Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1908 — GRAND HOME-COMING OCCURS NEXT WEEK [ARTICLE]

GRAND HOME-COMING OCCURS NEXT WEEK

Final Touches are Being Put On the Prepparations for the Immense Crowds That are Expected.

The home coming week approaches and with it comes the assurance from all quarters of its success. Persons will be in Rensselaer from all over the United States; persons who have not been in Rensselaer for many years and yet to whose memory clings the kindliest affection for the old home. '■ * . The invitation committee has now received almost a hundred acknowledgements of invitations and about 30 per cent of the letter writers say they Will be back and it is thought that about that per cent of all who received the invitation letters will be here, as many have written to friends that they are coming. The letters are all jrood-and would make interesting reading for persons who take the Republican, both for those who are at home and for those who are living at distant'points, but space and time permits us from copying the majority of the letters. A few of them are, however, published in this issue. The money soliciting committee consisting of Judge Hanley, E. P. Honan, has never let up on its work and not only have merchants and business and professional men been asked to contribute, but clerks and ( working men, and farmers have all assisted in the financing of the greatest event that Renssleaer has ever undertaken to pull off. The committee has canvassed and secured advertising from practically every merchant in Rensselaer for the home coming program, and this program will net the committee about S6O. Added to the money subscribed will be the stand privilege receipts, and receipts from the merry-go-round, in which the home coming committee will share by per cent. The receipts are large but the expenses are also great, as it was determined to have everything conrtollec ■ —termlned to have everything controlled by the committee absolutely free. Only one or two Rensselaert business men refused to give to the com-! mittee and the aid outside of these has been unanimous. The decoration committee have been very busy the past week and it is! certain that Rensselaer will be more' handsomely adorned that it ever was j before. It is planned to have a great arch extending from the Odd Fellows' building across the street to the court house yard. If the arch is built the work will be done by Donnelly Bros. From it will be suspnded an electric sign with the wordß “Welcome Home” in letters two feet fcng. The letters are composed of electric light bulbs, j and the committee selected the motto' of bulbs from an electric light house 1 in Chicago. If it is found too ex-' pensive to erect the arch the words! will be suspended in front of the court • house. Black and red bunting wilLj be used for the decorations and every, business house in Rensselaer has been 1 urged to decorate extravagantly in j these colors. should also ’ be decorated and the appearance of the most cordial hospitality Bhould be evidenced on every hand. The industrial parade committee ( is busy working up their part of the program, and are meeting cheerful responses from the merchant who de- 1 sires to let no opportunity pass to 1 demonstrate his industry and progres- 1 siveness. It is hoped that every one j will get in on this parade; even those 1 not directly Interested 'in business be*. ing invited to take part if they can j prepare anything that will create in- 1 terest. The parade will take place Tuesday morning, probably at 10:30 o’clook. The Brook band will be here all four days and it is probable that the Remington band will be here two days The baseball games will be played Tuesday and Friday afternoons, Brook and Mt Ayr being the opponents of the Wrens these two games. The games will be free. The attractions from Chicago will be here Monday night, Aug. list, to begin their program Tuesday morning. The balloon ascension will take place every evening at about 6: SO, the exact time being advertised later and also appearing on the programs which h -

will be freely circulated. The other acts consist of the comedy acrobats, the trick bicycle and uncycle performers and the jubilee singers. The smaller events will also be listed on the programs. These performances, except the balloon ascension and parachute leap, will take place twice each day.

The greatest event of the first day will be the basket dinner at 12 o’clock on the court house lawn. Chairman C. C. Warner and Mrs. Abbie Roberts have been working this event up and have interested hundreds of people living in Rensselaer and jn the country surrounding • Rensselaer in the greatest basket dinner ever planned in Indiana. Tables and seats will be arranged under the shads trees on the east side of the court house and extending the full length of the square, and it is thought that seats can* be provided so that 2,600 people can be seated at one time. Each family can prepare their baskets to suit their own needs and can invite their own friends to eat dinner with them. It is not the intention of the committee to collect the baskets, but each person looks after their own. When they come in the baskets may be checked free of charge and will be left in one of the rooms in the basement of the court house, but the committee wants it distinctly understood that when the dinner hour arrives each basket owner must get their own basket. A part of the table space will be reserved for the older people, and all who have aged guests at this big reunion of old residents should apply that day for space for them at the "old folks’ table.” The committee will provide coffee, cream and sugar for the entire company without charge. Mrs. Roberts, who has been working up this feature of the affair wants all country people to try hard to be here thatday and to come with well filled baskets, and promises that the town people will meet them with overflowing baskets and that the occasion will be a jolly one indeed. This should be a grand opening for the home coming, and as it is desired to have several short speeches following the address of welcome and the response, it is thought that many pleasant recollections of the days of long ago will be called up, and the reunion will be one that it is not the good fortune to attend very often. Readers of the Republican are solicited to prepare liberally for this occasion and help to make it a great success. Wednesday is to be democratic day, and John W. Kern, democratic candidate for vice-president, is to be here, and this should attract great crowds. Thursday, Aug. 3jd,/ is republican day, when J. K. and Hon. Frank B. Posey will be here. It is hoped that every republican in Jasper county will make an effort to be here on that day. Remember the balloon ascension and parachute leap and all the street, attractions will be free each day. In addition to the regular street program, the balloon ascension, the ball game and other attractions Friday, there will be the horße show, and in thb evening of the last day will take place the burning of the Newell hotel, and the great fire show. * , Here are published two or three letters from former residents, others will follow: Greenville, Miss, Aug 21, 1908. Mr. Ira L. Sigler, Sec’y Home Coming Committee, Rensselaer, Ind. Dear Sir: The receipt of the invitation to the Rensselaer Home Coming called up a flood of pleasant recollections of the good people of that beautiful and substantial little city and of "Old Jasper”. It was there that I spent the most pleasant part of my life and courted and married the lady who has made me “toe the mark” ever since. l The family will be there— “me too.” Very truly yours, WM. W. WATSON.

Chicago, 111., Aug. 22, 1908. Mr. Ira L. Sigler, Secy., Rensselaer, Ind-, Dear Sir:— I thank you for your courteous invitation to visit Rensselaer during the home coming week, and I certainly will be there. It is a< very worthy effort to get the old residents of Rensselaer together once in a while, and I hope you may feel well repaid and see a great many of the old residents back during the festival. Yours truly, ALFRED W. HOPKINS. New York, August 22, 1908. Rensselaer, Indiana, Home-Coming, Rensselaer, Indiana. Dear Friends: — It gives me pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letter of August sth, announcing a home coming in early September, for former citizens of Rensselaer. it wouldjjlve me great pleasure to be present, and renew the pleasant acquaintance of old frinds, but prior engagements will prevent. This movement is along the right lines, and Insures a closer relationship between ex-residents and those who are fortunate enough to reside at the old home. Wishing your movement every success and with kind expression to all inquiring friends, I remain, Yours very truly, SANFORD MAKEEVER.