Was there a camp of Chinese RR worker tents at Promontory?
Does anyone have information to supplement the description from the diary of Capt. John Charles Currier regarding the numbers of Chinese workers at Promontory, the numbers involved in the last portion of the CPRR construction East of Mormon Hill, and whether perhaps there was a Chinese RR worker camp at Promontory Summit prior to May 10, 1869?
J. N. Bowman writes in "Driving the Last Spike At Promontory, 1869." California Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. XXXVI, No. 2, June 1957, pp. 96-106, and Vol. XXXVI, No. 3, September 1957, pp. 263-274:
The bulk of the Chinese and other workers who had completed the line by May 1 had been shunted westward to improve certain points of the line, leaving only a few, perhaps a dozen, to do the grading, lay the ties and drive the few spikes of the west rail, lay the east rail for the ceremony, and replace the laurel tie. ...
For the military participation, the diary of Lt. J. C. Currier of Co. K was found by Miss Irene Simpson of the Wells Fargo history room in 1954 in the possession of Mrs. Harriet Currier Hale (daughter of the Lt.) of San Mateo, California, and now of Massachusetts. That portion of the diary concerning May 10 is as follows:
"We have just witnessed the laying of the last rail. Crowds began assemblying at 7 a.m. There were several thousands present and ceremonies were opened with a prayer by a minister from Mass. A covered wood tie, beautifully polished and appropriately engraved was then brought out and placed in position by the highest officials of each R.R. A spike of gold was then produced with a silver hammer. A telegraph wire was attached to the spike — at a given signal, one, two, three strokes were made with the silver hammer. The telegraph wires were so arranged that the taps were flashed to all parts of the U. S. so that eager thousands in all the great cities knew the rail was laid and the R.R. complete. Truly it was worth the trip from New Hampshire alone to see this great achievement. Two beautifully decorated engines, one of each road advanced until the guards touched — the engineers climbed out and broke a bottle of champagne across the space and shook hands. Nattie [Mrs. Currier] and I were permitted to give a stroke — I used my sword hilt. Our regiment marched up and stood at Parade rest while our pictures were taken, then our regimental band played."
A few days later the regiment arrived at the San Francisco Presidio. [See Hist. Register, U. S. Army (Washington, D. C., 1903),I, 345, for career of John Charles Currier.]
... By the time of the celebration, about 20 tents and shacks had been erected on both sides of the track but most of them on the west side. ...
See the Silvis photographs of tents and shacks at Promontory.
Capt. John Charles Currier continued his journey west on the first CPRR train and writes in his diary, the next day:
"Tuesday, May 11th, 1869 P.M.
      At Humboldt Wells, Nevada Territory, 165 miles from  Promontory. 
We are making excellent time. There is a  perceptible difference in the 
running time from that of the  U.P. We go faster. Our car is very fair 
day cars. They are  splendid, made after the latest pattern in 
Springfield,  Mass. We have patent brakes, ventilation etc. They look  
fresh and clean, very much like the cars on the Boston and  Maine 
running to Portland. Our friend who went to Salt Lake  joined us 
yesterday. We came through several historic (to  be) places last night 
such as "Red Dome Pass,"  "Terrace Point", "Desert Passage Creek", 
"Loans" etc.  We are getting into sage brush and sand. What an oasis is 
  the Salt Lake Valley on this line. Leaving barren rocks and  sterile 
soil, the traveler emerges into a land flowing with  milk and honey, 
fertile soil, cultivated farms,  [and] good houses but he flies across 
this valley rapidly, like lightening, and comes out again upon a still  
more barren wood and worthless soil. Upon this we are now  and, as if 
anxious to get over it quick, our speed is  increasing. We run thirty 
miles an hour with very few stops.  The Centrals carry their water 
along with them in immense  tanks for it is very difficult to obtain 
water here. The  grading of this road is perfect; for the last 80 miles 
we  have run as smooth as a floor. The road was built by "John  
Chinaman", HUNDREDS OF WHOM ARE SEEN ALONG THE ROUTE. They  attract 
much attention with their odd dress and cues  dangling behind. They 
look strange to us. But they are faithful workmen and said to be 
infinitely superior to the  Irish laborers. It is growing hot and 
dusty; we are in the  alkali and the dust sifts and blows. There is 
nothing grown, nothing but miserable sage brush; not much sleep for us  
tonight."
"Wednesday, May 12th, 1869
      Passed a night of intense misery and discomfort. The  dust was 
stifling. There was very little air and the alkali  came into the car 
in clouds filling eyes, nose, mouth and  ears. With all this we ran 
like lightening at a frightful  speed. Made 200 miles last night. Some 
times our car, it  being the rear one, would snap as if it was to whip. 
Several  of the officers became alarmed at our speed. On, On, we  
rushed with not a stop. We are 324 [miles from] Sacramento. Oh this 
alkali and sage brush! We are sick and  tired of it; beats anything on 
the U.P.  YET "JOHN" IS ENCAMPED ALONG THE ROAD right in the sun, 
apparently  contented and happy. ... "





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