TX, SP 4/5/1862
Marshall Texas
April 5th 1862
 
To the Honorable
The Board of School Commissioners
of the State of Texas
 
Gentlemen,
   Having been appointed by your honorable body the Engineer to examine the Southern Pacific Rail Road and to make a full report upon the condition of the same under oath. I have the honor to lay before you the following report, in accordance with the instructions received from  you in relation to that object.
Answer to Interrogatory 1st
   I have personally inspected the completed road extending from Swansons Landing on Lake Caddo to near Marshall and find the same in good running order and in constant use.
   I find there are 25 91/100 miles of main track completed. In my judgment the completed road is fully equal to any road in this State; and I am borne out in this conclusion that it will compare favorably with very many roads in the Confederate States by the opinion of gentlemen with whom I have conversed upon the subject who are practical rail road men.
   The cross ties on the completed section are 8 1/2 feet long from 6 to 8 inches face and six inches thick, of Post Oak and Cypress.
Answer to Interrogatory 2nd
   There are on the completed section of 25 miles, 82 Culverts and Bridges, for dimensions &c I beg leave to refer you to Table "A,", accompanying and made part of this report.
   For the want of suitable stone, most of the culverts and bridges are constructed of timber. The timber used has been in all cases the best the country affords.
   When stone could be found it has been used in their construction.
   The width of road bed in excavation is 18 feet, with a slope of 3/4 horizontal to one foot vertical, and the width of embankment is 12 feet at top or grade with a slope of 1 1/2 feet at top or grade to one foot vertical. The question as regards the height of embankment can not be accurately answered, as each station of 100 feet has its respective height varying from 0 to 38 feet, according to the undulations of the surface of the ground. The weight of the Iron is 58 pounds per lineal yard, and of the best quality American and English T rail. The width of the track is 5 1/2 feet in the clear.
Answer to Interrogatory 3rd
   The course and distance of the completed section from commencement to terminus may be found by referring to Table "B", and the curvature to Table "C" accompanying and made parts of this report. There are 21 1/2 miles of tangent and 3 1/2 miles of curves on said section, the general course or bearing of the completed section being westerly.
   There are at each Depot the necessary Warehouses for the safe keeping and proper protection of all goods & merchandise transmitted over the road and also the necessary Turn Tables and Water Tanks.
Answer to Interrogatory 4th
   I have personally inspected the grading, culverts, bridges &c of the road west of the completed section and connected thereto, and also the portion of the road between Jonesville and the terminus of the road at the Louisiana State line, and I consider the entire work to be done in a very substantial manner and will compare favorably with any similar work.
   The number of continuous miles commencing at the terminus of the first section near Marshall and running in a westerly direction which are graded and ready or nearly so for the superstructure, is 19 1/10 miles. That portion of the road made by an act of the Legislature a part of the section section of 25 miles, running from Jonesville Depot to the Louisiana State line, connecting with the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Texas Rail Road is fully graded and bridged & ready for the superstructure, and is in length 5 9/10 miles.
   With the exception of a small amount of work yet to be completed, the entire section of 25 miles is now ready for the superstructure.
   The Total Estimate of work on the second section is as follows, 456,856 cubic yards of grading, 374.19 feet of timber, board measure, 194 acres of clearing & 29 acres of grubbing.
   There are 18,990 cubic yards of grading of light embankment and 28,500 feet of timber, board measure, remaining to fully complete said section.
   In answer to the second point of inquiry in this interrogatory, I beg leave to refer you to Tables "E." and "F" accompanying and made parts of this report for course distance and curvature.
       There are on the second section 18 miles of tangent and 7 miles of curves.
   The next item embraced in this inquiry relates to the width & height of embankment. In reply to this I beg leave to refer you to the answer made on the same subject occurring on the first section, with the following modification, that there is no embankment on this section of greater height than 20 feet. The width of road bed is the same on both sections.
   The grade is 50 42/100 feet per mile. The number of bridges and culverts on this section is 80; for dimensions &c I beg leave to refer you to Table "G." accompanying and made part of this report.
   With the detailed information given in the preceding answers, the quality of the road can be correctly ascertained.
   The value of the road to the Company and to the public will be much enhanced by the connection which I believe will be made with Shreveport Louisiana.
   The following work has also been done on the third section west of the 50 miles embraced in this report. To wit 19,287 cubic yards of grading, 57 acres of clearing and 4 acres of grubbing; and there are 9000 cross ties and 91/100 miles of track in actual use on the second section, showing a much larger per cent of work actually done than required to fully complete the second section of 25 miles ready for the superstructure.
Answer to Interrogatory 5th
