Decatur Democrat, Volume 34, Number 36, Decatur, Adams County, 28 November 1890 — Page 14

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INDIANA IS SECONIf IN ELECTRIC RAILROADS Ohio Is Only State Which Excels in Inters urban Mileage—All Indianians Soon to Be Close Neighbors.

Following closely her good fortune In all the developments of present-day con- . veniences, and with a searching for future benefits, Indiana is rapidly distancing other states in the construction of electric traction lines and interurban railways. With the mileage now in operation and that under construction, Incorporated and contemplated, the state will easily h'ave within the next five years seven thousand miles of electrically operated railroads. This will place Indiana second only to Ohio in this exceptional, economic advantage and form a cornucopia from the capacious receptacle of which will flow into the ample lap of Indianapolis much of the commerce of three states. For it must be conceded that the capital city of Indiana is also the flnan- «. clal and productive metropolis of a large region, and that it is constantly expanding and encroaching on the territory of other cities by reason of the greater energy and superior foresight of its busl- , ness men. In the eminent prestige that this condition forecasts for Indianapolis there should be no element of jealousy on the part of other Indiana cities, for a proportionate benefit of every development •within the state must surely fall to them. Each will receive an advantage through tljls new system of rapid and cheap com-munication-in proportion to its resources and its commercial possibilities. It may be well to hint also that muph of the good , to be derived by local communities ' through of these electric railways will depend upon the fairness with which the projectors are met In Aha* matter of rights-of-way, franchises, legislative easements, etc. A New Enterprise. Only a very few years ago the electric railway was strictly an urban convenience and in a few Instances consisted only of short pleasure lines. It had not, In fact, been determined up to within ten years that suflicient power could be distributed from a single station to operate a.very long line. But when this pojnt was settled the .boldness with which sagacious men engaged in the construction of electrically operated railways was .astonishing, and there has never been greater and more rapid advancement in any American enterprise than has been displayed in this Industry. Much that has been achieved within our own state and forecasted for the future is due to the masterly direction and unfailing persistence of the Hon. George F. McCulloch of Muncie. So far as Indiana is concerned it was at once recognized by Mr. McCulloch and his predecessors in the work that country lines connecting the principal towns and B cities of the great manufacturing sections would not only prove profitable as an investment, but that their increasing importance in population' and wealth, and the close interdependence of their vast commercial interests demanded more frequent means of local communication than was afforded hv. the established means of travel. FolJowing rapidly upon each other’s heels the fine systems of the Union traction company of Indiana, the Indianapolis, Grt enwdod & Franklin company and tho Indianapolis & Greenfield company (now the Eastern traction company) were constructed, and have been remarkably prosperous from the start. The Indianapolis St Martinsville line is nearing completion. Another entensive -.system, almost comparable to the Union traction, - has been projected and financed to ex' .tend from Wabash, Peru, Logansport, Kokomo and other points to Indianapolis. A company has been incorporated to build a lino to Shelbyville, and the Eastern traction company (the Greenfield route) is rapidly extending to Knightstown, Richrriond, New Castle, Connersville, etc. * • ♦ ~ Various Lines. The Indianapolis northern traction company has about completed its right-of-way to Kokomo and many projects of similar nature are in the hands ot shrewd and enterprising men of good financial standing that will undoubtedly be pushed to completion. They are not confined to any particular sections of the state, but are intended to very generally traverse all the more Important manufacturing and business districts, and the country comprising the most prolific farming and grazing sections. The chief claim of these electric railways to public patronage Is not that they Specially invite the travel of tourists and pleasure seekers, as many have supposed. but that, in a greater degree than any o‘ber method of transportation, they meet the wants of local communities for the speedy and prompt inter-communlca-tlon at a minimum cost which facilitates the development and transaction of business, and promotes social intercourse. Their immense value to Indiana in the future .may be estimated in a degree by the following brief reviews of the lines now in operation: There is another view of this development that appeals strongly to the people of this state, viz., the sterling nature of the investment they afford to the citizens of every community through which they pass. They should be built and owned within the state. Their bonds should be purchased by Indianians and a distinct preference should be given our own people In the financing of these railways. Already these lines'have proven remunerv atlve and in a very few years they will take high rang .among the securities and Investments of the state. UNION TRACTION COMPANY OF INDIANA’. The system of the Union traction company of Indiana, as it exists today, was conceived nearly ten years ago. The Anderson electric street railway company was organized In 1892 by Messrs. Charles L. Henry of Anderson and Philip Matler of Marlon and acquired the old horse railway which had been operating in Anderson since 1887. In 1897 the property and franchises of the company were acquired by the Union traction company of Anderson, which was on June 28, 1899, consolidated with the Muncie, Anderson & Indianapolis street railway company of Muncie, under the. present name of the Union traction company of Indiana. The Muncie road was the successor of the Citizens’ railway company, organized in 1892. Mr. George F. McCulloch, who was secretary and general manager of the Muncie, Anderson & Indianapolis company, became a director and treasurer of the Union traction company of Indiana. By the purchase of local lines in Marion and the construction of interurban lines the system was extended until it now Includes 163 miles of track and serves a population of from 150,000 to 175,000 people, not including the city of Indianapolis (175,000). Change In Management. Mr. Henry was general manager of the company until March 5, 1901, when he resigned to devote more of his time to other interests. The present officers and operating staff are: President and gen-

