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Isabella County Enterprise Jan. 6, 1903

The T. & A. noon train failed to reach this station until five o'clock Tuesday having jumped the track some where south.

Isabella County Enterprise Jan. 6, 1903

The T. A. & N. M. Co., contemplate laying a telegraph cable cable from Frankfort to Kewaunee under lake Michigan in the spring. Their ferry boat no. 2 recenty ran at a speed of fifth miles an hour 10 inches of ice. It is claimed she can make fair headway though ice 30 inches thick.

TOLEDO, ANN ARBOR AND NORTH MICHIGAN

Vice President J. M. Ashley, Jr., of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railroad, whose office is at 29 Broadway, this city, received a dispatch yesterday saying that the company's new transport, No. 2, bearing freight cars, had crossed Lake Michigan in a forty-five mile per hour gale, without any trouble. The success of the new system of transportation is regarded as assured. The annual statement of the business of this company for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 1892, is being prepared and will be published within a few days.

The New Times Jan. 8, 1893
The New York Times Jan. 19, 1893
PERILOUS LAKE TRAFFIC
THE DANGERS OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL EXCEEDED
A LINE OF STEAMER ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN KEPT RUNNING IN SPITE OF THE STORMS – AN ENTERPRISE THAT REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT ON THE BRAVERY OF LAKE SEAMEN

Frankfort, Mich., Jan. 18 – For the first time in the history of lake navigation a line of streamers is plying across Lake Michigan the year around, and is keeping open its connections in the face of the heavy storms and blizzards which for the past four weeks have prevailing in this section. The line is from Frankfort, Mich., to Kewaunee, Wis. A distance of sixty-five miles.

Compared with the famous Holyhead and Channel routes of the English mail boats, the Frankfort - Kewaunee Line is not only longer, but more hazardous and stormy than either of them. During the past three weeks the storms on the upper portion of Lake Michigan have kept the seas up to a height varying from 12 to 18 feet. Measuring the distance from the crest of the waves to the trough, the above heights should be doubled. To say that good seamanship is displayed on the Frankfort - Kewaunee line puts it mildly. Nothing short of pure nerve, backed by the soundest kind of judgment, has enabled the vessels to keep open the route.

The vessels are the Ann Arbor No. 1 and Arbor No. 2, two big ocean designed freight steamers, owned by the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railroad and employed in transporting loaded freight cars between Frankfort and Kewaunee. They are the first of their kind on the great lakes, and are the vessels recently inspected by an official naval board, with the view of their speedy conversion into war ships in a contingency.

Each vessel is 325 feet long, and is fitted with three propellers, one on each quart and one in the bow. The bow propeller serves both as an auxiliary screw and as an ice breaker. Each screw is operated by an independent horizontal compound engine. Double tracks are laid on the decks of the boats, and the freight cars are run aboard in the same manner as are the cars which are carried by numerous river ferry boats in the East. Once the cars are aboard, they are jacked up clear of their trucks and then stayed by heavy turnbuckle guys. Thus secured, the vessels may plunge and pitch ever so hard, but the cars, so far, have not given any evidence of working in their places.

On the Frankfort side of the route two piers run out into the lake parallel to each other, one to a distance of 400 yards and the second to a distance of 450 yards. The space between the piers is 200 feet. On making this port the steamers head into the pier channel, then force their way in for a distance of over half a mile to a landing berth built on the plan of an ordinary ferry slip. Once secured in place the cars are lowered on their trucks, then cast adrift from their guys and stays and hauled clear of the vessel to the land tracks. The loads at present carried vary from twenty-four to twenty-six freight cars. The stay in either port is limited to a shift of cars, when each ship makes again for the open lake. The Ann Arbor and her sister have been running in company for four weeks.

The most daring part of this new lake enterprise is when the big ships approach the Frankfort entrance from the open lake. With the seas short and confused and running high, the huge craft tumble and flounder in a manner apparently uncontrollable. The heavy beam seas threaten them with constant boarding, while in distance the two-hundred-foot entrance between the pier heads looks like a mere hole in a wall. With good steerage on, and the wheels hold by double crews, the vessels are headed straight for the opening. The anxious moment comes when the ship is about 200 yards from the entrance. Here the rapid shooting of the water causes the seas to double in fury, and makes the steering a matter more of chance and good luck than of good judgment. Let either vessel miss the opening, and there stares her in the face almost certain destruction. It will come either from being dashed to pieces on the heavy pierhead or from grounding on the shoals found on either side of the channel. So fierce have been the storms of late and so blinding the snow flurries that during that during the past week Ann Arbor No.2, Capt. J. Daugherty commanding, remained outside the pier at this place for three days rather than take the risk of being dashed to pieces. That delay meant a loss to the vessel's owners of $1,000 per day, but it at the same time assured the safety of a brand-new ship, worth in the neighborhood of $200,000.

During the past few days the water approaches to Frankfort have been inspected and experimented on by an officer of the United States Revenue Marine with a view of affording at all time a smooth steering-in course to the pier entrance. The experiments made have been with oil conduits run out from the pier heads to a distance of 400 yards into the lake. Although inspected and designed by a government officer, the expenses of the system have been assumed by the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railroad. The presence of the oil not only assures smooth water on which to steer in for the pier entrance, but virtually makes of Frankfort the only harbor of refuge on the lakes which can be entered at all times. In connection with the oil conduit from shore, the Ann Arbor and her sister will now carry oil bags, ready for use, whenever entering port in stormy weather. The oil bags for these vessels are made of canvas, cone shaped, and are about the size of an ordinary 100-pound flour sack.

The bags are first filled with waste and then with oil. Finally they are well punctured with a sail needle, and when trailed over the weather bow, along the water line, by good stout lines. The oil, oozing out, stretches away for a distance of fifty feet on the weather side of the vessel, and presents a barrier across which no sea can cross. The surface covered by the oil is left in a comparatively smooth condition, while on either side of the oil channel, like the ridges of a furrow, the seas are to be found breaking in all their fury.

In the open lake the Ann Arbor and her sister have as yet experienced no difficulty in forcing their way through the heaviest seas. The blinding snowstorms have caused the two ships to pick their way slowly at time over the sixty-five mile course, but up to this writing Ann Arbor No. 1 has alone touched shoal ground, and that but once. This vessel is in command of Capt. Michael Kelly. Kelly and Daugherty are two well known lake Captains and the records the two men are now making in plying Lake Michigan in the dead of winter, while nearly every other craft in the Northwest is in Winter quarters, go beyond anything in the way of seamanship known on the great lakes.

At Frankfort, at present, the Winter is the most severe on known in the past ten years. Along the lake front the ice is to be seen in immense gorges, packed and piled up in arctic hummock fashion. Just above the north pier entrance lies the wreck of a schooner, a constant warning of the fate in store for Daugherty and Kelly should they when attempting to force an entrance fail short in their calculations. Of late a dangerous bar has formed almost in the pier channel of the Frankfort entrance on the north side. This bar stretches well over toward the southern pier, leaving now a space for entrance of only thirty-five feet. This space is barely sufficient for vessels to pass in.

The original 200-foot opening between the Frankfort pier heads looks small enough in itself when distant a mile on this lake, but the present 35-foot channel has reduced the opening to a needle eye comparison. A feat well known to seamen is now being resorted to by the Frankfort – Kewaunee vessels to reduce this bar formation. It consists of lashing the vessels together, side by side, with their heads placed up the channel and their sterns lying over the edge of the shoal. Working together, the vessels are managing to keep open even the present 35-foot entrance by kicking off the edge of the shoal by means of their stern screws.

As a display of downright pluck and endurance it would be hard to find a more striking instance than is being present at present by the above American Captains. When one considers that they are forcing their vessels through seas more confused tan one ever finds in the England Channel or Irish Sea, and at each end of their run are taking chance in which the odds in their favor are not more than even, while added to the above is the constant danger arising from ice floes, a comparison with the English Mail Boat Service is all the more creditable to the American Captains on Lake Michigan.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

The Corunna council on Wednesday evening denied the petition of the street railway asking for permission to use a Baldwin dummy engine.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

The city of Cadillac will doubtless be compelled to pay the bonds given to aid the construction of the T. & A. Ry. Judgment: for the company has been entered for the second time.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

The T. & A. A. have added a fourth dispatcher at Owosso, W. G. Shields; thus allowing two to work at a time during the busiest part of the day, one dispatching for the north half of the road, and the other the south half.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

Warren Beckwith has obtained a position as operator in the transportation department of the T. & A. offices in offices in Owosso.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

The additional of two large ferry boats to the T. & A. service has greatly increased the business of the road and the the two consolidated compound engines recently put on have given such good satisfaction that four more of the same type are expected to be added by February. The road has tied to lease a number of engines without success. They expect also to out on between 1000 and 1500 new freight cars in the near future.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

A. E. Fleming left today for Frankfort to take charge of the T. & A. repair shop there.

Isabella County Enterprise Jan. 20, 1983

The train going north on the T. & A. Monday night managed to get its passengers as far as St. Louis and landed them there.

The Owosso Times Jan. 13, 1893

The T. & A. shops are still running until ten o'clock at night.

Isabella County Enterprise Jan. 20, 1983

E. Hamlin's wife returned Tuesday noon from an extend visit in northern Ohio. She was one of the seventeen passengers on the derailed T. & A. train who were obliged to remain in the car all the night before when within three-quarters of a mile mile of Alma.

The Owosso Times Jan. 20, 1893
LAKE TRANSPORTATION IN MIDWINTER
How 'The T. & AA. Ry. Boats Carry Long Freight Trains Across Lake Michigan.
Anything that tends to build up the traffic of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railway is or interest to all our readers, particularly those in Owosso, as an extension of business of the road means, an increase of the number of employees, both on road and in the car shops. The recent experiment of carrying long freight trains across Lake Michigan in mid-winter over the wild waves of the winter storms and through the field of floating ice has so far proven a marked success.  The details of these trips, taken from a Milwaukee paper, are as follows: "Twenty-four cars are carried on the boats each trip. The cars are easily loaded, in fact, so rapidly does the work of putting the cargo of railway rolling. stock go on, that its less than two hours from the time the boat docks she is ready to leave again. The cars are run down on the dock tracks, at the end of which is a heavy apron. When the Ann Arbor enters the harbor it goes up the river until it comes its slip. Then by aid of its two stern screws and single bow wheel. It turns its stern toward the slip and backs to the docks. The apron is dropped down so that the rails thereon form a connecting link between the tracks on the dock and boat. Heavy iron straps are then put on to make practically impossible any movement of the boat sufficiently to derail a car. Then the cars are run on the ferry, six of them on each of the four tracks. Wedges are used between the cars and the heavy timbers supporting the upper deck, some of which are located in the space separating the several tracks. To make them more secure still, blocks are put against the side of lime out-aide cars, and by the use of jackscrews placed against other timbers possibility if a weaving of the cars is prevented. With chains and irons passed over both, trucks of the cars and secured to staples in the floor of the deck the car is kept from rolling on its wheels, and then men are station on the deck, to watch the cars, and if any of the screws or toggle used to secure them work loose they are immediately tightened, and additional fastenings are used. If required.  Thus the possibility of a movement of the cars is removed as remotely as possible.  This requires time, but not so much as was anticipated.  Yesterday the boat arrived at 7:43 and at 9:45 it had discharged its cargo of cars of coal and miscellaneous wares, and had its twenty-four cars of flour on the deck ready to leave her slip for the lake. So rapidly can the boat be loaded in this manner that the trip, has been made from Frankfort to Kewaunee and back, including the loading, in sixteen hours.
The Ann Arbor No. 2 arrived about ten days ago and is now making regular trips across the lake. She is a stronger built boat than the No, 1, being better braced and five feet longer. Both boats are seemingly perfect in construction, good sailors and easily handled. Whether they are successes from a financial point of view depend upon whether carrying cars that distance across water on boats costing $200,000 each will pay. The company figures that it costs $2 per car to send on the ferry, whereas it would cost $7 per to send other way, besides breaking hulk, which this avoids, one of the principal advantages of the scheme. The trains are made up at Frankfort immediately on arrival, and are run through without a break to New York. The boats do their part of the work well and make good time for freights, spinning along at an average of ten miles an hour. With the three wheels they can be easily handled, Whether they have a rudder or not. Their bow-wheels are of great advantage in ice breaking, but Capt. Kelley thinks it has tendency to pull the nose to the starboard somewhat, and this may have done its share toward throwing Ann Arbor No. 1 out of her course imperceptibly.
They are expensive boats to run, about thirty men are being employed on each boat. It cost about $10,000 to release the Ann Arbor No, 1 from the sand bar on which she was recently locked, but the boat is now evidently not a dollar the worse for the experience
A visit to the T. & A. yards and depot at almost any hour of the day or night will enable our readers to see the long lines of Minneapolis flour cars which are enabled to pass through Owosso in seeking their far eastern destination by reason of the enterprise or the Ashleys in putting into operation the big freight boats.

