AR, MC 4/1/1861 S
Annual Report of the Mississippi Central RR
as of April 1, 1861
Superintendent's Report
 
Report of Superintendents
 
Walter Goodman, Esq.
President Mississippi Central Railroad 
 
Sir,
   We herewith hand you statements marked D. to T. inclusive, showing in detail the earnings and expenditures of your road during the eleven months ending March 31st, 1861.
   (D.) Shows the monthly and total movement of passengers and freight, the revenue from the same, and from other sources during the fiscal year.
   (E.) Is an exhibit in detail of the monthly and total working expenses during the same time less the excess of material on hand over the amount on hand at date of last annual Report.
   (F.) Shows the monthly and annual shipment of Cotton from each station to New Orleans, Memphis and Columbus.
   (G.) Is an exhibit of the tonnage and revenue from freights of all kinds to and from each station during the year.
   (H.) Shows the tonnage and receipts from freights and passengers at each station, also the total expenses at each station and the cost per ton for handling freight, deducting twenty per cent of the expenses for approximate amount chargeable to the passenger department.
   (I.) Is a comparative statement of the tonnage and revenue from freights for the corresponding months of the year 1860 and 1861.
   (J.) Is an exhibit of the monthly and total movement of passengers and revenue from the same, showing amount of Agents' local sales, Conductors' collections, Agents' foreign sales, and sales by other lines.
   (K.) Is a statement in detail of the sales by foreign roads over our line to foreign points.
   (L.) Is a detailed statement of tickets sold by our agents to foreign points.
   (M.) Is a similar statement of tickets sold by foreign roads to local stations on our line.
   (N.) Is an exhibit of the local movement of passengers between the Stations on the line, and with the exception of the movement between Canton and Grand Junction and Jackson, may be considered purely local travel.
   (O.) Is an exhibit of the expenditures on account of "construction" and "equipment" also on "personal" account.
   (P.) Is a statement of the mileage of the cars of this Company on this and connecting roads, also the mileage of cars of other lines on this, and the difference in the exchange account.
   (Q.) Exhibits the number and condition of the Locomotives belonging to the Company, the mileage this year, the fuel and oil used, the expense of repairs, and cost per mile run.
   (R.) Is a statement of the number and condition of the cars of the Company.
   (S.) Is a monthly and total statement of stock killed.
   (T.) Is an inventory of the stock on hand at the close of the fiscal year.
   From these exhibits it will appear that your road has received from travel,
Between Southern and Northeastern Cities
   Via Canton and Jackson 3262 Pass. 25,292.65
   Via Canton and Grand Junction 6506 " 39,738.92
Between Southern and Southeastern Cities via Grand Junction 8027 " 67,283.80
Between Southern and Northern Cities via Jackson 4673 1/2 " 39,350.66
Between Canton and Grand Junction Local sales 1049 1/2 " 7,9-5.00
Between Canton and Jackson, Local sales 161 " 1,528.20
Between Local Station, mostly local 145,535 " 296,876.30
     Total from passengers 169,214 477,975.53
 
From 26,296 tons of freight Northward 91,026.20
    "    56,034   "     "      "     Southward 210,779.22
    "    United States Main 42,350.00
    "    Adams Express 12,558.96
    "    News Agents 683.88
    "    Extra Baggage 870.90
836,244.69
Expenses for Conducting Transportation 103,425.97
       "         "  Motive Power 139,850.90
       "         "  Maintenance of Way 167,806.85
       "         "  Maintenance of Cars 36,550.55 447,634.27

