The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1903-04-03
A HISTORY OF
HOME MAKING

IWeVe years oil nom -bulldlng under
prchibition Increase in population;
material wealth; intellectual and NOR
al culture as shown by schools, home
improvements, literary clubs, oranges,
farmers institutes and clubs and other
social and benevolent organizations,
Sunday schools and young peoples 90
cieties of all denominations.
These last have a large influence
in the great increase in number of
boys and girls who have gone 10
schools of higher education and IN OBJ
tanning positions of trust and profit
The appreciation OF the above is well
shown by the many resolutions which
have recently been passed by different
organizations Of this county and by
the many expressions of commenda-
ton from citizens and visitors.
A stronger argument still for our
present law is furnished by the thous.
ands OF summer visitors who come 70
our county and the frequency by word
or letter that they commend the ab-
sence Of saloons.
A still more substantial endorsement
is shown by the purchase of so many
summer homes, thus insuTing their
owners annual return. Besides many
have bought homes for the year round
people who have added wealth, pro.
gress, social refinement, culture and
moral advancement
All these influences help make the
home a spot. TO which the thoughts
may hy backward for strength. en-
enlargement and comfort and around
which cling the most loving and tender
memories. With these ideals each new
home is built, or should be. Prohibi-
ton helps obtain, and maintain happy
homes. The licensed saloon is their
chief foe. The advantages and the
Importance Of the home to the indi.
vidual, the community and the nation
are SO many and so vital that the lit. |
tie money obtained from licenses sinks
into insignificance and / believe no
thoughtful investigator of Van Buren,
counJy's present condition as compar-
ed with those having saloons will vote
for a change.
The letters Of the nineteen real es-
tate agents who have written or been
interviewed (only 2 of whom claim the
closed saloon did not make any diff |
ference) tend 10 confirm the above |
AS further partially indicating the
movements of real estate in the vicin- !
ity Of South Haven the books of the |
undersigned show 5000 papers sent |
10 the registers Offices Of Van Buren, |
and Allegan counties in the past - |
years ASS Van buren, and 1873 Allegan |
in 1902 About one-half were deeds, |
and of these two-tilirds were out side |
purchasers and one third those who |
had lived here one year or more.
The larger portion of the home sales |
have been on contracts giving long !
time with small weekly, monthly or
yearly payments and for city lots or
out side lands Hundreds of people |
have comfortable homes who probably |
would not now enjoy them but for |
these easy terms. These contracts |
convey an interesting temperance les
son. Those who RETAINED from drink |
show steady payments and the final |
owning of the home, others who have |
wasted time and money in drink show |
few and irregular payments and the |
final sale 70 some one else, and no
home for the original purchaser.
Similar methods OF home getting |
were practiced from the birth Of the |
county. Our father who was agent |
for a large amount of land owned by |
eastern men, sold for them as well as
lanis of his own on contracts. Among |
the first which we recall was Clark |
Pierce in 1897. Many others could be
named in western VanBuren and south |
western Allegan. While many of these |
lands were sold before We were born,
most of them were paid for years after
so that we became acquaintA with |
the purchasers and the location Of !
the land. Two contracts are recalled !
as fairly typical in payments. A Mr. i
Barnes, northwest of Lawrence, who |
was an extra chopper, earned most Of
his money for payment on his land by
slashing or winrowing the timber and |