Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1878 — Opening of the I Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railway. [ARTICLE]

Opening of the I Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Railway.

From the Monticello Democrat.

By courtesy of Col. Hill of the Pan Handle, and the officers of the New Albany roads, arrangements were effected whereby those who desired to join the party, could leave in the mor ning and return the same evening. This drew out large delegations. Monticello, ever noted for her industry, enterprise and interest, exhibited on

! such occasions, sent a delegation of I over one hundred ladies and gentle : men, including the Silver Cornets. j We left on the morning train, for . Reynolds, where, after an hour’s delay, i our party was joined by a large crowd i brought by the New Albany train. We I boarded it—'not the editorial “we"— I but one hundred strong, and found I that Lafayette was represented by twe : score and ten. Delphi two score. J Battle Ground sent two score and sevI en. Brookston, 17 persons. Chalnii era, 15, and Remington 30. At 11 a. m. we arrived at {Branford, where we found Alf. McCoy, snorting and puffing. and impatient to draw us across the prairie. The engine was beautifully decorated with flags and people. The train consisted of eight flat and two box care, —the company being disappointed in receiving its coaches for the occasion. Thess were pretty well filled up, without our party, for Bradford raised itself, flapped its wings, stretched out its neck, strut about like a vain pea fowl, and said “This is our road and we are aillgoing to take a ride.” As soon as the changing of oars could be made, the conductor shouted ail aboard, the bell rang, the engine tooted, and Alf. McCoy started across the Prairie like a frightened deer, drawing a load of over eight hundred people. The distance was sixteen miles, which was made in less than” two hours. The truck for the first six miles i£ ballasted and smooth, and excellent time was made over that portion of the road. The remaining part of the track not being ballasted, the engine lessened its speed. This gave an opportunity for all to view the country and examine the road.— All along the route ejaculations of surprise, pleasure and satisfaction came from the lips, of ail. The road, although new and unballasted, was remarkable for its smoothness, and the completeness of its appointments. The country through which it runs, is comparatively wild, and for miles the eye could see nothing but one level piece of prairie, and here and there dotted with small groves and occasional farm houses, for the country being as it were, “out of doors" is very sparseiy settled, yet the land is rleh and can be made productive. The sloughs and swamps through which the line passes, can be drained and in a few years, largely yielding farms will be made, and t lat prosperity which eve: foil »ws closely in the wake of railroads, wi 1 soon be observable. After leaving Bradford the train made three stops to allow passengers to be taken aboard. As we neared our destination the country became much better, and showed more signs of cultivation. At last Rensselaer appeared in sight and all other noise is drowned by one continuous round of applause. At12;05 p. m. our train had drawn us td the station where we were greeted with cheers from the throats of three hundred people who had gathered on horseback, on foot, in wagons and carriages to welcome the strangers to their city. We now call it a «ity because it has a railroad and is too proud to be called a village. The Rensselaer band extended a'“tune” of welcome. We alighted and were at once conveyed to hotels and wherever nny one desired to go, by vehicles furnished by the citizens. The majority of the people were taken to the Court House, which was the scene of the barbacue and roasted ox. The yard was crowded with people. The temple of Justice was also filled, but standing on top of the/ frame which covers the town pump, we made the following observation; South of the building were spread tables loaded with ox, turkey, chickens, apd all the dainties desired, which had been prepared by the citizens of Rensselaer. Around these tables stood hundreds of peop’e devouring the good things like a pack of hungry wolves—we devoured too—with our eyes.