Ann Arbor Argus Jan. 27, 1893 page 5
The Toledo road is said to have a party of surveyors running a line from Whitmore Lake to Hamburg Junction by the way of Base and Strawberry lakes. The line, if constructed, would be a great convenience to the public.

The Owosso Times Jan. 27, 1893

LAKE TRANSPORTATION IN MIDWINTER.
How The T. & A. A. Ry. Boats Carry Long Freight Trains Across Lake Michigan.
Anything that tends to build up the traffic of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railway is of interest to all our read is, particularly those in Owosso, as an extension of the business of the road means an increase of the number of employees, both on me road and in the car shops. The recent experiment of carrying long freight trains across Lake Michigan in mid-winter over the wild waves of the winter storms and through the lake of floating ice has so far proven a marked success. The 1etnils of these trips, taken from a Milwaukee paper, are as follows: "Twenty-four cars are carried on the boats each trip. The cars are easily loaded, in fact, so rapidly does the work of putting the cargo of railway rolling. stock go on, that in less than two bouts from the time tie boat docks she is ready to leave again. The cars are run down on the dock tracks, at the end of which is a heavy apron. When the Ann Arbor enters the harbor it goes up the river until it come opposite its slip, then, by the aid of its two stern screws and single bow wheel. It turns its stern toward the sup and backs to the docks. The apron is dropped down so that the rails thereon form a connecting link between the tracks on the docks and those on the boat. Heavy iron straps are then put on to make practically Impossible any movement of time boat sufficiently to derail a car. Then the cars are run on the ferry, six of them on each of the four tracks. Wedges are used between time cars and the heavy timbers supporting the upper deck, some of which are located in the space separating the several tracks. To make them more secure still, blocks are put against the side of the outside cars, and by the use of jackscrews placed against other timbers possibility at a weaving of the cars is prevented. With chains and irons passed over both trucks of the ears and secured to staples in the floor of the deck the ear is kept from rolling on its wheels, and then men are stationed on the deck, to watch the cars, and if any of the screws or toggle used in secure them work loose they are immediately tightened, and additional fastenings are used. If required. Thus the possibility of a movement of of the cars is removed as remotely as possible. This requires time, but not so much as was anticipated. Yesterday the boat arrived at 7:45 and at 9:45 it had discharged its cargo of cars of coal and miscellaneous wares, and had its twenty-four cars of flour on the deck ready to leave her slip for the lake. So rapidly can the boat be loaded in this manner that the trip has been made from Frankfort to Kewaunee and back, Including the loading, in sixteen hours.
The Ann Arbor No. 2 arrived about ten days ago and is now making regular trips across the lake. She Is a stronger built boat than time No. 1, being better braced it five feet longer. Both boats are seemingly perfect in construction, good sailors and easily handled. Whether they are successes from a financial point of view depend upon whether carrying ears that distance across water on boats costing $200,000 each will pay. The company figures that it costs $3 per car to send on the ferry, whereas It would cost $7 the other way, besides breaking bulk, which this avoids, one of the principal advantages of the scheme. The trains are made up at Frankfort immediately on arrival, and are run through without a break to New York. The boats do their part of the work well, and make good time for freights, spinning along at an average of ten miles an hour. With the three wheels they can be easily handled, whether they have a rudder or not. Their bow-wheels are of great advantage in ice breaking, but Capt. Kelley thinks it bass tendency to pull the nose to the starboard somewhat, and this may have done its share toward throwing the Ann Arbor vessel No. 1 out of her course imperceptibly.
They are expensive boats to run, about thirty men are being employed on each boat. It cost $10,000 to release the Ann Arbor No. 1 from the sand bar on which she was recently locked, but the boat is now evidently not a dollar the worse for the experience."
A visit to the T. & A. yards and depot at almost any hour of the day or night will enable our readers to we time long lines of Minneapolis flour cars which are enabled to pass through Owosso in seeking their far eastern destination by reason of the enterprise of the Ashley's in putting into operation the big freight boats.

The Owosso Times Jan. 20, 1893

The T. & A. shops are still running until ten o'clock at night.

The weekly Press (Adrian) Feb. 3, 1893
A wreck occurred on the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railway at Boon, Mich. As a freight train was going north running at full speed the engine left the track. Engineer Lovett was badly scalded. Brakeman Weight was hurt in the back of his head was also scalded. Both are dangerously injured and not expected to live.

The Pinckney Dispatch February 4, 1893
Petteysville station is now a thing of the past, as passenger trains have not stopped here since Jan. 31^st.

The Pinckney Dispatch February 4, 1893

The T., A. A. & N. M. timetables have dropped train times and have added a statement ' Popular route for Ann Arbor, Toledo, and points East, South and for Howell, Owosso, Alma, Mt. Pleasant, Cadillac, Manistee, Traverse City points in Northwestern Michigan.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 3, 1893

New time card on the T. & A. Sunday but no change of time here.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 3, 1893

Have you seen the new freight engines used by the T. & A.? If not, go to the depot any day and see them go through with from forty to fifty cars on a train.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 3, 1893

The T. & A. train from the the north Monday afternoon was delayed at Boon on account of a wreck caused by the sleet storm of Sunday, which was more severe than here.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 3, 1893

The T. & A. have built and filled and ice house near their track in this city and will in the future ice their refrigerator that leave here every Monday and Thursday, winter and summer. This is a great help to our merchants whip eggs and other produce to Boston and other eastern points.

The Owosso Times Feb. 3, 1893

On Wednesday the cable running between the two shops of the T. & A. A. parted, making some delay in the wood working building.

The Owosso Times Feb. 3, 1893

The T., A. A. & N. M. proposes to calm the angry waves outside the piers near Frankfort, and thus pass the boats to the harbor with ease and safety. Underground pipes will be laid and extended into the lake about 1,000 feet. An oil tank will be placed on one of the piers and jets of oil will be sent out into the lake. This plan has been recommended by Lieut. Gordon, of the United States Navy. The scheme will be in operation within a few weeks. – Ex.

The Owosso Times Feb. 3, 1893

On Sunday on of the new consolidated locomotives of the Ann Arbor road ran off the track at Boon, near Cadillac, and was quite badly damaged. The engineer, Elmer Lovett, was badly scalded. The fireman was but slightly injured. The next day No. 37, another of the consolidated type, was scorched by allowing the water to get too low in the boiler, damaging it considerably.

The Owosso Times Feb. 3, 1893

W. Barnes is acting as foreman in the T. & A. A. machine shop.

The Owosso Times Feb. 10, 1893

J. W. Miles has put out a number of casting for the T. & A. this week.

The Owosso Times Feb. 10, 1893

On Monday and Tuesday the T. & A. A. shops turned out in running order engines Nos. 39 and 37 respectively, just a week after after they were brought in. Pretty good time considering thee extent of the damage done the engines.

The Owosso Times Feb. 17, 1893

The T. & A. shops are running until 9:40 at night and are still crowed with work. The road is running two yard engines in the day time and one at night in the Owosso yards, being obliged to keep this number on owing to the large amount of transfer work. Quite a change from the time when the road was first put through, when but one engine was required and that but a part of the day.

The Owosso Times Feb. 17, 1893

On Monday Arthur Bertrand was promoted from call boy to position of time-keeper in the master mechanic's office of the T. & A. Bert Hawley has been appointed as call boy.

The Owosso Times Feb. 17, 1893

E. Lovett, the engineer who was scalded at Boom, recently, on the T. & A. A., was brought home Wednesday evening, the T. & A. A. sending a special car for him and meeting at the depot with a carriage. Mr. Lovett is improving and is able to be up part of the time. His friends will be much pleased to learn of his improvement.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 17, 1893

A number of brakeman have quit the Toledo & Ann Arbor road because they have been obliged to help shovel coal. The engineers, firemen and conductors are now kicking because a bulletin has been issued compelling them to turn in help when necessary.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 24, 1893

The T. & A. train Monday night was side tracked at Parkinson with a disabled engine and did not reach Mt. Pleasant until three o’clock Tuesday morning.

Isabella County Enterprise Feb. 24, 1893

Only one T. & A. freight train has reached this city from the south this week. And about all trains are running wild for the schedule is no where. Storms north and south of this point are the causes.

The Owosso Times Feb. 27, 1893

The T., A. A. & N. M. line owns and 330 miles of railroad. The net earnings of the road during during 1892 were $57,000.

Isabella County Enterprise March 3, 1893

The T. & A. on Monday sent out sixteen car loads of logs, three of emigrant movers, two of merchandise, one of posts, twenty-one cars in all. Pretty good day’s work.

Isabella County Enterprise March 3, 1893

The net earning of the Toledo and Ann Arbor railway—a line 300 miles long—was $57,000 during 1892. That beats a deficit clear out of sight

The Owosso Times March 3, 1893

On Saturday morning last one of the engines on the T. & A. A. Ry. blew up near Cadillac, killing Patrick O'Niel, the fireman, and injuring Engineer Miner of this city. Mr. O'Niel was a young man who had recently come from Canada to work for this road. His remains were taken to Canada for burial. As to the cause of the accident there are various reports afloat, the one generally accepted being that the water water in the boiler was low.

The Owosso Times March 3, 1893

Chas. Soderqerquist has given up his position in the T. & A. car car accountant's office.

The Owosso Times March 3, 1893

Harry William has obtained a situation in the car accountant's office on the T. & A. in this city.

Benzie Banner March 9, 1893
The engineers and firemen on the T. & A. R. R. went out on a strike, yesterday. owing to the new ruling by manager Ashley which made a day's work of 22 hours instead of 14 as therefore. We sincerely hope that the men will win the fight and compel Ashley to come to terms, as it is about time that one-eyed octopus was hauled off his high and mighty perch and made to understand that there are other people in world who have rights as well as the manager of the little one horse railroad called the T. & A.

The Owosso Times March 10, 1893

A STRIKE.

The Engineers and Firemen on the T., A. A. & N. M. Ry. Go Out.

The expected has happened. All endeavors to adjust the trouble between the employees and the T., A. A. & N. M. Ry. have failed, and the men left their work at six o'clock Wednesday morning. Briefly stated the case is as follows: The engineers and firemen have been required to wonk 14 hours before being entitled to receive extra compensation; this they claim is m excess or the rules of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The men. however did not complain of this. They asked for an increase of wages amounting to about 15 per cent, which was denied. The company also issued an order, requiring the men to work 14 hours before any allowance would be made for extra time and required engineers to coal up their own engines. The real cause of tho strike is the question whether 14 or 23 hours shall be considered as a day's work. The engineers sent a committee of men to Toledo to consult with tho railroad management, and if possible to arrange for a settlement of the difficulties without a strike. The company said the earnings of the road would not warrant any increase in wages, and that their orders in other ways must be acceded to. This the engineers refused to do, hence the strike. Charges and counter-charges- enough to fill up several columns, have been made by both sides, which we do not deem of importance to our readers, hence this brief statement. The places vacated by the strikers have been partly filled by men from Detroit. Chicago and other places, and passenger trains are running about as usual. Yesterday freight trains were also run over the road both ways. The real fight will come when the employees on the connecting roads refuse to receive freight from the T. & A., when the Brotherhood will show its strength and may make it possible for the engineers to win their tight. NOTES. Supt. Conners denies the charge that he issued an order for all engineers to quit the Brotherhood or leave the road. Chief Arthur, of the brotherhood of locomotive engineers, was seen by a United Press correspondent. He said that If the Ann Arbor officials did not reconsider their refusal to grant the demands of the men that every loyal Brotherhood man on the various railroads connecting with the Ann Arbor would be called upon to refuse to handle any Ann Arbor business. "We desire," said Mr. Arthur, "to use every possible means to secure peace and harmony, but the Ann Arbor road has thrown down the gauntlet and we will fight them to the bitter end if they attempt to operate the road with men. We think our demands are just, for .while we ask an increase of 15 per cent, the wages would then still be less than those paid on other lines in the same territory." The public generally condemn the action of Supt. Conners in appearing upon an engine Wednesday with a revolver in his hand and ordering the engineer to run the station, carrying by some passengers and leaving a number who wished to go north. There was nothing to call for such procedure. The strikers have not offered to molest any of the railway employees or to do any damage to the property. They are well behaved and orderly in every way. The engine on the T. & A. south last evening was burned out near Ann Arbor. The loss is quite heavy.

