I shall not dwell upon his business career. but in passing re_ count one incident. Looking off to the great Sierra Nevada range rising to the heavens as a snowwhite. impenetrable barrier. he told me the story of the building of the Central Pacific road over their mighty summits. He told me how. with three other men. none cf them rich. they would meetat nighland talk about the necessity of something faster than a pony express from the Missouri River to the Pacific. and something pleasanter than a sta ge coach and emigrant trail. and then how these four men. whose total means were not adequate to build one single mile through some portions of the mountains. determined that they would start the road. and demonstrate to the world the possibility o a railroad over the Sierras. Friends laughed at them. even jeered at them. entreated of them not to risk lifes earnings in so hazardous an enterprise. He told me of the trials anddiscouragements. and that formore than twoyears he did notknow whether he was worth millions or poorer than a penniless beggar.
Keywords matched
emigrant