A Little History Lesson: The 1880's

Continuing the history lesson on the PRR's Cambridge Secondary Track, here's what I have on the rail line in the 1880s.

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.

In March 1880, the Cambridge (Maryland) Democrat & News (dated March 13, 1880) reports that the Dorchester & Delaware Railroad's (D&DRR's) earnings were off “drastically” and that President W. (William) Wilson Byrn (1811-1886) was asked to take pay-cut from $1,200.00/year ($27,906.98/year in 2015 dollars) to $600.00/year ($13,953.49 in 2015 dollars). (Hayman)

On March 20, 1880, the Cambridge (Maryland) Democrat & News reports that W. (William) Wilson Byrn (1811-1886) had resigned his position as President of the D&DRR. (Hayman)

In April 1880, the Cambridge (Maryland) Democrat & News (dated April 3, 1880) reported that the D&DRR had an “old” locomotive called the “Dorchester,” but the locomotive failed her hydrostatic boiler test on March 30, 1880, and was no longer fit for service. There is no information that can be found on this locomotive – both its wheel arrangement & history. (Haymen)

In May 1880, the Cambridge (Maryland) Democrat & News (dated May 15, 1880) reported that the D&DRR's Board had elected John Webster (1800-1888) as President. (Hayman)

In September 1881,  the Cambridge (Maryland) Democrat & News (dated September 3, 1881) reported that the D&DRR's earnings were several thousand dollars ahead of its 1880 earnings. The company felt comfortable enough to purchase two new freight cars. (Hayman)

In January 1882, the Cambridge (Maryland) Democrat & News (dated January 14, 1882) reported that the D&DRR's earnings between October 31, 1881, and December 21, 1881, amounted to $0.31 in profits (that's $7.21 in 2015 dollars)! (Hayman)

On May 3, 1882, the Cambridge & Seaford Railroad (C&SRR) is incorporated in Maryland for purpose for reorganizing the D&DRR. (Val) 

In August 1882, the D&DRR's 4-4-0, "W. Wilson Byrn," is converted to burn coal. (Hayman)

On November 23, 1882, the D&DRR enters receivership. Samuel M. Felton (1809-1889) and, the railroad's former President, W. (William) Wilson Byrn (1811-1886), are both named Receivers. (PW&B MB)

Samuel Morris Felton in 1888, National Museum of American History collection.

Samuel Morris Felton (1809-1889) was a civil engineer and became Superintendent and Engineer of the Fitchburg Railroad in 1843. In 1851, he became President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad (PW&B). Under Felton's able management this unsuccessful and financially failing railroad was rebuilt, restored, and prospered. The road was of great strategic importance during the Civil War and performed a great service by transporting troops and supplies for the Union. On March 23, 1855, Samuel M. Felton (1809-1889), Andrew C. Gray (1804-1874), and Jesse Sharp (1809-1873) are elected directors of the Delaware Railroad, cementing control by the PW&B interests. In 1857, he installed the locomotive engine "Daniel Webster" in service on the PW&B. The "Daniel Webster" was probably the first successful coal burning passenger engine in regular service upon any early U.S. railroad. Felton also played a role in thwarting an assassination attempt on President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865, U.S. President 1861-1865) in February 1861. With lead investigator Allan Pinkerton (1819-1884, creator of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency), Felton became aware of a plan to assassinate Lincoln by blowing up the railroad during the President's inaugural trip from Philadelphia, PA to Washington, DC. With the work of Felton and Pinkerton, Lincoln was taken by train to DC without harm. In 1862, he was appointed by Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew (1818-1867, Massachusetts Governor 1861-1866) as a member of the Hoosac Tunnel Commission. In 1865, he left the PW&B to become President of the Pennsylvania Steel Company. The Pennsylvania Steel Company was the first United States concern to attempt to manufacture steel rails as a commercial enterprise domestically. During this period he also served as director of many railroads including the PW&B, the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, the Northern Pacific Railway, the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad (which would eventually become the Rutland Railroad's Ogdensburg Division) and several others. He was director for ten years of the PRR. In 1869, he was appointed by U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885, U.S. President 1869-1877) as a Commissioner to inspect the Pacific Railroads, then just completed. He was also President of the Harvard Club of Philadelphia, PA. The Delaware Railroad station at Milepost 44.7, "Frederica," DE (actually located 6-7 miles east of the actual town of Frederica, DE) was renamed to "Felton" in honor of Samuel M. Felton. (Archives Center, National Museum of American History; Felton Family Papers at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; findagrave)

