Selections From The Splinters - Volume 14

ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY
PREPATORY STATEMNENT

The first Pacific railroad was not completed until May 10th, 1869, while the ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY was created by Act of Congress under date of July 27, 1866. It is a long cry from the creation of a company to the completion of an actual railroad.

Since the treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo, in 1848, at the close of the war between the United States and Mexico, with the consequent immense acquisition of practically unoccupied territory, the question of how to develop and how to tie this new empire to the Union was constantly before the public. The war was one of aggression against Mexico. It was brought on largely by the people of the South, and especially Texas; the South wished to strengthen itself in National Affairs and Texas from aggression by foreign powers. It was thought by the South that as this new land was mainly in the southern zone it would develop into slave territory and thus strengthen the South. Texas wanted the protection that its union with the States assured..

The people of the North were, of course, aware of the designs of the South and took steps to counteract the proslavery movement. This was accomplished by enlisting the then enormous influence of the pulpit and press. Every possible methods of getting the question before the people was used. Uncle Tomâs Cabin was a powerful influence. Many books were published. John Brown, and others, did their bit in gradually edging the country into the Civil Mar. It was, however, not until Lincoln had been elected President in 1860 that the conflict became inevitable.

In a general way it can be said that during the quarrer century between their appearance and the time Kansas and Nebraska had been opened to the whites, the railroad technique had been fairly well standardized, both as to construction of road and equipment, as well as their operation. They had proved their superiority over turnpiles and canals. They had reached the Mississippi and, in spots, had passed it. They were prepared to provide quick and economical transportation to the great plains of the Southwest so recently acquired by the sword.

The Civil War had, of course, delayed the development of the Southwest for several years but the conflict had taught the nation that, if it wished to hold the Pacific Coast firmly

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to the Union, efficient transport would have to be provided. The attitude during the war, of certain foreign lands, showed that if the Union would not provide the transport there was a good chance that some foreign country might annex the Coast. Mazimillian actually tried to set up an empire in Mexico.

The war had taught the country to think of doing things in a big way. As soon as the conflict was over the energies were directed towards supplying the necessary ties to link the West with the East. The Union - Central Pacific Railroad was rushed to completion by princely subsidies of land and money. Others followed in rapid succession. Among these was the ALANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY. This company was organized in the year following the close of the war.

As will be seen from what follows, the ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD was never built between the following points:

1. From Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to the Rio Grande River
2. From the Colorado River to San Francisco, Calif.

The road was slow in getting under way. In California the Southern and Central Pacific occupied the ground before the Atlantic and Pacific was ready to proceed. In the Indian Territory was the opposition of the Indians. These things resulted in the elimination of the Atlantic and Pacific from the above named territory.

Before going into further details relative to the ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD it may be well to anticipate some what by showing its relationship to other Southern Route railroads to the Pacific and the conditions in the South during, and following, the Reconstruction Period at the close of the Civil War.

The following relative to the Southern Pacific, Texas and Pacific, Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio, The Southern Pacific Company and the New Orleans Extension of the Texas and Pacific is offered:-

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