The times., 1897-03-19
ON TO GETTYSBURG
Route Uniting the Capital and the Nations Greatest
Battle Ground.
THE ENTERPRISE OF WASHINGTON ORIGIN AND PROSECUTION

1t is proposed at last in real earnest to
build a direct line OF railroad from the Ma
tional Capital TO the great national battle
ground OF Gettysburg, shortening the dis
tance, as 1t is usually travelled, by some
thing over 90 miles. To be exact. by the
route already surveyed and practically
determined upon, it is just seventy-three
miles from the White House to the Get
tysburg battle park.
Two months al go a,few gentlemen OF the
city me. and agreed upon the principal fea-
lures resoftheenterprise. of Mr.. Stson Hutchins,
who S the practical owner of the Washing
ton and Great Falls Electric line, was CON
suited and agreed to enter into satisfac-
tory relations with the new pro ject, and
the necessary steps for Incorporation under
the laws of Maryland were Immediately
taken.
The name of the road was esta abllshed as
the Washington, Westminster and Gettys-
burg, and the incorporators applying for
the charter were Mr.. George Cotton Smith,
of Wilkesbarre, Pa. Herbert Shriver. of
Union Mills, Md; William r. Thomas,J H.
Cunningham, David Cowan, jr., j L. Ref
snider, william Schaffer, E. j Lawyer,
c. Z. Reifsnider, OF Westminster Md;
George S KNAPP, John A. Shorb, OF Littles-
town, Pa; and j B. Colegrove, Stilson
Hutchins and Ell. A. Cady Of Washington,
D. G.
preliminary survey, to lie conducted
by Engineers F. H Stier aud T. c Ken
nedy, was st once ordered, and on last
Thursday full and comprehensive report
on the several routes examined by these
gentlemen was submitted 10 an adjourned
Iueeting of the corporation. The map aC-
companying this article will convey quite
clearly an idea OF the route deemed most
practicable The Great Fails road now
in operation to Cabin John Bridge fur
nishes a most desirable entrance to the
city at the splendid new union depot a
Thirty-sixth street Passengers Will have
the advantage of the roads unparalleled
scenic attraction along the Potomac as
far as Cabin John Greek, where the pro-
posed route heads directly north TO Rock
vile, "a distance OF fifteen miles frUm
this city. and eight from Cabin John.
From Rockville the road passes through
the heart and richest portion OF Mont
gofnery. Howard and Carroll counties, leav-
ing MARYLAND at or near Littlcstown. Pa,
and thence on, seven miles, TO Gettys
burg.
This is conceded to be the most beautiful,
most thrifty and attractive farming section
of the state. It's trade / 5 eagerly sought by
the merchants of Baltimore and Philadei- |
phia as the most desirable that comes to
them: and indeed. in its constant success
sion of beautiful homes, its thoroughly |
modern methods, and It's numerous delight
full villages, il presents indiSpvtable evidence |
OF an active, prosperous and wide-awake |
popuIation. The value 10 Washington Of |
an extension Of it's railways into such a |
cannot be overestinated. Rock |
VILE with its 3,o9o people, all more or |
less identified with this city's interests, |
and depending entirely at present upon the |
infreuuent train service of the Baltimore
and Ohio, will extend hearty welcome
to the new road, and furnish a traffic that
will alone insure a profit In the operation
of the line to that point.
washington Grove camp grounds is another |
point with n large existing traffic with |
Washington during the Summer months, !
and with a railroad running trains TO the
city at frequent intervals, increased at
tendance there will undoubtedly result, and
n large and profitable business be created
n addition to that now enjoyed by the
baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
Mount Airy the most important shipping
point on the main stem of the Baltimore and
ohio. between Baltimore and Brunswick; |
Westminster, the metropolis of northern |
central MARYLAND: Union Mills, the center
IF the canning industry, and Lituestown,
Pa. all populous and enterprising towns,
would be great daily feeders to the line
:, light freight,
The taxable valuation Of the property OF
he four counties traversed by the projected !
road was over fifty millions for 1898,
W hile the real value is estimated at more
han twice that figure.