Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-07-16

TNsESA ia ta.iou Jon wa was 'G1 filed
with pride and
good feeling. The *. i. band played a
number Of selections on the street be-
fore the meeting and also at inter
walls, during the exercises, and were
loudly applauded. Under the direc-
tion OF Mr.. Geo. Holmes, the boys are
doing excellent work. At $50 o'clock
the meeting was called to order by
Mayor Bricker who invited David +.
Wilson TO act as chairman. The ros-
trum was beautifully set and draped
with national colors and besides the
speakers, several members of the G..
A. X. Post, w. Il. c., and members OF
the common council occupied seats on
the stage. The Belding Male quar-
tette, composed of G, Nj. Kingsley, H..
A. Wilder, N. X. Benedict and w. d.
Ballou, sang three selections: "Colum-
bia, the Gem of the Ocean, Soldiers
Farewell, and Marching Through
Georgia.
After opening with the former aud
prayer by Rev. b. V. Child, Chairman
Wilson introduced Mrs. DR.. Coville.
who in presenting the flag to the city
said:
Citizens of Bedng: When placed the flag
in the Michigan building at the great Worlds
Falr we were legally known as the township of
Otsco. IL was so entered. i simply have this
10 say; that the otfcials OF that great Fair said
10 me- that no other township in the state of
MlchigGn was better represented than ours
When the flag was returned TO me at the close
OF the Fair, we were full fiedged city. Com
plications arose, the township of Otisco was
10th TO part with so beautiful a souvenir OF the
great FAR which has passed like beautiful
dream. Who could blame them; knowing
the desire of Belding Bros that the city which
bears their name should own the flag, il was
my duty 10 use my influence for that purpose
Ana as the constant dripping of water will wear
away the hardest stone, so my opportunities
have prevailed and now take great pleasure
in being able nj last To hand this over TO the
city OF Reldng Mayor Brcker, i'm behalf of
the township of Otisco hand over to you this
flag and with il all the right and title (which
they held. As custodian II was my duty TO pro
tect II. Belding has some two dozen or more
societies and each had as good right TO use this
flag as the other. Had | let il been used il
would have been in tatters rs il Is, have the
pleasure OF placing II in your hands unsoiled
anf llaiorns3 Arc COW you the legal Gust oG-
ian, shall simply remain the honorary custod
ian and ] know that you will protect 1t, not
only as the relic OF the Fair but in memory of
Beldng Bros who donated il.
In response to the beautiful gift
Mayor Bricker replied:
In the name of the City of Beldng / accept
the flag. There Is nothing that could give me
more pleasure than the privilege of receiving
this beautiful emblem of the free and the
brave-the glorious flag OF our country. The
flag will be cherished by this city for ages TO
come Its history Will he repeated when we
are dead and gone. Not only will IL be remem
bered as a souvenir of our Worlds Fair but
more especially will II be remembered rs a gift
OF the founders of this city-the Bedding Bros
Long may they live 10 see its bright stars and
stripes floating over the city that bears their
name-Belding To you, Mrs. Covillc, as Gus
todan OF the flag during and since the Worlds
Fair, to you ! extend the thanks OF this city for
the work done by you IN helping to bring honor
TO the American workmanship represented in
the flag. also for the care you have taken to re
turn il untarnished TO the city that bears the
name OF the donors-Belding While | am
mayor of this city shall care for and defend
the nag and when my successor is chosen will
place IL in his hands, and may il be handed
down from generation TO generation, its bright
stars ana stripes ever representing the union OF
the states and our American Independence.
After music she was again introduced
and read an interesting and historical
account of the stars and stripes, its
origin and subsequent history, at the
close Of which she read the letter from
Belding Bros, published last week,
and turning to the commander Of the
Post, b. +. Tower, presented the flag
in these words:
And now, as ex President of the Woman's
Relief Corps which is auxiliary to the Grand
nj tn l4l
Belding Bros take great pride and pleasure
IN presenting To the veterans OF Beld1ng ana
vicinity, in behalf OF M. Nj. and "A. n. Belding
this beautiful silk flag. May long years pass
before you have occasion to use this for any but
pleasing events. but when one OF you pass out
al the last call, this is "a beautiful and lifting
emblem TO drape over his bier. Take IL and
cherish il, not only for your country's sake but
IN memory Of the donors who are the founders
OF this city OF Belding.
Mr. Tower on behalf of the Post
accepted the gift and responded very
appropriately, extending their hearty
thanks to the donors for the beautiful
emblem and said that it would ever be
priced very highly.
+. b. Lapham, Hon. +. G. Watkins,
Hon. G. G. Ellsworth, the latter of
Greenville, and Maj. Frank Il. Chase
OF Smyrna. we're introduced in the
order named and made short speeches,
which from the applause given them,
were evidently well liked and in
harmony with the occasion. The
meeting was a success in every way
and the citizens Of Belding and the old
veterans of the city and vicinity desire
through the columns Of the BANNER to
thank the Belding Bros. for these mag
niticent gifts
Saranac Local: II. j. Hills, of this
township, has tract Of land near
Belding on which rye was growing
this year The rye was cut last week
and Mr.. Hills left at this Office a stool