People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — Page 12

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THE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Less than one year ago a few public spirited citizens of Rensselaer conceived the idea of es tablishing a telephore system for their enterprising town. These parties were actuated largely by a desire to have their rapidly developing home city equipped with this modern auxillery to successful business, an invention that has become so much a part of the present manner of living that no community can afford to be without it. A preliminary canvass was made with the announced intention of making the venture if seventyfive subscribers could be had. The rates were $2.00 for business places and #I.OO for residences which w T ere considered reasonable by the patrons and the re quired number of subscribers was quickly obtained. The town trustees at once granted a franchise, (there are no exclusive franchise permitted in Indiana,) to the Jasper County Telephone Company, and the work of construction began on the fifth of July. The contract for installing the plant was made with the Indiana Harrison Telephone Construction Company, J. J. Montgomery, assistant superintendent of construction, being P u t in charge Of the work here, and in twenty-five days the original contract for a complete system with first class poles and wire for seventy-five phones was finished. But by this time the demand for service was so great that a full hundred phones were needed, and before these were all in place the demand exceeded that number by twenty-five; and the demand has continued to increase until now the. switch board for one hundred and fifty

J. J. MONTGOMERY.

is full. It it believed that by the fifth of next July, one year from the time the building of the system commenced, there will oe two hundred subscribers. It llustrates the rapidity with which the people here avail themselves of modern inventions and proves their progressive spirit. Nor has the telephone work stopped within the limits of Rensselaer. Having the lines nicely operating here, the great necessity for outside communication was manifest and the home company erected its poles and strung its wires to Remington, thence to Wolcott, Reynolds, Brookston, Chalmers, Lafayette and other points, and the work is still being rapidly extended. Every town in Jasper countv will soon be reached by a telephone wire, and most of the large farms will receive service, including the large ranches along the Kankakee, and all of S. P. Thompson’s system of farms north of Rensselaer. The telephones used by the Jasper County Telephone Company are what is known as the Harrison instruments, and are the equal in every respect of any phones made, the Bell telephones not excepted, and are guaranteed, nptonly to do perfect work, but are protected against any interference for infringement, as other companies have often been harassed by the Bell monopoly. The local company owns all its instruments outright, and it is easily to be seen that the plant has been well put in, the poles being large and well set, and the wires perfectly strung and adjusted. Certainly the best of satisfaction is being given. The people in charge of the central office are prompt and courteous, and right here the writer desires to say that if the users of phones knew the great strain to yvdiich “central” is often subjected in attempting to serve a dozen or more calls at one time, they would be less impatient and peremptory in their demands. Remember that even “central” is human and appreciates courtesy as well as you. “Please” and

LOAN OFFICE OF VALENTINE SEIB. (SEE SKETCH.)

“thank you” sound as sweetly in her ear as in yours. If you think there is nothing to do at the switch board, just go up and watch her for ten minutes some day, and you will change your mind, and wonder how it is possible for any mortal to answer your ring with any degree of politeness. In another place in this paper is given a complete list of the subscribers using phones in Rensselaer and a partial list of outfeide connections. The stockholders of the Jasper County Telephone Company are, Delos Thompson, C. C. Sigler, E. L. Hollingsworth, T. J. McCoy, C. E. Mills, J. F. Wasson and Thompson & Bro., of wht)m it is unnecessary to say that they are among the most progressive and influential men in the county. Their names were a guarantee from the beginning that the telephone system would be a success in every respect, and they are deserving of all the patronage that the town can afford. Perhaps the moving spirits most active in organizing the enterprise w T ere Messrs. Delos Thompson and C. C. Sigler, but all the members of the company have shown a most creditable zeal in the work that goes far toward fitting the town for the soon to be adopted role of a chartered city. The officers are Delos Thompson president; J. F. Wasson, vice president;C E. Mills, secretary, E. L. Hollingsworth, treasurer.