eral manager. George F. McCulloch; asEirtant to president and general manager, C. W. McGuin; vice-president, Philip Matler; secretary, J. A. Van Osdel; treasurer. W. C. Sampson; general counsel, Charles L. Henry; general passenger agent, Charles A. Baldwin; electrical engineer, A. S. Richey; chief engineer and roadmaster, W. H. Bloss; master mechanic, J. S. Hamlin. Os the total track, fifty-six miles are Ictal lines in Marion, Muncie, Anderson and Elwood. The line from Anderson to Alexandria was opened Jan. 1, 1898; from Alexandria to Summitville, July 6, 1898, and to Marlon, Aug. 8, 1898; from Alexandria to Elwood, June 26, 1899; from Anderson to Muncie, Oct. 1, 1900; from Anderson to Indianapolis, Jan. 4, 1901. The fare charged on the interurban lines of the company is approximately 1 cent per mile, except that no single fare for any distance is less than 5 cents. The cars in the interurban service are fifty-two feet six Inches long and eight feet six inches wide, the roof being of the steam-coach pattern; they have baggage compartments and toilet rooms; the seating eapacity is forty-four in the main part of the car and eight in the baggage compartment. The motor truck has thlrty-six-inch steel-tired wheels, conforming to the Pennsylvania railroad standard. The motor truck, which is at the front end of the car, has two No. 50 XVestinghouse motors, rated at 150 horse power each. The? other equipment includes L-2 controllers, Christensen motor-driven air compressors, XVagenhal’s electric headlights and’Baker hot water heaters. The motor equipment will propel a fully loaded car, weighing 65,000 pounds, at a speed of forty-five miles an hour. Operation of System. The road is operated with the alteratlng direct system of current distribu-

BASz NEW FRENCH LICK SPRINGS HOTEL.

