Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1900 — Progress of Gifford’s Railroad. [ARTICLE]

Progress of Gifford’s Railroad.

The Chicago & Wabash Valley Railroad is now making progress in several directions. On the McCoyßburg line the grading is practically finished to McCoysburg, and the rails are laid to within aboat 2 or 3 miles. It is expected the track-layers will reach there early next month. The line will stop at McCogrsbnrg, at least for the present. Gradiog on the 4 mile branch to the oil fields, from Clifford, is about half completed and track laying will soon begin. Up at the northern the line a large force of men and teams are grading, north, of the Three I railroad. Several miles of grade are already completed, and if the season continues favorable the vicinity of the Kankakee river will soon be reached.. No rails have yet been laid beyond tlfe Three I road. On the north of the Kankakee river the line continues a straight shoot for the east shore of Cedar Lake.

It is possible that some grading will be done on the Gifford-Rens-selaer line this fall, but not likely. Next spring, however, the work on it will be rushed right along. Where it will go after feaohing Rfnssnlaer is still on unsettled question. Mr. Gifford reiterates his former declared intention to establish for all time, an annual “Gifford Day” on the railroad. Once every year, as long as the road is operated, there is to be a free excursion to Cedar Lake, or any other point desired. It is to be open to all residents of all townships and tjpwns which vote aid to the building of the Gifford road. He proposes to take such action that this free excursion shall be forever binding upon the road, no matter intd whose ownership it may pass. Mr. Gifford also takes very kindly to The Republican’s.suggestion that the name of the road be changed to the Chicago, Rensselaer & Wabash Valley; and says if there are no legal obstacles that the change will be made as soon as the road reaches Rensselaer.