People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1896 — The Great Event. [ARTICLE]

The Great Event.

There will be a box social at Slaughter school house, in Marion township, next Wednesday evening, Novr 25. Coine ex. peeling a pleasant time. Florewcf McGee, Teacher,

A finer day than Thursday, November 12, could not have been found for the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the Jasper county court house, and before the sun had risen movements were seen in all parts of town, pointing to the deep interest, which was being taken in the affair. People began to arrive in town at an early hour from all parts of the country, and the milk train brought from Lafayette and intermediate points a large croud Of interested Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and other secret orders, the most conspicuous of which, was the array brought out by Lafayette Commandery No. 3 of Lafayette, Indiana which formed at the depot and headed by the Lafayette Military blind, followed by the other numerous arrivals, marched in procession to Masonic head quarters, where they laid aside their regalia and were escorted to the Nowels House, for breakfast. The procession was again formed and led by the LaFayette band, also accompanied by the Citizen’s Cornet band of Rensselaer and the Boys band, they marched to the 9:53 train which brough*- another crowd, including the Masonic lodge from Monon and the foot ball team from Delphi, accompanied by the Delphi band. By this time the crowd having formed in line assumed a grand spectacle and accompanied by the four bands marched to the headquarters of the several secret societes followed by the Hon. Frank E. Gavin, P. G. M. of Masons of Indiana, who arrived on the same train. The Tuesday previous it had rained and the prospect looked very gloomy for a bright day, but the city marshall had run a scraper over the streets removing the slush and mud and in a few hours the Warm snn made it in fine condition for marnhing. Through some mistake in message, the Monticello lodge got the idea that the cor-ner-stone laying had been postponed, consequently the large tnrn out, which was expected from that place did not arrive, although quite a number came over on the regular trains.

The next order of the day was to meet the 10:50 train with visitors from the north, and after the arrival of the train . the parade took place, as previously planned. It was a grand pageant, and every one seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion with the greatest enthusiasm. After the parade the following grand officers were escorted to the platform erected for that purposh to perform the ceremony:— Hon. Frank E. Gavin, M. W. G. M., Chas. G. Spitler, D. G. M., Rev. R. D. Utter, D. G. Chaplain, Dr. H. L. Brown, D. S. W.. Albert R. Hopkins D. J. W„ Arthur H. Hopkins, D. G. Sec’y, Benj. F. Fendig, D. G. Treas., andßraziliaF. Ferguson, D. G. W. On the platform was also other officers of Prairie Lodge No. 125 F. & A. M. and Hon. Benj. R. Faris, John C. Martindale and Dexter R. Jones, Commissioners of Jasper county, also Architect Weatherhogg and Contractors Heinzman Bro.. also the Citizen’s Cornet band and the Lafayette Military band. The ceremony was beautiful, yet short and simple, and one of the features of the ceremony was the depositing in the cavity of the copper box containing the various articles, which were designed to be hidden from the eyes of men per-

haps for several generations to come. It iucluded the following articalesCONTENTS OF CORNER STONE. Copies of all printed matter used in advertising the laying of the corner stone of this court house, including posters, invitations of Prairie Lodge No. 125 F. & A. M., commissioners of Jasper couuty and Rensselaer Lodge No. 82 Knights of Pythias. Paper American flag. Map of City of Rensselaer. Map of Jasper county. Newspaper clippings concerning the history of Jasper county, contract for court house, corner stone laying, recent presidential electien, etc. History of the 46th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, presented by Dr. I. B. Washburne. Register of the Christian church of Rensselaer, Indiana. Copy of Constitution and ByLaws of Rensselaer Fire Co., with complete membership, Historical sketch of Church of God.

Pictures of both school houses in the corporation of Rensselaer, also scenes during the political campaign at which William McKinley and Garrett A. Hobart were elected respectively President and Vice-President of the United States, contributed by Miss Jessie Bartoo. Also pictures cf old court house taken in August, 1896 by I. A. Sharp. Also two pictures of court house while being demolished taken by Lawson Meyer. Also picture of Citizen’s Cornet Band and complete list es members contributed by Albert Overton. Poster of LaFayette Commandery No. 3, Knights Templers, 1895 Grand Lodge Report Free and Accepted Masons of Indiana, 1895 Grand Chapter Report Order of the Eastern Star of Indiana. List of physicians and dates of their location in Jasper county. A complete list of judges, who have been elected and presided over courts in Jasper county and complete list of practicing attorneys at the bar of Jasper county. No. 27, Vol. 5, People’s Pilot, dated January 2,1896, containing pictures 'and biographical sketches of business men of Rensselaer and Remington, also pictures of the churches, banks, business houses and residences of many prominent citizens in Rensselaer and Remington. Complete Roster and By-Laws of the following Orders: Prairie Lodge No. 125 F. & A. M., Rensselaer Lodge No. 82 Knights of Pythias, Iroquois Lodge No. 143 of I. O. O. F., Rensselaer Lodge No. 346 Daughters of Rebecca, Evening Star Chapter No. 41, O. E. S., (also brief history of Chapter No. 41 O. E. S. by Mrs. Elizabeth Purcupiie,) Women’s Relief Corps No. 39 of Rensselaer, and Rensselaer Post No. 92 Grand Army of the Repnblic. Catalogue of the Rensselaer public schools of 1867—1880, also annual Report and Catalogue of the Rensselaer city schools of 1895—1896. Names of pupils enrolled at the present time iu each grade. Drawing by Leonard C. Rhoades: One Columbian Half-Dollar of 1892. A copy of the libretto of the opera “America” as presented in Chicago - during the World’s Fair iD 1893, Imre Kiralfy’s. Two silver 3 cent pieces dated 1856, one nickle 3c piece dated 1865, one silver 5c piece dated 1853, one legislative directoiy of Indiana 1895, one State Fair ticket of Indiana 1895. Columbian postage stamps of

