Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1908 — TOUCHING COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED BY COMMITTEE [ARTICLE]

TOUCHING COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED BY COMMITTEE

Secretary Sigler Receives Replies from People Who Have Not Lived Here for Many Years.

Many evidences of affection are prominent in the letters that are comtiig to Secretary Ira Sigler, of the' ho'me coming invitation committed, from former residents who have received invitations to be here for the gathering on September Ist, 2d, & and 4th. To all those who formerly lived in Rensselaer and who hav<r"Bailß"-fir other places east, west, north or south, there culings the kindliest affection for the ‘dear old home,’* and while some Who are replying to the invitation, says that they can not come there Is evident in the tone of the letters the feeling of keenest regret. Probably every one holds that kihdly feeling for the place of ,his birth or the place of his longest residence, but there seems to be a specially marked sentiment of regfard for Rensselaer by thbee who have sought fame and fortune in other states. The list of replies that has reached Secretary Sigler is quite large and it is very interesting to read them. Some are from people who have hut recently left here and others are from people who have been away for many, mahy years, and the letters come from many states, and many of the writers speak of their acquaintance with members of the invitation committee, - One of the most interesting of the replies received is from W. W. Crockett, of Tecutnseh, Neb. He says in “After an absence of'3l years a visit to Rensselaer would be the 1 next thing to walking the “golden sweets ih the Hew Jerusalem.” It' Would do me a world of good to clasp hands with the members of the invitation committee, all of whom I was personally acquainted with but J. C. Thrawls and H. O. Harris. I am of the opinion that business affairs will not permit me to attend the reunion but your invitation has served the purpose of causing me to promise myself a visit to Rensselaer about the coming holidays, and at that time I will be happy to meet each member of the committee in person. Thanking you again and wishing all attending the home coming the most pleasant coming together they will or ever have had untii the reunion of tht saints “over there,” I am, most respectfully, W. W. CROCKET, aged 60 years. Mr. Crockett is a contractor and ~ fcpttdfjr—andis evidently"“quite aT hpstler, If his stationery is an indication. Scott Robinson writes from Sprague, Wash., where he is engaged in the real estate busineses. He can’t get away at Just this time, as it is a busy season with his company. L. L. Daugherty, of Hammond; Harrison Warren, of Peru; Frank Woife, of Michigan City, W. H. Overmoyer, of Roselawn; W. O. Schanlaub, of Kentland and M. C. Mills, of Newpoint, expect to be here. J. W. King, of Winona, pays that he has been confined to his bed since February, but that his family expect to move back to Rensselaer about the last of this month, and will be here for the home coming. F. E. Mauck, who is engaged in the lumber business at Muncie, will come if he can get away. B. M. Banes and family will be here from South Bend, and Monroe replied od a postal card that exhibited a man walknlg down the railroad track carrying his suit ease. R. B. Thornton, of lowa Falls, lowa* son of O. L. Thornton, will be here the entire week. D. C. Warren, of Chester,lowa, lived here 80 years and has been away 20 years, and he says that he has never learned to think of Rensselaer by aqy other name than “home.” He will be here, and expects to arrive on September Ist , Mrs. Nancy Hutchinson, of Frank-

fort; says that she will be here, and asked to have the invitation committee send invitations to her sons, John Snodgrass, of Morocco, and A. L. Snodgrass, of Oskaloosa, lowa. The invitations were sent at once. W. G. Porter, of Rossville, brother of Deputy Postmaster R. B. Porter, and the oldest railroad agent in business, poor health, but he and his wife Willbe here if they are able to make the trip. Jesse Nowles, of Laurens, lowa, will be here. Miss Cordelia P. Monnett, of Chicago, hopes to make Rensselaer a visit this fall but it is not certain that she can arrange to come here for the home coming week. Louis R. Fendig, of Jacksonville, Fla.,where he is prosperously engaged in the real estate business, writes in response to the invitation, but is not sure that he can be here that week. Miss Edith Miller, sister of Dr. A. J, Miller, writes that the season at Winona will not be at a close at the time of our home coming and that she will be prevented from coming on that account Mrs. Lucy Sample, of Yoder, Colo., writes and expresses her thanks to the hosts of friends in Rensselaer and vicinity for the kind invitation. J. M. Souser, who is a sergeant in the regular army, and is stationed at FOrt Washakie, Wyo., sent $1 to the finance committee. He believes in his home town pushing things along Mr. Souser is the man who bought the Geo. R. Smith property, near the ball park, and who expects to come here to reside after his retirement from the army. Many others who have not replied directly to the committee have written to friends that they will b& here and the Republican is receiving many letters from its subscribers at distant points, who say they will be here for the great gathering. The secretary—of the invitation committee is still sending out lnvi-r tations Whenever he has addresses to send them to and many people have called at the court house and secured the invitation letters and mailed them out. If there are others who should receive invitations their names should be handed in without delay. Druggist B. F. Fendig had a special home coming souvenir postal printed 'and these have been going like hot cakes. Down the side of thq postal is printed in large type the words, “Won’t you come home Bill Bailey?” and two verses of home made poetry imploring the receiver to come are printed on the back. More than 200 of them have been sent out in. the past ten days. The lhrge bills for the home com; ing have not been printed yet, owing to the fact that the attractions were not all arranged for, but the bills will be printed within the next few days, and will be sent to all the surrounding towns. The newspapers in the neighboring towns will be asked to help advertise the home coming and will probably respond cheerfully, as the Rensselaer papers have always assisted in booming the events in other towns. The home coming will beyond doubt be the greatest event in the history of Rensselaer and great crowds will throng the city each of. the four days. Home decorating is urged for all citizens, and it is hoped that every residence in Renssleaer and all business houses will be decorated for the occasion. Flags and bunting will be appropriate, and it is suggested that fed and black, the Rensselaer colors for so many years, 'be used extensively. It might be a good idea for the reception committee to have a red and black ribbon bow to pin on all former residents.