The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-06-16


feet above the surface Of the stream. This
brings the line to the foot Of the grade. This
point Is 1872 feet lower than New Freedom. The
highest point on the line ia lSs feet above New
Freedom. From the Gunpowder We have
level grade for half mile, then an ascending
grade Of 70 feet per mile, for two miles, passing
Groves paper mill, thence along the race to
kroh's dam, where the Gunpowder breaks
through Dughill, and short distance above
the dam, we pass by ]. W. Traey's mill, Geo.
Hartman and Tracy's farm aud ore Bank, which
is II miles from New Freedom. From this
point We have an ascending grade up the Gun
powder branch Of Is feet per mile for the first
mile, with very light work, to Benjamin Peter
mans, and from this point the grade is in
creased TO 81 feet per mile, TO the Hanover
turnpike, which is near the summit ridge.
The work from the Gunpowder to the Pike Is
very light, the distance being nearly Eve miles.
The Hanover Pike is las feet above the Gun
powder at Groves, and "a feet lower than the
starting point at New Freedom. Before reach
ing the Turnpike, we pass Bixler's SPRING
house aud dwelling, the Guapowder heading
about mile beyond. From the Hanover Pike
the line deseends in a straight direction for the
ore banks, and the grades vary with the rise
and TALL Of the country, giving a maximum
grade of90 feet per mile TO the ore banks, with
but few deep excavations, and high embank-
ments, none, however, TO exceed 20 feet upon
n location, and through a fertile and highly
cultivated aud productive valley, Astounding
in tho finest quarries OF limestone and orc.
The entire distance from New Freedom Station
TO the Chestnut Hill ore banks is l44 miles /;
most of the line passes along on high grounds,
through broad fields, rich in soil. and uxuriant
in crops Of grain and grass. There are com
handing eminences and varied high grounds
along this cultivated and fertile valley, and
they present beautiful sites for dwellings for
persons for recreation or retirement
Should the line be completed beyond the ore
banks Ia the direction Of Westminster, through
country Astounding In rich and extensive
mines of iron ore, which will create no small
amount OF transportation.
From the narrowness OF some of the valleys,
or bottom lands on the west side Of the Gun
powder, which continues its zig gag course TO
the terminus, these zig rags of the streams
through the bottom land NAV be Strengthened,
and the earth so taken employed in the forma.
ton Of the road bed. From the limited time
employed in making the survey for this line,
the details of construction as well as those OF a
more practical location. must necessarily de-
yolvo on a more strict and further examination.
But so far as regards the general basis for the
location of the route, ! am confident, II cannot
vary very materially from the present line Of
exploration. By the map and profile accom-.
panying this report, il will be seen that the
character of the country from New Freedom
to the ore banks is most favorable for the con.
struction of a Railroad-and it Is estimated
that road may bebuilt for the following sam
Es,iRGted Cost from Men Freedom to Ore Bank
--Disidaee l4k Hies