(RAILROADS) Letterbook of the Pittsburg Shawmut Northern Ra

Sale 2455 - Lot 238

Unsold

Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600

(RAILROADS.) Letterbook of the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Rail Road. [37] manuscript index pages, 699 pages of carbon transfer copies (not collated). 4to, original 1/2 calf, moderate wear, rebacked with tape; only minor wear to contents. [Pittsburgh, PA?], 1899-1902

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This letterbook dates to the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Rail Road's founding year. Its main line extended from Brockway in western Pennsylvania to Wayland in western New York. They faced serious financial problems almost from inception, declared bankruptcy circa 1905, and struggled along under a receiver until 1947. This volume includes carbon copies of letters from several PS&NRR executives including president John Byrne. Most of the letters are typed and quite legible. A few letters also relate to Byrne's coal mines. A long 20 June 1902 letter discusses negotiations with "the former editor of an Italian newspaper" to bring 50 miners who are presently "nearly all working on the Subway," as an alternative to "some sort of promise of Swedes from Brooklyn, which we don't think much of."