Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 157, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1919 — WE HAD A QUIET FOURTH [ARTICLE]

WE HAD A QUIET FOURTH

STORES CLOSED AND CITIZENS I SPENT THE DAY ELSEWHERE. I ' I Rensselaer was as quiet as a graveyard the Fourth. There were not enough people left in this city to really tell .that the place was inhabited. The city light and power plant was operated and this furnished a supply of drinking water at the fountains up town and that was about all one was able to procure. 1 All business house#’, including the restaurants and ice cream parlors, were quiet as an Egyptian tomb which had been closed centuries ago. Early in the morning there was an exit of automobiles carrying our people to the saveral places where the Independence day was being observed. ' t Many went to Hazelden and report that there was a record crowd present and that the host, George Ade, had provided entertainment for all. The Attica band of some sixtyfive pieces, enlivened the occasion. There was dancing, races, vaudeville and every possible attraction frbm a ball game to a Barnum & Bailey three-ring circus The celebration was in honor of the Newton ■county soldiers and George Ade by his lavish preparation for the enjoyment of the khaki fellows must have impressed them with the real appreciation at least one . leading American citizen has for their valor. At Crown Point there was an. extravagant parade of many floats prepared by the business men of the city. At the fair grounds the large crowd,was entertained royally. 1 A number of our people went, to Francesville. The main attraction ’there was an airplane. Our townsman, Frank Geitzenaur, took a ride in this etherial conveyance, going some 4,000 feet toward that happy place from which nope care to return regardless of the improved method of travel. The trip cost Frank sls for the ascent and nothing for the descent. Good reports were n»ade from those who went to Lowell, Monticello and other places. Other groups found shaded groves

and enjoyed the day upon the green beneath the protecting shadows of •the friendly oaks. No serious accidents were reported except the' catastrophe at Toledo, 0., where one Jess Willard was severely injured by running into an obstacle attached to the right upper appendix of Jack Dempsey.