The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-07
The q. g. Ms Affairs.

Big Four interests were negotiating for
the o. d NJ. either purchase outright or
lease, there is little doubt that some
such negotiations were pending. although
Presidents Ingalls, and Barnard may not
have been circumference over it while they
were in Europe together. The publicity
given TO the fact was premature. and may
have had something to do in preventing
the consummation of the plans then pro-
jected, which are now very much ''oh" and
may not again be considered. While the
Importance OF the O. & NJ. as a part of the
Big Four system is generally recognized,
yet there are certain conditions that make
it not a very desirable purchase. With
S20.OO0.0O0 in stock and fixed charges
amounting annually to Sl.024. 0C0. and with
gross earning capacity that has exceeded
S4.OO0000 annually in only two years of it's
existence. as revenue-producing line It
does not offer any great advantages. The
sinking fund arrangements of the road are
not such as TO add to its financial desira-
bility. Itwonld be very costly piece of
property TO add to any system just now.
The o. II NJ. has always been O conten-
tiOus factor in this territory. 1t is the
shortest line between st. Louis and Cincin-
natl, and when the other lines indulge in
any rate-cutting the .. d NJ, through its
friendly connection with the b. IL o., man.
ages to carry the war further East, where
the Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt lines are
strong and III self-defense they arc CON-
PEELED to restore rates ont in this territory,
thus atiording the .. q NJ. a never failing
protection, which il is not slow to take ad
vantage of.
The New York Recorder, of Saturday.
says. regarding the proposed amalgamation:
President NJ. L. Ingalls,. of the Chesapeake d
Ohio, left town yesterday for Waslin gton, where,
1t is said a conference of some of the people in
terested in the Chesapeake n Ohio-Ohio Mis-
ssspP deal VIII t DC heId TO-DAY a, There rs nov
truth OF the story or the practical amalgamatiOn
of the Ohio g. Mississippi with the chesapeake 81
shall have been settled. The Ohio & Mississippi's
business destined for Eastern points is already
all going to the Chesapeake Ohio at Cincin-
NATL and the minor officials OF both roads under
stand that the deal is made.
Forty.Two Times Around the World
Mr.. Andrew Walker, the veteran en-.
gineer On the Vandalia road. has had thir-
ty-nine years of almost continuous service
as an engineer, q record that probably no
other person in this section of the country
can equal. He became a railroader IN 1880
on the old Madison g. Indianapolis NOW
the j., NJ. & H. road. ard in 1852 first took
charge of an engine, and has been at the
throttle ever since. For eight years he ran
the time and freight the remainder. In
1862 he left the Madison road for few
months and farmed near this city, but aft
erwards returned to his first love. and he
came an engineer on the Decline. where he
ran four years. In 1865 he went back to
the j., NJ. IL |. and stayed until 1870, when
he went with the Vandalia. He ran she first
engine over the Wabash-river bridge at
Terre Haute, April 20 1870. He ran on the
middle di vision, from Terre Haute to Etfing-
ham. for time; then had a through
| run for four years He after
wards ran the Greencastle coal
train for five years. and is now rnn-
ming the Indianapolis Il Terre Haute ac-
commodation, making a round trip every
day. Not including his service as q fire.
man for two years. Mr. Walker has run. on
the various roads, 1.052. Geo miles. distance
eqnal to nearly forty.twO times around the
world. divided as follows: On the Madison
* indianapolis. 2l0.0O0: on the j., VI. * L.,
IS. 100: on the Decline. 1872; on the Van
dalia, 749. 6i5. He keeps diary. in which
he has faithfully recorded every days RIM
for nearly forty years. He looks like he
might he able TO run an engine that many
years longer.
Crop Prospects on Big Four Divisions.
The prospect for heavy crops in the terri
tory traversed by the Big -Four system is
very good. Reports have been received in
President Ingalls's Office from the different
superintendent. giving the corn outlook in
their respective divisions. Superintendent
Rose. of the Cincinnati division. says: Pros
pect for the corn crop good for a large
yield" c. j. Stedwell, superintendent of the
Cleveland dIvision: Expect n good CROP
A. G. Wells superintendent Indianapolis di-
vision: Outlook very promising. Farm
ers say if they DO not have frost n very
large crop ie expected" j. Q. Van Wrinkle,
ST. Louis division: Farmers along the
road very much encouraged by the late
rains. and say every prospect for an i'm
mense crop" q. W. Bender, Chicago d.
vision: Corn looks we'll. A great crop is
expected" j. w. Simmons. Cairo division:
If frost holds Oft a reasonable time a good
crop is assured" Thomas Reynolds San
dusky division: Corn crop the best in
four years"
.sHnme. Xisitnrs,O ExcnrsianA