TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 3
I. ORIGINS OF THE BURLINGTON SYSTEM 9
I. RAILROADS AND POPULATION, 1830-1845 9
II. CHICAGO AND THE AURORA BRANCH RAILROAD TO 1850 16
III. THE RACE FROM LAKE ERIE TO CHICAGO, 1850-1852 25
IV. THE ORIGIN OF THE C. B. & Q., 1849-1856 31
V. THE PROBLEM OF EXPANSION INTO IOWA 43
II. SOUTHERN IOWA PLANS ITS RAILROAD, 1852-1856 45
III. CONGRESS, SECTIONALISM, AND THE LAND GRANT, 1856 73
I. SECURING THE GRANT
73
II. THE DISPUTE OVER WITHDRAWAL 86
IV. ORGANIZING THE RAILROAD LAND DEPARTMENT, 1851859 98
V. THE SWAMPLANDS IMBROGLIO, 1850-1859 122
VI. EARLY PROBLEMS OF THE RAILROAD COLONIZERS, 1859-1860 139
I. THE SURVEY 139
II. THE PREEMPTION AND SWAMP CLAIMS 146
III. MISCELLANEOUS CLAIMS
155
IV. PREPARING AN ADVERTISING PROGRAM 158
VIL THE B. & M. MARKS TIME, 1860-1866 164
VIII. CHARLES E. PERKINS WATCHES THE COMPANY LANDS,
1860-1866 186
IX. RAILS FOR IOWA AND A PROJECT FOR NEBRASKA, 1866-1869 218
I. IOWA 218
II. NEBRASKA 225
III. IOWA AND NEBRASKA 229
X. COLONEL AMES SELLS TEN THOUSAND ACRES, 1866-1869 237
I. IOWA 237
II. NEBRASKA 269
XI. CONSOLIDATION AND CONSTRUCTION, 1870-1873 272
I. IOWA 273
II. NEBRASKA 277
XII. GEORGE S. HARRIS REORGANIZES THE LAND DEPARTMENT,
1869-1870 290
I. IOWA AND NEBRASKA 290
II. IOWA 304
III. NEBRASKA 309
XIII. BOOM YEARS FOR THE LAND DEPARTMENT, 1871-1873 329
I. ESTABLISHMENT OF TITLES 329
II. PRICE POLICY 333
III. DOMESTIC ADVERTISING
341
IV. FOREIGN ADVERTISING 359
V. PUBLIC RELATIONS AND CIVIC DEVELOPMENT 370
VI. RESULTS 380
XIV. CRISIS AND RECOVERY, 1874-1880 391
I. THE COMPANY FACES HARD TIMES 391
II. LAND DEPARTMENT POLICY AND RESULTS 412
III. THE DECADE IN RETROSPECT 446
XV. CLOSING ACTIVITIES OF THE LAND DEPARTMENT, 188o-1905 461
I. EXPANSION OF THE BURLINGTON SYSTEM 461
II. SELLING THE LAST OF THE LAND GRANTS 465
XVI. THE RAILROAD AND THE COMMUNITY, 1905-1940 480
I. CREATING THE MODERN RAILROAD 480
II. COLONIZATION WORK IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 483
APPENDICES
A. Chronology of events connected with the withdrawal of
public lands and the location of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in
Iowa, 1856-1857 491
B. Letter of Bernhart Henn describing Iowa and the future of
the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in that state, September 6, 1858 493
C. Source material relating to the formation of a through
line between Chicago and the Mississippi River 505
D. Extracts from letters of Charles E. Perkins describing
his trip across southern Iowa, eastern Nebraska and northern Missouri, August,
1866 518
E. Note on tenancy in Iowa and Nebraska, 1880-1900 527
F. Statistics 528
1. Gross land sales by the Burlington and Missouri River
Railroad (Iowa), monthly, 187o-1890 528
2. Gross land sales by the Burlington and Missouri River
Railroad in Nebraska, monthly, 1870-1903 529
3. Average price per acre of B. & M. lands in Iowa and
Nebraska, annually, 1871-1883 531
4. Gross land sales by the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific Railway and average price per acre of lands sold, annually, 1871-1883 531
5. Gross land sales by the Union Pacific Railway and average
price per acre of lands sold, annually, 1871-1883 532
6. Seasonal movement measured by aggregate monthly sales of
gross acres by the B. & M. railroads in Iowa and Nebraska for the periods
1871-1875, 1876-1880, and 1871-1880, inclusive
533
7. Gross acres sold by the B. & M. and Union Pacific in
Nebraska, monthly, 1877-1882, with seasonal movement eliminated 534
8. Gross number of sales by the B. & M. in Nebraska,
together with average price per acre, annually, 1882-1903 535
Note concerning zones for statistical comparison 535
9. Total population and population per thousand acres for
selected zones in Iowa and Nebraska, decennially, 1860— 1900 536
10. Total improved acres and percentage of total acres
improved for selected zones in Iowa and Nebraska, decennially, 186o-1900 537
Ii. Total acres in farms and percentage of total acres in
farms for selected zones in Iowa and Nebraska, decennially, 1860-1900 538
[These tables contain the underlying statistics for the
graphs
listed on page xix.]
