A Little History Lesson: The 1890's

Continuing the history lesson on the PRR's Cambridge Secondary Track, here's what I have on the rail line in the 1890s.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a lot of information as it relates specifically to the Cambridge Secondary Track. This really has more to do with the Philadelphia, Wilmington, & Baltimore Railroad (PW&B) on the Eastern Shore.

Again, I gathered all of this info using the "bible" for all things railroading on the Delmarva Peninsula: "Rails Along the Chesapeake A History of Railroading on the Delmarva Peninsula 1827-1978" by John C. Hayman (Marvadel Publishers, 1979) and Christopher T. Baer's "PRR Chronology, A General Chronology of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Predecessors and Successors and its Historical Context" at the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society's website.

On June 1, 1890, John M. Wallis (no information) promoted from Superintendent of Motive Power of the PW&B/Baltimore & Potomac Railroad (B&P) to Superintendent of Motive Power of PRR Grand Division replacing Frank L. Sheppard (no information). Frank L. Sheppard (no information) is named General Superintendent of the PRR's Grand Division, replacing Robert Ellmaker Pettit (1846-1894) who resigns for health after 25 years service. Robert E. Marshall (no information) is promoted to Superintendent of Motive Power of PW&B/B&P/Northern Central, replacing John M. Wallis (no information). Charles A. Chipley (1836-1904) appointed Assistant General Freight Agent, succeeding John Whittaker (1836-1890), deceased. (MB, RyRegister)

July 1, 1890: Robert L. Holliday (1848-1906) named Superintendent of Central Division & the PW&B, replacing L.K. Lodge (no information), who was promoted to Superintendent of the Altoona Division, replacing A.C. Hippey (1846-1896), who resigned. A.W. Moss (no information) named Superintendent of Lewistown Division, replacing Holliday. (AR, Snyder)

December 17, 1890: The Delaware Railroad Board appoints a committee to negotiate the purchase of the New Castle & Wilmington, the New Castle & Frenchtown, and the New Castle Cutoff branches south of the Shellpot Branch from the PW&B to the Delaware Railroad (MB)

March 18, 1891: The PW&B agrees to assume the State of Delaware mortgage on the Delaware, Maryland & Virginia Railroad (DM&V) system of $600,000.00 ($15,789,473.68 in 2015 dollars). (RyW)

April 18, 1891: The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) decides on the case of Delaware State Grange vs. the PRR, Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, the Delaware Railroad, and the NYP&N. The ICC finds rates for perishable excessive and rates on Delmarva Peninsula higher than those from Norfolk, VA and orders rates reduced by all 3 railroads by 20-25%. (NYT)

May 8, 1891: A Delaware law requires the PW&B to advance money to the DM&V to guarantee interest on mortgages to state made by the Frankford & Breakwater Railroad and the Junction & Breakwater Railroad. As a result, the PW&B becomes majority stockholder of DM&V. (AR)

July 1, 1891: The PW&B sells the New Castle & Wilmington, the New Castle & Frenchtown, and the New Castle Cutoff branches south of the Shellpot Branch to the Delaware Railroad for $1,000,000.00 ($26,315,789.47 in 2015 dollars) under an agreement of May 25; ceded from Maryland Division to Delaware Division. (Val, MB, AR)

November 24, 1891: The PW&B Board adopts the location of the Claymont Branch in Delaware. (MB)

January 15, 1892: The Delaware Railroad President and PW&B director, Christian Febiger (1817- 1892), dies the day after his reelection. He is replaced by E. Tatnall Warner (1835-1904) as President of the Delaware Railroad. (AR, RRGaz)

February 6, 1892: Preston Lea (1841-1906, Delaware Governor 1905-1909) is elected director of the PW&B, replacing Christian Febiger (1817-1892), now deceased. (MB)

June 1892: The first modified Class P (D13a) 4-4-0, PW&B No. 8, built at Altoona, PA. (Lovell)

1892: The PW&B builds stations at Henderson, MD and Trappe, MD on the Delaware & Chesapeake Railway. (C&C)

August 19, 1893: The fourth employee excursion leaves for World's Fair with employees of Northern Central, the PW&B, and the Frederick Division.

