An act to incorporate the Sangamon Cole Bank Bridge Company.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly.

That all such persons as shall become subscribers to the stock herein after mentioned, shall be, and they are hereby constituted and declared, a body corporate and politic by the name and style1 of the Sangamon Cole ^oal^ Bank Bridge Company; from and after the passage of this act, and by that name they and their successors shall, in law be capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answer and be answered in all courts and places whatsoever; and they and their successors may have a common seal, and may alter and change the same at pleasure; and also they and their successors by that name and stile shall be in law ^15^ capable, of purchasing[,] holding[,] and conveying any ^16^ estate real and personal ^which may be &c^ for the use of said corporation but the said real estate to be holden, shall be such only, as shall be necessary to promote or attain the object of the corporation.

Sec. 2. That the capital stock of said company shall be three thousand dollars, divided into three hundred shares of ten dollars each, and James F. Reed, Gershum Keys, Thomas J. Knox, William Pickrell[,] and Thomas Simpson of Sangamon county and Samuel Nesbit of Macon county are hereby appointed commissioners to receive subscription for the said stock; and such subscription shall be opened at such times and places as the commissioners or a majority of them shall

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appoint, by notice to be published in the Journal and Register papers printed in the town of Springfield, at least twenty days before the time appointed. If the requisite number of shares shall not be subscribed for at the time and places appointed for such subscription, said commissioners or a majority of them shall take such measures for completing such subscription as they may deem expedient and proper. Every subscriber shall at the time of subscribing pay to said commissioners the sum of one dollar for each Share subscribed, and the remainder at such times and in such sums, as the interest of said company may require.

Sec. 3. As soon as two thirds of the shares shall be subscribed the said commissioners shall give notice thereof in the manner aforesaid, and appoint the time and place in such notice for the subscribers to meet, for the purpose of choosing a treasurer, clerk[,] and five directors. Every Stock holder shall be entitled at such and all other elections to one vote for each share to the number of ten, and one vote for every five additional shares, which votes may be given in person or by proxy At the election to be held as aforesaid, the said commissioners or such of them as may attend shall be inspectors and their certificate of the names of persons elected shall be conclusive evidence of such election.

The first Monday in the month in which such election shall be held shall be the aniversity day of all subsequent elections of such officers. A majority of the directors so chosen shall be a quorum, and shall be capable of transacting the business of the corporation: any act of the majority shall be binding on the corporation.

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The said directors when elected as aforesaid shall immediately proceed to elect one of their number as president, and the said president and directors may meet from time to time, and shall have power to make such by laws[,] rules[,] and regulations as shall be deemed expedient and proper for the well ordering of the affairs of the said corporation. Provided the same be not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State and the United States.

Sec. 4. The said corporation is hereby authorised and impowered to erect a bridge over the Sangamon river at the coal bank, crossing where the road leading from Springfield to Decatur crosses said river.

Sec. 5. The said President and Directors or other persons imployed by them may enter upon and take possession of the land on each side of the river where such bridge shall be erected. And the said corporation on taking possession of such land, and on receiving a conveyance there of, shall pay the value of so much of the same as may be necessary for making and erecting said bridge, and establish a gate, toll house[,] and other works necessary for said bridge: and in case of disagreement between the parties as to such value, the same shall and may be apertained by three disinterested free holders of the county who shall be appointed for that purpose as may be agreed on by the parties, and shall be sworn to make a Just valuation thereof.

Sec. 6 As soon as bridge shall be completed it shall be lawful for said corporation to erect a gate at the end of said bridge and demand and receive the same rates of toll as is allowed by the County Court of Sangamon county to ferries

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kept on said River. Provided that all persons citizens of Sangamon County shall have a right to cross said bridge in going to or returning from any muster or election in said county, and all grand and petit Jurors in going to and returning from Courts shall be permitted to cross said bridge free of toll.

Sec. 7. If any person or persons shall wilfully or maliciously do or cause to be done any act whatsoever whereby the said bridge or any thing appertaining to the same shall be impaired, injured, or distroyed, the said person or persons so offending shall forfeit and pay to the said corporation treble the amount of damages occasioned thereby, to recovered by said corporation with cost of suit in an action of trespass in any court having competent Jurisdiction thereof.

Sec. 8. If any toll gatherer shall unreasonably delay or hinder any travelor from passing said Bridge, or shall demand or receive more toll than is allowed by this act he shall for every such offense forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding ten dollars with cost of suit to be recovered before any Justice of the peace of said county for the use of the person hindered or defrauded

Sec. 9. At any time after the completion of said Bridge, the County Commissioners of Sangamon County shall have the right to purchase said bridge, by making the same free to all persons crossing the same, by paying to said corporation the cost of constructing the same, with ten per cent interest thereon