   The number of Stockholders in this company as appears by the books of the Company is nine as follows:
John M. Waskon Six Shares
George B. Adkins Thirteen Shares
R. W. Soughenf Five Shares
G. G. Gregg Five Shares
A. Pope Five Shares
P. Murrah Five Shares
J. S. Holman Five Shares
Joseph Field Five Shares
Benjamin Song Five Shares
making in all Fifty four shares of one hundred dollars each.
   In addition to the above named stockholders, the Board of Directors of this Company has provided for the admission to its books of such stockholders in the sold out Company as may be in the condition contemplated in the line of policy established by the present Company and who shall have complied fully with its requirements.
   I further state that all the stock subscribed for as above has been paid in.
   The cost of the road already completed is 22,427$ per mile; this is the actual cost, as paid by the Company for construction and Engineering expenses.
   The cost per month for operating the road since September 6th 1859 has averaged $378.66
   Previous to that time the road was in possession of another Company and the cost per month can not very accurately be ascertained.
   The amount paid for repairs on the road since it was opened for travel is according to the books of the sold out Company the sum of 17,538 62/100 dollars exclusive of amounts paid by the previous Company when there seems no separate account was kept of repairs.
   The amounts received for freights is 27,975 97/100 dollars.
   The amount received for the transportation of passengers is 5,162 dollars.
   The amount of indebtedness of the present company is 36,719 95/100 dollars. Of the above amount the sum of 20,880 dollars as appears by the books of the Company is made up of debts against the sold out Company that have been assumed by the present Company and become a part of its indebtedness.
   The amount due from Stockholders is nothing.
Answer to Interrogatory 6th
   Number of Locomotives in use. One of 20 Tons weight with a nominal horsepower of 120, nearly new and in constant use. The Company has also one of 18 tons weight with a nominal horse power of 100 but requiring considerable repairs to be put in running order.
Answer to Interrogatory 7th
   The number of Turn Outs is three, as follows, one of 2165 feet in length, one of 1500 feet and one of 250 feet in all 3,920 feet.
Answer to Interrogatory 8th
   The officers of the Company are James S. Holman President, A. T. Smith Secy, G. G. Gregg Treasurer, E. A. Blanch Chief Engineer, Chas E. Hynson Superintendent.
   The Directory of the Company are as follows, James S. Holman, R. W. Soughery, George B. Adkins, G. G. Gregg, Jno. M. Waskom, Benjamin Song and P. Murrah. All of the officers and Directors reside in Texas.
   All of the Directors and officers of the company were elected on the 6th day of September 1861, with the exception of the Chief Engineer whose appointment bears date September 13th 1861, as appears by personal inspection of the books of the Company.
Answer to Interrogatory 9th
   All of the Books of the Company are kept at their Office in Marshall Texas, and show all the stock issues and are by the By Laws open to the inspection of the Stockholders or to any officer or agent of the State whose duty it may be to inspect them. No transfers of Stock have as yet taken place.
Answer to Interrogatory 10th
   By the provisions of the By Laws the domicile of the Company is in Marshall Texas at which place all meetings of the Board of Directors are held.
   I have had free access to the books of the Company and every facility has been rendered me by each department to enable me to perform the duties imposed upon me by your instructions and fully to understand the situation of the Company in every particular.
   I have carefully inspected the records of the District and County Courts of Harrison County, as also evidenced to me by the certificates of the clerks of said Courts, which certificates accompany this report, and I find that the only Liens, Mortgages or Deeds of Trust against the old Company on record in said Courts, are a Mortgage given by V. K. Stevenson President to R. V. Richardson & V. K. Stevenson Trustees, for certain purposes therein mentioned, said Mortgage bearing date of 25th of August A. C. 1860, and filed in the office of County Clerk on the 1st day of March A. D. 1861, in which Mortgage the State of Texas is specially secured for the Loan from the special School Fund, as will appear by reference to the Certificate of the County Clerk of Harrison County; and also certain judgments as will appear by reference to the Certificate of the Clerk of the District Court of Harrison County.
   I find also that the only Lien, Mortgage or Deed of Trust against the new Company is a Mortgage to the State of Texas of date of 13th February A. D. 1862, to secure the State of Texas for the Loan from the Special School Fund, as evidenced also by the certificates of the Court & District Clerks of Harrison County.
   In accordance with your instructions requiring me to report fully upon the requirements of the law regulating Rail Roads, and providing for the investment of the Special School Fund in the Bonds of Rail Road Companies incorporated by the State of Texas with the amendments thereto, I will state to your honorable body, that, after careful examination, I consider this Company has complied with the requirements of their charter, the general laws regulating Rail Roads, as well as the provisions regulating and governing the special School Fund of the State, as will be seen by reference to the various answers embodied in this report.
All of which is respectfully submitted
A. C. Martin
Engineer
 
