Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-05-13
AROUND THE CIRCLE
A Record Representative Enjoyed A
Drive In Western GratiOt County.
FARMERS ARE VERY BUSY
Many Improvements Are Being Made In the
Appearance Of Farm Homes.

Taking advantage of the delightful
weather of Tuesday. that promising
harbinger of better weather, a re-
preventative of The Record made a
drive about the western portion of the
county calling at Elwell, Riverdale.
Elm Hall and Sumner. The day was
one of the most delightful of the
season and all the wsy farmers were
busy with their spring work. Many
new furrows were being turned In the
fields and every horse upon the farm
was pressed into service on the plow
or harrow. Only few farmers have
their oats sowed: but few days
pleasant weather will find the season
for oat sowing past and work uron
the corn ground will be pushed with
vigor. Many noticeable improvements
have been made in the appearance of
the farm homes and we were happily
surprised to see that many orchards
along the way that have been neglected
for ears have been trimmed and clean
ed and given a great deal of care. Pay
ing five cents piece for apples or
going without them about the kitchen
fire during the long winter evenings,
has prompted a great manv TO make
an effort to revive the old orchard
this season. Fences have been repair
ed and rebuilt and old fence rows
have been cleaned ana the under.
growth of brush removed. Generally
speaking stock looked we'll and the
lamb family were upon a hundred
hillsides frisking in the bright MAY
sun. Cattle were nibblfng the new
grass In the low spots of the fields and
manv housewives were seen gather
ing dandalions for greens. signifying
that man and beast enjoy green
stuff at this season of the year
AT Elwell we found evidence of a
spring awakening. William Layton
is preparing the foundation for a new
hotel TO be two stories in heigth and |
constructed of cement. George Quick
is erecting a building in which he
will soon install a feed mill and W.
G. Pugslev has the repairs completed
to his warehouse. The heavy fall of
snow week before last caused the roof /
TO collapse and as result mum Der of !
implements and buggies were broken
and damaged. Mr.. Lugsley will erect
suitable bins adjoining the railway |
tracks for supply of coal and /
cement TO supply the needs of the peo-
pie of this section. NJ. Singluff was
busy with his morning work when we
arrived and he reported business good
at the biggest little store in the
county. The building. occupied bv
Lingluff & Co. is not verv large but
there are heeps of desirable goods
placed upon the shelves Just the same.
AT the store of the Hilsinger Mercan-
tile Co.. Manager Olmstead and three
clerks were busy waiting upon the
early morning shoprers. This store
enjoys large trade and serves
large number of people. Across the
street DR.. Mclaughlin was found in
ieep study. making plans for future
improvements In his ssnitarium. Cold
weather came little too soon for the
genial doctor last fall and he did not
,et all his contemplated improvements :
completed. but he hopes to get to
work at them soon now. DR.. Nc
has an institution in which
le takes great deal of pride and one
hat is a credit to the community in
which it is located. He has been very
uccessful in his treatment of the
many applicants who come to see him
nd his fame is continually spread
ng.
AT Elm Hall were spent an enjoy ,
BILE hour visiting with +. j. Blair. !,
hat prince of good fellows and veteran :
nerchant, and with DR.. Schaeffer and !.
)elbert Hicks. Each of these men {
arrv large stocks of goods For years :,
I'm Hall was one of the principal :,
owns of this entire section and these :,
retain large part of g
hat patronage.
Since the destructive fire Sumner
as been greatly improved and neat,
nbstantial cement blocks have taken
be place of the frame ones DESTROYED.
he merchants there carry good stocks +
goods and are happy and contented. III
The grist mill was busy place and q
of garden making were seen ST
D every hand. Postmaster Button was fo
caught" in his garden and the ex- br