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^ISTISrUAL REPORTS
OF THE
PRESIDENT AND DIRECTORS
AND THE
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS
OF THE
Piittiiii§t0ii, Mmk I |ii§(igit
AND THE
iitiiig
RAIL ROAD COMPANIES,
WITH THE
PEOCEEDIN&S OF THE &ENEEAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS,
November 21st, 1876
WILMINGTON, K C:
THE MORNING STAR STEAM POWER-PRESSES.
1876.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010 with funding from
Ensuring Democracy through Digital Access (NC-LSTA)
http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportsofp1876wilm
OFFICERS FOR 1876,
Wilmington, Colnmbia & AogHsta R. R. Co.
HON. R. E. BRIDGERS,
President.
COL. J. B. PALMER,
W. T. WALTERS, Esq.,
Vice-Presidents.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
W. T. Walters, S. M. Shoemaker, B. F. Newcomer,
J. D. Cameron, J. B. Palmer, H. B. Short,
Geo. S. Brown, L. D. Childs, W. H. Graham.
J. W. THOMPSON, Secretary and Treasurer.
JAMES ANDERSON, General Superintendent.
T. D. KLINE, Master of Transportation da AssH SupH.
T. D. KLINE, Master of Machinery.
P. McLaughlin, Road Master.
R. M. WALKER, Road Master.
F. H. GORDON, Axiditor.
A. POPE, General Freight and Ticlcet Agent.
OFFICERS FOR 1876,
Wilmington & WeWon Rail Road Company.
Hon. E. K. BRIDGERS,
President.
B. F. NEWCOMER, Esq.,
Vice-President.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
W. A. Wright, W. T. Walters,
George Harriss, B. F. Newcomer,
C. H. Brogden, S. M. Shoemaker,
W. H. Willard, a. J. DeRosset,
George Howard, J. D. Cameron.
J. W. THOMPSON, Secretary and Treasurer.
J. F. DIVINE, General Superintendent.
JAMES KNIGHT, Master of Transportation.
J. F. DiyiNE, Master of Machinery.
JOHN BARRY, '^Road Master.
E. F. CASON, Storeheep&r.
F. H. GORDON, Auditor.
A, POPE, General Freight and Ticket Agent.
F^JROCEEDINQS
OF THE
SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
OF THE
Wilmington, Colombia & Angnsta R, R, Co
Held in Wilmington, at 12 o'' clock M., on Tuesday, the 2\st of
November, 1876.
Wilmington, IS". C, Nov. 21, 1876.
The seventli annual meeting of tlie Stockholders of the
Wilmington, Columbia & Augusta Rail Road Company was held
at the office of the President, in this city, at 12 o'clock M. this
day.
On motion of B. F, Newcomer, Esq., Col. J. B. Palmer, of
Columbia, was called to the Chair, and J. W. Thompson ap-
pointed Secretary.
B. F. Newcomer and J. W. Thompson being appointed a
committee to verify proxies, reported that 2,862 shares of the
capital stock of the Company were represented.
The annual report of R. R. Bridgers, President, together with
the reports of the Superintendent, Treasurer and Auditor, were
submitted, and the Secretary was ordered to have 350 copies
published with the proceedings of the meeting.
The election of President being in order, Hon. R. R. Bridgers
was nominated, and elected unanimously.
The following gentlemen were then elected directors: J. B.
Palmer, W. T. Walters, B. F. Newcomer, H. B. Short, Geo. S.
Brown, W, H. Graham, S. M. Shoemaker, J. D. Cameron, and
L. D. Childs.
On motion, it was resolved that the next annual meeting be
held in "Wilmington on the first Tuesday after the third Mon-
day in November next.
The meeting then adjourned.
J. B. PALMER, President.
J. W. Thompson, Secretary.
I^ROCEEDINaS
OF THE
FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
OF THE
Wilmington & WeMon Rail Road Company,
Held in Wilmington, at 11 o'clock A. M., on Tuesday, the 21st of
November, 1876.
