Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1909 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat

$1.50 Per Year.

A GOOD MEETING HELD SATURDAY

And Pres. Sage of Brook Mutual Gave Splendid Talk. SHOWING OF THAT GOMPANY Backed By Official Figures That Can Not Be Disputed.—Damage to His Company’s Lines By Sleet Was Not Complete Loss By Any Means, As It Was Confined to Old Poles and Rotten Wires That Would Soon Have Required Replacing Anyway.—Another Meeting Will Be Held Here Next Saturday. At the telephone meeting here Saturday afternoon there was a very fair sized crowd out considering the busy season and the fact that this was the first public meeting held in the interests of organizing a mutual telephone company in Jasper county. There was about 35 present when the meeting opened, and this had increased to about 75 at the close. •Mr. R. J. Yeoman of Newton tp., was asked to open the meeting, fchlch he did in a very able manner, stating the object of the meeting and giving the experience of himself and several neighbors on a small mutual line of their own construction some seven years ago, and which is still in service, though some of the poles, which were native oak, are beginning to rot off. The expense of keeping up this line was very little, perhaps 50 cents per phone a year, and he said he had never talked over any line that worked better or gave better service than this one. Mr. Yeoman was made permanent chairman of the meeting and Mr. Harvey Davisson of Union tp., secretary.

Mr. John W. Sage, President of the “Newton and Jasper Telephone C 0.," commonly called the Brook mutual, was then introduced and he spoke for an hour or more- and told of the experience his compatay had had in getting started and of the success that had crowned their efforts in securing better telephone service in that locality. They were quite a long time in working it up, he said, held several public meetings and canvassed the entire territory for the sale of stock. Even then they could get only about half the men into it they wanted, and those who had subscribed doubled their subscriptions to make the thing a go. It’was a new undertaking to most of their people, and they hesitated. Now they vire sorry they did—that is, those who hesitated too long and did not get in at all. They incorporated and started in. A franchise was secured in Brook and three carloads of poles were ordered. Then the company operating there came to them and offered to sell out. The new company was new at the business but a price was finally agreed upon of SB,OOO. For this sum they received 231 phone subscribers, all the paraphernalia of the Brook exchange, switchboard, stock and supplies on hand, etc., a Complete sworn inventory of which was furnished with the bill of sale. This was $34.63 per ’phone tfor the subscribers the exchange then had. They soon found that they had bought a lot of junk. The switchboard was used up, the phones many of them old and worn, the poles and wires far from what they ought to be to give good service. This was three years ago last April. The Company went to work. A new and up-to-date switchboard was put in, the lines reconstructed, new phdnes replaced the old ones, and to-day the company has 472 subscribers, practically all new poles, wires and phones, and Mr. Sage, who has traveled over several states during the past two years and examined other telephone plants, defies anyone to find anywhere a better or more up-to-date plant than theirs. Based on the price per phone paid for the junk they bought, their system to-day is worth $16,343.36. But now it is practically all new and up-to-date, instead of being old and worn out. If what they bought was worth $34.63 per phone, what they have to-day is worth about double that sum, which would make it over $32,000. All that has ever been put into the plant outside the earnings wad about $7,000, and the 98 stockholders have had their phones free for three years. Mr. Sage figures the net profit to the stockholders—who put in between $67 and S6B

to be $68.83 for the three years, exclusive pt their own phone rent. All, this transformation was not accomplished at once. But ft has been going steadely on, and the splendid service given has created such a demand for phones that all the earnings have been put back in extending the lines, Which could not keep pace with the demand.

The plant took in last year about $9,000, and while it cost them some $1,200 to repair sleet damage, they did not consider that a total, loss by any means, as the damage was confined almost exclusively to the old poles and wire, that had not yet been replaced but would have had to be soon even though there had been no sleet.

