Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 94, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1914 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

$1.50 Per Year.

30 DAY OPTION GIVEN MONON

Oo the Gifford Railroad SI,OOO is Put Op. WILL EXPEND SI,OOOOOO, Im Putting Road in Shape, If Deal Goes Through, It Asserts—Some Think, However, It will Abandon the Road. The Monon railroad company has been given a 30 day option on the purchase of the Gifford railroad, the price agreed upon with George H. Gifford, executor of the B. J. Gifford estate, and Judge Hanley of tlie circuit court, being SIOO,OOO. The Monon has put up a forfeit of SI,OOO, and in the event that it backs down this SI,OOQ is forfeited. The 30 days time is desired by the officials of the Monon to look into the title and secure the approval of the taking over of the road, if necessary, of the public service commission of Indiana.

In the event of securing the road, the Monon officials assert, they expect to spend $1,000,000 in putting it in first class shape, extending it on to Lafayette and connecting on the main line of the Monon up north of Cedar Lake. They will make it, they assert, a freight line, but will xuraish some passenger service also. While this sounds good to many people, the doubt is expressed by some as to what particular advantage such a line would be to the Monon, except to cut off competition, and some of the larger land owners of Barkley tp.„ near the line of road fear that it is the inention of the Monon to junk the entire road. It is estimated tZ?t upwards of $30,000 could be secured for the right-of-way, by selling it back to adjoining land owners, »nd the old rails and equipment would bring several thousand dollars more. It is hoped, however, that this is not the intention, as the road is of a great deal of benefit to the section of country through which it traverses for shipping purposes. But should it be abandoned altogether, it is argued, the Monon would secure practically all of the freight now handled over the southern half of the Gifford road, and it would not be a bad business proposition for them to buy it up and then junk it. In this event it is probable that it would be quite a number of years at least before any other road is put through that section to afford convenient shipping facilities.

KEENER HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING

Contract Let Saturday to Chicago Parties for $11,619. The contract for the new Keener tp., high school building at Demotte was let Saturday to Wiley Bros., of Chicago, at $11,619. Other bidders were: Foster Lumber Co., of Valparaiso, $11,920; B. T. Barnes, of Logansport, $11,900; J. R. Linton, of Medaryville, $11,960; Johnson i eon, of Lowell, $12,397. The building is to be of brick, four rooms and basement, two rooms on first floor and two on second. The contract price is for tlie building only, the heating and furnishing will •out about $3,500 more. It is to ba ■completed in time for the opening of school next September. This was the third time the building has been advertised, the previous bids ranging from $12,670 to $14.118. It Is probable some action will soon be taken again toward providing high school buildings for Barkley and Newton townships, as provided by the acts of the last legislature.

A Suggestion Regarding Cleaning Sidewalks of Snow.

It seems to The Democrat that either the city ordinance requiring people to clear the snow off their sidewalks should be enforced or some better arrangements made for the city marshall to have snow plows need for the purpose. If the latter, let the work be got at early in the morning so it may be all completed by 8 o’clock, or school time. We used to have the walks cleaned with snow , plows in Rensselaer in years gone by, and have it done early in the

morning, too, and it is still done in towns like Remington, Goodland, etc., and why not here? It is a disgrace to the city and an outrage upon its people to be required to plow their own way through the snow each morning after every heavy snow that comes. Put a little of the corporation fund to practical use instead of paying it all out in salaries.

Mutual Insurance Company Suffers a Couple of Heavy Loses.

The Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company of Remington had two big losses in Benton county last week. One was the John Gwilliams farmhouse east of Atkinson, which was burned while the owner was trying to thaw out the water pipes to the kitchen sink with an oil fire. The loss was $3,000, with $1,600 insurance. The second loss was the fine country home of Robert Finley in Parish Grove tp., on which the Farmers’ Mutual carried $2,600 on building and contents.

Examination for Postmaster fur McCoysburg.

A civil service examination will be held at Rensselaer on Saturday, March 14, to fill the contemplated vacancy in the position of fourthclass postmaster at McCoysburg, Jasper county. The compensation of the postmaster there for the last fiscal year was $295. Application forms and full information concerning the requirements can be had from the postmaster at McCoysburg or from the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C. Applications should be property executed and filed with the Commission at Washington at least seven days before the date of the examination, otherwise it may be impractible to examine the applicant.

Mail and Train Service Tied Up by the Snow.

