In September 1910, ground was broken in Killinger, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, for the construction of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad. This ceremonious event was reported in local and area newspapers with estimates ranging from several hundred to a thousand persons attending.
Also, these articles tell for the first time, the plan to use gasoline motors to power passenger cars on the railroad, instead of the traditional steam engines or electric power as used in trolleys.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 16 September 1910:
WOMEN BREAK SOD FOR NEW RAILROAD BEFORE HUNDREDS
Work Is Started on the Midland Pennsylvania Line
SILVER SPADE USED
Lykens Valley School Children Take Part in Exercises
NEW TYPE OF CAR
Gasoline Motors Will Be Used to Transport Passengers
Special to the Telegraph
Killinger, Pennsylvania, 16 September 1910 — Several hundred residents and school children of Lykens Valley and many visitors from Philadelphia and other points gathered at Killinger to witness the breaking of ground and the commencement of work on the new Midland Pennsylvania Railroad that will open up the entire Lykens Valley from Millersburg on the Susquehanna River, to Ashland, Schuiylkill County, a forty-four miles.
After appropriate services ground was broken by Mrs. Walter E. Harrington, Mrs. Finley Acker and Mrs. Lewis J. Grubb, of Philadelphia, followed by the girls and boys from the towns in Lykens Valley. A silver spade, made by Bailey, Banks & Biddle, of Philadelphia, was furnished for the purpose by the contractors, the Pinkerton Construction Company, of Philadelphia.
Addresses were delivered by Walter E. Harrington, president of the new railroad; Finley Acker, Lewis J. Grubb, J. A.McKee, W. Atlee Burpee, O. LaForrest Perry, G. G. Browning, of Philadelphia; John A. Keppleman, of Reading; Joseph F. Romberger, of Berrysburg; and N. D. Yoder, of Hegins.
When the new road is completed a new type of gasoline car, especially designed to operate on steam railroads, will be used for the passenger service. The freight trains will be moved by steam locomotives.
The officers of the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad Company are: president, Walter E. Harrington, of Philadelphia; first vice-president, Dimner Beeber, of Philadelphia; second vice-president, Joseph F. Romberger, of Berrysburg; third vice-president, Finley Acker, of Philadelphia; treasurer, Samuel F. Houston, of Philadelphia; secretary, John H. Williams, of Pottsville.
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From the Harrisburg Daily Independent, 16 September 1910. [Note: Similar articles also appeared in the Altoona Tribune and other newspapers].
WOMEN START RAILROAD
Philadelphians Use First Spade on New State Line
Pottsville, 16 September 1910 — Work on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad, which will extend 44 miles from Millersburg, Dauphin County, to Ashland, Schuylkill County, was officially started yesterday. The new road is financed by Philadelphians. Mrs. W. E. Harrington, wife of the president of the company, and Mrs. Finley Acker, the wife of the vice president, both of Philadelphia, turned the first spadefuls of earth with a silver spade.
More than 1,000 persons witnessed the ceremonies, at which Joseph F. Romberger, president of the Berrysburg Board of Trade, presided. Addresses were delivered by W. E. Harrington, Finley Acker, A. J. McKee, G. G. Browning, W. A. Burpee and Louis J. Grubb, of Philadelphia; John A. Keppelman, of Reading, and others.
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From the Wilkes-Barre Record, 16 September 1910:
Work Begins on New Road
Pottsville, 15 September 1910 — Work on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad which will extend forty-four miles from Millersburg, Dauphin County, to Ashland, Schuylkill County, was officially started today. The new road is financed by Philadelphians. Mrs. W. E. Harrington, wife of the president of the company, and Mrs. Finley Acker, the wife of the vice president, both of Philadelphia, turned the first spade full of earth with a silver spade.
More than a thousand persons witnessed the ceremonies at which Joseph F. Romberger, president of the Berrysburg Board of Trade, presided.
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From the Lebanon Evening Report, 17 September 1910:
WOMEN START WORK
Killinger, Pensylvania, 17 September 1910 — Several hundred residents and school children of Lykens Valley and many visitors from Philadelphia and other points gathered at Killinger, Dauphin County, to witness the breaking ground and the commencement of work on the new Midland Pennsylvania railroad that will open up the entire Lykens Valley from Millersburg on the Susquehanna River to Ashland, Schuylkill County, a distance of forty-four miles. Women broke the first ground.
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From the Lebanon Courier & Semi-Weekly Report, 20 September 1910:
WOMEN START WORK
Killinger, Pennsylvania, 17 September 1910 — Several hundred residents and school children of Lykens Valley, and many visitors from Philadelphia and other points gathered at Killinger, Dauphin County, to witness the breaking ground and commencement of work on the new Midland Pennsylvania Railroad that will open up the entire Lykens Valley from Millersburg, on the Susquehanna River, to Ashland, Schuylkill County, a distance of forty-four miles. Women broke the first ground.
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From the Wilkes-Barre Semi-Weekly Report, 20 September 1910:
Work Begins on New Road
Pottsville, 15 September 1910 — Work on the Midland Pennsylvania Railroad which will extend forty-four miles from Millersburg, Dauphin County, to Ashland, Schuylkill County, was officially started today, The new road is financed by Philadelphians. Mrs. W. E. Harrington, wife of the president of the company, and Mrs. Finley Acker, the wife of the vice president, both of Philadelphia, turned the first spade full of earth with a silver spade.
More than a thousand persons witnessed the ceremonies at which Joseph F. Romberger, president of the Berrysburg Board of Trade, presided.
[Note: Similar articles appeared in the Altoona Times, 16 September 1910; the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 17 September 1910].
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Transcribed from Newspapers.com.