BIBLIOGRAPHY 539
INDEX 557
ILLUSTRATIONS
"AMERICAN PROGRESS" . . . . . . .
frontispiece
The frontispiece from Crofutt's New Overland Tourist and
Pacific Coast Guide (Omaha and Denver, 1883). This 275-page guide by George A.
Crofutt was issued by The Overland Publishing Company and "Sold by News
Agents on the Railroads, at News Stands and at the Book Stores throughout the
United States." It was distributed on the Burlington and Missouri River
Railroad in Nebraska by the Railroad News Company.
THE GALENA AND CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD'S "PIONEER"
. . . .facing
p. 20
This locomotive hauled the first train operated on any part
of the Burlington system. On September 2, 185o, it ran from Batavia to Turner
Junction over the Aurora Branch and thence to Chicago over the Galena and
Chicago Union. The original engine is now in the Museum of Science and
Industry, Chicago.
JOHN MURRAY FORBES, 1813-1898. . . . . . .
facing p.30
Leading financier of the Burlington system, a director of
several of its constituent companies, and president of the C. B. & Q.,
1878-1881. Photograph from the Secretary's Office, C. B. & Q. R. R.,
Chicago.
JOHN W. BROOKS, 1818-1881
CHAUNCEY S. COLTON, 1800-1885. . . . . . .
facing p.38
With the financial backing of John Murray Forbes, and in
collaboration with James F. Joy, Brooks completed the Michigan Central in the
years 1846-52. He was an early director of the Aurora Branch Railroad and of
the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad (Iowa), serving several terms as
president of the latter. He was closely identified with the expansion of the
Burlington through Iowa and Nebraska. Colton helped organize the Central
Military Tract and was instrumental in consolidating the Burlington system in
Illinois. Both photographs are from the Secretary's Office, C. B. & Q. R.
R., Chicago.
INVITATION TO CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF THE C. B. & Q. TO
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, 1855. . . . . . . . . . .70
Reproduction of the original invitation in the Historical
Files of the C. B. & Q. R. R., Chicago.
NOTICE OF OPENING OF SERVICE BY THE B. & M. (IOWA) TO
FAIRFIELD, IOWA, 1858. . . . . . . . . . . .
. 103
Reproduction of the original owned by Mr. O. E. Ward, C. B.
& Q. R. R., Chicago.
JAMES FREDERICK JOY, 1810-1896. . . . .
. facing p. 176
One of the founders of the Michigan Central Railroad, a
director and president at various times of the C. B. & Q. and B. & M.
(Iowa) as well as of other constituent companies of the Burlington system. He
was particularly active in the corporate and financial affairs of the railroad.
Photograph from the Secretary's Office, C. B. & Q. R. R., Chicago.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND TRAFFIC OF
THE B. & M. (IOWA), 1865-1866. . . . . . .
178-179
Reproduced from the B. & M. (Iowa) Annual Report for
1866.