nett

 388,610.44
   The expenditures for renewals of cross ties and trestle bridges, also for ditching cuts and filling trestles have been unusually large, nearly thirty miles of track have been supplied with new cross ties and 100,000 cubic yards of earth have been hauled to embankments at points where brick culverts have been built to replace trestle bridges. We cannot expect any material decrease in this class of expenditures for the coming year, as the ties and trestles are rapidly decaying, and will require our utmost exertions to keep the road way in safe running condition. We can say however that our roadway is in a better condition than ever before.
   The indications for the first six months of the year were of a character to induce the belief that our gross earnings would have exceeded $1,000,000, but the political condition of the country during the last five months, greatly lessened our receipts, while it was not in our power materially to lessen our expenses.
   By statement marked (C.) it will be seen we have shipped to New Orleans 84,580 bales of Cotton, being an increase of 22,959 bales. To Memphis we have shipped 53,114 bales, being a decrease of 24,074 bales; and to Columbus 10 bales, decrease of 1557. Decrease during the year as compared with the corresponding months of previous year, 2672 bales.
   With a full crop and freedom from political convulsions, we might certainly have estimated an increase in shipment of this staple of 30,000 bales.
   Our freight business from our position is necessarily local in its character, and can only increase with the development and prosperity of the section bordering on our road. To adjust our tariff of charges so as to produce the most satisfactory results, is a matter requiring much study and close observation. 
   Statements (G.) (H.) & (I.) will be useful in furnishing the basis for calculations in arranging future tariff rates.
   We have received during the year ten Locomotives, six from Rogers' Locomotive Works, one from New Jersey Locomotive Works, and three ten wheeled engines from M. W. Baldwin, Philadelphia. We have now on the road thirty five engines, most of which are in good condition, and all capable of being put in commission at a few days' notice. Messrs. Dagg & Dodson, who have the special charge of the Locomotive department, deserve great credit for the excellent condition of this branch of service.
   The difference in our favor of the mileage of our cars in exchange with connecting roads, is an item that might very properly be added to our gross earnings. At two cents per mile, the amount agreed on for the use of cars, the balance in our favor is $11,344.20.
   The fact that our cars have run more miles on connecting roads than on our own, and while away are not as well cared for as when under our own direction, is a strong argument in favor of transferring freights at terminal stations.
   We believe the increased cost of handling will be more than compensated by the smaller number of cars required for our business and the decreased wear and tear of our stock.
   Our Rolling Stock now consists of
22 First Class Passenger Cars in good order.
6     "        "            "          " needing repairs, one now in shop
2     "        " Sleeping Cars, owned by Contractors, in good order
2 Second Class Cars in good order
5 Mail and Express Cars in good order
1     "      "        "           " needs repairs
6 Baggage Cars in good order
1        "          " needs repairing
1 Paymaster's Car in good order
218 Box Freight Cars, 91 new, and all in good order
16    "         "        " in bad order
10    "         "        " used as boarding cars, nearly worthless  
134 Platform          " in good order
17        "               " need repairs
3 Stock               " in good order
4 Platform           " used for boarding cars
30 Hand                " fair order
13 Hurdle              " good order
   We have received during the year from Barney, Parker & Co., 51 Box Cars, and from Wharton & Petsch 40 Box and 40 Platform Cars. There have also been built at the Company's shop, Holly Springs, twelve Platform and three Stock Cars.
   Much credit is due W. W. Pierce, foreman of the car shop, for the condition of the rolling stock and the small comparative expense of repairs.
   The statement of stock killed sums up a fearful aggregate, and one which causes much ill feeling among the sufferers. That stock is sometimes killed through negligence and carelessness is quite probable, and when such cases occur, the remedy is plain, but we believe in most instances the killing is entirely unavoidable, in which cases the adjustment is more difficult as the owner claims that he should not be made to bear the loss, and the decisions of the higher courts would seem to say the loss should not fall on the company. The non-payment causes ill feeling on the part of the claimants towards the Company, which have in some instances culminated in acts endangering the lives of passengers, and employees, and the property of the Company.
   We are happy to state, however, that all acts of this character have been comparatively harmless in result, though the intention to injure has been too evident.
   It is hoped that by fencing the more exposed portions of the line and the use of the "Loughbridge brake" on passenger trains, future casualties of this kind may be lessened in number.
   Legislation for the protection of our fences would seem to be called for, as lawless persons have in several instances torn them down, and left them in a condition more likely to endanger stock and our trains, than before they were erected.
   The inventory of stock on hand shows an excess of $11,843 73/100 over the stock of last year. The largest items of excess are fuel and new tyres for locomotives.
   The casualties of the year may be summed up as follows:
June 15, 1860 A negro, ditching hand, through his own carelessness was killed near Vaughn's Station
July 28, 1860 A negro owned by J. O. Graves, Esq., near the Tennessee Cut, while asleep on the track had his arm broken and was otherwise bruised, but has recovered. His owner blames no one but the negro.
November 12, 1860 A runaway negro was run over by northward passenger train about four miles north of Goodman, while asleep on the track, owner not known, negro died from his injuries.
Same date At Malones tank the Southward train ran over a man named Hamilton, who got on the train at that point, and while passing from the baggage to the passenger car fell between the platforms. He was intoxicated and in charge of his brother, who had hold of him at the time.
January 3, 1861 An Irishman, name unknown, threw himself on the track immediately in advance of the engine, as the train was crossing Forked Deer Bottom, near Jackson, and was instantly killed. The coroner's jury found a verdict of suicide, the evidence showing that he was suffering under an attack of mania a potu, and that he had a few moments before attempted to drown himself.
January 4, 1861 A negro fireman had his leg broken and was otherwise injured by being caught under the tender of the locomotive Yallabusha, off the track at the "Rose Trestle: near Hickory Valley. He is recovering and will apparently be as sound as ever.
   Our Trains have run with great regularity during the year, and have been almost entirely exempt from serious accident.
   Excessive rains in January last caused several breaks in the road on the Southern Division, which suspended through trains four days. Again on the first of February, high waters removed part of the temporary works used in repairing the former breaks, and suspended through trains for two days. 
   The weak places in the line discovered by these floods have been thoroughly strengthened, and much higher waters can now be withstood without apprehension of damage.
   It affords us peculiar pleasure to bear testimony to the fidelity and zeal of our assistants and employees generally.
E. G. Barney, Sup't. Northern Division
E. D. Frost, Sup't. Southern Division

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