Kiernan nodded. “Sometimes not knowing is more a mercy than a harm.”
Glancing around, Kiernan spied crowds of women positioned on the second-floor balconies of many of the Front Street businesses. Some were clapping along in time with the patriotic marches of a local band. Others simply waved flags and cheered the passersby. He couldn’t resist a smile. This day would certainly go down in the annals of the town’s history.
Up ahead, near the American Exchange Hotel, a horse-drawn cart stood ready and waiting for the celebration. Draped in bunting and filled with dirt, the side was decorated with a banner that read “May the Bond Be Eternal.”
Kiernan found a place for them to watch, just as Charlie Crocker, Ted Judah, Mark Hopkins, and California’s governor, Leland Stanford, mounted the steps to the speakers’ stand.
“Hey, Charlie!” a man called out, and several voices raised in cheer.
Charles Crocker was extremely personable, and it was probably for this reason that he had been chosen to introduce the governor and start the festivities. A large, robust man, he smiled and waved to his many friends, then raised his arms as a signal to still the crowd. They quieted as their beloved Charlie came forward to address them.
Kiernan knew very little of California’s young governor. He listened with an attentive ear as Crocker spoke of Stanford’s strong support for the Central Pacific Railroad. He praised the dark-haired man, whose six-foot height and commanding presence brought Kiernan an immediate sense that this was a man who knew how to take charge. Of course, Charlie himself was no slacker in that area. In fact, all of the men positioned on the speakers’ platform were men of power and vision. It made Kiernan feel rather insignificant.
“I give you the governor of this fair state, the Honorable Leland Stanford.”
The crowd cheered wildly as the bearded Stanford came to take his place at the podium.
“Fellow citizens,” he began. “I congratulate you upon the commencement of this great work—” Cheers rose up to drown out his next words, and Kiernan could only guess at what was being said. He’d heard these types of speeches many times over, some with the building of the C&O Canal, others with the B&O Railroad. They were always pretty much the same. Words of encouragement, praise, and vision for the future.
Victoria pressed closer to him as the throngs of people moved into a tighter knot around the speakers’ platform. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her near. He felt a sense of pride just having her at his side, but even as this sensation washed over him, he knew the nagging reminder of having been less than the husband she deserved. They seldom shared anything more than a few words in passing or an occasional time of intimacy in the stillness of the night. Their lives were certainly nothing like they had been in the early days of their marriage, and it troubled Kiernan to believe that their previous joy was gone now.
When Stanford finished speaking, a minister came to the platform and began a lengthy prayer, requesting God’s guidance and direction for the railroad board as they saw the project through to its goal. Kiernan found himself also praying for guidance and direction. He wanted very much to make Victoria proud to be his wife. He knew she acted distant at times, almost as if she harbored something down deep inside—something she didn’t want him to see. He feared it was as simple as her shame of his inability to master what seemed to come easily to other men. Worse yet, he actually found himself afraid that she might regret their marriage. After all, what did she have to show for it?
Still, there were times when she was open and warm, easily reminding him of their early days of courtship and of why they’d fallen in love in the first place. Back then she had clearly admired him and looked to him with pride for the way he conducted himself.
Let her be happy, Lord, he prayed. It was really all he wanted at the moment. Oh, there were other issues—desires for the family he’d left in Ireland, desires for financial security and freedom from worry. But more than anything else, he desired that Victoria find happiness in life. He knew she longed for children, as did he, but he also knew that it was a mixed blessing they were yet unable to conceive. Now that he had agreed to take up employment on the Central Pacific, Kiernan often questioned if their life would be better. Dragging a wife from one mining town to another had been nothing but sheer stupidity on his part. Never mind that his intentions had been honorable. Now he would return to something he felt confident of—the railroad.
He wondered silently as the prayer at the podium continued if Victoria had any idea how the railroad would take up his time. Crocker was already talking about Kiernan and Ted making additional surveys in the mountains. Kiernan knew Victoria would expect to be allowed to come with them, but he wasn’t going to let her. He didn’t want to risk her getting sick again. After that, the true ground breaking would come to the forefront of their duties, and Kiernan would find himself consumed by long hours of backbreaking labor. It wearied him just thinking about it.
The prayer finally ended, and with it, the decorated cart was drawn forward by equally bedecked horses. Stanford took up a shovel and began tossing dirt into the muddy street below. This was the symbolic ground breaking that the entire city had waited for.
After that, various men made speeches. Senators and representatives addressed the group with compelling words that promised enthusiastic support, while the crowd seemed to eat up every word as though a choice morsel of a gourmet feast. In conclusion, Charlie brought the crowd once again to a momentous round of cheers before dismissing the group to go where they would, taking the memory of the day with them.
“Well, it wasn’t much for actual progress,” Kiernan said, swinging Victoria out of the way just as a hearty foursome, singing at the top of their lungs, pushed past.
“Kiernan!” a familiar voice called to him from across the muddy road.
Turning, Kiernan saw Ted Judah making his way to where he and Victoria stood.
“Come to the house. We need to talk,” Ted declared.
Kiernan looked at Victoria, who gave a brief nod of assent.
