Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1898 — Page 1

THE RENSSELAER SEMI-WEEKLY REPUBLICAN.

VOL. XX. NO. i. .

Another Jasper Boy Heard From

Private Hayes, of The First Artillery, at Fort Pickens, Florida. Ft. Pickens, Fla., Aug. 29,1898. As I suppose the people of Jasper County would like to hear from this part of the United States and this portion of the U. S. army, I will endeavor to write a few lines and give a description of the situation and condition of this battery. There are two batteries of heavy Artillery in this camp, battery L. and H. Ist Artillery. There are three of us boys from Jasper County and all belong to battery H. There are about two hundred men in each battery, counting all of the officers. This fort is situated on the extreme western end of Santa Rosa Island. This island is about forty miles long and a half mile wide. It is just off the coast of Florida, near Pensecola. and overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. . This is a very strong fort, it is supposed to have been built during the Civil War and they are now rebuilding it and mounting new guns. There are now in the fort one fifteen inch gun, two eight inch rapid firing guns, four ten inch disappearing guns, and two twelve inch pivot guns, and several field pieces of smaller sizes. Also there is a large mortar battery here. We have all kinds of drilling and are getting pretty well drilled, we are through drilling on the cannons and now drill on manual of arms and cordage. Some of the boys are very dissatisfied here as we are having very wet weather now, it has rained steady for three days and the water is about three feet deep in the mote. We left our tents and went to the case-mate where it is tolerably dry. The water here was found to be impure, and we have had no water to drink for two days, and are expecting to move to a new camp in Alabama this week. Our rations are very simple and not any too clean, for the sand here looks so much like granulated sugar that I believe it is sometimes used for it, or at least te a great extent. Our chief food is “Hamburger” which is something similar to sausage. “Slum” which is made of beef, potatoes and water; bread, boiled potatoes and coffee. On Sundays we have a little extra such as rice, beans, beef-steak, bologna and butter. ’ We are expecting to be mustered out of the army as soon as Captain Andrews returns from New York. He left here about three months ago. Leut. Martin is acting as commanding officer during his absence. The weather has been tolerably cool for this part of the country since I came down here, the warm- • est day we have had was about 90 degrees. I will close for this time. Private John G. Hayes.

$37,000 Being Distributed.

J. H Chapman, secretary of the Building & Loan Association, thought Thursday was his busy day, as he gave out orders, to the amount of SIO,OOO, in round numbers to stockholders in the first series, which is paying out. Friday was fully as busy, however, and the amount paid out was about the same. There were 200 unredeemed shares in the series, and to pay all these $40,000 will be distributed. The amount on hand and to be paid out right away is about $37,000. Miss Mary Meyer left for Chicago Sunday where she will stay two weeks studying late styles in millinery also purchasing an entire fall stock. 2w

A Most Unjustifiable Attack.

