Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-11-25
The Washington, Westminster aud
Gettysburg Railroad Under
Construction.

on muddy embankment, just outsid,
OF Brentwood, yesterday, and watched {
0rawny laborer drive the spike holding il
place the first rail of the long AWAITED
railroad connecting the National Capita
with the famous battlefield of Gettysburg
In this little group of Washingtonians
were VIM. H. Saunders. president of the
Washington, Westminster and Gettysburg
Railroad; E. P. Thomas, vice-president
|. II. Saunders, secretary and treasurer
Thomas B. Redmond, general manager OF
the company, and A. B. Farquhar. A. A.
Chaplin, Allan Farquhar, Claude Livingston
and Henry L. West, officers and directors
of the road.
There was no pOmp connected with the
occasion-no ceremony. There was no
golden spike to be driven by the governors
OF States-no applauding crowd. But these
eight men knew that with that moment
one Of the greatest financial and CONNER
cial projects this city has ever known was
put under way.
road materials in sufficient quantity to
push the road into parts of Maryland and
Pennsylvania never before given the slight
est transportation advantage. This occa-
sion meant not only triumph for Wash
ingtOn financial genius, with the first of
$3.5OO,000 being expended, but also a
triumph in that virgin territory was being
opened up by its means.
For more than thirty years the neces-
sity has been felt in the Capital of the
United States for more direct and adequate
railroad facilities connecting the great
battlefield Of Gettysburg. upon which, in
preserving landmarks, erecting monuments
to the fallen dead, and converting it into
magnificent park. has been expended
more than 100000.
Populated by more than $4,000 people.
this paradise of Maryland and Pennsylva-
mia has never had any form of transpor-
tation further than that Of the wagon of
the farmer himself 1t has been visited
by railroads. it is true, but all running
almost directly east and west Wide sec
tons Of the country have lain between.
dormant in productive and manufacturing
interests. for lack of an outlet to the north
or south
A few miles to the west, and again to
the north, and the vast coal fields of West
Virginia and Pennsylvania. too, have
awaited means of conveyance to Wash
ineton and points south. The annual
tonnage of this city, alone amounting to
hundreds of thousands Of tons annually,
has been carried far to the east, trans
ferred to the main trunk lines of the coast
line roads, and by such a roundabout
course finally brought to the consuming
point.
This day is past. With the completion
of the Washington. Westminster and Get
tysburg Railroad all will be changed
In point Of tourist traffic alone. this new
railway develops every feature of a sound
commercial proposition. During the past
twenty years Washington has developed a
remarkable growth. 1t is to-day expand
ing in every direction, and this growth has
been and is now commensurate with the
growth of the country at large.
1t is needless to say that no other city
in the United States can present such
varied number of attractions for the visi-
tor. Washington offers magnificent public
buildings, broad avenues, spacious parks.
all. perhaps, uneQualed in the world. The
world accepts the invitation extended, as
the constantly increasing influx of visitors
testifies
AS the real convention centre of the
United States, and a mecca for foreign
delegates from all parts of the world. the
city entertains thousands of tourists every
year. A large percentage Of these visitors
visit Gettysburg. A few years ago, when
Washington witnessed the gathering Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic. 100000 old
soldiers made the journey to the historic
battlefield.
But at what cost. Leaving the cityin
the morning, with uncertain train cOnnec-
tons at several points. the visitors we're
given scarce an hour TO look at this won
derful expanse of ground where. fifty years
ago. they had fought a battle destined to
60 down in history as the bloOdiest and
saddest conflict. Within few months il
will be possible to transport like number
Of visitors by an eighty mile trip without
a change Of cars
Gettysburg itself is now a city approx
mating 5000 population. Here on the
first three days of July. 1868. was fought
the crucial battle of the war between the
States. The battlefield covers an area Of
nearly four square miles. now by Govern
ment and State expenditure converted into
a national park. 1t is little changed from
its appearance fifty years ago. The head
quarters Of Gen. Meade. and the house
from which he directed movements of the
Yankee forces still stands. as does the old
stone house where Gen. Lee slowly watched
his forces hold their defense to the last.
exception Of Baltimore county. the wealth
lest section of Maryland. Westminster.
situated about half way between the term
inal points. is the county seat Of Carroll
county. and the richest town in the State.
excepting Baltimore. The farmers are in
dustriOus and prosperous. Their lands are
fertile. and their only difficulty under pre-
sent conditions is that Of being forced to
carry their products ten and twenty miles
over country TO an available transportation
point. Along the line are such other
prosperous communities as Sandy Spring.
Laytonsville. Mount Airy. Myersville. West
minister, Littlestown and Two Taverns. In
total, some eighty stations and postoffices
will be touched.
The commercial side Of the undertaking
is one that by the most casual investiga.