HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      55

the Owen county line, was built in the fall of 1880, going into practical
operation in the early spring of the succeeding year. Over this switch
was conveyed to the main track for shipment the output of the mines
superintended and operated for many years by John Andrew, known as
the pioneer and veteran coal operator of the county. Some years later,
when the Harrison mines were opened and operated, by some changes
and extensions, the Lancaster Switch was utilized by this company. The
Lancaster Switch was so named for the reason that at the time of its
construction the coal company operating the mines bearing the same
name, on the county line, contemplated the development of the coal field
at Lancaster, Owen county, and the extension of the track to that point.
    This railroad, on which work proceeded from both ends, but not
simultaneously, was not intended as a connecting line between Evans-
ville and Terre Haute, but in construction was diverted on both ends
from the objective point of destination as originally profiled. In 1871,
beginning July 17, the Cincinnati & Terre Haute Railroad, known, also,
at the time of its projection, as the Cincinnati & Terre Haute Narrow
Gauge Double Track Air Line Railroad, was surveyed through the county,
of which there were proposed two lines between Greensburg and Terre
Haute—one by way of Columbus, Bloomington and Middlebury; the
other by way of Edinburg, Gosport and Bowling Green. During the
summer of that year (1871) the rivalry between Clay county people along
these respective routes, to secure the location of the road, was animated
and persistent. Both factions worked vigilantly. Public meetings were
held at various points, when the relative resources and advantages of the
competitive lines were discussed and representations made by committees
to the promoters of the proposed road. Representative citizens interested
in the rivalry made repeated visits to Terre Haute to confer with pro-
moters of the enterprise at that place. Samples of block coal mined near
Bowling Green were sent to Terre Haute by James Black, W. W. Carter
and C. M. Thompson and placed on exhibition there as specimens of the
“black diamond” resources and products of the section of country con-
tiguous to the route in which they were interested and desirous of pro-
moting. An appeal was made to the City of Terre Haute for substantial
aid in construction of the road. The city council responded by voting
a subsidy of $100,000, which determined the route, as the donation was
made on the condition that the appropriation be expended on the first
twenty-six miles of the road, to the town of Middlebury. On the 4th
day of December following, work was commenced on construction, the
first shovelfull of dirt thrown by Linus A. Burnett, vice president of the
company, near the town of Riley (Lockport), Vigo county. This twenty-
six miles of road was opened to traffic on the 6th day of August of the
next year. Subsequently, the original intention of its promoters to build
the road to Cincinnati having been abandoned, it became known as the
Terre Haute & Southeastern. The control of the road having passed
into the hands of William B. Tuell, of Terre Haute, it was extended from
Clay City to Worthington in the fall of 1879.
    Meanwhile, the Evansville & Indianapolis Short Line Railroad, of
which Hervey was the chief promoter, then under construction, was com-
pleted and operated as far as Petersburg, where work had been suspended.
    Later on, the Mackey interests having come into possession of this
road, it was extended to Washington and the purpose to build it to
Indianapolis abandoned. Then was projected the Washington & Brazil
Railroad, to connect with the “Peavine” division of the Chicago & Eastern