Zl_l “ The new Demo-popocratic paper here, the Democrat, in its anxious search to find something of which it might accuse our present honest and capable county officers, at last made what is appeared to think was a wonderful discovery. After long and unsuccessful search for something in the records in the auditor’s office that might serve as a basis of attack, it at last found something that wasn’t there. It found a place in Commissioners’ Record No. 10, where two leaves had been cut from the book. And what was more, right at this place where the leaves had been removed, were several contracts and orders regarding the new court house. Ah! ha! here was something at last! Surely, thought Shields, Babcock & Co., here was something which the commissioners desired to have concealed, so it was cut from the records. And so without asking for a word of explanation from anyone at the auditor’s office as to why the leaves came to be cut out, the Democrat proceeded to make a howl about the matter and to insinuate that the leaves were cut out to conceal some shady transaction. Well, as to how much justification there was to this fuss on the part of the Democrat, anyone can see by reading this plain, straightforward and as we know, entirely frank and truthful explanation by Auditor Murray, which we here copy from last week’s Democrat. THE. EXPLANATION. Rensselaer, Aug. 27, ’9B. Editor Democrat: Dear Sir: — In your issue of last week you made a number of allusions to the fact of two leaves, (four pages) having been removed from Commissioners’ Record in my office. I wish to make a statement of the facts in regard to this matter, which it seems to me common fairness should have prompted you to give me an opportunity of doing before such publication with accompanying insinuations of wrong. This was at the August session of the Board for the purpose of receiving the reports of township trustees. On the first day of the session the reports of seven trustees were aeted upon and recorded on pages 467, 468,'469 and 470. On the same day the Board did other business, pertaining to new court house which is recorded on pages 475 to 481 inclusive. After having made the record of settlement with the seven trustees I overlooked the action of the Board in other matters, and made adjourning order on page 471. I also made a ccpvening order for next day on the same page and proceeded to fill up the pages removed with a record of the second day’s proceeding before discovering my over-sight. The mistake had to be corrected in some way and the only way occurring to me at the moment, when I was hurried with the record work, was to remove the two leaves and make the Record just as* the facts required as though these two leaves had not been there. Of course the mistake should not have been made by me and possibly some other and more complicated course in correcting it might have been better, but the blame, whatever it may be, is mine only, the record as it is, shows the facts and all the facts. I respectfully ask that you give this statement a place in your next issue as prominent as was given the matters in your last. Respectfully Yours, Henry B. Murray, Auditor, Jasper Co. Of course, with this clear, full and unquestionable statement of the circumstances before it the only course in common fairness and decency the Democrat could have taken would have been to frankly acknowledge that no harm was done by the removal of two leaves, and to admit that it was wrong in making the attack before it investigated the circumstances. Instead of this manly course, the Democrat adds insult to the injury,

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1898,

by the following editorials.

“In another column we publish a statement from the county auditor in regard to those missing pages from the commissioners’ record. While not disputing the truth of Mr. Murray’s statement, the fact remains that the people of Jasper county simply have his word as to why the mutilation was made. The record pages in question are gone from the boot, and we will add that no matter what error might have been made, the auditor nor no other officer is justified in cutting any pages whatever from any record in his possession. Public records are most sacred property aSU should be kept inviolate. We are much surprised to have an officer of Mr. Murray’s intelligence and experience come before the people and say that he cut four pages from a county record of such importance as this one simply “because he had made a mistake” in writing up the proceedings of the board.” In regard to the first part of the above, we only need say that Mr. Murray is not only one of the most careful, conscientious and faithful and at the same time accommodating auditors the county ever had; but he is also a man of too high personal character for this attempt of the Democrat to throw doubt upon his character for truthfulness and honor, to have any other effect than such as will re-act upon the Democrat itself. In regard to the talk about the sacred character of the county records, it is sufficient to say that the leaves were no part of the county records when they were removed. To become such they must be read and approved by the commissioners and signed by them, and Mr. Murray discovered the error and removed the leaves, before they were thus read and approved. They were no more a part of the record than would a big blot of ink on the same leaves have been; and it was no more harm to cut them out than it would be to cut out a leaf which a bottle of ink had been spilled over. The matter cut out and rewritten in its proper order, was a part of the record of the commissioners’ session of August 1897; and had the Democrat editors had the fairness to have compared the record as finally written with the commissioners’ bench docket, they would have found that everything done, appeared properly recorded in the record book.

Three Weddings in a String.

Squire Joel'Spriggs, of Walker, put on his marrying clothes Saturday morning, and kept them on until Sunday night, by which time he had notched his stick for three more weddings. The first couple were married Saturday, Sept. 3rd. They were Mr. William Ballinger and Miss Mattie Goff. The Squire found this couple, or they found him rather, in a hay field. They were in a buggy, and the Squire married them or sight, without their getting out of the buggy. The second marriage was that of Mr. James M. Spriggs, and Miss Alice Knight. It was performed Sunday, Sept. 4th, at the home of the bride’s mother, at “Hog Point” in the Gifford district. The groom is a nephew of the officiating justice. ' Wedding number three also took place Sunday. The parties were Mr. James M. Davis and Miss May Curtis. It took place at Record Heights, also in the Gifford district.

