davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
THREAT
BY SNEAK WRITER
HUMAN HYENAS STILL AT WORK
TO WIRING MONEY FROM
THE MOONS.
DASTARDLY LETTER OUT
Cruel Wretch Makes Threats That
Wife and Daughter Will Be Killed
Unless Money Is Given.

Not content with rending the heart
of Luman Moon, father of the drowned
boy Harold, for whom a countrywide
search was made, by decoying him 10
Delavan, Wis, through a letter pur-
porting to show that the lad had been
kidnapped and would be returned TOT
$500, the inhuman money-seeker mas
written second letter, threatening 10
kill his wife and daughter. Most cruel
of all, the writer attempts TO make
the father believe that the lad was
hurled into Thread pond and drowned
after he had failed to place the money
demanded for his sons ransom in the
mouth of the old park cannon in Della
van.
From the absurdity of trying TO
make the family believe the boy was
the victim of his supposed captors-
as the body showed it had been in the
water a long time and the little skates
were on Harold's feet-it was at first
believed the second letter was hoax
and that some feeble or evil-minded
person had sent it to annoy Mr.. Moon
and crafty morbid tendency. How
ever, on the advice of the police, the
letter was forwarded to the Pinkerton
detectives in Chicago, whence the let
ter came. The first one was from
Delavan, Wis.
Mr.. Moon and the Flint police are
of the opinion that the letter, which is
apparently in the same handwriting
as the first one, was sent by the same
vampire. Like the earlier missive, it
was written in pencil and there was
hn hnf Of
sheet was a skull and cross-bones,
rudely drawn. While demand IS
made for $4,000, with a penalty of
death of Mrs. Moon and her daughter
Marian, aged IT, no method OF deliver
ing the ransom is suggested.
The second letter from the black
mailer. as if to make the wound deep
er, arrived just before the funeral SER
vice over the body of Harold. Lester
Moon. the 16-yearold brother of Har-
old, after the funeral told Sheriff
Parkhurst of the threatening letter,
but the family and officers succeeded
in keeping the matter temporarily
quiet.
The Chicago Pinkerton detective
who is working on the Moon case IN
Delavan, and who believes he recog
nized the man when he was proving
about the park in the vicinity of the
cannon, is one who aided in ferritine
out the disappearance of the Cudahy
agy, who ylAadnaped a few years
Mr.. Moon has placed the case en-
tirely in the hands of the Pinkertons
and is awaiting developments. In the
meantime he is taking good care to
guard the members of his family from
harm.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Reduce Textbook Prices.

Representative Ogg believes that
the legislature can establish a simple
method Of reducing the price of text
books in the state without going into
the subject of uniformity or creating
a board
His idea is to pass bill providing
that any publisher desiring to sell text
books to the public schools shall file
sworn statement with the superin-
tendent of public instruction giving
the lowest wholesale net price at
which such books are sold anywhere
in the United States, and also agree
ing to reduce the prices in Michigan
when such reductions are made else
where. He would further require pub
fishers to deposit samples with the
state and file a bond that all books
will be the equal of the sample, where
upon publishers will be granted
license to sell their books to the va
rious school districts. Representative
Ogg will introduce a bill along these
lines.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
MICHIGAN
Murderers in High Places.

To enter into the details OF the
tauses that contribute to high death
rate among infants is to indict about
every city in the land and all OF the
states for completely in murderous
conspiracy. When a municipal leglsla-
mre declines to pass any law honestly
and scientifically designed TO increase
The purity OF the milk supply, 1T be-
comes a party to this murderous con-
spiracy. If it fails TO enact suitable
building laws, it is guilty of crime OF
omission. 1t is similarly derelict, de-
clares the st. Louis Republic, when IL
fails to provide for the medical inspec-
ton of school children or to compel
the taking OF any and all the precau-
tons which science has devised and
experience has proved to be beneficial
We may hold opinion with certain men
of science, commonly designated as
cranks. that disease is a crime, but we
may not hope to see the people attain
TO universal heights of right living.
But because individuals habitually and
often Intentionally abuse or neglect
their bodies, the state is not absolved
from exercising to the limit or toier-
ance its duty of safeguarding life ana
health. AS il is now, the state sins as
the individuals do and, presumably, be-
cause they do.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

The habit of hyphenating names is
a curious one, and more prevalent IN
England than in this country. 1t Will
be recalled that many of the plays OF
Shakespeare appeared with Shake
speare" on the title-page. Some one
recently observed that American
names are being printed in this fashion
quite frequently in the British papers
of to-day. "Bailey-Aldrich," Clarence
Stedman" and "Gillespie-Blaine" are
examples. In cases where the hyphen
is not used, the first name is often
dropped, and we read of ALLAN Poe,
Ward Beecher" and Russell Lowell.
The practice is almost the opposite OF
that of the newspapers of small towns,
where items appear about Assistant
Postmaster James Henry Jones"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Thinks Liquor Fight is Won.