State of Texas
Harrison County
   This day before me George Lane Chief Justice of Harrison County came A. C. Martin to me well known and made oath that the foregoing report made and signed by him as engineer of the State by virtue of his appointment, is just true and correct.
   Sworn to & subscribed by him before me this 5th day of April A. D. 1862 which I certify with my name subscribed and the seal of the County Court of Harrison County attached here to same date.
George Lane
Chief Justice of Harrison County Texas
 
Table No A
Bridges and Culverts
Number of Structure Name of Structure Height of Opening in Feet Cross Section of Culvert Openings Length in Lineal Feet

Material used
1 Culvert 3x2 6 33.0 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
2 " 2x2 4 33.0      "         "      12"x12"
3 " 2x2 4 39.0      "          "      12"x12"
4 " 3x2 6 43.8"       "         "       12"x12"
5 " 2x2 4 27.0       "         "       12"x12"
6 " 5x4 20 24.0       "         "       12"x12"
7 Bridge 8 10.0 Timber abutments spanned by stringers
8 Culvert 2x6 12 30.0 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
9 " 2x6 12 30.0
10 " 2x5 1/2 11 24.0
11 " 2x5 1/2 11 22.5
12 Crib Work 4 1/2 6.0
13 " 2 1/2 306.0
14 Bridge 8 51.0 Trestle Work
15 " 3 1/2 6.0 Timber abutments spanned by s.
16 " 4 1/2 6.0      "             "             "            "
17 " 5 1/2 12.0      "             "              "           "
18 " 7 1/2 50.0 Trestle
19 " 6 1/2 9.0 Timber abutments spanned by stringers
20 Culvert 2x4 8.0 28.5" Hewn Timber 12"x12"
21 Bridge 12.0 10.0 Timber abutments spanned by stringers
22 Culvert 3x2 6.0 24.0 Hewn Timber
23 " 3x2 6.0 22.5     "         "
24 " 1x3 3.0 12.0     "         "
25 " 2x4 8.0 40.6     "          "
26 " 3x6 1/2 19.5 33.3     "          "
27 " 2x6 12.0 33.0      "         "
28 " 2x3 6.0 48.0      "          "
29 " 2x2 4.0 43.5      "          "
30 " 3x7 1/2 22.5 31.5      "          "
31 Bridge 5 1/2 10.0 Timber abutments spanned by stringers
32 Culvert 3x6 18 30.0 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
33 " 3x6 18 49.8      "          "     12"x12"
34 " 2x2 4 40.5      "           "     12"x12"
35 " 3x7 21 49.5      "           "
36 Bridge 10 1/2 81.0 Trestle
37 " 5 30.0       "
38 " 4 1/2 28.0       "
39 " 12 64.0        "
40 Culvert 2x2 4 22.8 Hewn Timber
41 " 2x2 4 27.0       "        "
42 " 2x2 4 24.0       "         "
43 " 2x2 4 37.5       "         "
44 " 2x2 4 45.0       "         "
45 " 2x2 4 21.0       "         "
46 Bridge 7 35.0 Trestle
47 " 14 1/2 60.0       "
48 " 10 40.0        "
49 Culvert 2x6 12 36.0 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
50 " 2x5 10 52.5     "          "      12"x12"
51 " 4x2 8 12.0     "           "     12"x12"
52 Bridge 26.5 242.0 Trestle
53 Culvert 2x5 10 39.0 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
54 " 2x8 16 30.0      "         "      12"x12"
55 " 2x2 4 30.0      "          "      12"x12"
56 " 2x8 16 40.5      "           "     12"x12"
57 " 2x6 12 36.0      "           "     12"x12"
58 " 2x2 4 21.0       "          "      12"x12"
59 " 2x2 4 49.5       "          "      12"x12"
60 " 2x2 4 27.0       "          "      12"x12"
61 " 2x2 4 36.0       "          "      12"x12"
62 Bridge 38 546.0 Trestle
63 Culvert 2x2 4 30.6 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
64 " 2x2 4 34.5        "         "    12"x12"
65 " 3x3 9 37.5         "        "     12"x12"
66 " 2x2 4 54.0         "        "     12"x12"
67 " 3x3 9 66.0 Dry Stone
68 " 2x2 4 21.6 Hewn Timber 12"x12"
69 " 3x2 6 34.2      "         "      12"x12"
70 " 3x4 12 30.9      "         "       12"x12"
71 " 2x1 1/2 3 26.7      "          "      12"x12"
72 Bridge 6 1/2 9.5 Trestle
73 " 9 10.5      "
74 " 7 1/2 9.0       "
75 " 13 60       "
76 Culvert 2 1/2x1 2 1/2 13.5 Hewn Timber
77 Bridge 10.5 47.0 Trestle
78 " 8 1/2 40.0       "
79 Culvert 3x2 6 51.3 Dry Stone
80 " 2x1 2 39.6    "       "
81 Bridge 10 1/2 22 Trestle
82 " 11 1/2 13 Brick abutment, Stone foundation
 
