People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1895 — Page 5

has increased many hundred per cent within a few years. The farmers have much reason to be thankful. When the contemplated Waukarusa and Iroquois drainage projects are completed ours will be one of the best agricultural counties in the state of Indiana. Artificial open and covered drains have done more than all else to develop our farming interests. It is hard to make us believe that many of our now fertile farms were forty years ago actually navigable for boats. social life. Take the Yoemans, Benjamins, Faris, Randells, Culps, Parkisons, Welchs, Kentons, Phegleys, Crocketts, Phillips, Mallats. Spitlers, Sparlings «,nd others of the first families, and cleverer neighbors never lived. Had all been as they, neither locks nor bars were needed to doors or windows.. With them the latch string was ever out. Quiltings, huskings and other social events were common. The richest were poor and the poorest could secure an abundance of plain food and clothing. Store clothes and foreign fruits were unknown. The early settlers were as one family. Secret social orders began in 1851 when Jasper lodge No 125, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Rensselaer. In 1804 the I. O. O. F. instituted Iroquois lodge No. 143. Now we have in every town a variety of secret orders. In Rensselaer nearly every night in the week is occupied. The charities dispensed by these orders is perhaps better than the -old plan of voluntary open handed help to those in need. WAR. In the Mexican war our volunteers were few and little ardor or enthusiasm prevailed. In 1861, however, urder the leadership of Robert H. Milroy, Jasper stepped to the front and furnished three hundred and forty-five blue coat soldiers. The ladies were loyal, too, and donations to hospitals were in order whenever called for. From our volunteers were made generals, colonels and numerous line officers. In the 9th, 12th, 17th, 48th, and 87th infantry and the 12th calvary and 4th artillery our brave boys fought for national unity to the finish. CURRENCY.

In the earliest days “coon skins,” or “bogus” dollars would pay for land. We had also a “wild cat” bank or two. During the war McCoy issued script for change; the “Greenback” was, has been, and still is a bone of contention on “fiat” lines. So the currency discussion has assumed all the phases which free men can think of. Interest has been very high but good credit can now procure cash at a low rate. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Official dignity was, prior to 1858, of a homespun character. After 1839 our county court house was first a log cabin, twenty feet square. Soon after a small frame was erected on Cornelia street which lasted till it was succeeded in 1845 by a frame 31 by 36 on Cullen street. The county officer did business at his own house. It was in 1857 that the present brick structure was erected. This was burned January 18, 1865 and rebuilt in its present form. A new court house is now demanded to meet the accumulation of the records, wealth and population of the county of Jasper. In 1847 Willis J. Wright built our first jail of hewed logs 20 by .26 in two rooms, each a tight box with one door and window. This lasted till 1856 when it was torn down. We were without a jail until 1883 when the present structure was erected under the superintendence of George M. Robinson. The poor were sold to the lowest bidder until 1870, when the county bought land and has since maintained a house for its indigent citizens. This is a comfortable and pleasant retreat for all who are unable to care for themselves.

CHURCHES. The preachers visited the various settlements, mending souls from house to house until the Methodists built a frame church on the corner of Cullen and Rutson streets in Rensselaer, in 1844. In 1849 a log chapel was built at Independence. In 1859 the M. E. church at Remington was erected. Other churches have since been built, and the one handsome brick on the corner of Angelica and Weston streets serves as a model to others. The P. M.’s have half a dozen classes and one or two churches. The Presbyterians organized in 1847 and soon

