as they do not carry the bridge, may be built on cribs; but it wont look .like complete engin eering. This estimate is on the cheaper^ plan. .'The ciibs 20 ft. high 'will settle 3 or *4 inches, ^ "that masonry must be detached. ' This abutment foundation is a heavy undertaking, and must be put ^n at lewest water and in mild weathen"(August, September or October) and the engineer in charge must have experience, force and vim. To ^ that masonry'Of pier alone f estimate at $12,000. ' I trust that Gov, MorCon and the Committee will not think of including the Missouri River with the Ohio and J^Jississippi in his long span bill. There is no need of it, • ' c " We must bear in mind that the sinking columns below 60 ft. is a difficult Job and may fail. - This «ie a fastei? country than England. The contractor, if any great difficulty or delay occurs, will be very apt to contend that it will do at 55 or 60 ft. The possibility of this inclines me the more to a 10 ft column. If I were sure of getting down 70 fil I would hesitate less at 8 1-2 ft. Very likely larger means i'ov contingencies in sinking the last 20 Ft, these columns would be prudent. May, 1868. -i", (" r 1- * ♦ .» , < Note:- John P. Finely to Gen. Dor^ge, Leon, Iowa, 28:- In relation to land grant to Iowa & Miesouri State Line Rail Road. I Note:- Preamble and Resolutions adopted at a meeting of the citi zens of ^inggold county. In relation to land grant to the Iowa & Missoiirri St^^te Line R. R. Note:- I. N. Keller to Gen. ^odge, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, 28:-- In relation to land grant. Wants railroad through the central part of said Counties, &c. Note5- Jas. A. Evans to J. E. HouSe, Lawamie, 29:- Wants instructions concerning estimate to contractors for building the UniOn Pacific R f ^ 'Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, 29:- (Telegram) Injunction dissolved.' Durant gone, supposed Omaha. Advertise Dillon*s election and that Conmittee, naming them, alone have power to contract for Union Pacific R. R. Notify personally banks and all officers of both cc^panies that Durant has no authority. Note:- Capt. J. C. Green to Uen. ^odgo. Treasury Department,29:- Wants to explain merit of claim,of officer^ of 4th and 5t . Indikn regiments, and asks an interview.upon that subject, Jas.'A. Evans'to Gen. t)odge. Ft. Sanders, 29:- ^ I received your letter today. You must know from my letter , Al' May, 1868. ^ ^ that I am pretty busy for a cripple. Reed and Syemour are rsomewhere between here and Salt Lake* Reed expects to return soon. There will) be a great pressure brou^t to bear to keep me on construction, Shat the result will be I don't know neither do I cafe. Rest would suit me better than anything else. The last year has been particularly hard. I feel it •^ost sensibly the work could have been easily got along with, but there are other things constantly with me, and I am quite sure that iV wH.ll lead to a break-dwon very scon. As long as I can, will try and do.whatever there is to be done. This I • ^ ■■ suppose is the duty of ^11 of us, if not to ourselves, to those who come after us. The track will be at Rock Qrnek this week. Since I came here v/e have had delay on_gradlng some of the cuts on Boyle's work. I have I • built around thinking this expenditure better than.paying the track lay ers heavy damages for delay. If we have good luck in getting,over dry divide, I see no reason why we should not be.at Green River by 1st September, , Wouldn't it be bitter for House to move his office here and see • • * . • - '■f, to OitHpany's baslneee, eufh as laying out towns and doing commission ers bufiineas? Of course, I will complete notes of location,.but if it should so-be that I have to remain on confctruction, I phould like * " * • . . to be relieved as somi as it may be,- . ■ - May, 1868. ^ -■ ^ There is a probahility now amounting to almost a certainty that tfiere will be a delay on account of ties. The overshadowing policy will prove a failureas I predicted. If they had let in small con tracts instead they would have been in better state on this matter than they are likely to be at all during the season. A. G. Edwards to Gen. Dodge, St. Louis, 29:- ■ The regulations of the Treasury Department forbid the return of check; otherwise it would afford me pleasure to comply with the request in your letter of 26th inst, Jno. R. Morledge to Gen. Dodge, Glarinda, Iowa, 29:- We have had some considerable talk here about a railroad from .Omaha to Ohlllloothe, Mo., but we have not the means to bu:id It, and I Wish to call jouc attention to it and ask your views as to the probability of Getting your line, the n. P. r..R. to make it a branch f of that line or in aotfio other way assist us to build it. It certainly would bo a feeder to your main line as it is almost an air line from Omaha to '^t. Louis, Mo. We have not the means to build a road but would.do what we'could towards it. It would cost to gr»d..lt, I supppse for grartine,_bridGinB and" ties about $16000 psr mile, perhaps not quite that much, and the distance is about 150 miles, ^ i , I would like to know what you think of It, and if you can do any thing for us in that direction. If it can ho taken hold of in that May, 1868. * < direction, and you so direct, I v;ill take the field and make the sur veys nd report to you the route and estimated co^^t of the work. 7.'e want aroad through here very fiiuch"and cannot build it without aid. H. H. Millard to Gen. Dodge, Oamaha, 29:- ' ' Yours of 30th April and 11th May are at hand, and I hadn you herewith your bank book showing your a'ccount at this time- overdrawn some $8,437.95. You will observe a credit of $500, being yotir first dividend on your stock of 10 per cent. ' J The Treasurer of the U.* 3. has called on us to put up without much delay $100,000 bond in addit'ion to what we now have -the-re ($100,000) to secure Government deposits, making $200,000 for this special pur- ^ pose which we consider quite a lar^ge amount to ask from us, and we are desirous of getting the Treasurer satisfied without putting up these bonds if it can be' done,' as it'makes it bear heavily on our customers as we must, of course, loan tliat amount less. ..i. . lhat wo want to know is first if they wont be satisfied as our securities now stand, and i^ not, whether $50,000 more will not be sat isfactory, and if so, what length of time we can have to put them in. We want all the time that we can get as money is very tight, and of course what we pay for the bond wc put up must be paid for out of money collected from our notes and overdrafts, and It is quite certain we shall have to call on you for all or the greater part of May, 1868. . ' ' , , - your overdraft. It is quite lil^ely the Department will insist on the full !|100,000 and if so, we will.put them up but sufficient time must be given, and if,wo do deposit $200,000 securities we want to know that we, are certain to have oxir share of the public money at this point which we have rjever had. The First National always having from three to four times as much as .we have, which we cannot but consider unfair as our sectirities have always h^jen half what theirs were.. ' - , If the Treasurer says that, we must deposit $100,000 we will do it by giving us time to turn ourselves, and with the assurance that our Bank shall hay®, its full* share of the public money kept at this point. We wo.uld like to herve you see the Treasurer at your earliest con venience in rege^rd to this matter and get us as favorable arrange ments as possible, and wrote us what to expect. Note:- Wm. Hale to Gen. Dodge, Glenwood, Iowa, 30:- Wants the law relating to the tariff passed by the 39th and 40th Congress and vote thereon. Also the proceedings of the^ impeaehment' trials . 1 ' . j • Noter- George- Schramen to Gen. Dodge, J^es Moines, 30:- . In relation to grant of land for Iowa & Missouri State line rallEoad. • :! . ' ua ». ' ,, H. S. McOoWb to Oen. Wilmington, 30:- , Tqur favor of jSiS^h dnst is duly before me on my return home this A. M. and in reply. It is impossible for me to go to Washington now. I go to New Tork Monday; to Providence, R. I. Monday evening. May, 1868. * « >• where I shall also spend Tuesday, amd in New York.again oh Wedhesdaywhere, if you can so arrange it, I would very much like to see you. y^Geo. C. Ticherior to Gen^ Dodge, Des Moines, 30:- , ' ■ I) Kasson professes to be extremely radical- a violent "impeacher" and most ardent supporter of Grant and Colfax, and denies that he ever opposed impeachment; on the contrary that he labored for and urged it. He is begging to be put on the stump for Grant and Colfax, and says his "friend Colfax" expects him to stump Iowa and perhaps other States. He claims to have been a leader in the pioneer work of preparing the Republican party for Grant's nomination, and that he was at Chicago to look to his "fridnd Colfax'S" nominatiory/ J. T, Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, botincil Bluffs, 30:- ' I am deeihous to raise some money to enable me to take stock in Bank, "and in cruder to do so prop03.e to sell a part or all of my lots in Riddle Bros, and Howard addition amounting in all to about 100 lots, and as it is somiBWhat difficult to sell so much property here I would like if you would try and assist me,. I will sell at a price that will justify any person in buying that has mioney to invest. 1 am anxiously waiting the return of the sub, paper. We are los ing some'valuable business that we could do if in operation. Wast is ready to come as soon as the subscription is perfected .whi.ch can be done in short time after the paper is returned to me."* * w ' ♦ - ,rrfi{n :vu. 429 ; May, 1868. ♦ < -• The prospects for a good, paying business is more and more encour aging every day, and I am determined to sell some property even at a sacrifice to enable me to take stock in it, . The Chief Engineer of B. & M. B. is here, and appears sanguine about line through here,before the R. I. Everything looks encouraging here, and they are panicky over the river, . - _ I » Did you secure the Judd deed? I rented Watt s building, where the Telegraph and Express Qffice was, for Bank. It was the best and only thing I could do. When will you be here? •To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 30:- . Tours of 25th an'' 26th received, with passes. Lockwood apd his friend Buckman goes into business here 20th July Produce and Agricultural Implements. Leased Boughas large stable and premises upper Broadway for $50 per month including hay scales; can not get possession iintil date mentioned. It will suit him to go West in meantime, and I will have an understanding with him that he pays his I own- expenses, biit p^y him a commission on what sales he makes, if any. I think property in Laramia City will sell; Cheyenne has not recuperatedyet. ' . . . v. . • w The ojnlBaion of Notary's Cft. to Baldwin & Dodge deed will be sup plied upon its return to me for record; it was unintentional. I intended ;it for a complete deed in every respect. Have Mr. Gray forward ( ♦ V it to me for record; I will have it properly acknowledge and recorded and retain nos. upon my tax book* ' Your letter requesting contracts to be forwarded to House receiv ed and they go over•today. I will put in five good lots of Reed s north of R. R. track, and five on-good grornd south of R.R.track for $2000 and $2000 each. I would do this tdday, but Mr. Reed senior will be here next week. I would like to consult him, although I have power of Atty. from Rich*d. By that time I shall hear from Hughes, and will have definite propsotitions to make. Latest news here is the purchase of.steam fire engine, and the city to be supplied with gas-charter just granted l?y city. Note:- N. P. Dodge to J- E. House, Council Bluffs, ItSends contracts for lots in Cheyenne, and acknowledges re-^i ceipt of map of depot grounds. P. palmer to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 1:- At the request of the applicant for the place named in the accompanying petition. 1 forward this application po you and ask that 'it may be placed on file for consideration, when ,the C.R.I, and Pacifi R.R. should be extenfled far enough west from here to warrant the ap pointment of additional route agents. I want Geo. Christ of this city to be the first appointee o r'the extended road, and if Nicholas can be the second, I think it will be satisfactory all round. To Oen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, I:*(Telegram) Sends me titles to lots in Laramie City. - ■' Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - May 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 May 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/7acab6d2ce7494c352bcc00d4f8cd5d5.pdf b9215f63366a543a0cbdff6a6384012a PDF Text Text T''^ (.' r. May, 18G8. *' • " and retain nos, upon my tax TDOokt ' ' ' Your letter requesting contracts to be forwarded to House receiv ed and they go over'today, I will put in five good lots of Reed s north of R. R. track, and five on-good ground south of R.R.track for $2000 and $2000 each. I would do this tdday, but Mr. Reed senior will be here next week. I would like to consult him, although I have power of Atty! from Rich'd. By that time I shall hear from Hughes, and will have definite propsotitions to make. Latest news here is the purchase of.steam fire engine, and the city to be supplied with gas-charter just granted l?y city. Note;- N. P. Dodge to J* E. House, Council Bluffs, 1:- Sends contracts for lots in Cheyenne, and acknowledges re~^) ceipt of map of depot grounds, F. W. l^almer to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 1;- At the request of the applicant, for the .place named in the accompanying petition, T forward this application you and ask that It may be placed on file for consideration, when the C.R.I, and Pacifi R.R. should be^ extenfled far enough west fhom here to warrant the ap pointment of additional route agents. I want Geo. Christ of this city to be the first appointee o r'the extended road, and if Nicholas can be the second, I think it will be satisfactory all round. To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, l:*(Telegram) ^ Sends me titles to lots in Laramie City. • June, 1868, . ' , ■ Note:- to Gen. Dodge from his brother, Council Bluffs, 1:- ■ . In relation to titles of property and lots in Cheyenne for which he has no titles. . .. , F. W.^ Palmer to Gen. ^odg^, Des Moines, 1:- , t The amendmenet of our State Consittution will be the big fight in ,our State, and if you can put me on track of any facts bear ing on the behavior of the blanks in the South v^ince they became 0 voters, I should be glad of-them. The Freedman*s Bureau ought to have valuable data of this kind in some available shape, I am very glad you got your man for Vice President; both on your account personally, and because I am satisfied he is the best civilian for the position In America, I d^id my full duty to my friend Fenton, and appre,dated your generosity in yielding to him such a liberal comp imentarj vote; but he was beaten by th-- East, without possibility of .success from the West. The ticket and the platform are universal ly acceptable, and we shall have a campaign in their support unexam pled in enthuBiasni since the days of 1840. * - - . r, ' t - E. P, Ware to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Scott, Kansas, 1:- I SCO that Gen, Grant is the Presidential nominee and your influence with him in my favor would be very g eat, I am at present living at Ft. Scott, an'^ doing well in businossanfbody can mako money, I've been studying law, mining and surveying slMe I left, the amy, and would like aome civil posit on, no matter Jime, 1868. i>\)A hovr htimble, where I- can bring myself into notice by my own efforts, I feel myself prepared, and if you can start me in a career I will try and hold myself responsible for carrying it through, ' J, Blickeh'sderfer, Jr, to <}en. Dodge, Head Echo,-Utah, ItAfter writing you last (from Bear River) i visited Col, Hudnutt on rim of Basin, and then returned to this place, where I was mot by Mr, Reed and Col, Seymour. They remained here all last week until Saturday when they returaed't- Weber, where they are erecting a tem porary building and expect to locate their head quarters for some time It seems that neither are going East soon. Col, Hudnutt h6.d demonstrated the practicability of getting ove the rim -ith a grade of 79 ft., and- was trying another lihe down the eastern slope by a different ravine, from same summit, which v.ouod connect with Reeds line about 8 miles down the tvalley. On looking at it I directed him to coritinue it and 9ee what could be done, and had hopes it would enable us to distribute the descent over a longer dis tance, and thereby ge't an easier grade, but Hudnutt has since advised me that line i's no better than by the main valley, and be is proceed ing with the location but thinks he can reduce the grade to 75 ft, per mile The weather both here and on the rim has been bad, ^d much time has been lost on consequence. Since my feturn from the rim we had a ■now'storm which lasted three days. I am getting pretty well acquaiji^ June, 1868, « -« with the country here and on the ri"^. This point I consider much more difficult than any I have seen on the line of your road, the western slope of the Black Hills not axcepted. I have two parties at work here (Morris and Lawrence)./There seems to be but three practicable ' t lines over this summit. One is by the main valley, followed by Reed. • The second is that surveyed hy Hodges; and the third is obtained by a deflection to the east and,^ descent by the valley followed by the stage road. The first has no objection to it except that it requires, to secure a good grade of 90 ft. per mile, a tunnel of 2000 to 2400 ft in length and considerable heavj' embankment- in one case 78 ft. high for about 200 ft. The secodd occupies very bad ground from the summit t down to the tunnel, exceedingly broken and rough and liable to heavy land slidegi- Part of Hodge's line has broken fi^ora hill side and slid down some distance since he was on ground. The tunnel on the third line will not exceed 600 to 800 ft. in length and the line below the tunnel is good except one heavy emhanloaent. This line has its greatest objection in the bad alingment and bad ground necessary above tunnel, and that it is in the very wcrst position in regard to snow all the 'way-much more liable to obstructions from that source than either of the others. The third line is not yet fully developed. It will re- • quire no tunnel, or at most one of 300 or 4.;0 ft. in length, occupies good grciand-and is less likely to be obstructed by snow than either of the others, being in that respect on the most favorable ground which June, 18G8. * '" can "be ottainec^, even "bette'r I think than that in the tnain valley. I fear it will require heavy einbankinent^, but I incline to think the total work required to secfure a grade of 90 ft. will not be more than on either of the others, an 1 that it*will be capable both of more rapid construction, and of being more easily and certainly operated when done. My parties are now busily engs-ged in developing the full capabilities of eacii route, sb^ar as least as to enable 'me to make a good compariS'-n between the" all. I find Col. Seymour now a Strong advocate of the use ;.of higher grades, and the cheapening of the cost of construction by that means. This strikes me as singular, being thro very reverse of his views streiW uously urged last season in reference to the Black Hills location.Mr. Reed seems to favor low grades, none exceeding 90 ft. per milei but he does not press his views so strongly as the Colonel does. At the re quest of ®ol. Seymour I am t6' ascertain the comparative merits of the throe lines above mentioned over this summit, compare them with the cost of each on a grade of 90 ft per mile, and the dimunitions in cost which could bo affected on each hy the aflortion of a grade'of 100 ft. per mile, and submit my recommendations. This I will do, btit at least a week must elapse before these facts can be ascertained and presented, .and should bad weather inteH^no more time will be required; 'When this 18 done, however, this" whole location here will be determined ^ and the balance will be easy. - « Jime, 18C8. ♦ t Since my retuni from the rim of the hasin a week ago today, I have heen advised by Seymour and Reed, that during my absence they seht a messenger after Jlaxwell, recalling him, and set him to work :. . locating jfrom mouth of Echo down Weber . They also took Bates away from the narrows and sent him down to the Devil*s Gate to lay out work for Brigham Young; anc^ only ®n Friday last, after getting a letter fyom Bates in which he repDrted the facts, they told me, farther that they had elevated the grade of my location through Devil's Sfete and Weber Can.iyoii"tian Cact, and directed Bates to relocate to same grade. Maxwell i!>ep6Tt©'d to me he had received the above message from Seymour ■ '' and was on his way back. Owing to bridges being washed away on tieber he had not reacheij his destination at Weber Station(mouth Echo) on ' ' Saturday evening. I presume from his reports to me he will get there - today. He h-as thua lost a week in changing position, and Bates by same reason and changes in location at least an equal time I write these, things to you merely to communicate the facts, mat ters T could not explain by telegraph. I feel great regret that I am ttnable to gratify your great desire to pxxsh the explorations and T westward from mouth Weber, buti feel my hands to be tied.I took occasion to explain to Messrs. Reed and Seymour the nature of your instructions and directions to me , fully as I could,* But they refei^d me to Durant's order, and their authority under it, and said • UNwf tWialdereii that work (locating westward) as entirelyr econdary to June, 1868. ' * the coTHplete location in Weber Valley, and that it wi^s-time enough to do that after this work'was ready for the contractors. On Saturday when I received'your telegram about filing location to north end lake I showed it to both Reed and Seymour as an evidence of your desire to have that work go on. Their only remark was: "I really dont know what answer you had better make." and fiinally left me to answer as I chose^ How that telegram was four days getting from Washingon to Weber, I do not know. Of Hodge*s party I have ye'i written nothing. On receiving your mesaage dlreotlno his recall, at Gre^ Wlvdr 1 immodlately telegraphe^ to my olerk at Salt Lake C Ity: "Get Vorii to Hodges Immediately direct ing him to retnrn with party to mouth Heber.?' 'I'knew, that Hodges was to keep Salt Lake City advised or iSfs whereabouts. TOen my clerk got my masskgo, ho had Just been advised by Hodges to send mail matter for party to Paris, Bear Lake Vailey,' and he sent my telegram «y mail to that address, and did not send a mes««g.h. On my arrival at Salt Ijike City I foimd ad'vidws troe^lfedges dated 8th Hay, saying he could ' pooceed no farther eastward'on account of snow, and was Just sending his teams and party via Soda Springs into Bear Lake Valley. 1 then .upposed he had about got "lily Hiessage at UWt time (16th) and that it ■ w^uld take him a weet to got back, and as there was no tal.|raph or "ataga to raach him, thought I would wait. As he did not peturn at •xpocted time, 1 sent a message to the oity to diapateb a ■•essnger Jiine, 1868. after him at once, I have not yet heard from him, but expect him at ♦ -mouth off Weber any day .» High water anr^ bad roads have no doubt delayed him, Seymour and Reed have been anx'ous for Hodges' return as v/ell as I, Ixit for a different purpose. They have determined to send him I ♦ up here to make an examination of a route Mr. Reed thlnlcs much of, from head Echo via Yellow Creek stage station and Needle ^ock to Bear River, -and would have done so before this had he been on hand. When •f they left here Saturday I prevailed on them not to send him up unless •• • f • they deemed it absolute necessary, as the time required for him to get here would be so great that I thought Lawrence would be able to do .it as soon as Hodges. -What they will do I cannot say, I ' ■ - . . ri have no desire to call in question any acts of Messrs. Reed and Sej^our. On the contrary I assume everything they do i correct and for aught I know may be in full accordance with your knowledge and wishes; but it seems to me your expectations, as expressed in your ,, communications and instructions to me, will be disappointed, and if such' suQh sho.uJLd t)e the case I think t iyou should know the reason. One farther remark in regard to Hodges, He is the most insubor dinate man I have. Ha seems to think it unnecesary for him to keep up fr,equent oo-mnuni cat ions with me, and when asked for explanation of any kind cither gives v ry. littla or none at all. I have been greatly tempted to Jiim,. but knowing you thought well of him, and hav ing the -idea the^ .he was energetic in addition to the fact that we have V; • I June, 1868. . , ■ had need of all the parties we could coinmand,*! have said nothing, hoping he would improve we b'ecame better acquainted. Bates is the reverse o'f Hodges, pliant, and so far easily managed, but personally inert and to my mind inefficient; whether fro"- actual want lof capa- * bility or from inherent love of ease I am not yet quite prepared to say. Maxwell's instructions were originally to run two lines-arottnd and over point. He ran onS to Mud Island, edge of bay, and the other some distance past Ogden, each about twenty miles. After being recall ed from line over point he had no weather clear enough to enable him get ovffr- tjay, before he was recalled by -Seymour. He- says: ' "Mud ^ Is'land is a hill nearly a mile long, and from 50 to 200 ft. high; is mostly rock in place with a covering of gravel from twr -to six feet deep." I have line and levels so that they can be taken up on other side of bay, but the weaf er has been so stormy that there has not been a single day for threb weeks clear enough to triangulate across. ' 1 have notr I believe brought up matters totheir present position here and answered all inquiries contained in your letters heretofore received. I am in hopes of getting rid of all-knotty points of the line tn Salt Lake Valley in sf week or ten days at farthest, although there is now a snow storm blowing so that I f'^ar that it will drive the parties in from their work. It is dlrfficult to foretell and I presume I have been behind your expectations in the location of this June, 18C8, . ■ '1 work, but I am inclined to think the 15th of this month will find but ^ :.j' ■ little, and the 2©th none of this line east of Salt Lake ^alley unlocated, with a large forcd engaged westward, wind and v/eather permitting. Note: L. M. reiyton to Gen, Dodge,. St. Louis, 1:- - Notice of dues of Society of the Army of the Tennessee, /-s. J. Kirkwood to Gen. Dodge, Iowa City, Iowa, 2;- WelX, the Convention is over and everything is righ'^, both ticket and platform. I dont think either could have been better, and "now all that is to do is to.win. I have no doubt.of success. Grant's name and fame, and the confidence of the gneat mass of our people in his honesty, firmness and good, sound common sense render him with the platform on which he stands, in my Judgment, invincible. But it will not do to sit down idly and do nothing. To have success, such as we should have-complete and overwhelming- we must work earnestly and faith fully, and-we must if possible, prevent wrangling and quarrelling among f our friends, I regard the issue of the impeachment matter as very luifortunate, and I think our friends who voted for the President's acquittal made a groat mistake. If I. had had a vote on the question 1 would have voted-for his conviction, being clearly satisfied of his guilt, but I got to know Grimes, Fassenden, Trumbull, Henterson and Van Winkel well .and I have no more doubt that they did what they honestly believed to 7/t^; •*: June, 1868. Zl , .. be right and just than I have of ray own existence, and I regard the clamor about corruption and treachery as most \mjust and ungennrous, I see that investigations are being had in both Hpuses. In the House you are attera ting to prove that the friends of the.President attempted toibuy votes,< You never will prove.I -think that the vote of either of the ®en I have named are bought. In the South, if I under stand the indications 'arigh-t, there.will be an attempt made to show 'that the friends of impeachment used pretty strong means to secure con viction. Of course, if there has been anything really wrong and crim- ■ f inal it is right it should be exposed, but if it is mainly (killing n off" operation aftong '-political rivals it should be stopped. One thing is sure- that all the wrahgle over what is passed and gone is calculated to divicle and weaken us; Grant's position now gives him fairly and legitimately a great deal of influence. Our party has at last, thank God, a head again and a sound and clear one, and I trust he will use the influence his position gives him to put a stop to this wrangling* and quarrelling. If you ha-vo time write me fully about the condition of affairs in Washington. If the House prints the impeachment proceedings please send me a copy and a copy of all accounts of interest^ Note:- J. L. •\illiams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayen, 2:- Will be in l^ew York Fi*iday morning and wants any informa tlon abo-ut bridge, the locating parties west or other matters. Jime, 1868, i ,.Note:- S. Seymour to Sidney Dillon, Mouth of Echo, Utah, 2:- " ■ - . , - . . » v , , In relation to road; says that he and Mr. Reed started fot? i ' ' '. il!. 1 Lake on 11th of May from Ft, Sanders (under orders from Dr, Durant '' . y <»■/' ui~ ' • • . . . >, • • . Note: J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omalia, 2:- Has received vouchers amounting to $400 but too late for ' • 1 May returns, t - t J. Biickensderfey, 'Jr, to Gen,, Dodge, Echo Canon, 2:- i[. I wrote you yesterday that Col. Iludnutt was locating down the eastern slope of rim of basin with a gra'e of 75 per mile, after having tried a line which promised a better grade, without success, I wish to say that when I was last with Hudnutt, ho had, as I stated t , yesterday- demonstrated the practicability of obtaining a grade of 1,5 or 79.2 per mile, and since hearing from him i hayie told him to go on « with his location; but ^rhen I examined the ground I was so impressed with the belief that a loifrpr grade could be obtained even in the main valley, that I am loth to give the matter up without further examina tion personally, I am strongly inclined to believe that a grade of 60 ft,per mile Is attainable on both the eastern as well as the west- / em sidje of ttoa r3.jn, , If this could be done so as to send a train from the summit of the Black Hills to Salt Lake Valley or the end of your road, with no « t . i. ■ June, 1868 "ascending'grade over 60 ft, per mile in the way, I 'presume it would be an object, 'espociall" as a train once on the summit of thw Wahsatch can go to Sanders with no greate'r obstacle to overcome, if your high grades were confine(i to Echo and Black Hills (considering Devil's Gate as part of Echo) the only points where extra power would have to be provided would be at Cheyenne or Sanders, and in Salt Lake Valley, points favorably located^and the commercial' importance of which as centers of work or trade* would aid you in your arrangements for the supply of extra power. I write th'is, because I know you Will perceive Its import at a glance, and to ask your permission, after the present hurry and pres,< ure shall have somewhat subsided, to take a party and give the matter further attention, should you deem it of sufficient importahce; as well as for the purpose of advising you of what I consider the probabili ,ties of the case, which I deem it proper to report, even ^ould further investigation show that 1 am mistaken, I have heretofore neglected to make my ackncrtvledgements for your ■1 "W " pronptnett in arranging for personal escort; but the hhange. in posi tion and work of parties renders an escort quite needless, for the time being at least. Possibly when parties begin to work west of the Lake, a small escort il^ay be desirable. " Note:* Charles A. White to Gen. Dodge, Iowa City, Iowa, 3:- Jime, ' 1868. • « - That the Census Board have refused to allow pay for mainten ance of Geolpglst hwhile in the field, and that statement, from me that it is customary will fix matters. ^ Note:-" Copy of letter from Peter A. De: in reply to. inquiries of amount salariee paid; to civil engineers and custom as to maintenance and subsistence while in field. Has, A, Evans to Gen. • I'odge j Lararaie, Dakota, Your letter of the 25th received . With reference to this construction matter,,if I have anything to do with it at all, of cours I wart Sole control of it. Reed has a bad'set of men around him, they need denning out badly, and, as I believe I have stated to you before want him to come back as soop as possible, or not at all, I dont believe Order No. 1 was circulated m.uch, although Seymour had an. envelope qxiite full of them; mine I suspect was the first and only one issued, and that had, very bad luck. I rather guess Blickensdorfer was savecU thb infliction. Laramie City, is quite dead; reserved lots and all other lots no sale. It has been badly managed. First the delay in getting the ground, and secondlf not seeling the Company's lotslreserved) when some of them might have been. . . - Dont know exactly what t o do with N. Platte, O'Neil is on his way to lay it out. Near the IJiver tljere is no place for town nor for Jime, 18G8. switch; two miles west there is no water neither can it he had by dig ging, Rawlins springs seems to be the best place. Lots are of no account in either place -unless parties are on the ground and then not much. ;iote: Sundry telegrams In February 4th to 28th. J. L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, Pittsburgh, March, 17 (Telegram) ■ Some hungry fellow may get-President to appoint him in my place-watch, . - « T. C. Durant to Gen. Dodge, New York,.March 21 (Telegram) '' Send Doan's report, and any papers you have throwing light on Bellevue Crossing. ' ' ' « 1^ ' J. T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, New York, March 25 (Telegram) ' Bridge Will be located* at Telegraph or Bellevue tomorrow unless We give two hundred thousand dollars.($200,000 ). J. T. Baldwin to Gen. ^odge, Nev; York, March 26 (Telegram). Bridge located at M, & M. Crossing. Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, North Fork, Dak., March 30 (Telegram Have thirty-five miles located, Htindutt twenty(2^)more weat of Pla^te, I'f weather is good will finish in April . Will reach I Dod'-^e*a suijmit in two weeks. Note: -Sundry O'ther telegrams in March. - T. C. Dtirant to Gen, Dodge, New York April 2>Telegram) Report at this office before going west. ^ Jime, 1868. . '*'! '* t' • Jas. A. Evans to Gen, Dodge, Ft. Sanders, April 13/ (Telegram) Location finished to near Dodge's summit. Notes will be here today; will send copy to Reed immediately, O'Neil will double over Hudnutt, Lawrence will be at La Cleded Thursday, Pumpelly with Appleton's party, too. There wont be much to do by last of this month. T. C. Durant to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Sar;ders, April 17 (Telegram) Where is Blickensderfer? We must have the location of heavy work at Green River at once,^ Put in line man there, X • J, Blickensderfer, Jr., to Gen, Dodge, Salt Lake, April 18;:f(Tel) Morris reached Green River Thursday last; have not heard from him since,^ Cannot say how soon line will located, but will not take very long, Jas, A. Evans to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Sanders, April 28 (Telegram), Parties through this week. What shall I do with them? Seymour and Reed going to Green River, . Reed wants parties on construe tlon. Asnwor, ^ Notec SuiuSbpy ether letters and telegrams in April , Blickensderfer, Jr., To Gen, Dodge, Green River, May 1:- I arrived hero on Monday last, and foiind the line located point about fiv miles above mouth of Bitter Creek to near the - • summit between * Green River and Black Fork, but on a carefhl " exaraination I was not satisfied with it, and decided to make extensive alter ations west of Green River, and some modifications on Bitter Greek, June, 1868. . " t , .vs;;". Mr, Morris had surveyed the gounijd very carefully.on the Green River side ar^d determined its capabilities. The passes-one south, the other north of tha't examined by Reed and Hodges, are both a little lower than Reeds; the florth one 12 ft. and the southerly lift. The letter presents a better direction for alignment than either of the others, and was adopted. It was found practicable to get a line with no grade exceeding 53 ft, per Tftile, but knowing your deeire to cheapen the work, I did not consider myself justified in using Ihds grade, unless^ the ruling grade betv/ee" Senders and Green River was no more. I considered a , v grade of 60 to 63 ft, well adapted to the ground,-and my recollection was that this was about the ruling grade west-od' Sanders, and hence my inquiry. » ' . . . . Mr, Evans Informs me there is one mile of 65 ft, east of Rattle snake, and three short piefcos of 60 ft. west of Platte, I finally adopted a grade of 1,15 per hundred foot 6- 72-100-per mile-, which we are now runningiin. This grade will be continuous from summit down to f the cliffs about station 935-of old lin-. ' We shall then run level aromld the cliffs (as suggested in your notes) after which a grade of 53 ft, takes us to the bridge. We cross the river nearly a mile above Hodge's crossing, ^he*summit cut will be 12 ot 13 ft. dee^-at extremes and about 3000 ft, long. The wbrk between summit and «reen River will be eonsiderai ly lifhier than on Hodge's line of 79 ft» grade. % June, 1868, ■ ■ The greatest drawback to our location exists on the v.est side of the suinmit,where we are, of course,obliged to crossthe ravine by r * * ^ * whici'. Reed's line descend to Black Fork; but we gain more on the east side than we lose on the west. This feature Morris had not fully ex- .'iv: . . . aniined, and as I did not like to adopt any grade on east side without knowing whnt would be encountered on the west side, it reqiured a lit tle TTiore time to ascertain. In one of your letters you asked about grain, I think it not plenty in Salt Lake Valley , but my inquiries so far do not indicate f • . • an absolute scarcity. In regard to rock,&c,, in reference to tunnels I am not yet prepared to give an opinion, f - • • • . # • I shall remain here profile of this work is completed, and will then go westward. As Evans has notified me that he will senn mc several of his parties soon , I hope the snow will soon be off and I "" * ■ t f • • . can concentrate a largeforce on the heavy work west of this. In coming over ^ahsatch and rim of Basin I found roads very bad, and too much snow for parties to work, but it is disappearing fast I have no doubt that about as soon as I can move my parties to the ground we can work, and this I will do as soon as I get away from here, F. Y, Palmer to Gen, Dodge, Des Moines, May 7:-(Telegrim) You were today elected Delegate at Large to Chicago, F. *. Palmer to Gen, D6dge, Des Moines, May 7:- (Telegram), !" Was nominated by acclamation without balloting. Jiine, 1868. , ; . .1 '' ( T. C. Durant tj Gen.».Dodge, Ft. Sanders, May 8 (Telegram) How soon can we have any located line west of Salt Lake"? J. Biickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Green River, May 8 (Tel) Message just received, Hodges is north; not heard from him • for four weeks. Maxwell exploring westward. Bates at Narrows, Hudnutt and Lawrence here on way to river and Echo. Morris goes to same in a few day^. Have not party to locate west of ?7eber without recall ing Hodges or Maxwell, Can use all parties you can send. Go west tomorrow. Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Ft, Sanders, May 11;- (Telegram) ' I resglne(f yesterday, * ' ^ V , T. C. Durant to Ge*n, bodge, Omaha, May 19, (Telegfam) Better get surveys west of Salt Lake completed as soon as ' possible. Am sick, but hope to be out soon. J, E. House to Gen, Dodge, ORaka, May 21:- (Telegram) Have alignment to end of seventh hundred. Profile twenty miles west of Platte, ' Evans will send maps and profiles S'^on. It has kert them constnatly making for construction. J. Biickensderfer, Jr, to Gen. Dodge, Neber, Utah, May 22 (Tel.) Yes, sir, and send for him itninediately• expect him at mouth of Weber every day,' Line locat^ed to Black Fork and a*t Weber Canon, and working at Narrows, Ri^ and Echo. Wrote you Saturday, and write • ^ \r . N ft ^ ♦ f . . v . . this evening to Chicago. * . 'J W h' . • I* ^ C Si ■ Vi . . , : .r . Jime, 1868. Gen. Dodge to J.' E. House, Washington, May 25:- / . . I return today the deeds signed. I return one with an alteration that Oy attorneys here say should be in a.ll deeds to hold the Company harmless provided they should fa:1 to make good title. You better consult Poppleton and if he agrees with me, then in terline the words in-above deed. I am told as deed now reads if we should fail to get title the purchaser could come back on us for the purchase money. We can only really give right of possession with pro mise of title if we obtain it from Government. • •» • • • Gen, Dodge-to J. F. House, Washington, May 26 . . My report is now waiting on the map and table of grades you are making out. How long-before 1. can get it? I enclose list of lots to be cancelled; the parties refuse to take them. They are charged up to me. The contracts and receipts will be returned to you. Chief Engineer will be credited with amount and lot account charged, . r, , Cm lylat marked "donation" make out deeds, ^end to mo here, an-'* cancel contracts» Credit Chief Engineer with amount of receipt and charge lot account. I hs^© used the lots by donation of the company. Leave place blank name deeded to is inserted, j How- is Laramie City getting along? J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Weber, Utah, May 30 (Tel.) June, 1868, • < • • ■ Message just received. Good line to Mud Island edge Bay, Maxwell got no farther; know nothing beyond, but my impressions are favorable. Write tonight. Note: Sundry other letters and telegrams in May, Gen, Dodge to J, E. House, Washington 3:- (No, 1) You want to place a -man at North For k of Platte as soon as that town is laid out, to sell lots; he ought to be there now, J, Barnes, who is with Hoxie wrote me about going- there; if he will go he is a No. one "man. You better see him. I think it wild be quite a- point,* though I do not know. You will have to make some arrangements to let' the officers at that Post have a show or wo will be unable to do anything. What was done for them ^ at Laramie City? The Orders relating to Seymour were countermanded long ago. He has no authority to interfere with lines, give orders, &c, and has nothing to do with my parties. As soon as you get tracing of map send it to me, and then mnke another tracing immediately, as I shall need two, (Ko. 2) I have not received map of final location 7th hundred miles, that' is from 600 tb 700 miles, and we will not be able to get bomlB on the Commiasioner's report vintil we have final location on file In the I'nteriroV Department, Tlease hurry up this-map. (No. 3.) ''ako out deeds for the lots in Laramie City that N,P. Jxme, 1868. • t " ■ Dodge hes in his hands for parties here, as he may need them. They are lots sold when town was first laid out. They are really a donation or sold for a nominal price. No. L. J. Blcieksn-lerfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake, Utaia, 4; Letters received; xinderstand fully now. Your instructions ^ will be executed except resistances, and tampering with parties; have \ been so noti^ied,Chiefs may fly. No. 2. June 3. Messages of 28feh of May and 1st June received. Y < Your orders will be obeyed. Route head Echo not decided. Grade 90 ft. E. A. Smith to Gen, Dodge, Livingston, Iowa, 4Lf I am a County Supervisor and live south of Centerville and ' am now ependi^'^S ® week in Centerville. ^.I find that the citizens have got up a project and organized a Company, and elected Gen. Drake as its President; wishing to establish a road from §enterville about ten ' miles east In opposition to the State Line Road, and have held a num ber of Township meetings to vote_a tax to aid them in their opposit ion enterprise; but I believe in every instance have failed. In some townships they have been voted down by a vote of three to one. You can see by thia whore the popular vote stands. • « They held whrt they called a mass meeting, and those were all from Centre Township* wid they passed a number of resolutions which they Say were passed unanimously. The resolutions I understand were not passed until the Monday following the mass meeting, which was held June, 1868. ■ ." ' ' « : on Saturday, when there was not tnbre than ten persons present, as is represented to me♦ ' " W. Sn'der to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 4:- Yours 29th came tonight. I dont know of but one copy of the order on Seymoift' that was signed- the• one given Evans, and that was disposed of quickly, as Evans at once tendered,his resignation. All at Laramiff urged the Doctor not to issue the order, but Sejmiour was aC his elbow all the while and got hi'^ to do- it, I dont think S, took any of the orders with him. If the contracting firm west of Green River is not Young, Reed & Seymour, then I dont know -the- men or Brigham knows them too well. ^ Evans on constructiori is doing well. He is honest, capable and thorough; has a head, and will have men about him ihat understand their business. If they will give him power he can put the track fifty miles west of Green River this fall. I make everything on the red subordi mate to construction, and am pushing material out faster than it can be used, ' Reduoed tariff will give better net earnings than old rates. Indians quiet. A'ugur thinks we will have no more trouble. Am running night trains on entire road. Mr. Ames writes that he with Dui'f, Bushnell and McComb will be here next weak. Think we can *show them something of a road ) • - ■ ' ' ■ ■ ■ ' ■ ■ : ahnti'- . ' y "i June, 1868 * " * ' Lewis Merrill to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 4:- ' t I sunpose the change in the War Department has put a new phase oh my matter. I do not know your relation to Schofield, hut do not doubt they are good; at feny rate I wrote him a privat,e letter yes terday on the subject of my appointment". He and I were, excellent friends in Mo., at a time when my influence with .the Mo. radicals was worh a good deal to him, and when it was used for his benefit. It 'Is a good whliF since I have seen him, and men change as times change, and I do not know how it may stand now; but in any case you will fereatly oblige me still further if you .will see him and let me know how he talks. ' 1 write today also to Rawlina to ask him to push the matter. If it is useful to bring any influence to hear on the President, himself, I suppose 1 can count dn anything Steedman c an do for me In that quar ter, and as he la known as one of A. J's particular friends, I suppose he might do me seme good. I enclose Jou a letter to him, which you will please use In your own discretion. One thing, diowever, I want un derstood, ir la"*- I want you to-know, and that.ls.that I will not ask the appointment on any ground of having been a friend of A.J's policy or of hie party. I will not go hack on my personal polltloal opinion for any appointment that I "ight get, thgough I see no reason why that matter should come In question In a purely military appoint ment. My old Ideas have not changed at all on any question regarding June, 1868, him, notwithstanding-the failur.e of imj^eachment. '• i 'iV {I I am glad Colfax is on the ticket with Grant instead of T7ade. I much feared that the V7ade influence would he strong enough to carry him on, and I think it would have been the worst thing could have hap pened us. The platform is first rate and leaves the Cops nothing on which to. fight, except they take the repudiation ^track, and I think they Will be afraid to try that. ^ , ■' Note:- Lewis Merrill to Gen." J. B. Steedman, Omaha, 4:- Wants to be Major and Judge Advocate in the army; Vice Major Montgomery resigned. IJ "o vClcv If. Note:-;f J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 4:-; . , , . ( • .'17 . >■ . . ; 3^ , Encloses abstracts and vouchers for engineering, Iowa lot , i 1 and land accounts for the month of May, 1868. - • Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, 4:- (Telegram No. l) " ^ t Come t-o 'lNo* Yonk tonight to make up estimate of amount due « 0'<3Q^a(^tors, without^ fail. w T W#* 2-- Telegram received. ' ' ■ - H. M, Tellar to Gen. Dodge, Central City, Co. 4:- ^ ' - t t/*". I suppose on the adjournment of Congress you will come out to this section of country-. You will remember the conversation I had with you in Washington last winter in reference to the R.R. and the ' Ot)p0rtunity ef making some money. I think now I see a very f5ine opfjortunlty to make a good thing without the expenditrue of much money Jiine, 1868, , „ , in fact, without any out. . / ,'. If you come out to Cheyenne, I would like to know when you will he there, as l would like to see you on this matter v/hich is entirely consistent with your relations to the R.R.Company. Myself with one or two others have looked the matter over and thinkit a good project. I will give you details rhen I see you. , , J, House to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, Jifty 6:- Since my last the;pe,has nothing of importance occurred. No profiles, maps or notes have been rec'ived fro"' either of the parties. t t Mr, Biickensderfer was at Green River a few days ago. He asked me some questions by telegraph about the highest grades between Sanders and Green River, whibh I answered; have heard nothing from him since. The Commissioners left here last week for the end of track, I gave them 50 miles of maps and profiles, also report embracing all ehe data I had in the office, I was \mable to give them a full report of the last 2 Q miles, as I had not received the measurement notes, bridges, water stations, &c; in fact, the track was not iaid over the last 20 miles when they left here, I stated to them the incomplete ness of re- ort, and directed them to apply to Mr. Evans at Sanders for the balano^e needed- also wrote Mr, E, to the same effect. I suggested to Mr. Evans the propriety, and as I considered the necessity, of mak ing up-tlig report for the Commias:oners at his office. The distance Is ^o^pl^t to the.^d track, and so many laibilities occuring to Jime, 1868, telegraph and track, besdies they often" add 5, 10 or 15 mnes to the original amount each time they examine, that it is utterly impos sible to have the report correct and have it made at thiS office be fore the road is examined. If the report was not called for before the examination took place ther e would be no difficulty in preparing it here , but I do not sed how it can be made u p ait this end before th examination takes place, ahd have'it done correctly; I cdn furnish Evans the profiles and maps-alsb grade and alignment notes made up in . sections of 20 miies each, or even a less amount if necessary, and wrote him to that effect, an'^ also stated that hb could have Nelder and his party (who will be through to Laramie this week) to measure track for Commissioners; that he should retain triom for that purpose alone, I hear nothing from Evans concern ng the matter although I ( il . ■ wrote him the 28th ult. Should the above meet your views, I wish you ■-v T . : 1^. ^ ^ would mention it to hi®. ' ■ ■ ; r- ' • ■ • T ■ Mr, Dillon and Durant havi- decided updn depot grounds- and conform in all respects as I wrote you before." the curve commences within 70 ft. of the main bridge and is 4° radius. It more than doubles the C. Yds. embankment on depot groimds. " ' We have had oonsiderabie indian difficulties on the road, bxtendinT from piu® Creek west 4 section meA killed near Plum Creek Station; one man killed at Sidney; two conductors wounded- one scalped; both 1 ' cases considered very dangerous. Four men killed on Byle's work and Jtine, 1868, t " 6 teams t>aptiured; 4 t)r .6 nien killed on Hall's v;orlc &c. G."".?.!, Davis, Jr was killed at one of the saw 'nills day before yesterday. The road will be opened to Lara'^ie for passenger travel Monday, so I alt infor"Ted. Mp, Snyder is up making the necessary arrangerienfes now, Mr., Van Lennep left for New York the 1st of May; he goes to Nevada-will finish up his sketches there-will take him about two weeks. He left two that were completed here, shall I send them to you? Note; Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, May 7:-- Location to Green River completed- Dispositioh of parties, Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge-, Ft. Sanders, May 9-. As I intimated to you before Seymour and Reed are going west with full power(derived from, the Doctor) to alter and change lines; the for^ner in the capacity of acting Chief Engineer, and the latter in some norldescript capacity that I cannot explain. There Is ft printed circular, one'bf which will reach you, giving Seymour the whole control of the engineering during your absence from thft line, and rescinding any orders that you may have previously given conflicting with the orders of SeymouV, N6w, so far as 1 am concerned, the distinguished individual can give me no order that I can obey, ^ will have nothing to do with any such seed; so that you can consider my resignation in your hands now, I dont care one cent for matters ' ' ' ' ■ -I* here, but it is annoying to see such Wen succeed. Why cant you leave Wftshington and come here? I am quite sure if you were herefor an June, 1868 lT.our .alX the plan^ could be dissipated. I do hope that Blickensderfer will SQ understand 'natters, and that his work is in such a shape that he can say to them that his location is done, and that he will insist on reporting to you only, and ignore them altogether. The letter will reach you in time perhaps so that you can reach him telegraph. As soon as L'Nell gets through changing line a little, will set him to 1 ying out North Platte. Th Commissioners will ge t their notes from here after, this. . Will sign your name to the report as House has done heretofore. J. E,_House to Gen. Dodge,, omaha, May 18:- Dr. Durant came in fro the west a week ago to day; has been sick ever since, threatened with fever. I-have not seei* him,, but learn that he was improving on Saturday and would be out in a few. days, "on; • - Young Newcomb, who was employed at the River soundings last win ter was drowned at the North Platte River, Dakota, on the 12th inst, He went out with Ferguson the, first of the month on construction. I Jfts, A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Laramie, May 18:- I have just received your letter of the 11th. Matters have , changeul here sp much during the last week that much as I regret it, it will not be possible for me to comply without being subjebt to the ywfyj; change of great inconsistency. Some of my letters must have reached ,, jDu since you wrote yours of the Hth- that will explain in a measure . . I '• i' A • v> - ■ j>> ;f;. .A'* I. VI w ' "' • June, 1868. - ^ . "ft « I am at present filling the very pleasant position of engineer and' siTperintendent of construction "ad int.erim" not, however, neglect ing the shaping up of things connected with the location. Note: Jas. A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, I^ramie, May, 19:- In relation to his surplus men, and what he shall do with them. Wants to keep O'lleil with a reduced party to lay off towns and do other Company wo^'k so long as he has any thing to do with it. J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, May 82: Your letter of the 19th asking information about maps and profiles, was receiveii. this morning. I replied to you by telegram yesterday at Fremont House- an answer to the above question, in fact, all- 1 have to add to this is, that I have received nothing from.Mj.. BlickenSderfer, not eVen information as- to where he contemplates his location will be.- 1 sent him on Tuesday all profiles, field books, and the map you left with me on a scale of 4 Piles to an inch, to Weber Station. This was in accordance of telegram received-to fiirnish him with all maps, notes, prof^^l^ &c, that I had of surveys west of Qreon River. As good.luck wowld have it, all my profiles were co pied, and all the lines-have been connected and platted on the general map &c. I will now have to ink up the copies, that I designed leaving in pencil for you. Do yov think it necessary to make other copies to be retained In this office? June, 1868. .'V' rU , The General map is getting along very well. I am havi/ig a good deal of work' put on it, and am devoting considerable attention to the platting'of* lines &c ., and when it ic completed it will be correct throughout. I'will be able to make a tracing from it the last of next week, and". wilL by that time have profiles completed, table of grades, " &c. t ' Evans writes me that he will'' furnish maps and profiles to Green • River as soon as possible.-- He is so driven, to prepare profile for construction, that It has* b^'en impossible for him to furnish me with any. ^ Nothing has been done yet on repairs. The Doctor is still sick and confined to his room; will see no one but Supt I have not been 1^^ to see him. Frost thinks he will be' out though by tomorrow. (No. 2) May 26: I endeavored to get Mr. Blcieknsderfer by telegrajii yesterday, but failed, he being 00 miles from Weber Station. I ordered telegram to be fornarded from this office to you, that Mr. B. sent to Chicago at Tremont House, and it passed through here the 22d. The purport of telegram was that .the line was located, on Black's Pork and at Narrowe; that parties were at work on rim of Basin at Echol 'c. that he had written you'on Saturday and again today. ^ from everything I can gather Mr. Evans is in charge of construc tion; Mr, Heed has gone to Salt Ijftke|f.;i|nd wij-l remain there till lo cation Is completed, &o. J\me, 18(^8. . , r " Col. Seymour telegre-Rjied the. Doctor that he had recalled .Maxwell, fro^ the v;est side of Lake; that Brighafi^ Young v/ould co^T^^ence work at Devil's Gate tomorrow. The. Sr. Durant countermanded his order recall ing MfeLxwell, and said he should not interfere with your orders regarding surveys and location west of Salt Lake; that If he wanted more men they woul'd be sent from Evans or Omaha. The Doctor was at the office yes- .terday for the second time since he was taken sick. He looks^ quite badly.. I commence traeing. of maps today. I some time ago gave J. C. Sanders a pass to Cheyenne. He brought a letter from you telling me to give him one and charge it to Eng. Act. Well the scamp ;sbld his pass to one Cook for J20, and the conductor found it out and put Mr. Cook off the train. The pass has been, sent ra4 from the Supt. office, asking an explanation and who Mr. Sanders is. I stated that I did not know that he brought a letter to me from you and I gave him pasd, frc.,. and that I would write and tell you the cir cumstances. ' • « . Laramie sales are slow; have sold $9000 worth of property to date. * Note: • Jno. Morledge to Gerl.'Dodge, Olarinda, Iowa, May 28:- eft^l&ses resolutions about land grant; wants land ^rant to help make a road through the centre (as near as practicable) of tier of counties. It is not the.case that the majority of the people of the southern tier of Counties in Iowa.are iij ^vor of a land grant by Congress to the lowa & Missouri State Une Railroad. wfv 'I' June, 1868. - • « -jW* Note: J. TJ. Keller to Gen, Dodge, Mount Ayr 3:- - ' 'G In relation to land grant'to State Line, R.R. W. Myers to Gen. Dodge, Omaha., 5: - . ' V ' . - l have yours of the -Sth of May, arid am pleased that you v/ere instrumental in getting up a good platform and a strong man to run with Gen, Grant for Vice Pres. The ticket and. platform is very strong; and gives great satisfaction- certain to carry this State,. N'-w, since ray old fj'iend Schofield is in the War Dept.. X can see no reason why I should not get-a hearing in my case. Please show him ra y printed notes clearly establishing that a great wrong-ill legalhds been done to» me. There has never been an officer set back in his ^ own corps as I have been. '' I-t seems to me that you can change ,the present law of promotion to Major, and when the first vacancy occurs give it to me in addition give "My'date and place in the Majors.., This will be just below Col. Chauders, and only in the posit on which the law clearly entitles me to, Schofield knows Moore and can say if he should have had promo tion over mo or not. .Still his case has gone too far, probably, to be changed in any way. Would my co^'ing to Washington flo any good? If so, I will get awAy fro™ here before you adjourn. Gen. Swords told me he would retired on the 1st of July coming. This will make the vacancy. * 1 intijfwled writing to Gen. Schofield but will ask you to lAy the matter before hi®. Wont Gen. Grant recommend mg to be restored June, 1868, to old place and r.ank in the corps,? Jt would not be asking any thing unreasonable. Gen, ^cHerran,, of the Q. Department, will give all the assistance you ^ay need 'fro® that Dept, He is a good friend of mine. Excuse me for troubling you with- my matters. Note:. A. G, Edwards to Gen. Dodge, St. Louis, 5:- Encloses statement of Acct, with Assistant Treasurer, U.S. Note:* J. K. HoUsr to Gen, ^odge, Omaha, 5:- Acknowledges receipt o,f vouchers to amount of #700,80. Note:- N. P. Dodge to J. E. House, Council Bluffs, 6:- '■ Wants dee'ds ,or titles in blank sent by Mr. Lcckwood, Gen. Dodge to J. K, House, New York, 6:- ; J shall leave Omaha for the west about the 20th, Want my camping .arrangements fixed up immediately. Have camp chest made to hold table room for 14 persons; also iron tent pins; a table to seat 12 and 15 oo 20 strong camp stools canvas top, . . If we have any sto«k with O'Neil or Pompellie that they dont need, teams, 4c,, I shs^ll want them to avoid purchasing ones. Se Gen, Myane and get him ,to make a trestle far mattress, andfrom it have eeversn. made for mo, . * Note:* G. Bailey to Gen. Dodge, Elkhorn, 7:- , • About con(3itlon of far®, stock, wood, ^c. Will not sell wheat yet; waiting to see If grasshoppers are going to destroy crops. June, 18G8. t vT. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lak,e 7:- (Telegrar^) t Matte-rs all right. Efforts a-re be-ing made through New York to change my location at Devil's Gate. It was made with care and is right. Be fully advised before making changes; detail& by mill, Not'e: C. C, H-yatts to Ge-n. Dodge, Fayettsville, 8:- * Acknowledges receipt of checks in payment for two deeds of land delivered; has acknowledged, the Ba^e to N.. P. Dodge, Gen, Dodge to J. E.'