Clinton County IN Archives History - Books .....Railroads 1886 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 4, 2011, 6:51 pm Book Title: History Of Clinton County CHAPTER XV. RAILROADS. INTRODUCTORY.—CINCINNATI, INDIANAPOLIS, ST. LOUIS & CHICAGO. —TERRE HAUTE & LOGANSPORT.—LAKE ERIE & WESTERN.— TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS, & KANSAS CITY.—LOUISVILLE, NEW ALBANY & CHICAGO.—REMARKS.—HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE.— LIBERALITY OF THE COUNTY, TOWNSHIPS AND CITIZENS.—THE PROFITABLE RESULTS. Rapid development of a new country is only possible through a system of railroads, affording speedy, regular, safe and economical transportation. To fully open up a district like Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky, a whole generation must pass away amid the slowly improving conditions af pioneer life. Now, by the aid of railroads, the vast Territory of Dakota has within five years received a half a million of inhabitants, and is ready to be converted into two new States—stars Nos. 39 and 40 in our Federal constellation. By the same agency Asia, Australia, South America and Africa are being rapidly civilized and developed. In short, the known world is being wonderfully enlarged. But for the iron horse, Africa must remain the "dark continent" for countless generations. In view of present developments, it is to be the land of promise for emigrants in the twentieth century. CINCINNATI, INDIANAPOLIS, ST. LOUIS & CHICAGO. About 1851 a company was organized to construct a railroad from Lafayette to Indianapolis. It was a local enterprise, Lafayette being the headquarters, and the stock being taken by residents along the line. Aid was very freely tendered by the citizens from Lafayette to Indianapolis. Daniel Clark, of Tippecanoe County, who lives but a mile or so west of the Clinton County line, gave most of his time for about two years to the promotion of this project As was usually the case in those days of primitive railroad building, the actual work of construction progressed slowly, about three years being consumed before the line was completed between the two cities named. The line crosses only a corner of Clinton County, having but 3.87 miles in Perry Township. Colfax is the only station in this county. After a number of years the road became a part of the system now known as Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago. The road is assessed at $9,000 per mile, or $34,830 in this county, for main track. There are 1.07 miles of side track, assessed at $2,500 per mile, or $2,-675. The rolling stock is assessed at $2,500 per mile, or $9,675 in Clinton County. Improvements on right of way are assessed at $410, making a total assessment in this county of $47,590. This was the only road in Clinton County until 1870, since when has been brought about the unexcelled railroad facilities of Frankfort and the county. TERRE HAUTE & LOOANSPORT (VANDALIA LINE). In 1869 three local companies were organized, independently, to connect these places: Rockville and Crawfordsville, Crawfordsville and Frankfort, Frankfort and Logansport. Shortly after, and before the construction was begun, these were consolidated, under the name of the Terre Haute & Logansport. In 1870 the road was built in this county, from Colfax to Frankfort, and the following season it was extended to Logansport. The year following the whole line was completed. The contractors were Cutler & Co., extensive railroad builders. Clinton County and the townships interested, all contributed liberally to this line. The county voted one-third of a 2 per cent, tax, or $37,500; Perry, Jackson and Owen townships voted 2 per cent, each, or $12,000, $36,000 and $12,000, respectively. In addition, enough donations were made by private parties to make the total about $135,000, besides the right of way, which wag entirely given. Four or five years ago the company became financially embarrassed, and was sold to the Vandalia Company, which has made it a first-class line. It is well managed, is in good condition in every way, and is doing a profitable business. The road has 22.01 miles of main track in Clinton County, assessed at $3,500 per mile, or $77,035; and 2.27 miles of side track, assessed at $2,000, or $4,540. The rolling stock is assessed at $850 per mile, or $18,708, and improvements on right of way, $1,190; total assessment in Clinton County, $101,473. The road crosses Owen, Center, Washington and Perry townships, and the stations are Sedalia, Moran, Kilmore, Frankfort, Madison and Colfax. LAKE ERIE & WESTERN. Shortly after the organization of the Terre Haute & Logansport, and in the same year, 1869, another line was projected through this county. This was the Lafayette, Bloomington & Muncie. The leading parties in this were citizens of Lafayette, Adams, Earl and others. Mr. Earl was president of the company until the road was half built. Work on the line was begun in 1871, and completed in 1874 or '5 from