B
Course and distance of Tangents
No Course Distance
1 S 10 deg 58' E 9,710
2 S 13 deg 17' W 18,970
3 S 7 deg 22' W 16,300
4 S 22 deg 22' W 11,494
5 S 38 deg 42' W 6,729
6 S 78 deg 5' W 1,719
7 N 79 deg 51' W 20,184
8 N 61 deg 25' W 9,742
9 S 82 deg 15' W 8,403
10 N 60 deg 10' W 783
11 N 85 deg W 1,757
12 N 79 deg W 4,985
13 S 63 deg 30' W 3,740
Total length of Tangents 113,156
 
C
Length of Curves and Radius
No Length Degree of Curve Length of Radius Elevation of outer rail
1 2,420 One Degree R 5,730 3/8
2 1,700 Twenty Minutes L 17,190 1/8
3 1,500 One Degree R 5,730 3/8
4 817 Two " R 2,865 3/4
5 2,010 "  " R 2,865 3/4
6 1,062   "  " R 2,865 3/4
7 922   "  " R 2,865 3/4
8 1,816   "  " R 2,865 3/4
9 1,879   "  " R 2,865 3/4
10 1,243   "  " L 2,865 3/4
11 600 One " R 5,730 3/8
12 1,875 Two " L 2,865 3/4
17,844 Total length of Curves
 
E
Courses and distance of Tangents
No Course Distance
1 S 63 deg 30' W 3,400
2 S 81 deg 30' " 5,400
3 N 87 deg 30' " 2,600
4 S 59 deg 45' " 1,883
5 S 74 deg 15' " 2,086
6 S 37 deg 35' " 1,824
7 S 18 deg 35' " 1,329
8 S 48 deg 50' " 3,950
9 S 29 deg 30' " 3,054
10 S 36 deg 35' " 8,336
11 N 61 deg 30' " 4,462
12 S 83 deg 15' " 7,131
13 57 deg 30'" 3,594
14 S 78 deg 0' " 11,876
15 S 72 deg 0' " 7,280
16 N 75 deg 0' " 5.781
17 S 69 deg 30' " 5,414
18 S 85 deg E 1,410
19 S 37 deg " 3,341
20 S 66 deg " 1,363
21 S 40 deg 15' " 647
22 S 53 deg 50' " 1,268
23 N 87 deg 47' " 4,140
24 S 62 deg 15' " 3,500
93,069 Total length of Tangents
 
