Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1915 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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UTILITIES COMMISSION PROBES STOCK SALES

Peculiar Transactions of the L. & N. W. Ry. Co. Told by Present Officers and Witnesses From Remington Who Invested Money—Decision Will Be Made This Week.

At the hearing held before Judges McClure and Edwards of the state public service commission at Indianapolis last Saturday to inquire into the alleged stock sales of the Lafayette & Northwestern Railroad company-—the company which is seeking another subsidy election in Rensselaer and Marion township—the story of some peculiar business deals were brought out. The meeting was attended by Charles Stockton of Round Grove tp., White county, president; O. L. Brown of Lafayette, general manager; Br. A. P. Rainier of Remington, former officer and director; G. I. Thomas of Remington; Edgar D. Collins of Lafayette, attorney for the company; Henry W. Marshal, executive editor of the Lafayette Journal, and John Wagner, president of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, all of whom had been summoned to appear and relate what they knew of the transactions of the company.

The story told is one of high finance of the “Get-Rich-Quick” Walingford series: It develops that O. L. Brown, who is general manager for the railroad company, is also treasurer of the Tippecanoe Construction company, which was organized to “build the road;” that the railroad company was incorporated for SIOO,000 which was later increased to $1,500,000 by resolution, but not filed with the secretary of state. It was shown that Perry O’Connor of Round GroyeTtp., and a neighbor of Stockton, who is president of the railroad company, was president o the Tippecanoe Contraction Co.

ockton testified that he had pur-i i lased 30 shares of stock from the construction company, for which he had paid $3,000; that he had also borrowed SSOO from the Montmor-j enci bank and had given S3OO of it to Brown and S2OO to O’Connor; that he with others had signed a note for $2,000 made payable to Brown, personally. It seems that no stock was issued in the railroad company, according to Brown’s testimony, hut some! $20,000 in stock had been sold in the construction company, and that at a meeting of stockholders held in the Hotel Lahr, at Lafayette on July 17, 1915, Brown made a statement in which he said that the above amount of stock had been sold and that the company was then indebted to the amount of $10,350. He also said that $1,500 should be raised

(Continued on page four.)

Two Frankfort Teachers Rescued From Eastland.

Frankfort, Ind., July 25. —The anxiety of relatives of Misses Georgia Lough and Grace Walters, Frankfort school teachers reported missing following the, Eastland accident inj the Chicago river, was relieved this afternoon when letters and messages were received here from the young women, stating that they were safe and told of their rescue from the overturned boat. One member of the party wit|i the Frankfort ladies, Bessie Montgomery, of Chicago, was drowned.

Aging New Wheat Flour.

We have had several inquiries from farmers, asking how long they should store their wheat before bringing it to mill and exchanging it for flour. For the benefit of those that do not know, we wish to say that! we have just recently installed the Alsop Process for aging and bleaching flour, and will take new wheat, thrashed dry, at mill the same day it is thrashed and guarantee it to bake, up equal to old wheat flour.- — IROQUOIS ROLLER MILLS.

Wonder Who Abe Had in Mind?

“TOo many folks invest first an’ investigate later/’—Abe Martin, in Indianapolis News.

Prefers Being Called a “Knocker” Rather Than a “Sucker."

A prominent business man of Rensselaer, one of those who has been against the proposition or' voting a subsidy to the so-called Lafayette & Northwestern Railroad, because he considered that the road would not “be worth to Rensselaer the amount asked, were it constructed, and because he had no confidence in the ability of the promoters to construct the road, said to The Democrat Monday that it didn’t hurt him in the least to be called a ••knocker'’ by the bunch here who always “fall for every gold brick scheme that comes along; that he would rarher be called a “knocker" than a “sucker’’ any time.

Very Heavy Rains All About Us Sunday.

While it was quite showery herej last Sunday, not a great amount of; rain fell in and about Rensselaer. proper, but in north and Oast of town and in about Lee and south and southeast of Rensselaer, and at Remington and Goodland a rain fell, several inches of water being reported to have falletr-in a few hours time. In some localities it is said to have been the heaviest rain they have yet had. Yesterday morning was* rather rainy here, a drizzling rain taking place for a few hours. These rains are making it bad for farmers to finish their harvest and put up hay, and are also interfering with thrashing of wheat, which has now become general.

Ministerial Association Meeting.

Rev. J. C. Parrett and Dr. Paul C. Curnick attended the meeting of the Pan-Handle Ministerial Association | at the Presbyterian church at Good-1 land Monday. There were about 25 ministers present, representing the towns of Monticello, Remington, Fowler, Kentland, Morocco, Brook, Idaville and other places and also representing a number of different denominations. Rev. Parrett read a

paper on the subject, “The True 1 Standard of Excellence.” The ministers took dinner at the hotel, then taken in autos to Hazelden, where they enjoyed the privileges of the beautiful place by request of George Ade. The main attraction was the swimming pool, which was enjoyed by the ministers. At 3:00 the afternoon session listened to a paper by Rev. C. D. Royce of Fowler, a former pastor of our Methodist church.

