Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1915 — Kain Caused Postponement of Auto Races Until Monday. [ARTICLE]

Kain Caused Postponement of Auto Races Until Monday.

Rain fell practically every day or night last week, and Friday we got an all day’s rain which continued throughout the night and a part of Saturday, stain also fell Saturday night and the early part of Sunday forenoon.

As a result of the continued downfall of water, comparatively few tourists passed through Rensselaer for the Decoration Day races at Indianapolis, which were scheduled to take place Saturday. But several braved the ■water and mud and their machines and the occupants thereof, especially in the unprotected runabouts, were a sight to behold. A few motorcyclists also drove through, and they were spattered with mud from head to foot. Many more people from Rensselaer and vicinity had intended taking in the races than ever before, but the rain and the condition of the roads kept several from going. The rain was quite general, both iu Chicago and Indianapolis, and as a result the speedway management Friday forenoon decided to postpone the races until Monday at 10 o’clock because of the condition of the grounds and the roads leading thereto. Quite a number of the tourists who went to Indianapolis Thursday and Friday, gave up in disgust or their funds ran low perhaps in some instances, and quite a number returned home through Rensselaer Saturday afternoon, Sunday and Monday, perhaps nearly 100 cars in all. Delos Thompson and party started Friday afternoon in Mr. Thompson’s big Marmon car, but on reaching Lafayette learned of the postponement of the races and left the car there returning home on the Monon. They left here again Sunday afternoon for Lafayette and from there drove through to Indianapolis. Frank Hill, Jr., also left Friday afternoon in his Chevrolet car, accompanied by Jim Rhoades, Earl Hemphill and Harry Moore. Frank and Harry returned home Sunday, saying that it rained in Indianapolis most of the day and they thought it likely when they left the races would again be postponed. Jim Rhoades and Earl Hemphill went to Martinsville to visit the former’s father, C. W. Rhoades who is taking treatment there and expected to return home by train Sunday night. The weather clearing up, however, they staid over for the races, which were held Monday. Among others from Rensselaer attending the races, driving through via auto, were: Mrs. H. F. Parker and guest, Miss Clare Rife of Perry, lowa, with Hugh Kirk as chauffeur; Max Kepnem, “Frenchy” Deschand, G. H. McLain, C. E. Garver, Art Battleday, Harve Hemphill, Dr. Turfler, Delos Thompson, wife and daughter, Lois, Mrs. Ora T. Ross and guest, Mrs. Lawrence, of Ann Arbor, Mich., Harry Milner, Amil Hanley, William G. Richardson, Jake Moore, O. K. Rainier, Dr. C. E. Johnson, E. L. Fidler, Andrew Gangloff, Jr., C. P. Fate and Firman Thompson. A few of the above went via rail, but most of them drove through.