Bloomington to Muncie. Much local aid was given to this road, every county along the line voting liberally. Clinton County gave $87,500, and Johnson Township, $5,000; while private subscriptions raised the amount given in this county to some $120,000, besides the right of way. Most of this latter was given outright, but a few hundred dollars being paid out for that purpose. Four or five years after completion to Muncie, the road was extended to Sandusky, on Lake Erie, and the present name of Lake Erie & Western was adopted. The line is in good condition, and does a profitable business. The 25.35 miles of main track in this county is assessed at $6,000 per mile, or $152,100; 1.86 miles of side track at $2,000 per mile, or $3,720; the rolling stock at $1,400 per mile, or $35,490; and improvements on right of way at $2,000; a total of $193,310. The road crosses Johnson, Michigan, Center, Washington and Madison townships, and the stations in this county are Scircleville, Hillisburgh, Boyleston, Frankfort, Jefferson and Mulberry. TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS & KANSAS CITY. Fifteen years ago it became apparent that sooner or later a railroad would be built connecting Toledo and St. Louis by a direct line. The wide-awake citizens of Frankfort percieved this, and determined to at once build as much road east and west as possible, which might in time become a part of such through line, and thus make sure of being on this through line, instead of allowing it to pass around Clinton County. Thus it was that in 1872 the Frankfort & Kokomo Company was organized. Center Township voted 2 per cent., or $31,000; Michigan 2 per cent., or $14,000; Johnson 1 per cent., or $5,000; and other subscriptions in the county raised the total to some $80,000, given to secure this new railroad. The contract for building was let to A. G. Wells & Co., in 1873, and work was at once begun. By the 4th of July, 1874, trains were running between Frankfort and Kokomo. The year following, the Frankfort & State Line Company was organized to build westward from Frankfort to the State line, in the direction of St. Louis. Most of the parties interested in this were the same as those who had pushed the Frankfort & Kokomo to successful completion. The right of way was cheerfully given, and in addition Center Township voted $20,000 at one time and $20,000 at another, Washington $12,000, and private parties gave $12,000 more, a total of $64,000. Work on this line was begun in 1878, and a considerable length of line was built that year. This was, and is, a narrow-gauge railroad. In 1879, to conform to the same idea, the Frankfort & Kokomo was reduced to a narrow gauge. This assured the extension of the road to the important termini of Toledo and St. Louis. Years before, a rival line had been projected south of Clinton County, but the promoters of Clinton County's interests were too active to be beaten. On the other line nothing had been done but promise money; on this the money had been actually raised; so that when the panic of 1873 came, it stopped the rival project, along with hundreds of others in the United States that were then in the formative stage, but the Frankfort line was built, because it had the aid definitely promised to it. Organizations were at different times formed in different localities, to build links of the through line, which was thus actually constructed in eight or ten different sections. Frankfort parties were interested in two of these sections between Frankfort and the State line west, aside from the Frankfort & State Line division. In 1881 the entire line was completed, narrow gauge throughout, and consolidated under the name of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis. In the spring of 1886 the road was sold and the name changed to Toledo, St Louie & Kansas City. It will doubtless be made a standard gauge line. Financially, the enterprise has not yet been a success. The line has never been properly equipped. More money was given to the company than was put into the road, so that the contractors got the road for nothing and made money besides. Still, it is hardly to be doubted that the result will be a benefit to Clinton County. The road has in this county 25.10 miles of main track, assessed at $2,000 per mile, or $50,200; and .46 miles of side track at $1,000 per mile, or $460. The rolling stock is assessed at $8,193 and improvements on right of way, $125. Total assessment, $59,028. The road crosses Forest, Michigan, Center and Washington townships, and has these stations in Clinton County: Forest, Michigantown, Avery, Frankfort, Jefferson and Fickle's. LOUISVILLE, NEW ALBANY & CHICAGO. The Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago Air Line was organized in 1869, to construct a road from Indianapolis to Chicago through Frankfort, Delphi and Monon. This was shorter than any other line built and is still the most direct line. The rights of way were given in 1870 through this county, but