Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1905 — Old Time News [ARTICLE]

Old Time News

Facts from Jasper County’s First Paper. March 2nd IBS4

A “Melancholly Casualty” had occured at Delphi. Two littleboys 4 and 5 years old, sons of Dr. James R. Blanohard and Geo. W. Pigman respectively, had broken through the ice on Deer Creek, and been drowned. No doubt the Pigman boy was a brother’ of the present Admiral Pigman, of the U. S. navy, retired. A “bountiful supply,” of the largest and most delicious apples ever grown in the state, had been “placed on our table” by Herbert Owen. Arrangements were being made by all the railroads in the country to limit all trains to 20 miles an hours during the winter months. Many trains then ran at 36 miles an hour. Petitions were pouring in to Congress for a land grant for thp Continental railroad, and its prospects were declared, “very flattering.” Mordicai Crockett of Jasper county, had died on Feb. 28, very suddenly. He was “a most valuable and enterprising citizen.” David Campbell advertised a public auction at his place 3 miles south of Rensselaer, for March 11th. Notice was given of an election of nine directors for the Fort Wayne & Mississippi R. R., to be held at Rensselaer Mar. 15th.

Geo. F. Heileg had taken the old Jasper House, formerly managed by Dr. Clark and O. B. Cissel and wanted people to give it a trial. The bill should be moderate. The three trustees of Marion tp., published their financial statement of receipts and expenditures of road and township funds for the year 1853. The receipts reach the enormous sum of $107.17, and the expenditures $90.90. No wonder three trustees were needed! Those were the days where the general militia law still had a semblance of observance, and Jasper county had a regiment, at least on paper. It was the 7th regiment of the 9th brigade. Geo. W. Spitler was colonel, and in this issue of the Banner he published a full list of all the officers. There was a company for each township, and a volunteer company, the “Rensselaer Rifles’’ in Rensselaer. The list of these officers will still be of interest especially as several still survive and many others will be remembered. The first name mentioned in each company is the captain; the second the first lieutenant and the third the second lieutenant: Com. A. Rensselaer Rifles, Wm. Hopkins K. T. Harding, Richard Howe, Com. B. Marion tp., Simon Phillips Caleb Hopkins, Wm. S. Peck. Com. C. Hanging Grove, Chas. Vandever, J. W. Phillips, Wm. Sack. Com. I). Gillam tp., Sam’l McCullongh, Daniel Coppess, John Querry. Com. E. Barkley tp. Jacob Clouse, John Lewrey, James. Randle. Com. F. Walker tp. Reuben Bush, Sandy B. Walker, Alfred Hilton. Co. G. Newton tp. David Wion, John Makeever, Samuel Long; Com. H. Jackson tp., Isaac Bolt, Elliott P. Bunch, Win. Harris. Com. I. Beaver tp. Elijah Whitson, Joseph Dunn, James Murphy. Corn. K. Washington tp./Willa l *: Troup, Ben 11. Myres, Dodson. Com. L. Iroquois tp. Abraham Lester, Irel Wright, Morris Lyon. Co. M. Jordan tp, Empson H. Venard, Sampson Irwin, Benj. Downing, Chas. Waffon was judge advocate, Win. Kin iey quartermaster, N. R. Bowman, adjt. w. H. Salter surgeon, Gordon A. Moss, sergeant miyor, F. Grai t major, James Freeman, Lieutenant colonel. Salutations are extendid to thoee

fi* / • , fine old warriors still with ns Major Franklin Grant, Capt. Simon Phillipsand Lieutenants John Makeever and James T. Randle. The captains of all the companies were ordered to enroll all able-bodied men in their townships over 18 and under 45 years of age.