The Owosso Times March 10, 1893

Jesse Ball Has resigned his position as head baggageman at the junction to take a position as baggageman on the T. & A.

Isabella County Enterprise March 10, 1893

At six o’clock yesterday morning the engineers on the T. & A. all left their engines and the firemen went out with them. The result is the complete tying up of all the freight along the line, while new men are running the passenger engines. The men want more pay and their reasons seem to be right.

Isabella County Enterprise March 10, 1893

The citizens of South Union are taking measures to open the railroad, itch along the T. & A. through the south part of the town. The superintendent of the road has given his consent to the project.

Isabella County Enterprise March 10, 1893

[Shepherd]Freight trains have stopped running on the T. & A. on account of the strike. The passenger train going north Monday noon carried four non-union engineers

The Daily Chronicle, March14, 1893

WILL GO TO WORK

The Engineers on the Ann Arbor Railway

A STATE OFFICER TAKE A HAND

With the Result of Causing the Officials and Brotherhood to “Flap Together” – As Order by a United States Court Also Has an Influence

Toledo, March 14 – It is apparent that the bottom has suddenly fallen out of the Ann Arbor strike and that the difficulty will satisfactory adjusted within the next twenty-four hours. Chief Arthur arrived here early yesterday morning and with his assistant, Youngson, and Chief Sargent was in conference all day with the strikes and Railroad Commissioner Kirkby. If a settlement is reached, which seems now most probable, it will be largely due to the efforts of the latter gentleman.

Interviewed the Parties.

After learning what concessions the brotherhood was willing to make to the Ann Arbor, Mr. Kirkby consulted J. M. Ashley, the president of the road, and after a lengthy interview he gave out that the men will return to work today, not stating, however, on what terms the settlement would be made.

Federal Law Had an Effect

The Ann Arbor brought in some freight yesterday for the Lake Shore which was received as usual. The sudden retrogression of the brotherhood is attributed to the order issued by the federal court at Cleveland on Saturday, obliging all railroads and employees thereof to receive and convey freight from the Ann Arbor.

The Owosso American March 15, 1893
The T. & A. A. not only has a strike on its hands but several bad washouts on its line. About two miles of track was destroyed by the Maple river between Elsie and Ashley. The track is also under water near Howell. No passenger trains ran through on Saturday, mail and passengers were transferred by boats.

The Owosso Times March 17, 1893

All the union engineers on the the Toledo & Ann Arbor railway went on a strike, tying up all trains except those carrying the mails.

The Owosso Times March 17, 1893

The mail train on the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad was ditched a short distance out of Ann arbor, Mich., by wreckers, but no on was injured.

The Owosso Times March 17, 1893

THE ANN ARBOR ROAD. Chief Arthur Must STOP the Strike or Come to Conflict with a Court., Ann Arbor, March 11. A Toledo dispatch says that the various connecting lines have been placed under an injunction to prevent their refusing to interchange trans with the Toledo & Ann Arbor road. The engineers of the latter road have been on a strike for about a week, and none but mail trains have been running. Inasmuch as the managers of the road have insisted on relinquishment of membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as one of the qualifications for employment in the future, that organization took up the fight and ordered its members employed in running engines on connecting lines, not to draw freight received from Ann Arbor. The injunction referred to above has placed Chief Arthur in an awkward position. If he orders a general refusal by brotherhood men on connecting roads to haul Ann Arbor freight, he must do be in the face of the law. Hence he called the heads of a local committee on adjustment and after a long secret session overtures were opened with the Ann Arbor management looking to a settlement of tho dispute. After learning what concessions the brotherhood was willing to make the Ann Arbor, Mr. Kirkby consulted J. M. Ashley, president of the road, and after a lengthy interview gave out that the men will return to work, not stating, however, on what terms the settlement would be made.

The Owosso Times March 17, 1889

Latest From The Strike. Toledo, O., March 16. The Ann Arbor strike is ended. The recommendations of Commissioner Kirkby, concurred in by President Ashley, are in substance as follows: The men shall not be discharged without 30 days' notice, nor without an impartial trial, with the privilege of calling witnesses. The company shall pay its engineers and firemen as follows: Passenger engineers. $2.70 per 100 miles; firemen, 53 per cent, of that amount; freight engineers $3.50 per 100 miles, firemen 53 per cent; switching engines, $2.60; firemen, $1.60; engineers on consolidated, $3.70 per 100 miles; firemen, 53 per cent, of that amount. The men shall make application to the superintendent, and when notified shall be assigned without prejudice. The above is from last night's Evening News. Inquiry among the men here shows that they have no knowledge or any settlement.

Isabella County Enterprise March 17, 1893

Floods and washouts assisted the strike in almost entirely paralyzing the traffic on the T. & A. this week. We had no train from the south for twenty- four hours Tuesday and Wednesday. But the trains are rapidly resuming their normal runs again.

Isabella County Enterprise March 17, 1893

[Shepherd]High water along the line of the T. & A. has made it very uncertain about getting mail at this place. Several times this week the trains from the north could get no farther than Ithaca

Isabella County Enterprise March 17, 1893

[Shepherd]Passengers on the T. & A. are experiencing no little difficulty in getting from Owosso north. Last Saturday night about twenty passengers were obliged to remain in that city, and were brought through on a special train Sunday. No freight has been received at this place for several days and some of our business men are having goods sent over the F. & P. M. via. Mt, Pleasant.

Ann Arbor Argus March 17, 1893
THE ANN ARBOR ROAD
Chief Arthur Must Stop the Strike or Come in Conflict with a Court.
ANN ARBOR, March 14 – A Toledo dispatch says that the various connecting lines have been placed under an injunction to prevent their refusing to interchange traffic with the Toledo & Ann Arbor road. The engineers of the latter road have been on a strike for about a week, and none but mail trains have been running. Inasmuch as the managers of the road have insisted on relinquishment of membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers as one of the qualifications for employment in the future, that organization in the future, that organization took up the fight and ordered its members employed in running engines on connecting lines not to draw freight received from Ann Arbor. The injunction referred to above has placed Chief Arthur in an awkward position. If he orders a general refusal by brotherhood men on connecting road roads to haul Ann Arbor freight, he must do in the face of the law. Hence he called the heads of a local committee on adjustment and after a long secret session overtures were opened with the Ann Arbor management looking to settlement of the dispute. After learning what concessions the brotherhood was willing to make the Ann Arbor, Mr. Kirby consulted J. M. Ashley, president of the road, and after a lengthy interview gave out that the men will return to work, not stating, however, on what terms the settlement would be made.

The Owosso Times March 24, 1893

Issue Joined between the the Railroads and Engineers and Firemen.

Interesting Developments In the Ann Arbor Strike The United States Court Tubes Important Actions in the Matter.

A GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT.

Detroit, March 18. President Ashley, of the Ann Arbor railway, and State Railway Commissioner Kirby, acting on behalf of the Brotherhood of Engineers, came to an agreement at Toledo , as to the points in dispute between the company and the strikers. The terms included a requirement that strikers who wished to reenter tho road's service should make application, the applications would be considered in the order received, and the applicants assigned to duty without-prejudice. This portion the strikers objected to and refused to accept, accusing Mr. Kirby of acting without warrant in introducing without being authorized a clause making their a matter of choice with tho railroad, officials. . The order to engineers and firemen of other roads to boycott Ann Arbor cars, it is understood, was renewed, and on Friday Judge Taft, on application' at Detroit, made by the general Counsel of the road, Alexander L. Smith, granted a mandatory injunction against Chief Arthur, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and Chief Sargent, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, requiring them to raise the boycott against Ann Arbor cars. This is a temporary restraining order, and Monday, March 27, is set for the hearing of the motion for a permanent injunction. As the Ann Arbor has but one station in Ohio (that of Toledo) its traffic for other roads all comes under the head of interstate traffic. The railroad company introduced another feature of the difficulty by entering suit jointly and severally against Chiefs Arthur and Sargent for $300,000 damages incurred by the strike.

Detroit, March 20. Late Saturday afternoon, on the request of the officials of the Ann Arbor road, Circuit Judge Taft issued a supplementary order to his mandate of Friday. In this the court takes by far the most important procedure of any yet made.. Chief Arthur is commanded to issue notice to members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers that any order heretofore issued requiring members to refuse to handle the cars of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad is not in force or effect against the said railroad. , District Judge Ricks at a special session of his court held here Saturday heard the complaint of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railway that several of its employees had refused to handle freight from the Ann Arbor. Summonses were subsequently issued for the arrest of five engineers and three firemen. Three of the engineers were taken into custody. Summonses were issued also to all the engineers of the Wheeling & Lake Erie, warning them against participating in any discrimination. Meanwhile the boycott is temporarily raised, orders to that effect having been received from Chief Arthur.

The Owosso Times March 24, 1889

A dastardly attempt was made by some scoundrel Wednesday night to wreck the T. & A. A. passenger train going north. The switch near the trestle work by Robbin's factory had been thrown open – the lock and chain was broken and the target torn off the switch – the train ran off the track track and on the ties of the trestle, making a terrific report, arousing the neighborhood. The engine in charge stopped the train as quickly as possible, and none too soon either as the wheel of the cars were within six inches of the ends of the ties. If the train had gone down the embankment no one knows what would have been. No punishment would be too severe for the wretch who thus attempted to destroy life and property.

Isabella County Enterprise March 24, 1893

[Shepherd]A freight train ran off the track at this station Wednesday night. No damage was done except to delay the train three or four hours.

Isabella County Enterprise March 24, 1893

[Shepherd]The passenger train due here at nine o’clock p. m. was derailed at Owosso Junction Wednesday night, causing a delay of over twelve hours.

Isabella County Enterprise March 31, 1893

A heavy freight was thrown from the T. & A. track across Broadway last Saturday. The cars were off the track and two or three were badly broken., The train was south bound and was under full head to ascend the heavy grade to get out of the city. Hence the difficulty in stopping before much damage. H. W. Ashley offers $1,000 reward for the parties guilty of attempting the wreck of train No. 5 north of Owosso the 22nd.

Isabella County Enterprise March 31, 1893

[Shepherd]Freight engine No. 16 jumped the track at this station 'Wednesday night. No serious damage.

The Owosso Times March 31, 1893

The T. & A. road has purchased a thousand new box cars of 60,000 pounds capacity each, a large number of which have already been delivered. On Wednesday there were on different parts of the 1,535 loaded cars in transportation or ready for it. The new cars are all furnished with air brakes and as the new freight engines are are fitted for using air the freight department will soon be in condition to use air brakes on on most all trains.

The Owosso Times March 31, 1893

The car shops are again running until nine o'clock at night to keep up the repairs.

The Owosso Times April 7, 1983

The freight from the north on the T. & A. Tuesday morning rain into some cars on the main line near Robbins' factory, demolishing the cars and injuring the engine. The fault of leaving the cars on the main line seems to be with the D. & M. which back a train up on the T. & A. track, pushing these these cars out out in the the way of the T. & A. in order to clear clear the D. & M. track, then when the D. & M. train pulled out the loose cars were left where they were when struck.

The New York Times April 11, 1893
AN IMPORTANT AGREEMENT
Detroit, Mich. – Details of a railroad deal of important have been obtained from high officials of the roads interested.

