Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1912 — GOVERNOR APPOINTS .A SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGE. [ARTICLE]

GOVERNOR APPOINTS .A SPECIAL TRIAL JUDGE.

John W. Hasan, of LaGrange, Wfll Try Iroquois Ditch Caase Which Berry Started. Governor Marshall, in response to a request from Judge Hanley, has selected as special judge to try the Borntrager ditch case, which was started at the last term of court by B. B. Berry, of Fowler, who later resigned because he could not afford to leave his practice for the length of time the hearing would require. Governor Marshall appointed John W. Hanah, of LaGrange. Mr. Hanan Is the junior member of the well known law firm of Eubank and Hanan. He is said to be a capable lawyer, certain to properly conduct the important hearing. Tbb Borntrager ditch petition called for the deepening and straightening of the channel of the Iroquois river from the southern terminal of the former ditch, a mile and a half below Rensselaer, To accomplish this end the commissioners have assessed much of the land assessed for the work already completed. To this many of the land owners have made objection by way of remonstrance. The trial will be largely based upon the remonstrance hearing as the feasibility of the project from the standpoint of costs and benefits had already been 'passed upon and the ditch established. Practically every lawyer in the’ city will be on the side of the remonstrators, while Attorney George A. Williams will single handed present the case for the petitioners. It is jprobable that Judge Hanan will come here shortly and open the trial and then adjourn to take the case up at an adjourned session of the court to be held probably during the summer months. It will probably take several weekß to try It.