davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25

your ship for certain price, then
after you are on his boat force YOU
to pay double or, not let you land
This was an experience two hours
later in Yokohama harbor Having
such a weakness for underhanded
trickery, il is not surprising that just
now the Chinese fear that Japan is
secretly aiding the Imperial army. If
such is proven true the new govern
ment will boycott her forever.
We received a sudden and thorough
acquaintance with the real Chinee
passing through the native city OF
Shanghai. The most important busi-
ness streets varied from six to ten
feet in width, coolie ahead of us
carrying two large bundles stopped
TO rest for five minutes. Our riksha
men did the same for there was no
possible way TO pass him. We un-
consciously half held our breath all
the way for our noses were quite
rnaccustomed to such impressions,
1t was simply that the streets lacked
any system of ventilation, and no
place needed it more.
We left our good ship at Hong
Kong, it having been our home for
four weeks. A night boat took us to
Canton where we arrived early Wed.
nesday morning, Oct. 4th SeverA
missionaries were at the landing to
welcome us. Standing there in the
midst of hundred half naked coolies
they were indeed a pleasant sight to
us. We found that we were to be
stationed for the first two years in
9hek Lung while we are studying the
language. This is busy market town
of 100000 people, 30 miles east of
Canton on the new railroad between
there and Hong Kong which was just
opened the day we came. This rail-
road. by the way, is one section of
the trunk line which will soon be
running between Hong Kong and
Calais, France. 1t now lacks only a
few hundred miles between Canton
and Hankow to be entirely completed
Since the revolution spread into this
section the railroad has ceased opera
tions and we have been introduce to
the old mode of travelling to and from
Canton by passage-boat--a seven to
ten hour ride in uncomfortable and
dirty quarters The train makes it in
~ hours. The fare is less than
cent mile GU. s. money!,
The>most bewildering thing to new
comers in China is the changeable
value OF currency There is no stand
ard at all-the value of silver changes
more or less every day-a u S. gold
dollar is worth about $2H Mexican.
A Mexican dollar is worth about St.10
IN local currency GEO and 10 cent
pieces. A five cent piece is worth
about SIX one cent pieces, and the
latter bring at present about seven
cash, though every one is stamped
ten cash. The Canton local banks
viii not even accept Shanghai silver.
Although Hong Kong is only 10
miles from Canton, its currency is
worth from three 10 FIVE cents more
on the dollar. All of which we learned
by dear experience-to the profit OF
every money changer along the way.
We have engaged nice polite, old
fashioned, hrst-degree literati for our
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
ARCADIA GRANGE MEETING

Arcadia Grange, No. 500, met i'll reg
ular session Saturday evening, Janu-
airy 20. W. NJ. Allen Hubbel in the
chair Bill of janitor for last years
services presented and allowed. Bill
of secretary for same allowed. An
invitation from Sumner Grange was
presented for our degree team TO so
to Sumner Grange and> confer de-
grees. 1t was decided to accept the
invitation if the weather was not too
bad. The janitor work was let to
Roy Keefer for the ensuing year.
Meeting turned over to Lecturer
Floyd Smith
Opening song-Pentecostal Hymn,
River of Life.
Roll call-Response, an anecdote OF
tell in three words something the
Grange does; one member gave
"Great big feeds"
Cornet solo by Geo Fink and
Floyd Smith.
Discussion "What Harm is the
Middle man to Prosperity" led by
Bro. Rollin Wood. Bro. Keefer and
others took part in the discussion
Reading by Mrs. Titus.
Penny march.
Grange closed in form
Next meeting Saturday, February 3
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
PAUL KRESS ENTERTAINED

The Sigma Upsilon Psi fraternity
from the Mt. Pleasant Normal took
their annual sleigh ride to Alma last
Saturday and were entertained at the
home of Paul G. Kress on State street
where all enjoyed a very merry time
After a long twenty-five mile ride
they reached their destination at 7:30
There were three loads of nearly
frozen people who piled out, and after
getting sufficiently warm, they were
all seated at two large neatly decor
ated tables and enjoyed fine supper
which had been prepared by Mrs
James c. Kress and daughter Mildred
The Misses Gould McGraham, Pot
ter and Kress served them in granC
style until all had had their fill
When they had finished their sup
per Miss McGraham favored then
with few very pretty vocal solos
accompanied by Miss Gould
"Pat" Ryan came next on the pro
gram with some fine readings anC
he sure could deliver the goods.
Miss Louise Travegne, "Pag," gave
them a pretty vocal solo which wa
followed by another reading by Ryan
Lastly the merry crowd all went t.
the Vaudette and had a jolly goo'
time. When they returned again t.
the Kress home the sleighs werC
waiting and after bidding good-nigh
10 the host and his mother they wer,
soon on their return to old Mt. Pleas
ant
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
LETTER FROM SHEK LUNG SOUTH CHINA
Paul Aured, Former Well Known Student of Alma Col
lege Was in Canton, China Cue Cutting Day-De
scription of Shanghai With Its Narrow Streets

