The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-10-22


development; but the charter of the "Har-
ford Co. Railroad Co." should include the
privilege of branch roads, in any advanta-
geous directions. The branches which
would be likely to he called for earliest. are.
one via Thomas Run and Deer Creek, to
the Susquehanna; one up the valley of
Winters Run, to The heart of the mineral
region near Jarrettsville; and one to navi-
gable water on Bush river. This last
would serve for the conveyance of lumber,
coal and such other bulky articles as might
be more cheaply and conveniently trans
ported, to or from the point where tide
should be reached, by water than by the
Philadelphia railroad. AS this branch
would have but little business (time being
so valuable in modern transactions it
would not be worth constructing, were its
length greater than few hundred yards
The road from Bel Air to the vicinity of
Edgewood, would probably be between 10
and II miles in length and would require
one or more bridges Including bridges,
culverts, sdings, water thanks, freight depot
and offices, &C., the total cost (Which it is
well to look squarely in the face of this
trunk road, and with single track, COM
pleted in the best manner, would probably
be near or quite 100000 per mile. 1t is
believed that an ample supply of locomo-
tivcs and cars could, if desirable, be pro-
cured for less than $4,000, while there is
every reason to believe that the Philadcl-
phia, Wilmington & Baltimore Co. would
furnish these and run our road on fair
terms, if invited to do so. There is also a
very strong assurance that the Philadel-
phia Co. would subscribe for 100000 of
our stock, if sufficient additional stock to
insure the completion of the Hartford coun-
ty trunk line should be subscribed for by
individuals. $150,O00 would accomplish
this end; for with $3.50, 900 paid in and
judiciously invested, there could beno diff
ticulty in raising, on mortgage bonds, the
remaining sums requisite for the compile
ton and equipment Of the main STEM
The branches could be subsequently under
taken, when those more Immediately inter
ested in such prolongations should be pre-
pared to subscribe literally therefor. And
it is well here to remark that the compile
ton of the trunkline to Bel Air, by so
greatly increasing the facilities ofapproach
to the Thomas Rum Deer Creek and min
eral regions, would lead to large accessions
those districts, and thus accelerate the
construction of the proposed branches
The Hartford county railroad is by no means
antagonistic to the long agitatcd scheme of
an independent through road from Balti-
more to Philadelphia. But, it having been
found impossible, at present, to raise the
means for the construction of this through
line, with its heavy grades, numerous deep
cuts, embankment and bridges, &C., is it not
the part of wisdom to avail ourselves Of the
best mode of Accommodation, within
the scope of our ability, and to welcome
any assistance we can obtain from without
Should no aid, beyond that of the Phila-
delphia, Will, and BALTIC. Co., be obtained
from abroad, it is very obvious that the
property holders and business men inter
ested will be repaid manifold the $150,000
requisite to place the completion of the
trunk-line beyond hazard.
Without resorting to any exact calcula-
tons (Which are often illusory and aslikely
to excite distrust as contidence) it is en-
ough to state that all property, sufficiently
near the stations (Which should not be more
than 2miles apart of the proposed railway
north of the Philadelphia turnpike, would
be greatly benefited, and this would be
especially the case with mills and facto-
ries and suitable sites for these. Indeed
it is well known, to the writer, that the
owner of a Touring mill, below the turn
pike and but little more than two miles
from Edgewood is anxious for and willing
to contribute to this Hartford Co. railroad
The benefit, moreover, will by no means be
restricted within the narrow limits above
specified. The convenience and saving
will be felt for distances, according to di-
rection, of from 8 to Is miles from our
county seat. But, it is Bel Air and its i'm
mediate vicinity that will super-eminent-
ly profit. The cheapness and celebrity with
which her merchants, mechanics and man
ufacturcrs will be enabled to obtain goods,
materials and staples, as well as to forward
agricultural produce, artizans' product and
manufactures, to and from the great cities
of the coast; together with the palpable
enhancement of her desrability as resi-
dence, due to the pleasant, cheap and rap
id means of intercourse with the great
marts of commerce and centres of intellec-
tual activity, will cause her to spring for
ward with bound in population, improve
ments and wealth. This vigorous growth
will very soon enrich every considerable
land holder; while even owners of small
homesteads will partake in the gain conse-
quent upon the reduction in the price of
groceries, fuel, &C., and the facilities affor-
ded for employment and travel. Besides
property-holders, merchants, mechanics and
manufacturers every business man, every
professional man and even every loafer (if
such there be in SO industrious a commu-
nity) ought to be sufficiently alive to the
merits OF this undertaking to be willing to
subscribe at once to the extent ofhis ability.
Let therefore a meeting be called, at an
early day-say Immediately after the cleo
tion-to appoint canvasscrs to visit every
one who may be directly or indirectly in
terested, SO as to ascertain conclusively
whether Hartford county, and especially
Bel Air, belongs to this or a by-gone fossil
age9 OFFER.
NEkD nADJ ICrnoN MI,