tlon, with high potential transmission lines and rotary converter sub-stations, and is one of the most interesting and practical plants that has ever been installed. The main power station Is located in North Anderson, with sub-sta-tions at Marion, Fairmount. Elwood. Alexandria. Muncie. Daleville. Ingalls and Lawrence. The company now has a train out of the terminal stations (Anderson, Muncie, Marion, Elwood and Indianapolis) every hour during the day, from 4:00 a. m. to 11:00 p. m., and running on a schedule under the “block” system. „ The traffic oh these lines increased steadily from the start until ft became necessary for further arrangements to take care of the increased travel. For this purpose Manager McCulloch perfected arrangements for putting on fast trains between Muncie and Indianapolis. The limited trains already have a large patronage. They have only one stop (at Anderson).- These trains leave Indianapolis at 7:30 and 10:30 a. m. and Muncie at 4:30 and 7:30 p. m. every day and make the run in two hours. THE EASTERN TRACTION COMPANY. One of the most Important Interurban railway systems radiating from Indianapolis will undoubtedly be the Eastern traction company’s lines, recently reorganized fr'om the Indianapolis & Greenfield railroad. It is now being rapidly extended from Greenfield to Knightstown, and this extension will be in operation In less than nine months. From Knightstown It will be pushed without delay to Richmond, with branches to New Castle and Connersville. From Richmond it will, within a short period, be carried bn to Dayton, there to connect ' with the great Ohio system of electric roads and • compass a territory embracing a population of nearly 4,000,000 people. This will then be to Indianapolis the greatest feeder of all the interurban lines and to the fortunate investors a permanent source of gratifying profit. Its securities will be equal to any investment in Indiana and the fact that the Central trust company of Indianapolis, of which Mr. Charles E. Coffin, one of the most discriminating and conservative financiers of the West, is president, has undertaken the promotion of the enterprise is sufficient evidence of its absolutely safe and remunerative character. The officers of the company - are- all well known and prosperous Indianapolis business men of the highest standing, who have become heavily interested in the company because of its superlative control of one of the most prosperous and wealth-pnpduc-lng regions of the West. Not only are the towns .through which it passes and will pass and the country it will serve in Indiana extremely rich in products and manufactures, but its close alliance with the vast electric railway system of Ohio will draw to Indianapolis an enormous business that could not otherwise be made to pay tribute to this city. It will rapidly become one of the most potent factors that could be desired for the further development of the trade of Indianapolis. Seventeen Miles. The company at present owns and operates seventeen miles, in addition to five miles of track it utilizes in this city. The present terminus is Greenfield, but before Aug. 1 next cars will be run regularly to Knightstown and no delay will be allowed in completing the further extensions proposed. At present the company operates ten cars. The running time between the court houses of Greenfield and Indianapolis Is one hour. A very attractive feature of the road is Spring Lake park, a delightful summer resort, sixteen miles from Indianapolis, where various entertainments are maintained. The run is made in less than an hour and a great many city people avail themselves of the ride out both afternoons and evenings during the warm months. The original company started to operate the present line June 19, i 960, and has been remarkably successful from the beginning. The power station is four miles west of Greenfield, near Spring Lake park, and is a model of perfection.

It contains two 600 horse-power engines, which are much 'ln excess of present needs, but were placed in position in anticipation of the proposed extensions: There are twp K. W. generators and three 250 horse-power boilers. The switchboard is the most complete and expensive in connection with any similar plant, and cost 53,000. The company has an ample supply of water and operates its own private water works. The officers of the Eastern traction company are Frank Maus Fauvre, president; Medford B. Wilson (president of the Capital national bank), treasurer; John W. Chipman, manager and secretary. Under the personal control and direction of these gentlemen there can be no question regarding the future of the Eastern traction company, and the people of this state will be fortunate If they .prevent the control by capital of this potent factor of state development by subscribing liberally for Its securities. There is no part of the country where people are more prosperous or where money is more plentiful than in Indiana, and it is, to say the least, bad policy to let capitalists of other states reap all the benefits of these important electric highways within our own borders. INDIANAPOLIS, GREEN 1 WOOD & FRANKLIN. The first Interurban line to reach Indianapolis was the Indianapolis, Greenwood & Franklin railroad, whose cars entered the city over a ten-mile track from Greenwood, through Southport, on Jan. 15.’ 1900. The big green cars, with their dazzling electric headlights, attracted much attention when they appeared on Washington-st. The hourly .service then established has been maintained since , without interruption, half-hour cars being run on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The line was well patronized from the start, and in tha fall of 1900 an extension of ten miles, through Whiteland to Franklin, was begun. This was not opened unitl June 6, 1901, owing to the difficulty of securing steel rails. Travel more than doubled with the opening of the extension, and the city of Franklin,

