Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1908 — Visit Recalls Bald Eagle. [ARTICLE]

Visit Recalls Bald Eagle.

Residents of Rensselaer prior to 16 years ago will never forget Michael I Halloran. For many years he owned the corner where the big Forsythe Department Store now is, and he used i to dispense as tormenting a quality of tanglefoot there as was ever, sold in northern Indiana. Mike’s place-* was known all over the country. But life was not all seriousness with Mike, and he was known all over as a practical joker, and the “bald eagle’’ joke that be worked on so many people in Rensselaer and surrounding country, and on visitors to this city will never be forgoten. Mike had several able assistants In this joke, one of the principal ones being Charley Price, who died a few years ago. The plan was to tell some one that Mike had a live bald headed eagle caged at the livery barn back of the saloon. They would go to Mike’s place and have a drink or two and ask to be shown the eagle. ~ Mike would praise the “foin bird,’’ but exhibit a bit of reluctance to showing it, because of its fierce disposition,. but it would finally be agreed to show It if the victim would hold the string. So cautiously was the victim handled that he never dreamed of a joke. While the preliminaries for the exhibition were being made some of those who were on would pass the word around that Mike’s "foln bird” was going to be exhibited again. When all was in readlnses the victim held the string that was supposed to be fastened around the eagle’s leg, and he was cautioned to hold on tight Then with great precaution Mike would approach the box, and lift it from over the captive. But the bird would not flutter. It was simply a piece of bedroom crockery. Imagine the surprise and humiliation of the victim as he held the string with both hands and had his eyer rivited on what he expected to be a real live eagle. And just then all the spectators would cut loose a war whoop that completed the joke, except that some one would nudge the victim under the ribs and suggest that 11 wr.g up to him to buy. Some notable people, later of the appelate court, and now residing Indianapolis, fell a victim to the joke, and thus was the revenue of the saloon considerably abetted.

But Mike’s days are numbered now. He is 73 years of age and is feeling none too well, although he is still ab e to give active management to his own business. He owns and manages a large apartment house in Chicago. His son Ilves In Chicago, and his daughters, Mary and Rose, are married, and the latter lives in Claifornla. The day of the “bald eagle” joke is gone to Rensselaer forever, and it is probable that the day of the saloon will never return. But it is charitable of the people of Renrselaer to recall only the good in Mike Halloran, and he was during his short stay here Wednesday the object of much g’hulne interest. "