Catoctin clarion., 1899-11-23
Graceham Items.

MTb y. ". SoiiuOWOA uuu AoAnhy AoYS w
come pretty well established in their new
home. We are glad TO welcome such new
acquisitions to our town.
The members and friends Of the Moravian
congregation here, gave their pastor Rev. N.
F. Oerter and family very pleasant surprise
in the form of donation party on Tuesday
evening last. Many substantial articles Of
various kinds together with many good
wishes were the Offering rendered Brother
Oerter in behalf of all as tokens of kindly re.
gard for all the family. A pleasant and social
evening was enjoyed by all.
We are sorry to note the death OF our
prominent and good citizen Mr.. David
Fisher, who passed to bis rest ON Sunday
morning last, after an illness of about two
months. In 1871 or 70 Mr.. Fisher built a
homo in our town with the view at some
time in the near future TO make bis residence
here, but It was not until 1899 that he did
retire from active life from the farm and re-
moved into town. He leaves q widow and
seven children, all married, surviving him,
who have the sympathies of wide circle Of
friends, as Mr.. Fisher was congenial man
and readily acquired many friends. His re-
mains were inherited at Creagerstown, where
he was member OF the Lutheran church. A
large concourse of friends paid last tribute
of respect in the service ofburial.
VT ~
the sale of the Western Maryland Railroad
is being agitated. Five or six years ago, the
city of Baltimore was offered 81 $50 600 for
its claim against the road: the present offer
is a, 1885, 900. A syndicate of wealthy men
offer, but who Is back of them, that is what
railroad interests, il any. they represent is
not known--nOt even surmised.
As to the value of the road, We are In no
position TO speak intelligently; we have no
means of properly estimating railroad values,
hence. on that point, being without def
mite and positive opinion, we shall be silent.
On one or two other points we have de-
cided views and, while we shall not hope to
influence in the slightest degree those In
whose hands the matter rests. we are none
the less disposed to give utterance to those
views.
In the first place, as measured by Its earn.
ings. gross and net, the W. n. r. r Is in.
creasing in value year by year, and rapidly
during recent years; in the next place, under
the policy of it's present management, Balti-
more City especially, more through desire
than necessity, reaps every benefit that rail.
road confers and is the only steam railroad
of any importance entering that city, of
which as much may be safely affirmed. 1t is
but way station on the P. w. & B. and B.
& P. railroads; /. is fast lapsing into such on
the B. & o. and although the N. G. r. r..
had been in the city for years, the cities of
York, Hanover and Gettysburg and contig-
uous territory were almost wholly Philadel.
phia buyers. until the w M. r. r. entered
that territory and secured the lions share Of
The trade.
The B. & O. hauls merchandise from the
great importing city OF New York to that
great western distributing point, Chicago
and then hauls it back over its line to mer-
chants in cities as far east as Oakland, Md.
One of the most prominent men In Western
Maryland told US not three months ago that
Oakland is Western town; would q single
town in Maryland, under Mr.. Hoods policy,
have slipped through Baltimore City's ing-
ersi
lnc pOlnt tndt VIC ueslic w hiaho 10 .hAo'
Baltimore City had best be certain into whose
hands the w. M. r. r. passes, before it sells
at any price that 1t may reasonably hope to
secure; 1t had better weigh well the possible
policy of the new owners and compare It
with the present worth and future promise
of the road, under it's present altogether fa-
vorable policy. The city is not throwing
good money after bad" today, for the road Is
worth more to the city than Il ia costing Il
in interest, all of which it will appreciate,
should the Pennsylvania secure the w. NJ.
and make of it the "side track" that it has OF
others that were thcrns in Its side while
operated by others, but which became rall.
roads in name only as soon as owned or con.
trolled by the Pennsylvania.
As has been already suggested, the city
will be wise to "go slow" in the matter.