
Look closely at the blade of the knife and you may be able to see the maker’s imprint.
Meal arrangements along the railroad varied widely: in some cases, the company would provide food in a mess hall as part of the workers’ salary; at other times, the men were expected to fend for themselves. There were restaurants as well as saloons in hell-on-wheels towns. Many wives and daughters who travelled with the railroad workers made their own living by providing food to dozens of hungry men. This was especially true for the crews in Utah, where saloons were uncommon. Men were expected to have their own set of eating utensils, including a bowl or plate, cup, knife, fork, and spoon. With so many people eating every day, it’s no wonder that these utensils were left behind and later found in the remains of a work site. On loan from the Golden Spike National Historic Site.