Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Battle Creek and Sturgis Railway
Interstate Commerce Commission, Valuation Reports, Volume 27
Battle Creek and Sturgis Railway Company
[edit]The railroad of the Battle Creek and Sturgis Railway Company, herein called the Battle Creek and Sturgis, is a single-track, standard-gage, steam railroad, located in southern Michigan. The main line extends from Battle Creek southerly to Sturgis, a distance of 41.183 miles. The company also owns 3.600 miles of yard tracks and sidings. Its road thus embraces 44.783 miles of all tracks owned. The entire railroad property of the Battle Creek and Sturgis is leased to other carriers for exclusive operation. That portion of the main line extending from Battle Creek to Findley, 33.988 miles, is leased to and operated by The Michigan Central Railroad Company. The remaining portion extending from Findley to Sturgis, 7.195 miles, is leased to and operated by The New York Central Railroad Company.
Introductory
[edit]The Battle Creek and Sturgis is a corporation of the State of Michigan, having its principal office at Detroit, Mich. Although the Battle Creek and Sturgis acquired title to its original property on November 14, 1889, it did not commence recording the results of the operations of its property in its books until December 1, 1889. The accounting data in this report, therefore, cover the period from December 1, 1889. The Battle Creek and Sturgis is controlled by The Michigan Central Railroad Company and The New York Central Railroad Company jointly through ownership of its entire outstanding capital stock. On the other hand, the records do not indicate that this company, itself, controls any common-carrier corporation.
The property of the Battle Creek and Sturgis has been operated during its corporate life as indicated below:
- Portion, Battle Creek to Findley, Mich.:
- The Michigan Central Railroad Company, December 1, 1889, to date of valuation.
- Portion, Findley to Sturgis, Mich.:
- The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Company, December 1, 1889, to December 31, 1914.
- The New York Central Railroad Company, January 1, 1915, to date of valuation.
Corporate History
[edit]The Battle Creek and Sturgis was incorporated November 14, 1889, under the general laws of the State of Michigan for the purpose of acquiring the property, rights, and franchises of The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company, which was done. The latter company was incorporated January 7, 1884, under the general laws of the State of Michigan. Its property, rights, and franchises were sold at foreclosure on September 11, 1889, after receivership begun March 11, 1889, and were conveyed to the Battle Creek and Sturgis by deed dated November 14, 1889. The date of organization of the Battle Creek and Sturgis was November 14, 1889.
| No. | Name | Incorporation | Succession |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Battle Creek and Sturgis Railway Company | General laws of the State of Michigan, Nov. 14, 1889. | |
| 2. | The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company | General laws of the State of Michigan, Jan. 7, 1884. | Sold at foreclosure, Sept. 11, 1889, and conveyed to 1 Nov. 14, 1889. |
Development of Fixed Physical Property
[edit]The owned mileage of the Battle Creek and Sturgis, 41.183 miles, was all acquired by purchase after foreclosure proceedings, from The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company. It was constructed by that company during the year 1888. There is a difference of 0.183 mile between the mileage recorded by the Battle Creek and Sturgis, 41 miles, and the mileage, 41.183 miles, inventoried as of date of valuation.
Leased Railway Property
[edit]The entire property of the Battle Creek and Sturgis has been operated by other carriers from December 1, 1889, to date of valuation. The description of the property so used, the period and terms of use, and the rentals accrued and credited to income for the year ending on date of valuation, are as follows:
- Solely leased to The Michigan Central Railroad Company:
- Battle Creek to Findley, Mich., 33.988 miles; in perpetuity from Feb. 1, 1890; stipulated payment to equal interest on $421,000 par value of first-mortgage bonds of lessor, taxes, and maintenance. $12,630
- Solely leased to The New York Central Railroad Company:
- Findley to Sturgis, Mich., 7.195 miles; stipulated payment to equal interest on $79,000 par value of first-mortgage bonds of lessor, taxes, and maintenance. $2,370
Predecessor Company
[edit]The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company
[edit]The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company was incorporated January 7, 1884, in the State of Michigan. No accounting records of The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company were obtained. Therefore, no information can be given from its accounts regarding its financial dealings, corporate operations, or investments. However, certain data indicated below were obtained from court records. The records reviewed do not indicate whether The St. Louis, Sturgis and Battle Creek Railroad Company was controlled by any individual or corporation on September 11, 1889, the date of sale, or, on the other hand, whether it then controlled any common-carrier corporation.
The property of the company was operated by the Canada and St. Louis Railway Company from the date it was put in operation, until the receivership, March 11, 1889. From that date until the date of sale, it was operated by a receiver. This company owned on the date of sale approximately 41 miles of single-track, standard-gage, steam railroad, between Battle Creek and Sturgis, Mich. The entire 41 miles of road owned by the company on the date of sale had been acquired by construction. The records reviewed indicate that the construction work was performed by the J. J. Burns Company, Limited, contractors, who do not appear to have been affiliated with the company. Further details with respect to the construction of this property are given in the chapter on development of fixed physical property in the report on the Battle Creek and Sturgis.