Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1898 — From Gifford’s Railroad. [ARTICLE]

From Gifford’s Railroad.

The Chicago & Wabash Valley R. R. is now completed and in use from the crossing of the Coal Road, northeast of Kniman, to Deadwood, or now called Coiner, a distance of nine miles. One locomotive is in use and a good deal of frieght is being taken out; onions being the largest as well as the strongest part of the freight so far handled. On the south end, the road is graded a mile or two farther, and on the north it is graded and ties laid to the Three I. road, a distance of three miles. The town of Gifford is already laid out, and building operations begun. It is in Barkley Tp, about lulob quarters a mile east of North Lawn or Iliff school house, on a main road right in the center of the best part of the Gifford district, well located in all respects, and evidently bound to be the metropolis of the state of Gifford. Extensive cribs arc being built now, and next week work will begin on store, station and several dwellings. Smithfield, 3 miles northwest of Gifford is now bring platted; Comer, 2 miles southeast soon will be. Another station has been located at the crossing of the Coal Road; and no doubt one will be at the crossing of the Three I, which is about midway between Stoutsburg and DeMotte. Stations, cribs, stores and several residences will be erected at all of these stations, immediately.