| Annual Report of the Mobile & Ohio RR |
| as of April 1, 1861, |
| Chief Engineer's Report |
| |
| Office Mobile & Ohio Rail Road Company |
| May 6th, 1861 |
| |
| Hon. Milton Brown |
| President Mobile & Ohio Rail Road
Company |
|
|
| Sir, |
|
I have the honor to report that the last spike was driven
on the 22d ult. by M. J. D. Baldwyn, the projector of this great work,
and the trains commenced to run regularly through the entire road
Monday last.
|
|
The usual Tables and Statements, from No. 1 to 16,
contain detailed explanations of the earnings, expenses, and movement
of Freight and Passengers.
|
|
The earnings have been:
|
| From |
Passengers |
South Division |
$265,197.55 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
127,049.68 |
$392,247.23 |
| " |
Freight |
South Division |
884,021.20 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
74,009.71 |
958,030.91 |
| " |
Mails |
South Division |
26,700.75 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
15,225.00 |
41,925.75 |
| " |
Express |
South Division |
8,891.44 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
1,763.06 |
10,654.50 |
|
Total Earnings |
|
$1,402,858.39 |
|
And the expenses: |
|
|
| For |
Repairs of Road |
South Division |
$227,761.06 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
40,071.40 |
$267,832.46 |
| " |
Machinery |
South Division |
88,371.58 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
16,862.10 |
105,233.68 |
| For |
Conducting Transportation |
South Division |
281,105.95 |
|
| " |
" |
North Division |
53,316.08 |
334,422.03 |
|
Total Expenses |
|
|
$707,488.17 |
|
And leaving a net revenue of |
|
$695,370.22 |
|
Of which there has been paid for interest S.
Division |
|
398,727.24 |
| Balance after payment
of interest |
|
$296,642.98 |
|
|
|
|
The earnings to the 1st September, exhibit an increase
over the same period of the previous year corresponding with the
greater length of the road, and -- but for the short crop and
political agitation -- would have continued during the remainder and
swelled the receipts to $1,750,000, with comparatively a small
increased expenditure. As soon as it was evident that the crop was
unusually short, the expenses were reduced to the lowest point
consistent with safety and efficiency, but this was again followed by
the complete prostration of business, consequent upon the late
Presidential election, which reduced the travel and upward bound
freight to less than one half of the amount it would have been in
times of prosperity and peace.
|
|
The expenses of the past year were greatly increased by
the renewal of 150,000 Cross-ties, the reconstruction of Trestle Work
and Howe Truss Bridges over Noxubee River and Running Water, which
were originally constructed of bad materials -- and the transportation
of materials of construction. This latter item if charged at cost
would exceed $150,000.
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|
It was my intention on the completion of the road to
review its history and present for your consideration the prospects of
its ultimate success as an investment of capital, but the Revolution
of the Government, and the consequent destruction of business in every
department of industry, and the uncertainty as to when commerce will
resume its accustomed channels, destroys the value of all such
speculations, and they are therefore omitted.
|
|
The Trains have been run during the year with the usual
regularity, and without the slightest injury to a passenger; and it
gives me pleasure to say that this has resulted from the watchfulness
and strict attention to duty of the officers, agents, and employees in
every department.
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Very Respectfully,
|
|
L. J. Fleming
|
|
Chief Eng. and Gen'l Sup't.
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