The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-20

The board OF commissioners for the re-
moval Of the limestone ledge in the Kan
kankee river at Momence. H., closed up
its business Friday with the con-
tractor who had the work in charge.
The work has recently been completed
to the satisfaction Of the board both
from the fact that the removal Of tho
ledge at that point in the river makes
it now possible to drain a large area Of
swamp land in Indiana hitherto almost
worthless, and from the fact that the
work cost a much less sum than was at
first expected.
The commissioners have not yet pre-
pared their final report, but the material
is now in. the work completed, and it
Will be submitted to the governor in
the course Of a few days OF weeks. The
financial statement is as follows:
Total number OF cubic yards ex-
cavated, 66,S41, at So cents per
yard OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. SIS 06S o.
Amount hitherto paid on esti-
mates Nos. to Z, being 80 per
cent. OF the total amount due. 49, 561 81
Balance due. being the 10 per
! cent. retained Observation-Disclosures. 5 SOC 50
The balance the board ordered paid
and warrant was drawn for the amount
by the state auditor in favor Of the J.
ID. Moran manufacturing and construc-
ton company, the contractor.
The Momence rock commissioners. as
they are generally known. We're first ap-
pointed by Governor Hovey. but they
did nothing and all the members resigned
but J. p Kimban of Kendalville IN
1883 an appropriation Of $40 900 was
made by the legislature and in 1891 the
commission was filed by the appoint
ment by Governor Hovev of Franklin
Landers. Of this city and John Brown OF
Crown Point A reorga nfzatiOn Of the
board took place and Franklin Landers
was elected chairman ana Mr.. kimball
chosen secretary. The old contract en-
tered into by the old hoard was not
carried out on account Of the company
failing to give the required bond The
new board entered into a contract with
the J. =. Moran company and began
work soon after It's organization. The
last legislature made an additional APP
preparation of $4,000, making a total
appropriation for the work Of $685.
nearly $4,000 Of which still remains in
the state treasury.
The commissioners express themselves
as very well pleased with the results Of
the work accomplished William NJ
Written. the engineer, who has had the
active supcrintendenCy of the work
however. in his report to the board does
not altogether agree with them. He says
not fully accomplished the results an
ticipated. such as would have been at
tanned by changing the channel. but the
work was done at an expense Of about
90 per cent Of what III would have re-
quired TO have changed the channel To
further deepen the channel would bene-
fit Illinois lands as much rs those OF In
diana, and. inasmuch as the retaining
of Indiana marsh lands can be ac-
cOmplished by other means, it IS recon-
mended that If the work be continued
it he done Jointly by the two states
The benefit derived from the work
done at AIomence is seriously handi-
capped by similar lodges at IndiantoNn.
a few miles below Nomence. These wiz
have 10 be removed before the full bene-
1T to Indiana lands can be realized.
Mr.. Written suggests that any further
action taken to secure improved Wate~-
ways between the state line and
Momence should include provisions for
keeping the same in repair. and one Of
the essential points for this purpose viii
be To prevent the growth Of timber along
the banks of the channel or channels.