150 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River Early Years 151

the North Carolina, Wilmington, Governor Dudley, and Corne-

lius Vanderbilt.
The entire road was constructed under the following super-

vision: Walter Gwyn, chief engineer; Alexander MacRae, super-
intendent; Matthew T. Goldsborough, principal assistant engi-
neer of the Southern Division, and Francis N. Barbarin, prin-
cipal assistant engineer of the Northern Division. The road was

THE WILMINGTON AND WELDON RAILROAD.

In J anuary, 1834, the bill to incorporate the Wilmington and
Raleigh Railroad became a law; but the terms of the charter
were so restricted that an amended charter was obtained in

 

December, 1835, conferring larger privileges and changing the
course of the proposed road. At the time of granting the first
charter it was the intention to construct a railroad merely to
connect the principal seaport with the seat of the government ;
but, as the project was more thoroughly considered, the sdivan-
tages of building to some point on the Roanoke to cdot with
the Virginia lines, thereby completing one of the important
links in the line of iron rail that was to extend from Maine to
Florida, was realized, and in the amended charter the new cor-
poration was given the privilege of changing its destination.

The first meeting of the stockholders was held on March 14
1836, in the Wilmington Courthouse, and organized by electing
Edward B. Dudley president (at a salary of $2,000), and the
following directors: Andrew Joyner, W. D. Moseley Vion S
Battle, Aaron Lazarus, Alexander Anderson, William B. Msinta:
J ames Owen, P. K. Dickinson, R. H. Cowan, and Thomas H.
Wright. Gen. Alexander MacRae was elected superintendent
and James S. Green, secretary and treasurer. After passing
several resolutions and agreeing to start the building of the road
at both Halifax and Wilmington at the same time, the meeting
adjourned to meet again on the first Monday in November and
thereafter annually on the first Monday in May. ‘After Mr
Dudley was elected governor, he was’ succeeded in the presi-
dency by Gen. James Owen.

The building of the road was commenced in October, 1836
although little was done until January, 1837, and on March 7
1840, the last spike was driven. Its actual length was 16114
miles, and at the time of its completion it had the following
equipment: ‘Twelve locomotives, which were named, Nash
Wayne (built by R. Stephenson & Co., Newcastlo-on-Tyne Eng.
land), New Hanover, Edgecombe, Brunswick, Duplin, and
Bladen (built by Wiliam Norris, Philadelphia, Pa.), Greene
Halifax, and Sampson (built by Burr & Sampson, Richmond,
Va.), ete. There were also in use eight 8-wheel passenger
coaches, 4 post-office cars, 50 freight cars, and 4 steamers, viz.:

first laid with plate iron 2 inches by 5 inch on wooden stringers.

On April 5, 1840, the celebration of the completion of the
railroad was held in Wilmington. The report says:

“A large number of gentlemen assembled in the town from
various parts of the State and from Virginia and South Caro-
lina at an early hour in the morning. The bells gave out sonor-
ous peals and the shipping in the harbor came up, their flags
waving. Cannon were fired every fifteen minutes throughout

the day, with a national salute at meridian. At 2 p. m. a pro-
cession, composed of invited guests and citizens, including the
president, directors, and officers of other roads, the Board of In-

ternal Improvement, the Literary Board, the president, direct-
ors, engineers, agents and others in the employ of the Wilming-
ton and Raleigh Railroad, was formed on Front Street, under
the direction of Gen. Alexander MacRae, marshal of the day,
assisted by Maj. R. F. Brown, and marched thence to the dinner
table, escorted by the Wilmington Volunteers with their fine
band of music.

“The dinner was set out at the depot under sheds temporarily
prepared for the purpose. About five hundred and fifty were at
the tables, which were amply prepared for hungry men.

“Gen, James Owen, the president of the company, presided,
assisted by the directors, acting as vice presidents. Good feel-
ing ruled the hour and good cheer gave quick wings to the nurs-
lings of wit.

“Then followed a number of toasts—fifty-seven toasts and
eleven letters with toasts.”

Other reports are as follows:
Nov. 8, 1841.—Annual meeting of the stockholders of the

Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Co. Gen. James Owen de-
clined further service as president. Edward B. Dudley was

elected in his stead and the following gentlemen were elected
directors: P. K. Dickinson, Alexander Anderson, Thomas -H.

Wright, Robert H. Cowan, of Wilmington, Samuel Potter, of
Smithville, and B. F. Moore, of Halifax.”

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