which was for a time fearful that an electric line to .Indianaolis would injure Franklin's business prosperity is now as enthusiastic In praise of the interurban system as Is Greenwood. The 1., G. & F. railroad now operates eighteen miles of its own track and passes over two or three miles of tracks of the the Indianapolis street railway. Its cars leave Indianapolis hourly from 6 a, m. till 11 (11:15 for the benefit of theater-goers) p. m., the first car leaving Franklin at 5:30 a. m. and making the run to this city In one hour and ten minutes. The line draws its patrons not only from the growing towns of Southport (300 inhabitans). Greenwood (1.500), Whiteland (350) and Franklin (4,000), but from all Johnson county beside, as well as from eastern Morgan county, northern Brown and Bartholomew and northwestern Shelby. Farmers drive In ten miles or more to the towns on the line, hitch their teams and make the trip to the city and back in a few hours. Although the passenger business of the Louisville division of the Pennsylvania railroad has been cut into somewhat, the greater aprt of the travel on the ■ electric line has been created by the building of the line, which brings into the city every roonth hundreds of people who otherwise would not come. Equipment. The equipment of the road is complete in every way and the best obtainable, embracing, among other things, heavy rails, a smooth, well-ballasted roadbed, handsome, comfortable cars, concrete culverts and a telephone system making communication possible with the central jjffice from any part of the line. The power house is located at Greenwod. A park near Greenwood has been leased by the railroad, and many picnics, parties, reunions, conventions and other social and religious meetings have been held uiere. A vinage of prairie dogs, a maze, swings and a dancing pavilion add to the attractiveness of the forest shade. The dancing pavilion has been inclosed and may be heated for cooler weather. Special cars are provided for all extraordinary occasions, and are often run into the city as well as in the opposite direction. For some time an extension of twenty miles south to Columbus (8,000 inhabitants), through Amity, Edinburg and Taylorsville, has been contemplated, and the officers of the company say that if a satisfactory franchise could be obtained from the Indianapolis authorities work would doubtless ue undertaken at once. The officers of the road are: William G. Irwin, president and general manager, Columbus; Hugh H. Miller, secretary and treasurer, Columbus; A. B. Hogue, superintendent, Greenwood. A Thing Worth Knowing. No need of cutting off a woman’s breast or a man’s cheek or nose in a vain attempt to cure caJicer. No use of applying burning plasters to the flesh and torturing those already weak from suffering. Soothing, balmy, aromatic oils give safe, speedy and certain cure. The most horrible forms of cancer of the face, breast, womb, mouth, stomach, large tumors, ugly ulcers, fistula, catarrh, terrible skin diseases, etc., are all successfully treated byf the application of various forms o.'f simple oils. Send for a book mailed freA. Finest sanitorium in the country. Address DR. B. F. BYE, Indianapolis, Indj (Cut this out and send to some suffering one.) Parry Manufacturing Company/ The Greater Indianapolis History Would be incomplete without mention of { the Parry Manufacturing Company, wHiose history has been so closely identified vvlth the wonderful industrial growth of Ithe citv during the past decade. \ ■x ne excellence of the buggies, aurreyxa, road wagons, etc., of their and the rarer business ability of its mapL agement have builded the largest vehicla manufactory in the world. 1 At the present time their product Isl known wherever vehicles are used, and 1 the increasing demands have been such that their present large plant is not of sufficient capacity to meet their requirements, and they have already begun the building of an entirely new plant, which will be the most complete of its kind ever attempted

