Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 226, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1912 — LIVELY CONTEST TO BUY FARN [ARTICLE]

LIVELY CONTEST TO BUY FARN

Roth Bros. Successful In Bidding 7 Against Halllgan Bros, for the Frank E. Rupert Laud. • A real lively contest for the purchase of the Frank E. Rupert farm, consisting of 320 acres and located 2 miles northeast of Rensselaer, terminated at Monticello Thursday in the sale of the farm to Roth Bros., the meat market firm of this city. The opposing bidders were the llalligan Bros., who were being assisted in the negotiations by E. iL. Hollingsworth, while Attorney G. A. Williams and Real Estate Agent C. J. Dean were helping the Roths. The Rupert farm was part of a million dollar estate left by Frank E. Rupert. There was also land in White county. The heirs were trying to have all the land in Indiana sold in order that the estate might be settled. Attorney George W. Kassabaum, of Monticello, represented the administrator and some time ago advertised the farm at commissioners’ sale. Thursday was the final ddte set for receiving bids. The condition was that the purchaser on that day must put up the cash or a draft to cover one-third of the purchase price. Roth Bros, had not thought of buying it, although they had been In the market for a farm for some time. Last Saturday C. J. Dean went into the butcher shop and told Milt that there was a good chance to buy the farm at a right price. Milt learned that Joe Halligan already had made a bid for $28,500. He saw George Kassabaum here Wednesday and made a bid of $30,000 and gave a check for SI,OOO to show his good faith. He understood from Mr. Kassabaum that the bid was accepted and that all he had to do was to come to Monticello Thursday, comply with the requirements and close up the, deal. Accompanied by Messrs. Dean and Williams he went to Monticello on the early morning train. Messrs. Hollingsworth and Joe Halligan were also on hand and it was evident then that the rivalry was not at an end. Each thought, however, as it developed later, that they had the farm purchased. There was some swift running around after the parties got to Monticello. Attorney Kassabaum was awakened long before his habitual getting up hour. He informed Roth that he was too late, that the Halligans had bid $32,000 and he offered Milt the return of his check for SI,OOO, saying that he had a draft for SII,OOO from the Halligans. Milt's lower Jaw dropped. He wanted that farm and, he wanted it badly. He was willing to raise his bid but was told that he would have to put up either the cash or a draft. He had a check for $9,000 in addition to the SI,OOO he had already i put up but the commissioner would not accept the check. Milt was con-. siderably perturber but he was not ready to surrender. The farnj looked better as he viewed it from Monticello than it did when he was standing on ft a few days before. He only had a part of the money on deposit in Rensselaer. The $9,000 check was on a Chicago bank. The clock had struck 10:30 and the sale was to take "place at 12 sharp. .Milt didn’t waste much time. He consulted Monticello bankers and telegraphed to Rensselaer and Chicago. The hands of the clock moved on and it struck 11 and 11:30 and still no answer from Chicago Milt tried another expedient He drew a check for $14,000 and got C. J. Dean, G. A. Williams and Judge Hanley, who was trying a case over there, to endorse it. When he got'back to the bank the Chicago bank bad wired that the check was O. K. and the banker looked Milt in the eye and said “I guess you’re all right boy.” Milt was armed with tbe draft and rushed for the court boose. Mr. Hollingsworth had returned home. Mr. Halllgan was there ready to close up the deal. His draft for SII,OOO was in the possession of the commissioner. The. case was reopened. Milt bid $33,000, which was SI,OOO better than tbe Halligan bid. Joe scratched his head. He figured some, too. Then he gave it up. The commissioner knocked the farm off to MUt The Rupert farm is now tenanted by Isaac Saidla. The fann is splendidly located.. The F. M. Parker farm on the north Is considered a S2OO per acre farm by those who know land values. The Rupert farm needs some Improvements. Three car loads of tile were put into 1# this year. Roth Bros, will

make it one of the best farms in tbe country. ■ Milt and Sam Roth came to Rensselaer poor boys fifteen years ago. They have applied themselves to business with the closest attention. Their success is the result.