CELEBRATING 150 YEARS 1865-2015
A2 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
FROM THE CHAIRMAN Table of Contents Republican History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3
October 5, 2015 Mr. Gregory L. Perrotto General Manager Rensselaer Republican Dear Gregory: On behalf of Community Media Group, I wish to express congratulations on the 150th anniversary of the Rensselaer Republican’s service to Rensselaer and the Jasper County region. We are all very proud to be part of this momentous milestone. James Madison, in his often quoted and frequently ignored advice, said that “knowledge will forever govern ignorance. And a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power that knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or tragedy.” The framers of our constitution saw an unfettered, vigorous press as essential to democracy. That press, despite regular — often disquieting — challenges, is still today unfettered, vigorous and essential. We look forward to joining with you to building on the foundation that has been established during the past 150 years, meeting the challenges of the technological revolution, serving the community and working towards a fully integrated print and digital news media platform. I know that I reflect your philosophy and the philosophy of everyone at the Rensselaer Republican in recognizing that our very strength as a newspaper comes from our readers. We recognize that it is not the newspaper’s role to determine the community’s goals, but to support them. We understand that we do not shape current events, but report them to the best of our ability. Community Media Group shares your commitment to remain a vigorous “force for good” in Rensselaer and Jasper County.
Life of a Paper Boy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 A Look at the First Republican . . . . . . . . . . .A5 History in the Headlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A6-7 A Look Back at 1915 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 History in the Headlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A9-10 A History of Sports Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . B13 A Look back at 1965. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B14 History in the Headlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B15-16 A Little about Lefty Clark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . B17
On the cover: George Mashall, owner of the Rensselaer Republican from 1881 to 1907, stands on the sidewalk outside his business.
Best Regards,
375 S College Ave Across from Pizza Hit Rensselaer, IN 47978 219-866-0200
Larry J. Perrotto Chairman
437 N. Halleck NE Next to Subway DeMotte, IN 46310 219-987-2252
Thank you, Rensselaer Republican, for all you’ve done for us to help us grow.
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OCTOBER 2015
Celebrating 150 years
A3
still providing local news after 150 years By CAITLIN SIEVERS csievers@rensselaerrepublican.com
Not many businesses can claim to have the wherewithal, versatility and continuing customer demand to stay in business for 150 years. The Rensselaer Republican can. Since its beginnings, long before television and even radio, the newspaper was the only way for those in Rensselaer, and Jasper County, to access to national news. The Rensselaer Republican started out as the Prairie Telegraph, which was first published Oct. 18, 1865, according to “A Stand History of Jasper and Newton Counties”. The Prairie Telegraph was a weekly, six-column, Republican paper owned by R.B. James. In September, 1868, James sold to his son, Horace James. The paper then consolidated with the Iroquois Press, another weekly Republican paper that began printing in 1867. The new paper coming out of this consolidation was the Rensselaer Union, which was also a weekly Republican paper. The Rensselaer Union began printing Oct. 15, 1868. Far different than local papers of today, poetry and national news took prominence on the front page. Local news was almost exclusively kept to the inside pages. In the years following the establishment of the Union, two more short-lived papers were consolidated into it. In October, 1879, the Rensselaer Union was renamed the Rensselaer Republican, the name it retains to this day. The first issue of the Rensselaer Republican available on microfilm at the Jasper County Library is dated Oct. 16, 1879. Like most papers in its day, the Republican featured national and international news on the front page, with local news and tidbits from around the county on the inside pages. Political news took up a large portion of the print space during the Republican’s first years. Unlike today, in those days, editors made no attempt to be unbiased, even announcing in the first issues that the paper would remain Republican in politics. George Marshall bought a share in the Republican in 1881, and then became sole proprietor in 1882. While he was owner, Marshall raised his family in Rensselaer. He lived across the street from the two-story Republican office he constructed on the corner of east Washington Street. The Rensselaer Republican
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Above: Edison Marshall, Walter Bott and Starr Marshall stand on the sidewalk near the Rensselaer Republican office in 1897. During the late 1800s, the Rensselaer Republican office was located on Washington Street. was issued weekly until Dec. 24, 1896, with the first printing of The Evening Republican, marking the beginnings of today’s daily paper. The Republican continued to publish an auxiliary bi-weekly paper during this time as well. Marshall sold the business in 1907. Although the Republican has gone through numerous owners, editors, publishers, repor ters and salespeople in the pas t 150 years, it has remained a mains tay in the Rensselaer community. The Republican was purchased by its current owner, Community Media group, on March 16, 1996. The Republican stayed the course through countless changes in the media industry, many of which were predicted to bring about the demise of news in print. In the late 19th century,
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magazines were newspaper’s biggest rival, forcing papers to produce more features and niche content to stay competitive. Then in the 1930s, newspapers were threatened by the popularity of radio, where listeners could get their news for free. Newspapers at the time revamped their content, providing more in-depth coverage than radio. The death of the daily newspaper was again thought to be immanent in the 1950s with the advent of TV news, which did put many afternoon papers out of business. As television news became even more popular, newspapers began to feature more local content that readers couldn’t get anywhere else, impor tant news that bigger outlets weren’t covering. Today, newspapers face new challenges with the ubiquitousness of the internet, which has
Congratulations to the Rensselaer Republican for 150 Successful Years from the Jasper County Economic Development Organization, Inc. and the Jasper County Tourism Commisssion!
caused challenges for many large outlets, because readers are reluctant to pay for news they believe they can get somewhere else for free. In an effor t to s tay competitive in the changing nature of the news business, the Republican launched its website in 2008 and offers a full e-edition to subscribers. The Republican continues to print six days a week, Monday through Saturday, and goes out to thousands of subscribers. The Republican is s till the only place in Rensselaer to go for daily coverage of local government, spor ts, crime, cour t news and features. As it has for the past century and a half, the Republican will continue to change and grow to meet the wants and needs of its readers and to provide news to the public well into the future.
Congratulations to the Rensselaer Republican on 150 Years of Local News Ed Charbonneau State Senator District 5 200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9494
8737 W SR 114 I-65 & SR 114 Rensselaer
866-8700
4280 W US 24 I-65 & US 24 Remington
261-3335
Email: Senator.Charbonneau@iga.in.gov
Serving Pulaski County and portions of Jasper, LaPorte, Porter and Starke counties
A4 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
LIFE AS A PAPER BOY FOR THE RENSSELAER REPUBLICAN By SHERRI MORRISON smorrison@rensselaerrepublican.com
If you were to ask anyone who served as a paperboy back in the day, they all seem to have fond memories of their time working for the Rensselaer Republican. “It was life changing for me,” said Ned Tonner, Rensselaer attorney. “All my brothers and I delivered for the paper. My oldest brother Jeff, got the route from Ed Roth. After Jeff, my brother Greg took over the route, then I did it. Evan Edwards took over after me and then gave it to my brother Chris. After Chris, the Groppe kids took over the route.” Ned delivered the paper from the time he was in third or fourth grade through middle school. “I delivered the paper Monday through Saturday,” Tonner said. “The first thing we would do is get our papers. They had giant printing presses in the back of the building and we would get 70-80 papers. We would go to our assigned bench and fold them and then leave to deliver the papers on our route. Every Friday we would have to go collect the money. Some people paid once a year and some paid once a week. We had these little coin collectors we wore on our belts that held quarters, dimes and nickels and that’s where we kept the money. Back then the paper was 40 cents for a week. On Saturday or Monday, we would give Ebby Templeton the money. He would collect for the paper and then give us the rest.” The best time of the year for the paperboys was always Christmas. “We were tipped well,” Tonner said. “All of the paper boys would give Christmas cards to the customers as reminders. That job taught me how to deal with people. We had nice people and we had grouchy people. There was one elderly lady that always said she didn’t get her paper on a regular basis, but we figured out she did that to all of us. There was one sweet lady, Nellie Doctor, who always left a Three Musketeers Bar in the mailbox each week. That was special.” Tonner’s route was downtown Rensselaer, Van Rensselaer Street, Thompson Street and Cullen Street. “It was always in the afternoon, after school and it took us about an hour and a half to get done,” Tonner said. “My mom recalls me delivering the paper when it was 17 below zero. It was a great experience. I learned how to
deal with people and how to have a little business.” Dr. Steve Henley wrapped up papers when he worked at the Rensselaer Republican. “I wrapped the papers up and delivered them to the Rensselaer Post Office,” Henley said. “I worked at the paper while I was in high school, from 1957-1959. On Saturdays, I melted the lead for the printing presses. I worked at the paper when Gwen Potter worked there. My boss was Keith Robinson. He owned the paper. He was very easy to work for. It was a job after school every day. I was glad to work there.” Roger Steffen, owner of Steffen Jewelers in Rensselaer, worked as a paperboy for the Rensselaer Republican between 1963 and 1966. “I was 13 years old when I started my route,” Steffen said. “I had 100 customers. We got our papers about 3-3:30 p.m. My route was by Grace Street Bridge, to the south and to the west. Ebby Templeton counted our papers there. There were about 12-16 paperboys back then. After they were counted, we would fold them, unless it was a bad day, then we would put them in the door. We make them into 4-5 inch squares. We’d toss them on the porch. Friday was collection day. Most customers paid by the week and then we would go to the State Bank and pay our bills. We would make $8-10 a week. We enjoyed making a little cash. Around Christmas we would get Merry Christmas cards with cash in it or goodies. It was awesome.” Steffen enjoyed the camaraderie of working at the Rensselaer Republican. “If you had spending money, you could go to the Rensselaer Readmore and buy candy,” Steffen said. “On my route there was the Snow Ball Drive-in. We’d stop at the drive-in and have french fries. That was nice when you had spending money. Keith and Kate Robinson owned the paper when I worked there.” Times have changes and the paper is no longer delivered by paperboys (or girls) but the memories of those who delivered the paper are happy ones that live on. It taught these men the value of the dollar, responsibility and how to deal with people at a young age that turned them into responsible adults and well known members of their community. Visit rensselaerrepublican.com to watch a video interview with Tonner about his time working as a paper boy.
