Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-05-25
nALTImonE 4 OHIO RAHROAD-

AAAE EADDhohUNs
In our paper last we@ our readers had
an imperfec. and hasiy sketch of our late
trip over the B. a o. Railroad and some Of
its connections, 10 Washington and Mount
Vernon. We now propose to say a little
Of the road, which is one of the mightiest
achievements of the skill Of engineering,
and the ultimatum Of perseverance over
almost insurmountable obstacles that has
marked the nineteenth century, either in
this or any other country.
The city Of Baltimore is second only to
New York for its commercial facilities, and
in some respects it is superior to New York.
The canals Of New York and Pennsylvania
had so far progressed in 1926, that the
trade Of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys
which had naturally found its outlet at Bal
timore, began to be transferred to the
cities Of Philadelphia and New York, and
the business men Of Baltimore began to
see that there was danger Of its being en-
tirely diverted from them. Among their
citizens were men Of giant mind and large
resources, who had the ability to project and
the nerve to carry forward project that
should be lasting monument Of their wis
dom and foresight. Philip E. Thomas, a
Quaker merchant of great wealth, and
Thos. Brown, another distinguished mer-
chant, were the first to lay out this grand
scheme and they both lived to see it COM
pleted. A meeting of commercial men
was held, and an able report made, recon-
mending the building of road to connect
the Ohio and the Chesapeake, which was
adopted. The Legislature of the State of
Pennsylvania granted them perpetual
charter of incorporation, and on the 4th
day Of July, 1928, the corner stone of the
work was laid by the venerable Charles
Carroll, of Carrollton, then over 30 years
of age. Afterthe ceremony was completed
he addressed his friends in these memora-
bic words: 81 consider this among the most
important acts of my life, second only to
my signing the Declaration of Indepeud-
ence, if even it be second to that" He
lived to see the road completed to Cumber-
land, Nd, distance of 17s miles and to
ride over it. The first section of the road
--l2 miles-was completed in May, 1880,
and was considered the greatest wonder of
the day. Among the distinguished per-
sons who interested themselves in its prog
ress, was Baron Crudener, the Envoy from
Russia, who made such report of it to his
Sovereign, that the great railroad from Mos
COW to st. Petersburg was projected, and
Thomas Winans of Baltimore was selected
by the Emperor to build it.
The first protector of the B. q O. Rail-
road Philip Thomas, lived tosee it complet-
ed and to ride over its whole length. The
capital stock of the road is of almost fabu-
lous amount-$S2, 100000. The length of
the main line from Baltimore TO Wheeling
is $40 miles. It has two or three import
ant branches, and the whole length of the
B. & 0. Road as now worked and run by
the Company is 745 miles. The grades
on the road are in some places most won
derful, the heaviest grade is 500 feet to the
mile, the longest continuous grade is from
Piedmont to Altamont, II miles, in which
distance grade of 1882 feet is overcome
AT Altamonte is the highest summit,
where an altitude of 2,7oo feet has been
reached, and here the waters flow in one
direction to the Atlantic Ocean, and in the
other to the Gulf of Mexico. There are
1876 iron bridges between Baltimore and
Wheeling, together with 1904 feet Of
mountain tunnelling. The number of per-
sons employed on the road is about 5000.
The receipts of the road have been about
. 100000 annually; but the past two years
have been only about four millions.
The present efficient President of the
road is j. W. Garrett Esq, of Baltimore,
VIM 10 iuiiy COtupotout W tno lhipOfAdnb pO-
sition. Of the many and efficient officers
there are none who have the ability to dis
charge their high trust more fully tested,
and clearly demonstrated, than VIM. PRES
coTT SMrTH, Master of Transportation, on
whom deyolves the whole procurement and
accommodation of the trade and travel
Of the road, with the local rates of charge
therefor, the preparation Of the time tables,
which, over road of some 80 daily trains,
is itself most complicated and important
trust, together with all the varied details
connected with the actual working opera
tion of the vast line of 745 miles.
Mr.. SMITH projected the late plan of Civ
ing to the editors of the West, South, and
Southwest, an excursion over the line Of
their road 1t was warmly seconded by the
officers, and steps we're Immediately taken
TO put il in execution and carry it through on