The Record office is In receipt OF
a letter from Paul ]. Allured for four
years student of Alma college from
which institution he graduated with
high honors, later graduating from
Princeton seminary and returning to
Michigan was united in marriage to
Miss Helen Strange, graduate OF
the college kindergarteH department
Mr.. and Mrs. Allured sailed for
China early in September, where they
have gone to labor in the missionary
field Their many friends in Alma
cannot help but be interested in the
letter which follows:
Shek Lung, South China,
November 25, 1911.
Dear Mr.. Brown:
We have been nearly two months
in China = considering all we have
seen and gone through, it seems like
wear since we landed at Hong Kong
Oct. 3rd. This is strange and
wonderful and just now a terribly
shaken-up country. We feel that we
have really lived more since we came
here than in all our former years
And considering the great importance
of the events now transpiring here
We came Just in time to "see the
show" and wouldn't have missed II
for anything The best thing
could wish any OF my Alma friend:
would be trip to South China, a
months experience in Canton and
vicinity would give you enough tc
talk and think about all the rest OF
your life.
We could not have asked for a
more pleasant ocean tripl The "Ten-
yo Maru" (Toyo Kisen Kaisha s. S
Coz is one OF the best ships on the
Pacihc-every conveninece we could
ask for was supplied to us. A library
OF 200 books supplied us with all the
reading we desired; the upper deck
was fitted with all sorts of games
besides piano and Victor phonograph
After we left Honolulu, four indoor
base ball teams were organized, we
played every afternoon except the one
Sunday till the day before we reached
Yokohama That noon we struck a
typhoon and every one who went
out on deck had to hang on for dear
lifel We retraced Our course TO the
southeast for nearly fifty miles to
get into safe waters. 1t would have
been an awful experience in smaller
vessel, but on a 81 900 tonner it was
grand-as long as we were well out
from shore in deep water there was
nothing to fear.
Our stop-offs in Japan were very
enjoyable. We spent a day each in
Tokyo, Kobe, and Nagasaki Presi-
dent Asano of the Toyo Kisen Kaisha
Co. invited all the first class passen-
gers to his beautiful home in Tokyo
for an afternoon reception. The in
terror decoration OF that home is per-
haps second 10 none in the world
Nothing gaudy or elaborate in eff
feet; everything just matched and all
elegance from the inlaid floor designs
to the embroidered brocade panels
in the ceiling. .was subdued with per-
feet taste. We could hardly believe
that such exquisitely artistic people
can be 80 deceitfully mean as to
promise 70 carry you from shore to
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
SIXTY CENT BUTTER.

A Chicago dispatch dated January
II said:
Sixty cents pound for butter
was said today to be the ,price to
which retail dealers in Chicago look
forward. Quotations last night reach
ed AZ cents, the highest in the city
market history This additional bur
den on the cost OF living was blamed
by the storekeepers to scarcity re-
sulting from the recent severe wea-
ther conditions. but other persons
were not slow TO ascribe the advance
to the alleged trust, which is under
investigation by federal authorities. y
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
WILL BECOME A PRIEST.

A special dispatch from Alma to
the Grand Rapids Evening Press Of
Monday said:
Zone of the sensations of the year
occurred here when d. Royal Blaske,
student in the college Nnounced
his intention of leaving the school
and taking up a course at St. Thomas
college, Washington, d. c., with the
intention of becoming a Catholic
priest. Mr.. Blaske is resident OF
Traverse City and has been student
at Alma for the last few years."
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
MALE QUARTETTE.