The Chicago and Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Roads, with their extensive Wisconsin and Minnesota interests, have had their attention called to the difficulty which will be encountered at Chicago terminals during the World's Fair. Each road, it is said made a traffic arrangement with the Kewaunee, Green Bay and Western, a twenty-nine mile line running from Kewaunee to Green Bay, Wis. At this latter point both the St. Paul and the Northwestern have terminal facilities. It is the intention to handle the traffic by way of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan transfer boat line to Frankfort, Mich., thence to Toledo by the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan, and thence eastward and southeastward by the Lake Shore. The Lake Shore is also a party to the contract and agrees in turn to give the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan a large share of its Northwest business, which will include shipments of Hocking Valley coal and general merchandise.

Isabella County Enterprise April 7, 1893

[Mt. Pleasant] A heavy shower came up suddenly about midnight last night and at one o’clock this morning the lightning struck the T. & A. depot and utterly destroyed it. There were a few trunks left there that are burned. Hope the company will erect a building that will add attractiveness to its surroundings. It would be a fine improvement and can be done without much additional expense.

Isabella County Enterprise April 7, 1893

Shepherd depot burned this morning too. It is thought that both were burned by the same stroke of lightning, because operators neglected to “ground” their wires. The Shepherd depot was a neat brick structure, freight and passenger combined, hence the loss there must be considerable more than in this city, where only the passenger depot burned, with the hooks and baggage.

Isabella County Enterprise April 7, 1893

Owosso’s city council says that the electric street car line to Corunna must be put in good running sh ape immediately or the charter will be vacated.

Benzie Banner April 13, 1893
(Crystal City) The fence gang on the T. & A. road is here.

Isabella County Enterprise April 14, 1893

A wreck on the T. & A. at Shepherd this morning prevented the early train from going south of this city.

Isabella County Enterprise April 14, 1893

Agent Saunders has been holding forth in an old smoker for a ticket office and waiting room at the site of the T. & A. depot. Nothing has yet been decided as to a new building yet.

Isabella County Enterprise April 14, 1893

[Shepherd]D. D. Whitesell, of the T. & A. was in town Saturday looking over the ruins of the burned depot.

The Owosso Times April 14, 1893

The T. & A. shops are turning out four large coal cars to be used in coaling up the transfer boats at Frankfort. The Force in the machine shop has been increased this week.

The Owosso Times April 14, 1893

Compound engine No. 43 on the Ann Arbor road pulled out a train of fifty-two cars yesterday afternoon probably one of the longest ever pulled through Owosso. The train had enough cars in it fitted with air brakes to allow the brakes to be be handled by the engine.

The New York Times April 18, 1893
CRASHED INTO WORKTRAIN
Two Men Were Killed, Three Seriously and Others Slightly Injured
Farwell, Mich., April 17, A Collision occurred on the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Road about four miles north of here this morning between a work train and a northbound passenger train. Two men were killed and several badly injured. The following is a list of killed and injured:

KILLED

J. W. Unger, married

ISAAC RUSHNELL, both of Owosso

INJURED

Frank THOMPSON of Elsie, had a thigh broken and was otherwise critically injured. His condition is serious.
O. S. CAROUTHERS of Owosso, seriously bruised.
JAMES PICKERING of Farwell, serious bruised/

Several other laborers were more or less injured and cut. The work train had been picking up some wrecked cars and was backing up when the passenger train stuck it.

Benzie Banner April 20, 1893
Travel on the T & A railroad is growing and more dangerous every day. Saturday night there was a wreck between here and Thompsonville which delayed the passenger train until late into the night. Monday a wreck which in the death of three men and injury to several others occurred Farwell, and tonight (Thursday) the train is monkeying around somewhere fooling with a washout. Just how long this sort of a thing will continue is hard to say, but sooner or later Ashley will have to either run his road the way should be run or else get some one who know how to run it for him, and sooner he does the latter, the better suffering public will be pleased. At present who are discommoded most vary their time by hoping the ?? will blow up or that an all Providence will remove Ashley to the other clime.

Isabella County Enterprise April 21, 1893

On Monday morning, as the north bound passenger train on the T. & A. was making a curve three miles north of Farwell, the engineer discovered a work train, which had been picking up some wrecked cars near Lake George, backing down the grade. He reversed his engine and came to stop just as the work train crashed into him. The. caboose, filled with laborers, was telescoped and three Owosso young men were instantly killed. Three others were seriously injured while a number were bruised. It appears that the work train was at fault as it had orders to remain on the side track until the regular had passed.

Isabella County Enterprise April 21, 1893

[Mt. Pleasant]H. P. Burtch of -Grand Rapids was in town this week adjusting the loss on the T. & A. depot.

Isabella County Enterprise April 21, 1893

More Business For The T. & A. During the progress of the Toledo, Ann Arbor&North Michigan engineer’s strike, which is yet apparently far from being settled, negotiations have been in progress and are now said to be consummated, by which the Ann Arbor’s new route across lake Michigan acquires some great feeders. The Chicago & North Western and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, two of the greatest railroads of the northwest have arranged to use the Toledo & Ann Arbor road by which to send freight eastward. The Lake Shore rail road with which the Ann Arbor line connects at Toledo, is also a party to the; contract and agrees to give the T. & A. railroad a large,share of its northwest business, which will include shipments of .Hocking Valley coal and general merchandise. The Ann Arbor road will also continue its present traffic arrangements with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, by which Minneapolis flour is carried to the east. To meet the anticipated increase of business two additional transfer steamers are - contemplated to be built this year and added to those now plying across Lake Michigan between Kewaunee and Frankfort. The roadbed and rolling stock of the T. & A- will be made adequate to handle the enlarged traffic.—[Cadillac Hews & Express.]

The Owosso Times April 21, 1893

Ann Arbor Road Prospers.

Toledo, Special Telegram, April 19.-- The annual meeting of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railroad Company was held in this this afternoon. The following directors were elected: J. M. Ashley, A. W. Wright, Henry W. Ashley, Joseph Walker,Jr., Wm. Baker, David Robinson,Jr., S. Dean, F. W. Childs, J. m. Ashley,Jr., H. B. Livingstone and T. w. Whitney. The old officers were elected for another year.

The general manager's report shows that during the year the experiment of shipping loaded cars across Lake Michigan was tried and proven successful, and that the road had consequently changed changed from a local one to a trunk during during the year. The Frankfort & Southeastern, a twenty-five mile road, giving the Ann Arbor a Lake Michigan Port had been purchased. Hundreds of new freight cars are now being delivered to the company. Many new bridges, additional side tracks and other improvements had been made. The receipts had increased about $100,000 and the profits about $5,000 being $23,000.

The Owosso Times April 21, 1893

TWO BAD WRECKS

The Ann Arbor Road Suffers Through a Green Engineer.

Two Men Killed and Several Hurt in a Collision Near Farwell – A Fireman Scalded to death by a Boiler Explosion.

FATAL RAILWAY DISASTERS.

Farwell, April 18.-- A collision occurred on the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad about 4 miles north of here between a work train and a north bound passenger train. Two men were killed and several were badly injured. The injured were brought here. It is said that none of of the passengers was injured.

The Killed are: L. M. Unger, married, of Owosso, and Isaac Buschnell, Owosso. The injured: Frank Thompson, of Elsie, thigh broken and otherwise injured, O. S. Caruthers, of Owosso; James Pickering, of Farwell, seriously bruised; James Devere, arm broken. Several other labors were more or less bruised and cut. The work train had been picking up some wrecked cars, and was backing up when the passenger train struck it.

The report shows that the engineer of one the trains was grossly to blame. He. He is one of the green men who was put on in place of the strikers four weeks ago. He was was working on a construction train which is building some track at Farwell. He had orders to back onto a switch to let the morning north-bound passenger train pass. Either he misunderstood the orders or forgot them, for he push his train out onto the main track just in time for the passenger train to hit the caboose.

Another accident occurred on the Ann Arbor road a mile north of Emery early Monday morning. The boiler engine No. 38 exploded and Fireman T. C. Wilson, of Pontiac, was scalded to death.

Benzie Banner April 27, 1893
The express office has been removed from the depot to Crystal City—Charles Reed is agent.

Benzie Banner April 27, 1893

The Toledo & Ann Arbor engineers and firemen refuse to go back to work unless all non-union men are discharged. The company does not propose to take back the engineers who left their engines standing on the main track and the men refuse to go back unless they are taken back in a body.

The Pinckney Dispatch May 4, 1893

Another Careless T., A. A. & N. M. Fatality
A freight freight train and lone engine collided on the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan road near Whitmore Lake. Fireman Swineford's legs were both broken, and he died soon after being cut out of the wreck of the cab and tender. The freight train train had been ordered to stop at Emery to wait for the engine. Both engines and five cars were badly wrecked. The engineers and and firemen were all non-union men. They misunderstood their orders. Swineford was a Chicago man.

The Pinckney Dispatch May 4, 1893

The T. A. A. & N. M. R. R. has indeed having misfortune sine the trouble with their workmen. Accidents have been of almost daily occurrence, and there have been a number of deaths. Several engines have been destroyed and many cars smashed. It seems as if the old Nick himself had taking up his quarters on this road and was playing havoc with everything. There will probably be a fine bill of cost to pay for lives lost before the misfortunes entirely cease. [Ann Arbor Courier]

Isabella County Enterprise April 28, 1893

The T. & A. train that heretofore left this point for the south at 3:50 is now scheduled to leave at 3:31 p. m., but schedules are not of much benefit on-that road these days.

Isabella County Enterprise April 28, 1893

The T. & A. Road is in hard lines all around. It is said that its stock has recently dropped from 37 1/2 cents to 13 cents to the dollar per value. If the company keeps on killing people, they will have damage cases enough to bankrupt them.

Isabella County Enterprise April 28, 1893

The annual meeting of .the Toledo Ann Arbor & North Michigan Railroad Company was held in Toledo April 19, The following directors were elected: J. M. Ashley; A. W. Wright, Henry W. Ashley, Joseph Walker, Jr., Wm. Baker, David Robinson, Jr., S. Dean, F. W. Childs, J. M. Ashley, Jr., ’H. B. Livingstone and T. W. Whitney. The old officers were elected for another year. The general manager’s report shows that during the year the experiment of shipping loaded cars across Lake Michigan was tried and proven successful and that the road had consequently changed from a local one to a trunk line-during the, year. The Frankfort & Southeastern, a twenty-five mile road, giving the Ann Arbor a Lake Michigan port had been purchased. Hundreds of new freight cars are now being delivered to the company. Many new bridges, additional side tracks and other improvements had been made, The receipts had been increased about $100,000 and the profits about $5,000 being $23,000.

Isabella County Enterprise May 5, 1893

At last the T. & A. has come to where the public has predicted for some time, in the hands of a receiver. Senator Wellington E. Burt, father-in-law of H. W. Ashley has been appointed, and it is hoped that improvements will follow at once.

The Owosso Times May 5, 1893

The appointment on Hon. Wellington R. Burt as receiver of the T. & A. A. R'y Co. gives assurance that the affairs of the road will soon be put in proper shape again. Mr. Burt's well known business ability makes certain a bright future for the road.

The Owosso Times May 5, 1893

Hugh Hunter, formerly of this city, is now T. & A. A. agent at Farewell.

The Owosso Times May 5, 1893

The street railway company commenced running its cars again on Monday, much to the delight of our citizens who have business at the county seat, and also to the business men who who will reap a benefit in the way of increased trade.

The Owosso Times May 5, 1893

Harry Achon has accepted a position in the T. & A. offices.

Benzie Banner May 11, 1893
The T. & A. OUTLOOK
The following article is taken from the Cadillac News and Express and will be of interest to all.
The long expected crisis in the affairs of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad was reached on Friday of last week, when by a decree of the United States court the road was placed in the possession of Wellington R. Burt, father in-law of H. W. Ashley, the recent general manager, The matter which brought about a culmination of the T. & A's troubles was a suit brought by the Craig Ship Building company to force some delayed payments on the big boats now operating as freight car carriers between Frankfort and Kewaunee.

Whatever may be said by way of criticism as to the management of the T. & A. railroad by the Ashleys, it cannot be denied that they have shown themselves to be possessed of almost unparalleled pluck and persistence in building a long line of railroad under the most discouraging circumstances, probably, ever faced, and surmounted by the builders of any similar line of railroad in the entire history of such operations. The road has proven to be an enterprise of value and importance to northern Michigan and to Cadillac, especially and to its originators and builders is due full credit for their important part in it.

