Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 126, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1903 — BIG ELECTRIC LINE. [ARTICLE]

BIG ELECTRIC LINE.

Prrj ;ct Contemplate* Connecting Chicago and Pittsburg. A scheme lias been developed in South Bend, Ind., which contemplates connecting Chicago and Pittsburg, Pa., by an electric system. It will be the largest electric railway system in the world. The utilization of the vast water power resources in Ohio at St. Mary's reservoir, Just across the Indiana line, is comprehended in the project. Thi« reservoir covers 17,000 acres and at present supplies water for the Miami and Erie canal, which ia about to be abandoned. Power will also be obtained from the gigantic dam now being built in the St. Joseph river four miles east of South Bend, and on which $1,500,000 has ulrendy been spent. In following the route to Chics** the liue will touch Cleveland, Toledo, Butler, "’’TJoaheilf, Elkhart, South Bend and Lnporte, as well as many smaller towns. It ia proposed to begin work on the big railway before the close of the year. The Chicago and Indiana Air Line, which is now being built as fnr east as' Toledo, will probably be absorbed by the promoters of the big scheme. The University of Porto Rico, at Baa Jnnn, was opened with the enrollment of 150 normal students. It ia the first unV varsity established on the Island.