Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1915 — MOMENCE ROCK LEDGE MAY BE REMOVED [ARTICLE]

MOMENCE ROCK LEDGE MAY BE REMOVED

Famous Ridge in the Kankakee River Due to Disappear if Petitioners Are Successful. The Kankakee, 111., Gazette of Saturday, March 27th, had the following article relating to an effort just started in Illinois for the removal of the rock ledge in the Kankakee river at Momence, which has been such a hindrance to drainage for so many years: The famous Momence ridge in the Kankakee river which has caused so much discussion and proposed legislation for several years, is due to disappear shortly if the work of Attorney W. H. Savary is successful in getting the petitions of the Momence and Yellowhead drainage district through the county court. The Momence ridge is a rise of rock in the river between two and three miles east of Momence. It is 300 feet in length in the direction of the river and is about three feet above the level of the natural bed of the stream. A channel 200 feet wide

would have to be excavated for practical purposes. It is entirely of rock. Though its rise is small, still, because of the very small fall of the river to the mile to the east of it, it is said to affect a vast territory far up into the Kankakee marshes of Indiana. Farm owners of Indiana have frequently talked of getting it removed, ad so have eastern Illinois fanners. The Indiana legislature made an appropriation a few year? ago for its destruction, but the money ran out before the job was completed. Finally the men in the Momence and Yellowhead drainage district took the matter into their hands and their efforts to push the proposition through have been hanging fire for two years. One assessment roll was prepared and declared invalid. Attorney Savary was given charge of the case three weeks ago and a new assessment roll was filed in the county court yesterday. Mr. Savary, who is ah expert on draihage matters, says the roll. is perfect and will undoubtedly be passed upon by the court. The roll calls for an expenditure of $38,000. It was found by the men of the drainage district that the only effective way to keep their own tile clean would be to destroy the Motheir main drain enters the river, Acmence ridge which is below where cording to Mr. Savary, the cost of cutting a 2QO-foot channel through the ridge will be SI,OOO, but others say it will cost- more than this. Because of the benefit to their own drainage system the men of the Momence and Yellowhead district will do what two commonwealths have failed to do and will pay for it themselves, though land owners for miles and miles up the river will be equally benefited, * The hearing before a jury will be held on April Bth in the county court. Objections will be heard at that time.