1--WE have broken the backbone OF
liquor traffic in Michigan" That was
the expression to which Superintend-
ent George w. Morrow of the Michi-
gan Anti-Saloon league gave vent in a
talk at Detroit shortly after the re.
turns were brought in which showed
him that 10 of the q contests in
Michigan counties had been won by the
"drys."
Iosco county at first accounts was
said to have gone to the "drys," but
later information showed it to be
wet" and consequently it was trans
ferred to the liquor column by mar
row margin.
Election of Charles A. Blair Of
Jackson and John w Stone of Mar
quette to seats on the supreme court
bench was well received by political
leaders and it was estimated the Re-
publicans won victory by plurality
of $4,000.
In the small cities of the state
mayors were elected and for the most
part the Republicans carried away
the trophies of the ballot chase.
The option campaign was unique. II
made total of 80 dry" counties. II
having previously renowned intoxi-
cants among the SO districts of Michi-
gan. 1t was hard fight for the
"drys," but they won in the greater
one of the notable failures of the
anti-saloonists to put il over on the
"wets." The failure in that Gretna
Green is said to have been due to the
fame of the spot as resort. Some
business men made the declaration
that If the county was to go dry" it
would hurt st. Joseph and Benton
Harbor, the two largest cities, which
depend upon resorters for great
share of their revenue.
The great resort interests of the
twin cities with the special privilege
act Endorsed by the foreign voters, the
election for the "wets" seemed as
sured before the ballots were cast.
The Anti-Saloon league of Michigan
made the most desperate effort in the
history of the state to carry Berrien
county, but failed. They employed
temperance speakers of national fame,
including the famous Seaborn Wright
of Georgia and c. W. Tricket, who
made Kansas dry" Women's votes
played a large part in the election of
the members of the Detroit school
board. This is the only office for
which women have the franchise, and
they turned out by the thousand, as
a result of an unusually bitter cam
paign against a number of members.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

The death of Maj. Zalinski recalls
his dynamite gun and the cruiser Ve-
suvius, into whose deck and hold the
menacing tubes were installed. 1t was
promised that this floating machine
for the throwing of dynamite would
revolutionize naval warfare, but the
dynamite" ship did not brighten the
Spaniards at Santiago, who can ever
be accused of having made tremen-
dously heroic defense of that city. The
fact is, the Vesuvius was more dreaded
by the men who were assigned to her
than she was by enemies toward which
her tubes were pointed, because sailors
do not care to go shipmates" with
stocks of dynamite.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

The statement that there are four or
Eve men among Boston's aged city
employees who are in such condition
that their wives lead them to work in
he morning and call for them and take
them home at night is pitiful, especial
ly when it is taken in connection with
The statement that oftentimeF an aged aged
,,on will hA found it--i- --.A
-ss n4h SYiisautt6t a again grandchildren are
being maintained by the city employee
who feels obliged to keep up the at
tempt at work. Until a pension system
Is devised it would seem to be a good
policy for the city to put the husky
son to work and compel him to support
the aged father, who has earned rest
after many years of labor.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
a Freak Election,

Joseph Sadoni, living with his "12
apostles" in White River township,
and one of the most peculiar religious
fanatics in the county, was elected
school inspector of the township after
one of the hardest contests ever
fought out there. His majority was
10.
A. J. Gladstone ("Unkissed') Dowie,
son OF the former prophet" John
Alexander Dowie, of the Zionist move.
ment of few years ago, is shown TO
have been defeated for township clerk
Of Montague township on latest re-
turns. He ran on the Independent
ticket. Clerk Paul King, who was de-
feated for denomination at the regular
township caucus, ran on the slips and
won from field of three regularly
nominated competitors.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Frank Lyle Is Dead.

