Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1878 — WHAT THEY SAY [ARTICLE]

WHAT THEY SAY

From the Monticello Herald. Th* ReMßalaer CelehmHen-

The Narrow Gauge Railroad and some Broad Gauge Hosvitalitg. Arrangements having been perfected for a special train over the L. N. A. & C. RR., a number of Monticello people took Jthe train westward last Thursday morning, bound for Rensselaer, to participate in the festivities of the railroad barbecue there on that day. At Reynolds, two hours were spent in waiting for the excursion train, which finally arrived at 10 o’clock, being two hours behind time. The New Albany road, which has gained a wide notoriety for its wholesale neglect to accommodate the traveling public, did not disappoint the crowd of people who clambered into the two old worn out coaches that morning, by Its failure to provide seats for the passengers. Only two coaches had been provided and the seats were all occupied before the train reached Reynolds. But the ride was a short one over this old rickety road, and when Bradford was called, a sigh of relief escaped every one as we passed out of the crowded coaches and boarded the train on the I. D. & C. R. R. which was in waiting to carry the excursionists to Rensselaer. For this purpose the entire rolling stock of the new road had been impressed, comprising the locomotive, six flat and four box cars, Seats of boards were constructed in the cars and everything possible was done by the road managers to naaße the surroundings comfortable and agreeable to the travelers. The train soon started with its cargo of human freight and made remarkably good time most of the distance to Rensselaer. The train stopped several times before teaching its destination to take on crowds that had gathered along the line enroute for the celebration. On arriving at Rensselaer, 750 persons left the oars. Of this number, Delphi contributed 30; Lafayette,2s; Brookston, 50: Monticello, 60; Reynolds, JJ); Liberty township, 30; the remainaei from Kentland, Wolcott, Monon and intermediate points. Conveyances were in waiting to take the people from the cars to the court house, about half a mile distant, where the exercises of the day were being inaugurated. It was after 12 o’clock, and as everybody was hungry, dinner was the first thing in order after the arrival of the visitors who had come by rail. Several long tables were arranged in the court house square and one extended the full length of the court house corridor, and these fairly groaned under the load of good things to i at. The county offices had been thrown open and some of them were used as store rooms for edibles, preparing coffee, &c., &c. It was a grand dinner. Its hugeness was excelled only by its excellence. To describe it justly would require better language and more space than we have at our < cmmand. The long-talked of ox was on the tables, roasted and cut up in small chunks, but his oxship almost lost his identity in the abundance of palatable dishes t'at surrounded him.— There were about fifteen hundred people participated in the magnificent free dinner, and when it was over, all had the appearance of having fared sumptuously.

The exercises were held in the court room, and those who had the good fortune tojget in were highly entertained to their close. A song about the new railroad came first on the programme, and was well rendered by the choir. President Lee was then introduced to the audience and after complimtnting the ladies upon the generous repast which had ’ just been partaken, he said this would be a memorable day in the history of Rensselaer, and congratulated the citi ens upon the completion of an enterprise that connected them by iron bonds with the rest of the world. Messrs. McCoy, Thompson,Dwiggin and other public spirited citizens were named by speakers as especially deserving praise for the liberal support they had extended. Music by the Silver Cornets of this place followed the conclusion of Mr. Lee’s remarks, when Mr. Z. Dwiggins proposed the toast, “The Narrow Gauge Railroad," which was fittingly responded to by Col. Yeoman, one of the contractors of the road. At the close of his remarks, Mr. Yeoman offered the toast “Construction of the I. D. & G. R. R.,“ Dr. Washburne, of Rensselaer, delfveringthe response. The choir sang a long poetical composition on “The Narrow Gauge,” whieh was fallowed by a toast to “The Ladies,” responded to by President Lee. “Our host, Alfred McCoy," was the final toast proposed, and elicited a spirited eulogy from Horace E. James, of the Rensselaer Union. This concluded the regular exercises of the programme, and impromptu speeches occupied the remainder of the time. In response to calls, brief remarks were made by Hon. Anson Wolcott, John P. Carr, R. Hughes, H. P. Owens and Dr. Bushnell, of this county; Col. Hurlbut, of Georgia; Dr. Richardson and Vine Helt, of Delphi; 8. Vater, of LaFayette, and M. 8. Dwiggins, of Rensselaer, the latter replying to the toast of a visitor, “The people of Rensselaer—they build railroads on the narrow gauge, but dispense hospitality on the broad gauge system." The hour for the excursion train to leave having arrived, the meeting adjourned, and the visitors were conveyed to the cars in wagons and carriages, and were soon rolling along over the narrow-gauge on their return home. We found time to call momentarily at the printing shops while at Rensselaer. At the Union office, we were informed that the editor, Mr. James, was officiating at the barbecue, and did not get to see him. McEwen was at his post, in the office of the Democratic Sentinel, the paper founded by him after leaving this place. He has a respectable looking office and informed us shat he was prospering beyond his expectations. The only ugly feature encountered during the trip was the mud, which in the streets of Rensselaer bad the consistency of mortar and from appearances. a depth unfathomable. We clung to the planks, kept clove to the shore and thereby avoided going beyond our depth in the liquid soft Others did likewise, and thus we are relieved from the sad duty of recording any loss of life from drowning. In conclusion we will say, the narrow gauge is a perfect success, and its worth to the people of Rensselaer aud Jasper county can not be estimated.