DIY History | Transcribe | Building the Transcontinental Railroad | M.M. Cahoon correspondence with Thomas C. Durant regarding contractors Miller and Patterson, Coalville, Utah, January 1869

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M.M. Cahoon correspondence with Thomas C. Durant regarding contractors Miller and Patterson, Coalville, Utah, January 1869

Page 02

he said the last estimate most likely would amount to some 7000 more making some 11000 altogether for the Cut now where is this estimate containing some 3000 Yds Solid and 90 Yds loos Rock
That is what is the matter at several different times we tried to obtain this estimate from Mr Gillis but was denied and insulted after the Cut was completed - we waited there some two weeks for a Settlement at last our acc't was made out - and we received for our Credits the first estimate 315 yds earth 30 yds loos Rock - and the last or final estimate 7288 + 371 = 7659 yds solid rock these were said to be our Total Credits without allowing us to see either of the estimates but where was this 2nd estimate of 3000 yds solid and 90 yds loos Rock
This was kept off except the 270 yds as shown above - we could not even find out what the last estimate was, until we saw it in your office and there it appears as the Total measurement of the Cut - in order to keep the Remainder off from us
We were puzzeld at first to find out the Location of the Remainder of the 2nd estimate knowing that the Yds must appear somewhere on his Bill or otherwise it would avail them nothing
They being aware that, if placed within the limits of the Cut it must come to our Credit also if located upon any other sub contract they would loose it - so they threw it into the "fill" as you will discover - directly east of the Cut between Stations 39 and 45
2649 loos and 1198 Solid Rock. They perhaps were at a loss - where to locate the amount

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he said the last estimate most likely would amount to some 7000 more making some 11000 altogether for the Cut now where is this estimate containing some 3000 Yds Solid and 90 Yds loos Rock That is what is the matter at several different times we tried to obtain this estimate from Mr Gillis but was denied and insulted after the Cut was completed - we waited there some two weeks for a Settlement at last our acc't was made out - and we received for our Credits the first estimate 315 yds earth 30 yds loos Rock - and the last or final estimate 7288 + 371 = 7659 yds solid rock these were said to be our Total Credits without allowing us to see either of the estimates but where was this 2nd estimate of 3000 yds solid and 90 yds loos Rock This was kept off except the 270 yds as shown above - we could not even find out what the last estimate was, until we saw it in your office and there it appears as the Total measurement of the Cut - in order to keep the Remainder off from us We were puzzeld at first to find out the Location of the Remainder of the 2nd estimate knowing that the Yds must appear somewhere on his Bill or otherwise it would avail them nothing They being aware that, if placed within the limits of the Cut it must come to our Credit also if located upon any other sub contract they would loose it - so they threw it into the "fill" as you will discover - directly east of the Cut between Stations 39 and 45 2649 loos and 1198 Solid Rock. They perhaps were at a loss - where to locate the amount