Frank w. Lyle, under indictment
tor wrecking the Ly1e-Gage private
bank at Dowagiac, who was found
dead Wednesday at his rooms in Chi
cago was not suicide, in spite of the
broadcast report to that effect, if what
q physician who made an examination,
says is true The doctor summoned
Immediately OF the finding of the body
asserted that death was due TO a COM
plication Of diseases. including erysip-
elias. Lyle had been living with a
former Michigan woman, it is said
and when his body was found, it was
reported that the woman had taken
poison with him. to carry out a sup
posed death pact This report proved
to be untrue and was found on the wo-
mans recent illness.
Lyle, since his indictment, had been
out on $4,000 bonds.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

Andrew Carnegie's peace proposal
that the United States defend British
ports on the Atlantic coast in return
for similar compliment on the Pacific
coast, and in Hawaii and the Philip
pines, amounts, says the Milwaukee
Evening Wisconsin. practically to a
merging OF the naval power of the two
nations and the formation OF navy
that would be large enough to provide
fleets galore for defense purposes. Mr..
Carnegie is quite as interesting In this
as he was in the recent tariff inquiry.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Colby Primary Bill Out.

Representative Colby succeeded in
getting his statewide primary election
bill before the house, reporting 1t out
from the committee on elections as a
substitute for the Dickinson bill
passed by the senate. The bill was
ordered printed Immediately and was
made a special order.
Colby says he expects the house to
adopt his bill, and put 1t up to the
senate to accept the bill. He declares
there are senators who will vote for a
statewide primary election bill who
voted against 1t when the. Dickinson
bill was up, and expects enough
OF them will take that view to
pass his bill. There is, however. no
good guess as to just what the house
will do with the bill.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
A government report shows that the

government report shows that the
ravages of consumption are decreasing
throughout the country. Slowly, but
surely, the plague for which it was
thought there was no cure is giving
way before the energetic and persist
ent attacks of science. With the dis
coveries and remedies that have been
made, and the bringing abonut of bet
ter public sanitary conditions, both by
popular education on the subject and
by civic ordinances, there is hope that
the next generation will no longer have
reason to look upon this terrible dis
ease as inevitable doom past human
aid
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Drastic Saloon Bill Introduced.

Representative Cramton of Lapeer
introduced a new liquor bill in the
house embodying the ideas of the
Anti-Saloon league. Its provisions are
the most drastic that have yet been
advocated, as the following synopsis
shows:
Permits saloons only in incorporated
cities and villages; closes saloon 80
days for first violation of liquor law
and forfeits license on second convic'
ton. Application for license con-
tains agreement to that effect.
Druggists can only sell on pre-
scription.
License shall not be issued to any
woman or to any unfit person, nor to
one who is not a citizen of Michigan
and of the United States, nor to any
person who has served time in any
state prison or penitentiary, nor to any
person who has subsequent to the TAX
ing effect of this act twice been con
victed by court of competent juris-
diction of any violation of the liquor
laws of the state.
Limits saloons to one for each
1000 of population of any village OF
city; provided that the council of any
village or city may by ordinance fur.
Their limit the number of licenses for
such village or city and may entirely
prohibit the granting of any licenses
for such village or city.
Provides for county excise boards to
be composed of Judge of probate, coun
ty clerk and treasurer.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Creates More New Jobs.

Senator Collins introduced another
bill to provide for a system OF uniform
accounting throughout the state. This
bill would establish a department of
public accounting, to consist of chief
accountant at $4,000 a year; FIRST as
sistant at $4,000; second assistant at
$500, and not to exceed three clerks
at $1,000, all to be appointed by the
governor.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
THE MARKETS.

