Page 169
On May 4th 1880 President Nickerson wired A A Robinson to contract for 300,000 ties and bridge timbers, according to the latter's judgement. In a letter of the same date he informed Mr. Robinson that an order for 2,000 tons of 52-pound iron rail had been placed with Cambria Company, which would be shipped via St Louis and that the first 1,000 tons are already under way. Also informed him that another 2,500 tons of steel rail had been contracted for with the Joliet Company and would come forward soon. He asked that the iron end steel would be laid on separate stretches and that the laying would start as soon as possible.
On May 15, 1880, Mr. Robinson advised President Nickerson that he had let contract for 500,000 B. M. bridge timbers and 80,000 lineal feet of red spruce piling, and would soon let contract for 300,000 B. M. more bridge timber. These orders were for materials needed before the timbered sections of the A&P could be reached. He thought the native timbers would do except for stringers which he expected to get from the NM&SP (Atchison) who had a good supply on hand.
In his letter of May 20, 1880, Mr Nickerson informed Mr. Robinson that he had wired Holbrook at Albuquerque in regard to the positon of Chief Engineer. He urged that tracklaying should start at the earliest possible moment.
Under date of May 20, 1880 Mr Nickerson wrote Mr Robinson as follows:
"May 20th, 1880
"A A Robinson, Esq.,
"Chf. Engineer
"Dear Sir:
"Your two favors of the 15th and one of the 16th are at hand. Do not hesitate to close contracts for ties and timber without submission to me. Contact at once for grading 25 to 50 miles more on the best terms you can.
"I am sorry I did not remit more money to meet your wants.
"I have now closed my duties to the AT&SF and moved into the office of the A&P and shall bring up my back work. I would like you to give me your best advice about the best organization ti say Santa Fe or Albuquerque for efficient work.
"How will patton do for Supt of Construction of to have charge of the materials in storage yard? Manage the tie and timber contracts as you think best.
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Page 170
"What I want is immediate construction and an honest deal between the Two Companies.
"Send east for some bridge stringers if you think you can be sure to make quick work.
"I suppose from what you have written you are at work on the bridge across the Rio Grande.
"Yours truly,
(Signed) Thos. Nickerson,
President
Per Reynolds".
"Atlantic and Pacific
"May 20, 1880.
"A A Robinson, Esq.,
Chief Engineer
"Dear Sir---
"Your favor of the 15th instant is at hand, and I sent you the following telegram, viz:
"'Contract for three hundred thousand ties on A&P line west of River as far east as timber can be found securing early delivery as possible.---`
"We intend to push construction as fast as possible. If you can let contracts for more than 300,000 ties at fair rates and think best to make the amount four of five hundred thousand you may do it. We shall have to haul some of these ties east if we can not do better.
"Mr Strong wrote the under date of April 19, as follows:
"'The N.M. and S.P. can lend the A.&P. ties and timber for 10 to 25 miles.'
"I have telegraphed him to know how many ties he would loan A.& P. now, to be repaid from contracts just let for A.& p> by you: and also for him to buy 100,000 cedar ties if he can get early delivery. You should receive rails by June 1 and I want you to arrange to commence laying track by June 1, if possible!
"I do not understand when delivery is to commence ot the contracts for 150,000 and 60,000.
"I have telgraphed Holbrook at Albuquerque in regard to his taking position of Chief Engineer.
"If Mr Strong fulfills his promise I want you to commence laying track at the earliest possible moment.
"I will secure some ties from the east if possible, and yu msut make your contract with the track layers so that we cannot be held for much damage if material does not come forward in time to keep on.
"You must commence track laying at the earliest possible moment even if it cost the Co. something more.
"Yours very truly,
"(signed) Thos. Nickerson,
"President, Per Reynolds."
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Page 171
On May 24th 1880, the following advertisement appeared in a Pueblo newspaper:
"Proposals.
"Chief Engineer's Office )
"Atlantic & Pacific Railroad, )
Pueblo, Colo., May 24, 1880. )
"Sealed proposals will be received at this office until 5 o'clock P.M. of July 5th, 1880, for the delivery of 300,000 cross ties, 2,500,000 feet, board measure, of bridge timbers, and 100,000 feet lineal of piling. Delivery to begin on or before August 15th, 1880 and to be completed on or before January 15th, 1881.
"From and after September 1st, 1880, delivery to be at the rate of at least one-fifth of the whole contract per month.
"The delivery of all material to begin at Cubero, N.M., about 60 miles west of the Rio Grande, and to be made so that the road can be built from this material westward from that place.
"Specifications, bills for the material, conditions for delivery, and forms for bids can be had on application either in person or by letter, at my office in Pueblo, or at the office of J. Woodworth, timber inspector, at Las Vegas, N.M.
"A good and sufficient bond as a protection to the railroad company will be required for the fulfillment of the contract.
"Proposals to be indorsed `Proposal for cross ties, bridge timbers and piles, A. & P. R.R.'
"the right is reserved to reject any or all bids.
"A. A. Robinson, Chief Engineer.
"May 25-d5w."
Contracts for supplying ties and bridge timbers were subsequently let to E E Ayer of Chicago and J M Latta of Gosen, Ind.
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The following are some of the early orders placed for rail:
Cambria Iron Co. - Iron and Steel Works of
4-22-80
North Chicago Rolling Mill Co.
5-18-80
1-8-81
Vulcan Steel Co.
7-15-80
10-7-80
Joliet Steel Co.
4-13-80
4-27-80
5-19-80
7-19-80
10-15-80
10-30-80
12-23-80
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