This company was organized by the merger in 1889 of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railway Company, and the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St Louis and Chicago Railway Company.

This popular line was known as the Kankakee Line of the Big Four. The line’s claim to fame was that it was the quickest route from Chicago to a variety of points south. They also advertised extravagant parlor cars, Reclining Chairs, Pullman Sleepers and Elegant Coaches.