APPLICATION OF CHARLES DICKENS' BROTHER FOR A JOB WITH THE
B. & M. (IOWA), 1865 211-212
Reproduction of the original letter in the B. & M. Land
Department Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School, Boston.
THIELSEN'S SURVEYING PARTY IN NEBRASKA, NOVEMBER, 1864.
facing p. 214
Henry Thielsen spent the late fall directing the survey of
the B. & M. in Nebraska. Reproduction of a photograph in the Colonization
Bureau, C. B. & Q. R. R., Omaha.
CHARLES ELLIOTT PERKINS, 1840-1907. . . . .
facing p. 230
Land Commissioner of the B. & M. (Iowa), 186o-1866, superintendent
of that road during its construction from Ottumwa to the Missouri River,
vice-president of the B. & M. in Nebraska, and eventually (1881-19o1)
president of the Burlington Lines. Charles E. Perkins was the leading figure in
the land and colonization work of the Burlington. Photograph from the
Secretary's Office, C. B. & Q. R. R., Chicago.
BURLINGTON ABOUT 1872. . . . . . . .
260
Reproduction from a B. & M. R. R.R. Guide How To Go West
(Chicago, 1872). The guide is in the B. & M. Land Department Papers, Baker
Library, Harvard Business School.
B. & M. IN NEBRASKA NO. 7, THE "WAHOO," BUILT
AT MANCHESTER, N.H., 1870 . . . . . . . . . . .facing p. 280
A 4-4—o coal-burning engine typical of the motive power on
the Burlington in the 'seventies and 'eighties.
"B. & M. FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH" AT BURLINGTON,
JANUARY 14,1873
. . . . . . . . . . .facing p. 286
In his daily notebook Charles E. Perkins gives the date of
this "B. & M. Family Photograph." Included in it, besides
Perkins, are J. W. Ames, Land Commissioner of the B. & M. (Iowa) 1866-69,
his successor in that position, George S. Harris (Commissioner 18691874), and
A. E. Touzalin, who succeeded Harris in 1874.
OMAHA ABOUT 1872. . . . . . . .
. 297
Reproduction from the B. & M. R. R.R. Guide How To Go
West (Chicago, 1872).
LINCOLN ABOUT 1872. . . . . . . .
. 313
Reproduction from J. D. Butler's Nebraska: Its
Characteristics and Prospects (Omaha? 1873). This booklet is in the B. & M.
Land Department Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
B. & M. EMIGRANT HOME AT LINCOLN, OPENED IN 1871. . .
336
This building, l00 x 24 feet, had accommodations for ten
families
During the first year it was in use, 636 persons were lodged
there. From J. D. Butler's Nebraska: Its Characteristics and Prospects (Omaha?
1873).
HANDBILL USED BY LOCAL AGENTS TO ADVERTISE B. & M. LANDS
. . . 345
Map on one side shows "The Gulf Stream of
Migration" and approximate location of B. & M. Iowa and South Platte
lands. Reproduction of the original in the B. & M. Land Department Papers,
Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
PRAIRIE EIGHT MILES FROM LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. . . . .
353
An illustration from Views and Description of Burlington and
Missouri River Railroad Lands ... (Omaha? 1872). The original zinc cut from the
Historical Files of the C. B. & Q. R. R., Chicago, was used for this book.
CIRCULAR ADVERTISING B. & M. LANDS, 1873. . . . .
358
The original of this circular, 81/4 by 11 %8 inches, was brightly colored. Reproduction
from the original in the B. & M. Land Department Papers, Baker Library,
Harvard Business School.
NOTICE CONCERNING A COLONY LEAVING ROCHDALE, ENGLAND, FOR B.
& M. LANDS, 1871. . . . . . . . . .
367
Reproduction of the original in the B. & M. Land Department
Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
AT CRETE, NEBRASKA. . . . . . . .
. 375
An illustration from Views and Description of Burlington and
Missouri River Railroad Lands ... (Omaha? 1872). The original zinc cut from the
Historical Files of the C. B. & Q. R. R., Chicago, was used for this book.
INTERIOR VIEW OF A C. B. & Q. SMOKING CAR, 1880 . . . . 400
Reproduction from a C. B. & Q. timetable.
