Charles Francis Adams II: Industrialist (1886-1893)

Duration: 59

Year Published: 1976

Creator: WNET-13

Format: 16mm

Description: Focuses on the dilemma Charles Francis Adams II faces as president of the Union Pacific Railroad. Shows how, forcing Jay Gould out of the company and with the help of W. H. Holcomb eliminates the company debt and receives Congressional approval. However, in the hopes of building an expanded railroad system, Adams throws the company back into debt. A downturn in the economy brings the Union Pacific to bankruptcy and Adams is forced to turn the railroad back to Gould. This setback, plus the growth and change in the town of Quincy, convinces Adams to seek a home for his family elsewhere.