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The Alma Record January 1, 1886
The “Lamp” road has advertised for 2,000 ties to be delivered on the right of way road between Salt River and Mt. Pleasant. We learn from reliable authority that the contract for grading and preparing 3 miles of the road bed north of Salt River has been let, and it is expected that the contract for the remainder of the distance to Mt. Pleasant will be let this week.

The New York Times Jan. 5, 1886
A RAILROAD FIGHT THREATENED
Howell, Mich., Jan. 4 – There is liable to be trouble here over the railroad war between the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan and Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroads. There has been a dispute about the right of the former road to cross the latter's tack in extending its line, and the case was was brought into court. It is now pending on appeal to the Circuit Court. Yesterday morning a force of 150 Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan employes were brought to the point of the projected crossing and began work digging under the Lansing Road. They made a cut, braced up the track of the Lansing Road under it. The workers were protected by an armed force, which left last night when the work was completed. This morning about 500 men were brought on the scene by the Lansing Road people for the purpose of filling up the cut made under their road. The Toledo and Ann Arbor men, however, drove them away, and then cut the telegraph wires of the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Road and tore up the track for half a mile on each side of the cut. The traffic on the road between Genoa and Fowerville is now interrupted. What the next step will be is a matter of doubt. An appeal by the Lansing people was made to Gov. Alger today for assistance, but he declared that he had no authority to call out the militia except at the request of the Sheriff, which has not yet been made.

The Ann Arbor Courier Jan. 6, 1886
RAILROAD WAR

The people of Howell are having a considerable fun these days because of the railroad war between the T., A. A. & N. M. road and the Detroit, Lansing & Northern. The former road in getting into Howell had to cross the other's track about a mile and a half east of the town. It had the right of way but the old road had determined not to let them cross and no satisfactory arrangements could be made. An injunction was gotten out to prohibit any interference and late Saturday night Jas. M. Ashley, Jr., superintendent of the Toledo road, came on the ground with a large force of men and proceeded to cut under the D. L. & N. track. By Sunday night the work was complete and a track laid through the cut. But Monday morning a force of men from the old road came on the ground and filled the cut with stones, dirt and boards. Now Ashley did not propose to stand this, so he rallied a force of men, made a charge on the enemy, captured the place, cleared out the rubbish and stationed an engine and several cars in the tunnel. In the meantime Superintendent Mulligan of the D. L. & N. had gotten out a warrant for Ashley and sent the U. S. marshal to arrest him. But the men of the latter railroad around him and would have made it lively for the officers had he not ordered them to stop. As the track of the Detroit road had been torn up east of South Lyon the train bearing Ashley and the marshal did not get to Detroit until Tuesday morning. The charge was for delaying the mails and the extreme fine is $100. He was ready to give any amount of bonds but it was fixed at $250, the trial placed for next Monday and he was released on his own recognizance. There-upon upon he at once started for the scne of action, and on his arrival there he found his to the number of about two hundred still holding the fort. They were guarding the place with guns and bayonets ready for action.
As Howell will be considerably benefited by the new road the people are deeply interested in the contest and favor the Ashleys.
It is now a question of how long the place will be guarded and then when left whether it will not be filled up by the other road. In the end the question of the kind of a bridge to support the Detroit track will have to be decided by the Governor, the Secretary of State and the Railroad Commissioner.


The New York Times Jan. 6, 1886
FOR OBSTRUCTING THE MAILS
Detroit, Mich., Jan. 5 – J. M. Ashley, Jr, Superintendent of the Toledo and Ann Arbor Road, was arrested last night on the charge of obstructing United States mails, for which offense the United States statutes provide a penalty not to exceed $100 fine. At 10 o'clock last night Ashley's men removed the iron ties, switches, and frogs at Howell, and stationed armed men to guard the track, but later all was quiet and orderly, the men were relaying the track under his direction. Ashley was bought to this city and arraigned before the United States Commissioner, but the hearing of the case was postponed until next Monday. The night train on the Detroit, Lansing and Northern did not go out last night on account of the track being torn up and for fear of a wreck. Trains were running as usual, however, this morning, the tracks having been repaired.


The Alma Record January 8, 1886
A genuine railroad war has been in progress near Howell since last week. As we understand them the fact in the case are as follows: Where the T. A, A, & N. M. wishes to cross the line of the D. L. & N. there is about the heaviest grade to be found on the entire line of the D. L. & N. wanted the T. & A. people to go under the Detroit track and fix up a good crossing. The T. & A. thought that the other company demanded too much and late Saturday night they made their crossing to suit themselves, tearing up the Detroit track for quite a distance, delaying trains, and destroying property to a reckless style. J. M. Ashley, Jr. was the leader of the gang and on Monday night he was arrested be the United States Marshal for obstructing the United States mail. It is claimed, by those understanding the case fully, that the Detroit road is all right and their demands were not the least inconsistent. How it will remains to be seen, but at the present the D. L. & N. trains are having but good times getting over the t. & A. crossing as there is an elevation of about 24 inches to climb over which is not only very troublesome but also dangerous.

The New York Times Jan. 23, 1886
Toledo, Ohio, Jan. 22 – Apart of Michigan capitalists has been in consultation with President J. M. Ashley and others, of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan Railway, having in view the extension of that road through the counties of Montcalm, Kent, and Muskegon, Mich., to the city of Muskegon. The proposed line is to start from Ashley Station, on the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan, and is intended ultimately to include Saginaw as a prominent objective point. At the meeting yesterday an organization was effected under the name of the Toledo, Saginaw and Muskegon Railway Company, with David Robinson, Jr., as President. A survey of the route will soon be commenced.


The Alma Record February 12, 1886
The depot building at Carland, on the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad, burned about 5 o'clock Saturday evening. The fire resulted from a defective flue. The books were saved. No insurance.

At the annual meeting of the stockholders of the L., A. Mt. P. & N. railroad Co. held at Wright's opera house in this village on Thursday evening of last week, the old board of directors were re-elected and the following names were chosen officers for the ensuing year: Ami W. Wright, president and general manager; Wm. N. Browe vice president, Mt. Pleasant; William S. Turck, treasurer; Marus Pollasky, secretary, attorney and auditor. It was voted to push the work on the northern extension as fast as possible.

