Railroad is busy building their extension from
Ioniato Greenville. By July 16 track is laid to
about six miles north of Ionia and by the middle
of August nearly to Kiddville. A side track was
installed at Hoyt's and the Greenville freight was
transferred there. Hoyt's is about in the center of
Orleans township and this side track was later
moved approximately three quarters of a mile
south and became Palmer station.
On August 9 and 11 of 1870, a reporter from the
Ionia Sentinel and a reporter from the Greenville
Independent each took a ride from Ionia to as
far as the track was laid just west of Hoyt's on
the construction train. The reporter from the
Sentinel writes:
"On Monday, we took passage on a construction
train for the northern end of the track. Although
our accommodations as to seats and protection
from the dust were not strictly first-class, we
were partially compensated for the consequent
discomforts by the enlarged view afforded and
the novelty of the situation. A good degree of
speed has to be obtained to take a loaded train up
the steep grade of the big hill, through deep cuts
and the valleys north of which the road winds a
tortuous course for two or three miles before
striking anything like a direct line for the northern
terminus. The ride was quite enjoyable through
the grand old woods that skirt the road for a long
distance and by pleasant farm houses,
surrounded by smooth meadows, cultivated
fields and fruit-laden orchards. The road passes
through a fine section of country in fact and one
gets some idea of the future wealth and
importance of Ionia county when our agriculture
resources shall be fully developed, as well as a
gratifying knowledge of recent progress in this
respect as shown by the numerous new, tasty
and costly residences, representing a portion of
the profits already dug out of the soil by our
hardy farmers. A large portion of the new road is
partly ballasted and some of it is smooth as
could be desired. A gravel train is kept constantly
busy ballasting the remainder, so that there may
be no unnecessary delay in putting on regular
trains after the track reaches Greenville. At
Orleans station, a short distance west of centre,
on a pleasant street, it looked quite like
"business," freight and flat cars standing on the
side track, two locomotives puffing and blowing,
a new boarding house and a number of
employees and curious gazers on in the vicinity.
the front" three or four miles further on --- with
a load of ties and iron. The locomotive was
adorned with the presence of several young
ladies of the neighborhood, for whose
gratification the engineer and fireman seemed
willing to put themselves to considerable
inconvenience. At the end of track a gang of
track- layers were spiking down the iron, with
a prospect of reaching Kiddville on the next
[Tuesday] night. The track will be laid within
two miles of Kiddville today, using up all the
iron on hand. More iron is expected
immediately and the remainder will be laid next
week, perhaps by the middle of the week. A
mixed train will be put on for a few days
between here and Greenville, until the road is
ready for the regular trains."
Now on the 11th the reporter from Greenville
writes:
"By invitation of Chief Engineer Leaming on
Thursday last, we took passage on the engine
"Ionia" on the road north of Ionia, working our
passage by passing wood to the fireman, who
was engaged in a fruitless endeavor to keep
filled the capacious mouth of the iron horse.
The "Ionia" will be the first engine into
Greenville hence we were the more pleased to
form a pleasant acquaintance with engineer
"Jimmy"--- we really cannot remember his last
name now.
The route from Ionia to Greenville leads west
from Ionia to the big cut made through the
river hill. Here the grade is eighty feet to the
mile for about a half a mile, the road then
follows ravines for quite a distance, curving
frequently. The longest stretch of road south of
Hoyt's is the distance of one mile and a half. To
travelers accustomed to long distances of
straight track, the road seems crooked. As the
road north of Ionia is yet unballast, the cars do
not run over the track with great smoothness,
yet we made good time, making a distance of
ten miles on a construction train in less than an
hour. Chief Engineer Leaming informed us that
the grading of the track to Greenville would be
finished next week, so that nothing but track
laying delayed the coming of the cars. He was
confident the cars would reach Greenville
before the first of September."
for celebration of the completion of the road to
their town. Five well filled passenger coaches
arrived with people from along the line and the
Greenville Silver Cornet Band was in readiness.
Superintendent McLaughlin had the train on
time. Hon. John Avery delivered the welcoming
address and then Hon. Hampton Rich briefly
responded in behalf of the railroad delegation.
Then Judge Borland was called upon to make a
general speech and he made a good one. After
all of these exchanges everyone dispersed to
dinner with most going to the Exchange Hotel.
At 4o'clock the band marched to the depot to
bid farewell. Hon. Hampton Rich made a brief
speech thanking Greenville for their hospitality.
Amid the music of the band the long train
moved off.
in 1872. It became Pere Marquette No.102. Photo taken between 1896 and 1900. Photograph from Alva Belding
Library.
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