The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1890-12-06
Projected Railroads-what is Westminster
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| Doing
The citizens of Middletown, over in Fred
erick county, held a large meeting last Satur-
day to consider ways and means to build a
railroad from that town TO connect with the
| Western MARYLAND Railroad at Rocky Ridge.
| At this point branch road runs to Emmits.
burg, and the citizens of that place also held
a meeting last Saturday, to consider the build
ing of railroad, eleven miles, to Gettysburg.
| The people along the lines of these projected
roads are reported as being alive to the bene-
fits to be derived from their construction, and
| from Middletown it is expected to extend the
line to Washingtown.
There will not be more than one road built
from Gettysburg to Washington in the near
| future, if ever, and if the citizens along the
lines above projected go earnestly to woIk
they will get the road. Col. Fuller, OF the
| Gettysburg and Washington Railroad, has had
several lines surveyed for his proposed road,
and in the last year Emmitsburg, Frederick
and other points have made efforts to have
the road constructed so as to include these
places on the route. The citizens of West
minister have made an effort to have the rail
road built via this place, and contributed
sum of money to have a survey. The survey
was completed and the money paid over last
winter The route was found feasible, and
would not have to defect very much from an
airline 10 lilCluuG W GSILllhsbCA- paw
would furnished considerable freight and pas
senger travel, and is the only important point
between Gettysburg and Washington, near an
airline. Col. Fuller has never publicly IN
Dictated what route he would select, but when
last in consultation with some of our repre-
sentative citizens he exhibited the lines sur.
viewed. and remarked that he wanted the local
business to pay the fixed charges of the road,
and that our citizens might judge for them
selves as to what route would be best. Since
then the citizens of Westminster have taken
it for granted that the line would be built VIA
Westminster and have been quietly awaiting
the completion of details and the active com
mencement of operations. 1t was expected
that Col Fuller would have had details ar
ranged long before this, but nothing definite
has been heard from the enterprise. The only
renorts received have been to the effect that
arrangements are progressing, and our cltl-
zens have been waiting IN patience ana IN the
belief that the road will be built by the way
of Westminster. If Col. Fuller could make
such arrangements as he desired, very likely
he would bring the road this way. 1t is pos
sible that matters are progressing TO his salts
faction, but in the absence of definite intor-
nation it would be well for the citizens of
Carroll and Westminster to bestir themselves
if they want north and south road. 1t Col.
Fuller is not meeting with the success he
hoped for, he may have to take his line where
the best inducements are offered. Certainly
this city can do better for the enterprise than
Emmitsburg and Middletown, besides there
are other points north and south OF Westmln-
ster that would aid materially in encouraging
the enterprise. A movement TO secure the
road ought to be made at once, if we would
not allow smaller communities to outbid us
and secure the line.
Westminster needs only north and south
road to give it that importance that its natural
advantages entitle it. Its healthfulness,
churches, schools, proximity to the seaboard,
to iron, coal and lumber, make it one Of the
most desirable points for business and resi-.
dence to be found anywhere. Very few OF the
rapidly. building Virginia towns have greater
natural advantages than Westminster, II any,
and north and south railroad alone is want
ing to start this place into an active, bustling
and growing city. In few weeks we shall
endeavor to give some idea of the business of
Westminster, and we feel assured that we can
make better showing than is made by many
Southern towns And Westminster has what
few of the Southern towns have, rich sus
tanning surrounding country, thickly populat-
ed There is no town in Virginia that is equal
10 Westminster in this respect, for they are
mostly hemIned in by mountains, and IN some
yaces mountain sides have to be taken IN to
secure a sufficient area to 1Hlld- a town on;
Still, every Virginia town is growing s'ne-
upon solid foundations. Where railroad ia.
cilitics were not ample, the people secured
them. This is what Westminster should Go.
Our people have the means; surely energy is
not lacking Without another railroad West
minister's growth will be slow. With it, there
will be no vacant houses, real estate will ID
vance, manufactures will spring up and bus,
uess and prosperity will follow. This is the
situation. What will our real estate owners
and business men do?