The word coolie is a term used to describe a person from Asia, Southern China, the Philippines, Indonesia, or the Indian subcontinent. The term was widely used when referring to laborers. Chinese laborers had some of the most dangerous and challenging tasks, but not at the beginning. When construction first began the Chinese were considered too delicate to build a railroad so they were given light duty jobs, like filling dump carts. Their work ethic, self-discipline, and ability to learn quickly gained them recognition and the responsibility of doing other jobs such as laying track and rock cutting. Using
techniques learned from China, workers sculpted the mountains by being lowered
off the side of a cliff or overhang in waist high baskets so chiseling at the
tough granite sides would be easier for explosives to be placed for detonation. Along with men hanging off the side of the
mountain each man had a full crew to assist in the transfer of supplies. The Chinese workers proving themselves again
where noted by some as being almost equal to white men in the amount of work
they could do and do so more reliable.