Wilmington, N. C, Nov. 21, 1876.
The Stockholders of the "Wihnington & Weldon Kail Road
Company convened alt the office of the President this day.
On motion of B. F. Newcomer, Esq., Hon. W. II. Battle, of
Raleigh, was appointed Chairman and J. W. Thompson, Secre-
tary.
On motion of TV. A, Wright, Esq., B. F. Newcomer and J.
W. Thompson were appointed a cammitteeto verify proxies and
report the number of shares of the capital stock of the Company
represented. The committee reported 2,761 shares represented
in person and 6,291 by proxy, making a total of 9,052 shares,
which, being a majority, the Chairman declared the meeting
duly organized for the transaction of business.
Hon. R. R. Bridgers, President of the Company, made a
verbal report on the condition of the road, and stated that the
official reports would be published with the printed reports of
the Wilmington, Columbia &, Augusta Railroad Company, and
be ready for distribution in a few days.
8
On motion, the meeting then proceeded to elect a President
and ten Directors for the ensuing year.
Hon. K. R. Bridgers was unanimously elected President, and
the following stockholders were elected Directors: Wm. A.
Wright, A. J. DeRosset, George Harriss, C. H. Brogden, W.
H. Willard, George Howard, W. T. Walters, B. F. Newcomer,
S. M. Shoemaker and J. D. Cameron.
On motion, it was resolved that the next annual meeting be
held in Wilmington on the first Tuesday after the third Monday
in November, 1877.
The meeting then adjourned.
W. H. BATTLE, Chairman.
J. W. Thompson, Secretary.
Wilmington, N. C, November 21st, 1876.
To the Stockholders of the ^yibnington, Coluntibia & Avgusta
Hail Road Company :
Gentlemen : — The President and Directors submit tlie fol-
loM^ing report, showing the operations of the Koad for the year
ending the 30th of September last ; also, those of the Wilming-
ton & Weldon Rail Road for same time.
The Reports of the Superintendents of the two Roads, and
the Treasurer, and Auditor, will show the details of the opera-
tions and their financial condition.
Earnings, $1,137,009 91
Expenses, 758,265 24
Net, $378,744 68
which is less than the preceding year.
For three years there has been a diminution in the receipts
of the roads, caused by general business depression and exces-
sively low rates of transportation at several of the competitive
points.
During the past two years, while there has been a constant
decline in the price of cotton and naval stores, giving the pro-
ducer less money to spend in travelling and for supplies and other
articles, there has been a large increase in the production of
corn, wheat, and meats, to that extent diminishing freight
receipts.
On the Wilmington, Columbia & Augusta Rail Road there
has been a very great diminution in forest products, especially
lO
naval stores, lumber, timber and staves, from wliieli, previous
to 1874, the largest freight revenues were derived. In addi-
tion to this, necessity has taught some very rigid lessons in
economy, that have diminished inward freights ; and which, if
continued, must improve the financial condition of the country
that will increase railroad business.
It is a noticeable fact that sections of the South that have
grown their own supplies are more prosperous than those that
have grown cotton and purchased the former, and have not
been affected to the same extent by the great financial depres-
sion.
The burning of the warehouse at Marion, with its freiu-ht
contents, cost the Company $9,046.30; the purchase of two
postal cars $5,514.88. It has been usual to buy iron on such
time that the greater portion fell due in the succeeding year,
and was charged when paid. This year it was bought on short
time, thus throwing the payment of the greater part of two
years into the present year. If these items be taken into
account, the net is about the same as the past year, and
there has been a diminution of expenses in proportion to dimi-
nution of receipts.
The removal of the Depot from the West to the East side of
the Cape Fear River has been completed, with the exception of
some quantity '^of wharf filling, which can be done in the leis-
ure months of next summer, at comparatively small cost. This
change saves the maintenance of six miles of track, one and a
half of which is trestle, also considerable expense of supervi-
sion and clerical force, with increased facilities and convenience
to shippers. The transfer of freights at the Union De])ot,
made necessary by tracks of different gauge, has been provided
for at the joint local station, where increased facilities and con-
centration will make a saving of expense. The new Passenger
Shed, on Front Street, is a very great convenience to the City,
and being nearer the shops and offices, renders it much easier
of an eflicient and more economical supervision, and is a great
improv^ement on the old Union Depot.
