Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1899 — UNION ITEMS. [ARTICLE]

UNION ITEMS.

Roads deep. Frost nearly all gone. Ditches gushing full. Willow and quakenasp buds are swelling. Spring birds are slowly returning. Our public schools will soon close. Several advanced pupils of the township passed examination at Parr last Saturday. Sabbath school and church at Rose Bud fairly well attended regardless of weather. Isaac V. Alter, who has spent the winter at Indianapolis will return to Jasper county next week. The hog cholera is in this vicinity has abated and every effort is being made to' eradicate it and prevent its return. An unusually large acreage of oats will be sown here this spring. The short snow crop has saved the young fruit trees from the despoiling incisors of rabbits and other rodents. The wheat and young clover has been damaged to a considerable extent owing to the changeable weather and the absence of the friendly covering of snow. Our new gravel roads are now doing us good service. I would that we had fifty miles more of the same kind, I think we will make more this year. Thanks to the skill and ingenuity of a practical trustee and willing citizens for what we have.