Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1878 — The Road of the Future. [ARTICLE]

The Road of the Future.

w ßy this we mean narrow gauge ■ o ids generally, but more particularly he Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago n «rrow gauge, now completed and r nning from Bradford to Rensselaer, r e general impression among per3'ius who have never seen a narrow gauge is, that they are a kind of onehorse make shifts, not to be thought of, except where it is utterly impossible to build the standard gauge. This was the delusion under which we labored until last week, when it was agreeably and completely dispelled by taking a trip over the new road. It was in fact more than dispelled, for when the standard gauge was reached on the return trip, it struck u> as being a good deal than was nece ’ sary for all practical purposes. Inasmuch as the new road is a Jasp< r county enterprise, calculated togrea » ly increase its population and taxable wealth, a short description of it will no doubt be interesting to our readera. The track, rails and cars are about one-third narrower and smaller than those used on the standard gauge. The engine weighs 18 ton , an i is consequently nearly as heavy as the others, which it resembles In every particular, excepting its driveis are much smaller. The new coach s<ati comfortably 36 to 40 persons, and is a perfect gem of decorative art and upholster. The marshy charac ter of the country, and the rush with which the road was built, together with the mild rainy weather, preclude the possibility of making a very solid and smooth track; but the construction train and a body of laborers are kept busy filling in and ballasting, and in a few weeks it will be in as good condition as any track. But in the mean time, the cars glide along on its continuous rail at the usual rate of speed, giving no hint that is only about three months since the road was commenced, and only one since it was completed. The road is-doirg a profitable business; paying expenses and a fair interest on its cost. Work will be commenced at once at Bradford, and by July Ist the line will be completed to Delphi; after which it will be pushed west of Rensselaer towards Chicago as fast as possible. The intention is to make it a through line for the transportation of grain, coal, lumber and passengers, and not a mere feeder as some people suppose. The gentlemen who have the work in hand know how to make progress, and have unbounded faith in the final completion of the road. We wish them all the success that their enterprise and astonishing energy deserves. —Remington Times'