HEALTH GIVING WATERS OF FRENCH LICK--INDIANA’S GREAT HEALTH RESORT

French Lick, according to welLprpven traditions, was settled -by the French twelve years after the'settlement of Vincennes. This makes French Lick Springs the second oldest white settlement in Indiana. The French were not attracted to the locality by the same fertile lands which had attracted them to the Wabash valley at Vincennes. For the whole country surrounding French Lick Springs is a series of rocky, broken hills, where only the narrow bottom lands of the creek can be cultivated. But the waters of the springs had been known to Europeans through the Indian traditions long before the advancement of permanent settlements. It was due to the medicinal qualities of the wa.ers and also to their saline character that the French traders as far back as 172? established a trading post at the springs and the government at Vincennes at great expense constructed a plank wagon road to the then practically Inaccessible region. Like the hot springs of Arkansas, whose Indian traditions a.s a fountain of youth had reached the early Spanish explorers on the Florida coast, the fame of the French Lick Springs waters had spread among all tribes of Indians long before the discovery of America, and Ponee de Leon was not the only fool lured to the unknown interior of the continent in search of another fountain of youth. The imperfect understanding of the native language by the first explorers doubtless led them to believe In actual waters which would restore old and diseased bodies to their youthful state. The Indian language is to a certain extent

allegorical, and when the Indians of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and those settled on the great lakes informed the early adventurers from Europe that way in the interior of the continent there were two places where the waters made one feel youtig again they were not far off from the truth, for since the settlement of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys the hot springs of Arkansas and the French Lick Springs of Indiana have been extensively patronized by people from all parts of the world for the purposes cf renewing their life leases. At French Lick hundreds of people make an annual pilgrimage regularly, and many of them have not missed the yearly visit for thirty or forty years. There is no doubt that the waters mentioned in the journals of such early explorers as LaSalle, and Marquette referred to French Lick Springs and the Arkansas Hot Springs. These springs were , not visited by these famous explorers, but their journals contain numerous references to traditions which prevailed among all tribes visited that in one region beyond a great river were hot springs which were sought by Indians frojn near and far for certain afflic|tons, and that in other regions abounding in caves and rivers which disappeared in the rocks were springs which attracted to them every spring the Indians of the north, who were cured of diseases due to purely animal diet (presumably stomach trouble). In the islands of southeastern Alaska, where the Indians live all winter on venison and smoked salmon, they are attacked every ipring with certain derangements of the stomach, which they cure or avoid bjs- going to sulpho-sallne springs, one on' Prince of Wales Island and the other south of Wrangel. Soon as thi winter is over thousands of Indians are encamped about the springs. The government analyses of these waters show them to be almost equal to tjne French Lick Springs. From the same ' French explorers we have the traditions that the springs of the lost river and cave country were frequented in the fail of the year by the tribes of the swamp county of the South, presumably for malaria. It is a well-known fact that the early French settlers of Vincennes • and other settlements on the then malarta breeding Wabash bottom lands resorted to. French Lick Springs us a preventive of malaria. These visits were usually made in August and September, and were occasions for both health and recreation. Game bein-g plentiful in the vicinity, hunting deer and curing of venison for home consumption made the springs a great health and pleasure resort even when the visitors had to provide for their own accommodation. i: N’atural mineral springs, except those of volcanic origin, hot springs, are not of recent creation, geologically speaking. There are no mineral, springs now in existence which • were not in existence at Khe time of the discovery of the American (continent. It is reasonable to assume that there' was not a spring with the least health • restoring qualities that was not known 'to the Indians. Some were to local tribes, others were known to all tribes of . the continent either by actual visit of distant tribes or through traditions. The Indians have all passed away practically, but the reputation of the various mineral springs of the country has not been changed relatively speaking by the whites. No spring that did not have an Indian inter-tribal reputation has today a national reputation. These mineral springs that were the® known only to the local tribe are still known locally only.. But this applies also to other countries. All the famous waters of Europe of today are those only whose fame has been handed down successively to the present races from the primitive races. The waters which were famous to the Indians could be counted on the fingers of one. hand. They were the Saratogas, white sulphur, hot springs of Arkansas atid French Lick Springs. These are stlU the most famous springs in the United States. Natural springs are caused by volcanic disturbances, by fracturing of the rocks, i the exposure of sections of stratified rocks through the erosive action of the elements, and through other minor ttauses. . . Ths mineral Ingredients are . derived

