Chap. 91.—An ACT to incorporate the Norfolk, Willoughby Spit and Old
Point railroad company.

Approved January 18, 1896.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That Charles
H. Barritt, H. L. Page, W. A. Barritt, junior, James Goodwin and
Ivor A. Page, and such other persons as may become associated with
them in the manner hereinafter provided, shall be, and they are
hereby, constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of the
Norfolk, Willoughby Spit and Old Point railroad company, and by
that name shall have perpetual euccession and a common seal,
which they may alter and amend at their pleasure, and may sue
and be sued, plead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted
with, purchase, hold, and grant estates, real and personal, and
make ordinances, by-laws, and regulations consistent with the
laws of this state and of the United States, for the government of all
under their control, and for the management of their estates and the
due and orderly conduct of their affairs; and by that name shall
have all the powers, rights, and franchises necessary and proper to
locate, construct, equip, maintain, and operate a railroad of such
gauge as they may elect from the city of Norfolk to Willoughby Spit,
and from Willoughby Spit to Old Point, Virginia, and from Ocean
View to Willoughby Spit, on Chesapeake bay; and the above named
corporators are authorized, either in person, or by agent or agents by
them appointed, to open books and receive subscriptions to the
capital stock of said Norfolk, Willoughby Spit and Old Point rail-
road company.
2. The said company shall have the right to purchase, lease, char-
ter, hold, equip, furnish, and operate one or more steamboats or othe!
vessels for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a ferry be:
tween Willoughby Spit or Ocean View, in the county of Norfolk, and
Old Point, Hampton, or Newport News, Virginia, and may convey
and transport passengers, teams, vehicles, freight, and all othe:
things and persons, which, in the opinion of the board of directors
it may be desirable to convey and transport; and the said company
shall have the right to charge and collect, by due process of law.
such reasonable tolls, rates, or charges for such conveyance or trans-
portation as the board of directors may prescribe.

8. The capital stock of said company shall not exceed fifty thou-
sand dollars, to be divided into shares of the par value of one hun-
dred dollars each, each share to be entitled to one vote at all stock-
holders’ meetings, and whenever fifty shares have been subscribed
the subcribers may organize the company by electing a board of di-
rectors and president, and electing and appointing such other off-
cers as may be necessary for the management of the affairs of the
company; and thereupon they shall have and exercise all the gene-
ral powers and functions of a corporation, and be subject to all the
restrictions imposed by the general laws of the state applicable to
internal improvement companies, except the same be inconsistent
with this act.

4. The capital stock of said company may be increased from time
to time by the board of directors to such amount as they may deem
necessary for the interests of the company, not exceeding the maxi-
mum capital stock prescribed by this act, and the board of directors
shall have power to borrow money and to issue bonds or other evi-
dences of indebtedness therefor, in such sums, payable at such times
and places, and bearing such rates of interest, as may be deemed
most advantageous to said company, and may secure the same by one
or more mortgages or deeds of trust on the road, franchises, income
and the real and personal property of the company, or such part or
all parts thereof as may be designated in the deeds of trust, mort-
gage or mortgages.

5. It shall be lawful for said company to acquire in subscriptions to
its capital stock, or by donations or otherwise, lands, property, ma-
terials or labor, and to receive subscriptions from other companies,
associations or corporations in stock or otherwise, and to make such
arrangements as may be agreed upon by the respective boards of di-
rectors of said companies, associations or corporations for the in-
ducement of sale, exchange or consolidation of stock and lands as
will facilitate the construction and operation of said road: and the
said company may sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any lands or
other property acquired under this section at their pleasure.

6. The said company may acquire, hold by lease, purchase, con-
demnation or otherwise such real estate as may be needed for its
purposes, and may build thereon such docks, wharves, warehouses
and other structures as may be necessary or proper.

7. It shall be lawful for said company to consolidate with any
other railroad company heretofore incorporated or hereafter to be in-
corporated in the state of Virginia, and to lease any other railroad
or railroads, or the right of way over the same.

8. The said company, by the acceptance of this charter, hereby
agrees to pay all taxes, dues and demands due the state that may
hereafter be assessed against it in lawful money of the United
States, and not in coupons.

9. The road shall be commenced within two years and be com-
pleted within five years from the passage of this act.

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