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Franklin County : Trade/Commerce

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Railroads

Valley Spirit, February 9, 1859, p. 5, c. 1: "Railroad to Gettysburg."
Editorial stresses the importance of and need for a rail connection to Gettysburg. Claims the line would be good for farmers and merchants, as a direct connection to Baltimore.

Valley Spirit, March 16, 1859, p. 5, c. 2: "The Franklin Railroad."
Details of the construction of the new railroad.

Valley Spirit, April 20, 1859, p. 5, c. 4: "For the Valley Spirit."
Letter about the refurbishment of long-neglected Franklin Railroad, specifically the crossing with Chambersburg/Waynesboro road.

Franklin Repository, August 3, 1859, p. 5, c. 1: "Franklin Railroad."
An account of the festivities surrounding the opening of the railroad from Chambersburg to Greencastle. Free rides were given to the military, who also staged a "Sham-battle," and thousands of other townspeople, including separate rides "devoted to the Ladies." One boy broke his leg jumping off the train and "a little negro boy [was] killed in some way not known, except that it was done by a loose car which a number of boys had put in motion."

Franklin Repository, August 10, 1859, p. 5, c. 1: "The Cumberland Valley R. R."
The author confirms that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company did buy 9,000 shares of Cumberland Valley Railroad stock but assures readers that the stock will not depreciate and that the R.R. will promote their "common interests."

Valley Spirit, January 25, 1860, p. 4, c. 4: "A Railroad from Gettysburg to Chambersburg."
A meeting in Fayetteville was held to propose a railroad survey between the two points.

Valley Spirit, February 8, 1860, p. 5, c. 2: "Franklin Railroad."
Railroad between Chambersburg and Greencastle has been completed, but the rates to the new destination are disproportionately higher than to other destinations. Warns about predatory corporations.

Franklin Repository, February 15, 1860, p. 4, c. 5: "Franklin Railroad."
Editors offer thanks to the new railroad for its service.

Valley Spirit, February 15, 1860, p. 5, c. 2: "Chambersburg and Gettysburg Railroad."
Fayetteville group is undertaking survey for railroad linking the two towns; editors urge support of Chambersburg residents.

Valley Spirit, February 22, 1860, p. 4, c. 5: "The Caledonia Railroad."
Argues that the movement for a new railroad is not to compete with the existing railroad, but to give Chambersburg the resources it deserves as an expanding economic center.

Valley Spirit, February 22, 1860, p. 5, c. 2: "Franklin Railroad."
Reply to articles in an unnamed newspaper which countered the Valley Spirit's assertions that the Franklin Railroad was applying its rates unfairly. The editors claim they are writing impartially and for the benefit of their readers.

Franklin Repository, May 16, 1860, p. 5, c. 2: "Rail Road Meeting."
Article calls for Franklin Co. to move actively to secure Chambersburg as the starting point for a proposed railroad to intersect the Connellsville and Allegheny Railroad. Editors suggest that Franklin Co. get organized to represent its interests at an upcoming convention of railroad men in Harrisburg.

Valley Spirit, May 16, 1860, p. 5, c. 2: "Directors of the Franklin Railroad."
Meeting in Harrisburg of Franklin Railroad Company Directors; several local men elected.

Franklin Repository, June 1, 1860, p. 4, c. 4: "The Railroad To The South West."
Plea to the people of Cumberland Valley to urge Philadelphia capitalists to convince the Penna. Central R.R. to build a railroad from Harrisburg to the Ohio River through the southern PA counties, before New York capitalists build a different route that would not include Chambersburg on its route.

Franklin Repository, June 1, 1860, p. 5, c. 2: "The Cumberland Valley Rail Road."
Another article urging a rail route through the Cumberland Valley, which would provide the isolated southern counties of Pennsylvania with an active trade route.

Franklin Repository, June 13, 1860, p. 1, c. 4: "New York And The West."
Article noting the benefits of building the railroad from Harrisburg to the Ohio River through the southern counties of Pennsylvania. The benefits include a shorter distance than the other proposed route, better winter conditions, and less expenditure in its construction.

Valley Spirit, June 13, 1860, p. 5, c. 1: "Railroad."
Argues that while Chambersburg is adequately connected by railroad to Philadelphia, its citizens have to take a circuitous route to Baltimore. Notes that the Pennsylvania Central Railroad owns the Cumberland Railroad and controls the routes to both destinations.

Franklin Repository, July 4, 1860, p. 4, c. 5: "Railroad Meeting In Chambersburg."
Summary of a meeting held June 30th where a letter was read urging a survey of the proposed valley route. Elected officers include: Emanuel Kuhn, Esq.-President; J. W. Douglas-Secretary. Wilson Reilly, William Seibert, and A. K. MClure made some remarks. The Hon. Wilson Reilly and Hon. George Chambers were appointed to appoint committees in each township--to receive subscriptions to help defray the cost of the survey estimated at five hundred dollars.

Franklin Repository, July 11, 1860, p. 8, c. 1: "Southern Pennsylvania."
Argument for a railroad to be built in the southern counties of Pennsylvania, and that this route would be straighter and shorter than other suggested routes, and would access the fertile lands and the trade-potential of the settlers of this area.

Valley Spirit, July 25, 1860, p. 5, c. 1: "Railroad Prospects Increasing."
A New York railroad company sent out a Mr. J.E. Wharton to survey the proposed road near Chambersburg.

Franklin Repository, August 15, 1860, p. 5, c. 1: "The Franklin Railroad."
Announcement of the Franklin Railroad's completion and schedule, and thanks to the financial backers and engineer. Praise of the General Agent, George B. Ayres, Esq., and the conductor, John Miller, and expression of the need of a flag-station.

Valley Spirit, November 7, 1860, p. 1, c. 3: "Which Will be Best."
Asks readers to contemplate the best course for the nation: a united country in which the South provides raw materials and markets for Northern manufactured goods or a disunited country in which the South receives her supplies from overseas and the North's prosperity declines as a result.

Valley Spirit, January 23, 1861, p. 5, c. 2: "Railroad Meeting."
A meeting in Franklin County will take place to consider the building of a railroad to connect Chambersburg to the Pittsburgh line.