(The Olympian published the following news brief on January 27.)
OLYMPIA, Wash. –- PBS will air “American Experience: Transcontinental Railroad,” tonight from 9-11 p.m., (Eastern).
Even as the Civil War raged in the 1860s, people began the massive push to span the country with one railway. It was a bold effort, a huge plunge of muscle, metal and money. It also involved greed, corruption and wholesale bribery.
For many Chinese and Irish immigrants it meant steady work. For the American Indians it meant disease and starvation.
Promoters turned it into a land grab. There were schemes, scams and wide-eyed idealists. It’s a great story that’s well-told.