Monday night was another severe cold one, and the government thermometer at St. Joseph’s college got down to 5 below zero. All trains on the Monon were late Monday and some did not run at all. The northbound early morning train from Indianapolis, got in about 7:30 that evening, but all other north-bound trains on the Indianapolis division did not run Monday at all, the milk train being all that run north on the Louisville division. All trains being south, no southbound trains were run after the 11:05 Louisville train Monday night, and no Chicago papers were received here yesterday morning, the milk train being the only train running until some time yesterday forenoon, when one of the north-bound trains due here Monday afternoon went through about 15 hours late. It was said that the track on the Indianapolis division was drifted about 6 feet deep for nearly a mile down about Rossville, and it was impossible to plow through it. On the Louisville division no train could get further south than Crawfordsville. Probably all trains will be running as usual today, however.

Telephone Meeting Opposing Increased Rates.

A public meeting was held at the court house Saturday evening to protest against the proposed IncreasS in telephone rates by the Jasper County Telephone Company. Several of those present publicly expressed themselves as against any increase in rates, and the public service oommiaeion will be asked to base its findings on the actual physical valuation of the plant, which the telephone people state is precisely whgt they ask for and, what the commission win do anyway. Some wanted the city to buy the present plant, if it could be bought right, and operate it as a municipal owned plant. But there are objections to this by the better informed citizens who realize that the city is not in financial condition to take over the plant and put it in good shape, and the fact that it cannot operate the country lines, which are a part of the system. W. W. Sage, of southeast of town, who is one of the original stockholders in the Brook Mutual telephone company, gave an interesting talk on what this company had done there, along the lines that has heretofore been published in The Democrat When the hearing is held here on Friday of this week, by a member of the public service commission, the opponents of the proposed Increase in rates will present their claims and grievances.

THE TWICE=A- WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 1914.

COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs from the Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL ■ a The Legal News Epitomized—-To-gether with Other Notes Gathered From the Several County Offices. J. E. Moore, of Barkley township, has cast his hat in the ring, and announces himself as a candidate for the republican nomination for county assessor.

Marriage licenses issued: Feb. 21, Rudolph Weppler of Remington, aged 21 August 30 last, occupation farmer, to Edna Monohan, daughter of Isaac Monohan of Remington, aged 19 January 14 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Of the 15 marriage licenses issued so far this month, Remington and Carpenter tp., have furnished 6 of the couples securing licenses, which shows that the people over in that section of the country believe in the biblical injunction of “marrying and giving in marriage.” Ex-Sheriff John O’Connor will give an address at the McCoysburg school house tomorrow night on his travels around the world. Mr. O’Connor spent a number of years in the U. S. navy and has visited many foreign ports. He is a clear and interesting talker and his address will be well worth going to hear. There was a meeting of the township chairmen of the Farmers’ Institute called last Saturday to elect county officers. O. C. Halstead of Newton tp., was elected county chairman, and Chauncy Wood, secretarytreasurer. displacing Ira F. Meader and Supt. Lamson, each of whom had served a couple of years and giving the best of satisfaction.

Mrs. A. C. Scott, who has bought the Pearock property on South River street, paid $2,000 for same. Mrs. Peacock bought this property of Dr. A. G. Catt about a year and a half ago at sl,aoo. Nothing has been expended on the place since, and the advance is but an illustration of the increase in value of well located property in Rensselaer durring this time. Five different grades of legal size typewriter paper kept in stock in The Democrat's stationery department. Also abstract and legal document backs, printed or blank. Don’t pay fancy prices for your typewriter paper when you can buy it here of as good or better quality for much less money. Our typewriter paper is put up in boxes of 500 sheets, but will be eold in -smaller quantities if desired. f

Mrs. Ruth Kuster, widow of the late S. H. Kuster, of Remington, was declared Insane by Squire Dickinson and Drs. Rainer and Besser of that place Friday, and will be sent to the asyl m at LongcHff. Mrs. Kuster has been at the soldiers home at Lafayette for the past two years, and notice was recently given by the authorities there to Sheriff .Hoover of her condition, ’ with a statement that they could not take care of her. The inquest was held at the soldiers hotne.

At the regular meeting of the city council Monday night, no business was transacted except the allowance of claims. Delos Thompson, president of the telephone company, offered to pell the plant of the Jasper County Telephone Company to the city at the appraised value put on same by the public service commission. It would seem, however, that it is out M the question for the city to buying this plant, as it wouldbe necessary to go ahead and make improvements thereto before first-class service could be given, and we have no money to do this with. Another thing, it is not probable that the company could be compelled to sell their Rensselaer exchange without also in-

City Council Meeting.

eluding their toll lines and perhaps the Wolcott exchange, which they also own,, and all are a part of the Jasper County Telephone Company’s system and holdings. Rensselaer could not purchase or fix the rates for any phones outside of the corporation of this city. The city is now in debt about $40,000- —balance due on- light and water plant and bonded indebtedness—besides the school bonds Issued for the building of the new high school, about $25,000 more.

The Ground Hog Still on the Job.