^!fouse, Washington, D. G. 8;- Were orders given by. us to retain fro-", sale the alternate lots in LaraT-ie City? If so I forget it. It is now too late to chang it, but I think hereafter we might as well sell all lats called for. "I expect to be out in a cruple of weeks or less, and unless you dan get profiles and-grade tables to me before I leave, you better re tain them. ' I want the grade tables to attach to ray report. Note: Geo, •^rton to Gen. -^odge, Leon, Iowa, 8«- " 1 In folation to grant of land to State Line R. R," Wants Gen. Dodge's assistance in the Iowa Southern, * 'Wote: J, T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 8:- Encloses articles of association, and certificate of organ ization of hank, * ' . . Note: 'Stewart Goodrell.to Gen, ^odge, Des Moines, 9:- For the appointment of George Christy F. W. paraer to Gen, Dodge, Des ^oines, 9:- lJSlIx. June, 1868, » t . By this ^ail ydu will probably g-^t a petition for the appoint ment of George Christ of this city as route agent on the Chicago, Rock Island" & Pacific Railroad west of Dec Moines. jt is the wish of the leading working Republicans here that you » should give this application the preference over any other coiring fnom V', here for the office of route agent on the extended road. . ! S. C. Thompson to Gen. Dodge, Leon, Iowa, 9,:- ■ ' I ajn one among the first settled in this County, ^ . . . . _ w 1 ' *'' '* and I only state what -I know to be the- fact, that by far the majority of the people of this county are in fUvor of the Southern Iowa Road, through or as near as practicable the centre of this tier of Counties ^ if such a Doad can be obtained. For I have heard a general expression •of views in reference to this matter, and I knov; that this southern Iowa Road <meets ,with the^r hearty approbation and wil" get their sup port when neo<lo«aiTJ I entirely ,aafe in vouching that any aid Congress may ««• fit to grant, in the way of land or otherwise, for the construction of an F. & W. road, if given to the Iowa Southern,wil meet with.the earty approbation of the masses of your constituents in this county, . » , Note:- AndrewJJ. Stevens to Gen. Dodge, V.'indsor, , Asks when the Wyoming Bill will pass the House, as he wants to be in Washington wfctan it does, , Daniel Bavis to Oen. Dodge, Washington, D. C. 9:- June, 1868. The fact of having been a soldier in the 0. Army * by some was considered no very great recommendation, for today I could have been at* work in f-.e Washington Navy Yard had I not enlist ed in the U. S. Army. I know in the above mentioned Yard, discharg ed soldiers met with no favor, excppt in one department of the Yard, under GTen. Stratton. It is emTpioyi'^ent r ask, nothing- else, and I think there is room 'in the Government employment for one more. Much more I should like to say were it not trespassing upon your time. Hoping you will be successful in your efforts, and thbt you will pardon me for thus troubling you, Note: HeiSler to Gen. "Dodge, Corinth, 10: In relation to appointment as Asst. Inspector Revnue. Note: A. H. Sharp to Gen. Dodge, Corydon, Iowa, 10:- IS informed that art effort is being made b" citizens in the 'county seats of tajntie, Appanoose »and Davis Counties to defeat the passago of a bill before Congress for a grant of lartds to aid in the con struction of the Iowa & Missouri State Line railroad. That the people in his county are in favor of the road, and have no confidence In the success of the Iowa Southern. *' ' *J. Blickensderfer, Jr.tto Gen. Dodge, M^uth of Weber, 10: (tel Massage received. Can overcome Wahsatch with 90 ft. grade without unusually heovy work; margin-named abundant; will not only June, 1868. . "in.'; , r. secure it but go fsir towards covering total cost of entire 90 ft. grade. Will keep out of contractors way witb location, and get over all pressure in few days, when you will hear again.. Myers to Gen. Godge, Omaha, 10:- I have yours of the 7th inst, and am glad that you have thought so soon of my case with a view of bringing it up for Schofiled's action. Gen. S. is an old friend and I served as his chief Q. whilst he commanded the Dept. of the ^^issouri. When he was ord K ' # • . . . ered away and assigned command in Tennessee, he applied for m© as his • « Chief Q. so you will see that I am no longer at the disposal of my .wijemies, as was the case while Stanton held the War Office. V/hy cant the programme you arranged be carried out? Change the law of promotion retaining the present number of Majors in the Q. Department. Oentls. Grant, Rucker, Sherman and the Secretary of War will■recommend this in Congress, Who will say that a Quatftermaster does not do more work and have more responsibility thrust upon him than a Paymaster or a pill dispenser or a few years graudation from a medical cplle'^e-feoth of whom are %jors. I wrote you a few days ago, and I have nothing special to say, in fact, it is a plain case and wants work, which Ir^am sure you will be stow when the occaaion presents Itself. If 1 can do any good by going t « to Washington then I will go. Please advise me on this point. Keep, me advised as to your wants for your pro' jected trip and t June, 1868. will have everything ready for you and party. Augur la between North Platte apd Bridger, t" f „• ' "" . , Is Gen,.Butler opposed to Grant? TOiy dont he drop impeachment? Further talk about it does no good. Note: J. V. Hayden-to Gen. Dodge, Philadelphia, 10:- If Govern^ient project fails wants to get into field along line of roa'-T as early as possible, • • • ' ' '' - ' Note: 'C. C. Carpenter tp Gen. Dodge, Des ^oines, lO:-* - Recommends Oeo, Christ for route agent, Note: 8, Goddrell to Cen. Dodge, Des Molnes, 10:-- Recommends Geo. Chriwt as route agent on C.R.I, & P.R.R, from Des Moines west. ^ J, L. Filliama to Gen. Bodge, New York, 10:- ' '.r*: Please arrange to have Webster go-with us from Omaha'to Sanders with any other engineer-who may be ^ore familiar with the sta tion buildings and structures. If 1 can find a friend who is an engineer, and who will be useful to ®e, I Will invite hi'" to go, and you ™ust pass hi®, ''y Son, at Sterling, Ills,, will probably also go with ®e to the end of the track, and rusticate a few weeks around the Black'Hills, . ^r, Boiiir is here," and says he will go with you to Salt Lakeleaving 0®aha about the 20th Jnst.' *y first letter.to Browning for escort being deficient and Idokirig rathai^^I^f^rt^ntious, signed by ®e 46^' » Jiine, 1868. alone ^ I withdrew it, hut finding ^r, Rollins' would go and ®e®bers of the Board urging it, I sent the enclosed, or copy, ;hy ^r. Rollins, who will get Brook's-signature. It ™ay aid you even if we fail to go. When You reach O^aha -and fix the day of your starting telegraph ^e at Ft. Wayne. ''^cCo^b is here, but does not act on Bridge', | , Jiave had a plain talk, and they propose co®''^eno-ing "^asonry On the Lodge Pole iTTimodlately " • ' The letter to Bhowning Win not be 'delivered till Saturday. RollIns will see you on'Saturday or Friday evening. Note:- J. L. Wlllia'ns & 'J. S. RolLina to Hon." Ov H. Browning, New •' York, -10: ' " ' ' « " - - " ' . Requests eacort for Government directors over U.P.R.R. surveys through the I^idian country, such as, in the opinion- of Gen, D.- M. Dodge, Chief Engineer of the roadj may be necessary Myers to Sen. Dodge, Omaha, 10:- Yours of the 10th inst is received, and I am glad to leam that * vou have had an interview with Gen. • Schofield in my case. I am sure he will do all he can for me, and do not expect that ^oore can be effected, neither do I desire this. The fi^t is now not for ^oore but for ^yers. W. If you can change the law so as to retain the - present number the balance can then be decided according to-the rule of.promotion affecting Staff Corps. I am certain that I have been overslau^ed without Justice or law, and am confident that June 1868. Schofield will apply the r^'^^'e^dy when the accasion offers^ o If possible, I want you to make It all .hight in the House. Thayer promises to do the saine^ in the* Senate, Gen. Swords will retire on July ■ '*'fV 1st, so he says, then my case can be fixed. • I will fit you out with the best I have, but fear I will fail on tiding animals, and it may be-necessary for ^you to buy sompj this can be arranged after you arrive here. T/hy dont some one in Washington issue a direct order making this a point of purchase? The merchants here and at the Bluffs have been , assured -that it was done, Stanton's order is liable to a construction which will authorize a pvirchase in New York as well as St, Loiiis. It does • not- c^ver the ground; it should be clear -and explicit, because it i-9 the true interest of the service to buy here ,t Why dont they require St,- Louis to oompetb -With New York? This country is not trib utary to St, Louis, rnd therefore .should .supply all the troops in this Departm^t. Have Gen, %wlins attend to this; it is important in many points of'View, Note;- J, Gardiner to Gen. Dodge, New York 11:- Wants hi™ to recommend the wooden limits of their company to Go ve rnmeift • - • • . Note: Fredk, LentzingOr to Gen. Bodge, Council Bluffs, 11:- Wonts position aS route agent on the C. B. & St, J. ■■ ■ r-".. -^Kr"', , June, 1868. .. « ' ,. No.te: Tm, J. Huntington to Gen.Dodge, Washington 11;- . v, - •03 5i,j. , 1 Statement of account, in First National Bank, y J . X J V A Note: 0. Ghanute to J. L. Wi lliams, Kansas City, 11:- About Bridge, Agrees with hi'^ ?bout going down deep with your foundation as located at omaha, and thinks it was wise in insisting upon 70 ft. in the channel present or prospective. Thinks the colu^Hns looks pokerish and would '^uch. hesitate to i-eco^^nd the'^, and thinks we can put down whole'^asonry pier with four ti'^es the base to f the sa™e depth for less money. J, J. Blair to Gen. Dodge, BlaAr Town,. Iowa, 11:- Your letter is received,- and you shall have what you want. I shall close all up on Saturday,-with old- Dubuque Company and pay up for what they have done, take possession and wait events. They write me from there that all will be rigiht^ , ^ I have had several aj^lications of your kind and one for double what you ask; nope below your- mark, so it would seem i can raise the means if the Legialature is all right. , , j . . • I just got hoine last night and leave for .Kew York tomorrow evening. A®es and Alla'ion 'caWe on Friday ight, . .Nebraska has voted a $125,000 ddnation. "What shall we do to ™eet their proposition? P. P. HeiidekTSon to Gen. Dodge, Indaola, Iowa, 11:- An effect has beon and is still '"aking to change .the Post Master at this plaoe and put in a ra-gular copperhead. The incumbent June, 1868. , * * is a sound radical, wa'-s a soldier in the old loVa 7th; gives satis faction to' all the Republicans. His rer^oval will give the Cops an ad vantage over us, '^ilT you do the' Republicans of old barren the favor I . . . - _ V V' to look after this matter, and see that i^'r. John Andrews is not removed? We wll give an increased majotity this Fall, t To Geh. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, ]1:- ' * I have yours enclosing $3000 hlieck for land; also one substi- '' tuting other contracts fob those not found, which I will look out and ,, forward to Mr. House, . , , , Mr, Hughes sets*his price for his half of Donihan ".Hughes propf '• x' ' erty at $22000. T have not figure uponit, but will 6 so when you ^ come on, and you can judge if it is a bargain or not. I am inclined to think it 4 good investment. « Baldwin will pay $800 «n his note, Dixwell of Boston has been here, and went to end of track on pass from Ames; went with N.T!. ^ excursion party, and much pleased 4ith the trip, ;■« ^ Oliver Ames Co Oen, Dodge, New York, 11:- , - r',t t! Your favor enclosing report of Blickensderfer -is received, and 8im" ^ry much- obliged to you for it. It shows-the importance of a more thdhotigh iWVstigtation of the obiginal iine, and if he shall suc ceed in ftriding a lirie throwing out .the tunnels, it will be a vast service to the C^J'^any and oduhtry* I am quite satisfied that wd shall be pleased with the course have taken, in having the parties report to you, I have never seen 't t: Jiine, 1868, - the Doctor so courteous and confiding as.he has been since I have — I ' * • . been- here these two days and I should think frcP^ B. letter that Reed ..• •and Seymour had not actually interfered with Biickensderfer's line, but simply asked for aid from his parties in preparing line for contractors. I will meet you in Omaha next. week. Rollins and Williams will go - out with UE over the road. I shall probably leave here.next Wednesday night and get to 0®aha say Saturday or Sunda^-, ^ Henry B. Ha^^ond to Gen. ^odge. New York, 11:- - - ^, ' - . - . . We send you herewith the ^ap of location of the line of the Union Pacific Railroad, from Weber Canon to north point of Great Salt Tj»tr , Which you desired to, be signed, sealed and returned to you. t , ' • - • Note: Gen. 0. 0. Howard to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 11:- • ,,f. 'Will furnish information in relation to be havior of blacks in the SouUi, as soon as i'. can be compiled. ■!' ■"; ; I: . . 0, H. Browning to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 12:- A copy of your letter of the 10th inot. asking that orders may be obtained on the Commander of the Department of the Platte, to furnish a military escort, &s.^to the party of Government Directors and engineers who propose to pass over the line of your road as far as ' ■ i surveys are in contemplation, has t is day been transmitted to the Secretary of War, with'the request that should the condition of the sorvipe allow it, orders of the character referred to he transmitted to .r;th® C^mmanjler;,of said Department. > t June y 1868, Note: Ezra laftcT to Gen. ^odge , Omaha, 18 Has* received letter on deposit of Bond, &c. auid will deposit e • , . . . . the $50,000 bonds soon as he can get the so"rt at rates to suit him .All other bonds are so terrible hl'3h has concluded" to take the Government bonds issued to the U.P.R.R. if he can get the® at ab ut par. Wants ®e to tell hi® where they can get the®'and at what rate. Thanks ®e for the interest and trouble I have taken in their behalf. ' • Note: J. C. Savery tiT^n. Dodge, Des ^oines, 12:- Wants ®e to use influence to get H, H. Steiner appditnted to a clerkship in 0. G. 0. ' Geo. E. Griffith to Geh. Dodge, Indianola, 12:- » " . I learn th'at since the impeachment fai-li^re the Cops of otir ^ place have made another atte®pt at the P. 0. Will you be kind enough to learn if such is the fact, and circu®vent the®? 'I a® very sorry to trouble you again, but I do so feeling it to be a ®a-tt&r of i®portance, , _ Note: F. W. Palmer to Gen. Dodge, Bos Moines, 13:^- ^ Suspects that as soon as Gohgress will adjourn the Copper head s and Rebels there will attempt to oust his 'friend George fro® the Post Office. Wants me to see Ewing, who® he thinks could prevent the 'tre®oval, as it is very i®portant the Cops should not have it. Note: Sa®l. B. Reed to H. C Crane, Echo Canon, Utah, 14:- In relation to plot as he thinks to fdroe hitn to resign. ^ June) 1868 Note: Sami, R.- Reed-to his wife. Echo. Canon, Utah, 14:- Haa just written a strong,protest and resignation, and sent • • •» c • • « . # . , by the aa"ie niaii as t is. Thinfes there is a plot to force hii^.to resign. Expects to be relieved, and almost hopes to. i' ■ Note: M. H. Bishard to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines,. 14:-. - Wants a position on the Pacific Railroad. .'if;. 'MRote: Mrs. S. B, Reed to Gen, Dpdge, Joliet, 15:- In relation to plot to force her husband to resign. Wants my influence In the matter, - , , • * ^ .k. U , ^ Geo. /^ichenor to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 15:- ^ I am in receipt of your letter, -"^elindy i? all-right and will not let Kasson on the stumpat all. ' ' Our people want Gen. G^ant fco come here en route west, and have telegraphed and written to him and you. I sincerely trust you can arrange with him to aome. You know this is the capital of an embryo e°^pire State; the very soul and centre of loyalty and radicalis™, and I think we have claims upon his consideration. What Will Johnson do when Congress adjourns? Woht he utterly ignore and disregard the tenure of office law? Regards to Mre. D. and Family. Note: Samuel Dana Norton to Gen. Dpdge, Cambridge, Masa 16:- , ' Wants a place for his friend Pierce. Mrs. Mary Kirby Smith to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 16:- June, 1868. • -' t Has in hef* possession a Land War ant which belonged "to Her con. Col. Kirby ^ith, and wishes to locate it on the line of Pacific Railroad. Gen. Augur thinks such Warrants cannot be located, but refers to me for positive information. • - / Sidney "Dillon to Geni Dodge; New York, 16:--" • . ' ' Since I last saw you some of my private business has gotten into such shape'that it is impdssible for to leave home without suffereing a severe loss; there fore I cant go to omaha with you. I regret it exceedingly. I will go out next month to stay for. so%ti"^e, I wish then to go o^er all of the work-to Salt Lake. I.hope to meet you iit that time. ^ When you go out to yoUr review I hope you will see that the grades are all right; at the same time if you can suggest any way to go round temporariliy the heavy poiht I hope you-will do so. When you get to that heavy work where Reed and Seymour are he eUre yoU are right, to have your location made before you leave it, so that they wont make any more trouble about it, I suppose -ou know that we have, two tunnell ing machines ready to" go out on that work. I ha^ that you change the lino so that we shant use the™. If so let uS know a s soon as pos sible. Some parties In York and on the line will try to make out that the work has beSi '^tarded by not having the line located, but we June, 1868, i ■ 'I all know better, i wish yoh to ke^p me? posted about the surveys and how things look on the line, and what is goiirg oTi;" %en I was in Oinaha I told ^r. ^nyder that the best thing that we could do with the Bridges orf th^ old road was to put in stone arch culverts where the spans were not over'10 ft; fro® that to 100 ft.- stone bbut^ents with iron brid*ge. Have hira shove it aheajd as fast as possible; if they ar not, I fear our folks-will divide so close that we' will not have money enough left to do them. I hope you- will havo a good time this season. * private: I think that Sey®our and Reed have an interest with al those partie's that have taken work at Salt Lake . When- ybu see any of the®, i/ y^ou work it right you can find out all abdtit it. Make the® all believe that we are all glad. I would give ®os.t anything to know if it is so. I vTOxild be a good poirtt. 'Be sure before you speak of it. Mr. Chapln is going out with you. fee is all right. .1 sent the wrong letter by Chapin^^y' J. E. House to Gen. ^odge, Omaha 16:- 'I sent ydu the other, what purported to be Order No. 1. From letter received this morning from Mr. Evans, the thing has prove abortive; was nipped in the bud. Evans tendered his resignation i®®e diately upon a copy'being handed hi® duly signed, &c, occasioned considerable co®™otion, waa not what was expected and.led to a dis- June, 1868. • ■ * cussion as to its '"erits, &c. Evans thinks that the Colonel has been effectually squelched again for a time, and the attempt to place the engineering in the hands of the Consul tor has tnogt signally failed. I have never received the Order dul; signed, &c. and think there are none extant.^ Neither have I received any coi^rounication fro^ the Colonel hi^^self pro or con, or fro^ the Doctor either. I xmderstand that if Evan*s resignation had been accepted that I would, have been ordered to Ft. Sanders, and have been given the privilege of eating dirt too, but that stroke has been averted, and am extremely thankful. What* shall be done with those young men who have received appoint ments this spring? The wor' is drawing to a close, and ^any of them ^ are oqt of Employment. I have nothing for them here, and Evans has nothing west, please adviser me as soon as convenient. J. Bliolcensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake City, 17:- In my meesage to you dated 7th inst. I promised details by mail. .This promise I have not hitherto redeemed, for reasons you will fully understand before I get done with this letter. previous letters have advised you -of the position of things •Up to the time your meaaago of the 28th ^ay, formally notifying me that myself and parties were subject to your orders only, was received. This message after an xinusual delay reach'^d mo in the evening of the 2nd of ^une af of Echo, where I was at work with the parties of Morris and IrtWrtooe, trying to discover the best route for the final location of that part of the line. Seymour and Reed were at Weber ' ',. 1 I June, 1868. ' r with Maxwell, directing him in the location thence down the valley. The message, I saw at a glance ha'^-heen written by you on receipt of my. letter encloeir^ copy of.Durant's order, and at once.advised me of .the true position, of things. Tliis was enough, and^y position was not only clear but suited ^e exactly. The substance of the message with ..a suitable explanation of the position was communicated bo Messrs. ; Morris and Lawrence with the statement that I hoped Seymour would on being shown your telegram at once accept the position without forcing me to a decision as between masters; but that if he did force me to such a decision my course was clear, and if the" (Morris and Lawrence) had any hesitation in regard to their proper course in such an event I wanted them to decide the matter then and there without delay. They both professed that their only source of authority was myself and that they shpuld look to ®e alone, I then directed the® what to do until I should return sayiag- I ®ight be absent so®e days and gave the® to underbtand I should allow no faltering, and next ®orning rode down to ICeber. On arriving at Weber I- futind Seymour and Reed and Maxwell all gone down the line; Maxwell's party having just fairly commenced the location. After answering your message of 28th May I followe down and ®©t Maacwel-t at" »outh of Lost Creek returning, the others having I gone on, ' On the way down a ®e88enger overtook ®e with y ur ®esaage fro® i. N ew York of June Ist# to which I immediately returned an answer by the flisns irtaasenger, To Maxwell I shoed your telegram, and sp4ke in 'l' ■ V .-•# ' ■ 'fV V. '•■ June, 1868. * '' '• the sanie i^anner I did to ^orris and Lawrence, and he at once profes sed entire satisfaction and allegiance. I further stated to hi^ I should order hi^ hack* to his survey west oif'Mud Creek and suggested, as I expected to overtake Seymour and Reed in a few miles, he had better go along, which he did. * " Oh reaching the stage station in the narrows, I found Seymour and Reed there, and showed Seymour your messages. He promptly stated your messages made to differenc'elo him; Durant's authority was paramount, and his course would not be altered, I then remarked t had hoped he wouftd not pu me under the implesant necessity of compelling to decide which was the ranliing officer in this businesg that I was wilt ling to affaord hi"" and ^r. Reed all the aid in my power to facilitate their getting contractors to work, and meet their suggesti ns whenever I could do so without conflicting Flth your instructions. But this would not do, I must take my position, which I then did without"hesi- 'tation. The result was a' conversation of some length in the conarse of which it was more than intimated I might expect an order sending me home; Seymour stating that if I ordered Maxwell back, he would order him to remain, end on his intimating a desire to know "what I /would do in that event, 'I promptly informed him I should immediatelyUiamiss every "*an who refused to obey my orders, stop the pay of every insubordiante person, plaee parties in new hands or if necessary organize new parties and carry out y<kir orders4 ' 1 thought this declaration staggered hi®, but I had ®ade up my iiifttld and-by all that was good I ^ June, 1868. '7^'^'' •/ .y-intended earnest work. ":n • • . Finally T gave Maxwell his orders in the hearing of both Reed anfl. Se^^mouri and he went back while I rode down, the valley with them to "Bates* camp-at ^ou^h pf Canon, where he had been at work rearrang ing the location,-of the Ganon-and Dev I's Gate according to Seymour's iis.I*/ ideas. Herd for once Bates* extre-^e inertness did me a'great favor. .'Ho had been directed by Seymour to raise my grade at the Devil*s Gate «.4. ".IIO "ft, and relocate the .entire' line and stake out the work for Brighi™ Young*e ™en who'tere there ready to co'^nence. ■ 'My idea is the grade was raised not because the cut was too deep j. at the Gate, but becaixse a high elevation orjce fixed at that point would afford.a good plea.for a steep grade in the canon, in order to get low enough %t lower end. Bates consitutional indolence allowed him to dftTly with the matter and keep the contractors making roads, &c until tHe evening 1 arrived, when I ripped the whole thing up again and ordered such a location as I could sanction and in accordance with your views4 ftad Bates been quicker I shpuld"have had trouble; as it was I got along well, hut have since learned Seymour and Reed were terribly dlaSatisflod with him. Bfttes.was set right and the sa™e night I proceeded to the City, , Hodgea had received ®y order of recall and had arrived at mouth Weber Canon on Sunday, May 31st. He had gone to city to refit his ^ ahfttterdd teama and get supplies. There he had received Seymour*s Vr /■ -■ June, 1868. . " • order to go to head of Echo for the purpose of making examination of route by Yellow Creek Stage Station and Needle flocks, as I wrote you sd)me time since. He had telegraphed me this and daid he would not be ready to move before ^onday the 8th June.' It was now'the evening of the 3 ^ June. On arriving in the city in the morning of the 4th I received your letter of 24th and 26f,h May v;hich fullj"- explained all. On seeing Hodges and after a long talk with him, i found on urging him that he said he thought he couTd "move on Friday the 5th aijd believing him willing and more energetic and sefl reliant tiian .Maxwell I decide i -'to send him at once to.promontory Point to take up Majcwell's prelimin ary line from there, and take the advance in the movement westward, letting'Maxwail follow with the corrected location. He left on the 5th under urgent orCfdrs to make every exertion, and I think with his ^ambition well stirred up. His orders contemplate the extension of his line to Humboldt Wells and he will gb there in the ehorbest possible time, unless otherwise instructed or recalled. I have had no advice from hi® since he left, but expect to hear every day. He probably reached Prc^ontory Point on the 9th and, is >^ow no doubt well on his way to north end of Lake, His crdejfs are to send me map and profiles of each weeks work without fail, even'should'it in order to do so, be neOesdifeiry to special ra a4iatwi|f«ps - to nearest points of com®unica- ' I-) tion. wiui 'iftopped at mouth" of Vebar Canon and;directed to c onmoncc Juno, "868. permanent location from there west. Tlien I last saw him on the 11th he wag well on his way a^. by this time should be near Island v/ith his line. , . From, the city X returned to TVeber Canon on the evening of the 4th and deterniined to remain there until that line was finally and •fully located. But although I knew Capt. Bates was inefficient before the hundredth part was .unknown to mQ,. Ylhen I got into the field with t his party he proved tb a2g,_.so entirely without. discipline, force or ^ffieiency that I soon lost all patience, took Matters in hand person ally; drilled, discharged and woke up the ®en-for several days in a way which I apprehend was new to the®. I found neither Bates nor S^ith had jud^nent for such work as that in the Canon and was forced to work the par^X my.self even in detai] . The fact is, t have rarely in all tt y experience found a man so totally inefficient as is Bates, smith is a better worker, bht with all his knowledge, of theory, .a mere child in practical Judgment; a merajjan of formula or routine. »•« i I ThUis I worked ork this difficult line, where it is a good day's work to make half a ®ilo, until ''odnesday the 10th inst, when to ®y great regret I was taken down with an attack of inflammatory rheu®a- * ■ « tir® which on Thursday drove out of the field, and compelled me to make for Uie city where 1 have been under thet.doctor's hands ever since. I am now convalescent and hope in a fev/ days to be out again. The V A- » . 483 ■ rl June, 1868. * * attack was no doubt induced by a general derangement of the syste^^, which corrected, will, I think,-soon cuase all other irregularities to disappear. Before I left the Canon "ost of the line through it was finished, and the contractors were fully at work on my line. The disarrangeTT^ent of parties by Seyr^our, the correction of this ireegularity; the close personal attention required by th'-' loca tion in the Canon, and my illness, constltutethe only apology I have to offfer for failing to write ymi as stated in my telegram, or to keep ■I ^ ' up that regulard and frequent correspondence vrhich you have a right to expect, and which it is always a pleasure for"™e to extend to you. r In regard to progress'of location; three lines have been run at ^ head of Echo, neither of which pleases me. Since these have tieen completed, 'their general "features and probable cost made known, Ac., I have not'been able to be on the ground and ^ust see before I can decided, as I am atttiaflod that liftprovements can be made. We have done mudh Work at this point; running not less than 60 or 70 "^iles of line carefully^ The principal peculiarities of those lines are shown by the following tablo; Morris, Length, 7 388-1000 ^a. ♦ o Total Curvature, 671 ru ' Hodges. ^ Lawrence, f 462-1000 Mb. ' 1^0 347-1000 Ms, Lawrence, 806 1-2' Ascent 0 ft 20 ft. * 1165 3-4° 76 ft, Descent 511 , . '.I June, 1868. Length Tunnel '^A \ f> A . t .>;r 2500 ft. Estimated coSt of constructionL 800 ft.' " • '400 ft. $1,009,142 $715,888. $668,640. Co™'ercial cost allowing for curvature, extra length, &c. '• f 'l 762,692 ' • : $762,212. $961,272. The least radius used on either line is the same, 955 ft (6° curve) but the alignment of Mortis* is much the best, and Hodges' next. Tnere is a prospect, if-the Lawrerrce'-line should be adopted, 6f diminishing the extra distance at least a miie and the curvature about 130 bytaking a new line frEpa the su'^mit eastward, which would diminish the commercial cdsf'about $100,000, taking it about $861,000 or.$100,000 more than Hodges lino, while the actual outlay in constructionw ould be about $50,000 less. The question see^s to .be between these two lines, Hodges being a little ™6re favorable, except in regard to snow; in which resjbecti th^ other tMi8 decided advantage, but in align'^'ient the Lawrence line is decidedly .inferior to both the'Others, ^orris' line follows the valley, sa^e as Reeds; Hodgest deflects to the west and takes another ravine, while Lawrence's deflects to east and follow same Valley as stage road. I will finally canvass thea^ lines on the ground as soon as possible, tf it were not fcr the'great cost of the Korrlc lin-, it wottld be the one which 'In after years oould be worked moat easily artd satisfactorily. ' • A line was also run down the ttaln Yalisy.en a grade of a 100 ft. per mile, and an estimate '■ade for ac-parlson,. The saving by it would 1 , - June, 1868. ' jamount to $210,000 over Morris' line,, anr^ no ^ore; and no equal saving . ■ - .. . could "be effected by introducing ,a grade of 100 ft. per mile on oither of the other lines. ■ • t • ' • ' « Let me here remark that, notwithstanding Col. Seymour's charge, * t C • that the adoptionf of my line would-be suicidal policy to the company, I am willing he should locate any other line he pleases over this .grotmd, offer all .the arguments in its f^vor, and make all the objec tions against mine which heljah bring forward, and I will engage to Mb meet every one of them in a manner satisfactory to yourself or your Board of Directors, qr to any other body of reasonable men. A.sk him to take wBriy Ipart of ™y line and qpeci^fy his objections and I will ■ dertake" to answer them, r want no general ^charges, they ^ust be spe cific and tangible. If objectiona exist to my worH they can be easily polntad out Bpeclfloally. .I«t hi™ do it, and let hi" at the sa"e tl^e see that he Is.ppeparml'Wlth a better location In each case for he will surely be called on to offer it. One remark i wish" to make in regarc^ to 90 ft. grades at head of Echo. This TXJrtion of'your road being ^more exposed to snow and for a longer p»rlod of the year than any other, I think a grade of 90 ft. any ohere elr.e *111 present leaa difnoulty m the working of the road than it will here; and therefore no where else whould you expend more money to oeoure a low grade than.*t«it«.point. % opinion le that ■ you Will find a grade of »«• ft. In the Biaok Hins.a smaller oh jootlon ■ than at the head of Soho. and by no-.-aunner of "eana therefore should P e, 18 it be exceeded, rathe,r, if possible, reduced^^ • r • I did not^ consider your instructions, presented to '^e in Washing ton,. as obliging me to adopt a grade of 90 ft,, but as indicating your desire not to exceed that limit unless in, my judgment I dee'^ed it ab solutely necessarj for the best interests of the road,. This, I am sat isfied is not the case, end therefore have paid no attention to higher grades expept' for purposes of comparison as above stated. T^e margin of $300,000 to f500,000 which you give to secure a grade of 90 ft. per. mile is a^ple, as you will see by the facts submitted. ^ I am really in hopes I shall get put this week yet, when I shall soon bring matters to a close; meanwhile Morris is locating down Echo, and by the time this reaches you will have the lin. completed from foot of 90 ft. grade to Weber narrows., where Bates' work heretofore done a'-ounts to nothing, but which Morris will soon finihh. Bates and his % I asBi&tarvt- John F. 9mUh W^re op Monday last relieved from further dutj on location and turned ovor to Mr. Reed.^ He was of no use to meonly in the way, and I have placed his party in other hands, to work from Devil's Oate pp ^the river. I hope now they will effect something. Lawrence le locating, Bear River country from head of Echo to wards rim of Basin, and will soon get that lino roa^^y. Hudnutt is so»e diatatro^ ,.<iown ^ddy or by this time on Black Fork making his way eastward* The eof^y part of o\ir line will.soon be off our hands. The difficult pointa.goaaume timej,-but I assure you we have not been idle, « ■ . ' JLOt! ' 1 ? 1 111 * itAl - . June, 1868, • < > ' and I did not like to leave them until done. < ' V Hudnutt failed with his 53 ft. grade over rim, and "ly telegram (f^ saying it could he overcome with that is therefore a mistake.. The lowest he has secured id 70 ft. per mile. I still think it worth try- '^'^^^ing to secure a lower grade, at the proper time. I should have stated that Seymour never consulted me when he tel egraphed' about grades,- ,^3 ^t'ou wrote in yours of 3d inst. and if lie ' stated that nothing less than ICQ ft. was decided on at that time, he must have referred to decisions exclusively his own, for he knew I ', f • .. . then favdred and strongly urged a 90 ft. grade and Reed coincided with me. I think no great diffictilty will be experienced in building ' temporary tracks, should they ever become necessary. ' ^ I may be allowed to aa;- It Is my fault you have riob heretofore had profile and »ap of Green River lin-^. you tolegranhod to Jolivcr copy to Read I thou^tlessly asstFed that a delivery to him was a delivery to you.' You shall have a copy immediately. I hope also 'in a few days to' send you cop4es of other locations and of Max well's explorations. When I get out again I hope soon to- see the present pressure over, and arrears of work brought up rapidly when I will let you have papers without further delay. Note: Frank Adams to Gen. Dodge, Laramie Gity, 17:- > Concerning hie pay &c. ' Note: Llat of land near TJ. Pi R. R. depot. J, L, William* to ®en. Podge, ^t. Wayne, Ind, 17: »< » r y Jiine, 1868. You favor from Washington received. I wrote -^mes to be at Omaha two or three days before the- 29th inst, so as to go West on that day. Another letter enclosed from Chanute read it; it will be profit able oven though hls^ opposition columns be rather extreme.. If he is right as to sizre and thickness o-f columns in ^'urope, recently used, then ^cAlpine is very ^uch wrong, and not a safe counselor. Things will get very mu'ch muddled if wo heed -both of them. Perhaps you can plan a safe structure, taking-the good points of both. Our folks who control ought to understand'Chanute''s views as well as McAlpines. They were certainly Iti" the first instance led by Mr. McA Ipine greatly to underrate the difficulty of the Omaha site. . . Did you get fro™ Browning any further views as to U.P.R.R. operalions? He said ho would request Gen. Directors to examine road, but has not yet. Suppose he leaves it to us. I shall neport ao far as I know, of location send constructi'on before 1 start. Wm Robbins go out? ' • ' We ought' tb do all Wo'oob-to adhere to B lickensderfer' s location, Noto:- Exra Mi Hard to Qen. Dodge, Om.aha, 18:- " Concerning deposits of-the P. 01 Dept. Says it is all sent away to St. Joseph and Chicago wants it .placed with them, and wants Gen, Dodge to help thowi Note: n", ©abiriffo 6ent DMge, Gwoat Bend, Pa, 18:- - June, 1868. Encloses, calculations with reference to the pressur©jT,©f wet sand against the iron columns. Note: Formula required to find the pressure of the water and of the bank of wet sand against the pillar. E. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 18:- (Telegram) and to VI. F. Coolbaugh, banker: "Gilman out of town. Shall I send papers or wait his return? ^Answer. J, T, Baldwin to Gen. ^odge7 Council Blufs, 19, (Telegram) Get s.ubscription paper of Coolbaugh and bring with you. To Gen. Dogge froin his 'brother. Council Bluffs, 19 (Telegram) Julia wroter for nurse and- babe, to come _ ^ Note: B. B. Qaker to Gen. Dodge, Des ^oines, 29:- . Concerning Post Master at Montana, Iowa, Dont want him re- ,moved under any circumstances. • . :Note. G* 17. Sclfofield to Gen, Dodge, Was Ington, 20:- • f.v ' . 'Concerning Col. Adams* advancement. If I can. do anything for ... I him in the way of a higher position in the civil engineering it will confer a favor upon himsalf. Gen. Lippinoott, Doorkeeper of the House, and many others, . , Note: Geo. Burton to QaW. Dodge, JiOon, lowa, 21:- '' Concerning R.8, through southern tier of counties. Is surprised that profiles have been made of both the State line and Road through ienti'e. of the southprn tier of cotintlos, as he was not aware ^ Jun6, ' 1868, • t that a profile of the road could -be made without a survey, and is ?ully av/are that the State line has never been surveyed farther west thai pleasai^t Plains in this coimty. The Central road was sur veyed several years ago commencing at Ft. Madison and ending at Nebraskas City, and .was then and is now considered a very favorable line for road. Pears Rqbinson may be endeavoring t6 impose on members with some imaginary work for profiles which suits his fancy best, as the Line road has never been surveyed "^ore than half way across the State, and it only preliminary;, and the survey of the Central .route cleai^ through tho '^^ate was only a preliminary one,, niebher of which ■-is sufficient t,Q enable them to make profiles of the roads, Hopes Gen, ^odge will take Vhe ra att/er under consideration. 3. Blickensderf^r, Jr. to J. L, VJilliams, Echo Canon, Utah, 21^- Yours of 1st ^ay was duly received, but as it did not seem to require an immediately answer I have deferred writing until now. I begin to see plainly the reasons of your urgency for tho loca tion of this Work, as expressed in your previous letter, Mr, Reed and Seymour at-e here; ' arrived In this country two weeks ago and al though I think they have seen enough to satisfy themselves of the dif ficulty of locating line here early in the season, they are now less urgent to hurry up the work, and to adopt temporary expedients. I found Seymour a strong-advocate of high grades and cheap allngment, urging the adoption-of grades of 100 ft 4 or even 116. ft. per mne to June, 1868, t • ' cheapen the work; just the reverse of what he was-'last seas'ion in the Black Hills, when strenuously argued that eveh if an 80 ft, grade was attainable, the extra expenditure of $100,OOa to obtain a grade of 86 ft, per "^ile rather than one of 90 was no object. Reed seems less disposed to adofit grades over 90 ft. per mile. They have handed me an order of Durant, clothing .them with full poner both t^direct, control and even to rescind former orders of Chief in regard to ©Very thing, and appointing ^eymour act ing Chief Engineer in I>odge*s absence. Vfhat this will a]^l result in I do not know, butt I entertainIgreat Tears.' I find Dodge's vi-ews as expressed in hfs notes on old profiles and Maps, and as given in our^ personal interviews exceedingly correct and pertinent. He^seems to grasp the general position-of things wel"', and my estimate of his en gineering capacities has been by no means di^inshed by ™y observations since I a® here. I am so much hurried, and have been-so much delayed by climatic difficulties that 1 shall not be able to do for this location vhat I could wish; yet I think I shall nevertheless be able to get a pretty goodknowledge of thd country and of its engineering capabilities, such as will'protect ™e fro ®aking any great mistakes. At Green Riv er I succeeded pretly well, getting a line over the supmlt between Green River and Blacks Fork with 60 ft, per mile. On the rim of the Basin-I Shall g^t a line with 75 to 79 ft. and here one with 90 ft. i June, 18G8. .'*1"' , Whether these will be,permitted to stand, I cannot say, of course. On the east, side of the Wahsatch and on the west side of the rim, that i 3 no whether in Bear River Valley, will there he any grade exceeding 60 ft. per mile, and thus a train once on the summit of the Black Hills can reach rim of basin.with no ascending grade exceeding 60 ft. to ovCr come, and vice versa. A train once on the sum-"it of the Wahsatch can reach San'-iers withottt,encountering any ascending grade over 60 ft. per mile. This result I have labayed to obtain, and have succeeded without heavy work. ' ; Vy opinion is that a grade of 1 1-lQO or 52.8 per mllw would have been obtainable without great expense between Sanders and th'^ rim. and I incline strongly->9 the opinion that I can overcome the rim of Basin without exceeding 60 ft. on either side; thus sending a train from Black HiUs to Salt Lake Valley With no ascending grade exceed ing 60 ft. in,the way. Hudnutt_tried t^ is and tailed, and I told him toufB On, but I 9m very loth t« give it up and think I shall request tJen. Dodge to allow me to re-examine that location (on eastern side of rim of Basin) after our hurry is over a little. i I think with good weather I shall have the entire line to Salt Lake Valley located by 20th June, or very nearly so, and we can set conti^actbriW to. work any time after the present week. In regard to showing my previous letter to Gen. Dodge and sending June, 1868. TT: ' « '" • extracts to Ames &c, I did not expedt it, but I have so much confi dence in 3''our discretion and judgment in such matters, that I will not object to any use you may deem it'proper to make of my communica tions. Note: P. A, Wheeler to Gen. Dodge, Rome, 21:- :V. Wants appointment as Route Agent in the P. 0. Department. F. S. Hodges to-Gen» Dodge, Camp'54, West shore Promontory Point, I write in haste to .say that "the Bear Lake Trip developed no route better than Echo; in fact, there was left but one spot undermined through which a practicable line might be run. I was not a':le to reconnoitre it, but doubt if it is practicable. Am now enorute moUth Weber via Promontory Point'for H. ^ Wells; will have a hard trip. A-good and cheap line can be located around this range. ' ^ . .. - — Sherman to Gen. I^o^ge, St. Louis, 22;- . . I got home yestei*day fro^ Sanata Fe, And fo^nfl your letter of Juno 9th, and was a littl4"lfi doubt "where to address you; but as I was ooming along 4 th ^t re At an hour ago I mot Mrs. Dodge, who told me you wero at Omaha, and that she would go tomorrow tcKansas City and thence homfe. * As to*6«n. Grant, t Sstrdly tnot that ti^ do. PftliticB have always been to me so repugnant tRAl'' I dare not mingle in the without doing something unnatural. I have not heard from him personally since his June, 1868. ■ « • nomination, and must await-hl^ invitation, Itake it forgranted that he will be elected# and dont see wherein I can aid him. Everybody should know my confidence in him, and my interest in his election and politicians would easily interpret any effort on my part as -ure sel fishness, damaging to him and to mfe alike. ' j 1 must stay in the service be the result what it may and I shoul-^ manifest rib prefo'^e'nce that .would complicate my relationts to the future Prosident, be he Ti^om ha liiay* M 3r-tdea is that we of the army must be faithful to the actual President., as .we form an essential part of the Executive of the Nation. - Should Chase be nominated by.the Dernocrats, a caqe hard to be lieve yet publicly disc- ssed, I would be absolutely heutral, because all 7/e of the army can ask is that a wiar man should be President. 'Should Pendletorr or any ilnti-wair rfian be ndtninated I would not hesi tate to declare publicly my pi*eferdl:rtte. As to Schofield, of course, I regard his appointment as eminently proper, ' I 'think it had "been arranged for befo^ e .1 left Washington. I know r gave my "Influence to that isnd before I left Washington in April, ' * Ifi I'art permitted to stay out West this "suramoc, I think will spend some time on the Pacific road about Ft. Sanders whon I will see you, of couf-ae, I hear-that Gen, Grant Is going to Denver soon, but J\ine, 18681 I know of ife only in,the newsp^ers.yf , - ^ , Note: P. 0. James to Gen. Dodge, Leon, Iowa, 22:- O' • ) j About Post !.^astor at that place; says the Copperheads there ^ emboldened by the .failure o-f impeachment" are making an effort to get the present Post Master at that place removed an^ thd vilest of Cop perheads appointed in his place. Wants Gen. Dodge to defeat it. Note: Hrs. S. B.v Reed to" Gen. Dodge,- Joliet 22:- Encloses pencil sk'efohr of Mr. Reed's resignation and protest that has gone to New York. Thinks there Is a conspiracy between Mr. Snyder and Evans to have her husband re,sign. Gen, John Gibbon to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sanders, D.T. 22:- , Will you give me perratlBsion to take say ten of the R.R.lots reserved in the town at North Platte for Col. Dodge and myself? The lots to be selected from those in blocks 32, 33, 34-, 35 by Col. Dodge. If so, send me the authqrity at once. When may we e*pec' you up here? I.-'v ilote: R. A. Collins t© den. Dodge, Brooklyn N. Y. 22:- •'g ' Wants situation in an engineering party on R. Note; W. w. Walker to Gen. Dodge, Cedar Rapirds, 22:- • Concerning the Bridge for the S,c. & P.R.R. over Missouri River. Note: Sami; Worrey to ®en. Dodge, Leon, Iowa, 22:- June, 1868. . . ' ^ In relation to line of State" Line Railroad. Has lived there aoine tr.irteen years and neve.r heard of any surveys of that line; that it never was made, . . P. Me-lendy to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 22:- . ' ^ ^ In order to pay ;the necessary expenses Of the campaign, considerabid means are required which must be raised by contributions from office-holders and candidates. The Central Committee have deter mined that in the eqtial dtStribution of such expenses,, your portion 'will bd $100, which you will Jlease foj-ward to jne at your earliest convenience &o, '• ' i : . . . , W.' S. McCorab to-Gen. Dodge, Wilmington, Del. 22;-' -i|.r n- -, < ■ I understand through-several of our mutual friends, that you have helped Mr. John Duff*s son, J.' R. Duff, to• the^ maans of making k a large sum of money, din buying tip the choice lots in towns establish ed under ^'•our dlroction; Cheyonnd particularly. As it iB Intended to be made a matter of investigation by some o our associat s, I would liki to haVe yon say to me whatever you feel warranted in doing, as peraorlal friend, I hope believe it not t6 be 80. • • Odr friend, Capt. Cralg, of Philadelphia, seems a good deal disnatisfied at the condition of his purchase. There is only a moiety or . the quantity'fou marked on my Aap in J. F. Wilson's noom the night I Jxme, 1868, -' " . ' authorized the .rtefchase for him, and I reTy on your making it all right, :• J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen., Podge, Salt Lake City 22:- Yours of 10th inst, is at hand. I .am happy to say I am nearly well again, and shall, leave the city today for' Weher. Although I have not the profiles and maps ready to send to. you, I am able to report, however, that the efatire line from head of Echo to rim of Basinv; ill be located by Wednesday of .the present week. Col, Hudnutt al-so. adviseh' me that" he expects to finish his work dTiring the present week, connecting the line from, rim of Pasin to Green River. From foot of 90 ft. grade at he^d of Echo to Weber narrows will also, be (ione- by tomorrow or Wednesday .-evening, and from mouth Weber Canon to a; point about two miles above Devil's Gate by sr.^^ time, fhe largest gap remaining is fVom two miles above Devil's Gate to head of Weber narrows- about 20 miles, which remains unfinished. Bates should hav e had this done twice over, but between his \maccountable rflbimess and his being moved about by Seymour, and making those distinct locations through the Canon at and below Devil's Gate (or par tially so) his part of the line is unfinihhed. - Two parties are at work here, Morris from head of narrows down, and Bates old pawtj? undOr Mr. MoCabe with my assistance, from Devil's Gate up. file first of July I hope will wee it finished, and for this reason I 'tfetlld rather not b* qalled to meet you at Green Rlvei;' until that date or after. My last letter has informed you of dispositdion of parties west. That letter also informed you of the nature of the change made by Sey mour i n Weber canon. T'le grade was lifted up bodily 10 ft. without suggesting any other grade but r.O ft; although I have given you my opinion in regard ta the ob'ject of it, which I think is confirmed by facts not stated in my. lette s, - ^ You may have jjiferred from jny 1 ast letter that I had given up the idea of a grade of 60 ft. over rim of Basin. By no means, and I will add that- since that- letter was. written, I have received Hudnutt' s pro files ef lines over rim,, and the.y go very far to confirm my opinion formerly expressed, that the same grade can be had over rim of Basin which was had over Green River and Black's Fork summit and with much lighter work. All .X ijant .is a little more time, to examine and work out the problems. ^ I will happy to.see yqu out here, as your presence will have a good affect in many "ways, although I cannot say that I am troublefl about management of parties since my position Is taken, for Seimiour keeps aloof. I have not, sten him for three weeks nearly. Copy of telegram of C. Durant to Ames. By slight chaixgeo on, unfinished portions of llnesj we reduce quantities and save &t head of Echo, and about $150,000 in Weber, and- improved lines, . ■ . . F. V. Hayden to Gen. Dodge, Washingtqpi, D. C.22:- June, 18C6. ^ " I ara eorry I failed to get here before you left for the west. The failure of thr passa'ge. of any appropriations for further surveys, leaves me now entirely without funds to continue my western researches. Can yoii give me a position as geologist, on the road for a few months, as you talked of last winter? B beg you will let me know soon so I V7ill be able to decide, my smmer's work. If I could go into the field now, I could have four monthjs good, hard work in the field. If you can possibly take ttie with you this s\immer, I beg you will do so, and let me know soon.*' ' • . * J. Blickensderfer, Jfr. to Gnn. Dodge ," Salt Lake, • 2-(Tel >gram) , " Leave the city today for Weber., About when will-you want me to meet you at Green River? Give me all the tlwe you can. Have ^ written. Answer to Weber» Arthxir Edwards to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, Ills, 251'• ? I can make good use of your reports on Pacific R.P. and any other papdre you dhoofle-to send me. I nsk this directly from you by cuggestion Of G rn. it. B. tfhd Dr. White, with whom I had the pleasure cSf going over your lioad. I enclose account of my trip. Note: John Pierce to Gen. ^odge, Denver, 23:- ^ About roM from th©t*»'to.Cheyettne. Thinks they arc being fooled with by d^anta Settlement of location; wants me to telegraph him and *111 moot me 8it Choyepne, Wote: John Duncombe to N. W. Hoxie, Molngona, d3:- June, 1868. Wants from.6 to 12 cars pqr day xintil January for coal; has written Dunlap, also written Durant. Speak to Gen. Dodse about this. Note: H. M. Hoxie to Gqu. Dodge, Read this letter and write Dunlap about selling them all the coal they need'up to ten cars per day. If it can be done the stock will pay a good thing. Please attend to this. ^ . Note: J. C. '•'fcFerran to Gen. Dodge, ■'Washington, D.G. 25:- •Concerning (Jen. Myers promotion to a Colonelcy in ,Q.M. De-^^t. The Q. T.T. General and Gent, Grant h^ye in their annual reports recommand and urged it, and Gdn. Schofield has promised that ht would addross- a note to each of the Military Co'nmittees of the Senate and House enolosiittg a copy of the enclosed Joint Resolution and urging its passage, fants me- to give my special attention and have it made into a law. ' yp Mrs. Doiflgo to the ,®eneral, Kansas pity,^ 26 - * Hsrve "been here several days. Shall go up the river next week. Lottie is getting better; want of strength the principal trouble now. I received your dispatch from St. Louis. A-m very anxious to hoar about the bhildren now. I expect to hear from you before you go West; arid hope you haye sorte time to spend with the children before you go. I hope yow will write how Lettio is getting on in health and her studies. ♦ I saw Gen. Sherman, in Louis. He said he had received a lettor from you; was going to write you at Omaia and I think he said ho I was going out wssi. iWeather here is disagreeable, rf ry eaad. dusty. Kansas City improv ing ■wonderfully. Doctor has-improved hi'^ place vqry much. Dear little Annie, I can hardly wait to see her. I do hope yon .are with her some. I do no-^ li^:e that new nurse very well. Be sure and leave sons passes at your Mother's fo itie, and the Express pass also. * I would like well to SQe you today, TTell, sup pose I can stand it.if you can. I.miss you a littl- or else Washwhich is it? "but on the whole am pretty,well contented. Dont fail to write often and long letters, . ^ , Tell Mr. ^lyder if 1 want to go out on the road with some^friends to let me have a car or whatever Is necessary; dont foi'get. ^ . I ! Sidn'dy Dillon to ^en. Dodge, 'New Yorl;, 26:- (Telegram) I'will hold stock foh'you at one hundred three and a half, (103 1/2) How soon and how much will you want? Note: F. C. Morgan,'Agt, to J-. E.. House, Omaha 27:- . Giving information about a box at'Laramie, kc, H. C. Crane to Gen. Dodge, dew York, 27:- * . . Enclosed t^ldase find copy of the estimate due the contracf tors, dated June Ist, 1868. • . Note. F. E. Appleton to J. «. House, Laramie Station, 27:- Sends profile of ®itter Oreeit location, also map up to 8th hundred. Note: A. E. Mathewa to Gen. Dodgfe, Omaha, .27: ^ Jme, 1868. . ' , Encloses copy of pencil sketches of •Mpst'sriSj and asks aceptance of same. Has commenced t/po" other works, one of scenery in the Rocky Mountains embracing several of the territories with views along the U. P. R. R t a secpnd edition of sketbhes in Colorado. Hopes that his. efforts may prove of sone advantage to the U, P. R. R. Note: proceedings ofnmeeting at Clarinda, Iowa, and protest of citizens to grant of land to Iowa & Missouri State Line.R. R. To Gen. J^odge from^i's father, Council Bluffs, 27:- I went to the Emorn last Saturday and returned on Soii^day. Fou^d things generally'looking better than I expected. Mr. ^alley's wheat and oats crop looks excbedingdy T»ell; one piece in partictilar is as handsome a field as I ever saw, Mr, Bailey^B folks are all well. Little ^nnie is fat and a s happy as a clam In high water, as was also Lettie and Ella when I left then, Mrs. Dodge to the'^aneral, Kansas ^ity, 28:- I received two letters this morning from you. Wrote one a fow days ago. It has bderivery war- and I have been busy since I came trying to do What I could fof Lettie. She is better now and I think will get well. I shall start home Thursday but hardly know what route to take, ^ey «ay her© that there is 70 miles of stagi g yet on the St. Joe road, but t think they must be mistaken; was in hopes to hear from you how much staging there would be, but I shall try it. Jione, 1868. . ' •" I had thG'S.s.A .Bank accoxmt balanced in St. Loiiis; there was a little over $1,000*to our credit. I drew $100 which will last me, I will l6ok after all the"matters you mention, or as far as I can. Hope you will not be gone long. You say there is accomodations out at Lahamie, but dont say 1 hhd better go out there. Well ,I guess I will get*along'grandly; I see you want me to learn to do without you GrinnOll was dovm here>-gehe out 6n the Neosho Yailey road after his Cheorkee lands; the aettier^Sre going to make trouble, so said her.e. Have had a visit With Mrs.. Van Horn, am going there today. Does Mrs.* Reed* expect you take up her husband's case? Ha s he ^one hom^ or are "ou going tco -try and retath him? Elac I dopt aeo what ypu, have t^ do v;ith his papers that she forwards' to you. Why dont she send them to the company? T should .think she wou d go out eJid, do^ the construc tion herself. She is all ^urant ,when ho Is out ^^t and the power, and all ^odge when he is; so I hope you will learn her after a while. She put in the note to me 1 suppose as a pat on the back* Ho'w'do you feel about Siina^ Doesnt' it seom rather too far, or are you keen yot? You will forget it I guess when you get out to Salt Lake. I want to see you and'my girls ever so much, and guess they will be glad to 8*0 their month*r. ' . ^ . Gen. Sherman' sfeya he never saw me looking 8o.pell; dont know whether it was a eompliment to me tr the new honnet. I miss the Wash ington papers; dont get any here scarcely and riss the library, too, ^ June, 1868« and Ristori, though it is^ prett;^ warm to t-ead or, see tragedy. You dent tell me »'hit of n9ws; j?hy cant you? Going between the two places and seeing it all, its too bad. Note: Richard P\isteed to Gen, ^odge^ Washington 29:- ■ ; - His acknowledgement o:' courtesies extended to him, ^.c. Note: Ezra Millard to Gen. ^odge, Omaha, 29:-. Concerning, overdraft, and will have t-o call on Mr, House if .^)lo U. S. Treasurer insists on call,.for ^100,000 but will make it easy if a deposit- pf"$J50^#00 will answer. From Gep.^ddge.'s Private-Diary, 26;- MetfMr. Orr, • contractor on U.P,»P,R40 miles east of Echo; cays no work ogin be done until July l^th for w^nt of tools,; that ®rid ham Young could not get to work for want of tools. Met first teams loaded tith ties at Bitter Creek, Hoxie states that they pay ^700 per day on transfer, $260,9Q<J- p^r month for supplies for construction. From Mrs, Dodge's private Diary, 26;- ^ Julia and I went out to Julcsbui^gJ party in camp. Stayed at North Platto over flight, . - - From Cen, Dodge's Private Diary, 27;- s started west with Mr, Ames, Mr, ^lloy, Lathrpp and others. "Wont to Cheyenne PV Sunday morning. Prom Mr, Dodge's Private Diar- , 27:- Went to end of track. Started homeward about 6 "in the even ing, and stopped at North platte for supper. ■i ',i .•'w Jiine, 1863. "' ' * ' t ' • Froih Gen. Dodge's Pi'lvate Diary, 28;- 'Lay at ^heyennc ell day. Met the citisens arid Messrs, Peters and Moffatt of Denver, • " » . ■ •Froiii Mrs. Dodge fa Private Diary, 28:- Arrived in Omaha about 5 P. M. found baby all right. Cto home for dinner.' ' • Gen. Dodge's Private'I^iary-, Went to'Laramie and met Mr. Evans. There obtained-filn olometor. At Senders took on Gen. f'ibbon and went west. '. Mr.'^vans seems to be getting along well.« Complft4ns-bf D'.B. A-. Co. Sf some of Mr. Reed's employees; say t^ey-a^'d-not al§-hlm with.the alacrity and spirit h- ^ desires, Reftd-with Syeniour haiB-swindled the Company very much. Lay at Rock Crook siding iill night. Tuesday, 30:- ^ ' w ?:ent to end of trfickj wrote Mr. Ames letter. 'Visited the coal mines, 8 ft. vein. Creighton eays hd will take contract to take out" Coal at throe nolntB for 5 per ton. Evans prono'ses to take It out for 5 1-2, 5, 4 1-2 for three years. Took hacks ahd went west to tunnel; bad job; should bb faced Up on south front to solid face and flush with first ahoulder: Line west of tunnel should have cut point Betr Dowllng's oamr. Arrlvod at North Fork at night. Stopped with t ( Col. Dodge, Wednesday, July 1: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - June 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 June 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/ed498b2fc0d798c1a74610a3756c2971.pdf 5d3e1454694c1d2b4ab9122fbb98c6fb PDF Text Text i.> ll'l^' ^ •' , • ' t--.:^K<rt rj: r"- ■- ' r . •mM June, 1863. From Gen, Dodge's Private Diary, 28:- ^ Lay at ^heyennc all day. Met the citizens and Messrs, Peters and Moffatt of Denver, "From Mrs. Dodge's Private Diary, 28: Arrived in Omaha about 5 P, M, found baby all right. Gto h^me for dinner.• Gen. DoSge's Private Diary, Went to^Laranie and tnet Mr, ^vans. There obtained an oiiometer. At Sanders took on Gen, ^ibbon and went west. . Mr,'^vans seems to be getting along well,« Complains-bf D'.b. f,, co, 5f some of Mr, Reed's employees; say t<1ieya«d-not ald-hlm with^the alacrity and spirit he desires. Redd with Syeniour has'swindled the Company very much. Lay at Rbck Greek siding Ml nif^t. Tuesday, 30:- - V7ont to end of track; wrote Mr, Ames letter. Visited the coal minos, 8 ft, vein. Greighton eay» h& will take contract to take out'coal at r.hre(» points for 5 per toll, Evans prooosos to take it out for 5 1-2, 5, 4 1-2 for three years. Took hacks and *ent west to tunnel; bad Job; should bb faced hp on south front to solid face and flush with first shculderl ' Linb west of tunnel should have cut point fteftr Dowling's camp, A-rriv'ed at North Fork at night. Stopped with Col, Dodge. Wednesday, July 1: July, 1868. . • By order of Mr, -^raeStgave orders to ftr, %nsori to allow Gen. Gibbon, GqI, Dodge and Capt. Coates here 15 of reserved lots. Col. Dodge reports the timber of Uorth Fork-45 miles very fine; that up to French Fork 6 miles from ^iver they have 16000 lies out and others getting them. Timbrr for Ft. Steel is being obtained from around Enoampment Creek dH'iTfest side abolit 40 miles .up. Man on line generally«on strike and Ugly. Bridge at North v/ell under way, but piles have to be «iHvert "6 feet. May have to put in a ,crib. I agreed with Mr. AHey^to buy TJ.P.R.R. stock with him at 70. Note: Henny Hajrdlag" to J. E. House, Ft. Sanders, 1:-. ^ ' Wants pay for the month of June, which M:;. ^vans says must look to him for. - 1 . . - J "- To Oon. Dodge fro>i his brother. Council Bluffs, 2 - I ha^just reoeived your telegram and send herewith your mail; Annie is »till at Kansas City, or may be on her way up. I will see Mr. Aneyj hope he will take-thai property it is the best bargain 1 have-a^en*for many a day, ; I will go shares with him if necessary to indttee him to take it. Hawthorij made dead for his 15 acr«8 today. Rock Island*^.F. will run in bare at a much earlier day than talked'of. Contract for grading in Mosquito Valley is to be.completed by first of November and tie contract limited to same time. We are well; weather very warm. ' ' (' From Gen, Dodge's Private Diary, 2:- .".7^-; > Returned to end of. track and then to Laij-amie Cii,y , -Gen. ' Williamson joined us. Met Mr. Reed; said wljen he arrive-1 iij Utah only 'f; 'ten miles of road had been located, but now all was located except at narrows and head of Echo; that the;^ had v/aited for tools he met first at Bridge 34 days out, bad ro'ad,s Ibck of energy, &c, Mr, Reed de- ' mande his posit-Lon as Superintendent of Construction, his old posi- .tion, and the placing of Evans in charge at Sanders. Seymour writes Mr. Ames that he finds nothing _satisfactory or favorable out *lest as yet." Location should .have been .made last year, , . - Friday, 3:--.' ~ I returned to end of track. In again looking over location think that .some points we ^hould have increased wortk to bettor the alignment. Heavy fires over the mountains. Ties seem to be plenty, Mr. Re9d aays ^JCight was m^d^jTy Cpl,. S, on Chi-f Engineer. ^ Saturday, 4:- '' - . Camped No. 1» Percy Station,-sGdometer o-99. Circumference of wheel IS ft. Camped on North.^oi'k 29 miles by lino and 30 by odome ter at t e tunnel the creek has filled up in three,places by stone, also two points at the canyon two miles below. No drainage to north slope. Between the two needs at least three box culverts,8,6,4 ft, ch Very windy and ^jarty very tired. Troops arrived in Camp at 3 P. M, Peceived telegram from Buckensderfer that he would turn over line at Echo Monday or Tuesday, ^ail on curvature should be curved more '■ ' I »■' ^ . .. '. \ '' -ti' 'v. July, 1868, . "' V , , regularly. It Is^ now generally a cor.bination of. 88 ft. tangents. J. Elickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. -^odge, Wgber, Utah, 4 (Telegram) Message received. I am just from head of Echo, ^'i^ill give contractor work there on Monday or Tuesday next. Gq to narrows to night. presume line is down to stage station ready for contractors. Am doing my best, but tawrence is sick and his party cannot do much' without him or me., • f . . . 4 - . .. • Gen, Uq dge.to J. E; House, Benton, 5;- I shall leave here ip morning for *est and may not write again for a couple of weeks. You want to get-up profile and .maps of the located line as past as possible and send to New York office, maps of each 100 miles to file in Washington. Copies of Aaps and pro files that come in fro* BUckensderfer ^Iso want to be sent to New York office. The 9th Hundred map ought to be gotten tb ''Washing ton shortly, as I understand the.alignment has gone in. ■ I also want a-table of grades and a table of alingment made of completed road by each hundred miles. Map of grades-reduced,and dis torted scale showing also, alignment and stations} this can bbe put on it large sheet, each one htmdred or .two hundred miles one under the other, Mr, Nansom has sold about $10,000 worth of lots here, I have ordered him to put reserved lots on market at advanced price as soon as track reaches here. ' He ought to see $10,000 worth more. You can write me at Ft. Bridger, — » ■■ . (H h July, 1868. . " ■ I : From Gen. Dr(jge*s Private ®i&.ry, Sunday, 5:- • ' ' ■ Camp No. 2| North Fork of■Platte- Remained in camp all day; wrote-to^meB and Gen. ^awlins. Caught cold in my back and side very . troublesome all day. Sent instructions to Mr. fl nuSe to send maps and profiles to New York to render table of grades and alignment for each htindred miles; also map of grades showing alignment, stations ^:c, Col. Bartlett, Mp. .Cooper, Mr. Ransom and others called at camp. Mr. Lockwood has taken contract to deliver 40,000 ties at 75 cts. on line of road at Platte Crossing. He says new Contract has been let from TT.P.P, to ®alt Lake to •'^rthuer Davis and i associates at 95 cts. per tie. Monday, 6: -• 'i' Quite sick, took doae of physic. Train all day in-crossing North I'ork of Platte. Spent most of day with GqI. Bartlett. Platte River nearly otit of it# Daiilts. Mr. Lockwood said that there was plen ty of trout at h#Rd of NOrth Fork o: Platte. Gave Messrs. Ransom and O'Neil privilege of taking five lots in Benton. Benton- very littlo room to put insShop# in wet weather. Town will be muddh. ''ell down about 25 feet, stni^tk 2 ft. water, will have to go about 60 ft. for g good water. Town is 102 foet above river and water can be forced up if ribcesaary. t W, Snyder to ^en. Bodge, Omaha, 6:- ■ . tour 2 from Port Saunders received this morning. Had a July, 1868. i priyate talk with Mr. mes and Mr. Reed on the trip Laramle to Cheyenne. Reed Qpened all hie-old wounds and gave me an opportunitY of having some plain talk with him. After the conversation, Mr. Ames told me and told others that hewas more than ever convinced that R was not ^ competent to run a very large machine. Told. R. to gowert of G,River • and gave-him no .assurance of .authority east of there, Mr,.Evans has not repudiated any of Reed's'contracts. -^11 accounts . in the office vere in awful shape, in many cases there^were no written • contracts or memoraiidum, and .Evans wAs obliged to wait .for instructions • from Reed before he could-settle. « • . -Jieoting of the Directo s here July 28th. "Mr* Ames express him- • self much pleased with matters on road. Shops at Cheyenne started. Men getting out stone for bridges. *ill put up eatding houses at Chey enne and Bhell Cre k. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to J. E. House, Weber Narrows, 6;- I owe you an apology for negleating to send you the longitude of Fort Sanders, and for failing to advise you of drafts drawn for some time. I have'nothing to offer in extenusation excapt that I have for the least four we6ks had a very busy time, by no means rendered easier by having baen laid up for ten days by illness and having to meet various difficulties and annoyances in regard to the nature which you are probably not entirely unadvised. Even now 1 cannot sen^ you the longitude as all my notes in reference to it are at Salt July, 1S68. . Lake ^ity. When tliere last I was sick and did riot think of your re quest. I shall embrace the first opportunity to -send it. Sinoe writing you last I have drawn the follow ng drafts on Dodge,Chief Engineer. No. 34, June-4th, favor F. S. Hodges. No. 35 7? 16 n •No. 36 " '16 No. 37 " 22 No. 38 " 23 No. 39, July 1 No,. 40. . " . " F. Tr^cey .. II II II Jft?. Prf- McCabe Thosv B. Morris $3500.00 1500.00 1000.00 ■ 500.00 500.00 400.00 100.000 Total to date .owf I hope to see Gen. Dodge here soon, and expect to report all my work east of Salt Lake finished on his arrival, unless it be the re- ♦ visipn and perfecVlng of eone few points on locatian. Mr,Lawrence /has been laid up for •«, week by rheuWatism, and Mr. Morris has suffered from intermittant fever. The work.here in the narrows is greatly in creased and retarded by high water. We are frequently obliged to cross the river, which is rapid and deep, and we have had our boat capsized several timestthrowin^ every one overboard, and taking the boat itself six or eight miles down the river before it could be r covered, ' - i, . July, 1868. ; i; J,t L. ^illiains to ^en. Do(ige,, .Omjiha, 6:- (Telegraw) Have sent by telegraph to President and Vice Presidert. ear nest remonstrances against any grade over ninety foet, V/ill send copy to Secretary Interior and each Government Director, F. S. Hodges to Gen, Godge, Pass north of Pilot Peak, Utah, y:- •j,'. A short time -ago I mailed a hasty note in regard to surveys the first of the- season. It was to the effect that lines had been run through Ogeden river, BCTX Elder Creek, Cache Valley and tributaries, and Bear Lake Valley, ^hat it had developed the fact that from Soda Springs southward no route exists at all comparable with Echo, except it be by right hand fork 6f Blacksmith's Fork, which to-my great regre I was unable"to explore. Prom what 1 could see and from best informa tion obtained it is believed that this route is impracticable, but I cannot state such in a very satisfactory way. route spoken of by ^ves was via left hand fork of Gxacksmith Fork and by Bear Lake'Valley, This involves" maximum grades and work, a long tunnel, and other objections. The Pass at summit is 7281 ft. No other routes without heaviest grades and work, and fotir or five miles of summit tunnel exist, « Upon the line with Which I am now engaged 128 miles have been run from Promontory Point, 65 miles to Humboldt Wells remain, Map and pro files 'of 100 miles have been sent Mr. Buckensderfer, Red Dome Pass , ■ i h ■ ,•■ >'- July, 1868. . "' 4 . ■ requires probably 74 .ft. gr^de. Ascending westerly .for five iles it . may be reduced. Nothing over 40 ft, is encountered' elsewhere with light wqrk, ' ; ]^n relation to Mud Flats or Great Desert, you are aware that ^ o pinions conflict. From my own experience I would Judge that they . would prove very slow materia] to move, and-when cast up would have to he protected jfrora both wet and jShy weather. When pov.dered to -"dust by pfissageof ■br.&irjs" the wind-would JjIow:^ it away. When wet there are good reasons for doubting its capability of upholding such passage I cantered, my hors'-^ over, an apparentely dry and hard desert~my lightly loaded"tijpcgoj!-followed; but the wheels cut dovm to the axle while between the spokes the soft clay^ filled in Until each wheel appeared as though a mason had filled them in with -ortar and,smoothed thorn over with his trowel. , ' Upon-airrlval at HumboLdt Wells. I will endeavor to write you again We followed Ive s' line all the way, Mrs, Dodge to the General, Council Bluffs, 7:- I have not received a word from you since j^our letter of June 26th sent to Kansas City, and wonder why you do not write. I wrote twice from Kansas Cit;'- and to Dmaha; it is strange you do not wxite, you must certainly find some time,., I arjrivad here last Saturday after a tedious ride. The railroad from St. Joe up to Forest City is a disgrace to any place. There is July, 1868. very litile ej3iw*gy. I should' th4.nk' shoivn in the tnatfageraen't. I am hav ing rather a hard time getting a place; have been hard at work; have to come down to yotir Mother's for meals; ' suppose' I might get them at the hotel 1 ' f • : The.children here are pretty well. There is considerable sick ness in town. I have,not heard from Ena; dont see why they dont v;rite I shall have to go out as soon as it is a little'cooler, I hope she keeps'well, but ant anxloiia ito hear from there, ' ; ' • Mrs. Deny Folsora died today: Mrs. Chamberlain's babe yesterday, and if this warm weather keeps on there will be more, I attended Emma Spooner's wedding yesterday. She and Mr. Reed have.gone East. They are to live In Central City, Col. I hope to have'a letter from you tomorrow. Hardly know vrtiere to send this. Little Annie talks of you everyday. From Cen. Dodge's Dlarj^, Camp,No. 3, 7:- ' Marched 25 miles Aiirt cammed at Twin.Lfcke, Sta. 1220. At Rawllns's Springs Statlori, is on north side of Valley; well dpwn 45 ft. with little water, very alkali. Will have to take water from Rawlin Springs ly pipe to tank. AriMv6d at Twin Lakes at 2 P. M. Indians killed tfo men at Rawlins Springs two weeks.ago. "Attacked camp one mile west Stinday night. Attacked Reed at "Twin Lakes Monday night but r did not succeed In getting any slock. Took heavy, dos« of quinine dur ing day, and rode horseback 17 miles. Gen. *illiamson left for the East. Julj', 1868. "I. ■ ' • "1 * ^ , H. 8. McCc^b to Gen. Dodge", T'ilmingtofi, ;Del. 8:- I an glad to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 1st inst., and gladder at the statement'it contains about the land sales of the Company's property under your aus'ices-to Mr. Duff and'others. It has been several times reported to me that young Mr. I>iiff had made over $50,000 through your instrumentality, by getting the choice lots of the company's land at the various towns on the line of our road. Having the iuterest^n:«-you which I feel to be deserving, I could ndt bear to Aear these things spoken to"your disparagement without some explanation from you on the subject, anl hence my letter to you of June 23d. • . i ' . ' Put me into a good share of the land you say you wrote me about and which you'say you know is a bargain. Give me particulars about location and quantity. . • From Gen. Dodge "a. Dipry, Wecjn^aday, Sj- • . " . '. . Camp Ko. 4"'VArchod 31 miles. Camped at 'Whitrnan's Wells, Sta. 3,9O0 of 7th hundred miles, 10 miles west of Contapental Divide; at Separation Creek GOO ft. right of sta. 1280 150 ft. over line good view Gpeued, at 1360 1-2 mile right of line good road-also 1000 ft. left Of line 160 ft, over line. Shaft sunk ^ows 8 ft. of coal 3-4 ^ile north of 1 ne has opened a 12 ft. vein; water very scarce some at 2200 , aleo at Whitman*b old camp 2900. Coal bank in bluff - rr*' July, 1868, , • • • « ^ south shows 8 ft. veinj both full of Iron, alkali, Sec*. . , ^ Thursday 9;- CaFip No. 5, 0-76" , Made Bitter Creek-near Ghrisman's camp. ITarched 24 miles, 6 by odejpoeter. Established Red "Desert Stations, at Sta. 3110 to 3140; also. Clay Butto Sta. at 4600 just south of Clay ButtSs and on west rim of Red Desert. Water can be had at west end of Ghrisman's racnh. Crossed Bitter Greek suin'"it which is 111 ft. lower than main divide. Met Pumpelly*s party and gave instructions as to fixture work. Sent dispatch to Mr. Biickensderfer, Jr., that I would furnish him f .. . . ^ 1 . another chief of party if he wanted it. Line today remarkably direct and well buil.t; banks high above snow and very few cuts. Coal shews , itself about Sta.. 2900 to loft 1000 ft. and 3500 to left 1200 ft. in bluffs; looks like good coal. ^ Friday, 10:- Camp No. 6, Odeometer 15.8. Steamboat Butte 9-74. Mr, Kurd informed me that they waited three weeks for the plan of Bale Creek Bridge, Line down into Bitter Creek excellent, direct, good grade and avoids snow. Sstab ished Bitter Creek Staton at Sta. 4830 to 4860. Town to be laid off on both sides; ide track goes on south side. Rock.In bluffs sand stone, very soft and that exposed not good * T • for round house or structures. Ne marched 16 miles by line; camped in . ight of stage-road at 11 A. m. Established Stations at 4127 to 4156. Put. Bitter Creek summit. v'f '.-'w' Ju]y, 1868 J. A. WilllafhSon to Gen. ^odge, Omaha, lO;- • - I arrived here today, and have seen Mr, House. He has giv- ' en me the agency o"F the town at Green River and west of that place if I succeed ih pleasing him. I told Mr, House I knew that my appoint'^ent ' would be satisfactory to you. Please write him- to that efrect. I - . I will be at Salt I^ake at any time in August that I know you will I • . be there, and if Mrs. Dodge wants to come out I will do all that I can to assist her. Please-jprite or telegrapJT me at Des Moines. I have written Mrs, Dodge from this plac§, not having time to go and see her, Mr House wants me to be at Green River as soon as you order the " . i town to be laid off. Please advise me when that Ifill be done. Hope that your health will improve, and that your trip may be ' ^ ' ' 1- successful. Give my compliments to Mr, Williams and sonand others of the party, Oen, S. Rosecrans to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 10r- (Telegram) yfhen and where can I see you about -railroad business important to your Company? Telegraph answer. J. B, Grinnell to Gen, Dodge', Grinnell, Iowa, 10:- It is not quite certain about stock. Mr. Joy has gone to Boston, and I may miss hi-. They know of Us value a d are'not dis posed te part with any •pre'than they can heip, I think. 1 will do the best I can. The country looks well. kA" 6*' " ■?> . July, 1868, J. E, Hou'^e to Ge . D6dge', Omaha, 10:- ' ' ■ ^ I received yuur letitr of the 5th today. Will get off map and profile of 8th hundred miles 6h Monday. ■ Havetreceived only a few miles of Blickensderfer*s location at Green ^iver.' His map shows nO courseo,'meridian nor angles to curves. I-have written him concerning the matter. '' I have promised Williamson the Green River Agency; does it meet your approval? ' ' ■ , . • Ta^.le of grades^ prbfllfe of grades, alignment, stations, &c. I suppose you-are not in much of a hurry for. I am called upon qpite largely now for plans for building-shops &c. and unless I increase the force in office(which 1 dont want to do) will have to let those minor matters drop for the present, ■ The weather has been terrible het for the past two weeks. How do you stand the Journey, and how does Mr-. Williams get along? From Gen. DodgeJs Diary, 11:- Camp No. 7, Odometer 16.38--Coal veinS, one Of 8 ft.,-3 about 4 ft., 3 about 3 ft., and one of 6 ft. the upper and middle veins de velop the best; about BOOO ft, from point of-Rock-Station upper vein about 150 ft. above valley. Hb.ll has about 6 miles grades, on his 20, Bent has got well; started on his 20,- about 10 miles of it; Hall's is here over 6 of Bents. Garmichael has most of his 6 miles done, and casement is Just starting in on Us 10. Bridges will be troublesome; t •».»>* ii" *p3 -i" July, 1868. . ■ , all trer.tle should be on pile foundation in Bitter Creek or else oh boulder rock. All. truss must be on pile foundation. Piles at La Clede Will take 50 miles, haul to opposite Salt rails. Rock Springs piles c can be obtained with 25 miles haul, t J. Blickensderfer, Jr. , to Gen. Do-^ge, Weber, Utah, 11: (Telegram) Did you receive my message in regard to work, and instruc tions to Hodges and Maxwell sent to Laramie City? Note: Thos. B. Moriie-ta JL E. House, Weber Harrows, Utah, 11:- . , Encloses draft of J. Blickensderfer, Jr., in his favor for $400. Wants the anount sent to him in New York exchange. ^ Prom Gen, Diary, 12:- 7 Camp No. 8 - 5•mdles west of Rock Springs, Marched 18 3-4 mil by line and 20,3 by road. Twelve miles from Rock Springs quaking-asp for telegraph poles is obtained, and about 25 miles sou oh on breaks of Current River pine can be had, but hard to get at. Coal shows itself and is opened above Rock Springs at left of Sta. 2560 in bluffs and at 24lO;-g-ood vain opepad about 600 fti-to right of line about 100 ft, feibove It easy of cparation; vein dips about 2 to 1 and water shows itself about 30 ft. in . Location today good, but swings more to avoid crjMiC crossing than heretotofre, IT, Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Coiincil Bluffs, 13:- Lawrenod'notified me. that he was ordered by Henry to issue - ■ .■•K. July, 1868. execution in his case. I told hin. that if he would, old off until th<e 1st August that we would pay it, which he has agreed to do. There is a little land moneS' in Nathan's hands and he. may sell some more by the time we have to pay this Henry matter, but Nathan claims that his money is to be applied to the payment of advanced taxes, which is ail right, but as -oney is awful tight and hard to get, I Jihink it better to use the Dodge- proceeds of. land in this case, which enables us to collecffTom pegram his proporti.on which I think it doubtful whether it can be had any. other way. I am going to draw-on Pegram for his part of itY but in case he. fails to come to time,' we Will have the whole to pay unless we ask the land money, but if he pays 1 am willing to pay my part of it wit out resorting .to land money. "S^^u had better instruct Nate what to do.r I ■ did not get any of the grading. It was let in small parcels a from 14 to 25 cts. p6r yard, and they are^at work all along the line. No coritract let for timbers, , • Tracy proposes to go through the hill by Tests if he can sell the dirt'to the U. P. folks for their bank on this side. Can vote here on the bond question on the 18th; think it will carry, . , Nest IS here, and we are getting r ady to start Bank. We will be able to sell some lots in Riddle tract. If Nathan has not got deeds signed by "yoUr you had b :tter send him some. July 1868. Note: Jas. A. Evans to J, K. H6usfe, LCirainie, 13:- ' • . Sends addition made tp the estimate in May and June &c. Note: 7.'. Snyder to JL iKouae, Ctnaha, 13:- Encloses plans of B;S.bhop, coal house, store house at Omaha, and proposed location with reference to present buildings. TJants him to get up a complete plan for the buildings hill of mat erial, estimate of cost, &c,, and as_soon as possible will have the work commenced. From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 13:- ' 'sr' Camp No. 9, Marched 9 miles. Green River. Arrived tt Lamb's Camn at 8 A . M. Good force to work but-have had two strikes. They *■ • ' # arrived on ground May 15th and opened work May 16th. Maloy has been here two weeks on his work west of rim,' and has rested five daysj is just getting to work .sa^s he wants 500 men as it will take him 90 days to take work'*out. Six trains l^ave passed and ten more are between here and Laramie. The trains have been about 3Q days on road from Laramie to Green River. Wrote" Mr.'Ames, Mr. Dmon, Evans, Snyder and Annie. Sent orders to o'lleil ^ push on to ftroeh River; also to town authorities not to build east of Green. St. no between Bitter Creek and Bridse.Head. ' «H . T prom Mrs, Do-lge's Diary, 13:- * Went out to Elkhorn. Received letter and dispatch from Ocean. _kiJ July, 1868. . Note: J. House, Oouncil Bluffs, 14:' ■ :l-;i V \ Have filled order for Faber lead pencils, &d. ; J./^. Briggs, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, 'Washington, 14:- , ', • Your? of 5th froTO Norfth platte at hand- v/ith instructions and the missing figures. The Report has been sent back to the House, ordered printed, and is at the printers. I have-been over there this morning to see about it. It will be printed,right away before I leave within two weeks from this time. I cannot get it printed on small -w * pica, as I desired, the law requiring all executive and similar docu ments to be printed on long primer, the next size sma'ler type; but I can get leaded which will do; very well. I shall try.to have it satisfactory.'" - - • -* • . ' . Price has gdlte Ha«€'Sick. It is excruciatingly hot^here. Our folks feel veny miich pleased with; the result of the Democratic Gonven tion. ^ _ •1 intend to gb to Chlat^ on the adjournment of Congress and am in hopes of being able to go out on your line, but do not yet know how long I can be gone -from here, a Cfkpt.« Arthur MacArthur, Jr. t Gen. Dodge, Green River City, 14:- I hftve your comnmnicatiOTi of the 13th, in regard to ground east of Gre^ St. I have communicated with several of the persons interesto* in the town, and find no ■disposition to act contrary to r-'- (K?,; July, 18G8. • • t -' your wishes, although I understand an effort will be made to get pos session of" somif portion of the town east of Green St. Major ^nthony, th» bearer, I understand will visit-you at your camp today, ^ill you let me knov; the result of this visit, and if you wish any action by me different from that requested in your comrau ni cat inn of the 13th? • From Mrs. Dodge's Diary, Sunday, 14:- ^rote Ocean, Mothe.r Dodge and Ella; wdnt home; had fine rain Fro™ Gen. Dodge's Diary, 14:- " ' " ' ' ' , • ' Camp No. 10- Blacks Eork near south pass road. Examined line closely; all good except near summit; think it should be through to '• north out of cutting. Hudnutt's line coijes very near river in.two ^ places; at point of crossitig ianj^ent should be thrown to north to avoid bend of river, and it looks as if line could swing around cut bluff cross river twice, making change of channel, and keep on south side down near sta 800 crossing at that point or scPie point below. Black's Fofck Valley is wide, but river very crooked, makes from one bluff to another, and will have to be crossed for good alignment several limes. J. BlicksnedeYfer, J-r. to Gen. Dodge, Weber, Utah, 15: ^^(Telegram) Did not get TTiessage about chief of party. Hodges will be at Humboldt wells on 20th. He is instruoted to locate down Humboldt. Maxwell reports 22 ft. of Water for more than one mile. He has resumed July, 1868. line north aroun'-l Lake. Note: John Pumr^lly to J. 'P'. House,'Ca'^p Sta. 3100, 15:- ■WantStto know whether he has r txirned certain billshe paid in his voucher's. Thi ks he hatf'hot and has made out vouchers for the amount, and sent to him along with check for |29.50. • Note: J. Keller to J. 7. House, Mansf'ield, Ohio, 15:- " r ^ Wants to know if- he can secure piece of R. R land on the 2d hundred mile. The answer iS~^hat nothing 'can he done at pne'sent. It will be one year probably before any of the land on the 2d httndred miles will be offered for sale. Note: Vincent Paleri to-Gen. 'Dodge^, Camp .Douglas, Utah, 15:- Roquests pass for hi-mself over U.P.R.R.'j aSso one for his wife and niece from omaha to the" western term'inus of. the road. Note: J. E. Boyd to J. House, Lara^ni-e, 15:- Wanta to Mae Consldemble currency at end track in paying estirptec. Mr. Ransom, Agent at Bentori, has some ten or eleven thousa rid; wants to get irtiat hd needs anri give check on Omaha. ^ H. Price to Gen.' Dodge,*' Davenport, Iowa, 15:- ' * I have been tdld that it is the Intention of the U^P.R.RCompany to eatdblish at some point a general depot for manufacturing, repairing, ic., and as a consequence to build up a lar^e town. Is this so? and if so, are yru at liberty-to let me' iftt© secret as to location, *;c? I arrived here last night. July, 1868. t ' Fron" Gen, Dodge's Diary, 15:- _ Camp No. 11- Grossing of Muddy on Ft. Bridger and South pass road. Committee from Cheyenne* called on me today, and I amended the 9 order so as to.prohibit building east of the alley between Durant Ave. and Bridger St. ^ Came up line, location good at Ham's Fork, Crosses a depression west of Ham's Fork and runs for ten miles, about 2 miles south of river strikes -near Muddy again. It will require 4 bridges 399 ft. each over Black^s Fork, and so far 3 of 100 ft.- -each over Muddy. From top of ®utte today I could see Pilot ^uttes, Uintah Range, ^im- qf Basin, ^edicine Buttes, Aspen-Hilil .^d Bridger Buttes, No rock on Black's Fqrk or on Muddy. ^ . Prom Mrs. Doflge's Diary, 15:- . . ^ • At Slkhorn. Stella and I went out on horseback. Schuyler Colfaac to Gen. Dodge, Washington, D,c , 16:- I have lost the card you gave me with name of offic \r to • • whom I was to write, but have written Gen. Superintendent, Omaha, that if Congress adjourns, as seems quite certain, before or by the 27|jh I ' • tnqV, our party will leave Chicago Monday, August 3d at 3 P. M, for end of ^ U without stops excejit for meals, and no receptions. We want to get back to Cheyenne and thence to Donver by Saturday night. '- f The Chicago & N. '.R.R. have offered us a car, r^nd so has Pullman, and he include* in his offer one of his coaches west of Omaha. I have •■ ■ ' '.S,1'' '> J. ■ : , .'^.t'' 'i,> ;n' July, 1868. ' written to Lt. Gov. Bross 6f Chicago, Who isto "be with us-^ to arrange as to how we shall go fro^n Chicago, as we want«b(it one car, of course, not two, ' Our party will be'the undersigned, i^other, sister, Mf. Mathews, Mr. Todd, my clerk, Miss-Wade, Lt. Gbv. Bross, Mr. Bales of -Springfield Republican-, his daguther probably and perhaps, not certain, A.s. Richardson of New York Tribune. Gen. Conner thinks he may go with us also. It' will be safe to say ten In all, I suppose we sh'All need a stage for our party from Cheyenne to Denver, but probaialy that can'be arranged as we pass Cheyenne. I have no passes besides'my owri,'but have relied on your invitation and Cakes Am-es. Hoping to meet :^ou Ac. ' . Gen. Dodge to J, E. House, Ft. Bridger, 16:- I am fearful wb may have trouble at Green River. The squat ters have covered a portion?'of the ground we want. I ordered the^i in side of certain llmtis and aleO notified' them we iould not recognize any of their clalme. Thby ire not to build anything east of alley between Durant Av . and Bridger St. o^ south of first Street or north of ninth'Street. This confines theTr^ to a'narrow space. I have ordered O'Neil in to lay out Bitter Creek and Green Biver, and as soon as he reaches Teen Rivar you must go out there with the Agent and put matters in shape . Botweerf the track and town -some 900 ft on west, 1 would reserve for depot purposes; also 100 ft. on eaet side July, 1868. . ' of track,-then lay out the. res^ or what is needed froTn»near BitterCreek to. Bridge. Head, notifying the citizens that we. sha: 1 not recog nize any sale of lots to any party except title comes from us. At T'itter Creek you better have an Agent on the ground by time it is laid out, ap they wiil.soon.be there, and you cannot handle those two points without being'on spot and starting them. O'Neil is now- or should be, at Bitter Cpeek noflrly^re^dy to go West. -You can fix prices let them be for cash; and Oree - Bivfir will bear a pretty strong price. The Agents all need watching; they nearly- all combine with outsiders, and as soon as any one !• detected cut his head off. At Bitter Creek and Green^iver we Will not-be troubled wi^h §pplic-ations for time, &c. as not forst are there, and we may have to run them without aid of military. " - ' r - . •? As matters now stand and the trouble we ar-e to have it will not do for you to ifeavi tke roaudkrdwinf my absence. . On my rptum you pan go. Everything out here ^11 lieed close watching for. us to succeed in makin- anything and Agnetfi «ust be placed' Wddately on th- ground, Mrs. Bodge to the General, C.ounoil Bluffs, 10-- The weather is the hottest known for many years, very pros trating. Lettie hfes^ been sick sinca last Saturday; is better and out today but wot well yet. -I-hope we sha 1 have codler weather soon or dont know what will beccme of us, I hope you have not .' - ■ ' r(."•«* T . ■ ■ July, 1868. such hot weather j--you could not live and ride all day if it was. ^ . I went-to see your hall the other da^^ and am^ sorry, to say I fehinh it overdone; coloring too dark, and pictures not in the best taste; am afriad it wqnt light up well, but we shall see; hope I am wrong. I think the choice of statues was not very go-d. The fool of the family will do very well on the stage to laugh over, but not so .attractive in; "relief". I should about as soon think of two or throe mules on a drop curtain, i... • The Democrta are'-having a jubilees tonight. Crescent .^ity is down in full force, poppleton does the speaking. "The Chief Justice ipust fee-lf^llke ctM ^artin Van Buren, that "doubtful t':ings are uncer tain." . t • , . . The Mi ssouri -^iver is up over its banks; it is hard crossing. I wish you Would try ?\nd let rae -know when you -/.ill be back. . I cant stay here Vei*y long; cannot find a boarding place that is decent to take the childrtfri. I shall g<r out to: Elkhom and stay a while next month. Your mother is going East in a couple of weeks, and then I dont kndw Where I Whtfll go unlsa.' I try the hotel. I thnJgfht ycni wrote me that Mr. Reed had resigned, and he is still out there, and Nate says you fixed it up^ Proift Cen. Dodge's Dlar-, 16:- . ^ ^ Camp NO. 12,.Ft. Bridger- Examined line from ^outh,Pass to rdad going to Bannack; line very godd. Received letters fro^ Mrs. July, 1868. ■ r>" <• .r Podge, Snyder, and I'arge number ot papei^s . TelegrajfieH iirs. P. Wrote Mr. Ames, Snyder, Puff, Talcott, ^heilson and Johnson; N.P.Dodge Sherman, Hoxie and Annie. At Bridger there is good stone for building purposes. Coi. Morriw in-command. Telegraphed Mr. House to come rut to dreen-^iver and attend to laying out of town. • Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, Ft* Bridger, 17:- : • I wrote gtnd telegraphed to Omaha today for "you to go'to Green River and attend to-laying nut town there. It is very uncer tain whether we put our shops in'or not, The limits that I have kept the a^tiatters in are set forth in a communication to Commanding Office there, also to O'Neil, vix; not to go east of alley between D-m-aht Avo and Bridger St., south of First St and north of Ninth St. You want to^ notify all parties on groiind that they have no 'right there and cannot obtain title to property except through us. People who have put up business houses, we do not to have any trouble with and' will not be hardon the-", but the so called Town Company .cannot sell lots tthere or give title to them. ' . : . As soon as lots are laid out- put in market an^ sell for cash, bu give no''assurance that we will build or do anything there except to stop a short timei unless your ascertain to a certainty that wo will build there. B would conform as far aa possible to town now laid out, BO as not to interfere with the houses.up., Would leave the apace from ;r» ■ - • July, 1868. 'track to alley spoken of so™e 846 ft, for shops &c,, ir we should need the^ -say foi:* a 'distance along the Ifevel or light grade of 4000 ft ~ ■ and 100 -ft, on east side of ®aln" track. The balance of distance to " Bridge ^ead leave 200 ft, - 100 on each side, . ' You will have to look- after ths town interest, personally and see that they are properly''Managed; they need close .watchin-^, Set Price on lots, and give Agent authority to advance as de^iand incrpases. If you need another draughtsOgn tn office get hi™, though: the table of grades, S-c. will not be needed until I got back, , ■ • • Chas, Tuttle tot Gen, I^odge, New Yorki 17;- Telegra™., ^ Mr'Durant, Vice President, is authorized" to supervise the affairs of the Co-pany along the line of road, including surveys now being made. Officers Arid employees are subject to his direction. He leaves tcmight for the Weat, ' - . W, Snyder to Gen, Dodge, Omahn, 17 (Telegram) < Track at Benton, Commissioners have accepted six hundred and sixty ' They are all at Ft. Sanders and will remain there, A new Directors meeting called here July 28th, Will open for busto^is to Benton July 27th, An right here. Where shall I send paperst • t J. L. Williams to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Bridger, Gtah, 17:- The elevation of numerous points bri this pa^t of the Conti nent, ascertained by your extensive Btirveya'bri the Wnion' Pacific ^,R. July, 1860. . ' , . Will pass .Idtte archives of the Nation thr ugh your reports. It is important to science that they be correctly stated with reference to the level of the sea. They ail refer, as I understand, to-the base or zero fixed by I^r. Pey at omaha on the pofflmencement of his surveys, to "it: 976 ft, above th-^ sea. But Mr. De^' informs me that this start Ing point vras assumed from general recollection and not entirely re liable, ' ^ • -v f ^ Would it not bp Ws1A-€or you to request of the Chief Engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Missouri Boad, and also of the same officer on the Rock Island -fSoad p similar examination, so that between the three lineff o-f levels belween pake %'ohigan' arri the Missouri we may ^ ha\9e with the greatest accuracy possible. The true level of the grade at- Council Bluffs With reference to the surface of that Lake, , Note: John S. Akley to Gen. Bodge, Davenport, Iowa, 17;- Wants appointment'as, Mail pgent on Chicago, Rock Island & , Pacific B.R. • • - Note: Dividends by Credit Mobille. paid to July,-1868. , Prpm Gen. Dodger's Diary, 17:- : ■ . At Fort Bnidr^er all day. Mr, Williams wrote Mr, Ames rela ting to line, &c. Met Washakie of Snakes and had a long talk with him The entire Suake village is.cam^d here, having received their annuity. Col, Knight, oowili«ndi<f ai Oreen River, called on me. Sent letter of introdiietion to a»H«ll and House about town at Green River; also made : r:«32 • "Va' '* ' , July, 1868, . t ■"' ' -arrangements to change horses with Col. Morrow; turnedin-one-horse, : ' Prom Mrs, Dodge *s-Diaryj 17:- • ri • Mrs. Ryan came to spend the afternoon. Nathan came from Bluffs, Received dispatch from Ocean from Cheyenne Pass. f. - Thursday, 18:-' t o' . : ' , Started hOTne, quite windy; Arrived home at 1 o'clock., Went to party at Sue's; heavy rain in evening, ^ , From Gen. Dodge's DlaPy, 18:- ^ t, , . camp 13:- Marched 20 miles and camped with Hudnutt on Rim of Basin; work over rim in one line-very heavy, on other very light. Was on work all day and with party. Line .over Reed's location will be voi-y. seip entine and heavy, but think 60 ft, grade can be adoptedat highest 56 ft, Mr, Blickensderfer,. Jr, ^oines us, and find loca tion .closed up virtually, only point being rim of basin that gives us ^ trouble. Mr., Heed took profiles to Grean Rkver. Lawrence party turn ed' over fo Constrrctlpn. Hodges at Humboldt; Maxwell at north point of Lake- just over Promontory Point. Am pleased with Buckensderfer's lines-except grade doTm Echo, ^ f Sunday, 19:- . . . 'r- In camp at Rim of Basin all day with Blickensderfer; over all lines over rim. South line very good, light work, 190 stakes tangent, less curvature-less difficulty from snow; 6 miles of 70 to 72 ft, grade, summit 100 ft, higher. In attempting to put in 60 ft, grade July, 1868. , "-I ' find itwHLl cost as much as- Reed's summit line. After thorou£^ exami- , . I nation concluded to adopt the Reed sum-^it line, with-60 or 65 ft, M, grade. For following rim it is shorter and lighter -grade, will cost no more ahd will avoid any shops. At east'riij of basih su^^it is 100 ft, lower, and when we compare line on the basis' of 15 dollars pere t each foot of distance and 50 ft, per each degree of curvature, the Reed line is the best. • ' Mrs. Dodge to the General', Council Bluffs, 19:-- To'^orrow ™orning 1 a® going to Elkhorn- to stay a day or two and see how things are, and will write before I'go. I received a letf . . ter yesterday fro"" Green River dated the 13thj in it you say you have not received a letter from me. I dont see how it is possihle, I wrote two fcfem Kansas' City-' one the day" i arrived, and one the day before I left. I sent them both to Omaha, and wrote please forward, supposing that if you ha'd gone West they would overtake you., and, you had not I •• left me any directiorh where to send lette-rs, I have written since I .1 ■ 'W ■ , . came four or fiv besides sent' some papers; have riot sent many as they are all of old dates, as they go to V-'ashlngton and are sent back here. I wrote two pretty blue letters a few days ago, 1 expect they will not please you very well, and I am sorry that 1 sent them, but you would ad^'it could you have been here that I had cause. I have no^ had a very pleasant ti®e here, but I ought to learn to bear it and say noth- July, 1868, X /Hoxie was over this morning.. He told me the company had tel egraphed you to return with profiles? &c. Something is to pay with the central Pacific. ,I think it will be to bad for you to return over the hot plains and then go back, and T hope' j^ou will not ..do it. I hope to hear from you what is the matter; as to being ordered s-bout everywhere by Durant, I'Would not do it, and I have th ught lately you could do better off of the road than on. How can. you li.ce being gone so much ahd having so,^^ny times to fight m0n like-Durant? otill I dislike sayihg'anything for fear you will think it is from selfish motives. It seems to me you have harder work than any man who ever built railroads before. They are trying the same game with you that they have with Hee^, and I think there is more in Seymour's, being out there now than you think, I dont believe any small business would N keep him out there' so long. He'is crmning and crafty, and you had best look out for hi"-. I dont thin' much of the men that keep him, and it would be ,1ust if you left the road to him and thom, and iake care of ?-our owrf business interests or build other railroads,^ The weat'-ier here is intolerable day and night, there is .no abate ment of the intense heat, 1 think the .eclipse in August must have something to'do with it. You are,fortunate.in being where it is cool. T wisli I could be there too, but I could not ride in.a saddle all day nor begin ti, and X fear you would be sick 4f having me. If you can arrange so as to send for mo the latter part of August or. first of ."'■y .. '•"fVlrtlllitlTl^ July, 1868. ' ■' • lepteraber, I will go out; 'Tou will be ready'to' return then'i wont you? I hope yoti wont go any farther than you can get through by that time. I want to go out to the mountains very much, and Shall be very much disappointed if I cant go, but you know very well it is of no use for me to go' out there following you while you have tc go over so much new, wild country, and I a^'a good deal discpuraged e*er expecting you to go with ^e, or*to go unless I go without you. Little Annie is not very well} the hot weahter I expect; ppor thing! She says: '^Mama take me, I so tired." I wish we could be on the sea shore or in some cool place, ^o try and get through and take us out the last of August. The papers say. Grant,Sherman-and. Sheridan have started for tJenver over the other road^ suppose you will see ^ them some Where oh your road before they, return. . , I* ahswe'bed your dispatch from pt. Bridger, saying I could not go out till I knew where you were going. You know that. I,will ' go wherf you go where ybu can hrve me along;- but now if! they have sent for-you to 00^0 back, 'it is well I did not start, and so it seems I might as well not expect to go. No news new s here; everything dull on account of hot weather. I want you ever .so ™uch. , ' ' 'aen. "Dodge to 3, y.. House, Washington, ^ay 19:- To what point have-you got '^aps and profiles? Has Blickens- ' derfer sent you any ?ot?" How are you getting along with general map? Where is Evans? AnsWer to Washington, also here. 1 July, 1868. ■ irr Note: Danidl McLaughlin to J. E. House, ^heyenne City,-D.T. 20:- TTants infor'^ation concerning lot 5, block-oS", -Ac. Daniel Ullman paid Lt. Morris one thousand dollars ani -ave his note for the remain ng thousand. The note is now due, and Mr\ Uliman has been sued upon it by Lt. Morrin. It appears that Lt, i/.orrin never had any title to the lot, and Unman is loth to pay the note on that as- well as an other account. Can the occupants receive a deed to Wie lot from the Railroad Company b:' paying the pi'ice and if so at about what time? Wants answer by return of mail -■ ,T ' E. Robinson to Gen. Dodge, Washington, D. C .* 20:- * ' Gen. F. M. Drake of Centreville, lov/a, stated before tlTe 3ub-oom'"ittee on public lands, in my presence, that he saw -a letter of yours written to Gen, Weaver in which you said you had been humbugged by Robinson, and was in favor" of the Iowa Southern Railroad. Mr. Wil son says he does not believe you wrote such a letter. Now, as I am personally implicated, I write to inquire of you whether you ever made such a statement, * • • I ' * f T The Co"'mlttee m.ade a favorable report on pur road; so the Clerk certifies. Prom Gen, Dodge's Diary, 20:- , . : In camp'at foot of rim. Turned over profile from WiHow Creek Su'^mit oftch 4 m.iles going thr ugh rim of basin summit, Reynolds and Dowling have been here a week; their force will be here in about a July, 1868. r ^ , r.--' week. They intend to iJU.t on 200 sorapers; say they have not water • • t t • * for work. ¥r. Reed Infor^^ed he had let all work froOi '^reen ^iver to nouth of Weber Canon. Mr. B. turned over Echo line Wednesday,- July 10th narrows- Bettor work before Green River; May 14th .workmen had not • « • T arrived. Weber, Jtine 9th and 10th laid ojit work and poramcnc.ed work on that day. . * rr . ^ ^.*n " . } '■ f ;♦ Tuesday, a .. . . Camp 14, Yellow .Creek jnarch 25 miles. .Receive^d dispatch fro™ T. C. Durant to ™eet hi™ at end. of track by Wednesday or Thursday but cannot dp. it. ^et ^r.. Reedl and Sey™our on way to ,end.. of. track to ™eet Durant. Racetyec^ Te.l|e|^^|.™. from Charles Tuttle, Sp.cretary, statin,' that T. c. Durant had full power ir Company, patters, and that all officors and employees would obey. him,. Examined lines b;" Needles but consider it impracticable on account of rise fro™ Bear ri™ to siimmit; t ■ followed line around to Yellow creek; one point can be thrown out mostly. r T r Jas. D. Hague to Gen. Dodge, Laramie City, 21:- I enclose herewith a letter from my friend, the Hon. I.I'I.S. Williams, of Boston, who™ I presu™e you know and who is actually intereBted in the U. P.R.R. acceding to'which J had hoped for the pleasuere of meeting you in this part of the country, but have been so far July, 1868. . « disappGlnted, havin;^ arrived at Ft. Bridger the day you left, I took occasion so^-e time since, to request of Mr, Williams to obtain from the U. P. R,R. some favors in the way of transportation on behalf of the U. S. Geological expedition with which I am connected. His inclosed reply leads me to hope.that you will be able a"d pleased to afford us the desired accom-^odationg. " " The party with which I am connected is the U.S. Geological ^Ex pedition of the 40th parfLlleiri'the object of which is to make a topo graphical and geologi cal survey of the country through which the Union Pacific R. H. is to pass. It is under the direction of Mr, Clarence King, who is stjll in Nevada, -I enclose for the convenience of a fuller statement a slip of paper from the Desert Newsv t • - » . : ' Ou f appropriation is small and the-saving of the-otherwise hdd'#8bary expenditure for this purpose will give us so much more for the prosecution »f oar Norl&» . . I expect to be for some- time»in-Central City Colorado, where I shall be pleased to hear from you-on the subject. Hoping to meet with " a favorabfte rsspohoe. May i trouble you in replying to enclose ' William's letter, ■ ; . ? ■ •From Gen. Dodge*s Diary, 22:- . . ^ . . .. -t' -Marches 32 mnes; cam.p 15 Weber, Examined location over Echo rtimmit; consider it good. Gillls party -in 100 ft. tangent between ravine by offsetting curves; adopted line back, at foot of grade. Line July, 1868. . r , ' ' down Ecjio fair, grades, rather lop, hut iT^cst of cutting, is side cut-s; would have laid line better differently but would have changed' ^^ostly; the grades. The grade down vallej' is all very descending, ^r. B, o says he put in curves as'he considered it better to receive on 5 ' o than to put in tangent with 6 curve. J Bote:- Edward Fenner to Gen* Dodge, ^ugusta, Maihe, 22:- ' •1^ ' Return-thanks to ■ Gen 1 Dodge for< appointi^eht of his Sbn on ■"O"* P. R. R. That he has been, an'^ will bd, the snaking and i^eans of sav Ing hiin.' T7he he learned of his appoinf'^ent ^'on his knees he thanked God, and took courage." ' t . - . John T. ■Rruce, Jas. Lufts, Act. 'Oov. of J^ontahA, 'and' others t6' Gen. Dodge, Virginia G ity, ^^ontana, 22:-^ . In behalf of the Co'^^'^'^ittee a^jpointed t6 correspond with you regarding the construction of a branch of the Union Pacific Railroad through W^ntana. W6 have the honor to infori^you of the action of a large puTt)lic rreeting assembled in the "Supreme Court Room" in this city on the 11th ultimo, pursuant to a notice published In the Montana Democrat of that date. We herewith enclose a printed copy of the pro ceedings of said meeting; the deliberations were attended with consid erable enthusiasm, and we have no hesitation in assertlrig that the \ opinions expressed are favorably entertained by a large majority of the citizens of Montana Territory. 'We see that resolttlons of the same f avoidable character have July, 1868. been adopted,by the citizens of "Deer Lodge County" a printed copy rf which we also enclose. We desire to state that the citizens of Madi son County, as also the majority of the Territory, are sincerely de sirous of rendering you and the compa.y which you represent all the assistance v/ithin our power. Our people one and all lonite in eulog ising in unmeasured terns the energy exhibited by your Company in the execution of such a gigantic enterprise. We would therefore most-respectfully 3,nvite you to correspond with us in relation to the important enterprise in which we are all 30 deeply interested, and will promptly carry into execution any sug gestions you may make tending to enhance the interests of the much desied Branch Railroad. Ijl. TJubois to Cen. Dodge, Washington, C. 22:- I would like you to send .me a tracing of your line from Ft, Sanders to Bock Creek or Medicine Bow River, so tha' I can lay it down correetly on our large map MaJ. X E. Merrill t Gen. Dodge, St. Louis, 22:- Will you bo kind enough to ,send me a rough sketch of the route of your railroad from Ft. Sanders .to the Great Salt Lake , that I may be enabled t place it on our militar" maps. R. J. Lawrence to Gen. Dodge, Bear River, 23:- ♦ rt I have just learned from Col. Hudnutt that jrou were dissatisifed at my part.-, being placed on conF.truction9 con sequently I have July, 1868. taken the liberty to apply €o you for a situation on the road under your directions. From Gen. ®odge s Djary, 23:- - ' • ' '. • r-, .. ' I - *. » . .» • '" Started to end of track by stage to meet Dillon and Durant. Friday, 24:- Oliver Ames to Gen. Dod^e; Boston, 25:- (Telegram) ' irrc-ce Resolve of Ex-Committee in my absence gave aijthority as . V i Tuttle says, Durant wants survey west of Salt Lake after ro®.d east is ready for grades. Confer with Durant at end of track, ^ ^ - • " - - . . . ' ♦ Note: Thos H. Bates Accpvint with Gen. Dodge, July, 1868. ^ From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 25:- Arrived at "feeritori. Met Gels, f^vant; Sherman, Sheri-den, Augur and others, and returned with them to Laramie, Simday, 26: Met mirarit. Reed and Seymour, Reed »aVshe has had to pay f7500 for laborers waiting for line. M|ty change locatfon at head of Echo and'"at -outh of Weber as being bad one, also that loca tion was not made, &c. I met them and refuted the whole thing. Soymour and ^ed would not face me in the matter at all. Mr. Williams in formed Dillon that the location is a good one, and that he should fight for it before the GovemnSnt, &c; Monday, 27- ?:ent to Bluffs with the arty, Telegra^ihed Blickensderfer . July, 1868. . , to put in,,a line at mouth of Weber with 116 ft. grade, and send McCabe to head of ^cho to run Lawrence line with 110 ft. grade, &c, ^'ferlL • Monday, 27:- Started for Omaha with Mr, and Mrs, Crawford, Expected to go out on U.P. to meet Ocean; found dispatch in Omaha to wait. Went to Mrs. Hoxie's for the ni^t. . . I J Oliver Ames .to Gen. Dodge, North Easton, 26;- , t Your letter of L2th, from Green River and Telegram of 23d t from 7/eber received Saturday tho 25th. While we were out on the road some injunctions -ere servecj on the Company for black mail purposes, and the ex-ccmnittee were called together and some very strong actions taken to head off injunctions. In order to ush the road resolution was passed that The Vice President in addition to ordinary powers have the supervision of the affairs of the Company on th line of road, including such surveys preliminary or final as are being made, and all officers and employees are subject to his instructions. It being the Intention to have full powers in accordance with the by-laws No. 3 and 4, he being accountable only to the CoTrimittee and Directors for his acts under this authority," I think thab^ these full ^wers • . ■ * were giyen to Durant under the impression that he could do a good deal to push the -road,, eaid that it might be necessary to head off some suit I think th». J^op^or coincides with you in regard to what should be «<Xn® VJ'l'OtPIt® a"d construct road. ( • - ■->■■ ■ I o ; * •'irt. July, 1868 • • ' c . The final location of the line between Green ^iver and Salt Lake is an important even,t and I h pe we have got it where we shall be fully satisfied that in our huhry we have not sacrficed everything to speed. 'I'he laying'of such irmense stretches of line over a diffi cult* country in so short a time is as unheard of an Engineering as conf struttion. In regard to stofie structure fdr wateh way, I am urging up Snyder to pat on all the men possible, and hope you will see that whenever it can be done without material delay it should be done in construct ing the road. As you suggest in your letter, it may now before the track get along to deliver timber in may places where stone is abundant have the culverts and piers put'in before track reaches them cheaper than they can be with stone. Hope to hear from you on your way out to end of central track, and whet you learn from there. Carter has gone out to explore their country and report, I hope your Interview with l^r, Hurant was all harmonious. He la so piagnaclr.us sometimes that he is difficult to please. Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, ^lorth Easton, 27:- Your favor of "^uly 16th is received this morning. I wrote you yesterday and directed my letter to Weber River, from which I recelbed yoxir telegram of 23d. I wrote you in that letter fully in re gard to action of ex-Committee," As our great object is to complete July, 1868. . t' ' the road,* we must as far as possible set aside all these annoyances and let no ordinary thing turn us from this object. I am glad that --ur line is so well located and is ready before the graders are really ready with their tools to take hold of it. You do no' say whether you have taken the long or short tunnels. I hoped we should have liad stone all along on line of road fit ■ for sulvert, and we would not have to first put in trestle work; butwB must not let our'bridges dej^y us if we can do the work by pil ling without delay. ' - Duff Oreen feet out an injuncton on Or. Mobr, and we suppoed it was of no account and wias put off till the 8th of ^ugust. Dillon and Dui^ant went ut on the road with that understanding, i^illon and Du rant having been subpoenead tas w'itnesseS to appear nn the 21st inst. and the case was supposed .to be put over till the -Sth. By some hocus pocus they got it on-on 2lst and Dilon and Durant away, it was rep resented in the Herald that they had run away to avoid testifying, and quite a damaging article was-gotten up on it. Jas. Kisk, the fellow who figured in the Rock Island & Erie ^.R.controversy and made a good deal of money oui of them, and is also one of the.parties that Durant ^ot in to subscribe to 2.000,000-of our stock last fall, and got out injunction then for Durant in his fight against the road. He now . claims that ^Hirant and Bardweli agreed to pa^ him expenses and dont come up, an-d he will get idiat he can. He has served an injunction on July, 1868. . V , . , Cisco, and will serve one on me if gets a chance to tie up the road, and do every'possible thing he can tb'annoy us and makfe us pay him a liberal sum' to withdraw his suit. Bushnell thinks he can buy him off with $50,000, I do not think it will do to go' across the Arm of Salt Lake, if the water is 22 ft. deep and still rising, nor do I think it desirable to o'urvey a route to Salfe Lake unless Brigham Yoxmg and Mqrmonsshould express a strong desire to have it there. As soon as we have our line grades and track laid within 300 miles of Salt -Lake we can then lap over and put our men on to Hu^boldt Wells, and I think, with the best information I can get-grade Itt: and lay the track, befo e they get triere. If Blickeiisderfer finds.a. line 60 ft, instead of 70 ft, wont do for' us to'spend any time for 'this, as we m.ust hurry up this heavy work, and while we Have 80 and 90 ft. at grades all along the line we can hardly afford t6 do much for a 60 ft. grade when our en gines are made heavy for 00'ft. ri* : ' . ■ 'You dont«8ay anything about Seymour. I hope you found him en.joy ing himself, as that iS the greet .object of his life, and he ought not to be disappointe d. Tou say Hodges has reached Hurabol'''t Wells and is surveying or working east from there. Carter went out to Salt Lake with the intention of lookgng over the line of Central Road and see what they have got to do,and how rapidly they can get along with their work. He will probably report to you on his return. July, 1868. I hope you will be able to get along without IndiaJ^troubles, and that you will see that the, water nuestion is settled, as this is quite as impprtant as you supposed last year, and strong parties should be at work^ . . ' ' , . ' Note:- Notes, on the.Act of July 27, 1868, authorizing the removal of certain corporation cases from Courts of the States to those of th United. States. . ^ J..Blickensderfer, ^Tr. to Gen. Dodge, ^alt Lak,e 27 (Telegram) . Uessage. received. Hodges finished on 17th, He is now here; his party at Gity. of Rocks and will return to location immediately. McCabe has no party. Bates hired all his men On construetion,_new men must be gotten together. Can you send the a-transit man and a leveler? ^at'^o you moan by Lawrence's line head Echo? Is if stage - road line? Shall i stop Hudnutt 'f'or that work and Let Mr. McCable make Foundings with common men? Where dft you want line to cross river, below Devil's Gate? Shall 1 U'-e henvy grades for commencemenf of new line-there? There are ho slides below Devil's Gate only washer exposing rock. Williams has seen all; he wishes to know when you will be here. Answer. To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 27:* (Telegram) Council Bluffs carried the Bridge Loan by eleven hundred and fourteen (114) votes for twelve (12) votes agai-nst. J. Biiekenaderfer, Jr. to ^. E. House," Salt Lake Gify, 28:- July, 1868. . • ■ . . ' Since my communication of 6th' inst. the following drafts have "been ^ra""n by me on 6,. M. T^odge, Chief Engineer, fiz: " No, 41, July 11, favor T.,F. Tracey . V' ' $300.00' $300.00' No. 42, If If It " No. 43, nl w No. 44, ' ft 'l?' ' ft No. 45, If ft No. 46, 11 21 ' ft No. 47, n 28 " '' & *' No, 48, ' ^ n 49, n It n " No. 46, 21 " It ft % ' J. B. McCabe 500.00 1000.00 i 2000.00 1500.00 ■ ' 1800.00 600.00 100.000 ' 500.00 54,958.05 R; J. Lawrence • , ,' ., 1800.00 No. 47, " 28 T. F.'Tracey v . 600.00 ♦' No. 48, ■ " -^"^'F. S. Hodges ' . . " 100.000 ' *-110.. 49, " " " J. 0, Hudnutt ' ' . . 500.00 ■ • ■ • Total to date , 54,958.05 The approximate'lotigitude of Pt>. ganders, flagstaff, is 105° 38' 24" according to my observation; but this rests.on a single observation.pf 'a lunar distance, and e^nnot be relied on as accurate. I made obsprvat ions at Cheyenne 4n February last by exchanging telegraphis signals between that place and Chicago, which* should give me the longitude with accuracy, a'SId my observation of the difference of longitude, be tween ^hejWne and Sanders is near the truth, but my Chico.gc.. friend has failed to advise me of his part, of the work. And so 1 an no betjier off than I was bef.ore. Should further results come to my hand, I will-communicate them to you. y , July, 1868. . ' " I ' ■- J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lalce City, '2§ (Telegram) Did you get ra y.message saying Hudnutt was here? ' He.can start for Promontory Point on Thursday, Maxwell is on Promontory Point; will finish experimental line this week. C. JP. party is encamp- •od one mile from Maxwell locating toward ^eber. McCabe can start for head Pclio on Thursday with party fiVll except transit man and leveller. Shall he go, and may-I call on Law rence for leveller? '^ ' " From Mrs. Dodge's Diary,' 29.— Went doWn to depot this morning.' Ocean came .in with' Genls. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan &c. went over to N. TC. depot, ^ent to ride by moonli-(^t, the evening- was pl-easant. . tTom Gen. Dodge's Diary'j 29:- Arrived in Omaha; met Annie, Took Grant, Sherman, and Sheri dan to fluffs. " ' Wednesday, 29:- * ' At home all day. Sent Celegrams to Blickensderfer, Evans, O'Nell and others. « J, R. Briggo, Jr, to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 39:- ' Your report was printed as an Ex.^Doc., and I sencf-'^ou a copy. I revised it again, ccfrrecting some minor errors that slipped throu^, and had 1000 extra copies printed on better paper. '■' 1 'shall be gone to Chicago until the middle of September, end then returt tiene', " ' tSV*'■" " ■ tr, \W' p*. ^ J Juljr, 1868, . • . , ' ■• I hope your trip and business out on the line have"been'satisfactory. Almost everybody is gone from here. Members generally do not expect a meeting in September. - 1 Note: ^. Hamilton to Genl. Dodge, Philadelphia, 30:- In relation to back copies of Journal, price, bi];^ding &c. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Salt >ake, 30 (Telegram) Messages of 28th and 29th ereceived . Requests attended to. Hodges found heavy grades a scendlng table comnianding west approach to 'Reed*s Pass, and'heaviest • work on table^j both can be materially dim inished, . ■ .w . , • J. Blickensderfer, Jr. .to Gen.* Dodge, Salt Lake City, 30:- ^ Dr. Durant telgraphed me yesterday for estimated quanti ties on those lines mm- at he.ad Echo, and I send you a copy of my message to him in answer to his request, that you nay have the faotz before you. t . / ^orris is at work at Wo .er Canon, and v;ill finish in a short time, but the groTind is difficult and i|ill require more time thar\ it otherwise would. McCabe*s party left for head ;of Echo,today. Col, ' ' • • . 4 Hudnutt will leave for Promontory Point In the morning, .^nd Hodge's party is tn motion from City of -^ocks. He .will be in position between Promontory Point and north end Lake- early in next week. Maxwell will close his preliminary with Hodge's line west of Promontory Point in a few days, and then will commence locating between Promontory Point and July, 18C8. . • mouth ^eber, - ' • r t . It is proper for me to inform you that I have heard from sources .-v, entitled to credit, that the water jicross the ba^' .and'Mud Island and Promontory Point is* much shallower tV\an we found it- on a line bearing more to the northward tTian Maxwell t3id.. My informant says on tl^e line directly towards the pofnt,^ which J^axwe 11 .to'ok, the water Ifs" deep 16 to 16 ft, as he says found 22) while on a line more to the north it £io where exceeds 8 ft. My impression is that this matter should be Examined further. « ' ' - ■' « The weather is exceedingly hot. ■ , ' . " .rri.7 Jas, A. Evans to ^en. Dodge, Laramie, 30;- . Previous to the'Receipt of your letter from Green River ( see answer to which you did not .receive in consequence of youn coming down) 1 had named the Station and gave-the matter some publicity. If you have any bholc'e 'irt' tVie names please Idt me know, so that when the time cards are issued they can be made to -suit .you. I give, the names: " .ru.v Benton , Rawllno Separation Crest'on TTashakie red Desert ' '"rO'." - .-Ji: 'rte ■ Green River, Table Rock. Bitter Creek Black Btittes„ Point -of Rock .Salt "VJells, • Bock Springs r ' <" t r-'4 July, 1868. • t ^ ' Note: J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to T. Durant, Salt Lake, 30:- Report on length of ravines, tunnels, &c, ' , From Gen. Dodge^a Diary, 30:- ' • ' ** Fixing up my accoiints. Paid Stewart & Haas. Paid tax on'' land, &c. Telegrap':ed Colfax.. TTent to ride in evening. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge,. Salt Lal.e, 31 (Tel gram)- - Sha 11 I adopt line orossing Weber and changing channel? It makes a five -"ile tangent, saves 86 degrees curvature 630 ft, dis tance, and throws out a long five degree curve, the only one in valley. Will require no bridge, &c. but little.more rip rap than other line. Please answer. t , D -4 .t ^ Oakes Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, June, 4:- (Telegram) Come here tonight, I will wait, important. Noteu Special Orders, No. 115--In relation to trains and wagons of the Western Transportation Company passing between the terminus of the U. P. P. R. aind Denver, Col. • Geo. E. Snencen to Can. Dodge, Tuscaloqsa, Ala. June 15:- ■Aie newspapers Inform us that Congress has passed the bill admitting ^Uabama, and I presume, we shall soon have our Logilature in seasion. In view of this fact I wish you would write L. M. Douglas, of-Huntsville, Ala., asking him.to sur^port me for the Senate, and to u»# his influence. .Please write him a strong letter as it will help me very much. You must recollect him as a nephew of Doixglr'S, the Att}*.^ at Council Bluffs. July, 1868. . , * We will have a terrible fight-here at the election in November. If we get the righ t start, we can carry the State for.^rant, bit it ic in great■doubt. please write me at Decatu^ , as. I move my office there next week Note: Additional articles to" the treaty between the United States and China, of June 18th, 1858 Oakee Ames to Gen. ®odge, ^ashington^ June 27:-^ I enclo"se"'you two letters left with me fby ^ou. t do not hear from the road very often since you left. I suppose you have Oliverwith you row. I-have not received any information as'to tpack,laying Sinbe I'was in New York befo e'Oliver left. , " . • I saw Mr. Hooper today of Utah.. He says they had a great, meet-1 ing* in Salt Lake for*<Ibssrs. Sej^our'knd. - eed, and'had speeche.s, &c., Great fnfen- Sej^mour and Reed - they must have astonished the Saints, We are working along here in^he House slowly; the weather is verv hot, and we have had night dOsalon this week. I wftsh I were out on the road with you. ^rite me when yOu have a chance. Ed. C. Yatea to* Gen, Dodge, Potter Station, June 27{- Pleads ^end tffe' k plot of the to mr of Potter.- Received book and conditions, but no plot. ' , Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, Washington, C. July 6;- . . ' I wish you to retain Lt. George T. Bigelow. in the service r;fter you get through With the main lines. You will have to retain August, 1868. • • « quite a nmber on the line, I believe Lt. Bigeln/y to be abie, honest and industrious, 1 take a personal interest-in him and his father is one of my best friends, and you will gratify me by keep.ing him in the Engineer Department. f We are having awful hot weather here; I would like to be in the mountains with you. 7» r J. ELickensderfer, Jr. to J. tt. House, Salt Lake City, 1;- Since the'date of my last I have drawn on G, M, Dodge as follows: No, 50, July 29, favor P, S. Hodges No, 51, " 30 " . J, 0, Hudnutt * ' No. 52 J-. F, McCabe No. 63 Aug. l , " J, Blickens derfer Jr. , $2,500.00 I . 3,oOO.00 500,00 1,500.00 f - t ' Total to dat© - I enclose a draft drawn for fifteen hundred, dollars. .(^1500) in my oWi favcr teind "endbrsed over' to you, with the reqest that you obtain ^Herefor on Eaaterrr'draft payable to the order of Mountford S, Stokely and enclose "the same* to mJsr abn at my home in Ohio, as p r affreased envelope" herewi-th sent, I take this course because I unde«^tood from you when I was at Omaha, that you would if desired obtain Eastern drafts, and "could do so-without expense to the Company, whereas if I obttlned a draft here it would cost .the Oorapany one per cent. p]ease advise me when you have sent thd'draft to my son. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - July 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 July 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/acaa2f860edfc701080a8bb73a462799.pdf 24fd84102938d2374a22ae1ddb0f3245 PDF Text Text August, 1868. . . , ' quite a number on the line. I believe Lt. Bigel-v/ to be able, honest and industrious. I take a personal interest in him and his father is one of my best friends, and you will gratify me by keep.ing him in the Engineer Department. We are having awful hot weather here; I would like to be in the mountains with you. ' ■ " J. Blickensderfer, Jr; to J. F. House, Salt Lake City, 1:- Since the date of.my last I have drawn on C. m. Dpdge as follows: No. 50, July 29, favor P. S. Hodges No. 51, No. 52 J. 0. Hudnutt J. F..McCabe No. 63 kng, 1 , " J. Blickens derfer Jr. $2,500.00 , 3,500.00 500.00 1,500.00 r ■ » Total to dat© - . 1 enclose a draft dwwn for fifteen hxindred dollars. (;Cl500) in my own ravOr knd ifendbrsed over to you, with the reqest that you obtain f therefor on Ea ate ivr'draft payable to the order of Mount ford S. Stokely and enclose "the sffllie' to my son at my home in Ohio, as p raff • rasped 4 envelope he'rewi-th sent. I take this course because I understood from you when I was at Omaha, that you would if desired obtain Eastern (jfigifts, and "could 4o "90 -without eispexlBe to the Company, whereas if I obtained a draft here it' would cost .tlho Qorapany one per cent. Please advise me when yod ^fave^'sent thd'^drdft to my son. August, 1868. . ""t''' ■; I designed "before this to- send you another installment .of vo\ihhers; but the constant demands on my time seem to forbid that attention to my accounts which I desire-, — I find myself compelled to ask for more stationery, although almost ahsanved to do it. The lot brought West in the winter has dis appeared so mysteriously that I am both annoyed and suspicious, but explanatfohs cannot well be made'by letter, . If you please send me 100 or 150 more sheets profile jjaper# one roll tracing cloth, a few reams letter and note paper, s^nd some small envelopes (of these I have none left) also some blank vouchers, both large and small sizd, . , J. W, Chapman-to Gen. Dodge, Fondulac, ^-is. 1:- * » I was surprised to learn that you had gotten home so soon, and was truly sorry t^t I ^was not there whenyour distinguihhed party arrived, t see by the dispatches that Gen, Grant's reception at St. Joe wa? disgraceful. The Rebels dont seem to admire our Union Generals, By t e way, your old friend Gen, C. Hamilton^Cf this place, inquired particularly for you this morning, and desired me to give you his kind regard. He says he is aeady if the Pebs want a other fight and seems to think there is danger of a second rebellion, I will be homo by the first of September- perhaps sooner". The Republicans have strong hopes of beating Eldridge in this District • « this fall. They are-wide-awak.e pnd have^ organized a "Tanners Clu"h which is doing good service. If our people would organize and work August, 1868, ' « harmoniously instead of putting in their time*at fault-finding, as Crawford did with me just before I left there, we could" save our Countr^r. I wish you would sepak to Capt. ^''-illiam-s and a few other active Republicans tb pitch in before it is too late, and got up seme kind of an organization that'will awaken and unite, our people. If we dont do something, will lose (Sixr country, ' ' ' -c? - • Two days after I got liere'a'letter froth Mb. Bloomer followedasking me to' nign an invitation to John A. Kasson to come to Council Bluffs this fall arid address the Republicans. I wrote to Mr, B. that I signed it' under protest for I dislilied the idea of asking a man like Mr, K, to do his "d'ut:'; that I prefeirred to -have such men 'free .t'o act sith the party •voluntarily if the" saw fit. He may publish the letter; if so, yo'u will see all the names of th^ Central Committee attached to ■ . , V ■ r the letter. I could not we^i stand out alone and refuse, but I hope the mf|n will refuse the invitation, for I detest-such todylsm. " From Mrs. Dodge*a Diary, 1;- ' ■ < ' Tent to Sue*a to supper, Getting ready to go out West with Ocean. ' now O " ^ J * ' 2, ocean went to Omaha, ' ■ » >* - • ' ' r ■ T Prom Cen, Dodge s Diary. 