The Alma college male quartette
composed of G.. V. Wright, first tenor;
K II. Hume, second tenor; r. c.
Burrtt, first bass; r. Fl. Cook, second
bass; assisted by Miss Theo Ans
bury, accompanist, and K. II. Hume,
reader, gave concert at the Presby-
terian church last Saturday evening
Every number on the program was
well rendered and pleased the audi
ence as evinced by the hearty encores
received The program was as fol-
lows:
Prologue &C. B. Rich) 49,. Quartette
Friars Of Orders Gray (74s-1s29)
(Wm. F. Shields) ..... Mr.. Burritt
Witchery (Stanley)........ Quartette
Reading selected. ........,Mr. Hume
Little Orphan Annie U Parks)..
........................ Quartette
Part ii.
Piano Solo (Rubenstein) ..........
................M Miss Amsbury
Annabel Lee. C. A. Poe wan Der
Stucken) ............... Quartette
1t vas Lover and His Lass (De
kONefl - ..............M Mr.. Wright
Kentucky Babe (Geibel) Quartette
Reading. selected ed......M Mr.. Hume
Venetian Song (F Paolo. l. Fosti)
.................. Mr. Cook
Come, Let Us Go Or. w. Atkin-
SOM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Quartette
College (Faust).
The quartette,. soloiss, accompan-
ist and reader were each in. turn com
PEELED to respond 70 encores
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
Saturday. 27, Monday, April st, You out

language teacher-so that is our chief
business five days Of the week, five
hours day. Cantonese is the nearest
like the common language spoken
two thousand years ago of any of the
modern Chinese dialects. There are
nine distinct tones" or varieties in
which a word may be spoken. Each
word must be spoken in its peculiar
tone or it may have an entirely diff
ferent meaning. Every day for one
or two hours we sing these different
tones over and over and over until
we are nearly desperate-our teacher
will never know how many narrow
escapes he has had from being kicked
over the wall!
AT present we are living with Rev
and Mrs. A. ]. Fisher, the only other
missionaries here, in a field of
quarter of million people. A new
house is soon to be built for us so
we are looking forward TO being in
our own home within a year Jusl
now we are having a cement tennis
court built-that is the best and prac-
tically the only way that we can get
the proper exercise we need. None
of the country roads are over three
or four feet wide; that means, OF
course, that there are no wagons OF
wheeled vehicles of any kind here;
everything is carried in baskets OF
ropes strung on shoulder-bars. SO il
is no satisfaction taking country
walks, it is too much of a nuisance
passing "auto-trucks.
A word in closing about the revolu-
tion-the biggest upheaval that has
occurred in China since ancient his
tory No telling what will have hap
pened five weeks from now when you
will be reading this letter. 1t is re-
markable how unanimous has been the
cry. Down with the Manchu rule!'
"Off with the cue!' (the sign of ser
! Witty TO the Manchus). 1--WE desire
freedom and independence Govern
ment soldiers, robber bands and stud
ents have joined the rebel army.
We watched several hundred of them
marching into Shet Lung, most OF
them armed with muzzle-loaders,
some with ordinary shot-guns, a very
few had good Winchester repeaters.
! The worst feature of the army equip
ment are the barbarous bombs car
ried by the ''no-fear death" men.
1t was one of these who killed the
newly appointed Tartar general OF
Canton a month ago, blowing his
body to atoms, killing and manning
many others and wrecking several
houses.
| happened TO be i'll Canton on the
great cue-cutting day (Nov. 2Oth).
Men equipped with BARRIERS shears
were stationed on every street and
every cue that passed was impoitely
shipped off then politely handed back
to the owDer-it was a bigger circus
than any Freshman hazing ? ever
saw. Each victim Immediately rushed
to buy a cap or hat OF some kind; we
saw several wearing ladies models
In America it would all have been a
grand farce, but here it is a terrible
reality - however laughable to us -
for IT has a deep significance. II
shows that the right must eventually
prevail at any cost; that even the
Chinese - the most peaceable and
easily governed. people in the world
will not stand for any government
run for the governments sake. May
God help them through this critical
period and spare them further blood
shed and suffering
Very sincerely,
PAUL J. AIIURED
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
SEVILLE AND SUMNER CLUB

The next meeting of the Seville and
Sumner Farmers Club will be held
at the home of George Bailey, Thurs
day. February first
Program.
Song by Club. %
Invocation.
Reading minutes OF last meeting.
Roll call by quotations.
Music-Mrs. Walter Ferris.
Association questions.
Discussion-Parcel Post, led by
James Gargett.
Song-Mrs. Hanley.
Question box
Song by Club.
Adjournment
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
DETROIT 5 NEW DEPOT
Work On $2,5O0,00O Station to Com
mence March First
TO Be FINEST IN THE west
Man waiting Room 225Ii00 Feet Marble
Floors Throughout

