Milford chronicle., 1960-08-19
cents Der passenger mile.

cents per passenger mlle-
With the help of the loan the line
was extended to Georgetown in
1858 and in November of 1869 it was
completed to its terminus at
Lewes. Beginning January 1, 1870
trains were run regularly to Lewes.
The railroad pier at Lewes was also
completed that same year and a
regular line of steamships was es-
tablished between Lewes and New
York by the Old Dominion Line.
Promoters planned yet another
railroad through Sussex County
which would connect with the j.
& B. This ill-fated line appropri-
ately named the Sussex Midland
r. R. was to cross the county east
and west, switch from usual
north-south shuttle. The act of in
corporation passed by the Legisla-
ture in 1845 and amended in 1888
provided that the line should ex-
tend from Bridgeville through
Georgetown or within one half mile
of it where it would connect with
the J. & B. on to Lewes. From
BridgeyiIle it would proceed west
ward to the state line where it
would connect with the Dorchester
and Delaware r. R., thus travers-
in the peninsula. The Sussex
Midland's reliance on the j. & B.
is evident from its charter. Per-
mission was given it to cross any
tracks between its termini other
than the j. & B. 1t was also given
permission to lease or consolidate
with any other railroad or to make
arrangements with the ]. & B. for
use of its rolling stock.
By the terms of it's amended
charter passed March 26, 1888, the
Legislature was not as kind to
this railroad as it had been with
some others. The Sussex Midland
was required to commence work
on its line within three years or
else lose its charter. In addition
a legal fence was required along
its whole length.
Hopes were high for the contem-
plated line, as is shown by an
excerpt from the Milford Chronicle,
date July 6, 1888. "Of the Sussex
Midland, the Every Evening says:
The new line will run from Kent
Island to Bridgeville and George
town, using the Delaware, Mary
land and Virginia branch to Lewes.
This is a shorter line than the one
by Harrington, and it opens up an
exceedingly fine part of the pen
insula. This line, it is said, is
destined to make Lewes second in
importance to Wilmington alone.
Eventually it is believed, exten-
sive grain elevators will be built
at Lewes and the place will be-
come an important shipping point
for European trade. The Maryland
and Atlantic line to Lewes via An
napolis and Kent Island, is the
shortest route from Baltimore to
the seaboard- more than 100
miles the journey, it is said,
will probably be made in three
hours, fast trains being. transfer
red bodily on large swift steamers
from the western shore to the is
land"
A news item from the Chronicle
few weeks later on July 9th
shows that the proposed line pass
ed the mere planning stage. The
item reads, st is reported that
the survey of the Sussex Midland
Railroad is completed, that the
right of way will be obtained i'm
mediately and that the construc-
ton will be commenced about Sep
tember 1st." The author has nc
information about this mysteri-
ously forgotten railroad beyond
this point. However, for the read
ers' interest the list Of corpora
tors consisted of the following
George M. Davis. Simeon Penne-
well, Joseph R. Richards, Daniel
F. Ball, William A. Jacobs, David
S. Meyer, Garrett S. Layton, Isaac
G. Cottrell, Milo L. Blanchard,
Jacob Kinder, Loxley R. Jacobs
and Henry @. Nicholson.