2;- . i ■ t , T^rote M. 8. Williams in relation to assessment on City Property. Met Dursnt and Dillon and got my orders', . ■. . , 'Wi August, 18G8. • . * ♦ I • •- ^ I I James F, Wilaon to Gen, ^Qj^ge, ^airfield, Iowa, 2:- Yours of the 28th ul.t. is at hand,. '1 was surpsied to find you at home, as I had heard that you had started for the Pacific Coast; • ^The dividend on R. I. is not payable unt 1. the 15th Sept. so of course, present quotations carry divident to buySr. When I came through Chicago last Wednesday, Cool baugh told me lib thought something might hapnen to justify me in fixing the limit at a.higher rate than 110, and if so he would telegraph me. Immmediately on niy arrival home next day, C. telegraphed me to advance the rate to 112, and Tat once telegraphed to Gray, Prince & Co. to that effect. I-have not yet heard from them. The stock ©n Friday last was llO 3-4. This is the last quotation I have seen. If G. p. &-Co. did not receive my dispatch before the stock reached 110, of course, they sold'«t that rate-thia would make us $5.00 less com. Did you inform G. P & Co, of my interest, so that I can draw on them? Whon will you-etart WoSt, and whepe are you going? Union Paoifid has at last got an injunction placed on it, and an effort is being made to annul the Credit Mobil4wr contract, and have all profits carried to the,credit of the stockholders of the R. R. Cornpan:^. If this move shotild bS-affected, then U. P. stock would advance at a pretty rapid rate. J. BlickenSderfer, Jr. to ^n.,^odge, Salt Lake, 3 )( Telegram) August, 1868. , Message received. Extr& cost tangent" line from e-ight tlTousand (aOOO) to ten thousand (10.,000) dollars. Commercial value of saving in curvature and distance nearly fantteen thousand dollars. WilL meet you wi with camp hsad of Echo. Morris id done at Devil's Gate and preparing to work westward. Hudnutt and HodgeS will be in position today. McCabe is at head of Echo, . ' • ' . , ^, 0. Durant to Ben. Holliday. ' r ■> t I have everything ready to grade one hundred miles this faD.l on line north to Snake^^iver, then to Columbia. Am. only delaying the work on account of your* suggestion. - W§ can send a party-to survey from Para dise Valley to the head of ^iddle.fork of T'^illiamette River, in case we ^ have controlling ingerest in the entire line through, and in existing contract ,• should #6 ddeJdtt to that route. I regret you did not come here. r ^ f •• Gen. Dodge'to G. W. Martin, Council .Bluffs, T'l" - ' ' • Furnish Mr. North, Asst. Engineer, pass over road, and funds to join us at Salt Lakei^-t*' ' ob' r . ' F. Hodges to Gen. Dodge, Box Elder, Utah, St- ' '♦ Start out from hehe to Mich party and locate north side^ of Lake tof^ay, . • ' • Mr. Slickenaderfer'has full hotea', mtps |^rp>file«¥»«ad repor^ of Promontory Point and Humboldt Wells line. We followed the California August, 1868. line all the way over line's being in many places identical. " " Mr. Theo. Tracy and family expect to visit the East in a few da- s. I remind you of this, having an i-^ea that you might consider some ourtes'' over the road due them. I have asked Messrs. Walker Bros, to ascerta-ln if they can bring out a month supply of provisions to use in your train when you march out should my orders fe ontemplate work ftlrter 15th of September, to which period I am p> ovided with supplies. ' .' From. Gen. Dodge's Diary, 3:- " ' «• , Started for Salt Lake; Mrs, Dodge- with m . Durant and Dillon with me. Left check for $5^600 with' N.»P.D. PiVsf paymnent on P. N. 'Bank Stock. From Mrs. Dddge*s Diary, 3:- a - . '■ Started out oh Director's car. Dr. White', .Gen. Biaiv, CqI. Gai'lt of St, Louis on, and Frost girls :af Omaha, Had a pleasant eve. Gen. Dodge to "Mr.'Martin, CoTinc 1 Bluffs, 3;- • /Give Mr. '^oo'k p^as over road, also fun-"'s to take him to Salt Lake. He goesout to Mr. Biickensderfer. From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 4;- Met Jesse L. Williams. He says location at Echo and Weber is right, and that he shall oppose any c"ange,»"Heavey grade at Echo is far more objectionable than in fe lower altitude; snow and ice are bad, make track dangerous'and train, hard to comman-^'; that 20 ft. added li"' ... August, 18G8. . ' to a grade here increased amount for me to profile, thou{^ at any other point that he-will agree to put in the slide and^ fix it permanent ly for $2000 Patterson saj's he can take out al] work before track can reach him and considers line a good one; prefer t^p take it out. Wednesday, 5:- , ' . ' - • T Started for head of Echo in stage; pre tty comfortable line. Had qu4.te a discussion with-Patterson on grade, alignments, ^;c; says he put in 16° curve in Lehigh Valley in 60 ft. grades, and that they run well; does not think it necessaj-y to bpnd rail to a Pattern for anything-under ^ degre^ae. ■ .»y". lirt' -"rt ; » - • • f .' From Mrs. Dodge's Diary T:- • In cars all day. Miss Front got off at Cheyenne; saw |Mrs. Casement a moment. Dan came on and- went out to Laramie and Benton, Tfeidhe sday, ,5 1 o ■ * - Arrived' at took sftage for the wast.. .. , T. J. carter to Qan.'^bdge, Sacr^mentao, 5:- (Telegr^) Track 'laid 240 mllpS; probably complete 200 -""iles more pres ent year. • . . • From Gen. Dodge's Diary, G;- ,• • - , - Arrived at '^roen River, Jnsti^cted Williams n to do the best he could with ®reeii River people; changed HouscSs instructions to that effect. Foxind'that LAmb, Carmichael, Malay and pthers were Inter-ested and oppoeed to Cbmpany. 'Rode all night and arrived at Bridge i n -lomlng. Augur: t, 1868. From Mrg. Donge's Diary, 6:- On stag6 all day; very dusty. At Green River in the evening. . , ; Schuyler Colfx to Gen..Dodge, Benton; 6:- I received your.letter.at Omaha, and was sorry that I did not see you personally and have you go out with us. We had need of just such a conductor; lukcily Gen. Fufoi?d was with us an telegraphed ahead foi* meals, and except at one place where the telegraph failed, we did quite well; We fo-und the nrices quite reasonable, h^i.ee apiece, except here where I learned that the Hail road company had paid it. • I tried to find Mr. Snyder at Omaya but he was not with the reception committee, not at .the depot when we started. As we were there fifteen or twenty minutes I looked around for him but he .was very busy they said, and not there. Mr. Frost met us at the landing and a«co~panied ua around town, but his business prevented his going out with us. Mr. Snyder wrote me at South Bend in reply to nty letter and said he would make the arrangements for a stage Cor us from Choyermo to Ddnver and return, and not seeing him at Oma^ra I asked Mh. Frost to'arrange it,. Luckily I got out of the croWd at Cheyenne and went to Wells, Pargo and foun'^ there they had heard-nothing-of "our wantifxg a stage, but Mr. Cottrell promise to hawo it fixed. Dont regard thia ac a fault-finding letter for it la not. I only thought I would give you a faithful report, puilman furnished us the car which was attacheflr^Q the train at omahsand we have had 561 Augurt, 1868. . I know how busy you officers are knd vie only y'egretted that we had not been *ith tbe Editorial Excitrsion where the arrangement were better systematized, . I ' All looks #ell i)olitically.^ ^ J. L. niliams tc Gen. Godge", Omaha 6:-^- : I send by tJel-^gram' tonight both to Ames, Prs. at Boston and Burant, Vf P. at: New York, a 'remonstrance, whi-ch' is-enclosed against any change oil Wahsatch Increasing grade over-t90 ft. /Will mail copy to secretary Interior, - -. • d I may go to V^ashington. 1 hope that even'if^ iff change has bee ordered the contractors may wor.k elsewhere for the, present^ though of coursd r have' no piower to order this. -Mr. -Rawlins rhad left or I think he Would havff signed it, -^ill qend :copy also to each Gov ernment Birecto?^.! wrolfe hastily from Sffnders when half asiepp to you I think, -and -may have directed 11 to Blickensderfer, ' You will see the necessary of my being furni-ihed immediately with Copies of such comparative estimates as Mr. B, shol make touching the fiateral lines and of different grades, Assumi-r the stage road ravine at 110 ft. to give 9000 ft, tunnel an-^ only one half '"lie shorter than before. I suppose that line will be 200,00 or ^300,000 cheaper than Hodges line as adopted by M, B. How io this? Let him state oommcrcial cost also. Ask Mr. B, to give me the entire length of line from North Pork 2nd Crossing to his point of entrance into Salt Lake Valley at Weber as he shall * . |'» r- August, 1868. finally fix it, so that I can coTnpai e my profile distances. Trite to Ft, Wayne. . Tn Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 6 (Telegram) _ Grey, Prince & Co. telegraphed .sale of one thousand--Bock Island at 12; have agreed on Hughs purchase. All well. J. L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, Oma^a 6:-'- • ' 'l,omitted.to get your views as to marking on my profiles the heights above sea. If ever corrected it is quite time to begin. Suppose the three railroad lines should oome som.ewhere near agreement How would it do to average them^and then.add to our profile heights the nearest 30 ft- say 10 29 or 30.(as R.R.levels■are not exactly aecurate) then I could add a.foot note explaining; and -hen you make your next report or print the.one you have written.you can add a new 'table of altitudes embracing all the region of the mountains and plains. Give me your views soon as you can. How_will I get the letter from the Burllng'tbn Engineer"? With .that I can decide whether our present aercf irrong and-needs correction. • Please send by mall- dr expres - Col. Simpson»s report which I loano'd you, • - • ^ _ Copy of'telegram fro-^ .Jesse L. Williams to Ames ^d others, 0-aha: The undersigned, one of the Government directors and member of'locating Committee, rospectfuljry but earnestly remonstrate against any change of final location on Wahsatch ^ange, as made^by J. Blickensderfer. locating Engineer, and approved b3^ Chief Enr-ineer, v/hich -h-11 increase grades ovor 90 ft, per '^ile. Having examined the ground I know thSs maximum to ho'feasible, at reasonable cost, and that it need not dela^ your rapid tracklaj'ing. Ninety foot maximum grade being adapted to the general slope of the Wahsatch and being the ruling grade from the ilissouri River to the Sierra Nevada; .to exceed it here would materi ally impair the efficiency of this Continental Roacl, injure both its stockholders and the co^^'^ercial interests, and increase the hazard of travel over the Snowy Range with only a paltry advantage to the Con tracting Company. If there exists 'a purpose for increasing this rade I trust it will be abandoned. J ' From Gen. Dodgers Diary, Friday, 7:- , Arrived at he<id of Echo; in eveni g met Seymour, Lawrence ' tod Blickensderfer. Foxmd my camp six miles a^oove Weber at 9 P. M. Saturday, 8;- • ' Returned to' Ebhy. Piflahd that three lines had been run down Sou'h Ravine; two impracticable and cost us 110 ft. gi^de, 8 curve and 400 ft, tunnel; coat about $150,000 less than B. line, two miles long er. Mr. Reed run long tunnel line 3000 ft. tunnel, 90 ft. grade, 4° curve. Sakes it cost toout $700,000 and considers it best. The other line no advantage over the adopted line. Mr. Reed also states he could get out all th6 work on line before track got here, except ttinnel, which could be taken out by December 1st. Rock in tunnel, si^ August, 1868. Stone easy ^to work and will stand. ,Frora Mrs, Dodge's Diary 7;-^, Arrived at Ft. Bridger tl-.is corning; took breakfast with Judge and Mrs, Carter. Met Mr. and Mrs. Ruxxy of Salt Lake, but no mormons. Took stage again for Green River._ Arrirved Satui'dajj eve at camp in Weber Canon. Sunday, 8:- Xn canp.* Saw Col. Seymour, Mr. Reed and Mr.-Bliclcensderfer. Monday, 9:- . .. In canp, ■» From Gen. Dodge-'s Diary, 9:- Wrota Mr. Ames freoly, also Mr. Dillon, Exa'^ined all lines. • • • J McCabe'running on 116 ft, line down river valley. Mr. Reed said he considered it doubtful whether, anything was to be gained in the change so much was done now ovar $100„000 and if they did not adopt the long • * • tunnel line was in fawor of ^dopting the short tu nnel line. Lawrence and McCabA finished tho--116 ft. grade line. Som^e of culverts are built of stone and will decay, Mr. B. says. Cast iron box can be put in to replace them, , Monday, 10:- ■Marched at 6, A. M, and ca"ped at mouth of Lost Creek. Examin ed line down Weber to narrows; grade looks low, on low bottom, otherwiise I'ne all right. Telegraphed D.P. on lines at head of Echo, also August, 1868. tlr. Williams as to estimates. -Mr. Blickensderfer went to get McCabe to run Needles line. Sent letters by stage'to Ames, Dillon, McComb, Prince and others. Grey, Price & Co. sold a thous-ahd shares of R. I. & P. on 8th at 112. . . . Foom Mrs, Dodge's Diary, 10:- . , Started from Echo; camped on or near Lost Creek above ?/eber Canon. , Jas. P. Wilson to Gen, Dodge, Fairfiold, Iowa,' ICT:- Our stock was sold on the 8th at 112 or |7000 advance. This will do pretty v;ell, Allison got frightened and sold at about 2 per I cent advance. I dont thin k much of his broker. * I Did you advise Gray, Prince & Co. of my. right to draw on them? I want to pay a'note in New York, and watnt to draw on them' for that purpose. Let me hear from y6u on this point J. E. House to Gen. l^odge, (Waha, 10:- I sent by Wells Fargo ft Company Express one roll of Q.G.D. which fou will please'sign and reutnr. The demand is quite great and old stock nearly all used up, * ' In looking over Order No, 9, and your note to'me on the same, in regard to all lots sold and for which '^oney has-been, received, to make a return of, I am at a loss as to whftt ehal"" be done with Gen. Myers' lots; they stand charged to him on ledger: also the one given to Capt. Bailey. Shall I not instruct Dearborn, our Agent at Cheyenne, to i, ' August, 18G8. « ■ P plac?^ all the ^ts in market that ha.ve.not heerrflsoid,' except Cel. Seymour's? , f'.; Gen. Dodge to J. E* House, Salt Lake City, 10:-- The lots o'harge'd to- Oen. Myers wllT not be returned as sold. Capt. Bailey's lot wMLd 'be placed irt marJcet-saine "as all lots not paid fbif^h'h'donated, T bfelieVe' therb 'Were some Ibts given to the persons * 'iiW^6*1h'^ld tTie claims, five or ten;' tVfttt ten I believe'that you sent me tb'^ ^shl'hgton," l^dy were the lif^t that 5 in 362, 1-470. 4-469, i, 382, 15, 47?', 13-477, 5-330, 1-319,' 5-395, 11-474. And' another ten was doViated on account of th'e pree^tion title," 3^383, 3-3*84,'•21- '423, 19-423', 15-521, 6-, 36l, '21-^421, -1386, • 3-382,' 13-421, There were bome ^therd ir* bel ^o Evans, 0*''ell efWd the draughtsman at Cheyenne. If^ r^fiemVer i?iglit your'^o^oks will show. I'think that is all that were given for their' claim right. The other donations show on books and what for. •' * . :> ' • f ? ■ . -v .. ♦ '♦!./" t - I You better sell an^' lots in Cheyenne that there is any demand for ,0 that belongs to the Co*^pany. I do not know what to do with Green River; have ordered 0*Noil to lay out town at Black's Fork. You bot- ' . ■ . •' • • • , Snyder ask him to make his base if practicable at Fork. , i t . , I , • .» 4 \ ^ ' I Ediall send you a map of line west of Green River in a few days. Shall send porlfla from here direct to New York. The map you will <# ■ » f* r , have to make copy on your scale, and forward. I go west Tuesday, August, 1868. • .Mail and telegrams reach me here. ' : J. L. vailiams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wasnae, 11, (Tele'grara) Informs me of all changes and r/hat grade ado.pted, and send all facts for report and profile soon as possible. Gen. Dodge to ^en. Augur, Omaha, 12:- ' . •" I respectfully request that the Commanding Officer at Green River be instructed to protect the property, r ights and reservation of the town at that nlace from depredation, squatters, &c. Unless this is done « people "'ill take )X)ssession of our town * and <reservation, in fact, have already done so, and we are powerless to act. I also request, on behalf of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, I that until civil law is firmly established at that place that the Com- ^ manding Officer assume full control so as to preserve the peace and give security of life and property. Note: J, E. House to J. A. Williamson, Omaha, 12:- In relation to Col.Knight assuming control of matters there at Green River, &c. Gen, Dodge to J. E. House, Salt Lake City 13:- Send to Jas. W. Queen & ^o. No, 924 Chestnut St. Phila., an get one hundred yards of continuous profile paper on scale horizontal four divisions to inch; vertical thirty divisions to inch. • The paper is 22 inches wide. I want to try some of it to see h it works. It cost 90 eta, per yard* August, 1868, . .r 37 c: . ' 'f . ,'rjirte f J. L. V;illiams to Gen. Dodnie, Ft. Waynp, 13:«r 1 I am busy with my.report.and very anxious tp get it off, that my time and attention may ta]ce hold of other matters; besdies, if.the Secretary needs information from;the line, he wants it now. I fear that Mr. hiickensderfer may not have understood that I wanted the grades and distances on the last 200 miles immediately. He may have mailed them; if so all right; if not ask him to do ?o. My continental profile is a prominent pfirt ©f-my report with me in connectionwith . the location. If there has been a change- in maximum grade, say what is the highest grade in ^ahsatch by telegram. I presume, of course, . there-is so^e change* r . I concluded that--to send copy of my remonstrance to the Secretar CO siderlng t'nat there was . ot the least probabili'J-y th4t trith so lit- • tie time.to look into the Pacific R. R. either he;or; his friends would , take up the-sujeot. So I shall content myself with stating the case and disapproving. The truth is, on examining the law carefully, the ^res, has not much control of location. He would not bother with the question. The point ^ made in my remon«lH|usce ryas the maximum grade, not the location or route, or will they cross as they do other.streams. Tell me if you can irtiether thp Company will probably build masonry in adv§inoe for the bridges on Weber. If either of the tunnels on Weber is thrown out tell.ae, also what is length of Echo tunnel if changed. My present statement of tunnels is No. 1 Heavy, C. 174 ft. W'. •-It: or. c: 1868. " No. 2, Sulphur, c. 140 ft. No. 3 Echo 730 ft. No. 4 Weber one 300 and one 400 level 1734 ft. - ' ' J 'j . : .T, Note: H. Latham to Geri. "^Dodfre, Cheyenne, 12:- ' Has in contemplation the publication of a'pamphlet on the resources, mineral, af^riciltural, &c. of the West, and v;ants Gen. Dodge to give him such information as he may think appropriate for such a work. I Prom Gen. Dodge's Diary, 11:- * " - . ■ - • ' • Moved t6 Eelmont stage station. Examined line carefully 'throu'-h the narrows and Weber Canon, also round point going to Ogden. Table is 30 ft. higher than Devil's Gate. Met Morris and advised him to run on sand ban in river. Rip rap of boitlders and brusii will pro- ^ tect bank until cars can run, arid take rip rap from the canon. Wediiisdai^i 12: * - Node into Salt L*k;e stopped at Townsend House, Pound letiiers from Mr, Ames and others. WSnt up to Port .at night to dress pa rade . JL I ' fifj.j ,vo':-.. a* Thufdsay, IS: • - fpti ori oirin City. Received telegram Mr. Ames, answered it, Wro te V. P. and others relating to road, :o <»<» r.r- V c . ' - Mrs. Mrs. Dodge's Diary, 11:« 'o.t nnty .-y 11 - no rf Went down Weber Cantnj huge roeks on either side. Passed the Devil^s Gate; scenery wonderfullif wild. Camped on plain out of A 'V . ■ • r • ■■t,. "■ ' , /.v , ' t. • August, 1868. the canon. luormon settlements all around. Wednedsay 12: ' Started in morning for Salt Lake,' arrived at 11 o'clock; stayed at Townsend House, a clean, (uiet, house, kept well. Thursday, 13: ■ •: Rode out in eve to Camp Douglas. Stopped at lirs, 7/ild's quarters to see drees p«rade; looked like old tines; view pf the city i^rora Camp beautiful, . Dined at Col, Head's. ■ . Note: Officer & Pusey to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 13:- That Bllora •& Jones propose building a hotel ^on Broadway, if Gen.- Dodge will buy ■yaair Kilday House and lot. To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 13:- Your family are all the babj' fat and happy. ^ Our fara ily also in usual health; Garris nicking up some. Mother probably arrived in South Danvers last Friday, we .have not heard from her. My mind has been absorbed with this Hughes purchase ever since you left, nothing .about it seemed to fork smooth and it has required a good deal of thinking te overcome the obstacles as one after another presented itself. I V 'bout such a staje of mind.as .you are half the time< ■ While I have no^ ooneueraated the pfurohaoe with Hughes, we have agreed upon how it shall be done, and Brewer leaves for Denver today August, 1868. * ■ , to receive deeds and make payment. • Everytlfi'n'g seeraS clear and plain and I anticipate no farther annoyance, :.'.X •'T.-f.'-,., ' ' My draft 6n Alley was paid.! The one on (Jr%y I was notified first a d just now received dispatch that tt-has since b^sn paid. The Mc Comb draft not yet heard from but I think will -be paid. In drawing 'these-drafts I was obli-ged to sCnd them td my correspondnet for col lection, satiib niaiT^'s the letters -'I'advlsed'dtufeeifr^liy' telegraph ■ that I had drawn and 'particulars by mail, • Gray^ Prirtce Co. answered at once- proceedings irregular; will not jpay Wityout an order from ' Gen. Dodge. I paid no attentiOn^To tliffe'tliinki'ng j^our letter would make it all rig t, and was surprised to receive dispatPft from my cor- ^ respondent "^that! draft riot paid, and today another that it>-^s been paid. • Letters from Grtfy #ill prObal^iy d*plai'rt. ' Creighton's absence delayed th# matter a week and fIug>.os is im patient but sure to stick. Parties hdr4''ha^e been \»ritirig Mm about his prop erty and I' i§terpijpod4 ihe fttilhre made him lose fiath In Council Bluff w people. 'It has IfelW «■ (Juestion in my mind .ho# to ar range" the conveyances, '>irid I f irfaliyVJfttled on haVl'itg the'property deeded to ifie and I mave the dividiOn of Idts, and.cPriVd;^ to'Alley and others. Although this iiurchase has been almost two months on hand, it has not leaked- not •ren Palmer knows Of it. Building in tlTds'city on t e increase; new store buildings being AufT^st, 1868. . , ' — . commenced every day. Two ijew ones go up ne^t to Nonpareil office (2 story) two on corner where Anchor, Plow and Taylor _,shop are one three story and one.two -tory. ■ Many dwellings different parts of town. New N.W. depot makes good appearance. The one at St. Joe depot grounds has been.commenced. Through trains now running over St. Joe R. R* rQradirlg oil N.w. in vallejr about half completed. --v Copy of Resolution by the Board of Directors^of the U..P. R. R.Co. That be and hereby ia appoimted Agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Oomnany . under.the acts 1892, Julyl, 1864i 'to select, alter and receive x or Ihe U. o* the land grants by the U.S. .to said Railroad-Company, and this day is hereby authorized^to tal^e such steps arid perform such- aets for the Company as may be necessary to place the Company in full possession ef said lands.. ■ The. said , Agent i? hereby authorised to draw upon the Treasurer of the CoTap§nj Tor such fuade as nay be necessary to pay the cost of surveying, ^electing conveying of said lands, and for the register of thelij fees, or scmooh of lapd for R.R* aa the Company may instruct baid f'gent to take posseaeion'of for thp Company > q,.., I Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, Now Yort^^lS (Telegram). S. and R. telegraph your line costs six. hundred and sixty thousand (660,000) dollars more than Reed's, besides cost of temporary track.' Answffr■" *■' ■ 'V I ! August, 1868, H. Gray to'Geri." Dodgo,'New York. " B. 3-:rp.eans that you have three days without interest in which to pay for the Rock Island freight in that way, I'm sorry you left "yashington with the Chinese business in such art unsatisfactory shape; it is tCo good a thing to neglect. Yes, If you see any very good chance out West, I'want to gd in-and will take •good size share. r; / • How about the block Of rand at Council Bluffs? Why dont you get interest in Cheorkee land R.R.? I would take $100,000, Is Blair's extension of Dubuquo fc. Sibux City road a good thing? ,'oGen. Dodge to J. "g. House, Salt Lake City, 14:- r . m-.~ r- ' ■fc ' ' I have this day drawn on the Omaha National Bank; as Chief Engineer, for-fivethhdtlsand dollars. ' n ' "•v u-y. i D. B. Stover to Gen. Stockton, Utah, 14:- frt'J "/j In relation to best location for line to Oregon. From Gen. Dod-e's Diary, 14:- ' -a Telegraphed l.!r. Ames relating to cost of line. Received estimates from Mr. Reed of line run at hSeid of Eoho; Met Mr. Clements of C. P. R. IV.; says he shall not run any ll»e south of Lake. Went to ride with Hatzir.'' ' Saturday, 15:- n*' rvfr- ci> "ir f r / ''nf- f To work on estimate and profiles. Telegraphed O'j^ell to lay out tovm at Black's Fork. IMMT dinner with Bates. Aur^ust, 1868, , ' From Mrs. Dodge*s Diary,•* 14-;* • •isO ^ r* ' ' r»l . ■ n ' . Not very ; well. Miss Shaw called" and Mrs. Huzzy;'Invited us out tp dine. Going out wi'.h Mr. Huzzy and Miss Shaw. Ocean drove down to River Jordon. TBJT t'A"' r.': nor' Saturday, 15:n f - *; i -.f,» ',■ Quite warm-in morning; went" to" see- the Tabernacle, went up in dome; had splendid view of city. In afternoon'took.dinner out,in company with Mr. Reed and Col. Seymour, &c. Of the party. VTent to thegitre in the evening- Mary Stuart. ^ Note: J.E, House to J. A.... illiarason, Omaha, 15: That Mr. O'Neil has started for Black's Fprk to lay out town and Mr. Williamson is to'have thafalso under'charge, wi th Green ^iver. ^ : John T. Baldwin 'to Gen. Dodrd* Council Bluffs, 14:- Bloom is desirous to sell his Interest or half.of the build ing that you are interested in with him for the purpose of getting means to build a hotels Wo are anxious to.have a hotel built here bedides it may be desirable for you to own tha whole -of'the building. He tells -• 'ae that the building Is paying "interest on |50,000 Investme-.t, If you dont want it yourself yoa .may know sorae.person that. does. Engineers of the Chilliootha R. are in town. Tha prospect is ^ood for tho early completion of the road. Citizens of St-, ILouis pro pose tbaubsoribe $li00#,000.'- Tho eOntraot'for tha Completion of'the August, 1868. . ' , I/!, is let to V7olf k Carpenter'to be finished the first of Novem her; if-not they forfeit 800 per day until it is finished, or a bonus of $800 for every day the road is completed prior to that day. I sent Bank papers to West last Monday and requested him to go to Washington by way Chicago and N. Y. ; collect subscriptions and get papers and everything all fixed up. I have a fair prospect of getting B. & M, R. R. business for our Bank. •'' . I saw Pegram. He.says he has no money, has lost $£5,000., but is willing that proceeds of land &c, may go'to paying'up old debts. I saw Phelpa. He asks 60 ct3..cn'-the dollar for;$750,000 of the stock; there is one million in all and it is * mortgaged for 650,000. ^ The H. & Jo. R.R. wants it, and ifsthejr get it the B* & M. will tap at Pacific City; if not they will come direct'to moutjj of Poney, S. W.Rice to Gen. Dodge, Washington, v> ; 15:- ' Gen. Roseorans is herd'and wants to make some arramgenents with your National Pacific R.R. in regard to the California end of the route. He controls the road chartered by California from Ban Ciego to Port Yuma and wants to Join with us. He can control Southern Cali fornia in the R.R. Interest. He telegraphed out o you but learned you had gone out to the end of the track. fHo wants to waa' you, and #111 meet you at some point if you will let him know wher#* write to him oare.Hyaijian (Jf Co. 203 Broadway, August, 1868. fiew York. He will not go to Mexico for six v^eeks yet; says that in \ constructing our -road we. best consider the IJorthern States of Mexico^ He evidently think'-, we will soon.have that country. ? o' ' . We beat the E.D. out of all subsidy as you are doubtles,suware. Write me at Oskaloos^; will be there in two or three w.eeks* ■ ntr* • Rosecrans wt^lV'g^rfeiver to Boston ta see Qakes Ames. From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 16:- •..• •-t j- . ' 'i. -'vn'i Telegraphed McCabe to hasten to ^alt LaJce; to .come by stage. From Mrs. Dodge's .Diary, ,16:.- ; r. - Went to hear Brighara preach in .afternoon.- Ho lectured.the people sharply and talked on many subjects; railroads,, missions, &c. S.eems to have-ooramand of ,all je^#i:rjjeots} no.'lack. pD larcgxiage, though not very pure English,. , • '■'ou , t nornf Gen. Dodge to J.E.Houso -Salt Lake ^ity, 17:- • aO I have this ^y drawn on Omaha National Dank, as Chief Engi neer for one thousand idoUare (1000) eight draft faypr J. M. Eddy. From Gen, Dod.ge'd Diary, 17>r «<i , Mot Mr. Montague. Orados in out P. are B5 ft. 15 miles from summit west, then 116 for 25 miles, -^th intermediate tables and light gradds. Sacramento tPi 25 ft. -Over snow belt ray grade is not covered and thermometer is never a ove 6 above zero, .while in - -i valley it ranges at some, tima® 15 below. In heaviest snow mer. work •T»-- ><>! August, 1868, over summit bare handed^ Distance from siimmit w'est a oubles'for 19 •miles over 116 ft. grade, 46 ton engine draws 12 loaded cars; over 90 ft, 5 to 7 more. Their snow sheds work well, ire made of round • timber, &c. •"e .0 Ttc ,r.y ■ Tuesday, 18: t "i t ^•"•<>01 n fr. e " ' . In City, Went to theatre in asvening. ' Sent tracing of map from Rim of Basin to Green River "to Mr. Reed. ' ' Mrs. Dodge's Diary, 17:- Went to vJ.nner at Mrs-; rfussey's'. 'Speht very pleasant evening. Received letterjtrom Jlilia, Hadcalls, Tuesday^ 18;- rrtffiyC- # ' f went out in town in morning; went to theatre in evenirig. E.Robinson to Gen, Dodge, Nine Eagles, Iowa,- 18:- On my return from the East r foiKid yours of the 28th ult,, awaiting my arrival, I thank you for tHe prompt manner in which you replied to nvy inijulry, as it hailjf "to the County one more of the lies put in circulartion for Gen, Drak«, and the" Oo\ity seat men with a view to injure the State Itne railrbad. But ."truth is -mighty and will prevail.' t j • ^ Any service I flan render you" in the coming Vsttpal^ wil.r(be cheer fully' given. • . » ' c f.ff v..-y . . The grading is steadiLy progressing on our road, ' 'f Y' ' ^ r August, 1868, From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 19:-... ^ r^..^ . ♦ * 'V I '* • ^ I ■ # Started 1 rom camp nort^i to Kaysvllle to do . the soundings. • • Also sent dispatches to Reed where,he would find profile of 116 ft, • • • grade. Brigham Young, Bishop West and John Q,. Uannon took me out in^" ^ % • • • • carriap-e. I dined with Brigham and his wif e.. Eraelien(Polsom). Stopped at Ogden over night. Left instructions with Morris, • • • , Fr:m Mrs, Dodge's Diary, 19:- , „ • • • ' ' , Ocean started west on his trip. Went.up to Camp Douglas; visited Mr, Capt, •''ands; officers had a party in the evening, had a delightful time and nearly 3 o'clock when retired. Met Mrs, Benson • , ' - • • and others, .. . . . n v r • • • * • Note: Report to Ron, 0, h. Browning, Secretary of the Interior, of the Commissioners of the Union Pacific Railroad, that they have examined the 25th section of 20 miles commencing at the 700th hundred and erminating at the 720th mile post west from the initial point on the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska, J.Blickensderfer, Jr. t o J,*^, House, Salt Lake Cit;^, l9:- Since my last I have drawn on Gen, G, li. Jodge, "Chief Engi neer as follows: ''Y 11 No, 54, Aug. 4th, favoV Miner's National Bank |2000,00, No, 55 No. 56 Thos, B. Morris"''^ ' 380,07 kf o « t 6th ' p. Tracoy f , f ■ i. .f 00?? 1500.00 'SI* I .♦fa', ot e Augus t, 18 68. No. 57, Aug. 6th favor — • A ' ' # f sv Thos. Morris 12000.00C No. 58 ti n It . f • Miner s National Bank 2000.00 No. 59 11 12th ' n H. White 400.00 " " No. 60, n 13:.h n J. E. Eerideth 1000.00 No*. 61 fl 14 th 11 s.- Young • ■- 875.00 No. 62 n • n w C. V. i'penoer " ""185.00" ^ No. 63 It n n T. Jenkins " t rvj . 700.00 NO. 64 11 17th ft • N. S. P.ansohoff 1151.36 iJo. 65 11 18th ri E. P. North • '200.00 No. 66, 1 <\ *1 II- ■ T. P. Tracey' - 1000.00 No. 67 It «i J. Elickonsderfer, Jr. • 5b'0.000 Nol 68,' r '■ im" . » ■ It* j. P. McC^be' 3500,00 ■ t . .-/frf' oH) • • • • ^ , , f. ^ 1 l-> r.i" Total to date 80, 149,48. I enclose you a check dra Ti in mj' owp fywor for five hundred dol lars at ten days, for which I will thank you to send an Eastern draft to my son as per enclosed envelope. Gen. Dodge and myself start for the west this morninf*. ' ^ • . . . ■ fo:. - / Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge North Easton, 20: / Your letter of 4th inst, i.s received. We had kno;vn by telgraph that the mormons had taken a contract west of Salt Lake, and ' • that the Central Road was doing every thing possible to secure the r. . lino to Salt Lake. Reed, I understand has sent a heavy force of men August, 1868, ♦ west of Salt Lake, and I have no doubt but we shall be able to lay the track from one to two hundred miles west of the lake. It is clearly our tightto lay the rails till the two roads meet, and their giving * out contract to grade 'eyond their ability to lay their rails should » not stop us nor the road from completion. Carter went over their road and understand wrote you fully on it. He says they have not the iron to lay, and if they had it their rolling stock is entirely insufficient to supply them with material to lay the track more than two miles per day under most favorable circumstances. Looking at the matter in the most favorable view for the f * . « • Central Road, I see no real chance for them to prevent our occpation » • • • • and construction of the line 150 to 200 miles west of Rait Lake, unless the severity of the winter in Wasatch Rsnge -.hall prevent the delivery of our material while at the same time it will favor hem. V;e, however, know that last winter their line was closed by snows much » more than ours You will know better than we do here the real prospect of completion of our grading to Salt Lake this fall; but our in formation is th-t by the first of December ^we shall be entirely com pleted to Salt Lake excepting the tunnelling which can have the track » • laid round, and with a favorable winter the track will be laid to the Lake, I hope you will be able to got a good lino wast, and if our gra ders iTave gone to Huraboldt Wells that arrangements may bo made for the A'-' August, 1868, two roads to work in harmony on the grading, and as soon as that is finished the track can he laid and the party that gets the most down or rather lays the track will have the road. There seems to be no other way unless we permit the road to be stopped, .f „ . H» Crane to Gen, Dodge, New York, 20:- (Telegram) Think I can arrange the ten thousand ($10,000) on Dillon's return. Please keep Willie with you; we dont want him him left West, A. ■ _ • Prom Gen, Dodge's Diary, 20:- Rode to Malad and found camp. Met Maxwell and gave him in- • '.• • ■ ■■ ■ structions about location. Received profile and tracing paper from Salt Lake; letters^rom Baldwin, N,P,D,, officer & Pusey, Telegraphed M ■ *■ • • •• r . ■ Officer & Pusey, and sent instructions to Clerks in Salt Lake; ans wert ■ f" vf': f '■ ed telegram to Bates, Friday, 21:- ' j-' ' *" •* r"* * ■ ' Marched to Blue Springs Creek, and went into camp at spring » -.r _ ^ . on east side of Creek, Examined located line, also country north and south. Prom Mrs, Dodge's Diary, 20:- Went down to city with Mrs. Wands; called on Mrs, Head, Mrt Street, Mrs-. Hussey and c ame to hotel, Mrs. Judge McCurday called. Her homo was in Missouri. Friday, 21:- n A.t p 'in r-! 1- m- .Tg j 'ifWent to theatre in evening. r-t mm*' ^ August, 1860. •August, i-ses. L.^,r r. H. M. Ho.xie to Gen. i^odge, Oina'-a, 2l:- » rr, y • ■ Your letter'to Mr. Snyder came yesterday. He returned this morning from end of track w'lich is'about 65 mfles beyond Benton; every thing out there in proper shape for work as I just hear. No trouble about furnishing tlnein material; have sent west 700 cars iron this month. Prom what I leam from outside parties, I think they are bound to orow d you out. Should no 'wonder if you made a mistake in going, but time will tell, go particular words from New York; ail 'appear to be absent from the office at New York- at New Port or Saratoga and general ly keeping out of the way of the Sheriff or N. Y. Judged,'''"^he work goes on and the money and bonds come in,- and they dont care. ' Julia and James Baird went west to Laranie last night; both feel ing well. Julia said she left -the children in bood hands and that they vTere well. My wife only rogrete that she did not go with-^u. Wo both send regards tn you and lArs, tkjdge. To Gen. Dodge from his boother, Gouncil Bluffs, 21:- •' The man whom I sent to Denver to consummate the Hughes pur chase iiiforms me by telegnaph he has received the a eeds and paid the money , and arifanfged vVerythirig as " t desired. ' oe » The prdpferty ie deeded td me I'n three deeds-one of d-'ots in Adn. ■ f oH" ' August, 1868. "i'" V » .$16,000; one of land $4000, and one of lots on Main and Bancroft St. $1000. I report the sale here as $20,000^for land and 16ts in Adn. and for lot on Main-price and terms private. I have .jade an equal di vision of the lots; 1-2 to Alley; 1-4 -to Gray; 1-4 to McComh and shall deed them with the land undivided. ■ y . , McC .mh refused to pay my draft on him (one of a hundred annoj'^ances I met with) but writes he will take it when I forward the deeds, provid ed everything is all right; is not in habit of paying out money with out having something as a consideration. V.as not satisfied w ith form er purchase, hence his desirei to be more cautious* think you ought . to make up to McComb enough to make his first purchase satisfactory and not have h^m feeling so and contBnuad.ly throwing it up. You made • • • all there was made on those lots, and if the consideration made in deeds was what yod got, you can well afford to deed him some, lots in Riddle Track to make it satisfactory, - ^ There has been considerable expense attending this last purchase, your part of it will be from $125 to $150, it is a good thing for them and us. Palmer says that 50 lots and 20 acres for $5000 is a better investment than he knows oftt , - Mother is enjoying herself East, and we are all well here, Ch, R, I, & P.R.R, men have been here fixing up their depot grounds Will erect a depot on the old ground very soon and run from this end this fall. Our citizens have secured the 40 acres for them. Reed will sell his section in Mosquito to them. August, 1868. « Joy has been here; is negotiating for the Phelps Road, and will, I think run his into Pacific Citj'', Note r. Ivin E. Clarendon to Gen. Dodge, Council ^luffs, Iowa, 21: V/ants to torrow $500 from Gen. Dodge to purchase 1-4 Nonc jf: pareil. r ,♦ 'i.t ri. « . V From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 22:- Examined ravine north of located line, also located line for 90 ft. grade. Hudnutt furnished us with profile and map of alignment. Stevenson of 0. P. gets very bad line on lower south slope; is now run- • • ping 90 ft. on our slope &c. thinks better line can be got north. From Mrs. Dodge's Diary, 22;- . • ■ h.: ■ ' ' i ' ' Took breakfast at Mrs. Husseys; dinner at Mrs. Heads at 3 P. M, , and started East on coach at 7 1-2 o'cloc .. Gen. Chetlain, Mrs. Conner, Mr. Barret and McCullock, .' ■■ 1 ■ :• s ' J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 21:- I ■y ours letter of the 16th came to hand today. I have closed Bate's account. Have charged Chief Engineer Act. with the amount re- # ceived for sale of horses, wagon and harness, also amount received l?y Bate's for his instruments, and charged Blickensderfer with the balance of the aooountas you stated. Have notified Bates of the closing of the accounts- also notified Blickensderfer of the charge $529.07. The town lot statement will be sent on Monday to New York. I August, 1868, have endeavored to show all that was asked for, and have given all the infornation I possess about t!ie matter. It has been a big job, making this statement with the other business to keep up and take care of that which had accumulated during my absence, and I have uone the best I could to expedite the work. Have employed a draughtsman fo'r ^avi§, vhic'- is all the additional help I have employed, R. I, Lawrence to Gen. Dodge, Gilmer, U.T,, §3: I forward herewith the profile for which , ou telegraphed a few days ago, I would have complied with your request sooner but L!r, Reed wished to use it for a short time, 'and having no paper J.th which to make a new one I was compelled to wait until I could obtain dome. ^ I alsD send you the profile* of the change made in the location v. t the bend of Bear River, and have marked the alignment upon it i'n or der that a full comparison of the two lines may be had if desired. I replied to each of your dispatche's by telegrapH, but in oach case the operator at "alt Lake ^ity returned them with the reply that you were not in the city. Trusting that the profiles will arrive in time to answer your purpose, &c. .t" " ^ ■ or ^ Oliver Ames to Oen. Dodge, North Easton^- 23:- Your favor of August 9th, from head of Echo Canon, is recoiv ed. .'I sent you a copy of the resolution introduced by Mr. Duff and August, 1868. Passen in Executive Conimittefe,; 'giving to Durant, Vice President, in addition to ordinary power the supervision of affairs of company on line 'Of road, including such surveys preliminary or final as are being y made on the road,' and all officers and employes are subject to his In structions. . It being the intention to delegate to him fall oower in accorrlance with ^y Laws 3 & 4, Be being accountable only to this Com mittee and Directors for his acts under, this authority. The By Law !. which Justifies the above action is No. 3, v/here in a clause in Section 4 it says^' "The Board may at their rdiscretion assign to the Vice Pres ident by resolution a portion of the .powers .and duties of ithe Presi- ^ dent." I think iinder the stimulation of the first section the Execu tive Committee i^ot together and passed a series of resolutions, de signed to head of Pisk, and the Doctor used them to increase his .power. It ia one of the miseries of our road that we have a man in it who is so desirous of power, and aO Jealous of everjr that does not ooincide with his notions. ' ' t fa f ns" v > , "jt * We have recently had a nuoAwir of telegrams from Reed and^^ymour (foh Seymour always jetna Reed TtJ,th his) making some very strong .state ments as to the difference in cost , between your line and theirsmaking the difference equal the whole cost of your 800 ft. tunnel line and states that '-■liokensderfer's estimate was made on a differ ent and less eacpdntsiwe line and if figured up as they figures theirs AUf^ust, 1868, j^our adopted lino would coot over a f],,t)00,000^ w>iile their long line would cost about $400,000. I telegraphed'you on this■statement and have your correction of their telegrams, all of which aeem so clearly - to fix the construction of your location that I think there is dt the least doubt of any change from the line no being worked, . Durant and Dillon are otway on account of the Pisk suit. It is now fixed so .they can return, I have called a meeting of the Board of Directors for the "Bd of September /(next week) and we-will" have the final acceptance of located lines fixed with the Committee on location, which -is Ames, Dillon, Durant, Duff and Williams, and we will have the line - where the best interests of the road require. Though the line .of the -road will be fixed all along the route where yor engineers have laid it, it is exceedingly annoying to have to fight Tor it all the way and for the purpose of satisfying Dr, Durant That he is'a power and to be -consulted on all matters. My opinion Is the Dr. wants the best line just as much as anj' of us, a:id when talking aliout taking the long line ijf «as with the i($ea of its being cheaper to get tlie line through at once ahct work'out the long tunnel after the i*oad was ruruiing, and the estimate that hd had from Reed and Seymour showed that both these lines could be built ahout aS Cheap as your line, allowing that when "the road was completed, we could out the tunnel by machinery \t about $10 per yard. Your of cost have fixed this soqthat August, 1868, there can he but one opinion as to line to be built. In regard to replacing allwooden structures with stone on the line of road just as rapidly as required, Snyder writes me it is being done; that he has a large force on and is pressing them wherever need ed and it can be done. 'He are ordering some 20 more additional loco motives to get our construction material ahead, and are doing everytriing possible to get our road on to Salt Lake this year, and 2 GO miles west of there next year if possible. I had a letter from Carter who hos been through, and he thinks we may go from IGO to 200 miles beyond Salt Lake, fie says they are short of material and of rolling stock to deliver their material for laying 2 miles per day which he thinks tliey are trying to accomplish, I also received your letter uated Salt Lake Aug. 14th enclosing letter of*^ Sherman at the same time yesterday that I got your letter of Aug. 9th a t Echo, You will proceed I hope to survey the lino west of Salt Lake and get as good a location as possible this year. I un derstand you 'lave 60 miles located and some heavy grades and work. We are now within 500 miles of Salt Lake, and as we have the right to work 300 miles ahead of our track, we can now put our men on the heavy work west of Salt Lake at once•; ■ From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 23:- ■ . .n'-'- -T Rode over country to north of line endeavoring to obtain a t ' I' ? .';j 1 . r' '..Cr T'i. !• O .kjlla iLJ nit, ■ August, 1868, Slope with lighter work and grades, but country rises too fast to obtain any grade less than 90 ft, and work lighter than on present line, Hodges brought over profiles and maps; ordered him to make some changes and push west; also ordered Hudnutt down to re-run east J.ope . ■ ■ ■ : - . . I.:, with 90 ft. grade. Hodges says that Ives made 1300 ft. fall in 8 miles from Don Don Pass east. Monday, 24;- ..I f: Went out to examine Hodges line, and ordered change. Rode '' to Hodge's camp and back to Hudnutt, who had reached road ravine. Line • , . . * 4k « on west side of Promontory Point good, over east very bad, one mile of very heavy work which will cost $150,000, Am in hopes to get t^iis 1 f line in in two or three days. Ordered La Bosen over to sketch Ilud- " » ■ ''ViOO' nutt's line so as to map it. Near Perkins Springs are two good groves cedar good for wood, and some of them I should judge to be good for 9 * . I ■ 0 ties, ' - " ".^oj i r A 1 r . From Mrs, Dodge's Diary, b5:- Riding in coach, not very well. Took supper at Judge Car- . i ' fi'* ' . • ! o V n ^.1' ■ ters, ■ 0 , - - *■ -rifr t •> . ■ - - Note; Gen, Order No, 2 of W. Snyder, Gen. Supt. U,P.R.R, Company, * ■ I • , Omaha ,23; - ' f ' , .skfl • : J. F, House to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 25; I received-i oo .ununication r rom the New York Foffice, enclos ing a eeceipt for $30 being the amount paid P. Werner on account for . 'tiff i \ August, 1868. . ■ '* engineer services, stating t'lat, the same was charged to your account. I have made voucher? of the same and it will he returned by yourself t as Chief Engineer; have also charged Chlf. Eng. account with the s^ame and given J. J. Cisco crefllt on our books. • , The town lot statement was sent yesterday, andcontained every thing relating to town lot business. _ ^ • Have sent Du Bois tracing as asked for, and am now preparing Merrill's; will send in a few days. . , nr-ea: Mr. ^nyder discontinued the office of Master of,Transportation yesterday. _ • ^ W. Snyder to Gen.r Dodge, Omaha, 25;- » . • •-jr I returned Stinday ^ ^ morning . from • a twd weeks trip over the •• • road. Find matters at end of track in good shape as far as we are conqerred. Fear there wij-l be some delay on ties soon, Mr. i^vans is haddling his work nicely, is cleaning out the thieves as fast as ho , can reach them, end has the construction department in better shape than ever before, ■ • , ; , I sent you circular alfiowinc- some changes in local management of the road. Was obliged to-have more h^lp^ and • took the responsibility of making the changes and appointment, s at, once. If it dont suit New York I am ready to quit. » • ; Business «ood, trains moving promptly. M sending more iron west August, 1868. * ' than is being laidl "ISfaking 25 cars per week here and netting plenty from East, Will write you more fully soon as I clear my desk of pa pers. • r c -n r, ( r ■ r # From Gen. podge's Diary, 25:- tlAo'io ' T r*" 'w'.', .t t Spent the day with Hudnutt putting in line around heavy point; concluded to adopt 90 ft. grade and run in the lines. La Bos en came to camp. Wednesday, 26: To work on Promontory Point refitting lino and looking at country generally, Wrote annie. Gray, Prince & o. asking them to de posit money in their hands to my credit in L. & M. Banic; also-wrote H. C. Crane about payment to M. S. ^cMillon. From Mrs, 'Dodge's Diary, 2d:- ' '' • ..'■i ' Went in to'l^eakfast at Laramie arid found Julia and Mr. ■ ii'- ' 0 ' ■ a j'l H. Crane to Gen. Dodge, New York, 26: (Telegram) ■ - - Have arranged ten thousand (|10,000) dollars fOf* fllfrety day A. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 26:- ' : f r ' ■ ■ We gave Colfax and party our officers car, aant him. to and of track and retum to Cheyenne, and told hitt that on his return from Cheyenne we would send special car for him. He was w611 treated at all points and train delayed here for him so that, he could come up August, 1868. . .. . tovm and make a speech. I: didnt see him, but Hoxie and Frost did and started him off all right,- Supposed all was satisfa^troy until I heard indirectly from the west that he thought we ought to have sent a rep resentative of the road and the cooking car. with him. Tne TI.Y.office gave me no intimtion of his coming or instructions :f any kind, and I violated special orders in sending G. and party with special train from Benton to end of track and return. The excursions this aeasion hav:'interfered with our work very much and have worn me out. I saw that C. had special attention be cause he was candidate for V. P. and because he dont agree with mas in politics, I let Frank Biair ride behind a freight train because I 4 happen to belong to hts ..party, I knov/ that you wont believe that I * let politics interfere at.all with business.^ ^ 26;- No, 2, Yours 14th reached me on my return from the ^''est. Have been tolerably busy,thia week attending to accumulated correspond ence and reorganizing the-working of road. Am determined to have no • • more Master Qf 'iransportpt^on Department but to put details of arrange ment and trains in charge of Div. Supts. and hold them responsible, MucJiman was smart, knew his business and for a time attended to it well, but the temptation wag too much for him, he fell into his old • tracks of his predecessor, let his men run the road and it became necos ary for. me to clean the outift. I did it without waitinn- for orders and am Iready to assume all the responsibility. Have written to August, 1868» . . . . .. Mr. Blaino to send Caldwell out and I will give him position at once. r-send you papers to salt Lake daily. Dont know what is' going o outside, as "ftoxie and I dont get time to read the news'. o-tI, ■' * Mh. Ames'wrote that Directors will have a meeting Sept, 1stj dont say where. None of them have been to New York since you went west^ and I dont think they will meet th'^re as yet. Nothing done that I can" hear of on the i'isk suit. Ne are adding equipment to the road very fast'. At least four hundred cars and thirty engrines In the pas-t month, "^'ill have a ten stall round house and shop 75 X 160 -at -Rawlins-S stall- round house at J^edicine Bow. Stone work dono al Laramie, large force working at ^ Cheyenne. Have several stone culverst 'in East of Cheyenne and large force at work on others.* Have started new blo.cksmith shopphere 75X200. Am doing all that is possible to'get in-^od shape for winter, &c. Will urge a round house at Bitter Creek and large shOpS At' Blacks Pork, From profile think'B.p. will be better than from Rim. To Mrs. Dod^e rrom her sister, Kansas City, 27:- Your letter Just came,*and I am looking for you as usual(but bring baby) Tkere are very few through boats; better take railroad from St. Joe and telegraph Doctor when you start, and he will be on^ lookout. Can come and go through to St. Louis from Leavenworth all ♦ right. You better bring both the girls and let them all run wild a while, 4 TT*" August, 1868. Fjr'om Gen. ^edge's Diary, 27;- r ,rtlc To work on -line near Promontory Point. Maxwell and Morris arrived; gave them,their instructions and pushed them west to Red. Dome and beyond. Qrdered Hodges to close his line on -Red Dome Pass. From. Mrs. Dodge's Diary, 27 - ir l ■ ^ ioJ t .■ Arrived home, all w ol1. W.. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 27: r^_ . Col. Seymour, flanked by Tom Mullby as second fiddler, pass ed through here this morning enroute for New York^ Did not honor us wit'" a cal 1,_ - , • « ■ • » . . . Mulloy blowed hie horn on the; trip and gave people generally to unlerstand that as soon as he reached New York there would be a clears ing out here.- He is to be Chief Engineer and Gen. McCollum Gen. S;jpt. T' e new administration is to be an honest one, of course, and Mulloy is ot have his wrongs rectifi^. I will manage to hoar all that he' has to say. I ctont think he will change the genera,^ features of the Rocky Movmtains^^ " „ • . Note: Report of TZmb-^Werd, Bupt. to tlie Commissioners for thSf-. Iowa State Buildings for the Deaf and Dumb at fiounbil-Bluffs, ^7:- To Gen. Dod^e from hi" brother^ Council Bluffs, 27:- . I herewith send yo„r mail, e^a directed By telegram. After saein": Mr. Alloy I did n*ot have time to see you and return on the AUf^st, 1868. eveninc train. I left Mr. Alley undecided at)out the'purchase, but thinking very favorably of it. He was ta converse with you and Ames, I did not press him very much although I am confident it will prove a« godd investment and know of Aothing here as good. He promised to write me before he left Omaha and I presume iias done so. I would like to have Mr. Ames take 1-4 and Mr. Alley 1-4. If one or both have concluded to take it I must hear from Creighton about the mor tgage which he holds. Tell him to write me the amount* due and w^me I can pay it off, and wlme he will be in. Send me his address. Edward P. North to Gen, Dodge, Salt Lake City, 28:-* ■ I came in yesterday without having completed my survey on account of an attack of dysentery, ' • I did not- sound far enough n-onth' to find a lino of* over 12 foot watsr, but on-a lin^ starting ahout two and a half miles north of Hodge*s initial p-vnt on survey around Promontorjr^ Point, 1 found 14 feet of water/ while on a line froto the initial point the :ater. will not exceed "15 ft., botli lines ending at the north side of Ifud Island. The better line is much the shortest -that can b'fc'ftnmd. I thUik the distance across is ^les^ than' miles thcuj^ I cannot.state exactly, as my triangiflations tAkSn rwfltt tllrv' HbtSjje s ^jhellminaj^y isuxvey line as a base do not'chSck on one another/.' •' There is a young man here who came yesterday to re ort to Mr, August, 18G8, « • Morris (named I^cllvan) who I will take with me when I go back and measur© a base line with more care than was porbably taken on a preliminary survey-unless, I received orders to the contrary. I hope to be well enough to go back Wednesday morning. On a line .from the initial point named above to the south end of Mud Island I found 16 1-2 ft. of water, lir. Ricksec!:er sends a paper to Mr. Blickensderfer containing a notice, of the letting of the woi?k from Promontory Point westward by Gov. Stanford. I was told by Mr. Msrdith that the U. P. r . R. had a cofpps of engineers in Ives ]pass on N. Promontory. Mr. Stenhouse told md of the fact last night. ,. From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 28:- ;■ ■?' '■ . ' • r.i«nr»"I • To work.on; line over Promontory Point. Wrote 'I'. C. Durant • • ab out lines and tiijiea, also wrote Mr. Ames. V/rote J. T. Baldwin in relation,to B. P. & Co. lands and the rent. 'I I! ■' • . Saturday, 29:- , Hudnutt got^iine around to bottom; made good crossing and has a fine line. Lat. of 170, 30', Rock Spring 41,20-variation of needle Note: J. O'Neil to J. E. House, Bryan, Wyoming, 29:- a In relation to J. A. Sheldon and Chas. Segar quitting; that . • • r- . r I thay got homesick and will start for the States Monday, and wants pay « rolls made out for them to sign and settle With them. Sends a tracing of Bryffli City by Mr. Sheldon; has finished survey of the same. August, 1868, Jas, F. Wilson to Gen. Dodge, Fairfield, lorwa, 30:- I have yours of the 17th, and have dravvn on G. P. & Co. for my share of profits on R. I. Stock. They reported $5,797*04 profit; t'.a was not a bad operation. ^ Political matters generally look well; as to the general result I thinlc there can be no doubt. It is probab'le that we* will lose some of the rebel states, but will have enou-h votes to elect Grant, Kasson is canvassing Iowa. This is either training for the Sonattorial race next'year or for the purpose of getting a good place under Grant, t am inclined to think he wants a foreignt appointment. ^ It does not look now as thougli there'will be a Session Of Congress in September and I presume t'lere wili be none. I am inclined to think with you that there'will \y9 a row "over the U. P. in Congress next winter. If this comes Ames mus€ be able to sho ■ that he has made a square fight against Durant, and in favor of a strict compliance with the terms and oonditioni of the .law. To this it must'evnntually cc»ne and all parties may as well understand it. y mm / I w.-^t $50,000 in'the bridge; can you secure m& this amount? * r When will you be at home? Let me hear from you again, and tfell mfe ^ ~ ' ' ' • • what you know about the Bridge, I Judge that* Allison will go safely through his convention, thjorauh they are giving him a bitter fight. I send you a pamphlet which his enemies issued against him, 'art "W August, 1868. . Pr.om Mrs. Dodge to the General, Council Bluffs, 30:- - I- would like to hear from you,, but suppose I must wait. We have had a cold, ste.ady rain «ow for several- days- streets muddjsr and gloomy, puite a contrast to tho weather in Salt Lake-,'r . ' ^ The trip home was quite tiersome and terribly dusty as you Imow. As we came past Rawlins Springs Station the Cons, cars ^passed going to Benton-witb the Seymours on board, and when we went in to the U. S. Restaurant for breakfast they were there and came in with us. At Benton v/hen I- took'my sleep.ing section I drew the curtains down and laid down; pretty soon I heard Seymour and J. D., Casement in conversa tion, S^raour scolding and C. sweairing. - The principal subject was the water banks and tt»i management of v/ater west of Cheyenne-gi/ing Evans fiti, Seymour asked Casement if jie would take charge-which was accepted and S, said he would see the Doctor &o. You can well imag ine it was rich. Seymour hinted bhat his object in going East was to get the JDootor out hor.e ip Sjeptamber and I thought from what he said that the Doctor needed some r0prsetati"ons to come- out. I fancy there will be lively times this fall.y^ Jim Beard .says it is impossible to send out more iron than 'vill lay two miles of brack a day-sa much for U.P.^^'R. politics are mixed. Wis De-mo erats are working hard. I want you to come home and .dtir up tho people here; they want a live man to ■•'ortc a while# The Slope must not sk^w any defeat this fall for Grant. Augus t, 18 68, . r> r !-» ..»•- i Little Annio is hearty-asked for papa the first, thing, ^and v/ants to know •.7hy he did not come. You must try and geta pony; she expects it. They will start* to school si'week from Monday» Julia wsmte you to be hcSlfie the last week in Septem ,er, - She will be married sooner than she expected, and you must be here-for her mother is avay. - ' " , * . ^ ' • Tell Clarence to take care of'those two sivlver spoons, -put them in your trunk. Hurry home, how much I want you, I' cant tell you. Be careful, too--rumore 'of Irfdians are'"plenty. You will have railroads a *good way, T/rite soon.- • i ' I hope you will be euccessfUL with your lines West, I found one of your profiles in the seer Starry at our house; you prob ably left It Whbn we went ?/est, ' .r • - ' ' The at,' Joe Raod is thronged, and T guess it is. going to be the favorite rbute-that rou'd will pay; wish irou owned it or part and was " one of the principal officers on the U. P. R, R. and was hero. Hurry homo and meantime watoh Seytiour'n little game, and dont worry but get hearty by the time we meet, ^rcan'Oen. Dodge's Diary, 30;- To work on irfdps aiW profiles, . Hudnutt came over t.o .din^ with Bent and Oollins; gave htm his instructions, eat, map and profiles of •Toand Pass, Made estimate Of line on east slope of Promontory Point August, 1868. e and sent it to New York. Rock Exca, 68528; Exoa 63,613. South Embt. 550,000. Wrote Durant* as to line, &c. '-"r': , ,u p. ' Monday, 31:- »r ♦ Closed up lin-e over Pronfontory and made map and profiles, Wrote Reed giving tiotes of on line, &:c. also profile and map and notes on timber bii'R^d Dome Pass. Mr. McElvine came to camp to join -Heard and Patty;' Wrot^'O'Neil to lay off town at Bridger also to thff Casements telling them -i bout' the country, &c. &ee by papers that C. P.- R. R. laid 6 miles ahd 800 ft, of track in one day* Wrote Annie, Lettie and Ella, Amount of curvature W ft. grade line over Promontory Sta. 2621 to 3275 is 1003 degrees. ' J. L. WilliaiiiB to Gen, Dodge New York, '31:- n*' vn - Have' yeusPs o'f 16th; also of'13th; also one from Mr. B. with grades, &c. b' ' - 1-r '^■'When you get" looat ion across Salt Bake Vcj ley and .Promontory Point if you will g»t Mr.-B, to send me some-grdde.table for 1 or 2 hundred miles more I'wlll Add it to profile Or as far as our Company will pfobabiy'build. If yOtl know the leve of Salt Bake (the water) please give it. i adopt Dey*s original datum line as about as near as we will get to it; that is low water of 0ctober'jl863, lowest ever found-. 965 ft. above sea, 1 had supposed that? hla zero was the grade line, •but finding that it was the very lowest water, it differs but a few August, 18G8, , r feet from Jtlr. .Talcott'a Ivels- on N.'^ and about, as much from Jojbnson on the H. T, Have not hear^J from .Theilson. -j • It seems that the Secretary o Interior soraa. weeks ago submitted ta the President, and through him to the Atty. General, the question what control the Presijient has over the subsidies after Commissioners have reported favorably; also, whether the Government can withold a part of the bonds to make good the tempoeary wor.k and equipment, repcliirts that for. the present better issue the bonds as hereto fore, that thene is time enough' and Jie will examine more care.fully. ■ I - presume ho will report that there is no "power in the P.resident". The law is full in behalf of the company, I think the only power la in ^ the appointment of Goimnis si oners and he wi,ll make no change. - • I- think all will, go Oh ""as heretofore/ the danger may be in effect ing unfavorably the sale of first mortgage bonds by the talk,- Little has been said, hcffovar," A week ago Mr. Ames telegraphed me to see Mr, Browning, which I did. I came from there here,, None of our friends here until tomorrow sol know noilhizig* Board meets on 2d September. Cisco ^ays I'm entirely right In urging a r e o e rv e fun ^ f 3 lions, that he told Oliver Amed so, and that he and Macey will vote for it: but 1 presume it will.not carry. p, . - ^ . I am entirely ignorant what line or what grade is adopted at head of Echo or at Devil's Gate; perhaps I may find out at meeting of Board. GrsLXxt is hore, but he has said nothing. From your last letter I August, 1868. f I concluded that the BlickensdepferjLl^ine was the proper one- abouti $150,000 more costly in gradin-^ with a 90 ft, instead of 116. This, . ; high gradelie should by no means be adopted anyway for so small a ,, ' - saving as that. How much do you suppose the B. & 0. R. .R, would ex pend to reduce their 116 ft. to 90 ft. Probably a million or two or how much did the Pa. Central expencd at Altoona to get down as low as95? At 116 they could have reduced their tunnel half or two thirds.. Both my son smd myself have pleasant recollections of our delight ful horseback mountain trip, and of the kindness and respect of all r , the party including Capt* Wells and his Lieutenants, to whom, with others give my kidd regards. But especially to yourself we are under groat obligations. ^ > This Pacific Road respctt|Ability euad constant thought and work this, hot weather is to me as it' is to you very wearing, and I ought to be out of it. I may <have done some good in sustaining the engineers in getting a good lootation, instead of the hoo, step and jump plan of Dxirant up to 116 ft, at every point, but beyond this I am probably , doinjg as muah harm as goodj but !"vow and .vhen to get out is the question. I cant sneak out, I may kftow ^nore in a week or two. Mr. Brovming . seenis to feel all right and to appreaiata myserivces and yours; but then he will never grow grey under his part of the load, Heis off now to the White Sulphurs^! . - _ ~ , . I had beeter be in Indiana helping to organize for November election. August, 1868. • ' D^pew's letter which ? wlii enclVsB" in next mail is a little ros^' - • I . . ' ' ' -V 1 ' ^ colored; though if our people everywhere get thoroughly scared it will go right,y - . n- . • ~ Don't forget "Botties Mountain". I meein to name it. '.'r-ite me about the location on Wahsatch and* west of that and how far our folks will build, I have Marked this letter private onlj'' as regards what I say about the issue of bonds, &c,, and the President's actions I handed Browning ray report of 21 pages with profile. He said he would send it with his annual message, ' t Note: Articles of Incorporation of the Missouri Valley railroad Compan; . - t' hi i " J, L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, New York, September, 1':- J *""© rilrote you yesterday, The part of that leitter aboufi'ssue of bonds by President, Event's 6-piniori &c, is, of ooubSe, confidential, I doubt if Atty, Oenl, can find any power in the law in the. least to withhold part of the bonds. His only contro-1 is in appointing the Commissioners, and as to that, of- Course, 1 have not a word to say. 1 have done nothing and will do nothing that might tend to c^ock pro gress of road, t>ut art the fcame time mdot report road just as it is* I find much to commend in the road-Hso far as it is built or located; but must say two to three millions more of stibsidy should go into road, and that much loss into profits. n/tjte ' |tZ at r Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - August 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 August 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/2d2ba94f932311844ce4d5521db94584.pdf f0a2f59e3832dd9a03b212abbdf1fb26 PDF Text Text August, 1868. , . . Ddpew's letter which*! will enclose in next mail'-is a little - colored; though if our people everywhere get tlioroughly scared it will TO right . - Don't forget "Bottles Mountain". I mean to name it. ";'nlte me ' about the location on Wahsatch and* west of that and how far our folks ' ' will build. I have ibarked this' Iett'e9*'''pr4vate onlj'' as regards what I say about the issue of bonds, &c., and the President's actions I handed Browning ray report of 21 pages with profile. He said he would send it with his annual message. • Note: Articles of Incorporation'o'f the Missouri Valley railroad Company. - 'hi . J. L. Willieuns to Gen. Dodge, New York, September, 1':- IT • rWrote you yesterday, '^he part of that letter about \ssue of, bonds by President, Event's opinion &c. is, of couree, confidential. I doubt if Atty. Oenl. can find any power in the law in the. least to o. withhold part of the bonds. His only control is in appointing the Commissioners, and an to that, of- course, 1 have not a word to say. *1 have done nothing ariS iMtll do nothing thht Might tend to c ock pro gress of road, tut art the Ikame time must report road just as it is. I find much to commoiid In the road-»eo far as it is built or located; but must say two to three mllllone more of stibsidy should go into road. and t'lat much less into profits# f ItX nl t t ' f y September, 1868, Col. Seymour arrived tliis morning. Only saw him a moment. I asked him what line was adopted at head of Echo, Devil's Gate. He says no change was made. The long agony is now over as to Ipcation. Judging from your letter of IGth ult. giving comparative statement of cost, length &c,, I doubt not the right location has been made^^ Prom every source I hear that the great Republican Union Party is now waking up, I once aroused we shall elect Grant. New York State jra shall probably lose; so of several southern states, but sober, peace loving people must see that Grant is the road to peace and loyalty, and good faith. The nomination of Grant and Colfax and the death of Stevens party 4ust puts us .o?a the right ground, and I only wish I could do more to promote its success. I got my wife to copy Depews letter for your benefit and that of Mr. Blickensderfor, From Gen, Dodge's li* , n ' r X Marched and • at th]» Seaton Springs^ They lay on edge of mud flats- are very singular in-.formation, deep and circular; water looks pure but is mostly braekish, I examined the line to Sta, 4285 Think Hodges could avoid sojne curvature crossing his last summit before reaching the LakCj The mud flats appear.soft but have a hard stratum under them-sometimes almost as solid as rock. They may have to be ballasted with gravel to keep them from getting wet and muddy. September, 1868, Wednesday, 2;- .'