Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-27

A large number of the veterans OF the late
war living in this city intend to 60 to Gettys-
burg in the early part Of July. There is to De
a great gathering there at that time, as the
monument erected by the New York State Asso-
citation is to be dedicated, 1t is not known
whether there will be another battle on that
historic ground when the veterans get there or
not, but it is said the old soldiers are very In
dignant because of the dissertation
Of the battlefield by the pro-
iectors of trolley railroad. Such
widespread attention has been called through
the press dispatches to this occupation OF the
battlefield by the railroad that the old soldiers
throughout the country are well informed on
the subject. However, in order to get at the
facts by actual inspection Capt. F. e. Jones OF
the Second and Third Army Corps Associa-
tlons Of this city went to Gettysburg on Sat.
urday, returning home last night. He spent
the entire day of Sunday in going over the
battlefield. especially along the line OF the
trolley railroad, and he says that there Is no
doubt of the great and irreparable damage
that has been done. Unfortunately, he says.
the work of desecration has been completed
and the cutting and blasting for the tracks has
been carried through the field OF the second and
third days battles, through the rocks OF the
DEVILS Den and onto Round Top. The rocks.
which were crowded with the dead and dying,
and stained with the life blood Of the soldiers
who lost their lives that fatal field have been
blasted out until the entire character OF the
place has been changed. Radical changes have
been made in other historic places.
SAD VANDALISM
OF course the projectors of this vandalism.
Capt. Jones saws, could not obtain the right OF
way over the ground owned by the Monument
Association or by the seventy-second Pennsyl-
vania regiment or by the Grand Army post OF
Gettysburg. All concessions were secured
from the town authorities and from the private
owners of the land which is now used for farm
ing purposes. The road of necessity, there
fore, has been obliged to wind IN, out and
around these reservations. In the main the
road passes between The two lines OF battle
| The singular feature of the entire affair,
Capt. Jones learned from inquiry from the
| residents there, is that the citizens OF Gettys-
burg are opposed to the road and are not IN
terested in it IN any way. The money that has
| been spent in building the road came from out
siders and Capt Jones SAYS that the understand
ing is that the enterprise is speculation,
| that the road cost to bulld-and 1t is
early completed and ready to be operated
about $4,000. An effort is being made
now, he says. to bond the road for $3.50, 900,
and if the bond. can be placed the profit OF the
projectors will be secured. He says that no
one believes that the road will ever pay, and
since the agitation against it has been started II
| has been difficult to sell the bonds.
WILL BOYCOTT THE ROAD.
1t was expected that the road would be ready
to be operated the early part of next month
but he thinks that it is doubtful whether thi'
will be possible. At any rate, the veterans who
will attend the New York celebration mex
month have decided not to patrouize the road
| even if it is running. Some OF the ole
soldiers are SO indignant that this historic
spot should have been defaced SO ruth
lessly that it has been proposed to repeat thu
operation that was familiar to many OF the
old soldiers in the war and tear the tracks up
The chairman Of the New York committee
hearing this has advised against it. but it is no
known what the old soldiers will do when they
see with their own eyes the ruin wrought IL
this. perhaps the most sacred spot OF the entir'
war.
Gen. Sickles has shown his disapprobation o
| the scheme in every way possible, and Capt
Jones says that he has refused to give the pho
tograph privilege to the burgess or mayor o
the town. who is thought to have favored an'
assisted the railroad men in getting the right t.
occupy the public roads. 1t seems that tn
burgess has had long and exclusive privileg
to go on the grounds OF the association
and to take pictures of groups or Of the monu
ments and no other photographer was givei
this right 1t was a lucrative privilege. bu
now some other photographer will enjoy it wh'
has at least not taken active steps against wha
| is considered the interests of the old soldiers