Evening star., 1938-06-05

lies. 1t was what has been called the
Terra Gotta Wreck, because it occurred
close to the Terra Gotta Station on the
Metropolitan Branch Of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, not far from Takoma
Park. 1t was probably one of the worst
railroad wrecks to occur within the
boundaries of the District, and by the
following day the press gave the num-
Der of dead at 43 and the injured at 80.
The cause of the accident, as stated
at the time, was believed to have been
due to the engineer of a monster en-.
gine drawing seven empty passenger
coaches running past the red signal
at Takoma, which warned him that
another train was ahead Of him. Ap-
parently to this signal he paid no at
tention, but dashed on ahead and
ran his train into local No. 66, tele-
scoping the coaches.
DR.. Edward Oliver Belt Of WASH
ington and Rock Hall, and his young
sons, Sinclair, aged 5 years, and Ed
ward M, 2 years older, were found
among the dead, their promising lives
crushed out, and Washington was in
mourning. not alone for them, but
also for the rest of those who died
through the carelessness Of some one,
for there were few in the city who did
not recall some loved one, some friend,
or some acquaintance whose life was
snuffed out on that fatal December
evening.
A ND so there is connection between
Washington and Rock Hall, DR..
Belts birthplace and the early home Of
Roger johnson, brother of Thomas
johnson, who was one of the Capitals
first Commissioners.
And this indeed Is a nne old man
sion, built of gray sandstone, quar-
rted on the place It is surrounded by
746 acres which back up almost to the
Sugar Loaf Mountain, and extend
along the highway for half q mile and
along Monocacy River for q similar
distance.
When owned by Roger johnson, an
~&SA1 4eAAAoNS Woo OPCk 6JlOll ClOSG
to the mountain, one Of several owned
by the johnson family throughout
Frederick County. and here was also
a distillery owned and operated by
them, while a short distance away
were woolen factory and q grist mill.
A granite quarry on the farm sup
piled all the stone for the aqueduct
carrying the c. g. o. canal across the
Monocacy River. 1t was commenced
In 1924 and finished in 1927. As an
example of early American masonry.
this aqueduct is still regarded as q
very fine piece of work It consists
of seven arches, and the canal for
which it was especially built is 10 feet
deep and 20 feet wide. There is a
small mound about the center Of the
outside wall. The towpath where
the mules travel over is also used for
foot and wagon travel. A wooden
railroad was built from the quarry
to the aqueduct, over which the
stones were transported distance of
a little more than 2 miles. The stone
was blocked out at the quarries in
sizes and shapes wanted; about 100
stonecutters were employed, and they
were all skilled mechanics. It is said
that this old railroad can still be
traced from the quarry to the aque-
duct, and occasionally an old tie or
rail can be found imbedded in the
ground The railroad ran Just east
Of Rock Hall and was probably the
first of its kind in America. Ths
stones were very heavy. many Of them
weighing over tons. They were
pulled from the top Of the hin by
oxen and then pulled to the aqueduct
by horses and mules.
The stone for the B. & o. railroad
bridge over the Monocacy also was
quarried here.
WHEN the writer visited the old
mansion called Rock Hall he was
impressed with the nearly original
state of the building, and the hard
ware and fittings seem to be as old as
the building itself. Altogether it is
In a fairly good state Of preservation
for its age, and its substantial l8-
inch walls are apparently as sound as
the day they were built. Particularly
attractive is the stone stile still stand
ing at the gateway where the women
and girls of the house mounted their
restless steeds. This stile Is stepped
OF in order to accommodate those
Of the household Of different ages, the
top step naturally being for the young
{See PROCTOR. Page C.H.l