To a reporter of a Toledo paper, J. M. Ashley, Jr. better known in this section of the state as “Jim,” gave the following brief review of the financial happenings which directly led to a calmination of their troubles:

“I have been working seventeen years, and my friends know how hard, trying to put the Ann Arbor road on a substantial footing. I did the best I could and if I had to do over again would do the same thing. As you know, it is necessary to list railroad stock and bonds of the New York stock market in order to raise money when needed. Our bonds were quoted at 108 and our stock at 38, and in ordinary times these are accepted as collateral for loans of about 50 per cent of the market quotations. As we were very enterprising in developing and extending the Ann Arbor, we were heavy borrowers and it was therefore necessary to keep up the stock exchange quotations. This I have always been able to do heretofore, even during the panic resulting for the Baring failure, when a systematic attempt was made to squeeze us. Just at the present we have had a great many unfortunate contingencies which conspired to assist the parties who had planned the “bear” movement against the Ann Arbor road. We have had a hard winter, with many floods and washouts this spring; the the strike which has been advertised all over the United States, and the new equipment of 1,000 new cars and eighteen new mogul locomotives, left us in poor condition to battle with the heavy speculators in Wall street. As I have told you, to maintain the market it was necessary for me to buy the stock as fast as it was offered, to maintain the credit of our securities, and therefore had put up our entire holdings of the stock, and when it continued to break, more margins were called for by my brokers and I could furnish no further collateral. That I had furnished was declared forfeited and thrown on the market. Tuesday and Wednesday were lively days in Wall street and over 125,000 shares of our stock were bought and sold on the exchange.”

“Who were the principal movers in this “bear” movement, Mr. Ashley?”

“The brokers who do the dealing for the Vanderbilts.”

“How many shares did your family hold in the Ann Arbor?”

“The entire issue was 65,000 shares, of which we held 35,000, but I have no idea who holds them now. With the3 equipment we have and a few further improvements, the road will be a very valuable one and there is all the freight to be had which it could possibly carry over its track.”

“will you make an effort to regain the control of the road?”

“It is, of course, my ambition to again get possession of the road, and after these Wall street fellows have got through some of our friends may aid us to get the stock back. It with of course, for the present remain in the hands of the receiver, under the direction of the the United States court, who will issue receiver certificates on the floating indebtedness, and the road will continue to operate.”

It has been reported that a meeting of the holders of T. & A. securities was held in New York a few days ago, and that it was then and there agreed that $300,000 would be raised and advanced to help the road out of its present difficulties if an examination of its present condition and business possibilities resulted in a favorable showing. In commenting on this action, H. W. Ashley said if the offer was a bona fide one and was carried out, the receiver would be discharged and the road run by the security holders.

However, it is not certain that the result of close investigation into the present condition of the road would result in a favorable showing. In their petition for the receiver, the Craig Shipbuilding Co. made this somewhat discouraging statement:

The company's line of railroad is out of repair and unsafe and dangerous for the running of trains; its rolling stock is inadequate, and the company has no money to make repairs; the company is unable to pay its labor bills and other expenses; it has no credit and is unable to borrow any more money.

Isabella County Enterprise May 12, 1893

The T. & A. have scattered along its line 17,000 ties with which to improve that road bed. The company is also replacing the fifty-six pound rails with seventy pound rails as rapidly as possible. If these improvements were complete the line would be a most substantial one to handle its great freight traffic.

Isabella County Enterprise May 12, 1893

[Shepherd]The frame for the new depot at this place is up and enclosed, and work on the same is being pushed as rapidly as possible.

The Owosso Times May 12, 1893

[Vernon] Frank McLaughlin has been employed as night operator at the T. & A. depot.

The Owosso Times May 12, 1893

The T. & A A. strike has now been on two months and there seems to be no prospect of a settlement.

The Owosso Times May 12, 1893

The car shops have added about fifteen new men to their force this week in the different departments.

The Owosso Times May 12, 1893

A collision occurred on the T. & A. A. road just south of the Corunna road early Monday morning, resulting in the smashing of several cars into splinters, injuring a number more and badly damaging the front of engine 32 which with the freight train it was pulling ran into the rear end of the freight left standing standing there. The train which was standing on the the track was left ready to be pulled out and and taken north and seems to have had lights on the caboose which were in plain sight for nearly a mile down the track. The fault was with with the engineer of the incoming train. The track was not cleaned until nearly seven in the evening, the passenger trains in the meantime running over the D. & M. between here and Durand.

The Owosso Times May 12, 1893

Street car fare between Owosso and Corunna has been reduced to 5 cents each way foe Sunday travel. The sensible thing to do is to make it 5 cents for every day.

Meriden Daily Republican 5-13-1893

The End of the Strike Near,

NEW YORK, March 13, – J. M. Ashley, Jr., vice president of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Lake Michigan Railroad, received a dispatch to the effect that the United States court has decided that all railroads in the territory of the Ann Arbor road must accept freight from the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Lake Michigan, and that an order to that effect would be issued by the court tomorrow morning. Another telegram stated that the strikers, through Chief Arthur, were willing to declare the the strike off if the railroad officials would meet their employees as individuals and listen to their grievances.

Isabella County Enterprise May 19, 1893

Trains from the south now arrive on the T. & A. at 12:20 p. m. and 9:45 p. m. From the north at 6:10 a. m. and 3:31 p. m.

[Shepherd]The depot is nearly completed, and is considerable larger than the one recently destroyed by fire.

The Owosso Times May 19, 1893

The T. & A. A. shops have put on a night force and will keep the shops busy day and night.

The Owosso Times May 19, 1893

An additional is being built to the master mechanics' office in the T. & A. yard.

The Owosso Times May 19, 1893

The train from the north on the T. S. & M. will arrive in Owosso at 12:50 in the afternoon instead of 5:50 as heretofore. The change will take place Monday. The train going north does not change time.

The Owosso Times May 19, 1893

One of the T. & A. engineers in backing down to couple to a freight Tuesday night, lost control of the engine and knocked the front car of the train off the track smashing it so badly that it had to be torn to pieces.

The Owosso Times May 19. 1893

The Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad will probably be reorganized by a committee of its bondholders and creditors under the direction of F. P. Olcott.

The Owosso Times May 19, 1893

Durand Citizens.

Durand, Mich., May 15.-- On Saturday evening and Ann Arbor train stood for a long time across the main street crossing and sundry citizens who were awaiting the movement of the train in order to get home, grew impatient. A sort of riot ensued. W. G. Perry, it is charged, took a lantern from one of the yard men and signaled the engineer to go a head, first uncoupling one of the cars, in order to make and opening in the solid train. Otto Olmstead is charged with displacing a switch on the Ann Arbor during this time, contrary to the orders of the yard master. Both of the men were arrested Sunday morning by Sheriff Jacobs and taken to Corunna. They were were brought here for trail this forenoon. Other parties were implicated, but they left Durand before the sheriff could serve a warrant on them.

The men were held for trail at the examination Monday. The attorney of the road informed us that proceedings against the men would be commenced in the U. S. court. He also thinks that without doubt conviction will follow. The penalty my be five years in prison.

Benzie Banner May 25, 1893
The section hands on the T. & A, are smiling all over on account of a raise in wages of 12 1/2 cents a day.

Isabella County Enterprise May 26, 1893

[Shepherd]Mr, Sherman, a former operator in the T. & A. office at this place, is now located at Mt. Pleasant.

Isabella County Enterprise May 26, 1893

The T. & A. has bought ten acres of of the Bennett land in this city and will commence at once to build a round house, turn table, switches and coal docks, and will make this city the permanent division for passenger and freight traffic. This conclusion was arrived at at a meeting held in this city "Wednesday evening. The whole will involve an expenditure of about $30,000. Mt. Pleasant is to be congratulated on this valuable acquisition to her thriving city. Surveyor Biggs of the T. & A. was in the city Wednesday and made a survey of the property lying north of the depot on the land required for the division switch and engine houses. He says 150 feet wide will be required on the west side of the track and. considerably more on the east side.

The Owosso Times May 26, 1893

Car Shop Items.

Four more coal cars for use in coaling up the transfer sters at Frankfort are being built at the car shops this week.

A break in in a culvert between the machine and wood-working shops, in the T. & A. yard resulted in the ground being washed out several feet deep under a section of three side tracks during the rains early in the week.

Five new machinists have been added to the shops force this week. Over two hundred men are now employed in the shops on the night and day forces.

The Weekly Argus News May 27, 1893
CADILLAC, Mich., May 22, 1893 – Forest fires are raging in the territory northwest of this city. Fire broke out near Tustin and ran two and a half miles in eight minutes. The farm house of a man named Anderson was destroyed. Mrs. Anderson and her two children perished in the house.

The Weekly Argus News May 27, 1893

The saw – mill boarding house belonging to Edgar Morgareidge, on the Toledo & Ann Arbor siding four miles from here, was destroyed by fire. Loss $4,000; no insurance.

The Weekly Argus News May 27, 1893

The mills at Lake City were shutdown yesterday to fight the fire. The city city is in imminent danger. Sands' camp, where the two men perished, was surrounded by the flames and the men who escaped had a hard fight.

The Pinckney Dispatch June 1, 1893
Cadillac – Edward Margeridge's sawmill, four miles south on the the Toledo, Ann Arbor, was burned with house and boarding houses. Loss, $4,000. No insurance.

Isabella County Enterprise June 2, 1893

[Shepherd]A baggage room is being built near the new depot

The Owosso Times June 2, 1893

The Ann Arbor road purchased two new engines this week.

The T. & A. A. Co. are raising their main track a few inches throughout the yards.

The old floor in the T. & A. machine shop has been torn up over a large part of it and a new one is being laid.

The force at the car shops has been increased by ten men this week and more men are expected. The force is larger than ever before.

Isabella County Enterprise June 9, 1893

The new T. & A. depot is ready to receive its roof. The T. & A. steam shovel will begin work on the company’s new yard in this city next week.

The Owosso Times June 9, 1893

Breaks in the cable connecting the machine and carpenter sshop at the T. & A. A. caused some delayed Saturday and Monday in the carpenter shop.

Isabella County Enterprise June 9, 1893

[Shepherd]Dr. Patterson has ordered a telephone put in the Taylor House to connect with the T. & A. depot.

Isabella County Enterprise June 16, 1893

The excavation for the new city well is progressing slowly, the T. & A having employed all the surplus laborers in its excavating works in north end of the city.

The steam shovel commenced work excavating the ten acres on the Steele farm recently purchased for the purpose of erecting round house, car shops and increasing their side tracks incident to putting in the division here. The gravel is being used in raising the track through the Brodie swamp eighteen inches. Between fifty and seventy-five men are at the work which is being pushed rapidly forward.

Isabella County Enterprise June 16, 1893

James Walsh is engaging a large crew and will start Monday morning with his men for Mt. Pleasant where he will commence the work of ballasting the T. & A. railroad. The company want a good job and have struck upon the right man to see that it is done. [From The Clare Democrat Press.]

The Owosso Times June 16, 1893

The T. A. A. & N. M. Ry. Company have changed the office of car accountant from Owosso to Toledo. This takes from the offices here John F. Brattencar accountant and of his clerks John F. Cardwell and Miss Wiley. The change change has been contemplated for months.

The Owosso Times June 16, 1893

At a meeting of the directors of the Ann Arbor railway held in Toledo, Monday, the following New York capitalists entered the directory to fill vacancies: John Jacob Astor, J. Edward Simmons, president Fourth National Bank, George W. Quintard, Amos F. Eno, Joseph Walker, Jr., H. B. Livingston and E. Dichman. These changes are the result of an agreement reached by the bondholders; committee. The Ashleys are not among those who resigned from the directorate. Further change will, however be made in a few weeks.

The Owosso Times June 16, 1893

The Michigan Central is erecting a large freight ware house, 122x40 feet, at the railroad crossing on Shiawassee street. The offices will will not be moved from their present location. This is another evidence of the fulfillment of Mr. Rigley's dream of the future of Owosso.

The Owosso Times June 16, 1893

The trail of Chief P. M. Arthur, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, for $200,000 damages for alleged encouragement of the recent strike on the Ann Arbor road will commence at Cleveland September 18.

