Cindy Wilson returns to the podcast to discuss this amazing episode

Check out Cindy’s newest book, We Suffered Much: Charles Wood Irish and the Dakota Territory Railroad Survey of 1879-1881 https://www.amazon.com/We-Suffered-Much-Territory-1879-1881-ebook/dp/B0D3S7ZTMH

Episode: The Empire Builders (Season 9, Episode 9)

• Air Date: November 22, 1982
• Writer: John T. Dugan
• Director: Joseph Pevney
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

In The Empire Builders, Walnut Grove buzzes with excitement over a new railroad depot, promising jobs and growth. However, the Minneapolis and Western Railroad, led by Spencer Hollingsworth, plans to seize farmers’ lands, including Almanzo Wilder’s and John Carter’s, via eminent domain. Initial enthusiasm sours as the town realizes the cost: evictions and a rowdy railroad camp complete with a saloon. Almanzo and Carter, backed by Isaiah Edwards, resist, facing threats from railroad enforcer Wilkins. Laura rallies the women to join the men in a standoff at Carter’s farm, while surveyor Hobson proposes rerouting the tracks through Tracy. The community’s united front forces Hollingsworth to relent, sparing Walnut Grove. The episode, a blend of drama and defiance, showcases the power of collective resistance against corporate overreach, with Laura’s fiery leadership and Carter’s final triumph underscoring the town’s love for their land.

Some Quotes I Chose

• “Money won’t buy happiness, but you can look for it in fancier places.”
• “Property is property. What we own is what we work and sweat for.”
• “What we own is a part of us.”
• “This land… It’s part of us now.”
• “I’m a lot tougher than you think, Mr. Wilder.”
• “This is our land, and we fight for it together.”

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