The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-08-19
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 10, 1910
THE WESTERN MARYLAND RAIL.
ROAD.

ROAD.
1t may not be known to the readers
Of the ADVOCATE generally, that
the Wessern Maryland Railroad. in
It's incipieney. was Carroll county
enterprise, and was promoted almost
exclusively by Carroll county people
In the beginning 1t was simply de-
signed to be local road. running be-
tween Baltimore and Union Bridge,
and no further. In the early fiftIes,
meeting after meeting was held in
Westminster. on the subject of this
proposed road. These meetings we're
attended by large numbers of our
farmers. who we're much interested In
the project
Among the prominent men OF our
county. of thai time who were at the
head of the movement we're John
Smith. of Wakefield: Augustus
shriver. John X. LongwelI. Nathan
and Reuben Haines. Israel Rinehart
and William and John Roberts There
we're many others. but these names
will indicate the character Of the men
who we're at that time. endeayorlng
to promote the building of the West
ern Maryland Railroad.
Like most enterprises of the SORT II
had many ups and downs There
we're times when II looked as II the
work would be Immediately entered
upon. Then lapse would come. un-
til 1t seemed. the matter was almost
forgotten. Some OF the faithful few
would then call a meeting. and re-
newed interest would be awakened.
And SO It went on. Hebbing and flow
ing" until a sufficient amount of
stock was subscribed. and rights Of
way obtained. and then contract
VAS entered into with Irwin { Taylor,
for the building of the road. Mr..
Irwin of this firm was the father of
the late p. II. Irwin. we'll known TO
our people.
The road was In due time fully
completed to Union Bridge. Then
came the Idea OF extending II 10
Mechanlestown. now Thurmont. and
this was done.
The little road trayersed splendid
section of the State. and attracted The
attention Of some prominent Ball
moreans. and II was suggested that
it be carried over the mountains to
Hagerstown. With the suggestion of
this extension. came an interest In II
from Baltimore city and from Wash
ington county. And 1t was mainly
these Two influences. that made It
possible for this feeble corporation.
To accomplish the difficult work Of
carrying the road over the Blue Ridge
Mountains
Washington county subscribed
stock and Baltimore city issued
bonds. and the end. TO wit the extern
sion of the road to Hagerstosn, Vas
accomplished.
It Ia not the purpose Of this article |
To present history Of the Western
Maryland Railroad. but to show that
the inauguration OF the enterprise
WAS entirely the work Of the sturdy |
citizens of our county. From the |
time the road reached Hagerstown 10
the present. its history is pretty well
known to the people Of the present
day.
II would not be proper to speak Of
the Western Maryland Railroad with
out mentioning the name of Gol. John |
NJ. Hood. who did more to hold up
and advance the Western Maryland. |
than anY man Who was ever connect
ed with L.
We Honor the Memory of Col. Hood. |
There has never been such future
before the road as there l. al The
present time. n this connection "
call the attention OF our readers TO N
article which we reprint from the
Financial Age Of New York in r.
gard to the Western Maryland, which
indicates the amazing growth which
Inns come to the little plant which
took its root In Carroll county soil.
and was nurtured By Carroll county
hands, nearly sixty years ago.