Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1893 — The Big Ditch Ordered. [ARTICLE]

The Big Ditch Ordered.

And The Rock Out at Rensselaer Retained. V * — I » , GIFFORD’S DRAINAGE DISTRICT NOT INTERFERED WITH. COMMISSIONERS’ SPECIAL SESSION The County Commissioners met in special session, Monday. The Lafayette Bridge Company was contracted with for a new all iron bridge over the Iroquois river, to take the place of the present Lamson bridge. The price is $3550. This sum is $450 less than the lowest bid received at the March session. This was let by private contract, no sealing bids having been called for. The bridge is to be completed by June 10th. J. H. Carr, trustee of Jordan tp., is to superintend the erection of the bridge. Chas. A. Gundy, of Fair Oaks, was granted a saloon license. - - r The Jasper County Drainage Association ceded the bed of the Iroquois river through Rensselaer, to the public, for drainage purposes, and the same is released from taxation.

A Transcript of the action of the circuit court in the Wlieatfield ditch appeal case having been received, the Board ordered the construction of the ditch, accordingly. The subject of tlir great Iroquois ditch came up Monday afternoon. A number of persons protested against certain portions of the route of the main ditch, along the Iroquois river, near Burk’s bridge, and asked that the same be altered. Tbe route as selected by the engineer and viewers cuts across certain bends in the river, and the objection is raised that these cutoffs get so far from the river that the lands on the opposite side of the river will not be drained, and it is also claimed that at least one of the cutoff routes goes through such a sandy tract that the ditch if made there will have a constant tendency to fill up and become useless. In order to decide upon the matter intelligently the commissioners, accompanied by the viewers and engineer, went out

to look at the disputed routes, Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon th§ hearing of the case was resumed, in the circuit court room, to accommodate the large number present. An agreement was presented and placed on' record, whereby the conflict between the Iroquois drainage scheme-and Mr. Gifford’s present operations and proposed drainage district, are satisfactorily adjusted. Mr. Gifford and his friends will not be interfered with in his operations, and they will pay an equitable sum for such outlets as the construction of the Iroquois system affords them. The matter of a change of routes near Burk’s bridge, was decided in favor of the change, and the engineer and viewers sent out yesterday morning to stake off the new routes. The very important point of the route to be followed near Rensselaer, whether to keep in the old channel of the river or to make the cut off north of town, was decided in favor of the old channel. The route contemplates a rock cut from near the old slaughter house building, back of Chas. Worden’s residence, to a little distance below the creamery. The cut will be it is estimated, 40 feet wide and an average of 4 feet deep, its greatest depth being about 5 feet. Its length will be about 3000 feet. It will be an expensive cut, but will produce A vast quantity of rock very valuable for street and road material, for foundations (fee., and which material will easily eel! for enough to go a long wa/s towards paying the cost of its excavation. The ditch is ordered constructed and the present Engineer, L. A.Bostwick, and viewers, Neal and Holmes are reappointed to assess the benefits and damages. It will be an enormous undertaking. Ladies who desire a beutiful, smooth and refined complexion must use- the “Famous Gloria Water.” Price 75 cents per bottle. For sale by Mrs. Lecklider