178 LANDS OF THE ARID REGION OF THE UNITED STATES. 
Fourth. It provided for the filing by the company of a map of its 
general or designated route (before definite location of its line); and upon 
the filing thereof the lands became legislatively reserved or withdrawn. 
By an act approved July 2, 1864, this act was amended in several 
particulars, and instead of “five” sections “ten” were granted, thereby 
increasing the limits from ten to twenty miles on each side of the roads. 
The term ‘mineral land” was construed not to include ‘coal and iron 
land”. 
By section 19 of this latter act a grant was made to the Burlington 
and Missouri River Railroad Company, for the construction of a road from 
the Missouri River to some point not farther west than the one hundredth 
meridian of west longitude to connect with the Union Pacific road, of ten 
alternate sections per mile on each side of its line of road. It has been 
decided that this company was not confined to any limit, but could go far 
enough to secure the quantity granted, and it is the only railroad whose 
grant is not confined to lateral limits. By a proviso to the twentieth sec- 
tion, however, the company received no bonds. 
The rapidity with which the Union Pacific road was constructed was 
surprising, and the whole progress of the work displayed a spirit of energy 
seldom seen in an undertaking of that character. The most positive 
achievements, however, were those of the Central Pacific Company. The 
construction of that road over the Sierras is considered by professional 
authorities as one of the greatest results of engineering. It crossed the 
maximum summit, of 7,042 feet above the sea, within one hundred miles of 
the Pacific tide waters, requiring a distribution of ascent really scientific to 
render it practicable, and, by using a minimum radius of 573 feet, secured, 
comparatively speaking, a direct alignment. 
The two roads were completed and a junction effected May 10, 1869, 
and the initial transcontinental line was thereby finished. 
By an act approved March 3, 1863, there was a grant made to the 
State of Kansas to aid in constructing certain railroads therein, now known 
as the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé; Leavenworth, Lawrence and Gal- 
veston, and Missouri, Kansas and Texas. It was of every alternate section 
of land designated by odd numbers for ten sections in width on each side 
