Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1902 — Telephone War. [ARTICLE]

Telephone War.

The Halleck telephone company and the Bell system have been having a merry war over in Newton county, it is said. The Halleck company cut the toll rate to ten cents, and the Dixon & Jessen company retaliated by giving free service to its subscribers between Brook, Morocco and Mt. Ayr. Formerly the DixonJesson company got into Jasper county over the Halleck lines, but have cut loose from them and hooked onto the Bell line. The Halleck company state that their business is booming and that prospects were never brighter. They are putting in an exchange at Mt. Ayr, and as soon as the weather will permit a line will be run to Brook, Morocco, Goodland and Kentland. The Brook council, at its meeting next week, will grant them a franchise for an exchange there, which will be put in yet this year. They have just purchased a line from Thayer to Momence, 111., and connections will be made with the latter city this week.