Quite a force of men are at work upon the “LAMP” road in the west part of town and it will be completed as far as the banks of the river.(Mt. Pleasant?)

The Ann Arbor Courier Feb. 16, 1886
For Sale – the farm of the late Jas. M. Smith, of Salem, on the T. A. A. & N.. M. R. R., four miles south of South Lyons, – 120 acres, good for either stock or grain, and well timbered. Apply to Kingsley Calkins, Esq., South Lyon, or Miss. M. A Smith, 54 East University Ave, Ann Arbor.\


The Alma Record February 19, 1886
The work train on the T. & A. railroad which has been employed between Durand and Byron, has gone into winter quarters at Toledo.


The Alma Record February 26, 1886
The first through train from Toledo to St. Louis over the T. A. A. & N. M. arrived in the latter place Wednesday evening of last week.

The railroad force in Chippewa was largely increased this week and not withstanding the inclement weather and the frozen ground, the work is under good headway, and is be being pushed with rapidity. Supt. Hail says the track will be ready for operation to Mt. Pleasant early as June 1st, next.(L.A.&M. P. N.)[Shepherd Review]


The Alma Record March 12, 1886
The surveying party that has been running a line for the proposed T. M. & S. railroad from Carson City to Elsie via Maple Rapids and Eareake, arrived in the village on Wednesday. The route passed is said by the engineer in charge of the survey, to be an unusually favorable one, with light grades and no heavy cuts, and is an air line from Maple Rapids to the point where it strikes the T. & A. aat the state road crossing north of the village.[Elsie Sun]


Pinckney Dispatch March 18, 1886
The T., A, A, & N. M. board of directors met at Toledo, on Tuesday, and inspired by clear skies and sunshine concluded to send men at once to lift and ballast the new track between Hamburg and Durand, and take their chances on the weather continuing so that work can be done. If it thaws sufficiently to permit of shoveling, ten gangs of men and two trains will be set at work and the road will soon be ready for traffic.[Howell Democrat]


Owosso The Times March 19, 1886
Livingston
Republican: We regret that we cannot feel as sanguine as many of our exchanges do that Howell will get the T. A. A. & N. M. shops. Several papers state that it is a foregone conclusion that this will be the lucky place, and base their judgment, no doubt, on the report that Mr. Ashley has bought the fair ground. He has not bought the grounds yet, though it is supposed he will, as he gave the society to so understand when the annual meeting was called.—And that--The T., A. A. & N. M. board of directors met at Toledo, on Tuesday, and inspired by clear skies and sunshine concluded to send men at once to lift and ballast the new track between hamburg and Durand, and take their chances on the weather continuing so that the work can be done. If it thaws sufficiently to permit of shoveling, ten gangs of men and two trains will be set at work and the road will soon be ready for traffic.

The Alma Record March 26, 1886
The Maple river is causing the T. A. A. & N. M. people considerable trouble.

The $2,000 per mile subscription asked for to build the Toledo, Saginaw And Muskegon R. R. from Greenville to Ashley has been raised, and the largest portion of the right of way donated.


Owosso The Times March 26, 1886
The T., A. A. & N. M. road put on a splendid new engine last week, making its first trip Friday. It is a large freight engine and a beauty.[Ann Arbor Courier]


Owosso The Times April 2, 1886
The T., A. A. & N. M. Ry,
On Monday night the Common Council voted to submit to the electors on Monday of next the question of bonding the city for $10,000 to aid the Toledo road in constructing an independent line to Durand, there to connect with their southern branch. When the arrangements were being made to build this road, the city voted to give the $20,000, half of which was paid when the road was built north and now Mr. Ashley asks the city to issue the $10,000 in bonds to to be delivered to him when the road is in running order between St. Louis and Toledo. He agrees to build and equip the road and make it a competing line and moreover he agrees to secure his own right of way, thus saving the city that expense. To do this, we understand, would be in accordance with the arrangements made by the committee of citizens appointed at a public meeting to complete the arrangements with Mr. Ashley. In any case, Owosso's faith and credit demand that its contracts be honestly carried out, as also should Mr. Ashley's.


Pinckney Dispatch April 8, 1886
Railroad is all that can be heard nowadays. The sum that is to be raised is $2,500 if the road comes to Hamburg, but it is rather a small show, for we have only about $1,400 raised. If the people had not subscribed quite so much last fall they might give more now, but they gave on the road running from Howell to the M. A. L., and now the road is built, the people along the line say, we have got our road now you can build your own road.[Hamburg Correspondent]


The Alma Record April 9, 1886
The engineers and surveyors on the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Cadillac railroad have reached Evart, having established and staked the line from Mt. Pleasant there. They have a good line and easy grade.


Owosso The Times April 9, 1886
Note: bond issue failed

Corunna
The surveyors of the T., A & N. road read this place the first of the week. There seems to be some obstacles in the way way, one of them is Bonnie Reigls' house.

Livingston Republican: Judge Newton has rendered his decision in the injunction case of the T., A. A. & N. M. vs. the D., L. & N. that was brought during the late railroad war. He gives a lengthy opinion, sustaining the T., A. A. & N. M. company in the cause.


The Alma Record April 16, 1886
The L. A. & Mt. P. R. R. Co. are securing the right of way of the old C., S. & C. road between here and St. Louis, and when this is accomplished the Toledo & Ann Arbor road will run over the Lamp road to Mt. Pleasant and be extended from there north.


Owosso Times April 16, 1886
St. Louis Leader: The telegraph wire is up on the middle division of the middle division of the T. & A., so that that trains on this division are dispatched from Toledo instead of from this point as formerly.


A telegraph wire from Toledo to Owosso, by way of the T. & A. R. R. has been put up, reaching the Owosso office Saturday.


