Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-07-17

NORTHERN CENTRAL RAILROAD.
The following is on extract from second
communication by our correspondent "Penn.
sylvania," which embodies some interesting
facts relative to the history Of the Northern
Central Railroad -
"The Northern Central Railroad is con-
soldation OF four several railroads, chartered
by the States OF Marylond and Pennsylvania.
The branch Of the road from Bridgeport, op-
poste Harrisburg, TO Sunbury-hfty-four
miles--was chartered by the Commonwealth
OF Pennsylvania on the l4th Of Apiil, 1881.
a convention Of gentlemen friendly to the
project was held at Sunbury on the 10th oil
May following, before the organization OF the
company, with a view TO promote its success.
This meeting was harmonious, and steadily
prosecuted their object, and tho company
was finally organized on the 10th Of June,
1852, when Gen. VIM. + Packer, now Gov.
erncr. was elected President, and A. b. War
ford, Esq, was appointed Chief Engineer. in
which capacity be acted up TO the final COM
pletion OF the road.
THE first proposals for the grading and
masonry of the road were received at Sun
bury on the 10th of November, 1852. On
the oath Of the same month contract was
entered into with Messrs. Dougherty, Lau-
man. Travers and Barnum, for the execution
of tie work and on the 22d oE February,
1853, it was commenced.
In the spring Of 1884 the work was sns-
pended for want Of means; and alter many
unsuccessful efforts TO raise money, the idea
was conceived Of consolidating the Susque-
hanna :oad with the other roads between
Harrisburg and Baltimore, and forming one
company of the four This was q happy
thought, and proved propitous, for after the
e. nt
raised, and the work was steadily prosecu-
ted. Shortly before the consolidation Gen.
Simon Cameron became the President OF the
Susquehanna road. After the consolidation
Hon. Jno. p. Kennedy, Of Baltimore, was
elected President He resigned about year
ago, for the purpose of making trip to
Europe, and was succeeded by Genus Bar.
NUN, Esq, the present presiding olilcer oi
the company.
.'rhe acts of consolidation passed the Leg
islaiures Of Maryland and Pennsylvania re-
spectvcIy in March ard April Of lS5l. under
its present tide Of the Northern Central
Railway Company" The four companies
composing it are the Baltimore and Susque-
hanna, chartered by the State of Mary Land in
| 1928; the York and Msrylaud Line, incor-
| porated by the State Of Pennsylvania in
| 1882 the York and Cumberland, 10y Penn
sy'Vahia III 1910 nnu Tue OuSVuehauuu lOuu,
! 10y Pennsylvania in 1851.
"Orignally it was contemplated to extend
! branch Of the Susquehnnna road from Sun.
| bury TO L0wisburg. A contract was allotted
/ TO MIR. NJ. Burk, of our borough and consid.
! cradle work was done on the branch, some
| thirteen thousand dollars being expended
| After the suspension Of the work in the
! spring Of 1854, the iJca of completing this
| branch was abandoned. The charter Of the
| Northern CeutrAl road does not embrace it,
! This is concise and correct history oI
/ the Northern Central Railroad. 1t is an i'm
| portant link in a great chain now, but when
/ 1t becomes connected with the Lakes by the
! completion Of the Sunbury and Erie road, il
| will become the leading thoroughare from
! the great northwest to the Atlantic cities
| 1t will be the most direct and shortest route
/ by many miles"