The shops have been transferred from the West side of the
II
River to Florence, and are completed, with the exception of the
Round House, which will soon be finished. These shops are
well planned— the arrangements are so complete that the sav-
ing in labor, as compared with the old shops, will pay a consid-
erable part of the interest in the cost of removal.
There has been filled 4,750 lineal feet of trestle, requiring /
169,078 cubic yards of earth. The filling of the trestle will
not be done as soon as was expected, but judging from the ex-
perience had, will cost less. Very soon all the heavier filling
will be done West of the Wateree River. On this river is the
heaviest work to be done, and it will be commenced about the
first of December, and, under the most favorable circumstances,
will require the most of the year, it being four miles long, and
from fifteen to thirty feet high, containing nearly one-half of
the work to be done. When these trestles are filled it will
make a large saving in working expenses ; the annual expense
being about $2,000 per mile.
The machinery, rolling-stock, and road-bed are all in good
condition, with an improved track.
There are from thirty-five to forty miles of rails that have
been in the track, in each road, from twenty to thirty years.
While it seems quite as strong as the new rail, judging from
actual experience, the bars are short and wearing out very fast,
and unless removed as soon as worn, jjreatlv increase the ex-
pense in keeping up track, engines and cars.
If we had the means, it would be more economical to remove
tliis iron at an early day ; but in view of the limited resources,
it may be best not to purchase more than 3,000 tons for the two
roads for this year, and a like amount for next year, after wliich
not more than 800 or 900 tons to the road per annum, will be
required. A rough track is always expensive and should be
avoided if possible.
There has been produced a very full supply of corn, and a
laro-e increase in wheat and meats, which must cause further
diminution in receipts, which it is believed will be more than
met by the saving made in discontinuing six miles of track,
moving shops, depot, and filling trestles.
12
The Roads pass through a good agricultural country, which
if properly developed, would give them such a business as
would make them very profitable. While the development and
increase of production has not been as fast as was expected, it
has been constant, but not as rapid as new railroads have been
built.
The great problems in making railroad investments pay in
the development of the country, is to get fair compensation for
transportation by stopping ruinous competition and practice the
greatest economy. The first will probably be the work of time,
while the two latter can be begun as soon as railroad managers
will agree on a wiser plan of management.
In these two Roads there is no prospect of increase of busi-
ness, but it is believed that further saving in expenses can be
made.
Respectfully submitted,
R. R. BRIDGERS,
President.
statement of Expenditures of the Wilmington^ Columbia
& Augusta Rail Itoad, for the Year ending
September SOth, 1874.
Conducting Transportation.
Advertising 1,057 41
Agents and Assistants at Stations 21,296 40
Agents Soliciting 22,185 83
Brakemen 10,202 59
Car Cleaning and Inspecting 2,116 92
Car Furniture and Fixtures 495 20
Car Service 117 17
Clerks 9,738 69
Conductors and Baggage Masters 11,273 80
Dispatchers and Yard Masters 2,060 01
Drawback and Allowance 12,858 14
Expenses of Stations, except Labor 282 75
Fuel for Stations 75 00
Fuel for Cars 396 75
Incidentals 4,965 03
Labor at Stations 15,774 70
Light at Stations 1,667 17
Light for Cars 553 62
Loss and Damage 20,458 71
Mail Service 612 50
Office Furniture 102 20
Personal Injury 250 00
Printing and Stationery 6,267 11
Revenue and Postage Stamps 350 64
Stations, repairs of, and Rent 654 71
Master of Transportation 2,093 75
Stock Killed 4,596 35
Switchmen 198 25
Telegraph Expenses, including Operators 2,531 33
Watchmen 3,439 87
Wrecking 401 12
Total $159,073 72
Maintenance of Cars.
