Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-07-31
Montgomery County Railroad.

ohV6oAOAy SSuAVy 4soAAo ooAs
Mr.. Editor In recent essay described
the importance of short line railroad from
the nj. b. Railroad to the Seneca quarries
The practicability in grade and other ad-
vantages then described was supplemented
by an essay from Mr.. Upton Darby. His
supplement presents facts, data, and official
reports that are incontroyertible Mr.. Dar-
by, with precision in his conservative re-
marks, has been little short of than beyond
in his recapitulation. And think 1t no in
trusion if again l add few more facts. AS
l believe no mans theories without proof,
SO in presenting railroad statistics they
should be clear and satisfactory in proof
and details
The territory described is nine miles in
length and allowing three miles In breadth
on each side of the road, or 8 by 6 miles
would make 81 square mies-as each square
mile contains GAO acres, therefore the aggre-
gate of territory available to the road would
be "a $50 acres. Deduct the 4,500 for wood
land, ETC., and 10000 acres Of agricultural
land remains for cultivation. AS all admit
lime is tue great reliable fertilizer, therefore
one fifth, or 5000 acres, would annually re-
qure fifty bushels per acre, 300, 900 bushels
of lime. But | will reduce the latter one
half, or 10000 bushels annually for the ter
rtory described. And at cent per bushel
for extra transportation over the short line,
the aggregate would be s. 500. Mr.. Darby
estimates the income from commercial fer
tilizers and lime at $500 annually, while my
reduced statistics show three times $500, or
81 ,500income annually from the transpor-
tation of lime alone.
But fearing it may be thought have ex-
aggerated, will briefly refer to the agricul
tural territory available on the northwest
side of the railroad First the valley of
Long Draught Branch, then cross the large
Seneca at Ripple Ford and include the
farms, prominent the large farm OF the late
Americas Dawson and other lirst.class farm
ers. Then Jacksonville and vicinity, the
lower part of the valley of Dry Seneca-then
south OF Pooesville to the Potomac. Then
re.cross the large Seneca and include all the
territory of the latter stream drained on the
southeast. Also the vast territory drained
into the basin of Muddy or Mineral Branch
on the southeast side OF the railroad. All
who have correct knowledge OF the terri
tory described, its climate, soil, water power
and great natural advantages generally, also
the character of the farmers who cultivate
this territory, will at once admit and appre-
ciate this portion of Montgomery county
as unsurpassed for agricultural advantages.
Having referred principally TO one branch
of my subject, that OF lime, must close Tor
future detail of other matters.
But pertinent to this subject is a BIRDS
eye view of the magnificent water power OF
the Seneca valley. This remarkable stream
drains approximately one-third OF Mont
gomery county, and as the county contains
500 square miles, or 320,0 900 acres, would give
to the valley of Seneca drainage from 1866
square miles, or at $40 acres to the square
mile, drains 100000 acres, omitting fractions
While | approximate for the main stream
and numerous large tributaries iall or
water power in the aggregate of LOO feet,
| will only point to two principal locations
Dawsonvile and Seneca Mills. At Daw-
sonvile | approximate the junction of the
Large and Little Seneca as draining $4,000
acres--bclow at Seneca Mills the whole
drainage as stated is from 106,OOO acres
And at the junction of Seneca with the Po-
tomac 1870 feet above tide.
Fearing this may be considered an exag-
geraton, all 1 ask is to follow my outlines
OF drainage, commencing ut Seneca Miiis,
thence TO Pooesvie on the divide between
the Horse Pen Branch and Dry Seneca, SIX
miles. From Poolesville, about 450 above
tide, TO Monocacy Chapel, two miles, on
the divide between Dry Seneca and Broad
Run. Here we ascend the southwest end
of the PARIS Ridge approximately by 90
above tide and proceed northeast to the
M. b. Railroad, five miles. The views along
this line are sublime-the Catoctin, and
Blue Ridge mountains on the northwest
side and ON the southeast side across the
valley of Seneca. On the northwest side
the drainage runs into the basin OF Little
Monocacy. And on the southeast side into
Dry Seneca and Buck Lodge, both the latter
streams tributaries OF Large Seneca.
Where PARIS Ridge is crossed by the NJ
b. Railroad the elevation is $50 feet above
tide. Thence on the PARIS Ridge to Clarks-
burg, six miles, and the village is $50 feet
above tide, and the greatest elevation be-
tween Washington City and Frederick City
by way of the national road. On the north
west side Of this section Of the PARIS Ridge
the hoary head Of the Sugar LOAF Mountain
rises to an approximate elevation oil l2Oo
feet above tide-while the head basin oi
Little Monocacy continues to receive the
drainage from the northwest side OF the
PARIS Ridge And the head basins Of Buck
Lodge and Zen Mile Creek drains the south
east side OF the ridge. The greatest breadth
OF the Seneca valley is from the head drain
age of Buck Lodge and Ten Mile Greek
across Seneca valley TO the head drainage
of Milestone, from the Washington Grove
Camp Ground about IL miles in distance.
From Clarksburg to Damascus, six miles, on
the north west side of PARIS Ridge, the head
waters Of Little Bennett's Creek and the
Large Bennett's Creek arc drained into the
Monocacy. On the southeast side the head
waters Of Little Seneca, Wild Cat and Ma
gruder's Branch are drained into Large
Seneca. Damascus is 700 feet above tide
and here the principal ridge, that divides the
waters drained into the Potomac on the
southwest side from the waters drained on
the northeast sideinto the Patuxent, branches
from the PARIS Ridge at nearly right angle,
and we face about TO nearly southeast, and
follow the curving of the ridge to Laytons-
615 feet above tide, or fifteen feet higher
than the Potomac at Cumberland.
At Damascus, the greatest elevation OF the
rim of Seneca basin, the climax OF natural
scenery is reached. Looking northward the
valley of the MoDocacy extends TO historic
Gettysburg; west the Sugar Loaf and noun
tains of Virginia; south grand panorama
of the topography of Montgomery county is
presented; southeast the Washington Mon
ument rises in bold relief. The descending
and following the curve Of the ridge ol
northeast rim OF the Seneca basin, on tht
right hand is the valley OF Darby's branch
and the head waters of Seneca creek, on th'
northeast side the stFea ms flow into the Ia
tuxent. Again we curve around the head
waters of Goshen branch, 10 the vicinity o
Laytonsvilie, and here we leave the princi-
pal ridge and follow the spur ridge to Wash
| ington Grove Camp Ground in a distance
| OF five miles southwest. At the Cam
| Ground the elevation is 525 feet above tide