PHOTO BY SHERRI MORRISON
Ned Tonner, local attorney, holds his collection ring from back when he delivered papers for the Rensselaer Republican. Tonner delivered the Rensselaer Republican from the time he was in third or fourth grade through middle school.
Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press... -Article One, Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, 1789.
Thank you for your continued support. We hope to provide you with local news for years to come.
R
epublican RENSSELAER
Celebrating 150 Years
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE Jasper County HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A newspaper boy holds an early edition of the Rensselaer Republican as a young girl watches.
www.rensselaerrepublican.com
OCTOBER 2015
Celebrating 150 years
A5
a look at the first issues of the rensselaer republican Compiled by Caitlin Sievers The newspaper that Republican subscribers read today is much different than the one readers picked up in 1879. The name of the Rensselaer Union was changed to Rensselaer Republican in October 1879. The first issue of the Republican available on microfilm at the Jasper County Public Library is dated Oct. 16, 1879. It is marked as issue number 5. The front page focused mostly on national news and politics. This early issue contained a note to readers from editor T. M. Bitters which said: TO THE PATRONS OF THE RENSSELAER REPUBLICAN: The readers of the Republican are doubtless all aware that Mr. Horace K. James, who for a decade has been favorably connected with the publication and editorial management of the Rensselaer Union, has retired from its control, and the name of that valuable journal through the new proprietors, has been changed to Rensselaer Republican. Having assumed the publication and management of this journal we shall endeavor, after we have become settled in the chair editorial, not only to sustain its efficiency but to increase its usefulness and make it a faithful and credible rep resentative of the special and general interests of our town and country, although we shall not now say what its par ticular standard of excellence will be. It will be readily observed that the size of the paper has been materially increased, which will enable us to give all the impor tant news of the day a local and general character, and consequentially of much more value to all subscribers. In a word we hope to be able to present a paper that will be at once attractive and indispensable to every citizen of Jasper County and one that will command a general and willing suppor t. Politically the Republican will be just what its name indicates, without deviation or shadow of turning from the principles laid down by the founders of our par ty, for we believe that the continuance of the Republican par ty in power
is of paramount impor tance to the wants of our country.
a case of “Hyper trophy of the hear t.”
Another note to readers in the (possibly) first issue apologized for production problems due to the illness of the publisher’s son. It read: We have been in the printing business for a good many years but never until last week did we fail to issue the paper with which we were connected promptly on the day of publication, and if possible the like shall never occur again. Last week we felt that the life of our little son was of more value to us than worldly possessions, and because the Republican could not very well be issued without our immediate supervision, we were compelled to disappoint our readers. There is an old maxim — “a poor beginning makes a good ending” — which we hope will be fully realized in this case.
The Republican, like many papers at the time, featured a regular column containing local tidbits and gossip. In the Republican, it was called, “Small Talk”. Here is an excerpt from the Oct. 16, 1879 issue:
Although there was very little local news in the first available issue of the Rensselaer Republican, it did feature a shor t ar ticle about a local medical society. It read: Proceedings of the District medical Society of Benton, Jasper, New ton and White counties. The society met in regular session at Goodland, Ind. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1879. Members present: Dr’s Barnes and Kolb, of Oxford; Landon, Maxwell and Patton, of Remington; Kovetter and Miller, of Goodland; Smith, of Brook; Humston, of Morocco; and Hatel, of Kentland. Visitors: Dr’s Tichnor and Copock, of Goodland. Dr. Smith read a very practical essay on “Malaria and its effects.” The essay elicited a general discussion. Dr. Patton presented what he termed a “Gall Stone,” found in the intestines at a post mortem examination. After considerable discussion and reference to authorities, a majority of the members present expressed the opinion that it was a Gall stone. Dr. Lovetter presented a case of “Ulceration of the cornea of both eyes,” and gave its history and treatment. Dr. Maxwell described the post mor tem appearance of
— The new style of fall bonnets are said to be of scoop shovel shape, and very becoming, of course. — The Jasper County Circuit Cour t convened Monday morning, Judge Hammond on the bench. —Jacob Eiglesbaugh had four fat steers stolen from his slaughter house, last Friday week. —Gamblers and “wheel-of-fortune men” were not permitted to ply their ar ts at the Jasper County Fair this year. —Dr. Spencer and Wm. Lear, of Monticello, were rusticating in Rensselaer for par t of last week. —James Spencer, one of Remington’s prominent business men, was noticed on our streets Wednesday. —Edward Brown, the popular merchant tailor of Delphi, has a large adver tisement in this issue. Read it. —The time of the M. E. prayer service has been changed from Wednesday evening to Thursday evening. —Mrs. Chas. Johnson returned this week to Whithall, Mich., after a two weeks’ visit with her sister, Mrs. E. L. Clark. —Miss Welch, who has been sick for the past four months, has sufficiently recovered to return to her home at Adrian, Michigan.
Congratulations to the Rensselaer Republican for 150 years of reporting
—Old papers only five cents per dozen at the Republican office. —One dollar and fifty cents will pay for the Republican from this date to the first day of January, 1881.
The editor of the Republican in 1879 was not above calling out advisories as he did in the “Small Talk” section on Dec. 25, 1879: —If the Remington Repor ter was printed on shoe-pegs with a cheese press it would be just as valuable to its patrons and as capable of being read. The publisher evidently lacks mechanical skill or is troubled with chronic indifference.
The paper was also prone to give advice to townspeople by way of the “Small Talk” column about how to better themselves and the town as can be seen in this Dec. 25, 1879 excerpt:
—As soon as the festivities of the holiday season are over and the lengthening days give evidence of the coming spring, we hope the proper ty owning denizens of the town of Rensselaer, will each begin to lay plans for improving the appearance of their proper ty, by removing the rubbish, repairing or rebuilding the fences, painting the building, if they need it, and fixing up generally. A ragged town is like a ragged man among strangers — he may be rich but that will not prevent him from becoming a subject for remarks. Many strangers will visit this town and county nex t spring and summer, and the majority of them will form their opinions from what they may see rather than any word of praise they may hear.
As your Mayor and a resident of Rensselaer, I am proud of this city. Over the years, we have grown and gained resources that add to Rensselaer’s quality of life. New businesses, expansion of our industries, beautification projects for our historic downtown area and parks, and a new building for our volunteer fire department scheduled to be completed next year. As we move into developing the future of our city, our constant mission is to plan ways to promote growth, promote the economic stability of the downtown and the entire city, while looking at being environmentally friendly and protecting our natural resources such as the Iroquois River.
GREAT PAPER AWESOME STAFF ALL THE BEST
Long’s Gifts and
Mayor Stephen A. Wood
125 N. Front - Downtown Rensselaer
Congratulations. Rensselaer Republican celebrating 150 years.
from the “Needle’s Point”
The paper also sometimes adver tised its own services in the “Small Talk” column as this Dec. 19, 1879 excerpt exhibits:
I am proud of the city’s dedicated and professional staff plus many volunteers that work very hard towards a vision of a great city we call home. Rensselaer is a thriving, growing and caring community. By working together as a team, as one voice, one city, one future - we can steer the destiny of Rensselaer to continue to be a great city for our children and grandchildren.
124 S. Van Rensselaer St. / Rensselaer, IN / 219-866-5212 www.cityofrensselaerin.com
A6 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
HISTORY IN THE HEADLINES The Corner Stone is Laid. An Important Occasion Properly Celebrated November 19, 1896 The ceremony of laying the corner stone of Jasper County’s beautiful and substantial new cour thouse was observed with due and proper ceremony last Thursday Nov. 12th. The weather proved very favorable, although the coldness of the early morning and the great cold of the night before deterred many, who would otherwise have been present. By an un for tunate misunderstanding the special train did not come from Delphi and Monticello and intermediate points and that also very materially diminished
the expected attendance. But with both these drawbacks, there was a great crowd present. After traversing the principal streets the procession marched in to the public square, and those who had a direct par t in the corner stone laying took their places on a temporary platform built inside the walls of the building and on a level with the place of the corner stone was to occupy. The latter is a magnificent block of blue Bedford stone and beautifully and ar tistically carved and ornamented. It has three ex terior faces in each of which is a raised panel.