They made their way to Ted’s buggy and allowed him to drive them back to the Judahs’ small house. Ted seemed overly quiet, a sharp contrast to the revelry of the day.
“Is something wrong?” Kiernan questioned.
“Not as far as the ‘big four’ are concerned.” There was a definite edge to Judah’s tone.
“But I was thinkin’ that yarself was a part of that number.”
Ted laughed, but it was bitter and harsh. “This entire project has been my dream from the start. I pressed for support. I’ve given my lifeblood to it, and they treat me like a poor relation.”
“I’m sure I don’t understand,” Kiernan said as they came to a halt outside the Judah home.
Ted handed the reins over to his stableman, then motioned for Kiernan and Victoria to follow him into the house. “I’ll explain it better once we’ve sat down to some of Anna’s pound cake and coffee.”
“Men can always think more clearly over such refreshment,” Victoria teased as Kiernan lifted her from the buggy.
“Aye, that we can,” Kiernan said, squeezing her hand.
Ted escorted them inside and Anna greeted them with great enthusiasm. “I would have been there today, but Li wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed here with her.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Victoria said, her voice grave.
“Oh no,” Anna assured her. “At least, not too serious. Li’s expecting a baby.”
“But she’s just a child herself,” Victoria replied with a pained expression.
Kiernan wondered if the grief on her face was as much for her own childlessness as it was for Li’s ill health. It must be hard for Victoria to hear of someone else’s blessing.
“She married just last October, as you know. But come, we mustn’t spend our time worrying over this,” Anna said, drawing Victoria with her to the kitchen. “Victoria, would you mind helping me serve?”
Kiernan was grateful
for the older woman’s request. He knew the situation was hard on Victoria and could only pray that Anna would help draw her attention elsewhere.
Ted led the way to the front sitting room and motioned for Kiernan to take a chair. “I fear this railroad may well be nothing more than a dream. My comrades in this scheme seem only interested in luring the freight traffic away from the various teamsters in the area.”
“So yar thinkin’ they’re only good for the ride so long as there’s immediate money to be made?” Kiernan questioned.
“That’s one way of putting it.” Ted dropped into a chair and shook his head. “I’m afraid my colleagues may stop at simply seeing a short line put in rather than worrying about connecting to the East. Congress already sees the Central Pacific as a feat bordering on impossible. They gave us the provision that should we master the mountains we might be allowed to build eastward indefinitely—so long as the Union Pacific hasn’t yet reached the western edge of the Nevada Territory. They are requiring us to complete fifty miles of road within the next two years and to build at least fifty additional miles per year thereafter. And while the Union Pacific must do twice that, I don’t believe our board of directors truly appreciates the circumstances. Collis Huntington has said we have drawn the elephant and must find a way to harness him.”
“Then we’ll be havin’ to show them,” Kiernan said, trying to lighten the mood of his friend. “I have yet to see an elephant,” he continued, “but surely the beast can be managed in one way or another.”
“I’m just afraid the management might come in the form of trading one beast off for another. With Crocker now set to employ men to build the line, I fear they’ll ignore my suggestions altogether and seek another direction.”
“But yar surveys are good, Ted. Congress themselves acknowledged yar help. Ya can’t be givin’ in to worry over this.”
Just then the women returned with the refreshments. Victoria looked rather red-eyed, and Kiernan wondered if she’d been crying over the issue of Li’s baby. How he wished he could make at least this issue in her life right, but again he was helpless.
“You might as well give up on telling Ted not to worry,” Anna told Kiernan as she placed the tray of cake on a nearby serving table. Victoria did likewise with her tray of coffee and china.
“Well, I just can’t see that it gains a fellow much ground,” Kiernan replied. “A transcontinental railroad is mighty important to this state. I can’t see them lettin’ it go for the likes of a freight road.”
Ted nodded. “I know that sounds reasonable, but you haven’t been a part of their meetings. There are so many issues I can’t see eye to eye with. Issues that may well make or break this railroad.”
“Ted,” Anna said, reaching out to touch his shoulder, “we’re supposed to be celebrating. You are ruining our good nature with your doom and gloom. Come now, can’t we at least pretend that all is well and that your railroad is off to a good start?”
Ted sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I don’t mean to cast dispersions.” He smiled at Kiernan and Victoria and reached up to pat Anna’s hand. “Every cloud has its brighter lining, right?”
Kiernan chuckled, but deep inside he knew only too well how fickle the railroad business could be. He understood his friend’s concerns and he knew they were valid. The real problem wouldn’t be in maintaining enthusiasm for the project; it would be in seeing that project continue to stay an elephant, instead of being redesigned into something far more easily managed.
23
Charles Crocker resigned his position with the Central Pacific board in order to sign a four hundred thousand dollar contract to construct the first eighteen miles of track. The choice was seen as a means of avoiding any future legal backfire, but the fact that his brother Edward took over the position made the move almost humorous. Nevertheless, Edward’s background as an engineer and lawyer made him a tremendous asset to the board, as he was already handling all of the Central Pacific’s legal affairs. Still, many perceived this as Charlie’s way of keeping a hand in.
