The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-02-09
THE HARTFORD COUNTY RAILROAD.


between Bel Air and Magnolia was agitated,
two years ago, nearly one half of the amount
necessary to make the road had been sub
scribed, and it was clearly evident that with
increased exertions the whole amount would
he forthcoming. We have every reason to
believe that equal eXertions, at this time,
would meet with greater success. A railroad
from Magnolia, terminating at Bel Air, would
for q time at least, add more to the business
of the place than one passing through it; but
at the same time we do not think its benefits
should be confined to small section of
country if it is possible to increase its length,
and thus add to the prosperity of greater
portion of our county. In the former case
such railroad, having its terminus at Bel Air,
from the character of the country through
which it would pass, must necessarily rely in
a great degree for its traffic upon the country
surrounding Bel Air. If therefore, road
concentrating as at focus the traffic of the
country for few miles around here could
be proftably worked, it seems obvious, from
the nature of country between this place and
the Susquehanna river, that it's continuation
to that point would make its success greater
and more permanent, inasmuch as the trade
could not then be headed off by any so.called
"air line" or other road built by some gigan.
tic corporation, and worked exclusively for
its own benefit.
Instead of combining the benefit of the
railroad to Bel Air and the country immedi-
ately surrounding it, let the project take
broader range. In everything tending to the
permanent establishment of paying railroad
the region between Bel Air and the Susque-
hanna is unsurpassed by any section of the
same area in Maryland. Between the points
indicated are lands now producing large crops
of grass and cereals, and susceptible of the
highest degree of fertility and productiveness
The many handsome building sites through
this section would be eagerly sought by the
Weather business men of Baltimore city, as
summer resorts. The section alluded to is
also rich in mineral deposits. Undeveloped
beds of iron ore, chrome, feldspar, &C., await
opening and transportation. Many valuable
water powers lie idle and useless, which, with
the advent of railroad, would be vocal with
the hum of industry.
No little interest is felt by the people of
the central portion Of the county in regard
to a railroad, and we are assured that they
are able and willing to subscribe literally
towards the construction of such o road
The distance between Bel Air and Magno-
lia by the route as surveyed two years ago,
is about ten miles. From Bel Air to the riv-
er, the last route surveyed, we understand,
shows distance of fourteen miles, Thus a
road through our county would only be twen-
ty-four miles in length. Assuming that 49,
600 could be raised for railroad terminating
at Bel Air, we feel safe in saying that as much
more could without difficulty be raised for
the section between this place and the river.
With $150,000 subscribed towards road
which would add so largely to the material
wealth of the county, we might with propri-
ETY. appeal to the county to issue its bonds
for an amount at least equal to that raised
by private subscription.
The estimated cost of the through road
would be about $33 900 per mile, making
for the "a miles of road traversing the heart
of Hartford county, about 100000. This
amount would doubtless be sufficient to place
the road in complete running order, and it
would then be owned and controlled by Har-
ford county, and in her own interests.
The benefits of a road connecting this neigh
borhood with the Philadelphia and Baltimore
Central and with the Columbia and Port De-
post railroads would be solid and permanent.
1t would furnish to the farmers of this Sec
ton ample supplies of that most reliable of
all fertilizers-lime, and that too at prices
enabling them to use it freely. In the items
of coal and lumber, Also thousands of dollars
now invested in expensive teams, could be
diverted into other and more profitable chan.
nels. This through route, connecting with
the Columbia and Port Deposit railroad,
would shorten the distance, by several miles,
between the coal and lumber regions of Penn.
sylvania and the city of Baltimore, so that
no doubt exists that the immense traffic which
will pass over the Columbia and Port Deposit
road, when completed, would seek the short
er and safer passage over the Hartford county
railroad. 1t would thus be guaranteed a
profitable through trade, as well as its own
local business.
We have not the slightest doubt that such
road would receive ample assistance from
the Pennsylvania Central railroad, which
corporation has controlling interest in the
Columbia road.
Instead, however, of waiting, like Micaw-
Der, for something to turn up" the people
of Hartford, if they would secure to them
selves the full measure of prosperity which
we believe would attend the construction of
railroad through our county, must set to
work for themselves, and that at once and
diligently When we show to the people of
Baltimore that we are willing to do all in
our power to help ourselves, the aid of the
city will be granted. Until we do this it is
useless to solicit aid in that or any other
quarter.
The RAILROAD QUEsTIoN-We publish
this week communication with the above
caption, to which we invite the attention of
our representatives in the Legislature, as well
as our readers generally. The suggestions
made by our correspondent are eminently
practical, and his familiarity with the sub
ject entitle his views to consideration.