Cars, Passenger and Baggage, repairs of 15,269 30
Cars, Express, repairs of 1,061 83
Cars, Freight, repairs of 24,806 03
Cars, Mail, repairs of 1,531 55
Car Shops and Sheds, repairs of 212 09
Superintendent 984 00
Incidentals 401 32
Oil, Waste and Packing 3,942 65
Tools and Repairs of Tools 676 54
Total $48,885 31
Motive Power.
Engineers and Firemen 34,764 54
Fuel for Locomotives 29,837 77
Fuel for Shops 1,135 25
Incidentals 791 64
Locomotive Engines, repairs of 24,274 53
Oil and Tallow 4,514 92
Patterns and Tools, repairs of 1,590 92
Shops and Engine Houses, repairs of 196 52
Shop Machinery, repairs of 471 33
Waste and Packing 495 08
Watchmen and Engine Wipers 2,638 09
Water, Wood and Coal Stations, repairs of . . . 2,289 90
Water, Wood and Coal Stations, labor at 2,727 09
Total $105,727 57
Mainten^ance of Roadway.
Ballast 229 35
Bridges and Trestles, repairs of 10,053 73
Cars, Road, repairs of 365 49
Cross-Ties 25,181 18
Depot Grounds and Buildings, repairs of 2,106 06
Division Houses, repairs of 859 64
Frogs and Switches, repairs of 1,124 26
Incidentals 669 69
Iron Rails 7,111 87
Joints and Chairs 9,527 03
Oil, Tallow, Waste, &c 67 82
Platforms and Road Crossings, repairs of 1,394 55
Road-Bed, repairs of 8,034 54
Spikes 2,170 76
Subsistence 13,988 08
Superintendence 17,755 23
Tools and repairs of Tools 1,708 13
Track, repairs of 32,859 88
Turntables, repairs of 375 46
Watchmen 1,293 64
Building Cut Off, Meares' Bluff 8,353 93
Total $145,230 32
General Expenses.
Legal Expenses 2,042 90
Miscellaneous Expenses 930 32
Printing and Stationery 509 95
Salaries of Officers 14,958 27
Maintenance of Ferry 870 30
Traveling Expenses 1,252 46
Taxes— State, Municipal and County 21,948 22
Total $42,512 42
Recapitulation^ of Opeeating Expenses.
Conducting Transportation $159,073 72
Motive Power 105 727 57
Maintenance of Cars 48'885 31
Maintenance of Roadway 145,230 32
General Expenses 42,512 42
Total $501,429 34
F. H. GORDON,
Auditor.
•uptrintrniitnt's Jltport.
Wilmington, CoLrMBiA <fe Augusta Rail Eoad Co.,
General Superintendents Office^
Wilmington, JS\ C, Sept. 30tli. 1876.
Hon. R. R. Bridgers, Prendent Wilnnington, Cohnrdy'ia &
Augusta Rail Road :
Sir — I res])ectfully submit my annual report of tlie opera-
tions of the road for the fiscal year ending September 30tl),
1876.
THE GROSS EARNINGS ARE
From Through Passengers $78,486 33
" Way " 58,018 97— $136,455 29
" Throuorh Freight $167,101 50
" Way Freight 190,954 55— $364,056 05
" Express Freight $4,373 94
" United States Mails 55,21152
" CTOvernment Transportation, 542 51
" Minor Sources, - 1,67180
Total receipts from all sources $532,311 11
or, $2,816 46 per mile of road, a decrease of
$324 36 per mile, as comi^ared with the year
previous.
THE EXPENDITURES ARE
Conducting Transportation .\ . $108,073 05
Motive Power 73,444 40
Maintenance of Cars 49.022 28
" Roadway 142.040 05
General Expenses 19,963 80
Total operating expenses, $392,543 58
Leaving a balance of $139,707 53
Less State, City and County Taxes, 23,133 60
Net Receipts, $116 633 93
In the above operatino; expenses is included the cost (jf liaul-
^"o 5?384 tons of material fV>r rebuilding of shops at Florence,
^4
on account of removal from Wilmin<^ton to that place ; also
the cost of four new Postal and Bao-gag-e Cars, purchased from
the Wilmington & Weldon Kail Road Company at a cost of
$11,544.88.