LAND EXPLORING TICKETS ISSUED BY THE B. & M. IN
NEBRASKA, 1878 . 432
Reproduced from originals in the B. & M. Land Department
Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
DESCRIPTION OF NEBRASKA SOIL AND CLIMATE IN A GERMAN
PAMPHLET ADVERTISING B. & M. LANDS, 1877. . . . . .
. 443
Reproduced from an original in the B. & M. Land
Department Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
PIONEER ZEPHYR AT LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, NOVEMBER II, 1934
. facing p. 482
From a photograph taken on the day when this train became
the first Diesel-electric streamline train to enter regular service in the United
States.
INTERIOR OF SOIL FERTILITY SPECIAL TRAIN, 1940 facing p. 486
Exhibits open to the public during the educational tour of
this train in western territory, 1940. Photograph from the Agricultural Agent's
Office, C. B. & Q. R. R., Denver.
Maps
RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES, 1840 I2
DENSITY OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1840 . . . . . .
. . . facing p. 12
RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES, 1850 24
DENSITY OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1850 . . . . . .
. . . .facing p. 24
RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES, 1860 190
DENSITY OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1860 . . . . . .
. . . .facing p. 190
RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES, 1870 310
DENSITY OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1870 . . . . . .
. . . . facing p.310
RAILWAY NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES, 1880 394
DENSITY OF POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES, 1880 . . . . . .
. . . .facing p. 394
Density of Population maps are from the United States
Census. Railway Network maps were specially prepared for this book under the
direction of L. F. Hanke.
RELATING TO THE BURLINGTON SYSTEM
GROWTH OF THE BURLINGTON SYSTEM, 1850-1940 . . . . . . . . .
. . . .Inside covers
Prepared by E. E. Ferris, 194o; Decorative border by L. F.
Hanke, 1941 (Engineering Dept. C. B. & Q. R. R.).
ILLINOIS COUNTY MAP SHOWING RAILROADS AUTHORIZED UNDER THE
STATE INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1847 14
Prepared by E. E. Ferris for A. W. Newton, 1938, for use in
his manuscript history of the C. B. & Q. in Illinois.
CHICAGO IN 1850, THE CROSSROADS OF TRANSPORTATION 22
Prepared by L. F. Hanke, 1940.
THE C. B. AND Q. R. R. CO. AS OF 1854 40
Prepared by L. F. Hanke, 1938.
ROUTES OF THE FOUR IOWA RAILROADS WHICH RECEIVED FEDERAL
LAND GRANTS ON MAY 15, 1856 82
From the original prepared by W. T. Steiger in Washington,
1861; now in the B. & M. Land Department Papers, Baker Library, Harvard
Business School.
HANNIBAL AND ST. JOSEPH R. R. AND CONNECTING LINES, 1859 117
From a woodcut in The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad
Company Have Received ... over 600,000 Acres.... (Hannibal, 1859).
COMPETITIVE POSITION OF C. B. & Q.-B. & M. LINES,
1863 166
Showing the threat to the Burlington from the Keokuk-Des
Moines line. From the B. & M. (Iowa) Annual Report for 1863.
THE C. B. & Q. IN 1869, ILLUSTRATING THE ORIGIN OF ITS
TITLE 224
From Appleton's Railway and Steam Navigation Guide (New
York, July, 1869).
AREA IN SOUTHWESTERN IOWA WITHIN WHICH MOST OF THE B. &
M
IOWA) LANDS WERE LOCATED 242
From the B. & M. R. R.Rs'. One Million Acres Farming
Lands for Sale in Iowa and Nebraska ... (Chicago, 1877), in the B. & M.
Land Department Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
THE B. & M. IN NEBRASKA AS PART OF THE THROUGH ROUTE TO
AND FROM CHICAGO VIA THE B. & M. IOWA) AND THE C. B. & Q., 1873 283
From the B. & M. in Nebraska's Annual Report for 1873.
TREND OF POPULATION IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA IN RELATION TO THE
B. & M. LINES AND LAND GRANTS, 1860-1870 293
Prepared for this book under the direction of L. F. Hanke.
AREAS NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE PLATTE RIVER WITHIN WHICH B.
& M. LANDS IN NEBRASKA WERE LOCATED facing p. 332
From the original "Map of the State of Nebraska Showing
the Lands of the Burlington & Missouri Riv. R. R. Co. in Nebraska,"
issued by G. W. and C. B. Colton & Co. (New York, 1877). This map is in the
B. & M. Land Department Papers, Baker Library, Harvard Business School.
PRINCIPAL COMPETING RAILROADS BETWEEN CHICAGO, OMAHA AND
KEARNEY, ABOUT 1878 399
From a B. & M. Land Department pamphlet (Chicago?
1877?).
THE B. & M. IN NEBRASKA AND AFFILIATED LINES IN 1880
WHEN THEY BECAME PART OF THE C B & Q 402
Prepared under the direction of L. F. Hanke.
THE CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY R. R. CO. IN 1880 403
From an old Tariff Circular.
LOCATION OF ZONES IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA USED FOR STATISTICAL
COMPARISON 453
Prepared under the direction of L. F. Hanke.
TREND OF POPULATION IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA IN RELATION TO THE
B. & M. LINES AND LAND GRANTS, 187o-1880 454
Prepared under the direction of L. F. Hanke.
GROWTH OF THE C. B. & Q. IN NEBRASKA, 1880-1890 463
Adapted from a current timetable.
TREND OF POPULATION IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA IN RELATION TO THE
B. & M. LINES AND LAND GRANTS, 1880-1890-1900 470
Prepared under the direction of L. F. Hanke.
GRAPHS
SEASONAL MOVEMENT MEASURED BY AGGREGATE MONTHLY SALES OF
GROSS ACRES BY THE B. & M. RAILROADS IN IOWA AND NEBRASKA FOR THE PERIODS
1871-1875, 1876-1880, AND 1871-1880, INCLUSIVE 385
GROSS ACRES SOLD BY THE B. & M. AND BY THE ROCK ISLAND
IN IOWA, TOGETHER WITH AVERAGE PRICE PER ACRE, ANNUALLY, 1871-1882 415
GROSS ACRES SOLD BY THE B. & M. AND BY THE UNION PACIFIC
IN NEBRASKA, TOGETHER WITH AVERAGE PRICE PER ACRE, ANNUALLY, 1871-1883 415
GROSS ACRES SOLD BY THE B. & M. AND BY THE ROCK ISLAND
IN IOWA, AND BY THE B. & M. AND BY THE UNION PACIFIC IN NEBRASKA, ANNUALLY,
1871-1882 428
GROSS ACRES SOLD BY THE B. & M. AND UNION PACIFIC IN
NEBRASKA, MONTHLY, 1877-1882, WITH SEASONAL MOVEMENT ELIMINATED 439
AVERAGE PRICE PER ACRE OF LAND RECEIVED BY THE B. & M.
AND BY THE ROCK ISLAND IN IOWA, AND BY THE B. & M. AND BY THE UNION PACIFIC
IN NEBRASKA, ANNUALLY, 1871-1883 449
POPULATION PER THOUSAND ACRES FOR SELECTED ZONES IN IOWA AND
NEBRASKA, DECENNIALLY, 1860-1900 456
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL ACRES IMPROVED FOR SELECTED ZONES IN
IOWA
AND NEBRASKA, DECENNIALLY, 1860-1900 458
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL ACRES IN FARMS FOR SELECTED ZONES IN
IOWA
AND NEBRASKA, DECENNIALLY, 1860-1900 459
GROSS NUMBER OF SALES BY THE B. & M. IN NEBRASKA,
TOGETHER WITH AVERAGE PRICE PER ACRE, ANNUALLY, 1882-1903 468
GROSS LAND SALES BY THE B. & M. RAILROADS IN IOWA AND
NEBRASKA, MONTHLY, APRIL 1870 THROUGH DECEMBER 1903 474-475
[Statistics underlying these graphs are in the tables listed
on page xi under Appendix F.]
