American History Tellers Transcontinental Railroad | The Golden Spike | 4
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Dec 4, 2024 In January 1869, intense negotiations unfolded between the leaders of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads as they raced to lay the tracks that would unite the nation. The involvement of Mormon laborers proved crucial in this monumental task, while winter weather posed significant challenges. The narrative reveals a darker side to this achievement, including financial scandals and the exploitation of Chinese workers. Ultimately, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad marked a significant engineering triumph but also a complex legacy intertwined with ethical dilemmas.
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Meeting Point Dispute
- In January 1869, Union Pacific President Oliver Ames and Chief Engineer Grenville Dodge met with Central Pacific Vice President Collis Huntington.
- They argued over the meeting point of their railroads, with Huntington refusing Ames's proposal to split the remaining distance.
Mormon Laborers
- In May 1868, Thomas Durant hired 5,000 Mormon laborers to grade the roadbed, cut timber, and build bridges in Utah.
- The Mormons proved to be efficient workers, using nitroglycerin for blasting tunnels.
Unpaid Wages
- By late summer 1868, Thomas Durant had failed to pay the Mormon workers their full wages, causing anxiety and some to leave.
- Brigham Young confronted Samuel Reed, Durant's right-hand man, but received no satisfactory answers.