Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1915 — J. F. BRUNER SELLS TELEPHONE INTERESTS [ARTICLE]

J. F. BRUNER SELLS TELEPHONE INTERESTS

Oldest Man in the Field Sells Country Lines to Stockholders in Jasper County Company. J. F. Bruner, the oldest owner of a telephone line operating out of this city, has closed a deal for the sale of his lines and the good will of the business to leading stockholders in the Jasper County Telephone Co. Mr. Bruner’s lines extended to the north and northeast ad at the time the sale was made had 291 phones in operation. Prior to the settlement of the rivalry that existed between telephone companies some eleven years ago the Bruner company which had succeeded the Halleck company operated a separate exchange in Rensselaer. A contract was made, however, with the old Jasper County Telephone Co., about eleven years ago, that brought about a settlement of the differences. The Jasper County Company secured the entire city rights and Mr. Bruner and Dr. Merry, of Mt. Ayr, retained certain line and territory. Dr. Merry later took over the Mt. Ayr exchange and Mr. Bruner the country lines in some parts of this county. The contract gave them central service through the exchange of the Jasper County Co. for some twenty years. The rate was regarded low and unprofitable for the Jasper County Co. The contract at this time had about nine years yet to run. When the new company purchased the interest of Delos Thompson and others the managers found it desirable to own the entire system and the negotiations which are just concluded have been going on for some time. There was a disagreement in the price and finally it was submitted to a board of arbitrators, namely, the managers respectively of the Goodland, Morocco and Fowler exchanges. They spent last Thursday in going over the Bruner holdings and Friday in making an estimate of the valuation. Their figures were received Saturday and were made the basis of the settlement. The Republican is informed that Mr. Bruner was paid something like SIO,OOO for his lines. While the purchase was made only by part of the stockholders of the Jasper County Telephone Co., it is expected that eventually the company will take over the new purchase. Mr. Bruner, it is understood, is negotiating for another system and may purchase the lines at Wheatfield and DeMotte. He is an able telephone man and should make a success of any system.. He bought the Mt. Ayr exchange of Dr. Merry some time ago and it is now being operated by Earl Bruner. The Jasper County Co., under the new management, continues to make improvemets and extensions and at this time are installing a new line east of Parr that will have 12 subscribers. Another line running west from Roselawn has a dozen and telephones are being added on other lines.