Office S. P. R. R. Company
|
Marshall Texas |
Jany 23d 1866 |
|
Hon. George C. Rives |
Acting Comptroller of the State of Texas |
Austin, Texas |
|
Sir, |
In accordance with the requirements of the
laws of Texas, we beg leave to lay before you a Report of the
operations of the Southern Pacific Rail Road Company for the year
ending on the 31st day of May 1865. Our Reports previous to that time
have been all forwarded, to the best of our knowledge and belief. |
Answer to the first interrogatory:
|
The Capital Stock, as it stands upon the books of the
Company, including stock admitted to the book, but for which
certificates have not yet been issued, about $500,000.00.
|
Under the policy of the Company, an
arrangement was made by the stockholders in 1858, for the purpose of
reducing the stock by a surrender of one half, and making a loan to
the Co: on each share, (the loan to be paid back in stock,) for
carrying on the work. That policy was somewhat modified in 1861 by the
same Company; and which policies are now the policy of the present
Co:, a copy of which, touching the whole matter, we beg leave to
transmit you herewith. A compliance with the requirements of the
policy, (imposed upon themselves), will save their stock. The Capital
Stock may therefore be increased from time to time as the stockholders
come forward. Hence we can only give an approximation of the stock,
until certificates are issued; as the process of reduction, funding
interest allowed on stock previous to April 12th 1859, issues for
loans &c makes altogether a complicated process, requiring care in
the details, but difficult to aggregate. The amt. reported above is
placed high, for the purpose of covering these several items, as near
as may be. |
Answer to second interrogatory |
Amt. expended for the purchase of land |
0.00 |
For construction of the road |
23,560.50 |
For buildings |
0.00 |
For engines cars |
0.00 |
|
Answer to third interrogatory |
Due to the State of Texas |
$150,000.00 |
Three years Interest on above |
27,000.00 |
Bill Payable |
20,000.00 |
Construction |
9,988.00 |
Running Expenses |
1,100.00 |
Salaries |
4,500.00 |
Other accounts |
27,661.21 |
Due to the Company |
$155,750.00 |
|
Answer to fourth interrogatory |
Received for transportation of passengers |
$86,402.60 |
Received for transportation of property |
6,314.00 |
Received for transportation of mail |
2,680.84 |
Received from other sources |
1,569.66 |
|
Answer to fifth interrogatory |
Products of the forest |
not classified |
Animals |
None |
Vegetable food |
1332 Tons |
Other agricultural products (970 bales Cotton) |
243 Tons |
Manufactures |
780
" |
Merchandize & other articles |
378
" |
|
We cannot classify the freight, as nearly
all was for the Government, and were called by the Govt. Agents,
"Government Stores;" but we have attempted an approximation |
Answer to Sixth interrogatory |
No dividends have as yet been declared. |
Answer to eighth interrogatory |
Engine Houses |
None |
Shop |
1 |
Engines |
3 |
1 of 22 tons, in constant use & in good
order |
1 of 20 tons, in constant use & in good
order |
1 of 16 tons, not in use, but nearly new |
Passenger Cars |
1 |
in bad order |
Box Cars |
2 |
in good order |
Platform Cars |
3 |
in good order |
|
Answer in ninth interrogatory |
Number of miles run by trains, all the trains
engaged in transporting freight & passengers |
20,084 |
|
Answer to tenth interrogatory |
Number of men
employed |
1 |
|
Superintendent |
1 |
|
Conductor |
2 |
|
Brakeman |
3 |
|
Locomotive engineers |
2 |
|
Firemen |
2 |
|
Foremen on Construction |
3 |
|
Foremen on Repairs |
3 |
|
Repair hands, White |
30 |
|
Repair hands, Black |
120 |
|
Construction hands, Black |
1 |
|
Bridge builder |
2 |
|
Blacksmiths |
|
Answer to eleventh interrogatory |
No person injured in life or limb |
Answer to twelfth interrogatory |
The same answer as in the previous
interrogatory -- no accident has occurred |
Answer to thirteenth interrogatory |
No land sold, none on hand |
We deem it proper to state, that in the
receipts & expenditures, confederate money was only used, and
rating even as low as 50 to one. |
It may not be uninteresting to you to have
a brief account of the present condition of the Company and its
prospects. |
During the year commencing 1st June 1864
and ending 1st June 1865, it was under duress by the commanding
officer of the Trans Mississippi Department. It was never impressed by
the Confederate States Government, but to avoid it, the Company
yielded to the demands of the existing military power, to take up
their track from Swanson's Landing on Lake Caddo, and extend it in the
direction of Shreveport, with their pledge that rails, chairs and
spiked should be furnished to the Co: by the C. S. Government for the
completion of the road to Shreveport. The grading was already
completed. The C. S. Government made an utter failure in the
redemption of its promises, and when the T. M. Department was
surrendered, it left the Company's road 14 miles from Shreveport,
without materials to continue the work, and indebted to the Company
about 95,000 dollars, having used all the iron taken up from the line
to Swanson's Landing, and the C. S. Government not supplying any. This
will account for the small assets of the road during the year. |
It is believed, that peace being restored,
the stockholders of the Company outside of Texas, who are indebted to
the Company in the amount of 478,000 dollars will furnish sufficient
means to complete the track to Shreveport. The stockholders are to
meet in New Orleans on the 22d of February next. |
A. M. Burnham Supt |
S. P. Rail Road |
A. T. Smith Treasurer |
S. P. R. R. Company |
|
The State of Texas |
Harrison County |
Before me A. R. Woodall, Clerk of the County Court of
Harrison County, personally appeared, A. M. Burnham Superintendent
of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and A. T. Smith Treasurer of the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company holding said office on the thirty
first day of May A. D. 1865, to me well known, and acknowledged that
they had executed the annexed statement or instrument in writing,
bearing date on the twenty third day of January A. D. 1866, for the
purpose therein stated, to wit, the Annual Report of said Company for
the year ending May 31st 1865. |
To certify which, I hereto sign my name
and affix the seal of my office at the City of Marshall, this the
twenty third day of January A. D. 1866. |
H. R. Woodall |
Clk C. C. H. C. |