Washington Central Railway Co. signed by Charles S. Mellen and George H. Earl - 1898 dated Autographed Stock Certificate

Stock signed by Charles Sanger Mellen as president and Geo. H. Earl as secretary. 25 cents revenue stamp on back. Rare!

This company, established in 1898, was formed to acquire the assets of the bankrupt Central Washington Railroad. The railroad operated between Cheney and Coulee City, Washington, and was under the control of the Northern Pacific Railway Company.

The Washington Central Railway Company, also known as the Central Washington Railroad, was a subsidiary established by the Northern Pacific Railway to operate and expand a crucial branch line through the fertile agricultural regions of eastern Washington. By 1898, the line had become a vital artery for transporting wheat and other agricultural products from the “Big Bend” country to major markets. It connected towns like Davenport and Almira to the broader transcontinental network. This year marked a significant milestone for the company as the Northern Pacific formally integrated its branch line operations following its own corporate reorganization out of receivership in the mid-1890s.

During this period, the Washington Central played a pivotal role in the intense competition between the Northern Pacific and James J. Hill’s Great Northern Railway for dominance in the Pacific Northwest. The railway’s infrastructure facilitated rapid settlement and economic growth in Spokane and Lincoln counties, providing the first direct rail communication for many isolated communities. While the Washington Central Railway Company eventually merged its operations into the Northern Pacific system in the early 20th century, its 1898 status represented the peak of regional branch-line expansion that shaped the development of the Washington state interior.

Charles Sanger Mellen, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1852, rose to prominence as an American railroad executive. His journey began at the tender age of 16 when he joined the Northern New Hampshire Railroad as a clerk. Mellen’s exceptional administrative skills and aggressive management style propelled him through various leadership roles. He served as the general manager of the New York and New England Railroad and later became the president of the Northern Pacific Railway from 1897 to 1903. During his tenure at Northern Pacific, Mellen significantly increased the company’s revenue and modernized its infrastructure. Notably, he proudly wore “the Morgan collar” as a symbol of his unwavering loyalty to financier J.P. Morgan.

In 1903, Mellen assumed the presidency of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Under his leadership, the company embarked on a massive and controversial consolidation effort aimed at monopolizing all New England transit. Mellen acquired nearly every regional railroad, steamship line, and electric trolley, expanding the company’s reach. However, this expansion came at a steep cost, leading to staggering debt that rose from $14 million to $242 million by 1913. Deferred maintenance also contributed to a series of fatal accidents. These “Morganization” tactics ultimately triggered federal antitrust lawsuits and sparked public outrage, particularly from figures like Louis Brandeis. Following Morgan’s death and intense legal pressure, Mellen resigned in 1913 and retreated into private life before his passing in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1927.

George H. Earl was a secretary of many Northern Pacific railroads including Duluth, Crookston and Northern Railroad, Duluth and Manitoba Railroad, Fargo and Southwestern Railroad, Helena and Jefferson County Railroad, Helena and Red Mountain Railroad, James River Valley Railroad, Jamestown and Northern Railroad, Little Falls and Dakota Railroad, Northern Pacific, Fergus and Black Hills Railroad, Northern Pacfic, La Moure and Missouri River Railroad, Rocky Mountain Railroad of Montana, Sanborn, Cooperstown and Turtle Mountain Railroad, and the Spokane and Palouse Railway.

Read More

Read Less