However, with his position resigned, Crocker was finally free to move ahead with the contract. He immediately set about the task of hiring supervisors and crews to get to the actual task of laying track and boasted that the Central Pacific would soon see real progress.
Kiernan was happy to find himself promoted from store clerk to crew boss. He felt a sense of awe and pride that Crocker would offer him such an important position. He had already convinced himself that even if Crocker offered him nothing more than the job of digger, Kiernan would take it. The pay would be better, and Kiernan could feel more confident about the duties. Working in the store had proved to be acceptable, even beneficial, but it wasn’t at all what Kiernan desired for his future.
Because Crocker sublet the construction work to several local firms, there were many supervisors and bosses to answer to, and Crocker found himself quite preoccupied with the details of building the railroad. It didn’t matter that he’d never had experience with such a responsibility—his charm and quick wit seemed to keep arguments and protests at bay, and because he was an intelligent man, Crocker was more than willing to learn. And with over two hundred men now employed to build a railroad, Crocker’s education was a daily issue.
With this in mind, Kiernan didn’t worry about sending a note to Charlie requesting he come to the track site. Kiernan had found a troublesome complication to their progress and figured it was best to get the details out in the open as soon as possible.
“You said it was important,” Crocker said, dismounting his horse.
“Aye, and it is.” Kiernan came forward to greet the man. “Ya can see here for yarself, we’ve hit a snag in our progress.” Kiernan led him to where the men were even now trying to grade out a road. “The topsoil runs for a foot, sometimes two, then we hit what might as well be concrete. The stuff is as hard as granite.”
Crocker stepped into the newly dug ditch and squatted down to see the matter for himself. “Is it like this all along the way?”
“Aye. I’ve already been talkin’ to some of the other gangs. This is goin’ to double the time needed to make the road.”
“Double the cost, too, if I know anything about anything,” Crocker said in complete frustration. He stood and dusted off the crusty bits of rock and sand. “This isn’t how I envisioned it.”
Kiernan waited for him to climb back out of the ditch before continuing with his concerns. “The weather is warmin’ a bit, and the miners who’ve signed on to work are headin’ back out to the mines. Nobody cares about seein’ this through.”
“Don’t I know it,” Charlie said, shaking his head. “Kiernan, we’ve got to figure out a way to get reliable workers in here. Men who will work for little pay and long hours and not be lured away by stories of gold. Otherwise, this railroad will be nothing but dreams on paper.”
Kiernan fully appreciated his boss’s concern. He knew Ted felt the same way. “At least yar makin’ good progress in the river,” Kiernan offered.
It was true that the great pile-driving hammers were sinking mammoth thirty-foot pilings into the riverbed at the rate of seven a day. Soon an impressive railroad bridge would span the American River, and this would surely bolster the spirits of those who considered the railroad an impossible feat.
“They want me to go to Donner Pass and oversee the construction there,” Charlie said after a long silence. “I want you to come with me.”
Kiernan knew his expression revealed his surprise. “Me? And why would ya be wantin’ me?”
“You already know Doc Strong and you know the area. Ted told me you were a part of one of their surveying teams and that the territory would be very similar to what you’ve already worked on back east.”
“Whoa now. For sure it ain’t the same as back east. The mountains there were not to be compared with what we’d be up against at Donner Pass. As I recall, that area has a history of killin’ people off by its very nature.”
�
��It’s a harsh land, but the railroad must be built through it. The board is sending me, and I’m asking you to come with me. I need you, O’Connor. You have experience and expertise in blasting and tunneling. Judah estimates we’ll need eighteen tunnels before we ever make it from one side of the Sierras to the other. You are the one to help me see this accomplished.” Then, almost as an afterthought, Crocker added, “I’ll double your pay.”
Even without this enticement, Kiernan realized the tremendous opportunity to prove himself. He felt a pride in the fact that Crocker had chosen him for the job. The only problem was that he would no doubt have to leave Victoria behind. He couldn’t see dragging her back to Dutch Flat when she so loved Sacramento. To do so would be nothing short of heartless. Still, having his income doubled would be a benefit to both of them—maybe even to his family in Ireland.
“How long will ya need me there?”
Crocker shrugged. “There’s just no telling. I feel certain, however, that the process will take a whole lot longer without you helping to see it through.”
Kiernan drew a deep breath and exhaled rather loudly. “Give me some time to think on it,” he said, knowing even as he did so that his decision was pretty much made for him. It was an offer too tempting to pass up.
Crocker smiled. “I know you’ll see things my way.”
“I’m so glad you’ve come for a visit,” Victoria said as Anna Judah stepped into the small two-room apartment.
“I was busy all morning with errands and thought some time in quiet conversation with you would do me well,” Anna explained.
“I can fix us some tea, if you like,” Victoria offered. She glanced around at the shoddy furnishings and wished she had something better to offer her friend.
“No, don’t bother. I can’t stay long. Just come sit with me and share what news there is to tell.”
Victoria followed Anna to the tiny threadbare sofa. “I haven’t much news that you aren’t already privy to.”
Westward the Dream Page 18