Legends of the Old West HELL ON WHEELS Ep. 3 | “Desperadoes of Every Grade”
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Jun 4, 2025 The Union Pacific faces chaos as lawless towns sprout along its railroad route. Leadership changes accelerate construction, while the Ames brothers bring in efficient engineers. Julesburg turns into a bustling yet violent boomtown. Jack Casement takes drastic measures to restore order with a show of force. Meanwhile, Laramie's struggles with vigilante justice highlight the tensions of the Wild West. As survey teams encounter deadly ambushes, the race between Union and Central Pacific lines heats up, setting the stage for an epic railroad showdown.
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Corruption Slowed Construction
- Thomas Durant used Credit Mobilier to inflate costs and delay progress for personal gain.
- His profiteering left workers unpaid and led directly to strikes and unrest on the line.
Desperate Workers Stayed On
- Workers who couldn't afford to leave returned to work despite unpaid wages and blacklisting fears.
- Hunger, anger, and desperation among crews soon turned the situation violent.
Temporary Camps Became Towns
- Temporary construction camps rapidly transformed into chaotic towns fueling crime and vice.
- Samuel Bowles coined the term "hell on wheels" to capture their transient, lawless nature.