>0 ' " • ' Marched and csfeped at Vl^low'^pringsy Passed Monument Poin • ■ C. P. R. R. Crossed their locations farther west on Wednesday a week ago. Learn that th«y have gamp track s 100 miies west of this. They ordered all their engineers on location and construction west of Monument Point. Our line runs south of Locomotive Springs, a fine body of Wat,er, and talces mud flats again for several miles, ' • Robt. -tiiiclEensderfer to J. E." House, Tuscarauas, 2;- ' " Yours of 25th of August with draft on K.Y,' for five hundred Dollars ($500) is received. ' . r j Note; 0. E. Vedder to J. E. House, Laram'le, S:* '♦id m Regardl'ng vouchers sent in, and money and draft to be sent him,'' - • 0 Jas, A. Evans to J. E. House, Laramie, 3:- 'ot.r . I send you a copy Tif Lawrence's account made out by himself accompanied by som'd Vouchers which-yoU will please give him credit for, I have advanced him as follows; May 16th - • ^ |S0C.06 ^ ♦.-'J : -'c .1.1 ^ April 3d uir rout ^gxriave kj ' goo, - .c f r c£> ce^ftoi:, rlnijiav April 12th. t>ir> loOiOd" '' ' -'t . August* 11th' ■•A ir 228,33. ■-"-'h' Total 928,3'3, • : ■ r.-d ert r ♦ you will seel that he acknowledges receipt in his statement. September, 1868, - ■ Saml. B. Reed to Ge , Dodge, Salt Lal5;e Git'?// 3:- ' ' * Dr. Durant telegraphe.d me-to cover th©'line from Humboldt Wells east with men. When can yo.u give me profil.e .and, map of line? I shall make arrangements to send men out as soon -.as possible. Please send messenger with apswer immediately. Track at Sta. 4400 two days • since* ■ rji. . ! J. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 3; .' rI have received a lette.r fnom J. E. Thomas in regard to al lowing stage fare'I'rom^ Ft.; Bridger to end of track .$59,75,. P^e says the cause of his leaving was on account of t^e death of his father, and that he telegraphed you in. .relation to'his fare, but received no answer. I do not feel like allowing the^ account after his correspondence with you, for fear».that there may be some, misunderstanding about i . He has sent me vouchers already signed and wishes draft for the amoimt. Shall I send it? .'C a '• From Gen, Do<^e's Diary, 5:- , . ♦ out to Hed Dtmw pase^ Met Morris who was half way down slope, getting along well. Met Maxwell in eamp on Buff Creek waiting for water. Gave hto a strong hint that it must be the last time he ever stopped while he was with me, ordered him onward with Hudnutt. The C. P. n, R. and our line that diverged at Monumentsjcame together again. September, 186C, • at Black* 3 Butto Table, We inake 58 stations iri Ulstano-e; we get 1 1-2 miles more mud flats tbart they do. Telegraphed Dursait and Reed rela tive to C. P. R. R. , contract, 2:c. >2 ? . v . Friday, 4: In camp all day ^t Willo\7 Springs. Making profiles and map of line to Red Dome. Hodges moved vest to take up line at Surprise Creek and work west. Wr^te Reed with maps and profiles- and notes of alignment to Red Dome. • Wrote 0." Ames on situation; also WHson on C & R, I.» Jesse L. Williams about line west, etc; aled Snyder about line and matters here. . c f h ■ a f • From Mrs. Dodge's Diaij^/4:- ' ^ri Received dispatch from Ocean. Leaves Salt •L-sike;- will be away from news 30' o4* ^ d^s. 7 Henry Warding to J. F. House, Laramie, 5:- ■ , 'ifr' Encloses nap of Ravlins Springs, and wants informdtlon as to lots in Bryan. *ants to get a lot. - ' Note: Opinion of Hon. Wir. Evarts, A'tVy, Gen-, upon the duties of the Executive relative to the Pacific R.R., the acceptance of the same, and the issues of* the tJnited States* subsidies thereon. ' Note: Copfces of papers showing the agreement between the Govern ment and the Union Pacific Railroad pursuant to the opinion of the Atty. Gen. Evarts, dated, 5: "i ' - ' " - - . . - September, 1868. Note: 0. E. Vedder to J. E. House, Lararaie, 5:- Says Harding will make and send you a plot of Rav/lins Springs town by morning train. To get the exact Sta, at which struc tures are would be impossible. Have never as yet (except in a very few cases) been able to find a stake standing near the bridge siding as they all apparently are gone. Can send the Sta. at which st,ructures are by deducing from stations, that he checks witli and know to be correct, f, J. L, Williams to Gen, Dodge, New York, 5:- , "r- r *nr., I wrote you a few days ago from this city. I now ?dd that " f ■' ' after reading to the Board a copy of my report of inspection and reconnoissance I offered a resolution similar to the one I showed you at Ft, Sanders, 25 per cent of Gov ernment bonds out of each 20 miles til it reached 3,000,000 to be held, in trust for permanent masonry struc- • > • » tures, earth embanlonentp, oquiitnent, water supply in Dry Desert, &c. Mr, Brooks offered a substitute which I enclose as adopted. It may be of some service as it recognizes the principle. Mr. told the Board that Attorney General would find power in the President to « * ' « go back of the Commissioners, and review and bring up to the standard the sections which they hid accepted, Mr. Cisco says resolution will help him in selling first mortgage bonds. Some assurance to the public 6f the kind is necessary,, Mr. Brooi.s sent a copy to Evarts, September, 1868, ''f who has not yet made final report*, but who had* advised President to issue bonds as heretofore for the present. By this time the Commis sioners have* probably accepted the bry Desert without any water sta tions or promise of any-the track b'eing laid by water tank trains fr from Rawlins Sprinr:s, I dont see how they could do it. My duty* has been an exceed'ingly unpleasant one the last three months. The Doctor calls me a "Watch-dog" for the Government- that I care nothing for, but most of the parties I respect anci probably they respect me but, of course, cannot fe*el kind. I have 'done them no harm In the end. The road will go rapidly on. As soon as possible I want you to give me the outline of the lo-^ cation wost, and how far you think t' is Company will build, and where in Salt Lake Valley will probably be the main point for shops,*rolling mills, &c. iOive me level of ^alt Lake aove the sea. What maximum do you use on Promontory Point, and what thence to Sierra Nevada? My s. 1 profile was well received, but I have not the exact distance By final «• location from Missouri River Bridge to raouth of Weber Canon, I call it 1020 miles. Write to Ft, i^ayne. I find that I was put off theC Bridge Committee on 3d July and '■ • .' ' " ' b '■ Brooks put on. I am quite satisfied, controlled as the Bridge will be. I. - • The Committee is Mc Comb*, Busl.nell, Duff, Dillon and Durant, of course. Busnell proposed to Board a rosoluti n allowing a tariff to bring 610 " September, 1868. 20 per cent.on canital besides-repairs, &c, -To thi3 I objected'and it was put at ten'-the same as'at Quincy', but, of-course, the Executive - Committee will Change it. There is a big speculatioii in it in some shape. Of course, I knew beofre that Boomer would get the Bridge STominally, though I think it is all one interest. It is between him and the Keystone Gompany. As shown to the Board, Boomer is $100,000 less, •il '^but I presume'Keystone bid was seen before Boomer's was finally fixed. I ''.ave seen enough to convince-me that the-Bridge letting was a mere farce.. The bids were referred to Col. Trimble of Lee's Staff, and Col. Merrill; now on Sherman's Staff. They report On'the strength of the Keystone and the Post Bridge. Merrill reports them equal. Trimble gives a decided preference td KeySonte. Partly on tfefe" ground of the name though and test and long "use'.: y/ i "g/irr Trt? From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 5:- • "5t tel ■ Mr..Bilckensderfer #»nt over to Mdrris to look at •" line. Moved caiilp to Duff Oreelc Springs; Bgan and two Indians arrived .'Ihaving lost one man in trip. Pound lumber but in limited quantities o Raft River Mountains dnd on head of SurpriSe Creek. Made map of 1000 ft, to.inch over east slope of Promontory. eMorpis has got-■>line nearly connected on east slope of Promontory* ' " ••a c'j* ' Sunday, 6t» ' TSq IxTfor. ■ ' r,*. * J'r Mr. B, wetit to Morris. ' In oamp" writing all day, letters t S,B.Heet!^^n timber and enclosed map. Messages returned from Garlew September, 1868, ^ with letters from Mr. Ames, Snyder., Mrs. D., and otoers. Snyder has gone to New York. Hgxie says that they are determined to drive me out &c, but time will tell. Got Photograph o^ little •^nnie, map and pro file of line from Cedar Pass t© Wells^ and ordered McCabe up.to locate it. Sent him word by Indian messenger. . U - . lo •.;1 Mrs. Dodge to the General, 6:- I returned from Eikhorn yesterday and found your letter from Promontory Point of Aug. 25th, the first word I have heard since the week,you left at Salt Lake. .Have been very anxious to hear., ': The farm matters are in very poor- order; horses rather poor but imprQVing now all the time. Prinqe looks well* Corn and wheat good, ^ oats not very, but I think IJr. Bailey's crops are a» goo d as any and much better than many in Nebraska, but you ought to go out and see and settle with him for the last.two -years dealing^. He desires a settlement and then you can see how you stand,. I rode out with Nate yesterday to see some land 20 acrgs near the Deaf and Dumb Asylum owned by Mr. Rice, Nate thinks it a good trade. Very many after.it and Palmer i8 holding it for you. I told him we would take it for exchange, not cash, price $100 per acres. There are many strangers coming in this fall. The papers and telegramg this morning say that the Bridge contract is let to Boomer of Chicag-one of your friends, I.believe, and eo.if.you want to get in it you better hurry home. Cant you take part in that Bridge ngxt year September, 1868, , • e "f and make enou/ih at home to pay for losing the road? ^ And then we could build our house, too, ojr get ready for it. I wish you would. The Bridge is going to make this j)lace, and next spring property will be high and sell well, and I think right here .in the course of next year you can make a fortune if you are only free from the R.R, and aan give your attention to your own interests instead of the Company's. Hoxie is crossing his material on his own boats-novT uses the Montana for a ferry. Wo have beautiful weather now, cool and pleasant and I would like to take some rides-so hurry homo. I hope you v;ill not be careless in coming tlirough the Indian country. The papers now are full ow stories about them and I guess there^ Is some- trouble. Have your pistolS; with you and be oareful,^^^^^ > ^ , Dan Casement has gone East wltl^ His wife. She is very sick or has been. I --uosb Seymour dont, like Evan^^-nor Jack Casement. Bring Ena a pony if you can find one without much trouble; she expects it, -You did not tell me any railroad news. What have y ;u from New .York,, and from Mr% WiiHeras? Pr 'rfc Saymour took his family out, so I suppose he is permanent at Salt Lake, Keep your eyes open but dont be troubled. I desire much to know whore the pow^ lies, and I think next winter you t con find .out, I am'in yow mother's house now, Julia will go Bast the last of this month and thdh'ii s^haH have the.ho«Jse«w ^Thore is not much room, ' -.f: ■ r. '. .H September, 1868. but we manage to be verjf comfortable; but I shall be glad to have a n Ice-large house of my own with plenty of room. Am going over to sec Mrs. Lacey and Mrs. Merideth at Omaha. I want j^ou ever so much, now do come home this month. You can finish all suoh things as maps, re ports &c here, and I will help you, • - ' Willard S. Pope, Engineer Detroit Bridge & Iron "Works to Gen. Dodge, Detroit, 7: ^ '-o-s • Is it the fact thaV "the final Contract has been awarded f®" your Omaha bridge? We hoped tor receive d notification of your readiness to receive prenosals,- so that we might hkve entered into thb competiti-on. Is it too late for us to be rejCreserited? Saml. B. Reed to Gen. Dodge, Echo City, Utah, 7: " Major Bent's outfit wishes to commence operations at Ilumboldt Wells and east. If my engineers do not get o -the ground as »soon as required will'^ou detail on« of your parties to. stake out work for them? ' - ' ' .' ' "'"r How many partiee can ydU 'turn o^r to tfle for constrtxction-WDrk, and how soon? We hope to get 300 teams on that vibrk soon. John 3. „ iilialns to Gen. Dodge, Boston, 7: Yours of 3d from Council Bluffs duly received. Owing to Mr. Dillon's absence fpom New York City your assessmerit and his not paid till Au^uet 27th, suid then I was absent at the White i^ountains. Have today sent H. C. Crane your receipt for $10,000 the assessment of September, 1868. August, 1868, so.it is all right. r ,*T<n iri.T -n' •r. * ■> , * Glad to see the continued,rapid progress of the U,P.R»R. . Hope you will preserve your health and strength. Mr, Biair is making good * • progress with all his roads-uncertain how much he will build this year on thejowa Falls & Sioux ^ity. There will probably be only one more call before January# ') - r Hi From Gen. -I^odge's Diary, 7;- , 1 * i , o ► Gamp moved to Rese road. Capt. \Vells with Company and train started east. Lt. Adams, 10 men and 6 wagons went on with me. Mr. B. and myself started south and struck his 10,miles off N. Sta. 5100, f. Max-ell commenced location at Low pass, Mr. B, went back 6 miles to look at line and level from Lord Pass to Red Dome Pass, Schull Write, Indian, started for McCabe. I found camp 18 miles north of line. Troban got in from Salt Lake City. j _ oj .•ai...-, Prom-llrs. Dodge'a Diary, 7. , S,. r-tra-n, Startdd on Colorado down River. , . ^ ^ f Huh * IJote: W# v;. Ults to Gen, Dodge, Washington, 8:- iB r Wants to know If the Postmaster at Council Bluffs is loyal ajtd if l3A Hill dis tributa d<icuraents if he sends them to him, R.' G. Hazard to Den, Dod.ro, Peace Dale, B* I. 8:- ' You have no doubt often heard of the charges made of the Company against Durant, My brother, (wl ,h otheps) has instituted proceedingB against him in this state, and I talte the liberty of asking September, 1868, you to obtain some information it OmSRia in such way as you deem best. I think it desirable to ascertain as soon as possible what account llr, Hoxie will Rive of his contract with the U. P.R.R. Comf^aiy. Mr, Oakes Ames has already made affidavit that DuraAt stated tliat the whole profits of that contract were to go to the C. Mobelier, and others will do the same, but it is claimed that Burant took over $400,000 of it to himself, and I believe the account-will show that the amount of profits was paid away from the Co, I suppose Hoxie will 'say that he had no real Interest in the contract, and did not gdt'teh if'any of the*profits, but only a small sum(if anything) for his trouble. That he nevfer did ahyth'ing under the contract in the way of || constructing \.he road, I think it probable that Mr. Ham will be willing to aid in ob taining the information. I am the* irore caipefui to not ask aid from the officers and members of the corporation, because-most of them think it expedient to kee"b matters smob^h with Duraht, but as I kncn of no one to a~pply' to outside at Oi^ya I think' it best to ■ ■ rite you confidentially on the subject and let you adopt such ebursd as you deem beat. The truth Should not be concealed, though Mr. l^rant floes not seem so"grateful for the opportunity-of exculpating himself from STBspicion as might be expected, '' State waits on aboVo suspf^^oil" and if he removes the case to the U.S.Courts he will probably faro'^no better, though hb may iaake j September, 1868. the proceedings rore tedloiis and expensive. Z '-■f f.-B Hoping that you will see in. the^ facts a sufficient apelogy for my thus troubling you, and will fapvT; me with an answer at as early a day as you conveniently can i: .Tf .t'• From Gen. Dodge's Diary, Tuesday, 8:- . r ; r-jrCamped near IJaxwell's Springs. Crossing the Mountains one wagon broke dovai and train did not get in until late. All the way to summit of moxintain there was plenty, of water. Mr. B, ^.aid out, ■ ot found camp. Trimbills and his party of Indians came to camp. Wednesday, 9«- T: ' . . « , . Lay in camp.. Maxwell, and myself looked at line west. Con sidered pass into Surprise Creek practicai;le,. and also concluded to take table at foot of Onbee Range and reach approach'to Toans.Mts. Jty a tangent. Went as far as.Hudnutt's Camp-rode 50 miles and returned to camp. , • • . To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 9:- ^ I wish you would put such endorsement on the enclosed letter as will satisfy Mr, Bien- so -we can get some of those majps and return to me. , . r" Sargent is at work on Ch. R.I. & Pacific R.R, tinder Ainsworth. They are still pushing the road, ajad„will commence grading at *^ity in few days. I suppose you are advised ff the action of U.P.R.R, Directors in . -•■«•<_ if ^ . \ ^ -^ 4 September, 1868. ^. '-r setting aside 3 millions of-llsI'mortgage bonds for bridges and let ting of contract for building Bridge^ here to Bodraer of Chicag o. Everything h^e looks promising. Buildings going forward and bus iness getting better. Real Estate sellin ' about the same as when j''ou were here. Asylum contract-has been closed and'work commenced. Property in that direction advanced and sought after for residences. I am endeav oring to get hold-of a piece for you 1 ^ . From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 10:- » Moved camp to foot of Toans Range of Mountains.- Mr. and myself rode to Hudnutt(3 work at 2d summit of Toafi's Mountains. He found-mistake q 25 ft. in Hodges levels* Irhlch cost him a days work. ^ Rode back to cam . Got In south side over"50'iilds tangent from-'Dmbee Mountains to Toan*s' Pass. ' ' . . J E. D. Boy'd to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 10 rji ' I have the honor to acknowledge "the receipt of an excellent "map or the ^hion Pacific Railroad, from OnAha to Salt Lake'.'* "Ihe information it cohtHlris-the location of the >oad, the stations, and iho topography will be ve^-y valunMe td' fi% department."' ' ' Please accept my thanks, Saml. B. Reed-to Gen. Dodge,-Echo City, Utah, 10: '■'eb Yours' of 4th and «th are recei ved. Thfe maps'end profiles also have been recoived. 618 r f.*t„ September, 1868, MaJ, Bent's outfit goes West to ,conmience work at Humboldt Wells by order from New York, Casement and- E. will follow ^in a few days with teams.enough to make 500 in all, » ^ ■ * Will you detail a party to -^take out work if my engineer does not got through as soon as the graders? .Storms goes out with Bent, but his party will be a few days behind. Other engineering parties will follow Boon. 1 am of your opinion that we should commencG at Monument Point, but my ^orders are imperative. • ^ ^ The work east of Bait -^aka Valley generally progressing well. Mdn are uneasy and "ill not stay long in one place, Carmichael's heavy rock cut will be completed by the 20t'-i. Track at Point of Rocl^; hope to got to the river by the dst^of October, Failed to get piles down "reen River * and have to haul them from tin^ber south of^ Beidger 90 miles. I am glad to receive your timber notes, ». »nc '' • ; rionj many ties of engineers can you turn over to construction department? I will gQtMjH^tng-eere on [the work'W soon as possible, in the meantime do not let. the .sawn^s lay idle. ■ ^ 0 ' . t " --'Note:; 0, B. Vedder- to J* B. House, Lararnio ■Has not raceived amount duo him for vouchers sent amounting to'^.314.25' • Will send noteg of track measurement as .soon as he can . . n-ct them ready. • , ■ * Prom Gen. Dodge's Diary, 11:- ' • '' ' In camp all day. Mr. B. went out with Hodges' party to fix ,1:..'*..,.. jf. September, 1868. ' o(i; !• up tansent east, I worked all day on estimates. Egan and Indian got in from Pilot Peak. Found good'balsm fir and^ • pine on west slope, and plenty of shrubby cedar for v/ood,' Sent team back to Morris. Saturday, 12: ' j ' Rode down to Maxwell's camp and party to see how they were getting along. Eddy to work on estimates. Mr. B. took latitude of camp w'^ich is 'where Passage Creek comes out of the mountains. Lat. 41° 20*. Pilot Peak 10,800 ft, high. 6,700 above desert. Note: Corlies, Ma6y & Co. to J. House, New York, 12:- Order for drawing paper has been received, and will Be filled at once. Note: Jas. T. ii-ady to W. Snyder, Pittsburgh, 12: Wants position for an engineer of vast experience. i From Gen. Dodge'e Diary, 13:- . " Hudnutt worked all day, alsti Hodges and Maxwell , Four of Hodge's men left him and I supplied their placds. Moved camp 15 milesJ to Moore's Creek on old trail. Fine water, grass and timber! I pushed on over the summit And found water<6 miles west of camp 5ust over moun tain. Climbed motantain until I could see » Cedar Pass and the Humboldt Range; also' Thompson'e Spring. Valley to north west coun try o ens into an immense eak, and has several mountain ranges covered with pine and cedar. 620. - J I t»r' ' •' '-n i tl September, 186»> ^ • Note: J. ?. McCabe to J. Buckensderfer, Jr., Clover Valley,13 Reports progress of Hiirvey to Humboldt Wells, Note: J, Webster to J., E. House, Cheyenne, 14:- « » Encloses vouchers amounting to |250, Says v/ork on shops • • • temporarily sHspended, &c. . ■ From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 14:-- .. . Went to Hudnutt's camp. Re.finished line down east slope of Toane's to Hodge's connection. Got profile and returned here by way of old trail. Pass very rough and mountains; could see lOOOspring4 and valley between Pegnop and Toan's mountains. I learned that Ives went East to Surprise Creek to commence location on C.P.R.R; also learned that Ives found the general- route of the lino,from top of Pilot Peak. From that pa»int can see all-,..U^ passes tlirough-Tonas, Pegnop and Hum boldt; also can see Sierra Nevada, and Wahsatch Peak is 10,SCO ft. above the seeu I'uesday, 15: »r" • V Had a discussion with Mr. B. on difference in 40 and 90 f igrada overcoming the came elevation. In thedry he says it costs just as much aqoo ft..elevation with 40 very light grade as it does with 90. but in practice it is not true that all roads are cutting down grades. The only way to obtain difforence is to ascertain cost of running a Dts1^v\th high grade and one with low, both overcoming same September, 1868« . ,*r'. ' 'altitude, including cost pier mile'and per cent over-and'above cost of repairs, track laying, wear and tear of machinery, c. This can only be done by going into the matter practically and methodically. Mr, B, went out to Ilodg&s, I remained in camp. Gen. Dodge to J. E. House, Toans Mts. Nevada,'l5:- "■ . » * , • 1 I enclose the heading for our"record of-the located lines. . . f ■ . You will purchase a booH large efiough to make record of line from ■n . 1 ' Missouri "iver to Green River, It*will take a book nearly as large as our ledger. Have it carefully ruled, or else made to order by Ket er t & Morrell, and then have it carefully compiled for the records in our office.' Let a good workman fill it up- a good penrfian. ^ Prom Green River to Rumboldt" Wells Mr;' Biickensderfer is malting the records, 'As this will be 'oai<"roCord to refer ^o must be very careful" that it is correctly made, ' ' ' 1 ' Henry B. Hammond to J. E. House, New York, IGt'" This in to inform you that the Executive Committeo by a resoluatlon passed at its mooting of September 4th, 1668, have authorised you "to make up and c»^rtlfy to the regular monthly and final esti mates of work done as per the request of the cohtr.^otors," ' '*v P. Melindy to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, 16: < My friend, Judge Merritt, is an applicant for the ""^wsltion o Supervisor of -^ntefnal Rovenue fr the District of Iwwa, He has the September, 1868, , ■ '-•r ■ endorsement .of all of our State officers and members of Congress. 7/ill you write a .letter to Rollins recommending the Ju lge, and send to me here?' I will take it as a great favor if you will. . Things look bully for Clrant and Colfax. , E. B. Crocker t© ^Gen. Dodge, Sacramento, Gal., 16:- Learning from LIr. Tracy, v7.F.& Go's Agent at Salt-Lal^e Gity thit vou desired some of _the steroscopic views of the Gentral Pacific R.R., I have mailed to youat Omaha (which will^go by next Isthmus Steamer of the 19th) 3 packages of views of 30 each, making 90 in all. Some of them show a ver^ rough mountainous country and afford some slight idea of the difficulties we have had to encounter in construct ing our R. R4 -Many.of tbe^e views wore taken before the road was -oompleted, We are Jugt finishing up'the line over-the Sierra Nevadas, with about 25 miles on the eastern slope, which takes us pretty muQh out of t'no mountains. We Mope Wfton to be laying tack at a rate to com pare favorably with the Vnion Pacific. i , ♦ • I shall bo pleased to receive any views you may have,of the Union Pacific, as also any reports of your,Company you may have to spare. Brom Gen, Dodge's Diary, 16;- ' , . . . In camp pn.Mopre's Creek, Made map, profile, notes and alignment from Maxwell's Pass to summit of Toan's.Mts., and sent them to City of Rooks to go to Mr. Reed, Egan at^^pldier took them out. September, 1868, • Hodi^es passed west and camped at summit at Canon Springs. Max-vTell in camp with us. '7rote Reed, ^Hirant, Duff, ^ouse and Annie. The slopes 'Of Toans ^untains are covered with fine groves of cedar dwarfed, good for'fuel, but few ties. Moore's Creolt fine stream of mountafn water, plenty of grass and !T00d. Hudnutt reported no line located west of Toans s'ummit by Ives, ^»lve3 Mag, base of Ives at Pass as 17,23, Lat, of capp-vaniation of needle-17,35. B, and Hodges camped west of Pegnop. Maxwell at Pegnop Pass, ' ' Thursday,'17;- f 1. - r * ». MoveiJ camp to PegK|(i<op Pass Creek, Rode over to 'Hudnutt*s line and endeavored to run a line holding Elev, up'from '-^oans to Peghop pass, but country is very rough and gullies deep, Hodges pushed on to Pass Creek; concluded to try line from both summits run ning down valleys leading to Thomson's Springs, barely to ascertain distance, elevation and^^rade. Did rot feel V§ry well t8#iflght and went to bed early. In talcing latitude get Elev. of at»its'meridian, then measure angl® below the zenith and S. if S. tboVe equator sub<^tract it from angle and angle from 90° if looking south. If north add angle to distance S, is from pole and subs tract from 90®, « Note; Chas. fl. SWaltz &• Co. to Uaj* M.E. Lewis, Eng. U.P.R.R* St. Joseph., Mo',, 17;* ' 'r h' Concerning roofing for buildings', propaffed by mnohinory ' V/ill be pleased to show the a4vantage of machine work over hand work. September, 1868, L. y.. Ricks0'cker'te' J. 'S* "Rouse/Salt baki city,'18:-^- I forward to your address, per Wells, Par^o & Co*, s express part 2d of map of U.B.R*R, Icrcafion "froiti Green •'^iver summit to-south df Weber Canon. I have placed the magnetic courses on the map wherever 'I found them in the field notes or maps* 'a j r Pleaso send me half dozen of the latest""U.P.R.'R. Time tables. Note: Henry Harding to J. P. Hovi-e, Lararaie, 18: - •' ■* 7/antd bill of stationery sent-to that office* From (Jen. Dodge's Diary, 18i- ' "Went west to summit of Cedar Pass with Maxwell and B, Put Hodges to Work ori east slope and exsunined both of Ives lines. Learned McCabe had gotten half way down slope toward Humboldt 'iells. Returned 'to camp in night, vary dack. Mr, B. went over and st ayed with McCabe. Saturday, 19:- ■ ■Wont east and examined country for change between Toans and Pegnop Pass; concluded to talce it. Maxwell and Hudnutt connectgd their trial linesi - Morris arrived with his party and.went into camp With "US. In exariifiatlon of Morris and Miucwell's location, think it should be changed so as to bring Maxwell' line around point of Surprise Croekj also that'an-entire new line ("dhould be run from Red-Dome to Surprise Creek, following very nearly*H0dgo3 preliminary, Sehull got back from Southern trip, Sunday, 80: ■ -f ^ ' . r .1 '« "/I \\ •' „ , September, 1868, , r ir ^ ,| In camp all day. Hudnijtt, Maxwel^l and Morris took dinner with me. Made plot of Morris and Maxwell's location, and Hodges prelim inary, distance covered in location 1 1-2 rail-e^. . Ordered Morris to commence location Monday at Pegnop PasS'^d locate eas.t on new line; also Maxwell and locate West,. Hudnutt to commence at Toans and locate West, Ho ikinq, train arrived at Humboldt Wells to commence grading. Brought letters from Mr« Reed, . . ' Thos^ il. Bates to J. E. House, Echo City, 20:- Will you do me the favor to sand nle by E^jpress here my drafts on Qen. Dodge? The Acts* beings closed they are no longer of any use to you, and are only in your way now. What are you driving at? Let me ^ hear from you* *' '" '1' f-r- ^ ■ r*t ■ ..h I want to send t • WeW Tork "for a Mr, Cl.as, L. Exicyon, an enginerr who is to be employed in the construction department. He brings his lady with him, Mr, Bead has "no blanks, JPleaae send me a pass for them, s ■ • . ' . ■ . f Saml, B, reed to Oert, Dodge, Bcho City, 21:-: r 'r ■ f-f rjt The track'last Fridagp evening was at Point of Recks; have not hoard from it since. Bent hae gone west with large outfit to com mence ooerations at .Humboldt Wells and work east. Casement's and Boyd's outfit are on the road to ooramenoe one hundred miles east of Tells 8ind work west. My orders are to do the grading on that portion of the road as quick as possible. Shall have five;hundred or more ^ September, 1868, teams on the work very soon. .r.v- I Dr. Durant ahd party" leave Chicago this morning fbr Salt Lake. I send transportation to Green River to'meet them" Friday next. Carmichae-ls has completed his work on east side of river and mov ed all his force to west side; twentjr days will complete work at and twenty miles west of Green'RlVor.' " All the work to head of Echa :i's progressing satisfactorily. Deep cut at rim of basin will be complete- "Bd by October 10th. Tunne-l at head of Bciio drove- 60 ft. at eac end. Rock soft, make 6 feet per day at each heading.; obliged to timber it. I Sent letter by Bent asking you to detail party to stake out work Until "My engineers get on the ground. . Two. engineering parties have gone forV^ard, one with' and one with Casaraent's outfit. If you have any parties to spare they may coramencje staking out at. oncS. Please let them do enough to keep all men at work that may reach the work. /! . ' ;• Jas. A, Evanu to J. '!l6fciae, Laramle, 21:-' * ' • dC thought it would be well wrflte you a line in time about notes west for the (Jommissiondr's 'report* ' . ' " ^ ? ■ We shall complete the section the 820th mile post tomorrow; in about one week more to the 840th, That will take us to the end of my division, and I have no note^ beyond, ' « Will pay proper attention to yours lots here, ' t L. Ei Riekseoker to J. W. " House, fSailb take City, 21: r ' September, 1868, . I send you with this, per Wells, Farro & Go's Express, the profile of section" L if Mr. Blickensderfer's location, embracing line from Morris 0 on Bitter Creek to Sta, 920 on Hudnutt's line on Blacks Fork. The latter part of the profile is not finished. We have been so busy that have never been able to finish a copy of porofile for the office. The Blacks Pork line we have, only in pencil and nor grades on. I will get a record of grades of that part of the line from Mr. Reed for "the next s.ection. Both Mr. Reed and Mr. Durant have finished pro files of the whole lire. My making this profile will not interfere with any orders left by Gen. Dodge or" Mr, J. B. Jr. J had orders to make profile or entire ^ line f.ar Gen. Dodge. Will this copy answer ^oth your purpose and his? T do not find Ft. - Bridgor on any of our field maps. Have no means of locating it except by such maps as Capt, Stansbery's act. which you probably also have, J. L. 7/illiama to ,Crfl8i. Dodge, New .York,-31 ^ 1 Yotirs ©f Ist September at Red Dome Pass received. Prom this I gather 1st, that you expect the two lines to meet at Monument Point 90 miles west of mouth of Weber Ganon# If the meeting point is likely to be ansrwhere else, pleaae a4viso me, If mouth of Weber is 1020 miles, then our Company wlU'build 1110 miles. Please give me the correct distance to-aoUth of Weber Canon« 2d- I gather from your letter that there is bug 6 miles of very .heavy woifk, and this is in September, 1863, f fif # ; r V /• the eastern slope of Promontors^ Range vith 90 fj,. maximum grade. About what will the grading of this 6 miles cost per mile? •They assurp rae at the office -that no change was made on the V/ahsatch, and that the. grade remains at 90 ft,- maximum, and I have so re ported to the Department, Inquire j.nto this upon your return, and. inform me if there is any. increase of gradS, Also advise me whether there is much temporary frack laid at heavy, points v/est of Ft. Bridger, and where and about how much, it will cost to grade and open the proper, line where there gire deep cuts or tunnels-. Also w ether they are build ing mnsonry abutments on the Weber and Echo, or are crossing the streams with 16 ft, span trestles. Also wheter you understand that masonry drains are built on the Wahsatch and down Bitter Creek to much extent, I' reported f'3,00 ,000 in Government bonds as required to be ap plied wholly on the sections which the Oonuais si oners had^ accepted and will accept to bring the road up to a, proper standard, including more rolling stock, shof«ir water supply 'c. and X am in good earnest and so theyare at Tfetehlngton Ho have this aura applied. I think they Atty. Genl, will report power in the President to^ go back of the Corarcls si oners and review on sections which they have accepted. The resolution of the Board differs from the one 1 offered in setting apari Ist mortgage bonds and ttftoso on tho last 100 miles. It is not entirely sati^ja^tory but ••v.- i ■! t-i • , • "i-l SppJ;ember, 1868. . ' embraces the principle*. As soon as you can learn which part of the line will be their last 100 miles, let me know. presume you are hot going through to Oregon, and so shall expec you back to Salt Lake further east pretty soon. The Doctor and Col. Seymour have gone out, and Mr. Crane is going. i ' i tYou inquire about political prospects. I saw at Washington 2 t'days ago-Colfax and I.Iorton, Depues and others. All these gentelemen tare Very confident that Indiana will go right in October from 5 to 15000, Pennsylvania is generally considered as sure. Ben Wade says that Ohio will give the old-fashioned majority-near 40,000 , With tliese results possibly New York may go with us. It may be we shall lose ^ half or more of the Soutehm States• yet I see no one on our side who doubt's Grant's election, and on the other side I think they are not "sanguine of beating him. The current sets that way and I think will gain strength. I go over to J'erseV tonight to meet John I. Blair» • s where he is to dedicate a wigwam. V'l'O Before you leave that country 1 th'ink it. would pay t.o get the •exact level of Salt Iirfke. If you lajr your line near its level you had ' better keep up pretty well, for I iiave' a theory that Vhen the country gets settled and ditched out and tramped by-'stock ud ifche numerous valleys, a far greater proportion at the rfein end melted snow will run into "the Lake than heretofore, and its. surface may gradually rise for 50 ye ars. irn?.- September, 1868, ' , " I obtained at Ft, Bridger the monthly fall of rain for one years, only 4 1-4 inches, but this did not include the sno\7. Thd^ Government at all its-military posts .should require a rain guage to be so kept as to include the water contained in every fall of sn9w, sa as- to give the annual dopth of falling water,^ t , « Where is, Biickensderf er, and what has h-e been doing? Let-me hear from you oftener, , - , -.From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 21: . <♦ r; « '>0 , , u Sent Mr. B, to stake put work at Humboldt Wells for Hopkins, and went out on Morris,' line myself, also over to Maxwell; 60 ft. grade siscendlng and descending; the Pass is -very difficult. Maxwell tried -valley and Morris north slope, concluded to out_ summit 25 ft, Sen.t em order to Mr, Horth to report to- Mr, Reed. Egan returned from City of Rocks, Sent off map and profile Friday's Stage, Team, for Morris was found and returned,- Large train reported en route for grad ing at the Point, C.P.R.jR. graders at work at Monument Paint to^ Red Dome, Tuesday, 22:- ■Mf AWent over to Maxwell'-*s line, changed his line somewhat. Party works, very slow and does not jnake much progress, Morris working dwon Peghop Greek; go-t pretty good work. + c'i r Note: ^ward P. North to J. Blickensderfer,. Jr. Salt Lalce City22: 1, J K ■ a September, 1868. ' r > « In relation'to line from Mud Island 'to Promontory Points J. C,' Crane to Gen, Dodge, New York, 22: ' "■ t ' ' ""nr: Yours of 5th from Duff Creek received, Thb'dividend of $6,000 in cash* of June iV,*68, I deposited to yotir credit at the ' Leather Manufacturers Bank. I hold belong to Mrs. D, 40 shrs, of U.P. "^tocJc dividend of June 17, 1868, 75 shares of U.P.R.R. 'stock div, of Uuly 3d, 1868, and #75 ,00 certif, for first mortgage Bond U.P. Company, On the above securities I have obtained loan 90 days from August 26, 1868 of #10,000, Properly*I should have a power* of attorney froi Mrs, Dodge for the stock*. It would be well for her to send m ) a pow^r of attorney 'to colloct any dividends'made" by C. i:. of A, tr, 'P. R. R Co. and trustees of Ames contracf.' ' I shall protect her Interest,* but would like ttT haYe the poweh bf Attorney,-- I expect* to lear here for the west to make trip over the line with couple of friends, and we may pbssi-bly go to Salt Lake before we return, Doctoh i^ at Chicago on his way West,* I- think will not return to New York under 5 or 6 weeks. We are glad that you have had no difficultsr with, Willie and trust he will come home a<Il right «ld be contented to study hard this winter j then I "must see what business he had better adopt. - q Thinking that you may "nOt have convenienec to get a ptyw®? of' attorney I enclose theitt, and you can got them ai-gned and foi^Witd to me September, 18C8. W. Snyder to Gen, Dod.-e, Oujaha, 23: • i , ,, Hoxie improving. I think pow he will get out, but have been very much alarmed. 820 miles track ready today, T.C.D.sick yet in Chicago, Sey mour and family, and Gen, '^• ■^Ccullum reached ".lere yesterday. Sey mour and party have been pushing McCullum for Gen, Supt, for sometime. Rather think from my New York correspondent that they may accomplish it; dont care a d-n as I am heartily sick of the constant fight and had rather work elsewhere. Will spend a month's time gratis in post ing Li. 0* if they wish him, and will go somewhere with people who will let me have peace, and can leave the concern with straighten re cord^ than McCullum or Sey|iDur ever left any place, - • Pegram Is not to stop at Green River town, but push to Blacks Pork, make town and put up the shops there, Hoxie named the.town Bryan (After my boy) in my absence^ Mulloy and Carmichaels are not pushing their work as they ought. They are working for tliemselves instead of the Company, I. am paying , fare for men from Chicago for this work and pushing them out. Have sent three hundred in last five days. J, £• Blair to Gen, Dodge, Burlington, Iowa, 23:- p ..Your letter to Mr, Theilson dated July 17th asking a]50Ut the difference in elevation, between Lalce Michigan at Chicago and some point in Council Bluffs, was duly received. There was at the time a party in September, 1868. the field runnin" fcovTarde Coxmcil Bluffs, and he deferred ans ering' your letter until'he could sendyou reliable figures. This party has just returned and I hastne to send you the Information desired. The switch near water tank oh the C. B. & st, Jo R.R. is three hundred and ninety three and'one-half (393,5)*feet above Lake Michigan at Chicago, * ' ' Regretting tho delay, and hoping it may still be in time to serve your" purpose. From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 23:- i - / I Morris cloeed his line with Hudnutt, Hudnutt finished at noon, "Concluded to run souih"'Mdle of Pegnop Creek and' endeavor to get ^ a better line. Teams ^bt back from Clover vlilley ifrith 10,600 lbs, grain, Wrote Mr. Reed and Durant'. Seni telegram to Reed that 1 had put Maxwell on construction* ,and .wanted two level tapes sent to Ruby ' for them. Hodges brought over his profile; did not like it and ordered him to re-run his line. He is more stubborn in his ideas than sensible in running line*, and will never maker an" engineer until he Is more willing ^ < ' ft . I t . ■ ■ - '• i , to learn.* * ' Thursday, 24:- » Eg"fiu:a st'artod for Ruby with telegrams for Reed hnd-Ricksecker. I went out to see" Morris and then climbed mountain; north of canp could see Thousand Spring Valley very plain, also Hbt Spring Gap khd a pass south of Road Pass-througlf which 1 thirik line'could be'run to fTSeptember, 1868, ^ ^ ' v* . .♦ ' ' »• V • .' f Pa3a,agQ Creek. The view is very fine and the Passes from Humboldt, Wells to Toans all in view. Route for a line can be obtained from Humboldt ■.Vftlls into Thousand Spring Valley and down it to the desert r-voiding Pegnp and Toans ^Passes but grade would be probably .heavy; ^ , From. Pegnop to '■'^'.Pp being good^ line. L. E. Ricksecker to J. E. House, Salt Lake_Qity, 3-1;- ■ ... - , I forward with this to your address profile of line from Sta. 920 to Black Fork to Sta. 964 on the ridge between Willow andSul • • j-phur Creeks, a distance of 83 miles. This, I believe, is all the pro file your letter of September 15th calls for. I presume you will want profile of the rest of the line to mouth of Weber Canon soon. I shall I have it finished in a few days, and you may let me know whether j'-ou wish it or not. ♦ , , . Note: .Saml. F. Adams to Gen. Dodre, Sacramento City, Calk, 25:- About location of railroad lines south and north of Salt Lake. Is glad to know that the Comp^^ does not follow" "the line of. the^Central Railroad. Prom Gen. DodgeSs Diary, 25io' h -'VMef Jji' Moved camp to Independence Springs, Mr. B, and myself had a discussion on grades &c. Considers 20 ft, Kiev, equal, to 00 miles of road, as depending solely on character of road and amount it will earn. Thinks high grades not so objectionable as sharp curvatures. . Would calculate value of two lines b.. taking cost of both; cost to keep in September, 1868, * .. . repair andoost to run per ton, and se^ which would make inost money*- short line with high grade or long and light grader. On U.P.R. r. considers it more of light road and would endeavor to get good alignment so as to make quick time; to do this must have light curves. Two guards came to cam i with letters from Reed to at Morri*s out. Agreed to-send a party Monday, Saturday, 26;- « ". . . . . Lat, Sta, 11878- located line three miles east of upper Huraboldt Wells 41° 6', Mr, Bartlett of Bent's train arrived; also foreman from Surprise Creole, Agreed to give them'work As soon as train arrived. Gave Maxwell his orders; also Morris; latter finished his line. Wrote Durant, Ames and Annie, - " W. Snyder to Gea, Dodge, Omaha 26:- ' Will try and get up statement as you request of cost hauling trains on grades as compared with*level track, Ac,* '"-®''* Hoxie much better but not yet getting up ; Is out of danger. Will not be able to do business for ten daj^s* Durant leaves Chicago today and makes no stop-here tomorrow. Has telegraphed for me to go west With him'tomorrow; dwtti'think I can do it. Matters Are'raixed rather £n N.Y, Ames hived no decision on anyJfhing and leaves all*to the Doctor, ^ : Colfax went East perfectly satisfied, I gdve him sdid pArty first rate outfit on their return, '' ' b ;•! r, ♦ eir'll September, 1868» . ■ . , I am about used up. Div, Supt, Gen. -Ft.' and -Genl Tickt Agents, - all East after thei families, and nobody to help. *7111 write you of my progress next week. Seymour, has takep too much upon himself, and I pDopose to have a' straight "Vtalk with T. C.p. in regard to his Consulting Engineer than will probably suit. , . g.. ' '' t ( To Gen. Dodgeirom his sister, CLouncil Bluff's',' 27:-' Annie is up stairs reading, and !■ have come do-vn in the parlor to v/rite you. I have thought J would several times but have really "found not time, but now tlrnt Ivhave finished everything ahd have a little leisure before I leave the State of single blessedness willcK^.n write you before signing my death warrant. . I feel irery badly* to thirric you "will be absent next Tuesday and had I not been confident that you would be here I should havq, changed the day till later.; fcft* with both-you and Mother away it seems as though I w^s being sent out of the faniily in disgrace; the more I think of it the worse I feel about it. Sue is gping to give me .a large wedding, over 140 invited. V/e are to.be married, Tuesday morjiing, Sept. 29th at 8.30 o'elock by. Mr. iittle^ then leave on the 11 o'clock •ti'ain, go to Co m. and JWtffs, You will'isrobably be her© when we return. I have hoped to the .last minute thai you would .get Annie's letter and come home. nr ' ' ■ • Little Annie is too .smart; .she grows brighter every day she lives, if you could hear her talk you would be » stonished. I am loth to give September, 1868. . ^ up my charge 'of her; feel 'as .though she jndre .than half belonged to me. Mother I hear from every we^; she is quite gay down East every thing and everybody is beautifvQ,■and she feels 20 years younger; ■ Everybody meets her so coridally, that she feels doubly repair for her long and tedious journey. , tJ ; ^ 'v There i-s little news here,' .We have managed to get a fire engine 4nd that has raised such a commotion in town,' I dont Icnow-as it would do to stir them up suddenly again, I . • Mr, Hoxie-has been very sick indeed with typhoid fever; Is slowly recovering, Lettio and Ella attend the Seminary constantly,' ! Mr, Rice surpsied us a week ort.vo ago by dropp ng in one evening. Said he would call again, but did not-so nu )posed he wont right to Oskaloosa, ■ Jim has come to take me riding, so will close. This is probably the last you will hear from me s'ingly; hope you will be here, when I return. All send love.^^ i . 4 v, Gen, Dodge to J, B. "Houarw, e* .• fi 4 f t ^ t . :-i- e* -fil'' Lots at Lairattie City in jmuiIW "of Ji. . Crane- list: .given by ^.C.Durant to Mr. Bert for me October 15th,, '68, Blqck 166 lots ,6 Sc 7, Block 173, Ic^s 8 and 9, Block 173 lots 15 and 16, Issue deeds to this and ;ut them in the hands of -eomq man vho will ..ell them and make retuma to Mr, Crane, • » 1 September, 1868. Prom Gen. DodgeJ s Diary, 27:- • ^ r ,-..,. ^rr -r To v;ork in camp on profile, &c. Mr. Egan returned from his trip with large mail. Letters from Annie, Lettie and Ella; also from * Mr. Williams and Reed. Caompany have let Bridge, and laid aside $3,000,000 to build oililverts, &c. Bridge letting is. a blind. Received letter from Mr. Hazard about Durant and his operations, also from Jas. P. Wilson who ^says Ames must be able to show a clear hand or it will go hard „ ith him. Williams notified of receipt of $10,000 1st mort. S.C.R.R. and Gray, Prince & Co. of deposit on L. & M. Bank. • f 'I'. Monday, 28:- ^ . Mr, Dlickensderfer started east on line to dress it up where * ' • • • * needed. Hodges and Maxwell closed in their line. Bent's train arrived and brought several letters, one from Annie and several from Mir. liousd. Go d many stoangers »£>ning on line and speculators. Construction * Department on our road is badly behind out here. ,Mr. B, took latitude of bur oamp,. bitt I did not get it, , Tuesday,. 29x- ... ^ ^ovedcarap to Humboldt Wells, and rode down to end of line. Met. Mr. Thompson who lives 10 .miles down Humboldt, says all of C.P. Graders are in 12 mile canon d lots of Co. engineers 40 miles west on of wells Pork, 60 miles from Gravelly &ord and 40 miles east of I rode dver to Nortlj fork of, Humboldt then up Pryam.^cl P^ak. A fine ^ sulphur aprimg flows out of mountain at foot of Peak. Hoisting machine came to camp today from Clover gfliing to settlements down Humboldt September, 1868. A. n. Hallowell to Gen. Dodre", Paris, 29:- Allovr me to thank* you for the kindly letter of introduction to Gen. Dix, whic";, at the instance of our mutual friend Pairfield, you were pleased to place me in possession of. ^ - . Gen.' Dix desired to "Be especiall-y remembered tc/you, and expressec • ' 1 . . . his regrets that your entire time and talents could not be devoted to the Pacific Railroad, in which he takes a lively interest. ♦ ' Trusting that it will he my pleasure to thank you in person for yoiir unrequited kindness*, &c. ' " ' ' "" • • •• •'■• Note: affidavit of Mr, House in relation to Mr. Evans surveys and work on line of U.p.R.R. and shoim by his field notes, &c. r Note: J. G. ITebster to J. E. House, Cheyenne, 30:- • • About round house at Cheyenne; will be ready^ for rOof'by' ju.- 1st of Hovember, From Gon. Dodge*3*Diary, 30:- ^ To work all day finishing'up profiles and^ml^s ,r furnishings construction enginewrs with, &c. Sent telegram to "Reed,- Profile to Durant, Wrotes Ames, McComb, &c. Team returned from Gamp Halleck. Officer in charge reTusing to let us have any provisions becauae we. done no business in Salt La'ke on which our drafts were drawn. Iw^ntO whiskey row man shot and mortally Itounded at Independence Springsi Strosm of Conn, arrived; says work down Weber lags. Mormons play off on us, and are not acting in good faith. Water in Echo destroyed the September, 1868, . . grade, and the^^ started the grade do\7n Weber and through Narrows, ^ McCabe's location is a good one, and I like his appearance. W. A.. Carter to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Brldger, Oct. 1:-(v^7 Your notes of the 21st and 22nd of Sept, one written from S-eet Water and the other from the mines, reached mo a few days ago, imd I was much pleased that you had progressed so rapidly on your journey eastward. Col, Mann, Eddy and my brother Richard visited for some time in the mines in hopes of meeting you, and regretted much that they had ' r> • (bo Idave before your arrival, Eddy starts back tomorrow with tools, provisions &e, to. commence work. He has promised me that he will secure you some claims, there being nov; no difficulty in doing so, as you have been in the mines. The excitement over the mines is steadily increasing and parties are daily wending their way thither, notwithstanding the lateness of t e season. All the specimens I have seen, and they are many, are very rich and if the ledges pentrato the eartht o anj'' consider.i ^le depth, it promises to be a very rich country. I have had some notion of going down there myself to take a look at^ the country, I was over, a few days ago to the Oil Springs, Eddy and myself. # We have succeeded in turning the oil into the vat and it bids fair to yield largely. We are now getting up the stile and hope to be refin ing in the course of a week or two,. The morning after our arrival Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - September 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 September 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/9574c2d98fc87c6abdcbf2d673ac6387.pdf da68a685ed4c277eac27718bfc6cd219 PDF Text Text September, 1868. grade, and the^^ started the grade dov/n Weber and through Narrows, McCabe's location is a good one, and I like his appearance, W. a. Carter to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Brldger, Oct,. 1:- Your notes of the 21st and 22nd of Sept, one written from w • ■ ■ . ' • - " S-.-eet Water and the other from the mines, reached me a few days ago, and I was m.uch pleased that you had progressed so rapidly on your journey eastward. Col, Mann, Eddy and my brother Richard visited for some time in the mines in hopes of meeting you, and regretted much that they had ' * r~> • (bo Idave before your arrival. Eddy starts back tomorrow with tools, provisions &e, to commence work. He has promised me that he will secure you some claims, there being now no difficulty in doing so, as you have been in the Ti ines, The excitement over the mines is steadily increasing and parties r ' . • * * * are daily wending their way thither, notwithstanding the lateness of % r t e season. All the specimens I have seen, and they are many, are very rich and if the ledges pentrato the eartht o any consider.ivle depth, it promises to be a very rich country. I have had some notion of going down there myself to take a look at the country, I was over, a few days ago to the Oil Springs, Eddy and myself. We have succeeded in turning the oil into the vat and it bids fair to yield largely. We are now getting up the stile and hope to be refin ing in the course of a week or two. The morning after our arrival 641 September, 1868. there our curiosity led us to attempt to find out whither the canon " i f • " ■ ' ■ in which* the Oil Springs are situated tended, TiTe started on foot with our guns at 8 o"*clock in the morning and did not return to camp until half past one in the afternoon, having walked, as we had feeling reason ' to believe, about 16 1-2 miles and without ascertainig-: with a certain ty wliere the canon debouched. We are almost inclined to believe that it was the head of Little Muddy, We found a beautiful grade as far as we went and had it have turned into the Big Muddy we would have felt satisfied that we had discovered Ihe mot feasitSle track for the U.P. 'R.R. ""e regretted to be compelled, on*account of our unprepared con Ution- to abandon it before our curiosity was gratified. We thought 1^^ even if it did not turn into Big Muddy it might be made to do so by a * ■ ' ■ t i ( short tunnel through the dividing ridge, * , ' , . , . A ^ . V • - k . . . Mr, Ives and Mr. Stevenson, of the Central Pacific or California end, reached here today, and I have had much talk with them relative to their reconnois sances', T^ge former is taking the topography of the country for a oonsiderable distance on each side of the road, the latter is chaining and levelling. They feell me that they have made a great improvement on Reed's line, at the he A of Echo, reaching the , ■ *■ ' ■' summit by a tunnel of only 800 ft. when Reed requires one of 4000 and by a maxim.um grade of 105 ft. The route is up a small canon running into Echo from the north about a mile from it, and their 800 ft, tunnel is some 4 miles west of the auinmit and then the country opens out into ■ 1 October, 1868, a plain sloping gentry do-.m to the tributary of Yellow creek, down which Reed's line goes. Since their arrival here Ste vensbn has made a profile of their portion of the route an'cP shown me. I gave lAr, Ives my notion of the Oil Greek Canon, and he tell-, me he is deter mined to explore fully every portion of this section before he leaves it. He s;ays that he has followed the rim of the Basin as far north as Medicine Butte, but that his route was north of the one that I re ferred to. He also followed up Sulphur Creek- and crossed at the head of Muddy over on Black's Pork then over to Smith's Fork and down it to Gottonwood, up it and acorss tb Henry's Pork and down that stream for some distance, when compelled to return hero for provisions. I think it doubtful, whether he will, prosecute his researches any farther . East but think their purpose Is to return north by way of Bear River. They tell me that Hodges- is follov.'lnr: on their track and may make still i . further, ipprovement8k '(<i\ wt r • ^ : O--- 't; I have seen, a man from the Salt Works on Salt Creek, And'inquired of him about.your lost stock but he'saldotheyhed heard nothing of them. In case they are found I will pay*any charges for them. I have ■ een thinking something of bfln^jihg.out a Small stamp mill next spring. In case the mines-prbve rich;,'* What think you of it? ' ' -Mr* Stevenson Ras made me a small sketch of his n^w route upon the summit of Echo-which I enclose. We are having very pretty weather now'and I trust'you-will have October, 1868. . * <' ■ '•10.? . no more storing on your way .hofne, and that Gen. Rawlins will entirely recover his health. . .. You must write me fully upon the subjects of the new mines and operations ^nerally in .this country. Anythiiig that you and Gen. Billy are willing to go into 1 am; ready. Should the in.;nes prove rich I think I will take or send a stock of goods there in the spring. I can. be the first in the market as I am nearer and have the only stock of goods in the countr . Let me kno.v after seeing Reed what prospect there will be to ge t a tie and lumber conthact "hen you approach Worth Platte. I would not care'about it before you get somewhere ih that neighborhood. 1 h. rj; I want to CO Basttifr.possible this.winter, and if so will see you in Washington. In the meantime you and Gen. R, must try 6o get Gen. G., Sec. of War, to cut dowii the Bridger reservation- even should the R.R. not run through the Black's Fork Valley J am satisfied that Bridger and vicinity will be the most desirable place for residence in this country, and I want to secure a home here. If you have it cut down have }.t only a mile oquare. From Gen. Dodgefts Diary, iJMoved camp 35 miles to Warn Spring Creek; marched the en tire length of tbe Clover Valley, a beautiful valley fast settling up. On new ground they raised 30 bughols of barley and 40 of Wheat, aellingform 5 to 8 Cts, in coin. The Shoshone Indians do a good deal of October, 1868, , - better not lay out another town till track gets near: Bear River; that in his opinion Bryan wll ^ be the winter town,- at all events he will make it the terminus till track passes 50 or 75 miles beyond, I have instructed O'Nei], to say to the parties p.urchasing lots .that we will not move passengers or Prt, beyond Bryan, "till track has passed. 50 miles." There has been but little property sold as j^et; am in hopes ,to do a good business this month. - ^ I- have furnished the N.Y. office with map of 9th hundred miles, - Itr, Ames telegraphed for profiles over -same, and am nxyyi making them up. , My copies from Bait Lake were not received till Monday of .this week. , Everything is moving along as well as coulci be expected, I was at the Bluffs t e other day tmd saw Mrs.. Dodge; all were well. She stated that you would be home soon. ■ J. Blickensderfer, Jr, to J. E,- House, Surprise Creek, Utah, 3: Enclosed I send draft for five hundred dollars,for which pl»as send draft to order Robt, Blickensderfer to him J.n enclose letter to his address, . ^ » W. Snyder to Gen. DodgjS, Onaha, 3:- I ' Hoxie ,out riding today, » Will probably be able .to do bu siness in ten days. His system will bo in better order when he com mences work'again than It has boon for .a long time. Durant I hoa*» has gone to Salt Iiako; has had Mr. Co.llum with hi but dont know whore he ie now. The Seyiaour otrt.fft have spread the October, 1868. , f news that M.C. is to be tile coining man, and the whole system is d'eirioraiized again. I dont Care a straw what is do. e and have put myself in shape to quit on three minutes notice. Went out with T.C.D. as far as Wood River. He was siclt'an"lf didnt talk much. Information received from Rt. Sanders leads me to think he is beginning to appreciate part of the Seymour outfit and will oust t' em. It is all mixed and I am heartily'sfck Of the Whole outfit. Can get no information or orders from New York; letters of vital mat ters they dont answer-at^ all, but'wr te' me dimly about giving s^ituayions on the road to babes who heppen to be relatives of some Director. From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 3:- ^ Odeometar -27.. Marched 10 miles and camped at Twin Springs. Met Indian scout guiding some movers to Humboldt Wells with about 30 head of cattle. They were oami)ed at .Twin Springs on west- side of Steptoe Valley; also met Poganewi imd his sond-en'"route to Ruby to ' trade. From warin Spr^nfes' to J'irst miter is 30 mires; water is at north point of mountain at head of Spring Valley. - Poney Express once run by it. I camped all day to- give stock rest and feed. Finished estimates, -Wrote Hazard, Wli Hams and sent .distancos to him, also to Mr. Ames. Sunday, 41- " . Odometer 0-28. liarohett 25 1-4 Mll'ea and camped at Antelope apriiigs^. Small patch' Of potatoea «a!a small patoh of bia^ey here be longing to Indldhte tSteptoe Valley eind over Gooshute October, 1868. Desert, a plain of sage and grease'TOod. The i)ass at Antelope Butte is practicable for R.R. but grade nay be heavy and mpre of work. I judge pass to be 63,00^ above seaj could see Hosty's: pass ^d Toans Pass. - Train reached camp at. 9',P.' : f,tl ' ; Monday, 5: 0.-^30 marched 20 miles. Made a dry camp on edge of Desert, I had in view today from a peak,near edge of Desert Granite Rock, psInt Look ut. Cedar Range, Desert Mts,, Pilot Peak, and entire Toans Range, The approach to Gooshute.pass from east will be difficult bed alignment,and heavy work. A tangent from foot of grade to south point of Cedar Mountains oan be obtained, I find on map here that.there is 13 miles too short distance between Deep Creek Mts, and Gooshuto Pass; country t o north appears |o lay rj.ght for 13-milea to east of Pass; Deap'Cyeeb wants moving east 8 miles to make map correct. Note ; John.A. Porgens to Gen, Dodge, Little Sioux, Iowa, 5: Wants Hugh Lytle appointed Post.Master at that,pice. From,Gen, Dodge's Diary, 6;^ q, 25 at Deep Creek; water 26 miles from Antelope Springs to water on Deep Creek. Arrived at eep Creek stage station at 12 M, Stage leaves^in the morning. Valley ,of Deep Creek has fine water and ftoe body of groves with very good farmsr Gooshute Indians camped all along it. '■ 'i, ' t. .1 ^ >0 Wednesday, 7:- x Took stage for Salt :^ake. Crossed Desert all day; country . ' r:;. October, 1868, . ' ' very drj'' and desolate. .' oO'^-n-rf iri, ^v. ' ja 'io fr'' fi , J" - ' Thursday, 8:- ' ' Arrived in* Salt Lake early in the inorninc^i Met Mr. Durant at Townsend House; found letters from several, Ames, Snyder, &c. • Sent message to Blickensderfer notifying him of his appointment to ex amine the road. Met Dr. Wendall,'Latham and others,-- Note: Henry Harding to J. E. House, Laramie,'Bj-' Concerning grade-notes and elevations 9th«hundred,-'&c. Prom Gen. Dodge's Diary, 9s- ' ■ ' ^ In Salt Lake City watting movements of Durant. Received tel egram from Ames to meet Comraissieners on the 17th at end of track. ^ Wrote instructions to -^'Neil and tSlegi^apRed him to come on And run section corners; als-o wrote instructions for Hudnutt to finiSh-on Pro montory and then run line north to Raft River for Morris to locate'' branch road both fro m Ogden and froni table land, - • . • W. Snyder to'Oen, Dodge, Omaba 9;- • ' ' Noxie goes to Chi cage'today to visit a week, recruit his health and will "When return to t*ke'hold of work again. Will be in .bettei» ehapd physlbally thanM»#*^a» for-two years. His ilness and absence of'ITlark, Div. 'Aipt, has kept me very busy. 'Hope to op^ road to Bryan (Blacks Porks| l9th inst, I hear that Durant Went through the Colonel and Mont* Seymour, Read & Co, outfit as soon as he had a good look at their work at-and west of Green River. ■ 0 * ^ f / i f-" "• t October, 1868, , ' i • MoCallum spant t',vo days here taking notes; had his orders from T.C.D. in l^andwriting tc,S.S. I gave him every facility, to look through all departments, and dont think he wants to try his hand on the- U.P. If he tells the Directors what he promised to, they will not print his report, . " ' t ' , For two months past I" have been-able to keep more material at end of track than Casement could dispose of,^ • - a • ipi « , ♦, David Butler to J.- E, House, Omaha, 9:- • • i / .