The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-08

"Reminiscences of the Walker Railroad, as R
lated by an OId-Timer.


"Reminiscences of the Walker Railroad, Re-
lated by an Old-Timer.
One Of the first settlers of this State yesterday
Inquired of the railroad reporter of the journal
if, in his "reminiscences about early railways in
Indiana. he had ever mentioned Walkers rail-
road. the fret built and operated in the State.
When answered in the negative, after paying a
handsome tribute to the memory of Governor
Noble, he said: February 2, 1882, a big
day fer Governor Noble. Nothing delighted
ais heart SO much as public improvements; and
on this notable day he had five bills to sign, each
of which Incorporated great railroad COM
pnuy' Sign themf or course; he'd sign any
thing in the shape of a railway charter. There
was no doubt upon his face his quill pen
threaded out his name and the word Approved
an the proper place. Doubtless. on occasions
nf more than usual interest and pleasure, the
look of pain habitual through yeaFs OF suffering,
left his wan features. Canals and railways were
hIs delight. This was the opening ont of his ad-
IniHistration- Five railways in one dayl
Men shall hear of Thorberg Skating
For a hundredyear,
said the old Kerssman to himself. MY admins
rratiOn VIII be most memorable era of prog
ress.' sOliloquized the noble Governor.
'FiTsI came the Lawrencehurg Il Indianapolis
railroad: then the Madison, Indianapolis e. La
1ayette railroad; then the Ohio & Lafayette rail-
road; then the Wabash & Michigan railroad,
and. finally, the Harrison Indianapolis rail
road. The names of these roads generally indi-
coated their examinations. The first road was TO
have capital stock OF $50OOOO. Among the
incorporates were several men whose names
iOar old settlers will recognize at once. There
were Nick McCarty and william Blythe, of In
kiiauapOlis; there was John c. Wal Rer OF Shelby
vIlle father of the late DIR. John c. Walker and
grandfather of State Superintendent Holcombe
lOf the same place John Hendricks, father
0f Governor +. A. Hendricks, the father OF the
Hiret Governor Hendricks, and man mt to be
lGnvernor himself There were g, H. Dunn and
.Iohn Test, of Lawrenceburg; r. NJ. Johnson and
Henry A. Reid, OF Ripley county, and Nathan b.
Gallion and James freeman, of Decatur. The
road was to be commenced within three years,
or the charter would be forfeited
There were many wise men who opposed all
THE enterprises. 'fou will ruin Indianapolis said
they. But there were men OF progress in Indiana,
who took hold OF the enterprise WITH a Will. The
company was organized, the books were opened
and stock was sold The w0rkmen followed the
surveyors and commenced operations. For a
time things moved slowly; money was scarce;
the stock of the road was talked up and down;
taken and rejected In payment of debts; eagerly
subscribed and contemptuously trihed away-as
the hopes of the people rose and fell Meantime
John G. Walker, of Shelbyviile, never fatered.
never lost confidence 1884 dawned Il will
have some of 1t in running order, and he carry
1ng passengers by the 4th of july said John
Walker you can mark that down. and John
Walker always did as he said. But the days
went By. and the pun of the steam engine WAS
not heard, neither was there the sound of clink-
ing iron that runs down the loug line of road
when spike is driven home
"But John Walker, true to his word. had his
railroad ready for operatiOn July a, 1884, a link
of he now Cincinnati, Indianapolis. st. Louis &
Chicago road The railroad was one and one
quarter miles long the rails OF wood; the ex-
press car, mall car, baggage car, smoking car,
dining car Pullmans palace car and ali the rest
were all in one. and John Walker had it made in
Shelbyvie There were two locomotives, each
four legs and very fond OF oats. There was
Fourth of July picnic at the terminus of the
line. good time, with plenty of good things
to eat and something good to drink. good
speeches. good music pretty girls, strong and
handsome boys. The fare was "A shilling, not
too much for ride on the first train of the first
railroad All day the trains run, and away INTO
the night. Uncle Billy Jackon. John Morris,
Daniel Macy, and others, went TO Shelby vile gu
that day ride on Indians's first railway. No
body who was there will ever forget that picnic"