Augus t 14, 1906
The mos t complete wreck of a passenger train which ever occurred in Jasper Co. took place here las t Saturday morning, Aug. 11, about 10 minutes before six o’clock, the train being the fas t nor th bound flyer, which never s tops, nor even slackens speed at this s tation, and the same train which was wrecked jus t 29 days before, almos t to a minute, nor th of Fair Oaks, and jus t over the line in New ton County. This wreck was very similar to that in many other respects, and it seems to have been produced by the same causes, namely too great a speed over a soft and yielding roadbed, and rails suppor ted on rotten ties. A heavy curve here was an additional complication. In the mos t miraculous escape of a big train load of passengers from death or serious injury, this wreck was also a duplicate of the one at Pembroke. The wreck occurred inside the corporaPHOTO COURTESY OF THE Jasper County HISTORICAL SOCIETY. tion limits of Rensselaer, and on the heavy curve where the direction of the railroad This passenger train jumped the tracks inside the Rensselaer city limits on Aug. 11, 1906. See WRECK, page A7
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OCTOBER 2015
Celebrating 150 years
A7
History in the headlines Wreck,
from A6
turns from directly eas t and wes t to a nearly due nor thwes t direction, and which is jus t wes t of the Fores t s treet Crossing. One passenger said the train came from Monon in 17 minutes, or nearly a mile a minute. Some of the train men at firs t thought the speed around the curve was about 45 miles an hour, and afterwards revised their es timates to 35 miles. About 50 to 60 miles would probably be a much closer figure. The engineer threw on the emergency air brake, at the firs t bump, which no doubt helped much to save
the train and passengers from worse injuries. Nex t following the engine was the “blind baggage” car. This went off the track to the wes t, and res ted with its heels nearly s traight in the air, and we say heels advisedly, if not literally, and not by mis take for the wheels, are 100 feet or so back down the track from the body of the car. This car was the wors t wrecked of any, and was not susceptible of repair. There was no one in this car which was mighty for tunate, for had there been they could hardly have got out alive.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
This photo was taken from the tower bridge looking north during the 1913 flood.
◆◆◆
STATEMENT. ◆◆◆
Local Response To Newspaper 150 Years ◆◆◆
March 25, 1913 SCHOOLS DISMISSED Water surrounded steam pipes and condensed steam, making heat impossible; river bridges endangered and approaching grades submerged; Flood conditions prevail in northeast section of Rensselaer; Railraod washouts in south part of state cause annulment of train schedules.
and a half south of DeMotte, was blown down and wrecked. A 4-room unoccupied house on the H.C. Zimmerman farm, one-half mile south of Kersey, was blown down. The house was partially filled with grain. Two large haystacks on the same farm were blown down. March 24, 1913
WATER REACHES HIGH WATER MARK
IROQUOIS AGAIN OUT OF ITS BANKS
At just 3 o’clock this afternoon, Lonie Ramp called The Republican to inform us that the water had reached the high water mark at the planing mill. It had raised 3 inches since noon. At the Washington street bridge the water had apparently not raised that much, but this is readily possible as the water seems to be backing up from below and the effect has not reached so far upstream.
The weatherman throughout the central states forecasted clear weather for Sunday. The Indianapolis forecaster, apparently confident that good weather was going to rule, said that if it rained he would not come back to the office for a week. But the weathermen were mistaken. It rained from early morning until late at night with but little relaxation. The result is swollen streams, washed out culverts and almost impassable roads and streets. In the northeastern part of Rensselaer, the water surrounds some twenty-five or thirty houses, overflows the sidewalks and people have been compelled to improvise methods of getting out of their homes. The entirely inadequate Make-em-self sewer soon became overflowed and the water stands in places at a depth of from 18 inches to 2 feet.
March 24, 1913 STORM DESTRUCTIVE IN NORTH JASPER Frank E. Lewis, of Kersey, was in town today and informs us that the wind did considerable damage Sunday night in the north end of the county. A new barn belonging to a man named Lagarines, a mile
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“It is with great pleasure I write to congratulate the Rensselaer Republican Newspaper (the Republican) on 150 years of service to the public. I am thankful for the resilience and dedication which have made this achievement possible. The importance of and need for a communal voice cannot be overstated. In today ’s society, news and information travel so quickly that it can be hard not to get lost in the bustle. The role of a responsible and effective media outlet is to engage and inform a citizenry within the outlet’s circulation, and this is a role I am proud to say I believe the Republican undoubtedly fills. Shared information is vital for the unification and preservation of a successful local fabric, which the Republican has promoted from offering unbiased and illustrative perspectives on how state, national, and global issues will affect its readership, to providing updates on what’s happening right here in our own backyards. Expounding on this last point, I want to call attention to the specific benefits which exist as a result of an enduring local commentary. It is often easy to recognize the direct utility of a local paper with regard to its ability to provide information, but it is regrettably just as easy to overlook the reverberations which echo past the immediately observable. Through the history of a local paper, we have the unique opportunity to relive our own histories. We can observe the chronicling of a municipality’s history, or celebrate the joys of love and new life. We can mourn the loss of familiar faces, and call attention to the sacrifices made by fallen heroes who have given their lives for the betterment of family and country. Local papers, like the Republican, afford a chance to recognize friends, neighbors, and students for notable achievements and they foster economic development opportunities through advertisements and reporting. Again, congratulations on the remarkable achievement of 150 successful years and I wish you 150 more. Thank you for the positive impacts your continued efforts have on our community. ” Sincerely, Doug Gutwein State Representative House District 16
A8 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
looking back 100 years A glance at the Republican in 1915
Compiled by Harley Tomlinson
News of the Great War overseas captured the interest of readers of the Evening Republican in 1915 and the newspaper went out of its way to provide updates throughout the year and beyond. Though the U.S. didn’t enter World War I until 1917, regular readers of the newspaper were concerned about the fighting in other countries and the Republican took steps to keep the public updated. The newspaper, which was six days a week then as it is now and often just four-page editions, borrowed excerpts from Chicago news services to inform its subscribers. The paper provided many eyewitness accounts of the devastation of war through correspondents and wire services. Repor ting the deaths of Civil War veterans and heroes also made for big front page news in the Republican in 1915. Jasper County sent many soldiers into battle and their sacrifice were often retold in obituaries 45 years after the war had ended. Many of these veterans were in their 60s and 70s in 1915. January 2, 1915 English Ship Blown Up in Channel Submarine or Mine Given as the Cause — 600 Lives are Lost and 150 Rescued LONDON — The British battleship Formidable was sunk this morning in the British Channel by either a mine or a submarine. About 600 of the 750 men on board are believed to have been lost. While the British admiralty has not announced the locality where the battleship was blown up, the inclination here is to believe that a submarine again has been successful in an attack on some of the British ships that have bombarding German positions on the Belgian coast. January 21, 1915 Another Old Soldier Joins Silent Army Larkin Potts Passes Away at age of 77 Years — Served In the 9th and Also the 99th Larkin Potts, aged 77 years, a veteran of the Civil War, passed away at his home in
Rensselaer 1993
the nor thwest par t of the city this Thursday morning at 11 o’clock. Death followed a stroke of paralysis which occurred Monday evening. Mr. Potts was the last of the resident members of the three months service in the 9th Indiana regiment, having gone out with General Rober t H. Milroy when he organized Company G of that regiment in Rensselaer. He later served in the 99th Indiana regiment. He is survived by his wife.
DeMotte today, Tuesday, and informs The Republican that DeMotte is moving right to the front and wishes to have it known that Newland and Springer are not the only places in Jasper county that are not progressing. John says he don’t want to detract from the boom towns in Walker and Barkley townships in the least but he does want it understood that the seat of Keener township is doing some progressing and deserves occasional mention.
May 15, 1915
June 28, 1915
Terrific Storms Visit Remington Store Buildings Damaged, Houses Unroofed, Catholic Church Capola Torn Off and Other Buildings Damaged When Rensselaer was getting a heavy rain and experience a thunder and electrical storm Saturday evening at about 7 o’clock, Remington was having a tornado that resulted in ex tensive damage to many buildings. Morocco also had quite a storm and various par ts of the county suffered. Silos especially were the victims of the wind and many are repor ted down in Barkley township. Remington was frightfully devastated. The business par t of town was hit and considerable damage resulted. C.H. Pecks big depar tment store had the nor th front caved in and the plate glass window broken out. Also par t of the roof torn off. All of the buildings on the old Durant farm were blow down and one horse was killed. Frank Hill lost three steers and one hog at his Jordan township farm by lightning Saturday evening. He had no insurance on them. It is said that Remington is well wor th visiting to see the ex tent of the wind’s devastation.
Hospital Needed In Jasper County Law Provides Manner of Getting One — First Steps Are Taken to Secure One in Rensselaer Within the past six weeks some twenty-five persons in Jasper county have been taken to hospitals in Chicago and Lafayette for the purpose of op eration or treatment. In some cases the hospital expense has been a great hardship on the relatives or friends of the afflicted, while in other cases patients badly in need of op erations are unable to be sent because of lack of funds and at this time at least one lady sorely in need of operation may die because she has no funds to take care of the hospital expense or to provide a nurse in her own meagre home. Rensselaer is the center of a very large territory with a population of fifteen or twenty thousand people. There should be a hospital here and there is little doubt that it would soon become self-suppor ting. The legislature of 1913 passed an act that provides for the building and maintaining of a hospital and when the attention of Judge Hanley was called to this fact last Saturday he took immediate steps to have a petition drawn in order that the hospital might be established.
