The person or persons for or on whose account any such railroad, canal, turnpike, bridge or plank road may have been or shall be purchased, or the persons holding title to the same by mesne conveyances from such purchasers, or a majority of such persons or vendees may call a meeting of such person or persons, or vendees, at such time and place as a majority in interest of them may in writing appoint for that purpose, giving public notice of the time and place of such meeting, at least once a week for two weeks, in at least one newspaper published in each of the counties in and through which such railroad, canal, turnpike, bridge or plank road may run. At the time and place so appointed, such majority may organize such new corporation by electing a president and board of six directors, to continue in office for one year succeeding such meeting, and annually thereafter, on the same day of the month, a like election for president and six directors shall be held to serve for one year. At such meeting such majority shall adopt a corporate name and corporate seal, determine the amount of the capital stock thereof, and shall have power and authority to make and issue certificates therefor to the persons in interest, to the amount of their respective interests therein, in shares of fifty dollars each.

Such new corporation may then or any time thereafter, create and issue preferred stock to such an amount, and at such times as they may deem necessary, and from time to time issue bonds at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent per annum, to any amount not exceeding their capital stocks and secure the same by a mortgage of the property, rights, powers, privileges and franchises of such corporation.