The track was to be laid under the supervision of two brothers, John ("Jack") and Daniel Casement. They made good overseers, tough and resourceful and they had the full support of Dodge. Dan searched the country for labor and supplies, while Jack supervised hundreds of Irish, Civil War veterans, and former slaves who were doing the actual building. Although Jack was a physically small man, he became a ruthless driver of the human machine that built the railroad.
As the railroad advanced into the open plains, the hardwood for the ties became impossible to find. Soft cottonwood had to be treated with chemicals to improve its durability until the rails moved back into mountain country and hardwood was once again available. Following the railroad ties, the iron rails were laid. Each rail required five men to lift each rail, another group to place it across the ties and then "spikers" to drive the spikes into place.
The workers labored labored in all weather, in all seasons for the completion of the Union Pacific. By the end of 1866, 265 miles were laid and by December, the railroad was near Nebraska's western border, and the team of Dodge and Casement was thought to accomplish miracles.
Next time...a real threat to progress
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Today in Pioneer History: "On April 30, 1789 George Washington, the great military leader of the American Revolution, is inaugurated as the first president of the United States in New York City.
ohn Henry was a railroad man,
ReplyDeleteHe worked from six 'till five,
"Raise 'em up bullies and let 'em drop down,
I'll beat you to the bottom or die."
John Henry said to his captain:
"You are nothing but a common man,
Before that steam drill shall beat me down,
I'll die with my hammer in my hand."
John Henry said to the Shakers:
"You must listen to my call,
Before that steam drill shall beat me down,
I'll jar these mountains till they fall."
John Henry's captain said to him:
"I believe these mountains are caving in."
John Henry said to his captain: "Oh, Lord!"
"That's my hammer you hear in the wind."
John Henry he said to his captain:
"Your money is getting mighty slim,
When I hammer through this old mountain,
Oh Captain will you walk in?"
John Henry's captain came to him
With fifty dollars in his hand,
He laid his hand on his shoulder and said:
"This belongs to a steel driving man."
John Henry was hammering on the right side,
The big steam drill on the left,
Before that steam drill could beat him down,
He hammered his fool self to death.
They carried John Henry to the mountains,
From his shoulder his hammer would ring,
She caught on fire by a little blue blaze
I believe these old mountains are caving in.
John Henry was lying on his death bed,
He turned over on his side,
And these were the last words John Henry said
"Bring me a cool drink of water before I die."
John Henry had a little woman,
Her name was Pollie Ann,
He hugged and kissed her just before he died,
Saying, "Pollie, do the very best you can."
John Henry's woman heard he was dead,
She could not rest on her bed,
She got up at midnight, caught that No. 4 train,
"I am going where John Henry fell dead."
They carried John Henry to that new burying ground
His wife all dressed in blue,
She laid her hand on John Henry's cold face,
"John Henry I've been true to you."