On November 28, 1882, the D&DRR is attempted to be sold at foreclosure at Cambridge, MD, for $22,000.00 (that's $511,627.91 in 2015 dollars). It ends up being insufficient and the sale is cancelled. (RRGaz)

On December 30, 1882, the PW&B Railroad Board authorizes purchasing 532 shares of the D&DRR at $30.00/share (that's $697.67/share in 2015 dollars). (MB) 

On January 3, 1883, the D&DRR is sold at foreclosure at Cambridge, MD for $51,000.00 (that's $1,214,285.71 in 2015 dollars) to Richard D. Barclay on behalf of the PW&B. (RRGaz, Val)

On April 27, 1883, the PW&B's President Isaac Hinckley (1815-1888) announces the Maryland courts have approved purchase of the D&DRR. (MB)

On May 16, 1883, the C&SRR is organized at Cambridge, MD. The PW&B's President, Isaac Hinckley (1815-1888), is elected President of the C&SRR. (Val, Digest, C&C)

Either on May 16, 1883, or May 25, 1883 (there's a conflict as to the exact date), a certificate is filed for the C&SRR. The PW&B agrees to operate as agent. (Val, Digest, C&C)

On June 1, 1883, the PW&B begins operating C&SRR as agent under agreement of either May 16, 1883 or May 25, 1883. The C&SRR becomes part of PW&B's Delaware Division. (Val) Also, John M. Wallis (1835-1904) named Superintendent of Motive Power, PW&B, and Alphonse Feldpauche (1848-1914) named Engineer of Maintenance of Way, PW&B. (AR)

On June 15, 1883, George W. Boyd (no information) named Assistant General Passenger Agent of Northern Central Railway, Baltimore & Potomac Railroad, and the PW&B in addition to PRR duties. (AR, MB)

On July 1, 1883, the headquarters of the PW&B's Delaware Division moved from Wilmington, DE to Clayton, DE. (PWB MB, RyW) Also, the PW&B reduces passenger fares by 10-25%. (RyW)

On November 27, 1883, the PW&B Board extends matching payments under PW&B Beneficial Society to employees jointly employed by both the PW&B and the PRR, but those have been transferred to the PRR are no longer entitled to company benefits. (MB)

On May 31, 1884, retired Adams Express Company Vice President Samuel M. Shoemaker (1821-1884) dies at Old Point Comfort, VA of kidney failure. He was former director of PW&B and Northern Central Railway. (NYT, RRGaz)

On August 28, 1884, lawyer Henry M. Phillips (1811-1884), director of the PRR, the Junction Railroad and the PW&B, dies at Philadelphia, PA of the effects of a stroke suffered at Long Branch, NJ on August 9, 1884. (PubLdgr)

On April 15, 1885, Major Charles K. Ide (1834-1885), Master of Transportation of the PW&B between 1864 and 1881, dies. (Guide)

On January 9, 1886, a large blizzard hits the East Coast of the United States and cripples railway traffic. (New York Times)

In 1887, the Delaware Railroad and the PW&B are heavily impacted by the long haul-short haul clause of the Interstate Commerce Act. All local rates must be lowered to the lowest through rates set by water carriers. The problem: most points on both railroads are within 5-10 miles of navigable water, and many points are much closer. (AR)

On March 28, 1888, former PW&B and Junction Railroad President Isaac Hinckley (1815-1888), dies at home in Philadelphia, PA. (MB, New York Times)

On April 2, 1888, George B. Roberts (1833-1897) is elected President of the PW&B Railroad and the Junction Railroad, replacing Isaac Hinckley (1815-1888), deceased. The PRR President is hereafter also President of the PW&B. Austin Corbin (1827-1896) of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway is now the only non-PRR director of the Junction Railroad. (AR, MB)

On January 24, 1889: Samuel M. Felton (1809-1889), former President of the PW&B, Delaware Railroad,  and the Pennsylvania Steel Company, dies at age 79. (Railway World, AR)

In 1889 PW&B begins applying Janney couplers to its freight cars. (AR)

I'll talk about the 1890's in my next post.