Mr. Sage’s talk was complete and comprehensive and he was fortified with . official reports and figures from the company’s books that could not be disputed. He invited any questions, and replied to several that were asked him, including that about the sleet damage not being considered a complete loss, as given above. Asked about the toll rates charged he stated that subscribers had free service to Foresman, Ade, several of the elevator stations, etc., but to all the neighboring outside points the rate was 10 cents, except to Rensselaer. To Rensselaer it was 15 cents.

The reason for the 15 cent rate to Rensselaer the Brook exchange had a contract (with the Rensselaer exchange, we presume) to make not less than that charge, and when they bought the exchange they had to assume that contract. Otherwise the rate would be 10 cents to Rensselaer.

(It is the same distance from Rensselaer to Brook that it is from Brook to Rensselaer, but we have to pay 25 cents to reach there while the Brook man can talk to us for 15 cents. Editor.) What they had accomplished at Brook could be accomplished at other places, but the stockholders and those interested must take hold and not be afraid of putting forth a little effort and doing a little work gratuitously toward making the movement a success.

After listening to Mr. Sage’s interesting talk and partly on his advice, it was decided to get incorporated first and organize afterward. Or, at least, get our incorporation papers prepared, and to this end the chair appointed a committee to prepare articles of incorporation, consisting of F. E. Babcock of Rensselaer, Francis M. Welsh of Jordan, and Harvey Davisson of Union, and have them ready to submit at an adjourned meeting to be held in the west court room in Rensselaer next Saturday at 2 p. m-, sharp. A vote of thanks was given Mr. Sage for his presence at the meeting and for the valuable information he had given us, after which the meetting adjourned until next Saturday at 2 p. m., when it is hoped there will be a large attendance out and many who have not already done so will subscribe for stock in the new company.

TO INSTALL THEIR OWN COOLING PLANT.

Moody & Roth’s refrigerating plant is being installed in their new meat market building. it consists of a ten horse power gasoline engine, a double engine compressor and condensing pipes. A z solution of ammonia and water will be manufactured that will keep their meats in frigid atmosphere during the hot summer months.

BUGGY SMASHED BY AUTO.

Granville Moody’s New Machine Overturns Buggy Occupied by Mrs. Stephen Kohley and Her » Children. F\The big new auto of Grantville Moody’s, driven by Granville Moody, Jr., clashed into a buggy, containing Mrs. Stephen Kohley and two children, in front of the court house on Washington street Sunday morning. The buggy was overturned and the occupants, one of them a child *Tbss than a year old, were pinioned under the wreckage. Fortunately the horse stood perfectly still or else both must have been killed or seriously injured.}/ The auto was moving /a slow rate of speed when the accident happened and smashed only the rear spring and right rear wheel of the buggy, with np worse damages to itself than broken light. Mrs. Kohler fell almost directly in front of the big machine, and when she opened her eyes and saw it in front of her she was almost frightened to death, feeling certain that she would be crushed, underneath. Young Moody, who was just learning to operate the machine, had Art Battleday in with him as instructor. There were two buggies almost together and young Moody had his eyes on one and did not see the other. Fortunately Mrs. Kohley nor children were hurt in their sudden exit from the buggy to the ground.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1909.