Many Hospital Sites Suggested.

Many suggestions are being made for sites for the proposed new Jaspe~ County Hospital, and all have some merit. .... ■ . ’ •

The thorn patch on Work street, just east of Frank Foltz’s residence, is a very good location indeed. This is owned by a descendant of the Van Rensselaer family in the east, and | she shys it is not for sale, it could be secured by condemnation proceedings, but even then it would take $2,000 or $3,000 from the proposed expenditure of SIO,OOO for the ground alone, and is it worth it? One reader of The Democrat suggests the F. M. Parker place at the northwest corner of town. This is a good location but there is too much ground-five acres—and a fine residence which would not be suitable for a hospital building, it is said. The location is good.

Another reader suggests locating it on the east river bank near the old artesian well, in Harry Kurrie’s pasI ture, and thinks Mr. Kurrie would possibly donate sufficient ground. This is a very good location also and in a quiet neighborhood, such as should be selected in the opinion of I The Democrat. Still another reader thinks we j should accept the reported offer of A.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1915

Leopold oi two lots in the east part 1 or town, and says that two lots is enough ground to keep up. It would be expensive, he states, to have a whole block to care tor. and if we j accept Mr. Leopold's gift $10,000; would erect a good brick building of, sufficient size. Then let the lodges and other organizations here each furnish a room in the hospital and the doctors equip the hospital with the necessary surgical pharaphernalia as their donation to the project.

The matter of furnishing and equiping the hospital as above outlined, would apply no matter where it be located, and it would seem that for the building proper SIO,OOO would be sufficient were the ground to be donated.

City Council Proceedings.

At the regular meeting of the city council Monday evening all members were present except Councilman.' Warner. Not very much business was done except to discuss the matter of relieving the northeast part of town of excess water, or provide sufficient drainage hterefor. A petition by B Forsythe and others asks for for the putting in of a 24 Und 36 inch sewer ! on Walnut street, the first street I north of the Monon railroad, begin- | ning at the east corporation line and i running thence west to near the Harrington Bros, elevator, then passing under the Monon tracks and running south to Vine street, thence wrest on Vine street to the Maxwell ditch. This is a very logical proposition and there is a good fall to the outlet. . This petition was referred to the , sewer committee.

Other schemes were discussed, such as running a sewer south on Scott street, etc., hut it would seem that the Forsythe petition would afford the best relief, although it will be quite an expensive proposition. Ordinance No. 168 relating to the rules and regulations of the water and light plant, and ordinance No. 169, prohibiting the use of fireworks in the city of Rensselaer, were each : passed to third reading. | Th° somewhat painful subject of i granting a franchise to the so-called ; Lafayette & Northwestern Railroad Co., through the city of Rensselaer, and which had been passed to second ‘ reading at the last regular meeting, j was not mentioned in any way, no I one, apparently caring to call the 1 matter up. The usual number of claims were allowed.

Extra Good Show at Gayety for Two Nights.

Everything at the Gayety is good. Some things are extra good Extra with a big X spells the bookings for Wednesday and Thursday nights of this week. It is a case of two in one. Two acts for one price. Horton Bros, take a great pride in giving patrons more than they pay for. You can’t find a show in Chicago where you get so much for a dime. The bookings for the two nights mentioned are as follows: Hunter's Posing Dogs in vaudeville’s most beautiful posing act. Kentucky Blue, a singing girl and a piano.

Both acts will be in addition to the excellent motion pictures and the people from the country can give their families a rare treat by bringing them all to the Gayety. It will pay persons living in neighboring towns to form the habit of coming to Rensselaer each week to see the clever acts that are making the Gayety the best airdome in the state. Remember especially these two nights, and Thursday.— Advt

For some reason the “booster editor” of the Rensselaer Republican omitted from the semi-weekly edition his tirade against the editor of The Democrat and his hearty personal endorsement of the stockholders and officers of the so-called Lafayette & Northwestern Railroad Company. We feel, very much slighted at this oversight and wonder if the disclosures made at the hearing conducted before the public service commission at Indianapolis s last Saturday, could have influenced this gold brick booster to have omitted the article.

July 25, to Mr. and Mrs. John Zimmer of Newton tp., a daughter. July 25, to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kittering of Union tp., a daughter. July 24, to Mr. and Mrs. Estel Osborn of Marion tp,, a daughter.

Why This Omission?

Birth Announcements.

STILL GOING IT BLIND.