April 20, 1915
February 23, 1915
John Greve Says DeMotte is Booming Says Newland and Springer May Be All Right But He Knows That Keener Town is Going Some
Wolf Drive results In One Death Squire C.W. Bussell Kills She Wolf Where Fifty Others Failed to Hit It
John Greve was down from
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yesterday was par ticipated by 500 people and was a grand success. The drive star ted at 10:30 in the morning in Hanging Grove township, near Lee, and ended at the Monon Marsh, near Lee. Three wolves were rounded up and as the circle narrowed the three wolves broke through and got away. As one of the wolves, a large she one, broke through the ring, 500 shots were fired at it, some of the gunners not being over 10 feet away, but it remained for that veteran wolf hunter, Squire C.W. Bussell, of Hanging Grove township, to bring the wolf down with a shot from his trusty rifle. He was 110 steps away, but brought the wolf down at the first shot. This is the seventieth wolf that Squire Bussel has killed, 60 of them being killed in Jasper county. January 4, 1915 Mother of Eight Is Shotgun Victim Woodsman’s Camp Near Parr Scene of Terrible Tragedy Last Saturday Afternoon Mrs. H. S. Krout, mother of eight, was killed by a shotgun accident Saturday afternoon at a woodsman’s camp on the Joe Kosta farm, two miles south of Parr. Her death was the result of the careless handling of the weapon by Clarence Miller, her son-in-law. The Krouts and Miller and his wife lived in a tent, the meager size of which gave room for all of the belongings of the poor family. January 6, 1915 Monnett School Reaches Capacity Attendance of 80 and Applications on File — Future of the School Encouraging Monnett School for Girls, the capacity of which has been considered of thir ty, for which number arrangements have been made. Four more applications are already on file and it is probable a dozen new people could be secured with a little effor t to star t in the February term. There is a demand for a girls’ boarding school where See 1915, page B18
The wolf drive held in White and Jasper counties
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Congratulations Rensselaer Republican For 150 years you have documented and celebrated with generations of our community and country. Thanks for your service!
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Celebrating 150 years
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History in the headlines
Trustees Accept Building and Release Contractor Medland and Hospital Is Now in Operation January 12, 1917 Contractor Frank Medland, who has built the Jasper county hospital, was in Rensselaer Wednesday and with the resident trustees J.D. Allman, E. P. Honan and L. H. Hamilton, County Commissioner D. S. Makeever and Architect A. Wasson Coen; the building was examined in every par ticular and in a meeting held at the First National Bank the building was accepted and the balance due the contractor ordered paid. While but little of the furnishings have arrived, the hospital is open and the first operation will be performed this afternoon. A letter from the architect which is given below will be interesting to the people of this community: Gentlemen: I submit here with final statement showing all expenditures authorized by you, and handled through my office in connection with the hospital building.
Marshall Field & Co. have not yet furnished statement, as the unused cork carpet has not been returned. However, they inform me that the total for carpet, linoleum and laying is $291.35, plus railroad fare and expenses of the layer of $9.08, making a total of $300.43. There is approximately 20 yards to be returned, giving us a credit thereby of probably $23.00. Consequently I have used $277.00 in figuring the cost of carpet in statement. You will note that the building as it stands today cost $17,323.32. The sum of $382.40, which includes light fix tures and tablet should be classified as “equipment,” which leaves the building cost $16,940.02. The sum of $1,574.85, which includes dumb waiter, elevator, opening devices, hardware and cork carpet, leaves the building cost $15,366.07, which is $234.07 above contract figures and which is the amount of “ex tras” incurred during the construction of the building.
Official Start Slated for Tuesday Morning; Today Confined to Putting Exhibits in Place. August 31, 1925 The official opening of the Jasper county fair week is still some hours away, although the calendar start was scheduled for this morning. Today is being confined to putting the exhibits in place, the raising of the tents of the amusement company and the placing of everything in general in apple pie order for the huge crowds that are expected to swarm over the grounds during the ensuing five days. Sunday saw a scene of activity at the grounds and today has been much the same. Workmen are going at the assigned tasks feverishly and are making the final touches here and there to bring the utmost convenience to the visitors.
out some bridges and weakened others, submerged outlying roads, forced suspension of the city’s two newspapers and crippled indus try generally.
May 3, 1930 A cloudburs t that centered its attack on Rensselaer and immediate territory Sunday night flooded the city light and power plant, plunging the city into darkness and leaving it without
a water supply, forced the closing of the city schools, ripped out sections of the Monon railroad right-of-way, turn the placid Iroquois creek into a swift-moving river, inundated city s treets and miles of lowlands, waterlogged basements, washed
Congratulations for 150 years of serving Jasper County
BEAVER & BEAVER P.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW EST. 1970
JAMES R. BEAVER
ERIC J. BEAVER
W I L L S , P R O B AT E , E S TAT E P L A N N I N G R E A L E S TAT E • B U S I N E S S L AW • FA M I LY L AW P E R S O N A L I N J U RY • C R I M I N A L D E F E N S E 201 W. WASHINGTON ST. | RENSSELAER, IN 47978 219-866-4171 www.beaverlegal.com
RECORD STORM It was the mos t devas tating rain in the city’s his tory and marked the firs t serious tie-up in his tory of the power plant which began sys temized operation for tytwo years ago. The city was plunged into darkness at seventeen min-
The exhibit pens are being filled and the exhibit platforms loaded with farmers’ produce. Concession stands, myriads of them, are being erected, and the Midway is alive with last minute preparations. The scope of every branch of the fair has exceeded the fondest hope of those who have taken the leadership in the movement. From this point of prediction it appears the fair will attract the largest crowds that ever descended upon Jasper county for any event. It is the general opinion that the attendance during the week will be huge, and the enthusiasm such as to warrant a prediction that this, the first annual fair, will be so successful as to leave no about as to its future.
utes of ten three hours after four-hour record rain of 3.36 inches began MAKE-EM-SELF FLOODS PLANT Water sweeping into the engine room from the roaring Make-em-Self, tyrant of an earlier Rensselaer, s tripped the generators of their power and assured the firs t complete shutdown in the plant’s career. The tiny s tream, already overloaded by the abnormal rain fall See FLOOD, page B18
Congratulations on 150 years and thank you for helping us serve our membership since 1938.
A10 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
History in the headlines
July 7, 1948 The west retaining wall and the front wall of the W. J. Wright Inc., furniture store collapsed at 1:25 p.m., as hundreds of spectators still watched firemen spraying the dying embers of the rubble heap. The walls gave way slowly as though to signal spectators to stand back. They fell inward. Little of the litter fell into the streets. Only a small section of the front of the store on the east side remained standing follow-
September 13, 1962 Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower was scheduled to deliver his first 1962 national campaign speech today in the hometown and in behalf of House minority leader Charles A. Halleck. Fair and warm weather was predicted, with temperatures matching the heat generated by Hoosier Republicans in their efforts to make “Charlie Halleck Day” the biggest chicken barbecue ever. A crowd of 25,000 to 30,000 was estimated by GOP leaders, the bulk of it from the 2nd congressional district which Halleck has served since 1935. Halleck is opposed by Starke County Circuit Judge Jack Murray, a Democrat, in his bid for reelection Nov. 6. Eisenhower was booked many weeks ago to address the big rally on behalf of one of his closest congressional can-
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ing the collapse. The north wall and the east wall are regarded as unsafe. Traffic blockades were renewed following the collapse. W. J. Wright Furniture store, Inc., the city’s oldest business institution which sprang from humble origin in 1841 within a few feet of its present site to become the largest and most beautiful furniture center in a wide Indiana area, is a pile of charred wreckage this morning. Fire, the source of which was not learned, completely gut-
Firefighters fight the blaze at Wright’s Furniture store in Rensselaer in 1948. ted the handsome, stock-packed structure of three stories and basement. LOSS SET AT $200,000. Early estimates of the loss — a rough guess subject to revision after a complete checkup is made — set a figure of $200,000. Willis J. Wright, president and principal stockholder of the corporation, said both the building and its contents carried the
maximum percentage values accepted by insurance companies. However, the financial loss will be terrific, due to present greatly increased building costs, stock replacements at advanced prices, the differential between the insurance coverage and the true value of the stock and building, and those items of loss that naturally accrue from business suspension.
didates through his eight years in the White House. FOLLOWS JFK CONFERENCE The campaign speech, which observers believed might reflect in some manner Eisenhower’s conference with President Kennedy a few days ago, is scheduled to be delivered at 7:30 p.m. EST on the campus of St. Joseph’s College, a Roman Catholic school which Halleck, despite the fact he is Protestant, has served as a member of its board of trustees.
SIGN OF TROUBLE? Democrats viewed Halleck’s importation of Eisenhower to aid his campaign as a sign the veteran GOP congressional leader was in trouble. But Republicans said this wasn’t so, that the affair was aimed PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY at helping the entire ticket by capitalizing on Halleck’s close- Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke at St. Joseph’s College on Sept. 13, ness to Eisenhower. 1962.
