CHAPTER II

THE GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RAILROAD 15

Alarm of canal-owners at the success of railroads--The making of the Baltimore & Ohio--The "Tom Thumb" engine--Difficulties in crossing the Appalachians--Extension to Pittsburgh--Troubles of the Erie Railroad--This road the first to use the telegraph--The prairies begin to be crossed by railways--Chicago's first railroad, the Galena & Chicago Union--Illinois Central--Rock Island, the first to span the Mississippi--Proposals to run railroads to the Pacific--The Central Pacific organized--It and the Union Pacific meet--Other Pacific roads.