Construction of the new S2,600,0OO
terminal station of the Michigan
Central railroad in Detroit will be-ac-
lively under way by March 1st. This
announcement is made by Geo II.
Webb. chief engineer of the Mich
igan Central, who has supervised the
preparation Of plans and will be IN
charge of the erection OF the build
ing.
The new station is planned as part
of the Detroit river tunnel system as
a union depot for the ccommodation
of all railroad lines now entering De-
troit Work has Zen in progress
more than year dA the rearrange-
ment of tracks, construction OF sub
ways, approaches and other prelim-
inaries.
In dimensions and appearance the
new station will rank among the
city's largest and finest buildings.
The lower portion of the building
in which will be the general waiting
room and other accommodations for
the travelling public, will have front
age of 345 feet, four inches on the
esplanade and depth of 266 feet, 10
inches 1t will be in the form of a
rectangle, and will have the height OF
a three-story building, the roof OF
which is to be coppered, being 76 feet
above street grade The office build
ing. a monumental structure in the
shape of letter ], will rise Is stories
higher than the waiting room, CIV
ing the building total height OF 23C
feet
The waiting room will have three
entrances, the principal one being
from the esplanade on. the north
The entrance on the east side will bt
used chiefly by passengers brought tc
the depot by street railway cars, who
it is estimated, will number about &c
per cent of the total number arriving
there These passengers will be land
ed in a street railway station. They
will approach the depot by bridge
leading from the street railway sta
tion TO the east entrance, passing
through which they will proceed
across the elevator COIIluOl dHI
through an arcade to the ticket lobby
which will be located on a line will
the axis OF this entrance.
In the arcade on either side, will
be spaces occupied by a telegraph
and telephone booths, news stands
parcel checking room and informa
tion bereau.
The cab and automobile entrance
will be at the west end of the con
course The cab stand will be rooted
over and in stormy weather the side!
will be enclosed by curtains which
in fair weather may be raised, throw
ing the space open TO the air.
The main waiting room with mar
bic floor, will occupy the front OF the
building, including an area 235x10(
feet. Opening off Nhe waiting room
on the west will be mems reading
room 4Ox5O feet, and a tea room 2
x5O feet The women's room, toilet
etc, will be on the east side Of the
waiting room.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
NNE1Y.THREE PER- GENT FAVORED BOND ISSUE
Out of Total of 426 Votes Cast Only Seven per Voted
No-Specal Election Last Monday Brought Out
Fifty Per cent of Registered Voters

The special election held Monday
of this week brought out nearly fifty
per cent OF the voters of the city who
by the decisive majority of 396 to 80
authorized the Gssuance of $4,000 in
bonds to be known as "Street Paving
and Improvement Bonds" The vote
by wards was as follows:
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
MRS. RING DEAD.

Mary Ann Ring, former resident
OF Alma, died at St. Johns, January
18th, aged "a years and s months
The remains were brought to Alma
Saturday and placed in the Crandell
& Scott undertaking parlors, where
they remained until Sunday, when
services were held at the Parkinson
church conducted by Rev. w. E.
Doty and the body laid to rest in
Brady cemetery.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25

The Middleton Record published
by c. w. Newton appeared again last
week in six column form looking as
bright as before the fire which re-
Gently destroyed the office and plant.
Mr.. Newton is evidently not easily
discouraged, and is certainly giving
the people OF Southern Gratiot pa
per that for typographical appearance
is not excelled in the county
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
NurSber women voting, I

OF the 426 votes cast the PROPOSE
tion to bond the city for $4,000 re-
ceived 800 votes, while the opposition
secured only 30 The decisive major
ity given the proposition will enhance
the sale OF the bonds and assures
Mayor Montigel and the city council
the hearty cooperation of the tax
payers of the city in their efforts to
beautify and improve the city streets.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25

Sixty-eight factories were operated
the current campaign, viz: Michigan,
II; California, 1O;Colorado, IA; Idaho.
3; Nebraska, ,; Ohio. 4; Utah. 6; Wis
consin, 4; states having one each,
Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Min
nesta, Montana. Oregon and Nevada
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
NOTICE.

There will be a special meeting OF
the Civic Improvement League in the
Free Reading Room. Friday, January
goth, at 400 p M, for the purpose of
deciding upon location for the Free
Reading Room for the coming year
and for the transaction of such other
business as may come before the
League
MARY c. BAHLKE,
Corresponding Secretary.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
AUSTIN BLAIR BANQUET.

