Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 204, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1911 — Purtelle With Rare Grit Poshing His Road Along. [ARTICLE]

Purtelle With Rare Grit Poshing His Road Along.

Warren Robinson and a representative of The Repdfflican went to Thayer this morning for the purpose of satisfying themselves as to what progress is being made in the interurban road. Getting off the train at Thayer they started to walk to the Kankakee river. At Tfiayer three large tents were pitched at the side of the track for use as sleeping quarters and cook and dining tent for the men employed on the roadi Four cooks were at work preparing the noon meal. The supplies seemed to be of the best and are purchased in Chicago, the men being furnished board at cost.

On the siding was a box car labeled “Dynamite—handle with care.’* This was addressed to the interurban company. It arrived the day before and is to be used in blasting stumps from the right-of-way. „ .' ~

Between Thayer and the Kankakee river is a stretch of low, marshy laud about a mile in length. Over this land a temporary trestle work is being erected. The engineer stated that they expected to have this part of the work done in less than a week. Later dirt will be hauled with a motor car and dumped between the trestle work, which will be removed upon the completion of the grade. Several thousand loads of dirt will be required for this fill. It is expected to secure sand and dirt, south of Roselawn along the right-of-way for this. purpose.

Mr. Purtelle stated that 78 men were at work at present and that this num; her will be increased to 600 if he can secure that many. He stated that another gang of men were at work jhst south of Roselawn clearing the timber from the right-of-way and that grading will rittrt there in a few days. He now has bosses over each crew of men, who seem to be competent and know how to handle men and see that their work is done right. Mr. Purtelle has already shipped considerable material to the ground and now claims to have backing, which will enable him to complete the road from the river to Mt. Ayr yet this fall. He states that he has contracted for a motor bar at a cost of 620,000, which will be brought to Roselawn as Boon as the grade is ready for it. These cars run under their own power, .are equipped for carrying passengers, and additional coaches can be attached to them.