the denomination of one, two, three and four cents. Copies of newspapers published in Rensselaer as follows:Home News, Democratic Sentinel, Peoples’ Pilot, and Rensselaer Republican. List of county officers of Jarper connty, Indiana, from the organization of the county to Nov. 12, 1896. Specimen of warrants used in 1896. Specimen of county bond issued for construction of Court-House. Ordinances of the City of Rensselaer. Memoranda of the appointment of the Hon. U. Z. Wiley, as Judge of the 30th Judicial Gir cuit including date of resignation. Roster of LaFayette Commandery No. 3 Knight Templar. After the box had been deposited the stone was consecrated with the corn, wine and oil, emblematical of, “Plenty, Health and Peace.” The stone was lowered into place and proclamation was made to the world that the corner stone of the Jasper county court house was duly laid according to the ancient custom of Free and Accepted Masons. The following inscription appears upon the stone; Laid November 12, 1896 by M. W, Frank E. Gavin, Past Grand Master with the aid of Prairie Lodge No. 125 F. & M.

1896. Benj. R. Faris, J. C. Martindale, Dexter R, Jones, Commissioners. Grindle & Weatherhogg, Architects, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. G. W. Heinzman, J- F. Heinzman, Contractors, Noblesville, Indiana. During the ceremony at appropriate places the bands hereinbefore mentioned, rendered music appropriate to the occasion. After the formal ceremony, the Grand Mester made a few remarks and after benedictin by the Grand Chaplain, the crowd dispersed for dinner. In the afternoon, the various lodges entertained in their halls, the visiting members. At three o,clock the foot ball game was called at the Rensselaer Stock Farm, where a great number repaired to see the fun. It was a hotly contested game, although Delphi won by a score of 12 to 0, after having two men badly injured and three others badly shaken up, as a result of the hard playing. The Delphi score was made in the first half, being two “Touch Downs” and two “Goal Kicks.” In the second half, a great deal of time was consumed in waiting on the injured men in the Delphi Team, and when Rensselaer was on the point of making a “Touch Down”, the game was called. After the foot ball game and a good supper, the LaFayette Commandry and the LaFayette guests marched to the train and departed for their homes. In the evening, the various secret orders entertained their guests at their lodge rooms with a social, and the Delphi baud furnished'the music for the ovening, including a serenade and entertainment in the Masonic Lodge Room. Mrs. J. H. S. Ellis entertained quite a crowd of the young people, as did also Miss Nellie Hopkins, at their homes and at 11:20 the last of the guests took their departure’ accompanied by a great crowd of friends and acquaintances, and all expressed themselves well pleased with their entertainment and desired the opportunity of repeating the visit in the near future. • We desire to make special

mention of the Lafayette Commandry No. 3, and the Lafayette Military Band, which were the conspicuous features of the parade. This Commandery is composed of many of the best representative men of LaFayette, and as its number would imply was the third Commandery organized in the state State of. Indiana; their whitfe plumed helmets and richly trimmed uniforms, made them the most conspicuous object of the day. This same Commandery always turns out alarge represetation to the tri-ennial conclaves of Knights Templar, and were well represented in the list two at Boston and Denver. The following list, we think, includes the greater number of the Knights, who were in line: George P. Haywood, Eminent Commander; John Kimmel, General Iseimo; L. G. Hamilton, Prelate; David Hilt, Captain General; Dr. F. B. Thompson, Junior Warden, and the following Sir Knights: James H. Mitchell, D. H. Flynn, Past Eminent Commander; George B. Jamison, H. A. Miller, W. V. Stoy, P. E. C., G. H. Hull, P. E. C., I. O. Russell, P. E. C., B. H. Andress, P. E. C., Frank B. Hart, P. E. C., David Rankin, Thomas Burt, Harry Emerson, Eldon Lane, Schuyler C. Marks, Septimus Vater, John Cookie, James Travis, Henry Cassel, H. W. Comstock, Peter McCorkhill, J. S. Call, William Alexander, A. C. Boice, Wallace Marshall, R. A. Moore, Frank P. Bellinger, Mack Gregory, N. LLittle, Thomas J. McCoy, Willis J. Imes and Frank Meyer. Guests of the Day.

We were unable to get a very complete report of the visitors from the various neighboring towns, but give below the result of our investigations. There were 127 tickets sold from Monticello of which we learned the following names: From Montioetlo: The Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Holtz man, M. Goodman, Hoffman, David McQuaig, W. 8. Bushnell, Philip Parcells. Mesdameß—Henry Crouch, James Simons, Ed Dye, J. W. Hamilton, 8. A. Carson, Harvey. Misses—Maud Moorehouse, Edith Bushnell, Stella Smith, Amy Tilton, Maud Barnes, Martha Ellis, Kate Lear, Jennie Failing, Lulu Crowell, Mabel Loughry, Birdie Lyman, Marie Shaffer, Emma Lear. Gentlemen—Dick Crowell, Earl Nordyke, Edward Loughry, John Ellis, Benj. Diamondstone, Johnsonbaugh, Simon Engle, Bert Kingsbury, Blake, Wm. H. Hamlin, Dr. M Templer. From Delphi: Gentlemen—Ben W. Crockett, Harry Blanchard, Chas. Barley, Frank Gresham, John Kilpatrick, John Lathrop, Wm. Bradshaw. Misses—Ona Cartwright, Sue Cartwright, Love Crampton.