Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 300, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1917 — “GENIAL” GENE AT IT AGAIN [ARTICLE]

“GENIAL” GENE AT IT AGAIN

RUMOR HAS IT THAT PURTELLE IS TO BUILD ANOTHER RAILDOAD. Eugene Purtelle, promoter of a billion dollar subway, electric and interurban lines and just plain railroads, has bobbed into the limelight again and rumor has it that the railroad promoter extraordinary has plunged once more. This time it is said that “Geniel” Gene is promoting a scheme by which he would build an electric line between Joilet and Evanston, Hl. Gene has his headquarters in Chicago and is said to be going about his work so quietly and confidently that none of the Chicago dailies have seen fit so far to make a feature story of his efforts. Of course, such a road would entail a considerable outlay of money, but that doesn’t bother Mr. Purtelle and as soon as he can obtain the right-of-way and sufficient financial backing the road will become a reality. ‘Gene” is a wise old owl and one of these times, perhaps, we will see his name qmblazoned on electric signs in every place worth while in the city of Chicago—-and again we may not It may be said for Mr. Purtelle, however, that he has pluck and determination and is undaunted by past failures. “Gene” has become so hardened to failures that they don’t .bother him at all any more. Promoter Purtelle is well known to our citizens, wjio will remember his efforts of some years ago to establish an interurban line between Indianapolis and Chicago, which would have passed through this city. ’ “Gene” did everything but build the road. He obtained the right-of-way, spent considerable time and created quite . a stir, employed a flock of laborers, who jumped .hither and thither to start construction work at different points along the extended route, at the demands of Purtelle, who being a far-sighted individual saw that his road was deemed to failure unless he could keep up interest among the citizens all along the route. But the lack of financial backing bursted “Gene’s” dream and the scheme died a natural death. Some of the landmarks of the road may still be seen. Mr. Purtelle next directed his efforts to the city of Chicago. “Gene” knew that Chicago needed a subway as much as Chicago her self knew it. For several months “Gene” had Chicago silly with happiness, the city council and mayor jumped at his lidding and it looked as if his greatest plunge was to be rewarded with success. But, may not so, for again the trivial matter of cash entered into the scheme and, and another bubble was bursted. From Chicago Purtelle jumped to Frankfort, Ind., where he proposed to build an interurban between Frankort and Tipton, Indiana. After creating some furore “Gene” was forced to abandon his pursuits, after laying in jail for a time for issuing bad checks. Now, after a lapse of several months we have “Gene” threesheeting himself as the head of something, “Bigger and Better than Ever.” Luck to you, Mr. Purtelle, in your new project and may your efforts be crowned with success.