A BAD NEGRO IN JAIL HERE

“Razored” a G. & E. I. Gonductor About a Year Ago. ARRESTED IN ILL LAST WEEK And Brought Here Sunday From Kankakee By Sheriff Sawyer of Newton County, Whose Guest He Will Remain Until Court Sits In That County, Newton Having No Jail of Her Own. . jr Sheriff Sawyer of Newton county and Howard Myers of Brook brought Arthur Morgan, colored, here from Kankakee, 111., Sunday and he was lodged in jail to await trial at the next term of the Newton circuit court for having cut up Hugh Worthington, a C. & E. I. conductor, near Momence on May 18, 1908, over a dispute about his fare. He then made his .escape and has eluded arrest until last week when he was caught at Momence, after a strenuous chase through the railroad yards there. Morgan’s father, .George Morgan, resides in McClellan tp., Newton county. The assault for which Morgan must stand trial occurred while the latter was enroute to some point in Indiana on the Brazil division of the C. & E- 1., says the Kentland Democrat. The negro boarded the train at Momence after purchasing a ticket to Hopkins Park. Conductor Worthington took his ticket as he did those of the other passengers on the train. On pulling out of Hopkins Park the conductor noticed that Morgan had failed to get off and asked him where he was going. The negro replied that he was going to Elmer, which is but a few stations across the state line into Indiana, whereupon the conductor requested the fare to that point, which was but ten or fifteen cents. The negro refused to pay the amount and after a few words between him and the conductor, other passengers in the car fearing a fight took up a collection and paid the negro’s fare. The train arrived at Elmer and the conductor stepped out upon the platform. As he was about to step down off the train the negro was upon him with an open razor and made several slashes at the conductor, who received an ugly slash from the elbow of the right arm to the wrist, one slash across the right shoulder and an ugly gash across the face. The negro then jumped from the car platform and made his escape. The conductor was hurried to a physician where his wounds were treated. Although he recovered from the wounds he has been disfigured ever since.

A thorough search was made for the negro at various times since that date but he was never captured. He made his home near Hopkins and had been seen several times in that vicinity and around Momence, always coming into the town by night

Another Telephone Meeting Next Saturday

At the Mutual Telephone meeting held at the court house in Rensselaer last Saturday, a committee was appointed to draft articles of incorporation for said company and have same ready to report at an adjourned meeting to be held at same place on SATURDAY, AUGUST 14. It was requested that all of the blanks now out for securing subscriptions for stock be sent or brought in for this meeting, so that their names can be enrolled on the articles of incorporation which will be sent to the Secretary of State to procure a charter. All parties having blanks will please govern themselves accordingly and see that their blanks- , are handed in.

and every time eluding the police and deputy sheriff.

GILLAM TP. FARMER HURT.

! Mr. James W. Stevens, the wellknown and popular Gillam township farmer, met with a severe and painful accident Wednesday afternoon. While hauling gravel near his home his foot slipped under one of the wheels of the heavy wagon and, throwing him down, ‘passed across the heel and ankle and along' the leg up to the knee when, fortunately the team stopped. Some neighbors, who happened to be near the scene, backed the wagon off the injured man and took him to his home. Dr. Linton was called and found the bones of the ankle crushed and the ligaments badly torn.' At this time he is reported to be doing as well as could be expected.—Medaryville Advertiser.

OLIVE JANE AND THE “SOUL KISS” COST HIM $6.20."

Patrons of the Princess theatre were treated to an act Monday night that was not on the, bills—Olive Jane and Everett Merrill, in an exact reproduction of the soul kiss—and had it not been that she snagged her lip on his hollow tooth and gave a cry of pain, they might have escaped unnoticed. But the one act drew Marshal Parks’ eagle eye upon them and he, unable to appreciate this classic salute, took Everett through Squire Irwin’s mill with the result already mentioned in the heading to this article.

Olive and Everett were up north some place, and came down on the milk train Monday evening, boarding the train up near Pembroke. , The next installment of Olive’s romance will no doubt appear in an early number.

BARCUS COMPANY BORNEO OUT

Former Rensselaer Firm Loses Eveverythlng By Fire at Wabash. Wabash, Ind., Aug. 9.—Starting from an unknown source, fire tonight destroyed the Barcus & Co. maiufacturing plant here, entailing a loss estimated at $85,000, covered by $30,000 insurance. The flames started in the storage plant, where several thousand seats were stored for shipment and sale. From here the flames rapidly spread to other sections and soon the fire was beyond control. Owing to the large stock of oils and varnish in the building the fire was a dangerous one to fight, and the local department could do little more than keep the flames from surrounding buildings, several of which were in danger. Several men were slightly injured during the fire. Mayor Murphy assisted Fire Chief Stephens in directing the fighting from the roof of a building, although he did so at the risk of his life. The Barcus plant was purchased from the American Seating Company after the trust abandoned its manufactory in Wabash. The valuation was then $85,000, but the sale was made at a lower figure as the result of the activity of the Wabash Commercial Club. The Barcus Company is the largest independent manufactory of school seats in this section of the county and was employing 100 men at the time of the fire, this being smaller than the usual number.

