The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-07


with Scranton by a steam railroad, will
be reality before this time next year.
Such was the declaration yesterday
of Timothy Burke, president Of the
Scranton, DunmOre and Moosic Lake
Railroad company, which has undertake
en- this project, and which was char
tered Thursday in Harrisburg, with a
capital Of 100000.
The company consists of Timothy
and John Burke, Of the firm of Burke
Bros, contractors; Frank Silliman. jr.,
general manager of the Scranton Rail
way company and two others selected
to fill out the number of subscribers
necessary to q corporation. Burke
Brothers hold the bulk Of the stock.
None of it will be placed on the mar
ket. Bonds will be offered for sale. but
no particular effort will be made to
float them. The projectors of the COM
pany are able and perfectly willing to
do all the financing themselves.
TAKING UP PROJECT.
1t was only recently the enterprise
was projected. Mr.. Silliman took cot
tage this spring at Moosic lake and
from to time commented on it's beau
ties and adaptabilty as Scranton ex-
cursion resort to the Messrs. Burke,
who are his fellow-d directors in the
Scranton Railway company. One day
at dinner they decided to take the mat
ter up and Mr.. Silliman went to Dan
willie to see the representatives of the
Grer estate, who controlled 1900 acres
of the lake tract outright, and had an
undivided half-interest OH the other
1000 acres. A bargain was struck and
"a titloc u hpinp
examined by the new company's attor-
neys and if found to be all right the
transfer will be Immediately consum-
mated. Mr.. Dolph, the owner of the
other half interest in the 1000 acre
tract, has not as yet consented to sell.
CONTAINS TWO LAKES.
The tract contains, besides Moosic
lake, which is as large as Lake Ariel.
another lake of about twenty-five acres,
which is one of the prettiest little bodies
of water to be found anywhere. Be-
tween the two lakes is picturesque
glen, in which there is a series of water
falls and deep, shady pools.
There are only five cottages at the
lake and four of them will be owned by
the new company. No lots will be sold
and no permanent cottagers invited.
The company proposes to exercise COM
plete control over the lake and its sur
roundings, so that there will be no
restrictions on eXcursionists. Picnic
grounds will be fitted up and boats
placed on the lake at once. and eventu-
ally, large summer hotel will be
erected.
The route for the railroad has not as
yet been selected. Surveyors are figur-
ing on three different lines, any one OF
which will reach the lake with not more
than eight miles of road. Grade and
scenery will be the principal elements
controlling the choice. One route is by
way of Sport Hill and the old Cobb
turnpike. Another is by way of Marsh
wood. A third is a central route. taking
in part Of the abandoned gravity road.
The right of way is being surveyed
and secured for double track, heavy
ballasted steam road. At the outset. a
single track, with long switches, will be
constructed. In due course of time a
second track will be laid. Burke Broth
ers, who are among the country's big
gest railroad contractors, will construct
the road themselves
OFFERED THEIR LAND.
The publication in The Tribune, ten
days ago, of the new companys inten-
tions resulted in Burke Brothers office
In the Connell building being visited al
most daily by the residents of the
vicinity of the lake and the country
through which the road will pass, who
came with assurances that they would
do all in their power to encourage the |
building Of the road. Instead of put
ting oil land figures on their farms. the
visitors, without exception, assured the
Messrs. Burke they could have what
land they wanted at the prevailing
prices, and some of them went so far as
to offer right of way free, with plot |
for station if desired
The company expects to do Il good |
freight business, as well as passenger |
In the summer milk and grain will be |
handled and in the winter three crops
of ice, as a rule, can be secured |
Another one-day excursion resort Is |
being discussed by Scranton men, Its |
location is on the rockingham tract at |
Green Run, below Moosic, on the line |
of the Scranton and Northeasterns new |
cannon-ball trolley road. An artificial |
lake 1000 feet long can be constructed |
there and the natural surroundings are |
inviting to eXcursionists, The fact that |
the new road could bring it an immense |
patronage is its big recommendation.
There Is also talk of q trolley road to !
Gravel pond, which is controlled by
John A. Mears, and company of |
Wilkes-Barreans are trying to interes,
Scranton capital in a trolley road to
Lake Winola.