Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1909 — COURT ANNULS DITCH CONTRACT [ARTICLE]

COURT ANNULS DITCH CONTRACT

Judge Hanley Orders Re-Let-ting Of Howe Ditch. TIME LIMIT EXPIRED JUNE 19 But Contractor Gilmore Has Ditch Only About Half Completed.— Work Has Been Well Done As Far As Completed, ’Tis Said, But Contractor Has Been Very Dilatory. One of the most important proceedings in the Circuit Court thi§ week was the Court’s ordering the contract of Ephriam Gilmore for the construction of the Howe ditch annulled and directing Superintend dent M. B. Price to re-advertise and re-sell same. This ditch starts in south of Lee, in White county, and follows about on a line of the old proposed Wakarusa ditch to the Iroquois river west of town. It is some 13 miles long, and has a lateral 1%- miles long, near McCoysburg. The lateral has been dug and about half of the main ditch. The contract was let June 12, 1907, to Ephriam Gilmore, who ‘agreed to have a dredge at work* by the following t>eptember and complete the ditch by June 19, 1908 ! He*gave a bond In the sum of S2O,- j 000 with James H. Culp and Joseph Stewart as sureties. The time limit is said to have been too short in the first place, and Mr. Gilmore had no experience in dredge work. It is said the work done has been of an excellent character, but cheap and inexperienced help on the dredge boat has caused numerous breakdowns and delays and there has been much . complaint front land-owners who are affected by the drainage. Judge Hanley has decided that dilatory tactics will not be permit- j ted any longer on dredge ditches In his circuit, and proposes to bring j contractors to time who do dot do their part In hurrying along construction of the work they have agreed to do within a specified time.