Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1851

pg 151                              Chapter X.  Year 1851

                   1.  Another Line of Railroad to Pass through South Bend

                  The year 1851 opened, as one might say, with a loud burst of 
             joy from all northern Indiana.  A question vital to the country 
             has finally been decided in its favor by the legislature at 
             Indianapolis: a railroad has been secured through the St. Joseph's 
             valley, passing through South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, etc.  This 
             joy was all the more lively because the capitalists managing the 
             Michigan Central Company had long been considered as an 
             insurmountable obstacle to the realization of this project, no 
             matter how advantageous it might be to the country.
                  The prayers of the Association had been frequently offered up 
             for the success of this enterprise.  Finally in the early part of 
             January the news was communicated everywhere by the firing of 
             canons, as of an event of extraordinary importance.  The joy was 
             as great at Notre Dame du Lac as elsewhere.