Pinckney Dispatch April 22, 1886
The T. & A. A. company will begin to ballast up their road this week. They will put three trains on this end of the road.[Pettysville Correspondent]


The Alma Record April 23, 1886
The telegraph wire has been stretched over the central division of the T., A. A. & N. M. R. R., and the offices of the Northern Division are now indirect communication with the general offices at Toledo.


Owosso The Times April 23, 1886
[Byron] Railroad hands who have been waiting so long for the gravel train train on the new road have become disgusted and those who failed to find employment among the farmers have left for parts unknown.


The New York Times April 29, 1886
THE STOCK EXCHANGE GOVERNORS
The Governors of the Stock Exchange held their last meeting of the present fiscal year yesterday. President Simmons made his last bow, told all the other Governors how he liked them, and what good things they were certain of under the coming administration of Commodore James D. Smith. He was cheered uproariously, and resolutions were adopted bestowing high encomiums upon him. Resolutions were also adopted giving earnest praise to the hard work and intelligent devotion of Secretary George W. Ely.

The following securities have been listed by the Stock Exchange Governors: 837 consolidate mortgage bonds of $1,000 each of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, making $6,337,000 now on the list; 117 first consolidated 6 per cent bonds of $1,000 each of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, making $5,117,000 now listed; 1,260 first mortgage 6 per cent convertible 40 year coupon gold bonds of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railroad, to be known as “Toledo, Ann Arbor and Grand Trunk Railway bonds.”

Owosso Times April 30, 1886
[Byron] A small gang of men are now at work on our railroad repairing it for the heavy gravel travel train which which is now looked for daily.

Pinckney Dispatch May 6, 1886
Several creditors of McLana & Wilson, and their sub-contractor H. S. Haywood, gave their accounts yo Carson & Hager for collection. Being unable to get anything from McCracken & Co. or from McLane & Wilson, the T. A. A. & N. M. company was sued in the late circuit court. The case was tried by jury and resulted in a verdict of $527.76 for the plaintiffs. It was held that a railroad company is responsible for all labor claims against its construction department or its contractors.[Howell Republican]


One hundred men are engaged in ballasting the new railroad between Hamburg and Howell. Another body of men are at work between Byron and Howell. It is expected the road will be ballasted in a month, so as to admit of the running of regular trains.[Howell Democrat]


The Alma Record May 7, 1886
The job of fencing the L. A. & Mt. P. R. R., between this place and Mt. Pleasant, has been let to Mr. C. E. Kress.

A large force of men are at work between here and St. Louis putting the old bed in repair, and Supt. Carland informs our citizens that trips to Toledo and Detroit will be in order between this time and June 1st. The round trip will be made in day and our citizens will not be slow to to appreciate this important change.


Owosso The Times May 7, 1886
[Corunna] The right of way for the T. & A. A. railway has been secured through the city and still quiet and repose rests upon this community.


[Owosso] The right of way for the T., A. A. & N. railway through Corunna has been obtained and the city council has donated $3,000.


[Owosso] B. O. Williams has sold to the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad the right of way across his land “from N W corner of block 28 A. L. & B. O. Williams add., east on S line of Cass street to N E corner of block 26, thence S E rly through block 9 and though blocks 10, 11 and 12 A. L. Williams add.” Consideration $3,000.

Pinckney Dispatch May 13, 1886
George Davis, civil engineer for the T., A. A. & N. M., is perfecting the maps of the link between Durand and Owosso. Work upon that part of the road and also upon the link between Hamburg and Leland is expected to be started at an early day.[Howell Republican]

Owosso The Times May 14, 1886
The T. & N. M. railroad is being ballasted between Hamburg and Durand, over 100 men employed.


Alma Record: The business portion of the community is waiting anxiously for the T., A. A. & N. M. to commence operations, hoping that there may be a change in shipping rates. Said rates are now exorbitant, but let us hope for a decided improvement.


Gratiot Journal: Fourteen carloads of steel rails for the northern division of the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad arrived at Alexis, near Toledo, on Wednesday, from Chicago. The complete of the road from St. Louis to Alma, and from Shepherd to Mt. Pleasant, is to be pushed with all possible haste.

The Alma Record May 21, 1886
In spite of a petition signed by 300 citizens of Salt River and Shepherd, the T. & A. railroad company declines to call the station Salt River, and will name it Shepherd.

A large gang of men begin last Friday to re-grade the old C., S. & C. track from this village Alma, and the T., A. A. & & N. M. management expect to have the iron down by the middle of June.[St. Louis Leader]

The grading on the new railroad between Salt River and this village is mostly completed and the work of placing the ties and rails will commence next week. The portion graded by Messrs. Book & MeSloy is pronounced the best finished grading ever seen in Northern Michigan. Mt. Pleasant will direct railway communication with Toledo in June.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]


Owosso The Times May 21, 1886
The contract has been let for building the T. & N. M. railroad from Leeland(Leland) to Hamburg(Hamburg Jct.).


The T. & N. M. railroad company has entered into a contract with the post office department to carry the mail from Owosso to Mt. Pleasant on and after July 1st, next.


Grading on the T. & N. M. railroad is nearly completed to Mt. Pleasant, and iron will be laid at once between Salt River and that point. The depot grounds have just been located in the southwest part of the town, near the Catholic church grounds.


Livingston Republican: H. W. Ashley, general superintendent of the T., A, A. & N. M. was in town Tuesday on a track inspection tour. He says a gravel train will be put on this division, as soon as soon as one can be run safely. Gangs of men are still at work with larries getting marsh crossing in shape.


Gratiot Journal: The T., A. A. & N. M. road is getting out a large quantity of cedar posts at St. Louis and expect to begin building their fences through this county in about 30 days, though the law allows them six months after the road is in running condition in which to perform the work. They will build a five-wire fence, with board top and cap, which is according to statute regulation.


Owosso City Council approved T. & N. M. route though city.