-yr ' Will you send me by the bearer the lines as surveyed for the present track of the Railroad from Kearney Station to North Platte? The lines, their length,; latitude and dej)arture- for the use of the Sta,t^. . ; 'B. Sickels to Gen,- Dodge, New-Yorkr, 9:- M f , f • I have til® honor to re^dort bo you that I have this day been apponted by the Bridge Committee of the U,P.R.R. Company "Engineer to superintend the eonstruct^ion of Bridge over the Missouri River, under the directions o^ the Chief Engineer* - • - < ^y • C. 3. ButeJinellf #o Gen. Dodge, New York, 9:- ^ . The Bridge Committee have this day appointed Mr, T, E. Sick-/ els, civil''en-gineor, to superintend the construction of bridge over the Missouri Riyer, urjder your direotionrs, Erom Gen. Dodge's Di ry, 10: . .. Telegraphed Secretary of War, Secretary of Treasury, O.Ames October, 1868. Jesse L. V'illiaras and others to have the Commissioners examine all the Pacific R. R. Telegraphed House for maps, profiles, &c. to meet me at end of track, V^rote Biickensderfer what to do, and left orders with Recksicker , Made proposition to Gray of G. P. R. R. to d-ivide oxir work west of V/eber Canon, but it was not accepted. Du.rant made a bid to carry mails' from track t'o track fdr $1,500,000. Oliver ^raes to Gen.* Dodge, New York, 10 (Telegram) CommisstToners appointed to* ex-amine road will meet at west end of track on 17th inst. You will meet and return over the road with tTiem. ' House" to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 10: ' t ^ I send you the following o xtract from a letter j?eceived by Mr. Lane from Wm.~ A. LeRowe, ii^o Is now engaged on construction, "Wo have been pretty lucky all summer. Wh'en we left location we beat the Company ou • of <$®00 worth of grub, and one board bill from May 1st to October Ist was less than $60» We* have our teams at work on the grade-two span of mules- at a day each, so you see we irianage to keep even. ITdt satisfied with that we turned oontractdrs and set •our teams at work hauling stone, and we built a culvert. We wofcked vory hard for four days and a half eoid finished it netting each man $71. We have gone into the real estate biz. also. :ir. Reed located a station near here on land occu?'>l ed «i(5fi!d owndd'by a.Mr. Granger. He got October, 1868. ■ I - r: US to lay out a torm and we diji bo, receiving for our share one half. You can see he didnt want to be at all hoggish. Now this site is considered by everybody to be the best this side of Lararaie and quite a central point-being at the junction of Ham's and Black's Forks,, and at the crossing of the road to the Sweet Water, In a few days the question wilJL be decided whether the machine ^hops and round house will be located hero or not,"^^|f. I send you this that you may see the rascality that is being per petrated on the road by the employees on construction, j /^Thomas C. Durant to H. A. Grey, Salt Lake City, Utah, 10;- Understanding that the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific R.R. Companies are both at work grading.a section of road for a dis tance of one hundred miles or more parallel to each other, I make the following proposition to,, prevent unneces.sary co.st to either company. Take the average cost of the line per mile ready for superstructure between Weber and Humboldt Wells, provided the work done by the Cen tral Pacific is wO good as that we docand the same as well located, and let either party pay at the- average cot for as much as they lay the iron on. Each party if preferred to grade an equal portion of the distance, . You will please reply-within three days by telegram^ to me at Echo Cityy.J \ October, 1868. Prom Gen. Dodge's Diary, 11:- Started for end of track by the line. Durant, Reed, Seymour '■ Root and a French Countess, arid Mins Young. Met Boyd from West, said B was at Scorpion Creek last Monday; that G.P. had stretched workmen on line for ICQ miles from Monument Point. ' 'f ' J. Biickensderfer to Gen. Dodge, Red Dome, 12:- Yours with enclosed message from Judge Otto, is just re ceived, We have been detained west of this longer than I expected, and ran so short' of supplies that our animals gave out, and wo were reduced to com meal- and coffee. For this- reason I'-consented to lay over here yesterday and today to recruit. ' We push on eastward" tomorrow and I ^ "'send messenger to Pilot Springs Station in moming. ^ . We Changed the line from Terrace Pass westward to grade"'east of Surprise Creek. The al'l'grtiirfint is excellent, the grades easy, and undu lations diminished, but the length is Increased nearly 1,100 feet. '■ There is now no curve of'more than 1° 20* between Terrace Pass and foot ' of Toans grade, distance of nearly 50 miles, and one tangent ot 24 miles and another of 12 miles, besides shorter ones. ^ ■ ' HudnUtt finislretf'hi^ work and passed me on the old trail eastward without communication with me, except to send me revised profiles and alignmentnotes Sc. somewhat imperfect. I have therefore not yet sent Reed tracing, but Will do so as soon I see Hudnutt. U.P.graders are at work froiii Surprise Creek ostward in pretty October, 1868. . good force. Construction engineers have full notes, &c. Central Pacific graders are just commencing at Surprise Creek, and frpm Terrac^ Pass eastward are worlrigg in full force; much of the line from. Terrace Pass to this place-is graded, ^nd I understand east pf .this still more is done. Will write you ^gain when I reach Promontory, They have fol lowed our line closely for much of the way both slopes of Red Dome and destroyed our location. I have decided not to replace our stakes now as. they would have to be placed on their work and would undoubtedly he taken away again. »Vhen needed for our graders line must be retraced. The C.P, Location is cheap and not so good commercially as ours. I have, sent answer to Judge Ottn that I accept, and enclose copy of my answere I^erein. I also send answer, to Ricksecker to be-sent from Sp.lt Lake. Please see that answer goes. . I sent by messenger to Box Elder, but send this way also, for greater certain ty. I am not specially desirous to accept this commission, but have great confidence in your judgment of the propriety of this course. Please leave me full instructions before you go East. I would have liked to see you before your departue, but suppose I must forego the pleasure. , ^ . ,. . . J. Blickeopiedwfer, "^r. to Otto, Red Dome Pass, 12:-- . Message just received. Will accept. Send instructions to Salt Lake City. - . f H. McCulloch to Gen. Dodge, Washington, 12:«!•( telegram):£. October, 18G8. n •> ': I understand that txll the Pacific Railroads are to "be eX " amined again. The Union Pacific first because the advances to it are the heaviest, Note: C, l. Prost to J. E, House, Safi.t Lalce City, 12:- Encloses check brt Omaha for $45,15 for vouchers sent him a few days since. A. West to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 12:- ■ ' Many of the towns in the mountains and on the U.B.B.R are doih^bu'slhess with 'tfle Council Bluffs people,* and where it" is practic able > we woiald like to' keep the accounts with their banks and not be compelled to collect theii? draft's on Omaha banks, Mr, Strong thinks the cahhier of the U,P.R.R,ought to keep an account h re for the ac- ^ commodation Of the N,''''.R.R^ He thinktt you could make the change. J* %ickonsderfer, Jh. to Gen, "Db^ge, Red Dome, Utah,-12:-' Since writing ray previous note I have been thinking more about your accotint of Durant, Seymour ^ Co., and their statement 4in regard to location &:c, YcAi will remember that 1 telegraphed you at an early day that contractors were making no preparations to begin work in Wober narrows and at the tunnels, and it is true that the loca tion at both those places was ready befbre contractors were on ground or iiad ffhantida or* tcfol'if, Weber' CandlP%iis ready on l6th of June as I have heretofore advised you, and I say head Echo, r-im of Basin and October, 1868, ... - - all important points were ready before contractors were ready or had men and tools on £;round, unless we make an exception of Miller -md ratterson and John w. Young, who might possibly have worked a few men 24 or 48 hours before they did, but not more. Seymour's and Reed's interference with my parties hept VJeber narrows, tunnels and Weber Canon back at least a week or ten days; but the fact is, they would not work in Weber Canon when it was ready, simply because tiiey had determined not to construct my location if they could avoid it, and held off in hopes of compelling or accomplishing a change^ I want to see you and have a talk with you about this commissio but this can I presume be had a.t.a future time. As I have consented • # to accept, it.matters less when I can see you, but would have prefor med it should be before I had accepte h P uHH* Will you notify Reed that our line is destroyed by work of C.l?. Company? When retraced it might perhaps in some cases be changed a little, and -thus kept away from their line if desired, and at the same time improved, WiH note such cases, I think one occurs on eastern * • • e f slope Red Dome, If straight lines are the ra^e now I hope we can grat * Ify them, and what will they say to your improvement of Hudnutt's line ovetJ Salt Plat east Promontory and Hodges' V line? Perhaps we should abandon-6° curves on Promontory and give them the work; and what about eastern slop© Black Hills?. Straighten that, line? ^ Prom Gen, Dodge's Diary, 12:-^ Rode to Ogden with Durant, He instructed to locate roads, » ;V* October, 18G8, * - f - ' . " " ■ ' t one from table land and one from O^den to Salt Lake, Looked at line up ?/eber in lower canon, mostly sand and side hill down to Echo City. Received dispatch from McCulloch; says "all roads are to be examined. ■ - . f * Tuesday, 13:- Examined line at head of Echo.'1150 men can take out the work. Loo&ed at ground-can put in temporary line without any diffi culty, and at cost of $30,000 for grading. Drove to Bear River and staye with Myers, Note: Henry Harding'to J. E. House, Lararaie, 13:- - \ V ' Wants vouchers aftd a box of mapping pens s%it to Green River JO Qen. Dodge's Diary,'14:- " " Rode oveb to Reynolds and Darling's Work; their summit cut and Bent needs his force. Drove to Chrismon's camp and saw Evans, *' McGregor and Carmichael. Am confident grading will be out of the way. t .If Thursday, 15:- Rode to Whitman*8 camp an"*! stopped bll night.- ErldgOs'at ffrAC Black's Ham's Fork, ^c.'slow^. Need more men and It better organixation. . - ■ . J. H. Simpson to Gen, Dodge, Baltimore, 15:- t- Jr , ■ " 1 Your" telvgram of 15th'inst., requesting me to'furnish you with CO ios of repoVt fur^shed Commissioners of first, second, third, seventh and eighth examinations of road, I received yesterday, but regret to say that said repoi*tu are In WasViIhgtbiv, fcnd atl present I October, 1868, . am not in a Qondition physically to go over and get them. So soon, however, as I can go, I will do so, €ind as early, as practicable for ward the copies you ask for, •ii • • ■' tll'-n On From Gqn, Dodge's Diary, 10:- • ^ t •" '' ' ' ' ^ Rode to end of track and stopped at,Bryan. Bridges behind. Town down as change of programme is to be made in change of station. Seymour said that he had no doubt that Congress v;ould rip up the Gomnjigsioners, say they had Hod, ftc. Evans says engineers can only have 15 over the 60 ft. grade. The,grade on east side pjf Green ,_> ■ River, is very poor on account pf^.sharp curvature. • j Saturday, 17:-* ' ^ » I ' » I ■ ■ • f , •' .; .-Kn route HoT'Ber.ton; arrived there at night. Water on dry Desert bad; wells need curbing,; ^ ^ r Note: J, E, Tomes to H* E. House, Kaw York, 18:- Has received draft-for $59,75, Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, North Easton, 19:-^ . ^- Gen. Barnes■starts today from Now York to join his Com mission to examine the road^ I think he is rail right as to our road. He takes out Dr« Chaffer of Springfield with him.^ The Dr. thinks that the Commission v;ill make him their Secretary, as they will natu rally weuit some one and he will probably be appointed as he will be with them and will offer his services, I understand their instructions embrace not only the examination October, 1868. of the road, but they aleo have authorized them to decide the loca tion west of Salt Lake, and fix 'the line on which the two roads shall run, so that no grading may be lost. Blickehsclerfer knows these lines and is just the man to decide this question properly, I hope j'-ou will he able to make such an impression on them as to the road and the location where they ha-t^d to deci de it as will induce A faPvorable report. I received your favor of Sppt. 25th, from Humboldt Wells. The new location you have made I understand is-entirely superior to G.p.r.r. location, and there can bfi'no doubt of its adoptation on a candid ex amination of its merits,' It is fortunate that v/e have the line so recently surveyed, sind that we have the privilege while the survey is ^ so frosh in your mind to present it to the Cornmissroners^ From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 18:- ' ' • "•Started for home. Mot Gen, Warren and-Judge Otto at Sidney en route west; also Snyder and Webster, Monday, ~I9: . • ■ C At¥lWed'''hbtne in forenoon} folks ai'l welljlioarned that Barnes would not irr^YO until Thursday/ Whoto SiokelS''about bridge also Boomer note,* Dillon and Crane about banks giving R.R. deposits ' to us on this 4ide, &c, - ' Tuesday, 20:- John B. Alley arrived; Sfiys in"3fltfy contract With G.M. war brolciiri And tmstoes are building road ftid dividing profits pro-rate October, 1868. ■'. I , ••» ■ f; amon^ the C. M.~ ^stockholders. That tJ.P.Stockholders have not consented to" the contract and it is therefore void. That Hazard has coimnenced suit arcainst Durant for amount of his suhjscription. Alley says DurantT never spent the money he alleges he did and that rvbat he did spend in Washington was paid to him by E. d.* Hazard has nut an injunction on 'stock and on trustees; that 500 per cent in profits has been paid on 0. IvI. 'Stock so far ah'd tha-t they are entitled to two didivdends of ten thousand each and one of fifteen thousand un to August 1st, Snyder aays he ahotrid leave as soon as he opened the road to Bryan, he would 'not' stand the fig't not bA crippled any longer, ^rtfder owes today over one million. The road is not paying its way,- contractors not paying for hauling. Snyder says he does not think the road will pay then finished; that he is expending for new machinery, shops, &c, a large amount of mon^, 'iiWd that coal can be laid on cars for per fort. • " ^ M, Winchell to Gen, ^odge, Council Bluffs, 20;- The points mo^t desirable t6 be covered in your letter ap pear to me to be; * 1. Construction includiiilf|f»ides, ali nifterit, bridges, ballast. 2. Difficulties. ' huO 3. Rate of progress and whole length of line. Other points may •oecr to you Which do not to me In my haste, October, 1868. ^y/^liver Ames to Gen. Dodge> North Easton, 20:- - Your several letters in regard to line have been recived, and we think they fully show the superiority of your line. I hear nothing from Dr. Durant about line sinco he last wont out and suppose fiat everything is satisfactory. Seymour will, of course, do every thing in his power to depreciate the lino, but I think the Dr. will not attempt any change unless there is a clear case of error. I hope you will be able to so present the line to Commissioners that you have located west of Salt Lake as to insure its adoption. It is very important to us to have this line far enough west to take in the Oregon branch. With Luckensderfer on the Commission, who has a thorough knowledge of the lines run, there will be but little doubt of the adoption ^of your line. Barnes seems quite favorable to our. rood, and Dr. Chaffee I 'Wiink ^ be Secretary of the Commission and will do what ho can to make a satisfactory report. We cannot over-estimate the value of a right decision on the road west of Sal^t Lake. You will have them with you a number of days and »©an show themyour superior line, and they must come to the conclusion that our line is the best and adopt it. ,lt is important-aleo that the Oommitssion make an early report. ♦ Our bonds are being withheld for the report of this committee and we need them.ferthe work on the road and are now raising all the iilioney-leeiilg waed from private sources which cant hold out long. L+ ■ October, 1868. L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, New York, 20:- In passing over the U.P. . -R. , as I presume you will mth the .Commissioners, I respectfully ask you to note carefully any changes in location or grade from your final location, and inform me what and W'zere these cl'ianges are. I am apprehensive that with.out any formal and reported changes the constructing engineers in the hard cuts will quietly change the grade so as to increase it above the mjixi mum on that particular division of road. In returning from Salt Lake I found that the grade on the summit west of Twin Lakes had been increased to ♦ 62 feet with some changes at other points. So at Rattlesnake summit the grade had been made 66 instead of 65 ft. The Secretary has given me an unpleasant duty here in reporting on cost of road, its indebtedness, list of stockholders, dividened, &c. I shall not have much hearty aid from Prooks, and I have no other cal ling that, amounts to a row of pins. I hope you and the Qommissioners will have a pleasant trip. I shall be home in ten days. I wrote by Mr. Barnes, and also sent to Omaha a copy of report of my tripy Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, North Easton, 20;- The Commission just appointed to examine the road, of which I telegraphed you, go out this week. Mr. Barnes (Sf Springfield I ~ • f • •• . V . understand was formerly! a partner of Mr. Phelps of your Council Bluffs Railroad. He has. been a large railroad contractor; is now out of October, 1868. . , ■ ;* - . ■ ■ r > ■ r health and ■•/ill want to be carefully at'tended, • . ' I think you can so impres's V is Commission with^ the absolute ne cessity of construe tin!]: the road as it has been done i*n order to atfain this rapidity of construction that the country demands, that there vill be no doubt of their taking ths same vi'sw of it that we do dnd make a satisfactory report. It is important to us that this report should be made as e^ly as possible, as the Government is now with hold ing from us our bonds, and we are now suffering for want of them. V Withholding Govt. prevents our issue of fst""mortgage bonds, and we shall now have before we get this report 80 to 100 miles of road on wich we have received nothing, and we have this summ.er purchased so ^ largely of supplies for construction that we have had to raise money among our friends to carry it alon Dr. Durant will very probally be out on the road with you, and may come down with the commissioners. I hope you will have good weather as very much will depend on outside influence as to the view these gents may take of the road. We are doing everything wS can to ^t the bridge aiorig, lind shall require all the aid l>iat truly Is due to ds^froft Government to meet the dem.ands upon us. T. C. Durant to Gen'. Dodge, Pridger, 21 (Telegram) There is not^iing in the Compan3'''s affiars that will require your going to Washiiigton. lAiere is no difficulty; the Commissioners ^ cannot maka but a fawpable report. October, 1868. R. G. Haaard to Gen. Dod^e, Peace Dale, 2:- • ' •i': Yours of 1st inst. .reached me the 17th, T am very much obliged to you for the interesting items you gave me of the progress of the road, aiid for your proffered attention to obtaining the further information I desired on your retiirn to Omaha. . . I suppose you begin to feel t at your task On tbe direct line-is nearly done. Its completion will no doubt call for other roads from it at various points. . ' The Democrats seem to be qu.ite disgusted with our politics. I dont know whether they will vote for ^Jleston and there is still imore doubt as to their casting any votes In the districts . \i ' S, Smith to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 22;- ; - . • - • Your lettons of 19th and 20th inst. to llr. Boomer are re ceived. He is absent in New York; will return here tomorrow or Sat urday, I am to have charge of tha work for him- and am glad of the opportunity that this will afford us to renew old associations-^' - We are doing everything posaible' to commence the work at the bridge site at the very earlieat moment. Our machinery for sinking the cylinders is all under contraaart and ^l•^l advanced. It will be comnletod as soon as rausClW and steam oa«'•d<® it, I 'sent the material for scaws and men to bulld'them to the site some time ago, and hope they are making good "progress with therS; though I can aommence work on shore as soon ae the first cylinders arrive, wiiioh will be within the ne^t four weeks. October, 1868. , From Gen. Dodge's ^^iary, 22:- . •' . Gran(ib arbecue at Bluffs. , V^rote several letters for Bank, Wrote Boomer to befiin Bridge on east aide of River. Am of opinion that Bridge line should be run tangent^ from West side of Missouri Riverto Sec. 35, Fri .lay, 23 t T- r.'l 'T-'' Wont to Omaha and met Gen, Barnes and receiv.ed his instruc tions, They are pretty strong, but do not thinj^ we shall have any difficulty in complying with thenr. Had long-talk with Hoxie; said he would leave line if Snyder did. That HcCallum reported against management of road, ta l3©Vo*«.I ^u.wq«, condition of cars, lack of fuel; that Bnyder should stay in-Omaha, &c. Company now owe: a milli.cm and a half - and is paying, large .per cent on that amoung, • • F t!- 7 W. Untz to Gen, Dodge, Washington 23:'- Yours of- 19th to hand, I have put up two bags of documents for Capt, V/iiiiams this evening and diroctefdvthem to you, as they will thus go through undisturbed. The Speeehee all put up-in bundles of 50 and ICQ, and open one of eachlc kind on every bundle so that he will know what tWAy dre. The bags contain; 500 Grant's 3peeche3--500 contrasts; 500 ilep. Economy, 500 VanWye 'sj 500 Public Debt a Democratic Legacy; 60 Life of Grant; .100 Leaders Democrat Party? 300 the Democracy and its Policy and 25 Mc pherson's Hew Manual 1868,' i have, sent abe-t 10,000 documents,,of ,r .-I »•,.! October, 1868. ^ various kinds into, your district since the campaign opened, but have been so constantly engaf^ed that X have not had time to give it the attention I otherwise would. The Committee within the last week have sent circulars-requesting subscriptions, to each of the clerks and he^ds of tlie departments. The Damocrats are the first generally to respond, and it is laughable to see ho-w many of_ them have fervently prayed for the success of the cause, lo, these many days, yea^, even since the election on the 13th. Thq vouchers which you gave^ me to collect last v;inter still stick in the Q. I.I. Genls. office If^ you will send me a note directed to the A. M. Genl, saying that I am authorized to settle them, I '.vill see to it personally, and eadoavor to get them tlirough the different de partments, as tliey seem.,.likely to bo pigeon-holed there until some one looks them up, - . -j .George spoke to me about having to move your things from the houso on F, St. , <and said he had written Mrs. Dodge to know what • . he should dOk If he hpis to move them, I will see that they are out in a safe place, ^ill keep a lookout ,for rooms for you. , rr. E. H. Rogers to J. |B. House, Fremont, Neb. 24:-. • a I. M. V/oad just called, elbowed us your letter in name of Gen. Dodge, and requested us to answer. That the land bout the old » Farnsworth place was owned ae represented on enclosed card; that if the Bide track could beput in where they desired it, he had no doubt October, 1868, * but the land would be siven; it cerVainly would ^o far as he and his partner were concerned. Hazen is in Ohio, but will be conmunicated with at once, and his brother who represents him here assures Ylood that it will be all right, Wood would like you to come out and indi cate where you v/ould ifilce, and thinks there is no dou'bt your views and theirs will coincitie, " /Oliver Ames to Gen, Dodge, North Easton, 24;- Your favor of 191th inst", is received, I am glad •that 3''ou are on hand to escort Barnes out, '.7e did what we could here to impress him favorably in regard'to the road, and I feel -sure that you can sat isfy him that everyteing on the road has been done' fully up to the ^ generality of new roads, Barnes says he does not expect or desire that we should take out the trestle work we have until it becomes un safe, but it may be proper to lay oside a sum sufficient to make the culverts and pi rs of bridges of stone, and generaly to make it a first class road as rapi^y as the decay of otir wood work requires. We are really now needing otfr^" bonds, and as we have now 80 miles of road done oh which we hiiVe received no bonds nor can we issbe our 1st, mortgage bond's until we received the Govt. It virtually keeps |5,000,000 out of us which we have to raise in the* market to keep the road moving along. We ought* to get the report of this commissi-on at a very early'day, and I think they will have no disposition to keep back their rdportr, Chaffee, who ^o^es'out with '^en, BhiViee, said October, 1868, to mo that ,h© supposed^ they vrould want jpt Secretary to make up their reports, that he would be with them-and: would offer to fill the- posi tion, and his compensation will be. the same as the CoTmniqsioners. He will make the report as favorable as the Commissioners allow, and will have i't promj;5tly executed. I ho e we shall be able to "^et it in be fore Govt, Commissl ners get in theirs. W-.ite la removed and Wendell is appointed in his place and left N. Y. for Omaha today, I understand he is on to squeeze us and will do everything In'his power ftj?>.-force us to psuy him ;Smart money. Brooks and Rollins say ho is an acooia'Wished ecampj-and we cant be too cau tious in our dealings with him. I understand he proposes to examine as much of the. road -ae possible and then delay^the report on yafious pretAxts to bring us 4)o short of money that wo will come down in a very liberal sum to have the report put In so we can got our bonds. 100 miles of foad which we shall probably have done before their report is in would give us ^3,200,COO in each class of bonds^, $6,400,000 altogotlior. The interest on the Government, will be $500-per day which will be quite an inducement if money should be tight (which it now^ look like) for us to compixjmisa for thq report,* He thinks that I dent know thet this 13 so; bolt tre have heard tljat he proposes this, and hij reputation»ls not above a resort te the basest practices for money. The Commissioners sent out to examine the road are gentclmen of October, 1868. . ' . • " , character and may expect jmtice at their hands. If -.ve get - in their report early I dent see what excuse Blair's Coimnissioh can have for delaying theirs and we can call for a prompt return of their report. ■ ' ' You say that the Doctor made a proposition to C.p.r.r* to agree upon line of grading from V/etoer to Plumboldt, and they agreed to meet Doctor if he desired. If thid> Conunission have this power it will be better to have them exercise it and decide soon which line shail -be adopted. Buckensderfer must know exactly the best line" and has sfll ~ the information necessary, and his' opinion will", I have no doubt, .be entirely concurred in by the other comnissloners. If th^Dr. has met th^'C.P.R.k. and fixed I suppose they will concur, unless Blickensde - fer shall feel that the best line is not agreed oh* ' r,. * We have had a meeting of Bridge Committee and they ar'e now ne gotiating with the other Companies on the proportion they will take in the Bridge. We have not yet- agreed on the price to be paid or ap proaches to Bridge, Bb^peet to be out after election to deci le on approaches• .'i' . Prom Gen, Dodge, tg Diray, 24f '' ' ' In Bluffs all day. Rode down- on bottom with Mr. Davenport, •Bridge line sho^fld run through center of S.W, of 36 Sec, 3 and 2 lay low; the lots on R.R. addition on east 80 are gOodj the south half of south half near the 1-4 point also lays well. The north half of D and H, quarter is good; about half Of 3 lays very low and overflows at Octo">er, 1868, 411 hich waters, C. & R. I. R. R. depot grounds lay bad; B ^ M grounds lay well, Sout half, of Kearney 40 is pretty good, . ■ r Sunday . Went to Omaha to go west, A. did tiot like it, and would not bid me goodbye. Received a letter from Gnn. S. Smith about bridge, Wrote him. he should do all his work on east side to save ferry expense and keep his. yards above high water. Took dinner with Hoxie, Gen. G, Dr. Chaffee, Capt, B, and Ifrb, B. Started -west on Special at 4;3p P.i:. . Monday 26: ' On train going west. Passenger train west of North Platte, was thrown off track by cow, delayihg us four hours. Webster says arch culverts, cost $15 per ft, run drains 6,' Our car ran off at Como and had to leave it. People are evidently all making for bear River, thinking that It will be the big town. ' 'el Note: J. BliCkbn8flar*iP«t»' Jr, to J. E. House, Salt Lake, 26:- iranl.8 bill of i»t«tloneTy sent t© Salt Lake, also inquires .about draft sent to his son, ' . ■ '.c Note: R, J. Lawrence to J. E. House, Bear River 26:-^ Enelosae pfl(sr roll, &c, ' ' James Wilson to Gen. Dodge, Fairfial'd, Iowa, 26 - • * You will have received all the news by this time and be posted on matters generally, as well as I could post you. I spent some three or four hours with Gen. Grant,, last Monday at Galena, He in in good spiriYs, feels well and looking first rate. October, 1868, , . .. fc ,. He had no ■doubt as to. hie election, .and, or course., no one else has now Js^Rav^ins was out ♦of town ismd I did not see him. j I have been all throuj^h Allison's District:, He is all right now" hut has a hornet's next on his. hands that will give him some trouble if he has aspirations, for the Senate. This is private. I have no arrangements made for the coming winter. I ju-dge from . your jLeiter that you have given up the house on P. St. Win your . .'■family b'3 with you'-this winter? J will make no arrangements un.til ^_^^^^^fter reaching V/ashington, in hopes thot we may get together. ^ I expect Cool baugh to 'carry whatever stock I may have in the bridge, thougli. he was not exactly pleased, with the looks of the thing ^ ;.( • "When I last'saw him'^ last Tuesday. I also, saw Tracy. He seemed to v/- know but tlittle about the bridge and did not seem to understand the ^ basis on which it is gotten up. Joy holds off and I do not think he -will go in, in fact, I. doa not dbelleve that ho has intended at any time to go in. In oy Judgment be has figured for delay. Then if the N.\?. cross above on the S.C.& P, line what, will be the effect on the U.P. Fridge^. ■ o . . - ■ . . I saw a statement In the piqaers a few. day a ago'that the President had ordered bonds iBsued on twft pv more, sections of the U.P. This looks as though the triwble you feared 'is bridged over. Da you know that has eoWBrtef the Injunction case against Ames, ^jhe C. 3. A. , st al.? , i ^ • . 672 rr. I . ^ October, 1868, , " . '■ / It 7/111 be impQs^ible for me to go out to. your place before Elec tion and fear not at all this fall. 1 have lots of work to do before going Eaa-t. What timd will you start for ^ashinjjton? Orimes has . gone East again. He is wors,e and I fear he will never recover. \|Jti I feel enti;:'ely easy about the election. Grant, wil-1 win on big figtires. The Democracy are demoralized, and have no hope of carrying their ticket. Blair and the rebels have bursted the boiler^y^ If you have anything farther as to the bridge writp me about it as 1 want to keep Oool baugh in good trim. . ReraemLer me to Mrs. Dodge and the children. , What proportion of the subscription to -the bridge stock flo you understand will have to be paid? " Prom Gen. Dodge's -Diary, 26 - l,y ^ On train going west. Passenger train west of North Platte was thrown off- tho track by cow-delaying us foxir hours, ■•ebster says arch culverts cost fl5 per foot, i^un drain 8, Our car ran off at Como and had to leave- it. People are evidently ail making for Bear Rl^esr, thlnMfig that It will_be the big town. Mr, E. -L. Johnson says trouble on curves is that .sower is applied obliquely'and length of train hae good deal to do with N -. of cars engine *111 pull over a grade and curve. Basset -says eating house cost |85,000, "ryan 22,000, Foundation 5,000 Laramle i . ' fiV' October, 1868, 40,000 Cheyenne 18,000, New Station'House, 3000, FoundatSon 400 Freight 600. Note: J. E. Thomas to J. E Hous'e*,^'Wdehauken, 27-:- ■ Has received letter of Oct. 3d and'expresses thanks, &c. for the trouble and -interest taken in his behalf. L. E. Boomer to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 27:- ' Upon my return from New York I fotind yours, of the 19th and 20t inst. Gen. Wm. 3. Smith is my engineer and informs me he has written you. Am building- shops and foundry here ample to do all our work. Fearing that ^ might not get them «p by the time ouh substruc ture machinery can be gotten ready I am having 2(D0 tons piles cast; exp ect to commence shipping them the last of this or first of next week. When Mr, Sickels was here-' he and lien. Smith -thought it best fco make the "bolt holes in the flanges- 6 inches apart from centre to cen tre and make* the bolts. I think yon will find it better fbr if they are only 4'Ihches dpart as your specification they -rill'weaken the flanges. Of course, the bobt will be longer and eqiml to the strength of the cylinder. I am making the columns 8 1-/. ft. in diameter and .shall. 1 1-2 inch thick on an average. Would you not prefer a oolurtli 8 ft. in diameter and the "^auib amount of metal as in 8 J.-2- ft.? There are Several little matters we wish to -onsult with ycm abou and as the Directors wasured me that thbj^ were coming west after Qon. Grant Is -made President, they wish me. to go to Omaha with them and flE ' > ' . . ■< October, 1868, in that vicinity. . . 4 <•. rAny friends you 'ave .that desire to dis ^ose of any of ^their lots purchased at Omaha, if you send me a list and the price, terms &c. complete I will bepleased to serve them, and any further business you desire attention turn into, my hands and I will promptly attend. Lots in 394 are good and perhaps if- offered .for sale would go readily. In 358 they atre not so suitsble for business locations. Sales are very slow and will be I think until the road reaches hero, when people will come in rapidly. Lots in 394 ought to bring $500 to $800 bonus, the buyer assuming the remaining payments. In 358 no particular sale only for residences. 'rWe-have been troubled within the last few days with .^mpers led by one Haskell formerly justice qf pe.aee at Omaha. They held several meetings and adopted resolutions, embracing the Co. have no authorl ty • to aell and transfer any pr Ji)orty in Cheyenne. The reasons are, the r-od has not reached and been received as far as Cheyenne, that it is not <jn a section of land that will fall to them by survey as s«bmitted» ^o» I took no action-until they h;>d gone their fTill leAgth and af'rived on our.lots in large numbers, then I made application to Stevenson as the Agent of the Company, .requesting his assistance in protecting th^ prepepty for the Company. 300 troops were sent and I pointed otit the houses, A:c» on our lots and they ,ere all removed without any resistance. The parties pausing trouble are from Julesburg and the troOps had orders to use them roughly if any resis tance was offered, and they came prepared to do it. They held a October, 1868. r meeting and bbused Stevenson terribly, and they wibl receive no mercy at his hands if he starts -for them, "^hey threatened tho destruction of his property here in the town, but he had a good Ian laid for them. He has left 100 well farmed men here ahd on notice can send 500 more for the security of his i^roperty. I «Bnt you a message which he desired to be forwarded. X think Stevenson has his Irish up and if anything farther is attempted he will make Short work of them. He has been here today and de'sireS' me toT-lie sure and say to you that he has ' some bad enemies here and they are men sent here by the Government, arid that tbey are men who lioVk against thW interests of the town and make dissatisfaction, and that they are'bbposed-to his course and send ^ all kinds of reports to Washlngtbn against hiqi, as for instance the TJ..3. Commissioner; he is getting up a report saying Stevenson uses •Government transportation for use of his Officers and men ^:c. Of Course he does riot fear the rehUlt, i.ut wants you to write t® Washington s etting forth the facts as trfey really exist. ' * . ^ We are all satisfied here in the office that the very men who claim to be the favored men of'the ft. R. Company ("Brown &: D'Brien) are actually encouraging and alfllng,parties to squat on our property. Brown returned here 'som time ago, and ho was notified to corae + forward and paj^ for his lots, if not they WBtild be Sold. He lied to «e and I was satisfied it. He said he had a big eoal contract with the Company and that Mr. Hou.se had written amd telegraphed me to give him f I' ■ f) I October, 1868. • ' - all the time he wanted on his.lots* I a^ked House by telegraph if it was so. He said he had ni;jde no'-such arrangements and that he had no contract to his knowledge. He talked of me and the way I run ^heyenne when in Omaha and ^ told him today his case would be an example for his o\vn information wether affairs were conducted as they had direct ed and furnished him copy of Mr, House's telegram and stated I could not in any case vary in-the least from the .established rules, (.r We had near ^100,000 work of goods on the cars shipped^ from St. Louis as far as Julesburg, and Snyder for spme reason not. knovai to us turned them off the cars into the Nye Forwarding- Co. to be hauled by teams to Cheyenne, ■ when they were daily sending goods v/ithin 20 miles of here, thereby Involving an unnecessary expense of some $5000 freight bills. Mr, Reed was vexed and-did ewerythihg he could "to send them by rail, but i^hyder would not Ij-sten. to, it and turned; them off. I was obliged to pay. so I Oould reooive the goods, but did it under protest that I can recover datiages. . . ' Mr* Shotwell ■hV® dayg .Ago and presented sight draft on me from Mr, House for ooiqe $1300 of «the Company funds, which I paid and "will- forward the check. - Trust I will hear from yqu at an early date or at your conven ience, and hope you will favrably consider ray.last letter. • • r ft' . .. u October, 18 Gc. j. H. Brown to Gen. Bod<^6, St. Louis, 30:- I ■ I received yours of 22d inst. It came to me as I was very busy mo Yin's. I am -ow through. W§ have moved to 1306 Pine St., and '-vill be pleased to see you"and Annie at home when you come to the city. I Shall begin imfhediately to shape my affairs so as . to be'able to pay you as you want. My business has been neither profitable nor easy. The continued shrinking in the value of Mdse* has made me lose instead of gain profit. 1 shall try to get out thougli, I hope the election of Gran'tCnow sure) w 11 give shww life and confidence to, the business community, and perhaps I 7/111 b© able tp get appointed ^to a | position by which I ca^ mend my shattered fihancesi ' . From Geh. Dodre's Biary , 30:-' brjyj \ . ,7 ; ^ • Lay at Granger, U.r. B, went 'to end df track on horseback. Bridge over B.P. very -poor; vrt-nti and cold out. Discussion going on as to manner of examination. Dr. wro,te telegrams to President protesting against appointment of Mr, ^4 because''he was jemployed by company. Had a long conversation with B, about road &Q.; also with Dr. explaining the location down Bhho, and .informed him Mr. B. rec ommended the long tunnel' line,' &c. Saturday, 31;- , Commissioners started at 11 A. M. to examine line. All the Bridges are good but stone culverts miserable all way to Green River. October, 1868. , , Concluded to put in GOO ft, span at Green River. T}).e .Island, put it in bank on west shore. v7rote instructions to Hodges to disband party, send teams to Oma: a, and make estimate and map of south line. To McCabe to run up section line from 'Jeber north. Line of road good from Green ^^iver to Point of Rocks except wants^ evoral more culverts, Indians bad from Alkali to JJorth Platte, . - From Gen. Dodge's Diary, Noi^ 1:- ' rr Lay at Point of Rocks all day; looked at coal mines. Dr. Talked with Buckensderfer about line down Echo &c, Durant went west,? McCallum west# Bridges over Bitter Greek should,go dovyn lower or be placed on pile foundation. Monday, Nqv, 2; Run to Laramie, Examined line carefully and shops. Loca tion west of Red Desert going up Bitter Creek suirmit bad location. Changed curvatu^^e cwti O'Neil'q line; change ought to be lightened in several places. Location just west of Rawlins Springs has been changed and bad* Line up Creek good-approaching.Brown's summit -60 ft, grade should have been used, L'Neil's location Medicine Dow to Lookout'is bad; rooiipdeal curvature shovild be tJ>rown out and light- ,~ ened and more work taken> ' no ^{r w ' •• Tuesday, Nov. 3:»* • .. Mr. B, says location^over west slope of Black Hill^.io bettor Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - October 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 October 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/a1dd38fe5b0aec239d9a0ed673a39510.pdf fda97e145ab1e0d5ded4e1c0ecf1b681 PDF Text Text October, 1868, ^ Concluded, to put in GOO ft, span at Green River. T}).a,Island, put it in banlc on west shore. Wrote instructions to Hodges to disband party, send teams to Oma; a, and make estimate and map of south line. To McCabe to run up section line from Weber north. Line of road good from C-reen i^iver to Point of Rocks except wants evoral more culverts. Indians bad from Alkali to Jlorth Platte, From Gen. Dodge's Diary, Noi^ 1:- *3 ' Lay at Point of Rocks all day; looked at coal mines. Dr. Talked with Dlickensderfer about line down Echo 5:c, Durant went west; McCallum west. Bridges over Bitter Creek should go dovyn lower or be placed on pile foundation. ^ ^ ^ ' Monday, Kgv. 2: Run to Laramie, Examined line carefully and shops. Loca tion west of RedDeaart going up Bitter Creek summit bad location. Changed curvature-en 0'Neil'q line; change ought to be lightened in several places. Location Just west of Rawlins Springs has been changed and bild. Lino up Creek good-approaching-Brown's summit '60 ft, grade ahouid have been used, L.'Neil's loc,^tlC)n Medicine Bow to Ldokout'is badf •joedpAeal of curvature shovild be tJ^j;j||^,.out and light ened and more work taken^' r + a. ' -a Tuesday, Kov-, 3:" ■ -• Mr. B. s«*s location over west slope of Black Hills,is better • » t ' , ■ x November, 18G8, *■ ' ^ Kr «. . ? -N ^ than he expected, 'Ai lower end of grader location bad in one place and on approach to bridge from west o.' easd. slope considers location very bad, without judgment arid unnecessatr curvature} line lays too low and in too mutoh cutting, no necessity of breaking tangent between Hoyard and Cheyenne. R. I. Lawrence to Gefn, iJodge,"S:- ^ ^ • r fv'.: ,' I expect the tra"ck to be laid d>rd^''the -entire length of this Division by the 1st of December,-at which t'^irae,- I Will-be ready to report to you fcfr duty in the position of which you spoke "last August, vis, repairs, &c. Please inform me whdre tb rep'oPt for orderd. Noyo: J. D. ^aton to J. House, Ottawa, 4; ' ^ Expresses thanks for Antelope sent him, favor from Ge:i, Dodge, &c, • R. M.Walker to Gen. Dodge, San Francisco, Gal, 5: " ""w Your telegram of 31^t ult, 'is received. So far as possible with the data I have at hind I will comply with youu request, • • I will forward td'^ou in A few days map and-profile of the Cowlitz Pass froirt''prlvate'nemoranda kept on'the^survey and I have -ritten the engineer who made the survey of the •Sno-qual-mio Pass'^ that if he has any data from which an inteeligible profile can be made "to send it to me. On the termination of the surveys of these passes last ffll, maps, profiles, field books, : were sant-to.the chief engineer 684^^" November, 1868, '■ ■ ,"ru of the Northern Pacific Railroad. •The great north-west coast is sadly in need-oif speedy railway communication with-the .Atlantic States, ^and'the quickest way to consunmate this is by ox tending: the U.P.R.R. to the-Columbia.and to Puget Sound, The Great Northern road will perhaps be constructed in the futiire, and if even pomipenced next year wouSid require ten years f oom^pletion. The North-west cannot w?iit for this, its necessities are immediately, and its people and all their influence and energeis will b given in favorf of. a Connection by way of Snake River.Vailey with the Union Pacific. But of thi • hereafter,/ From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 4: i. " c: Leametl that eyery nort'^em stated except Now York had gone for Grant* Run to'Lbdge P61e at 12 M, Indians burned bridge 91 miles west of Lodge Pble and tried to burn trains. Evidently bands gbin^ north with-intention of getting away from troops in south. The *l6o%t'ion at ^jJulesbuhg looks bad. 'Seems to me a tgingent could be run from the cut bluff wast of Ogallaia to buiiro west o^f Julesburg, Thursday,. 5:- Left at B , M, Examined all the new stone culverts; very |5ood for the kind of, stwie. Iron bridge over river has no provision 'for expansion plant except the- hugerppint at West end, -Arrived in Omajtt^t 9 P. M. aiid went to IIoxle*s over night. rvr ■j'S'--: November, 1860, ' • • t" ' Friday, 6:- . •» -'r. ^H'.r. " Examined new bridge line and adDpted it.- 'Ordered V/olcoibt to rim'lihe to summit, also tc make plan of T. abutment for west end of Bridge. Commissionors to. work on their report. Set Ham to work get ting up list of structures on road, and sa-.v Myers; posted him what to do and say to'Warren. Went home in P. M* Annie did not'like it be cause I stayed away so long. Grand-torch-light procession in the evening on the victory, 'j. , " ' V J J. Hudnutt to Gen. Dodge, Boise City,-Idaho,. 6:-' >-"1*^ Your letter of instructions was brought.to my camp on the Promontory Oct. 19th and on the.morning of'the 22d. I began my surveys on the Oregoh Branch- at Monument Point, -^ending in one team to Bear Hiver for grain, another to ^alt, Lake City for supplies, . My trial line ran. very direct to the summit of the Raft River ^untains- west of Pilot Springs Station, and I found that submit some hi her than Mr* Diick nisdorfer's,barometrical Meas. .being 5353 ft. Hence I ran back a grade line to aft asstwnad -grade of 80 ft. knowing that this grade no cut or fill will exceed 15-ft. The ease with "which this grade was distributed leads me tcO conclude that a grade of 65 ft, can be had Weoendi'ng from the East, by encountering two miles of heuvj^ wtiTk and by 1 1-2 mile increase of^ distance, Asidd November, 1868. f .-om the, two-miles of heavy line the rest will be fully equal to the Toans Pass line. On .the western slope the grade will 40 or 50 ft. with an almost tangent line for 2.5 miles I deflected only 38° of angle, The summit of Pass is at Sta, 1429, Height of summit 5353 ft. Starting from Hodge's Bench at Monument Point Raft River was crossed 45 miles from the initial point. So soon ag the Snake River Plain wa.s reached I rode on to Goose Creek and down the river some 30 miles, and became convinced that^ we must- cross the Snake at or near the mouth of Goose Creek before the ^iven i^egins to pi^j^gQ into the bowels of the earth, . . ■ . r. My -supply wagon from Salt Lake City .broken do^ ^illard City and I had to sen.;d another team .-to help it fortoa^, , .r , * . i- . hence I had men camp at Raft River for two days and directed them ^ ^ ^ '"to repair tents and fix up thoroughly for the winter. Meantime I ^ on by stage to Snake River Ferry and examined the plain on the souik side of the river as far as I could ride and iseturn in one day. _ This examination and other information satisfiedf me that the north of the plain was far the best; so I sent a messenger to the partv ^ 'fith instructions to the.m to cross Snake ''^iver at an near the mouth oj. Q-oose C A^ter swinging around the line tijey would be compeli^ ^ ^ reek. to come down to the ferry: tc gat over, as-the river .is deep and ford can be found. This will delay there a little as they have travel 50 miles November, 1868, . , and back again; "but I directed them to start one team with all surplus su pplies and baggage at once for the Perry, whioh could be left there, so that they could move rapidly, -• n- ' After reaching the river I came on by stage, and have been here about one hour. There are no serious engineering difficulties on the route thus far, though the stage passed a portion of the vray by night, but I got a very jipod idea of the whole country thus far. The canons and gulches of the streams putting irito the Snake "rill e the worst feature of the line, but by crossing so high up the Sanek all canons will be avoided for 60 or 70 miles. We can pass around Kings Hill or between it adn the Snalce, but some gulches and heavy ravines must be crossed,as in fact, they occur all the way to Boise, Approaching the Boise River hy^ stage route there are tliree very high benC'ies all cut through this ti^hp roc , but the surveyor general informs me that they fall off gradually towards the Snake River. Here they Would be -very formidable and it rirust push the location of the R.R. 15 or 20 miles "oUth of t-".e City towards Onagle, " • Tomorrow morning I Shall go to examine the benches towards •the Snake and in the evening p®h on to the B:ue Mountains, Keep me advised where to direct to you. Weather perfectly delightful, / Oliwor Ames to Gen, DOdge, Ne# York, 6:* ' ' I understand the 'Cotemittee to examine ROad .will get tJirough wit}i the road today, and will probably take some little time Koveinber, 1868, to examine our works at Omaha. I have had thp opinion that there would be but very little doubt of the report they will make. I have felt some pixieiy in regard to the location west of Salt Lake, and if these men have the power to fix this it will be of great service to us, I know with Blickensderfer*s knov/ledge of the line and acpacity as an engineer it will be properly settled, anJit; will be a great deal better for us than to have the two roads going on with no line agreed upon and fighting for their line. i hoped to have been^ out over the road this fall, but the terri ble stringency of the money markat has kept us busy. How are you getting along with your Bank? Cisco wants you if you keep an act, in New York to keep it with him. You will do as you think best. Lot me hear from you about, report of Commissioners as soon as they make it, " rxfR > • ff*; • ? ■ r.T' From Ge:-., Dodge's Diary, 7:.- To work all day gettir^^ myj^ papers up to house, arranging my \esk &c. Rode ou in P. H, with the girls^ Lettie and Ella. Lettie will make a good dider. Ella not so good. ".Vrote great many letters. !PelegraphQd Boomer, Prince, Gay & Co; overhauled old letters and look ed up Bridge matters. Sent H. C. Crane fl0,000 to take up note given to maka payment on S.C. R.R. , , , j , , ii •' ni*, A - • 'V ic November, 1868, Sunday, 8: r ■ r. .£ rf • V Went to church 'fend' listened to Mr. Roberts', the new minister from Peru. In afternoon went* up to the house to work on'"' papers, Monday, 9;- , • r- ' .t rj;,- j; I f fN ; f f \ n im.[ i At work on estimates, papers, &c. at home. P. Hodges to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake ^ity, 9:- ir # *' ♦ ♦ ✓ rs ■" ' • I have in my possession about $75000 worth of voubTFisrs ready to be turned over to any one aut'^orised to receive them. Of this amount about $1200 worth is the property of Mr. Blickensderfer, thlit being the atom which I owe* him on act. The remainder goes to settle my over- ^ drawn bank act,, or* represents my own private funds. J. 0. Hudnutt to Gen. Dodge, Boise City, 9:- • • o* I dhall start in about fen honr for the Blue Mountains. Have examined the benches of Snal:e River Plain at the junction bf Boise' River, and find the question of ■feetW.n'* tJ^wti' on to -the Boise bottoms less difficult than I found at first. The Surveyor General, L. F. Cortea*, has been very courteous and kind in going with me and* placing his maps and'his office at my use. The citisens here are anxious td send iiim ^o the next seasio'ii of Con gress to lobby for the H. R. and from* his'general acquaintances and probity of character would be a very fit* man-. Will you please send him a pass over the U.P.R.R.? I am sure he can help you Very imich. Both the Oregon Senators are warm personal friends of his. ^ Two inches of snow fell hera this morning. IIvemb 9r, 1868. • t" ■ F. W. Palmer to Gen. Dodge,-Des Molnes, TO:- Your kind letter of the 7.tH received t is morning. •I will be glad to go down to Washington some time .during the . arly part of the season, and through your assistance rniake-as many acquaintances as possible," though I mary be unable to go as soonis you will. 1 had a letter a few days ago from Chapman in fa/or of Sajfp-.and answered it kindly but gave no positive bissuranos of the appointment. My only embarrassment in endorsing Sapp ould. be that Gharliq Nourse has strong claims for the place. But if Jim Wilson, in case qf his appointment as Atty. General, would make Charlie first or second assistant Atty. General(which he could do very appropriately! all could be arranged satisfactorily, Charlie wrote torV/ilson today, and I v;lsh yon would write him also so that he may not pledge the office away in some other direction. With this Impediment removed I could easily support Sappt. It would probably be better not to let Sapp know anything of Charlie's c«aidldacy for the Dist^ Attomeyship.^ ~ There will be soitw route agents to be'appointed soon on the ex tension of the C.R.I & '^.R.R west of Des Moines. Before recoimaendlng fdr the places, please-wait till you and I qpn meet. Please write me when you will be in Chicago, and if possible I will meet you there. . > . November, 1868, , Prom Gen. Dodge's Diary, 10r-, ' oc , «-• • r^ir; . Took dinner nf Nate's.' Went to party in evening at Mr. Little's. Mr. Eddy came over to open my books and work at them. Wednesday, 11: ' ' j. , ■ Want to Omaha and mat, -the Coramlsdioners. Ansv^ered their questions «nd gave them an estimate on cost of bridges and shops west. Mr.-Barnes went home wick without signing the report. Warren and Blickensderfer are giving location their attention-, also equiimaenty-r ballast, snow fences, &c. ■ o'. - / ' - '"Kd J. F* UcCabe to Geni,'Dodge, Salt'Lake City^ 11:- - r., Your instructions of October 30th did rjot reach me until yesterday. The present U.S-. Surveyor General of the Territory says . that from what He cart learn the-surveys were originally made very • rodrrhly, and that he has been told that a good deal of the land never was surveyed except in the office. ♦ . • ' .' I will prbcsett. Ithmadl at ely.to" the'Weber an(J try to,.find a stand ing coiiner.- Prom What I can'learn I fesMTijit wlAl ba: Impossible to. find the comers estkbliahod by the U. Si purveyors. WJ.11 re tort pro gress. ■ 'G Oliver Ames-to Gen. Dodge, Mew Yorii, 11:- ' Your tadegram, saying Commissioners had returned .'to Omaha and examined road, is received. We have been anxidu.s to go out over the road for some time past, J 692 November, 1868, and especially anxious to see -the Bridge located and the work commenced. You will decide the question-of location, as Chief, Engineer .of the Company, and Dinon, Duff and myself hope to ..leave here the first of next week for Omaha and examine fully the bridge matter on the ground, I suppose the exact location of the bridge is fixed by conformation of west side of river, , , . Get a report as soon as possible from Commissioners,. ^ J. A. WilliaMon to Ge.^, Dodge, Bryan, Wyoming, Tery., 12:- I ?iave just returned from the Bear River to\yn (Evanston) by the way of Carter(the twon wViich In, Durant had ordered C'Neil to lay off north of Bridger). Laying off Evans ton and tlien coming back half w^ to Bryan and laying off another town, has the. effect to neutralize sales in both. Dr. Durant ordered me to leave maps .of both tov/ns here by the time he returned from the West, It is thought he will bo here today or tomorrow, I will then go back to Carter and see if there is any demand for lota there (I dont tliink there will be ) and thence "to Evans ton and see what oan be done there, Evans ton as you , are aware iq ton miljOs from the stage road and there is no habitation or road nearer th^i that distance. There is considera .l^e snow there now and It la difficult to get person.s to believe that the road will reach"there tbls winter, and until they do believe that there is not niuch demand for lots. Green River City is transferred to BearRiver City and.arp bringing November, 1868. * • the same influence to bear on Ivans ton that th'oy did on this place, but they cannot be as successful in doing harni there as they were here if the weather is such as to create a belief that-the road will be 'finished to that point, ■ f . • Hiere is no demand for lots here. I could wish (if it is not wrong to do so) that I had no other orders than your o\m to obey in reference to the towns. Ycnrr letters to me will be forwarrded by Mr. Tiernan to me. One letter from you has gone west, and I will not get it until I return. From. Gen. Dodge s Diary, 12:- -- M r. Boomer came from Chicago,' "^rote case to Mayor and Coui' cil about road ti) river. Wrote Tichenor. Wilsoh, tJntz, Rawlins "ftc. Friday, 13: J Went to Omaha,"met Boomer and Smith; decided question of Bridge. Smith thinks tubes are too thin, that they should be 4 inches thick. Blickensderfer Says that with 180 ft. depth pressure on head is 560 ft, to and Warren that pressure on side b 2500 lbs, to both say the transit strength of cast ir on is 40,000 lbs. per u^This being case I cannot see where danger is of bursting, Evsnw Says that matters at end of road in bad condition; money being spent without accoraplishing any good, Hoxie better; says large amount of freight laying in warehouse perishing and cords upon cords waiting to gb West, that damage to cSwpai^y will be 2 or |800,600, NovQTn'ber, 1868, , "tytfr'fV Saturday'^ 14 Boomer and Smith, Stokes and'Sallspongh came"over from Omaha. I took them down to look at Rt I." Terminal, to look 'at bridge line. Cr- . dered it run from cdnter of east line of S. E. 1-4 35' straight to depot grounds on west side of river* Boomer 'concluded to make a house on river put his me-.i and. make yard Mere on high table. Smith says strenth of cast iron is 14000 lbs. per square inch, and that pressure of 80 ft, coliiran of water is abqut the same; wants size and thickness increased l^elow high water to 2" which will increase cdst of, each pier $3,000. • . .. ' J80 ^P. E. Sickels to Ge^k. Dod.go, IJew York, 14: ' fjn' On Thursday last I received a telegram from Mr, BQfflmer say ing that you wanted to see us at Omaha, that he would go the ne»t dflty, and asking if I would come on; to which I replied .that I would start for Omaha the next day. On the hay following I received a telegram from Mr. Duff requesting me Aot to atart for .the Tj^q^t Tintil I heard jfrora him, and this ittor.,ning 1 received a letter frcskr^m requesting me to wait until Tuesday of next week) when ho will be here and the Direc tor's will decide when they wllln l«Rve for the West. I regret very much my detention Im N.Y. , but -trust-that it may not occasion you any inconvenience. Yoirr letter to me having stated that you desired me to meet you there ijofore tl\e 1st of December, I hope November, 18 68. . to reach Omaha several da^'s before that time to receive any' directions you may be pleased to communicate. /■ . J. Hudnutt to Oe.i. Dod^e, 14:r ' ''' " In compliance vri.th your instructions d cane on to the Bliie Mountain District as soon as my party had fairly reached the Snake ■River plains. I have crossed the mountains, over tv70 passes, going by on e and returning by th.e other. The pass crossed by the stage road I find much the lowestj loner by 800 ft. than by any other'phsa I have^ examined, and is reached by following the'waters of Grande Ronde River up on the east side and thence into the valley of McKay's Creek, a branch of the Umatilla. ,The Alt. of the pass is abeut 4000 ft. ahvo - the sea. I find it much the lowest pass in the range for 30 miles .either side. " ' f t ' • ' Again the Mt. makes a very high lift to the north rendering it a very lofty summit and it Is almost impossible to reach the head waters of the Walla Walla River, and h^"^Ce we oifihnot reach the town of Wlla Walla without encountering heavy works and A lit. sum.mit much moTo ele- - vated and liable to heavy snows, and as the District from this valley to the mouth of the- TJraatilla River is abdut the same as "to the mouth of the walla Walla, there -would be 'a gain of 28 miles in distance to ward the mouth oj the Columbia Riwer" by-adopting the more favorable route by the Umatilla River. The valley of the Walla Walla extends f November, 1868. . f in-nearly a parallel line with the Umatilla Rivjsr: and at a distance of from 20 to '"0 milesto the north. The upper portion of the Umatil la River valley is at present occupied as an. Indian reservation and hence the country is not so much settled as the Walla Walla, there is really a much wider scooe of cultivatable land on. the Umatil la than-the Walla Walla. I mention thes:e;.facts as a ^nide to your decision in the matter of the-objective point. As ray instructions are now I shall, of course, run to V/alla Walla. We shall not encounter grades hea der than 80 ft. on the lino I have indicated, and the -difference in- the-fall of snow is said to be 2 ft. In fact, such have been the natural advantages of this route that the Stage Povrpeaay have-, been compelled to change their touts to the Grande Ronde and Umatilla, after repeated attempts to keep open the older route via the Walla Walla. Again I find the Powder Riyer Valley ovor 37 ft, higher than this valley of Grande Ronde, and my firet impressions-were that a route could be had- as -Indicated In ytmr (Teport-np the Powder and across to the head of the John Day's River. But glanoe at the Blue Uts. at the head of Powder convinced oief of the impracticability of that route, for the Powder heads in the very highest mts, of the whole range. There remains only the route .crossing the Snake River near the mouth of tho Uelheur, thence up that river to Willow Ureek and following that stream to its source cross the Mfs. to the he-id of John Day s River to the Hoveinber, 1868. . . ./*■ y Dalles of the Columbia, Your instruffitions did nbt' direct me tb ex- t amine this last route, but I have made inquiry of responsible men as to the country, snows, &c., and should think it well to have a re'ccnnoisdance made of that route before 'a final location; though I have iittle doubt that the otite indicated in your' instructions, modified by taking the Uinatiire instead of the ^alla v/alla Valleys, will be' found the best. Certain, it is that- the latter route will' open the' widest extent of valuable farming and grazing lands and a magnificent scope of the finest timber on the continent;. If really does, ones eyes good after the weary vision of sage brush plains to look Upbn the'fine forests "lof nine and fir whose dense growth completely cover the whole Blue Mountains Range* Let ra e add here that I am surprised at the extent and richness of the abailable lands both here and through Idaho,, and even the story of their mineral wealth is not half told or developed. Along the Platt, WeiSer and Boise beside Snake River itself there is an abindance of water to irrigate millions of acres, -and the bottotfls along thoee, streams are ^ miles 'in width, all susceptible 'Of bain®- irrigated and would produce largely. In fact, those jfl'cA ecoaittaiil valleys would support uncounted millions 'Of ixjpulation, which Bfastem men have been made to believe #ere only fit for the encampment of the miners,^ Excuse tViis long letter, r'start tonight for Boise and thonce ' . ' ' U ''I ^ November, 18 63, I ' - ' . . • .. to my partj'. ■ pWill write you of their progress soon after I reach • tViem. Allow me to add that I have met hfre a very-cleaver gen , bythe name of -A. B.^ef^cham, gnf of the Republican.Electors of Oregon, who proposes to go.to Washington, to help the R-R. approprialion. If you think he can do you enough good you migh"^ send him a-pass over »• your road. / • * » ' , -.-.Vr j ■ • ■ ' Weather fine, with very little snow on the mountain tops. From G§n. Dodge's Diary, 15;- f-c • Returned vouchers to U.P.R-R. up to November 1st, and vouch ers for salary $10,000. -uT /Jd ' r ut t.,n ^ ■ Monday, 16: . '5: ,rr<c". Snowed all day. Heard from lir. Boomerj started from Chicago. W. H. Greenwood to Genr .Ddge, St. Louis, IG:- If you intend to-bepresent at the reunion of the Armies (if the Tennessee, Ciu|bepland and Ohio at Chicago^on the 15th and loth of December next, I should like to arrange it so that we can meet there. fy, f t t Prom Gen. Dodgers Diary,- 17: - , Mr. Baldwin said sn?0 6nt#itX6d t/O our* poi?txori. of 'Lhc Fo-m— 4 ham lands original cost, interest and taxes ;vhich amounts to about, $2i 75, per acre on 1-2 of 11,000 acres, I convinced Gen. Smith , that he was wrong' in his assumption that 1 1-2 inch thickness of tube 69». It- November, 1868, - • was not safe to go doWn into the' '"'^"pressure of aast iron will stand is 14000 lbs. per . The pressure of column of water 8G ft, high on is 36 Ibd. ahd on column 80 ft, high 8 1-2 ft. diameter is 35 X in inches 99-'3465 which multiplied by fraction of 20390 lbs, divided by 14000 1« 4"- which must be 13iickness of column to make it entirely safe as against the air in the pier. • Wednesday, 18:- . 