| 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 |
|