Maintenance of Way is also charged $48,10472 for new
rails and fastenings, a portion of which were used the previous
year ; also building a new warehouse at Marion, to replace
old one destroyed by fire, at a cost of $3,200.00.
The expenditures on Construction during the year were as
follows :
Amount paid to Contractor for rebuilding Shops at
Florence $11,000 00
Amount paid for Steel Rail, rebuilding Passenger
and Freight Depots, Grading and Track Laying,
Pile Driving, and other Wharf Improvements at
Wilmington 43,143 89
Amount paid for Filling Trestles, including amount
paid for Steam Excavator and Cars, 25,483 11
Total amount paid on Construction, $78,627 00
The tonnage transported during the year, exclusive of the
materials used for new shops at Florence, is
Through Freight 75,211 tons, at $2.32 per ton.
Way " 39,557i " " 4.97.8 per ton.
Total Tonnage, 114,768^ tons, a decrease of 8,035 tons.
ROAD DEPARTMENT.
During the past year the road has been permanently improved
by the filling of several of the most dangerous trestle>s on the
line. Early in March a steam Excavator and two trains of
dump cars were provided for the purpose. We commenced
operations on the 16th of March, and have been in almost con-
stant operation since, working successfully night and day. The
work performed up to the present, has been done at a cost of 8
cents per cubic yard, exclusive of cost of machinery. We have
filled in the aggregate 4,750 lineal feet of trestle, containing
169,078 cubic yards of earth. We have expended on machinery^
cars and labor, $25,483. 11. The actual cost of the work done,
exclusive of machinery and cars, has been 5.2 cents per cubic
yard ; including machinery and cars the total work has cost
15.07 cents per cubic yard, showing a saving, as compared with
15
liand labor, for the same class of worl:, greater than the entire
cost of niacliinerj and cars.
The general repairs in this departnu-nt have been fully kept
lip. The improvement in the road bed has been continued as
far as practicable, and it is now generally in good condition.
We have laid, during the year, 400 tons of new rail, 34 new
frogs, 83,459 cross ties, and used in repairs of trestles and
building al)utments, 776,893 feet of timljer.
On the first of November the freight warehouse at Marion,
containing 108 bales of cotton, caught lire from some unknown
cause, and was completely destroyed, with its contents. A sub-
stantial brick building has been erected in its place at a- cost of
$3,200.00.
The changes and improvements at the Wilmington terminus,
are nearly completed, the cost of which is set forth in construc-
tion account.
During the coming year at least 1,500 tons of new rail will
be necessar}'^ to keep the Road in a safe condition.
CAR DEPARTMENT.
The principle additions made to the stock in this department
are four new postal and baggage cars, purchased from the Wil-
mington & AVeldon Co., and the completion of two parlor cars,
which were mostly built the previous year; one of these cars has
been turned over to the Wilmington & Weldon Co., in part
payment of the four postal cars furnished us. We have con-
structed two trains of dump cars, to be used in filling up the
trestles on the line. No. 3 first class passenger car has been
rel)uilt, and No. 2. thoi'oughly repaired and repainted; also one
baggage car, seven box and two flat cars rebuilt. The Road
Department has had built six new section cars, and one crank
car. In addition to the above, we have repainted one first class
and three express and two second class cars, also twenty -four box
cars.
Three of the Pullman Sleepers are now undergoing heavy re-
pairs, and two others, Nos. 13 and 14, will require the same.
286 new wheels have been used in car repaii-s during the
year, against 472 the year previous.
i6
On the 1st of November last an aeei<]ent oecnrred to a freight
train near Pee Dee, wliich destroyed seven cars, the property of
the Georgia Rail Uoad Company. To replace these we built
seven new ones in our shops, which have been turned over to
that Company.
