The Washington times., 1903-05-26
MARKED PROGRESS
Of OLD MONTGOMERY
Much of 1t Wrought by B. &
O.'s Metropolitan Branch.
ITS GROWTH OF PROSPERITY
Comparison of Present Conditions With
Those of Thirty Years Ago When
Road Was Built.

BOYDS. Md. May 26-It is prob
able that but few counties can
show such progress as Montgomery
in the last thirty years. Much of this
is due to the building of the Metro
politan branch of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, which yesterday had its
thirtieth anniversary. This road was
completed and the first train run over it
for the east and west May %, 1873 The
road was built TO give a direct line from
Baltimore and Washington for the West,
and on the day of opening the first train
to pass over 1t was an engine and private
car occupied by John L. Wilson, then
master of road and from here by Mr.
Wilson and James E. Williams. now d
prominent citizen and real estate owner
Of this place
First Through Train.
Mr.. Williams returned from Point of
Rocks. which was then the end of this
division, on freight engine late in the
evening. When the first through train
came in from the West, hundreds of per
sons were standing at little improvised
station made of box cars set on tie
piles. where the train was given
mighty salute. After that date a sched-
ule was made for the branch, which
gave it about six daily trains. Now
there are forty daily and about eleven
extra trains. The service of today and
that of those years form big con-
trast. The passenger coaches, then con
sidered fine cars. are the emigrant cars
of today. and the day coaches equal the
sleeping and parlor cars of those days
The development of the country
through which this road has run has been
simply wonderful No doubt, being in
close proximity to the National Capital
has aided it much. but, aside from this,
the rapid growth has been remarkable.
Increase in Land Values.
Land in close proximity to the road
was bought for SO TO SIS an acre; today
$500. and even $500, cannot get much of
il lying close to stations. Farms sew
eral miles from the railroad command
$50 10 $40 an acre easily.
The county is we'll lined with costly
residences. churches of all denomina-
lions, public schools. colleges for young
Eien and women and private schools
Previous to the opening of this branch
ali the trains ran via Relay. from Bal
timore and Washington, over the old
main line. and via Frederick Junction
for the West and from the West. The
depots have all been built OF brick and
frame. and of pretty designs. and the
track put in excellent shape for fast
service. This branch is forty-three
miles long from Washington to Wash
ington Junction, its terminus. where it
connects with the old main line, and
Passes through some of the most fertile
fields of the State.
Early Officers and Settlers.
The grading was done by Col. James
4. Boyd. of this place. who had charge
of a very difficult part of the road from
enc mile east of here to Barnesville
Colonel Boyd. for whom the station here
was named, was afterward made con-
sulting official. and then took up. at
Washington, Pa. more construction
work for the company. Other contrac-
tors were Richard G. White. t. Cava-
raugh, Henry Gantz, e. D. Smith. Al
fred Ray, and others. James Randolph
vas chief engineer and Philip cambridge
assistant engineer, and William Dade
now a prominent old citizen of this vi
entity. was locating engineer John w
Garrett was then president of the road
The earliest settler along this branch
this place, who settled here in 1868 as
Colonel Boyd. then living at Barnes