Workers of the Central Pacific Railroad. By Patricia M.

 In 1859, poverty and overpopulation led the Chinese peasants to come to the California shores where they faced harsh prejudice. Time passed and labor shortages become a frequent problem and in 1865 the Central Pacific had enough work for 4,000 men but barely held onto 800 laborers and any given time, Charles Crocker began hiring Chinese workers. James Harvey Strobridge, who once held a prejudice against the chinese, was impressed by their work ethic when Crocker suggested he hire some to help with railroad building. The Chinese workers were more punctual, willing, well-behavior and worked for less unlike their caucasian counterparts. However, Strobridge still doubted the suitability of Chinese to certain tasks. Toward the end of the line Crocker was convinced of the skill of his workers and decided to set a record of laying down 10 miles of track in one day, which would be April 28, 1868.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/tcrr-cprr/