The office of Sheriff can be traced back to Alfred the Great in England in the late 9th century. The word Sheriff is derived from the English term “shire-reeve” which stands for keeper of the county. A function that the Sheriff is dedicated to over a thousand years later. The first known elected Sheriff in North America occurred in Virginia in 1651. When Indiana adopted its constitution in 1816 the Sheriff was made a constitutional office under Article 6. Section 2. As such the Sheriff is the highest elected lawenforcement officer in the county in which the people have a voice to elect.
I wish to assure the citizens of Jasper County, that we hold the oath of this office as a sacred honor.
Sheriff, Terry J. Risner 2171 North McKinley Ave. Rensselaer, IN 219-866-7334
www.jaspercountypolice.com
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OCTOBER 2015
Celebrating 150 years
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Congratulations Rensselaer Republican on Celebrating 150 Years!
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1225 E. MAPLE STREET • RENSSELAER, IN • 219-866-4121 THE ONLY THING STRONGER THAN OUR STEEL IS OUR FOUNDATION Since 1966, Chief Buildings has been doing business the way we’ve always done it - on a foundation of honesty, reliability and partnership. That seamless combination has helped us become a leader in product, communication and service for the construction industry. With manufacturing facilities in Grand Island, Neb., and Rensselaer, Ind., Chief designs and manufactures metal building systems for commercial and industrial applications to specific customer requirements. Computer-aided design, extensive engineering, manufacturing capabilities and unmatched customer service make Chief Buildings a recognized leader in low-rise metal building systems.
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At Chief, we don’t just forge metal. We engineer solutions that have endless benefits for our customers.
A12 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
Congratulations on 150 years!
growing our family
to care for yours. Continuing to serve Rensselaer and Jasper County. Jasper County Hospital is now Franciscan Health Rensselaer and part of the Franciscan Alliance family. We look forward to continuing to inspire health in your community and caring for you and your family. Be assured. Be healthy. Be inspired.
FranciscanHealth.org/Rensselaer Facebook.com/FranciscanRensselaer
OCTOBER 2015
Celebrating 150 years
B13
COVERING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SINCE 1898 By HARLEY TOMLINSON harley@rensselaerrepublican. com Football is a passion in Rensselaer and has been since 1898 with its first high school team. And fueling that passion was the Republican in all of its daily, black and white, six-column broadsheet glory. Even as far back as the early 1900s, sports warranted front page space in the Republican. Four- or five-paragraphs with bold headlines were often placed in the upper right or left corner of the paper, just under the banner headline. Nestled in the middle was the day’s big news. The biggest news of the past 150 years is Rensselaer Central’s Class 2A state championship last year over Evansville Mater Dei. It is most significant because Rensselaer, which began playing football 117 years ago when players were fitted with leather helmets and pads, is among the winningest football programs in the state. Longevity has contributed to Rensselaer’s surge up the state’s most wins list, which is approaching 600 wins in its history, but the program had yet to win a state title in a sport the school is known for until last year. The Republican helped recount the run that team made last year and provided game by game blows of the high school’s unbeaten seasons of 1927, 1948, 1954 (considered the greatest by many who watched that team play), 1977 and of course, last year. The 1915 Republican staff summed it up best: “Rensselaer is the most saturated football town in this part of the state. The papers tune with it, the citizens dream of it, the hash tastes of it, the men wear football stick pins and the girls wear footballs in their hat pins. And because the town has teams that down everything that comes their way, So … “Hang your old Rensselaer colors, Be sure you don’t forget, For the dear old leather head warriors, Have never been surpassed yet!” The area has enjoyed many sectional, and in some cases, regional titles over the year and the Republican reported on almost all, with many game action accounts. The newspaper also reported on Saint Joseph’s College sports teams, including a first-person account of the Pumas’ play in the 1956 Aluminum Bowl against Montana State University in Arkansas. The game ended in a scoreless tie and the teams were declared co-NAIA champions. Often throughout the week, a column updating readers on all sorts of prep sports, which
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Rensselaer Republican has a long history of covering local sports, including the Rensselaer high School Football Team. The 1913 team is pictured here, with leather helmets piled in front of them. included football, basketball, baseball, bowling and track, was provided on page three of a four-page paper or page six of an eight-page edition. Even Rensselaer’s checkers team got some publicity in the early 1900s. One paper in 1915 proclaimed: Danville Checker Players Are Best: Won From Rensselaer in Interesting Match — Stevens and Hill Best of the Locals. Other local sports news, which was deemed more recreational sports than fanatical in the early years, were also included in the column, with reports on teams in Wheatfield, DeMotte and Remington as well as Newton County schools. That style of sports reporting continues today even as the Republican celebrates 150 years. Basketball also got plenty of coverage in the pages of the Republican, especially when the Bombers played local teams from Kentland, Brook, Wheatfield, Remington and DeMotte. Many times the Republican reported caravans of cars battling snow drifts in the dead of winter just so fans could see the area’s biggest match-ups. There were times fans were stranded at sectional sites due to heavy snowfall, something almost unheard of today, though there have been a couple of close calls. Considered the biggest school in the area at one time, Rensselaer and RCHS have won 18 sectional titles in all, including the years 1936, ‘38, ‘39, ‘41, ‘46, ‘47, ‘49, ‘51, ‘57, ‘58, ‘59, ‘61, ‘62, ‘63, ‘69, ‘91, ‘95 and 2005.
The 1935 Rensselaer football team is pictured here. Here are some other sports highlights over the past 150 years: • State individual track championships won by Dobbins of old Rensselaer High School (220 low hurdles, in the early 1900s), Celeste Susnis at Kankakee Valley (cross country and track), John Van Soest of KV (track), Julie Koebcke of Rensselaer Central (discus), Michelle Luecke of Rensselaer (discus), Gavin Spence of Rensselaer (swimming), John Morgan of old Rensselaer High (high jump, early 1900s) and Mike Hinch of Nor th New ton (100-meter dash). • The Chicago Bears made Saint Joseph’s College their summer home for training camps during the years 194474. The Republican often provided accounts of Jasper County residents who came into contact with many football players during those years.
• The 1980-81 Kankakee Valley boys’ basketball team that reached the semistate level in one-class basketball. The Kougars won sectional and regional titles before bowing out in the semistate,finishing just two steps away from a state finals ber th. • The 1990-91 Rensselaer Central boys’ basketball team also reached the semistate, winning the sectional at KV and the regional at Lafayette before falling in the first game at semistate. This was before class basketball and a trip to the state finals by the “small school” Bombers would likely have swayed IHSAA officials to keep basketball a one-class spor t for a few more years. • Saint Joseph’s College’s men’s basketball teams reached the Elite Eight of the Division II tournament four times in their history, including 1970, ‘74, ‘79 and 2010. The women’s team made the Elite Eight in 1992.
THANK YOU We would like to thank the readers, advertisers and current & former employees for helping us reach this milestone. It is an honor to be a part of the Rensselaer and Jasper County communities!
