Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1909 — LOOKING BACKWARD IN THE YEAR 1914 [ARTICLE]

LOOKING BACKWARD IN THE YEAR 1914

Writer Imagines a Condition Existing Five Years Hence, and Depicts the Retrospection of Former Citizen Who Revisits Rensselaer. '• a ,

John Smith, Who Left Rensselaer in 1908, Visits City After An Absence of Six Years—Has Experiences Similar to Those of Rip Van ' Winkle, Without the Tinge of Sorrow, However—Doesn't Recognize City, and Nearly Passes Through. (Contributed.) Rensselaer, Ind., May 1, 1914. John Smith, an old time progressive citizen of Rensselaer arrived this morning for a visit with relatives and old acquaintances here. He had some very interesting experiences as a result of the remarkable changes that had taken place since he moved away. His heart was beating In anticipation of the Joy of seeing his old home and friends. All the way from Parr he was restless and the thought was running through his mind that the next stop was old Rensselaer. Finally the train blew the whistle for the town. He looked out the window to see some of the old landmarks; but he saw factories, places of business,, a whole settlement of beautiful new homes, and people bustling around. He began to wonder where he was, if he had not got on the wrong train. When the train stopped at the depot he was certain this was not the place for him Ur get off because the disgraceful old depot that existed in 1908 had been replaced by a handsome new one. Before he could recover from his amazement and ask the conductor if this really was Rensselaer, Indiana, on the Monon Route between Chicago and Louisville, the train had slowly started and the conductor had to pull the cord to stop the train again. Smith’s friends, who were waiting for him at the depot, were sorely disappointed because they thought he had not come; but all were elated when John stepped off the cars at the second stop. His friends enthusiastically point:d out to him the great change that had taken place since he had left five years before. He saw the evidences of a remarkable period of building where there had been a bare prairie when he resided hee.

plan of selling lots to raise a fund so that factories could be given b ni s s to locate; here. He thought it was a wonderful idea and he regretted very much that he had let his disgust of the unprogresslveness of the city while he lived here drive him away Just. the year before the marvelous strides in the city’s greatness had been made. Everyone Mr. Smith met was very proud to tell him the great awakening Ithat Rensselaer had experienced In the last five years. A few who had attempted to hinder the movmene:t at the start and some who had not givqn any aid in booming the city were deeply humiliated because they could not boast of what they did to make the now "Greater Renes laer.” They were enjoying the prosperity of the city and felt ashamed that they could not claim any honors in producing the prosperity, and making I Rensselaer the leading city of this part of Indiana. Mr. Smith will remain a few weeks | with his friends and relatives so that ; he ipay be convinced that he is fiot in a beautiful dream. He thinks if he jis riot waked up in that time, what 'he has seen surely will he true. H:s friends could detect In him a strong ln|Unation to return here to live.

As he was sped in an auto down town he observed the beautiful streets, the pavements, and good sidewalks. In his astonishment he exclaimed that the city Is a model of beauty and thrift. Oh. every hand he saw me-1 chantes building new wcrkmen making improvements in many ways. Everyone was busy trying to make a ‘Rensselaer Eeautnful.” When he got down town he saw many large new business houses. Laige numbers of people were trading and everyone appeared to be prosperous. Mr. Smith copld not understand how it had all come about It had been an hour Blnce he stepped off the train; but be was so bewildered at the transformation of the city that he had lost his presence of mind to ask how it had all happened. F.naly like an explosion of pent-up exhilaration he exclaimed: “What did It!" His elated friends eagerly told him that In 1909, the year after he had left, a commercial club was organised, which sold lots where the factories were humming and the beautiful new addition had been built and raised a fond of 135,000 or $40,000 to locate factories here. John could hardly believe it. He had moved from here because the town had been at a standstill for years that outstretched his memory. He wanted to know what ever aroused the people to get up and do something. He was told that the dtlxens had gotten so tired of the deadness of the town that they were anxious for a chance to do something to wake It up. A nqmber of the more progressive business man and dtlsens got together aad formed a commercial dub and decided on a