Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1901 — Rensselaer To Date. [ARTICLE]

Rensselaer To Date.

FRANK E. BELL.

Over the ground now trodden by the inhabitants of Rensselaer, once roamed the “red men of the forest.” Where the Indian once held his powwow now stands our beautiful court house, and on the site of the forest has sprung up Rensselaer, named for Jam&s Vanßensselaer, the man who founded the town in 1849. It is not our purpose, however, to portray the past. We ask the reader to sweep from vision the dust of reminiscences and read the reoord of the living, purposeful present. The Republican, in placing before its readers a summary of the commercial and industrial progress of Rensselaer and its business houses, is proud, indeed, of the record which it is its privilege to submit, and accounts it a pleasure to do so. Every citizen of Rensselaer may congratulate himself that he is a resident of one of the neatest, healthiest and most progressive little cities of its size in the length and breadth of the entire state—a town with a glorious future of commercial and industrial expansion, limited only by the energy of our people in taking advantage of the opportunities that lie at our door. With the beginning of the 20th century, Rensselaer finds herself a small city, yet she can hold up ber head and claim to be a good, sound, integral part of the whole. Nature has smiled upon her looation in a manner to make her well known for beauty and health, and the same natural condition of things, sooner or later, will induce capital to locate here and develope mnnufac turing industries. The history of Rensselaer is the story of a thrifty, self-reliant, progressive and upright people. Her sons have been brave and her daughters fair. In peace her record has been admirable, in war glorious. Her citizen's, in every walk of life, exemplify the sterling attributes of the best American citizenship. Their history cannot be told here. It can best be read in what is now to be considered —the town they built. It is located on the Monon railroad. 73 miles south of Chicago and 110 miles north of Indianapolis, in the heart of a country marvelously fertile, and is the metropolis and capital of Jasper county. The principal streets are macadamized and curbed, while a portion in the business oenter, are paved with vitrified brick. There are about 25 miles of gravel road in the township and all good roads now lead to Rensselaer. It has, more miles of substantial cement sidewalks than any town of its size in the state, and they pass well kept and ample lawns fit, settings for the |he ooey cottage or more

pretentious dwelling they encloseIts public and business buildings are good. Its marts of trade are complete, with attractions for the shopper fully equal to those of much larger places. Its streets at night are brilliant with electric lights. Pure water is supplied by an excellent system of water works, both light and water systems being owned and managed by the city. A sewerage system carries off the waste and helps to keep the town clean and healthful. Facilities for protection against fire are as good as any town in the state. The banks supply the medium of exchange and the daily and semiweekly and three weekly papers make known the doings of the world and keep the people posted on local affairs. The city also has excellent telephone, telegraph and exprees facilities. Every citizen of Rensselaer is proud of its public schools. They are housed in handsome brick buildings, with all the best devices for their work at hand, and wisdom, skill and breadth of view in chftrge If Rensselaer is noted for any one thing more than another, it is for being the home of St. Joseph’s College, one of the best educational institutions of its kind in the country. Rensselaer is a town whose sooial life is genial, uplifting and delightful. In the matter of religion there is no lack, if the number and beauty of the churches and the size and zeal of their congregations be any guage of the religious spirit of a community. The people now number 2,500 and the town-opens wide its doors to weloeme all who come this way. If you are a capitalist looking for investment, if you are thinking of changing your location or seeking a desirable residence place, Rensselaer is worthy your consideration. Its splendid location, eligible sites for factories and good shipping facilities —which will soon be augmented by one, and perhaps two more steam railways recommend our city as a splendid point for the investment of capital. Let him who doubts come and see for himself The city is clean, bright, inviting and progressive and now is a good time to see it.

In this edition sketches of a few of Rensselaer’s business houses are , given to show the advantages thel city offers as a trading point and , why the people of tbe surrounding country and our townspeople can 1 find no valid exouse for going to other places to buy goods. To every merchant, citizen and to our t farmer friends The Republican , sends hearty greetings for a merry j Christmas and a happy New Year.