Dry mealy sweet potatoes—Home Grocery.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. County Treasurer Allman returned Sunday from an extended western trip. —o — County Surveyor Osborne went to Lafayette and Battle Ground Saturday to spend a few days visiting with relatives and to attend the campmeeting. i —o—— Attorney Guy and his stenographer were over from Remington Monday taking record for abstract work, of which he has a great amount on hand at present. * —o— The annual teachers institute will be held here the week beginning August 29. Profs. Fred Mutchler of Bowling Green, Ky., and Wilson of Columbia 'University have been engaged as instructors. —o — Sheriff Sawyer of Newton county was here yesterday and took his colored prisoner, Arthur Morgan, over to Kentland to have his preliminary examination, after which he will be returned here for safe keep-

Ing. J/ —o— J\Marriage licenses issued: Aug. p, James K. Stryker of Callander, lowa, aged 33, occupation surveyor, to Clara A. Treanor of Remington, daughter of Hugh treanor, aged 35, occupation milliner. First marriage for each. Miss Alice Bates, deputy in the county auditor’s office, was operated on early Saturday morning for peritonitis, caused by a ruptured appendix. She is recovering nicely although her condition Saturday was thought to be critical. —o— — W. F. Smith & Co., of Rensselaer were awarded two stone road contracts in Grant township, Newton county last week, aggregating about SIO,OOO. Conover & Taber of Remington were also awarded two contracts in the same township aggregating $9,500. New suits filed: No. 7480. Nancy A. Carr vs. Eleanor M. Medworth; suit in partition. No. 7481. Harvey L. Moore and Simon S. Hochstettler vs. Henry B. Butler, et al; suit to foreclose mechanic’s lein. Demand $l3O. No. 7482. Samuel Hart vs. John W. Morrison, et al; action to quiet title. *

An insanity commission sat on the case of a Mr. Becker of Milroy tp., Sunday in Squire Bussell’s court in Hanging Grove tp., and found him insane and he was brought to Rensselaer and lodged in jail for safekeeping until he can be taken to the asylum. The man has been working very ’»ard at tile ditching all through the hot weather and it is thought his brain has been affected by the heat.

BOMB NO. I FOR JASPER COUNTY.

Attempt Is Made On the Life of Mike Peregrine, Nightwatch On the Gilmore Dredge. Dynamiters Saturday night made a dastardly attempt to murder Mike Peregrine, who is nightwatchman on the Gilmore dredge south of town. Peregrine sleeps in the houseboat anchored in the rear of the dredge, and up until Saturday night had made it a practice to sleep in a certain bunk in one corner of the boat. The intense heat Saturday night drove him to seek a cooler location on the dredge, an act to which he owes his life. Shortly after midnight a terrifllc explosion almost lifted the dredge from the water and blew one end of the houseboat into atoms but failed to accomplish its rea) purposeEarly Sunday morning the country was scoured in an effort to find Home trace of.the perpetrators, but only a few short pieces of fuse was discovered. Mr. Peregrine is unable to determine whether the assault was committed by someone anxious to gratify some personal spite or by enemies of Mr. Gilmore bent on destroying property.

OTIS BEST BURIED HERE.