Mr. G. Hog has certainly been on his job since Feb. 2 and we have been having good solid winter weather during all the present month. Most of the snow which fell during the. early part of the month is still on the ground, and was added to a few inches Sunday night, when a regular blizzard started in and kept up nearly all night, making it the worst night of the winter. Sunday was a cold raw day, and the snow that fell during the afternoon and night was piled up considerably in places by the heavy wind. Only a few days more remain of February, and it is not probable we will have very much more snow or cold weather. In fact, it is not very unusual for the farmers to begin sowing oats early In March. At this time, however, it doesn’t look as though there would be any oats sowing before the 15th or 20th of the month at least. The mercury Sunday and Monday was down within a few degrees of zero.

Obituary of Mrs. J. T. Daugherty.

Julia S. Sayler was born at Marton, Ohio, May 12, 1840, and died in Rensselaer, Ind., Feb. 19, 1914, aged 73 years, 9 months and 7 days. She was one of eight children born to Isaac and Elizabeth Sayler, of whom three sisters and one brother still survive.

On Sept. 29, 1868, in Rensselaer, she was married to John T. Daugherty. To this union was born one child, Elfirdie C., now Mrs. E. S. Thornton, of Surrey. At the age of 16 she confessed her faith in Jesus as her Savior by uniting with the M. E. church. After her marriage she transferred her membeshlp to the Free Wall Baptist church, in which church she lived and died a consistent Christian.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, one daughter, four grandchildren, one brother, Andrew Sayler of Big Rapids, Mich., three sisters, Miss Ellen Sayler of Rensselaer, Mrs. Sarah A. Benjamin of Enid, Ok}®., and Mrs. Jane Daugherty of Hammond, besides many other relatives and friends. The funeral, conducted by Rev. J. C. Parrett of the Presbyterian church, was held Saturday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, and burial made in Weston cemetery.

Rensselaer Public Schools.

February 25, 1914. Dear Parent: - Announcements were made at different times concerning the literary programs held recently in the Christian church, lou remember it was also announced that Tbwsrday, Feb. 26, was to be visiting day for the patrons of the public schools. This note is to remind you that the day is almost here and we ane expecting you to spend a part of the time with us.

You will be welcome in .any of the buildings and rooms. For the sake of ■convenience will say that the primiary building has the first five grates, the grammer or old high school building the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, also the domestic science and Commercial departments, while the new high school building has the high school and manuel training departments. The work t obe given Thursday wtfll be regular scthool work and not special work for that day. Besides giving you an opportunity to see regular work we are anxious to have you here for the following reasons: To become better acquainted with the teachers. b. To see what we are trying to do. c. To arouse more of a community interest in the schools. d. To havei you offer any suggestions regarding the work we are doing or not doing. Pupils will be on duty in the halls in the different buildings to assist visitors in finding rooms and teachers. If you can only spend ten minutes we will be glad to have yon that long, but stay longer if you can. Very truly, ®. B. DEAN

GENERAL ANU STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports from Many Parts of the Country SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in Distant and Nearby Cities and towns—Matters of Minor Mention from Many Place*. Must Have Been a Sad Sight for Monticello’s Boosers. City Marshal Claude Ireland in obedience to an order from Judge Wason destroyed the stock of liquor yesterday that was confiscated from J. O. Wingard’s establishment. There were eleven barrels of the stuff and it kept him busy about two hours breaking the necks of the bottles and letting the contents run into the sewer.—Friday's Monticello Journal.

Rev. Harper's Nephew Killed in Auto Accident.

Rev. C. L. Harper of the local M, E. church, was called to Denver, Ind., early this morning owing to the death of his nephew, Mr. George Messier, the result of an automobile accident in that city yesterday. Mr. Messier was a veteran of the SpanishAmerican war, having seen service in the Phillipine conquest in which service he suffered the loss of one of his limbs. —Saturday’s Delphi Herald.

Insurance Expired Four Days Before Sigler Hotel Fire.

Speaking of the loss by fire of the Sigler, hotel at Cedar Lake, the Lake County Star says: “Since Mr. Sigler left the place three years ago it has been run by his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. McLaughlin. It is said three sisters named Brown, owned the place and carried some insurance on the building but none on the furnishings and fixtures. The ice house was just filled that day and was also burned, and it is said quite a store of liquor? ar Ul cigars were burned. A late report says there was no insurance on contents and that the insurance on the building expired four days before it was burned.”

NEW BRIDGE OVER KANKAKEE.

