The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-05-18
The Baltimore and Delta Narrow. Gaug,
Railroad.


The Baltimore and Delta Narrow. Gauge
Railroad.
The meeting of the friends of the above
named railroad held at the Court House, last
Saturday, was very interesting, and, we believe,
gave new impetus TO the work.
Nearly all the prominen: railroad men of
Hartford county were present, ana Baltimore
county was represented by Col. 7. Sturgs Davis,
Col. Edward F. Jenkins, Chas. T. Halle and
others. Hon. Stevenson Archer was called to
the chair and Charles W. Norris appointed Sec.
rotary.
Upon taking the chair, Mr.. Archer assured
the meeting of his interest in the road, and
spoke earnestly in favor of narrow-gauge rail
roads. He believed the proposed road was en-.
tirely within the power Of the people of Hartford
county to build, and anarrow-gauge road would
accomplish more towards giving them material
wealth than broad-gauge road would. The lat
ter if built would soon become u through route,
ana in the effort to compete with other through
routes, local interests would be neglected. A
narrow. gauge road, on the contrary, would soon
an essential TO the people of Hartford and become
Baltimore counties, and depending for its success
upon the people along its line, the mutual in
terests of both would be conserved.
Col Stump, chairman of the committee to
consult with the authorities of the Swami Lake
Narrow Gauge railroad and the unfinished por-
ton of the Maryland and Pennsylvania road
reported that the committee had met the
committee of directors of the first named
road, aud found them fully alive to al
the advantages which making this road
would be TO them They had expended $50, 900
in the construction of six miles of their road,
which was graded to within 200 yards of the city
limits. The right of way had also been
obtained to within three squares of Boundary
avenue, Baltimore, The gentlemen repre-.
senting the road, although not authori-
zed to conclude any arrangement, assured
the committee of the willingness of their
stockholders 10 transfer their entire rights
in the road to the new company for $50 600 in
stock, and receiving in addition aproportonate
representation in the board of directors of the
Baltimore and Delta company.
In reference to the unfinished road between
Towsontown and Cromwell's Bridge, Col. I.
Sturgis Davis stated that the purchaser, Mr..
Walter Scott, would dispose of his interest in it
on satisfactory terms, and was ready to make a
proposition when there was any body auhori-
zed to conclude bargain.
Mr.. VIM Ii. Waters, on behalf of committee,
reported that they had secured the services of
Mr.. s. g. Boyd, former President of the York
and Peach Bottom Narrow Gauge Railway Com
pany, had furnished him horse and buggy, and
that Mr.. Boyd had been at work for several weeks,
with great success.
Mr.. Boyd, who was present, stated that there
had been subscribed $780, $50 of which $75, $50
was obtained in Hartford and SIT 900 in Baltimore
county. The amount in Hartford county had
been mainly subscribed between La Grange and
the Little Gunpowder, on what is called the
Twining's Valley and Sandy Bottom route, but
portion of this would be available for that or
the Bel Air route. On the Twining's Valley
route 81 600 per mile had been subscribed, but on
the Bel Air route it was expected that subscrip.
tions would exceed this average.
Several subscriptions were then named by
gentlemen which increased the total to sos, $50.
This sum, added to the $50, 900 subscription by
the Baltimore and Hampden Narrow Gauge com
pany, if accepted would swell the subscriptions
to grand total Of Sl5S, $50.
Mr.. Boyd spokei the most encouraging man
ncr of the enthusiasm and interest displayed by
the people OF Hartford county, and asserted that
it fully equalled the interest shown by the peo-
pie Of York county during the canvass for their
road. The SUBSCRIPTIONS were general but not
cXtravagant, WHICH he regarded as an encourage
ing feature, Mr. Boyd has been at work four
weeks, and during that time has increased the
subscriptions S2O650, or nearly double the
amount secured for the Peach Bottom road in
the same time. He urged the committees to
push the matter forward as vigorously US posi-
BILE, and induce the people to subscribe all they
intended at once. An organization, he said,
could be effected by September next q survey
made and contractors put to work this fall
Track laying could begin the following June,
and by the succeeding Christmas the cars could
be running. Very little canvassing had been
done on the Bel Air route yet, and it was deem
ed advisable to prosecute the canvass among the
farmers through Hartford and Baltimore counties
before harvest, and during harvest approach
Bel Air and Towsontown,
Mr.. Boyd also gave his views in relation to
completing the half mile of road between Delta
and the Maryland line, and stated that from
$4,000 to 500 600 could be raised along the line
of the Peach Bottom road.
Col. Davis, one of the corporators, spoke
earnestly in favor of the road. He said there
was nothing in the way of its success but want
of confidence. The people along its line are rich
enough to build It themselves, without selling
dollars worth OF bonds outside the two coun-
ties, and then 1t could be managed in their in
terest. He spoke of the disadvantages of living
on the line of great through road, in the die
elimination against local freight and travel and
in favor Of the termini of the road.
On motion The committees were continued, and
requested to continue their negotiations with
the unfinished roads which, 1t is expected, will
form portion of the new line.
meeting was announced TO take place at
Robert Dworth's Store, Long Green, on Satur-
day, May 10Th, at O'Clock, P. NJ at which ad-
dresses will be made by Col. Herman Stump,
Col. T. Sturgis Davis, Mr.. s. G. Boyd and
others.
The meeting then adjourned, to re.assemble
at the call of the chairman