Farm Loans.

, We are making a specialty of farm loans in Jasper and adjoining counties. Interest and commission charges very reasonable. All loans made with privelge of partial payments, by which borrower may save largely on interest. We guarantee prompt attention to every application placed with us. Hollingsworth & Hopkins.

The Plain Truth.

If one were to judge from the accounts given of the neglect of the sick soldiers by those in authority, be would be apt to conclude that there is a criminal intent on the part of our officers and surgeons. When we consider that the chief aim of an army is to fight and destroy the enemy, and that every available man is needed for that purpose, it is not so wonderful that the sick may be temporarily neglected to a certain extent. Better suffer some neglect than that the sick should fall into the hands of the enemy. The facts are that there has been no more sickness in the army than at home. We venture to say that there is now and has- been as much sickness and as many deaths occurred during the last month in Valparaiso as there has been in the field during the same time, in proportion to numbers. All things considered our army officials should be honored for the skill they have displayed in their treatment of the sick and wounded, not censured. — Valparaiso Vidette.

Punch Got Punched.

Late Thursday afternoon a disagreement between Dave Platt, otherwise known as “Punch” and George Strickfaden, reached a hostile stage. It that a few loads of dirt were needed to finish up some few low places in the public square, and Platt had been engaged by Delos Thompson to receive and properly place the dirt. According to Platt’s story, Mr. Strickfaden’s team was to begin delivering the dirt promptly at one o’clock, but did not cpme until three, and in the meantime Platt had got another party to haul the dirt and refused to receive Strick’s. According to the other side of the story, Platt was mad at Strick, for having been refused liquor, and refused the dirt to get even. But whatever the true cause was, they quarreled awhile, and then Strick knocked Platt down, and then proceeded to thump him quite severely, blacking both his eyes. Strickfaden was tried for assault, before Squire Burnham, who will render his decision Saturday.

Superintendent Hamilton Sets 'Em Up.

The members of the county teachers’ institute, to the number of about 140, participated in a very pleasant affair, at the court house, last evening. Instead of the teachers’ reunion which is usually given on Thursday evening of institute week, County Superintendent Hamilfon gave a reception to the teachers, at his office, in the court house. The disposing of ice cream and lemonade, provided in full measure, by the superintendent’s generosity, and partaken of from tables set in the spacious halls of of the second floor of the court house; was the most interesting feature of the evening. The rest of the time was devoted to music, social intercourse and- walking through and admiring the new court hous r

Rmuored Sale of the Monon Officially Denied. Indianapolis Journal. On Tuesday Samuel Thomas, president of the Monon lines, telegraphed W.. H. McDoel, vice president and general manager, that if there was any uneasiness on the part of the men as to rumored consolidation with the Big Four, that they need have none as there is no foundation for the reports which have been published.'

A Young Man But an Old Traveler.

James S. Alter, whose home is in Carpenter township,' when he is at home, which isn’t very often nor very long at a time, was here Saturday. Jamesisoneof themost extensive and most persistent travelers Jasper county ever gave birth to. Having only one arm, he makes his living by selling books and other articles, and being as he is going to travel anyhow he travels over sections which he finds it interesting to look at, and also varies his routes to suit the changes of the seasons. Winters he passes in the south and southwest. His last extensive trip is a good specimen of his wanderings. He left here last December and got back in July. While away he journeyed extensively through Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas. Indian Territory, Oklahoma, Colorado. Kansas and Nebraska: finishing up by a visit to the Omaha exposition. Since his return he has traveled extensively in this state, and took a trip through Michigan. He will go south again this winter.

Raub Shut Clear Out.

