Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1902 — THE RAILROADS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE RAILROADS

During the past week the grain shipments into Chicago showed a great increase over the week previous. The railroads centering in Chicago are reported to bo preparing for a union office building for the convenience of their interchanges. The Santa Fe Railroad Company has commenced work on an important extension from Ralston, in Pawnee County, Ok., to Newkirk, and will rush it to completion. The passenger department of the Santa Fe has prepared to open heudqunrt -rs at Gothenburg, whence an active campaign will he carried on for business throughout northern Europe. The Omaha road has given notice that it will take independent’ action in the cheap home visitors* excursions announced by the Soo front points in the Canadian Northwest during December. With the completion of the Aurora, Elgin and Chicago extension front Wheaton it is expected the St. Paul will begin some fast train service to and from Chicago. The double truck* of the St. Paul from Elgin to Chicago, without curves or grades to interfere with rapid *eh -d----tiles, will make some record hreakiu.’ trips possible. It in said the regular schedule may provide for covering tlm thirty-seven miles in from thirty to forty minutes. An Interstate commerce commission bulletitt of railroad accidents for th« year ending June 30 says 2,Nil* persons were killed and .'It*,SOO injured. The ttuntlier of employes killed shows n diminution of OS |>er cent since IS!*3, when the safety appliance act was passed. The Bt. Paul Rnilrond has completed the purchase of 25,000 nerea of rich coal lands in Illinois for $2,000,000. It stilf holds option on several thousand acres more. The purpose of the purchase* more. The pnrposc of the management, it Is said, is to supply the road with coal for all time to come.