the project was allowed to rest for five or six years before even a beginning was made. The first work was done in Jasper and White counties. Clinton County voted $37,500; Ross Township, $12,000; Kirklin, $12,000; Center, $36,000; and subscriptions raised the total to $127,500. After the road was built as far south as Delphi, it was in an embarrassed condition, financially, and was then bought by the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago ("Monon") Company, which completed the line to Indianapolis in 1883. It does a good, and presumably profitable, business. It has, in Clinton County, 24.59 miles of main track, assessed at $5,000 per mile, or $122,950; and 1.56 miles of side track, assessed at $2,000 per mile, or $3,120. The rolling stock is assessed at $1,500 per mile, or $36,885, and the improvements on right of way at $1,600; total assessed value in this county, $164,555. The road crosses Ross, Owen, Center, Jackson, Kirklin and Sugar Creek townships, and has these stations in the county: Rossville, Cambria, Frankfort, Cyclone and Kirklin. REMARKS. There is a total of 100.92 miles of main track in Clinton County, assessed at from $2,000 to $9,000 per mile, making $437,115; and 7.22 miles of side track, assessed at from $1,000 to $2,500 per mile, or $14,515. The rolling stock is assessed at $108,951; and improvements on the right of way, $5,375; total assessment of railroad property in the county, $565,956. From Frankfort railroads stretch in eight directions, quite evenly distributed around the points of the compass, and from Colfax the iron rails lead in four directions. This exceptionally convenient arrangement is not mere luck. It is the natural result of a far-sighted policy, a wise liberality and an intelligent enterprise. From the first it has been the custom of the Board of Commissioners to appropriate suitable sums to pay for the original surveys of these roads. Then again, many of the citizens of the county, and particularly of Frankfort, have given liberally of time and money to seen ring these roads, with the sole object of benefiting the town and county, their only compensation being the indirect one of increased value of their property. Their posterity will acknowledge that the money has been well invested. Among those who have aided in railroad development are H. Y. Morrison, Colonel John G. Clark, Alexander B. Given, James Paris, William Carter (deceased), N. T. Catterlin (deceased), David P. Barner, Isaac D. Armstrong, John Barner, Philip Dorner, Samuel Ayres, John Coulter, James W. Morrison, Erastus H. Staley, Wilson Seawright (deceased), John Pence (deceased), Perry Pence, Aaron H. Southard (deceased), Joseph Baum and David F. Allen. H. T. Morrison was director and president of the Frankfort & Kokomo Railroad Company until that line was built, and for several years after director and vice-president; he was director and president of the Frankfort & State Line almost from its organization, until its consolidation with the other parts of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis; and for a time director of two other of the minor companies afterward consolidated in the same system. Colonel Clark has been director of the Frankfort & Kokomo and other Indiana divisions of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis, and was recently vice-president. Alexander B. Given was for several years after the organization a director in the Lafayette, Bloomington & Muncie (now Lake Erie & Western). Captain Samuel Ayres has been almost from the beginning connected officially with what is now the Toledo, St Louis & Kansas City, as director and treasurer. James H. Paris has been director and secretary of the Terre Haute & Logansport. James W. Morrison was director and secretary for several years of the Frankfort & State Line Company. The county now receives about $4,000 annually from the railroads by way of taxes, and the townships (all but one of which are crossed by these iron highways) also receive revenue from them. All the many bonuses voted to the road have been paid, except these: $20,000 voted by Boss to the Frankfort & State Line, now in litigation; $39,000 voted by Boss and Center to the Indianapolis, Delphi & Chicago (now Louisville, New Albany & Chicago), forfeited by delay of the company in building the road, and $37,500 voted by the eonnty to the same road and forfeited for the same reason, in accordance with a statute of the State. The county and townships and citizens have between them given nearly half a million dollars, besides the right of way, to secure these roads, yet there is very little dissatisfaction, and what there is is diminishing in the light of the conclusive benefits of the railroad advantages now secured for all time to Clinton County. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA, TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/clinton/history/1886/historyo/railroad584gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 15.3 Kb