The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-02-27
THE ELECTRIC ROAD.
NEWS OF ITS PROGRESS IN OTHER
PLACES.
KENosHA THE MISSING LINK
The Work of Building the Line VIII be
Begun as Soon as Spring Opens
Franchises All Granted Ex-
cept at This Place.


construction will be begun on patches
of the through electric railway line that
is to connect the string of villages and
towns between Chicago and Ajilwau-
kee. Enthusiasts are not wanting who
predict that in year or so at the
farthest it will be possible to make u
continuous journey by trolley cars along
the shore from Chicago to the Cream
city. Among the attractions predicted
are large observation cars Of the great
est motive power known in street rail
way construction, so that passengers
may enjoy the magnificent shore seen
cry while whirling along at high rate
of speed Frequency of service will be
a speciality on this electric line, and it
is also promised that through fares will
be lower than on the steam roads.
Within the last few weeks there has
been squirt of activity in cleaning up
the necessary franchises at the north
end of the proposed Chicago and Mil
Kenosha the entire right of way has
been granted to the Milwaukee, Racine
and Kenosha Street Railway company.
Oak Creek was the last of the smaller
villages to fall into line. Another re-
Gently Incorporated concern, known as
the Milwaukee Electric Railway and
Lighting company, has plans on foot
for a similar enterprise.
Third Company in the Field.
A third company is in the field.
known as the Lake Shore Electric
Railway company, the incorporators
being Chicago parties, and their
avowed purpose the extension of a
through electric lire from Chicago to
/ Milwaukee. Out of this multiplicity OF
projects those who favor a through
route believe that a consolidated line
will result as soon as the necessary
franchises are secured from the inter-
vening municipalities There is a
growing disposition on the part of vii
lage boards of trustees to deal literally
with promoters who show actual evil
dence of bona fde intentions to build,
and who have the requisite financial
| backing.
Meanwhile an important link in the
prospective cham of trolley lines con-
Meeting Chicago and Milwaukee is now
actually under construction. This is
the electric line from Waukegan south
to the village Of North Chicago, the
franchise for which was recently pur-
chased by G. E. Loss, the Chicago rail
road contractor. Mr.. Loss has COM
pleted the laying of rails on that por
| ton of his line within the limits Of
Waukegan proper and has also erected
trolley poles from the south line OF
Waukegan to Twenty second street in
the village of North Chicago. The lat
| ter point is as far as the franchise eX-
tends at present.
Rails Are On the Ground.
Rails for the completion of the last
section of the line are already on the
ground, and will be laid as fast as the
condition of the ground permits. Mr..
Loss has been east for several weeks,
but one of his principal assistants is
authority for the statement that the
line from the center of Waukegan to
North Chicago will be in operation by
May l. Work has been rapidly pushed
during the winter months, and the cars
and other equipment of the road are
said to be almost ready for delivery.
Between North Chicago and Evans
ton the trustees Of the various villages
have had requests for franchises, but
this part Of the route offers more OBJ
stacles than that north of Waukegan
Lake Forest, Highland Park, Glencoe,
Winnetka, Wilmette and intervening
villages are the centers Of high-class
residence district, which is yearly be-
coming more populous, but at the same
time exclusive. Some of the large
property owners are opposed to troll
ley line, preterring to preserve their
rural surroundings il their present sim
plicity. Another class of residents,
however, does not own carriages, and
are strongly in favor of additional tran
sit facilities, especially as the trolley
promoters offer the finest equipment
possible and lower fares than the
steam roads.
Majority Likely to Prevail.
/ 1t is considered certain that the
wishes of the majority will prevail. and
that several electric line franchises
will be granted during the coming sum-
mer.
Good ground exists for the belief that
the coming season will see construction
work in progress from Milwaukee
southwark to Racine and Kenosha
The completion of the Waukegan and
North Chicago line and the building
of several miles northward from the
| .,,.oco,at mol IN North EUanStnn