Chap. 179.—An ACT to incorporate the Western Branch Railway
Company.
Approved February 19, 1886.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
S. B. Carney, Jno. T. Griffin, William F. Wise, Henry Kein,
James Wagner and L. D. Ames, and E, D. Hargrave and E.
J. Driver, of Nansemond, and Wright B. Carney, of Norfolk
county, their associates, successors and assigns, be and they
are hereby declared a body politic and corporate, by the name
and style of the Western Branch railway company; for the
purpose of locating, constructing, equipping, maintaining and
operating a railway from some suitable point on the western
branch of the Elizabeth river, in Norfolk county, Virginia, to
some suitable point on or near the Nansemond river, in Nanse-
mond county, Virginia; thence to some point near the head-
waters of the western branch, and following its course back to
the point of beginning.

2. Said company may build its road by such route as it may
deem most advantageous and expedient, and shall have the
right to cross any navigable stream in its route: provided, a
draw, sufficient not to impede navigation, is placed in its
bridges over such streams.

3. Said company shall have (subject to the provisions of
section twenty-five, chapter fifty-six, Code of Virginia eighteen
hundred and seventy-three) the right to cross at grade, over or
under, intersect, join or unite its railway with any other railway
now built or constructed, or hereafter to be built or constructed,
at any point in its route upon the ground of such railway com-
pany, with necessary turnouts, sidings, switches and other con-
veniences, in furtherance of the object of its construction, by
and with the consent of the company.

4. The said Western Branch railway company shall have
perpetual succession, and a common seal, which it may renew
or alter at pleasure, and it shall be entitled to all the rights and
privileges conferred, and subject to all the restrictions imposed
by the laws of Virginia, as far as the same are applicable and
not inconsistent with this act.

5. It shall be lawful for said company to acquire in subscrip -
tions to the capital. stock of said company, or by donation,
money, lands, land or other damages, labor, work, material,
bonds, other means available for that purpose; and to receive
subscriptions from individuals, other companies, associations
or corporations: provided, that corporations chartered under
the laws of Virginia, and doing business within the limits of
this commonwealth, shall not be allowed to make such sub-
scriptions; and the said company may sell, lease, or otherwise
dispose of, any lands or properties acquired under this section:
provided, this section shall not be so construed as to authorize
said company to acquire, by purchase or otherwise, in any
county or corporation, more land than is necessary for the
operation of said company as a common carrier.

6. It shall be lawful for any incorporated company to aid in
the. construction of said railway, and for that purpose may
acquire the bonds of said company; and it may run, use or
operate, by lease or otherwise, any railway or transportation
line upon such terms.as may be agreed upon.

7. The capital stock of said company shall be three hundred
thousand dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars
each. In all meetings of the stockholders each share shall be
entitled to one vote. Said company may, with the consent of
a majority of the stockholders, increase its capital stock from
time to time an amount necessary for constructing and operat-
ing such railway; such increase to be made at a regular or
called meeting for the purpose; and upon such notice as may
be necessary and proper.

8. Said company shall have power to borrow money to such
an amount as it may deem proper and necessary; and to issue
for any loan, debentures or bonds of the company bearing in-
terest, at such rates per annum as the company may determine.
Said debentures may be expressed in dollars or pounds ster-
ling; and to secure payment of such loan or loans, said com-
pany may execute one or more mortgages or deeds of trust on
the whole or any part of its property,real, personal and mixed,
its charter rights, franchise and income.

g. The corporators herein mentioned shall have the power
and authority of a president and board of directors, for the
purpose of organization of said company, and for all other pur-
poses, until a president and board of directors shall be selected
at a stockholders’ meeting; and such meeting shall be held after
such notice as the said incorporators may deem proper. The
said incorporators may elect one of their number chairman, who
shall have all the powers and authority of president of said
company, and in all matters a majority of said incorporators
shall control. :

10. The said Western Branch railway company shall com-
mence work under this act within one year, and complete the
same within five years from the passage of this act; otherwise
this act shall be null and void. °

11. This charter shall at all times hereafter be subject to
amendment or repeal, at the pleasure of the general assembly;
and it is agreed that said corporation takes and accepts this
charter of incorporation upon the express understanding and
condition that the said corporation will pay all taxes, dues and
demands due the state at any time hereafter in lawful money of
the United States, and will not tender or pay coupons therefor.

12. This act shall be in force from its passage.