erected a church which now gives place to the grandest and best edifice in the county. A church was built in Remington in 1866. The Missionary Baptists organized in 1857; the Free Wills in. 1853; the Church of God in 1860; the Disciples at Remington in 1867, while the Catholics built at Rensselaer in 1866 and at .Remington in 1865. Within a few years the Lutherans and other denominations have erected places of worship at Wheatfield, Demotte, Kniman and various places in the county. Our citizens can enjoy as great freedom of religious opinion as any where on the globe. VILLAGES. Rensselaer since 1841 has increased so that it is knocking at the door for a city charter. Joseph D. Yeoman and William Marlatt were floated off by J ames Van Rensselaer and William M. Kenton about 1838. June 12,1839, the plat of tne town was recorded. The proprietor was of the plodding dutch stock, and refused to sell lots at their real value. He had little money and the town made little growth for several years. The mill was built and its proprietor tried to prevent other mills from being built either above or below. In March, 1847, after the death of James Van Rensselaer, his family returned to the east. In 1850 we had three stores, two doctors, one lawyer and fifteen houses. The first store was opened by Harper Hunt. The first birth was T. J. Yeoman. The first funeral was Mrs. Irwin. The first marriage was Edward Dryer to Elizabeth Barr, who obtained the first divorce. The town was incorporated in 1858. It died in 1860 and was resurrected in 1866. At that time the quickest thing was “sand.” Dog fennel and other fancy flowers prevailed as a border for the wagon tracks along our streets. The sidewalks were miry. A frame school house was built in 1863. Prior to 1877 the citizens paid $75,000 for a railroad. The population and wealth had then tripled. All was a legitmate and calm growth. Brick buildings took the place of frame, board sidewalks were built, and now cement walks are supplying the place of the plank. Scarcely a bankrupt has appeared among our business men. Four banks beside street brokers are ready to furnish cash to all who present available securities. The telegraph has an up-town office. Electric lights are in the principal dwellings. A telephone exchange has nearly two hundred patrons. Many prosperous farmers have moved to town to school their children and grandchildren. This has been the leading settlement from start to finish.

FORKS SETTLEMENT. A. J. Guthridge in 1858 opened a store in a log cabin and secured customers from Monon to Kankakee. Henry Freshour started a blacksmith shop and was patronized far and wide. Thomas Randle built the first brick house which attracted considerable attention from both whites and Indians. There was, however, no town and a moving post office alone distinguishes Pleasant Grove in a corporate sense. SALTILLO. The first state road from Williamsport to Winnamac and Donahue’s voting precinct fixed the location for this once hopeful city. It had once a grocery, a mill, a shop and several dwellings. It was a spontaneous growth. The still at Haddick's mill-pond even changed the name. HANGING GROVE. It was from Rush county the Phillips, Parkers, Overtons, and Leflers came, but no village developed until after the Narrow Guage in 1877. BLUE GRASS. This name was given to a place where the red skins had danced out the wild grass. The Benjamins, Yeomans, Mallatts and Elijahs settled there early, and soon secured church, school and mill privelages but the name now only designates a school house. REMINGTON. This village w T as platted in 1860 and named after its store keeper. The town has grown steadily and in the matter of schools, churches, markets, fairs parks and other things that make town life pleasant stands to the front. The towns and villages along the lines of the newer railaoads are all prosperous but are without ancient history. CONCLUSION. The people of Jasper have pure water and their children are'not obiigedtb have the ague', rheumatism and boils in order

THE PEOPLE'S PILOT, RENSSELAER, IND., THURSDAY, OCT. 17, 1895.

$!!!■« 4 (Hinimiiiniiuiiiumimm I M VJ A* MIIHHNIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIUUIN 4 Q ft ioy °' __ lo 95« An annual event l| I Grand musical conlooked forward to by L< fj 11 PP□I Qfl | cert on opening night, all ladies of fashion fl H I INS J" Iflf* I Tuesday* Oct. 15,'' and thrifty housewives. IIWIIU UWI WW I by cornet band. Second Grand Fall Opening at the Big Double Store October 15,16,17,18 and 19, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Our grand cloak opening will excel any former effort. The Model will display the prettiest line ever before shown in Rensselaer on opening days. Mr. E. Moyses, of F. Seigel & Bros., Chicago, will be with us on opening days to display these large lines of cloaks in all the latest novelties

Stylish Dress Goods. Our sales are simply astonishing in magnitude; not at all wonderful, though, when the excellence of our showing, our reliability and up-to-dateness is considered. All-wool bourette plaids, rough checks, basket plaids in blue and black, allwool suiting in the new fall shades, French serges, German henrietta, _ wool and mohair jacquards, tweeds and rough mixtures for street wear, caniche cloth, silk and wool stripes, in any color you could wish for, true value, $1.50, $1.25 and SI.OO. Our price opening days. 60c, 75c, 90c.. 54-in. ladies’ cloth, value $1.25. Opening price, 89c 46-in. all color wool henrietta, value SI.OO. Opening price, 75c 40-in. all-wool henrietta, value 65c. Opening price, 42c 36-in. half wool henrietta, value 35c. Opening price, 22c 40-in. ladies’cloth, value 50c. Opening price 33c Cotton goods at Bc, 10c, 12|c and 15c.

