The total number of miles of line operated at present are approximately: main track, 1,230.76; second track, 54.10; spur track and sidings, 482.53. Its main line extends from Hickman, Ky., through Nashville and Chatta nooga, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga., and from Mem phis through Jackson, Term., to Paducah, Ky. At the latter point physical connection has been made with thegreat system of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad by means of about 12 miles of line of the Paducah and Illi nois Railroad Company and a double track bridge across the Ohio River opposite Metropo lis, Ill. It also reaches the great cotton man ufacturing city of Huntsville, Ala., while other ramifying branches extend to various mining centres, agricultural districts and timber regions. To-day the road has few superiors, whether we consider the excellence of its road bed; its admirable equipment; the beauty and historical interest of its scenery, or the fertility of the country through which it passes, while its strategical position in relation to the com merce of the land is not surpassed by that of any other railroad system in the South. At many of the termini of its divisions it connects with a cluster of railroad systems that run to every point of the compass. It is also brought in closest touch with the great river trade of the Mississippi and its tributaries at several points, reaching the Mississippi River at Mem phis and Hickman, Ky.; the Ohio River at Paducah, Ky., and the Tennessee River at Johnsonville, Tenn.; Bridgeport, Ala.; Hobbs Island, Ala.; Guntersville, Ala., and at Chat tanooga, Tenn. It strikes the Cumberland River at Nashville and crosses the Chattahoochie River near Atlanta, Ga. The company in a
recent statement reported its capital stock was $16,000,000; funded debt, $10,122,000; invest ment in road, equipment, etc., $37,707,297.02. The average yearly gross revenue is more than $12,000,000. Since beginning operations it has paid cash dividends of 185 per cent on its cap ital stock and in 1873 it gave the stockholders a stock dividend of 200 per cent. A majority of its capital stock has been held since about 1880 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, but its stockholders number above 600, located in 26 different States and three foreign coun tries. About 260.of its stockholders are women. According to the same statement its equipment consisted of 273 engines, 10,919 passenger, freight and work cars, two steamers and three transfer barges. Its roadbed for the main line is of full rock ballast and the weight of steel rails thereon is from 80 to 90 pounds to the yard.
During the Civil War the line of railroad was in charge of the Federal military authori ties from 7 March 1862 to 15 Sept. 1865. Most of its equipment, however, was moved South at an early period in the war and operated on the rails of other lines in the interest of the Confederacy. Many important battles of the Civil War were fought along the line of its road and the territory contiguous thereto and its scenery is rich in historical interest. The corporation has maintained in an unusual de gree the good will of the communities which it serves and is endeavoring to the utmost to ad vance the development of the country along its lines.