Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-07-10
Another Railroad Wanted.

Mr.. Edstor.. AS our county is entering
upon an era of progress and development
never anticipated by former generation,
and the great natural advantages of the
county are better understood, | think a brief
article at this time pertinenton railroad de:
velopments. e-%s
The inexhanstible quarries of Seneca and
Potomac have been locked up for two years
by the flood of 1889. When the canal is again
repaired, navigation will be suspended three
months each year on account of ice, and
during this interval these celebrated quar-.
ries will not be available. Also, when the
stone is transported by canal it has TO be re-
moved from the quarries, loaded on the
boats, then unoaded, then reloaded and
conveyed by wagons to the railroad depot
again unloaded and once more reloaded into
cars, all of which entails serious delay and
cost.
To obviate this heavy additional expense
the following facts are presented: The in
creasine demand for Seneca stone in Balt-
more, New York, Philadelphia and other
cities, requires. quick and uninterrupted
means OF transportation at all times and
seasons. Twill, therefore, endeavor to show
how easily this can be accomplished.
A short line of railroad can be located
from the Metropolitan Branch, near Clop-
per's station, and crossing the valley Of Long
Draught branch, angular, passing near the
angle Of Seneca creekat Ripple ford; thence
crossing the Darnestown road in the vicin-
ity OF the village; thence down Hook 8
branch to its junction with Seneca, below
Mr.. Upton Darby's mill-dam The road
should cross Seneca at that point and run
parallel with the mi race to Seneca mills
From Seneca mills to the quarries on the
Potomac is a roadbed already graded. The
whole distance from Metropolitan Branch
TO the quarries is about nine miles.
At the quarries the stone can be placed
on the cars and transported 70 New York OF
any locality selected 1t can be shipped al
any season of the year, and the heavy ex
pense Of reloading from canal boats will be
avoided. ! ~
There are also other considerations. The
line of the road indicated passes through a
superior agricultural district. Its construc-
tion would enhance the value of contiguous
farms and enable their owners TO procure
| lime and commercial fertilizers at conven-
lent points, and transport their farm pro
| ducts TO market
The mutual relations of railroads and
| farmers interests are shown by the increased
value of lands bordering on the Metropol
| itau Branch. This road was located through
the most barren part Of Montgomery coun
ty To-day the improved farms, numerous
| fine buildings, increased travel and facilities
Of transportation astonish and delight th
| beholder.
| But must be brief, and for example car
only refer TO the material prosperity OF Gal
thersbprg. This formerly humble village
/ situated in the centre Of our county, ha
since the compilation Of the railroad devel
oped trade and importance hithert
4 thought impcssible.s More wheat 70 nov
annually delivered here than vas formerly
/ grown in the whole county. Recently tn
\ ird Building Association has been organ
lied, with $4,000 taken in 800 shares,
/ y ational Bank, with $4,000, and synd