Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1911 — APPRAISEMENT ORDERED [ARTICLE]

APPRAISEMENT ORDERED

Of College Land Desired by J. Rufus Purtelle for Right-of-Way of Mythical Road. At the hearing of the Purtelle condemnation proceedings vs. the St. Joseph’s College people for a right-of-way for his alleged proposed railroad, before Judge Hanley Saturday afternoon, but little was brought out against the notorious promotor. The law, it seems, ignores practically all the rights of the individual, and no matter what the corporation has been guilty of—in this case through its president, who

is the whole works—there is no way of shutting it off. The court seemed reluctant to order an appraisement, but could do nothing, and appointed J. J. Hunt and Delos Thompson of Rensselaer, and T. F. Maloney, of Fefft to make the appraisement. •hey to meet on Monday, Oct. 30. On the filing of their report, we understand, the amount of the appraisement must be paid into court — actual money, not Purtelle checks—or tendered to the land owner. Should this be done and there be no contest over the amount fixed, then Purtelle can go on the ground and tear it up any way he pleases and hold it five years without ever running a car over it or laving a rail before it reverts back to the owner. we are told. It was the holding of this right-of-way should anyone come along with real mortey to put through a road that the college people feared, and for this reason they had refused to enter into any contract with Purtelle, they having no confidence in him or his ability to do anything. When told that this money npist be paid on the filing of the report of the appraisers; Father Seifert, president of the college, stated that he was satisfied and would not worry over the matter, intimating that he had no fears that the money would be paid. Pirtelle was represented by John A. Dunlap, and the college by E. P. Honan, attorneys, and the former stated that his company was an Indiana corporation, and gave the date of incorporation. On cross-examination by Mr. Honan, Purtelle said that he was the? president and general manager, also treasurer of the company; said W. F. Brucker of Monticello was its secretary; J. D. Timmons and C. D. Meeker, also of Monticello, and Geo. W. Goff, late of Rensselaer, were directors. Asked where the general Offices 6T the company w'ere located, he said at AJonticello, but didn’t know’ in what building it was. His own office, he said was in Chicago, but admitted it was in with some attorney, or that he had no regular offices, that the number given was an attorney’s office. Asked if he had ever paid the SSO which he agreed to pay the college people for damage done on their land by his unwarranted and unauthorized trespass on said grounds, he mumbled and attempted to explain that he expected some one else—the Rensselaer Commercial Club, we believe—to pay this. But it has never been paid. He claimed to have had some sort of. permission from Father Geitl to go on the ground and cut down the trees. After the proceedings were practically over Father Seifert asked permission of the court to say a few words, and in a concise manner he stated the position of the college toward an electric road; that its position had been published in the papers and from the housetops. They wanted a road and were willing and anx r ibus to give right-of-way free gratis to anyone that could do something, .but if the right-of-way was taken under such action as Purtelle was now’ seeking it ’would not be donated. Purtelle had not made good on any of his numerous promises to anyone. He had gone on their grounds a trespasser and done considerable damage and threatened to shoot him or any of the college men should Ahey try to stop him. Then, when they were about to prosecute him. Had agreed to pay the college SSO for the damage done, but it had never been paid.