Post by *Marjorie on Aug 18, 2020 15:42:27 GMT -7
exhibits.usu.edu/exhibits/show/transcontinentalrailroad/anticipationandanxiety/latterdaysaints
Latter-day Saints on the Transcontinental Railroad
From the Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, A-board Historical Photo collection, A-3392a.
Brigham Young was one of the earliest supporters of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). In 1863, before the UPRR began construction, he purchased $5,000 worth of stock in the railroad. Young was eager to be included in the project from the beginning, hoping it would be built through Utah. Young believed that the railroad would bring new LDS Church members and much-needed cash to the territory.
After construction began, he said, True to his word to support the railroad, Young welcomed surveying parties and gave them supplies and guides. Later, he contracted with the UPRR to build the railroad through Echo and Weber Canyons in Utah. He maintained contact with the executives of the UPRR by letter and telegram during construction, desperately trying in vain to get them to build a direct line to Salt Lake City.
Soon after the railroad line was finished, however, he began the Central Utah Railroad project to connect Ogden to the capitol.
From the Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, A-board Historical Photo collection, A-3392a.
Brigham Young was one of the earliest supporters of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). In 1863, before the UPRR began construction, he purchased $5,000 worth of stock in the railroad. Young was eager to be included in the project from the beginning, hoping it would be built through Utah. Young believed that the railroad would bring new LDS Church members and much-needed cash to the territory.
After construction began, he said,
“hurry up! Hasten the work! We want to hear the iron horse puffing through this valley. What for! To bring our brethren and sisters here.”
Soon after the railroad line was finished, however, he began the Central Utah Railroad project to connect Ogden to the capitol.
The Union Pacific Railroad is Bankrupt
Once the transcontinental railroad was complete, the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) had to pay back its previous debts. Despite having received millions of dollars in government funding, shady bookkeeping bankrupted the UPRR and they needed to rebuild large sections of poorly built track. Moreover, they were unable to pay the employees who had built the railroad through Utah. For the Mormons whose farms had already struggled during the 1869 drought and who had spent their entire summer working for the railroad, this was a disaster. Instead of payment, UPRR Vice President Thomas Durant offered to give leftover construction materials to Brigham Young in order to fulfill his contract. Young accepted, and the materials were used to build the Utah Central Railroad less than a year later.
Once the transcontinental railroad was complete, the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) had to pay back its previous debts. Despite having received millions of dollars in government funding, shady bookkeeping bankrupted the UPRR and they needed to rebuild large sections of poorly built track. Moreover, they were unable to pay the employees who had built the railroad through Utah. For the Mormons whose farms had already struggled during the 1869 drought and who had spent their entire summer working for the railroad, this was a disaster. Instead of payment, UPRR Vice President Thomas Durant offered to give leftover construction materials to Brigham Young in order to fulfill his contract. Young accepted, and the materials were used to build the Utah Central Railroad less than a year later.
Guy and Curly Bob Crosby knew men from Scotland who had railroad experience from their Scottish homes. That helped them get out of the coal mines and into open air jobs.