Isabella County Enterprise June 23, 1893

New Ann Arbor Directors. Toledo , June 21.—The stockholders of the Toledo and Ann Arbor railroad elected the following New York capitalists to fill vacancies in the directory caused by resignations: John Jacob Aster, J, Edward Simmons, president Fourth National bank; George W. Quintard, Amos F. Eno, Joseph Walker, Jr., H. B. Livingston and E. Dichman. These changes are the result of an agreement reached by the bondholders’ committee. The Ashleys are not among those who resigned from the directorate. Further changes will, however, be made in a few weeks.

Otago Witness June 29, 1893
The Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway Company is about to test the virtue of oil quieting rough waters. The harbor at Frankfort affords only a narrow entrance, and the water over the bar is shallow, and in rough weather the car ferry streamers experience difficultly in getting inside. The railroad authorities propose to smooth the waves outside of the piers, and thus pass the boat inside with ease and safety. It is claimed that this can be done by sending jets of oil out into the lake. Under ground pipes will be laid and extended into the lake 1000 feet in front of the pier. A tank containing 3600 gallons of oil will be placed at the end of one of the two piers. This will give enough head to force the oil out into the lake. The plan has been recommended to the the Ann Arbor road by Lieutenant Cordon, of the United States Navy. The pipe will have a dozen openings, through which the jets of oil will forced into the lake. – Weekly Commercial News.

The Owosso Times June 30, 1893

[Carland] There was quite a delay on Thursday to the nine o'clock train on the T. & A. A. near this this place, owning to the track being torn up by so some means, fair or foul, and the train train didn't get to to Owosso till about eleven o'clock.

Benzie Banner July 6, 1893

Someone broke the lock to the door and entered the T. & A. freight house at Crystal City, Tuesday night. When they left the building, they left a lady's cloak there. If the lady will call at the depot and prove property, she may have same, and no questions will be asked.

The Pinckney Dispatch July 6, 1893
There seems to be plenty of excitement at Petteysville station these days – going to see the steam shovel work.

Isabella County Enterprise July 7, 1893

L. A. Saunders was relieved as agent of the T. & A. at this point last Friday night. A gentleman from Cadillac supplies his place. Mr. Saunders has remained in the place about the usual length of time.

Thousands came to visit, and hied themselves to the homes of friends. Other thousands were in the stores, places of amusement, etc., but with these out of sight, the principal streets were represented with densely packed crowds surging back and forth to the places for the various events outlined for the day. Excursions trains were all heavily loaded. The Ann Arbor’s experience with trains from the south is worth mention. The advertised train from Owosso came in packed with people who lived south of Alma. The train did not stop at Alma for it had no room. Telegrams brought another special from the south and it was also loaded to the full before it reached Shepherd and was obliged to return and the third train load from the south was landed in the city. All the trains were met as per program and the people escorted to their rendezvous.

The Owosso Times July 14, 1893

Some of the stockholders of the Owosso and Corunna street railway company have became dissatisfied with the way the road is managed and have asked to have a receiver for the same appointed. The matter will be argued before Judge newton at Flint tomorrow.

Isabella County Enterprise July 21, 1893

A broken truck wrecked a north bound freight at Burnham Wednesday night. The track was badly torn up and two cars smashed. The south bound passenger in the morning was two hours late in consequence.

The T. & A, has made an immense cut m their new yard on the Steel farm and the earth removed is being put to a most excellent purpose. There is a very perceptible difference in the comfort of a ride over that road now, for the ballast has made it smooth and substantial as well as safe. The work continues until the whole line is completed.

The Owosso Times July 21, 1893

W. R. Burt, receiver of the T. & A. A. Ry. denies the report that the striking engineers are to be again employed on the road. He says the road will be operated as a non-brotherhood road.

The evening Argus July 24, 1893
Frank Purse is the name of the farmer who was killed at Dundee Friday by an Ann Arbor train. The team which Mr. Purse was driving, a fine pair of bays, were also killed.

The Owosso Times July 28, 1893

The T. & A. company has a force at work raising the line track east of the depot.

The Owosso Times July 28, 1893

When the T. & A. A. Ry. was built the village of Howell bonded itself for $20,000 to aid the project. The bonds were issued and $4,000 of the paid, when certain taxpayers refused to pay their tax. The case was taken to the U. S. circuit court and a decision rendered declaring the bond illegal.

Benzie Banner Aug. 3, 1893

Dan Wegner, who was general passenger agent of the F. & S. E. R. R.. when was in existence, was in town the fore part of the week, from Grand Rapids.

Isabella County Enterprise Aug. 4, 1893

The T. & A. has purchased of D. H. Nelson the gravel bed between the rail road and the river east of the depot. The work of removing it to various points on the track, as ballast will commence at once.

[Shepherd]The T. & A. road is being raised four feet at the curve below this village. Section foreman, Mitchell has a crew of about forty men at work and is making every minute count.

[Shepherd]About seventy Polacks are at work on the T. & A. with headquarters at this place. They furnish plenty of amusement for the boys when they gather round their shanty after six o’clock p. m.

The Owosso Times Aug. 4, 1893

T. & A. A. Ry. is building a turn table and round house at Cadillac. A long side track will also be built.

The Owosso Times Aug. 11, 1893

The Shops

A large punch and shearing machine made by the Long & Allstatter Co., of Hamilton, O., was received, by the T. & A. A. Ry. At Owosso this week. It is probably one of the largest single pieces of iron or steel in the city and will cut off a bar of iron measuring 2x6 inches.

Some six new cabooses which have recently been turned out at the shops add greatly to the comfort and convenience of the freight train crews. Two more way cars are now being built.

New station signs are being painted for the stations on the stations on the road, giving distances of each station from Toledo and Frankfort. The stations are are to be fitted out with new Nun train order signals, making a marked improvement in the working of the road.

The working force at the car shops is greater than ever before at this time of the year. Some $2000 more per month is now being paid for wages than a year ago..

Notwithstanding the depression in locate freight work caused by factories and mills along the line not running full force, the T. & A. Ry. Is doing more freight business than a year ago. This come from through freight which was made possible to be carried by putting to the transports at Frankfort.

A fine new combination baggage, express and mail car was turned out this week from the shops and a combination baggage car and smoker is now nearing completion.

Wm. Barnes who has charge of all air brakes at the car shops has fitted up a complete testing set including Westinghouse pump, receiver and piston brake with which he can test any part of an air brake without the bother of first trying it on a locomotive, a convenience usually found in large shops.

Benzie Banner Aug. 17, 1893

(Benzonia) Last Tuesday night, about midnight, the depot was discovered to be on fire. It was too far along to save anything and the building and contents were a total loss. It is not known how the fire originated. The main loss it to the railroad company, although agent Dingman will lose a little. Several who had baggage, etc.,in the d«pot will loose some although it is expected that claims of this kind W ll be adjusted by the company. A temporary depot is fixed in the Van Winkle hotel.

The Evening Argus Aug. 18, 1893
AFTER THE ANN ARBOR
Owosso Will Not Be Imposed Upon but Means in Assert Her Rights.

Quiet a lively strife is just now going on between the Ann Arbor railroad company and the city of Owosso. The matter has not been thrown into litigation but it is gradually leading that way.

The Ann Arbor company is determined to fill up the trestle in its track near the Robbins table factory with lot of rubbish in the shape of slabs. The object of the company's doing this cannot be explained. The company certainly has other places where it might throw this stuff where it would cause less annoyance. The sight would be an unseemly one and the disadvantage to pedestrians would be more than can be imagined if the company is allow to proceed with the work. At this point in the sidewalk, which is underneath the trestle, there is a sharp turn and the slabs which the company purposes storing away here would so obstruct the view that pedestrians traveling in opposite directions could not see one another until they were so near that a collision would be unavoidable.

The city has investigated the affair and is determined to thwart the plans of the company, and it it is not successful J. H. Robbins, of the Robbins table factory, will, on the claim of personal damage, make some trouble for the company.

Isabella County Enterprise Aug. 18, 1893

The Polacks have been discharged by the T. &A., and have gone back to Chicago.

Benzie Banner Aug.24, 1893
(Benzonia) Hurrah for a new telephone to the depot.

Isabella County Enterprise Aug. 25, 1893

H. W. Ashley, manager of the T. & A., was in the city Tuesday and spent his time directing the company’s affairs in the many improvements being made hereabouts. Track-master Stine with a gang of fifty-eight men has been raising the tracks in the T. & A. yards this week. The material for the round house, or six car loads of it, has arrived.

The Owosso Times Aug. 25, 1893

Tuesday was pay day on the T. & A. A. Ry. The sum of $16,000 was paid out this month. Most of this amount was shipped to the city in currency and paid out by M. L. Stewart & Co. It is just such pay rolls as this that has kept Owosso booming these dull times.

The Owosso Times Aug. 25, 1893

Five of the T., A. A. & N. M. striker, W. Byerly, Tom Vight, Philip Mathias, Pat and Geo. Kaiser, left Tuesday for Savannah, Ga., where they will be employed as firemen on the Savannah, Florida & Western R. R.

New York Times Aug. 29, 1893

HOW CHIEF ARTHUR SETTLED.
Damages and Costs to the Railroad Company the Penalty of V1, Boycott.

TOLEDO, AUG. 28.—A petition was filed in the United States Circuit Court this morning In the case of the Craig Shipbuilding Company against the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway Company, which Indicates the terms upon which the Ann Arbor damage suit against Chief Arthur was settled.

In the language of the petition for authority to settle, Mr. Arthur agreed to pay the receiver the sum of $2,500. said sum Including the fee or $1,000 to plaintiff's counsel. Mr. Arthur also pays all the costs of the damage suit. Judge hicks granted an order Saturday authorizing the receiver to settle and dismiss the case on these terms.

Alexander L Smith, attorney for the Ann Arbor Road, says: Mr. Arthur pays $2,5OO and the cost specified. We did not care to press the case for further or putative damages. In as much as by the terms of this settlement the principle and precedent are established and quite as firmly as they would have been by a judgment of the court. Beside there would have been considerable difficulty in proving just what the damages were the boycott really lasted only one day.

"Of course, It is a victory for us. We would have settled In no other way. I will say, however, that the settlement was the result of an amicable agreement with Mr. Arthur, the Brotherhood, and all parties concerned."

The Owosso American Aug. 30, 1893
Some time ago W. R. Burt, receiver of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad, made a wager with a Toledo gentleman of a box fine cigars, that despite the difficulty experienced in obtaining currency the employes of the road would be paid in cash. He has won the wager and the men in the service of the company will receive their pay this week. It will take about $55,000 to meet the payroll, and every man will be paid in currency, although it required some hustling and shrewd financing to collect that sum in cold cash. – Flint Democrat August 26

Isabella County Enterprise Sept. 1, 1893

[Shepherd]The “lifting gang” of the T. & A. were laid off yesterday and it is feared that they may not resume work.

The Owosso Times Sept 1, 1893

The T. & A. A. have laid a side track to the Electric Light Co.'s works making a considerable saving to the works in handling their coal.

The Owosso Times Sept 1, 1893

A number of new wrecking cars to take the place of those burned to Farewell wreck last winter, are now being turned out at the T. & A. shops.

The evening Argus Sept. 2, 1893
MR. BURT MUST QUIT
BONDHOLDERS FORECLOSE ON THE ANN ARBOR
They Think That Receiver Burt is Too Much Like His Son-in-Law – The Lackawana Probably a Hand in it.

Detroit, Sept. 2 – The Tribune this morning printed the following special dispatch from Toledo: The climax to the troubles of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad company came yesterday afternoon when the Farmer, Loan and Trust company of New York commenced foreclosure proceedings.

The petition is a long one and was filed in the United States court. It says the Ann Arbor failed to pay interest on $10,000,000 of general bonds which were due July 1, even refusing to pay the same. The loan company says it has been requested by the bondholders in writing to foreclose. It says 10,000 bonds issued January 15, 1890, bearing 5 per cent and payable in 1940 in gold. They were for the purpose of covering several issues of divisional bonds which had been issued while the road was being built. The first was for $7,000,000 for building from Toledo to Ann Arbor held by the Central Trust company. That company still has them. Then there are four sets issued for extensions of the road into the interior of Michigan and they aggregate $5,040,000. These bonds have not taken up but remain with the complainant company.

