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348. Virgil Hickox (William H. Herndon Interview).

[1865 — 66]

Virgil Hickox

Says that the first regular train from Alton to Springfield on the Rail Road ran to Spfgd 10th day of Septbr 1852 — Completed to Bloomington Octr 18th 1853 — Central R.R took passengers to Rock Island Rail Road — This put us in Connection with the East partially. On the 4 day of august 1854 the Chicago & Alton Rail Road was completed for business to Joliett.

We then used the [blank space] that was built from thence to Chicago. This put us into Complete & perfect Connection with the East for the first time. We were Connected with St Louis by river on the 10th day of Septr 1852 — St Louis had Connexion with the East.

This was all done before we were put in Connection with the East through Indiana or other places by the Northern Cross R. Road.

Library of Congress: Herndon-Weik Collection. Manuscript Division. Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 3924; Huntington Library: LN2408, 2:174 — 75