The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-08-20
THAT BIG ELECTRIC ROAD
Looks Like the Eod of the Great Gas
Belt Trunk Line Scheme.
Men Quit Work at acknowledgements
Among the Promoters-Seems to
Be Want of Bottom.
Advices from Noblssville last night were

Advices from Noblesville last night were
TO the effect that the Chicago & Central
Indiana Electric bubble had burst.
The announcement creates sur
prise among men who were informed
az to the status of the enterprise. as there
have been indications for several days that
Mr.. Pennington's magnificent enterprise
was upon Its last legs.
The alleged purposes of the company
have been widely advertised. and are we'll
known. The scheme included q double
track electric line from Noblesville to In
dianspolis. There were also to be
branches and manifestations extending
TO all the cities of the gas
cite. Altogether. the plan contemplated
the construction of from three TO four
hundred miles of track. with first
Grated sai e Sy sieo,riciiy no time Dn
was the public inclined to take much stock
In che enterprise. The movement in itself
appeared decidedly visionary. and the fact
that +. j. Pennington, of Mount Carmel
alr-ship fame, was at the head of it tended
public eye.
Two weeks ago the work of grading
commenced. Probably twenty teams and
fifty shovelers were employed. This lnsig-
nlhcant force. when considered IN con.
nectiOn with such o monster enterprise.
caused comment. but the promoters averred
that they were just starting and their
fUrce would be increased as rapidly
as iaborers could be enlisted A
DIR. Gessner. who had been elected general
manager. Quit and gave IL out that the
purposes and intentions back of the al
legged enterprise were fraudulent Mr..
remington then assumed the functions OF
general manager and the work proceeded;
but there were cropping out from
time TO time symptoms OF discomfort On
the part OF the contractors. They wanted
70 know where their pay was coming from.
was TO make payment every month. There
was no guarantee that wages would
be paid when due and a week ago last
night-twO weeks being up-the shovelers
demanded from Pennington some sign
that he would be able To liquidate claims
when pay day came. MIR. Pennina-
ton is exceedingly glib of tongue
and he made q speech. set up the drinks.
distributed very small sum of money
among the men. and last Monday morning
they resumed their shOvels and picks. The
past week the rumors concerning PEN
nington and his associates became still
more disquietng. and yesterday at Mobiles
willie the construction Grew went into open
revolt. They demanded money, and MOTH
ing but money, or at least some sub
stantial guarantee. would satisfy them.
Pennington tried TO argue the
matter. but this time his glibness of tongue
failed te serve his purpose aud the men
fused TO return to work. Pennington
finally promised to make everything satis-
factory by Monday, and thus che matter
stands according TO the latest information.
From the beginning Pennington has
claimed TO have back of him unlimited
capital The men who were back of him
were said Co live IN Chicago. Philad ell hia
and in London. Dr.. Gessner declares that
inquiry at Chicago developed that the
Chicago capitalists were fictitious.