Rare “Certificate #1” Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad Stock Certificate (1895)

Own a standout piece of American rail-finance history: this is Certificate #1 from the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad Company, issued to Dr. Charles Hartshorne on May 2, 1895. It’s a truly special example—one of a kind in this presentation—and it was later signed by Hartshorne on the reverse, documenting his share transfer in 1897.

Issued to Dr. Charles Hartshorne

Dr. Charles Hartshorne was a prominent Pennsylvania businessman, railroad official, and wealthy investor. He served as an early leader of the system and helped guide the venture that was backed by railroad financiers aiming to reach valuable coal reserves in the Choctaw Nation.

• Predecessor presidency (1889): became the company’s president two years after the venture’s early beginnings.
• Board involvement: remained heavily involved after the 1894 reorganization and served on the board.
• Legacy namesake: Hartshorne, Oklahoma was founded and named in his honor along the line.
• Personal note: he is also the grandfather of the later theologian and philosopher Charles Hartshorne (same name).

About the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad

The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad was a major late-19th and early-20th-century U.S. rail system, connecting Memphis, Tennessee through Arkansas and Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) to the Texas panhandle.

Key Railroad History (Collector-Friendly Overview)

• Origins (1888): started as the Choctaw Coal and Railway Company to haul coal from mines in the Choctaw Nation.
• Reorganization (1894): after financial trouble, reorganized on August 24, 1894 as the CO&G.
• Expansion (1895–1901): rapid track building from Oklahoma City westward, reaching Amarillo by 1902.
• Rock Island acquisition (1904): acquired and leased in April 1904, eventually absorbed into the Rock Island Route.

Certificate Details

• Certificate: Certificate #1 (one of a kind in this offering)
• Company: Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad Company
• Date Issued: May 2, 1895
• Issued To: Dr. Charles Hartshorne
• Reverse Signatures: signed by Hartshorne on reverse documenting share transfer in 1897

Collectors Love It For One Big Reason

This isn’t just a vintage rail certificate—it’s a top-rarity “Certificate #1” tied to a key railroad leader, complete with the later transfer signature on the reverse. If you collect railroad scripophily, 1890s American finance, or documented provenance, this one belongs in your lineup.