Observation-Disclosures dry-fed steers
and heifers. $50: steers and hcifers;
1000 to / 200 lbs. s5.25 q 500 steers and
heifers, 500 TO 900 lbs; s2M54o; st steers ,,ir
So choice fat cows. $3.50; good fat
cows, 81: common cows, s3@3.25; can
ners, $1:75 2; choice heavy bulls. $40
stock bulls, 1915 choice feeding steers,
500 to 1000 bs. s4.5Ou@d4'75; fair =, feed q.
f ing stocks s 5oo 1000 10 zoo of lbs .4s5
$50: fair stodkers 500 to 700 lbs. 81;
stock heifers $3.50; mixers, large.
Young. medium age. s4o@55; common
Veal caivei-Market steady. with
Wednesday; csc. higher than last
Thursday; bert. ss@S.75; others, sac
sheep and lambs-Market steady,
with "Wednesday. l5c lower than last
Thq r9os Be,t am9f sSt to cd 6nr
mon lambs, 56bo@7; yearlings. $50
SIS; fair to good sheep .s5.5oqe;, cuils
and &c G1ps 25e higher
Light TO good butchers; s7.15@ 7,25;
pigs. s6@6.4oi light workers. $500
6.75; stays. l.! off.
East Buffalo-Cattle-Ma dull
and 25@5Qc lower; best export steers.
s sS%s steers ees5 as best 1000 70 Ieo
10 shipping steers. $4,000 $50; best fat
cows. $4.50@5 fair to good. 1913 o.;
trimmers. $2.5)02.75: best fat heifers,
bulls, s4.50@475: bologna bulls 1913
az. The market was fair on the best
cows. but SLOW on the common kinds:
best cows. s4OI5O; medium, $3oq40:
Hogs-Market steady. heavy, $1,000
40; workers.. s7;15@7.3O; pigs, $1,000
go; closed steady.
ss4o@S.5O; fair to good ss@S.25 culls.
s65o@e.75; ewes. s5.75@6.25; closed
weak: prospects lower.
Calves-Steady: best. $500 medium
to good. s7@9; heavy, s45o@5.
Grain, Etc.
Detroit. -Wheat--Cash No. red.
s1.35: May opened at s1.33 and ruled
steady; July opened at sl.13: advanced
to $114 and declined TO s1.13 Septem-
$780, No. ) red, sl.$2; No. ] white.
Corn-Cash No. 2. 6sIsc; No. 3 yell
low, cars at CSC; No. white. car
oats-Cash No. 3 white. 57hc.
Rye.-Cash No q S5c
Beans-Cash. s236: May. s2.42 bid.
Cloverseed-Prime spot 80 bags at
$3.50 October. 100 bags at $50; sam.
IS, 10 at s4.75; sample alsike, bags at
Timothy seed--Primc spot, 60 bags
Feed~In 1oe-lb sacks. jobbing lots.
Bran. s2S; coarse middlings. s2s: fine
middlinRs. $50; cracked corn and coarse
cornmeal. t2e: corn and oat chop, s27
Flour-Dest Michigan patent. ss25;
ordinary patent, Sc straight. $500:
clear, 1915 per Dbl In wood. jobbing
lots.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

Representative w. II. Quilliams is a
Benton Harbor man. Just recently
he scanned his district and was not
surprised to see it go wet" when
the votes in the recent option election
were counted. Berrien county has al
ways been wet" declares Mr.. Quill
liams, and perhaps will be. This Ber-
rien county summer resort business,
he says, is the lever upon which citi-
zens of the section voted. Berrien
county people think all resorters must
have wet goods, says the Benton Har-
Dor legislator, and so it was really
not the people of his district who de-
cided the question, but the ever-pres-
ent thirst Of the Chicago visitors. So
despite the fact that Superintendent
Morrow in Detroit black-penciled Ber-
rien county on his new dry" map of
Michigan, it really isn't the fault of
the Berrien folks.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Opposes Specific Taxes.

A special committee representing
the board of supervisors and the city
council of Sault Ste. Marie has de-
cided to oppose the specific tax law,
the country members outvoting the
city members, who favored retaining
the present law Representative n.
L. Field and Senator Fowle will be
urged TO work for the repeal of the
law
The law provides for specific tax
of one per cert on the capital stock
of power companies instead of the
usual taxes on property. The Michi-
gan-Lake Superior Power Co. pays
only $4,000 a year on its plant, which
cost about 100000.
The companr is in process of re-
organization, and the city members
believe the law should stand until the
concern gets on its feet. 1t is claim
ed the repeal If the law will hinder
financing the company.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Victims OF Wind Storm.

The blowing down in yesterdays
gale OF fire wall in Mitchell Bros.
planning mill at Jennings, instantly
crushed out the lives of a man and a
boy and injured another boy so that
he died shortly after The dead are
John Torrey. aged So; Charles Jacob
son, aged 16, and Bernard Carlson,
aged is. Both Torrey and Jacobson
were killed instantly. Their bodies
were almost unacceptable. Young
Carlson was so badly crushed about
the face that his death occurred in
abou. an hour.
A fourth person, young Oscar Nord-
strom, sustained injuries which were
not severe.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

just like thou
sands of others.
Mr.. Martin says:
Il think l have
had kidney dis
ease ever since the
war. During an en-.
g a & e m e n t my
horse fell on me,
straining my back
and injuring the
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Give Commission Full Power.

