Wikipedia:WikiProject Trains/ICC valuations/Artesian Belt Railroad

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The railroad of Artesian Belt Railroad, hereinafter referred to as the carrier, is a single-track standard-gauge steam railroad, located in the southern part of the State of Texas. The owned mileage extends south from Macdona to Christine, a distance of 42.215 miles. The carrier also owns 3.481 miles of yard tracks and sidings, or a total of 45.690 miles of all tracks. In addition, the carrier uses under trackage agreement the main track of the International & Great Northern Railway Company between San Antonio and Kirk, a distance of about 16 miles.

Corporate history.—The carrier was incorporated on November 17, 1908, under the general laws of the State of Texas for a period of 50 years. Incorporation was in the interest of C. F. Simmons, in connection with the development of his land holdings in the south central section of Texas. The stated purpose of the corporation was the construction of a railroad from Macdona, Bexar County, in a general southerly direction to Simmons City, Live Oak County, a distance of about 70 miles. From the inception of the road to November 4, 1910, control was in C. F. Simmons, now deceased. Since that time the carrier has been controlled by the executors of the Simmons estate, in which capacity the Commonwealth Bank and Trust Company of San Antonio. Tex., has served since September 13, 1916. The carrier's principal office is at San Antonio.

On July 8, 1915, a receiver was appointed to take charge of the property. On October 20, 1915, the receiver was discharged. Again on April 25, 1917, as a result of a petition filed by the Simmons estate, W. W. King, of San Antonio, was appointed receiver. He has been in control of the property since that date.

The accounting transactions included herein pertain only to the period since February 1, 1911. The carrier kept no reliable records for the period prior to that date. Information as to the development of the carrier's fixed physical property is given in Appendix 2.