Jasper County Democrat, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1902 — INDIANAPOLIS, GREENWOOD & FRANKLIN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

INDIANAPOLIS, GREENWOOD & FRANKLIN.

The first interurban line to reach Indianapolis was the Indianapolis, Greenwood A Franklin railroad, whose care entered the city over a ten-mile track from Greenwood, through Southport, on Jan. 15, 1900. The big green cars, with their dazzling electric headlights, attracted much attention when they appeared on Waahlngton-st. The hourly service then established ha# been maintained since without Interruption, half-hour cars being run on Saturdays, Sundays and holldaya The line was well patronized from the start, and In the fall of 1900 an extension of ten miles, through Whlteland to Franklin, was begun. This was not opened unitl June 6, 1901, owing to the difficulty of securing steel rails. Travel more than doubled with the opening of the extension, and the city of Franklin,

which was for a time fearful that an electric line to Indlxnaolls would Injure Franklin's business prosperity Is now as enthusiastic In praise of the Interurban system as Is Greenwood. The 1., G. A F. railroad now operates eighteen miles of Its own track and passes over two or three miles of tracks of the the Indianapolis street railway. Its cars leave Indianapolis hourly from 6 a. m. till 11 (11:15 for the benefit of theater-goers) p. m„ the first car lea%lng Franklin at 5:30 a. m. and making the run to this city In one hour and ten minutes. The line draws Its patrons not only from the growing towns of Southport (300 lnhabltans). Greenwood (1.500). Whlteland (350) and Franklin (4.000). but from all Johnson county beside, as well as from eastern Morgan county, northern Brown and Bartholomew and northwestern Shelby. Farmers drive In ten miles or more to the towns on the line, hitch their teams and make the trip to the city and back In a few hours. Although the passenger business of the Louisville division of the Pennsylvania railroad has been cut Into somewhat, the greater aprt of the travel on the electric line has been created by the building of the line, which brings into the city every r»onth hundreds of people who otherwise would not coma Equipment. The equipment of the road Is complete In every way and the best obtainable, embracing, among other things, heavy rails, a smooth, well-ballasted roadbed, handsome, comfortable cars, concrete culverts and a telephone system making communication possible with the central office from any part of the Una The power house Is located at Greenwod. A park near Greenwood has been leased by the railroad, and toany picnics, parties, reunions, conventions and other social and religious meetings have been held mere. A vlnage of prairie dogs, a maze, swings and a dancing pavilion add to the attractiveness of the forest shade. The dancing pavilion has been Inclosed and may be heated for cooler weather. Special cars are provided for all extraordinary occasions, and are often run Into the city as well as in the opposite direction. For some time an extension of twenty miles south to Columbus (8,000 inhabitants). through Amity, Edinburg and Taylorsville, has been contemplated, and the officers of the company say that If a satisfactory franchise could be obtained from the Indianapolis authorities work would doubtless oe undertaken at onoe. The officers of the road are: William G. Irwin, president and general manager, Columbus; Hugh H. Miller, secretary and treasurer, Columbus; A. B. Hogue, superintendent, Greenwood.

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