Franklin County - Railroads
Hill and Nye, railroad promoters came into Southern Illinois in 1875 and projected and surveyed a route for a railroad called the Belleville and Eldorado Railroad, extending from Belleville in St. Clair County to Eldorado in Saline county.
These promoters had no money but abundant supply of "nerve and wind" and by using these resources judiciously, the road was finally built.
They began building from Eldorado in 1877. They expected the counties through which they passed to take stock in the road and also to issue bonds to have the road built. The road was built from Eldorado to the Franklin County line., There it must stop until proper arrangements could be made with Franklin County. This end of the road was called "West End" now a lively station on the Illinois Central Railroad.
The eastern part of Franklin County did a great deal of wheat marketing at this railroad town. The first locomotive entered Franklin County at West End.
After some time Franklin county was ready to take stock and issue bonds. Henry Hudson of Benton sold $75,000 of these bonds for Hill and Nye, so that the iron rails could be secured to build the road from West End to Benton, which was done and the whistle of the first locomotive to enter Benton was heard on Sept. 23, 1879. This locomotive was called "General Gibson" and was the old type of engine. The first conductor on this early road was Barney Blaney. He continued to make his runs regularly until a few years ago.
The trains on this road were very irregular and did not live up to the schedule time. The figures on the time table indicating the time of arrival were always preceded by the word "About".
Frank Trott was the first station agent at Benton and was asked the oft familiar question, "When will the train come?" Glancing down the track he would say, "Pretty soon, now, here come Barney's dog."
The Belleville and Eldorado road was completed to Du Quoin, May 1, 1880. It was sold to the St. Louis, Alton and Terre Haute Railroad Company, July 1, 1880, and was call the "Cairo Shortline" until 1895, when it was sold to the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Since then the road has been greatly improved.
Hill and Nye, railroad promoters came into Southern Illinois in 1875 and projected and surveyed a route for a railroad called the Belleville and Eldorado Railroad, extending from Belleville in St. Clair County to Eldorado in Saline county.
These promoters had no money but abundant supply of "nerve and wind" and by using these resources judiciously, the road was finally built.
They began building from Eldorado in 1877. They expected the counties through which they passed to take stock in the road and also to issue bonds to have the road built. The road was built from Eldorado to the Franklin County line., There it must stop until proper arrangements could be made with Franklin County. This end of the road was called "West End" now a lively station on the Illinois Central Railroad.
The eastern part of Franklin County did a great deal of wheat marketing at this railroad town. The first locomotive entered Franklin County at West End.
After some time Franklin county was ready to take stock and issue bonds. Henry Hudson of Benton sold $75,000 of these bonds for Hill and Nye, so that the iron rails could be secured to build the road from West End to Benton, which was done and the whistle of the first locomotive to enter Benton was heard on Sept. 23, 1879. This locomotive was called "General Gibson" and was the old type of engine. The first conductor on this early road was Barney Blaney. He continued to make his runs regularly until a few years ago.
The trains on this road were very irregular and did not live up to the schedule time. The figures on the time table indicating the time of arrival were always preceded by the word "About".
Frank Trott was the first station agent at Benton and was asked the oft familiar question, "When will the train come?" Glancing down the track he would say, "Pretty soon, now, here come Barney's dog."
The Belleville and Eldorado road was completed to Du Quoin, May 1, 1880. It was sold to the St. Louis, Alton and Terre Haute Railroad Company, July 1, 1880, and was call the "Cairo Shortline" until 1895, when it was sold to the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Since then the road has been greatly improved.
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QUOTE...
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
- Buddha -
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
- Buddha -
THIS DAY IN HISTORY...
1975
Actress Kate Winslet, who was known for her sharply drawn portrayals of spirited and unusual women, was born in England.
1975
Actress Kate Winslet, who was known for her sharply drawn portrayals of spirited and unusual women, was born in England.
LAUGHTER...
A woman and a man are lying in bed next to each other when her phone rings.
She picks up, the man looks over at her and listens. She is speaking in a cheery voice, "Hi. I'm so glad you called. Really? That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you. That sounds terrific. Great! Thanks. Okay. Bye bye."
She hangs up and the man asks, "Who was that?"
"Oh," she replies, "that was my husband telling me about the great time he's having on his fishing trip with you."
A woman and a man are lying in bed next to each other when her phone rings.
She picks up, the man looks over at her and listens. She is speaking in a cheery voice, "Hi. I'm so glad you called. Really? That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you. That sounds terrific. Great! Thanks. Okay. Bye bye."
She hangs up and the man asks, "Who was that?"
"Oh," she replies, "that was my husband telling me about the great time he's having on his fishing trip with you."
* Copyright 2026 * All Rights Reserved * Promoting Franklin County, Illinois
Benton, Illinois 62812 * Since 2012
Benton, Illinois 62812 * Since 2012
