Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 222, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1911 — KNEW JASPER COUNTY IN THE EARLY DAYS. [ARTICLE]

KNEW JASPER COUNTY IN THE EARLY DAYS.

Aged Man Whp Worked fol General Van Rensselaer in 184 ft Cofoes to See Modern Rensselaer. J. Q. Hutchinson Spent Tuesday in Rensselaer. That would be an unattractive local paragraph if it was all there was to say about J. Q. Hutchinson, but his visit here was of rp° s t unusual interest and those who came Into com* tact With him found much enjoyment in his company. Mr. Hutchinson is 87 years of age .and enjoys quite excellent health. His home is at Aubwrn, Ind. When he was but a boy Ms father came to Rensselaer and lived for several years. Mr. HutcMnson’s mind is very clear with to the names and occurrences of early Rensselaer and talked freely about happenings of the latter thirties and early forties. 4ie went to school here in 1840, his tekcher being George W. Spitler, grandfather of Chas. G. Spitler. Mr. Spitler saw young Hutchin-, son on the street one day and asked him if he would not like to go -to school, and he said that he would, but did not have the money. Mr. Spitler told him to come to his home and he would start him oft. He arranged for young Hutchinson to work for his board and the next summer secured him* p job with General Van Rensselaer, who ownqd a farm Just across the river from the main street of

Rensselaer. , Mr. Hutchinson worked one summer for the father of James', Henry and Nels Randle, and helped to make the brick for the Randle home. He hunted up James T. Randle and took dinner with him at the home of his brother, Henry Randle In the afternoon they drove about the town and through the outskirts and talked over the early days, gradually renewing an acquaintance that was broken off whpn Mr. Hutchinson moved away in 1842. They had an agreeable afternoon together. Mr. HutcMnson seemed to have the names of all the old residents of Rensselaer on the end of his tongue although be had left here almost seventy years ago and had been here only once since, and then only for a day, and that in 1870.

He left here for Cincinnati, where he will visit for several days and then return 40 his home at, Auburn. For the past six weeks he has been visiting relatives in Nebraska. He will doybtless never visit Rensselaer again, although from hie mental and physical activity he should live for many more years. ■" ■- ■. ** ■ 1 " „ John Murphy, of near Surrey, had a young steer and a young heifer killed by lightning last Thursday and John £x>nergan had a steer killed the same day tn the same manner. Ray D. Thompson’s agency carried insurance on the three animals and Tuesday took settlement checks to the owners. * The Daughters of thq/ American Revolution will meet with Mrs. J r L. Brady on Tuesday afternoon of next week at 2:80 o’clock. A full attendance is desired as delegates will be elected to the state convention to be held in Indianapolis, October 10, 11 'and M. • * v - .’L'

T. J. Prouty, residing northwest of town, lost a good coming 3-yeer-old mare Monday. A ditch is being run through Mr. Prouty's pasture and for fear the horses would be Injured in it, he took them to a small pasture near the hduse and let them graze in the road. The young mare was. on the track when the train came along. The mare was worfh about 1150. I Eld Ranton, Jr., came to Rensselaer this morning aid hto father Joined him here on a later train. They are over from Hoopeston to look at some Jasper county land and If they buy, Ed may again come over and live with us. He sold the farm southeast of town a few months ago and has investigated extensively but has apt found anything since then worth so negrly the money as* Jasper county offers, and it would be pleasing news to all of Ed’s old friends if he would purchase land and return here. g. B.VuZi’ur” ,or “*• u