OUR GRAND OPENING SALE ON CLOTHING. O ue c * oth ; D 8 room is now complete in all departments. The Model Annex has just received the finest line of men s, boys and children’s suits and overcoats, boots and shoes, hats and caps and gents’ furnishing goods ever shown before in Rensselaer. ° &

Men’s all wool suits, value $lO. Opening price, $7 00 Men’s all wool black worsted, value $15.00. Opening price, $9 50 Men’s fancy check English worsted, value $12.50. Opening price, $9 00 Men’s satenit suit, value $7.00 Opening price, $4 75 Men’s overcoats at prices that will astonish you, $4, $5, $6, $7, SB, $9, $lO, $12.50.

TEN spoobs «l. CbARK THREAB, 25g. NIKE spoobs GbARK O. JL T. ar?dl /DERRICK, 25c.

to ward off disease. The stagnant ponds have disappeared. The mill dams have all been dammed. The muddy roads have given place to turn pikes and iron bridges. In the place of the cabins stand modern frame and brick residences. Home spun clothes are mere curiosities. We have the healthiest, wealthiest, nicest, best, most lovely, finest dressed and happiest citizens to-day that weever had. There is no place here for the cynical ravens of society to ply their suicidal arts. We ought all to keep eyes to the front, look for the “Silver lining in the cloud”, and do for those who come after us as much in the way of better schoois, churches, roads and labor saving inventions as our sncestors have done for us.

GO TO M. It. IIEttPIfIILL, —FOR — Eirst-class Dlacksmithing and Wood Work. • !„• S 4r. Horscshoeinsf a Specialty. Prices * -ReascuMtWe.

Shoe Department. Ladies’ dongola cloth button shoes, 24 to 7, value $2,75. Opening price, $1 68 Ladies’ kid shoes, value $1.75. Opening price, $1 23 Ladies’ glove grain or grain shoes, value $1.60. Opening price, $1 25 Children’s shoes, 50c, 85c, SI.OO, $1.25 and $2.00. Men’s buff congress shoes, value $2.25. Opening price, $1.50 Our $4.00 men’s shoes. A complete line of boys’ shoes at all prices. Men’s and boys’ boots, SI.OO, $2.00, 2.50 and $3.00. Rubber goods at prices competitors can’t touch, as we bought before the advance. Men’s felt boots, 4 stays, with over, Rhode Island, only $1.85 a pair. Look over our big line in our double room and you will then be convinced. Five and 10c Counter. Tinware, glassware and woodenware. Don’t fail to see the bargain counter. The New Novelties. Leatherette, sc, 10c, 15c and 25c.

Boys’ all wool suits, value $lO. Opening price, $6 75 Boys’ satinet suits, value $7.00. Opening price, $4 50 Childrens’ suit, value $1.25. Opening price, 69c Childrens’ suits, value $3, and $4. Opening price, $2 25 A full line of men’s and boys’ macintoshs, sweaters and nobby line of neckwear.

T.J. SLAYER. ALFRED COLLINS. The Sayler and Collins Milling Company, MANUFACTURERS OF “River Queen” and other High Grade Flour. Lock Box 125. RENSSELAER. INI). J. C. PORTER & SON, Cash Grocers. Lowest Cash Prices on GROCERIES, MEATS, TOBACCO, QUEENS WARE* ETC. FIRST-CLASS GOODS ] A SPECIALTY. CALL A ND.SKEJ S;

Domestic. Prices that may hurt competitors, but to show the people of Jasper county that our Opening Days are the days you buy dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes CHEAP. pins, lc per dozen. Fruit of loom, 74c Lawrence L. L. Toweling, 4c. Carpets and Lace and Chenille Curtains. All wool ingrain carpets, value 65c Opening price, 48c Half-wool ingrain carpets, value 50c Opening price, 33c Lace aud chenille curtains, a beautiful line to select from, call and see prices. Floor oil cloth, 15c, 25c 35c a yard.

Blankets and Comforts. 10-4 blankets, value 75c Opening price, 49c 10-4 blankets, value $1.25. Opening price, 75c 10-4 all wool blankets, value $3.50. Opening price, $2 85 10-4 all wool blankets, value $5.00. Opening price, $3 75 Comforts, 60c to $3 00

Jno. Eger, the Hustler * Large Double Store. * Carries a complete line in Staple and Fancy Groceries ! A fine assortment of plain and assorted Queensware always on hand. A full line of Woodenware. Prompt attention given to telephone orders. Free delivery to any part of the city. CALL AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.

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