Railroad: Fort Wayne and Jackson Railroad Company

The Fort Wayne and Jackson was one of several short line railroads promoted by Jackson businessmen in the late 1860’s and 1870’s. The line was built south from Jackson to Fort Wayne, Indiana via Jonesville and Reading. The original railroad (FWJ&S) was not profitable and was unable to make its bond payments. After only 9 years, it was reorganized and “Saginaw” was dropped from its name. Still under local control, and after a brief flirtation with the Grand Trunk, Vanderbilt’s Lake Shore & Michigan Southern leased and gained control of the line, blocking the GT as a cross state rival. After LSMS control, the line was controlled out of Hillsdale and it became a minor branch line.

Fort Wayne, Jackson & Saginaw → Fort Wayne & Jackson Railroad → Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad

Operated: 4 years.

Acquired: FWJ&S in 1879 from Jackson to Fort Wayne, IN

Became: LS&MS in 1882.

Reference: [MRRC]

This line was leased by the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company. It was 44.52 miles in Michigan and 53.31 miles in Indiana.

Notes

After leasing this line to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern in 1882, the board of directors of the FW&J continued to meet annually meeting until the 1920’s. The meetings were likely brief, to confirm that the LS&MS had paid its annual rental fee.

FWJ&S president Peter Loomis’ family gave his home and grounds near Michigan Avenue west of Elm Street to the city for use as a municipal park, which continues to exist today  Loomis was initially a storekeeper, banker, railroad man and an elected official in the community  

Time Line

1879. Line begins after acquiring FWJ&S railroad. [MRRC]

1880. After some speculation that the road would be sold to the Wabash, the newly organized Fort Wayne and Jackson railroad company has been organized. The company has selected Samuel Sloan of New York as President, indicating Vanderbilt involvement. [DFP-1880-0122]

1880. M.D. Woodford has resigned the office of Division Superintendent of the Canada Southern railway which he has filled for a number of years past, to accept the position of General Manager of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railway. He is to be given full charge of the road. Woodford has worked for the Michigan Central, organizing the telegraphic system for directing train movements. [DFP-1880-0116] Note: Mr. Woodford attracted a number of CS employees to come to Jackson to work for him including a train master, chief dispatcher and several trainmen.

1880. R. Rowe has been appointed Train Master of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad. He was formerly of the Canada Southern. [DFP-1880-0904]

1881. February 12. Negotiations between the Michigan Central and the Fort Wayne & Jackson companies for the purchase of the road of the latter company are off, but may be resumed again. The FW&J were offered a five per cent guaranty; they demanded six percent. The road last year earned four percent. [DFP-1881-0212]

1881. M.D. Woodford, General Superintendent of the FW&J was in Detroit yesterday and confirms the report published in the Free Press that he had been appointed general Superintendent of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Grand Trunk railway. He says that his appointment will no way interfere with his position on the Fort Wayne road, as he shall hold both places. [DFP-1881-1130]

1882. Rumors swirl in Detroit about a possible purchase of the FW&J by the Grand Trunk railroad. Once the GT Jackson branch is complete, this would give the GT an outlet to Indiana and Chicago. Negotiations are in progress and well advanced. The FW purchase would be a direct blow to the grain trade in Detroit, as almost all grain would find its way to Eastern markets by the GT which would otherwise come to Detroit. The FW road naturally belongs to the Michigan Central system and the purchase by the GT is not absolutely certain. [DFP-1882-0401]

1882. April. A "knowledgeable" gentlemen reports to the Detroit Free Press that negotiations between the FW&J railroad and the Grand Trunk continue. "Well, the Fort Wayne is nicely greased and about ready for the Grand Trunk to swallow it". [DFP-1882-0427]

1882. The Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad will today declare a dividend of two per cent. [DFP-1882-0504]

1882. September 5. The Chicago Times says that the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern has acquired control of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad. The Lake Shore will pay an annual rental under a long lease. The road will be operated as a part of the Lake Shore system. The stock of the railroad is worth $2.7 million. First mortgage bond holders received preferred stock for their bonds and accrued interest and the second mortgage bond holders received common stock for their bonds and accrued interest. There has been quite a spirited contest for control of the company. It is understood that the management of the Fort Wayne road will not be disturbed for the present. [DFP-1882-0905]

1882. September 5. The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern has acquired control of the Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad. The Lake Shore pays an annual rental under a long lease. The road will be operated as a part of the Lake Shore system.

The Fort Wayne Road was completed December 25, 1870; default was made January 1, 1874; was sold under foreclosure December 3, 1879, for account of the bondholders, and was reorganized January 1, 1880 as the Fort Wayne & Jackson Railroad. It is stocked at about $2.7 million. Under the reorganization the first mortgage bondholders received preferred stock for their bonds and accrued interest and the second mortgage holders common stock for their bonds and accrued interest as follows: Preferred eight percent stock, $2,000,000; common stock, $700,000: total $2,700,000. Sam Sloan is President and one of the largest stockholders. There has been quite a spirited contest for the control of the road. It is understood that the management of the Fort Wayne Road will not be disturbed for the present. [DFP-1882-0905]

1882. October. The FW&J which was lately secured by Vanderbilt, is to be hereafter known as the Fort Wayne branch of the Lake Shore and an official order is issued placing W.H. Canniff, superintendent of the leading division of the Lake Shore also in authority of the Fort Wayne branch. [PHTH-1882-1002]

1882. The Fort Wayne & Jackson railroad, under new management, is known as the Fort Wayne branch of the [LS&MS] Lansing Division, which division consists of the Lansing branch, Ypsilanti branch and Fort Wayne branch. The office of the chief train dispatcher will be at Hillsdale [rather than Jackson], from which point all trains on these branches will be dispatched. [DFP-1882-1010]