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operate a street railroad. While President Royce felt the operation would not produce a profit "for some time to come" his group's interest was to "benefit... the city and not to make money." After some procedural delays, the council granted the company a franchise, September 10, 1889. The company purchased several passenger cars which were stored for several years on Union Street until they were sold. Rev. Charles Winchester bought one of the cars, using it at Columbia Park (which he established), now called Fancher-Davidge Park.
For some reason this group never built the road and their franchise rights expired. By the end of 1892, another group had organized, and was prepared to seek a franchise. This was the Middletown Electric Railway Company who on December 15, 1892 requested before the Common Council a date be set to receive applications for an electric street railroad. The council agreed to advertise for applications as prescribed by law.
Later, a difference of opinion led to the formation of the Citizen's Electric Railway Co., on January 3, 1893. At the Common Council meeting of February 2, 1893, there was a group from Scranton, PA, who had organized the Middletown-Goshen Traction Co., who also intended to apply for the trolley franchise. On February 8, it was announced the firm of Drake & Stratton also intended to apply for the franchise as well. Their purpose was to sell stock to city residents only, so as to keep local control of the line. However, they never did make application for the franchise.
By mid-February, the two Middletown groups combined, organizing on February 25, 1893, as the Middletown Street Railway and Power Company. At the council meeting of March 3rd, it was voted to award the franchise to the Middletown Street Railroad and Power Co. But, on April 20th this group advised the council they were no longer willing to accept the franchise as they felt the terms were too stringent.
Meeting June 29th, the Common Council voted to award an amended franchise to the Middletown-Goshen Traction Co. On July 6th, Mayor Bailey approved the council's action. At the request of the Traction Co., the time for acceptance of the franchise was extended, and finally accepted September 19th.
Construction of the line began without ceremony on the morning of October 9, 1893. Excavation began on Wickham Avenue where North Street crosses, proceeding down wickham to Low, and up Low to the intersection with North Street. Mayor Daniel H. Bailey and Council President A.J. Hornbeck who had been looking over the grading of Thrall Park, stopped by to watch the work.
By November 10th, one-hundred octagon poles for trolley wires had arrived via theo & w. Painted green with white tops, they were to be used in the center of town, while plain poles would be placed in the outskirts. Commenting on Midway park, the company