Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-05-06
county hesitate to decide winch OF the
two projects he will favor.
We already have railroad commnni-

county hesitate ~ ueClue WHAe1 VA sA10
two projects he will favor.
We already have railroad communl-
cation with Frederick and need no 9TH
er; a more direct would prove disad-
vantageous rather than otherwise. IT
the road be extended to Frederick,
Middletown Valley aoiU not secure a
railroad it was tried once and failed.
Should, however, the road be built to
and through the Valley, we leave it to
our business men to estimate its worth
both to the people of that section and
to us; "a statement that both will be
decidedly benefited is one of automatic
truth.
One word then move in this mat
ter, decisively and with energy; give
it careful thought ard we have no fear
as to resulting conclusions. Think and
act promptly; the time and conditions
are propltious.
That Frederick is moving in this
matter may best be Judged by the fol
lowing extracts from an editorial in
the Times of last week. 1t has this to
say:
"OUR New RAILROAD Once again an OPP
poItunity Is presented to the citizens OF
Frederick of availing themselves of railroad
advantages, the securing of which must re.
dound to the incalcuablc benefit of our city"
After referring to lost opportunities
and present disadvantages it says:
"For the third, and probably the last time,
similar opportunity is presented to us.
Let us profit by past errors and retrieve in
the future our loss. The line Of the new
railroad is now definitely mapped out from
Mechanicstown to Lewistown. From here
it is proposed to take an abrupt turn, cross
ing Catoctin near White Rock, and proceed
to Middletown. Now we have no objec-
llOu W DClA5 pitiNCo III wiz
route, in fact we think it ought to be there,
but we do seriously protest against Freder
erick beng left seven miles south of the
line. OfCourse we can not expect the Of
ticials to bring their road to Frederick when
they can save seven miles of line and secure
an easy and economical approach to the
mountain, by another route, unless Freder-
ick offers them inducements by subscription
or contribution and this Is the very point to
which we invite the attention of our readers. v
The possible future Of the road it
then discussed in the following terms :
Let this line run from Gettysburg to Har-
per's Ferry and from there to Washington
as is now proposed and our city will have
direct communication with Harrisburg and
Philadelphia north of us, with the capitol
and other points south Of US, within easy
access. Let this b. done at once"
That the project is receiving atten-
ton elsewhere We have shown by ex-
tracts from the city papers and now
give an extract from the Baltimore
Herald:
The Catoctin md Clarion, in speaking OF
the possible southwark extension of the new
line of railroad between Mechanicstown, on
the Western Maryland road and Catoctin
Furnace, urges with obvious truth that this
extension should be in the direction of Mid
dletown. This step would afford the resi-
dents of the beautiful and fertile Middetown
valley the needed facilities for dsposing of
its agricultural products, ard would enable
the exquisite scenery and historical associa-
tons of the valley to be enjoyed by visitors
without tedious journey over mountain
roads The ultimate southern terminus OF
such line as described would probably be
Harpers Ferry, where connection could be
made with the Baltimore and Ohio. BY eX-
! tending the same line northward from Me
chanicstown to Gettysburg the valley would
be placed within easy reach of Harrisburg
and all points of Pennsylvania"
With all this interest and yet other
to which we may only refer, assuring
our people that the, as yet, undevel-
oped interest is even the stronger and
more practical, can it be questioned
that every kindly interest and influence
should be exerted by every citizen who
is in a position to further the project
by securing the favor of those most In
terested, the people along the line from
Catoctin Furnaces to and through the
Valley?