Evening star., 1903-10-26
GETTING VENER BILE
AND OHIO RAILWAY
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD.
History Of Corporation Which Began
Business in 1S2S-Now Con-
trolled by Pennsylvania.

"The Baltimore and Ohio railroad is just
seventy-five years old" said a local railroad
man today ."The man who had the honor
Of drawing it's charter-reputed to be the
first one ever drawn for a trunk line rail-
road in America-was J. Van Lear Nc
Mahon, who was born at Cumberland, Md.
in 1900. The three miles of track with
which the road began have multiplied until
row the system amounts to $500 miles,
with about 1.65O locomotives, LOO pas
scnger cars and $4,000 freight and service
cars.
THE Baltimore and Ohio enjoys the fat
tering distinction of being the pioneer of
American railways, and Is still operated
under Its original charter. The vicissitudes
through which 1t has passed during the Pc
riod of which today commentaries the dia-
mond anniversary make up an interesting
story.
February T. 1927, number of citizens
Of Baltimore convened to consider the best
means of restoring to the city the trade
that had gradually been diverted from 1t.
The committee, with Philip f.. Thomas as
chairman, February 10 reported, recon-
mending that direct railroad from Bali
more to some eligible point on the Ohio
RIVER would be specific remedy. Applica-
ton was made April p, 1897. to the Mary
land legislature for the incorporation of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
with capital stock of 5000, 900, subject to
increase, and the company was duly Or
ganiZed and books of subscription to the
capital sock were opened. Philip E. Thom-
as chosen president. The charter was
passed at the regular session of the legis-
lature in 1898. The formal commencement
of the road took place July 4. 1923. and the
first stone to mark the event laid by
Charles Carroll of Carrollton. then ninety
years old. and the last survivor among the
signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The first division of about thirteen miles
from the station on Pratt street to Ellicott's
mills was opened for passenger business
May 30, 1880 BY April. 1892 seventythree
miles were completed. and December l. 1884,
the line to Harper's Ferry was opened.
It's First Locomotive.
'''rhe first locomotive used was built by
Phinaas Davis in 1871. and four-wheel pas
senger cars were put in service. The char
ter to extend the road to Washington was
obtained in 1891. The branch ran from Re
lay to Washington and was completed Au-
gust % 1885. Joseph w. Patterson tempo
rarly succeeded MI Thomas as president
in 1879, and at the next annual meeting. in
1886. Louis Mclean was elected. The road
was built to Hancock the extension being
opened for travel June 7, 1912, and to Cum
berland November ) following.
I'm 1S49 Mr. Mclean resigned and Thos.
Swami became president By June. 1851.
the road was opened to Piedmont. w Va,
and to Wheeling by June % 1852. Mr
Swami retired IN 1853. and was succeeded
by William G. Harrison; Chauncey Brooks
became president in 1856. and he was fol-
lowed by w. Garrett in November. 1853
Under his administration the road steadily
prospered until April. 1861. when the civil
war caused a halt. Located on the very
border of Mason and Dixon's line. the road
was naturally destined to be the chief route
of the armies throughout the war. It was
the principal bone Of contention. as both
armies fought for 1t. Miles of track were
torn up. valuable engines and rolling stock
were DESTROYED. and for awhile all through
communication stopped. Notwith-
standing these discouraging setbacks. Pres
ident Garrett, with wonderful energy, main
tanned such discipline that the practical
utility of the lines was never lost and un-
der the guardianship of the government the
road performed Invaluable service in han
ding the enormous military business. At
the close of the war the road required much
reconstruction.
TwentySix Years Of Service. :
after -twenty-six years as president of the
road Mr.. Garrett died September o. 1884
and was succeeded by his son. Robert Car
rett That same year the road between
Wheeling and Pittsburg was completed The
line eastward from Baltimore to PhiIadel-
phia was opened August 49, 1885. Samuel
Spencer succeeded Mr.. Garrett as president,
and he in turn was succeeded by Charles +.
Mayer. Mr. Spencer is now president of
the Southern railway.
Financial difficulties necessitated re-
ceivership in 1896. and President John K.
Cowen and Vice President Oscar G. Muir
ray were placed in charge of the property.
During their administration the road was
rebuilt and reopened. Although this in
volved an enormous outlay, later develop
ment sustained the soundness of their judg-
ment and the wisdom of their progress We
policy. The property was returned to the
stockholders July 1. 1899. and the company
reorganized 1t Is now dominated and con-
trolied by the Pennsylvania