Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-03-20
Our New Railroad Prospect.

peake and Ohio Canal was accepted
by many as a foregone conclusion.
The decision of the Maryland courts,
! however, turning the canal over TO
/ the Trustees, to be restored as wa
! ter-way, under certain limitations
prescribed by the court, necessarily
postponed the construction of the
proposed railroad, and compelled
change of plans on the part of that
| (the C. &W.) company. The general
| " recognized and unquestioned pur-
pose OF said road was to afford an
outlet TO the seaboard for the West
Virginia Central & Pittsburg Railroad
| Company, terminating at present at
| Cumberland
While there has been an apparent
calm and rest in the project for sew
eral months past, the last ten days
there has again been quite an active
revival of public interest and discus
sion. \ rumored plan to build the
! Cumberland and Washington road
to Williamsport, Md, and then Sc
cure control of the Western Mary
land, and use it as connection and
! outlet 10 Baltimore and the seaboard,
! led to some correspondence between
! President Hood, of the latter road, and
the Mayor Of Baltimore City on the
subject, which is still being discussed.
The views of several well-known
| gentlemen. prominent financially and
as officials of the W. Va. G. y p. Co.,
were obtained on the situation and
probable outcome thereof, and pub
lished in the Baltimore Sun" of the
10th inst. Among them, Mr.. 5. b.
EIkins, Vice-PreSident, is quoted as
saying, lit was undoubtedly the inten-
ton of his company to reach tide
water, but what route it would take,
or whether the Western Maryland
would be utilized, was coneidera-
ton not yet fully matured.
Mr. John A. Hambleton, director
and member of the finance commit
tee, is quoted as saying, Our road is
coming to tidewater at Baltimore,
and is coming by an independent
route What this route will be, will
depend very much on the property
holders between Baltimore and Cum
herland We will take the cheapest
one that is available
This presents anew the interest of
our town and vicinity in this ques-
ton \ good location naturally is
worth something itself, and in this re-
spect Shepherdstown has been favor
ed 1t is certainly in the line of
availability" When the b. & O. was
being located through this county, a
survey therefor was made through
epherdstown, afTording from Har
pers Ferry to, say, North Mountain,
in Berkeley county, practicable and
shorter route than that adopted, other
influences in that day prevailing.
! DirectHeSS in route, which curtails dis
lance, if approximately equal in other
respects, is a main consideration in
this day, when quickest time between
two given points is an end in view
The next important inquiry is, prob
able cost OF construction and operat
ing by this route. In that respect we
do not think investigation and com
parison will be to our prejudice. In
cost, land damages is often a material
! item In this we feel that the people
generally along the projected line
will act literally So far as we have
heard expression, the road would be
given a hearty welcome, which itself
indicates a friendly spirit-one that
would prompt aid and encourage
ment. Hence, feel assured that right
OF way can be secured on quite favor
able terms
BY the projected route through JEFF
ferson and Berkeley counties referred
to (the original b. & 0. survey, the
road would not only touch Shep-
herdstown, where it would be given n
hearty welcome, as was given the old
Shenandoah Valley years ago, but it
would come in close contact with
promising business points along the
! line, natural centres in their local sec
! tions; also with valuable iron ore and
! other mineral deposits, undeveloped
partially for want OF an outlet; also
with the growing cement business just
below town; the rapidly developing
limestone industry at BakertoD, and
the Knott and Flanagan quarries
near by, as well as the large and val
liable iron ore deposits at and ada
! cent to the old and well-known Vir-
ginia Ore Banks, on the Potomac, six
miles from here. At several Of these
points railroad would manifestly act
| like leaven in the meal, make them
spread and grow, and not without
mutual advantage, the carrier shar-
! ing in the benefits Of the increased
business and trade.
Our call then, upon the people along
the projected line is, TO prompt and
earnest action, to hearty and united
effort in gathering all such facts and
data as will fairly present the induce
ments and considerations in favor Of
this route, and its submission then,
formulated aud in proper shape, to
the authorities Of the w. V. G. & p.
Railroad Company for consideration