Railroad Meeting Decides for Another Flection to Vote Subsidy. A meeting was held at the court house Friday evening, presided over by Mayor Spitler, at which it was agreed to notify the promotors of the ied Lafayette & Northwestern Ralroad that if they would change the line of their road here to come down through the business part of Rensselaer—as we understand to come down College avenue to Washington street and thence go east to Cullen and north to Vine —the people here, or those at the meeting, rather, •veuld try to put over a'l% per cent subsidy tax at an election to be called for September; in the event that l the promoters were haughty and insisted upon the pound of flesh, then they would make it 2 iter cent. And this action was taken, understand, without making any investigation whatever as to what was behind the i mposition; who composed the company, and the fact that its officers had been cited for “contempt of court,” so to speak, before the public service commission, and without waiting to hear or know either anything about the result of this hearing.

Whether or not the facts disclosed at the hearing before the public service commission Saturday will have any effect on these enthusiastic “boosters” in refraining from circulating a petition calling for such an election, remains to be seen.

The proposition was voted down here two weeks ago fairly and squarely, so far as the people were concerned, and The Democrat thinks it is an imposition on the farmers of Ma-iOn tp., some of whom, will have to drive 12 or 13 miles for the round trip and bring all the voters they have in their family, losing their time on the farm when it may be extremely valuable to them, or else stay away and have no voice in the election.

It is more than likely that the proposition would he defeated by more than double the majority it was defeated by only recently had not this hearing been held, as many people would look upon it as an outrage to call another election so soon in the attempt to wear the people out who are opposed to the subsidy proposition in principle, to the route, the proposed road, or for any other reason.

The Democrat doesn't care a rap if a dozen railroads come here. The more the merrier, but it is opposed to the voting of subsidies on principle, as are many other voters, and it is also opposed to the giving of any money whatever to this or any other company proposing to build a road that would be of so little benefit to Rensselaer—not connecting our town with any other town in Jasper county —and it also believes that it is the duty of our people here to thoroughly investigate the standing of any company or body of men that asks our people for money, whether it be by a subsidy tax or donation, al-

though in the latter case it is really no one’s business, perhaps, but the parties making the donations. Whenever the would-be trustees of the welfare of the people of Marion tp., and Rensselaer attempt to spend tjie money belonging to these people as a whole, they should investigate carefully and not lend an indorsement either which might be used by dishonorable people to part others from their money by way of purchasing stocks, bonds, etc.

This company asked for the endorsement of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, but that body wisely decided to investigate before giving any endorsement, and when the committee found that the company had not complied with the law in regard to the public service commission, the investigation stopped right there and the members decided that the company needed an endorsement from the public se 3 commission more than it did from the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. It is hoped that in the future like investigations will be made here instead of grabbing at every baited hook that is thrown at our people.

Later—The Republican, the chief booster for all gold brick schemes attempted to be unloaded upon the people of Rensselaer or Jasper coum ty, “suggests that nothing further be done toward the proposed subsidy for the road, until investigation is finished and the report of the judges are made public.”

An arm load or old papers for 5 cents.

1,500 LIVES ARE LOST IN WORST MARINE DISASTER IN HISTORY

Steamer Eastland, With 2,500 Pleasure-Seeking Passengers on Board, Suddenly Turns on Its Side at Its Dock in the Chicago River, Trapping Hundreds. Nation, State and City Join to Fix the Blame for CatastropheRescuers Work Heroically Night and Day Bringing Out Bodies of Victims Who Were Suffocated or Drowned.

PREVIOUS STEAMSHIP HORRORS

May 7, 1915—Cunard liner Lusitania, sunk by German submarine off Kinsale, Ireland, In Irish sea; 1,137 lives lost. May 29, 1914 —Empress of Ireland, sunk by collier Storstad In the St. Lawrence rlVer; 1,014 lives lost, April 14, 1112—Titanic struck iceberg and sunk off Newfoundland; 1,595 lives lost and but 745 saved. Novembor 14, 1909 —Steamer La Seine, sunk In collision near Singapore; 95 lives lost. August 24, 1909 —Excursion steamer and liner In collision at Montevideo; 200 lives lost. July 22, 1907 —Steamer Columbia, sunk in collision with lumber schooner; 100 lives lost. February 12, 1907—Steamer Larchmont, sunk In collision with the Henry Knowlton in Lgsng Island sound; 183 lives lost. June 15, 1904—Steamer General Slocum, burned In Hudson river with hundreds of school children on board; 959 lives lost. July 2, 1898—Bourgogne, sunk In collision with Cromartyshire; 871 lives lost. Janpary 30, 1895—Elbe, sunk In collision with steamer Crathle in North sea; 33% lives lost. March 17, 1891—Utopia, sunk In collision with steamer Anson off Glbralta r; 574 lives lost. . , September 3. 1878—Princess Alice, sunk by Bywell Castle In the Thames, near Woodwlch; about 700 liveslost. 1868 —Steamer Seabird, burned on Lake Michigan; 100 lives lost. Sefftember 8, 1860—Lady Elgin, sunk In collision on Lake Michigan; 287 lives lost. 1857—Steamer Montreal, burned In St. Lawrence river; 250 lives lost. 1852—Atlantic, sunk In Lake Erie; 250 lives lost. 1850—Griffith, burned In Lake Erie; 300 lives lost. 1847—Phoenix, burned on Lake Michigan; 247 lives lost. IH4l—Erie, burned on Lake Erie; 175 lives lost.

