Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1914 — IMPROVEMENTS BY TELEPHONE COMPANY [ARTICLE]

IMPROVEMENTS BY TELEPHONE COMPANY

Clark & Bott Have Purchased Lot and Will Erect Building and Move Central Office.

Messrs. A. L. Clark and W. L. Bott, the new managers of the Jasper County Telephone Co., have started active plans for the improvement of the plant. Thursday a deal was closed for the purchase of a lot 48x150 feet of J. H. Holden, on which they will erect a telephone building. The lot is on Weston street, just east Of the residence of James Clark and adjoining the former Thad Stephens’ property now owned by D. E. Hollister. The building to be erected will be 24x36 feet in dimensions and two stories high, with a basement beneath. A garage, 24x30 feet, will be in the rear. The business office will be on the lower floor, also a toll booth. The work shop will be in the rear of the main floor, and the switchboard on the second floor. A new lineman, Floyd Gruver by name, has been employed and is already in charge of that department of the work. Mr. Gruver cames from Morocco. He has a wife and six children and will move them here as soon as he can secure a . house. He is reported to be a very able man and a hustelr. He will have general charge of the work of transferring the office to the new location after the new building is completed. Thursday Mr. Bott and Mr. Gruver made a trip to Salem, Ind., where they investigated a new switchboard in use there and which is probably the pattern they will buy. The new board will cost about $4,000. It is the intention of the company to use conduit cables tor some of their lines and to make all the improvements possible with the available capital.