The Virginia Tech archives indicate that the Spartanburg and Union (SC) Railroad Co. was reorganized in 1878-81 as the Spartanburg, Union and Columbia RR Co. which was "controlled" by the Southern Railway Co. after 1895. Do you know if Southern actually acquired this company and, if so, by asset or stock purchase? I have a bond isued in 1858, and am trying to find out the history.

-- roger davis (roger@warren-group.com), May 15, 2001

Answers

Spartanburg & Union RR was reorganised as Spartanburg, Union & Columbia RR in Feb. 1873. SU&C was leased to the Columbia & Greenville RR in April 1881. The C&G, still holding the SU&C lease, was itself leased in May 1886 to the Richmond & Danville RR System, which, of course, became the Southern Rwy. in June 1894. From a quick search it appears that the SU&C was still under lease to the SR in 1904 and there were outstanding shares. Since the Spartanburg & Union started operations in 1856, your bond was probably issued for either construction or equipment purposes.

-- Tom Underwood (tlunder@attglobal.net), May 16, 2001.