Docket books

Arranged by case number, which is essentially the page number on which the case can be located within a particular volume.

In the course of executing its duties and functions, the board heard numerous cases involving various aspects of railroad operation in the state. Many of these cases were brought before the board by individuals, associations, cities, towns, or villages against specific railroad companies. These cases dealt with such issues as excessive transportation fees, discriminatory freight rates, breaches of contract, back charges levied on freights, unfenced roads, unsafe railroad crossings, or unsuitable accommodations on passenger cars or trains. Other cases were brought before the board by railroad companies, and many of those cases dealt with applications to increase a given company's capital stock.

This series consists of six bound volumes that record the dates when various records pertaining to railroad cases acted upon by the Board of Railroad Commissioners were received or sent by the board. The docket books date from 1883 through 1907. Earlier volumes for the years 1855 to 1857, when the board was first created and abolished after only two years, are presumably lost. The docket books contain entries pertaining to accidents investigated by the board as well as resolutions made by the Legislature and proposed legislation placed before the board by the governor, who wanted to obtain its recommendations.

The docket books do not, as a rule, document recommendations, awards, and decisions made by the board. Rather, they document the dates when various documents pertaining to a particular case, complaint, legislative resolution or bill, or accident were received or sent. Case entries will usually include the name of the individual association, city, town, or village making the complaint and the railroad company against which the complaint is made; a brief description of the nature of the complaint (or accident, legislative resolution or bill, etc.); date when correspondence initiating board action was received; dates when additional pertinent supporting documents were received or sent by the board and from or to whom; date of the board's decision; date when a copy of the decision was sent and to whom; and the date when the matter or case was closed.

The correspondence to which the docket books pertain is presumably lost. Volume one includes occasional abstracts of the board's decisions or recommendations as well as majority and minority reports of board members.

All volumes are indexed alphabetically by subject.

Container list.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.