| Annual Report of the Macon & Western RR |
| as of December 1, 1864, |
| Superintendent's Report |
| |
| Superintendent's Report |
| |
| Macon & Western Rail Road Company |
| Macon, Ga., Dec. 1st, 1864 |
| |
| Isaac Scott, Esq. |
|
President
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|
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The earnings of the Road for the fiscal year,
terminating yesterday, have been as follows:
|
| For Passengers |
$614,638.65 |
| " Freights |
930,958.93 |
| " Mails |
10,089.95 |
| Total |
$1,555,687.53 |
| And Expenses |
1,176,522.64 |
| Net Earnings |
$379,164.89 |
| To which add Interest Received |
2,978.80 |
| Total |
$382,143.69 |
|
|
The business of 1864 as compared with 1863 is:
|
|
Passengers |
|
Freights |
|
Mails |
|
Total |
| 1864 |
$614,638.65 |
|
$930,958.93 |
|
$10,089.95 |
|
$1,555,687.53 |
|
1863 |
306,066.70 |
|
515,716,88 |
|
10,201.75 |
|
832,885.33 |
| Increase |
$307,671.95 |
|
$415,242.05 |
|
|
|
$722,802.20 |
| Decrease |
|
|
|
|
$111.80 |
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The gross earnings although comparatively large, do not
embrace the total business of the year, as there is now an uncollected
amount of over $500,000 due from the Government for transportation
since August 1st. Had this amount been included the expenses would
have been reduced from over 76 to 52 per cent of the earnings.
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|
About the first of July the Army of Tennessee commenced
falling back towards Atlanta, and from then till the movement from
Lovejoy's Station, about the first of October, the Road was operated
under great disadvantages interrupted by the enemy's raids and by
frequent accidents and delays. For the last two months the trains have
only been run to Griffin, the track from Atlanta to near Lovejoy's
Station having been destroyed by the enemy, and the iron from
Lovejoy's to Griffin removed by Military order. Since the recent
evacuation of Atlanta the reconstruction of the track has been
commenced.
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The losses in this and other departments will be found
under their appropriate heading.
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Motive Power
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Tables 5 and 6 show the number and condition of Engines, also service performed by each and cost of Repairs.
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On the 18th July, the new freight Engine Sunshine
exploded near Lovejoy's Station, killing the engineer and fireman; the
explosion was caused by want of water in the boiler. The Engine is
now in the shop for repairs.
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At the evacuation of Atlanta, Supt. 1st, the Engine N. C.
Munroe was burned by Military order, together with three engines
belonging to the Western & Atlantic Rail Road, but in the
Company's service at the time.
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|
Six new sets of Lowmoor tyres and four sets of cast iron
tyres have been put on the freight engines this year, and three sets
of Lowmoor tyres are yet on hand for the passenger engines.
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Rolling Stock
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The two new first class passenger cars mentioned in last
year's report have been completed, with the exception of the trucks,
springs for which it has been found impossible to procure the cast
steel. One of the older first class cars was wrecked at the collision
above Barnesville, Sept. 1st, and another badly injured. The second
class cars are all in good running order.
|
The stock of Freight Cars consists of
| Box |
89 |
|
Box |
94 |
| Platform |
15 |
|
Platform |
25 |
| Cattle |
12 |
|
Cattle |
15 |
| Coal |
6 |
against in 1863 |
Coal |
7 |
|
122 |
|
|
141 |
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The losses this year have been: At Atlanta, fifteen box
and two stock cars burned by Military order. At Bear Creek, one box
and ten platform cars, burned by enemy. At Lovejoy's and Jonesboro,
three box cars burned by enemy. Wrecked on road, two box, one stock
and one coal car. Torn up, two platform cars. Total losses,
thirty-seven.
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The additions, fifteen box cars returned by Navy
Department, two platform and one box car built in shops. Total,
eighteen, making the net loss nineteen cars.
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Road Repairs
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From the 76 mile post to Atlanta, a distance of 27 miles,
the track has been more or less destroyed. Its present condition is
|
| Iron removed by enemy -- ties unhurt for |
5 1/2 |
miles |
| " destroyed
totally -- ties burned for |
3 1/4 |
" |
| " destroyed
partially -- ties partially burned |
13 |
" |
| Track uninjured |
5 1/2 |
" |
|
27 |
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Orders have been received from the authorities to press
forward the re-building as rapidly as possible, and a large force is
now on the works. Trains can be run to Jonesboro by the middle of the
month, above there the progress will be show, as the greater part of
the iron must be straightened by a machine which is now constructing
in the repair shop.
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The track from Macon to the 76 mile post is in good
order, though still deficient in cross ties. About 20,000 in all have
been expended this year, less than half the ordinary number required
heretofore.
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Repairs -- Buildings
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August 19th, the stone warehouse at Jonesboro was
destroyed by the enemy; also on the same day the negro quarters and
overseer's house at Lovejoy's.
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At the enemy's evacuation of Atlanta, Nov. 12th, they
destroyed both warehouses, the engine house and general passenger
depot.
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But little work of importance has been done during the
year in this department.
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Water Stations
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The iron tank for Crawford's has been completed and set
up. At Forest Station, located near the 91st mile post, a well has
been dug and bricked up, and the tank masonry was nearly completed
when the enemy's advance compelled the abandonment of the work. It has
been but little damaged by them, and will be pushed forward to
completion as early as possible. This station completes the system of
water stations on the line, which reduces their number from eleven in
1860, to five, three principal and two supplementary.
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The amount of fuel now on hand is 917 cords.
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Miscellaneous
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On 1st September, a collision occurred two miles above
Barnesville between the engines Dispatch down with a train of wounded
for Macon, and the engine Governor up with a train of commissary
stores for Griffin, both being irregular, and the latter running under
military direction, both engines were seriously crippled, and three
box and one passenger car demolished; about thirty lives lost and many
more seriously injured. Had the orders given from this office been
regarded, the collision would not have occurred.
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At date of last report, the negroes belonging to the
Company numbered thirty-four, at present there are but twenty-five,
one having been killed at the explosion of the Sunshine, three fallen
into the hands of the enemy, and five ranaway.
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In September a purchase of 200,000 feet of lumber was
made from Wadley & Pike,, at Millen, on the Central road, at a
cost of $20,000, but 40,000 feet had been delivered here when the
enemy's advance prevented shipment, and the 160,000 feet is probably a
total loss.
|
| General Summary |
| Receipts per mile of Road |
|
$15,103.00 |
| Expenses
"
" |
|
11,421.00 |
| Receipts
" run by Passenger trains |
|
9.30 |
| Expenses
"
"
"
" |
|
5.99 |
| Receipts
"
"
Freight " |
|
7.49 |
| Expenses
"
"
"
" |
|
6.30 |
| Total receipts |
|
8.48 |
| Total
Expenses |
|
6.12 |
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All of which is respectfully submitted,
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|
Alfred L. Tyler
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Superintendent
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