The house agreed to Representative
Hoeft's bill repeating the maximum
carload law for short hauls. This law
prescribes the rates for hauls up to 80
miles and the attorney general held
that where the legislature fixed rate
the railroad commission had no power
Of review. 1t was thought best to let
the commission deal with the Just
ness OF all rates.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

lation has not even been taken up in
the house A bill was introduced. No
primary legislation has been acted
upon as yet, and the matter of liquor
legislation is still in the air. No APP
preparation bill has come up for con-
sideration and some of these bills have
not been introduced
Speaker Campbell was the main
force behind the move to force an adj
journment.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Don't Be MisTed.

Many life has been cut short by
cough that was not believed to be serious.
Many backache and sideache follows a
coughing spell. Many night is passed in
restlessness caused by coughing. Many
cough cure that never cures is tried. Do
not be misled If you cough, take the old
reliable Kemps Balsam, the best cough
cure. At druggists and dealers, 25c.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
For Uniform Accounts.

The special committee on public ac-
counts named by the house reported
out substitute bill providing for uni
form accounts in state institutions
and counties. The bill drafted under
the direction OF Representative Nor
gan provides that the auditor. general
shall devise the system of uniform &C.
counting for county treasurers and
other officers and make an annual ex-
animation of the books of account of
all county officers. Annual reports
may be required from county treasur-
ers by the auditor general
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Seemed Reasonable.

First Citizen (excitedly)-Can you
tell me where the fire is?
Second Citizen (calmly)-I think II
must be the schoolhouse. There are a
lot OF boys dancing and yelling glee.
fully just around the corner.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

Mr.. Carnegie thinks that naval ALL
ance between Great Britain and the
United States would help greatly to
promote peace. With Britannia who
rules the waves and Columbia, the gem
of the ocean. joining forces there
would not be much of the aqueous ele-
ment left for other powers to thrash
around in.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
The ScapeQoat.

II wish our furnace were not SO
brave"
Brave! Who ever heard of fur
mace being brave"
We'll, ours is; it smokes when my
wife is around and she blames me for
it"-Houston Post.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

journment on May
Is.
A resolution to
this effect was
passed, So to 33,
and il was certain
that the senate
would concur, as
the latter body
was anxious to
get away as soon
as possible and
able to work fast
er than the house.
Home rule legis-
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
Mayor Charles Miller and four othe

Mayor Charles Miller and four other
citizens OF Lakeview, o.. were arrest
ed charged with operating blind
pig" The town is dry and the mayor
was elected on dry" platform.
Judge John r. Phillips. in U. S. dis
trict court In Springfield. Mo-. SEN
fenced Cleveland Carroll, a Pulaski
county boy employed as mail carrier
to six months in the Missouri refor-
matory for embezzling postal funds
amounting 10 two cents. Carroll Is
said TO have appropriated two cents
given him 10 buy a stamp. He de-
stroyed the letter he was TO mail.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15
uas AIlan.a Eoot.Eass.

II IL the only cure for swollen, Smart
Corns and Bunions. Ask for Aliens Foot
Ease, powder to be shaken into the
shoes. Cures while you walk. At all Drug
gists and Shoe Stores. 25c. Don't accept
dress, Allen s. Olmsted, Leroy, ~. Y.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

Kidneys. ] have been told l had.
floating kidney. / had intense pain
in the back, headaches and dizzy
spells, and the action of the bladder
very irregular. About three years ago
/ tried Doan's Kidney Pills and inside
of comparatively short time was en-
tirely rid Of kidney trouble"
Sold by all dealers. so cents box,
Foster-Milburn Co.. Buffalo, n. Y.
AckING SMAII FAVOR
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-04-15

Gov. Warner has issued a proclaim
alton designating Friday, April 30, as
Arbor day, and urges that every per-
son in tho state plant tree on that
day. Teachers in district schools are
asked to hold appropriate exercises
on that day, in accordance to the re-
quest made by the special Country
Life commission, appointed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
1t is believed that Florence Smith,
the Niles girl who is said to have
taken morphine over a disappointment
In love affair, cannot recover. She
10 at the home Of a sister In South
Bend