Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 272, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1914 — O. & E. I. TRAIN CASE UP TODAY [ARTICLE]

O. & E. I. TRAIN CASE UP TODAY

Hearing at Wheatfield and Many People Subpoenaed to Testify * of Train Need. % Two years ago on Nov, Ist, there was installed on the C. & E. I. railroad between LaCrosse and Goodland a passenger train, the firert one the road had run for many years. _Bt Was installed as the result of a petition signed by people all along the line, the movement having been started by the Wheatfield Improvement Association, of which John Bowie was the president. On account of Mr. Bowie’s activity the train, was named the Bowie Special. Since it was instalk'd there have been several efforts on- the part of the road to have the order which required it annulled, the claim being made that it runs at a loss. The C. & E. I. railroad is in the hands of a receiver and the receivers -have applied to the public service commission to be allowed to take the train Off. Mr. Bowie and the Wheatfield Improvement Association at once got busy and many- subpoenaes were issued requiring persons in Rensselaer, Goodland and along the road to attend: Two or three auto lOads made the trip from here. • The value of the train as a public utility is without question. Tt>. is the only road running through Foresnian, Mt. Ayr, Kniman and Virgie and is the only road • tjhat can be used by the people of Wheatfield in m'aking a round trip to Rensselaer in one day. It is said that the road was partly built by 'subsidies secured from the country. through whidh it passes and the land oiwhers having been assessed for its construction should be entitled to the convenience of at leaak one passenger train a day. John Wingate, of Wingate, for some years a state tax commissioner, who is now employed by the C. & E. 1. railroad to look after its tax interests, was the guest overnight of Rev. C. W. Postill, and went to Wheatfield this morning to testify on behalf of the railroad. Fresh ground new corn meal and buckwheat flour Ask your grocer or phone the mill, 456.