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Union Pacific Railroad

One of two railroads joining to create the first transcontinental railroad system in the United States, the other being the Central Pacific Railroad.[1]

Incorporated on July 1, 1862 as a result of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862. The Union Pacific’s first rail was laid in Omaha, Nebraska Territory on July 10, 1865 and merged with the Central Pacific Railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory on May 10, 1869.[1]

On January 16, 1869, the first Union Pacific locomotive passed through Echo Springs, Utah Territory.[2] In 1870, Richard Bixby traveled to Utah’s territorial seat[3] in Salt Lake City[4] to appeal the case of the Silver Lady Mine vs. the New Hope Mining Company to Utah Territory’s probate court.[3] The route would have taken him from Echo Springs to Ogden City on the Union Pacific Railroad. He would have switched to the Utah Central Rail Road for the final leg of his journey to Salt Lake City.[4][5]

Ghost Rider: In 1871, Shane robbed[7] a Union Pacific.[5] train[7] in Wyoming Territory, stealing a pouch of U.S. Mail[5] and a Wells Fargo treasure box containing $60,000.[7]

According to Hoyle: In 1876, Bret Maverick and Samantha Crawford arrived in Kansas City from St. Louis[8] on the Missouri Pacific Railroad. There, they changed to the Union Pacific[5] to travel to Cheyenne, where they disembarked for a stage to Wagon Wheel, Wyoming Territory.[8]