At 1:30, the court room was filled and the exercises proper began. The Monticello Silver Cornets played several selections, after which Mr. A. Thompson, called the meeting to order and announced a song by the ladies and gentlemen of their city. The selection was “She L D. & C. Bailroad,” which was beautifully rendered, after which Hon. John Lee, President of the road was introduced, and spoke as fellows: “Ladies and Gentlemed:—l believe lam too full for utterance. Being so overjoyed with the success of building and bringing the first train into your beautiful little city. I say again that. lam to full for utterance. This is the most eventful day in the history of Rensselaer.” He now dwelt upon the condition of the city prior to the building of the road, and the advantages which they had received. Spoke of the great connection with other roads and expressed a desire to build the road, link by link, until this great line would be completed from Indianapolis to Chicago Mr. Lee cannot be too highly eulogized for the luterest he has exhibited in this enterprise. He took hold of it when dead, but by energy, industry, and perseverance, he overcoms all obstacles, and to-day deserves the grateful acknowledgment of every citizen along the Narrow Guage line. At the conclusion of his remarks he received rapturous applause. After another song entitled “Alf McCoy," a toast was proposed by Hon. Z. Dwiggina which was responded to by Col. Yeoman, of Washington, Ohio. It was to the “Narrow Guage Railroad." Mi'. Yeoman is one of the contractors of the road. He spoke five minutes, and showed clearly that the narrow guage was not a mere “wheel barrow concern." He is a gentleman and an honest contractor, “which is the noblest work of God."

Ira W. Yeoman proposed the toast “Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Ry,” which was ably responded to by Dr. I. B. Washburn, who expressed himself decidedly in favor of the narrow way, and if the officers would permit him to ride free he would erect a monument to their memory. Enoch Cox, of the Delphi Journal, toasted the ladies in his well-known masterly manner. He is undoubtedly a ladiee’ man every inch of him, He said “if Mr, Lee is a young man, I’m a mere baby and should not talk on such occasions, but when you come to Delphi we’ll treat you well, will kill two oxen, and if that won’t suffice, we’ll steal an elephant.” Pres. Lee was again called upon and toasted the ladies thusly: “Woman, woman. —The dearest word that ever gladdened the heart of man.” Capt. C. A. Edmonds proposed a toast to “ Our Host—Alf. McCoy, "which was ably responded to by Horace E. James, of the Union, who came prepared to make an impromptu speech and then unrolled his MSB which was as thick as one’s arm. Volunteers were now called out and Hon. Anson Wolcott was the first to respond. He did so very creditably. Col. Hurlburt of Georgia, and the pioneer builder of narrow guage roads in the United States, made a powerful speech in favor of this line. He exhibited a thorough knowledge of the narrow guage system. Roland Hughes, esq., responded in these words: “I am a strong railroad I man, but a very poor speaker. I have

been preaching rail road semi- ns f r t xe past six months and making converts every day and giving them the right hand of fellowship.” His remarks received rapturous applause. Dr. Bushnell, Sec’y of the road, offered a few remarks in which he edngrat Hated the citizens of Rensselaer in “getting out of the mud.” He was followed by Dr. Richardson of Delphi, one of the directors and acknowledged to bo the handsomest man in his city. He expressed surprise at the manner In which the road had been built—its smoothness and completeness. Vine Holt another director from Delphi offeied a few congratulatory remarks. H, P. Owens, of jMonticello, th*Union gives the credit of beiug tie handsomest man inhlstown,respon • ed to a nu uerous call from the and - e >ce. He >egan with the interrocr.- - tion, “What am Ito say? So much has already been said on the si b,eei by older and more competent men that lam lost for words. How can I add testimony to that advanced by so many distinguished orators. Why, sir, I believe I am the youngest speaker here, and if President Lee is a young man and Cox a mere baby, why, sir, where am I? Yet J cannot Refuse to toast the ladies, and will suy say yes I’m a young man, and con gratulate the ladies on their efforts to-day.” He alluded to the completion of the road and coucluded by saying that hs Rensselaer bad now been fcniced to Monticello oy bands of st el the ladies might expect him often. His remarks were received with rap turous applause. Hon. John P. Carr, of Prairie township expressed his astonishment at being called upon to speak, yet h> covered himself with glory by his ii f promptu effort. 8. Vater, of the Lafayette Daily Journal, was called upon and referred to the fact, that “every man who had a good wife, had a good thing, and old Solomon, who, it js said, had 1-0 good wives, therefore he must of had 12J good things." After a few remarks from the chairman and a selection from the band the meeting adjourned. As it was understood a Ixl* was to be given, and opened by Rowland Hughes, Esq., In the evening, many remained until the next day. The majority of the party, however, returned home on the evening train which left Rensselaer at 4 o’clock, ai d arrived at Monticello at 7. All weie delighted with the journey and speaa giowing terms of President Lee, the railroad employes and tne courtesy of the Rensselaer people, and when our end of the road is completed the kindness will be returned.