Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1912 — Here is a Railroad Possibility That is the Best Ever Preposed. [ARTICLE]

Here is a Railroad Possibility That is the Best Ever Preposed.

An electric railroad is being bnilt from Gary to Crown Point. Other lines are being built in Lake county? All are backed with the best brains and the unlimited capital of real railroad builders. There is talk of all these companies uniting for the purpose of building a line to Indianapolis. That is more than talk, for already the heads of the different systems have conferred and it is certain that if they do not agree to build a road collectively, then one or the other of the roads will build it independently. There is a great territory for this roact It> could be run southeast from Crown Point to DeMotte, thence to Rensselaer, Remington, Wolcott and into West Lafayette and there connected with interurban lines that go to all parts of the state. It is abetterlhrethanany proposedby Purtelle and does not conflict with his line except from Rensselaer to Wolcott. Some "claim that until Purtelle is put out of business a line can not be built over the territory of his survey, but we anticipate that there would be no danger of his “dog in tbe manger” bluff depriving Rensselaer of a railroad. Should a line of this character be undertaken it would be pushed through and would be made a substantial road in every way. The Republican’s suggestion that B. J. Gifford might be induced to bring bis railroad to Rensselaer if Ed Oliver or Tom Callahan, singly or jointly, would get to work on a job of promotion, has caused no little discussion and The Republican finds that the scheme generally meets with favor. There are some, however, who believe that the bringing of the road to Rensselaer is an impossibility and who say plainly that they regard the project clear out of the question. Some say that it means no particular advantage- to Rensselaer; as practically all the business, from the territory the Gifford road traverses gets, here anyway, - - There are others who’ realize that the building of the 7 road south' fnblii McCoysburg and thence to Lafayette, with the establishing of a grain receiving point in Milroy township, will take much business away from Rensselaer. A number of Rensselaer men have become land owners in the Gifford country within the past two or three years, among them being John Eger, Delos Thompson, E. L. Hollingsworth, C. S. Chamberlain, John Marlatt, B. J. Moore, Dr. P. A. Turfler, B. P. Alter and J. H.» Chapman. To have railroad connection with* Rensselaer would add materially to the value of their lands: It would help every acre In the northern’ part of Jasper county to have this railroad connection with the county seat. We believe that the road could be put on a paying basis and that when extended south to Remington it could readily be pushed on to Lafayette via Wolcott, thus getting Rensselaer and Remington in addition to the towns along the proposed extension from McCoysburg. If anything is to be done now is the time. Rensselaer needs it, the Gifford country needs it. Remington needs ft and th£ Hiatt country between Remington and Lafayette needs it. The northern Extension would be easy. If we are skipped, if the road should be extended from McCoysburg, Rensselaer may lose a chance to double its population. Here is a job for some man to perform. It there a man for the emergency?