Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-12
Fine ROUTE FOR Road.

Survey for the Proposed Troll
ley Line 10 ThurmOnt.
Geo. Wm. Smith Pleased with II
As stated in Yesterdays NEWS, a number
of personslinterested in the proposed railway
between Frederick and Thurmont yesterday
made q trip over the route surveyed for thu
road. The principal object of the trip was
to show the route to Mr. Geo. VIM. Smith
former president of the F s. NJ Electric Rail
way, and to secure his opinion, as an expert
as to the feasibility of the project.
The present object of the promoters Of the
road is to build from Frederick to Thurmon'
but it is expected that later the road will he
extended to Emmitsburg, via Mi. st. Mary's
and the party which went over the route
Yesterday drove as far as Mt. St. Mary's.
from there the route to Emmitsburg is visi.
bic and Mr. Smith, after taking view of 1t,
said "Well, gentlemen, this is the finest
route for an electric railway lever saw. For
nearly the whole distance, little more would
be needed than 10 throw down the ties and
lay the rails on them"
Mr.. Smith stated that there would be more
grading required in the first four miles out
of Frederick thsn ON all the balance OF the
the grading on these four miles
vii! be neither difficult nor expensive. For
nearly the entire distance, the survey runs
through level country. and the road would
cost comparatively little for either construc.
ton or operation.
The route as surveyed leaves Frederick by
W ..Fourth street and runs out that road
past Mont.vue, then turns porthward and
runs through the lands Of Messrs F. T. La
kin and d G Kemp to the Spout Spring road
which it crosses at right angles near Yellow
Springs, running through the land of Mr.. A.
w. Burkhart. 1t then continues to Bethel
church to Mountaindale, thence to Lewis
.own, at which point 1t is but about four
niles from CreagerstOwn. The route as sur
veyed runs through Lewstown, though an
other route has been suggested which would
70 by way of Catoctin Furnace and from
hat point use the Monocacy Valley roadbed
ntc Thurmont. This route would run close
o but not through Lewistown. The route
IS surveyed, which goes by way of Echoltz'
mill, also runs close to Catoctin Furnace.
from 'rhurmont The route continues over
natural level through Franklinville and Mt.
1t. Mary's-runniug near the gateway of
he grounds of Mt St. Mary's College-to
Immitsburg. The distance from Frederick
0 Thurmont is l5t miles and to Emmitsburg
81 miles.
From Yellow Springs the route runs along
he foot of Ca,octin mountain and from many
'oints there are beautiful views. One Of the
reatcst advantages of the route IS that the
ountry through which it runs is thickly set
led. Houses are close together all along the
QUITE One of the remarks made by Mr..
smith was that, aside from the towns at the
ermni, the road would have population
0 draw from outnumberng five to one that
eryed the F. II NJ. road. There are also
umher of industries, such as mills, lime
ilns, etc, from which trade would be secur.
d, as well as the large goldfish breeding in
astry of Mr.. Charles Ramsburg at Lewis
own. Mr. Ramsburg has ponds covering
yer 40 acres of land and ships millions of
sL annually, which are now hauled to the
ailroads out would be shipped over the rail-
DAD if it is built Mr.. Ramsburg is an en-
husastic advocate of the railroad and offers
0 give 1t free right of way through his land
s well as subscribe literally to the stock
Another enthusiastic advocate Of the road
ex County Treasurer Alexander Ramshurg
those fine home is situated Just beyond
.ewistown. Mr. Ramsburg owns two farms
djoning and the survey runs through his
md for distance of about mile. He has
tfered to give free right Of way and make
,rge stock subscription. Mr.. George VIM
NTH and Mr., c. c. Waters, who left Fred
rick early yesterday morning and Mr.. d.
J. Kemp took dinner at Mr.. Ramsburg's
ONE, and after dinner Mr. Ramsburg went
With them over the remainder OF the route.
Or Franklin Smith and a representative
{ the News went over the route in the at.
ernoon, in the former automobile, catching
p with the party at Thulmont, where it was
,ined by Mr. J T Matthias.
The people of Thurmont are earnestly in
,vor of the road and state that they will do
heir share in the way of stock subscriptions.
t is stated that if $25 900 can be raised in
frederick an equal sum can be raised IN
'hurmont and along theroute, and that with
his amount the road can be built by issuing
onds for the balance of the cost. One thing
cling considered in connection with the pro-
ect is the use Of gasoline motor cars instead
t electric cars. Gasoline motor cars are be-
NJ used successfully on railroads in the
Vest, and by many persons of experience it
thought that they may ultimately super
EIDE electric cars Their use obviates the
ecessity of both a power plant and wire
mes.
The survey for the road to Thurmont runs
through number of beautiful wooded sec
ions, especially in the neighborhood of Ca
octln Furnace, which would be splendid
ties for summer cottages, boarding houses
nd hotels, and it is believed that the build
ng of the road would lead to the establish
n Il IT,,
Is route. The greatest advantage to Fred
rick would be ia the trade II would bring
o the city aud the opportunity it would
i've to local wholesale houses to secure