Republican RENSSELAER
Celebrating 150 Years
www.rensselaerrepublican.com
B14 Celebrating 150 years
Compiled by Sherri Morrison
In the 1965 Republican, news of the Vietnam War dominated the headlines. Space on the front page was dedicated to both local and national news with stories about local men fighting on the ground in Vietnam as well. The paper covered news across the county in 1965, boasting correspondents in Remington, Mt. Ayr, DeMotte, Kniman, Wheatfield, Fair Oaks and Brook. Fifty years ago, the paper continued to use an 8-column layout with very few, small photos on the front page. January 4, 1965 Halleck Deposed As GOP Leader — Ford Nips Veteran Hoosier Congressman, 73-67, In Minority Leadership Fight House Republicans today ousted veteran Rep. Charles A. Halleck of Indiana as their floor leader. Rep. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan was chosen to replace him. The secret vote was 73-67 for Ford. Their voting records show little difference. But Halleck is one of the “old pros” of the GOP and one of the most widely known men in the party and that fact was his undoing. Halleck’s ouster came at a closed party conference in the House Ways & Means Committee room prior to the noon opening of the 89th Congress. Republicans are outnumbered by better than two to one in both houses. February 3, 1965
OCTOBER 2015
looking back 50 years A glance at the Republican in 1965 Local Man Hero In Viet Nam Drama — Sgt. Clifford Beaver Leads Unit To Safety From Jungle Under Heavy Enemy Fire Marine Sgt. Clifford J. Beaver of Rensselaer, ushered in the new year of 1965 with one of the most dangerous missions of his life. Beaver was assigned to a Vietnamese Marine battalion on a “routine” patrol assignment New Year’s Eve when he walked into and miraculously, out of the biggest battle of this “nasty little war.” Beaver, along with two U.S. Marine officers and the Vietnamese troops, had been ordered to scout the Binh Gia area where a U.S. helicopter had crashed and determine what happened to the four Americans aboard. July 2, 1965 Egans Will Perform At Two-Piano Concert July 5 Dr. and Mrs. John B. Egan will perform a concert on Monday evening, July 5, at 8 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s College auditorium. The Egans will play the works they performed at a two-piano concert in March at the college. Both members of the faculty of music at Saint Joseph’s College, the Egans have received degrees from Indiana University; Dr. Egan received his undergraduate training from the Conservatory of Music of Cincinnati. July 19, 1965
Viet Cong Raiders Attack U.S. Troops Near Saigon SAIGON (UPI) — Communist guerrillas attacking under the cover of a driving rain today killed three American infantry-men at the Bien Hoa Air base 15 miles northeast of Saigon. Several U.S. Soldiers were wounded in some of the heaviest fighting of the war. American military spokesman made an exception to new security regulations covering battle casualties in reporting the three American dead. The exact number of wounded was not announced, but spokesman said there were “several.” One veteran American sergeant who served in World War II compared the fighting to the Battle of the Bulge. Another who fought in Korea said he had never seen anything like the intensity of the Communist onslaught. July 28, 1965 Monthly Draft Calls To Be Doubled — 35,000 To Be Called Each Month For South Viet Nam Duty; No Reserves Now WASHINGTON — President Johnson announced today that draft calls will be doubled to 35,000 men a month to help build up U.S. strength in South Viet Nam from 75,000 to 125,000 troops. He also disclosed that he had ordered to Viet Nam the 1st Calvary Division, a crack air assault and infantry outfit stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga. It will be accompanied by “certain other
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forces which will raise our fighting strength from 75,000 to 125,000 men.” Johnson said he had concluded, however, that “it is not essential to order reserve units into service” at this time. August 12, 1965 City Plans More Airport Support The City of Rensselaer has indicated it will continue to support the development of the Jasper County airport and has included in the proposed budget for the next year, a two-cent levy. The city received a request last week from the county board of aviation which stated that building for “storage of twin-engine aircraft “ is part of the development program, and that this facility could not be included in the runway project in which the federal government, donors, and the city and county are currently participating. “We have no hangar facilities which will accommodate such (2-engine) aircraft,” the letter to the city stated. August 13, 1965 41st Fair Opens Monday Jasper County’s annual Fair, a fledgling in the year 1914, will take off Monday, August 16, for the forty-first time and five-day run. How the years get away. Seems only a short time ago that the Fair waddled out onto the See 1965, page B18
OCTOBER 2015
Celebrating 150 years
B15
History in the headlines
February 8, 1965 Its inspections during the weekend by over 4,000 citizens complete, the new Jasper County Hospital today underwent a final cleaning in preparation for receiving patients Tuesday afternoon. According to a count of those signing guest registers, 4,105 residents of Jasper
August 20, 1993 Doctors this morning began a complex operation that will leave Amy Lakeberg dead to give her Siamese twin, Angela, a chance at survival. The parents, who traveled to Philadelphia after an Illinois hospital refused to operate on the twins, said goodbye to Amy and made cement imprints of the girls’ hands shortly before they were taken into the operating room at 7 a.m., according to Reitha Lakeberg’s sister, Georgia Welsh. “We just hugged and kissed them,” she said. “It was
touching.” Without surgery, doctors say the Wheatfield, Ind., twins that share a heart, liver tissue and chest cavity would die within weeks. With it, Angela faces odds that are better but nonetheless daunting. The parents will remain secluded during the operation, which will last 10 to 15 hours, Welsh said. “We wish the very best to Amy,” she said. “We know God’s with her. I told them (the twins) I loved them and I thanked them for the time that they had.” The operation is the fourth on
County and the surrounding area visited the new hospital during the two-day open house. 2,994 of the hospital’s guests — 500 an hour — looked over the new building Sunday. On Saturday 1,111 attended. Hospital personnel were pleased with the open house and that only normal maintenance was required after it in spite of the thousands of visitors. November 1, 1994
Siamese twins with shared hearts at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The longest survivor, separated in 1977, died of liver failure after three months. “I wouldn’t use the word optimistic,” said Dr. James A. O’Neill Jr., chief surgeon and head of the operating team. “But if we felt there was no reasonable chance at all... we would not have offered the family this option.” A team of 18 doctors plus cardiac specialists, anesthesiologists and nurses began the operation at 8:05 a.m., according to the hospital. Doctors plan to
An American Eagle commuter plane flying 68 people from Indianapolis to Chicago Monday afternoon dropped out of the gust-ridden and rain-driven sky. Flight 4184 went down after 4 p.m. in a separate the lower wide open area an eighth of a mile west of part of the chest Newton County Road 200 East, 700 North. cavity first, then turn attention to the But the cause of this crash in a bean field, six-chambered heart, three miles south of Roselawn off of Indiana State Road 10, may remain in question for which they called weeks. the most daunting challenge. A normal There were no survivors among the 64 passengers and four flight crew members. heart has four Emergency medical response crews described a chambers. grisly scene. “We can’t rule it out, but there are no NOTE: survivors that we know of,” Sgt. Jerry Parker of The initial the Indiana State Police said late Monday night surgery to separate from North Newton Junior-Senior High School. the twins was The auxiliary gymnasium was being set up successful, but as a morgue while the rest of the school would Angela, the surviving twin, died serve as a command center. The initial center of operations was at the Lincoln Township Fire of a heart and lung Department in Thayer. problem 10 months “We have gone over the perimeter of the later on June 9, 1994.
See PLANE CRASH, page B18
FILE PHOTO
Water rose just beneath this Remington bridge during the flood of 2008.
January 10, 2008 Reming ton’s Lake Ar thur Es tates was s till off limits as of 5 p.m. Wednesday after serious flooding took its toll on the subdivision. Residents were rescued from water ranging from 4-5 feet in depth early Tuesday. “We thought every thing would be fine and then we got two foot of water in 10 minutes,” said Sandra Inman. “My whole family had to be rescued. The water came so fas t we weren’t able to get out.”
James Inman Jr. and his friend had to swim through the varying depths of floodwater to rescue a 73-year-old neighbor from his car. “I could have gotten my $40,000 Dodge Durango out before it was too late, but the man had no way to get out of his vehicle.” The victims’ bigges t fear is what they’ll find when they go home,” said Rev. Randy Sparks of the Firs t Chris tian Church in Reming ton. The ex tent of loss scares them more than anything.
Air & liquid filtration since 1915
B16 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
History in the headlines Local doctor, children killed in crash April 16, 2014 An accident involving a chemical tanker truck on I-65 led to a second accident that took the lives of three members of a Jasper County family — a local doctor and two children. According to Indiana State Police, Dr. Mallik Chaganti, 45, of Rensselaer along with two of his children, a son and daughter, whose identities have not been
released, were killed in the accident. One other child in the vehicle was injured. Dr. Chaganti was a popular physician in the area serving at the Clinic of Family Medicine in Rensselaer. Those who knew Dr. Chaganti said his presence will be missed by many, not only in the medical field, but also throughout the community. "Dr. Chaganti loved medicine and in
Dr. Mallik Chaganti doing so made himself very accessible to his patients. He would go out of his way to be there for his patients,” said Tim Schreeg, presi-
dent and CEO at Jasper County Hospital. “He was a huge supporter of the Jasper County Hospital and very supportive of the community. Physicians work long hours and can’t always attend all the events, but he wanted us to be successful. His loss leaves a huge hole in our community and he will be sorely missed.” News of the deaths quickly spread throughout the
Rensselaer community on Tuesday morning, including at Rensselaer Central Middle School where two of Chaganti’s children are enrolled. Rensselaer Superintendent Ned Speicher said school administrators reacted to help students deal with the sudden loss. “It’s a bad day when we lose any student. They are our family. We’ve pulled 10 or 12 counselors from our other
schools to help deal with this tragedy. We’ve also had offers from other school corporations for help with counseling so we will take advantage of that. Wabash Valley is also coming in to help the kids and we have grieving rooms set up. We’ve cancelled an ISTEP practice test that students at the middle school were supposed to take today. It’s a very sad day in our community,” Speicher said.
Republican banners through the years Rensselaer Union banner, 1868
Rensselaer Republican banner, 1879
Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican banner, 1897
Rensselaer Evening Republican banner, 1925
Rensselaer Republican banner, 1932
Rensselaer Republican banner, 1965
Rensselaer Republican banner, 1995
Congratulations Rensselaer Republican on 150 Years!
