Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 134, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 June 1910 — BIG CROWD ATTENDED THE PARK BARBECUE. [ARTICLE]

BIG CROWD ATTENDED THE PARK BARBECUE.

Roast Beef Gave Out Before Onslaught Of Largest Crowd That Ever Gathered in Union Township. Parr was the scene of big doings Saturday, when an 800 pound steer was roasted and served up frete to the people that gathered there in celebration of the new creamery. The committee thought they had supplied amply for the crowd that would be on hand, but they had not counted on so many people and the beef gave out before the hunger of all had been satisfied. It was a big day for Parr and many estimate the crowd at from 1,500 to 2,000 people. It was not strictly a “dairy” crowd, for there were a great many there who are not engaged in the business, but there was a great many dairymen there and the creamery, the cow and the subject of dairying were the central attractions, while the base ball games the music, the speaking, the baby show and the cream contests all held the attention of the crowd. The music was furnished by the Parr hand, reinforced by a number of the Rensselaer band boys and lead by Prof. Braun, The athletic ball was started rolling in the forenoon, when the “Skipper” team from Rensselaer beat the Parr kids by a score of 7 to 5 in a well played and interesting game. In the afternoon the Parr Odd Fellows turned the tables on the Rensselaer Modern Woodmen and won the game by the score of 11 to 10. McLain, the Wren catcher, was the chief offender in defeating the log rollers. He played with the Parr team and made a circus catch -that put the ambitions of the Rensselaer players to Hleep. “Billy” Myres one of the supposed-to-be has-beens demonstrated that he can get back in harness, by lamming out a three bagger when the bases were crowded and getting ardund to 3d base like a quarter horse. The game was a big laugh all the way through and the rooting was very spirited. At the finish the Woodmen folded their tents and quietly stole away, while the Odd Fellows strutted about like peacocks. The speaking took place in the pleasant grove that is in the center of Parr. Dr. S. E. Sparling made the main speech, pointing out not only the abundant opportunities the dairy business affords, but also the dangers that beset the co-operative creamery. His talk was very interesting and the large crowd paid close attention to it. B. D. Comer, Amos Alter, W. L. Wood and John E. Alter and daughter were also on the program, the two latter singing an original song and medley prepared by the ever original and interesting “Bill Bat.” It brought the crowd to large applause which did not cease until they had responded to an encore.

Chas. Reed, of Barkley township, won the prize for bringing the largest amount of cream. He brought 256 pounds. Frank Babcock, of Carpenter township, won the prize for bringing it from the farthest distance. Ocie Nicholson and wife had the prettiest boy baby and Nathan Chupp and wife the prettiest girl baby, at least the committee so judged. About 1,300 pounds of butter fat was brought in and the creamery turned out 1,700 pounds of butter Sunday, It was a big day, a good-natured crowd and every person sqemed to have a good time. E. H. Hart returned to Olney, 111., this morning after a short visit here with his daughter, Mrs. W. H. Brenner J. C. Maines and J. L. Brady went to Streator, 111., this morning after the latter’s Holloway car, which was not completed when he went for It about two weeks ago. The Wrens, somewhat crippled by the failure of their pitcher to reach Rensselaer and by the fact that Kevin, the shortstop arrived late] were defeated in a well playedl game by the college by the score of 4 to 2. The locals borrowed a pitcher, from the college and he put up a star game. W. H. Beam was so favorably impressed with the west that he is half a notion of selling out in-Rensselaer and going out into the coast country where wages are higher and his health better. He could have gone to work at good wages while there had he chosen to do so. He reports all the former Rensselaer people as getting along splendidly in the west. "Hale Grant is getting about $4 a day at Spokane, Christy Vick gets $4.50 at Seattle, and his son Harry and daughter Clara are both working. G. M. and Treavor Wilcox are getting a good start in the shoe business at Eugene, Oregon.