Pinckney Dispatch May 27, 1886
The T., A. A. & N. M. road is getting out a large quantity of cedar pots at St. Louis and expect to begin building their fences through this county in about 30 days, though the law allows them six months after the road is in running condition in which to perform the work. They will build a five wire fence, with board top and cap, which is according to statue regulation.[Howell Republican]

The Alma Record May 28, 1886


The steel for laying the T. & A. track from here to Alma (25 car loads) is all here and has been unloaded at the junction and near Harrington's planning mill. Work of laying it began last Monday and soon trains will be running to Mt. Pleasant.[St. Louis Leader]

The T., Ann Arbor & N. M. railroad expect to be running their trains to Alma in the course of a week or ten days, all of which will be appreciated by the majority of our citizens.

Mr. Blanchard of Elm Hall has contracted with the T. A. A. & N. M. road to furnish them fifty thousand fence posts and five thousand telegraph poles. The timber will be run down the river to this place then shipped to the southern division of the road which which is not yet entirely complete.


The Ann Arbor Courier June 2, 1886
That Link

The Vernon Inter-Lake of last week had this information, invaluable to those living along the line of this road:

The Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan railroad is an enigma to many. They read of men being at work on the “link” in Washtenaw, Shiawassee and Gratiot counties and they wonder what the link is, where it starts from, and where it goes to. We shall try to make this as clear as possible.

The road starts at Toledo, Ohio, and runs a little west of north to Ann Arbor. An examination of the map will show that the line that far is on an almost direct line with Durand. At Ann Arbor, however, the road bends to the northeast and run twelve miles to South Lyon. It was the intention of the company to continue it in that direction to Pontiac, or beyond, but before they could get beyond South Lyon, the Grand Trunk company built a road road from Pontiac to Jackson through South Lyon, and the Pontiac extension of the T. & A. A. was abandoned.

The next move of the Toledo and Ann Arbor company was to build a road from Owosso to Saint Louis, in Gratiot county, which left a break of forty miles between South Lyon and Owosso. This is missing Link No. 1. Last year the company set about filling this gap, but instead of starting from South Lyon, they started at Hamburg in Livingston county, and ran north to Durand. This left two gaps, one between Hamburg and South Lyon and the other between Durand and Owosso. Grading has commenced at both of these gaps, but from Hamburg the road is directly run to Ann Arbor, and it is the evident intention to either throw up the road between Ann Arbor or South Lyon, or use it as a branch road.

But there is still another missing link in the road. A short time since the Toledo & Ann Arbor company obtained possession of the “Lamp road” which runs between Alma and Salt River or Shepherd City, and which is being rapidly pushed to Mt. Pleasant, the county seat of Isabella county. Between St. Louis and Alma is a gap in the road of about ten miles, and that is being graded as fast as possible. So now, hereafter, if your hear people speak of work being done on the link ask them which of the three they mean.
The probability us that all the links will be supplied and the cars will be running over a continuous route by July 4th.


Pinckney Dispatch June 3, 1886
Howell's 800-foot railroad tunnel in undoubtedly the longest one in Michigan. The work of strengthening its walls has been completed and it is now considered a safe passage for trains.{Howell Republican]

The Alma Record June 4, 1886
The tunnel of the T. & A. A. railroad at Howell, which was recently completed, and which passes through the village under a street, is claimed to be the longest railroad tunnel in the state. It is 800 feet in length and built up of timber.

The injunction case of the D., L. & N. railroad company vs. the T., A. A. & N. M. company was argued before Judge Hart, Wednesday, C. B. Lothrop appearing for complainants and T. W. Whitney for the defense. The judge decided in favor of the defense, thus permitting the T. & A. to go on with the good work of completing their road. Mr. Carland, of the latter road, has been indefatigable in the work of pushing the work, and the shippers of Alma will show their appreciation when trains commence to run here. The steel is all laid between here and St. Louis and cars were run over the road yesterday. To-day a load of steel will taken to Shepherd, and the work of laying it north of that place will immediately begin. Before the first of July regular trains will be running to Mt. Pleasant. An excursion to the latter place from this vicinity will probably be one of the first things on the program when the road is completed.

(Filed by The Detroit, Lansing & Northern and the Saginaw & Western against Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan and the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant for using road bed of abandoned Chicago, Saginaw Canada railroad company.)


(June 6, 1886) Regular trains on the L. A. & Mt. P. road began running Monday from Mt. Pleasant, connecting at St. Louis with the T. A. A. & N. road for the south.


Pinckney Dispatch June 10, 1886
Two gravel trains arrived here Sunday night and commenced the work of blasting the southern portion of the road Monday, which task we are informed, would be accomplished in about ten days' time. They make Howell headquarters. The work of grading the road between Hamburg Junction and Leeland is progressing finely, three miles having already been completed. A large force of men are at work there.[Howell Democrat]


Owosso The Times June 11, 1886
Howell Republican: The case in which several creditors of McLane & Wilson obtained a judgment of $527.79 against T,, A. A. & N. M. for work performed for sub-contractors will be carried to the supreme court. The plaintiffs in the case live at Byron and it will be carried up by McCracken & Co., the original contractors. Mr. Montague is attorney for McCracken & Co., and Mr. Corson handles the the plaintiffs' case.


The Evening Journal of Wednesday says, The injunction asked for by the Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad restraining the Toledo & Ann and the Lansing & Alma road from constructing over the Chicago, Saginaw & Canada road bed was argued yesterday before Judge Hart. C. B. Lothrop appeared for the Complainants. T. W. Whitney, for the defendants, made made an exhaustive argument and succeeded in getting the injunction dissolved with costs.

Pinckney Dispatch June 17, 1886
The T. A. A. & N. M. depot will be built of brick and will be placed at the foot of Walnut street. A nice job of grading is being done in its proposed locality.[Howell Republican]

Pinckney Dispatch June 24, 1886
Supt. Ashley is reported to have said that is will be an excursion from Toledo to Whitmore Lale on T. A. A. & N. M. July 4th, 1886.

At last the Ann Arbor road has got its track across “little lake” on a solid foundation, so that train may run over it. A large amount of earth, however, will still have to be hauled to level up for buildings necessarily located near a depot.[Howell Democrat]

G. Jewett, the great hardware dealer, is the first Howell merchant to avail himself of the new railroad, having received a car load of nails from Pittsburg via the T. A. A. & N. M.[Howell Republican]


The Alma Record June 18, 1886
The village will furnish water for the T. & A. A. line, and this will necessitate the extension of the water main from the Congregational church corner north to the railroad track. City Council meeting - $100 per year for 5 years, via a 4 inch line with fire hydrant, with necessary tees.