1893: A new block tower built at Moore’s (Edgemoor, DE) on the PW&B. (AR)

1893: New passenger shelters are built at Holly Oak, DE, and Primos, PA, on the PW&B. (AR)

February 1, 1894: The PW&B sells steamboat “Chincoteague” to the DM&V and it is used in Franklin City, VA – Chincoteague, VA service. (MB)

April 11, 1894: The PW&B Board gives the Queen Annes & Kent Railroad (QA&K) 30 days' notice of terminating its operating agency. The PW&B adopts a change of line between Thurlow, PA and the Delaware state line. (MB)

April 17, 1894: William A. Patton (no information) elected President of the QA&K, replacing Benjamin T. Biggs (1821-1893, Delaware Governor 1887-1891). The PW&B gives 30 days notice of terminating the operating agreement of October 15, 1881. (MB)

May 5, 1894: The PW&B declines to operate the QA&K. (MB)

Benjamin M. Wells, undated photo, Ancestry.com collection

May 12, 1894: Benjamin M. Wells (1814-1894), ticket agent of PW&B since 1837, dies at Elkton, MD. (RyW)

May 13, 1894: The QA&K (Massey's-Centreville), divorced from the Delaware Division and operated by own organization instead of by the PW&B. It operates only a mixed train instead of separate passenger and freight trains. The PRR furnishes equipment and the PW&B takes over operation of Townsend-Massey branch. The QA&K still keeps losing $13,000.00 to $15,000.00 ($361,111.11 to $416,666.67 in 2015 dollars)a year. (MB, Val)

December 1894: The Elkton, Masseys & Middletown Railroad has graded from the PW&B main line as far as the Elk River and secured the rest of the right-of-way to Chesapeake City, MD and Middletown, DE. (RRGaz)

March 8, 1895: A gang of 50 tramps seize a PW&B freight train at Wilmington, DE, but are finally driven off by police. (RRGaz)

June 17, 1895: E.F. Brooks (no information) named Superintendent of New York Division, replacing Joseph Crawford (no information), relieved because of illness. William Newell Bannard (1848-1919) named Superintendent of Maryland Division, replacing Brooks. R.E. Marshall (no information) named Superintendent of Altoona Division, replacing Bannard. C.M. Mendenhall (no information) named Superintendent of Motive Power of PW&B, replacing Marshall. (AR, MB) (Problem: stated that C.M. Mendenhall (no information) appointed Superintendent of Motive Power of the PW&B, replacing R.E. Marshall (no information), promoted to Superintendent of Altoona Division on August 1, 1895, below.)

August 1, 1895: C.M. Mendenhall (no information) appointed Superintendent of Motive Power of the PW&B, replacing R.E. Marshall (no information), promoted to Superintendent of Altoona Division. (AR) (Problem: stated that is happen on June 17, 1895, above.)

August 1895: The Claymont Branch of the PW&B opens from South Chester Railroad at the Delaware state line to Naamans Creek, 0.72 miles. (Val)

September 10, 1895: The QA&K is sold following a lawsuit by the PW&B for debt. (MB)

October 1895: The Elkton & Middletown Railroad of Cecil County, MD opens 0.31-mile branch line from Elkton, MD to the Big Elk River, but is operated by the PW&B. The line will never be completed to Middletown, DE. About $75,000.00 ($2,142,857.14 in 2015 dollars) spent to acquire right of way between Elkton, MD and Middletown, DE. (Val, RRGaz)

November 26, 1895: The PW&B Board approves change of line between Iron Hill, DE and Elkton, MD. (MB)

1895: The PW&B builds new interlocking at Wilmington, DE (West Yards?). (AR)

May 1, 1896: The PW&B resumes operation of the QA&K (Massey, MD – Centreville, MD) under agreement of April 29, 1896. The QA&K becomes part of Delaware Division after the PW&B acquires a majority of stock. Unfortunately, the road is not profitable. (Val, MB, AR)

September 30, 1896: The Queen Anne’s Railroad Board ratifies agreements for crossing the PW&B lines at Greewood, DE and Queen Anne’s, MD station. (MB)

Frank Thomson, undated photo, Frank Furness website collection

George Brooke Roberts, from Distinguished Railroad Men of America 1890

February 12, 1897: Frank Thomson (1841-1899) is elected President of the PW&B, replacing George B. Roberts (1833-1897, President of the PW&B from 1880-1896) who passed. (MB)

April 7, 1897: PW&B Division Freight Agent George Stephens (1847-1897) drops dead of a heart attack just after arriving at his office at Broad Street Station. (NYT)

May 1, 1897: The PW&B executes new 30-year lease of the Delaware Railroad, granting it all the net earnings only, instead of half of the the surplus. (Val, AR)

May 1, 1897: The PW&B grants General Superintendent Henry Fletcher Kenney (1824-1908) a leave of absence. (MB)

Charles E. Kingston on an unknown date, Phillips Studios, Ancestry.com collection

May 25, 1897: Charles E. Kingston (1858-1917) named General Freight Agent of the PW&B, replacing George Stephens (1847-1897) who has passed. (AR)

July 1897: The PW&B opens a new alignment between Elkton, MD and Iron Hill, DE. (RRGaz)

July 1897: The Delmarva peach crop fails, with loss of traffic to the Delaware Railroad and the PW&B. (AR)

September 23, 1897: The PW&B Board approves a change of the line between Bacon Hill, MD and North East, MD. (MB)

1897: The PW&B builds new stations at White Plains, Cannon’s, DE, and Dagsboro, DE. A shelter is built at Gordon Heights. (AR)

February 1898: A new draw span placed in the Havre-de-Grace, MD Bridge. (RyW)

March 9, 1898: The PW&B Board adopts change of line at Claymont, DE. (MB)

March 10, 1898: The PRR and the PW&B demand payment of $1,000,000.00 ($28,571,428.57 in 2015 dollars) overdue the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad (NYP&N) interest coupons which they have been buying.