For the third time this year our ball team trailed the banner of the Raub team in the dust, and like Friday’s game, the superior all around work of our team, made them easy winners. Our team had little respect yesterday for Hoag the Momence pitcher, who on Wednesday shut Sheldon out, and held them down to 2 hits. After the third infiing Friday, our boys connected with his drops and shoots whenever hits were needed. On the other hand Raub was entirely at the mercy of Bowen, whose terrific speed had most of them entirley scared out, “Dad” struck out 14 men, and only let them have 3 hits, th is is one of the most wonderful records of the season, and is seldom equaled by any pitcher. The support in the field was of gilt-edged order every one played fine ball, and only two errors were made by our boys. The infield were especially fast and their snappy plays were loudly applauded. The feature of the game outside of Bowen’s pitching was the batting and all around playing of Beville, he played the entire game without an error, and handled all of “Dad’s” hot shoots with perfect ease. The score rhe Colts. 0005020 3 0-10 9 2 Raub.O 0000000 0- 038 Michigan City, one of the strongest ameteur teams in the state will be here for two games, Thursday and Friday of next week.

Marriage License.

j James M. Spriggs, ( Alice A. Knight. t William J. Ballinger, I Mattie M. Goff. i John Phillabaum, ( Maoma See. ) Joseph E. Sullenberger, I Binnie C. Ropp. ) Nathan A. Richards, ( Estella Russell.

Hackman Jerry Has Trouble with a Live Wire.

Jerry Schofield, the hack-man, had an exciting experience, early Monday morning. He drove over to E. L. Hollingsworth’s residence to take him to the early train, and drove into a live electric light wire, which had got broken loose from its fastening and hung down to the. ground. In the darkness he could not see the wire, but the horses did and shied over to the side of the street, where the wire was nearly high enough for the horses to pass under. But one of the horses touched the wire, evidently in a place where the insulation was poor, and was knocked down. Jerry thought the horse was killed, but she got up again in a minute, evidently uninjured. By handling the wire with a rubber coat, Jerry got his hack clear of it at last, but after turning around his other horse got a slight shock, and they started to run. The lines broke and Jerry thought he was in for it, but by speaking to his horses in a soothing manner, he caused them to come to a stop after a short run, and no harm done.

Charley Van Pelt Killed by a Train.

A bad accident occurred at St. Johns, the first town north of Cedar Lake, Saturday night or Sunday morning. While track-walking on the Monon Charlie Van Pelt was struck by a south bound freight train, and instantly killed.- It is thought that he had gone to sleep beside the track. He was said to have been very badly mangled. Van Pelt was about 22 years old and lived in Monon. He was boss of an extra gang by day, but walked the track some at night. He was here most of last year, and became well known and was a very estimable and popular young man. He boarded at the Foster house while here and it is understood was engaged to Miss Bessie Foster. Sunday afternoon Miss Foster and her mother accompanied the remains to Monticello, where the funeral was held. The young man’s father is section foreman at Monticello. He has only one brotiier and he is in the regular army, in Cuba.

A Willey v Family Re-union.

Six of the eight living members of the Willey family had a reunion, at Mt. Ayr, Monday. They are Joseph G. Willey, formerly of our town, now traveling for a mercantile house; Charles W. Willey, of Cherokee Co., Kans., T. E. Willey, of Elmyra, Ark., Mrs. Emi Harding and Mrs. I. J. Porter, of Rensselaer, and Mrs. George Sigler, of Mt Ayr, at whose residence the re-union was held. Of the two brothers from a distance, T. E. Willey arrived some days ago, while C. W. Willey arrived Sunday, his appearance being a great surprise to the other members of the family. These two brothers, Tom and Charley, had not met before for 30 years. There were originally ten brothers and sisters ia the family, but two are now dead. One of the dead members was the oldest of the family, and died in the army in the civil war. Two other brothers, one of whom was Joseph, were also in the army in the same war.

Some good grade Short Horn bulls, old enough for service. Inquire of 0. C. Halstead. 6wp South Bend wagons and buggies of all styles at L. 8. Renicker’s. 86. For Rent- Three nice rooms, furnished, or unfurnished. Suitable for light house«keeping, for small family; or for young people attending school. Conveniently located. For further particulars enquire at this office.