Congratulations Rensselaer Republican on 150 Years
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Celebrating 150 years
B17
The Republican’s Gossiper, Lefty Clark Old, But New To Me
Howard “Lefty” Clark was editor for the Rensselaer Republican in 1924, and he wrote a column called “The Gossiper” for over 40 years. Beulah ArBy Judy Kanne nott, first Jasper County Jasper County Historian, collected some Historian of his columns into a softbound book. Here are some bits I discovered perusing the first part of this book. He is most entertaining by reflecting on the people and places around him in Rensselaer, Indiana. His nickname “Lefty” came, as he said in a 1948 column, from him being left-handed (both physically and mentally). Lefty’s father had established the Rensselaer Journal which merged with the Rensselaer Republican in 1908. In 1922 Schuyler Robinson became the owner, and Lefty’s fate was set, as you will read below. In 1948, Lefty shared his personal story from birth in Red Key, Indiana in 1894. His family moved to Rensselaer, so he was assigned at the Republican office to scrubbing floors or writing obituaries. The superintendent of schools, C. Ross Dean, suggested Lefty leave Rensselaer High School as a “part way Senior”. Dean said Lefty had learned everything he was going to learn. Luckily his father gave him a full time job at the Rensselaer Republican. Enough of a brief history, here are some of his bits he wrote about and quoted from his column “The Gossiper”. In 1926, he observed Dr. C.E. Johnson fishing under the downtown bridge, while zoo owner, Isaac Glazebrook, obtained an extra deer to keep the Iroquois River banks free of rubbish. (The zoo is where the city parking lot is now.) Down the street east of there, Harry Parker’s photo studio received some fancy new equipment to handle single portraits to family groups. As Clark noted, Parker was the fellow young Charlie Halleck threw snowballs at, hoping to knock his hat off his head. Lefty said, Charlie’s worst licking that he received was using his father’s toupee to build a bird’s nest. Lefty mentioned Charlie did not get to play college football, though he was quite a good player for Rensselaer High School. He received his “I” at Indiana University by turning handsprings and becoming a yell leader. Lefty Clark wrote in his column that Halleck with all of his 8,400 speeches he had made should “go well as a Congressman and make a name for himself as a statesman.” Lefty was correct in this observation. Clark observed from a 1935 comment that it was “us, the Rensselaer Republican, who pinned the name “Bomber” on the Rensselaer High School basketball team. By 1937, the name “Indians” had disappeared. Clark dedicated a part of his column to Vital Statistics; here are some from the 1935 to 1943 bits of gossip. The first time Uncle John Eger ever ate a banana was in “Philadelphy” in 1888. Carl Wood was the only Rensselaer person who ever slept in a cow’s manger. Edward Gilmore can shave himself with either hand, but one shave is worse as the other. Ed Nesbitt’s shoes squeak. Mary D. Eger cooked seven mince pies the day before Christmas. The W.E. Bausmans have a cow. Bernard Haskell still thrills to the knowledge he won the beautiful baby prize of all of Jasper County. A notorious figure was in Rensselaer last week to deliver license plates for 1943. It was D.C. Stephenson of the defunct Ku Klux Klan, now doing a life jolt for murder. He’s a part-time trusty and member of the Michigan City prison crew delivering plates in Northern Indiana. And finally for these bits, the youngest merchant on Main Street: Arthur Tonner. He sells shoe shines and good ones. As I was reading this Gossiper collection, I
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thought others might enjoy Lefty’s 1943 description of the Carnegie Center, as it was then, the Jasper County Library. “The loveliness of the public library grounds, I don’t believe there is a prettier spot in Rensselaer. The magnificent foliage, the lovely shrubbery, the grass perfect lawn and the well-spaced plants give a landscaping effect that is certainly marvelous. The building itself with its thousands of books nestling among such a setting gives Rensselaer another place which it well may be proud. Quiet and dignified and handsome Jasper County Library must rival any in the nation in appearance, and service.” Have you ever known anyone who could really wiggle his ears? From the collection of Howard “Lefty” Clark’s columns, Lefty knew two such men. In a 1936 column in the Rensselaer Republican, a hidden talent was discovered about the owner of the Rensselaer Republican, S. C. Robinson. He could wiggle his ears. The fellow down the street, Samuel Fendig of Fendig’s Drug Store, shared he was ambidextrous in respect to ear wiggling, one at a time or both in unison. This story is typical of the humor found in Lefty’s stories. Sometimes Lefty brings in a bit of family histories too. In the 1943 Gossiper column, he talks of Dr. I. M. Washburn coming to town in 1877 by a stagecoach with his parents. The family made a home on South McKinley and later where Judge and Ellen McGraw’s have lived for many years. Dr. Washburn told he had heard there was an American Indiana village a short distance west of Curtis Creek County Clubhouse. When the country club was constructed, many bones and artifacts were unearthed. Howard Duggleby was a target for Lefty. He had been recruited back to teaching at the Parr School when a vacancy was unfilled when school began. Howard happen to be a real target from accurate bean-shooter snipers of the Parr School. He really did not need that grief since also served as a Rensselaer utilities clerk, fireman, meter reader, and ticket taker at the local movie theaters. In the same column, he shared something about my former neighbor and a star Rensselaer High School athlete, Dode Bausman. During World War II, Dode actually spoke to King George of England when the King conducted a 1943 inspection of a Rensselaer gun crew. The next bit in his column suggested a Fountain Park Chautauqua legend. It is a young gypsy girl who died long ago and was buried in an unmarked grave in the corner of the park. What an eclectic collection of news, Mr. Clark shared. Lefty Clark must have adored “Uncle Johnny Alter” as he remembers this man on the 9th anniversary of his death. In the long almost legendary review, he called this Jasper County pioneer a “farmer, naturalist, poet, writer, gentleman, and God-fearing man”. He noted these qualities: alert, active, never-tiring energy, scholarly attainment, love of beauty, ambition and excellence, referring to Lefty’s pleasure in knowing him or reading his works. This John Alter sounds like someone we all wish we had known. Clark suggests his Rosebud Farm, a pleasant refuge for weary travelers and family. Alter is the author of Hoosier Hunting Ground, written under the name, Bill Bat. In one of Lefty’s 1944 columns, he talked about the “Iroquois Creek” going on a spring rampage. Doesn’t that bring back our recent memories of our river last May-June? Then he splashes in a bit of history saying Joseph D. Yeoman, as the first Rensselaer Postmaster was paid $1 a year. Then in contrast he told of my husband’s uncle Glen Robinson trying on his new Army duds, and the supply sergeant was surprised all of the uniform pieces fit. The sergeant thought he must be deformed. In 1945, Loren Hudson purchased perfume for his teacher Marcia Parkison for Christmas. Finally with Clark’s bits called “Add to Vital Statistics”, The 4:46 Monon train managed to get out of town Thursday, but it had to be pushed a bit. Lefty did reminisce about former days in Shadows of the Past; he thought of the Green-
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE JASPER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The cover of a collection of works by Lefty Clark, researched by Beulah Arnott, former Jasper County Historian.
berry Thornton store at Surrey. “Gosh, “ he says, “there were times I grow so lonely for the picturesque days of Surrey and Parr, two teeming villages on the Monon. In another spot he said “The Monon depot was completed in 1911, and Station master G. E. Wilson stated that once upon a time there were as many as 18 passenger trains daily through Rensselaer.” The automobile sure caused a terrific toll on the train service. Henry Toben visited Lefty and bragged the Toben farm was now equipped with a combination dinner bell and dog caller. Somehow, it seems the bell confused those field workers and Henry suggested “ Well, if it’s the dog you’re wanting instead of me, you’d better get two signals, one for the dog and one for me.” Lefty said “Harmony was restored.” I will end again with Clark’s words about October. “ Gay Miss October, the Charm Gal, showing off with her helter-skelter wardrobe of incredible patterns of unbelievable numbers. I’m definitely in love with her, no mater how much she paints her face and rigs herself up in an assortment of colors that defies the brush of a surrealist artist.” Later he said “If Dame Nature were not such a refined sort of a gal, I’d accuse here of overdressing and putting on too much makeup to be in good taste.” After he says “her wood lands with their tinkling tunes arising from the dripping crisp leaves swaying drunkenly down to enter rendezvous with the good earth so the Dance of the leaves is ending, but the perfume of their bonfires is everlasting.” Yes, the perfume of the bonfires is a memory most of us cannot forget. Howard “Lefty” Clarks columns ran from 1924 to 1970. To read more of these columns, visit the Jasper County Historical Society Museum on the first and third Saturdays each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 479 N. Van Rensselaer Street, Rensselaer. Make appointments to visit through jchsmuseum@ gmail.com. ◆◆◆
STATEMENT. ◆◆◆
Local Response To Newspaper 150 Years ◆◆◆
“The Rensselaer Republican newspaper has and continues to play an important role in Jasper County. Over the years it has come to be recognized as a credible and reliable source for news and useful information. Whether you’re interested in schools, jobs, local government, sports or community events, you can count on the Rensselaer Republican to deliver accurate information in the appropriate way. Congratulations on 150 years of doing the job right for Jasper County. ” State Senator Ed Charbonneau
B18 Celebrating 150 years
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STATEMENT. ◆◆◆
Local Response To Newspaper 150 Years ◆◆◆
“It’s been a pleasure working with Rensselaer Republican highlighting local businesses and events. The hospitality industry in Jasper County includes great restaurants, attractions and hotels. A vibrant hospitality stimulates the local economy by bringing visitor and resident dollars to the community; and the partnership the SSCVA has forged with the Rensselaer Republican will help get the word out about the importance of our shared work.” Speros A. Batistatos, President/CEO for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority
1915,
from A8
the best Christian influences are offered. January 8, 1915 Monon Officlas to Talk Railroad Rates Public Invited to Attend Meeting in the East Court Room When E.P Cockrell will Speak E.P. Cockrell, general passenger agent of the Monon railroad, and some of the officials of the Monon, will be here this evening to discuss with the public, especially with business men, the proposition to ask the present legislation to authorize an increase in passenger rates to 2 1/2 cents per mile and Mr. Cockrell is prepared to show that the rate asked is justified. Other top headlines of 1915 Mt. Ayr Man Sits on Robber Four Are Charged As Chicken Thieves (in Thayer) St. Joseph’ to Hold 20th Commencement June 10 ◆◆◆
STATEMENT. ◆◆◆
Local Response To Newspaper 150 Years ◆◆◆
“The Hoosier State Press Association congratulates the reaching of the 150-year milestone by the Rensselaer Republican. Newspapers are the voice and conscience of a community and Jasper County residents are fortunate to have this institution serve them for so many years. There are no other entities that serve as well as a newspaper as the watchdog of local government activity, a reporter of the social fabric on a community, and first draft of local history - chronically every aspect of life from the birth to the death of its local residents.” Steve Key Executive Director and General Counsel Hoosier State Press Association
Flood,
from A9
from its immediate territory, was fur ther swollen when a section of the Monon track nor th of Rensselaer gave way, permitting a large sheet of water to race down from the higher ground to the nor th and spill itself into the creek, flooding the engine room, the water poured into the boiler room, which precluded the possibility of immediate res toration of the old s team plant service. Located in Rensselaer Since 1997
OCTOBER 2015
1965,
from B14
Fairgrounds for its first step. Like in all the years gone this one will be bigger and better than ever, and that is not only a wheeze, but one that actually is true. Through the years, the Jasper County Fair has increased in scope in many ways and with the constantly expanding 4-H club activities it has taken on a stature that makes it one of the very best county fairs in all of Indiana, one that has attracted the attention of Fair Associations throughout the state, and one that is visited by officials from other fairs that they might note and copy the operations of the Jasper Co. Association, which is so well managed. Through the years various departments have been added, and the prizes have increased immeasurably. August 18, 1965 Connie Keisling Wears Crown As New Fair Queen Smiling and radiant and beautiful and happy as she wears the crown of Miss Jasper County Fair of 1965 and holds a roses bouquet emblematic of her newly won honor is Miss Connie Keisling, who came out of a field of thirteen lovely girls to win the eighth annual renewal of the fascinating glitter show held at the county fairgrounds last evening as thousands looked on. Miss Keisling will rule as Queen of the Fairgrounds for the fiscal year. By virtue of her victory she automatically became eligible to represent Jasper County at the Miss Indiana State Fair pageant to be held in Indianapolis in early September. The other members of the new dynasty are Miss Debbie May of Remington, first runner-up, and Miss Dorothy Gilbert of Rensselaer, second runner-up.
