The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-10-01

Of the residents OF the Garden Spot who
arc stockholders in or ara interested in
the continuance Of the ferry, was held
in the vacant store room at the corner
Of Penn and Virginia streets. About
fifty or sevsnty'liVS persons were pres
ent, representing nearly 800 Of the
$40 shares Of stock Of the Wheeling L.
land Ferry & Packet Company. Mr.. j,
b, SOmmOrVille was called to tue chair
aud Secretary Noise, Of the ferry COM
pany, acted az clerk.
MIR. sommervlh opened the meeting
by giving briefly the condition OF the
ferry company. He SAID the board oil
directors haa been trying TO keep the
boat running in the face Of many OBJ
sIRClss, aud that the support gwen the
board has not been all that could bG
iairiy expected, and the burden IL now
30 great that it cannot longer be carried
by tho board without assistance. Out
side oil the $4,000 indebtedness covered
by the notes, thure 10 additional in'
debtadness amounting to nearly II 900,
which musE bs disposed OF in some
manner. In addition, II the boat IL 10
continue, extensive repairs will soon be
necessary. Concluding, Mr., sommer'
vile said:
Something must be- done, or the boat
will be tied up tonight"
At the conclusion Of the chairman's
report there was an inquiry for au
itemized statement nom the secretary,
showing Just how the boat had Iuu be.
hind. 1t WAS stated that 4 complete re-
port had been prepared Tor hestockhold'
ers at the meeting called for the Jerry
float about throe months ago, bu. only
handful OF psoplO responded then.
However, it was stated that tho main
portion OF tho indebtedness had been
incurred before tho present board Of
directors took hold last January. Since
tho first OF the year the boat had made
little money each month, but during
the past month there had been a heavy
falling Oh in traffic on account OF the
guarantees Of the oVer.the'riTer towns
against Wheeling.
Mr.. G. 0. Smith called attention to
tho irregulariLy OF tho meeting, and
claimed that nothing legal could DO
done.
DR.. Myers. president OF tho board oil
directors, took the floor and explained
the situation. When the present board
took hold there was IN indebtedness OF
$1,000. In addition there was an over
draft in bank Of about 81 900. The boat
WAS making running expenSes but a
number OF old bills, OF which he know
nothing, had still further increased the
debt OF the company. For this reason
the boat was gradually running behind,
and during state fair week the patron.
age was very disappointing. The 5000
indebtedness in notes and the over.
draft still exist and in addition repairs
must soon be made, 80 that altogether
5000 is neeled. This" said Presi.
dent Myers, "is all the statement the
stockholders need. A president | will
step out to-day unless steps are taken
to wipe out this deDE."
DR.. Myers said further that somO
Island people do not seem 10 appreciate
what the board OF directors has been
doing for them. Some patroniEs tho
bridges while the others are carrying
on the fight against the bridges. lie
said it IL the duty OF the citizens who
forced them to accept positions on tho
board to come to their rescue. Now Is
the time 10 say 80, too, or the boat will
be tied up. Ii 5000 is raised the boat
will continue. Each month 400 tickets
ut 80 conts are sold, making the income
from that source 500. Tho operating
expenses OF the ferry arc Sl5 per day.
The transient traffic has not been enough
lately to make up the deficiency.
Mr.. Sommeryie said that tue Island
ers by Loyalty supporting the ferry can
secure transportation to aud from tue
Island cheaper than by patr oniSing the
bridges The trouble is, he said, too
many people expect others to make
their fight Tor them,
Mr.. G,iTen said that the fight eemod
to be an uphill struggle, and no would
move that the directors DO directed to
sell the Charleston. Mr.. Z. Il. Hubbard
seconded tue motion.
For minute it looked ~ though this
motion would 60 through. but nh OBJ
lection was interpreted to the cdoCt that
this was not regular meeting OF stock.
Whether u majority OF tho stock was
represented. Mr.. &. 0. Smith spoke in
tho same strain and said that any &C.
ton taken would not be legal aud could
be enioinod.
Finally tho secretary went after his
slockbook. After weary calling oi
names it was ascetlnined that only 2jG
Of tho $40 ShRrus had answered to the
call. a few who had not answered
brought up the stock represented tt
about 800 share.
Mr.. Gillcu Withdrew his motion Ia
soil tho boat and moved instead that all
present DO given an opportunity toSub'
scribe to tho support OF tho ferry com.
pany. THIS wNl carried, but Captain
Mccoy asked for m expression OF 0pin'
ion from tho stockholders present,
whether or not tho boat should
continue. Worry few voted on
tho question, but II was de-
clRrsd carried II was thon de-
CdGd 10 prepare subscription papers
and raise 5000. but after further dis
custom II was decided 10 ondoavor Ia
raise 5000 so TINT tho ferry company
would be entirely freed from debt. A
| little bnthuOiaam was manifested whom
several gentleman said thoy would
donate tho amount thoy WorO liable fol
on tho 50, 900 note. 500 each, aud ollicru
announced they would subscribe $50
Tho paper was circulated and over 500
Wau Rubgcribod bUforQ tho meeting ad.
| jOufnOi
Tloro will be four subscription papers
In tho handB uf lout commiLlcSB who
will push matters to-day. ono commit.
teO will DO Stationed ~ tho . toe bridge,