25/05/2026
Mann's Bo***ir Car Co. signed by William D'Alton Mann - 1886 dated $1,000 Uncanceled Railroad Gold Bond
William D’Alton Mann, a Civil War officer, editor, and inventor, organized the 1st Mounted Rifles, 5th Mich. Cavalry, and Daniel’s Horse Battery in 1862. He also organized the 7th Mich. Cavalry and Gunther’s Horse Battery, forming the Mich. Cavalry Brigade. As a colonel in 1862, he improved troop accoutrements for the US and Austrian Armies. Mann was a pioneer cotton-seed oil manufacturer and a proprietor of the Mobile Register. He patented the bo***ir car in 1871 and introduced it to Europe. He organized the Mann Bo***ir Car Co.-NY in 1883, which was later bought by Pullman Co. This $1,000 Gold Bond dated 1886 is engraved by Franklin Bank Note Co.-NY and signed by Mann as President. The bond features attractive coupons and a female vignette on the back.
William d’Alton Mann (September 27, 1839 – May 17, 1920) was a Union officer during the Civil War, businessman, and publisher. He enlisted in the 1st Michigan Cavalry and became a captain in August 1861. Later, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 5th Michigan Cavalry in August 1862 and raised the 7th Michigan Cavalry, becoming colonel in February 1863. He fought at Gettysburg under General Custer.
After the war, Mann joined the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and settled in Mobile, Alabama, where he pioneered cottonseed oil manufacturing. He ran for Congress as a Democrat but lost due to federal denial of his certificate.
In 1871, Mann moved to New York City and developed Mann’s Bo***ir Car, a railroad sleeping car. He promoted it in Europe and sold it to the Pullman Company. Later, he published the Mobile Register and popular magazines like The Smart Set and Town Topics. However, Town Topics’ credibility suffered when Mann admitted in court that he allowed wealthy individuals to buy immunity from unfavorable coverage. In 1906, The New York Times reported that Mann claimed to have received loans from millionaires, including $25,000 from William K. Vanderbilt.
