Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 111, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1899 — About Gifford’s Railroad. [ARTICLE]

About Gifford’s Railroad.

B. J. Gifford’s railroad, the full name of which is the the Chicago & Wabash Valley Railroad, has now a length of 17 miles completed and in running order. Five miles of track have been laid this season, and more grading is being done on the south end. It will soon have the greatest mileage in Jasper of any railroad and already has twice as much as the Panhandle, only a mile less than the Three I, two miles less than the Coal road and four miles less than the Monon- Its present northern - terminus is where it strikes the three I, and that is about two miles west of Stoutsbhrg and 2| miles eastjof DeMotte. A station has been established at the Three I crossing and a depot is being constructed. The station there has been named Kersey. Its, present southern end is a little wobbly »nd is not always to be found where it was the last time you looked for it. At present however it is about six miles north of McCoysburg, and headed in that direction. Whether it will ever be turned towards Rensselaer is a problem for the future to determine. A train runs over the road each way every day. and' the rolling stock of the road consists of one large engine, one passenger coach and several box and flat cars, all belonging to Mr. Gifford The various side tracks of the road now hold many box cars from other roads, being loaded with onions. The road does not, as yet, carry »mails, although one post office has been established on the line, at Gifford, the present and future metropolis of the state of Gifford. The mail for Gifford is at present supplied from Valma, and the postmaster is John Kimble, who used to have a store at Gillam. Many people have an idea that Gifford’s railroad is a poorly and cheaply built affair, but it is really a well built road and one t&at has a big future; and one furthermore that your Uncle Gifford knew what he was doing when he built it. And lastly, it is a road that Rensselaer and Remington would do well to pull their way, even at the cost of a good round sum of dollars.