The T. & A. people are veritable hustlers and now have the track within about four miles of Mt. Pleasant. They will be ready to fulfill their mail carrying contract despite the injunction and divers other petty affairs.


The Ann Arbor Courier June 16, 1886
The “Ann Arbor” Road's Report

The fifth annual report of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway company, contains some figures which are of interest to the people of this region.
Last year the gross earnings of the Southern division were $261,959.99 and the operating expenses were $150,192.29. This make the earnings $4,229.44 per mile, and the expenses $2,422.26 per mile.
The total net earning after paying taxes were $120,720.68. From this $103,600.00 is paid as interest on bonds.
The operating expenses of the road were 58 46-100% when the line runs to Mt. Pleasant.
Three other railroads use the T., A. A. & N. M. tracks, and pay a rental of some $50,000 a year.
In 1885, 213,052 tons of coal were handled, an increase of 17 1/2% over the previous year.
Thirty-two miles of new road was constructed in 1885, making 135 miles completed, and this year it is the intention to built 45 miles additional.
The road has been under its present management for eight years and although many rumors have gone forth that some trunk line had captured it no entangling alliances have been contracted and it now stands on an independent basis. So, despite the fact that in the earlier days Ann Arbor lost heavily by the road,s mismanagement, she is now gaining more than was ever lost, by freight advantages and other facilities.

The Alma Record June 18, 1886
The village will furnish water for the T. & A. A. line, and this will necessitate the extension of the water main from the Congregational church corner north to the railroad track. City Council meeting - $100 per year for 5 years, via a 4 inch line with fire hydrant, with necessary tees.

The T. & A. people are veritable hustlers and now have the track within about four miles of Mt. Pleasant. They will be ready to fulfill their mail carrying contract despite the injunction and divers other petty affairs.


Owosso Times Junes 18, 1886
The grading for the T. & N. M. railroad between Owosso and Durand is to be completed this month.


The Alma Record June 25, 1886
The depot for the new railway has been located at the foot of Locust street about one block south of the Catholic church. The contract for the erection of the depot has been given to Jeffords & Whitney, and it will be completed on July 1.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]

The T. & A. railroad company will fit up the old C. S. & C. depot and use it for the present.

The T. & A. R'y is building a fine brick depot at Howell.


Owosso The Times June 25, 1886
Ovid Union: Six new coaches, a number of new locomotives and several trains of box and flat cars have been added to the rolling stock of the T,, A. A. & N. M. R. R. Ashley as a railroad builder and equipper exhibits any amount of puck.


The T. & A. A. expects to be completed for the 160 mile run in a short time. The route is from Toledo to Ann Arbor, Thence to Hamburg, via Webster and Whitmore Lake; from Hamburg through Howell to Owosso, via Durand, thence to Alma, St. Louis and Mt. Pleasant.


St. Louis Leader: Ten more car loads of steel for the T., A. A. & N. M. gap beyond Salt River, reached here on Monday evening last. – On Friday night last trains were running over the T., A. A. & N. M. road between this place and Alma all night, carrying iron for the northern extension.


[Corunna] The T. & A. A. R. R. has reached Shiawassee Ave.


The Alma Record July 2, 1886
The T., A. A. & N. M. company have placed a refrigerator car on their road, to be run over the line every Friday afternoon in the interest of daily produce. Last Friday they gathered to 5,000 lb., in eggs and butter between this village and Owosso.[St. Louis Republican]

Last week J. M. Ashley, Jr., arrived in town, accompanied be several citizens of Clare county, they having been looking over the proposed line of the T., A. A. & N. M. Ry. Via Farwell and the line of the old Gerrish road in Clare county. (rest non-readable)[ Mt. Pleasant Democrat]


Owosso The Times July 2, 1886
The T. & N. M. trains now run to Mt. Pleasant. See time card in our advertising columns. In a few weeks the trains will run from Toledo to Mt. Pleasant.


The Cadillac News: By the first of August this year three trains a day will running between Mt. Pleasant and Toledo and at the same time it is Mr. Ashley's intention to take the 600 men now at work there, and put them immediately at work between this point and Mt. Pleasant, and push the work with all the vigor possible.


The Mt. Pleasant Enterprise: It is being talked here that the people of Farwell and land owners in Clare Co. are making a strong move to change the route of the T. A. A. & N. M. R. R. from Sherman City and Evart, and go via Farwell and the old Gerish road in Clare county. We presume the different routes will be surveyed, and the cheapest and most feasible one will be taken.


The Saginaw Herald: On Wednesday the first passenger coach was hauled over the new Ann Arbor & Mt. Pleasant railroad from Alma to Mt. Pleasant. A select party of invited guests accompanied Superintendent H. W. Ashley and the was much enthusiasm along the line. The road was found satisfactory in every way. A. W. Wright, of Alma, and Dr. J. H. Lancashire, of Saginaw, were of the party. It is anticipated that regular trains will be running next week.


The “Ann Arbor” Road's Report

The fifth annual report of the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway company, contains some figures which are of interest to the people of this region.

Last year the gross earnings of the road were $261,959.99 and the operating expenses were $150,192.59. This make the earnings $4,229.44 per mile, and the expenses $2,422.16 per mile. The total net earning after paying taxes were $120,720.68. From this $103,600 is paid as interest on bonds.

The operating expenses of the road were 58 46.100 per cent and it is thought this will not exceed 55 per cent when the line runs to Mt. Pleasant.

Three other railroads use the T., A. A. & N. M. tracks and pay a rental of $50,000 a year.

In 1885, 213,052 tons of coal were handled, an increase of 17 ½ per cent over the previous year.

Thirty-two miles of new road was constructed in 1885, making 135 miles of road completed, and it is the intention to build 45 miles additional this year.

