Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-05-14

the days of the country store here and al
Kiddvle, where he and NJ. B. Divine were
in partnership, how he stuck by the towr
after the removal of the numbering busi-
ness, and waited in anxious expectancy
for better days. He touched up Ranney
and the horse-car line and told of the ad.
vent of the first silk mill, through propo-
siton made by H. H. Belding and was
proud that he and his partner were the
first to head subscription paper to Sc.
cure its location. Mr. Leonard made a
fine talk, pleasing in "reminiscences, and
closed by paying glowing tribute to the
memory of Hiram H. Belding. his firm
friend and friend to the city, asking that
the whole company arise and bow in
silence to his memory.
Fred E. Ranney of Greenville being
present, was called upon and took a shot
at Leonard and others and said it was a
pleasure for him to be present and greet
long time friends in his old home town
that while business and commercial inter
ests might have a tendency to draw
people apart and conflict at times, there
should be friendship and harmony exist
ing at all times in the social side of life.
Mr. Ranney's speech was loudly APP
plauded.
Bon Bons was the toast proposed for
Fred F. Ireland, Vern c Divine, w. L.
Cusser and Byron F. Brown, all Of
whom, as representative young business
men of the city. made short and pithy re-
sponses, working in some stories and jabs
at the POSTMASTER and other speakers
The subject matter Of the practical side OF
the topic which they brought out gave
evidence at once that the city was to be
in good hands in the future and that
speakers at future banquets would be
plenty.
E. B Lapham fired off few random
shots when it came his turn and landed
few which seemed to hit the bull's-eye
near the center. He complimented the
whole good-looking company as being the
cream, the flower and pride of Michigan.
Massachusetts,, Illinois, New York and
various other states in the Union, and
singled out M. M. Belding, senior. as the
best looking man in the whole bunch, GER
tanly having every last man in his own
party beaten to a finish. He said some
other things also and closed with the fol-
lowing toast:
Here's to the bunch from the east and
the west;
All joy good fellows, and branded The
Best
The fellows that do things without much
talk,
The fellows that see things as quick as a
hawk
The fellows that move things without
much noise,
And Milo and A. N. are two Of the boys.
Toastmaster Chapple called on M. NJ
Belding, sr., for the closing remarks.
and on behalf Of his brother, A. N. Beld
ing, and all the party present, which they
represented, he extended cordial thanks
for the reception and excellent entertain
ment, which had given them much
pleasure and enjoyment. He said he
wanted to see the city stand in the line Of
progress and the company could always
be depended on for encouragement along
the line Of Improvements for its better
ment in every way. Mr.. Beldng said his
first visit here was 81 years ago last
month. He came to St. Johns and
through by Ionia, having hired a convey
ance for the trip, which brought him and
his wife here, then called Pattersons Mill
having to cross the river at the dam on a
narrow plank foot bridge to get to Uncle
Lewis Ellis, He remained nere three OF
four months assisting in clearing the old
farm with his brother A. N, and put ir
some corn with Mr.. Ellis on shares. He
said he went out hunting one day ano
shot a wild turkey near where the sill
mill is located, having forded the river
waste deep to get shot at it. He after
ward sold his share in the corn crop fol
$40 and went back east. Mr.. Belding'.
brief remarks were received with ap-