The Detroit times., 1910-07-05
az FRED scHAEFER.

4& ~ FRED SCHAGFEh.
COLUMBUS, Ind, July 4.-News
{fDm washington that the center OF
population has no. moved more than
one mile since the last census. has
Awakened this section 10 a new indus
Try I'm its midst--that OF raising cen
tets OF population OF the United
States. For tho second time success
sjSely the center will be in this ccun-
t. bartholomew county-and for the
third time successfully within 70
niles OF Columbus.
IL found large gobs OF Joy and en-
tI,nsiasm all around when l went down
there TO see just what center of
nhpulation looked like. In fact
wouldn't be surprised If the Columbus
board OF trade adopted some such APP
Drppriate slogan as I'VE pivot, while
ofher points merely populate" or
s,C0lumbus, the center of the United
States. the center OF the world, the
center OF the universe"
COlumbus, the nearest large town to-
the exact center, will again be re-
TERED to as the center OF convent
er1ce. but the actual point will again
% within a mile of six miles south
east of Columbus, and Columbus
heartily congratulates the United
states upon knowing enough TO hang
onto q center of population that has
made good"
But there's ar interesting. situation
SIX miles southeast OF town, whereithe
exact center was marked ten years
nto OH the farm CT Henry MARI. Since
the baimy morning when Uncle Sans
Befious-faced 1nen planted a square
white stone, like the marker on sol
dikr's grave, few PAGES from his red
barn, the locality has been the Mecca
FOR tourists. A larger and more or
tate, but unofficial stone, Is erected
on the roadside half-mile from the
barn to notify travellers that its pretty
near time to get interested-that they
ere close to the spot. And now the
whole neighborhood is agog over The
prospect OF more Of the same In fact,
4 day dreams are being INDUCED in TO-
the effect that II the township. as
seems now to be it's destiny, will have
life Job as center of population,
bvery substantial farmer with blue
Dverails will have a census marker
4 near his barn-a real nice stone for
his wife to use in getting into the
buggy.
Al present 1t looks as IL the 1910
feenter will land on the property of II
+ II. or Bert" Mari. a cousin. OF the
1900 MARI, thus giving the MARI fam.
ny a distinction that will be envied
BY others whereabouts. Bert" Mari
has 1877 fertile acres, and a handsome
block Of stone suitably inscribed
would flourish on any one OF them.
The movement OF the population CEN
Ter In the last thirty or forty years
has been somewhat south of west, and
mn advance OF one mile would about
put II in the door yard OF "Bert"
Mars home, among Mrs. Marr's flow.
trs and shrubs, where she could sit
on the porch Of evenings and look
% II. Yes. decidedly, that would be
\ right good place to put 1t. Mrs. MARI
told me she didn't care how soon 1t
happened.
Ef It came like a shower of brickbats
put or clear sky 10 Bert" Mari,
Who was found downtown pricing bin!
tler twipe, when informed that very
y likely the center of population would
light on his place like a homing
bigeon. He had thought the process
zion would pass by, in fact, go clear
bTer into the rival state OF Illinois
f,However," he said, IF il likes this
place and wants to stay, shall not
turn IL from my door. And If they
want TO plant stone on my land. I'll
cherish 1t, and terd It, and water II in
flrouth. I'll be a foster parent 10 the
center of population any time tire
government wants to give IT to ME 90
raise
Bert is a conversationist--a real
natrfot
After al. center Of population IS
q very desirable thing, to Judge from
the experience OF Henry Mari. nov
possessing the one that squatted
. licreabouts In 1900. Since he got IL.
be has built a 14-room house and pur.
chased corking fine automobile. This
Istno poverty-stricken community thar
WELCOMES the center OF population in.
1ustry. The agricultural supply houses
oiDo cell motor care and they sell
Fasoiine as well at axle grease. This
isanog OK team country, and the county
peAt has an asphalt street and a white
wing 10 keep It tidy, and two street
cars for such of IT. agricultural neigh.
bors who do not yet own benzine bug.
ries.
/, About the next thing ought to he a
subway to take tourists by a dus;Jess
route out past the German Reformed
cipnrch to where the centers Of pCpu.
iafion multiply In the truck gardens
And wheat zelda six miles southeast
OF town.
Work % Hours a Day.