Smyrna times., 1869-09-08


aud sacrament on Saturday at the hands of
Rev. Mr.. Wilson, Methodist minister. Pres- |
dent Grant was telegraphed for at Saratoga,
but arrived in Washinton an hour after the |
decease. Mrs Rawins is lying very i'll in
Connecticut, and cannot be in attendance. We
will give a sketch of his life next week.
BALTIMORE AND THE EASTERN SHoRE-A
New RAILROAD ROUTE RECOMMENDED. 1t
is now generally known that Baltimore is get
ting its eyes open TO the Importance of retain
ing the Eastern Shore trade, at the eleventh
hour when railroad communication with Phil
adelphia has been or is about to be establish
ed with every town of importance this side of
the Chesapeake. Some time ago there was a
proposition before the Councils of that city to
contribute $500, 600 out of the city funds to aid
in the construction of railroad from Elkton to
Massey Cross Roads. Pending the considera-
tion of this measure the Mayor and a commit
tee of the Councils came on tour of investi-
cation in July, and since then an engineer nam
ed Wingate has been prospecting through the
whole Peninsula to determine the most feasible
project. Instead of deciding in favor of the
road above proposed he is recommending
new route which the Kent Nelcs describes as
follows:
We understand that Mr.. J. 3. Wingate, at
the instance of committee of the city council
of Baltimore, has been examining the routes
over which additional railroads would have to
be built to connect the Queen Anne with the
Maryland and Delaware road, and the latter
with the roads below on the peninsula, in order
to afford more direct communication with Bal
tlmore by way Of the proposed railroad from
Massey's to Elkton ; and that after examining
these several routes, he has recommended an
other, and shorter way of reaching Baltimore,
and one which, in his Judgment, would secure
to that city larger share of the Eastern Shore
trade than any other that could be adopted
He proposes to start from Salisbury, and thence
by way of Sharptown and fredericksburg to
Denton, thence to Greensboro, Beaver Dams,
Church Hill and Chestertown, to Rock Hall.
This route has the advantage of commencing
at Salisbury with 55 miles of railroad now built
and in operation, viz 80 miles of the Eastern
Shore and % OF the WicomicO and Pocomoke
road, both of which arc having additions made
to them. 1t crosses the Dorchester and Della
ware Road at fredericksburg, and the Maryland
and Delaware Road at Greensboro also cross
es the Kent and Queen Anne's Road near the
HeWett farm. The distance by this route is
661 miles to Chestertown, there connecting
with the Kent County Railroad, l21 miles tC
Rock Hall, making the distance of 70 miles by
rail, and 20 miles by steamer to Baltimore, OF
total distance of 90 miles against l73 miles BY
way of the Delaware Railroad to Wilmington
and the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti
more Railroad to Baltimore-tbus shOi0inQ
sGrin9 of "A miles from Salisbury to Baltimore
The route passes for the most part fertile sec
tioR of country, which is at present destitute o
railroad or water communication, except wher
it crosses rivers or railroads at right angles
The cost will be $4,000 per mile.
We hardly think Baltimore can regain tha
portion of the Eastern Shore trade it has al
ready lost or retain whatit now enjoys. Thes
exertions are entirely too late. Elkton, Ches
tertown, Millineton, Centreville, Easton, Cam
bridge, Salisbury, Princess Anne, Berlin an
other large towns are all enjoying railroad CON
municaton with Philadelphia, or will enjoy
within tA, Il, Al six months in all probability
while the Baltimore project could not be con
pleted under eighteen months or two year
Thus Philadelphia will have its route establish
ed before Baltimore could have its project con
menced. And suppose the Elkton and Ma
sey's Cross Roads scheme is carried out;
would place only portion of the Eastern Shol
from Centreville to Elkton-nearer to Bait
more. And even then it would be quite
near Philadelphia; Ekton, the terminus
the proposed road, is just about half way
tween the two cities, SO that Philadelph
would stand much better chance in point
trade. Only such passengers and freight
desired to go to Baltimore would patronize I'll
line, and even in this the more direct al
cheaper water communication would out-riN
it,iusthe summer season. Ii seems to US its p;
ronage would be too limited to be proftab
And suppose Mr.. Wingate's project is CARR
out. It is true that greater extent of the Ea
ern Shore would be brought by shorter ror
to,its metropolis by rail, but this is counterb
aneed by the twenty miles Of water cemmu
cation-aiways serious obstacle in the way
railroads. AL freights would most probal
have 10 be reshipped from cars to boat, a
,,cs persa, with the prospect of having ira
interrupted during the winter season by j
Rat there IL far less prospect of this projt
owing to its greater extent and cost. ow
40 the cheap water communication with Ba
,nore we cannot see how these proposed r
~osds eotid be made TO pay at5 s1e'ts