Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-07-11
WESTERN MARYLAND
RAN LINES EAST OF
CITY DURING SURVEY
Property Owners Advised Line
Would Come Through.

Although not generally known
it was said this morning by one
who was directly interested that
the engineers from the Western
Maryland surveyed two lines east
of this city about the time Of the
beginning Of the war with the ex-
pectation, according to the en-
gineers, that line would be con-
structed through this city connect
ing with the terminus at Nessle
and continuing to Leesburg, via
Harpers Ferry, where the line
would connect with the Old Domin-
ion, in which the Western Maryland
has an interest. 1t has been COM
monty known that the company at
one time surveyed with consider
able accuracy a line west of the
city, crossing the quarries in the
western suburbs, thence southwark
on the west OF the Cumberland
Valley, and on to Charles Town to
Leesburg for the Old Dominion
connection; but it was developed
this morning that although little
or no publicity had been given to
it. the engineers had run their trial
lines east of the city with appar-
entity the same eXactness that was
used in the lines west.
Engineers We're Confident.
One of the property owners with
whom the engineers talked during
their survey, which ran over a per
iod of several days, was j. w.
Knighten, living just east of the
city, on one of the hills in that
section, and who farms consider
able land in the section. The en-
gineers made two trips across his
land, both during the winter four
years ago. On the first trip that
came from what is known as Die
mems hill, southeast of the city,
and ran a trial line just west OF
his front door. A couple of days
later the same squad of engineers
returned, running their line that
i time just east OF his home and
touching the crest OF the hill. From
there the line was forwarded to- an
adjoining pair OF hills and from
there across ths county road to
Opequon.
Mr.. Knighten talked to the en-
gtneers about the work and the
prospects and they gave him to I'M
derstand that the line would be put
through the city and that, in all
probability, 1t would follow the
second OF the two surveys made
close to his home. The man in
charge explained that the survey
passing that way was an extraordi-
narily Level one, straight and re-
quiring only two bridges in this
section. He added that property in
that section would naturally be-
come more valuable as the plans
matured.
A few days later another group
of Representatives Of the road came
through the same section, jotting
down data nthe ownership of the
land its extent, and so forth. They
indicated by their remarks that the
road would probably enter the out
skirts OF the city on the land own
ed by Mr.. Edward G.. Branden-
burg, thence across the Bachman
place, thence to Mr.. Knighten's
property and one southeastWard
across the county road towards the
new brickyards south OF the city
and thence towards Leesburg. Mr.
Knighten was led to believe from
the conversations that the data
had been worked out in detail, the
men speaking in terms of feet and
inches of the property which they
were to get from this or another
person.
Mr. Knighten has heard nothing
more from tie railroad officials di-
rectly. Since the survey he has
been offered definite price for his
property, the offer coming through
local man; but Mr.. Knighten is
not certain that it was not an indi-
rect offer from the road people.
1t viii be recalled that some
months ago Colin IT. Livingstone.
of Washington, who r. ,G'er-sted in
the Western Maryland l1l re Old
Dominion lines, asked permission
OF the Interstate Commerce. Com
mission for the extension Of the
former, which was interpreted as a
gesture towards new railroad
through this city,