JOHN WORK GARRETT
The railroad monopolies had been abusing their workers for years and this strike brought most of the railroads to a standstill. Since the public and much economic activity depended on the railroad, the Railroad managers tried to get the government to use the U. S. Army to break the strike rather than negotiate in good faith with the railroad labor unions.
John Work Garrett, was an American merchant turned banker who became president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) in 1858 and led the railroad for nearly three decades. The B&O became one of the most important American railroads by the time Garrett died, and Garret would also become a noted philanthropist. He provided crucial support for the Union cause during the Civil War, expanded the railroad to reach Chicago, Illinois, and competed with the Pennsylvania Railroad for access to New York City.