F
Length of Curves and Radius
No Length Degree of Curvature Length of Radius
1 900 2 deg 2,865
2 600 2 deg 2,865
3 722 3 deg 1,910
4 709 2 deg 2,865
5 1,556 2 deg 30' 2,292
6 966 2 deg 2,865
7 1,525 2 deg 2,865
8 1,859 1 deg 5,730
9 715 1 deg 5,730
10 2,733 2 deg 2,865
11 1,795 2 deg 2,865
12 1,587 2 deg 2,865
13 1,767 1 deg 30' 3,820
14 600 1 deg 5,730
15 1,650 2 deg 2,865
16 1,775 2 deg 2,865
17 1,485 3 deg 30' 1,637
18 2,400 2 deg 2,865
19 1,877 1 deg 30' 3,820
20 1,616 1 deg 30' 3,820
21 1,382 1 deg 5,730
22 3,875 1 deg 5,730
23 2,900 1 deg 5,730
36,985 Total Length of Curves
 
G
Bridges and Culverts
No of Structure Name of Structure Height of Opening Cross Section of Culvert Opening Length in Lineal Feet

Remarks
1 Bridge 15 15 Trestle
2 Culvert 4x4 16 75 Dry Stone
3 " 4x2 8 27 Hewn Timber
4 Bridge 20.5" 90 Trestle
5 " 15.7 430    "
6 " 13 30    "
7 " 12 30    "
8 " 12 50    "
9 " 9 15    "
10 " 7 15    "
11 " 10 20    "
12 " 9 15    "
13 " 16 30    "
14 " 12 25    "
15 " 8 20    "
16 " 8 20    "
17 " 8 20    "
18 " 8 15    "
19 " 9 15    "
20 " 7 15    "
21 " 8 15    "
22 " 8 15    "
23 " 8 15    "
24 " 6 15    "
25 " 6 15    "
26 " 6 15    "
27 " 10 20    "
28 " 5 15    "
29 " 8 15    "
30 " 8 15    "
31 " 7 20    "
32 " 13 65    "
33 " 10 20    "
34 " 20 40    "
35 " 18 35    "
36 " 18 35    "
37 Culvert 4x8 32 12 Hewn Timber
38 " 3x8 24 12      "         "
39 Bridge 18 35 Trestle
40 " 12 30    "
41 " 10 25    "
42 " 14 30    "
43 " 8 15    "
44 Culvert 4x8 32 24 Hewn Timber
45 Bridge 13 30 Trestle
46 " 10 25    "
47 " 14 30    "
48 " 10 25    "
49 " 15 30    "
50 " 18 30    "
51 Culvert 10x12 120 42 Hewn Timber
52 " 3x8 24 21      "         "
53 Bridge 18 30 Trestle
54 " 9 20    "
55 " 14 30    "
56 " 6 15    "
57 " 21 35    "
58 " 13 30    "
59 " 15 30    "
60 " 10 20    "
61 " 8 15    "
62 Culvert 5x8 40 27 Hewn Timber
63 " 5x8 40 27     "          "
64 " 4x8 32 24     "           "
65 Bridge 7 15 Trestle
66 " 7 15    "
67 " 7 15    "
68 " 9 30    "
69 " 20 40    "
70 " 16 35    "
71 " 7 15    "
72 " 10 20    "
73 " 12 30    "
74 " 7 30    "
75 " 5 15    "
76 " 5 15    "
77 " 6 15    "
78 " 8 20    "
79 " 9 20    "
80 " 6 15    "
{End of the report in the archives. The lack of total at the end of this table suggest there may have been additional pages in the original}

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