| To the Honorable C. R. Johns |
| |
| It becomes my duty to render to your
Department a report of the condition of the Washington County Rail
Road to June 1863. |
| On the 17th day of March 1862, the
Washington County Rail Road Company entered into a contract with the
undersigned W. M. Sledge, wherein they conveyed and transferred to my
possession the Washington County Rail Road, Rolling Stock, Depots with
every thing belonging or connected with the Road together with one
hundred & fifteen thousand acres of land to secure to me the
payment of a large amount of indebtedness due from Said Company, to
hold possession of for three years or until the said large indebtedness
to me was paid. At the same time I relinquished all the loans on all
lands which said Company was entitled to receive from the State except
the amount mentioned above (115,000) acres, to enable the Company to
pay off what is called the floating debt, not secured by any loan or
mortgage. |
| The entire debt together with all the
securities, mortgages, loans &c. of the Company is now mine. |
| Amount due for Construction |
207291.46 |
| Purchase of Iron for 2nd Section |
90600.00 |
| Debts assumed to be paid by me |
10715.48 |
| Total |
$308606.94 |
| Amount received for transportation of
passengers, of property, (Mail none) and from all other
sources |
$57582.27 |
|
| 1 Superintendent, 1 Conductor, 2 Agents, 1 Engineer, 1
Fireman, 2 Warehousemen, 2 Brakesmen, 2 Roadmasters, & 15 Negroes
employed to keep up the road |
| No person has either been killed or crippled on the
Road. |
| The Road is in a fine condition to carry all freight
that is offered. |
|
The debt of the State is entirely safe as I would be compelled to
satisfy before my own securities would be available.
|
| All of which is respectfully submitted |
| Wm. M. Sledge |
| Superintendent & Manager |
| |
| The State of Texas |
| Washington County |
| Before me L. L. Hosea clerk of the County
Court of said County, personally appeared Wm. M. Sledge who upon oath
says that the written report is a true and correct exhibit of the
Washington County Rail Road, to June 1863. |
| Wm. M. Sledge |
| Sworn & subscribed Before me this October 3rd 1863 |
| To certify which I hereto sign my name and affix the
seal of the County Court of said County, at office in Brenham, this
the day and date above written. |
| L. L. House Clerk W. C. |