The road has been under its present management for eight years and although many rumors have gone forth that some trunk line had captured it no entangling alliances have been contracted and it now stands on an independent basis.


The tunnel of the T. & A. A. railroad at Howell, which was recently completed, and passes through the village under a street, is claimed to be the longest railroad tunnel in the State. It is 800 feet in length and built up of timber.

Pinckney Dispatch July 8, 1886
It is said H. B. Rose, of Genoa, got $500 from the T. & A. company for a gravel pit.[Brighton Argus]


The Alma Record July 9, 1886
The firm of Tinker & Lumsden, of this village, has the contract of furnishing the material for ten depots to be built along the line of the T., & A. A. railroad.

City Council Meeting
on motion the clerk was instructed to notify J. C. Carland of the T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. to build cross walks on Centre and Mechanic streets to connect with walks ordered constructed.


Owosso Times July 9, 1886

A refrigerator car for carrying produce is run on the T. & N. M. road every Friday.

(July 11, 1886) Farwell people are abreast of the times. At an election held Tuesday to decide the question of issuing bonds to assist the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad, but four votes were cast against the scheme.


Owosso Time July 16, 1886

Corunna – The T. & A. R. R. is pushing its way rapidly though our corporation.


The T. A. A. & N. M. trains now make the run from St. Louis to Mt. Pleasant in one hour.


The T. & N. M. railway yet have about a mile and a quarter of grading to do between Owosso and Durand.


At a special meeting of the Council Tuesday evening, the T. & N. M. railway ordered not to grade grade Washington street so that the top of the rails would be above the level of the grade of the planking of the bridge.


On account of the grade of the T. & N. M. railway west of Washington street, the Gas Co. have been obliged to take up their water water supply piping, running to the river, and relay about 700 feet of it, digging down 10 feet.

Pinckney Dispatch July 22, 1886
Work on the T. A. A. & N. M. grade between Durand and Owosso is about as good as finished, but operations on the Hamburg, Leland link are not quite so well advanced.[Howell Republican]

The Alma Record July 23, 1886
The new T,. A, A. & N. M. road is being rapidly pushed through Corunna, thus giving the citizens the benefit of two sharply completing lines. Property is rising and a boom is being inaugurated.


Owosso The Time July 23, 1886

Byron- A number of the railroad hands have gone from here to Howell to work.


Byron – The pay car came this way Tuesday and it caused some to feel jolly – so much so that they did not find any night between two days.


Our contemporaries are publishing the work on the T. A. A. & N. M. railway faster than the facts will warrant. It will be fully two weeks yet before the grading will be completed between Owosso and Durand, and we are informed that the track cannot be got ready for regular trains between Owosso and Ann Arbor before September.


Ithaca Journal: A mortgage and deed for $400,000, and running for thirty years, was placed on record in the Gratiot county register of deeds' office this week, from the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Pleasant Railway Co. to the American Loan and Trust Co. of New York City. The instrument covers the line between ST. Louis and Mt. Peasant only. When the T. A. A. & N. M. R. R. is in full operation between Toledo and Mt. Pleasant, a coach will be run from the latter place to Detroit via the Michigan Central from Ann Arbor, obviating any change of cars from this region to Detroit. The distance by the new route will be only four miles farther than by the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee, but the running time will be shortened accordingly.


Pinckney Dispatch July 29, 1886
Mr. Davis, agent of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad, informs us his road will carry away all the freight that may be given it. This is good new for the farmers, whose wheat crop will soon be in the market. Passenger coaches may not be placed on the road for a couple of months.[Howell Republican]


Owosso Times July 30, 1886

Corunna Independent: A sink hole was struck on the grade of the new railroad between here and Owosso, and a large amount of dirt went out of sight before the bottom was found.


It is said that Senator Palmer, who owns a large tract of pine timber in Missaukee county, has offered the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan road $30,000 to run the road to Lake City instead of Cadillac.


Mt. Pleasant Enterprise: J. M. Ashley Jr, is in possession of a document which gives his road absolute control of the line from St. Louis to this place for a long term of years.


The road bed of the T. A. A. & N. M. railroad between Owosso and St. Louis is now as good as that of most of the roads in the state and train might be run 30 miles an hour with safety.


It is said, at a recent meeting of Directors of the Toledo & Cadillac R. R. Co. at Cadillac, the name was changed so as to read “Toledo, Ann Arbor & Cadillac R. R.” The road when completed will be a link in the T., A. A. & N. M. road.


Farwell decided Monday, with but four dissenting votes, to give a bonus to the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad.


Owosso Times July 30, 1886

Corunna Independent: A sink hole was struck on the grade of the new railroad between here and Owosso, and a large amount of dirt went out of sight before the bottom was found.


It is said that Senator Palmer, who owns a large tract of pine timber in Missaukee county, has offered the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan road $30,000 to run the road to Lake City instead of Cadillac.


Mt. Pleasant Enterprise: J. M. Ashley Jr, is in possession of a document which gives his road absolute control of the line from St. Louis to this place for a long term of years.


The road bed of the T. A. A. & N. M. railroad between Owosso and St. Louis is now as good as that of most of the roads in the state and train might be run 30 miles an hour with safety.


It is said, at a recent meeting of Directors of the Toledo & Cadillac R. R. Co. at Cadillac, the name was changed so as to read “Toledo, Ann Arbor & Cadillac R. R.” The road when completed will be a link in the T., A. A. & N. M. road.


Farwell decided Monday, with but four dissenting votes, to give a bonus to the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad.


The Ann Arbor Courier Aug. 4, 1886
Track laying has commence between Leeland and Hamburg. The is yet considerate grading to be done at Hamburg before iron can be laid. It's quite probable, at the rate the short link has progressed, but little traffic will be done on that route this fall. – South Lyon Excelsior.


Owosso The Times Aug. 13, 1886
Ann Arbor Argus: Seven carloads of steel rails passed up the T. A. A. & N. M. R. R. Thursday of last week for the road between Leland and Hamburg. Work on the road is being rapidly finished.


