Excursion #1 - Historical Paper Items from the Rio Grande Southern Railroad

Historical Paper Items from the Rio Grande Southern Railroad
Mark L. Evans Collection

Recently I was lucky enough to purchase a group of documents from the day to day operation of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. I find these very interesting in that they provide us a glimpse into the day to day operations of the railroad. They are a kind of snapshot in time if you will. I have had an interesting time while trying to decipher the hand writing on a few of these. If you find I have missed something feel free to send me an email with your interpretation.

I have also included items from the collections of John Hitzeman and Bill Borrello who have offered to share thier collections with us.

Bill Borrello Collection

This is an early Bill for Voucher. The document number is 1945. This document is interesting int hat it's for the purchase of a lidgerwood hoist. The document is from 1893.

Bill Borrello Collection
This is an early Bill for Voucher. The document number is 1945. This document is interesting int hat it's for the purchase of a lidgerwood hoist. The document is from 1893.

John Hitzeman Collection

This correspondence is from the desk of A.C.Ridgway, General Manager of the RGS Railroad. The leter is addressed to A.S. Meldrum, Superintendent of the RGS Railroad. He is complaining about the high amount of over-time paid out in November of 1906.

This is a bill signed by E.T. Jeffrey, then President of the D&RG, the man for whom the "Jeffrey Spike" is named. This was a "misnomer" as it should be the Greer Spike

This is a bill for printing services to the Rio Grande Southern from the Gazette Printing Company of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The bill is dated January 31, 1893.

Bill for voucher for payment to the Gazette Printing Company of Colorado Springs, Colorado. This one is signed by Otto Mears and dated 1893.

Bill of voucher to the Graden Mercantile Company of Durango, Colorado. This voucher is especially interesting because it is signed by both Otto Mears and Thomas Wigglesworth. Looks like grocery supplies for some hungry track crews. The voucher is dated 1892.

Bill of voucher for 223 RR ties from Hallack and Howard, marked as Mexican Pine. The ties were delivered at Glencoe, and approved by W.D. Lee.

Invoice signed (approved) by W.D. Lee. Interesting items on this invoice are the cost of the scoop shovels, the descripton "#5 Chis.(el) Loco. Scoops", the notation of the D&RG car (standard gauge) the shovels were shipped in, and that the freight due the D&RG was $1.00.

Bill of voucher for payment of the locomotive scoop shovel invoice.

John Hitzeman Collection
This correspondence is from the desk of A.C.Ridgway, General Manager of the RGS Railroad. The leter is addressed to A.S. Meldrum, Superintendent of the RGS Railroad. He is complaining about the high amount of over-time paid out in November of 1906.
This is a bill signed by E.T. Jeffrey, then President of the D&RG, the man for whom the "Jeffrey Spike" is named. This was a "misnomer" as it should be the Greer Spike
This is a bill for printing services to the Rio Grande Southern from the Gazette Printing Company of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The bill is dated January 31, 1893.
Bill for voucher for payment to the Gazette Printing Company of Colorado Springs, Colorado. This one is signed by Otto Mears and dated 1893.
Bill of voucher to the Graden Mercantile Company of Durango, Colorado. This voucher is especially interesting because it is signed by both Otto Mears and Thomas Wigglesworth. Looks like grocery supplies for some hungry track crews. The voucher is dated 1892.
Bill of voucher for 223 RR ties from Hallack and Howard, marked as Mexican Pine. The ties were delivered at Glencoe, and approved by W.D. Lee.
Invoice signed (approved) by W.D. Lee. Interesting items on this invoice are the cost of the scoop shovels, the descripton "#5 Chis.(el) Loco. Scoops", the notation of the D&RG car (standard gauge) the shovels were shipped in, and that the freight due the D&RG was $1.00.
Bill of voucher for payment of the locomotive scoop shovel invoice.

Mark L. Evans Collection
1) - Bill for voucher to the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad for work performed in the shops in Salida, Colorado. It appears to be payment for labor of 26 hours. The document is dated August 31st, 1892. This document has Otto Mears' signature!
1a) - Bill collectible from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad to the Rio Grande Southern for work performed in the D&RG's Salida Shops.. The document is dated August 31st, 1892.
2) - Bill for 200 lbs. of Atlas Powder from the Repauno Chemical Company, Denver, Colorado. The document is dated December 12th, 1900.
3) - Letter from Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Company of Chicago thanking RGS for order of carriage and machine bolts. This document is dated November 19th, 1900
4) - Letter from Manhattan Electrical Supply of New York City inquiring about an order. This document is dated December 24th, 1900.
5) - Letter from the owner of the New Sheridan Hotel in Telluride, Colorado. I think he is ordering a car or two loaded with coal. If you have any better luck making it out let me know. This document is dated October 13th, 1901.
6) - Statement sent to RGS from Clark & Hottel Mill & Elevator Company of Montorse, Colorado. This document is dated July 1st, 1900.
7) - Letter from Hughson-Merton, Inc. soliciting the RGS's nut, bolt, and washer business. This document is dated May 16th, 1901.
8) - Invoice from the Denver Dry Goods Company for Shade Cloths. This document is dated December 1901.
9a) - Invoice for repairs on a typewriter from Wyckoff, Seamans, Benedict of Denver, Colorado. This document is dated February 18th, 1895
9b) - Voucher to pay invoice listed above as 8a. This document is dated January of 1895.
10) - Invoice from Park, Brother & Co. Limited of Denver, Colorado. This document is dated December 16th, 1898.
11a) - This is an early version of advertising literature. A representative of Koons, Schwarwz & Co. is trying to sell the RGS a tie plant. The tie plant is based on a new process that is explained in this document and the following two articles. This first document is a letter of introduction from teh owner of the company. This document is dated September 7th, 1901.
11b) - This is an early version of advertising literature. A representative of Koons, Schwarwz & Co. is trying to sell the RGS a tie plant. This document describes the pricing of the tie plant in question. This document is dated September 7th, 1901.
11c) - This is an early version of advertising literature. A representative of Koons, Schwarwz & Co. is trying to sell the RGS a tie plant. This document describes the process used to treat the ties. The process described is called "The Ferrell Process." This document is dated September 7th, 1901.

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