Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1911 — PURTELLE TO RESIGN AS TRACTION PRESIDENT. [ARTICLE]

PURTELLE TO RESIGN AS TRACTION PRESIDENT.

Promoter Says He Needs a Best and Will Tender His Resignation at Monticello Meeting. Eugene Purtelle does not intend to stand in the way of the men associated with him in the Indiana Northwestern Traction Co., promotion, and is quoted in an interview by the Chicago Tribune to have said that at a meeting of the stockholders of his company Soon to be held at Monticello he will tender his resignation as president. This will make the matter easy for his associates who realize that his mental condition, which is probably weakened by his hard work, unfits him for the position he has been filling and who further know that his financia' affairs are in such condition that he would be unable to add any stability to the proposed road. George W. Goff, the local member of the company organized to promote the Indiana Northwestern Traction Co., stated to a Republican representative today that no meeting had so far been called for Monticello, but he presumes that a meeting will be held there or at some other place within a few days and if Mr. Purtelle resigns as president he will be relieved by the board of directors and his successor" probably chosen. If he does not resign steps will probably be taken to renlove him. Mr. Goft says that there are among the stockholders a number of good men, any of whom is qualified from a business point of view to take up the promotion work where Purtelle left off. He does not consider that these men are going to let the railroad drop by any meanß. He states that upwards of $20,000 has teen expended so far in securing franchises, surveys, right-of-way, etc. Mr. Goff is certain that all it now needs is to be pushed by some responsible parties in whom the people along the proposed route have confidence. He could not speak for the balance of the company but was of the opinion that new stockholders would bo received and that they could take a hand in the reorganization. The road’s assets now consist of a small amount of grade constructed between Dyer and Chicago Heights, franchises at Dyer, Lowell, Rensselaer, Monticello, Wolcott, Reynolds, Monticello, Chalmers, Brookston, Battle Ground, Idaville, Burnettsville, and throught White, Jasper and Newton dbunties. Also the subsidies available if the road is built in Marion township, Jasper county, and Lincoln township, Newton county. An election is also pending in Jackson township and Mt. Ayr. The blue prints made of the surveys are also a valuable asset and cost something like $3,000. The Republican believes there is a fine opportunity for this road if there can be found to go ahead with the work some hustler or hustlers in whom the people have confidence. The road would pay right from the start and the great value it would be to the country through which it would pass would induce many people along the route to become stock subscribers for a limited amount of stock if they knew that their money was going into honest hands and would be expended in the right way. If the Rensselaer commercial club could acquire title to the tangible holdings of the Indiana Northwestern Traction Co.,- and place some reliable man on a salary at the head of it as its promotor we have not the slightest doubt but the road could be built and largely with subscribed capital. By all means the plan should not be forsaken now. There is too good an outlook for the road and it means too much to the cities, towns and country through which it would pass if constructed.

Purtelle seems to be a complete failure as a business man, although be is credited with being a diligent worker. He is only 29 years of age and there is a pathetic side to his failure. He aspired to soar high in the flnani clal world and did not have the ability to do so. He is the .occasion of considerable discussion by Chicago newspapers and there seems to be little doubt of his mental weakness. Booth Lowrey has been on our course three times and has pleased as well or better than any other number we have ever had, and you know we have had a long list of the leading attractions in the past eight years. As you know, I seldom write any kind of endorsement for our lecturers, but when one so completely captivates our audience as Lowrey did three tlmss in succession, it Is a pleasure for me to heartily endorse him. —W. W. Martin, manager Doniphan, Mo., lyceum course. At M. E. church tonight. One grocery is selling bread at one s cent a loaf. See their adv. Peter May is very low today and It seems that he will not live many days. A general breakdown seems to constitute his sickness. Carnegie medals and cash awards were made at Pittsburg Wednesday to 28 persons for acts of bravery in attempting to save lives within the past year. Where the persons lost their lives, the awards were given to their dependants.