Otis Best, the young man killed In the street car accident near Hammond at 6:30 last Thursday evening, was a son of Isaac Best, the Roselawn liveryman, who used to live upon a farm south of Rensselaer, also In south of Wolcott. The young man was a Mason, and was burled here in Weston cemetery Monday forenoon under the rites of that order. Best lived at Hammond and was conductor of a Hammond, Whiting and East Chicago street car, and at

Indianapolis boulevard and 106th street crossing a fast Pennsylvania train crasned into the car, killing the conductor Instantly and injuring fifteen of the passengers, some quite seriously. Best had Just gone forward to the crossing and looked up and down the track, and seeing no train in sight, gave the signal to come ahead.. As he jumped up on the front platform of his car a fast train bore down upon it and threw the passengers in all directions and demolished the car. Best was 28 years of age, and unmarried.

COMMON COUNCIL MEETS.

And Allows a Batch of Claims Monday Night—Not Much Else Done. The common council of the City of Rensselaer met in regular session Monday night. Not much of importance was done except allow claims. Following is a report of the proceedings: City attorney was instructed to prepare resolution for the extension of the Division and Scott street sewer out to the new river channel, the property owners to pay the cost of such extension. The following claims were allowed: CORPORATION FUND. W S Parks, marshal $30.00 E M Thomas, nightwatch. .. . 25.00 Babcock Fire Ex. Co, exp rings 2.30 Mose Leopold, express 30 L C Klosterman, driv city tm 17.40 S Parks, assisting same 10.40 F Kresler, damage to horse. . 25.00 ROAD FUND. Earl Chestnut, work on street 15.75 Jean Smith, same 17.50 Fred Hemphill, blacksmith wk 11.90 Bert Campbell, lab with team 10.00 LIGHT FUND. C S Chamberlain, salary. ... 50.00 Mell Abbott, same 30.00 Dave Haste, same 30.00 Terence Thompson, wk on line 2.00 Mose Leopold, freight 78.25 WATER FUND. Ed Hopkins, salary 30.00 J. B. Clow Sons, lead pipe.. 14.69 Mose Leopold, int. on b0nd5.915,00

ANENT THE CARPENTER TP., SUBSIDY ELECTION.

Remington, Ind., Aug. 10, 1909. Something to consider before voting a subsidy of $19,000 In Carpenter tp.:

First. Indiana is the only state in the Union that will allow a tax voted for a promotor, to turn into the treasury of some corporation. Second. The people of the United States are to-day trying to devise a way to control trusts, and monopolies; and voting this tax means that the people of Carpenter township are willing to go down into their pockets and pay $19,000 for something that they know nothing about. One per cent in this township means $19,000, or from two to fifty dollars from every property owner in Remington, and from S4O to S9O on every quarter section of land in the township. This money if voted will likely be collected in two installments, and in the face of our present taxes, and more to be added next year, as the Beeks, Gieb and Fox road tax will be added to the $60,000 of stone roads now building. How do you feel about having an additional 1 per cent added to this amount? And who will get the money? Do you know of any financial standing back of the person promoting this enterprise?

Third. How much has Reynolds, Goodland, and Kentland profited by having two roads? Have they outgrown Remington to the extent that we should pay $19,000 for an electric road, when these neighbor towns all have trunk lines, that carry all the products of the farm, and in which traffic an electric road can not compete?

Fourth. Before you vote, satisfy yourself as to who will get this money. Look up the financial standing of all those promoting this, and see if in your opinion they could build a railroad; satisfy yourself that you are going to get a square deal, and when satisfied vote your sentiments. We have south of us, the best Country in Indiana, and some time before long a railroad will go through that will be worth something to us and will be built as the Indiana Harbor road at Kentland was built, without asking a subsidy. Consider what you are voting, and what it is worth to you, and where the money will go. Respectfully, CARPENTER TP. CITIZEN. Ripe olives 20c a can—Home Grocery.

COAL. COAL. Don’t ..wait, but come and get a ton of Big Jack lump coal—the cleanest and best prepared. The cheapest .coal on the market; the great seller. Only *3.25 per ton. at JAMES* COAL YARD, Goodland, Ind.

Vol. xn.. No. 34