Durino- the coniino; vear it will be necessary to build fifteen
or twenty new box cars, to make up broken numbers which
have been worn out or destroyed. With the exception of
the accident referred to above, our trains have been run with
the greatest regularity and success, no accident whatever having
occurred to any of our passenger trains.
MOTIVE POWER.
The present stock of motive power has been equal to the
demand of our business.
We have had no accidents to any of our locomotives during
the year, wliich, together with the decrease in value of material
and labor, has considerably reduced the cost of maintenance.
The following number of locomotives have been well repair-
ed, viz: Nos. 7, 9, 13, 19, 22, 26, 28, 29 and 5; the balance are
in fair running condition, with the exception of IS^os. 4 and 8,
which require heavy repairs.
The stationary engine which drives the shop machinery has
also been thoroughly repaired.
The number of miles run during the year is as follows :
Miles run by Passenger Engines, 21 5,506
u a a Freight " ■ 214,050
Road Service, 8,32 1
Construction Trains, 19,71 1
Switching, 47^539
Total number of miles run by Engines, 505,127
Average number of miles run to one cord of Wood, . . 50-32
" " " " " pint Oil, 41.42
Cost per mile run for Repairs, 2.5 1
" " Fuel, 4 00
Engineers, Firemen and Cleaners, 5 -41
Stores, 46
Total cost per mile run, 12.38 cents.
17
WORK SHOPS."
On the I5tli of May the contract for the removal of our
workshops from Wihnington to Florence was awarded to R. B.
Wood, Esq., of "Wilmington. He connnenced work on the
22d, and has pushed it ahead with a reasonable degree of dis-
patch. The main buildings are all nearly completed, and it is
hoped that early in January the round-house will also be com-
pleted. The machine and blacksmith shops were put in operation
in August, and are now in full running order. The car shops
and foundry will be started in a few days, as soon as the neces-
sary repairs are completed on tlie stationary engine Avjiich is to
drive them. The round-house has been provided with a new
iron turn-tal)le, 50 feet long, built by Wm. Sellers S: Co., of
Philadelphia. When completed these shops will have every
convenience necessary to carry on work with comfort and dis-
patch, which will no doubt result in a vast saving, as compared
with the old esta!)lishment.
Respectfully submitted,
JAS. ANDERSON,
Superinten dent.
qo
juperintmirent's Btpcrt,
Wilmington and Weldon Rail Road Company,
General Superintendents Office.
Wilmington, N. C, ISTov. 21st, 1876.
Hon, R. R. Bridgers, President, Wilmington <& Weldon R. R.
Sir — I have tlie honor to submit my fifth cannual statement of
tlie operations of this Company for the fiscal year ending Sep-
tember 30th, 1876:
RECEIPTS AXD EXPENDITURES.
RECEIPTS
From through passengers $110,995 63
" local passengers 90,743 4G— 1201,738 09
" through freight 174,385 90
" local freight 184,779 50— 359,165 40
" express 7,374 17
" U. S. mails 28,886 00
" CTOverninent transportat'n 500 21
" miscellaneous sources. . . . 7,034 93-$604,698 80
EXPENDITURES.
By conducting transportation... $ 83,252 86
'" motive power 82, 125 81
" maintenance of cars 48,939 15
" maintenance of roadway 133,467 41
" general expenses 17,936 43-$365,721 66
Leaving balance in favor of net receipts, $238,977 14
Equal to 60^ per cent, cost of oiierating.
19
The receipts and expenditures compared with the previous
year's business is as follows :
Decrease from passengers $ 8,810 86
freight 44,581 41
'• " Gov. transportation. . 410 06
U.S. mails 4,926 73-|58, 729 06
Increase " exjjress 255 59
" '* miscellaneous sources 1,876 92 - $ 2,132 51
Making total decrease in receipts. . . . |56,596 55
Decrease in conducting transportat'n$22,583 75
" " motive power 1,990 26
" maintenance of roadway 5,730 47— $30,304 48
Increase " maintenance of cars 3,001 09