Owosso The Times Aug. 20, 1886
Vernon – The T. A. A. & N. M. R. R. with its track laying engine reach Vernon yesterday. W. D. Garrison met the engine with a box of cigars and of course every man left the track. They returned again soon and the fire and smoke rolled as much as ever and today they are laying track through the village on to Owosso.


Owosso The Times Sept. 3, 1886
The Inter Lake says that “the T., A. A. & N. M. railway track is laid about a mile west of Vernon and gets no further very fast.”


Byron – The depot on the T., A. A. & N. M. is raised and is now being enclosed.


Livingston Republican: Judge Newton has rendered his final decision in the case of the T., A. A. & N. M., Vs. the D. L. & N. railroad, regarding the crossing just east of Howell. The decision is in favor of the Toledo road and sustains his former decision which was made on the bill and answer, this one being rendered on the proofs in the case.


The Alma Record September 3, 1886
A new mixed train has been put on the T. & A. toad between St. Louis and Mt. Pleasant.

(1st public timetable published in Alma Record for T,AA&NM)


The Alma Record September 10, 1886
Judge Newton has rendered his final decision in the case of the T., A. A. & N. M., vs. the D. L. & N. railroad, regarding the crossing just east of Howell. The decision is in favor of the Toledo road and sustains his former decision which was made on the the bill in answer, this one being rendered on the proofs in the case.[Howell Republican]


Owosso The Times Sept. 10, 1886
Corunna – The foundations are being laid for the new depot and freight house buildings. They are being pushed rapidly to competition.


The south branch of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad reached this city Saturday p. m. , and the first of the week was connected with the north branch.


The T., A. A. & N. M. railroad shipped their first carload of freight south on Wednesday, it being a car of lumber to Durand from the yard of L. E. Woodward.


Owosso The Times Sept. 17, 1886
The Ann Arbor Courier says that the T & A. A. R. R. has put the following new rolling stock on its line: 100 new box cars, 50 new flats, 10 large box furniture cars, 10 new passenger coaches and several new baggage and mail cars. This shows the T. & A. to be in a very prosperous condition.


Major Anderson says that the bonds to build the T., A. A. & N. M. extension from Ashley to Muskegon have actually been sold, and that the road will be built immediately.

Owosso The Times Sept. 24, 1886
Livingston Republican: Superintendent Harry Ashley of the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad, was in town Wednesday. He says the track layers crossed the troublesome sink hole near Whitmore Lake Tuesday evening and that the connection with the Howell division will be made at Hamburg Saturday evening. A new time card covering the entire line from Toledo to Mt Pleasant is being made out and it will go into effect on Sunday, Oct. 3rd.


The Alma Record October 1, 1886
Major Anderson says that the bonds to build the T., A. A. & N. M. extension from Ashley to Muskegon have actually been sold , and yhat the road road will be built built immediately.[Owosso Times](T,S&M)

The T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. company has been making extensive additions to their rolling stock, to be put in use when the road opens, consisting of 5 Rogers' locomotives for passenger service, 10 pullman coaches, 44 baggage cars, 100 freight cars, 50 flat cars, 10 furniture cars, etc. The new new passenger trains will be among the handsomest in the state.

Superintendent Harry Ashley, of the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad, was in town Wednesday. He saya the track layers crossed troublesome sink hole near Whitmore Lake, Tuesday evening and that the connection with the Howell division will be made at Hamburg, Saturday evening. A new time card covering the entire line from Toledo to Mt. Pleasant is being made out and it will go into effect on Sunday, Oct. 3rd.[Howell Republican]


Owosso The Times Oct. 1, 1886
Byron – The sink near the McKinney crossing delayed trains again on Wednesday.


Owosso The Times Oct. 8, 1886
Livingston Republican: The running of regular trains over the T. A. A. & N. M. railroad has been postponed until Oct. 10th, on account of a bad sink hole just north of Byron, which, which has delayed ballasting somewhat. The new depots at Oak Grove and and Byron are finished, and everything for the successful operation of thzze road is expected to be in readiness by the 10th.


Pinckney Dispatch Oct. 14, 1886
Chilson has depot,an elevator, a mill, and couple of new houses house under way.{Howell Republican]


The Alma Record October 15, 1886
The T., A, A. & N. M. R. R. are preparing to build a new depot at Alma, and that town of everlastlasting enterprise will undoubtedly get the machine shops of the road—a good location having already been selected.

When the T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. acquired control of the L. A. M. & N. R. R. the junction to Alma and north was made about one mile and one-fifth out St. Louis. This has necessitated the backing out of trains that distance before proceeding northward. The company have concluded to move their freight depot out there and will reconstruct it as the passenger depot. The present brick depot will have all partitions removed and will be used as a freight house. The citizens are indignant and talk of serving an injunction. Their rights are based on the claim that a large bonus was given to the road to come to St. Louis, an the proposed location is out of the corporation.


Owosso The Times Oct. 15, 1886
Exchange says: On Sunday, October 10, the Toledo & Ann Arbor will be formally opened, a special train carrying the officials of the road, making the trip from Toledo to Mt. Pleasant, and remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy all along the line.


The Ann Arbor Courier Oct. 20, 1886
Last Monday morning at 10 o'clock a. m., the T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. put on a train to Owosso, and the same is now making regular trips. Next Monday morning it is the intention to put on through trains from Toledo to Mt. Pleasant. It is expected also that one train each way every day will be run between this city and South Lyon, leaving Ann Arbor at about 10 o'clock a. m.

The Alma Record October 22, 1886
The T., A. A. & N. M. have completed extensive stock yards and chutes at this station and are now prepared to give ample facilities for the loading and shipment of live stock to all parts of the county. They offer a superior route to Buffalo and other Eastern stock markets.

The T., A. A. & N. M. have completed though freight arrangements between Detroit and Alma, whereby freight is being transported directly from Detroit Detroit to Alma and all points north without transfer, being loaded in though cars. Freight delivered to the warehouse of the D. G. H. & M. Ry. Up to 5 o'clock of the preceding day will arrive at Alma next day at 1 o'clock.