Lake and Newton Counties To Build Two New Structures, One at Water Valley. The commissioners of Lake and Newton counties held a special session at Shelby a few days ago and approved the plans and specifications for two new iron bridges to be erected over the Kankakee river, one at Water Valley and the other between Lake Village and Schneider. The two bridges will cost about $43,of which Newton county will ]>ay only about 17 per cent. The Water Valley bridge is to be about 600 feet long, the same as the old one, but the bridge north of Lake Village will be 252 feet long, 62 feet longer than the present structure. It will also be two feet higher than the present structure and consist of two spans each 126 feet in length. The pier in the center of the stream will be composed of hollow steel tubes four feet in diameter, resting on deep driven piling and filled with concrete. When the piling of the old bridige is removed it will increase the present channel capacity nearly one-third, it is said. The contract for both bridges will be let at Crown Point April 9.

OLD-TIME PRINTER DEAD.

Former Publisher of Wheatfield Telephone Dies at Piper City, 111. F. H. Robertson, one of the, old school of newspaper men, died Feb. 14, at Piper City, 111., where he recently begun publishing a paper. He leaves a wife, who has been living at Goodland, and one son, W. H. Robertson, w'ho for several years has been employed as associate editor of the Benton Review. Mr. Robertson was a native of the state of Maine, and in early life ran away from home and joined a circus, following the profession of a performer He later fell Into the newspaper business, which he followed for many years. He had been located at many different points,

Vol. XVI No. 94.

having established the Brook Reporter and in the past dozen years published papers at Wheatfield, Jasper county, Riddick, 111., Mt. Ayr, and Freeland Park, Ind.. Piper City, 111., etc. He was located at Wheatfield in 1889, but suspended publication of the Telephone and moved the plant to Riddick, 111., in 1900. Last fall he and his wife moved to Goodland and occupied a home on north Newton street. Last November he went to Piper City, 111., and started the Piper City Telephone and was making arrangements to move his household goods to that city. Funeral services were held at Piper City Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock, and interment was made in the cemetery at that place. Mrs. Robertson will make her future home with her son. Will, and family at Fowler. He was one of the shrvivors of the old-time printers and publishers who edited the paper, set the type and operated the press tn printing them. He was 70 years, 9 months and 16 days of age at the time of his death. He died of pneumonia, after a short illness. Peace be to his ashes.

A NEW RELIGIOUS ORDER.

St. Augustine’s Church Establishes the Holy Name Society. Sunday, February 22, was an auspicious day for St. Augustine’s parish. The occasion was the establishment of the Holy Name Society. Promptly at 3 o'clock the sixty-five candidates marched In procession from their hall to the church where the solemn reception took place. The ceremony of admission, as given in the Holy Name ritual, was closely followed. Most inspiring was that part of the ceremony where the candidates pronounced in a strong clear voice, after the director, the following words of the solemn pledge: ‘‘Knowing how much the Sacred Name of God is worthy of reverence, and knowing how amiable is the Adorable name of His divine Son out* Lord J ecus Christ, I desire to join the Holy Name Society. I promise to observe the rules and regulations, to be in a particular manner faithful in attendance at Holy Communion and do all in my power for the honor of the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ. I pledge myself to the honor and service of this name until death.”

The Rev. Ignatious Rauch, C. PP. S., as deacon, and the Rev. Nicholas Greive, C. PP. 8., as sub-deacon. Others of the reverend clergy present were: Fr. Ildefors Rapp, Fr. Meinrad Koester, and Fr. Alexius Scheutte. The Rev. Ignatus Rauch delivered the sermon. He spoke especially of the necessity of such a society, that the holy name of Jesus, of whom ail good comes, should t>e honored and not abused; he also assured the members that if they Hvo according to the rules and reflations of their society they would be benefited spiritually, socially and in their temporal undertakings. After the solemn services at the church all members and their friends to the number of about two dred, repaired to the parochial school hall, where the ladies of the parish "nd prepared a sumptous banquet Mr. E. P. Honan acted as toast-mas-troduced each speaker. Those responding to the toasts were the Rev. ® r> who ta » te* words especiaiiy thanked the Almighty for the grace T n 0,6 PartA ’ ** abl « to establish this meet beneficial society. Next to respond was Rev. Ildefors Rapp, professor of elocution, who spoke entertainingly upon the 2?* ,Mp * ratton of the MoMrs. Harvey Mesaman then gave a declamation entitled. "The sentinel.” Fatter Koee ’ h A “t, an who ha , a the blew.™ O f a. qaalaUlm . e , o be one of (be beet after dinner talkera In these parte then amneed the * ulk on " A Eir -“ Pt all present in a continual laughT”” 6 the M<>ry of " A in the> Cupboard.” Father Alexius Schuette, next paid a high tribute to hbe memory of the Holy Name So-

The entertainment then came to a -tT renderln « of » dialogue, The Way to Windham,” given br Masters Walter Nagel and John KeUner It was certainly a dav the memory of which will long linger in the mind of the members of the loly Name Society and of all those preseat. :

An armload of old papers for a nickel at The Demosrat offise.