Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1898 — FAIR OAKS. [ARTICLE]

FAIR OAKS.

We have about 4 inches of snow. Hunting is the topic of the day. Chas. Warner was in town Monday looking after his political friends and strengthening his chances for nomination. Sheriff Reed made us a call Tuesday and attended to some official business at the same time. Mrs. Nelson has returned from Missouri, where she was called to attend the funeral of her mother, Mrs. Brady. John Wiseman, who rented his farm to James Clifton, moved to town just in time to catch a fine baby boy Monday.

D. M. Mellan and A. N. Lakin together with their families will start for Florida about April Ist where they expect to make their future home. They will leave many friends behind who will join me in wishing them success.

John Kight was called to the home of some one six miles south east of town on Sunday last on business of some kind which must have been of a serious nature considering the bad roads and Johnny’s looks next day. Mrs. Fannie Cuttingham is dangerously sick with interinitent fever. Sho is better however and her family express hopes of her recovery. Washington’s Birthday was observed by our schools by appropriate decorations and various exercises. Hurrah for the railroads! The Monon has rebuilt, enlarged and painted the old depot here, put in interlocking switches and done other repairing,-making our station one of ths best along the line. We have long needed the improvements and know how to appreciate them. Bill Burns killed a wolf just south of town Tuesday. Buzy is an old wolf hunter and knows how to get them. The Y. P. S. C. E. gavo an entertainment Tuesday evening at thS school house, for the benefit of the Christian church. Their net receipts were about s2l. The Sowing Society also made tome money for the Christian church at the same time, by selling a quilt of their own make

at auction to the highest bidder. It sold for $13.50. T. J. Mallatt has moved in his new store building which is the best in our town. We now have five good store buildings, one ‘hotel, numerous boarding houses, two good churches, a good school house, one saloon and about 300 inhabitants, with nearly 100 voters among them. A couple of our boys and would-be toughs broke into T. J. Mallatt’s store about two weeks ago and stole a lot of penny lead pencils and candy. Mr. Mallatt knowing the boys and their parents did not intend to prosecute them, but he has since missed his gold watch and now promises to rnake it warm for the boys.