Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-23
HAS BRIGHT PROSPECT
EXPERTS REPORT ON THE w. F.
4 G. X. r. PROJECT.

& G. X. r.. PROJECT.
The directors of the Washington, Fred
eriek & Gettysburg Railway Co., have
received copy of report made by Mr..
]. C. Wrenshall, an experienced engineer
and expert on trolley lines, who was sent
to make an inspection of the company's
condition and prospects for the Baltimore
Trust and Guarantee Co. The latter
company, before undertaking to act as
trustee for the railway comdany's bond
issue, desired to be informed as to the
prospect for profitable operation Of the
railroad, and Mr.. Wrenshall, as its agent,
made a thorough investigation. His re-
port, which is addressed to Mr.. B. N.
Baker, president of the Baltimore Trust
and Guarantee Co.. is highly compliment
tary to the enterprise. Hesays, in part:
II found the territory contiguous to
the line one of the finest agricultural Sec
lions have ever seen, and most pros
porous for strictly farming community.
In this connection ! wish to say that there
is no part of the route that will fail to
produce business for the railway. 1t is
all paying territory and will give both
freight and passenger traffic to the new
road; traffic that now finds. its way over
circuitous routes will find the new road
the shortest and most economical route
to the standard-gauge roads leading from
Frederick to the largest markets in the
United States.
beginning at Frederick the located
and partly constructed line passes thro
Yellow Springs, Lewistown, Catoctin
Furnace, Thurmont, on the Western Ma
ryland Railroad, and thence to Emmits-
burg. Yellow Springs, five miles from
Frederick, has fine mineral spring. about
which there is already a settlement of
800 inhabitants. This place can be de-
veloped by the railroad company and be
built up into a summer resort and santa
rum. Situated as it is on the foothills
of the mountain range, it is we'll known
for its salubrious and healthgiving eli
mate, and has been for years place of
resort, but only in small way by reason
of the lack of facilities, in accordance
with the demands Of the modern tastes
and customs. A hotel with modern COM
forts would no doubt do fine business,
and by making the springs known from
Maryland to the Gulf States would soon
more than pay for itself.
1.-The next point Of interest is Charles
vile, and then Mountaindale; these have
population of 300 and 200, respectively.
They are made up of thrifty people. to
the exclusion of the pauper element; in
deed, am obliged to say the route for
it's entire length of % miles is remarka-
bic in this respect, indicating an indus
trious ard hrst-class people. saw, no
d ,iu..cn from this either in the farming
secti,, or IN the villages scattered along
the excellent turnpipe roads,"
The report points out that the gold fish
hatchery at I.ewistown would furnish CON-
siderable freight to the road, and that
Catoctn Furnace, through the shipment
of ore, should be a valuable feeder
"Thurmont on the Western Maryland
Railroad (Wabash svstem), is very i'm
portant point situated about, 10 miles
from Frederick and miles frem En-
mitsburg, the Northern terminus of the
project now under consideration. 1t is
the centre of a section grown into favor
Of late years as summer resort. | was
told in Thurmont that there was not a
vacant room to be had last summer in
this pleasant village of 1900 people. In
this connection we must take into ac-
count the farm houses for several miles
around nearly every one of which throws
open its doors to the city family seeking
for rest, good water and mountain air.
1.-THE seven miles of territory lying be-
tween Thurmont and Emmitsburg is very
valuable as paying ground. Every foot
of it is good, closely populated near the
turnpike and line Of the new road. The
farm lands are in high state of cultiva-
ton with first class improvements. re-
gard these seven miles as being rich
enough in promise TO- make up for, any
deficiency that may be found in the three
miles between Thurmont and Catoctin.
do not admit any deficiency, but if any,
it will be there; the balance of the %
miles will be amply able to take care of
themselves from the beginning.
1.-THE location of a moderate priced ho-
tel at Catoctin Furnaces will assure the
success of this section of the road and
remove the possibility of any disappoint-
ment in the income from fieight or pas
senger traffic. Remember this is apart
from income derived, from hauling away
the hematite ore to be mined.
"Emmitsburg is estimated at this time
to have a population of 1000 persons. l
think this moderate count and feel safe
in giving it full value.
"There is of course good country to
the north, east and west of Emmitsburg
that will contribute in times of county
court and the county fair at Frederick to
the income of the road.
II think the estimates for Emmitsburg
and Thurmont is too low, as the summer
visitors will more than double the above
figures, but use them as they were CIV
en- to me.
1T would only be reasonable to sup
pose that traffic would come to this road
from Sabillasville and Rocky Ridge; these
are well settled sections on the line OF.