Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the A. H. and William Gibboney Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: A. H. and William Gibboney Letter, Ms2008-070 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The A. H. and William Gibboney Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the A. H. and William Gibboney Letter occurred in September, 2008.

Historical Information

The Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad was created in 1870, after much lobbying by Confederate General William Mahone, by the merger of the Norfolk and Petersburg, the Southside, and the Virginia and Tennessee Railroads. The Panic of 1873 disquieted bondholders, which inevitably led to the AM&O's purchase by a Philadelphia investment banking firm in 1881 who renamed it the Norfolk and Western Railroad. After filing for bankruptcy, the Norfolk and Western Railroad was incorporated as the Norfolk and Western Railway Company in 1896.

Scope and Content

The A. H. and William Gibboney Letter consists of one handwritten missive sent from Tazewell, Virginia, by A. H. and William Gibboney to W. R. Wharton, Esquire and concerns the nonpayment of certain workers that left the corps of the Norfolk and Western Railroad. The letter is believed to relate to the Norfolk & Western, though it makes no explicit mention of any railroad by name. The Gibboneys also ask to first receive payments due to money already forwarded to former workers. Mentioned individuals include: Captain DeRusey, Major Dade, Rees Bandy, Rees Crockett, and Jim Heath.