George E. Gray

Slat Lake Sept 21 1868

Sac Sept 22 1868 1220 AM

To Hon Leland Stanford

Mr West is just in and says their one hundred (100) miles in all sublet + being rapidly occupied by men and teams carter and Hall take fifty (50) miles of the west half Benson Fann and West want the first twenty five (25) miles Each of their present contract they represent is as wet work and difficult to do after wet season sets in shall I let them have it Geo E Gray

68DHCPRP S

Salt Lake Oct 9 1868

Sac Oct 10 1868 825 AM

Leland Stanford

Who has the bill of landing for the supply have just arrived no bill

Geo E Gray

14DHS

Salt Lake City Oct 9th 1868

Hon Leland Stanford

President he Dem An their had little to add that would intent you since my letter of the 1st inst. Im Benson cumi in to attend [conference?]+ Him

this will demoralize Carters exertions who is out on the work I shall not learn probably under two weeks. I have met both the contractors who have the work from Humboldt Wells 100 miles east and they say openly they are authorized & pay for men teams a Contract [?] a price in advance of whatever we pay. This will if done demoralize Carter & Hall men than any thing yet done.

Miss Benson Fan & West it will not effort so much as they can control their men (being all Mormons) and relying on you to make them a fine equal to what is paid [?] side of this sink. They are greatly in dout of the supplies coming from California, the am't of which an expected to day. I understand the waggon was loaded so heavily as to break thro nearly all the bridges below this and Deep Creek & numerous other vexations such as getting mired in the alkali flats, turning over and down the mountain sides killing horses &c.

I hear nothing from Mr. Clement except a telegram to day dated Duffs Creek Oct 4th saying he will soon have 70 miles of track laid out ready for contractors. [?] he understand the Carter Co are grading out to him near Humboldt Wells [?] does not know how large a force is employed.

They have a large party of Engines in the field and a large party lying idle waiting orders here. Durant Col Seymore, Reid & Gnl dodg arrived here two days ago. They are trying to make a contract with Brigham Young to grade from Weber Cañon & west the 100 miles contract from Humboldt Wells east. He has doubts of his ability to do the work within the time they desire & he [?] it is said doing track along side of Benson Fan and Werts Contract. the result will undoubtedly be in his looking for Weber & Monument Point, the Co will try and [?] that forty miles west with Gentiles. The slow progress made with our track laying is giving the men increased courage and dampening thus of our own people & friends here I suppose all is being done that can be to push it along. I telegraphed asking that reports

of track laid twice a week. I have had one thus far from the Judge. The reports from end of track to your office daily are caught out from some point on the line & sent thro this city. [Union?] Pacific, also other reports advising them of all your operations on the line. It seems to me if I was you I would know who sends them. It may be from the Reno office but probably from your city. Of course I never see the reports but I know the fact from a reliable source. Bates is in again, says it is to late, a month or six weeks earlier, much could been done.

It is not likely I shall know intil after Durants departure what has been done, but will advise you soon as I do hear.

I have been ill most of the time since my arrival; part of the time confined to my room, still have been able to attend to what little business required attention here. [Truly?] I am considerably better I shall not venture out on the line to see Mr Clement &c.

I am faithfully yours

Geo E Gray

Consulting Engineer