Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1903 — HALLOWE’EN ROWDYISM. [ARTICLE]

HALLOWE’EN ROWDYISM.

Rowdyism run riot in Rensselaer Hallowe’en night. Besides the destruction of property and the overturning of outbuildings, etc., some more brazen lawbreakers placed “Comrade” Fox’s old buggy on the railroad tracks at the northwest side of town and it was struck by the 11:30 p. m., passenger train and demolished. This act is one that will probably land the offenders in the penitentiary if caught, and it is claimed that a Monon detective has been here this week investigating the matter. The engineer of the train is said to have been half scared to death when he saw the buggy on the track, not knowing but it might have been occupied or would cause a disastrous wreck in which many lives might be lost. Another act of vandalism was the running off of Bruner’s telephone repair wagon and chopping several spokes from the wheels. While it is true that the city marshal, night watch and deputies cannot guard the whole city, it does seem that they might make an effort to protect property in the business part of town. We are told that one gang of rowdies with whom the marshal expostulated gave him the “horse laugh,” and he let them go ahead with their lawlessness. The only way to put a stop to such rowdism is to make an example of a few of the rowdies, and if our tin-star police cannot or will not do this they should give up their stars and let this element have full control. There is no use wasting public money in vainless efforts to suppress such work.