from the rocks through which the water percolates. The character of the rock determines the character of mineral waters, also the purity. Uniformity in temperature and volume of water issuing from a spring indicate a deep source of the water. These uniformities of the French Lick Springs indicate a fracture or fissure of the underlying stratified rocks to great depth, perhaps to the archaean formation. As such fissures are caused by movements of the crust of the earth, this fracture was doubtless caused by the uplifting of what is known as the Cincinnati dome, and this occurred many million years ago. e Pluto has been discharging sulpho-sa-llne waters at the rate of a gallon per minute, and in a million years it is evident that the valley below for miles must be saturated with mineralized waters to the depth of 100 feet or more. fr* It is then not remarkable that mineral springs can be made anywhere below French Lick for a mile or two ‘‘just as good as Pluto” by digging down to bedrock or by boring to the second stratum of rocks. Throughout that region there aro also minor fissures. These have filled up with the seepage of Pluto waters. One of the wonders of Indiana is Lost river. The region through which this river runs is the most rugged in the state, with picturesque h’.lls, knobs and broken ridges, with deep and narrow valleys. The whole country through the western parts of Orange and Crawfoid counties is an almost unbroken chain of forestclad hills and ridges. AU species of trees and shrubs growing on American soil can be found, and it is a natural game preserve. The early Indians used to hunt great game along the river, and in the caves and caverns are still found evidences of a race of people that lived before even the Indians—the mound builders. They were no doubt attracted to the waters of French Lick, and'it is evident that these waters have been the health resorts of all races of people that have inhabited this continent. But how long the springs have been in existence no one knows. They were known In Europe almost a century before Indiana was carved out of the Northwest territorfc-In this locality there Is still evidence that the mound builders made the springs a resort. Indians, according to tradition, had

been coming here for generations before the French traders established a post. Two generations of Vincennes settlers had been regular visitors at French Lick springs at the time of the declaration of independence, and many of their descendants, now in the fifth generation, still come here. The springs were shown on the charts of the French government, published half a century before the country was acquired by the United States. At the time of the acquisition the springs were so, well known that Jefferson wrote about them and congress made a reservation of the tract of land containing them. When the United States acquired the country a saline reservation was made of the tract of land containing French Lick. , During the war of 1812 the government n.anufactured salt at the Lick. Many old still remember the evaporated tracts which remained on the ground until 1840. A few remember the old French fort and the apple trees which the traders had planted. In 1830 congress ordered the sale of this saline reservation, and Dr. William A. Bowles, who ns a member of the legislaJtwre had procured the passage of a joint ' resolution to congress Requesting the sale of the reservation, purchased the tract of what now constitutes French Lick and West Baden. The latter part he lost on execution sale years later. The purchaser later developed the West Baden springs. Dr. Bowles Erected a tavern and entertained guests from all over the country. He leased the hotel to various parties. The hotel was a large, plain frame building, standing at the foot of the hill, on which had been erected the old French fort many years before. It could only be reached by stage from Orleans, Mitchell or Shoals, they being the nearest railroad stations. Dr. Bowles resumed the management of the place, and in 1864 he rented it 'to Dr. Samuel Ryan for fifteen years, and under Dr. Ryan’s management a new impulse was given to the business and much improvement was made. At the end of that time it was managed by the Bowles estate for one year, and in 1880 Dr. Ryan. J. M. Andrews and H. E. Wells purchased the property, Dr. Ryan afterward selling his Interests to the other two. The property is now owned by Thomas Taggart, W. H. McDoel, James Murdock, Crawford Fairbanks, Henry Hickman, George L. Dickinson of Bedford and one or two others. One of the traditions of this place is the story of the lost treasure, a legend that has been handed down from generation to generation, and there are old men there now who repeat what their grandfathers told them about it. As has been stated, the Indians frequently attacked the French trading post, and once or twice the traders were driven away. In 1750—that is the year of the legend—the post was attacked and the traders started as fast as possible toward Vincennes, carrying with them their treasure—a large barrel, filled with gold and silver coins-7<>n a cart, to which they had hitched all the horses at their command. Closely pressed in their retreat, they were at last compelled to abandon the cart, but they took time to hide the money in the caverns that abound in the hills. The traders were overtaken by the Indians before they reached Vincennes and all were killed. The hidden treasure has never been found, though in the early days, under the American government, men spent their lives hunting for it. There are many old characters tn the hills who come to French Lick and try to enlist some visitor in a search for the hidden money. In the early days, as now, French Lick was the resort of some of the most noted men of Indiana and other states. An old register bears oh its pages the names of Governor Willard,' Governor Whitcomb, Governor Morton, Governor Hendricks, Governor Williams, Governor Hovey, Judge Gresham, Senators Voorhees, McDonald, Turpie and many others. Carter Harrison, the elder mayor of Chicago, was a frequent visitor here, and since his death Carter Harrison, the younger, also mayor of Chicago, has visited here. There is not a man of prominence in Indiana for the last seventy-five years but at some time, has been a guest at French Lick springs. Recently Richard Croker and a large party of New York Tammany hall leaders sought the benefit of the French Lick springs. Senator Turpie, with but one exception, has been a regular visitor for forty years.