The T. & A. can't be desperately in love with St. Louis. It has removed bouth the round house and depot, inside of three months.

The T., A. A. & N. M. railway having completed the new line between Ann Arbor and Owosso, they now open up the shortest and most direct route for passenger and freight traffic to Toledo and Detroit and the East, South and Southwest, making direct connections at Toledo and Detroit with all roads and in union depots. Will run through coach for Detroit, returning the same evening, reaching Alma 10 P. M. Though tickets on sale for all points and baggage checked through to destination without further care or annoyance to passengers. Any information will be cheerfully given by calling on or A. J. DeLorme, Agent.


Owosso The Times Oct. 22, 1886
Regular trains will commence running south on the T. & N. M. road next week.


The new depot of the T. A. A. & N. M. railroad is about completed. The freight house has been commenced and will be pushed forward as fast as the timber and lumber gets here. A round house and turntable will be built in the yards and everything put in first class shape shape. Two long side tracks are being put in and the road put in readiness for business.


The first passenger train on the T. & N. M. R. from the south arrived in Owosso last Monday afternoon about 2:30. One passenger car was well filled by citizens from Howell, Oak Grove, Byron and Vernon, who took this occasion to give the road a good send off, and to see Owosso. The Howell delegation was composed of representative business men, among whom we noticed C. H. Goodnoe, Fred Schroeder, C. L. Cook, M. S. Newell, Cedar Sweet, John Titus of the Howell Democrat, O. J. Parker, J. M. White, E. C. Wright, Riley Crittenden, Owen Kellogg, Sylvester Andrews, F. J. Lee, and others, in all 23. These gentlemen enjoyed a shot look around our city and then took the return train home.. All were much pleased with the appearance of our city. We hope a return visit will soon be paid by our citizens.

The Alma Record October 29, 1886
The “New Line,” T., A. A. & N. M. railroad has opened up, running two through daily trains for Toledo, over a fine road bed and steel rail. Passengers going South for a pleasant winter in the Sunny South should remember these train are made up with Pullman's latest equipments, making close connections without transfer of depots to the C. H. V. & T railway, the direct route for the Orange Line to all Southern points. The “Ann Arbor” also furnishes accommodations for Washington, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Passengers over the Pennsylvania Co. lines having the best time on recorder.


Owosso The Times Oct. 29, 1886

The T. A. A. & N. M. Railway company have now opened their line from Toledo to Mt. Pleasant, the first trip through trip being made on Monday of this week. The track is in splendid condition, and all the equipment will soon be equal to any line in the state. The company have put on several new engines and a large number of first class Pullman passenger coaches, the equal to which we do not believe can be found in Michigan. At Owosso the new depot and freight house will soon be ready to occupy, and the round house of the road is being moved from South Lyon to Owosso, making this the principal station along the road.

The Alma Record November 12, 1886
Forest Hill – The lengthening out of the grade for the side track is progressing finely. The company wished it longer so that trains of any length might pass. Stock yards will be put in at the north end so that it will be more convenient to ship stock soon.

Owosso The Times Nov. 19, 1886

Commissioner Watson was engaged Wednesday in taking testimony in the injunction case of the city vs. the Toledo and North Mich. Railway company.

The Alma Record November 26, 1886
The Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern railroad company has purchased the ten miles of road bed graded last winter by the Roscommon lumber company to to the Muskegon river, paying therefor the sum of $24,000. Harrison, Clare county , can secure the road to that place by subscribing $15,000.


Owosso The Times Nov. 26, 1886

The T. & N. M. company have built a large stock yard near their depot.


The T. & N. M. railway company are putting the approaches to their track though the city good shape, but there is still a vast amount more that needs to be done.


Grade stakes for the proposed railroad from Saginaw via Ashley, Carson City and Greenville to Muskegon have been set from Ashley to several miles west of Greenville.


The Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad has purchased the ten miles of road bed graded last winter by the Roscommon lumber company to the Muskegon river, paying the sum of $24,000. Harrison, Clare county, can secure the the road to that place by subscribing $15,000.

The Alma Record December 3, 1886
The T. & A. has decided to build a new depot at Carland upon the site of the one recently burned.


Owosso The Times Dec. 3, 1886

Evening News: The T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. are making arrangements to push construction at once. Work will will be commenced at Cadillac and pushed south to connect with the the northern terminus of the road at Mt. Pleasant. The work will be under the supervision of John C. Carland, who has been the superintendent of the construction of the road. The road north of Mt. Pleasant will be known for the present as the Toledo & Cadillac.


A new timetable went into effect on the T. & N. M. road on Sunday last. Trains now leave Owosso as follows: Going south at 9 a. m. and 6:32 p. m.; north 10 a. m., and 7:55 p. m.


The T. & N. M. railway company are advertising for men and teams to work on the extension of the road road from Ashley to Muskegon. Nearly all the towns along the proposed route have raised a bonus and there is no doubt but the road will be pushed through.

The Alma Record December 10, 1886
The “Ann Arbor” is erecting a wheat elevator at Ithaca, this week.

The Alma Record December 24,1886
Leaton & Upton have sold to J. M. Ashley, of the T, A. A. & N. M. railway. 17 acres on the “flats” in this village, the consideration being $7,250. It is the intention of Mr. Ashley to offer the land as free sites to encourage manufacturing industries to locate in Mt. Pleasant.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune

The Ann Arbor Courier Dec. 29, 1886
The passenger traffic along the line of the T., A. A. & N. M. is enormous during this Holiday season.

The Alma Record December 31, 1886
On Sunday the F, & P.M. Railroad tore up their track at Mt. Pleasant that ran down to the T., A. A. & N. M. depot, destroyed the abutments of the bridges and pulled up the piles, thereby breaking the connection. On Monday the T., A. A. && N. M. railroad seized the abandoned road bed, repaired the bridges and relaid the iron as far as they could.


Owosso The Times Dec. 31, 1886

Corunna – The T. & A. R. R. is really an acquisition to the city. Express received via that road goes to Owosso and is transposed to the D. & M. and the returned here for delivery. “Big Thing.”