Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1908 — “DOWN WENT BEN. S. TO BOTTOM OF DITCH” [ARTICLE]

“DOWN WENT BEN. S. TO BOTTOM OF DITCH”

An Informal Inspection As to Required Depth of Iroquois Ditch Convinces Him.

B. S. Fendig, the poultry and Junk dealer, has always been regarded one of this city’s best business men. When he becomes Interated In any proposition he investigates it from all points of view. No exterior survey is satisfactory to Ben, and be looks at all things fore and aft, outside and in, bottom and top. Although Ben has been residing on the banks of the Iroquois ditch for a number of years and has been assessed for his share of the benefits of the conversion of the river Into a ditch, be has simply paid the bills and kept quiet in the past, but Tuesday business was a little dull and Ben determined that he would find out whether he was getting his money’s worth or not. He accompanied John Eger and B. J. Moore along the stony banks for some dlsance and all of a sudden there was beard a splash In the channel and Mr. Eger and Mr. Moore saw nothing for a second but a few bobbles and the widening water rings around them. “What’s Ben doing,” queried Mr.

“Must have gone dippy," replied Mr. Moore, “and thinks be is at Atlantic City.” Just then there was a spluttering and puffing at the surface of the water and Ben was seen with his flngerh clutching to the stones along the bank. “She's down, all right,” said Ben. ‘Down, what’s down,” said Mr. Eger. “Why, the grade,” said Ben, no fake to this contract and no bluff, they are clear down to the requited depth.” By this time Ben was on his way to the dry clothesiary. Later explanations proved conclusively that Ben’s visit to the bottom of the channel was not for the express purpose of finding out how deep it was, but he had stepped on a loose rock and was unable to catch himself and had been pitched headlong Into the water and entirely submerged. Ben didn’t want any newspaper notoriety out of the “splash” bat his many friends wouldn’t hear to hie visit of exploration passing unnoticed.