Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-25
THE CONNECTING LINK.
Yesterdays Trip Over the New Road t
 Meriden.

Yesterdays Trip Over the New Road to
 Ee Meriden.
 Yesterdays meeting of the stockholders of the Meriden & Cromwell and Meriden & Waterbury railroad at Delevan's opera house, Meriden, was someting more than an important business meeting. It was 8 pleasant excursion, fraught with humor- ous and exciting incidents, and was heart fly enjoyed by the 300 people who were present from this city, The train left the Dublin street crossing at 1 o'clock, and by a gentle grade rose to the level of Scovill ditch, near the tan shop pond. The road there follows the side of the pond to Silver street, under which it passes. Following the river it soon strikes the Plank road near Harper's ferry, and then plunges into the woods, following a small stream. It is about six miles to the top of Cheshire mountain, along which distance the scenery is comparatively common place, but the moment the top of the mountain is reached and the heavy grade on the other side is met the face of the country changes. At about the crest of the mountain 8 number of lodges of brown stone are met, between which are deep gull lies crossed by trestle work. The road curves around and around, giving gimp ses every little while of Cheshire centre, costly nestling among the hills, and at times it seems as though the train was re- turning to Waterbury, so rounding is the road. The character of the soil also changes, the yellow sand of this section giving place to dark red loam, which in plowed fields contrasts pleasingly with the changing green of the rye and wheat
 fields. From Cheshire centre, where the new road crosses the New Haven & North ampton railroad and the old canal, the grade is an easy one into Meriden. The run was made in about 45 minutes, and the passengers were met at the West Main peReS iHp and nately harmless accident, to the opera house. It took but few minutes to eff feet the consolidation of the two railroads, which consolidation affords Waterbury di- rect communication with the Connecticut river, with all the attending advantages. The agreement fixed the second Tuesday in November, beginning in 1888, as the time of the annual meeting, made the title of the corporation the Meriden, Water bury & Connecticut River railroad com pany, and named the following as the first board of directors: H. 0. Wilcox, G. R. Curtis, Samuel Dodd, c. L. Rockwell, and A. Chamberlain, of Meriden, and A. S.. Chase, H. L. Wade, E: D. Steele and H. A. Matthews, of Waterbury. Officers were | den, president; B. D. Steele, of Water bury, vice-president; George Rockwell of Meriden, secretary and treasurer; c. L. Rockwell and A. c. Chamberlain, of Meri- den, auditors. The Waterbury party were then invited over the Meri- den & Cromwell railroad to the river.
 The latter road is much more level than the Waterbury section, and is laid along through swampy ground for the first few miles. As soon as the hills are crossed necticut it is almost level and the country around presents very pleasing aspect, the ideal Connecticut farming country. On every side an waving fields off green dotted here and there with apple and pear trees in full blossom, the pink and white petals showing beautifully against the green ba ck- ground of the hills and the snug low-eaved farm houses giving the whole scene most comfortable and homelike appearance Ten miles of run brings the passengers to the end of the road, Cromwell docks, two miles above and across the river from Middletewn. The water front at this point is claimed to be the best dockage along the river, there being about 6 feet of water. The sight of fishing boat loaded with seines and rowed by two weather beaten men in oilcloth brooches suggested shad, and the visitors spread around to secure some. Only three of the fish could be secured, P. T. Hayes, securing two and J. w. Mcdonald one. The return was com menced at 4:45 p. m. and with 8 single stop at West Main street crossing at Meri- den continuous run was made to this city the train arriving here at 6:1O.