French Lick Springs ON THE MONON ROUTE S • „ he . H ° tei Best Mineral Open Waters t ’ le on Year Earth. IB Round. - /■ JI - - TT 5 1 The Famous Pluto Spring. The Monon Route IS THE DIRECT LINE BETWEEN j ' v.' ' • * / | Chicago. Indianapolis, Cin-j Louisville aiior/pe South j FOR RATES, FOLDERS. ETC., ADDRESS J R. P. Algeo, D. P. A.J INDIANAPOLIS J L. T. DICKASON COAL C(X > Miners and Shippers of ... . . Linton, Greene County, Coal Particular attention given to preparation of DOMESTIC COALS. An excellent Steam Coal, rich and free from all impurities. The fine coal from our mine is especially adapted for stoker use.

FOR THIRST AND FIRE EXCELLENT WATER-WORKS SYSTEM OF INDIANAPOLIS. Is Acknowledged to Be the Best of Its Class in the Country — Its Growth and History. One of the features of municipal convenience which the citizens of Indianapolis enjoy to an extent beyond that accorded to the people of most cities of the sama size is its water works system. In a community so comparatively new, built up so rapidly as to outstrip even the keenest enterprise, a perfect system and a perfect supply of absolutely wholesome water for domestic uses, an adequate force for fire protection and a plentiful distribution for all public uses could hardly be looked for, yet in this respect Indianapolis makes a most favorable showing when compared with any other city in the entire country. In the early days one of the chief drawbacks to the growth of the city on a scale commensurate with its importance as the capital of one of the most progressive states and its potential promise as one of the leading commercial centers of the country was the lack bf a system of water supply adapted to its needs. Other cities in the state suffered in like manner. To meet the requirements of the situation the legislature enacted a law authorizing the cities of the state to grant to corporations organized for J he purpose the right to erect water corks to supply cities with water. In accordance with the authority thus granted the city conferred a franchise on the Water Works company of Indianapolis. That company thereupon organized and commenced business on Jan. 1, 1870. The company displayed from the first a commendable purpose to carry out its franchise obligations in such a manner as to give the people of the city the very best results. It built a substantial pumping station on White river, below Washington-st., and was to take water from wells along the river. The machinery then put in by the company consisted of rotary pumps, driven by water power and steam and having a capacity of #,500,000 gallons. The company laid a twenty-four-inch supply main on Wash-ington-st. and a twenty-inch main on Pearl-st, with branches twenty and eighteen inches. The company added other mains and Improved the plant so that in 1881 it had fifty-two ‘miles of mains and had-added to its pumping plant a quadruplex engine of 7,500,000 gallons capacity. In doing all this, however, the company had incurred a considerable Indebtedness, amounting to nearly $1,350,000. Rate* of Interest. The rates of Interest during the period this Indebtedness was incurred were very high, and the company’s patronage was not sufficient to meet its obligations and keep up the necessary extension of the system. In 1881 the first mortgage bondholders brought suit to foreclose their mortgage, and the result was that the present Indianapolis water company was incorporated, with * capital stock of $500,000, and succeeded to the assets and business of the original corporation. The reorganized company put in a plant which has always kept up to the requirements of the situation, and in addition to its capital stock has outstanding bonds amounting to $1,860,000. The main offices are located at 113 Monument-place, and there are two pumping stations, station No. 1 being located on White river, below Washington-st., and the other, known as the Riverside pumping station, is located north of Fall creek. The equipment of the** pumping station* i* of the