'i'l -t 'Ic . .. t , ^ River closed and men "Crossing it ofi planks, Tliursday, 19: . • . . ■" ' Sent additional instructions to Iludnutt. Eddy to work on books. Telegraphed McCabe, Ricksecker and others,: Ordered $5000 in stocks 4ent Evansi ' • 'W . i J. E. House to•Sen* Dodgej Omaha,'19 (Telegram^ • ' • Mr, Blibkensderfer "hinks they'will not leave before Mcnda;' but may go Saturday, He would! like to'^aee'^bu at your Convenience-' either today or tomorrow, - - ^ ' o . o . \ Oliver Ames to Gen. Dodge, New York, 19 (Telegram) * - •* Sickles will leave for Oiaha tOdayiand Duff and Dillon Saturday• J. 0. Hudnutt to Gen. Dodge', Boise City, Idaho, 19: • ' I drop you a hasty 1 ne from'here iWiile passing. When I arrived last night, 1 Witended to have left at 3 o'clock this morning, November, 1868. but found the ♦seats per coach engaj^ed for days ahead. By dint of coaxing have secured a place on the box with driver tomorrow. I am the more anxious to reach my party since learning from the stage agent that the boys have hstd some trouble with the Indians, nothing m.ore serjrous'-than the stealing of §t6clc, but that has delayed thei-r progress I greatly fear. " " . . i Since writing you I- have made- some examinations on Snake River and also extended my observations up the Burnt River-along whi the stage passed in the night. On my return I stopped a day at the Ferry. Snake River is here broad and not very deep, being 900 ft. across hardly 10 ft. at low water )^lh bottom of compact gravel' Below the Ferry the river canons badly -and hence we shall 'be compelled to CjOSS the ridge between the -Snake and Burnt River which is tolersably high but 1 think can be crossed with a 60 or 65 ft. grade. The lower part of Burnt River is also very crooked with a-narrow valleyclosely locked in by walls of sloping rock and for six miles the work will be heavy from frequent crossings, and the cutting of points and possibly a short tunnel may be required, but the sharp curvature will mostly occur where the grades will be light, I wish to ask you'whether it*wlll be advisable to run-my trial line to Boise City? ^To do so will require bending my li ne somewhat tc. the north and will also increase expense•somewhat though hot materially and I think wo could descend from the high plateau of Snake River November, 1868, do'.Yn to the, bottoms of the Boise River with 50 ft, grades. It- is pro bable that the Capital of ,the State .will be here, and many other int erests center here. If.you wish the line,run here I will try and see what kind of a route it will give us. Please write me at this point soon, I vTill report you as soon as I get back to caitp. Gen. Dodge to J. E. Ricksecker, Council Bluffs, Endorsement: - Send the--following to Col. Hudnutt at Boise City, Idaho; Letters of Nov* 14th, 19th and.23rd received. Run the line over Blue Mountains on most practicable route using best pass; also examine pass at head of pillow Creek. You can run tlirough Boise City if you deem best. You can change your deposit to Boise or draw direct pjj.Jijlr. House, Oracdia, or me here. ' i-House to Genr Dodge, Gmaya, 20 (Telegram) if, fol , p . Mr, Wolcott is on the oast .side of the niver, did not got . over iMt-night. Mr» ■Rieksechar telegraphed that ha sent tmcing of r- :line from Ho^laos tangfipj^t to-ilhajboldtplalls three weeks ago, I will look it up if possible,- J, Blickensderfor, Jr. to Gen, Dodge, Omaha 20 (Telegram) Have received Morris' estimate on Promontory; think 90 ft. grade shoald be adopted, ■ Gan, Jtarren was ill yesterday and we may have to remain a day or t,wp,.loafer. Will call on you if you cannot get over before we goj r -R' .r..'"' !. J, H. McCabe to Gen^ Dodge, Ogden,■Utah, .20 (Telegram) Noveinber, 1868, / I have been running from a point,said to be^ a section corner. The difficulty is. that I can find no other ccrners which is necessary in retracing U. Surveys. Could do no better if I started in Salt Lake City; territorijUl surveyor never paid any attention to U. S. sur vey and teritorial surveyor General acknowledg'es to us surveyors that if called on to locate a ■ iece of gro'und in reference to section and township could not do it. Party is idle. It is useless for me to try longer to retrace U.S.Liries. Oliver Ames to Gen, Dodge, New York, 20;- We want"the map of the next'lOO miles of road to file with Secretary of Interior. They make objection to ordering Commissioners to examine'the 920 mile (46 section) because the map of the*10th 100 miles is not in. To avoid this objection you will please order House to prepare a map of the 1100 miles and have'it forwarded here as soon as possible, as I suppose within 30 days we shall enter u .on this sec tion. What arrangement was made about the line west of Salt Lake? I have understood you adopted the Central Pacific line as better then the line you surveyed. Was there any conference with the C.P. on the matter or did ycu havo our graders go on to their line without. Duff and Dillon leave here tomorrow night for Omaha, Sickels leaves Philadelphia this morning for your place, riovembor, 1868, ■' t • ' 1: ' Proih'Geh. Dod -e'^ Diarj'', 20:-'"" i - v..-if t • eonrt r- : ' At Mome-. ' • 'Jeather damp, raw and col'd, - > ' njTC lu. 'Saturday, 21:- •' ♦ Getting up- calculations oil -Bridge. Morris' 'pg ^orts 80 ft, grade line the best. Sent an order to Blickensderfer Jr, to adopt it. J. Blici:ensdorfer, Jr. to Gen, Dodge, Omaha 21, (Telegram) . .0 0 Shall I telegraph Morris to adopt 80 ft, grade line, and send map and profile to Reed? /aiswer. r • .. J. Blickensderfor, Jr, to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 21 (Telegram) It costs less, has less curvature, the curves are easier bu it is 4,400 ft, longer. Commerically they are ver;- nearly equal, but ^ 80 ft# line a little the better, ".'e go Tuesday morning. From Gen# Dodge's Diary, ii2:- Wrote Gen, Smith to send me 7500 3" flooring 16 ftJong. V - c- :. - ' .far /.f- ■ "nf» T ♦ 7000 clear 1" 12-14-16 3000 " 1-1-2 " " " " ' 4000 " 1 1-2 " " " ' fnP ".o 'r#r is.'l f rtiir 3000 "2 " " " fl tl It . . .»-o ■ 1500 "3 " " " . ' ' P:"""'* ■ P iJi -»» , ■ • • Monday, 23: Wrote J. M,Brown to have coupons cut off of A.D. bonds and r-. - . ■ . . placed to our credit, Mr. B. and Gen. Warren came over tonight and are finishing up their report. They \Till bring in so large a sumt to Novembor, 1868, \ - \ put the road in, perraanont condition that I fear it will have a very bad effect on the Company .Mr. Bi says it takes 2200 yards of ballast to a mile v/here road is ballasted Vo inches below tie, and it will cost $1500 to $1800 per mile; also.-says that the strain on some of our bridges is ,soon-to out on. end rods on 150 ft. span, and tr|,nii^ strain should not be over 10,000 to 17000, , ^ J. 0. riudnutt .to Gen. Dodye,. Snake River Ferry, 23:- I arrived at this place a half hour, ago, having stopped on my way from Boise at the Malade and King's Hill. I am going to meet with more.trouble at the last named place than I had reason to expect. On my down trip the stage passed in the night time the worst portion • of the route, while I was informed that we saw the worst by daylig t. Home heavy work will he encountered, though I shall study the problem carefully here. r r ' lo *■ ' •• My■party are wall across SnaKe River and report a fine line with • I# excellent ci^ossing. They had ^.to c orae down some 50 miles to the Forry and then go the north bank to point of crossing. Expect them down in 4 or 5 days, meantime, I shall take .anpther careful lopk at Kings Hill. This lava plai. seems to have bepn trasversed by extensive fisoune whiO'i at the close cl" the volcanic action were filled up with cin- .dors and ahec comminglewijr th brikon rock. These clefts havi become the natural channels for small .streams and by reason of the loose November, 1868, s 1. I . character of the ashes they cut out vast gorges, comooetely scooping out the hi" table land'and cutting all sorts of irregular gullies without form or trend. Now directlj' against Kings Hill and at nearly right angles with the Snalce River is'excavated such a roge-complblely cutting off thfe plain, which forms the giilch of Clover Creek and ex tends some 16 miles back from the River and the Clover Cresk canons into title plain again. Now I could steer for tt'is canon and by taking that hesvy work at the crossing of Clover keep up my grade; ut to th north of the gulcTi I have described and directly in my way there is a high uplift of a trap range into a mountain chain, in fact, making it high to The cross alternative and bad for left snows. ue is to dro my grade lino along the | fac of a succession of gravelly tables, each lower than the one behind it and thus pass all of this sunken country along the river above high water. This can be done, but the problem is to get back upon the table land, for I fear the river will prove too crooked and trouble some to folloTi?; yet for 18 miles I have b;en down below Kings Hill V there is nothing formidable. • Will keep you constantly advised of my progress. I have asked Mr. riickensderfer to make arrangements to let me" draw on either N.Y. or move our deposits to Boise, Everything there la coin rates «nd the further west we get the* less they allow for greenbacks. 9n Oregon they got for 70 cts, which is a heavy discount. November, 1868. . ' ' ,• Note: Henry McKenty^o GSii, Dodge San. ^'rancieco, ^al. 23: ; " ■ Encloees bis. card and wants to transact any business pro ceedings Gen, Dbdge may have-in California. . . Sidney Dillon, to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 23:^^ (telegram) Will be in Omaha W-dnesdaj', Dont leave until we come. J. E. House to Gen. I^odre, Omaha, 23 (Telegram) • ' What shallo I do with O'Neil? He has finished the towns at Bear River and Carter* When are you going East? Will you be over before going? I want to see you. Gen* Dodge to J. S. House, Council Biliuffs, 2 4:- ^ , Have made dut for mo a statement of John J. Cisco Act, as it stands on our books in items, giving his .credits and debtor -, from Jan. Int., 18C8 to date. I want to take it with me. I will bo over the last of-tho» week. J. P* JAcCabe to Gen, Dodge, Ogden,. Utah,24 (Telegram) The dnlx evidence that- the, point is started from corner. Wood of Surveyors and man wha-was with surveyors when corner was made apparently agreg withraap, and will^take as starting point, without you order to the contrary* Tha^only certain point.is corner Temple, Salt Lake Oity. If I run from,tl|at it might be safe to-.Tnship shown by map. When I" reached Weber, Morris on Promontory, , Jas, F. McCabe to Gen, Dodge, Ogden, Utah, 24; • t Your telegrain of the 23d inst* has been received, I have November, 1868, . ' already informed yow by telegraph that I cannot find any stalce or mound established by^ the^ U. s. Surveyors. I was 'shoVm a point by the settlers which is eaid to ba a section corner, ilhis same porint was shown me by a man. who drove stakes for U. S, Snrveyors, I have taken this point for a atarting r)oint and will run north along the line of the R. R. I Imov/r nothing about, the lines on whi.ch the U.S. Burveyors closed their surveys,' and by the chances are that before I procceed very far this survey will differ grveatly from U, S, Surveys. You will please inform me- how to proceed in case I find a U.S. •^tal^e some diista:x!©' north and thi-s survey does not agrae with it. Thi method of proceeding without finding any U.S. corners is very unsat- < isfactory, and as I cannot tell whether I am retracing the lines of 1856 or not I *beg leave to tender my resignation as Asst. Engineer in tho service of the U.P.R.R. Will remain witiv party and coninuo ' working "^until I hear from you, and wil-l settle ray accounts with Mr. Blickensdorfer any time or place he appoints, w: r From Gen. Dodgers Diary, 24:- II. J. Nusiey, Mr. Biickehsderfer, Jr. wants him removed; says he is convined ho opens letters; states he knows it to his own satisfaction, hut cannot prove it. SWtit Gledder and Williams check for |5C00 on*S. t<. M. bank today to-pay of 5 ^ on D.& 5.0. R.R. Stock. rce November, 1868, . ' ' ' ' '• From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 25: ' • *■ '" ' . / : ' ' ■ . Ae near as I. can figure I ought'' tb have more credit at S. i"*'A M." "banlt,. It appears that I paid out $66,250 for U.P.R.R. stock $45000 of which I get .from U.P. $16000 I borrowed leaving a balance to be accounted: for of $5750, See-Ham, Duff S.& M. Bjuik and others. . . W. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Cmaya., 25 (^elegram) . Will you be over today or tomorrow? Have you a-copy of Boomer's Missouri Bridge Contract, and are we to build at Company's expense a track on Iowa side for him? His mennant about two miles of track- part of* it heavy south .vork. ' * • ■ ' H. Wright to Gen. Dodge, NeW York, 25 (Telegram) ^ ' Will give two hundred. Think it worth fiee, .Why do you "•'sell? "rite. ' • * ' ' - From Gen. t)odgo's Diary, 26:- ' " ' Duff says bond 360 per cent cash, 40 per cent stock, pay to pick stock; 75 bonds 100 por ot. stock stepped by tB^sgood. Sand bettor wet, weighs 102 lbs, to cubic foot. Friday, 27:- . ' • ' ' Went to OBWha mfith Duff and- 11 on, and met citizens of Omaha to agree upon -rijlKt of matters. . Saw Snyder. . Howe's truss l50 ft. span; 142 ft, between.posts, 14 panels 1044 long, weig t As Cut 1750 per ft. in eild rods, 18755, Mat. of. reds 7 1-4--15790 lbs. Howe Truss weights labout 10^ 0 lbs, to foot.r ■ r,. . y -■ November, 1866, J. M. Brown to Gen. Dodge-, St. Louis,' 27: , »r: Your letter came Wednesdaj^ P. M. 25th inst, after bank hours and yestprday ;vas Thanksgivi g and the banks did not opei:i. Thi? morn^ ing I called at the S, S.A and reqiiested Capt. Ponrous to let me have the coupons or sell them himself. He promised to sell them and write you the amount to your credit. Gold, was qupted at 10 1-2 Jbhis at 35 1-2 in N.Y. It will sell here at about 1-2 onder the K.Y. Quo tations, ri . 0 We have been expecting to see you here en route to Washington till Annie wrote that you wouJ.d not come this way, ^ w I want to get' you to help me to something in the shape of Govt, patronage, pant you help me to get a contract with the commissioners of Indian affairs to supply his department (in st, Louis) with cloth ing and dry-'foods? or cannot I ^et tjie appointment of Commissioner of « Indian Affairs? . . Please write me and tell pe w en you will beiu Washington, and what I must do to get a position that will pay me, and I will write you ore fully my resources. My business is vevjy much depressed and I must raise some money for yourself, &o, L, B, boomer & Go, to Gen, Dodge, omaha, 28: . In answer to your inuiryi-whether iby your adding one span and pneumatic *ier of same dimenaigns aa specified in our contract for building your Omaha bridge, it will delay th) oomi^letion of _the Bridge November, 1868. , ' , ' beyond contract time, we have to sa, that if the order is given for the same soon it will not do so. ^ _ » » „ . j. >: !, From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 28P- < » . . . • - , In Omaha to work-. Wrote instructions for Sickels, Morris ■ • t , and others; also made, an estimate on actual cost of approaches for Duff and Dilfon. Creighton says Durant cost Company in two months he was out there $250,000. Evans came in and said there^was no telling how much he h^d cost them. Going Ejist he kad Mrs. Mattox with him. Sunday 29: , » , ■ .. To viprk all day in office getting ready to go to Washington. Closing up. all accotints 5:c. Spent the evening with Hoxie. Gen. Dodge to Thos. J. Morris,. Omaha, 29:- I desire you to communicate with me directly in matters per taining to ^pur work until Mr* Blickensderfor, Jr. returns^ so that no delays may occur to decision of any matters that ag:y arise. This does not prohibit your still communicating with Mr B, an d keeping him fully poeted as -itD your work, s '1 notice on 80 ft, grade you plan 3 per Cy, yrds on solid rock. Can it be taken out for that? If it is 4 it will make a vast difference in line. Did you intend that all rock Bxc. should go into bank, say all Exc Cannot that be done and thereby diminsl the total cost? w hero material is so scarce it seems to me total excavation on all that is,not abso lutely waster for want ofplace to put it in that work should go into rJovember, 1868, , ■ , .r bank. • T,- , ■ ■ iJoYt V/hen you get to work on the bank I wish you would examine on Mr, McGabe's examination, possiblity nf bringing water to- the table land to supply a town, shops &c. The aapply that can be brouglit and the cost also get all your maps and profiles of final location in to Reed and to Ricksecker so that can get them as soon as possible. From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 30:- ' • t » Went to-Bluffs-and pabked up for Washington, Mailed W.W. Walker's letter to Evans, ' Note: George Christ to Gen. Bodgle', Des Mbines'7'Iowa, 30:- , •In relation to appointment as route agent on C.R.& P'R.rf^ ^ Is recommended by C.*0.Carpenter,-T'^W, PalmersS" Goodrell and-all of state officerxs, Jas, R, Maxwell to Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake City, "30:- You ^i 11 probably remember my ffjjeakitig'to you when yob trans ferred me' tio the- constrlilftron' department about employment after that work was done, and that you said the Souterhn Pacific was the best opening, I misunderstdbd you then, thinking that yoti referred tb the Kansas branch, » ' 1 Mr, Reed hWa treated mei Ybry well, Hb gave me charge Qf ^oyd and BMiiWent's work Jtfet •bkalt "bf* tfbnts making one hundred railexs in all, "Sln^e abandoning the t'he has*' put me in dharg of thirty miles of road November, 1868 rtinning from Monument Point to eastern side of--Promontory,* As soon as that part of the-wdrk Is completed, there be more engineers than thereare divisions, and as I am t^ie junior division engineer, I will probably be left out, but even if it should not be so I would not like to crowd out another. Will you be kind enoughto recommend me as a division engineer to any of the officers.'of" the-Southern Pacific H.R-. if you have an opportunity, ' o- . ' • . John B,Alle^to Gen. Dodge, Boston, 30:- ■ ' I have just returned home after- a fortnight's absence,-and find, a cortif-icate of 80 shares in the-National Bank of-which you are Vice President,*. My folks thought that a lettei* came with it which - they sent to me at Philadelphia, IT so it got mislaid I suppose this must be the stock v^ich" we had some conversation about when I was in your place, I remember you said that you thought -they would increase the Capital and if they did you would try and get me what I wanted, I told you I thought I should like some, I believe there was nothing definrte ^aid abcwt it and it had passed from ray mtnd. If this is that stock, I should like to be informed- if you have increased the capital, and how much and whether you are particular about my taking it, and also how you intended me to pay for it. S. B. Heed to S. s: yder Hcho ^ity, Ut;ah, 30 (Telegram) We sfii''1 require for line of hbad WesHt of Bear River 100,000 ties. November, 1868, . G^p,^ Dodge to E, Etouae, Gounci 1 Bluffg, 30;- • \ ' I dre',v on J. J. Cisco favor of Pacific National bank today for twenty thousand dollars, and placed to your credit at Pacific National Bank Council Bluffs. Draw it out byrchecks as you need it. The Balance at Omaya in both banks is in favor of Pacific National Bank and your check, on this bank is good at eitjher of those banks. N6te: J,• E. House to Gon. Dodge, Omapa, May §:, ,j Send statements. Has on hand vouchers receivpd since My« 14th, and which do not-appear'on statement of Buckensderfer, Jas. A. Evans and- G. M. Dodge. "S'f I Geo. C. Tic enor to G,en, Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 19. .- I am in receipt of your favor of the l^th.. Per It me to sa that I have never received a letter that afforded me more genuine ple asure. It had been so very long since I had received a line from you that I began to feel myself almost forsaken. • • , I am more than gratified to infer that your health has been be nefited by your excursion, and I sincerely trust you^are permanently restored. We beve all felt much solcitude fro you., indeed, I think I may say that the earnest prayers of amwiy true hears followed throughout your journey. ♦ I trust you feel strong and fortified for. the contest that must t be precipitated upon the approaching session, which in my opinion will • • « « be the most important one ever held* I do not partbie of the very 714 „ November, 1868. general ipprehension-of an attempted Coup-de-elat by the President, for in the first place I do not believe JolmsonCmean as he may he) vile enough to thus attempt the destruction of the Government, and in tho second place he has not got the courage. He is no Cromwell, but rather a weak, debached and conscience-stricken man, and my word for it would not have the courage to take open issue with the declared order of Congress; yet every possible attempt will be made by the Reb el power to resist Congress, which Johnson wil 1 not try to silence or check. Congress must therefore prepare to meet Rebel hostility in open battle with an i becile President preserving the attitude of "Kentucky neutraility." The result of the late election in Pennsylvania and Ohio do s ni discourage me at all. New York will give at least 30,000. Copperhead majority also, but the result will be to nominate Grant for President and he will aweepnthese same states like a tornado. You had an excel lent opportunity to leam all about Grant through Rawlins as well as to fortify yourself for the future v^ith him, and let me reassure you that if Grant is tho next President you can be the next U.S.Senator if you want it. Your stock has gone clear out of market since it has becone settled that Grant will be nominated, and you will find that not only so in your district but you will find all of our delegration in OongresG very raddy to do you service this coming session. Lougrid'^e gave mo a long call a day or two ago and he said he would rather * h **f V- .■ -y}'- ' -t * Ak<> ' •»■ ■'„. • , .r 1 . November, 1868. f. ,7 • _ .• r ■ have your friendship t>ian all the balance of them." We regret the result in Pottawattamie yet we could not reasonablj'- look for anything else. Your district did better than any oother one in the State, which • should be particularly gratifying to you. You only lost in two counties s s and gained in many of them. ■ • r Kasson has not been heard from since his nomination, indeed, he has not written a single person here since he left. A strong effort r was - lade here by the copperheads to run him ahead, j^et notwithstanding lie did not get more than the party vote, some of the meanest copperheads here worked hard for him, yet no effort -was made for him by re- ♦ publicans. The best Republicans here (andhis strongest friends here) ^ regret his nomination; among them are Hoyt, Sherman, Allen, Prank ' t • ' ' i Mills, Ed. Clapp and H. W, Bush, indeed, they wish him inh--l and you will find by the close of the Legislature that he will be the worst cursed men that ever lived in this country. He is preparing for another * I • f • • contest with you next year, but you need have no fears, you can , ■ ' ■ ■ ■ ■ beat him out of his boots and you must do it. I am gratified to tell you that everybody here seems satisfied with me officially, and I have received letters from Washington from the Department complimentary to my services. My family are well, and my wife as well as Mr, Getchell's family ♦ bo V ; . c wish to be remembered to you and to Mrs. Dodge. We are quite anxioixs to have you both visit us and trust you will do so* Cant you come this way en route to Washington? Wo all want to see you. I want to go to Noveml^er, 18S8. L iWV Washington the. last of novembcr. Write . (r,-, ^ Des Moines, ^ov.-QJ" . .. -y." I have not yeard from you for so Ions that^I am really suf fering from loneliness. Please drop me a line telling me hou you are, where you have been so long-, how Mrs. D. and the children are, and just let me enjoy an imaginary shake (gf the hand with you over the glorious results of the election. ^ ^ We here "in Polk are in a delirium of- joy over our grand majority in this county (1826) and.over your success in Pottawattamie. Your boys there made a noble'ftghti* - Palmer is as proud of his majority as a young mother of her first born. Let me advise you to write hiratoliiiig him not to get so glorlouody aagnanimous .ii* .our of victory aa to forigve his Kasaori onoraioa and forgot the mou to wh^... ue is inrl :;bted primarily for his nomination aiid ooxisoquent success. Franl; is a noble-hearted man, the only feay ^ have is that he will be too good hearted and will allow hiw enemies to honey him into fellowship with them and thereby eomp*so his jr'uin He will follow your advice- and if you will tell him to use hie office to^ strengthen his true and tried friends and to break dowm his enemies, he will do it. He "as stratched on about 95 straight republicans tickets „in. this county by the same man who cut you. I got him about the .same number of ''^eraocfrattc votes that I did you- and he therefore runs only about a hundred behind.^ghe ^iol:ot in tho couwty. i hope yOU will get him to go with you to V.^ I.ovembor, 1868. • ^ '/.^'-iBhin'^ton and that you will inal:e him-all rif^ht with G^n. Grant M: . C'-lfax. I am sure he will abide your selections in the distribution of patronage, Des L'loinc-js, Nov. 14: I am in receii of your very welcome letter of the 12th and am gratified to infer that your health is at least as good.as usuaHi. Your letter breathes the true sentiment, arid that one expression "I sun ready to drop that fig!; t when Kassoh is dropped "by the party" is worthy of perpetuity in history, Prom a violent ariti-irapeacher andf fast friedd of Johnson ho became a fierce radical, and from a most vindictive calumiator of Gen, Grant up to the loth of Haylast after Grant•'iU nottination- he-eoug it-to =becom* hie sfieclal advocate* He quietly opposed negro suffrag'e throughbat' the canvass at. homoi^ and now in New York he claims to-have beenthe author of the proposition and to come down to our own district he clAims that he declined to be a can didate against Palmer in order that "bid wounds should behealed" when in fact"he was a candidate until he found his defeat was certain and overwhelming and then withdrew, and he fled the district before the election, too cotvardly to stay hero to vote (as he would have done) against Palmer and suffrage, but left instructions with his dogs who "cut" Palmer 300 in the district, - I have positive Irttolligence from Hew'York whicli oonflirm whf»t I wrote you a day or tWo since* Kassew has been stumping the state there November, 1868. and has electioneered every politician of hi-^h or low degre,e he h,as seen or could reach-for assistance with Gen, Grant,. He is beg.'ring for Post Master Goneral-uues as an ar^^nont that he introduced all , / our late postal refor-s and improvements, and that Johnson sent him as Postal Commission to Europe because he was the only man in the GovC . • ernement who understood the International system. He further avers that he was the original Grant man, Ahe special champion of Colfax and thAt he carried lowa-and all such stuff. Why, I tell you he has act ually applied to nearly every Republican member who was in Congress with him for their influence, I know this for I have been on his track and have dogged his steps all the time. He had an editorial put in the New prk dally Tribvme on the 11th stating thatJim Wilson is to succeed Mr. Grimes as U.S.Senator and conveying the impression that he waa to do so at once and for that reason did not run for *( Congress, This wap done, of course, to prejudice Wilson's chances for tlio Cainet by Qor^veying the impression that he would not be an appli cant. Now I will toll you this s^amp .naist be watched; he will get John Sherman's wssistance and unless he is headed off at once ho may become very troublesome. We neither want him or any of his friends to got place und >r Grant, « I think the sooner you go to Washington the better I sincoroly hopa.you can com^ this w:jy; do. go if possible. Be sure to have Frank ro down with you or as soon thereafter as possible so as to reach him November, 1S6B. ■ • « the ■"ropes". If you think I could 'be of any use to you do^" there I shall be but toO .^Ihd to s'erve you and shall be at all times subject to your orders. There are ^ hundred applicants' for my place (Post-office) but I ■ ' ' ' " r r • • ' fV' ' ' ^ * f Sive myseit ho trouble on that score, I have never changed a 'vord with Pank aVout it and dont intend to. If you and Rawlins think I am'wortliy and competent to fill this Or any other place I shall be gratified, I am sure Palmer i's my friend and appreciates my services in his behalf. - r I am glad you have Sapp in mind. He was the '"noblest Roman of ^ * r ' ' ^ M- , ' -f ' ' *- ! ' ■ l- t , them all" in* the fight which gave you such a'gloriou's victory over Kasson, and' he is worthy of reward. You Imow yotu? own interest best but I have all along hoped you would take an appointment under Grant, I want to see just such men as yourself 'in the important places, for than I would feel assured that Grant would be sustained ancf^is adraihr - . / istration a grand success. The official vote in this county Toots up 1219 majority for Grant and 11131 for Palmer-so you see the disposition of Kasson friends to "drop the fight". Quite a large number of Democrats voted for Palmer-otherwise his majority would have btfen very ' #• much smaller. You have managed matters gorgeously aild your rev/ard is sure. Jas, A. Evans to Gen, Dodge, End Track, Dakota, 10:- Since seeing'you t Omaha I have thought a good deal about November, 1868. t-e work .ve tall:e(i of in Iowa. My impression in regard to i t is. about • • • . this-that when the work is anything like our work in the valley, that is tp say scraping work, that we could sublet it for about 20.or, 22 based upon the supposition that the material is somewhat harder than than in- the Platte, . . . In cpnnection with this i made an arrangement with the Doctor today to build all the Nowe Truss bridges west of Green River not already contracted for; we^getting all the short timber here which is 2r3 of the whole,.the saving on^the transportation of this being quite an object, I would not say anything to^3oc^r about this at present^ but, I thinly. 4i t is'*a good thing, '■^'he. Doctor was quite willing to let ' me interest myself in this, thinking I believe that I had been unfair ly dealt with in tlie tie buqlness.-, • Jfe-managed this business in a way that the man Friday' knew nothing of it until the DoJtor had fully I commited himself. If had known he would have done his best to ^ have frustratdd it. Ho know there was something going .on and seemed to feel quite uncomfortable. He followed-round like a dog,and i^ afraid to^loava TO for a minute.. , ' , ' If you have time ploaoewrite boCore you go to Washington. Note: R. I. Lawrence- to J, S. House,-B9ar River, 15:- V Yia.a made up statement of acccunt and forwarded to.Mr. ^lick- ■Wiaderfer at Salt "^ake* Gen. Williamson came out hut has sinee East and there Is no one there authorized to sell lots. Novomber, 1868, . ■ . . Note; R. I.Iorcan to Gen, Dodge Ftv Leavenworth, March IB': Has seen Gen, Sherman's copy of proposed regulations which provides that a Lieut, of Infty. may command officers of thb staff, to which section he objects. Note. ?/. W. Wallcer to Gen. Dodge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2S:- Has not completed profile of Company's location. Will send the copy as soon as possible. Note: Items on yearly report for 1868, r ■ r. Note: Fbcoramendatory of Edward P« Johnson for appointment of Ui S. District Attorney for Wyoming, ' . Note: Remarks on reorganization-of subsistencd" Dept. of the Army ~wi Ih number of officers and stations where required, ^ From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 1 December, V'* St-rted for Washington. Duff, Dillon, Boomer apd Smith on cars. Gave the order to House to condemn property for, right of way ^ and depot on bridge lin'5; also orders for condemning water of the right of way at the Bluffs. J. Blickensderfor, Jr. to Gen, ♦Dodge, Lawrence, Kana •: 1* • According to your rdti^itT WPMe you, but I have not been able to leam i^ythlng dffinite on-the subject you desired,me to write about*, viz; the Indians, It is said •^heridan is after them with a large force concentrating *pbn them from four or five different direc tions, They are south on tKe heiad of Arkansa s or Canadian whiether his Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - November 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 November 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad https://archive.councilbluffslibrary.org/files/original/7518486d1c151a7ea225c36d9711368a.pdf 3339ae7451d7c6b4f6cf658215bc3cc6 PDF Text Text Novomber, 1868, ^ ' Note: M. R. Morcan to Gen, Dodge Ft', Leavenvrorth, Inarch IB: Has seen Gen. Sherman's copy of proposed regulations which provides that a Lieut, of Infty, may command officers of th^? staff, to v/hich section he objects, '' ' Rote. W. W. Wallcer to Gen, Dodge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2 8:-' Has not completed profile of Company's location. Will send the copy as soon as possible. Rote: Items on yearly report for 1868, ' ' --o Rote: recommendatory of Edward P« Johnson for appointment of S. District Attdrney for Wyoming. Note: Remarks on reorganization-of subsistencd'Dept. of the Army with number of officers and stations where' required. ■ v ^ From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 1 December, ' ■ V'- St-rted for Washington, Duff, Dillon, Booraer apd Smith on cars. Gave the order to House to condemn property for. right of way and depot on brid-e lin^; also gaV^ orders for condemning water of .... the right of way at the Bluffs, . J, Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen.-Dodgd, Lawrence, Kana •: 1* According to your request I wri4d you, but I have not been able to learn ^mythlng difinite on-the subject you desired me to write obout*, viz; the Indians, It is said Sheridan is after them with a large force concentrating 4pon them from four or five different direc tions. They are south on the head of Arkansa s or Canadian whiethcr Jiis November, 1868, forces are moving with the intention of striking their lodges. No difficulty has been experiences on this road recenlty, although « they will not r\m trains in the night west of,Ellsworth, When we were out west on Friday «nd Saturday last it was said a small pahty of some 20 Indians had-been seen crossing the track the day before going north. The fear is expressed that the Indians will scatter in small parties and thus evade Sheridan, but it seems to me scarcely possible that the women and children of the lodges will .entirely escape him, and the •arriors wi-11 har ily abandon their familios altogether. It is said V-oops have moved from the .endcof. the. track, from To.eka, from Santa Pe and from Texas, as well as perhaps some .other points; but of this you can ascertain as well in Washington as from here. We have been over this road and are now preparing our report, I can only say now that this line^ is not either so located or so well built except in its truss bridges which are stronger ^than yours. Confidentially I will say it is a shame that such very poor work as this is was ever acopeted by Govt, Comnissloners, and you need have no fears of my or any full comparison between.this line and yours which will or may ever be made. More hereafter. When at Wyandotte, Gen, Warren and I paid a visit to the Kansas City Bridge, They awe working vigorously at the foundations and I assure-Jou,J»ve no small job before them. Their works are interesting and Mr. Ohanute seems a very energetic through: man. Three piers are December, 1868, * * • '' ' ' '"Ul ^ ^ up and the foundations of the remainins three in full progress," < r. ■' ? ^ : i We hope to get away from here this week yet/ • . , f r J, . Note: M, R. Morgan to Gen, Dodge, Ft, Leavenworth, 1:- t ■ ' .. . Thinks part of reservation should be divided up into blocks and sold at auction, proceeds to be expended in buildini^-barracks &c. Note: Statement of equipment received and manfuactured at Omaha during November; also t^6tal oqtiipment on hand December 1st,* 1868, From Geh. Dodge's Diary, 2:- Got telegram in Peoria amending decislbn of special commission Arrived in Chicago and stopped over night. Frank Palmer met me. spoke , for room myslf at the review on tiie 15th, Palmer says that K, ^ scratched him largely,and that he is fighting him. Thinks it wg)uld be a good thingk if they should send him on a foreign mission; that Brondt wants the P, 0, Nourse to be Dist, Atty, &c, Glasgow Wants a consi^lship, &o, ° To Gen, Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 2 (Telegram) Hendrie'bdu^t and wah^-you to rent to Smith for $50 per month with furniture for sassion'SC days. Tou are to advance part * :a purchase money, * • * i- ■ It. Snyder to Gen. tiodge, Omaha, Z: • t' i-"' * 1 enclose dispatch from Reed, it is rather rich nfter the assurance that we would have surplus ties 'west of Bear River. His December, 1860. - , • ^ t order will require .haul of ties average distance of. four hundred miles ; 600 cars. ,I propose to give thera to him as fast as he can use them. .Tracklaying.has been delayed past four days act, non completion of grading and bridging. Fifteen miles iron at end track rbady for Casement. - . .,JTote: L. F,, Gartie to Gen.^ Dodge,. Bgise City, Idaho, 2:- Is under ^Obligations for pass, Icc, Says that Col. tfudnutt , is finding a more broken country than he anticipated; thus far has a good line. . ^ 'r- ;^'f ^ . I * - ,1 .4,1 • To Gen. Dodge from his brother. Council Bluffs, 2:- • bc: 1 'i- . . - ■ . ' . wd I telegraphed you this A. M. Fremont House, Chicago inform ing you Qf purchase by Hondir^ of Richarddon's place. Upon receipt of your note I wrote a line Xfi Hend^ie to. close with Richardson at once; that you would advance him mon^y upon prqperty if needed. He we nt to Richardson and made a fair bargain for it at f3400-in furnitvire at>d wood, offered some money dg^vn, but Richardson said his word was good for it until he could get time to make out paprs. This morning R. went to Hardie %nd said Mrs. Recrod came to him crying and said ^e had promised it to her and that she was .ready to pay $3500 f . • . down for it. hOi.drie soared him and told R, he must have the place and w ould pay $350,0 cash, Richardson sold it to him over again. He paid $100 down and is to pay $3400 when Richardson leaves in a week or two when he makes deed. Hendrie*a first purchase was 1-3 cash December, 1868. • ' and time on balance. There-purchase makes it necessary for him to borrow o- you f2500-$1500 due in 6 months and flOOO in one year. Deed to bo made to you. Re desires to rent it to Smith just as it stands for $50 per month. I send you R. 0. bonds'(two) to Gray for sale and loan to him. Since you left I have conversed with Cale on the Hyatt matter. T think wo shall have to loan them $1000 until next summer to get them to buy. It will be all they can do to raise $1000. Then it can be all taken in your name and the $1000 will be paid back so as to use it in your home. Tfhen I get their final answer I 'will write you; shall write Hyatt at same time. ^ A bo'x received today form Gray for you- cigars I guess. Shall I send it on or keep it here for you? Answer. 'Prom Gen. Dodge's Diary, 3:- Started in morning for wew York by Rich. Cent. R.R. Banks on this road are 14 ft. wide «nd full, the ties being bedded in about '10 inches of gravel making road smooth and free from dust. Bridges mostly atone and iron, wdll bdilt. Crossed over at Detroit and passed through Canada in the night. Barber, clerk of House and Duggs of Mich, on train. . wote: Henry Harding to J.H. Ho'use, Bryan, 3:- Hao completed maps and profiles to the 940th mile post, «nd have nearly completed those to the 960th. iSTiH endeavor to have his portion prompt -uid have no delay on his account. ^ December, 1868. . r. ^^i<. ■ § Jas. A, Evans to J. E. House, Bryan, 4:- r f" t Will send you today a statement of track laid in Sppt. Oct. and Nov. , ?.'e must have no.v 80 ..dies graded ahead of end of «. • track. Cost of shops at^Rawlins $100,000. Telegraph completed 50 miles ahead of track at present. I shall be at Omaha on Wednesday if possible,.and shall most .likely remain a week. , , Note: ^Estimate of amount of main track laid in Sept. October and November. .. i - f L. B. Boomer & Co. to Gen. Dod^e, Chicago, 4:* (Telegram) Please send some one to inspect columns east by T.G.Gay- ^ . lord.& Co., Gincirjiati. . !; • * . . . J. A* Evans to W. .Snyder, rPiedmont, 4:* (Telegram) . ^ -fr.' ' . .There will be no track laid in eight or ten days. ^ Note: Wra. B, Porter to Gen. Dodge, Portsmouth, Neb.- 4: In relation to Letter's patent 81,682 for an iron pier' . .... Jas, A. Evans to Gen. Dodge, Bryan, 4: h. n,-,. .. Please find onclosed.Mr. l^iU^er's letter. Will you . please ask him when liis copy is ready to send to Omaha so thit I • • • • • can look it over. Money matters are getting close here, caused I suppose by del.ay in the subsidy. I hope there will be a let up soon. Track tonight at the 955th mile and v.'eather good; every prospect December, 1868. . r ' that we will be able to {^et over head of Echo before Sliow. I left • Mr, Dillon wit}i the unde'rstanding that RejnicldG and myself would in vestigate further the''work west of bridge, I expect'him down* today, I do hope we can get it*at a fair margin. Will write you fhom time to time, Note:- J, M. Eddy to Gen. Dodge, COmaha 4: \ Encloses estimate and vouchers for November; also sends hdlanee sheet showing face of Ledger Dec. 1st, 1868, Prom Gen, Dodge's Diary, 4:- ^ Passed over NiY.Central; road not in very "good condition. Structure "air of stone "and iron, and machinery good; stations, detX)ts and houses, water supply good. Road bed wide and well'ballasted. On cars mot Gen, C. 3. Hamilton of "^on-du-lac, He says his 'rope oil will not average above tar, and that If is being used in N.W.R.R. to sat isfaction. • i •tfl- , 4 . Saturday, 5: ' in r^ T In New York* Durant, S^mour & Co. in West, Ames, Duff & Co, in N.Y. -Orame delivered mo certificate for bonds for 7.500 and 11,500 of U.P.R.R. stock. Gave Pairfield and Freink Andrews note to collect for ISOO, *•' S, B, SinJ^^r, Cannichael's Camp, 5: • ' Bend to end of track fast aff possible; also beidge tim bor if therft is any on line of road belonging to Construction Dept. Decsmber, 1868, ' * i V. . ' .'rr" • Note: Lieut. 4 . h. TJ^ds to Gen. Dodge, Camp Douglas Utah, 5: - - .In'relation to purchase of certain lots in the new town, an wants Gen., Dodge's Assistance to get a few of the reserved ones,- &c. L. Boomer to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 5:- ^ We-did not p-et the intended meaning fnom your specification and stated our understaiiding as to thickness of them clearly to . the Bridge Committee. X have therefore prepared,a formal letter to you on this point, and write this little explanatory note to say that we do not wish to make an issue with you as to the-thickness intended, and hope that you will perceive tliat we were justified in our interpreta tion of the specification-in the absence of all knowledge as to the variable thickness which you Contemplated.' ^ . , , , - The point is a vital one with us; the additional amount of matsrial required is large and our es-timates and prices are so^close that we cannot afford to |»it^ it in without compensation. You must be-as liberoal as you can in .the matter, especially as the castings will al ways overrun the required thiekHess and weight on account of the com pression of the sand by. the pressure of. the metal. Had you been pres ent when the pontract was made no auch misunderstanding could have arisen. I enclose you four diagrams of Howe Truss Bridge which includes every variety built^ »«d ordered upon your road; also bills of material for each and a separate statement- oft strains upon the bolts after deducting 1-8 inch for them. There should not be over 1-12 inch December, 1868. deducted for threads. You-will notice that Loup Fork has no strain that comes up to 14000 lbs. per square inch, the 1st sete less than 13000 lbs. and that the lighter 100 per span is less than 10,060'lbs, That the 150 ft. span west of Loup Pork-are less than 12000 lbs. All except the three first panels are less than 10,000 lbs. The 100 ft. spans are stronrrer in proportion than the 150 ft. span. The written statements are from actual weight of the structure and a moving loadof 2000 lbs. per lineal foot. These wei^ts include the iictual weight o the truss which is not strictly for the abutment panels and one half of each end panel coraes' on each abutment, equal 19 ft. in length of bridge which to get at the a ctuai weight a strain upon the truss bolts should be deMhictod-fVom the wieght of the bridge. Tou will please shot these diagrams' Ac. to the special Commis sioners. I shall be happy to have them point out any errors in my figuring. Will-serui you tracin-^ of 250 ft, span Omaha bridge with formula (Sec. as soon as they can be made up. - that is the prospect of yob^ company getting their bonds? L. B. Bocsner to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 5;- In pnswer to your letter of November 23®, 1668, in refer ence to thickness of cylinders to be sunk for the piers of your Mis souri River Bridge at Omaba, we have tb say that the word "averaging" as it occurs in yohr epecification, in the clause touching the tliiclc ness of columns and caps, we would only understand to indicate that December, 1868. J. Blickensderfer, Jr. to Gen. Dodge, Omahay 6:- On my return here from Kansas yesterday afternoon I found letters from Hudnutt and McCabe. Hud..utt writes from Boi se City and asks me to make arrangements, with Wells Fargo & Go. to let him draw on their house in Boise for coin. I have written Tracey in Salt Lake to effect such arrangements if possible and will also telegraph him.- Hudnuti. says his party lost s omo stock by Indians during his absence in the Blue Mountains which detained them .somewhat. He des cribes the passes of the Blue Mts. and says he can get through with grades from 60 to 70 per mile, I infer he has written you in full. The v;eather was bad idl the time he was in the Blue Mountain Range, ■McCabesends me a copy of a letter dated Nov. 24th directed to you, in which he tenders his resignation,^ Moberly, who is- with him, is capable of doing all the work you desire from McCabe, and I therefore think you had bettor let him .go, L shall so write McCabe from here, telling' -him to leave Moberly 1% pharge and Sj^etAle his accounts v.lth me. Should you desire otherwise telegraph me to Oraaya, McCabe writes me ha will remain in charge until he hears from you. By last accounts Morris had found nothing on Promontory Point better than 80 ft, grade. I .presume he is in valley between Ogden and Salt Lake city by this time. Our report on Ifansas line is not t^rished-yet^-^y ®-PPointment we visit Sioux City Ro«^d tomorrow, altpl^g^i iti fi(J>pws and storms December, 1868, • 'Or"' furiousljr todaj^. I hope neoct week "will finfdh our work* witli these roads, You have no doubt seen the reverts or notices in the papers in regard to* our heport on U.P.R.R. and the'^lurs aimed at me,' by Seymour no doubt, as in the enclosed Slip cut from bh ic ago Tribime, I felt like publishing a denial of the assertion that I wais discharged by the Company, but thought I would write you first. You know that- it was with reluctance that I accepted the appointment, and that your desire that I should do o had much weight with me. May 1'not therefore look to you in Some degree at least to keep me ac^vised of the course of Seymour and those who would gladly injure me, and the effect of theirj^ acts and assertions, wind whether 1 ought to otice them or not. At this distance it is diffi'pVil't "for" iaa to either find out what they really do or its effects, ' That Seymour and t ose wliose pockets are likely to be effected by the report will do all they can to injure me Is not singular, and I presume* it is not singular'ei ther that they should resort to false hood if it tends to further their ends; in case I Shbuld publish any thing would you object to-rty ^ying that no ohe on the part of the Company made any objection to my acting on this Commission? and that I was granted leave of absence to enable me to do so?^y^ Vinoe writing the above I have penned an article something like what I would say and I enclose it to you. The blanks should be filled December, 1868, by reference to the article itself. I W0UI4.- the Tribune if the article appeared ther^ ^ ■ on in You may do with the article whatever^^u deejji, ^^ihted at all Note: Mr, Bliclcensderfer's insertion the cliarge in Tribune by Seymoizr tha,-V iib was ^^Per answer to employ of Company &c. enclosed in letter to *^ora -tj^g at all employ of Company &c. enclosed in letter . to _ ^n. Dodg^ opinion about printing it. ■ ' " ' rProm Gen, Dodge 3 Diary^ 6:- , ■ ^ Jesse L. Williams speaking of Seym , there is a mistake of a million of - dollars iri, , he a€fo»t8 cost of line to Omaha; also in his ostimat ^^^ants his Mort says t' at mile of road; he alsp says Durant .always contended f ^ 11 and sharp curvature whenever 4.1 would save work and v, "Q has ■ttirae and time again to the construction .^ipeers in ®ri ^Qport where Cost of a ft, grade . talked it ng grades and alignment to save work. Thinks toal^ they better i n ^ r li clcensderfer alone in his location* J, ,, ^ y ' • ' toi ^ Monday, 7: ' r 1 r vi ' * ' r 'fvi t • ■^rived 4n fashington^ and stopped at Wiiiards S$ck all day. T. E. Sides to Gen. Dodge, 3t. Louis, 7; (Telegram) Your telegram received. I go to Gincinati this afternoon. ncvor'i ' ' f ■ (yr \ . , r v» i In . . ' i December, 1868, W, Snyder to Gen. Docile,• Omaha, 7;- A hitch out ?7est as inclosed despatches indicate. Grading not completed; no bridge timber and ties already play out-after all the assurances that ties and timber were plenty, • 1 have 20 niles of iron and 6 miles ties uhloaded at end of track, and will flood them witli » . . , - - material if weather permits. Got 402 cars and 8 nev enginers over our Ho, R, Bridge before it gave out. Loss Material not a $1.000-, Have cleared'up all old freight here and am sending more as fast as delivered,- Will ship some Salt Lake freight to Quaking Asp to help oht consigners while there is delay in tracklaying, ^ ^ Hoxie is not getting alogg as fast | us wish', • J, T, Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, ' Hereiwith please find Id lank proxies for Dillon, Ames, Chase, and yourself to have signed and returned, I would suggest the name of N,P.Dodge for proxy, W® want them returned in time for the election, I have some fears that North will want a position in the bank and as here irf Just out of bankruptcy it wont do to have him in, I offered Everett $250 per acre for his land. He declined to take it; sa d he iTould see some 'df the -U.P.R.R. folks -and have a talk with the'm aboxSt it. Test and D.C, Williams are willing you should take dirt free from them to make ftJ.1 on bottom. Two ft, of snow; very cold. River frozen over. Send ban another m New York draft before statement day; will hold it hero until you need ^ money. December, 1868. :■ ,-•••• ••'-woeO J. E. House to Gen. "Dodf^e^ Omscha', 8i- r > ■ • c ► ■ Enclosed you v/ill find list of bridges as asked for in telegrams of the.6th inst, - * : 'j Mr. Blickensderfer and Warren returned .from the Eastern division Saturday. They go to Sioux Citj today, from therd to Chicago. Mr. B. thinks he will take a run down home before he returns. W© havo had a fearful snow storm. The road was blocked in many places west. Passenger train went out last night on time. Evans telegraphed that no track will be laid in 8 days; grading in the way. . Evans is on his way down. liReod telegraplis Snydar to ship ^100,000 ties and all .the bridge timber belonging to 'construction on the road at once. Si yder tliinks t'lis is dond to block him on other freight. ' ■K ' ■ Mr. Sickles left for Kansas City and other points last Tuesda , <Ka9 nbt returned yet. " Thos. B. .Morris to den. Dodge, Ogddn, Utah, 8;- • i I . Your letter of ITov. 30th reached me.this evening. I left the'Promontory with party on Friday last; remained in Brigham City one day to CUrnish Mf». Kurd with a copy of profile and complete copy .for Mr. Reed, I left in the hands of the Asst. engineers ,of constructio full notes of grades, &c. of located lines.. These notes were deliovered at their camps, Dec, 20, *68 Mr. Reed's tracing and profile leave here tomorrow. 737 ■vtaslj V.ii ...4 ■ . \ iHii(it?1iiliilSfAiiii1rilf- December, 1868. , ■ , I think $3 per C, ycj. a fair livirjg price for the gelid rock excav tion on the Promontory, There is almost one half of it which will be "cliff" rock-open on one side and laying in the very best podition to be blasted. The other half will be through cuts, I cannot estimate the latter at more than $3,75 nor the open cut at more than |2.25, As regards the quantity of excavation which can be used in em bankment, I think a 11 should be ued particularly the nock on account . of the saving -in the quantity of embankment by reason of the steeper slope it wil 1 asstune and the increase in .bulk after being broken up. My reason for not al owing it in the estimate I sent to Mr, Blidcensdeafer was that I see on the constructed road that in most cases the material is not haufced but "wasted" and borrowed* On acqount of waste of the roacik being open on one side much of th» material will be lost being blwon b-elow Wie bed of l^he road-say ii0,000 C, ,ydg. This should be deducted. I do not think ,an average price of 50 cts. per C, yd. is sufficient for embankment.' The clilef amount of embankment is between stations 3030 and 3080f> and Is about .300,000 G. yds from which (>*.1 take 100,000 C, yds .whidh h«ls been saved by alteration of the line, and there is 200,000 C. .yds of matierdal tq be provided for embankments and in the very worst plabe Oil %tm ,linei' for thea'daks are,not fairly covered with earth, . - . I will investigate thtf question of quantity and cost of conducting December, 1868. ' ^ f] A water to bench north of Ogcipn. Do you wish estimates' of quantities on temporary lines at Promontory.? I. send profile &c. of those lines to Ricksecker this week. I b3gin work on branch tomorrow. Shall I re fer to Mr, McCabe for section lines? Mr. O'Neil is not here. /^osse-L. Williams to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, Ind 8:- I shall be greatly obliged if you will send me promptly all reports &c. concerning U.P.R.R. or other roads printed by the House; also Secretary of Interim's report,' I could write our own member but ho would not know ?^at I want as you do. r » . D Durant and Seymour *s. entire answer on Commissioners report wont "hold Water". It is all humbug. Some very sound R.R. men in N.Y. say that the U.P.R.R. Company will break soon after R.R. is opened. I hope not. But then in this,interest first 6 months,on 1st mortg ige bond will be $1,200#000» How will they get^it?U if the contractors get all the subsidy, and lat mortgage is they wSint they will bO very apt to defa.lt-within 1st year or 18 months,' .Even Harbaugh thinks It cant pay at first, V/e had better get a reserve fund In same way as the bonds of the Company As ^urant says the President will accept the case. Iv- ' , I have no doubt but Durant expects the. road to default, V f From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 8:- *. / Sick, and stayed In my ra»«»*>. .. .o . ^ . * Wednesday, 9j- " pn,M ,/T'd '-k December, 1868. Still sick and* saying in my room. * • J. W, Keeljer to Gen. Dodge, Mt. Ayr, Iowa, 9:- During the last Session of Congress I sent you the proceed ings of a meeting of the citizens of Ringgold County in regard to our railroad interests, ^nd I then wrote you that nine-tenths of the people of this county were opposed to the build ng of a railroad on or near the State line, thinking that a bill to grant land in aid Of the construction of the Iowa & Missouri Slate Line railroad might again come up for consideration during t is seassion, Iwrite you on the part of our citizens protesting againfet a grant of land to said State lino company. V/e believe and knav that a road along the state subserve our interest as well as a road through the ^ em-Mji# of the southern tier of fcounties, . There ia a feomjpany proposing to build a road through the Centre of this tier of counties, making each county seat a point, known as the Iowa Southern R.R.Company. Wo have the confidence in said last mentioned Company to balieve that they will and can build said-road, and that each- county wil materially aid said company by voting a lib eral tax in each township, levied by «ut ority.of a Idw passed by our last General Assembly. o ' * I leam that there is a bill now befohe Congress granting lands to this Iowa Southern R.R.Comjiany, and wotAd abk your support to this last mentioned bill, and by so doing you will materially aid a part of your constituents. 4 December, 1868. , 1- T. E. Sickels to .Gen. Dodge, Cincinnati, 9 r-r - : ) . I came here in compliance with your telegram,- and have in spected the castings made for the bridge. Nine cylinders have been cast four of which have been faced off, and one has abuut one-half the bolt holes bored. These holes have not been properly laid out on the flange as cast- (2 1-2 inches wide) but on a flange 3 1-2 inches wide they would be correct, Either the.holes should be differently located or the flanges increased in width. I have t 'Orefore had the boring suspended, and shall leave hero -^tomorrow for the-East to make statement to you af this matter, and to • submit the plans of crossing at Kansas Oity and St. Charles, and to report the result, of ny examinations. This suspension of the boring will'not cause any delay in sending the cylinders forward, as the work of casting and fading v;itl proceed as heretofore. Not knowing whether • you have given directions for the width and thickness of flanges, I. have not gtven any orders relative thereto, but Jiave requested the. contractor here to cast t e next two cylinders with flanges 3 1-2 inches wide and have promised that before these tah'be out of thv pit, he will received precise instructions. •' • " As I am uncertain whether you are in WHshington or NsfW York I have written to both places and have to request that you will tele graph m'e at Kennett Square, Chester Co.-Pas., which is near the route December, 1868, f , , ■ and near midway batweeri the two cities named. Satei L. Godfrey to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, In relation to appointment as Pension Agent. Wants Ge.:. Dodge's assistance in getting.Thompson's place should bo he removed* J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, Neb, Iq:- ' 'v - I forward herewi h for your approval vouchers to the amount of ^^22,520,85 returned by Mr. Buckensder^er. The balance of vouchers returned by Mr, B, will be.forwarded as fast as examined and abstracts , Copy of letter to Maj, J. G. Crane, from Ft. Leavenworth, 10:- Last Qvening I saw for the first time Gen. Grant's report. So far as the Subsistence Departmoht is concerned I have no doubt his report is ah' abstract from the report of the Commissary Gei^eral, Ihirtytwo Lieutenants to reeeive $20 extra per month. So far as the lieutenants of cavalry are concerned this makes their pay as A. C.S. greater than-tliat of a captain and C.S. The pay of a captain and Commissary Of Subsistence is $70 per month. The pay of a lieut enant of caviary is #63 .33, By this arrangement lie gets $20 extra or $73.33 when acting as C.S. The rations,are just the same; 4o that if you have any such officers acting under you they will get better pay than you will, a first lieutenant of Infjsyn^jry acting under you will get the same pay that yojx fhy not them give us captains, Commis saries, who #111 feel themselves Identified with the Department and December, 1868. will -work accordingly. Men who will be in >he Department for life and not leave us at the end of a few years when they get promotion? The argument is, I suppose, that these officers belong to companies and would get paid as such whether they were acting Commissaries or not, and while acting as Commissaries get only $20 per month extra. Are there ^hen too many lieutenants in the Army?- That is not my" experi ence, and I have served wit'^ troops for thirteen years, I am told that I cannot have this officer and the otiier because they are re quired with their companies. They are lieutenants detached from their rbgiraents, which I am told I cannot have because they are on staff duty elsewhere. Wo have 15 captains and the Quairterraaster's Department has 44, and yet the Quartermaster General asks to have this increased to 50, and Gen, Grant enters the same in his report. The General evidently thinks that the Head of Bureau should kna best what they need, I am not disposed to find fault, and we can only re~ret that the good, honest gentlemen who is at the head of the Subsistence Department does not think as /o do. How does the fact of Gen, K, G. Beckwith, Maj. 2d Arty,, being on duty in the office of the Oomraissary General of Subsistence and having been there for more than two years agree "With the statement that we require no increase to the Sussistence Departaant? Is that officer asbsent from his regiment unnecessarily? Deceraber, 1868, . ' , • ■ Geo. C. Tichsnor to Gen, Dodt^e, Des Mpinesj 10:- I trust you will pardon ijie for annoyins* you, sa ciucli. You know when I have anything on my mind I oannpt be at eapt until I have worked it off-heiiee I feel assured of your charity* r . I happen to know that Kasson will at once bring all possible pros sure to bear upon Gen, Grant aid Colfax, He his been stumpgin New York anp is now in Washington, and I- have it from the most authoi?- dtative source that he expects large help from leading New. York pol iticians including Greely, Morgan, Conkling- and that he will try to forestall unfriendly^tion from Iowa, by getting immediate, pledges and promises. Now, I want him headed off and I think you had befeter"move ^ on his work" without-delay. I dorvt know w^at y.ou think of it, but I want Jim Wilson to-go into (k?ant's cabinet as Attorney Gennral unless •you want to go in yoi^rself as ^^ecretary of the .Interior or Post Master General I of course, ;I would ^athea so® you in one or the ather of. those places than a^y ether man-alive., ^and am sure you could do. .so,but if, as l* apprehend, you have no such fancy, Jim Wilson is ray next man. If you should go in Wilson would come in for ^anator. At all- events, I d<int ilMuiH J^asson tO n.r{j place urider Qrant, v Wa, jpustr^ave honest and i^M>aiM.e men as Gratia advlwb»>*9> so far as possible to fill every office in his gift- men who-at all hazards will sustain him and aid in making hia adniinlstratiou successful, popular and beneficial to D'cember, 1868. the Gentry and party- and .to insure these results Grant's true friends must bestir themselves and be vigilant. I trust you will be able to go to Washington at an early day and remain until after the 4th of March, Try and set Palmer to go ";ith you. He feels his indebtedness .to you and will I know abide .your wish in all things. My only fears of Fran k is in his magnanimity and freeheartedness, and if you can get him iQ your keeping for a time you ca.. save himrora all h^rm in that direction, f dont want him to yield ' one inch of ground to his new found Kasson friends. They are hla ' friends low simnly because he is successful, . r. • "? I trust you will not forget our good friend Col. Anderson-when the ewels" are to be distributed. In the distribution of favors, I think it best to keep first in mind ,the "old guard" who fought through thick and thin, and who have stood ,fl.i»4i "irl line of battle" ever since. J. L. Williams 'to Oen. Dodge, Ft. Wayne, Ind. 10:-, I place in your hands a copy of my sujiplemental report to the Secretary, making the correction .to I referred in my letter. Please take some pains to have the r'aili^)ad men Understand it» and if ray report of November I4th should be printed have this printed with it if you en. . : , r ®he •stlMiLte of $35,000 per mile'would be too'small for a fully equipped and finished road such as-the law requires, though enough for the road as thAy "Build It,.and as Blalr accepts it. J. E. Hci;i3e to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 10; December, 1868. • •• I am sending profile to Oliver Ames, Esq-, as rapidly as each section of 20 miles can be made up. Will that answer for the Dr. or shall I make an additional copy of him? Will keep sending lotes as heretofore till the N.Y. office is furnished with continuous profile ffrom this office) to Humboldt Wells. Profile gdes today reaching to - Station 860 west from moiith of Weber. Weather still very cold. C. & N. W. train came in last night for the first since the storm. OJr road is all clear. Evans and Commis sioners arrived last night. Bridge .over the river again completed? will cross trains today.. Ji O. Hudhutt to Gen. Dodge, King Hill, 70 ms. from Boise CitylO:^^ Your letter of instruation was duly received"p«r G-eh. Carter, and 1 have the pleasure to dhnounce to you that-my line is within 8 . miles of the'Station of King Hill, having run a trail,line down to this point.