Trains and Mail

Editor's note: I think we often forget what a difference train service made in travel and in mail delivery.

Lawrenceville Republican

June 27, 1912 "Trains in Lawrence County are improving service and making changes at the post office necessary.

An important change of time went into effect on the Big Four, Sunday. #4, the morning passenger (train) goes North at 7:54 as before, as does # 18, the noon passenger, at 12:20. In the afternoon #9 go South at 1:30 as before, while #19 goes South at 7:14 instead of 7:51 as before. The fast express going North passes here at 11:50 PM and the same train South at 5:44 AM. The important change is that this train now goes to Evansville instead of Cairo. Passengers to the latter point now change cars at Mt. Carmel. This train from Evansville to Chicago is improved in character. Instead of a Pullman of 10 berths, it now has a larger one of 16 berths. There are no delays in route, leaving Evansville at 10 o'clock it reaches Chicago at 7:30.

This is the first evidence of a so-called operative agreement between the Big Four and the Louisville & Nashville for a direct service from Chicago to the Gulf. Rumors of this agreement have been circulating for some time. It is freely suggested that these two roads are looking forward to handling their share of the Great Gulf trade when the Panama Canal is completed. Should this be the case, it is very pleasing to the citizens of Lawrenceville to have this additional shipping advantage. And it is also very gratifying to have the better passenger service.

A new schedule has been made necessary at the post office by this change of time. The night mails close at seven o'clock sharp, instead of 7:30, in order to make #19 at 7:14. The closing of the money order window has changed to seven o'clock instead of 7:30 and the closing of the office to 7:30 instead of 8:15. The attention of the patrons is called to these changes."