Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1905 — SECESSION IN UNION TOWNSHIP. [ARTICLE]

SECESSION IN UNION TOWNSHIP.

Move Made the Township Into Two Separate Governments. Considerable excitement was occasioned the first of the week when it became known that a move was on foot to divide Union township into two separate and distinct townships. The move was no doubt hatched up in Rensselaer, the object being, if it succeeded, to also divide up Barkley and Walker, it is rumored, and thereby secure enough republican trustees to make the election of a republican couuty superintendent a certainty. There are a number of people in the north end of the township who conplain that under the reign of Barney I. they failed to get as much done in their part of the township as they had a right to expect, and this feeling was taken advantage of in getting names to a petition which was filed with the county commissioners, asking them to make the division on the following lines: Beginning at the northeast corner of Sec. 6, Range 6, west, and running thence west 3 miles to the northeast corner of Sec. 2, Range 7; thence south 2 miles to the southeast corner of Bec. 10; thence west 4 miles to the Newton county line; thence north 5 miles to the northwest corner of Sec. 19; thence east 7 mles to the northwest corner of Sec. 19; thence south 3 miles to the place of beginning. The petition contained the names of 83 people, but those opposing the move got out a remonstrance against the division that was signed by 218. Those on the petition favoring secession included all of Fair Oaks, of course, while the opposition was principally from the south end. It is said that quite a number who claim they were induced to sign the petition for a division through misrepresentation, signed the remonstrance when they clearly understood the matter. The commissioners continued the case to the March term.

The Democrat knows very little of the truth of the troubles the petition recites, but it would seem that it is very foolish to divide the township up at this time, considering its being so sparcely settled, and the necessity for the added expense of two separate township governments is not apparent. The general sentiment is against it.