Chicago, J.uly 26.—“ Somebody made a big mistake!” Five words serve to epitomize' the official summing up of the worst marine disaster in modern history. The steamer Eastland, crowded with 2,600 employees o' tha Western Electric company bound on a picnic to Michigan City, Ind., suddenly turned over in the Chicago river at 7:40 Sab urday morning Just as she was swinging from her dock to make the start for the lake. Hundreds of men, women and children were trapped in the hull of the vessel and when rescuers drilled through the steel hull of the vessel by the use of acetylene gas many of the victims were still fighting for life.

Dead May Reach 1,500. Estimates of the total number of dead —based on the recovery of 817 bodies —are still uncertain. Of the passengers and crew, reported to be a few less than 2,500, 700 have reported as safe. This would mean that 600 bodies are still in the hull of the vessel or In the river, with a total of 1,500. However, the authorities do not believe that any such number are dead and not recovered. It is supposed that many of the passengers got off the 111-fated boat without reporting the fact.

An Unparalleled Tragedy. Literally in the heart of a great city, with elevated trains and street cars thundering past within a few hundred feet, on a mild summer morning, with a multitude toi look on In mute helplessness, with metropolitan skyscrapers casting their shadow over It all, something like 1,500 persons went to their death in a prosaic excursion boat as it capsized at its berth. Such was the unparalleled, pardoxical tragedy of the Eastland. The victims perished within reaching distance of shore, within speaking distance of streets crowded with office-bound loop workers.

No Warning; No Escape. The better part of them, with women and children outnumbering the men four to one, died without a chance for life. Packed mostly between decks aboard the cranky craft, they got no warning from officers and crew until the water was upon them. Then it was too late. The old Eastland, its livery work done, lies wearily on its port side less than fifty feet from where it started. More than half the boat was submerged. Oil the dry uppermost portion firemen, federal life savers, policemen, physicians and other rescue workers hovered about yawning holes which had been pierced through the steel shell by oxygen flames. Two Big Questions. According to the testimony now in hand, passengers were sliding down the sloping deck and the port rail was at the water’s edge before there was an official chorus of: “Get over on the other side, everybody!"

Vol. XVIII, No. 34

There are two big questions which the various investigating bodies will seek to have answered: l__Was it because of a its water ballast that the Eastland capsized?

.vvcro river'* passengers -board thun Us official carrying ca- • o!ty of 2,500? Already there have been several answers to both questions. Was She Overcrowded? R. H. McCreary, navigation inspector, says he turned away all prospective passengers after his automatic counter registered 2,500. Contradicting McCreary's assertion is the estimates of two officials in charge of the outing that 3,200 persons, of whom the women outnumbered the men four to one, had been crowded aboard the Eastland. „ The Eastland’s gauge tender came forward late in the afternoon with the St. Joseph-Chicago Steamship company’s version of the capsizing. A sudden rush of passengers to the port side of the excursion boat to view a passing launch carried the Eastland over, he said. But in their stories the survivors say there was no such rush —that the crowd, great though it was, seemed evenly distributed over the vessel.

While the Mandolin Plays. It was at 7:40 o’clock that the Eastland went over, Jußt as its stern line had been cast off from its berth west of the south end of the Clark street bridge. On the east side of the bridge the steamer Theodore Roosevelt, also chartered by the picnickers, was taking on a second load of passengers. On the upper deck es the Eastland a little mandolin and fiddle orchestra was playing ragtime. Some of those aboard the boat had noticed It was unsteady and swaying from side to side without apparent cause. At last, when it seemed the vessel could hold no more passengers, the gangway was drawn in while deckhands made fast a hawser from the tug Kenosha, which was to tow It out of the harbor. First Listing Ignored. At first the Eastland heeled slowly, almost Imperceptibly. Harry Pederson, the captain, stood on the bridge shouting routine orders. Neither he, his officers, nor his crew paid attention to the list, and those of the passengers who had felt slight alarm forgot their fear. The orchestra played oh. Farther over leaned the Eastland. Chairs began to slip from beneath their occupants. S;ttll the captain stuck to his bridge, his voice ringing reassuringly. Then, with a final lurch of the topheavy hull, tragedy took a hand In the picnic. The music stopped in the middle of a bar. Downhill against the port rail tumbled the musicians, scattered and mixed among the rolling, struggling passengers.

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