The plaintiffs say they would like a new receiver and intimate that they are dissatisfied with Wellington R. Burt who is General Manager H. W. Ashley's father-in-law. A complete reorganization of the property will be the result and it is plain that none of the Ashleys will have a word to say about it.

The evening Argus Sept. 2, 1893

THE ASHLEYS ARE RUINED

Toledo, Sept. 2 – After long years of toil and struggle the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan railroad is to be wrested from the hands of its projects and builders, the Ashley family. The road has been in an embarrassed condition since spring. The first indication to the public that a dissolution was among the possibilities of the future was when some starting revelations were made by a bill filed by Craig shipbuilding company soon after the termination of the celebrated strike of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

If the petition is granted State Senator Wellington R. Burt of Saginaw will be ousted from the management of the system and the Ashley family will be ruined.

Benzie Banner Sept. 7,1893
Chas. Perry. yardmaster at South Frankfort, on the T. & A . was in town this week Monday.

Benzie Banner Sept. 7,1893

THE T. & A. IN TROUBLE AGAIN.

Foreclosure proceedings yesterday afternoon in t he United States Court against the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan Ry. Co. by the Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., of N. Y. The petition avers that the Ann Arbor company had not only failed to pay interest on $10,000,000 of general bonds which were due July 1, but refused to do so. Th e bond holders then made written requests for foreclosure . The Loan company says 10,000 bonds were issued Jan. 15, 1890, bearing five p e r cent interest , and payable in 1940 in gold. They were issued for the purpose of covering several issues of divisional bonds which had been issued while the road was being built. The first was for $7,000,000 for building from Toledo to Ann Arbor , held by the Central Trust Co., who still have them. Four sets were issued for extensions of the road into interior Michigan, aggregating $5,040,000. These bonds are held by the complainants. The Craig Ship building Co., of this city, and John C. Craig are party defendants, because of a foreclosure suit and of judgment. The latter are the Lake Michigan Co.'s transports. The plaintiffs object to Wellington R. Burt as receiver. General Manager H. W. Ashley married his daughter. A complete re-organization will be had and the Ashleys will be frozen out.—Ex.

Isabella County Enterprise Sept. 8, 1893

Geo. Parks late of Wise has hired out to the T. & A. Co. as a mechanic for one year.

Isabella County Enterprise Sept. 15, 1893

Mike Keenan, for the past seven years section foreman on the T. A. A. & X. M. south of this city, having resigned, M. Shaughnessy of the lifting gang has been appointed to the position.

The Owosso Times Sept 15, 1893

The eleven o'clock train, last Monday, set fire to to the grass and stubble near Mitcthell's crossing and it not been for the prompt work of the men who were threshing at C. Cooks, C. Cbanghart's, buildings would have burned as the were all away from home and it was only by accident that the fire was discovered on Mr. Banghart's farm.

The Owosso Times Sept 15, 1893

C. E. Cole has been appointed traveling engineer on the T. & A. road.

The Owosso Times Sept. 22, 1893

Compound engine, No. 44 was struck by a car while standing at the coal dock in the T. & A. yard yesterday morning and received a few slight injuries which will keep it idle a day or or so.

Isabella County Enterprise Sept. 22, 1893

The T. & A. engine house is now in process of construction.

The T. & A. have removed their stock yards to the flats near the freight depot.

The Owosso Times Sept. 29, 1893

A notice has been posted at the car shops to the effect that they will not run Saturdays for the present.

The Owosso Times Sept. 29, 1893

The car shops shut down yesterday instead of Saturday this week, in order to give the men a chance to attend the fair.

The Owosso Times Sept. 29, 1893

The new system of train signals on the T. & A. Ry. Have all been placed in position between Owosso and Frankfort.

The Owosso Times Sept. 29, 1893

A new 18 inch lathe built by the Lodge & Davis Machine Co., in Cincinnati, O.., has been placed in the car shops this week.

The Owosso Times Sept. 29, 1893

The Woodard Furniture Works shipped eight large doors, Wednesday for the T. & A. round house at Cadillac, the doors measuring 16x8 feet.

Benzie Banner Oct. 5, 1893
F, C. Dingman, the T. & A. agent, and family, departed this week for a month's vacation, during which time the will visit the fair, and visit friends and relatives in this stale. During Mr. Dingmans absence from the depot it will be run by a Mr. J. T. Palmer, of St. Johns.

Isabella County Enterprise Oct. 6, 1893

[Shepherd]The night train on the T. & A. was about four hours late Monday, in consequence of a disabled engine.

The Owosso Times Oct. 6, 1893

The C. & G. T., the D. & M. the T. & A. and M. C. railroads, after Nov. 1^st, will charge dollar per day per car for all car placed for loading or unloading if detained more than 48 hours.

The Owosso Times Oct. 6, 1893

The T. & A. A. shops turned out two new cabooses Wednesday.

The Owosso Times Oct. 6, 1893

The car repairers at the T. & A. A. shops have been put to work on full time again.

The Pinckney Dispatch October 10, 1893
For several days past magnates of high degree have been looking over the T. & A. railroad. Yesterday was devoted to a minute inventory of the surroundings of the company's property at Howell and a Democrat representative had it intimated to him that the party represented the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road, which corporation has an itching for the ownership of the Ann Arbor line and are trying to negotiate for its purchase. [Livingston Democrat]

Isabella County Enterprise Oct. 13, 1893

Delaware & Lackawanna railroad officials have been traversing the line of the T. & A. this week and it is said that they will buy it on terms favorable to the Ashleys. May it be so.

The Owosso Times Oct. 13, 1893

The T. & A. A. has graded up the trestle work near Robbin's shop, leaving only the passage way under the track for the sidewalk. The grade looks looks better than the old trestle work did.

Isabella County Enterprise Oct. 13, 1893

The pile driver has been at work for the past few days driving piles for the T. & A. turntable. One of the piles was driven through the underground drain leading from the tank house, which necessitates the digging of another drain owing to the back water flooding the engine house.

A passenger special passed over the T. & A. Wednesday containing the officials of the Vanderbilt lines. It is thought that this railroad may be swallowed up by these voracious railroaders.

Benzie Banner Oct. 19, 1893
The T. & A. No. 1 got stuck on the sand bar at the end of the piers Monday.

The Owosso American Oct. 25, 1893
The following is from last evening's Detroit Journal:

It is believed here that the Vanderbilt system will soon acquire control of the Ann Arbor road. Last week President John Newell, of the Lake Shore went over the road with General Manager Ashley. Monday morning the private car of Assist Superintendent Blodgott, of the Lake Shore, was attached to the north bound Ann Arbor train, Mr. Blodgett being accompanied by Mr. Weaver, the Michigan attorney for the Vanderbilt lines. Chief Engineer Hardy, of the Lake Shore, has made frequent trips recently over the Ann Arbor, examined the whole road, and is now preparing a report to be submitted to President Newell. General Manager Ashley, of the Ann Arbor, says that no proposition has yet been submitted, and that he cannot say whether one will be submitted or not.

The Evening Argus Oct.26, 1893
Killed and Burned
Three Owosso Men Meet a Frightful Death
Covered With Oil and Coal and Burned To a Crisp – Horrible Wreck on the Ann Arbor.

THE DEAD
S. H. BEAULIEU, engineer, Owosso, aged 35, married
GEORGE ALBERTS, fireman, Owosso, married, aged 38 years
THOMAS MULLIGAN, brakeman, Owosso, aged 30 years, and married

Under a heap of broken cars, saturated with 250 barrels of oil and covered with five carloads of coal, the lives of three well known Owosso men were burned out last night and their bodies burned to unrecognizable crisp.

It was a wreck on the the Ann Arbor road. It occurred between Hamburg Junction and Pettysville, about 45 miles south of Owosso. The train was a heavy freight being pulled by the large new mogul locomotive No. 36. There is a poor piece of track between these two stations through a kind of marshy soil. The train was coming toward Owosso and in order to climb the grade at Pettysville was running at the rate of about 25 miles an hour.

At the foot of the grade the section men had been filling and raising the track and when the train struck this new piece of track the rails either spread or broke or sunk – nobody will ever know – and the engine left the track and tumbled on its side. The engineer and fireman had no chance to jump, for in an instant they were beneath a huge mass of splintered cars, oil and coal.

HOW THE TRAIN WAS MADE UP
The train was in charge of Conductor John Flood, Engineer Beaulieu and Fireman George Alberts. The head brakeman was Thomas Mulligan. The train was a long and heavily loaded one. Next to the locomotive was two tanks of oil and then several loads of coal. The laws of the state, it is claimed, were disregarded in the make up of the train, as the law states that oil cars must be run at least ten car lengths back of the engine. Had this been done it is not likely that the wreck would have taken fire or if it had there would have been some possibility of extinguishing it.
THE SKY LIGHTED UP
When the cars crashed into the engines the sound was heard for along distance. The oil tanks must have burst in the crash for almost simultaneous with the noise the sky was lighted up with a lurid red. For the three men buried in the debris there was no hope. The engineer and fireman were in their little cab at their post of duty and from the world the narrow walls shut them out forever. Mulligan, the brakeman who was riding on top one of the cars, fared no better. He too was buried beyond escape, and he too was burned. The blaze leaped 100 feet high and was for10 miles. The heat melted the locomotive wheels.
DID THE FIRE KILL THEM?
Were the three men killed in the wreck or were they burned to death? It seems probable from the circumstances that they suffered death from fire, that they saw and felt the flames creeping nearer and nearer and with no hope for escape. No more more horrible wreck ever occurred, and those who saw the burning pile above the dead or living bodies never want that experience repeated.
THEY WERE HOMEBOUND
Engineer Beaulieu and Fireman Alberts had been away from their families since Sunday and they were home bound expecting soon to sit around the family hearth with wife and children. Their families were expecting and watching for them but instead of the husbands the sad message reached both their homes at 8 o'clock last night that they were dead – killed in a wreck but two hours from home.
SYMATHY FOR THE BEREAVED
If kind acts and words of sympathy could heal broken hearts the Mrs. Alberts and Mrs. Beaulieu would have found comfort today. Expressions of sympathy and condolences are pouring in on every hand, but that can only poorly comfort and cannot bring back the dead to the living. This wreck outdoes in horror the Farwell wreck in which three Owosso men were killed last spring. There the victims were killed outright and their bodies were left for their friends.
TRACK SUNK TEN FEET
The spot where the accident occurred has sunk ten feet. Whether it sunk before or after the wreck, there is no one living to tell. It is likely it sunk before and in that way was the cause of the accident.
LOOKING FOR THE DEAD
The fire is still burning this afternoon. The heat of the coal saturated with the oil is terrible. Although the wrecking train reached the scene about midnight the heat kept the men from doing anything. The large drive wheels of the engine are practically melted and the locomotive a complete loss. One body has been taken out. It was an awful sight and greatly resembled a charred skeleton. A watch charm was the means of its being identified as the remains of Thomas Mullian, the brakeman. This morning some bones, bleached white with fire could be seen in the bottom of the burning mass of wreckage but no hand yet has been able to reach them. Something that resembles a hip bone has been taken from the wreck. When the bodies of the engineer and fireman are found it is feared that no one will be able to identify them.
NOTES OF THE WRECK
Ann Arbor passenger trains are transferring around the wreck. The train from the south this morning was about two hours late.
Owosso has seen no such excitement since the Farwell wreck last spring.
Three cars of coal and two cars oil were burned. The remainder of the train kept the track.
THE DEAD MEN
S. H. Beaulieu, the engineer who was killed, came to work for the Ann Arbor at the time of the strike last spring, coming here from the Pan Handle road. He moved his family here consisting of a wife and one child and took his residence on South Water street. He was a good engineer and faithful employee. He was 35 years of age.
The fireman, George Alberts, has resided in Owosso for the last ten years. He went out on the Ann Arbor strike last spring and only a short time ago returned in his position. He lived with his wife and two boys at 717 Corunna avenue. Mr. Alberts was a good citizen and an honored member of the brotherhood of locomotive firemen. This morning three members of the brotherhood, Master A. F. Yerkers, C. W. Norman and W. Byerly left for the wreck to look after the remains of their decreased brother. The dead fireman was well known here and has many friends. Today the board of trustees of the brotherhood, consisting of J. H. Payne, J. D. Polland, and J. F. Hux, visited the stricken widow to render all aid in their power. For four years Mr. Alberts was an employee of the Estey manufacturing company.
Thomas Mulligan, the head brakeman, was 30 years old and unmarried. He was a native of Canada, and had been here since June. He boarded at the city restaurant.