pointing out the dangers of reckless spending, inflationary trends and disregard of people’s rights, opinions and money reminded one of the familiar iron hand in a kid glove. Oct. 4, 1965 Pope Paul Arrive In U.S. Pope Paul VI arrived in America as a pilgrim of peace today and told cheering crowds that he was delighted to be in “a country so free, so strong, so industrious, so full of wonders.” As he stepped from the big DC jetliner which brought him here from Rome, the smiling 68-year-old pontiff extended a warm paternal greeting to America’s 45 million Roman Catholics. “The first Pope to set foot upon your land blesses you with all his heart,” he said. Oct. 7, 1965 Grand Jury Condemns County Jail — First G.J. In Three Years Meets; Sees Co. Home
September 28, 1965
The county grand jury, the first to be called by the circuit court judge in three years, today signed a report to the county commissioners condemning the county jail and recommending improvements at the county home. The six-member panel, header by foreman John Moosemiller, inspected the county jail and the county home and considered their written report this afternoon before signing it. Members of the grand jury panel drawn by the jury commissions for the September term of court are Earl F. Staulbaum, Kankakee township; Robert Waymouth, Carpenter; Richard M. Thornton, Keener; Thomas Abbring, Wheatfield; Mrs. Marvin G. Antcliff, Marion; and Moosemiller.
Luncheon Honors Congressman, Mrs. Halleck
Oct. 18, 1965
Second District Republican Women honored Congreeman Charles A. and Mrs. Halleck Monday, Sept. 17, at the annual autumn luncheon of the organization. On this crisp, bright fall day, more than six hundred Republican women and a generous sprinkling of husbands and other Republican men gathered at St. Joseph’s College, Halleck Student Center for the gala event. Republicans present were honored with the presence of the top woman of the National Republican scene as the guest speaker, none other than Mary T. Brooks, Assistant Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Mrs. Brooks, whose late husband was Honorable C. Wayland Brooks, United States Senator from Illinois, did a top job informing her eager listeners of the true nature of things that are taking place in the nation’s capital. Her method of
We’re One Hundred Years Old — ‘Prairie Telegraph’ Founded Following End of Civil War
Plane Crash,
from B15
crash site but we’ve found nothing,” Parker said. “We’ve been in there and don’t see anything.” The twin turbo prop plane left Indianapolis International Airport at 2:58 p.m. (CST) after a 50 minute delay due to bad weather. The plane was preparing to land at 4:20 p.m. when at 8,000 feet it vanished from the radar. Members of the Federal Aviation Administration, the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board were scheduled to review the scene at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Larry Midkiff, 20, was an eyewitness to the crash. The Roselawn constuction worker who graduated from North Newton Junior-Senior High School in 1992, was driving north on Indiana State Road 55 when he saw the plane falling from the sky. “It was headed straight down...nose down,” Midkiff said. “I was a half mile from it at most when it was going down. It looked like the left wing was missing; it wasn’t there. I drove to the sight and I saw smoke, but there was no explosion, so sign of life.”
Today is the Rensselaer Republican’s 100th Anniversary. Although its present name was not to come until 1879 and daily publication not until 1896, the newspaper has been issued continuously beginning with the October 18, 1865 issue of the “Prairie Telegraph.” Arising within six months of the close of the Civil War, a line under the masthead of the then-new paper proclaimed “Equal Natural Rights for All Men,” an ideal still elusive a century later. The “Prairie Telegraph,” ancestor of today’s Republican, was not, however, the first newspaper to be issued in Jasper County. The county’s publishing history began in 1853 with the Jasper Banner.
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STATEMENT. ◆◆◆
Local Response To Newspaper 150 Years ◆◆◆
STATEHOUSE (Oct. 7, 2015) “Founded in 1865, the Rensselaer Republican has remained dedicated to keeping citizens informed on local issues for 150 years, and I congratulate them on this impressive accomplishment. “The press serves an important role in a democratic society, and daily publications like the Rensselaer Republican contribute to fostering a knowledgeable electorate. “Rensselaer is very fortunate to have access to this local resource. I wish the Rensselaer Republican success in the future as they continue covering stories that are important to our community. ” State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek)
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Celebrating 150 years
B19
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B20 Celebrating 150 years
OCTOBER 2015
Dr. Robert A. Pastoor, 18th President of Saint Joseph’s College On Friday, October 16, Dr. Robert A. Pastoor was inaugurated as the 18th president of Saint Joseph’s College. Though he was only officially installed recently, Dr. Pastoor’s presidency truly began on March 16, 2015. In his time at SJC thus far, Dr. Pastoor has made quite an impact. He has secured major gifts from alumni, $400,000 from Joe ‘64 and Pat Reilly for a full technology upgrade and a $1,000,000 planned estate gift from the estate of Donna(Tom ‘73) O’Reilly; met and discussed his vision for the College with hundreds of alumni and friends; and launched the IMPACT Initiative, a strategic approach to addressing the challenges SJC faces looking forward by focusing on critical priorities. As impressive as his time so far has been, Dr. Pastoor has no plans to slow down. Looking forward, he intends to introduce online education, strengthen our Master’s programs, introduce more undergraduate programs, increase the overall number of students, particularly international students, and intensify fundraising efforts to address the financial challenges SJC faces.
Saint Joseph’s College congratulates the Rensselaer Republican on its 150 years of news coverage. Since the release of its first edition (under the name Prairie Telegraph) in 1865, the Republican has served Rensselaer and Jasper County as a reliable and quality source for local and national news. With the founding of the College in 1889, came the beginning of an enduring relationship between the Republican and SJC. Two of the oldest organizations in Jasper County, the collaboration between the College and the Republican is truly something special. We at Saint Joseph’s College again offer our friends at the Republican our congratulations and we wish them another 150 years of success, with us by their side.
Student Life When looking for a club or activity that interests you, your biggest challenge will be deciding which one to get involved with first. Travel to North Carolina with Habitat for Humanity, plan events like our annual Little 500 as a member of the Puma Activities Council (PAC), or test your mettle with the Rugby Club. Because of our small student population, you can easily assume a leadership role in whatever club or activity you get involved with. And if we don’t have what you’re looking for, you can always start it yourself.
Faith and Service Campus Ministry serves the Mission of Saint Joseph’s College by making visible the religious identity of the institution. As a Catholic college in the tradition of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, we are stewards of our Catholic tradition and our unique C.PP.S. heritage. Our Mission is rooted in our Precious Blood Spirituality, and our ministry reflects our priorities.
Athletics Saint Joseph’s College has a proud history at the NCAA’s competitive Division II level of athletics, boasting a national title, an Olympian, a member of Indiana’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and several drafted baseball players. Since joining the Great Lakes Valley Conference, SJC has won numerous conference and regional championships and has had hundreds of athletes named AllConference, All-American, and Academic All-American. When the Pumas pounce into action, the entire SJC community comes together in spirit, camaraderie, and fun.
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