Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1908 — Football Boys Given Banquet. [ARTICLE]

Football Boys Given Banquet.

Eighteen football players, the principals and substitutes of the high school team, Principal Bradshaw, Pref Ross Dean, Coach Harry Parker and Referee J. C. Parrett, were banqueted at the home of Dr. and Mrs. E. C. English, Thursday night. Mrs. English was assisted in the preparation and entertainment of the gridiron gladiators by Mrs. George F. Meyers and Mrs. John Duvall, each of the ladies having a son among the battle scarred heroes of the high school. The home was very charmingly decorated with the colors so dear to the heart of a Rensselaer athlete, red and black, and hang:ng over the table where the company feasted was the football that tie boys had so valiantly scrapped for during the fall, and which they had kept from defeat in all but one contest

At each plate was a leather favor, cut into football shape, and bearing ,the words “Football 1908” and the name of the player for whom the favor was made. The lettering was burned in the leathe p , and at the end of the miniature football was a dainty black and red ribbon bow. After the players had filled up on turkey, etcetera, some impromptu speeches were made, Messrs. Bradshaw, Parrett, Dean and Paiker and Capt. Kirk responding. Dr. English, who is also president 6f the school board, made a few remarks, and the one that most pleased the boys was that the football season was too short. Leonard Elder was chosen captain for the 1909 team.