Winning DAR Essay

The Star continues to spotlight the winning essays in the Saint Joseph Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution annual American History Essay Contest. For full coverage of the contest, see last week's Star.

Several weeks ago on June 25, my co-workers and I agreed to strike against the Central Pacific Railroad. We've been working extremely long hours in dangerous conditions. Because of the long shifts, I do not have time to spend with my wife and four children. We are barely making ends meet with my pay of thirty-five dollars a week. I rarely get to spend time with my six week old baby girl, two year old twin boys and ten year old son.

Our ancestors came to California in 1848 searching for gold. In 1863, the Chinese miners enjoyed their best year. Nearly all of the Chinese miners had left by 1868 and some joined the new wave of Chinese immigrants who came to build the transcontinental Railroad.

Many people said we were too small and thin to do this kind of work, but our boss, Charles Crocker said, "If their Chinese ancestors could build the Great Wall over mountains and tundra, these men could lay track over the Sierra Nevada." It's a good feeling to be well thought of and many Americans have said we are the best workers. We are non-violent workers who are looking out for our families.

When the railroad is completed it will unite the country and reduce the amount of time to travel from one place to another. People will be able to travel from "sea to shining sea" in ten days where now it takes around six months. We are helping unite this great nation while sacrificing our own lives. We have blasted through mountains, used picks and shovels, and used horse drawn wagons to remove dirt. We've been lowered down cliffs in baskets to use dynamite. We are tired from long shifts. Our families worry about our safety every day. We, the Chinese workers, hope to be given shorter shifts in the cramped and dangerous tunnels. We are also asking for forty dollars a month instead of thirty-five.

Two days later, Charles Crocker said he would stop work entirely before giving in to our demands. Workers all along the line were striking and asking for forty-five dollars a month. Mr. Crocker didn't even consider if we had a legitimate gripe. He thought we were being spurred on by opium dealers or by the rival Union Pacific agents.

For a week we didn't give in. We stayed in our camps and occasionally come out to look around. We didn't cause any problems; we just wanted to see if they had replaced us with new workers. Our food and other supplies were stopped. Our families were starving and we couldn't take it any longer. Our boss told us if we went back to work immediately we would only be fined. If we didn't go back we would lose our pay for the month of June. There was not a choice for me because my family was suffering from malnutrition. Most of the men returned to work. Others were angry. Mr. Crocker thought they might get out of hand so he brought in a group of armed men to show his point. After that, work on the railroad resumed. We were forced to continue working under bad conditions and low pay.

Most of us feel unappreciated for what we are doing for this nation. We are proud to be a part of uniting people from "sea to shining sea." We have no plans to cause trouble for anyone. We only wish for better pay and working conditions so that we can take care of our families. We want to make this wonderful land our home too.