The eighth annual banquet of the
Austin Blair Club of Mecosta county
will be held at Big Rapids February
first. Among the speakers OF the
evening will be u. s. Senator w. A.
Smith, Governor Osborn, w. n. Fer
ris, Judge Clarence Session and other
notables. Pat Kelly will officiate
as toastmaster.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25

Mr.. and Mrs Peter ]. Milloy of
this city are the parents of an eight
pound baby boy born Sunday, Janu-
ary 21st. Peter is happy and says he
will soon have the boy at work as an
expert electrician
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25

Mrs. G.. S Ward entertained at
bridge Wednesday afternoon at her
home on Woodwork avenue The
Usual good time was experienced by
those present.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25

Watch for the date of the Fire
mems Ball. The department are
planning on the best time ever. Par
ticulars next week.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
BEET SUGAR OUTPUT
Michigan Leads In Sugar BeetS-
Makes l44,OOO Ton Sugar

The American Sugar industry OF
Chicago in its January number gives
a preliminary estimate OF the beet
sugar production OF the country in
which Michigan is given the lead,
although the figures are in short tons
of 1000 pounds each. This estimate
follows:
Beets Sugar
Short Short
tons tons
1000 lbs 1000 lbs
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
Second Ward.

Number of ladies voting, 8.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
Third Ward.
Fourth Ward.

Number of ladies voting, s.
Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-01-25
First Ward.

Number Pf ladies voting, 95
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-12-20

c DICE showing-no
two alike recently
rot extreme. White
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-12-20
BENNINGTON BRIEFS
News Of the Town and Village Told Briefly
Tor Busy Readers.

w. J. Cain of Brattleboro, one on
the grand officers, will be present at
the inspection of Canton Bennington
this evening.
The funeral of Ward +. Niles, aged
81 who died Wednesday at his home
in White Creek. will be held from the
house Saturday morning at 10 o
clock The burial will be in the Oak
Hill cemetery in Pownal
Members of the Bennington Falls
basket ball team are giving a dance
for the members of the Bennington
Falls club at the Neighborhood
house this evening. All members
come without written invitations.
Per order Of the secretary.
The third in the series Of meetings
for men under the auspices Of the Y.
NJ. c. A. will be held on Sunday in
the Association lobby. Rev. Joseph
II. Robinson, OF Old Bennington, will
be the speaker and his subject will
be- That Truth about Christmas"
Mr.. Robinson is a very talented
speaker and his talk is Of the kind
which should interest a large mum.
Der Of men The two preceding
meetings have been attended by two
hundred men. The hour will be AIS
for the meeting on Sunday.
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-12-20
BENNINGTON BRIEFS
tc,ss " the Town ard Village Tcld Briefly
sor Busy ReaderA

Miss Edith Van Santvoord is visit
ing in Troy.
William Sharland Of Rutland, for
mer resident. is visiting in town.
Misses Frances and Ruth Aldrich
OF Hoosick visited in the village
Thursday.
A regular meeting of Bennington
Council, Knights of Columbus. will
be held this evening.
Mrs. c. b. Kent of Dorset is pass
ing a few days with her husband,
Judge Kent, at the Putnam house.
Miss Bessie Cain Of Brattleboro
will arrive here today to be a guest
of Mr. and Mrs. F. T. Hopkinson.
The Senior gym class will meet
tonight for the last class until after
New Years as Mr.. Morgan will be
out Of town next week for the holi-
days. A large class is hoped for.
Rev. J. II. Robinson Of Old Benning
ton will preach the sermon at the
Christmas service at the Hoosick
Falls Presbyterian church Sunday
morning. There will be Christmas
music by the children OF the Sunday
school
The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-12-20
EvERYoNEs HEAD AcHED
Three Rutland Tailors Family Mar.
rowly Escape Asphyxlation.

Rutland, Dec. 1S.-Three of the
five members of the family OF VIII.
liam b. Kennedy of this city, a tail
OF, narrowly escaped death this
morning by asphyxiation from fur
mace gas. The cause of the trouble
is a mystery as the hampers we're
left as usual and no trouble has been
experienced before.
Mr.. Kennedy awoke this morning
with a violent headache and he found
his wife and daughters, Gennie and
Mildred, too IN to arise from bed or
call for aid. They suffered through
out the morning from sinking spells
and nausea but were out OF danger
this afternoon. A son, J. Hayden
Kennedy, and a daughter. and anoth-
er occupant Of the house had severe
headaches.