| Annual Report of the Western North Carolina
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| as of July 1, 1864, |
| Chief Engineer's Report |
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| Report of Chief Eng. and Superintendent |
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| Office Chief Engineer and
Superintendent |
| Statesville, N. C., July 1st, 1864 |
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| To the President and Directors of the
W. N. C. R. R. Co. |
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| Gentlemen, |
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The annual report for the year ending July 1st, 1864, is
herewith most respectfully submitted.
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The Financial condition of the Company will be properly
explained in the report of the President, leaving for you Engineer and
Superintendent the statements in regard to the Departments of
Construction, Road-bed and Machinery.
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Construction Department
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During the year no grading has been done, but sills have
been bedded and the iron laid down, from Speagle's, the old terminus,
to a point three miles nearer Morganton. At this point a temporary
depot has been built.
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The road could have been extended somewhat beyond the
present terminus, but it was thought advisable to leave this undone,
as the iron on hand will be needed during the present year to replace
bars now worn out.
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Road Department
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The condition of the road-bed and rail-way has been
greatly improved, but is yet not such as I should like to report;
especially is this the case on the lower end of the road. The cross
ties here were very rotten, and owing to the scarcity of labor it was
difficult to replace them as rapidly as needed. Before the Winter
rains set in its condition will compare favorably with that of any
previous period, allowing for the wear of the iron, which is many
cases is unusually great considering the newness of the road.
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Machinery Department
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This branch, so very important, is under the immediate
supervision of Mr. E. H. March, whose energy and judgment is evidenced
by the effective condition of the rolling-stock. The expenses of this
department, have been unusually heavy, as every engine has been
thoroughly overhauled, and new tires purchased for all; the cost of a
set of tires being two-thirds that of a locomotive previous to the
war. All the engines are now in fine condition, with the exception of
the Catawba, the one injured by the raiders, and it will be
repaired in a very short time. During the year, notwithstanding the
condition of the road last Winter, and the increase of travel, no case
of injury to passengers has occurred. This fact is evidence of the
attention of the Conductors and Engineers, who have the immediate
charge of the train.
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On account of the improved condition of the machinery,
the prospect is good for an increase of revenue for the next twelve
months.
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By your advice, a steam mill has been bought and put into
operation. It has proved a great convenience as well as a source of
profit to the Company.
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The subject of a telegraph, is of such vital importance,
as a part of a rail road system of management, that I do not hesitate
to say that a system is incomplete without it. There are other
improvements I should be glad to make, viz: the building of new Howe
bridges over Second and Third Creeks, but as proper material could not
be had, for the present I have thought it best to postpone it.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Jas. W. Wilson
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