Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-05-07
9. g. o. is rs Years Old.

fifth anniversary of the application for
a charter and the beginning Of the
organization Of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company was last week.
Mr.. J. Van Lear Mcmahon, who was
born at Cumberland in 1900, had the
distinction of drawing up the charter,
which was the first for a trunk line
railroad in America. Beginning with
the operation of about Is miles Of
track, the road has grown to be a great
system of nearly 4,500 miles, with
about 1850 locomotives, 100 pas
senger cars and $4,000 freight and
service cars.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
bears the proud title Of the pioneer OF
American railways, and it is still op-
Grated under its original charter. The
vicissitudes through which it has
passed, both physically and financial
ly, in tie IS years of its existence, and
the healthy condition Of the property
today attract particular attention. On
February y, 1927, number of citl-
zens of Baltimore convened to consld-
er the best means of restoring to the
city the trade that had been gradual
ly diverted from it. The committee,
with Philip E. Thomas as chairman,
on February 10 reported, recon-
mendng that a direct railroad from
B fillmore to some eligible point on
the Ohio river would be a specific
remedy. Application was made April
"a, 1927, to the Maryland Legislature
for the incorporation of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company, with
capital stock of 100000, subject to
Increase, and the company was duly
organized and books of subscription
to the capital stock were opened. Mr.
Philip E. Thomas was chosen presi-
dent. The charter was passed at the
regular session of the Legislature in
1928. The formal commencement of
the road took place July 4, 1928, and
the first stone to mark the event was
laid by Charles Carroll, Of Carrollton,
then 90 years old, and the last sur
vivor of the signers of the Declaration
of Independence. The first division
of about Is miles, from the station on
Pratt St. to Ellicott's Mills, was opened
for passenger business May %, 1880.
By April, 1882, rs miles were COM
pleted, and on December l, 1884, the
line to Harpers Ferry was opened.
The first locomotive used was built
by Phineas Davis, in 1881, and four
wheel passenger cars were PIT in SER
vice. The charter to extend the road
to Washington was obtained in 1881.
The branch ran from Relay to Wash
ington and was completed August %,
1885. Mr.. Joseph W. Patterson tenn
porarily succeeded Mr.. Thomas as
president in 1885, and at the next an
nual meeting, in 1886, Louis McLane
was elected. The road was built to
Hancock, the extension being opened
for travel June l, 1912, and to Cum
berland November following.
In 1849 Mr.. McLane resigned and
Thomas Swami became president. BY
June, 1851, the road was opened to
Piedmont, W. Va, and to Wheeling
by June %, 1852. Mr.. Swami re-
tired in 1853, and was succeeded by
William G.. Harrison. Chauncey
Brooks became president in 1856, and
he was followed by John W. Garrett
in November, 1853. Under his sd-
ministration the road steadily pros
pered until April, 1851, when the
Civil War caused halt. Located on
the very border of Mason and Dixon E
line, the road was naturally destined
to be the chief route Of the armies
throughout the war. 1t was the prin-
cipal bone of contention, as both armies
fought for its possession; miles OF
track were torn up, valuable engines
and rolling stock were destroyed, and
for awhile nearly all through commu-
nicatiou was broken. Notwithstand-
ing these discouraging setbacks Presi-
dent Garrett, with wonderful energy,
maintained such discipline that the
practical utility of the line was never
lost, and under the guardianship Of
the Government the road performed
invaluable service in handling the
enormous military business. At the
close of the war the road required
much reconstruction.
After % years as president of the
road Mr.. Garrett died September %,
1884, and was succeeded by his SOD.