Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1878 — THE WAR OF THE RAILS. [ARTICLE]

THE WAR OF THE RAILS.

Delphi Times,

The management of the Wabash railway recognize the fact that the completion of the Indianapolis, Delnhi and Chicago road will remove the opportunity which they at present erij >y of squeezing the people of this vicinity by discrimination and extortion, and it is but natural that every obstacle should be thrown in the way of the new line. No active steps were taken, however, until Sunday last.— The line of the narrow gauge crosses the Wabash truck at the foot of Main street, in this city, and this became the scene of the first skirmish in the war between the two roads. Several days since tlie engineers of the narrow gauge secured a conference with the Waoasli management for the purpose of amicably adjusting any differences that might be found to exist. At this interview the Wabash representatives assumed a dictatorial spirit, and declared that under n» circumstances would they permit a crossing to be established on a level with their track; the narrow gauge could pass either over or under the Wabash, but not on the same grade. Of course Mr. Garis would not listen to such an absurd proposition, and the conference abruptly terminated. The next move was a great blunder on the part of the Wabash, and one which ordinary discrimination should have taught them would havo been readily checkmat t*d. The State law denies any ioad the privilege of crossing a switch of another liue. Of this the Wabash managers sought to take advantage, and on Sunday last they set agangof men t*» work constructing a switch on the east side of the main track at the point of the proposed crossing. The first shovelful oi dirt aroused the watchful friends of the narrow gauge, and they at once took steps to prevent their line being overreached. Word was sent to Monticello and several teams supplied with iron »nd ties, were sent over, and about eleven o’clock p. m, the work of putting in the crossing was commenced. The Wabash force gave evidence of a willingness to resist, and a desperate war of words ensued, varied by one oi two arguments of a more substantial but scarcely superior convincing character. The agent, at this point communicated with the managers of the road, and it is probable thathisjbloodeurdliog dispatches created at least a ripple of excitement among the officers of the line.. An order was given the,conductor of the 11:20 express to place his train on the < track at the disputed point, and hold it there until further orders. Shortly afterward au engine, bearing Road Master Minor and other officials arrived from Lafayetts. This engine was run up to the locomotive of the -express, and the tw > thoroughly blockaded the street crossing, but the work of laying the approaches of the narrow gauge truck went on and by midnight was completed for some distance on •aeh s.de. The windy war waxed fierce at times, but the presence of the Sheriff find a legion of deputies, combined with an appareutjdesitfe upon the part of each of the contestants to avoid getting hurt or hurting anybody, served to preserve the peace. Shortly after twelve o’clock Judge Gould was aroused from his bed, and induced io issue an injunction restraining the narrow gauge | authorities from proceeding with the j work. This was followed immediate- ! ly by a similar impressive order ! against the Wabash road. These de- : crees had the effect of quieting the | excitement, and the gangs of laborers and li o'vers-on gradually dispersed. The case is set for hearing be forejudge Gould on Monday. In the j meantime the work will remain in its | present -hup«—the Wabash switch incomplete, and the narrow guage | track laid iid close to the Wabash I rails on each side.

In the indecent haste of the Wabash management to put into practical operation their dog-in-ihe-mangcr policy, they neglected the important point of securing the permission of the City Council to construct a switch across Main street. Such an applieatiou would, however, have been useless. as our municipal legislators, like the great majority ot our citizens, are not burdened ivitii sympathy for the Wabash ra iway. At the request ol Colouel a Yeoman and numerous citizens, the Council met at midnight on Sunday, and promptly upon the stroksa of twelve pass* d an ordinance granting the right of way to the I. D. & C. railroad. This was another point in favor of (he narrow-gauge, and every ft lend of fair dealing will echo the hope that the Court will decide the points involved upon the basis of justice and the interests of the people. CARD FROM MR. GARIS. To'the Editor of the Times. I have read ;in article in the Lafayette Journal of this date relative to the railway complications ol last Sunday night. That article does the managers of the I. D. & C. Railway and myself in particular great injustice and I desire to-correct a mistateincut therein made, It is alleged that a meeting ivas agreed upon by the officers of the two roads for one day l.st week; that the Wabash was represented as per agreement but that there was no representation on the part of pur road. This is untrue. I met Mr. Lincoln, Resident Engineer of the Wabash road, pursuant to appointment, and held u consultation relative to the proposed crossing. Mr. Lincoln said the Wabash folks would ucvvr agree that the Narrow

Gauge should cross the track of their road at the point located* and intimated that the only course left us to pursue was to tunnel under their tracks. This was the unsatisfactory result of the interview and a day or so later men were set to work by the Wabash officers to extend their side tracks beyond the point of our crossing. This was the only consultation ever held or asked for between the officers of the Wabash and Narrow Gauge roads. I make this correction because I desire that the management of the I. D. & C. Railway shall stand before tbe people of this city fairly in the pending complications with the Wabash railway. Will F. Garis, Chief Engineer X. D. & C. Rwy. Delphi, Ind., Nov. 12. 1878. Leopold has the greatest stack of goods ever opened out in Rensselaer, His shelves and counters are piled up with them. In our advertising columns be coidially and urgently invites an inspection of his stock by the punlic, satisfied that he has bargains in store for purchasers.