Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1901 — The McKillip Dredge Completed. [ARTICLE]

The McKillip Dredge Completed.

Monon News. The last scoopful of dirt was hoisted Thursday, of last week by the machinery used in excavating the McKillip drain and the boat which carried the outfit having been run back a mile to be torn down and loaded on wagons at a road crossing, the dam was blown out with dynamite Tuesday and a flood of back water from the sluggish Blue Sea was sent surging down the Little Monon, into which the drain empties. The point at which the drain enters the creek is about four miles southwest of town. The drain is eight miles long, starting on the Dobbins farm in the extreme southwest corner of the township and running almost straight east. The specifications call for the drain to be from 17 to 36 feet wide and 7 feet deep on an average, but at several points where Contractor Hack encountered deep ,;cuts through sand ridges the excavation is about 50 feet in width. There is ample fall to insure good drainage and much hitherto worthless land is expected to be reclaimed. The cost in $8,742., Mr. Hack is loading the,machinery here this week preparatory to shipping it home to Lowell.