Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — The Second Railroad Meeting. [ARTICLE]

The Second Railroad Meeting.

Another Called foj Next Monday Night The seoond meeting in the interests of scouring the Michigan, Indiana and St. Louis Railroad was hold Wednesday evening, as per nrrung ment at the previous meeting. The attendance at the meeting gave further evidence that our people have not yet awakened to* the realization of the importance of this subject. The attendance was fairly good, but there was still a notable and lamentable absence of those whose great financial and business interests in the town and county should make them first and foremost in movements of this oharaoter. C. E. Mills presided at the meeting and the editors present wero chosen secretaries. Of the various oommittees appointed to investigate the right of way question for the various townships, Messrs. Win Washburn and Robert Mikols, for Jordan Tp„ were the only ones present who seemed to have done muoh active work. They reported that they had practically been promised a free right of way through Jordan, ou the line half a mile west of the range lino gravel rond. This line, although somowhut longer than a more direct line, has seemingly many advantages over any (jthor. J. F. Warren, of the Rensselaer committee, had done some good work in looki lg up the right of way east and north from town. There would not seem to be much trouble in securing the right of way to Franoesvillo over the old Continental grade, except from one man, whose farm is pretty badly cutup. Aright of way through Barkley and Gillam can be secured probably without any cost at all. It is a very feasible route, but of course has not the advantage of a ready-made grade, as the other route has.

Rev. August Seifert, rector of St. Joseph’s College, and other representatives were present from that institution. They are ready to give the right of way through their mile of property, and to give the project every other reasonable assistance. The intelligent public spirit they show in the matter ought to be a good lesson to many of our town residents. On suggestion of Mr. Warren the various committees on right of way, were directed to procure proper blanks and to secure provisional contracts for the right of way from property owners, and to report at the next meeting. The committees for Marion and Jordan being instructed to co-operato with the Remington and Carpenter township committees. After a vote for every person present to use his best personal efforts to secure a better attendance of representative financial and business men at the next meeting, adjournment was had until next Monday evening, at 7 o’clock. At that meeting important action will be taken, such ns arranging for raising money for the surveys, choosing delegates to next general meeting at Montiqello, receiving reports of the right of wuy committees &c.