Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1914 — MONON OFFICIALS GO OVER THE ROAD [ARTICLE]

MONON OFFICIALS GO OVER THE ROAD

A. S. Kent, Chief Engineer, and Others Viewing the Gifford Road and Route. Agent W. H. Beam, on instructions from Monon headquarters, had an automobile at MeCoySburg at 11:15 this Thursday morning to meet passenger train No. 15, which had Chief Engineer A. S. Kent and other officials of the Monon railroad on board. The automobile was to be used in transporting some of the officials over the proposed southern extension of the Gifford road as tar as Wolcott. A train on the Gifford road, in charge of General Manager Frank E. Lewis and Chief Engineer C. J. Hobbs, met the Monon officials at McCoysburg and took them on a tour of inspection of the road from that town to Kersey. Simultaneously George H. Gifford, executor of the estate of the late B. J. Gifibid, and officials of the Monon, are today appearing before the Public Service Commission in Indianapolis to secure the approval of that commission to the sale. There was a previous meeting and there can be no doubt that the commission will approve the transaction. It is now practically assured that the Monon railroad will take over the Gifford road, extend it to the southward, probably starting the construction and improvement work early in the spring. It is not improbable that the southern terminal of this branch will be the coal fields at Brazil. It is also probable that the northern extension will lead west of the present main line of the Monon, connecting with it at or near St. John. The road will be improved and many trains will run over it, especially hrough freight trains. This will make possible even better passenger service than is now furnished by the, Monon road and will be a great factor in the development of the Gifford country and all the land adjacent to'the road. A gentleman conversant with the deal said to a Republican reporter today: ‘The suggestion that the Monon would “junk” the road is preposterous, there was any intention the road owners would have had it purchased quietly by private individuals. The road, as a matter of fact, is just what the Monon needs to handle its growing business and the purchase is in the best of faith and there is no doubt the extensions and improvements will be entered into vigorously just as soon as the deal is consummated.” Born, March 4th, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Smith, on the S. B. Holmes farm in Newton township, a daughter. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes.