AR, WP 12/31/1865 P

Annual Report of the Winchester & Potomac RR
as of December 31, 1865,
President's Report
 
Report of the President and Directors of the
Winchester & Potomac Rail Road Co.
December 30, 1865
 
   Although the present is not one of the regular annual meetings of the Company, yet it is proper to submit to the Stockholders, at this time, a general view of the condition and prospects of the Company; as more than five years have passed since the last meeting, during which radical changes have taken place; and we are now called upon for prompt decisions upon most important questions, affecting the interests of the Company, of our community, and even of the State itself.
   The last meeting of the Stockholders was held in October, 1860.
   Early in the war -- on the 12th of March, 1862 -- the Military authorities of the United States took possession of our Road for their own use, and have continued up to the present time to hold the same, except at intervals, when changes of occupation took place between the contending forces. But at no time, since the first seizure, has the Company or its Board of Directors had actual control of the road. Several times within this period the superstructure of the road has been destroyed and repaired, and the rolling stock removed and burned, and partially replaced; whilst, in the Spring of 1863, the depot buildings, machine shops, and other property of that kind, along the whole length of the road, have been utterly demolished, and even the materials taken away. Before the war began our road way, from Winchester to the Ferry, was complete; all necessary buildings, at the termini and along the road, erect and in good order; the rolling stock and supplies ample; and the whole in successful operation, carrying passengers and freight. Now, the five miles of the road, from Winchester to Stephenson's is gone, the necessary buildings all gone, the stock upon the road is the property of the Government, to be removed or sold; and the only property of the Company (except some loose materials, which may be recovered,) is the road itself, and franchise granted by the State of Virginia. *****
All of which is respectfully submitted,
Robt. Y. Conrad, Prest.
W. L. Bent, Secretary

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