most Improved and modern character, with the test and most highly developed water pumping machinery, .the company having a capacity for developing 57,000,000 gallons of water every twentyfour hours and placing this water at the mouth of the fire hydrants with 120 pounds pressure, while the domestic consumer has water delivered at seventy pounds pressure. The largest engine of | the company has a capacity of 24,000,000 gallons and the plant is built so as to be capable of rapid increase to meet the expanding demands of the city. Progressive Policy. $ The policy of the company has been progressive as to meeting the needs of the people of Indianapolis and its industries in regard to water service. It has been prompt in making extensions wherever a reasonable demand for such extensions has become apparent, and its constructive work has been all done with the idea of making its plant one of the best in the country and of providing ample capacity for every requirement of a perfect water service. Managed on this progressive plan the company has succeeded in giving the Indianapolis water “ works system a place among the best in the country. It has made its service worthy of the city and of the record of development which has placed Indianapolis among the most thriving of the great centers of population of the United States. The company’s affairs are in the hands of some of our most prominent business men. Gen. Thomas A. Morris is president; F. A. W. Davis, vice-pres-ident and treasurer, and Milton A. Morris secretary. Mr. Davis, is also treasurer of the Manufacturers’ natural gas company. In addition to Mr. Morris the , board of directors Includes Edward Daniels, J. L. Ketcham, Albert Baker, V. T. Malott, H. McKay Langdon, F. A. W. Davis, E. P. Kimball. E. T. Kimball and J. K. Bates of Portsmouth, N. H.; C. S. Andrews of Brazil. Ind.; C. H. Payson and Herbert Payson of Portland, Me. BUSINESS IN CITY FOR THE YEAR 1901 In a business way Indianapolis has certainly broken the record for all previous years. Generally speaking, the year 1901 in this city has exceeded the best former . year by an average of at least 20 per cent. J It is a little early at the present writin* ’ to produce figures, but from the statistics J already in hand, from observation and 4 conference with many of the Business men of the community, it is evident that all branches of mercantile and manufacture j ing interests have had the most prosperous period in their history, during thia initial year of the twentieth centry. In manufacturng lines there has been employment for all who desired it, and ' many establishments have largely increased their capacity, while many others have been compelled to run day and night to keep up with the increased business. The flour millers and manufacturers of other cereal products have largely increased their output over the previous year, but not in the same ratio as other lines, owing to the shortage in the wheat and com crops. Had it not been for the unfavorable weather during the*summe» and later months the output in these lines would have kept pace with the general increase. - * Financial circles have shared in the general prosperity and this year has witnessed the advent of two new banks to the city. JACOB W. SMITH. Secretary Indianapolis Board of Trade, A Billvllle sentiment. Here is a unique sentiment from a lovelorn Billvllle bard: •‘Love ever laughs at locks and law— They ain’t no use a-jaw In’; Love is like a crosscut saw. An* I’m the tog it’s sewin'!“ * M ... —Atlanta Constituttak