.1. J. MONTGOMEY. It is eminently fitting to mention in this connection something concerning the young man who has so successfully installed the Rensselaer telephone system. J. J. Montgomery lives in Oneida; 111., and was born in Peoria, 111., in 1866, making him now less than thirty years old. He acquired a common school education ;”was first employed as division man in the telegraph service from 1887 to 1890; spent three years with the Bell people in telephone work, and the last two years for the Indiana Harrison Telephone Construction Company as assistant suprintendent of construction. He was stationed for two years at Rockford, 111., by the Bell company, where he married Miss E. Weiiiple, Dec. 5, 1894. His wife is an accomplished lady, from one of the leading families of Rockford, her father being now retired from business. Mr. Montgomery put in the Lafayette telephone system of 600 phones just before coming to Rensselaer last July. Besides building the Rensselaer system and all its lines Of wire, he has constructed over 100 miles of toll lines and also the Remington system. He has a faculty for handling large or small gangs of men to advantage. Mr. Montgomery Understands his calling well,and could build a telephone plant from the phone up. He has grown into his present position by steady application and a struct attention to business, and hard study

RESIDENCE OF JUDSON H. PERKINS, REAL ESTATE BROKER.

THE PEOPLE’S PILOT, RENSSELAER, O IND.. THURSDAY ,JAN. 2, 1896.

while other people were asleep. He is an agreeable gentleman whose obliging character has made him hosts of friends. Ihe central office is situated on front street, in the rooms over N. Warner & Sons’ store. Miss Ella. Ritchie operates the switch board during the day and Clarence C. Sigler at night, and the service so - efficiently rendered is largely due to the’ promptness of these painstaking employees. Clarence E. Sigler has charge of the mechanical department, keeping the instruments all in smooth working order, putting in new lines, repairing breaks, etc. He has rapidly acquired a knowledge of his duties and is now fully qualified for the work devolving upon him. In time we hope to see the whole telephone and telegraph

BANK OF REMINGTON, ROBERT PARKER. PROPRIETOR. See sketch on page eight. Portrait on page six and residence on page Twenty-one.

systems made a part of the gov ernmeut functions, and operated with the post office, \but until such a time arrives it is gratifying to have so well administered a service as that of Rensselaer. In Sweden, the government owns the telephones and they are in nearly all houses, and in all the rooms at hotels, and the fee is so small that it is a burden on no one.

REV. M. R. PARADIS.

The subject of this sketch was born in Montreal, Canada, and when very young moved with his parents to Kankakee county, 111., and lived on a farm until 1865, when, at fourteen years of age,.he enlisted and spent one year in Georgia as a soldier, going over the ground of “Slier-

H. J. DEXTER'S NEW GROCERY IN ODD FELLOWS’ TEMPLE. See sketch

man's march to the sea.” When his time was up, he received' his discharge in Savatiah, Gi., and returned home, where he spent two years going to school. Then he wended Iris way back to Canada, and took his literary course in Knox College. Toronto, and hi.s theology in Montreal. From the latter place he was delegated to establish missions in the maritime provinces, where spent three summers, visiting almost every city and town of New Brunswick. Novia Scotia, Prince Edward Islands and Cape Idreton. It was during those pilgrimages that he met the young lady who afterward became his efficient wife; His college course being ended, Mr. Paradis settled at Grand Palls, N. B , for six years, undertaking extra work to the extent of preaching four times,

driving fifteen miles, superin tending and teaching in a Sundayschool, every Sunday, without dinner, and that in a cold temperature, which at times reached thirty degrees below zero, his health gave way. and ho had to resign. After a few months recuperation on Prince Edward Islands, he received (but declined) a pastoral cal 1 arid started for the inviting field of Manitoba. But though his books and effects went to Winnipeg, Providence stopped him j-n Illinois, and instead of a two days' visit in St. Anne, he remained two years. From thence to Turner' City, where he was pastor for two and a half years; thence to Urbana, where he spent nearly eight years, as pastor of the Presbyterian church, and professor in

RESIDENCE ON FARM OF LUTHER STRONG, OCCUPIED BY WALTER PONSTER. (SEE SkETCH.)

the State University. During I those years Mr. and Mrs. Paradis visited Kentucky, the principal cities arid places in the east as far as Nova Scotia; went to Manitoba. from which they crossed the Rockies twice, and as far as Victoria, Vancouver’s Island. I hen crossed the Atlantic and spent seven months in Scotland, England, Belgium, Germany, f ranee, Switzerland and Italy; from Venice to Mount Vesuvius. Nearly three years ago Mr. Paradis health was in such a condition that a change of climate was necessary, and a year was spent in Minnedosa, (the beautiful,) Manitoba, where he and Mrs. Paradis made a host of friends, and accomplished a good work. They became so interested in that field, and the bracing climate enticed them to enter heart and hand into the work. Accordingly, for months Mr. Paradis preached three times aud drove twenty miles every Sunday, once with the thermometer registering forty-four degrees below zero." But that was not what the physican had advised, and the climate nproved too severe for Mrs. Paradis; and the order was, “stop! and go south. In obedience t.o instruction they left the beautiful scenery, with Rensselaer as their objective point, where they had made arrangements to spend a year or two very quietly on their farm, north of town. But hero, as elSwliere, there was not much rest in store for them. The second Sunday after his arrival here. Mr. Paradis was invited to til! the pulpit of the Presbyterian church, and has done so ever since, now being the pastor of that congregation. An illustration of their pretty country home on the banks ol the Iroquois appears in anothei place.

ST. JOSEPH S COLLEGE.

“This instil ulion is under the direction of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood. The grounds on which the institution is located, wore given to the Community of the Most. Precious Blood by Kt. Rev. Dr Dwenger, late bishop of Ft Wayne, and comprises three hundred acres of land. These grounds are immediately south of Rensselaer, bordering on the corporation line. Talcing the public highway leading south from Rensselaer, and known as the college road, one travels about half a mile until he reaches Collegeville. To his left, back of a beautiful grove, is the Indian normal school, and to his right, the largest and most imposing edifice in northern Indiana, St. Joseph’s College. If he be a stranger, coming to the place for the first time, he will instinctively stop to admire the charming surroundings; the enticing grove, the inviting playgrounds near by, the placid lake and, finally, the college building, which, situated on a natural elevation that rises abruptly from the lake is

!by far the most prominent object in all the surrounding coun- | try, While approaching the | college he may obtain a good exterior view of this stately pile. Its length is two hundred and twenty-eight feet, and its average width sixty feet. The height, including basement and attic, is five stories. Isolated as it is from other buildings, its gigam tic porportions leave a strong impression on the mind. Not only does it claim admiration on account of its size, but also for the architectural harmSny of its structure. There are two entrances on the front, and over in a niche near the top of the building, are two large, handsome statues, the one over the south, that of St. Joseph, and the other, over the north, that of the Blessed Virgin. The entire building is heated by steam, well lighted, furnished with fire escapes and fitted with all the improvements which can in any way add to the welfare or comfort of its inmates.” The success achieved during its existence of nearly five years, presages a bright future for the college. The number of students has increased annually, the present number being about one hundred-and twenty. Three C. P. P. S. scholastics, who have completed their college course, have been added to the staff of teachers, thus swelling the number on the staff to twelve. Under the able managememt of Prof. Hemmersbach, music is receiving a wonderful impulse at the college. The band and orchestra have attained a high standard. Three periodicals are hailing from the institution. The

ISAAC GLAZEBROOK.

Isaac A. Glazebrook was born in Edgar county, Illinois, March 15, 1850, and is therefore nearing his 40th birthday anniversary. When two years old he came with his parents to this state and has resided here ever since. He had the privileges of the common district schools, and spent one term as a student at Asbury, now DePauw, university. Thegreat-

ISAAC GLAZEBROOK.

er part of his life has been spent oil the iarrri. For a few years he tried mercantile business, but not meeting with the desired success, abandoned it and returned to agriculture, giving special attention to fine horses. Five years ago he quit the farm and engaged in blacksmithing. Though not a practical smith himself, he has, through the employment of expert workmen, been able to ' build u-p the best trade in the county. < In 1875 he was married to Miss Kate Bridges of Putnam county, Ind., and from this union there has been born one child, a daughter, Ara Lee, now eighteen years of age. Mr. Glazebrook is noted for his industry, honest dealings and sociable, friendly disposition.

‘‘Messengei,” ‘‘Der Batschefier” and the St. Joseph’s Collegien. The first two kre published in the interest of the Spiritual Benevolent Fraternity Established at the College. Although organized in Nov., 1895, they enjoy a wide circulation. St. Joseph’s Collegian is published during the scholastic year by the students. We fondly hope that in due time St. Joseph’s College wWI rank among the leading educational institution of its kind in the country.

Our staple agricultural' products are corn, oats, hay, wheat,' and rye, the last twocerals flourish best in the north part of the county. Market gardening is fast coining into prominence on our muck lands. With the development of this branch of farming we are expecting the establishing of the canning business here soon on an extensive scale. Already a canning' factory has been successfully run for two years at DeMotte and another at Brook. "