March 16, 1898: The PW&B director Jacob Tome (1810-1898) dies at Port Deposit, MD. (RyW)

March 1898: The NYP&N issues “Prospectus to the Bondholders and Stockholders.” The PRR and the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad hold $1,005,330.00 ($28,723,714.29) in unpaid coupons. A plan calls for a foreclosure sale; a 15% assessment on stock; and funding debts into a new $3,000,000.00 ($85,714,285.17 in 2015 dollars) bond issue. (MB)

June 20, 1898: The PW&B opens portion of Bacon Hill Cutoff between Bacon Hill and North East, MD. (RyW)

November 29, 1898: The PW&B Board authorizes purchase of the QA&K stock. It also approves the agreement with Rosslyn Packing Company (VA) for the shipment of livestock. It also approves the agreement to provide freight service over the Catonsville Short Line Railroad. (MB)

December 1, 1898: The PW&B and the B&O discontinue use of $20.00 ($571.43 in 2015 dollars) 100-trip tickets between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE; with regular round trip fare $1.00 ($28.57 in 2015 dollars), holders would rent them to others at 25% profit. (RRGaz)

1898: The PW&B adopts 85-pound rail as standard, replacing 60-pound rail.

1898: A new alignment opens between Iron Hill, DE, and Elkton, MD, and between Bacon Hill, MD and Charlestown, MD on the PW&B. (AR)

1898: The PW&B opens a new excursion house at Rehoboth, DE. (AR)

1898: The PW&B remodels its freight yard at Delmar, DE. (AR)

1898: The PW&B builds new stations at Galt, MD and Oak Grove, MD. It builds shelters at Swarthmore, PA; Armstrong, DE; Queen Anne, MD; and Llandaff. (AR)

January 1, 1899: Henry Fletcher Kenney (1824-1908), General Superintendent of the PW&B, resigns for health after 46 years of service; 34 years of the 46 as the General Superintendent. He remains President of the subsidiary companies. E.F. Brooks (no information) is appointed General Superintendent. (AR, Obit)

January 1, 1899: A new freight traffic agreement between the PRR, the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, and the NYP&N to cover North-South business. (AR)

February 11, 1899: A blizzard moving up the East Coast hits New York. Snow continues until February 14, with accumulations of up to two feet. The blizzard causes blockages for six days on the PRR lines in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. The main line at Altoona, PA is blocked for over 12 hours. Freight service is all but suspended on the PW&B. (RRGaz, AR)

February 16, 1899: The PRR and the PW&B restore full service after the blizzard. (AR)

March 27, 1899: The NYP&N signs a new traffic contract with the PRR and the PW&B, retroactive to January 1, 1899. The NYP&N Board grants the PRR an option to buy the stock of the NYP&N. (MB)

May 1, 1899: The PW&B grants leave to General Agent George D. Wilkins (no information). (MB)

May 31, 1899: The PW&B Board approves using a typewriter to prepare final minutes of meetings. (MB)

June 5, 1899: Frank Thomson (1841-1899), President of the PW&B, passes in Merion, PA after a two-week illness. (wikipedia)

Alexander Johnston Cassatt in 1901, wikipedia collection

Samuel Rea in 1905, by the Alman & Company, wikipedia collection

June 8, 1899: A.J. Cassatt (1839-1906) consents to serve as President, also President of the Northern Central Railway and the PW&B, replacing Frank Thomson (1841-1899), deceased. Samuel Rea (1855-1929) elected Fourth Vice President of both companies. (RyW)

September 20, 1899: The PW&B Board authorizes purchase of the Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic Railway (BC&A) stock. (MB)

September 20, 1899: The PW&B signs agreement for operation of the Elkton & Middletown Railroad of Cecil County, MD. (MB, Val)

November 1, 1899: The PRR takes control of the BC&A and elects full PRR/PW&B Board. Sutherland M. Prevost (1845-1905) is elected President and Willard Thomson (1837-1919), only holdover from the old Board, is named Vice President & General Manager. The NYP&N takes 5,000 shares common and 3,000 shares preferred stock. (MB, AR)