Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1899 — Congressman Updegraff Can't Come. [ARTICLE]

Congressman Updegraff Can't Come.

Hon. Thomas Updegraff, of McGregor, lowa, now a member of Congress from Lis state, is among those who were especially invited to attend the coming old settlers' meeting in this county. His boyhood days were spent in this vicinity, in a log house which is still standing a mile or two west of of town. The letter he wrote in response to the invitation will be of interest, especially to our older residents, and is here appended: McGregor, la., July l3tb, ’99. Mr. C. E. Mills, Sec’y. Mr. S. P. Thompson, Pres. Rensselaer, Ind. It would give me great delight to respond to your very kind invitation to be with you on the Bth and 9th of September. I have canvassed my engagements for that time and am obliged to deny myself that pleasure. If I could go, it would be ft labor of love and the pleasure of taking by the hand and looking in the faces, of the pioneers who were there from 1840 to 1855 would compensate me many times for the expense and time involved. I have only grateful memories of my boyhood’s home in Indiana. The West has made great material progress in the last 50 years, but I have found too warmer hearts or quicker sympathy, than I met among the pioneers of Jasper County 50 years ago. May those whom the ravages of time have spared live long and be chappy. Again thanking you for your kind remembrance, l am very truly yours, Thos. Updegiraff.