Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1899 — Latest Kankakee Drainage Scheme Busted. [ARTICLE]

Latest Kankakee Drainage Scheme Busted.

A great deal was said in the papers a few weeks ago about a new and very promising Kankakee drainage scheme, which was snre to be a success and that it would drain and reclaim hundreds of thousands of acres. What was to make the scheme a sure go, was that B. J. Gifford and Nelson Morris and other big land owners of of the Kankakee had joined their forces and were all palling together in favor of the scheme. And there was considerable grounds for the favorable views taken of the prospects of the project. Mr. Gifford was in favor of tbe plan, and drew up the petition, and Mr. Morris talked very favorably at first. Bnt when it come to dicisive action Morris refused to sign the petition, and that knocked out the whole plan. Mr. Gifford has since investigated all the drainage laws of Indiana, and has concluded that there is no present law that will meet the conditions of Kankakee drainage, and he has therefore drawn up a new bill specially designed to cover the case. He has placed the bill in the bands of leading members of both houses of tbe Indiana legislature, and it is believed that it will be passed without opposition.