The Evening Argus Oct. 27 ,1893

The Lake Shore Wants it.

New York, Oct. 27 – It is now officially stated the the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad company is negotiating for the absorption of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad. A recent inspection of the Ann Arbor by Lake Shore people was made to determine the feasibility of billing through freight over the Ann Arbor road.

The Owosso Times Oct. 27, 1893

The T. & A. A. Ry. paid to its employees through the bank of M. L. Stewart & Co. on Tuesday, about $17,000.

The Owosso Times Oct. 27, 1893

BURNED IN A WRECK

Another Horrible Railroad Disaster on the T. A. A. & N. M. near Hamburg Junction

Great excitement was aroused on the streets yesterday when rumors of a frightful accident near Hamburg were spread about and this feeling was by no means calmed when the reports began to be verified.

As a north freight left Hamburg Junction Wednesday evening running at a rapid rate to make a rather hard grade just this side, they had to cross one of the sink hole which have given this road so much trouble. Here the accident occurred, though precisely how no one knows. The track, after the accident, was sunk several feet and this may have been the cause or or it may may have been caused by spreading or breaking rails. At all events the engine left the tracks and was instantly buried under two oil cars which broke pouring some 200 barrels of oil over the wreck. Two cars of coal coal immediately followed and added fuel to the terrible funeral pyre.

The wreck immediately took fire and until late last night was burning so fiercely as to prevent the wrecking crew from making any effort to clear the track or take out the remains of the unfortunate engineer and fireman. The charred remains of Thomas Mulligan, the head brakeman, were taken out yesterday.

The killed men were:

S. H. Beaulieu, engineer

George Albertts, fireman

Thomas Mulligan, brakeman

S. H. Beaulieu, the engineer was a married man and lived with his family on south Water street. He had been in the employ of the company since the strike last spring. He leaves a wife and two chilren.

George Alberts, the fireman, also leaves a wife and two children living on Corunna avenue. He had left the employ of the road with strikers last spring, only recently returning to it.

Thomas Mulligan the brakeman was unmarried and board at Trail's restaurant.

Great sympathy was was expressed on all sides for the families of the dead engineer and fireman.

Five in allow were burned, one box car behind the coal cars being burned up. The rest of the train was pulled away from the wreck by a G. T. engine which pulled into the junction after the wreck occurred. Men had been at work on this part pf the road raising the tracking leading to the grade and the additional weight of the earth put in here may have caused the bed to settle though usually theses places give no trouble during the dry season.

Passenger trains were run yesterday by transferring from one train to another at the wreck.

The Evening Argus 10-27-1893

INTO A SINK HOLE - DASHED A FREIGHT TRAIN ON THE T., A- A. & N. M. R. R.
Three Trainmen Burned to Death Amidst Oil and Debris.
Three trainmen met a horrible death on the Toledo, Ann Arbor A. North Michigan Railroad at Hamburg .Junction. A north bound freight train jumped the track and the engine sunk in a sink hole. A coal and oil car immediately back of the tender caught fire and two of the victims were burned to death in the flames from these. The dead are: .J. H. Healieu, engineer; George Roberts, fireman: Thomas Mulligan, brakeman. All were married and lived in Owosso.
The engine was completely capsized in a ditch, two oil tanks were piled on the engine and three cars of coal on top of the latter and the wreck took fire in a flash. The bodies of the fireman and engineer were burned to ashes. Three men who were in the caboose at the time of the accident were not hurt. The track was through a tamarack swamp and had recently been raised six or eight feet. The weight of the new dirt and the freight train sunk the track three feet or more. All trains have had orders for the past month not to exceed ten miles per hour in running over this spot. Engine 36 was running up grade at a slow rate when the accident occurred.
The fire was intense for a while. An attempt was made to reach the buried men before the tire caught them, but the heat was so intense that the rescuers were driven away.[About the state column]

The Pinckney Dispatch November 2, 1893
THE WRECK
On Thursday morning last our citizens were shocked to learn that a wreck had occurred on the T. & A. Ry, near Hamburg Wednesday night and that three men had not only lost their lives, but been burned to ashes. Only part of one could be recovered and was identified as the brakeman. The names of the men are S. H. Beaulieu, engineer: Geo. Alberts, firemen; Thos. Milligan, brakesman. All lived in Owosso and the engineer and fireman leave families.
The accident was caused by the track sinking, causing the engine to tip over burying the unfortunate men underneath. Behind the engine were two large tanks of oil and four cars of coal which was dumped in a promiscuous heap on top of and around the engine.
Almost at the instant of the crash the flames commenced their work of cremation, and the oil and coal made the heat so intense that it was impossible to do anything towards rescuing the remains of the men.
On Saturday morning a train came from Owosso to the scene, bearing the friends, of the unfortunates, and a minister, and a service was held there at the scene which was very affecting and at the same time appropriate.

Isabella County Enterprise Nov. 3, 1893

Changes of Time on the T, A. A. & N M Taking effect Sunday, November 6th, trains on the T. A. A. & N. M. R’y will run daily, except Sundays, as follows: Leave Mt. Pleasant going north, at 6:50, a. m., 12:20 p. m. and 10:00 p. m. Going south, at 6:10 a. m., 3:31 p. m. and 9:15 a. m. Sunday trains have been discontinued, and trains 2, 5, 7 and will be run to and from Mt. Pleasant instead of Clare as heretofore.

The Owosso Times Nov. 3, 1893

Not with standing the terrible accident on the T. & A. A. Ry. we noticed on one of the railroads passing through Owosso two tanks of oil with but one car between them and the engine. It almost sseems as though some people delighted in taking all chances possible.

The Evening Argus Nov. 4, 1893
WILL BRING SUIT
The ------ Must Pay for the Hamburg Victims
Hon. Charles Kline, the author of the Kline bill for capital punishment introduced in the last legislature, and a brilliant Ann Arbor layer, has spent the greater part of the week here looking up evidence against the Ann Arbor railroad in connection with the wreck at Hamburg. He has succeeded in getting the cases of Mrs. Bieulieu, Mrs. Alberts and the relatives of Mulligan, and will bring the three suits against Receiver Burt at the same time. He has already applied to the United States court for an order to commence a damage suit against the receiver. The cases will be tried at Ann Arbor and $20,000 in each case will be asked for.

Benzie Banner Nov. 16, 1893
On Wednesday a tramp was put off a passenger train on the Toledo & Ann Arbor Road at Burnham while he was attempting to steal a ride. He swore he would get even; and in his efforts to do so nearly caused a great loss of live. He placed a heavy water soaked tie on the track just before a passenger train was due. but fortunately it was too large to allow the pilot of the engine to pass over. As it was, it was pushed out of the way by the engine, and thus a catastrophe averted.

Isabella County Enterprise Nov. 17, 1893

Monday one of the workmen employed at the T. & A turntable had the misfortune to run a rusty nail through his foot, and in consequence is unable to work. Tuesday morning the boss mechanic severed an artery in his foot while using an adz. He went to the tool car, dressed the cut, and went to work again just as though nothing had happened.

The Owosso Times Nov. 17, 1893

Through freight has been rather light on the T. & A. A. this week as both transfer boats are laid up for repairs.

Benzie Banner Nov. 23, 1893
Anthony Deneike. who formerly kept the popcorn stand at the Copemish railroad depot, and who was well thought of by all who knew him, died in his chair while at the supper table at the Brunswich hotel last evening.(MANISTEE ADVOCATE.)

Benzie Banner Nov. 23, 1893

A Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw freight train at Dundee was run into by a south bound Toledo. Ann Arbor & North Michigan freight train at 6:45 last evening, piling up 20 cars and seriously injuring Brakeman Gardner, who was riding on the pilot of the Ann Arbor train. The Mackinaw trains leave their own tracks at Dundee and run Into Toledo over the Ann Arbor road. They had just got on to the Ann Arbor tracks when the Ann Arbor freight dashed into them. The Mackinaw freight is said to have the right of way. Traffic was delayed several hours.

Pinckney Dispatch November 23, 1893
Another T., A. A. & N. M. Wreck
The Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw leaves its own track at Dundee, and run into Toledo on the Ann Arbor road. Train No. 25 in charge of Conductor Pearson of the C., J. & M. had run to the depot and stopped a few moments. There were about twenty cars on the T. & A. A. track the rest on of the train remaining on their own track. No. 10 a southbound freight coming at a high rate of speed, not seeing the light, supposed the track was clear, and came into the first train at full force, piling up about twenty cars. Brakeman Gardner, of train No. 10 was riding on the pilot at the time, and was dangerously hurt.

Isabella County Enterprise Nov. 24, 1893

Monday morning about three o’clock the north bound freight on the T. & A. was wrecked at the Broadway crossing. The engine had left the train to descend the hill slowly while it took water at the tank. The front part of the train became detached and the portions came together with a crash that sent the front car almost front end, crushed in the draw bars of nearly every car and broke one flat near the rear in two. This latter caused an obstruction on the bridge across the race that prevented the morning, train from passing south. A large gang of men soon had the passage clear and the rest of the train pulled off for repairs. The cars heavily loaded suffered the most damage.

The Owosso Times Nov. 24, 1893

Will C. Peters commenced work for the T. & A. A. on Monday, as lineman. He has charge of the road telegraph lines north of Owosso.

The Owosso Times Dec. 1, 1893

The Lake Shore will not be the road yo purchase the T., A. A, & N. M. railway. The reasons given by President Newell are as follows: “The T., A. A. & A. A. & N. M. Ry. has too large a bonded indebtedness for the Lake Shore to buy it and operate it profitably. It also has has grades of more than sixty feet to the mile, making it impossible to haul freight economically. At present, also the road is mainly valuable in hauling flour from Minneapolis. In less than ten years the center of that business is very apt to be removed to Buffalo. It averages only two cents a bushel or less to haul wheat from Duluth to Buffalo. With as cheap power in Buffalo from Niagara Falls as the present power in Minneapolis the experiment of investing in a line to carry the business from Minneapolis is a hazardous one. With the pine land cleared int T. & A. A. territory, the growth in business must be largely agricultural and consequently slow. I had a man examine the road thoroughly and myself took a trip over it. In its present condition and at its its present price there is no profit in it for us.”

The Owosso Times Dec. 1, 1893

One of the oil tanks which were in the Hamburg wreck and fire is being repaired at the car shops.

The T. & A. Shops are beginning to prepare snow plow to be attached to their engines in the place of the regular pilots.

The Owosso Times Dec. 8, 1983

The T. & A. A. car shop machinists are now working but four and a half days per week.

Isabella County Enterprise Dec. 29, 1893

C. Stein has been promoted to the general superintendency of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad, a high compliment worthily bestowed. His many Mt. Pleasant friends congratulate him.

The Michigan Central and the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroads had a big rate war to secure the holiday patronage of the University students. The war became so warm that rates were made: $4 round trip to Chicago; $8 round trip to St. Louis, and $15 round trip to Kansas City. Nearly all of the 2,600 students took advantage of the rates.

Benzie Banner Dec. 28, 1893
(Benzonia) John T. Palmer, who has been agent at the depot has closed his labors here and returned to Owosso. F. C. Dingman takes charge of the office again.

The Owosso Times Dec. 29. 1893

A New 36-inch lathe has been received at the T. & A. A. shops this week and will make a good addition to their equipment.

The Owosso Times Dec. 29. 1893

Charles Stein, at present roadmaster of the T., A. A. & N. M. Ry., has been appointed superintendent to succeed J. B. Connors. The appointment comes as a promotion to Mr. Stein who has been with the road several years. Mr. McEntaffer, of W. & L. E. road will take the place vacated by Mr. Stein.

The Owosso Times Dec. 29. 1893

The machinists at the car shops are working but five hours a day, the change having taken effect Tuesday.

The Owosso Times Dec. 29, 1893

P. Cameron, who has been assistant foreman at the car shops for several weeks has left and is succeeded by C. J. Matthews.