People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1892 — WE HAVE 'BM. [ARTICLE]

WE HAVE 'BM.

Whats The Lake*, k!• dipperi and fhewlnki. In the Republican’s critUjut on “Little Cousin Jasper” it says: "The attraction* of the country lurroundn« K*»nweiaer ar« measurably correct. The prairie* are here and the wil’-docks and even the occasional rattlesnake. For the lakes, dl-dlppers and chewink* Little Jasper tuuat hare drawn upon bis imagination." The Republican is not well posted on the numerous attractions of Jasper county. The lakes are here, not right in sight of town, however, but are found in the north part of the county. Clear Lake, a body of water one and one-half miles long by one mile wide found in Walker township, might properly be called a lake. There are several large ponds in the neighborhood of King Hill just as deserving of the name lake as are hundreds of other similar bodies of water thus classed in this state. Goose Lake, Black Marsh and Copperas Slough are just as “lakey” in looks, half the year, as are English Lake, of Starke county, or Flint Lake, of Porter county. Oh, yes, the lakes are here. A stranger last April would have thought half the county a lake. When “Little Cousin Jasper” camped out “wunst” we imagine it was just at the foot of that big sand hill on the west side of Clear Lake.

The di-dipper (hell diver), an aquatic bird, a strong believer in that mode of baptism called immersion, is also here. Bro. Marshall, you will not find this bird in the tank at the public well. Go out to the ponds and lakes where the cat-tails grow high, where the wild rice nods and bends and the splatter-dock spreads its broad leaves in the sun, and there if you are acquainted with his habits and can see “mit out speeks” you will find a di-dipper in Jasper county. Chewinks not here, hey! There are plenty of them in the bushy and briery parts of the county. Of course Bro. Marshall does not see them in the streets wi‘h the English sparrow, but let him go out into the hazel brush, into blackberry patch, and lie will see them scatcliing and pecking in the dry leaves, jumping from shrub to shrub, or sitting on the topmost twigs saucily saying, “King George ate a lizard.” Though “Little Cousin'Jasper” can not talk plain and has not given the scientific names of the birds he speaks of, yet all who are acquainted with our marshes, lakes, prairies and groves understand just what he means and will say he has told no stories.

Many persons were compelled to go without meat last Sunday on account of the forced closing of the meat shops. This seems to be an injustice to both the proprietors and patrons of the shops. It is true customers can purchase their Sunday meat on Saturday during the cold season, but when hot weather comes, those without ice boxes will be forced to do without Sundays. By all means let the shops be opened for a short time on Sunday. The restaurants were open as usual last Sunday and it seems to be their intention to fight the Sunday closing movement, if necessary.

Three score years and ten is the allottment of a man’s life, yet this tei’m is sometimes extended. Win. C. Pierce, or Uncle Billy as he is more familiarly known, is a living witness to the truth of the statement. Last Friday he passed the 71st mile stone of his journey, and in honor of that event his son, James W., gave him a surprise dinner. Of his four children living three were present, viz: John L., of Lebanon, Mrs. Alice Howe, of Dwight, 111. and James W. J. L. Pierce was accompanied by his daughter Mabel. Mrs. Knox, the youngest daugh-v ter, living at Chillicothe, Ohio, was not present, being detained by sickness. Quite a number of the old friends and neighbors were present and partook of a fine dinner. The guests other than children and grandchildren present were Mr. and Mrs. Thos. R, Daugherty, Mr. and* Mrs.' John Shields, Mr. and Mrs. John Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cain, Miss Daugherty and Miss Shields. The guests departed all wishing for many returns of £he anniversary thus celebrated.