Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-07
The Railroad to the Point of Rocks.

The Rockville Ssati mel publishes an interest.
ing correspondence between A. Il. Da Wis, ESQ,
of Montgomery county, Nd, and Mr.. Benja-
min H. Latrobe, Consulting Engineer of the
BaltmCre and Ohio Railroad, in relation to the
construction of branches of said road from
Point OF Rocks to Washington City via Rock
Vile, and to BALTIMORE CITY via Laurel Mr.
Davis, in letter TO Mr.. Latrobe, dated July
20, 1eoe, refers to former communication OF
ms, written several years since. upon the ad =
vantage and importance to the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, and the public, of an early con-
sfrncuOn OF branch road from the Point of
Rocks through Montgomery county, Md, -
the Laurel Factory, on the Washington branch
lead. In that letter he ventured the opinion
that in the location of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad up the narrow and tortuous valley of
the Patapsco, and over the high point of Paris
Ridge AZ Mount Airy-a name significant OF its
elevated position-the company "had made q
mistake and thar the route through Mont
gomery county would be found considerably
shorter, Of much lower grades, and of large,
SAFE, and easy curvature-thus securing
higher rate of speed, with perfect safety 70 pas
sengers and greater capacity for burthen trains
than II was possible 10 obtain in the narrow
and winding valley Of the Patapsco. To this
may now be added much fewer culverts and
bridges, and perfect freedom from the danger
and damage Of parallel water courses.
Mr. Davis then says, in reference 70 the re-
cent freshet: ssStrongly as thee views were
then impressed upon my mind from being an
eyewitness 10 the sudden rise In the Patapsco
on Friday last and seeing the Immediate effect
IN stoppage OF trains ana arrestlng travel ana
transportation. with sucn discs strous results as
followed, the correctness OF these views re-
ceiyed fresh and most impressive confirmation
AT the point at which I reached the road on my
way to Baltimore, Hoods MIlls,) rs wide per.
haps as any other point, the whole valley, from
hill to hill, was in little more than thirty (3O)
minutes completely flled with the resistiess
and roaring torrent, submerging the road TO the
depth OF many feet, defying all obstructions,
and madly and turiously carrying Oh all before
II, including bridges, culverts, platforms,
houses, mills, and even a large iron car.
weighing over 1900 pounds, resting on the side
switch, and apparently far out of the reach
OF danger. II was not. however, until the
waters subsidized, that the extent of damage
As far as could be heard, both up and down,
the damage was as great, If not greater, than
where stood, and the papers Of to-day more
than confirm for thirty-fve miles this sad pic
ture OF ruin and destruction Could an account
be stated OF the cost OF the company in altera-
tons, Improvements. and repairs in this mar
row and serpentine valley for the last thirty.
sos 70 Say a. sns most
not the shadow Of a doubt il would show q sum
more than sumcient to have built the Lau rel
route through this county, for which ample
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, but which
thus far has only provoked spasmodic efforts,
and caused tan Alizing hopes in our people,
and offered healthful and invigorating field Of
practice and amusement for the junior mem.
bers of the engineering corps Of the company.
Looking TO the character Of its charter, ii being
perpetual, conseq uently the long life before the
eompany-to its large and rapidly increasing
business I'm the transportation of freight and
passengers, to the great improvements in con.
struction and machinery, and the active com.
petition both North and South in other lines OF
railroads-it does seem TO my unprofessional
observation that II Is not the part Of wisdom
persIstentiy 10 adhere TO what experience has
proven 70 be Sc bad, expensive, and dangerous
q location as that adopted when railroads were
In their infancy, and when its enterprising and
patriotic founders had not the lights and expe-
rlence OF the present day 10 warn and guide
them from the rocks and narrow and serpentine
gorges into which their want of experience
unwisely led them Particularly IL this un-
wise, when nature, Legislation, safety, economy,
and the wants Of the people all combine and
offer and afford q shorter, safer, and cheaper
route"
Mr.. Latrobe replies, August 9th: "Your
letter Of the 26th ultimo hasbeen forwarded 70
me here, and while take pleasure in express.
lng my entire concurrence in the views il SO
well sets forth OF the superior advantages Of
the route you describe, am glad 70 say that,
at an interview with Mr.. President Garrett
since the late disastrous flood in the valley Of
the Patapsco, j was informed by him that the
line referred to was being actually located. I
have only TO express the hope that ITS construc.
ton may not be long delayed, tor the consider.
able shortening Of distance, easier curves, and
reduced MAXIMUM grade, must make il the
main line OF trade and travel 20 the West from
Baltimore as well as Washington, the branche
10 each city meeting at Gaithersburg, about
halfway between the Point of Rocks, and elth.
ct Washington on the one hand, and the Laurel
Station on the other"
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