-.I sent my party .b«e]| 8 mileK to distribute the .grade. Find that 80 ft. is practicabla-wuiMl even 60 ft. by an increase of dist- . which is better than I expected. ThO'party wore hindered a good deal In crossing Snalce River, having to puil down the river 50 miles to ' cross and then rove up 50 miles to begin again; hut for that hin drance we whould have I;oen in Boise City ere this. Your instructions shall bo compile^ #ith as fast as pos ible. It is difficult to get ituoh Office work done when camp is moved every day Sundays inclusive, froa 7 to 10 miles,.having rested or remained December, 18G8. at one camp all but onCe in the last 30 days; however, I shall" reach Boise Citj^'^y the 23d, in Just two'Wdnths from the Commencement of stiCtveys (260 ms) when I sha 1 have to stop a few days .to get radles shod &c, and from that point will send you estimates,' &c. This Snalie River Plain is by no means a geometrical plain, but is very irregular and full of hollows and trap ridges, base rock and hard n^hich cannot be avoided, there beihg no trend or shape to them. Soil over the face of the rock very thin even in the hollows, and to cut the rock will be expensive. Such a thing as Snake River Valley has no existence, for the river cuts its way through the one yawning" canon from near the mouth of Goose Greek to near the Boise River. To get a line along the river is impossible-above this King Hill, Here, as I Wrote yfau, the plain is cut off ahd we-get a'cheap line with light wofck and grades clear down to the river, and below this a tolerable line can be had dowri the river for 20 ms,, that being as'far as I have examined. Shall go on as soon as my line is fairly down to the river. In fact, I Riii not Sure that below this- the cheapest line and cer tainly the lifijitest grades can be had next tbe river, for the reason that the irregularities of the plain.are so great as to require heavy undulations of- grade, AltogethBr you must expect a rough- prbfile and rather expensive work for 150'rallis at least. One thing alone is fav orable; very few mechanical'strucutres will be needed, as the drain- 'm December, 1868. age is mainly-through sink holes and numerous springs flow out of the rocky banks of the Snake-almost rivers in volume'^ with a fall from 50 to ICQ ft. These never freeze and by the use of a simple hydraulic ram cannbe made to supply station with water. t" The surface rock where exposed seems to be. wholly of this hard volcanic trap and either cleaves into irregular fragments or into the ^columnar six sided prisms peculiar t basltic rock. But from 4 to , 10 ft, below this formation there come layers of stratified rock, which though metamorphosed by heat yet retain their character so as to split with ease, and I think will quarry well and though-hard to cut will make very durable stone for building; :o The Delegate from this territory (in Congress) suggested to some of his friends in my presence that he should have Boise City made a point on this road and named as such in the Bill. Persuade him not^ to do it; the reasons will be ev^^ent to you and if nothing more, we .may find it bast to keep Snake River clear to Olds Ferry, Si^ch line would be just half way between Omaha and Boise and would_>accomodate the territory generally^ i -» ,.-'j <J ■ Will write you again soon. ♦f ■ - . ' Jesse L, Williams to Ben, Dodge, Ft* Wayne, 10:- » r y . r While the Hpnorable Secretary of the Interior has Stated the aggreg ate amounts of my estimates correctly, he has misconceived my mode of estimating. December, 1868. ^ Ist, He Brays the estimate was^l^ed.upon th.e first 710 miles, in August last, was made the basis for that item, and also that the bridg ing and general finish on the 710 miles was made the basis as to the , degree of perfection in the finish^of the whole line.- But as to the -grading, . cost of track 2:C. , each divis ion .of the line was estimated in proportion of the expense to be incurred, ^ . .. . 2d. He says "the cost of locating, constructing and comjbletly equipping it and'tho telegraph line is $38,824,821" an average per mile of aboht $35,000*. But in the ^-eport, referring to this estimate, I say I'lt does not include the whole cost as the roa-d should be co - pleted, but as heretofore built and accepted by the Commissioners." For a fully coitij)letod road there should bemadded, according to Gen, Warren's report, about $7000 per mile making $42,000 as the cost of the-road completed; or if $ 6000 be added then $40,000 per mil,o woulji be the cost of a co siioted roadk , Will you have the goodness to explain Xo the Hon. Mr, ,Ames or others interested in the road, and also to the Pacific Railroad Rommi ttee, tliis corection, for. whioh perhaps you can use tiiio letter if necessary. ! e , "ni t'T ' i ' ] !•* , i ' r: I will tomorroei mail to the Secretary of Interior a short report supplemented to mine of ^14th-November, embodying the above explanation. J. L. illiams to O. H. Browning, Secretary of Interior, Ft. Wayne .. .. Decemt>er, 1868. The undersigned begs leave to refer to a paragraph in the "annual report from the Interior Department dated November 30th, 1868, whixh gives a summary of 'the probable actual cost in building the * / Union Pacific Railroad, and respectfully suggests that'his meaning in the statement of 14th ult,, probably"for;want of clearness, <was mis apprehended on one point. • ' ' ■ was understood as estimating "th6 cost of locating, .constructing and completely equipping the Road and telegraph line " at ah average per mile of a fraction less thah $35000'. But this was intended as an appro ximate estimate of the actual outlay by thh contracting company, in open ing the road for traffic, with Ohly that degree of com|)letene3S in which the'several twenty-mild sections had been heretofore built and accepted by the Coramis si oners, with an average equipment in rolling etccK , shops, &c., such as I found on the first TOO miles in August last. -.Whatever further sum per mile the President of the United States may do-tormirv© shall be expended in the full completion and equipment, under the late report of" the exa. ining commissioners, to bring it up to the standard of-the law must be added to my estimate of $35000. This aggregate will show, the actual expenditure per mile in locating, constructing ar^d fully,, equipping a single track railroad. 1110 miles in length across that ' portion of the continenet lying'between the Missouri River and the ■ ' north dnd of Salt Lake. • • ■ . . . December, 1868. . r ^ • , , /- There there may be no misunderstanding on this subject-j bearing as it does upon the general question of raildo constructionaoross the western half of the continent, the undersigned begs leave to pre sent this explanation as a supplemental report to accompany the one which he had the honor to make on the 14th,November last. From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 10:- '..rr • House adjourned to Mondgiy, err^ uOV f ' Friday, 11:- 11* tO''' ' r , Saw Rawlins and Grant. Rawlina paid me interests $402.52 on his note up to Sept. 11th, 1868. Grant said he would do what he « • » ' • could to put Indian Bureau into the War - Department. The Hotise reported Iowa Claim Bill passed to its 3 reading and rpoved; the previous question went over. Gen. W. S. Smith,to Gen. Dodge, Chicago, 11, (Telegram) Sickels writes from Cincinnati 9th inst. that he will leave there on the 10th to see you. Boomer is in New York. J, E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 11:- « ' . .. I enclose herewith for your approval package of,vouchers to amount of $13,478.93 returned by I.Ir. Blickensderfer for the month of July 1868. I will continue to send in similar sixed packages until Mr. B'8 vouchers now on hadd are disposed of. Cigco is changed with the several amounts as they are returned. 0. H. Browning, Secy, Interior to Gen, Dodge, IVashington, 11: t Decemhor, 1868. In compliance V7ith the request contained in your letter of yesterday, I have the'honor to seiid herewith" r copy of a letter from this Department to the Vice President of the Union Pacific Railroad Company dated March 30th, 1867; also one dated August 8th, 1867 ad dressed to the President of the same company. Jesse L. '''illiams to Cren. Dodge; Ft, 'Vayne, 11:- 111 you please have the enclosed- as a telegram- sent off b the operator for the Associated P^ess so that it will go into the lead ing papers As other Pacific Railroad dispatches have gone? This is the only way that the correction can follow Mr; Browning's paragraph. This is due to the'Company and to myself. Please ascertain if my reports tirill be sent in by the Secretary. ^ I want particularly those of 16th June, 2d July and 15th August, as the President founds the whole action of the cabinet-it is"due that the country should see all what I did say. W. "p Maynard to Oen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 11:- You do not wirit to be bored nor do I want to-boi^e youe. In brief then; I would like to retain my present position and to this end wo.Id not only like to have your assistance but'your coridal ap- ' proval. ' '' ' ^ From recent conversations with our-mutual, true and trlfed friends John T. and Caleb Baldwin, I'fear I have not the latter, fdr fan led to think that you are laboring \mder the Impression that I still had December, 1868, . ' • and souftht affiliation with your bitterestvpersonal enemy, Mr, Kasson, In behalf of the warm persoh'al friendship ihat has existed between you and I for the last thirteen years, I not only desir& but deem it my duty to disabuse your mind on this point, and to ass re you j.n the most frank and unequi-vocal manner that «ince your nomination at Des Moines have neither written to nor reoeived any'Sbi<'1i'of a communica tion from Mr, Kasson, a fact Mr, K,- would attest, 'if appealed to upon the subject. And I can say further th't since the conversation I had with you about Mr, Kasson some two years ap:o I have not had the least desire "to retain his friendship or acquaintance. I deem this explanation due both to you ahi myself for, whatever else may befall me, 1 most heartily wish to maintain to my latest breath the cherished relations of friendiShio and intimacy that have existed between us unmarred for so many years. And I now say to you in all frankness and candor that I will not seel: to retain this office if I am assured that such is not your personal wish, for I remember TlHth most fervent thankfulness the very fnany«ets Of kindness and words of encouragement that have been showered upon mo by you since the earliest days of Council Bluffs, and I do flOt wish or intend to mar that paat by any future act of mine. I tOuld like the office. General, but nOt at the'sacrifice of a friendshi ^ that ever came to my relief when trouble and gloom hoeered about me, • If y.u cannot assist mo as I desire let me by all means have . -'V' .' ■ , - • i't .4 » ' . .■ W December, 18G8. . '.^r yovu* frank and Kindly assurance tJiat it is from no fault of mine but because some man more capable and better'qualified is an applicant for the position. You caraiot certainly ^rant me less; I do not desire more. Remember me to Mrs. D, and ;^p Messrs. W3-lson, Grimes, Harlan and at your leisure write ' i • ♦ . I r Benjamin F. Hem to Gen., Dodje, .^taw York, -12:- . ^ Please forward profile from section 268 station 800 to sec tion" 298 station 3040 near Bi"- Laramie Raver, ^ soon as possible. R. r. Lawrence to Gen. Dodge, Bear River Ci"ty, 12:- ■ , The track will be laid over Lhe ^cho summit on this day week and as my division terminates on the surarait, I will be ready o report to you for duty on repairs immediately thereafter-provided th t you still design placing ma on that duty. Be ;leased to Ipt me hear from you raspeatiBg tha sane. Gen. G, ... Smith to Gen, Dodge, Chicago,. , 12;* (Telegram) I Sickela wrote that he would leave for the east to meet you without apeci fylng at what place. . *.« 'V J. E* House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 12: (Telegram) : According to the McCabe^^ survey the best. ,location is an even aecjlcion of claime; ean he eowipromised. Can we located there? Note. G, C. Cole to O^n. Dodge, D^s. Moines, ,12: December, 1868. . ■ .Wants E. M, "'right appointed mail agent,' 'He was former Assis tant 'Secty, Of State, . r - . To Gen. Dodge from his brother, Council Bluffs, 12:- Yours of 7th just received. It is clear to my m.ind that It is more profitable for you to loan money on the Richardson nlace at 10 per ct, than to buy at $3500. 'It is not a good investment, would not pay that interest even vit-h the increase in value of ground -vvhich might be reasonably anticipated, Hendrie will occupy it after awhile etnimake a good neighbor, .He will pay $1000 or $1500 (the latter sum I believe) "in 6-months and balance in one year^ ■ r J i ^ a ^ I have made no promises to Baldwin and Wright. Malfe no loans on your account without Instructed ,so to do, ' Sorry to hear you are sick. We are .air wfiTll, J. Ti], House to Gen. Dodge, Qmayay 12:- I enclose hoiWrith for ydur'approval abstract and vouchers to amouht of ♦le ,911,45, they being the balance Of Mr. Blickerisderfer's vouchers returned to the (bffice up to date. I sent you yesterday by Express map.of the 12th hundred miled. When the faap of the 11th hundr'ed was made up it was not continued far enoU"'h, I have'shiwn the alig-naent'on the 12th that Should properly belong 'o the 11th. You can have it put on without much difficulty. The mistake originated at Morris' connection at station 1115 of the December, 1868. . .' D.''. 11th hundred, no't beinc properly noted fon the oni^ihal map. I also enclose with tills table of grades, table .of alignment and table of summits. I wish you would looV them over and see if they are \7hat you want or any additions you would like to iiave made, ilap of 13th hundred to FTumboldt 7/ells Will be sent Tuesday, V/iii then commence general: map for your report, Prom Oen* Dodge's Diary, 12;- V ' •' ^ Drew salary $2100 and.deposited in 1st National Bank, Called on McCallum and discussed R.R. question. .He thinks that Comfmissioners should examine C.P.R.R, To work on review of special GommiSSiofti^report. Sunday, 13; • " To work all day on review■of special Commission. Started ^ for Chicago at 7:30 P. M. . ' . W. Snyder to Oen. Dodge, Oraaha^ 13 (Telegram) . 'On hand t is date 64 depot, 7® tanks, 15 coal houses, 124 I engines? 2"1 .first class doifchces, '10 second class coaches, 81 cabooses, 16 baggage and mail cars, 6 sleeping oca chest 520 bo-: freight cars, 1734 flat and coal cars iinder contract for as known 7 snginers and 100 coal cars. • . *-r- ■ L. B. Bocaaer to Gen* Dodge, New York, 13 (Telegram) . v* Is Slokele in Washington? Po-your-expect to com^ hare-soon? '756 bfd* ' ' Deconber, 1860. . rr Thos. B. Morris ta;Gen._ Dod^e, Ogdon,^ Utah, 13 (Telegra :) What Grade shall I use in leaving river and crossing high ground between /ere and Racyville? I can obtai;: almost any grade by elevating line. Shall I run best coniinerical line or save distance by heavier grades? Reed's .primary takes light summit and uses 50 and 60 ft, grades. _J. Webs^ter to Gen, Dodge Oiuaya, 13 • - ''I ' ' ' Yours of Dec. 8th .in regard to estimate.for stone culverts, Bridges, is just received, I will begin work on estim^ate at once. Would like to know how much.time 1 can take to make it as it will re quire considerable work tor make ^ correct estimate, i — The stone masons have nearly all q^uit work for the winter. The wea,ther has been' very cold but is warmer today. The engine house at Cheyenne is nearly finished. Blacksmith shop is about tow-thirds finisheds. Culverts- we have built 115 which are partially^ covered and filled up- parties,are still at work. •• The bridge across the river is finished and cars crossing. Shall I make estimate for iron bridges 'to be put up in place of Howe Trurf3<ls, such as those across Papilliow and.Doup Pork? W, Snyder to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 14 (Telegram) Can repair 24 engines and more than 100 cars at once with ^hops complete to Ravlins, Can build SQ ears per week now, Machinery all bought by Amesj dont get prices here,-... ■■■ December, 18 68. Af-f" t > Kf W. Snyder to Gei . Dodge, Omaha,* 13:- ' I enclose copy of dispatch, sent you in reply to 3'"our request for statement of 'depots, tanks, equipment, &c. the N.Y. Office may have contracted for mo'rd cars and ehginess without my knowledge. Good depots are being put up a'S stations are opened, and I have contracted for three more at new siding this side of Laramie. T^nks erected this year are 16 X24 capacity and 50,000 gals, water. Coal houses east of Cheyenne hold 600 tons; front Cheyenne west capacity of 1000 tons, Evans has 4 more coal houses under contract.* W-e have under way in Omaha shops five flhst class coaches that will cost !j6300 to f6500 each, 4'baggage cars, 2 second class cars and are building ^ 2 box freight cars per day. I send you copies of our utober and November equipment r©points, allowing what our shops here are capable of doing. J. E. House to J. M. Ham, Omsha," 14: ^ -• d" h . ■ - ,<*•" Will you please fnrnlsh me with the tsmount expended by Supt. for the improvement of track for the month Of "September, October* einjd November? Note: SaaiL, A. M^ar to Gen. Dodge, Wilmington, Del* 14^ • Noti6e of meeting.of the^Executive Committee and Souterhn Railroad Association to be held on the 18th day of December. Jr W. Chapmfcn to 9«n. Dodge, CorUncil Bluffs, 14: I have not yet*hSftrd tPom you or from Qua since your arrival - ■■ .' December, 1868. . in iVashirgton. I ae,e ti\at the J^Iouse pjissed the Garfi.eld Bill by an overwhelming majority tjie other day but doubt if lit passed the Senate. I judge more jsirticularly from the action that body has taken and from ■ the reports of the same sent to the Tribune from, its Bureau at Washing ton, Those reporters seem to be the most reliable of any others- at least for II.Y, papers. will Wilson go into the Cabinet, and will Garfield or any mother similar bill be adbpted-In ypur opinion. The Ouster massacre, if it wasone- is having its influence against the changje, judging from what the newpspaers say of the matter» 1 " I expect to go to Washington in February mth Jojm T. Baldwin. I was never there, and I proixise to ^ee the sages of the Nation in -Council once, iprtieJther if avails anything otherwise or not. ' I saw your little daughter on the sidWMlk yesterday looking hearty. • . . "o, ■ There is a mcwtrtsofft foot just, at this time t'o gobble the Osage Indian Heserve fh southern Nebraska. Old Windy Smith of Des Molnes- a KasBon appointee- is their agent and he is my authority through a second party for saying this* It is thought .to^-be a big thin' Judge Mason of Nebraska told me that he could get an interest but thought, he had l?ettei* keep out and saV® his credit. ' Th® latest report from NebrasWi is to the effect thatf Tlpton is ^wwBf^ing, nnd that the Marquotte card is th® triimp^ at this time The fight lays between the two, and either suits me. December, 1868, r »1 I ^' «• t'.'C ' V. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 15:- I have today telegraphed P. 0. department at Wash ngton tha - we are ready to carry the U, 8, hails to Evanston '96 miles west of Bryan. This is with understanding on part of the special - agent of the P.O.D, here that we will take the! mail for present in ' box freight cars and on trains with Constn. material and at flbur own convenience, brut-promising to do the best we can. to get mails through promptly. Even this management will be of much benefit to Jthe Department and to the people west of us, as Wellp, Fargo <?<: Co8b ai'dministratltm of the mail service is simply a swindle upon the Government and ptilblic. %' Note: M, R, Mcrrgfen to Gen, Dodge, Ft. Leavenworth, 14:- In relation to increase of the Subsistence Department enclosing copy of bil for such purpose, . J, A, Ladd to W. Sriyder, Bryan, 14: ^ f Have' jus.t roturrtid from graders at head of Echo 14 '• miles west Jol^ fMesetJan. B^flereen 5 and 8 miles of grade-not yet com menced, They have no hPpwfl* of - reaching head of Echo in less than 60 days* This is reliable* >' • We are well supplied with' wood-and water west and-have con- »tr; j oiderable coal. Track west of Bryan is clear of material and emptry cars except such as al'e moving on trains, .The "Y" at Quak ing Asp Hi-ll Was put In' yesterday, also coal track at Boar River City, Have unloaded at end of trad: 207 cars iron, 140 cars tie;; & December, 1868, 25 cabs Salt Lalce freight,. Can forward 10 cars freight per day if necessary. Everything in good condition west of Bryan, From Gen. Dodge's Diary, 14jOn train^ enroute to Chicago. Tuesday, 15: Arrived in Chica.go, and put up at Tremont House. Met large number of Army of Tennssee old sold ers and officers; also who have served under, me. Attended reunion at niGht at Opera House. Note: G. Kennedy to Gen, Dodge, Oscecla]*. Iowa, 15:- In relation to appointment of iV, G. Agnue as fost Master, • H, S. McComb^ to Gen. Dodge, Wilmington, Del, 15: , rt dfhen 1 HSis getting up our Mississippi scheme you requested to bo counted in some shares. I put you down accordingly for $25000 but have not responted to the calls. Do you want it? If not please let me know by mail to New York. Wo have a meeting on Friday and I would like to haveiyou come on to it, I want to see you badly and have a talk wlth^ you. . . Note: a. A,. Dague to,.Gen. Dodge, Osceola, Iowa, 15: <.„.j 4 In relation to appointment of W,G, Agnue as P. li, tg. S, L. Glasgow. t« Gen, Dodge, Corydon, Iowa,-15:- . . _ V-f Hon. F, W, Palmer told me the o.Uier evening he started to ^meet.you in Ghipago some days ago; th. t he would, a® after an December, 1868. interview'with you. I have his letter- saying that you thought a desir able Consulship could be obtained for me, and that a post in one of the South -American States would be desirable; and that you would favor me with your influence to that effect. After thanking you for the assurance of your aid, I request that you secure the same for me if possible, as I think I would be pleased with such an appointment,if the duties are not beyond my reach. Please inform me of your views in the matter in answer to this, and from time to time as you may think necessary and /ha: work-you wish done by me. if any. T. C.-Durant to Gen, Dodge, New York, 15:- (telegram) Has ft site been selected and surveyed for depot near moutli of ffober? J. E. House to Gon, Dodge, Omaha, 15 (telegram) Profile on the way, McCabe and Morris at Ogden. W. SnyiWiy to Geh» Dodge, Omaha, 15:- Your letter of 8th received yesterday, t Will state privato- a ly that Mr, Biitdcensderfer and i agree equi ment needed for the i road as we had a friendly conversation on that point and tlie figures ho gives for engines, cars Ac* are same-as what I told him; Wo ought 'to have 1 locomotive for every 5 miles track; 3* freight cars(2-3 box 1-3 flat) for every 1 mile; L passenger coach (2-3 1st C, 1-4 8d» C.) for every 12 miles. One mail and express car on every 48 miles; one W'. December, 1868. . , ^ basca^e car on every 48 miles» . Me ought to have side track of 2000 ft, each, every 6 miles. -•'. . . House will get up a statement of all depots and buildings of every nature n the road, and I will addict him much as possible in getting it complete. Will send you statistics of engines &c., and copy of ray report as scon as completed, and will furnish all items as requested., ^ , 2-15:- I enclose copy of message received .from party sent to end of track and supposed to give me exact situation. I thinlc statement can bo relied upon fully. . - . r ' .p Since writing above have received dispatch that some track will be laid today. -I have plenty of material At hand for thf^s^ ^ .Note: F. & J* Rives & Geo. A. Bailey to Gen, Dodge, Washington, 15 Aflks if any change shall be made in address of parties to •bom thei» paper, Congressional Globe is sent on Gen, Dodges account. , * W. Soyder to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 16 (Telegram) -o Some track laid yesterday, first for two weeks; not yet to Evans ton. Some snow west of Laramie troubling this norning;.track t Alear oast of there, J, I', Eddy to Gen,^ Dodge, Omaha, 16;, , , Owi^ tou stormy weather and deep snow i did not go out to ElkJttom till yesterday. ' " ■ • 3 /••it Deceraber, 1068. Mr. Bailey says he has no use for more leans until spring, and dont want to keep an extra through the winter, so I did nothing toward getting him one. The cattle look well but none will do for beef as you thought, Mr, ^aile;; will send in a horse this vveek for Jim to ustf as he has one extra, I took the Pinto poney out to the farm. Have deposited the balance of tHMt Chase voucher from Gen, Myers, in the Oma .a National to your credit,- received The wood account with Mr, Frost will be paid the* ■latter part of this no nth. J. E. House to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 16:-• ' I send you today by Express map of 13th hundred to end of locatcbdn; also sent you yesterday profile of Phange on west Side of Promontory. Will send you map of that change-in a-few days, Mr, Hicksecker telegraphs that he sent you map and profile of changes from mouth of Weber to Humboldt Wells, It has not been re ceived at this office, i suppose he'SOTlt it direct to Washington. Should it arrive hSre will fbrward it as^ebon ah I can take a copy from it, but should you desire to have it sent immediately please' notify me. Track reached Evanston last* night,- • ' 'J-' " , ' P. ~, Need to Gen. Dodge, Chioagb,''l^Pj-' • 8 Will you please write me how you find little Armie; I sha feel much anxiety until I hear Ae is recovering. Tell her grand-pa December, 1868, Reed -.vants to know how ehe i t-;:i .frt' I had wanted to find you again tpciay but could not. I go home this evening. Remember ...e kindly bo your wife. Note: IvI. R. Morgan to Gen,-Dod.~e, Ft. Leavenworth, 16:- < , - In relation to bill for reorganization of Subsistence Deptd3es not want any action by Com. until he can get expression of officer" Sent a copy of a letter v;hich he wrote on the subject of that part of Gen. Grant's report whic i referred to the Subsistence, Department, From Gen, Dodge's Diary, 161'- » • Attended-meeting of Array of Tennessee in .day time and ban quet at night. Banquet waa partially a failure on account of lack of waiters, . . * ^ ' J. "i. House to Gen. J^dge, Omaha, 16 - On our new map of 20 miles to one inch do ^ou want to show all the surveys ,made? They can be^ put on with dotted iines and think it would add considerable to the map, t-.- Oeo, C. Tlchenor to Gen, Dodge, Des MoSnes, 17:- I have this day taken the liberty to Enclose to Mr. Childs, Chief Clerk in the office of the 2d Asst. P, M. General, a letter of introduction -to you. He is one of the old School of gentelmen and the real head of his department, I am indbbted to him for many favors amongst whic" is a commission as special agent of the department with December, 1868. ■ special instructions v/hereby I am enabled to travel to Washini:t6n or elseo'here in the U.S. free. X have just received tr^iSi You will find him a valuabla friend in the taatter of mail roubes, &c. ^ 1 presume you have observed the heavy art-icl<es -anjainst Govern- ' ment subsidies to railroads -.rhich appear daily in the "Register" and whidh drive especially at the U.P.-R-R. and the Pu'-et Sound enterprise. It is clear to my mind that these arewritten by or'at the dictation of Kasson, and in his interests as a^Ainst you, I have refused to have anything to do with the d d -cbncern and have withdrawn all sup port from it. We''taii3t kill' the present management and elect some man State printer next winter upon whom we can rely, Jim t7iison and Alli-^ son should give it tlieir particular attention, • I learn that Stewart Goodroll lan applicant for the Pension Agency hero. Thoro areihout a dozen hopeful candidates for Post tiaster here; d nt know who has the inside track, do you? Please commend me kindly td Mrs. Dodge. My'wife sends regards to yourseirand ilrs. D. I . , ^ ♦ t 'una* dl'i .f . • . W. Snydei* tb-' Geriv fifo'd^eV OMAKA', f '^vrd Ifad hea- vey snow %torra herb afiPl last week preventing us from doing anything on Rootnor's Bridge track Iowa s-ide. Gommeneed Friday 15th on it with large fored'and will ooraple'te by middle of next Week. Hav# BOtte heavy work on it. ; ' Sad orders not to build the bridge track previous to ray converaation with you here. » - ^ ■■ . ,•• '■ ■; . . ■ " ■<-J> V> •*^' v.^ ■ t . ' • ••, '*•- • -y .' . ' .^v T, •• . • . '•V - -V, ;.. \i; , •■ ■ ' .■ - - ^ -s ' L.'y"> ' .-^ , .-. •' ■ - ' , ■ ■.'4-- -r'- ■■'• .I,-. December, 1868. ,- Note: In relation to having the Union Pacific Railroad located » to • Echo suniiai.t so as to unite and for m a continuous line with -0 tJie Central Pacific Railroad as already located to that point. Has referred the latter of party to Ge/. 11.^ Dodge, the Chief Engineer of the road. ^No name given.) Note: Tios. P. Treynor to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 17:- Wants to be Postmaster ast Council Bluffs, and asks Gen. Dodg e's assistance and influence if he can give it consistently. Note; T. M. Brown to Gen. Dodge, Penn Yan,- New York, 17:- Wants an opportunity to iuvast in land on R.R- and wants Gen. Dodge to give him a hinit Qonoerning, a prospective good location. J. F. McCabe to Gen. Dodge, Salt fiake, 18 (Telegram) I want to be relieved from surveyor?. Worked 4 days, accom plished nothing. Impossible for mo to trace^U.S- Survey; all section corners and mcund^disappered, usel ess for m to try longer. Instruct me by telegraph to this place what., to do with party and outfit. S, H. H. Clark to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 18 (Telegram) ^ • ( r Mr. Hoxie is better, W. Sofyrdor to Gen. Dodge, Craaha, 18:- •i* T - r • • • T . The Comiuiaaioners got only ordinary allowance for last exar ination. I dont propose to bleed any more unless instructed in detail by H. Y, Office. . , . r ■ December, 1868. * "' ■ ■■ • ' ' 'o Reed iG laying about 1 mile of track per day; has plenty of ma terial, Ho is bound to act mean and is telegraphing falsely to N.Y. to embarass nto. Has not yet grades for side "track at' Evan-ston although main line is beyond there.- Already over 20 miles main line west of Aspen with only short span tracks for trains meeting, I have sent reliable man ahead of track to give me reliable infor 'mation as to progress with grading. Will let you know ho\7 case stands as'soon as I hear. Am going TTest early next week. Hoxie will then = be >ble to attend business. ' He is now at office' part of' the time. From Gon. Dodge's Diary, 18:- •' ^ Arrived hoihe at 10 P. M. iPound a large"ihail. •' ^ Saturday, 19:- - ^ Visited Mr, Brownin/^ith Mr. Ames and had a long conversa tion with him as to line located to head of Echo. I Infoi'med him ' that* the C.P. ".R. Company had never located the line, it wAs merely on paper; that curves had never been run in, <?-o. The adoption of this map filed in July by the Companj' and accepted in November by the Sec retary is an outrage and cannot be justified by any reasoning. In reply said 1st. that line was never located on ground. 2d that it is accepted when over 100 miles of the ground it pretended to -lay upon has been graded and properly bridged by the U.P.R*R'. ^'ompan^'. That it used unnecessary curvature and steep grades, &c. 3d, When filed by December, 1868, < , ^ . ♦ f the Company the end of track of U. P. H. -.v^s near llonum ent Point than G.P.R.R, and that the 300 miles that we are allowed to work in ad vance of track has covered this ground. That since the date of accept ance July 13th and when filed the end of the U.P.R.R, was only 60^ ^ miles away from the head of Echo and from Monument Point where the C. * . . * « P. R, R. track was run^, 4th, This.rixp does not, on its coritifcate in * • * its detail conform with instructions given by the Secretary of Interior on filing map "-hicli it sees the U, P. R, Company are obliged to comply with, and the C. P, R, R. are not obliged to comply with, see leeter, &c... 5th. The.,line as located,and built,upon by U.P.R. As the line reported on.by sp®cial Commissioners in which they say'^ "it is also from mouth of Weber to Monument Point, the line declared.by them is not practicable and on which they estimate," Th r line pretends to lay on the same or very nearly the same grade that ours is now b uiliiing upon,. The injustice of.thlp appears when it is shown the difference in distance from Monumnent Point to end of Each Company's • ' ^ , .1, ' track which is as follows; " and whep. present for filing the law gives them no rights, they Aot being even within 300 miles of track. Finally the C. P, Company have no probability of building over any portion of their line while the U.P, Company are now laying track over a portion of it and early in spring will cover the entire distance, On Monday jB^lled on Dr, Bqden wlio said it would ^ost^l50 to cure Annie, He coitittonne^ doctoring her, . 1. -'"trrfc r.. • 769 ■ •' •' Deceraher, 1868. Note: Geo, k. Otis'to'Gert, W. LlcStellan, New York, 19:- In rel'tion to mails; says their a^ent at Bryan telegraphs that railroad is not in condition to take maisl or passengers west of ^hore. Note: Geo. W. Hc^tellan to Oliver Ames, Washington,19: " * n0 •' In relation to carrying of mail west of Bryan hy'Y.p.R^R. W. F, Sapp to General Dodge, Council Bluffs, 20:- Your very kind'letter of the 10th inst. came duly to hand, I am under renewed obligations to yoil f6r J'our promptness and kindness, I hope yoil will be able to get a majority of the lotra delegation for me. I "have the utmost confidence in your ability to secure me this . - I position and always have had. I am not surprised at Harlan for I was for Kirkwood and he kno.vs it. This is the ca; se- he can have no other, \7hat can I do here? if anything. All my friends in different parts of the State are anxious I should succeed as far as I have heard. Please keep me posted. I have a number of friends in the Ohio delegation that will do all they can- if they can be of any service. Note: A. Hickenloopor to Gen. Dodge, Cincinnati, 21*1- * Acknowledges receipt of fSO Toh Mcpherson Monument Association. Gen. Dodge to Hon. Cakes Ames, Now ^ork, 221 (Telegram) Get date of filing and caccoptahce of C.P. Map; allso ascer tain where end of C. P. Track war. at those dates- also how many miles December, 1868, , Governrnent. h3.G notice of .as rbuilt at tlios'e dates. r ■ Note: David Lennep to J. T^.- House, Dn3»'^nville,' 21:- ^ends bill for $55,56, and desires draft to be sent to A. , 0. Yan Lennep, He'-v York, , • . Note: J, E, House to W. P, Kennedy, Omaha, 22:- Enclosos chock for $355.27, beipg the amount of vouchers , received for supplies purchased by John O'Neil Asst. Engr, ^ W..Snydor to Gen, Dod^e, Omaha, 22:- ■ • • . Yours Ist reached me yesterday on my return from a two weeks trip over the road, - - ^ . 815 miles track laid up to last nif^t, I have over three hundred cars of ties and iron landed west of Bonton and supply, faster than -they lay trac':. Have 40 miles of iron unloaded at Benton. Durant, Seymour and Genl, McCollum at Chicago, T.G.D. is sick •there; expecting kll here in a couple days. Have my goods ready for any emergency and can retire in good order. _ . . Hoxie quite sick, I am very uneasy about him. Will write you at length.as soon as I can, J-send you-papers daily, L. S. Hicksecker to Gen. Bodge, Salt Lake City,-22:- ^ Your favor of' the 8th inst, is received, I havo forv/arded c profile from Rim of Great Basin to Sta, 400 Echo Canon- for you- to Mr, House atotmt a week ago. Have the remaining to mouth of Weber nearly December, 1868, fininhed and will forward it wifhou't -J«lay, I have also made copies of Harris* 116 ft. and 150 ft. grade lines- for temporary track- East slope of Promontory, and will send them with the above. Except myself, there is no one in this office at present. .Mr, Hodges discharged all his men. I have had no timer thus far, to work on the estimate commenced by Mr* North and fear I shall not have for some t .me'to come, for iiave yet to'make a complete map tod profile, from mouth of Weber to Humboldt Bells, for Mr. House. Mr, -Morris' party will be in soon, and I will then se6i®t6 having tlie estimate fin ished as you desire. Maps and profiles of ohanges of line on east and west slopes of promontory 1 have sent to Omaha; Mr. MsLxwell passed thf«ou^' this city yesterday, and f]?om him I leam that the C.P.R.H* hat^c located to''festem slope of Promontory, and are •now-working on thatj that they ha-ve nearly graded across mud flats west of Prombntoryj Line a oQt half a id lie north of ours; em bankment average 11-2 ft. Also that they are grading on eastern slope of Promontory and in places between therb and Ogden City. Mr. Morrla wins here last night* He thintos the C.p.r.r. have probably" finished their locat' on across the Promontory and. as far East as Ogden, tod expects they will no-v locate a line from Ogden to Salt Lake City. * ' Be have had a very mild and open winter here thus far. On the 18th inst. we had the first snow storm of the season, and then only 2 inches of snow fall. ' December, 1868. : r '■ ' • J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 22 (Telegram) i Sent estimates to your address Washington. The 18th to Decem.ber 1st. J. E. Hoiise to" Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 22:- I am again in need of funds. Still have a few blank draft digned by yourself. Shall I drew on N.Y. for what I need or will you arrange it for me by sending draft yourself? I paid your order to Mr. Iloxie this" morning aiaounting'to $5200 and charged Chief Engineer act. with the amount, F. S. Hodges arrived here Saturday, and will leave for home in a few days. He sold his transportation for the following amounts; One 9 mule team and harness $550. One 6 mule team and wagon« , « '^JliOO. liOO. Sijy: *ril i 800. One Poney I have settled with him, paying him up to December 31, 1868, , Henry D. Carrington to Gen. Dodge, Ft. Sedgwick, G.T.22:- «. * * I send you copy of Mrs, Garrington's book. You have prob- • <0 ably seen it, as the press has universally noticed it. Mrs. G. wished mo to send you a copy before this, but your a.sence west prevented until I learned you were again at Coxuicil Bluffs. If you will give fflia the surveyed route and all the R.Road sta- December, 18G8. . tions witb. distances I should like to liave,,the map corrected to corre- » • ♦ • • • « spond in now^ edition. . Gen. Meredith '/.'ill furnish his surveys of Montana for an appendix. I have the r port of the Commissioners, showing that the rail road company has, as I know(after being the Atty. for 12 years of all R.Roads meeting at Columbus, 0) complied with all that.^.entitied it to • • • the full suppport of the Government, Pleas e read the book carefully and write me (or Mrs. C.) your views, i. Your own pa^-jers and tliosC'of ^ Omaha should welcome such a srolume. The people at the least do not begin to appreciate the value and in trinsic excellence of tb© Road and route. You, as well as myself, can appreciate the change since 1865. I, thinlc the railroad authorities ^ will appreciate Mrs® C's book, and if you have data to ad;^ to the map, make them. Cut the ma out and send it to me tfor new edition, and I will orders others cent you-vith Korrections made,.with aj^reciation cf your labors, which Ithink the book recognizes, L, B, Boomer to Gen, Dodge, Chicago, 23 (Telegram) Dillon, Duff,'Siokel's and myself start for Omaha 3 o'clock ( ■ ■ • ; . • ,, ■ . They wish to' see Durant, If in'Omaha inform htm. Gen, bodge to J. 12. House, New York, 23:- ft I paid those vouchers today by draft on J, J. Cisco, Give him credit and re'turn it in Bridge vouchers, ' ■ ' . rj(f 774,,. December, 1868, From Gen, -l3od^'s Diary, 24 5- Commencdd writing answer to Brovming's letter on location, •Ames in Washington to settle with Govt, Telegraphed'Morris and Ricksecker about C.P.R.*R. -Wrote Moirris about town above Ogden; also Baldwin and Siiyder, ' ' • • Thursday, 24j- •' • Ames returned from Washington, Basis of settlement is 1-2 first mortgage bonds from GOOtrt ittile fiost until 000,000 is retained •'by Government. Finished letter to Browning, Grimes and Allison call ed in evening and discussed question of man, &c, ■'^nnie 1 ost her muff; mad as- a'Earoh hare. Bought lots of thinTS for the ch'.ldron, ^ ' ' R, !.',Walker to Gan. Dodge, San Francisco, Cal,, 24:- I forward by Wells, Fargo & Co, this day map and profile of Cowelitz Pass, and will send you in a day or two map of Sno-qualmie line, I owe you an apology'for not sending this sooner, but soon after attswering your dispatch was engaged to work up some land matters and have-been ^on 'thA i|ump day Mid night.since, • ' -f*,-; I was in hopes to have gotten from the engineer who run the line of the Sno-qual-mio some data, but he is not-on the Sound and I must work up-come from few notes ftnd my knowledge of distances, elevations. I have been o'^liged to fold the map in order to get it into the Express treasure box. f'l- %., December, 1868, S. B. Reed to Oliver Ames.,; Echo, Utah,* 23 (Tel4»gram) - Have paid for grading, masonry, ties and bridge timber from -Present end of track at head,of Echo to Salt Lake Valley $2,260,000. Paid for-gradffig west of Promontory Point $95,000, The above amounts are to the first of Decembe; , Nearly one months ^worlc to be added which is not yet estimated. _.»,«• , L. U. Ricksecker tq Gen. Dodge, Salt Lake, 24:-:;- (telegram) Central Pacific have located through to Ogden. They are - grading on mud flats and on eastern slope of Promontory, and in places between there and Ogden. *: • J. E. House.to Gen. I>pdge, Omaha,.24: "1 ( Williamson wrote mo from Evanston, that he could not sell my property there. He has sold but one-Iqt, He says that the people are all going to ECho City, where there has been another rival town laid off, fcCt * . ' I. do not know dhAt to do, who then to call him in and town lot matter" go for this winter or not. As there can be no tiling dnaetthis side of Salt-'Lake, why not have that town laid off at once and see if anything can be dobe there? >i do not know where the best location is for a town; can you inform-me? _ . _ I am gutting up the report of sidings, buildings, &c. as called for in your letter of the 8th, December, 1868. note; A. H. Barrows, to Gen. Dodf^e, Osceola, Iowa, 25:- /* "In •relation relation to appointment of Post Master at that place. James P. Wilson to Ge n. Dod^e, Nev;ark, 0,. 25; Yours of 22d just received. I 'vro-te to Coolbauch last "Tuesday and told him to telegraph to mo if the proper time had arrived for movin,<;:. Mave not hear d fronl him yet* I wrote to yoh same day, 60 Is too low for U. P. stock; unless more can be had it would be bette to hold it. Unless you can be pretty well assured thatC.M.A. 'will' ijeceive the Jarly, dividend of which you speaik and can {;^et 450 for mine let it ^o. at that, though T have no doubt it is really worth more, but I iTiust have some "funds. " o* • iI .hope you Vlll scorch" Browning good in your answer to his letter, He richly deserves i t, ' ' ^ ' ■ ■ ■ ■ .■ or. ■ ' If a dividend should be declared on C. M. A. before yiou sell, then close It out dividend and all. , I vTill leavo here Tdr ¥ashlng"tfon on Shhday night and reach v;, on Monday evon'ng. Wlte to me there". If there is A chance fo-r doing anything in N.Y, I may go over ne xt week. '«\Theii will you return to V/7 Note; G. G. Kennedy to Gerf, Dodge Osceola, Iowa, 25;- In relation to Post Master at Osceola. 77ants Mr. Agnue appo inted. t 0 Gen, Dodge to J. P. House, JJew York 25:-"• f p:C. u.. , rr.-': i, o"'. D^ceiiiber, 1860. You can out dotted lines on map to show sur.veys, but what I w.ant shown mainly is the final location ?/ith stations &c. I notices in t,he profile returned here of line over Promontory Point, it is the 90 ft. grade line; the line adopted is 80 ft. grade lino. Morris writes under Dec. iaid that he sent all changes to Ricks^cker. He therefore must };ave the correct profile and- part of line from mouth of 7/eber to Monument Point. As soon as McCabe's pai'ty has established the line through sections up past Ogden and the table land you better go to Ogden and superintend the ^establisiynent of that town. Fix prices on lots and put V.illiamson or some one in charge. This tow.'! will need attention and wants to be ^started right. Morris * has instructions to ascertain the cost to bring ivater to it, and Mc. Cabe also had instructions to determine definitely the odd and even s.ections* . g 3. B. Reed to Oliver Ames, Echo, Utah, ^5; (Telegram) Statement includes 19,000 between mouth of Weber and Monument Point. December estimate for grading, bridging- and ties in advance of track wi ll be about $800,00,0. ^ , Prom Gen. DoidgVs'W^ary, 28,sGrading, masonry, ties and brid-e timber head of Echo to Salt Lake 55 miles cost 54,000 per mile or $2,900,00 as per estiiaate of Reed up to December Slat, $500,000. . Much y.et to be done a^ddition $1500 per mile for iron, making road cost $69 000 per mile, ~ Eiecember, 18G8. Ger. Dodge to J. J. Cisco ''SV* 26:- I have this day given yon credit on the books of this ofl'icS for $2940, it being the amount received from P. Hodges, Asst. Eng ineer, proceeds of sale Of transportation in Salt Lake Oity. Thos. B. Morris to Gen, Dodge, Salt Lak,e 26:- (Telegram) C.P.R'R. July 15th Big Bend of Truckee; October 22d Reese River, December 24th, ^0 miles east' of Maggie Creek or 40 miles west of Huinboldt:,lli^8, . . Note: R, Dague to Gen, Dodge, Oseceola, lowa, 26:- In relation to Post master at Osceola, Wants Mr, Agnue ap pointed In place pf Mr. Polly Hcc* • Note: L, E. Rickaeckor to J. E. Houae-, Salt Lalce City, 26:- Givea estlJDate of profiles sent to Mr, House for Gen. Dodge per Wells, Fargo &: Go's Express, J. 0. Hudnutt to g^en. Dodge, Camp Snalce River, 10 miles from Boise Road, 26;- - ■ ■ My IJne is within 10 miles of the Perry on the Boise Road. We have been dietained by bad weather else we should have been 30 miles further with'the surveys. Now it is settled and pleasant again, I continued the line fown_the river from King Hill, partly because that route is eo free from undulating grades and the wish to have an accurate map of the river*- The distance will be a little longer than December, 1868, . "' .' by the -.lain, with raore curvature and less undulation in grades. I could have got away from, the river and" onto the plain at the mouth of the Rattlesnake 20. miles from Kiftig: Hill« Prom thenbe to." plain becomes more fitted for agriculture as well as R.R.lines, but while at. Bo-ise City I saw that-should the line, by the. plain be'run that, all the land fit for cultivation-consisting of a belt from 5 to-10 miles wide from Boise City to the mout'. of the Payette River, would be grabbed-as most of it is surveyed. The river route would give us a. godd comparative estimate: and throw dust in the eyes, of speculators. . The long canons fey the river route extend at intervals of botto between thera-for only 40 miles and generally have narrow benches for R-.R. grade and very few rocky• points. And from my present camp clear to Old Ferr;; the Bluff changes Its character and broad'open bottomw extend. To rise out of the river valley at the Rattlesnake Creek ' would require a loss of elevation of 600-ft, that would have to be made over again in gradients beside the undulations-beforo reach'lftg' the-Common point of juhCtlou^et the mouth of feoise River. In this respect the river line i ha^e''i»ull hAs greatly the advantage, Uit if compelled to feuilt the Franch'with a" "land grant" I have no doubt that the true route will be fe y the plain. Bankers charge 2 1-2 pSr oi. exchange for drafts on H.Y. but I can draw on you at UTaahlngtion for 2 per ct. exchange which is bettor "m DecemlDer, 1868. , ■ i than- tq leposil^.in Salt Lake City as no commercial transactions are made that way , I have drawn on you for :J4000 and placed it on deposit here. Hop» tjiat my decisions with regard to. ^.the route of survey, &c. v/ill meet with your approval. . , , r, Wote: R. A. Dague to Gen. Dodge, Osceola, Iowa, 27: • • Sends additional petitions to Gen., Dodge to have Mr. Agnue appointed Post master at that place. Wants him to confer with Senator Harlan as he will give more light on the subject. , Prom Gen. Dodge's Diarj'-, 27:- * > . • y On completion of the.Pacific Railway New York will then lay • • . • directly in,the great highway between Europe .and the East; the whole world will be turned round and the theory of Golum .us verified at last. •„ It is estimated when U.P.R.R. ,is completed the jqiirney around .u ^ » p the earth will be redacad. to 80 days. Now it takes 104; not only the t ..water course between Japan and Europe but also between Australia and Europe will then find itsquiokeat route across the American Continent. John T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Council Bluffs, 28:- Everott accepts your offer of $250 per acre for each half of south-east (juarter section 34, Will you take it? ^ 3.B.Reed to Oliver Ames, Spho City, Utah, 28;- (Telegram) Monrument Point about Nov. 20th. Commenced work within a few days tlieroafter. X' , I ^ V' r. •'». „ ■ - . .^V ■ A'". December, 1868. W. Snyder to Gen. Dodge, Evanston, Utah, 27:- (Telegram) Track seven miles down Echo Canon; weatrfer fine, prospect go od, W. Snyder to Oliver Ames, Evanston, Utah, 28:- (Telegram) Letter 20th received. I'ai'ls arriving here daily promptly, and facilities ample. Good house here. Through mails heach destinatio'n one day sooner than did by Wells, Pargo & Co, from Bryan. J. E. House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 28:- (Telegram) I havd the map but no estimate or profile. He took them East and will see you. ' ' * ' . Geo, C.Tichonor to Gen, Dodge, Des Moines, 28:- ^ I have written a careful and I think very good article wldcli will appear as a leader in the Daily and Weekly Register tomorrow, on the subject of Belknap's addrehs,* *1 "think you and Gen, Rawlins will bo satisfied v/ith it, and that the 13th and I6th corps will thank Bellmap fob furnishing an opportunity for the apperanc :of the arti cle, I will arrange to l:ave it copied into all the leading pap^ra of this State as well as of Illinois and other western states. I will try to find and ednd you the'Reglster Containing the offensive articles on subsidies to Pacific railroad, g'e itlust tlean out that concern at the next election for State Printer. You should have Wilson and Allison'understand this. ■ --v. ■ ^ . 'X.j' ; I, ■ ■■ ■ • ■ - ■- ■ , " - .T^i " .'. ■ v ' . ■:?:-•■■ •/ ■ ■-■ December, 1868, ' • • ' ' I have a special commission from the-f^r Ml'General with instruc tions to malce some investigations in the mail service in Missouri j Illinois and other states and to repori in person in Washington, and I-shall get there in February and remain Until after*the 4th of March. I would like to attract favorable notice of Rawlins. Let me again urge you to press that matter for-Hooker, it is very important thatthe get that place. It would strengthen you and your friends, and Allison and Wilson would have much to gain from his •friendship in such a position. Please let me know what you can do in this matter. I was so situated that I could not be at Chicago. Note: Concerning a supplemental report of Jesse L. Williams, Government ll^irector. Union Pacific Railroad, explaining his estimate f $35,000 per mile referred to in report of Secretary of Interior. Note: Mangel'Wicks to Gen. Dodge, Wymong, 28:- Wants tt-tie contract. Will divide margin. "Goo. E. Porfl to' Qen'i Dodge, Ship Island, Miss,,'28:- I am in receipt of your favor of the 19th inst. The pa -ers on file in the Department are ybur hecomraendations for Brvts. of Maj. and Lieut. Col, of Vols, and Gen# Williamson's recommendation for Bvt. Col. of Vols; My military history and your letters for appointment as Ist Lieut. U.S.Army. * If you could use Williamson's communication for 1st Bvt. for the ^ ■ . ■ . . -■ V'-'P " - - l.'*' • , V- ■ ■ •• >r 'f. . . r' ' • . . • • t* December, 1868, * ^ battle of Ringgold, Ga., and your own for anotlier> for the Atlanta Campaign, it would be all I could desire. I enlisted July 2d, '61* Appointed 2d Lieut, 4th Iowa Infantry Jan, 23d, '62, Captain 4th Iowa Infantry August 8th, 1862, and A. d.C. with rank a Captain March 13th, 1865. Was mustered out of service Jan. 12, '66, . ■ e*". Hope that this will answer your purpose, and that I may receive the appointment I deBire* • - , ^ . J. K. Williamson to Gen, Dodge, Montana, Iowa, 28:- I am here on my way home to spend the New Year day with my family. I .oould not sell, any ■ lots at Evanston (the Bear River town) ev body is wanting to go to the town ia-the valley. Now is the time that the town there ahould b® laid off# If it is not done soon rival towns will be started and no money can be made out of, it. Echo City (at the mouth of the.Canon) killed the Bear. River town,. This town is owned mostly by raijroad ra®i| who do all th^ can against the towns laid off by the pompany. •• , was over in the valley, a few days ago and saw llcCabe who you know is trying to find the orlginfil Government surveys. He told me that he could nat find any of the comers, I saw Gen, • Clark the• aurveyor General of Utah, and ho says the Govervi»®nt will hav® tOr .tv« ^ r ■ . ' 0 •• r' ■ December, 1868, cause a re-survey to be Made. Dr. Durgint requested, me. to write to you and ask you-to try and get Clark ordered or authorized to -lake a new survey. If you can get this done please try and get Clark to give ' O'Neil a contract. Durant Ordered O'Neil to go there and see what he could do toward finding the original survey, and he is on his way there now. Brigham Young wants the town at Ogden, but I see no chance for the Company to make anything.there, as the Mormons have possession Of all that country and territory. I tliink that a large town will grow up there if it is started in time. Several persons .are wanting.to. get the agency bf the town there. I hope you will say to Mr. House to let ma h&ve It as I have worked hard at*the others and have not made one dollar above expenses yet. Write me at D3s Meines,Is you,get this letter in three, four or five days from date. . ' ■\ r, Mote: t;. n. Laws to 0«n. Obdge, Osceola,"Iowa, 28:- ' In relation to Post Office at that'placoi Wants Wm. Polley retained as Post Master, . ■ . r. Note: J. V, Thorapoon 16 Oen, Dodge, Deo Moines, 28:r' In rolatiofi tb Pension Agency. Wants Gen, Dodge's opinion as to the course of tAe incoming adminlstrati n towards soldiers holding appointments who are considered conservative &c, and is anxious to retain his pobition. December, 1868. . - John T. Baldwin to Gen. Dodge, Council-Bluffs, 2B:~ n Your favor of 23d received. If you cannot do anything with Anderson's note send it to me. . I telegraphed you today that' Everett has accepted your offeh for his land $250 per acre. . Let me know how the deed is to be made andj money paid. Send us draft on New York for 20 or 25 thousand. We will not use if if you dont need th^ money except for statement. House has just drawn the last of what you left for him. There is a strong effort being.made for Treynor for.Post-master. L. RoSs has written strong- letters to Palmer, Harlan and oi hers for TrayrTor. He would do the same for others if he could get the pay for it. Chapman has jdst written a strong letter on Belknap's Chicago speech. It will be in Nonpareil tomorrow, ^ ■J. H. Eddy to Gen, Dodge, Omaha, 29:- " r , If an appointment of the kin! is to ^ntiade I would respect fully solicit the Genl, Ageflcy under.you of the tpwn.lot business. I would strive earnestly to,j and am confident I could give satisfact ion to yourself and the R.R. Company. ,• • t-, - L-. C. Boomer to Gen, Doidge, Chicago,29:- . , ' When yom iwiro here last you said I should have the engine and boiler frcfei ywd" Burnettifelng Works In On»a|ia and as I am ready now to dOMienae operatlowr 1 Irould like to have you give the proer person there the authority to deliver them to, me, with instructions to ^ II .'uia December, 16G8, load them on the earn and send them tb the F.r"id[;:e location. Perhaps you. may hawe ^iven the necessary instructions, if so, all. right* . Gen. Smith starts for Omaha this afternoon. Note:- Statement of. cars switched from Trinidad to Denver Fuel Company's Mine for that company. Note: Jas. A..Eyan3 to J. E. House, Bryan, 29:- Encloses bill (receipted) of materials furnished PI.. Ilardin'". Loaves for the East on the 1st. Nbte: Leon F. Pallady to Gen. Dodge", North Platie,. 29:-. . Want.s position, as Mail Messenger or Baggage Master on U.P. R.R. , and wants Ben. Dodge's influence in getting it. : J. E, House to Gen. Dodge, Omaha, 29:- - • . I received yout telegram today regarding the location of town at Salt Lakpj.also asking me to go out &c.'I am very sorry thot I cannot gp inmedj.a'tply. My family matters are such that I cannot leave home at present. 1- will do. all I can to forward the matter and will go out myself just as soon as, r can leave home. Note: Tinion Pacific Railroad Company estimate to Contractors for "building road west of 100th meridian, Dec. 31st": James F. Wilson to Gen. Dodge, iVashington, D.C.,30:»- Yours of the 29th in just jreceived. Ames' statement |of amount due on C.m.w, lW5B;orrect, and I hope the last dividend vvhich | sV\k Deconber, 1868, . •' ,■ you oay hajs boon made will enable you to -close out my interest before you leave K.Y. at good figures.- I felt sure .that the rise, in C.R.i, & P. was not owing .to the cause oh which I depend for on operation. Your letter shows that in thi's I was right, • I find that a now question has, arisen in tlie Treasury Department of interest to-you and" those engaged, in the U.P.. You may: have heard of it,.but ,I thought it worth while men.tiohing as possibly it has not come to your Icnowledge , The question orose out of the power of the U , P. & C., P, to issue first mortgage bondS on these respective roads for 100 miles in advance of completed road. The two roads on nearing each otlier; suppose the amount of first'mohtgage bonds issued by . . them respectively lap 50-or 100 miles, how is the Government-to deter mine which Company will build the extend of line' represented by the araount of the Company's bohds so issued? If the U,P, should build 50 miles of road west of the point covered by the C. P, bonds, then the latter would hot Oe entitled to tT.S, bohdif on their last 50 miles of road actually constructed by it, and, of course, the reverse of this statement will apply to the U.P« This being the case It looks as though the two comjianles "iHUiftt agree* oh the point of junct .on, other wise run t-he rick of ha'ving OoVarnmont bonds withheld until the junc tion should liav'e been effeoted. This is the case as l.got it* If you haVe not heard of this before you ne«^d not diclosjS yo.ur source of information. December, 1863, . It i3: probable that I may run over to N. Y, Thursday night, though I dont much expec% it. , ' The Iowa bill will come up on Tltursday in the morning hour, un less the morning hour shall be dispensed with. The only safe plan is to be on handy' . f V--''*' " ^y^esse L. illiams to Gen. Dodge, - • - f . •Enclosed please find cqpy^of-a communication just received from the -Gee retary of the Interior respecting tho location of the road between the head of Echo and Nomunemt Point, together with a copy of ray reply thereto. ' - r M You "ill please apply at once to the'Secretary for a copy of the location referred tq, aq having been filed by the Central Pacific Rail road coTOparty of California, and report to this office the difference if- any exlats botwa«n Vhat location and the one onado by you during the past season upon'i<hJi®h Wie roqd is now being constructed. If the two locations should-pr^ve to ^e substantially tho same :!^au will .^lease have the maps and procflles required by the Secretary. prepared for filing at once, , J. . House to Cren, Dodge, Omaha, 30:- _ Mr Biiyder telegraphs me frwri Evans ton that he will make a divisional station at head pf Echo and cal the town Wahsatch, The town will be laid cut at once and shall try to sell some lots there. This will do away with that town at mouth of Echo, December, 1868. • - ' ' ( I will endeavor throush Mr, Blickensderfor to ascertain what pro gress McCabe made in findin*-; the section lines, and if he succeeds will have the odd section determined at once and order the laying off the town. If my wife -gets alon'- as well as I hope '.vill be able to go o^t myself; should she not, will se :d Eddy out in the course of a week. I suppose from the profile that the proper place for-the town should be about 4 miles beyond Ogden. t shall have the odd section deter mined even if it has to M done approximately by running line from Salt Lake, I sdopose we Can find some known section corner there. I am having a tracing made of Hodge's map for you, and aill for ward ad soon as oomplated. Am getting up the information as radpili^ ^ as possible of stations, sidings, buildings, do, w The weather is fine and beautiful as you could wish. The appraisers have been appointed, and will proceed at onde to condemn right of way and depot ground. I was unable to make the arrangement Mr. Dillon wanted on 13th St. The parties were opposed to our entrance upon the ground till some definite arrangement was made. I v;rote him to that effect. . .. No. 2- 31:- - — < ' . . I enclose herewith abstract and vouchdr»3 of engineering, town lot and Missouri River" Bridge acts, for the month of Docember, '1668, amounting to f14,404.51, forwarded to you for approval. • ' I ' Decenber, 1868. ^ . I also enclose statoraonts sho;vin'~ face-of ledger Dec. Slst, 1868, and amoimt of vouchers returned J.. J, c isco during the year 1868. L/- You will notice voucher :Ct. is charged with $300. This is a service voucher returned by Hodges, who received credit for it but not being properly signed has been forwarded to H, for signature and will be returned in January. Mr* Blickensderfer's vouchers all that have been returned to this office, have been forwarded to you, Mr. Bent stands charged on- the books v/ith $2,483.61, and I hold his order * on Lindsay for tliat amount, and when paid will balance his account. The $3000 draft^on Cisco drawn at Salt Lake City has been credited to him and the amount accounted for* . Thos. B.-M^rie io Gen. Dodge, Hot Springs, Sale Lake City, 31;- ^ Have never seen nor heard from o'Neil* Did not, receive you telegram about him nor your letter. Received orders today f rom Reed to report with my p^rty to Dr. ^urant at Cgden. I. shall wait answer to this. , •' V "•/ ' Frank W. Palmer to Gen. Dodge, Des Moines, 31:- _ ; Your letter of the 26th reached.ave this morning. I will pursue course suggested-by-,y-ou relative to--the Council Bluffs Post Office. If you should- have any preference among the c^mdidates, I; wish you would advise me of them. t Parties in Clark County have- asked me to solicit your interfer ence in behalf of a remonstrance against the removal of Polly and the December, 18G3. appointment bf A^nue in Osceola, I know nothing: of the facts, but have 7;rltten the parties that I doubted not-you \70uid encourage a fair hearing of both parti es. • r r. i think^ Ihe appointment of- Druramond was an excellent one, and i certainly ought to-give satisfaction, I am surprised that Wilson thinks- bf dividing the Attorney Gen eralship. On the receipt of your letter I ^ent and saw Charley Hourse and he told me l need not consider him a candi date for Di t. Atty. This will leave you free to support Sapp heartily but, of course, Sapp' appointment cannot'" bo secured unless Clark, U.S.Marshal, should be superseded by Melindy or some other applicant. Please hold thd appointment of- store-keeper in abeyance for a 4 few days, I do not'know wlieter it is' Of any value or not, but if it is it" ought to bo carefully "Wstowed*. I am fairly flooed with applicants from'the several counties of the district TOr ^pf)ointments, while there will be but very few to bestow, ^I do not iTitend to start for Washington before-the middle of I February, bu' will go earliest if hecossary, Oakes Ames to Gen, Dodge, North Eaa'toni 26:- Yot®* note asking for the amount in my-hands on the Credit Mobilior stock belonging- to W , I believe it stahds tlius: 1000 Credit Mobilier stock; 2160 Union Pacific Railroad stock; 750 Certificate for bonds, t . ■v'- • December, 1868, ■' * I think the above ia the amount in ray' hands as it-now shows. I have the $1000 stock of the Credit Mobilier in a certificate that I can endorse over-the others az'e included in larger certificates,- Ican take on a certificate and take this'from it, I hope you will contrive some way to stop the-leaks out on the road, I*will not go back to'Washington until about the time we meet. I see by a California paper that they intend to meet'us 150'miles t is slde~6f Salt take and at'the foot of Wahsatch Mountains, Note: S, R. Craig to N.' P, Dodge, Philadelphia, 30: In relation to'property which Gen, Dodge sold him. Declines to pay taxes until the thing is settled, and v/ill hold II. P, Dodge f-esponsible for Its correct settlement, < Peter I'elindy to Gen, Dodge, Des MOines, June 13th:- (Telegram) Extend ah invitation to Grant and Colfax to visit Des MoineJ fes they go West, Answer. " J. Blickensdorfer, Jr. to Gen, Dodge, Salt Lake City, June 15:- Message of Saturday received. It is already ascertained that rifn can be overcome with 53 ft, grades, Hudnutt is now working towards Greon River, Letter in detail, ' " Note: Jas, A. Houghs to Gen. Dodge, North Bend, January 1:- ' Wants appointment as Mail Agent on U,P,R,R* Note: Estimate of gold dust and bullion .tal?en from Idaho Terri tory in 1^67 & 1B68, " f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource Data chronologically arranged for ready-reference in the preparation of a biography of Grenville Mellen Dodge. Correspondence, diaries, business papers, speeches, and miscellaneous notes related to Dodge's family history, Civil War activities, railroad construction, life in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and travels in Europe. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1851-1916 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource General Dodge Papers - Book 7 - December 1868 Subject The topic of the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 -- Correspondence. Union Pacific Railroad Company. Generals -- United States -- Biography. Railroads -- History. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Correspondence Description An account of the resource General Dodge Papers - The Union Pacific Railroad Period, Book 7 December 1868 For an index for Book 7, please refer to the "General Dodge Papers - Book 7 Index" record. Typescripts of originals housed at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dodge, Grenville M., 1831-1916 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1868 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Document Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context B D6643z Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Council Bluffs, Iowa Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Educational use only, no other permissions given. U.S. and international copyright laws may protect this item. Commercial use or distribution is not permitted without prior permission of the copyright holder. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Book 1868 General Grenville M. Dodge Union Pacific Railroad